#58 When a Book Becomes a Mentor: Reading as Discipleship with Sue Donaldson

About this episode

Lori G. Melton discusses the significance of reading in discipleship with Sue Donaldson, focusing on the impact of Oswald Chambers' devotional.

On this final episode of the Spring Series, join host Lori G. Melton to explore reading as a vital piece of our discipleshipthrough a conversation with speaker and author Sue Donaldson about Oswald Chambers’ devotional My Utmost for His Highest and its impact on Sue’s life withGod for over 50 years. Sue recounts receiving the book from her sister in 1972, keeping annotated copies through major life moments, and returning to read it daily in 2021 while journaling prayers. She highlights Chambers’ central call to complete surrender and being “abandoned to God,” along with themes likehumility, worry, and “trusting God and doing the next thing.” Sue shares Chambers’ biography, including his chaplaincyin Egypt during WWI and early death, and explains how his wife Biddy’s shorthand notes and hospitality enabled the devotional’s creation and enduring influence, connecting these lessons to Sue’s own ministry of hospitality andwriting. Reading as a vital part of our discipleship — the perfect topic to complete this series focused on the practices that form us over a lifetime! Resources: Welcomeheart.com to learn more about Sue Donaldson Never Alone: Stories of Invitation & Connection…

People in this episode

Host: Lori G. Melton

Guest: Sue Donaldson

Topics covered

• reading as discipleship
• impact of devotional literature
• personal testimony
• spiritual growth
• hospitality in ministry
• trusting God

Keywords

• discipleship
• Oswald Chambers
• My Utmost for His Highest
• spirituality
• trusting God
• hospitality
• Sue Donaldson

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: My Utmost for His Highest, Never Alone: Stories of Invitation & Connection, Abandoned to God, The Woman Who Was Chesterton, Becoming Mrs. Lewis, Journey with a Giant: Choose Your Guide, Pursue Your Purpose, and Grow in Your Walk with God

More episodes of Sanctuary Stirrings

• #57 Living the Sabbath Way with Travis West · April 22, 2026 · 55 min
• #56 Discovering God's Will Through Others · April 14, 2026 · 7 min
• #55 The Gift of the Body of Christ Throughout the Centuries with Ben Lansing · April 7, 2026 · 46 min
• #54 Holy Leisure: Transform Your Quiet Time from Duty to Delight with Cara Ray · March 31, 2026 · 42 min
• #53 How is Your Soul? One of the Most Important Questions to God · March 24, 2026 · 14 min
• #52 Nurturing the Soul: Celtic Christianity & Life with God with Robin T. Jennings · March 17, 2026 · 50 min