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Christian Book Review: Unexpected Altars: Meeting God in Everyday Moments

If you have been a reader for a while, you know that I enjoy reading memoirs and books that help readers explore spirituality and strengthen Christian faith. Having grown up with a family full of Baptist and Pentecostal pastors--faith was a huge element of my upbringing--both in the church and out. Today, I have a book of short personal devotionals to share that seeks to remind readers of God's presence in daily life. Learn about Unexpected Altars: Meeting God in Everyday Moments compiled by the Oakland Community Church and read my thoughts on the book.


 
​Book Title:  UNEXPECTED ALTARS: MEETING GOD IN EVERYDAY MOMENTS by Oakland Community Church
Category:  Adult Non-Fiction (18+),  242 pages
Genre: Christian Devotional, Inspirational Personal Testimonies
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:  November 15, 2025
Content Rating:  G. It has no inappropriate material in it.

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About the Book

Everyday moments become sacred altars where God meets you.

Do you sometimes wish you could hear from God? Do you feel like you are too insignificant for Him to care about your daily battles with loneliness, grief, change, and doubts?

God talks to each of us – from the young husband and father who accidentally torched his home, to the claustrophobic pastor making her way through a historic tunnel in Israel, to the mystery author having a close call with a stink bug.

God can speak to us through that soft voice inside your head; or the perfect words for your circumstance uttered on Sunday morning; or He can come to you in a powerful revelation.


UNEXPECTED ALTARS is a collection of stories of faith from real people, just like you, who have experienced God’s grace and presence in their lives. This heartfelt Christian devotional brings together authentic testimonies from everyday people who have encountered God’s presence in unexpected places.

Each story is a powerful reminder that God meets us right where we are—building altars of worship in the ordinary and the extraordinary. Perfect for daily devotion, small group discussion, or personal encouragement.

Turn your doubts into divine encounters. Discover how God is speaking to you today through these 101 inspirational faith stories. These stories will transform your doubts into powerful encounters with God’s grace, guiding you to find Him in unexpected places.

Start your journey to find God in the unexpected! Order UNEXPECTED ALTARS today!
 
My Review

 

This Book Offers Short Stories of Faith-Filled Moments.  A different person writes each short section, with many contributing multiple segments, each reflecting on a quote from Scripture. Each story is written in a similar style with a quote followed by the person's individual reflection. The stories are easy to read and easy to understand. The book is perfect to pick up and read a few quick sections when you need a few moments with God. The stories are personal, relatable, and a little thought-provoking as readers connect moments in the writers' lives to their own. 

 

Unexpected Altars focuses on Everyday Moments from Everyday People. I think the fact that most of the reflections offered in the book are not generated from pastors and religious teachers--but from everyday Christians who face many of the same struggles as you and I in our daily lives.  I found myself smiling and relating to many of the thoughts presented in the book, re-reading some of the related Scripture passages and creating reflections of my own as I read. 

 

Would I Recommend Unexpected Altars: Meeting God in Everyday Moments? If you enjoy finding relatable Christian non-fiction and devotionals, this collection is an excellent addition to your faith library.  Reading like a memoir, the anthology is not "preachy" or rigid — it's a great balance of down-to-earth, conversational stories and Faith-filled connections. I enjoyed the book as a Bible study/reflection resource for my own use, but it would also make an excellent gift for someone who needs a little Christian inspiration. 

 
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Meet the Authors


 

UNEXPECTED ALTARS: MEETING GOD IN EVERYDAY MOMENTS is an anthology written by multiple authors, edited by JoAnne Alexander, and published by Lauren Carr for Oakland Community Church, a non-denominational church located in Charles Town, West Virginia. 


All royalties from this devotional book will be donated to the building fund for Oakland Community Church's new building. Oakland's goal is to design a biophilic building that takes advantage of the beauty of our Jefferson County location.

connect with the author: website facebook instagram 




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