December Musings — 2016

Posted on by Michele Morin

Turning the last page of 2016, I’m reminded of all its gifts, chief among them this favorite guy, and our rowdy and much-loved family.

Thank you, friends, for the encouragement you have brought to this year, for your own inspiring books and blog posts, and for the hospitality of a warm welcome into your life — and your inbox!

On the Nightstand

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For Christmas of 2015, my oldest son and his wife gave me Amy Carmichael’s Edges of His Ways, arranged in daily devotional readings.  This book has been my companion throughout 2016, and I’ve been thankful for the daily reminder that no matter how much I study, regardless of how long I walk with God, and even in light of God’s incredible self-revelation in the person of Christ and in the wonders of His creation, “these are the mere edges of His ways,” (Job 26:14).  Always, always there is more to be known in this following life.

 

 On the Blog

 

The most-read piece at Living Our Days for the month of December was my review of A.W. Tozer’s From Heaven, a compilation of Tozer’s sermons and excerpts from his written material for the Christmas season.  Our family has been dipping into this wisdom as part of our Advent devotions, and almost every day, there’s another glorious “Ah Ha!” moment around the dining room table.  Here’s one example:

“We live between two mighty events — that of His incarnation, death, and resurrection, and that of His ultimate appearing and the glorification of those He died to save.  This is the interim time for the saints — but it is not a vacuum.  He has given us much to do, and He asks for our faithfulness.”

For the month of December, the SheLoves community has been writing and thinking about the word “Pause.”  My offering (click here to read it!) was centered on the notion of pausing in the in-between, honoring the sinewy watchfulness of those who waited for a Messiah in the days between the Testaments while staying present to the wonder of Word made flesh in our every day living.  Words spoken into that long ago in-between also resonate for today’s waiting:  “Nothing shall be impossible.  God is with us.”

Then, one morning I received an e-mail notification that my blog post was being featured over at Deeply Rooted.  This is a community of women called to purpose, on purpose, by God, and I was honored that they shared my thoughts on prayer, Sometimes Instead of Bread, I Ask God for Stones.

Just for Joy

I’m hoping that many of you will join me in the journey through C.S. Lewis’s Till We Have Faces.  

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Lewis has been referred to as an “armchair theologian,” and we all know that he was a masterful storyteller, a combination which makes for a rich reading experience.  On January 5, I’ll be posting a reading schedule and an invitation to link your own thoughts and blog posts about the book in a book discussion that will take us into the early weeks of March.

The best part of an on-line group is that our meetings won’t have to be cancelled for inclement weather!

Having passed the Winter Solstice, those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are now heading toward the light.  I pray that this is your heart’s condition, regardless of circumstances, and I’m looking forward to sharing more words of Truth and Light together in 2017.

//

Join me over at Leigh Kramer’s place to read a collection of musings from a wide and varied selection of writers!  Happy 2017!

If you enjoy reading Living Our Days, subscribe to get regular Bible studies and book reviews delivered to your inbox.  Just enter your e-mail address in the box at the top of this page.

I link-up with a number of blogging  communities on a regular basis.  They are listed in the left sidebar by day of the week.  I hope that you will take a moment to enjoy reading the work of some of these fine writers and thinkers.

Published by Michele Morin

Michele Morin is a Bible teacher, writer, reader, and gardener committed to the truth that women can become confident Christ-followers and students of God's Word. She has been married to an unreasonably patient husband for thirty-plus years, and together they have four sons, four daughters-in-love, and five adorable grandchildren. Michele loves hot tea and well-crafted sentences, poems that stop her in her tracks, and days at the ocean with the whole family. She laments biblical illiteracy and advocates for the prudent use of “little minutes.” She blogs at Living Our Days, and you can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

23 thoughts on “December Musings — 2016”

  2. Love the pic of you and your husband also, my friend! I enjoyed the reflection here and will tell you that I purchased the C.S. Lewis book and will endeavor to join in as much as possible. You make it so irresistible!! Make sure I am on the list for that group! Blessings and love to you!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Michele, I always enjoy your monthly musings. They are a little glimpse into your heart. I’m looking forward to going through Till We Have Faces with you. Happy New Year to you and your family. Many blessings in 2017!

    Like

  10. I love your compilation of December happenings. The glimpse into you and your family is a treat. Your words about Tozer and Advent made me think of Max Lucida’s book, Because of Bethlehem. I have made my way through most of the book but have a chapter or two to go. He also references in different words that we are living between two Advents- the one we celebrate before He was born and the Advent when returns again. Thanks for this offering and Happy New Year.

    Like

  11. Michele, I LOVE Amy Carmichael! It makes me so happy to know that you enjoy her, too! And I have been wanting to reread Till We Have Faces…

    Thanks for sharing what you’ve been into!

    Like

  13. You know I love to visit you here, reading your book reviews and smiling along with your words. I love seeing your articles that you post, too. But seeing that photo of your husband and yourself, I think that is my favorite. I love the happiness I see. Thanks for sharing that with us.
    Blessings and looking forward to the January book study! 🙂
    Thank you so much for being a regular contributor to the #GraceMoments Link Up. I appreciate you.
    In Him,
    Dawn

    Like

  14. I haven’t seen that Amy Carmichael devotional, but my younger girls and I read a biography of her a few years ago, and I’d love to read her devotional! Thank you for linking up with the LMM linkup.

    Like

  15. Happy New Year, Michele! It’s so good to stop by again! I’m looking forward to 2017 and all the inspiring, yet challenging work you will present us with! Thanks, friend, for joining me at #MomentsofHope!
    Blessings and smiles,
    Lori

    Liked by 1 person

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