Gaining a heart of wisdom
There are at least two camps, two opposing opinions, among women's ministry leaders about the nature and content of what has come to be called the believer's "devotional life." The view from my youth was heavy on the "quiet time" model. Settle down somewhere cozy with your Bible and a devotional book. Read the suggested… Continue reading When You’re Looking for Substantial Devotional Reading
I love reading and sharing Christian books here at Living Our Days—and with friends in real life. My goal is to put resources in my readers' hands to help them become more confident followers of Christ and students of God's word. I want to see the truth clearly so I can say it clearly. The… Continue reading What Gospel Is Your Life Spreading in the World?
When my sons were small, it was not unusual for one of them to place tiny hands on either side of my face and turn it toward them when they were talking to me. Distracted and doggedly multitasking, I'm afraid that I was not always a very satisfying audience, and they wanted undivided attention for… Continue reading If You Turn Your Eyes, Your Heart Will Follow
Here on this country hill, we have two lovely apple trees. They have powered through their blossom season, scattering petals on the grass like snow, and are now fully engaged in the work of producing tiny green apples. We're still eating applesauce from their productive past years—and if you walk into my kitchen and smell… Continue reading Making Room for New Growth
We've been watching birds here on this country hill for over thirty years and have compiled quite a long list of regular visitors. Year-round, the chickadees rend the air between forest and feeder, and then stitch it back up again after sampling some seed. Mourning doves are the faithful clean-up crew on the ground below,… Continue reading Why Wise People Pay Attention to the Birds
Standing in my warm kitchen, I was thankful for a sunny day. The sun streamed through our windows, creating rectangular patches of light on the floor. The truth about that light landed in my mind like a benediction: Those patches of light that warmed and cheered me had traveled 93 million miles to reach my… Continue reading The One View that Changes Everything You See and Do
A photo snapped at just the right time becomes a treasure, a way of holding on to a memory or a season. Twenty years ago, we were visiting friends at a Vermont lakeside cabin. The location was a childhood dream come true. We all swam together—until I realized that we were swimming with big, grumpy… Continue reading Practical Wisdom for an Unhurried Childhood
As hard as it might be to believe, the "influencers" of my formative years were ordinary people. I actually knew them, ate at their tables, rode in their cars, and, in some cases, even slept in their guest rooms. I was formed and influenced by high school teachers, a nursing assistant, and an assortment of… Continue reading The Power and the Promise of Your Ordinary Life
One of my favorite church life memories was summer Vacation Bible School. The program was all-hands-on-deck as we decorated the sanctuary and the fellowship hall, welcomed the kids, provided snacks, played crazy games, sang enthusiastic songs that fit the theme, and sent them home with gospel truth on replay in their little brains. Everyone, from… Continue reading What Does It Mean to Be God’s Forever Family?
Family ties are God’s great gift for teaching us how to get along. If I had never had children, I would imagine all sorts of good things about myself that are not true—that I am patient and unselfish, tolerant and quick to forgive. Living in close proximity with four sons, a mortal husband, and a… Continue reading The Great Gift of Living with Your Fallen Family
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