A Life Interrupted

Sometimes, I feel like my life has been interrupted, so I went to Priscilla Shirer's Life Interrupted Simulcast this weekend. Her message is based on the Prophet Jonah, because she says, like him, we tend to run - maybe mentally and emotionally instead of physically - when our lives are interrupted with something unexpected. If this simulcast comes to your area, you should go to it. It's so encouraging! There's also a book, Life Interrupted: Navigating the Unexpected, and even a Bible study, Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted. Check them out!

One Thousand Gifts

When we were going through our trial with cancer, I was challenged by Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience to record One Thousand Gifts by cultivating a heart of gratitude with the intentional counting of my daily blessings - or gifts - from God.  This challenge opened the eyes of my heart to the simple but profound blessings in everyday life which encouraged me to persevere through my husband's cancer and death and even now through widowhood and single parenting. 

The title of her gift list is now the title of a highly acclaimed and best selling book that released today. If you're seeking contentment and joy in the midst of the mundane of everyday life or even in the heartache of a trial, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are is a great book. It's about Ann's life and how contentment and joy in it started with gratitude. Check it out!

The Gifts of Sorrow

This is another quote from LB Cowman's devotional, Consolation, that spoke straight to my heart:

Take care that you don't waste your sorrows; that you don't let the precious gifts of disappointment, pain, loss, loneliness, or similar afflictions that come into your daily life mar you instead of mend you. See that they send you nearer to God, and not that they drive you farther from Him

This classic devotional continues to be a great source of comfort and encouragement to me as we continue to heal from our loss. It's out of print but if you can find it on Amazon or even eBay, I trust it'll bless you as much as it has me.

A Classic & its Spin-off

I finished reading Kent's copy of Oswald Chambers's classic and best selling one year devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, today. These daily entries have challenged me to truly give my utmost to His highest. There's even a child-friendly version of the book, Jesus Wants All of Me, by Phil Smouse. Check them out!