I’m a big fan of journaling. In fact, I’ve been writing in a diary or journal since I was in the fifth grade, and I’ve kept each and every one of them. They’re precious to me—an integral part of my spiritual life and essential to my sanity. Writing things down helps me to remember not only where I’ve been, but also where I’m going.
A few weeks ago, we went to Starkville for Super Bulldog Weekend, and as I strolled through the bookstore on campus, I was smitten by this journal by Katie Daisy. I’ve long been a fan of Katie’s work, and her etsy shop is one of my favorites. When we get settled into a new home of our own, I fully intend to fill up my walls with some of her gorgeous and uplifting art.
But all of that’s beside the point.
There’s something about the blank pages in a brand new journal that makes me want to sit down and write for hours. I love the freshness and the newness—the blank slate—the clean start. It’s one of the simplest pleasures in life, and it’s one I enjoy immensely.
As for this particular journal, well, I chose it because I need the daily reminder to be filled with joy. If I’m not careful, I can skate my way through an entire day…or week…or month…without stopping to count my blessings or truly experience the joy of the little moments that make up my life.
I know that as far as resolutions go, the beginning of May is a little late to be making one, but oh well. Who says that resolutions are just for new years, anyway? I’m resolved that 2013 (the rest of it, anyway) will be a year of great joy.
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”
This verse is my anthem. I’m looking for wonder and praying for joy in the everyday moments that make up my life.
What about you?
Until next time, grace and peace.
It’s been my great privilege over the past few weeks to be a part of the launch team for Margaret Feinberg’s latest book, Wonderstruck. In this busy season, it’s always a challenge to maintain sanity, much less wonder, but I’ve been greatly encouraged by Margaret’s wisdom. She’s graciously agreed to share a bit of the background to Wonderstruck on snippets today. Here’s what Margaret had to say:
There have been more seasons in my life devoid of the wonder of God than I can keep track of. I think we all have them. I know I’ve had those seasons when it just feels like I’m going through the motions of faith and God feels ten million miles away.
In fact, Wonderstruck: Awaken to the Nearness of God was founded out of such a time. Leif and I had just gone through one of the roughest years of our lives. Those who read the Wonderstruck book will learn of many of the challenges and intimate details of that time.
But what was born out of that time of essentially saying, “God, where are you?” was this resounding prayer and desire for the wonder of God. Essentially I was saying, God reveal yourself, your whole self to me. I want to know you like I’ve never known you before. I want to see you in places I’ve never seen you before.
And God did not disappoint.
We began seeing God show up in relationships, our finances, our chance conversations, our everyday interactions—in the most surprising ways. Scripture passages that I’d read many times suddenly came alive in a whole new way. The passion for God returned, not something forced or manipulated, but just burned inside.
So if you are in that place where you feel millions of miles from God. Can I ask you to stop and pray right now and ask for God’s wonder. Ask Him that he would reveal the whole of Himself to the whole of you. And will you live wide-eyed to the ways God answers. Because you never know what miracle, what divine moment, what insight into the character of God that transforms you forever just might be waiting.
To promote her new book, Wonderstruck: Awaken to the Nearness of God, which releases on Christmas Day, Margaret’s publisher is offering 6 EXCLUSIVE GIFTS (worth over $300) to anyone who pre-orders Wonderstruck: Awaken to the Nearness of God for only $7.57, from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, CBD.com or their favorite retailer:
1. Wonderstruck: Awaken to the Presence of God as an eBook ($9.99 available on Kindle, Nook, iPad and other formats)
2. Fourteen Days of Wonder Journal eBook ($19.99 as a download)
3. How to Hold an Unforgettable Retreat eBook (a $29.99 download)
4. Pursuing God 14-Day Devotional ($12.99 download)
5. You will be automatically entered to win a brand new Kindle Fire pre-loaded with a suggested retail value of more than $100 worth of books from Worthy ($259.00)
6. Ten people will randomly be selected to receive a free audio version of Wonderstruck ($9.99)
Simply buy and send the receipt to wonderstruck@margaretfeinberg.com This offer is only valid through the end of the day, December 25th. At that point, this offer goes away FOREVER.
From what I know of Margaret’s writing, it will be the best $7.57 you spend this Christmas!
Margaret Feinberg is a speaker and author of Scouting the Divine and The Sacred Echo. Become a Fan on Facebook or Follow her on Twitter @mafeinberg.
May you reclaim wonder during this Christmas season.
Until next time, grace and peace.
It’s always a pleasant surprise to receive advance copies of my work in the mail, and Saturday was no exception. I opened a package containing three copies of the February 2012 issue of ec magazine. I love writing for ec, not just because my friend Mandy is a its fantastic editor, but also because it’s a great devotional resource for teens who are serious about their faith.
Enter February’s issue.
If you can’t tell from the cover, the issue’s theme is living out the faith we confess. I contributed the introduction on Authentic Faith, which compares surface-level Christianity with the kind of faith that changes lives.
Here’s a little excerpt from the article to whet your appetite:
“We live in a Christian nation. At least, that’s the label we’ve given ourselves, but in many cases, we are Christians in name only. In no area is this truer than the Bible Belt, where good boys and girls faithfully attend church with their parents and say grace over Sunday lunch every week. They go to church, sing hymns, and even pray on occasion, but it’s all a façade. Their faith is practically nonexistent, and it’s evident in the choices they make.”
You may purchase the February 2012 issue of ec online from LifeWay. If your church has a subscription, you should see some copies in magazine racks soon.
Until next time, grace and peace.
In case you were wondering, lots of life happened during my little hiatus, one of which was the publication of a two-part Bible study I wrote for myMISSIONfulfilled.
The first part, A Genealogy of Faith, details the life and heritage of Abraham and the implications for modern believers. It may seem like his story has nothing to do with ours, but as the children’s song testifies, he is our father of faith. Click through to MMF to read the entire article, and stay tuned for a link to part two.
Until next time, grace and peace.
Hope you’re all having a good afternoon! I popped over to the myMISSIONfulfilled site yesterday to see if my latest article had been posted, and sure enough, I found it. When Courtney asked me to write an article about maintaining healthy relationships while engaged, I signed up immediately. Then I tried really hard to remember what that period of life was like. It all passed so quickly – in a blur!
At any rate, here’s a little sneak peek of the end result: Engaging Issues: Keeping the Peace While You’re Engaged.
It was fun to remember that time – especially since I’ve been working on a couple of custom wedding suites lately. It’s easy to lose sight of the big picture when you’re planning a wedding, and I hope this article encourages young women to keep first things first.
Be sure to click through to myMISSIONfulfilled to read the entire article on healthy relationships during engagement.
Until next time, grace and peace.
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