Reading, Writing & Pondering

   As we close out July 2026, The United States has celebrated it's 250th birthday.  From Sea to Shining Sea : 50 Daily Devotions from Traveling to Every State in America  is a Christian devotional devotional book that celebrates all fifty states of the United States. This is an especially great year to read this devotional.  From Sea to Shining Sea  has devotions that are designed for short, meaningful reflection, blending faith, Scripture, and real-life travel experiences from across the United States. Each of the fifty readings begins with a travel moment that the authors experienced that coincide with the state featured in that reading. The authors have traveled to all fifty states and have been married 60 years. The travels are from various times in their lives and feature various landmarks and historical interests in the states.  Along with the travel stories, each reading   connects that experience with a brief Scripture passa...

  In the introduction of Psalms and Proverbs for Everyday Life by Joel Osteen, Osteen talks about how his parents taught their children to read the Bible every morning. That is a great legacy to have. However, I would add that if you aren't a morning person, read it every night or at noon. Whatever time of day works for you is fine--the important thing is to do it consistently. Psalms and Proverbs for Everyday Life includes 100 daily devotions. Each devotion starts with a Bible verse, then there are two or three paragraphs of a reading to reflect on the Bible passage, and concluding with a prayer for the day. This book is full of short readings that are all based on Psalms and Proverbs, as you would expect. The readings are all uplifting and offer hope in the midst of today's challenging world. The book is a nice size to carry along or leave on a night stand as it measures about 5 by 7 inches in size. I like this edition of Psalms and Proverbs for Everyday Life . I think this ...

  Every day is full of emotional highs and lows. Do you know how to manage your emotions? Joyce Meyer has a new 90-day devotional book, Managing Your Emotions , that could help you do just that. At the start of Managing Your Emotions , Meyer has an introduction explaining why she wrote the book, her struggle with emotions in the past, and how the book could be helpful to you. Then there are 90 days worth of readings. Each day starts with a Bible verse, then has a short reading related to emotions, and ends with a prayer.  Managing Your Emotions is easy to read and understand. I always appreciate Meyer's down-to-earth approach in her books. They are easy to read and easy to relate to. She doesn't come off as someone who is "above you." Rather she is a human pastor struggling right alongside you. This book is a good size to stick in your purse, briefcase or book bag since it measures roughly 5 by 7 inches in size. I have to add that I like that cover with the mix of su...

  Joyce Meyer has a new devotional out, Daily Devotions from the Psalms . I always appreciate Meyer's books because they are so down-to-earth, easy to read and easy to relate to. Meyer always seems to put herself on the same level as her readers--she doesn't talk down to anyone.  Daily Devotions from the Psalms is a small book, measuring a little over 5 by 7 inches. That is a great size to stick in your purse, backpack or brief case for a quick read when you need some encouragement to keep living the Christian life. This book has 365 devotions in it and they cover a broad range of topics that most Christians deal with on a day to day basis--stress, worry, waiting, finding peace, anger, and so much more. Each reading starts with a Bible verse, then a short devotional written by Meyer and ending with a short prayer.  There is a short introduction in the beginning of Daily Devotions from the Psalms . You could read this book every day, you could pick and choose your reading...

    Our modern life is hard. We all are juggling a lot of responsibilities--home, jobs, volunteer work, pets, social media, and more. It is hard some days not to feel anxious or concerned about things going on in our lives or even in the world, for that matter. Trusting God in All the Things by Karen Ehmen and Ruth Schwenk is an interactive devotional that offers encouragement to fill your life with the peace and strength that comes from God. Each day's reading starts with a Bible verse in Trusting God in All the Things . Then there is a devotional reading that is written for today's women with real life examples that we can all relate to. Topics include: Not Enough Time, Surrendering Expectations, How to Want what you have, No Regrets, Its okay to rest, and many more that are relevant and encouraging. After the readings, there are a few questions to reflect on. Then, one of my favorite parts of these readings is the prayer. It isn't a blanket prayer written for everyone. ...

  As Joyce Meyer says in the introduction of Quiet Times with God Devotional , the world is increasingly loud. If you find time during the day to slow down and spend time with God, Meyer says your life will be much better for it.  Quiet Times with God Devotional is a smallish, thick book with a devotional for every day of the year in it. Each reading starts with a Bible verse, has a short devotional written by Meyer, shares the main thought for the day, and concludes with where in God's Word to Dig Deeper to learn more about the theme of the day's reading. Each of the readings in Quiet Times with God Devotional is so relevant to today's world. Some of the titles include: Choosing Peace, One Day at a Time, The Difference Between Faith and Trust and God's Power at Work. I like that she helps make the Bible so relevant for today. I also like the short readings and thoughts to reflect on. I also like that she directs the reader to where to learn more in the Bible. I could...

Working Moms, stay-at-home moms, praying moms, Aunties, sisters neighbor women, church grandmas, all kinds of women play roles that A Mother's Love is written for. It is book "celebrating every kind of mom." A Mother's Love is divided in to five parts: Love That Breaks the Mold, Love While Holding Them Close, Love and Laundry, Love While Letting Them Fly and Love around the Table. Along with celebrating all types of moms, this is a book for women of all ages and types. Each section includes several chapters written by different types of women. Throughout the book, there is also a journaling page for reflection on your own life and thoughts. A Mother's Love is truly a beautiful gift book with a ribbon page marker and pretty illustrations. It is about the size as most of my other writing journals and would be easy to carry along with a Bible or alone for your quiet time reading. The writing is superb and is a mix of personal stories, reflection thoughts...