Author Archives: Amanda Manney

About Amanda Manney

Hi friend, thanks for stopping by! I'm Amanda. I am a pastor's wife and a homeschooling mom who has a passion to encourage women to faithfully step every day into what God has for them.

Finding God in a Place You Don’t Want to Be

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Have you ever found yourself in a place you don’t want to be? A city you didn’t choose, a home that’s not what you picked out, a future you didn’t plan for?

The Life of Jeremiah

I’m currently working my way through Eugene Peterson’s book, Run With the Horses. It’s a book that studies the life of Jeremiah and how it’s applicable to our life today.

Let me give the setting for the book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah is known as “the weeping prophet” for a reason. Jeremiah warned the Jews of God’s impending judgement that would come in the form of the Babylonian army. In an act of rebellion, the people of God had turned from God and were serving other gods. He warned that God was about to be done with their wickedness, and he was going to use an evil more corrupt people to bring that judgement.

God’s Judgement

Jeremiah lived to see that day–the day Babylon came in and destroyed the city, including the walls of the city, the major buildings, and the temple. For the Jewish people, losing the temple was everything. That was where they met with God and felt HIs presence.

Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, also took away all the leaders and anybody important in the land and made them captives in Babylon. They were exiled in waves over a period of time. Only the poor, a small number, were left in the land. Ironically, Jeremiah wasn’t considered anyone of value and is left in the land after its destruction. Jeremiah is left to see the devastation of his land and the aftermath of the devastation.

Jeremiah’s Message

This was a very bleak time in Israel’s history. The Jews either find themselves in a new place or in a devastated land; either way, it was bad. During this dark time, God gives Jeremiah a message to send to the Jews who are living in Babylon now and unable to come back home.

The people living in captivity in Babylon don’t know the story like we do. They assume they’ll be going home any day, especially when false prophets that were carried away with them tell them it will be over soon. Yet, we know, the captivity is going to last seventy years. The prophets had known and had tried to warn God’s people, but they failed to listen.

God’s Message to Those in Captivity

The message from God that Jeremiah sends to those in captivity is really surprising. This is God’s message that Jeremiah sends to the Jews living in Babylon.

Jeremiah wrote a letter from Jerusalem to the elders, priests, prophets, and all the people who had been exiled to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar.

This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce.Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away!And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”

Jeremiah 29:4-7

This New Place is Home

The message then goes on to say not to listen to the false prophets, that the exile will last seventy years.

This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let your prophets and fortune-tellers who are with you in the land of Babylon trick you. Do not listen to their dreams,because they are telling you lies in my name. I have not sent them,” says the Lord.

This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years.

Jeremiah 29:8-10

The message tells them that this exile is not going to end quickly. It will last seventy years; that’s an entire lifespan. Many of them would die in the land of Babylon and never again see their homeland. God doesn’t try to hide the truth from them; He tells them exactly what is going to happen.

This message is amazing to me. God tells His people, who are living in a foreign land, that He wants them to establish themselves. Put down roots; plan to stay. They’re told to build homes, plant gardens, get married, have kids and grandkids, and pray for the success of Babylon. If Babylon was successful, they would be blessed as a result.

Losing Everything

Can you imagine how the people felt getting this message from Jeremiah that ultimately came from God? It must have felt like such a slap in the face. Settle here? Make our lives flourish here? Put down roots? Get married and have kids? In this land? It had to seem so countercultural. There was no temple of God here to worship in; there were no prophets telling them how to live.

Eugene Peterson writes about the exile in his book.

They settled down to find out what it meant to be God’s people in the place they did not want to be–Babylon. The result was that this became the most creative period in the entire sweep of Hebrew history. They did not lose their identity; they discovered it. They learned how to pray in deeper and more life-changing ways than ever…The violent dislocation of the exile shook them out of their comfortable but reality-distorting assumptions and allowed them to see depths and heights that they had never even imagined before. They lost everything that that thought was important and found was important: they found God.

Finding God

In the midst of this strange land, they found God. They found the God they had turned their backs on.

Really, God’s message to us today hasn’t changed all that much. This world we live in is not our ultimate home, and yet, we are to live here, build homes, have kids, and live fruitful lives. In the midst of this broken world, we learn what it is to be human–to love, to multiply, to grow gardens and build houses, to marry, have children and watch them grow. This is God’s gift.

Putting Down Roots in This New Place

I don’t know where life has you. Maybe it’s not what you thought it would look like. It could be you’re in a place you don’t want to be, whether that’s figurative or literal. Maybe you never thought you’d still be in this place all these years later.

God’s message today remains the same: Put down roots. Live your life right where you are. Don’t hold out, waiting for the next thing. This right now is your life; make it a good one. Don’t focus on the next house, a better job, a newer car, a different city. This is where God has you right now. Enjoy it. In our vernacular, put paint on the walls and hang up decorations. Plant some flowers; learn your neighbors’ names. Enjoy your job. Raise your kids in love and find joy in your everyday life. This is what it is to be human.

Solomon’s Message

King Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived, understood this principle.

Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

Your life today is a gift from God. Live it to the fullest, honoring God with this precious life He’s given you.

More Encouragement

For more encouragement, check out my post, Choosing to Spend Time Doing What Matters Most.

When You Feel Alone

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One of the biggest lies of the Devil that we fall for is this: Nobody cares. The Devil knows if he can isolate us and make us feel alone, we will be a much easier target to take down. The author of Ecclesiastes reminds us of this in chapter four.

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:12

Feeling Alone

When we are alone or feel alone, we are much more susceptible and vulnerable to an attack. Once we start feeling alone, we begin to feel helpless and hopeless. We forget that people love us, and we forget that God is with us and we are never alone. We begin to feel the words that David penned when he was hiding in a cave from Saul. He was afraid and running for his life and never felt so alone.

I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought! No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me.

Psalm 142:4

God’s Presence

And yet, even David didn’t stop there. He continues his thoughts into the next verse. He remembers what the truth is. The truth is that God has promised He will never leave us nor abandon us.

For God has said, “I will never fail you.
I will never abandon you.”

Hebrews 13:5

So David doesn’t stop with his lament that nobody sees him or cares for him. He follows up with truth. What is the truth? We find it in the next verse he penned.

Then I pray to you, O Lord. I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life.

Psalm 142:5

God Sees You

If you’re going through a difficult time and feel like God has forgotten you, take comfort in these words. Or maybe you, just like David, feel really lonely. Maybe you live in a new place, you’re attending a new church, you’re at home with a newborn…whatever the case may be, don’t listen to the Devils’ lie that no one cares about you. Listen to the truth instead.

God loves you. He sees you. Let Him be your place of refuge.

After you remind yourself that God hasn’t left you, then focus on the other people God has placed in your life. Most of us, if we were truly honest with ourselves, would admit that we aren’t actually alone…though it may feel that way. If you’ve found yourself distant from people and relationships, work on putting into those relationships once again.

Spend Time with People

Go on a date with your spouse. Spend an hour at a coffeeshop with a friend. Have a family member or two over for dessert. Sign up for that group at church you’ve been wanting to check out.

None of us is truly alone; that’s just the lie Satan wants us to believe. Remind yourself today of God’s love and then seek out the companionship of others.

More Encouragement

For more on this topic, check out my post, Friends Wanted: How to Cultivate Friendships in a Lonely World or check out Find Your People by Jennie Allen. Want to do a deep dive on this topic? Check out our Devotional, You Are Not Alone.

H. A. L. T. before Making any Major Decisions

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Have you ever made a bad decision or reacted to something poorly, and you wished you could get a do-over? Usually, it’s the next morning that you realize you overreacted. Or maybe it’s after you finally eat something that the shame and guilt comes.

Jacob and Esau

So often, we get ruled by our baser instincts and end up doing or saying things we wish we hadn’t. We can see this so clearly from the story of Esau. Esau and Jacob were brothers, born to Isaac and Rebekah. Esau was a hunter and man of the field, while Jacob was an indoor man and loved to cook.

One day, Esau comes in from being out in the fields. He smells what Jacob is cooking and begs for a bowl. Jacob, being the manipulator that he was, saw it as an opportunity. He tells Esau that he can only have a bowl of stew if Esau will give him his birthright. The birthright was something very dear in those days. It was a blessing that was given to the firstborn and carried a lot of weight. Jacob uses this opportunity to take Esau’s blessing from him. Look at Esau’s response.

“All right,” Jacob replied, “but trade me your rights as the firstborn son.”

“Look, I’m dying of starvation!” said Esau. “What good is my birthright to me now?”

Genesis 25:31,32

Esau’s Hunger

Esau gives up his birthright for a bowl of stew. He made a huge mistake, one he would regret for the rest of his life, simply because he was hungry.

We don’t know how long Esau was out in the field. Was it an entire day? Was it longer than a day? We’re not given a timeline. We only know that he shows up exhausted and hungry and ready to eat, and he is willing to give up his future for some food right now.

Learning to HALT

We’re hard on Esau, but how many of us have done something similar? We make a bad decision or blow it and lose our temper, saying things we regret simply because we didn’t get enough sleep or we didn’t eat soon enough. We get wrapped around the axle and make foolish decisions when our base needs are not met. It happens to all of us, and we need to watch out for it.

So how do we keep from blowing it? Learn to H. A. L. T. Don’t make any major decisions and try to avoid arguments when you are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired.

1. Hungry

It makes us sound so childish, but we make lots of mistakes when we’re hungry. We can take care of this in two ways. One, learn not to be controlled by our hungry. Don’t lose your mind when you’re hungry. You will eat again, and you will make it. Second, don’t go too long without eating, especially if you know it makes you on edge.

2. Angry

When you feel angry, that is not the time for a “discussion.” Wait until you cool off. Nothing positive ever comes from confronting a problem or a person when you’re angry. Your emotions are too close to the surface. Go for a walk, go into another room, take a break…whatever you need to do to help release your anger. Only when you’re no longer angry should you go back to addressing the issue at hand.

3. Lonely

This one creeps up on us because it’s not always so obvious, but don’t make any major decisions when you’re lonely. Don’t move, don’t take a new job, don’t reconnect with somebody you know you shouldn’t, don’t quit your job when you’re lonely.

4. Tired

Life is so much more complicated when you’re tired. Have you ever noticed that? After a night of little sleep, the world feels like a terrible place. Or conversely, after a great night of sleep, life is so good. Don’t let your emotions control you just because you’re tired. Put off confrontations, problems, or things that need a lot of mental attention until you can fix the problem. And do your best to fix the problem. Take a nap, go to bed earlier, go back to bed…whatever you need to do to get the rest you need. This looks different in different seasons of life, and sometimes exhaustion is just the way of life. If that’s the case, just be aware of it and don’t make any major decisions.

So the next time you are ready to make a decision, or confront somebody, or have that argument, HALT first. Make sure you’re not just hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. Fix any of those things first before having that conversation or making that decision. I promise you it will save you a lot of regret in the end.

More Encouragement

For more encouragement, check out my post, You Can Avoid Making Foolish Decisions or check out Lisa TerKeurst’s book, The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands.

Finding God in the Lonely Places

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Places are important in our lives. Think about a place that means so much to you and your family. Maybe it’s where you got engaged or the restaurant where you had your first date. It could be the house where you found out you were having your first baby, or the town you grew up in. Place have value because they hold memories for us.

God Used Places all the time in the Bible

Places in the Bible are no less important. We see time and time again where God uses places or geographical features to do something in the lives of his people. Often it was deserts or wildernesses. God would use these places as a time set aside for his chosen person, often to get their attention.

Think of Moses in the desert and the burning bush, Joseph in Egypt, David in the caves as he runs from Saul, Elijah on the mountaintop with the prophets of Baal, Jesus praying in the garden…

Hagar in the Wilderness

Hagar was a person who experienced something in the wilderness. We find her story in Genesis 16. Abram knows he’s going to be the father of many nations; God’s promised him that. But when his wife doesn’t get pregnant, and they get too old to have kids, he and his wife take matters into their own hands. Abram sleeps with his servant, Hagar, and she becomes pregnant. Sara becomes bitter about it and treats Hagar terribly, so Hagar runs away.

Hagar finds herself alone in the wilderness. She’s sad, scared, uncertain, and all alone. And yet, God finds her there. The angel of the Lord that she will have a son. Her son, Ishmael, will have many offspring, too many to count.

The God Who Sees Me

Hagar is overcome with emotion and the fact that God came to her. She calls God by his name El-roi, “the God who sees me.” She takes notice of the fact that God saw her...in this place.

So she named the Lord who spoke to her: “You are El-roi,” for she said, “In this place, have I actually seen the one who sees me?”

Genesis 16:13CSB

Had Hagar been in a different place, would God have seen her? Yes. Would He have come to her? I don’t know. If she had stayed with Sara and Abraham, it’s possible God might not have made an appearance to her. But in the wilderness, in the place where she was very alone, God appeared to her.

Seasons in Our Lives

There are seasons and places in our lives where God comes to us and “shows” Himself to us more than at other times. Often, it’s in the “wilderness” or “desert” seasons. It’s in those times when we feel so alone, isolated, forgotten, that God shows us Himself. Sometimes, it really is a location.

It can be a college dorm room, the first time we’re away from our family. We don’t know anybody, and we are completely and utterly alone, even though we’re surrounded by hundreds or thousands of other students. Our wilderness can be in a new city or after we leave our job to stay at home with a baby. Maybe it’s after a divorce, and we suddenly find ourselves alone once again for the first time in years. Wilderness times can surprise us; other times, we know they’re coming. So many times, God uses these wilderness times to “come to us,” to remind us of who He is. It was after a time of testing when Job lost everything that he says, “I had only heard about you before, but now I’ve seen you.” (Job 42:5)

Wilderness Times

There will be times when God takes you away from everything you know, whether that’s literal or figurative. You will be completely alone and isolated, whether that’s from people or even just from peace and joy. You’ll feel alone and abandoned, discouraged and depressed. Yet, these are the times that God shows Himself to us; He shows us who He really is. When these times come, and they will, don’t abandon your faith. Don’t abandon your belief that God is good. Trust that He is still working on your behalf. He hasn’t forgotten you, and He knows exactly what you’re going through.

Instead, spend the time searching for Him. Spend extra time in your morning time routine. Pray more often; journal more frequently. Keep your eyes open and alert because it’s in the wilderness or alone times that God often shows Himself to us in a way that’s so remarkable, we won’t ever forget it.

More Encouragement

For more on this topic, check out my post, The God Who Sees Me, or check out The Hidden Pain.

4 Benefits to Getting Back Into God’s Word

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Today is August 1st, and for our family, that means the start of a new homeschool year. It’s always hard the first day, but it feels good to get back on track with schedules and routines.

August and September are a great time to get back into a morning time routine, if we’ve let that go. We know we need to spend time in God’s Word, but sometimes we need a little push. Today, I’m sharing four benefits to reading and studying God’s Word.

Benefits from Psalm 1

What happens when we study God’s Word and apply it to our lives? We already know from Psalm 1 that we become like a strong tree planted along a riverbank that bears fruit in every season and is prosperous.

But they delight in the law of the Lord,
    meditating on it day and night.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
    bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
    and they prosper in all they do.

Psalm 1

4 Benefits to Reading God’s Word

The verses in Psalm 19 add to that.

The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
    reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
The commandments of the Lord are right,
    bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
    giving insight for living.

Psalm 19:7-9

From these verses, we can pull out four benefits of reading and studying God’s Word.

1. God’s Word Revives our Soul

Do you ever feel weary at the soul level? It’s more than just being tired or discouraged. Being weary at the soul level feels like you will never get past what you’re going through. It feels hopeless, and you feel like God has forgotten you.

God tells us that the antidote to feeling this way is to read and study God’s Word. When we feel this low, only God can revive or bring life to our would; and He does it through His Word.

2. It Makes Us Wise

Reading and studying God’s Word makes us wise. I don’t know about you, but the older I get, the more wisdom I need to navigate life, relationships, parenting, and more. We need God’s wisdom and help regularly if we’re going to make the right decisions and live the life He’s purposed for us.

3. It Brings Joy to our Heart

Do you want more joy in your life? Spend time in God’s Word. The only true joy in this life that’s not fleeting comes from God. If we want to find that joy, we have to carve out time to spend reading God’s Word and praying. How do we get joy from reading God’s Word? We’re reminded that God is for us, He loves us, He is always with us, He has a plan for our lives…When we read truths like this, we can’t help but find more joy.

4. God’s Word Gives Us Insight for Living

God’s Word gives us insight on how to live by giving us examples to follow or avoid. It shows us how to love like Jesus and gives us snippets of wisdom from the wisest man who ever lived. It reminds us that we can come back again from failure, like Peter and that we can trust that God is working in our lives even when it doesn’t feel like it, like the story of Esther.

These benefits are amazing, but we don’t get to have them in our lives if we don’t carve out time to read and study God’s Word. This fall is a great time to get back on track if you’ve gotten away from it. Pick a new Bible study or grab a new journal and some pens and get excited about getting back into God’s Word. I know you won’t regret it!

More Encouragement

For more on this topic, check out our free morning time routine guide or my post on jumpstarting your morning time routine.

Learning to Trust a God Who Isn’t Mortal

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We’ve been working through the Immerse Bible at our church this summer. We do this every summer, and this summer’s Immerse Bible is the Poets. It covers the books of Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and Job. I’m just about finished and am currently working my way through the last half of the book of Job.

Summarizing the Story of Job

I have always loved the book of Job; there are so many nuggets of wisdom that you can find if you dig in. This week, in my morning time routine, a phrase jumped out at me that I feel like can summarize the entire book of Job and help us to understand how God works. It’s this phrase: God is not a mortal like me. (Job 9:32)

God is not mortal or human like we are. He existed before we began, and He will continue long after we are gone. He does not need to rest, nor does He need to eat. He doesn’t get weary or tired or discouraged. He doesn’t fear anything. He made everything we see, including us. Because of all this, He’s not going to see the world the way we see it. He’s doesn’t operate on the timetables we set. We see the here and now; He sees eternity.

God is Not Mortal, Like Us

It’s so important for us to try to wrap our minds around this concept, that God is not mortal like we are. It’s such a crucial point to understanding our lives and how God works. If we don’t understand this truth, we are going to walk around in circles, frustrated, asking questions, and trying to make sense of what’s going on in our lives. It’s only when we truly begin to understand the vastness of who God is that we can begin to understand our smallness.

This shouldn’t discourage us; rather, it should bring us so much hope and encouragement because it reminds us that God is working in every detail of our lives. He’s working out a future for us that we can’t see yet. He’s moving people and events into our lives to prepare us for what’s to come. If we will allow Him, He will work in ways we can’t begin to imagine. He’s working for our future even now.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

God is At Work In Your Life

God was at work long before you and I were ever born. Before you were born, He already had a plan for your life and every day accounted for.

You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.

Psalm 139:16

The second part of that verse always blows my mind. “Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” Before we were one day old, God had every moment of our lives already planned out. That’s a crippling thought if we don’t trust God. If we do trust God, that’s the most encouraging thought ever. God knows exactly what is going on today, and He knows exactly what’s going to happen tomorrow. It’s all part of His plan.

God’s Plan for My Life

There is incredible freedom in knowing that God is working today in my life, and it is going exactly according to His plan. His plan, not our plan.

The Lord will work out his plans for my life…

Psalm 138:8

I don’t know what you’re facing today, but this is your reminder that God is actively working in your life today, preparing you for your future. Trust Him. Trust the process. Don’t forget that He has planned every single day, and He will walk with you every step of the way.

More Encouragement

For more encouragement, check out my post, God’s Working on Your Behalf Today, or you can check out my book, Finding Free: 5 Simple Steps to a More Peaceful, Content, and Happy You.

Breaking the Summer Slump With Books That Inspire

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Summer has the reputation of being a slump. There’s the summer slump that kids get where they forget everything they’ve learned in school over the summer. Then there’s the spiritual slump, where people get too busy in the summer to go to church and read their Bibles. Then there’s the slump of not being on a schedule, sleeping in too long, and more.

But summer doesn’t have to be a slump for anything. In fact, summer can be a great time to spend extra time doing things you don’t normally get to do. One of those things just might be reading. There’s nothing more encouraging than picking up a book that really inspires, motivates, or encourages you. I made a list of several books that I’ve read within the last year or so that really encouraged me.

Here’s a list of ten books along with a short synopsis and a quote I loved from each book.

Mostly What God Does by Savannah Guthrie

This book has short chapters; it’s a collection of essays on different topics. But the basis of the book is this…Mostly what God does is love you. It’s really an encouraging and inspirational read.

“How do we summon and maintain that feeling of being loved? It’s pretty simple. We don’t. Because it’s not a feeling; it’s a fact. To ‘remain in God’s love’ is a frame of mind. We use our brains to remind our hearts. We may not be able to sustain the emotion of being loved by God, but we can remain in the knowledge of being loved by God.”

Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson

This is one those books that you can’t rush through. You may only read a page or two at a time, but it’s really good at the soul level.

“No literature is more realistic and honest in facing the harsh facts of life than the Bible. At no time is there the faintest suggestion that the life of faith exempts us from difficulties.”

“Discipleship is a decision to live by what I know about God, not what I feel about him or myself or my neighbors.”

Create Anyway: The Joy of Pursuing Creativity in the Margins of Motherhood by Ashlee Gadd

I really enjoyed this book. It’s all about creating, even in the midst of mothering and raising little ones. It’s also really pretty. The artist is a photographer and uses full-color photos in this book, adding to its artistry. it’s a mix between encouragement to be a good mom and encouragement to be a creative.

“We can take heart in a God who is capable of using every ounce of our mothering, and every ounce of our art, for sacred work that can never be measured in numbers.”

“Our role is to simply make the art, open our hands, and then wait and see what God does with it.”

A Simplified Life by Emily Ley

Emily Ley is a successful businesswoman that loves structure and to-do lists and planners but also is a mom of little ones. Her books are always practical and helpful and full of inspiration to tidy up your life.

“Clearing clutter unlocks the power our homes have to be places of refuge, rest, and relaxation.”

“The goal of simplifying isn’t to embrace bare or sparse or extreme; it’s to eliminate distractions so you can focus on what really matters, treasure the possessions you do have, and live life a little easier.”

Sister Roar by Kay Robertson and Lisa Robertson

This book is full of inspiration and encouragement in Duck Commander style. I really enjoyed getting glimpses behind the scenes of the men and women in the popular show.

“It’s time to be the strong, unique woman God create you to be–the peace-filled, loving, happy, full-of-potential woman he sees when he looks at you.”

Cultivate by Lara Casey

This book is another one that you can’t really rush through, but I enjoyed it. It’s all about going under the surface of your work, relationships, and home, and seeing where things are really at.

“I’m learning that there is magic in the middle ground. There’s good stuff for us in the tension of the in-between. Growth happens in the wait.”

“Imperfection is a gift because it opens a door for us to see His ever-present grace. Right where were are, in every season, His grace abounds.”

Simply Tuesday by Emily Freeman

I loved this book. It’s all about embracing and finding joy in the Tuesdays of life–the mundane, ordinary days.

“But Tuesday teaches me that part of living well in ordinary time is letting this day be good. Letting this day be a gift. Letting this day be filled with plenty.”

“Here’s to giving ourselves permission to bring our gifts Ito the presence of God, knowing he will bring them out of us in his own timing and in his own way.”

The Time-Saving Mom by Crystal Paine

Crystal is an author and really popular blogger. This book is full of practice advice–schedules, habits, planning, systems, etc.

“This system allows me to get a lot done each day while also having breathing room and time for enjoying life, resting, creating, and investing in relationships.”

Resilient by Rebekah Lyons

This was another really good read. It’s a reminder that the life of faith takes resilience and getting back up again and again. It’s about how to handle adversity and trials and Rebekah’s personal story.

“Some mental health professionals believe we are in one of the angriest and most anxious, depressed, and isolated eras of human history.”

“He held us when we couldn’t feel him, whispered when we couldn’t hear him, and stayed by our side when we couldn’t see Him. He led me into deeper resilience, first individually, then with my family, then with my community. And he’d done it all through adversity.”

The Powerful Purpose of Introverts by Holly Gerth

This book was so eye-opening and gave me permission to embrace the introvert side of me without being afraid of it. I’m really glad I read it. I learned so much from this book!

“Our introvert brains release feel-good chemicals when we turn inward, focus on ideas, have meaningful conversations, and do work that matters to us.”

“As introverts, we need solitude to recalibrate our brains and nervous systems, process our thoughts, make decisions, figure out priorities, refuel for socializing, and reconnect with our true selves.”

Bonus: Untangle Your Emotions

I haven’t read this one yet, but it’s next on my TBR list. I love Jenni Allen’s other books, though, and know I’ll enjoy this one as well.

Pick one of these ten books to read to help you break out of that summer slump! I promise you won’t regret it.

Happy reading!

Why Pressure and Stress Don’t Have to Steal Your Joy

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l love summer! It takes forever to come to Pennsylvania, but when it finally arrives, I am here for it. I love the break from school and schedules and the freedom to just enjoy summer. I love being outside in the sun, extra time to spend in my morning time, and all the iced coffee!

Pressure and Stress

But even as I enjoy summer break, I am conscious of the fact that school begins again in just a few short weeks. Once school starts, the busiest part of our year kicks off. While that’s really good, it also brings with it lots of pressure and stress. Right now is a good time to think about how we’ll handle that stress and pressure before it’s actually here.

Psalms 119 has something great to say about handling stress and pressure that we need to take note of.

As pressure and stress bear down on me,
I find joy in your commands.

Psal 119:143 NLT

Two Opposing Thoughts

This verse seems so contradictory. You have two different, opposing thoughts. Pressure and stress…and joy. How do those work together? The writer of Psalms understood that the greater the outside pressure or force on us, the greater the internal pressure needs to be so that we don’t get crushed. The way to withstand great amounts of pressure externally is to have an equal and opposite pressure internally.

We have to get strong inside…spiritually if we’re going to make it. We have to develop those spiritual muscles of faith, trust, obedience, and joy. The author of this Psalm tells us that the way to fight back under pressure and stress is to find joy. Where do we find that joy? In His Word.

A Different Way

The greater the stress and pressure, the more important spending time with God becomes. Yet, we often do just the opposite. We cut short our time with God to get to our work sooner, so we can get more accomplished. As the stress increases, we take on more and more just to try to keep our head above water.

Yet, God shows us a different way of dealing with stress and pressure. He tells us to bring our burdens to Him and let Him carry them for us.

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

I Peter 5:7 NLT

The days we feel the most stress and pressure are the days that it’s crucial to fit in our morning time routine. We can’t skip our time with God on those days because that’s the only way we’re going to find the joy we need to keep going.

More Encouragement

Check out my post, My Favorite Bible Studies to do This Summer for recommendations for Bible studies and be sure to check out Manney Resources for all things morning time routine—journals, Bible studies, and more.

Our Trip out West and through the Mountains

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My family and I just got back from our trip out West. We had an amazing time, crossing 14 states, almost 6,000 miles, and lots of amazing stops. Some of our visits included Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, our first rodeo, the Creation Museum, and lots more.

Surrounded by Mountains

We spent so much time this trip driving in the mountains–around them, through them, over them…At any given point in our trip, we were surrounded by them. While I like looking at the mountains, driving through them is another story altogether and not my favorite. But the place we rented in Wyoming was surrounded on all sides by mountains, and the scenery was amazing. Every time I looked out the window, it took my breath away.

Lift My Eyes to the Hills

Every time I looked out at the mountains, the words from Psalm 121 would run through my mind.

I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?

My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!

Psalm 121:1

The Songs of Ascents

The background to this passage helps the passage make sense. This Psalm is part of a group of Psalms known as the Song of Ascents. These were the passages God’s people would sing and recite as they made their way to the temple. It was a pilgrimage, and they would sing these words as they went on their journey.

What’s interesting to note, as you can probably derive from the title of this collection, they were ascending as they sang. They would have traveled through the Judaean mountains or hills to get to the temple. These would have included ones we’re familiar with such as the Mount of Olives, the Temple Mount, and Mount Zion.

The View Never Gets Old

They were familiar with mountains; they were a way of life for these travelers. And yet, does anyone ever get over their beauty? Even if you live by the mountains, you still don’t ever get over their beauty. Although my parents live near the base of the Rocky Mountains, the view never gets old.

I don’t think it’s by coincidence that God led his followers through the them as part of their journey. It was a visible reminder of His incredible power and presence.

God’s Unfailing love

Every time I look at the mountains, I am reminded of how big God is and how small I am. I am reminded that the God of the universe who created these amazing mountains also created me and cares about the details of my life. I’m also reminded of His unfailing love for me.

For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Psalm 57:10

More Encouragement

For more encouragement, check out my post, How Nature Helps Me Combat Discouragement. If you don’t live near the mountains but love the scenery of the mountains, try putting out some pictures to look at, like this collection of postcards of the national parks.

My Favorite Bible Studies to Do This Summer

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Summer is coming!! With that comes a break from school, maybe a loosening of schedules, and hopefully extra down time. It’s a great time to spend extra time in your morning time routine. During the school year, it’s hard to find extra time. But during the summer, it’s a great time to grab an iced coffee and spend a few extra minutes studying God’s Word. With that in mind, I wanted to share some recommendations for Bible studies to do this summer. There are so many good ones out there, but these are some of my favorites.

Devotionals from Manney Resources

Of course, you can check out any of our devotionals. There are so many to choose from, but You Are Not Alone and God is for You are two of my favs.

If you want to do your own Bible study, be sure to check out our Faithfully Stepping Journals. They are blank and can be used with any Bible study or your own personal study. This one is the journal I’m currently using and loving.

Immerse Bible

We are in our second year of using the Immerse Bible during the summer at our church. Immerse takes books of the Bible and removes the chapter headings, verses, and other additives and leaves you with a read-through of those books of the Bible that’s clean and has tons of room to write on the sides. It really opens your eyes when you read books of the Bible as a whole without verses and chapters; it makes the whole picture come together. I really enjoy doing the Immerse Bibles.

Last year, we did Messiah, which is the entire New Testament. This year, we are doing Poets, which is Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and Lamentations.

Bible Studies from Daily Grace Co

I absolutely love the Bible studies from Daily Grace Co. These studies are full color and are absolutely beautiful and really well-written. They have tons of great ones. I have personally done Habakkuk, Psalm 23, Ecclesiastes, and Colossians. I received two more for Mother’s Day that I’ve been waiting for summer to do.

Extras

Don’t forget the coffee, a great candle, and good pens. They help make morning time so much better!

I hope these suggestions help you find a great Bible study for the summer! Let me know if you try and of them!!