Sarah Bessey, Susan Cain, Karen Swallow Prior, Shauna Niequist, Kendra Adachi, & other gifted communicators (+ a ☑️ on my bucket list + maybe a book club?)
What an amazing group of wise and gifted authors you have shared with us here, Linda. I'm so sorry I just now saw your post on Substack. Sometimes it falls me. Blessings!
I know, right? It's hard to keep track of what everyone is doing online these days. Sometimes it all feels overwhelming. But sooner or later, we always find each other again. You're never late around here, friend.
I love sitting and listening to your voice as I read along. I'm so thankful you take the time to add this element to your blog! You are such a blessing to me. May God bless you always, sweet friend!
Oh I'm glad this is still working for you, Cheryl. This week's PORCH took a NUMBER of re-dos before the 2+ minutes came out ok. A good lesson not to do a voiceover first thing in the morning.
Given my occupation, you would expect the books I might mention. De-Sizing the Church by Karl Vaters. Feels Like Home and Pastoral Graces by Lee Eclov were significant for me this summer. Since I'm 71 I feel a big need to prepare the church for succession so I have read Next twice and will soon read "The Elephant in the Boardroom." Given the current political climate and what pastors are told they can and cannot say from the pulpit I found Truth Over Tribe to be excellent. (I am one who refuses to mix politics and religion, especially from the pulpit. My higher calling demands an emphasis on Jesus not on garbage). Ok...I've said enough. :) (Oh...sorry I'm late to this party).
Bill, a big thank you, thank you for not mixing politics and religion. I have heard horror stories of what happens when churches go in that direction. We point to Jesus only. There is no human that will save us, no human who should even dream of demanding our allegiance. No political litmus test to worship and fellowship with one another.
The enemy is not whoever disagrees with our viewpoint. The only enemy is the enemy of our souls who specializes in deception, division, and destruction.
Oh I LOVE to dance! Sadly, I don't really get the chance anymore. Good for you for getting up there. Lots of these articles you've linked sound so good.
I love that you danced at the wedding, Linda! And so much good reading here too. KSP's piece about the childless becoming grandchildless was especially poignant. I love the peace she seems to have found with it. I also wish many younger people who are putting off or deciding not to have children due to reasons other than infertility could read her words and perhaps think twice about it.
Your question about what we've read or written made me smile ... I read the third book in a YA series my daughter loves and when I began, I promised her I would do my best NOT to read the end or the middle or anywhere else along the way like I normally do. I actually accomplished this goal, which is pretty good for me. :-) As for writing, I've been posting reworked pieces from my blog archives some this summer because writing has been a challenge. Not sure why, but praying the words will come back when they need to.
Lois, good morning. And I'm absolutely with you on wandering around our own personal archives, sifting through, dusting off, and re-creating work we've done from years past. I hear a bit of discouragement in your thoughts today, and I want to encourage you to take advantage of this 'fallow' season. May it give you rest and refreshment. May you not be disheartened or disappointed in yourself. The words will come when they want to and they'll let you know. You are the apple of His eye, new posts or not.
What a beautiful curation of articles. I love that you danced at the wedding. I love to dance so you don't have to ask me twice.
I loved the article about being a bookworm when young and how that may manifest itself in certain traits when older. I can relate. I also am the older woman now so Barbara Harper's article hit home as well as the one about quiet, shy students in school.
It's good to see you, Mary ... I hope the summer has been kind and generous to you. I'm happy you found some stuff that hit home in all those links. And yes, we are the older women now ... and some days that's looking kinda promising, right?!
I am so honored to be mentioned in your round up of quotes/posts by some incredible substack authors! And I would be open to a book club for the plan - I liked her "Lazy Genius" book!
I loved Chelsea Leu’s quote about the heightened pleasures of reading outdoors—it’s so true that the natural setting can transform our reading experience.
Your list of bookmarkables sounds fantastic, Linda.
I have read quite a bit this summer. I really enjoyed Tired of Being Tired by Jess Connolly, a bunch of romcoms, Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham-a beauty and the beast retelling, and so much more ;)
I don't watch much TV, just a show with the family in the evening. I read at breakfast (my Bible and devotionals), I read for a few minutes with my snack and lunch, then I read an hour or so before bed. I listen to audio books when I walk, do laundry, and sew, and any other chore that I can (dusting...). It all adds up :) It is my favorite hobby, LOL!
Lots of wisdom and inspiration here, just in these quotes. Looking forward to reading the posts and articles. Thank you, Linda! You always gather such beneficial bits from books and internet. One of the best reads of my summer included Tim Keller's book, PRAYER: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God. Instructional and inspirational!
Thanks for sharing my post about old age syndromes to avoid! I enjoyed the posts about the wheel of chores and traits of childhood bookworms. When There Are No Words was quite poignant, too. I would be interested in a book club with The PLAN.
It's an honor to share your work here, friend. I saw myself all over the place when I read the post back in May and knew it would hit home around here.
What an amazing group of wise and gifted authors you have shared with us here, Linda. I'm so sorry I just now saw your post on Substack. Sometimes it falls me. Blessings!
I know, right? It's hard to keep track of what everyone is doing online these days. Sometimes it all feels overwhelming. But sooner or later, we always find each other again. You're never late around here, friend.
ox
I love sitting and listening to your voice as I read along. I'm so thankful you take the time to add this element to your blog! You are such a blessing to me. May God bless you always, sweet friend!
Oh I'm glad this is still working for you, Cheryl. This week's PORCH took a NUMBER of re-dos before the 2+ minutes came out ok. A good lesson not to do a voiceover first thing in the morning.
Happy weekend, friend. I hope you are well ...
And I'm saying AMEN to it!
Given my occupation, you would expect the books I might mention. De-Sizing the Church by Karl Vaters. Feels Like Home and Pastoral Graces by Lee Eclov were significant for me this summer. Since I'm 71 I feel a big need to prepare the church for succession so I have read Next twice and will soon read "The Elephant in the Boardroom." Given the current political climate and what pastors are told they can and cannot say from the pulpit I found Truth Over Tribe to be excellent. (I am one who refuses to mix politics and religion, especially from the pulpit. My higher calling demands an emphasis on Jesus not on garbage). Ok...I've said enough. :) (Oh...sorry I'm late to this party).
Bill, a big thank you, thank you for not mixing politics and religion. I have heard horror stories of what happens when churches go in that direction. We point to Jesus only. There is no human that will save us, no human who should even dream of demanding our allegiance. No political litmus test to worship and fellowship with one another.
The enemy is not whoever disagrees with our viewpoint. The only enemy is the enemy of our souls who specializes in deception, division, and destruction.
I'm preaching it.
Oops. And I'm saying AMEN to it!
Oh I LOVE to dance! Sadly, I don't really get the chance anymore. Good for you for getting up there. Lots of these articles you've linked sound so good.
When it came to that venture onto the dance floor, let's just say I got real brave!
I love that you danced at the wedding, Linda! And so much good reading here too. KSP's piece about the childless becoming grandchildless was especially poignant. I love the peace she seems to have found with it. I also wish many younger people who are putting off or deciding not to have children due to reasons other than infertility could read her words and perhaps think twice about it.
Your question about what we've read or written made me smile ... I read the third book in a YA series my daughter loves and when I began, I promised her I would do my best NOT to read the end or the middle or anywhere else along the way like I normally do. I actually accomplished this goal, which is pretty good for me. :-) As for writing, I've been posting reworked pieces from my blog archives some this summer because writing has been a challenge. Not sure why, but praying the words will come back when they need to.
Lois, good morning. And I'm absolutely with you on wandering around our own personal archives, sifting through, dusting off, and re-creating work we've done from years past. I hear a bit of discouragement in your thoughts today, and I want to encourage you to take advantage of this 'fallow' season. May it give you rest and refreshment. May you not be disheartened or disappointed in yourself. The words will come when they want to and they'll let you know. You are the apple of His eye, new posts or not.
Sending you love.
ox
What a beautiful curation of articles. I love that you danced at the wedding. I love to dance so you don't have to ask me twice.
I loved the article about being a bookworm when young and how that may manifest itself in certain traits when older. I can relate. I also am the older woman now so Barbara Harper's article hit home as well as the one about quiet, shy students in school.
I hope you are doing well friend!
It's good to see you, Mary ... I hope the summer has been kind and generous to you. I'm happy you found some stuff that hit home in all those links. And yes, we are the older women now ... and some days that's looking kinda promising, right?!
I must have missed the wedding post, I'll have to go look for it. I'm glad it went so well. That sail boat photo is breath-taking.
Amy, thanks for enjoying those Adirondack sailboats with me. It just might end up being one of my favorite snapshots from this summer.
love this list. You know as I read through them I kept thinking wow so much wisdom here. Thanks for sharing them.
It's a good morning, Jean, and it makes me smile that you found wisdom in these linked up articles. I absolutely agree.
I am so honored to be mentioned in your round up of quotes/posts by some incredible substack authors! And I would be open to a book club for the plan - I liked her "Lazy Genius" book!
Delighted to share your wise and profound work with everyone here, Christine. For sure.
I loved Chelsea Leu’s quote about the heightened pleasures of reading outdoors—it’s so true that the natural setting can transform our reading experience.
Your list of bookmarkables sounds fantastic, Linda.
I hope you found something that fits right where you're coming from, friend! Enjoy the weekend ...
What a good post. You can feel the joy. Thank you so much for all the links!
I'm glad you feel the joy, friend. It's been good to connect with you today.
I can't connect with books no more,
and wish this were not true.
It's not that reading is a bore,
but I am too far up the blue
to hang about with strangers,
though appealing they may be,
'cause I got way too many dangers
excruciating me.
So books mostly now gather dust
upon the shelves I built with care,
and I really hope and trust
that they don't mind just being there,
able sometimes to remind
of life that has been left behind.
These are the seasons where we only have enough energy to do what matters most.
I have read quite a bit this summer. I really enjoyed Tired of Being Tired by Jess Connolly, a bunch of romcoms, Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham-a beauty and the beast retelling, and so much more ;)
So ... how do you keep up your dazzling reading pace, friend? What do you say 'no, thanks to'? Do tell!
I don't watch much TV, just a show with the family in the evening. I read at breakfast (my Bible and devotionals), I read for a few minutes with my snack and lunch, then I read an hour or so before bed. I listen to audio books when I walk, do laundry, and sew, and any other chore that I can (dusting...). It all adds up :) It is my favorite hobby, LOL!
It sounds like audio books are a fine companion as you go about your day, Cindy ...
Lots of wisdom and inspiration here, just in these quotes. Looking forward to reading the posts and articles. Thank you, Linda! You always gather such beneficial bits from books and internet. One of the best reads of my summer included Tim Keller's book, PRAYER: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God. Instructional and inspirational!
I might be one of the few believers who hasn't picked up a Tim Keller book. Thanks for the prompt to head in his direction, Nancy.
Tim also has an amazing Youtube series on discovering the gospel in every book of the Bible: Gospel in Life. So good!
I'm quite sure you'll read it with the same enthusiasm I did, LInda!
Thanks for sharing my post about old age syndromes to avoid! I enjoyed the posts about the wheel of chores and traits of childhood bookworms. When There Are No Words was quite poignant, too. I would be interested in a book club with The PLAN.
It's an honor to share your work here, friend. I saw myself all over the place when I read the post back in May and knew it would hit home around here.