Dwelling Places: Words To Live In Every Season

About The Book:  Dwelling Places: Words to Live in Every Season (Abingdon, June 2016).  Do you long for serenity and refuge, peace and hope? Are you seeking a deeper spiritual life through a closer relationship with God?  If you're tired of dwelling in busyness and noise, then perhaps one word a day can change your life. Award-winning author Lucinda Secrest McDowell knows that if you spend time each day turning to God's Word for wisdom and guidance, your faith can flourish and grow.  Through short and inspiring readings, McDowell unpacks a single word---such as mercy, beauty, gratitude, or grace---to reveal a biblical blessing or challenge relevant to where you are. Full of stories and illustrations to empower you to live the word you have just read, each devotional ends with a benediction, written as if God were speaking directly to you.  These "dwelling places" that offer the joy of God's promise and presence cover four seasons: fall, Advent, Lent, and summer. Whether in the midst of busy holiday schedules, holy days, ordinary moments, or changing seasons, a deeper faith can be as simple as a single word.Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/28U4tj1

About The Author: Lucinda Secrest McDowell is the author of 11 books, including Live These Words, Amazed by Grace, and Quilts from Heaven. She has contributed to an additional 25 books and has been published in more than 50 magazines. A graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Furman University, she speaks internationally through her ministry Encouraging Words. An award-winning writer who has earned accolades from prominent writers' conferences and retreats, McDowell has also worked in radio broadcasting, in retreat planning, and on church pastoral staffs. She writes from "Sunnyside" cottage in Connecticut. 
My Thoughts On The Book:  I am a huge fan of devotionals.  My husband or daughter usually get me one for Christmas every year.  For me, devotionals are a great way to connect to God.  I was quite impressed with Lucinda McDowell, the author of Dwelling Places.  McDowell divided it into four seasons--Dwell,  Each section or season Shine, Renew, and Grow.  Each of these sections has  approximately thirty entries.  Each reading begins with a short scripture,  then offers us a short explanation of the scripture using a little story, and then ends with a short prayer.  They are not dated, so you do not have to follow any set plan.  Most of them take about five minutes to read and ponder on.  I have to admit there were a few that took me longer because they spoke to my heart and I ended up digging deeper into God's Word.  Calm, which was one of those....was number ten in the Dwell section.  It talks about the perfect storm.  The scripture was when Jesus was asleep in the back of the boat and the poor ship and crew were in peril.  "Surprise storms are inevitable in this life.  Panic is optional.  Call out for Him now.  And be prepared to dwell in calm."(page 21)  When I read number 10 I was  the middle of my own personal perfect storm.  Fall is my favorite season and I chose to review fall because I find myself in the fall of my life.  Fall is a time of change, vibrancy, glorious color and that is what I found within the pages of Dwell.  There are not enough sections for a whole year in number.....but I revisited several and discovered something new to hold on to in each visit.  I highly recommend this book.  It is a keeper. 
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publishing and Abingdon Press as part of their Blogging Review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!