The Warren & the World is Story Warren’s weekly newsletter, providing a round-up of our favorite things from around the web as well as a review of what was on our site over the past week. We’re glad you’re here!
Around the Web
If I Had Written Proverbs 31…
Jonathan Aigner has a piece at Patheos reframing Proverbs 31 in a slightly different perspective.
- Christian culture doesn’t get Proverbs 31 right, and the misunderstanding haunts women everywhere.
We keep telling them that it describes the ideal woman, the measuring stick by which a woman’s worth is judged.
But this is a proverb.
A proverb!
Proverbs are not historical accounts.
They are not law.
They are not commandments.
The “Proverbs 31 woman” is not a real person, nor is she a blueprint for true femininity. She’s a composite, comprised of examples of someone who lives life with purpose, courage, and strength. Proverbs 31 is a song of praise and gratitude for the woman of valor in your life.
All women should breathe a sigh of relief.
28 Wonderful Picture Books for Children
- Check out these new 28 picture books for children, published in 2016! I had such a huge stack of amazing books that I hadn’t reviewed yet so this is a longer post but worth it — keep on reading.
The Childhood Struggles of Every Myers Briggs® Type
- Did you ever feel misunderstood as a kid? Like once, or maybe constantly, people just didn’t “get you”? Unless you’re raised in a family of people who are very similar to you (and even that can create some issues) you’re likely to be misunderstood at one point or another, or often. Everyone feels misunderstood in a different way, and a lot of that can stem from your personality type and clashes with other personalities.
I’ve written this post in hopes that it can help families and friends to better understand each other and the unique struggles that each person faces, particularly in childhood.
Something You Need, Something to Read, Something for Fun: Purposeful Christmas Giving in Just Three Presents
It’s terrifying to me to think that Christmas is not far around the corner. Not to push Thanksgiving out of the way (though our Canadian neighbors had it already, so I’ve heard arguments that we can look forward now), but it is probably time to be thinking about Christmas–at least in the planning stages. Rachel Schmoyer shares how her family controls the “stuff” of Christmas.
- When my children were young, there was a financially tight year where I could only manage to spend $5 per kid for Christmas. What could I possibly get for $5 per kid that would make for a happy Christmas morning?
About the same time I either heard or read about a family that limited the Christmas gifts in their family to only three since Jesus received three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
I decided that buying three gifts would be a great challenge with my low budget. As I was shopping for the three gifts, I found myself wanting to vary the kinds of gifts I gave and so I started “something you need, something to read, and something for fun.”
Around the Warren
5 Reasons You Need Fiction
In case you missed it at The Gospel Coalition, here’s S.D. Smith’s piece on why we need fiction in our lives, here at Story Warren.
- I’ve heard pastors and longtime Christians argue against reading fiction since it’s “not true.” But great literature can be an avenue of profound blessing and an ally to teach us to anticipate the kingdom of God in all of life.
If we’re moved when we come across an ancient oak swaying beside a brook in a sunlit valley, we don’t immediately try to justify its existence. If we’re sensible, we don’t think, You know, this tree would be much better if it had a Bible verse carved into it. We let it be, and we praise God for it.
It’s like this with stories—they’re best enjoyed at their natural best. If you’ve lived beneath the sheltering shade of great tales, you can think of a thousand ways they’ve proved their importance and helped you to give thanks.
Something to Do with Your Kids
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, you might be looking for some fun crafts to do as a family in preparation. Here’s a list of easy Thanksgiving crafts activities for kids.
And Something to Watch
Perhaps you’ve seen Pixar’s short “Piper,” but even if you have, it’s worth watching again.
Thank you for reading. We’re on your side.
You can find her at carolyncgivens.com or on Facebook or Instagram at @carolyncgivens.
- The Warren & The World Vol 13, Issue 16 - May 10, 2025
- The Warren & The World Vol 15 - May 3, 2025
- The Warren & The World Vol 14 - April 26, 2025
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