The Warren & the World Vol 6, Issue 14

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

Might as Well Laugh, Mama

Holly Mackle, author of Same Here, Sisterfriend, Mostly True Tales of Misadventures in Motherhood, writes at Risen Motherhood on the need for a sense of humor with the kids in our lives.

When my oldest was three, we had a small concrete pad poured to host our trash and recycling bins. Just as the workers were finishing up, she and my husband, David, went outside to check on the progress, see if they needed anything, and admire their work from a safe distance. As they arrived, the construction guys slid the slidey-rake-things one last time across the top of their freshly-smoothed work, and stepped back to admire the fruits of their labor.
Five seconds of small talk later, David said the three-year-old looked up at him, looked up at the workers, and took off in a sprint. I need not tell you in which direction.

10 Benefits of Family Prayer Time

Karen Whiting explores the good things that can come of praying together as a family.

Communication is a basic building block for families so communicating with God should be viewed as a basic building block of the family’s faith.
Many parents may say a simple grace at meal or a simple prayer with a child at bedtime, but do you want to do more? Do you want to actually connect your family to God through prayer? Do you want family prayer to make a difference? Discover some great benefits of praying together that can inspire you to persist.

How Russell Moore Processes the Moral Failures of His Historical Heroes

Russell Moore’s thoughts on how to process the moral failures of his historical heroes gives good insight on how to talk with your family about the contemporary failures when they come up in the news.

“He uses sinful people which means he can use us.”
In this new video, Russell Moore—president of the ERLC and TGC Council member—explains how the moral failings of our heroes can teach us lessons in humility and the meaning of sanctification.

Wholesome Middle Grade Chapter Books for Boys

Melissa Taylor has a great list of middle grade chapter books your boys will love.

You asked for it. Here it is — a wholesome middle grade chapter book list for boys ages 9 – 12 with nice (not rude) main characters. There’s a lot of subjectivity in a list like this. So my criteria (besides excellent writing) is the following:
books with main characters you’d want your kids to be friends with
books with main characters who are kind, helpful, and / or determined
books with characters who are respectful towards adults and siblings
no romance
no swearing

Around the Warren

Announcement: S. D. Smith at Your Imagination Redeemed conference

Story Warren’s co-founder, S.D. Smith is delighted to be speaking at the Your Imagination Redeemed conference in Colorado Springs later this month.

When you read a book that stirs your spirit and captures your imagination, what is it in that tale the makes you feel awakened and alive?
It is an echo; a reminder of who we are. The redeemed imagination allows the believer to see the world, and his own life, through divine eyes.

Imaginations Should Be Exercised

James Witmer reminds us to use the organ of imagination.

What is imagination good for? And why do we need imaginative stories?
The real world is full of beauty. Normal lives are full of drama. And beneath it all is Truth; bright, hard, sharp as the point of a spear.
So why make stuff up? Why read (or play at) things that aren’t real?
Because a healthy imagination is necessary for love.

Living in the Moment with Now

Laura Peterson recommends Antoinette Portis’s beautiful picture book Now.

“Living in the moment.” What does that phrase mean to you? Is it something that we give as an excuse for risky, unwise behavior? Or an intentional unwillingness to consider a hard road ahead? I think a “living in the moment” attitude sometimes gets a bad reputation, but perhaps that’s because we have forgotten the art of being present, of stopping to consider only what is happening right now, rather than thinking back to the past or ahead to the future.

Something to Do with Your Kids

My cats think marshmallows are the best thing in the world–I’m a fan myself, but playing with them is almost as much fun as eating them. It’s worth your time to check out some of these fun marshmallow activities for all ages.