It’s been a hard week. I know it has been for many—both in our own personal orbits and in the world writ large. I’m praying today for so many friends and family members who are struggling. For friends of friends. For families in parts of the world where I’ve never set foot. For safety, for light, for hope. We face the darkness with light and with hope, for that’s the only way to do so. And we find light and hope through holy imagination: we dream it can be, because we know God made it to be.
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Dear God…
Mandy at life. faithful. looks at what it means to be still and know that God is God.
- I know I should trust You. I know Your promises are true. I know You are ultimately in control of everything happening in this world. Sometimes, though, it’s just so hard. Even though I know it never works out when I do, there’s still a part of me that wants to try to control all the things. I look at the world around me and see it spinning out of control in a way I never would have imagined seeing just a few years ago.
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Fun Read-Alouds: Dakota Crumb, How to Make a Friend, and I Can Make a Train Noise
Janie at Redeemed Reader recommends some good read-alouds.
- Three new picture books offer sure-fire hooks for preschoolers and primary-graders alike.
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Hutchmoot Podcast & Video: The Old House & the New Creation
The Rabbit Room shares a session from Hutchmoot: Homebound 2020 in which Andrew Peterson and Lanier Ivester explore making a place in this broken world.
- Andrew Peterson & Lanier Ivester reflect on the deep relationships they have with their homes and the physical places of life and how our connection to and care for the earth functions as a vital investment in both the here-and-now and in the world yet to come.
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Jesus Isn’t Scared of My Suffering and Questions
Bethany Barnard tells her story of walking through OCD and depression to a realization that she could come to Jesus with her mental health.
- Last year I was diagnosed with severe OCD and severe depression. I filled out one assessment form after another and, in the buffet of diagnostic questions (“Do you ever ______?”), I marked “yes” by almost every symptom.
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Around the Warren
Pictures on the Ceiling
Isabel Chenot looks up at the ceiling and dreams.
- I have a lot of siblings; and when I was little, we always had more than one triple decker set of bunks. My stuffed animals and I slept at the top, where we were thrust — not quite to the stars — but right up to the spackle on the ceiling.
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Reading with Open Eyes & Hearts: A Review of Steeped in Stories by Mitali Perkins
Carolyn Leiloglou reviews Mitali Perkins’ new book.
- Mitali Perkins is the author of many wonderful books for children ranging from picture books to young adult novels. But I first heard of her not through her books but through this article she wrote for Christianity Today in which she claims the classic books she read as a child paved the way for her to later accept Jesus. When I learned she’d be discussing these classic children’s novels in more depth in her new book, Steeped in Stories: Timeless Classics to Refresh Our Weary Souls, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy.
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Something to Do with Your Kids
Have you made aquafaba before? If not, get yourself some chickpeas (make some hummus) and try it out with the leftover liquid.
Something to Watch
I’ve had this song in my head a lot this week, running over and over and reminding me that I need not strive, only trust and rest in God. Rewatching this official music video brought tears to my eyes and reminded me how much a family shapes a child’s imagination and story of who God is.
Thanks for reading. We’re on your side.
–The Story Warren Team
You can find her at carolyncgivens.com or on Facebook or Instagram at @carolyncgivens.
- The Warren & The World Vol 9, Issue 44 - November 20, 2021
- The Warren & The World Vol 9, Issue 43 - November 13, 2021
- The Warren & The World Vol 9, Issue 42 - November 6, 2021
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