Dwelling Places--Lucinda Secrest McDowell-Devotional Review

About the book (provided by the publisher). . . 

What if a thriving, active faith were as simple as reading one word a day?

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.


PRAISE FOR DWELLING PLACES:
“As there are seasons of the year so there are seasons in our walk with Christ. In Dwelling Places, Lucinda McDowell takes us on a gentle sojourn through words that inspire, encourage, educate and magnify the Lord.” ~ Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

“If you’re looking for encouragement based on God’s Word, read Dwelling Places. Lucinda Secrest McDowell has taken 130 key words from the Bible and created powerful devotions that will comfort, exhort, and bless you daily in every season of the year.  Her powerful stories and poignant ending prayers will capture your heart and point you towards hope and truth. Buy one copy for yourself and ten more to give away!” ~ Carol Kent, speaker and author of Waiting Together and Unquenchable

“In Dwelling Places, Lucinda Secrest McDowell elevates devotions to a new level. As always, McDowell uses some of the best quotes you will read this year, but she adds to them her special brand of storytelling as well as teachings that will minister to your soul. A masterful devotional, managing to be both short and deep at the same time.” ~ Tessa Afshar, Christy, award winning author of Land of Silence and Fields of Grace

“I never miss a new book from Lucinda Secrest McDowell. Her writing is so real and warm and down-to-earth, and at the same time thought-provoking, profound, and theologically grounded. A rare combination! Dwelling Places offers readers deep moments of reflection, inspiration, and encouragement that will stay with us throughout the day and throughout the seasons of our lives.”  ~ Christin Ditchfield, syndicated radio host, speaker, and author of What Women Should Know About Facing Fear

“Dwelling Places is balm for the soul, resonate and full of life, bringing the Word to dwell with me as I pondered each of the daily words long after I'd finished reading them.” ~ Christa Parrish, Christianity Today award and Christy award winning author of Still Life and Stones for Bread                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        And I thought . . . What a great devotional book.   The subtitle Words to Live in Every Season explains the essence of  the book.  It's divided into 4 sections: Dwell Fall, Shine Advent, Renew Lent, and Grow Summer and ending with a section titled  Gratitudes followed by the Epilogue: Secrets Of The Nest.    Each devotional begins with a scripture and then a short story with some thoughts to ponder.  I loved the end of each devotional.  Instead of a prayer for the reader to pray each devotional ended with a word from our Father.  These thoughts blessed my spirit.  Here is an example: from #26 Faithful... My child, you can trust Me. I have been faithful to countless generations before you, and I shall most certainly be there for those who come after you.  You see. I never change.  While my ways and my will are not predictable in time and manner my character remains.  Faithful. True. Loving. Merciful.  Count on it.  

I enjoyed this little book.  It is small and will fit nicely into a tote back.  It's a great devotional to even take on vacation.  I liked the small size.  I had no trouble reading it.  I also like the graphics that made it pretty.                                                                                                                                                                         I would recommend this devotional to anyone.  It would make a great gift for anyone anytime of the year or any season.                                                                                                                                                                                                              This devotional is worthy of my 5 star rating.   My thanks to Miss McDowell,Abigdon Press and Litfuse for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book.  I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.                                                                                                                                                            This review is posted at Amazon, CBC, Barnes and Noble and Goodreads.  click on the bold type to purchase or read additional reviews.  The review is posted at My Reading Journeys and linked to The Art of Homemaking, Create With Joy and Share Your Cup and may be linked to other available parties.  See my parties page for a complete list of blog parties.