What are you enjoying right now?
Sometimes, we need to step back and ask a question like that.
Philippians 4:8 challenges believers to think and dwell on “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable.” So the Facts & Trends staff would like to regularly share our “Favorites” at the moment.
It might be a new book or podcast we’re enjoying or something going on in our lives we want to share. Hopefully, you’ll think about things that are your favorites right now and maybe find something else to add to that list.
Aaron Earls (@WardrobeDoor), online editor: In addition to several other recent personal moments of happiness, the greatest came earlier this week when my wife and I found out we will be having a baby girl in September. She will be our fourth child and second girl.
Our first source of joy is that she appears perfectly healthy. But practically speaking, we are thankful we will be able to reuse all her two-year-old sister’s baby things.
While our house is now divided evenly in terms of gender, the kids outnumber the parents 2-to-1. We merely hope they don’t realize their numbers advantage and organize a mutiny.
Carol Pipes (@CarolPipes), editor: During the course of a day, I open umpteen tabs in my browser window. I recently added Google Chrome’s Earth View extension to my browser. Now, every time I open a new tab I get a beautiful birds-eye view of some small section of the earth.
It might be the ocean shelf off shore of the Bahamas, an island in the middle of Hudson Bay, or a random stadium in the middle of Haixi China. By clicking on the globe icon in the lower right corner, you can launch the current view in Google Maps and see exactly where it is in the world.
God’s creation is truly beautiful and thanks to Earth View from Google maps I can catch a glimpse of locations I’ll never see in my lifetime. (Caution: You may start opening tabs just to see new images.)
Matt Erickson (@_Matt_Erickson), managing editor: I’ve been reading a book called Stay: Lessons My Dogs Taught Me About Life, Loss, and Grace. I’m a big fan of dogs and a big fan of grace, so it has been a fun read so far.
The author, Dave Burchett, does a great job of weaving together personal stories, life lessons from his dogs, and encouraging theological reflection. Even though it’s a light and easy read, it’s full of great insights and reminders.
He doesn’t really argue his points—it’s not that kind of book—so much as talk about what he’s learned along the way. And in my opinion, he’s learned quite a lot. It’s a wise and winsome book. The kind you look forward to picking up each time.
Lisa Green (@lisaccgreen), senior writer: I’m enjoying this week to its fullest, making new friends in a new job at Lifeway and reconnecting with old friends as well.
After working in one spot for more than two decades, I’d almost forgotten what it’s like to be a newbie—getting lost in the building, being baffled by the printers and phones, wondering where people go for lunch. My new colleagues have made it a stress-free transition, and I’m glad to be on board.
Katie Shull (@KShull), graphic designer: Looking forward to Mother’s Day and being a mom myself, tons of mom blogs, links, etc. come across my news feed everyday. One of my “fav” parenting blogs is ServantsLife.com by Stacy Edwards. I appreciate the honesty and spiritual lessons in each post.
Stacy’s latest post was on gifts. Reading it was a good reminder to me, not to compare myself or be intimidated by others accomplishments, but instead use the gifts God has blessed me with to be a blessing to others.
What has made you smile so far this week? What would be your favorite today?
