We’re in the desert and overall the weather here could be said to be like summer in other parts of the world. That said, the weather has been close to freezing and we’ve had a lot of rain.
Last month I said that I wanted to ride my bike. In the (relative) cold and rain, that hasn’t happened. My fingers and ears freeze solid when I’ve tried.
Instead my activity has been oriented around walking the dog. He’s learned that if he gets excited in the evening, I’ll take him out in the neighborhood – which then forms the highlight of his day.
Here he is in a more mellow moment.
We named our dog Asher. Yes, that is the same Asher from the Bible who was a son of Jacob and ultimately one of the 12 tribes of Israel. (what Asher were you thinking of?)
In my family, from growing up until now, we’ve named our pets with names in the Bible. This has led to some really interesting pet names over the years:
- When I was in high school we had a basset hound named Zipporah (the wife of Moses). We called her Zippy for short – she was not the least bit zippy – quite lazy as a matter of fact.
- In middle school we had a cat named Othniel (one of the Judges of Israel). He was sort of a mottled brown color, so we kids mostly called him “Oatmeal”
- Around the same time we had a cat named Tiglath Pileser (an Assyrian king who extracted tribute from the northern 10 tribes of Israel shortly before they were conquered and taken into exile) – but we mostly called him “Tigger”
- In my early years when we lived in a rural setting we had a sheep that was crippled on both of his front legs and walked on his knees. We named him Mephibosheth after the son of Saul who was also crippled in his legs.
Pet naming is like religion. People get really particular about it. Do you love pets? What is the best name of a pet you’ve had? Do you have a pattern or a way you name them? Reply and share your favorite pet name and why.
Writing Update
As far as my writing goes, I’m wrapping up a devotional book on Miracles. It’s designed as a devotional or a small group study. I’ve chosen the name Faith & Miracles for reasons that will be explicitly clear if you read it. I don’t have an exact release schedule yet, but it’s slated for early March. I’ll share more next month.
Meanwhile, here’s a glimpse of the cover.
Featured Book of the Month
Last year I was asked to edit the manuscript of a devotional book. Of course I agreed. I love devotional books. I think they are key in building up Christians to deeper faith and love of God.
This book, however, was way better than the normal devotional. Each lesson came with a custom written song that expressed the main point of the devotion. Imagine reading a devotional lesson while listening to a song perfectly written and recorded to compliment the devotion. It’s a phenomenal idea!
My friends Scott and Ginger who created this book are uniquely positioned to do this exact thing. Scott graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary and Ginger is a gifted song writer. They traveled to Nashville Tennessee to work with professional musicians to record the music that accompanies this book (on Spotify, iTunes or from their website).
If you are a person who associates music with what you are doing or reading, this book will speak to you deeply and profoundly. And I can testify that the message of the book will build you up spiritually! If you’re looking for material for a small group study, they have a leader’s guide to facilitate that too.
Winner of the 2018 Illumination Book Award Bronze Medal, Live SoulFULL is a music-driven Bible study with a fun, fresh way to be immersed in God’s Word.
I recommend this book without reservation as a valuable resource for Christian worship and devotion. If you are looking for a way to spice up your worship or small group, this is a great option. I don’t get anything for recommending this except the satisfaction that I’ve recommended a quality work that you will find valuable.
Click the button below to go to the Amazon page where you can get the book for yourself.
That’s about it for this month. In March I hope to have some exciting launch news of my own. But until then, stay warm and worship God!
Dennis Stevenson
