Dwell by Sandra Byrd: Book Review

Sandra Byrd’s new devotional, Dwell: 90 Days at Home With God is a beautiful book. In it you will find 90 individual devotionals, each one centered around themes such as gardening, family, friendship, and food, all under the umbrella of home. Each day contains a topic, short (and warm) devotional, Scriptures throughout and one focus Scripture that ties it all together.

When I came back to Jesus in my early twenties, I spent most of my time reconnecting with Him through devotions in my women’s Bible, and other materials that were devotional in nature. It was a simple and comforting way to learn. It encourages and edifies the Body of Christ and often provides a word in due season. This devotional reminds me of that time in my life.

As I read, I found one devotional that had the theme of marigolds. I was instantly reminded of my childhood, the smell of marigolds and playing in the dirt. I am sure God was there in that experience; it evokes such joy and comfort in my heart.

Dwell has an overall warm and cozy theme. The pictures are gorgeous and it is just a very beautiful book.

If you are looking for a nugget of encouragement each day, I would recommend Dwell to you. You might just be inspired to become more creative in your home, as you grow in your walk with God. Read it with a cup of tea and a cozy blanket or sitting in your favorite chair. It would make a nice gift for a friend or your mom this Mother’s Day.

Blessings to you as you continue to grow in grace, and allow God to meet you in the quiet spaces of home.


*Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the devotional from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. The thoughts and opinions here are entirely my own.

To learn more about the author, please visit her website at sandrabyrd.com.

To order a copy of Dwell, please visit any online retailer.

To read a sample of Dwell, please go here to Amazon.

Purpose in the Body of Christ

You know what I think we all need to be talking about more? Purpose. Not purpose in life, but purpose in the Body of Christ. Every single Believer has purpose in the Body of Christ. Each one has gifts and has the capability to reach those in their current situation. I don't think you have to jump out of your vocational calling to be effective as a Believer. That is part of your calling. But we all have a message to give to the world. You are loved. You are forgiven. You are free. Jesus made sure of that. Once you cross from darkness to light, you have Jesus living on the inside of you. And He wants to say something to the world. Don't wait until you think you have crossed some illusionary line of readiness. Let people know they are loved now.

We are ambassadors of the Anointed One who carry the message of Christ to the world, as though God were tenderly pleading with them directly through our lips. So we tenderly plead with you on Christ’s behalf, “Turn back to God and be reconciled to him.” For God made the only one who did not know sin to become sin for us, so that we who did not know righteousness might become the righteousness of God through our union with him.-2 Corinthians 5: 20-21 (The Passion Translation)

It's All About Jesus

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, and through all, and in you all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.-Ephesians 4:4-7

This has been on my heart for so long. This whole life is about Jesus. Everything we do should come back to Him. When this thing is all over, what will stand is God's Word and the things we did out of love for each other, and out of our love for Him. The body of Christ really needs to start looking for what we have in common, Christ. We need to quit focusing on the differences. It is dividing us and reducing our effectiveness. Let's start loving each other. That is how He said all men would know we belong to Him.

Everybody has been called to do something. I read a lot. One of the things I have been enjoying recently while reading is seeing how God uses these writers to paint a picture of Jesus. It is not a literal picture, but you can see Jesus there, within the pages. Whatever your call is, teacher, doctor, grocery clerk, waitress, Jesus should be pictured there and people should be able to see Him.

Philippians 2

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:.......taking the very nature of a servant...."-Philippians 2:3-5,7

Selfishness. It is a problem today. Why? Because people don't have enough faith in God to get their needs met through Him. They don't know Him well enough. If they did, they would act like Him. Jesus was our example of how to treat others. He loved those He came in contact with. Why was it so easy for those He came in contact with to get healed? I think it was because they knew something about God already, and they believed in His love and compassion. Selfishness, Love, Knowledge, Healing.....it is all connected. My heart's cry is to see the Church look like the book of Acts, not just the Power of God demonstrated through the Holy Spirit. That is something everyone desires, but the Church also has to look like them and Him by the love they demonstrate. Faith works by love. Acts 2:42 "They devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the templecourts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number DAILY those who were being saved." There is so much in this one passage, I could talk for a while. The overall theme though is the love and fellowship which resulted in miracles and the addition of people to the church. It wasn't hard for them to have the Word of God working in their midst.

I feel compelled to connect this to parenting since my blog is called My Journey Through Motherhood. As a parent, there is no room for selfishness. You learn a lot about yourself as a human being when your children are born. You find out how much of life is about you and not about others. When my son was born, I was totally hit with the realization of how much I think about me. My son had basic simple needs and I had no other purpose at that time than to meet those needs, because he couldn't. He still has needs, and now I have two more children who have needs. And I still find traces of selfishness within me throughout this journey of motherhood.