Get to Know Our Devotional Writers

We are honored here at Rest Ministries that the devotionals touch your heart in so many ways.

Over the next couple of weeks (Monday – Thursday) we will be taking a bit of time to feature some highlights about our devotionals, such as interesting things about our writers, how to share the devotionals, how to share them, and find devotionals that will fit your mood.

I want to thank each writer who gives a piece of his or her heart in every devotional. I could never have daily devotionals without them and their gift of transparency, writing, and foundation in Christ.

You can always read more about our writers here and find the best ways to contact them directly. Many have their own webpage, Facebook page, or they are in the Sunroom where you can read their additional writings or just say hello.

Since summer is quickly approaching, I have asked them to share a little about themselves and  a simple summer activity they do to help bring a little joy into their home.

Diane Kalata shares, “Our simple summer activity is game night! Our kids are all grown so we invite all the couples, everyone comes, brings a snack to share; then let the games begin! LOL! Something just my hubby and I do is go early in the am (if my body will cooperate) to the beach before the crowds come we sit at the picnic tables in the shade and have breakfast. It is so beautiful, very few people, just the beauty of the ocean, and the sea breeze, and wild life. Just another way to admire God’s creation.

Lynn Severance says, “I have a June birthday so that always provides some activity that brings joy! Otherwise, short excursions to see flower gardens or just be out in the sun (when we have sun here in the Seattle area!) brings joy. Truly, the best activity is any opportunity to be with a true good friend in person, no matter what we do! Just sitting and visiting can light up my world.

Bridget Gazlay I love to walk (slowly) the Grand Haven pier and see the lighthouse. The beauty God created is always uplifting… Even if I have to just sit on a bench by the water.

Shelly Benoit Hendricks I love sitting on the back porch and watercolor painting. I enjoy taking my plastic reclining chair down to the creek and sitting in the water while my kids splash around.

Sandy Platt recalls earlier times. “When my kids were little we pulled out sleeping bags, flashlights, snacks, and watched the ‘dark come.’ We lived out in a rural area and watched the time of evening when the fireflies come up. The tree frogs and bull frogs would sound in the night. We would often see Meteor showers. My husband and kids were also big into water gun fights, and once they watered the garden often one of the three would sneak off and filled their gun. The neighbors often enjoyed seeing their dignified, tall, Pastor run around the house chasing his kids whiled they squealed!

Laura Seil Ruszczyk “We have movie night on our deck. My husband hangs a white table cloth on the house (for movie screen) and projects movies on to it. We use our fire pit to have a campfire and make s’mores or just eat popcorn. The torches are lit, bug spray applied and we enjoy movies under the stars.”

I (Lisa Copen) have to agree with everyone here that “getting outside” can be a blessing in itself, even if you can’t go far. I have worked for years on creating a cozy place to hang out on our patio and I love to sit out there in the morning and watch the hummingbirds and have coffee, or read a book in the evening with the lights on. Even when I lived in an apartment with just a patio of 8 x 4 feet I tried to make a “place” to just sit and be away from the TV and other noise of life. If you can, sit outside a few minutes before the heat arrives and just listen. You never know what you may hear.