Life Renewed - Diving into Lenten Devotions

Jan 9, 2025 11:04:06 AM / by Karin Berdahl

Meet some of the contributors to Life Renewed: Devotions for Lent 2025 as they talk about their process, practice, and the surprises waiting in this devotional.

Lent devo 2025 blog (1)

How did you get inspiration to write your entries?

David Miller: Meditation is the center of my spiritual and writing life. With these devotions, I slowly read the biblical text, then looked at the image for the day, letting it transport my heart and mind wherever it chose to take me. Places and faces appeared in my mind’s eye; memories, hopes and hurts, regrets and joys consoled or troubled my heart. And I spoke to Jesus about all of it, listening closely for what my heart longed to say. Only that which stirs the heart to love is worth sharing.

Lisa Smith: When writing a devotion, I take the one word or phrase from the Scripture that captures my attention. What is God saying to me? What personal experience resonates? How does that word comfort, challenge or invite me? God is present in my writing process -- the challenge is to listen!

Jennifer Phelps: I approach my entries by dwelling in the biblical text and pondering the picture. Often, one word or phrase jumps to my attention leading me to scour my library for stories or quotes that resonate with what caught my attention. I love to read and have a wide variety of sources from which to choose. The Holy Spirit works in mysterious and creative ways! I am often surprised at how I go looking for a quote for one entry but find something which applies to a different entry. Once I have the quote, I ponder how the biblical passage and the quote interact with one another and with everyday life. The reflection often writes itself through this process.

Do you engage in the practice of a daily devotional?

David Miller: Daily prayer for me starts with imagining God’s love like the rays of the sun, constantly flowing, freely given, warming me through. Then I read the scripture of the day and turn it over in my heart and mind, or I imagine myself in the story, talking to God about what I see and hear, feel and wonder about, seeking to be drawn into deeper intimacy with the One who loves me.

Lisa Smith: Most mornings, I hop on my yoga mat and read Christ in Our Home before a quick yoga practice. Sometimes the whole thing is only 5 minutes but it centers and ground me for whatever the day brings.

What would you say to someone who thinks daily devotional practice is too overwhelming?

David Miller: The deepest desire of our hearts is to return home and rest in an infinite love. Daily prayer is the path to the home we crave, soothing our frayed nerves and frantic hearts. Without it, we lose ourselves and forget who we are—wanted, cherished, beloved and beautiful in the heart of God.

Lisa Smith: Daily devotions don't have to happen during quiet meditation times. I've read devotions aloud to whatever kid wanders through during my morning yoga practice. A quick devotional reading before a meal works great, or have someone else (not the driver!) read aloud a devotion during the morning commute.

Jennifer Phelps: Leave the devotional book in a place that you sit for a few minutes each day: the kitchen table, by the coffee maker, on the nightstand. Read it over and let your mind grab on to a few words or phrases. Take those phrases and words into your day and be curious about how the reflection connects to your life. Share the phrases with a friend or family member to get their thoughts. Spend a minute at the end of the day for a few breaths of gratitude. Devotional time need not come in focused or formal times. Let the devotion work through you in bits and pieces.

What is one piece of content that might surprise the reader?

David Miller: It might surprise readers to realize the many hours writers invest—reading, praying, reflecting, writing and crafting each devotion—to say something loving and deep in a very few words.

Jennifer Phelps: I am always curious about the quote sources! Follow the path to discover what the authors are reading. You may find some delightful surprises in their sources!

Life Renewed: Devotions for Lent 2025 is available while supplies last! Quantity Discounts apply.

Order Here!

Interested in more devotional options? Check out our blog post We're Devoted to Devotionals! where we walk through the range of devotional options from Augsburg Fortress including daily, weekly, quarterly, annual, topical, 30- and 40- day and more!

 

Topics: Devotional, New Product Release, devotions, Lent, Interviews

Karin Berdahl

Written by Karin Berdahl

Karin is a Marketing Communication Specialist at Augsburg Fortress Publishers.

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