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Not Just on Sundays: Seeking God's Purpose in Each New Day
Do you ever wonder if the Bible and church doors slam shut at midnight on Sunday, only to open again the following Sunday? Whether you attend church or are just curious about how real this whole “faith in Christ” thing is, perhaps you have met people who live as if God is only accessible on Sundays. Is it possible to take our faith with us every day of the week?
Any number of issues—parenting woes, relationships that need healing, decisions that need wisdom—demand our attention and time. What do our Monday through Saturday conversations with God even sound like?
In "Not Just on Sundays," Bonnie Lyn Smith shares how faith in Christ informs the everyday and how the Bible offers wisdom for so many situations. The book serves as a starting place to practice how to reach into God’s riches, not only to know Him deeply, but also to be part of His purpose and plan. Through personal stories and reflections, Bonnie shows us that He gives so many promises that help us live each day in His presence. She offers examples of how God reveals Himself to us, if we are open to looking for Him, seeking His guidance, and accepting His abiding love. Even when and where we least expect Him!
Any number of issues—parenting woes, relationships that need healing, decisions that need wisdom—demand our attention and time. What do our Monday through Saturday conversations with God even sound like?
In "Not Just on Sundays," Bonnie Lyn Smith shares how faith in Christ informs the everyday and how the Bible offers wisdom for so many situations. The book serves as a starting place to practice how to reach into God’s riches, not only to know Him deeply, but also to be part of His purpose and plan. Through personal stories and reflections, Bonnie shows us that He gives so many promises that help us live each day in His presence. She offers examples of how God reveals Himself to us, if we are open to looking for Him, seeking His guidance, and accepting His abiding love. Even when and where we least expect Him!
332 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2014
1 person is currently reading
224 people want to read
About the author
Bonnie Lyn Smith
4 books12 followersI grew up the younger of two daughters in Southeastern Pennsylvania but have lived in Western Pennsylvania, Japan, California, the Marshall Islands, and Massachusetts. My background includes Japanese and Asian Studies, Women's Studies, editing for market research companies, children's ministry, and a dollop of philanthropy (while in the islands) and fundraising (more recently in the Boston area). I am a wife of 28 years and a mom of three children 21 years old and under. We have moved 11 times in those years, and the words "transition," "grace," "flexibility," and "adjustment" have become our teachers and dear companions. My heart beats for discipleship and prayer, teaching preschool and junior high Sunday School students, and giving voice to common struggles through speaking and writing. I can be found regularly blogging at "Espressos of Faith" (http://www.bonnielynsmith.com/), where I discuss the publishing journey as well as topics of faith, childrearing, special education, mental health advocacy, living abroad, dog antics, and more.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 23, 2016
I loved this book, loved the stories and the thoughts behind them, loved the realism and the hope. Beautifully written.
The story that most stood out to me was "When the Gardener Comes," with the passage on John 15:1-8 about remaining with Jesus.
My favorite section was the first one on children and parenting.
I will probably go back through the book again more slowly at a later date.
I have a minor issue, which is probably just semantics about the word "dysfunction." I would agree that all people are prone to messing up, or being "bent" as C.S. Lewis described it in "Out of the Silent Planet," or prone to "sin" as the Bible calls it in Romans 3:23. I think that unchecked sin makes us all prone to dysfunction or selfishness or self-centeredness. But I don't think that we are all dysfunctional.
There is a lot of talk these days about dysfunction, so I would like to define a functional family. A functional family is one with two functions. 1) The members, in general, love each other and 2) The responsibilities fall on the right people. A functional family is not a perfect family. They may still have problems, issues, conflicts, and get angry from time to time. In general, a functional family either takes positive steps to address those problems with both mutual respect and love or else takes positive steps towards coping, in the case of the unsolvable - death, serious illness, etc. In the (hopefully) unusual event that problems are not initially faced with respect and love, there is forgiveness and grace and people can get back on track with addressing problems while showing others their mutual respect and love.
I asked someone else what her definition was of a functional family and thought it was as good or better than mine. It was a family that trains kids to function when they are adults. But then again, someone else said that he liked my definition better because it included families without children.
I would say that the author's current family is far more functional than she gives herself credit.
I am glad that churches have talked about "getting real" and "being real," because it helps us grow to see how others have dealt with difficulty. But in that mindset and in the deterioration of society in regards to in-tact families, there has arisen a myth that functional families don't exist. They do. Perfect families don't exist; functional families do.
I like Carol Kuykendall's book, "Five-Star Families: Moving Yours From Good to Great." In it, Ms. Kuykendall considers a functional family to be a four-star family and a five-star family is one that is not only functional, but one in which the members actually enjoy being together.
I grew up in a family that had it's four-star moments (or perhaps less), but was in general a five-star family that enjoyed interacting with each other. I am trying to raise a five-star family, but whether or not my own children will consider it such when they look back on it from adulthood remains to be seen. It is my hope and my aspiration, but I do realize that in the process of raising kids to be responsible, they may not always enjoy being with me - in the moment, today. But we can still have other times to enjoy being together.
Apart from the semantics of what does and doesn't constitute dysfunction, I thought the section in "Not Just on Sundays" on dysfunction was very good. It dealt with untangling relationships, setting healthy boundaries, etc - things to make any family or any relationship stronger.
The story that most stood out to me was "When the Gardener Comes," with the passage on John 15:1-8 about remaining with Jesus.
My favorite section was the first one on children and parenting.
I will probably go back through the book again more slowly at a later date.
I have a minor issue, which is probably just semantics about the word "dysfunction." I would agree that all people are prone to messing up, or being "bent" as C.S. Lewis described it in "Out of the Silent Planet," or prone to "sin" as the Bible calls it in Romans 3:23. I think that unchecked sin makes us all prone to dysfunction or selfishness or self-centeredness. But I don't think that we are all dysfunctional.
There is a lot of talk these days about dysfunction, so I would like to define a functional family. A functional family is one with two functions. 1) The members, in general, love each other and 2) The responsibilities fall on the right people. A functional family is not a perfect family. They may still have problems, issues, conflicts, and get angry from time to time. In general, a functional family either takes positive steps to address those problems with both mutual respect and love or else takes positive steps towards coping, in the case of the unsolvable - death, serious illness, etc. In the (hopefully) unusual event that problems are not initially faced with respect and love, there is forgiveness and grace and people can get back on track with addressing problems while showing others their mutual respect and love.
I asked someone else what her definition was of a functional family and thought it was as good or better than mine. It was a family that trains kids to function when they are adults. But then again, someone else said that he liked my definition better because it included families without children.
I would say that the author's current family is far more functional than she gives herself credit.
I am glad that churches have talked about "getting real" and "being real," because it helps us grow to see how others have dealt with difficulty. But in that mindset and in the deterioration of society in regards to in-tact families, there has arisen a myth that functional families don't exist. They do. Perfect families don't exist; functional families do.
I like Carol Kuykendall's book, "Five-Star Families: Moving Yours From Good to Great." In it, Ms. Kuykendall considers a functional family to be a four-star family and a five-star family is one that is not only functional, but one in which the members actually enjoy being together.
I grew up in a family that had it's four-star moments (or perhaps less), but was in general a five-star family that enjoyed interacting with each other. I am trying to raise a five-star family, but whether or not my own children will consider it such when they look back on it from adulthood remains to be seen. It is my hope and my aspiration, but I do realize that in the process of raising kids to be responsible, they may not always enjoy being with me - in the moment, today. But we can still have other times to enjoy being together.
Apart from the semantics of what does and doesn't constitute dysfunction, I thought the section in "Not Just on Sundays" on dysfunction was very good. It dealt with untangling relationships, setting healthy boundaries, etc - things to make any family or any relationship stronger.
December 3, 2014
Not Just on Sundays: Seeking God’s Purpose in Each New Day by Bonnie Lyn Smith gives inspiration in presenting personal testimonies and many life lessons learned – all revealing God's wisdom, love, mercy and grace. Being a Christian is not just for Sundays, through her testimonials, the author relates that God is always present. Inspiring and insightful, the author offers wisdom through God’s Word, giving hope for everyday situations. Relating a biblical perspective, the author, also uncovers how “faith and hope in Christ” bring hope for each new day and every day of the year, delighting in God’s Word and presence.
Easy to read, one will feel as if they are sitting having coffee with their best girlfriend. The author thoughtfully captures many life lessons learned through her journeys with God, giving hope to readers for a bright future and inspiring a closer relationship with God. Thoughtful and sometimes humorous, filled with delightful tales of life, the author speaks on a variety of subjects to include family, parenting issues, relational issues, offering God’s wisdom for life, helping the reader to understand that God’s Word is filled with direction for our daily living.
Discussion questions at the end facilitate small groups as well that offers an outlet for readers to become actively engaged. Intertwining pertinent scriptures, the author gives many insights into teachings from God's Word that will enhance and enrich your life. This book is highly recommended for those that desire a closer walk with God on a daily basis. Readers will learn that the Bible is filled with wisdom for daily living and is very relevant to daily life, ushering in a lifetime adventure of getting to know their Lord and Savior as the lover of their soul. You will love this book.
Easy to read, one will feel as if they are sitting having coffee with their best girlfriend. The author thoughtfully captures many life lessons learned through her journeys with God, giving hope to readers for a bright future and inspiring a closer relationship with God. Thoughtful and sometimes humorous, filled with delightful tales of life, the author speaks on a variety of subjects to include family, parenting issues, relational issues, offering God’s wisdom for life, helping the reader to understand that God’s Word is filled with direction for our daily living.
Discussion questions at the end facilitate small groups as well that offers an outlet for readers to become actively engaged. Intertwining pertinent scriptures, the author gives many insights into teachings from God's Word that will enhance and enrich your life. This book is highly recommended for those that desire a closer walk with God on a daily basis. Readers will learn that the Bible is filled with wisdom for daily living and is very relevant to daily life, ushering in a lifetime adventure of getting to know their Lord and Savior as the lover of their soul. You will love this book.
February 11, 2015
What can adults learn from children, pets, children’s toys, and other people? Quite a bit! How much can anyone learn from their mistakes? Quite a bit! Bonnie Lyn Smith’s unbelievably empowering book is overflowing with useful real-life examples, scriptures, and original quotes related to many crucial topics. These topics include trusting God, grace, standing up to evil, seeing blessings in trials, humility, and shunning materialism.
The author uses numerous scriptures and heartfelt examples from her own life to teach us the lessons listed above. She guides us discreetly through situations of trauma as well as victory.
I, especially, admire Bonnie’s courage in tackling the subjects of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and other awkward social situations.
Two quotes stood out to me: “The fiercest of warriors come from the unlikeliest of places” and “I screw it up when I think I’m in control of everything.”
This is a well written book that I would recommend to absolutely anyone. I have rarely seen such wisdom imparted in such a clear, succinct manner. The short chapters are neatly centered on applicable scriptures and stories. I will consider it my go-to main reference when I need to research the all-important topics that are covered in it.
The author uses numerous scriptures and heartfelt examples from her own life to teach us the lessons listed above. She guides us discreetly through situations of trauma as well as victory.
I, especially, admire Bonnie’s courage in tackling the subjects of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and other awkward social situations.
Two quotes stood out to me: “The fiercest of warriors come from the unlikeliest of places” and “I screw it up when I think I’m in control of everything.”
This is a well written book that I would recommend to absolutely anyone. I have rarely seen such wisdom imparted in such a clear, succinct manner. The short chapters are neatly centered on applicable scriptures and stories. I will consider it my go-to main reference when I need to research the all-important topics that are covered in it.
November 13, 2015
I very much enjoyed this book. It is easy-to-read and provides a beginner with a strong understanding of how God can be found every day and how he can lead us through our lives if we just know how to listen.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews