Monday, September 20, 2010

Simple Pleasures Carnival

Welcome to the fall kick-off of the devotional carnival. Once a month - around mid-month - in the spring and fall I host a carnival where we write a devotion on a given topic and link up here to read each other's. It's all kinds of encouraging!

One of my readers suggested this month's topic and I'm so excited about it: Simple Pleasures. God began teaching me about simple pleasures last year, and intensified it earlier this year while I studied the book of Ecclesasties. I truly believe it is a spiritual thing to enjoy the simple pleasures in life and give thanks for them. In fact, I'm so stoked about this month's topic that - for this month only - even if you don't write a devotion but just a post on this topic - come link up.  I want to hear what you have to say! What are your simple pleasures and how do you make room for them in your life, or is that a struggle to remember to do?

"So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God."
~ Ecc 3:12-13, NLT

A few of my favorite simple pleasures include: time to browse in a book shop, time to linger in a coffee shop, time to relax in a bubble bath, a weekend afternoon nap, scented candles, cooking with my husband, starting or ending the day out on the patio, a walk on the beach, sleeping with the window open, the smell of soup cooking all day in the crock-pot, a super soft blanket, fresh basil ... well, enough of my rambling, let's hear what you wrote.





I'll be in the coffee shop today sipping another of my simple pleasures, a pumpkin spice latte, while I read about yours. And on Wednesday I'll select one winner from among the participating writers to receive a copy of my new book It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know. So you have until Wednesday evening to post and link. Since curling up with a good book is another of my simple pleasures, I sure hope you win.

23 comments:

  1. Thanks for doing this again - I love to see what other wrote about the same topic. Mine took a more serious tone than was planned - but the topic really brought home for me the need to enjoy the ordinary.

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  2. Don't have a blog so no where to link, but love the idea of "simple pleasures." Something that I don't take time to enjoy as much as I should. A few of mine: spending time with my grandson, curling up with a good book, sewing/quilting, sitting around a campfire with my hubby (so happy fall is around the corner for this). Thanks for this Rachel. Can't wait to read all the devotions!

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  3. I'm linked in!! Love the topic. It was so much fun to write and really made me realize how much I enjoy the simple things in life!

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  4. Pumpkin Spice Latte.....love love love! Thanks for letting us share today. I too used Ecc for my scripture verse.
    Vicky

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  5. Mister Linky Box is quite the good worker.

    I love this idea of a devotion carnival. Plus, getting to read others' devotions (and maybe those of other aspiring writers like me) is great.

    I look forward to the new topics in the months ahead!

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  6. Thank you Rachel! It is refreshing to start a Monday thinking about simple pleasures instead of the week's to do list!

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  7. What a great idea! I was so happy to run across your blog on Friday. Thanks for doing this and I am looking forward to reading all of the posts!!

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  8. Rachel, I am glad you started the devotion carnival again. I love reading everyone's devotions on the different topics.

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  9. Thank you Rachel. I can't wait to read what everyone wrote about.

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  10. I'm linked! I will be enjoying one of my simple pleasures today...lunch with my daughter who turns 4 today.

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  11. This was so inspiring! It feels as if I'll be thinking about and appreciating 'simple pleasures' in a new way for some time to come. Thank you Rachel!

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  12. As always, I enjoy this opportunity to join in on your devotional carnival and be blessed by the messages of the heart of women that find their way into words.

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  13. Some of my favorite simple pleasures are sitting by a campfire on a cool night with a cup of coffee, taking a walk with my husband, sitting on my back deck in the sunshine, baking cookies for my boys. I could go on and on. I love simple pleasures.

    Deb V

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  14. Hi There!
    I sure hope I did this right!
    Thanks for the opportunity to share. Since I am living in the shadow of some major surgery, EVERYTHING is a simple pleasure!!!
    Walking, showering by myself, driving, you name it. These are pleasures indeed.
    Blessings to you and yours~

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  15. A great carnival! Thanks for letting us all play along. It's good to refocus on what we take for granted as the good stuff in life.

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  16. Gosh....so many sweet devos!
    This is such a great idea!

    I'm finding some fantastic ladies out there! Thanks Rachel!

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  17. Simple pleasures...oh there are so many..with little ones at work the simple pleasure are unmeasurable. My personal life simple pleasures burning wood in the fire pit or campfire is top of the list. God just burns up all my worries, then pulling weeds in the garden, God reminds me to get rid of those negative thoughts..He pulls them right out. Watching each of my 3 children, now young adults, in photo opportunities when we are all together, priceless. Each day is a simple pleasure with my husband whether we are getting along or fussing. My husband has a heart disease with no cure, so each day is good day. The fussing days are made for the days we are making up! There are many other simple pleasures that I could list, but then we would be here all day with me on a continous gab session! Cheers to God for the simple pleasures!

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  18. Hi Rachel, Here is my original post. It is about my passion for sharing the Word, and how we impact the world around us. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
    http://debgiese.blogspot.com/2010/09/one-writers-mission.html

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  19. I'm linked! Thanks Rachel, I just started my blogging again thanks to this devotional. Very timely topic for me. Now I'll enjoy everyone's devotional!

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  20. I left a link to my blog...just found your site today! I have several posts about the simple pleasures in life but see one of my more recent ones...Cerebral Palsy-our platform not our curse!
    My boys are my simple pleasures!

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  21. Thanks for the opportunity to participate! And I am really wanting a pumpkin spice latte now! :)

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  22. Thanks for the topic and the nudge...it was great to spend time thinking of my favorite simple pleasures and how to achieve them.

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  23. I am sure I am late for this one...But I just had to do it. This is my first time! What a great topic..and one close to my heart.

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