I hope you’re having a wonderful week! Summer feels like it’s in full swing (though it’s technically over a month away…) here in South Texas. My son had his last-day-of-school splash party this week at the Christian pre-k he’s been attending, which, it appears, has set the tone for the season because we’ve been splashing in hoses, sprinklers, miniature backyard rivers, and pools ever since!

Today, my kids and three dogs and I logged five hours outside, which felt absolutely amazing, so long as we were close to water and/or under some shade! There’s a popular book called 1,000 Hours Outside – that I haven’t read yet but would like to – but from what I gather, its premise revolves around families spending at least 1,000 hours outside yearly. I’m not keeping track myself, but I can definitely say that the more time my family and I spend outside, the better we think, act, and feel! Here’s the book if you wanna check it out!

In this week’s Top 4, I’m sharing exciting news about my first children’s book, a thought-provoking definition of faith, a reminder to assess our goals, and a poignant quote on experiencing new, unexpected joys.

THE OPPOSITE OF FAITH

I heard this quoted by Russell Brand in his recent interview with Jordan Peterson:
“The opposite of faith isn’t fear. The opposite of faith is certainty.”

That reminds me of this passage in the book of Hebrews:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

If we can be certain about a specific outcome, then faith isn’t required of us, is it? True faith is possessed and demonstrated when we, as Saint Augustine said, “believe what we do not see,” and the reward of this faith will be to “see what we believe” one day.

QUESTION YOUR MOUNTAIN

“You don’t need to worry about progressing slowly. You need to worry about climbing the wrong mountain.” – James Clear

From time to time, it’s a great idea to take inventory of the various “mountains,” a.k.a. goals and aspirations in your life, and honestly consider if they’re the right pursuits for you and your current season of life.

SURPRISED BY JOY

I saw this on Margaret Matheny’s Instagram months ago, and have had it saved to share:

“Joy. If you had told me a couple years ago that I would look forward to, and even feel nourished by doing this [she posted a picture of a park playground] with my children at the end of a long week, I would have laughed.
“I’m just sitting here, watching them play, repeating over and over how grateful I am for the shift that’s happened in my heart and mind in order to get here.”

I have related to few things more than I relate to that sentiment. How about you? What’s something that you’re currently enjoying that you never thought you’d look forward to? Email me at diana.tyler86@gmail.com. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

CHILDREN’S BOOK NOW IN PAPERBACK!!

I’m so excited to announce my very first children’s book (geared for ages 0-5) is now available in paperback! I hope you and your littles love the story and the incredible illustrations my dear friend Annelise created for it!

Thank you as always for your support of my writing!

Fiction:
NEW!: The God Next Door (comedic fantasy)
Medusa’s Wish (fantasy)
Moonbow: Prequel to The Petros Chronicles (fantasy)
Age of the Ashers (fantasy)
War of the Ashers (fantasy)
Fate of the Ashers (fantasy)
The Petros Chronicles Boxset
Armor for Orchids (Christian Women’s Contemporary)
Orchid Unshaken (Christian Women’s Contemporary)
Orchid Unbound (Christian Women’s Contemporary)
Orchid Unfading (Christian Women’s Contemporary)

Non-Fiction:
Fit for Faith: A Christian Woman’s Guide to Total Fitness
Perfect Fit Couples Edition: Workouts and Reflections for a Rock-Solid Relationship
Perfect Fit: Weekly Wisdom and Workouts for Women of Faith and Fitness
Perfect Fit No Excuses: 15-Minute Workouts for Life’s Busiest Days
Immeasurable Fitness Challenge: 18 Days of Total Health for Spirit, Soul, and Body
Immeasurable: Diving in the Depths of God’s Love (a memoir)
Pour Me Out: 30 Days to a More Selfless Life