“I read it in a book, one line, and carry it around with me for days, a new map: “The literal translation for the words ‘pray always’ is ‘come to rest.’” . . . Prayer is the essence of rest, the essence of theology, the essence of idol destruction, the essence of communion. We came from His breath and we’re most our real selves when our breath is offered back to Him.6”
― The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You
― The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You
“I made a decision a long time ago that I was going to choose joy. I even painted a big rectangle on my wall and printed it in big letters so I wouldn’t forget to make that choice every day. The major word in that rectangle isn’t joy, it’s CHOOSE. It’s looking around me when life is difficult and trading every complaint I have for something beautiful in my life that far outweighs it. I know, it’s that Pollyanna personified thing again, but living joyful beats being cynical any day of the week.”
― The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You
― The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You
“Now, you might be saying, “Jessica, I am not crafty.” I hear you. But I am not talking about crafts. I am talking about living out the God-given passions that are inside of us. Creativity isn’t crafting; it is any original expression you pursue—running, playing music, gardening, sewing, cooking, and so on are all creative acts. Even activities like volunteering and throwing parties are creative pursuits because by giving of ourselves for others we are expressing ourselves in a meaningful way. Moreover, these are activities that inspire us in an indescribable way. And when we make room in our days to include them, we feel more alive and joyful.”
― The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You
― The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You
“I believe how you spend your 5-to-9 determines how you'll spend your 9-to-5.”
― The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You
― The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You
“Self-care needs to be included in what you should be doing. It is not a privilege. It is a necessity.”
― The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You
― The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You
John’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at John’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
Favorite Genres
Polls voted on by John
Lists liked by John







