Intentional Reading - First Quarter of 2026 (Part Two)

Intentional Growth - 1440 Minutes, Hospitality, Worship, A.W. Tozer, Honeybees

Intentional Growth

1440 Minutes a Day

I have been contemplating the fact that there are 1440 minutes in each twenty-four-hour day since I read a blog post by Paula Short in October 2025. I’ve been pondering and researching the difference in perspective from hours to minutes for the past few months. [See References for Paula’s link.]

The world looks for happiness through self-assertion. The Christian knows that joy is found in self-abandonment. ‘If a man will let himself be lost for My sake,’ Jesus said, ‘he will find his true self.’ ~Elisabeth Elliot

1440 - Your Roadmap to Living A Purposeful Life Every Minute by Anthony Meyers. [Kindle 151 pages] 2 stars.

Meyers focused on self-actualization, self-assertion, and self-promotion, which held no interest for me.

1440 Minutes: Maximizing Every Moment by Jyotsna Varan. [Kindle 92 pages] 5 stars.

Varan approaches 1440 minutes as a concept to help us live intentionally. Varan addresses: understanding time; the power of small actions; prioritizing what matters; time wasters versus time builders; living in the present; investing time in relationships; rest and rejuvenation; planning and reflection.

We live as though we have infinite tomorrows, but the reality is, life is happening now. When we fill our days with meaning – whether that’s through connection, purpose, or simply appreciating the beauty around us – time becomes expansive. ~Jyotsna Varan

Varan’s perspective is similar to my journey with a Word of the Year (WOTY). Having a WOTY helps me live purposefully and more intimately with the Lord. Varan’s writing speaks of living intentionally by discovering the power of living minute by minute.

How do we reclaim our time? By reclaiming our attention. Productivity is about quality. It’s about focusing on what truly matters. It’s about making intentional choices, working toward goals that align with your values, and dedicating your time to activities that create real meaning and impact. A few focused hours working on something meaningful – something aligned with your passions or long-term goals. ~Jyotsna Varan

Productivity isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what matters most. Life isn’t measured by how much you do; it’s measured by the depth of what you do. ~Jyotsna Varan

I appreciate that Varan aligns the definition of productivity with intentional living. Productivity focuses on mechanics and production, while intentionality speaks to being present and living with depth.

The reality is this: our lives are not measured in hours, days, or years. They are measured in minutes. A great life isn’t built in one grand moment; it’s built in the quiet, seemingly ordinary minutes. ~Jyotsna Varan

In all honesty, when we come to the end of our lives (whether young or old), we want to look back and see depth, not shallowness. To do that, we have to be purposeful about how we live our minutes in the present moment. We have to intentionally choose depth in our minute-by-minute choices, or the shallowness of life will steal our time.

The Power of 1440 - Making the Most of Every Minute in a Day by Tim Timberlake and Keith Wall. Narrated by Tim Timberlake. [Audible 6 hours and 7 minutes] 4 stars.

Timberlake shares insights from Scripture, mindfulness, self-reflection, motivational thoughts on fitness, and basic psychology.

Timberlake switches back and forth between deep heartfelt reflections, Scriptural principles, and motivational speaking points. This back-and-forth had me rating the book at 3, 3.5, 4, and 4.5, depending on the chapter. I finally landed on 4 stars because his overall perspective is more life-giving than life-hindering.

Define your outcomes wisely from the outset. ~Tim Timberlake

Timberlake tackles topics such as forgiveness, perspective, addiction, loss, grief, rest, passion, purpose, and living a life that counts the blessings of each day. Timberlake encourages us to seek intimacy with God every day and to notice His gifts to us in each moment.

Timberlake’s example of a ringmaster taming wild animals, compared to us “mastering our thoughts,” is an interesting way to approach the Scriptural admonition to take our thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus.

After researching and reflecting, I wrote about my exploration of the gift of 1440 minutes we receive each day. Explore the Gift of 1440 Minutes

Practicing Hospitality

Becoming a Person of Welcome – The Spiritual Practice of Hospitality, written and narrated by Laura B. Murray. [Audible 3 hours 39 minutes] 5 stars.

Wow! Murray expanded my understanding of hospitality. I moved from the standard view of hospitality as hosting someone for a meal in our home to the expanded view of a heart posture of hospitality, welcoming people at church, hosting people in a coffee shop, or interacting with others while walking the dog.

Murray’s experiences as an Armenian immigrant, her views as a woman pastor in a Presbyterian church in a large city, her openness to host others despite the location, i.e., front yard for a parade or small home with dogs, all expanded my thoughts, my willingness to grow, and my overall perspective of hospitality.

Murray’s book on hospitality was both enjoyable and stretching. Her stories are thought-provoking, and her reflections are insightful. Murray encourages us to cultivate a posture of welcome that reflects God’s presence while setting practical boundaries that bring freedom to both the host and the guest.

The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances. ~Elisabeth Elliot

Stewarding Worship

Worship is the natural overflow from a heart awakened to the goodness of God. When we recognize His worthiness, our spirits naturally cry out in worship and praise to the Living God.

Face Down by Matt Redman. [Kindle 103 pages]. 4.5 stars.

Redman does an excellent job calling us to walk in the awe and reverence of a Holy God. He speaks of: the otherness of God, His mysteries, Christ, that worship is costly, the song of creation, the sound of silence, and being awestruck in His Presence. Redman speaks of the deep connection between worship and an encounter with God.

Christian worship must contain both the cross and the crown. ~Matt Redman

All the aspects of God’s character lead us to worship God: facedown [bowing in humility], in songs of adoration, in dance [like King David], and in the stillness of silence [honor and beholding]. The ultimate call of worship is intimacy with God – His love, our response, and His response to us.

All worship is a response to a revelation – it’s only as we breathe in more of the wonders of God that we can breathe out a fuller response to Him. ~Matt Redman

The most meaningful and powerful worship always comes at a price – the whole of our lives placed on His altar. ~Matt Redman

We glorify the Son and magnify His name. But worship is also in Jesus and through Jesus and with Jesus. ~Matt Redman

Restoring the Heart of Worship by Benjamin Sealey. [Kindle 43 pages]. 4 stars.

Sealey examines worship in the Bible, in the life of an individual, and in the corporate life of the church. Sealey states that worship begins with brokenness and surrender.

Jesus taught that true worship is in Spirit and truth, which also implies that worship that is not in Spirit is not worship that the Father accepts. To be ‘in the Spirit’ means that we are drawn into unity with Jesus by His Spirit. Worship in the Spirit is worship that Jesus Himself consumes and abides in. It is worship that is led by and inhabited by Him. ~Benjamin Sealey

Blessed Be Your Name – Worshiping God on the Road Marked with Suffering, written and narrated by Matt and Beth Redman. [Audible 1 hour 38 minutes] 5 stars.

Matt and Beth Redman speak of worshiping the Lord even in the midst of pain and suffering. Focusing on the Lord’s worthiness and our offering to Him who is worthy is the foundation of this book.

Matt and Beth testify to God’s faithfulness and call us to respond in praise to Him during times of abundance in our lives and to worship Him from a place of brokenness and surrender during challenging times.

Authentic Worship – The Path to Greater Unity with God by A.W. Tozer. Edited by James L. Snyder. Narrated by Tom Parks. [Audible 4 hours 13 minutes]. 4.5 stars.

Tozer addresses: the act and object of worship; the presence of God; daily worship; man as a worshipper; the feelings and emotions in worship.

Indescribable – Encountering the Glory of God in the Beauty of the Universe, written and narrated by Matt Redman and Louie Giglio. [Audible 2 hours 6 minutes] 3.5-4 stars.

Great scientific insights, but a different listening experience. I think the print book would be a better choice, since it relies heavily on scientific information about the planets, stars, solar system, and universal dynamics beyond the stars.

The Reset – Returning to the Heart of Worship and a Life of Undivided Devotion, written and narrated by Jeremy Riddle. [Audible 2 hours 55 minutes] 5 stars.

Riddle states love is both the foundation and qualifier for worship. Riddle calls for us to: reclaim worship; the power of purity; the importance of being a worship reformer; becoming wholehearted; dreams; being born of the Spirit; truth is paramount; becoming new wineskins; reformation; looking at the heart, culture, and future of worship.

Riddle tackles the pleasant aspects of worship and the unpleasant things in the entertainment industry, which has unfortunately attached itself to the Christian music industry.

This unholy alliance has affected today's worship music, calling for an honest evaluation and a thoughtful approach to a solution that brings us back into alignment with God’s heart of worship and praise. Riddle addresses these concerns and possible solutions with a humble spirit.

This is an informative, reflective, and thoughtful writing on both the pure and unhealthy aspects of worship in our world today. Riddle sounds a call for us to return to the true heart of worship for the Almighty God.

A.W. Tozer

Total Commitment to Christ – What Is It? by A.W. Tozer. [Kindle 27 pages] 5 stars.

Tozer states that the Lord Jesus Christ is enough for us individually and as the church.

Christ alone and Christ enough. ~A.W.Tozer

I don’t believe any man can love until he’s about to hate. I don’t think that any man can love God unless he hates the devil. I don’t think he can love righteousness unless he hates sin; for the Scripture leaves us with the belief that in order to accept there are some things you must reject. In order to affirm there are things you have to deny; in order to say yes you have to be able to say no. ~A.W. Tozer

This is an encouraging, quick read.

A Christian is one who was crucified and is alive. We are united with Him, and when He died on the cross we died on the cross, and when He rose from the dead we rose from the dead, and when He went to the right hand of God we went to the right hand of God with Him. And it is written that we ‘sit…in the heavenly places,’ which means we are with Him where He is. ~A.W. Tozer

Twenty minutes on your knees in silence before God will sometimes teach you more than you can learn out of books and teach you more than you can even learn in churches. And the Lord will give you your plans, and lay them before you. ~A.W. Tozer

Keys to the Deeper Life by A.W. Tozer. [Kindle 65 pages] 5 stars.

Tozer notes that Christians have strayed from the Scriptures to a cult-like doctrine that bears no resemblance to the Biblical principles of ‘repentance, obedience, and cross-carrying,’ but is rather like Hollywood and Broadway.

Originally written in 1959, Tozer’s words of warning are even more relevant today as the modern-day doctrine that you can live like the world and add the ‘benefits of the Gospel without any inconvenience to their customary way of life’ is preached far and wide.

Unless praying men have the insight and faith to amend their whole way of life to conform to the New Testament pattern there can be no true revival. ~A.W. Tozer

Learning about Honeybees

In October, we had a swarm of honeybees land in our backyard. I really wanted to keep them, but the hastily ordered beehive didn’t arrive before the swarm of bees left our property.

However, their appearance sparked an inner desire to have honeybees and harvest their honey. Therefore, we kept the beehive, ordered honeybees in January, and are preparing for their arrival at the end of April.

I read quite a few books this quarter, but I will mention only a few of the most helpful titles, as I don’t think there is a great need for this information, but it may be of interest to some.

Adult Resources

Beekeeping for Beginners: A Beginner’s Guide on How to Understand the Basics and Get Started with Beekeeping by Kathy Campbell. [Kindle 80 pages] 4.5 stars.

Beekeeping for Seniors: The Beginner’s Guide to Safe, Low-Lift Beekeeping after 55 by Rowan Eldersmith. [Kindle 153 pages] 4.5 stars.

Beekeeping for Beginners: Beekeeper’s Essential Guide to Honey Harvest, Beeswax Processing, and the Art of Building a Sustainable Hive by Lucy Loxley. [Kindle 93 pages] 4.5 stars.

Resources for Kids

Life of a Honey Bee: A Book about the Life Cycle of Honey Bees (Exploring Animal Life Cycles) by YFG Kidz. [Kindle 27 pages] 4.5 stars.

From the Farm to the Table Bees: Nonfiction 2-3 Grade Picture book on Agriculture. [Kindle 42 pages] 4.5 stars.

The Bees – Down in the Garden by DC Swain with Anna Bonita. [Kindle 22 pages] 4.5 stars.

References

1440 Jewels – Mastering the 1440 Minutes God Gives You by Paula Short. Published on October 15, 2025. Retrieved January 19, 2026, from 1,440 Jewels | Mastering the 1,440 Minutes God Gives You | Grace Filled Moments

I recently wrote about worship: 5 Reasons to Explore Worship and Praise

Do you have an amazing book you're currently reading? Share in the comments.