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Cara Ray | Writer

The secret to enjoying God's Word is looking at it as a means of holy leisure. Holy leisure is the modern-day answer to our soul's thirst to slow down and savor God and the Bible. Subscribe to receive weekly devotionals about life, leisure, and the pursuit of holiness.

12 Lessons I Learned From Writing My First Book
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What I discovered from writing my first book 📖

What writing a book taught me that might help you, too! Reader, If you've been with me for a while, you might recall the exciting news I shared last year: I'd signed my first book contract. By God's grace, a few weeks ago, I turned in the finished manuscript to my publisher, The Pursuit of Holy Leisure: Enjoying God in Everyday Places. What once felt impossible is now complete, and I'm still marveling at the many ways the Lord carried me through. In this week's article, I'm sharing 12 Lessons...

A Tribute to John MacArthur

From cassette tapes to streaming sermons, his voice will live on Reader, You've likely heard by now that Pastor John MacArthur went home to be with the Lord last week. Whether you were a fan or not, it's hard to dispute the legacy he leaves behind. His ministry has had a profound impact on me, my family, and my writing. The way he opened up the Word of God and brought it to life, along with his ability to connect it to the overarching redemptive theme of Scripture, is what I'll miss the most....

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Know Your (Teenage) Child's Frame

Parents of teens (or preteens), this is for you! Reader, This weekend, we celebrate the awesome Dads and Husbands among us. (Happy Father's Day to you if you're a father! We appreciate you!)I wrote this article for Desiring God this week, and it equally applies to Mothers and Fathers. Does any phrase more frequently capture the heart of Christ for his children than "he was moved with compassion"? It's the compassionate heart of a Father not to move away from his difficult children, but to...

A young couple in front of the Eiffel Tower

Our Mother's Day Hope Reader, I know Mother's Day brings a host of emotions with it. You might be in a hard, unfulfilling season filled with insecurities, and you wonder... Can I be a good mom? Am I a good mom? Will they remember me as a good mom? But I've learned that as soon as you've figured out one season, it changes. The seasonal aspect of motherhood means that while some seasons are for planting or watering, others are for harvest. And there's hope for you and me in whatever season is...

The Incorruptible One Is Risen!

The Incorruptible Christ Has Risen! Reader, Tucked away in one of the most beloved psalms is a hidden gem of resurrection hope and confidence. I've read Psalm 16 for years, but I never saw this verse as a prophecy — until recently. Once I did, I was amazed! David writes, "For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption" (Psalm 16:10). Friend, this Easter, we celebrate the risen Christ—the one who did not stay in the grave long enough to experience corruption. 🙌🏻...

"Plod. Don't Sprint. Be fruitful like a tree, not efficient like a machine." -Douglas Wilson Reader, Plodding is a good word. It refers to slow, steady, and deliberate effort, often with difficulty and lack of excitement. If plodding is the tortoise, sprinting is the hare. Plodding, although effective, is not sexy. It’s like running a race. There’s excitement at the beginning and end, but thousands of unseen steps must happen in the middle, often without fanfare. My first book, The Pursuit of...

Our Sale Ends Tomorrow! This is your last chance to join the Writers' Bloc at our special 2nd Anniversary price. We're offering our Premium Membership at the lowest price EVER, and we want you to take advantage! For only $14/month, you can enjoy FULL access to the Bloc. Our Premium Members enjoy Weekly in-person access to teaching and archives Peer-editing and editorial feedback Weekly writing tips Opportunities for collaborations Exclusive discounts on courses, mentorships, challenges...

Happy Birthday to Us! Friends and Fans of the Writers’ Bloc, The Writers’ Bloc is an online community for Christian women who want to grow in the art and heart of writing. And we have exciting news! Now that we're officially a toddler, we want to celebrate by opening enrollment and offering a MASSIVE sale for our Premium Membership! We've never offered our membership this low, so this is a don't get FOMO moment. Our Premium Members enjoy Weekly in-person access to teaching and archives...

Your Top 10 Holy Leisure Posts of 2024

My top 10 posts for 2024 and an update Reader, I know it sounds cliche, but how can we be in 2025? Today begins the first whole week of the year, but I hope it's not too late to do a review of the year past. In David Letterman's style, I like to compile the Top 10 articles of the previous year. It's a walk down memory lane for me, and hopefully, it refreshes your heart, too. Inside, you'll find a lot from 1 Peter, a little from politics, and even a celebrity sighting. Now for an update......