MSI Press Blog

  Today's Publisher's Pride is Since Sinai by Shannon Gonyou, which reached #128 in biographies of Judaism. Since Sinai has appeared in Amazon best-selling categories nearly every week since its release. Book Description: Raised in a heavily Catholic suburb of Detroit, Michigan, Shannon grew up focusing on two things: how to do enough good deeds to get into heaven and how to stay pure enough to escape hell. In college, she followed many of her peers into an Evangelical church known for guitars, drum, religious-based shame, and the idea that without Jesus she was nothing. But when she encountered Judaism on that same campus, a spark ignited within her and refused to be put out. Judaism felt obvious, familiar. After a falling out with her biological mother and two miscarriages, she found the courage to send the most important email of her life: she asked the local Jews by Choice program to accept her as a student. Honest and unflinching, Shannon's story of coming home to Ju...

  Joy isn’t the same as happiness. Happiness depends on circumstance — on things going right, on comfort and success. Joy, by contrast, is deeper. It’s the quiet pulse of gratitude that persists even when life feels uncertain. It’s the awareness that meaning still exists, even in imperfection. 1. Choose Presence Over Perfection Joy begins when we stop waiting for life to be ideal. It grows in the ordinary — in morning light, shared laughter, the smell of coffee, the sound of rain. Perfection is brittle; presence is resilient. When we pay attention, even small moments become sacred. 2. Practice Gratitude as a Daily Rhythm Gratitude isn’t denial of pain; it’s recognition of grace. Naming what’s good — even briefly — shifts the heart’s focus from scarcity to abundance. Write it down, whisper it, notice it. Joy expands wherever gratitude takes root. 3. Keep Relationships Tender Joy thrives in connection. It’s found in listening without judgment, forgiving without keeping score, and sho...

  Not everyone who steps away from organized religion is rejecting faith. Many are simply seeking a more direct, personal way to grow — one that doesn’t depend on institutions or rituals, but on attentiveness to the divine in daily life. Leaving church can feel like losing structure, community, and rhythm. Yet for many, it becomes an invitation to rediscover what spiritual growth really means: not belonging to a system, but belonging to God. 1. They Stay Open to Change Spiritual growth outside the church isn’t static. Some people eventually return to church, finding renewed meaning in its traditions. Others never want to. Still others discover new forms of community — small circles of friends, online gatherings, or quiet partnerships that don’t resemble church at all. The point is not the destination. The point is staying spiritually awake — alert to grace, receptive to transformation, willing to be changed by love. 2. They Practice Awareness in Ordinary Life Without formal liturgy...

When someone loses a spouse, the rhythm of life collapses. Meals, errands, conversations, even the quiet moments between — all were shared. Without that anchor, days can blur together, and motivation can fade. Helping a widower rebuild daily structure isn’t about “fixing” grief; it’s about offering steady scaffolding until he finds his own rhythm again. 1. Invite Him into Low‑Stakes Activities Invite him to join you for errands, short walks, or coffee — activities that don’t demand emotional energy or long planning. These small gestures reintroduce social connection without pressure. They remind him that life still holds ordinary moments worth showing up for. 2. Offer Practical Help with Overwhelming Tasks Even basic chores — paying bills, cooking, sorting mail — can feel impossible. Offer specific, concrete help: Practical support communicates care more effectively than vague offers like “Let me know if you need anything.” 3. Suggest Small, Achievable Goals Instead, help him set gentl...