Passages from the Scriptures provide a basis for one year"s worth of daily devotions. For every day, there"s a down-to-earth theme such as "Life"s Like That" or "Accept No Substitutes." Each cites a passage from the Bible, accompanied by a verse, a "Hymn for Today," and a simple parable that often draws on contemporary life or culture to relate its message. July 8, for example, is "Stepping on Dragons" day (the dragon is from Tolkien"s The Hobbit--Bilbo Baggins learns strength from battle), and the suggested hymn is "Angels Watchin" over Me." Each day concludes with an appropriate suggestion for prayer.