About the Pollyanna Devotional

The Pollyanna Devotional is about finding the universal, joyful verses in the Abrahamic books: The Quran, the Gospel, and the Torah. 

I got the idea for this website after watching Pollyanna, the movie, with my kids. While talking to the town's Hellfire-preaching pastor, Pollyanna says that her father, also a preacher, decided to count the rejoicing verses in the bible and that "he felt better right away, that first day he thought to count 'em. He said if God took the trouble to tell us eight hundred times [in the Bible] to be glad and rejoice, He must want us to do it - SOME.”

So, I decided to do it too!

Q: Why did I choose these three texts?

They are near and dear to my heart. I grew up as a christian and I read my bible through several times as a child, and I loved the old and new testaments! Then when I grew into a young adult, I read through the Quran and I fell in love with it too! I am definitely better for having all of these texts in my life. 

The three books are described by religious scholars as the Abrahamic texts. 

Q: Aren't all of the verses good?

As I've been working on this devotional project, I've realized that really ALL of the verses are hope-filled and joyful. Even if the apparent meaning seems less so, it usually is explaining human behavior and it's larger consequences.

I recognize that it may not be wise to divide God's words into joyful and less joyful passages. However, I wish to continue reading through each of the books and reminding myself of all of the beautiful words of God to me. 

So, the Pollyanna Project blog posts will be those texts that are universal, joyful reminders to those who believe. Like I said, this is mostly a personal devotional, and a fun way to reread the Quran, Gospel, and the Torah. This is NOT an academic blog dividing up God's words.

Just wanted to put this out there for whoever may come across these postings! :)