Several things on my heart, but...

My kids are all sick, so I can't write all that I had hoped to today.

There were 2 main things that struck me today. The first is from my Bible study this morning. I just started Becoming a Woman of Faith by Cynthia Heald and it was interesting the connection that the passages I was to read helped me realize. The passages were from the Gospels and were about how Peter saw Jesus walking on the water and walked out to him, but then doubted when the wind came up, the second was about Thomas refusing to believe Jesus was alive unless he saw Him himself, and the third was when Jesus was in the boat sleeping and the disciples woke him because of the storm. The question about the passages was what did the disciples do and what was the consequence/result of that. I struggled with the consequence part, but then I realized as I reflected on the third passage that the disciples were putting their trust in Jesus--who they could see and not God. So, they cried out to Jesus to save them instead of having faith that God would. And Jesus speaks to Thomas about how those who believe but have not seen will be blessed.

I realized that perhaps the disciples in each story were putting faith in what they could see rather than what they could not. I kept thinking about this. In their case, it was putting their faith in Jesus who they could see, rather than God the father--who they could not. In my case, I can put my faith in myself who I can see rather than God's faithfulness. Often, I rely on myself rather than trusting God. It can be easier to trust myself or others that I can see rather than God who I cannot. This was eyeopening to me this morning when I realized what the disciples had done and what it means to have faith.

Cynthia Heald includes several quotes which were wonderful and one of the other readings was Psalm 77 (I think) in which Asaph cries out to the Lord in his distress and then remembers and contemplates God's faithfulness in the past and all that He had done. It is by focusing on the truth of our convictions and the things we know to be true that we dispel doubt.

The second thing I've been thinking about today has been a much sadder part of life... This part is a bit of sensitive matter.

I reviewed a book for Amazon yesterday called Great Answers to Difficult Questions about Sex http://www.amazon.com/Great-Answers-Difficult-Questions-About/dp/1849058040/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262138760&sr=8-1 I write my reviews as Anne from Baltimore. If you have time, would you read my review and affirm what I wrote if you agree with me? The more I thought about this book, the more it concerned me and the things that are taught in this book.

People ask me a lot why we homeschool and one of the reasons is what is taught in the schools. This book brought all of that back to me. The book didn't take a stand in any way that kids shouldn't have sex--simply that they can once they hit puberty. I would understand if this was a science book, but it isn't valueless. There are morals being advocated in this book.

There was something I read in a great book by Dr. Paul McHugh in his book called The Mind Has Mountains. He was relating the story of a doctor who discussed with him his job--which was to take out perfectly good body parts that people didn't want because they wanted to be the other sex. The doctor told Dr. McHugh something that I have come to feel is more and more wise--that "Just because we can do something (in this case medically) doesn't mean we should".

I think that definitely applies to a lot of things talked about in this book.

For example, just because 11 year olds can have sex, doesn't mean they should.
Just because two five year old boys want to undress and play doctor doesn't mean they should.
Just because a 7 year old girl wants to touch her doll inappropriately doesn't mean she should.
I could go on, but I don't think I need to. I think that pretty much gives you the idea of the perspective of the author of this book.

What makes me most concerned about all of this is that at first I read it and it didn't seem so bad. But, then as I mulled it over, it was like big red flashing warning lights started going off. I thought about the authors definition that good touches are touches you like and bad touches are ones you don't and realized that that's a dangerous definition--especially putting those in light of the stories from the book that I just mentioned.

Well, it is time to go to bed. I have 3 sick kids and I'm low on sleep, but these things were burdening my heart.

The Sweet By and By...

My last post was a quote that I read in this book and one that I thought was really good. I've finished it now and I did enjoy the rest of the book...

I enjoyed this book because it caused me to reflect on my own childhood and my responsibility for my decisions and who I am. But, let me back up a moment. This story is about Jade Fitzgerald who owns a vintage shop in a small town and is about to get married. She has significant baggage but is about getting married. She and her fiancee had decided that they would let the past be the past and not dig into each other's baggage or dredge up the past. But, Jade isn't able to avoid this because of several circumstances in the weeks leading up to her wedding. The story flows smoothly and easily. It is interesting and I enjoyed the characters. There was only one major flaw for me but it has to do with how little attention her fiancee received and his baggage. It seemed very disproportionate.

I have noticed that in our society today we are reticent to take responsibility for our actions and it was such a refreshing and convicting part of this story for me as Jade does this. It caused me to think about my childhood and how my actions affect my own life.

Christian fiction today is much like this book. It fits well within its genre. It isn't the best book I've read, but it is an enjoyable read and it's one you could sit down with a cup of tea and a blanket with and settle in to read.

Interesting quote

I am reading a fiction book called the Sweet By and By by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck. It easy for me to feel cynical when Hollywood folks write books, so I haven't looked up who Sara Evans is or anything about her. I just want to read the book. But, last night I came across this quote that I thought was interesting...

The youngest daughter (shes about 19, I think) of a hippie mom (who is 59) says this to her mom:

"For a generation who claimed to be all about peace, you sure started a lot of wars. Not with guns and bullets, but with words and ideology. With your parents, with your kids. Your generation didn't bring anything together. You tore everything apart."

Hmm... I'm sure historians have said things like that before, but it's interesting to think about what happened with that generation. It made me think about our sinful nature and how we naturally want to rebel. The generation who were teens and young adults in the 60s outwardly rebelled against the culture they lived in--against their parents. Later, it was with that generation that some of the problems in our society with parenting began. Parents didn't want to be the authorities in their children's lives anymore, for a lot of reasons, I believe. They didn't want authorities over them so they didn't want their children to have authorities.

I wrote a review of a book a long time ago called "You Can't Make Me, but You Can Persuade Me" by Cynthia Tobias (I don't recommend this book at all by the way). I explained in my review that I believe we are all under God's authority and that even strong willed children need to learn that there are authorities in their lives and that they need to respect them and obey the rules they are given. The author of that book disagreed and believed that children (strong willed children in particular) should always be given choices and that rules are really guidelines. No!!!
When I tell my children not to touch the stove, it's a rule! When I tell my children not to cross the street without me, it's a rule! And when I tell them that they need to do their work, it is what they are expected to do--and they need to obey. I'm not an ogre. But, I see in myself my own rebellious heart towards authority and it has taken me a very long time to learn to submit and respect and follow the rules given to me by the authorities over me. I don't want that for my children. I want them to learn that there are authorities over them and that ultimately God is the greatest authority over them. And I want them to be comfortable with rules. Within boundaries, healthy freedom can be found.

In response to my review of that book, one woman who is a professor explained that she has taught her children to question everyone and everything and not to blindly follow. Her response made me very sad and reminded me of the ideology of the 60s. To me, that is a response of a rebellious heart as well--one could likely train her children to be cynical. Cynicism is by definition a matter of pride that you can see through what people are really doing and saying and see the truth--that you are better, essentially, than the system or the person because you know what's really going on and aren't blindly going along.

Well, my kids are up and I better scoot... This issue is one that is close to my heart because it has caused me so much strife in my heart over the years--the issue of submission to authority and rebelliousness. I wasn't outwardly rebellious, but rather inwardly.

It's not fair!

Just like a child, I want to cry out, "It's not fair!" Do you ever feel like that? I know that God is sovereign--I trust Him, but I still find myself sad tonight. I haven't seen my mom since last Christmas. She was supposed to fly in tonight, but then a snow storm decided to hit us which cancelled all flights. I hoped, but expected it to get cancelled. Still, I didn't expect her not to be able to come until Tuesday. Tuesday!!! I will only get to see her for 4 days before she has to head home. My heart is heavy and sad tonight. My mom means a lot to me--she is my very best friend and I have missed her and so have the girls.

I trust God and His plan in all of this.

Feeling God's Grace

There are moments when I can feel the tender love of God's grace for me in my life because He knows exactly what I need. This week has been hard for me emotionally as I've sorted through some things in my heart and head. But, at the same time, I've been working my way through Becoming a Woman of Grace by Cynthia Heald (the Bible study I reviewed a few days ago). I saw God's grace for me in this study. It encouraged and blessed me as it drew me to God's Word. The quotes she included were thought provoking and wise. The study was filled with wisdom, rather than simply knowledge. And that wisdom was extended graciously without strings or criticism.

If I had the chance to thank Ms. Heald for writing this study and seeking the Lord--and extending grace to me through this book, I would. I wish I could.

Noah's Ark

I have really enjoyed Sami's Cubbies book activities this year. This morning we walked out paces to see how big Noah's Ark really was. I think this was a great idea. I was blown away. First, I walked out 75 paces (the width) and then only could get to 125 at the end of the hallway at the high school (it was way too cold outside). To think that the ark would have been 3 1/2 times that length was pretty crazy to realize!

Wonderful Bible Study

I've written several times before about how I've had a hard time finding Bible studies that I really feel I can trust (and not be cynical about). I am really thankful for the one I'm doing right now for that reason. I am only half way through this study and I felt compelled to leave this review even before finishing.

Every day, I look forward to doing this Bible study for my quiet times. Every day it challenges me to dig into the scriptures. A few years ago, I tried to do one of Cynthia Heald's studies and I set it down. Honestly, I think I was young and I wanted to be spoon fed. I put more stock in feeling and dwelling on my feelings as a woman. I used to do a lot of studies that encouraged me to infer into the Word and only ask you to look up single verses. But, over the years, I've learned a few things about not taking verses out of context, not inferring into the Word, and not being misled by how an author tells a story (take it to the Word). =) Remembering these things is my way to fight cynicism about Bible Studies.

This Bible study is so good. Heald primarily looks to the Word and includes very wise quotes from other authors. (I have shared several with our small group and everyone has loved them.) She shares from her own experiences--but they are brief. Much more time is spent in the study with the reader digging into the word. She directs the reader to look up passages (most of the time) rather than a verse or two. In my selfish heart, I want to check the box and be given one or two verses to read, but that's why I know this study is so good for me to do--I have to look up passages (5-10 verses) at a time.

This study is about God's grace and how we love one another. The study delves into God's grace for us (His covenants with us), legalism vs. grace, love and grace, and what it means to live out our lives in God's grace. The chapter about legalism was especially good, but all of the chapters have been challenging and encouraging. I haven't found a Bible study in a very long time written for women that I would recommend--but now I have!

One last note...if you are a woman and you enjoy John Piper's, Jerry Bridge's, or Tim Keller's books and studies, I think you would particularly enjoy this study.

My early Christmas present

My daughter Sami is a very picky eater. It's been hard over the past two years as we've gone back and forth with her trying to get her to eat fruits and vegetables. We finally realized that we really needed to back off. I'd started giving her vitamins even.

Then two months ago, I was in BJ's when a man was demonstrating the VitaMix blender. I had never taken the time to talk with someone about it before that day. But, the kids and I tried 3 different smoothies (2 smoothies and 1 ice cream/sorbet). They had spinach in them and Sami drank them right up. It made me think about what was most important to me--whether Sami ate fruits and vegetables in their original form or that she ate them at all =) I was tired of fighting with her and feeling bad for her continual constipation. So, I brought it up to my husband. He was skeptical and I dropped it.

A month later, he realized that we also needed to give Sami a break and so I brought up the Vita Mix again. He was skeptical still, but less so. He and I both knew it would be a big investment ($400) and we weren't sure where the money would come from in our budget. But, little did I know, he had started looking at Costco each time he went (since he had started doing my Costco shopping for me a month ago) for the VitaMix demonstrator's visit. Last weekend was that visit.

My husband told me that he bought me a cookbook--a cookbook? I don't need any cookbooks. He asked if I wanted to see it and I said, okay. We went downstairs and the cookbook happened to be the VitaMix cookbook. A VitaMix cookbook!

Well, it turns out he saw the demonstration and was persuaded. He had no idea it could do so many things (neither did I really).

This weekend we made 4 smoothies, cheese sauce for noodles, soup, and ice milk dessert. Today for lunch Sami had a smoothie with cantaloupe, pineapple, peach yogurt, honey, milk, ice, and banana. Eli was so upset when it ran out (he's not a good fruit eater either, really). Sami drank it right up and it was good for Autumn who won't drink milk.

Honestly, I wish we'd gotten one a long time ago--I didn't know it would be such a blessing and save us so many struggles with the kids over food! Sami is already much more regular after only 3 days of our family owning a Vita-Mix.

One last note...the last time I was in the pediatrician's office she mentioned to me that fruit juice is one of the big things the APA is concerned about. Straight Juice is like giving a kid alcohol, I guess. Their bodies can't process the fructose well without the fiber from the fruit. Juicers are great to give natural fruit--but they take out the fiber. The vitamix leaves in all the fiber (hence Sami's improving digestive track =) ). If you've thought about a juicer, I just wanted to let you know what my pediatrician shared with me. =)

ESV, NIV, or NASB and then there's the ICB, ESV or NIrV...which should we read?

I am so thankful for my friend's question about the ESV vs. NASB and NIV. I couldn't remember the difference so I went to look it up. I knew that John Piper and Tim Keller, both pastors and authors that I deeply respect have switched over to the ESV. All of the churches that we have attended over the past few years PCA or Reformed Baptist have also switched to the ESV.

I did find a blog that explained the differences and that helped me (http://thefoolishgalatian.wordpress.com/2007/10/22/niv-vs-esv-and-why-piper-switched/ )
I knew why I didn't like the KJV--it was written in the days when writers were paid by a patron and that often slanted the translation. The NKJV, from what I understand, is a revision of the KJV that uses more modern language.

Most churches I have attended used the NIV until the ESV came out. The blog I found explained that the ESV is a more literal translation---like the NASB. The NASB is a very literal translation. The ESV has come to be considered as literal a translation, but more readable than the NASB. My husband likes the ESV and the little Bible in my purse is an ESV, but I haven't switched over in my main reading Bible yet. Maybe that's something I should ask for for Christmas =) from my husband. But, I found another blog discussion about translation vs. paraphrase that talks specifically about the question of translation vs. paraphrase:
http://confessionsofanunchurchedbeliever.blogspot.com/2007/08/translation-vs-paraphrase.html
I think my understanding is that the ESV is a word for word translation and the NIV is a thought for thought translation.
Here's one last website that lists all of the translations/paraphrases and identifies each one =)
http://www.esv.org/about/other.translations

The ICB, ESV, and NIrV is a different challenge of choices. A bookstore owner explained it to me a few months ago and I'm very thankful that he did. We just bought Autumn the NIrV Discoverer's Bible for Early Readers. It is a large print edition. Basically, the NIrV is the NIV with simpler sentence structure (more periods and such). The ICB, on the other hand, is a paraphrase--a rewording of the original text. The ESV children's Bible is no different in text from the adult version of the ESV. I think what I plan to do is to read the NIrV with Autumn until she is ready for an adult Bible, 4th or 5th grade? and then transition to the ESV.

I hope that is helpful information. =)

Adventures in finding Christmas gifts for my girls

Wow. It's been an interesting week for me in this regard. I have never before felt convinced that there was a certain toy I wanted for my kids. But, this year, I realized this week that I wanted to get them the Best Friends Club, Ink Dolls Addison and Kaitlyn. I started calling around on Tuesday and everyone told me they were out. So, I called a friend and asked if my girls could come over while I went to buy their last few Christmas gifts.

I drove from her house to the nearby Target and they had 2 left--just the ones I wanted to get them. But, let me back up...

As I was driving to the store, I sensed in myself a stress about this and I prayed. I realized how quickly I had gotten caught up in that feeling that I needed to find a certain toy for my kids. And wow! It is a powerful consumption! After finding the dolls, I headed to Toys R Us because I knew they had the clothes. I found them and saw a sign that they were free with the dolls--if only they had the dolls. After walking around a little more, I noticed an end cap full of them! So, I bought two new dolls (with the free outfits) and returned the others to Target across the street. I thought I was done.

Nope.

I had a nagging feeling that when it came to a Christmas gift for my girls, I should be able to give them the whole thing and not say "you can have this part, but not that part". I don't think that would have been very nice of me. So, I started opening up one of the boxes (already wrapped even) and realized that these dolls were very built! Probably a C cup (as opposed to Barbie's D or DD cup) Sorry for the graphic description, but I just don't know how else to put it! I was unsettled. I talked to my husband about it and he still liked the dolls--he pointed out that even the loving family dolls resemble real women in that way. True, but we had decided to put off Barbie and Polly Pocket another year this Christmas. He left it up to me.

So, I thought and thought and talked to a few friends. I looked online and decided that I would return them and get 2 Our Generation Dolls for my girls from Target. I had the impulse right then to run out and just get it taken care of and done with. But, I resisted and told myself, "no." I needed to pray and trust God that the dolls would be there the next night if that was what I was supposed to get. It all sounds so silly doesn't it? But, I know that God cares for the little things in our hearts as well as the big important ones! I just want my daughters to be excited when they open their gifts on Christmas--they really only get 1 toy from us, 1 book, and 1 something else (3 gifts in all like the Wise Men brought Baby Jesus).

So, over the next day, each time I would get anxious or want to do something about it, I would say a quick prayer to the Lord and give my cares to Him. Last night, the girls went to Awanas and I headed over to get gas, return the dolls to Toys R US (I've been doing a lot of returning!), and get the dolls from Target. They did have 2 dolls I liked and I brought them home.

After the girls had gone to sleep, I brought them inside and showed my husband. He agreed that they were the right ones for our girls. Autumn and Sami are just young and so innocent. I want to preserve that for them as long as I can and let them be little girls. It's hard to think about Autumn growing up! We looked at the back of the box for Sami and realized that one of them has a little dog that can go with it--so I have one last run to make--Sami loves dogs and my husband thought we should get that for her =)

So, that's my Christmas present buying story. I know it's a long one, sorry about that. I hope it made you chuckle, though--at my silliness. I'm thankful for God's lessons in this for me and the experience that will help me understand what other parents get caught up in around Christmas time and how they feel.

The Message: A paraphrase, not a translation

A friend emailed me and asked what I thought of the Message
as a Bible, and these are the thoughts I shared with her...

I do have a copy of the Message. It is an interesting thing
to me in our culture is that so often we want things to be
easy for us.  The Message is a paraphrase.  When it first
came out, everyone knew that and looked at as such.  But,
with the popularity of The Purpose Driven Life (which
doesn't differentiate between translations and paraphrases,
but says at the back of the book how good it is to read
different versions so that we can understand it differently),
the message came to be viewed (I think) in popular Christian
culture as much more of a Bible that can be read as a
primary Bible, essentially as a translation.  That is
disconcerting to me.  I believe that it is God and the Holy
Spirit that help us to understand the Word.

I don't think the NIV or ESV are culturally irrelevant and
hard to understand.  But, I think it is easier to read and
digest the message, there isn't a lot of gnawing and
chewing or meditating on that has to be done to get the
meaning of a passage.  I've seen more and more Bible studies
using the Message as the version that they quote (or the
NLT) and it unsettles me.  I did a Bible study back in
September on my own that was like that and I wasn't crazy
about it.  The Bible study I'm doing now compels you to
look up the verses (passages rather than verses) and is
really good. =) But, the biggest difference between the
two studies is that the first encouraged the reader to
infer and read into what the Bible said and the second
that I'm doing now doesn't.  I think it's dangerous to
infer and put yourself in the shoes of the people in
the Bible.  It doesn't bother me if it's a few times in
a study, but when it's throughout the whole thing, it
unsettles me.  This is important to me because a few
years ago when I read a book about Bathsheba and then
went back to the scripture, I realized I had inferred
so much about the story over the years that isn't in
the Bible!  I was shocked, but took it as a caution to
be careful and to know what is in the Word.  And
that's the same reason I get concerned about para-
phrases.  I don't want to read things into the Bible
that the Bible doesn't really say.

As far as paraphrases go, I do like the Message much
more than the NLT (New Living).  I discovered this
year that the NLT chose to revise the Living Bible to
include gender neutral language =(  It came out at the
same time as the TNIV, but didn't get the press that
the TNIV got for going with gender neutral language. 
Chris and I do particularly respect Eugene Peterson
and his writing is solid theologically.  That is why
I trust it as a resource, just not as a primary Bible.

The remix version is essentially only different from
the original in its formatting.  It numbers each verse
rather than just each chapter like the original version
did.  That would be very helpful.

One last note, there are times when I may struggles
with a passage and I do like the study Bible helps in
the NIV, because they help with background and under-
standing without paraphrasing the Word.

Best Books I've reviewed this year...

The Best Books I've read this year as a Book Review Blogger...

Most of these books have been from the programs I've been a part of this year. Last week, I realized that I've read and reviewed about 70 books this year. I realized that really has been my hobby this year. =) I wouldn't have read most of them on my own and have been so thankful that I did! I post my reviews on my blogs, but I was talking to my husband about my favorite books from the year and he encouraged me to write a list. So, here it is =)

for me:
Love in The Driest Season by Neely Tucker: Powerful memoir about his life, marriage, interracial marriage, Africa, foreign press reporting... I wish everyone would read it. It was that good and made that big an impact on my view of the world.

Trusting God by Jerry Bridges: Jerry Bridges explains how and why we trust God and what that means to live that out and truly believe God is sovereign. He doesn't use Christianese. He explains the words he uses like God's sovereignty

Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges: What he said about Ungodliness really hit hard and I loved his analogy that a machine can't work without electricity: the Holy Spirit is the electricity and we are the machine.

A Praying Life by Paul Miller: In my busyness with the kids, I have struggled to sit and pray. I haven't been able to quiet myself yet, but I am realizing how much I need to do that. He addresses cynicism in a way that I never expected.

This Momentary Marriage by John Piper: Most of John Piper's books are too thick for me to digest while tackling everything at home. But this is a short one that is wonderful--the best marriage book I've read, ever.

Most Unusual Book: Notes from a Tilt a Whirl--This book was a complete surprise to me and my husband. You can pick it up and set it down after reading just a page--but have completely and thoroughly enjoyed that page. It is part philosophy, part poetry, part theology, part science, part memoir, part art... And the writing is very good. It is an extremely rare book that both my husband and I enjoy, but this was the one for this year.

Favorite Cookbooks: Pie, Soup, and Apple Pie by Ken Haedrichs (3 different cookbooks). I like the way he writes and the stories he tells--but most of all the cookbooks have been great. I happened upon his cookbooks at a book sale and tried them out and loved them!

for the kids:
Read and Share Bible: very Biblical Children's Bible Storybook. And Autumn absolutely loves it! Great for 3-7 yr olds.
The Jesus Book: The Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How about Jesus. We repeated the 5 W questions each night before we read it. I haven't seen another book like it for kids 4-8 yrs.

Favorite Picture Book:
Mortimer's First Garden by Karma Wilson is about Mortimer the mouse planting a seed and watching it grow--and realizing that it is God who makes the plants grow. Such a sweet book.

Favorite Board Book:
Do's and Don'ts by Todd Parr I don't know if I've ever read a funnier board book. This one has been out a while and it wasn't a part of the blog program (all the others except for Momentary Marriage have been), but we just found it this year and laughed for several weeks.

Favorite surprise for the kids:
Hooked on Phonics! I was so cynical and didn't think I'd like it. But, I received the PreK, 1st, and 2nd grade sets from reviewing and loved them! I love the videos (and I'm not a video teaching person) and Autumn looks forward to it every week. It's made her reading stronger eventhough she has a 3rd grade reading level. Sami is looking forward to the K set--I liked them so much, I'm going to purchase that one. It's been a great addition to our homeschooling and Explode the Code and 100 Easy Lessons

Best Listening:
Screwtape Letters by Focus On the Family: They published the radio drama they did. Andy Serkis, the voice of Gollum in the Lord of the Rings was Screwtape--imagine that one. It was very, very good. It challenged me to think about a lot of things, but I had to listen to it in the light and not the dark!

Our Homemade Christmas Tree

The kids and I bought the least expensive fake Christmas tree and decorated it yesterday and today. They have loved hanging the ornaments (and making them!). I have to be honest and say it's the first time that I've actually gotten a paper chain made long enough to decorate a tree! I can't imagine how much work it must be to string popcorn and cranberries the way my husband's family did every year growing up. I am so impressed! The chains were enough for me to tackle this year =)

Devotionals

At night time, we read a Bible story or devotional to our kids. Autumn is now 6 and Sami just turned 4. For several years, we read the stories from the Read Aloud Bible Stories (v.1-4) and the Tell Me Jesus Stories by Ella K. Lindvall. These are my very favorites for 2-5s. I can't wait to read them to Eli soon.

After that, we tried a few books, but found they were too old for the girls. My favorite this year has been The Jesus Book and the Read and Share Bible. But, I really like the book we are using right now. It is Big Thoughts for Little People by Kenneth Taylor. It has new pictures (instead of the original ones from the 70s). It is perfect for Sami at 4 yrs old. She was just a little young for The Jesus Book. But, we will soon be done with Big Thoughts, so I'm always on the lookout for a new book for our devotional. I think we will likely go back and read through the whole Read and Share Bible. It is perfect for both girls right now and great for 4-6s.

But, on another note, I did receive another devotional from Tyndale (a complimentary copy) recently that I want to review. It is one that I will hold onto--but I will definitely hold onto it, because I do like it--a lot! It is called "Did You Know? Devotions 2" by Nancy S. Hill It has 365 devotions, so it will take you through a whole year (you really get your money's worth =) ) and includes a verse, an interesting question and the answer and then a related thought about God for children to think about. I read several to my daughters yesterday and realized very quickly that they are too young right now for this book. It is listed as being for ages 6-10. I would usually recommend it for children 7-10 unless the child is a very curious or gifted 6 year old. I was surprised by how much I like this book and I do definitely look forward to reading it to my children when they are older. It would be a great devotional for a mixed group of children--both girls and boys. I think it's often harder to find good devotionals that will engage both boys and girls because they often have a lot of different interests (at leasts my daughters and son do).

It reminds of something that a friend shared with me about why young boys are slower to become good readers. There has been some research done that has shown that typically men and boys read nonfiction and don't prefer to read fiction. Women, on the other hand, tend to read mostly fiction. In the past, most of the books for written for younger children and beginning readers has been fiction. Now, publishers are coming out with beginning readers that are nonfiction. It's wonderful--because that's what boys want to read!

I think the same might be said of this devotional. The topics that Nancy Hill has chosen for her daily devotionals are things that would be interesting to both boys and girls--they are nonfictional, informational types of questions, but there's a lot of variety to them.

What a great devotional book to share with our children!

Hurricanes

This morning at breakfast Autumn asked me, "When is Thunder Cane season?"
Thunder Cane? What's a Thunder Cane, sweetie?
You know, like Tornadoes, Mommy.
Oh, you mean Hurricanes.
Yes, Hundercanes.
No, sweetie, Hurricanes. Well, it's July-September or October.
Oh.

The funny thing is that Autumn is very well spoken and is great about pronouncing her words, but that made me laugh. I never knew Hurricane could sound like Thunder Cane! =)

A good story from a first time writer...

I read the author's bio before I read this book and realized it is his first book. I have to say--I have read a lot of books this year and I have really come to appreciate how hard it must be to write a book. I've tried several times, but blogging is all I have time for right now. When I blog, I only write short entries. Undertaking an entire novel would be a very different thing. All that said, I think Dan Walsh does a great job his first time around the block!

To read an excerpt from this story: http://www.revellbooks.com/Media/MediaManager/Excerpt_9780800719241.pdf

The story is set in the 40s during World War II. I believe it is set in Baltimore (I don't know of any other town with a Baltimore Pike). It made sense to me in light of the details included, because Baltimore is just south of the Mason Dixon line--it's not exactly in the North and not exactly in the south--but somewhere in between. A young boy has just come to live with his grandfather. His mother has died and his father is away at the war. The story centers around the young boy and the broken relationship between his widowed grandfather and his father. I don't like giving away details about stories because it's much more fun to read them for yourself. So, I don't want to say much more than that.

I enjoyed the historical details woven into the story. I learned a lot. The details about race relations during that time period were different than what I've read in most books, but they were different because they simply haven't been included in other stories I've read. I grew up out west and so did my father's family, so much of the details about the relationships between people at that time on the east coast are very foreign to me. I've been learning a lot about over the past 8 years that we've lived on the east coast.

The only thing I wished had been different about the book was that things were wrapped up a little too quickly and a little too neatly at the end. But, that said, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book and I look forward to reading more by this author!

Please note: I did receive a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher--but it is one I would have bought myself, borrowed from a friend, or checked out from the library on my own!

Finding Christmas

I am still figuring out how to post images and for some reason this one gave me a bad time today. This is a picture of the book that the excerpt below is from! =) Sometimes it seems to come up and sometimes it doesn't!

Please read...

http://www.revellbooks.com/Media/MediaManager/Excerpt_9780800719395.pdf

I've heard so many people say--I want to remember Christ this Christmas season! I want to remember why we celebrate!

If you have time, please read the excerpt above--just click on the link. It hit me hard this morning. The forward is so well written--at first, I thought it was going to be just a feel good collection of Christmas stories, but the forward is all about Christ. Then read the preface. You may be taken aback at the rudeness of the first few paragraphs, but soon you'll see the point. I don't want to give away the point, so please trust me and just read through to the very last paragraph--then it will make sense.

I have not read this book in its entirety. But, I want to. And I want to pass on this excerpt because I think it reminds us of what really is important this Christmas Season--the joy of Christmas--that Jesus loves us and that He came for us!

On Reading Fiction

When I watch Hallmark movies, my husband rolls his eyes. When I read cheesy, cheesy Christian fiction books, he also rolls his eyes. I am not ashamed that I enjoy both. But, I have found that many movies and books follow a formula that always centers around a romance. I think we all love the ideas that love conquers all, that love is greater than everything else, that love heals all wounds, that the love of a significant other is what will complete people's lives and make them happy and enjoy life. I love a good happy ending--where the conflict gets resolved and peace is found. But, I think we have to be wary and not get caught up in these ideas.

A few years ago, I read a book called Seduction of the Lesser Gods. It was quite a good book and it has come to my mind many times over the years. Basically, anything that we give more importance to than God becomes an idol. Anything can become an idol--friendship, children, jobs, and even love.

There are different kinds of love. If I were to describe God's love--I would turn to I John, and the verse that said (to paraphrase) that if we love one another, then God's love is made complete in us. But, most Christian fiction seems to center around romantic love rather than loving one another--and living out the second greatest commandment. I know C.S. Lewis has written much about the different types of love and to be honest, I haven't read all of it. But, I understand the basic ideas that he was trying to convey. In most Christian fiction, the plot centers around eros, or romantic love. I do really enjoy such books, but I think it can give me a false picture of reality if I read too many and foment discontent when life doesn't have a happy, comfortable ending. Unfortunately, I don't find too many that don't center around it. BUT, the two books I'm going to be reviewing this week don't. I received both as complimentary copies from the publisher--and I am thankful that I did because I really enjoyed them. They are two of the first books in a very long time that I have read that were simply good stories about life.

Today I am posting a review for the first book: The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson

Betty Kowalski is an widow who's children live far away from her. Her son has married a woman who has a daughter from a previous marriage and only speaks with her on the phone once in a while. Her daughter lives far away with her own family as well. Her dearest friends used to live behind her, but they have now passed away. A young man, Jack, has moved in. He makes a lot of noise and seems (from the outside) to be destroying the house on the inside. This hurts Betty's heart because she loved her friends.

Here is an excerpt from the book:
http://www.revellbooks.com/Media/MediaManager/Excerpt_9780800718817.pdf

She is mourning the loss of her friends and feeling very lonely. She is set in her ways--we all do become set in our ways more and more as we get older. So, it is hard for her to adjust to her new neighbor, Jack. Then, a stray dog enters--who she thinks belongs to Jack. It is a source of frustration for her, but then one of comfort in the end. It's hard to describe much of the story without giving away the plot.

One of my dearest mentors is now living at an assisted living home with dementia. I have known her for the past 3 years and it was only in the last few months that her illness took a quick and rapid acceleration. When I read this story about Betty, I pictured her much like my dear friend was before the onset of her illness. She was a dear lady who sometimes repeated herself and dwelled on the same things--but don't we all do that no matter what age we are?

This story warmed my heart with a fondness and respect for people as they get older. Read this book with a love for your grandparents and parents and for life as we get older. Life doesn't stop when we get older. No one is useless or worth less. It grieved me to read about how Betty's children treat her and yet it is something I have witnessed many times as children take for granted that their parents will always be there. It is only when something drastic happens (like my friend's illness) that we often realize that we need to make the most of the time with people that we love and care about.

Sit down with a cup of tea or hot chocolate and a warm blanket and read this sweet story about life. It is true to life--with its downs and its ups. Happy Reading!

Great Christmas Bible StoryBook and DVD!

A few months ago, I received the Read And Share Bible for Autumn and I wrote a review of it that I posted it on this blog. I'm not sure exactly what I wrote--but we have loved this Bible Story Book! It is very biblical and has really caused me to think about what the Bible says and what it doesn't.

I don't have the DVD version of the Bible, but have been curious about it. So, I was very excited to receive a copy of The Christmas Story storybook from Thomas Nelson. It includes a DVD with a sampling of the stories on the Read and Share DVD Bible.

This storybook is a larger sized storybook than the read and share Bible that includes the stories about Zecharias, Elizabeth, and John, as well as the stories about Mary, Joseph, and Jesus' birth. My 6 year old enjoyed the pages at the end which ask you to tell the story with the pictures (which are out of order). The stories on each page tell a story (they don't have to be combined all together and then put in order).

We all enjoyed the storybook and then really enjoyed the DVD. I think it's a very tricky thing to do--to bring to life the stories from the Bible without reading into them and adding details that aren't there. But, Thomas Nelson does a great job with the stories that are in this DVD. I highly recommend this book--the storybook and the DVD!

Letting go and Trusting

Letting Go is always hard. Trusting is even harder. They should always go hand in hand, but sometimes they don't. It's easy to turn inward sometimes when we let go of things instead of turning to God and trusting. In our hurts and struggles, we cry out to the Lord, but we can also harden our hearts if we don't choose to trust God. I love Jerry Bridges definition of what that means (in my words) to choose to look to God and glorify Him by trusting His love, His plan, and His goodness instead of giving in to ourselves and our desires to wallow in our struggles and pain.

I come back to the verse in Psalms that God laid on my heart when I had miscarried Hannah before Autumn. It was "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." I find great comfort in God's reminder that He will heal my heart in His timing and in His ways.

The Truth about People Pleasers

Maybe I should have just titled it A truth about people pleasers. It's hard being a people pleaser. I am one. It messes with your motivations and why you do things. It also makes you feel horrible when you think someone doesn't like you.

I feel like God is really challenging me in this area right now. I feel like I'm being faced with it right and left. I find myself afraid of what people have said and haven't said.

I talked to my mom about something that someone said to me last week via email. My mom knows my life and what I have to cope with and my mom (who is a people pleaser and loves people a lot! with such a loving heart) told me to let it go. I can ruminate about things, because I just want to please everyone and I know my mom was wise to say this to me.

Yesterday at church, a woman spoke with me about the church nursery at the new church we are attending. Over the past few months, God has been laying it on my heart to submit to authority and love my family well, and also about how I make requests to others--to make them respectfully and be slow to becoming offended. So, I listened as she explained and requested that I begin leaving Eli in the nursery on his own.

We tried leaving Sami when she was this age. I left her with a good friend who knew Sami and she loudly cried the whole time. It just wasn't in her to be able to stay by herself. I see the same thing in Eli. We don't have family around or anyone he stays with regularly. He is an independent fellow, but I am going to wait until he is 2 and then will leave him in Sunday School. I don't think my husband and I would be able to endure leaving him to cry the way Sami did. We have strong willed children. And no one in this nursery knows Eli or has interacted a lot with him--because there's a lot of children in the nursery--I don't fault them for this at all. There isn't anyone there that he knows well enough to feel safe with yet.

I also realized 2 other things. Rather than simply volunteer for nursery duty (which I have done in the past and it really has stressed me), I declined and said I would keep him in the foyer with me then. I was okay with it. But, then I had to think through all of it later.

At our new church, church membership is based upon the approval of the other members. What if this gal has decided she doesn't like me and that would keep us from becoming members of this church? I have to trust that to the Lord. I have to be okay that even at church, not everyone is likely going to like me. I love the Lord and I love people a lot, but conflict is bound to come up at some point--or even just differences in personalities. And that's what it is in this case, I think.

I am thankful for God's reminders to me this morning from my Bible Study about Grace and from Jerry Bridges book about Grace. I am certain there are reasons why these are the books God has given me to read right now =)

Sami and Eating

We have come to the place where we have realized that we really need to decrease the stress at our dinner table. So, we're going to give Sami one serving of everything and then not give her another serving when she's done unless she's eaten her vegetables. We both know that means she will likely not eat them, but we're going to stop fighting her on it. I know little kids tastes change and there are lots of things she does eat. It's just vegetables, mainly, that she won't. So, we're going to save up for a Vita-Mix and add vegetable/fruit smoothies to our diets. I think that will be a good thing =) It will get her the nutrients she needs and make life less stressful for us!

Birthday candles and the lights

Autumn told me that I needed to turn off the lights so that they wouldn't blow out the birthday candles...Hee Hee =) She's silly!

Luke and the Synoptic Gospels

When I was in college, I chose to take History of the New Testament. It was taught by a liberal Chaplain who was also a professor at the small college I attended. He looked at the New Testament from a purely historical perspective. When we studied the synoptic Gospels (Mathew, Mark, and Luke), we focused on the discrepancies between the Gospels. The differences were called discrepancies.

Little rabbit trail...
Yesterday on the way to church, my husband cornered me and challenged me to sit through Sunday school. In the process of having and nursing 3 children over the past 5 years, I have gotten out of the habit of being able to focus and sit and listen (without talking) for any period of time. I haven't been able to sit through a church service in a long time without one of my children needing me. And I have seen this in myself, but it took my husband's challenge and encouragement to go and sit through Sunday School.

I am so thankful I did! I left that college class unsettled about the Synoptic Gospels. I chalked it up as one of those things I just didn't understand and likely never would. I struggled with it. It left me unsettled, but I just didn't know what to do with it! But, yesterday during Sunday School, the light went on and I was so blessed to sit and listen as the teacher (who had been called at the last minute and did a great job) explained why the synoptic gospels are different. They are NOT discrepancies, but rather differences in perspective.

Let me back up and explain one more quick thing--one more quick rabbit trail. This summer I had a unique experience that I will never forget. A friend, her granddaughter, and I all saw the same event happen--a little girl fall across the street on the sidewalk--but we all saw different things. My friend saw a little girl hit her head and her granddaughter get upset. The granddaughter saw a little girl she didn't know fall and two adults not run out the door and across the street to help. I saw three little children run to the window to stare and gawk at the little girl who had fallen, but from where I stood, I did not see her hit her head. I only saw her fall on her leg and scrape her knee. I knew the little girl and I knew she was not a little girl who did not like to be stared at. We all saw different things in that moment. We were all eyewitnesses to the same event.

That experience taught me a lot about perspective. It's important to know what everyone else has seen. Sometimes there are things we each miss. Sometimes things look different from different angles. And we all bring different background knowledge to the situation.

Another example...Francis Chan wrote the book Crazy Love from a strongly Southern California perspective--I grew up there, so I think it's okay for me to say that. In Southern California, faith is very black and white. You go to church if you are a believer and you don't go if you're not. His writing style in his second book is very reflective of that. It is very blunt. He makes inflammatory statements and then explains them.

But, back to what I learned yesterday. I am using my notes and the teacher's handouts as my sources.

Matthew, an apostle, was a Jew writing to the Jews about the coming of the King.
Mark, a Jew, was writing to the Gentiles from a Jewish perspective, a concise telling of Christ's mission and work to bring about the salvation of man.
Luke, a Gentile, was the only gentile contributor to the new Testament, was writing to the Gentiles from a Gentile's perspective!

Perspective! They were all retelling what happened. Early writers worked for patrons because they didn't get money for books back then. That often shaped how they retold what had happened. That was why the church fathers took everything that was written and then went about confirming what was scriptural and what was not. Those books then became the canon of scripture in the New Testament. Because they were writing for a patron, the authors writing could end up very biased. Josephus' writings are an example of that. Josephus (AD 37 – c. 100), was a Jewish historian who became a Roman citizen and wrote for Roman patrons. So, he cast the Romans in a good light and the Jews in a bad one.

But, back to Luke. Luke's account was determined to be scriptural.
Luke was a gentile writing to the gentiles. He includes particular details that are unique to a gentile perspective. He will retell what Mark said (which was brief) and then often add details that were very pertinent to Gentiles. An example is the story of Naaman and the Widow of Sidon in Luke 4:25-28. Naaman and the Widow of Sidon were both gentiles themselves. They are not mentioned in Matthew or Mark for that reason! But, to Luke that was important. Luke is also the only one to include Mary's account as a witness. Josephus is known for writing that women's accounts as witnesses are not worth anything.

Luke was writing about the universal kingdom--that Christ is the universal Savior and that he came to establish a universal, not a Jewish, Kingdom. This can also be seen in how he traces the lineage of Christ. He traces it back to Adam. Whereas, Matthew traces the lineage back to Abram.

My mind has now found peace and understanding about the Synoptic Gospels. That is a blessing to me. The differences are not discrepancies--I understand that now. It was just a matter of difference in perspective! I wanted to share this this morning in the hope that it might encourage you if you've ever wondered about it, too!

PS please forgive all of my rabbit trails. I need to get this posted and go get Eli who has now woken up!

Autumn's piano recital

This morning was my eldest daughter's first piano recital. She played after several other people had gone. It was sweet. It never crossed Autumn's mind to be nervous about being on stage---hmmm...what does that mean =) Ms. Kay called Autumn up and said to Autumn, And are you six now? Autumn replies in a clear, confident voice. "Yes, I am already six." Everyone burst out laughing. It was very cute. Autumn played Old MacDonald with no mistakes. Then she smiled and walked back to her seat.

Afterwards, everyone commented on how cute Autumn was but when I spoke with one woman, she told me what her niece said after Autumn's six statement. She said, "Wow! She looks great for being six!" The cute little girl was only 7 herself. She said it the way a young woman would say about an older woman Wow! She looks great for her age!

Such funny things they say...

Spam everywhere...

You know it's a very funny thing that spam is the word used for junk that we don't want sent to our email accounts. I think Spam would also apply to totally irrelevant comments on a blog =) My last entry got the most bizarre comment (the second comment). I had gotten one very random post before from a guy named Mike to a gal named Barbara--so funny!--my name is definitely not Barbara. =) Anyways, I am activating the comment moderation on my blog--just to avoid "viagra" spam like someone or some computer program posted on this blog today.

Anyways, I just thought I'd explain... =)

Birthday meals

A few weeks ago, when I asked Autumn what she wanted to eat on her birthday this is what she wanted:
Breakfast: Golden Grahams
Lunch: Macaroni and Cheese and grapes
Dinner: Chicken Fingers and sweet potatoes

This morning I asked Sami because her birthday is on Sunday and this is what she said (this cracked me up)
Breakfast: Pancakes
Lunch: Cereal
Dinner: Eggs and Biscuits
She is my little breakfast eater. She is a horrible dinner eater--but if she could have breakfast all the time, she'd be as happy as a clam! =)

Convicting, Yet Encouraging Book

I just finished Respectable Sins. I included a quote from this book a few days ago while I was in the process of reading it. It was a thoroughly good book to the end. Over the past few years, I have found a few authors that I resonate with--who seem understandable, knowledgeable, and biblical in their counsel. I find myself at peace when I read their books because I know I can take it to the Word and not find that the Word contradicts what they have written. And I know that what they have written is grounded in the Word. I also have found myself more and more drawn to authors who rely more on translations than paraphrased versions of the Bible for the scriptures they site and talk about in their books. Paraphrased versions already have been interpreted by the authors who wrote them. I appreciate Paraphrases at times, but when I am looking to do a Bible Study, encouragement, or counsel, I prefer that to come from a Translation. Before this summer, I had never read a book by Jerry Bridges. The pastor of a church we used to attend had recommended his books, though.

I think that Jerry Bridges has quite possibly become one of my very favorite authors. His books are straightforward, coherant, and both thoughtful and thought-provoking. In Respectable Sins, he quotes scripture primarily from the ESV and secondarily from the NIV.

The premise of Respectable Sins is to talk about 1) what sins we tolerate in the church and in our own lives and 2) how to tackle and address those sins in a practical way. His answers for #2 are not pat answers. They are to keep perspective of the gospel and God's grace, to repent, to pray, to go to the Word, and to seek accountability. He urges the reader to seek God in humility and lay our hearts before Him. For God knows what is in our hearts.

Bridges addresses Anger, Pride, Impatience and Irritability, Worldliness and Idolatry, and Ungodliness among the respectable sins that he talks about. I appreciated his definitions of what each of these are. So often we use words and take for granted what they mean instead of really knowing what they mean and defining them. Here is an example:

"Ungodliness may be defined as living one's everyday life with little or no thought of God, or of God's will, or of God's glory, of one's dependence on God."

But, there were several other quotes that I especially enjoyed and this is one of them...

"Our spiritual life may be compared to the motor of an electric appliance. The
motor does the actual work, but it is constantly dependent upon the external power source of the electricity to enable it to work. Therefore, we should cultivate an attitude of continual dependence on the Holy Spirit."

I love that picture of the motor and electricity. The motor doesn't run by itself, but it doesn't just wait for the electricity to make everything happen. It needs the electricity--it can't run without it.

This book is very good and I would highly recommend it--it is convicting, yet encouraging at the very same time. Bridges is not condemning in what he says. He is gracious in his tone as he writes--and I think that is one of the thingsthat makes his books so easy for me to read--He speaks the truth in love.

So glad to have well kids...

I think one of the hardest things about having sick kids is that they just don't act like themselves. For a week and a half, Eli was mostly cranky, sour mouthed, and crying. Yesterday, I watched him giggle when I tickled him, sign "please" for his milk, smile and laugh, wave good bye to a dog at the park, light up at the sight of all of the squirrels at the park, and just generally be in a good mood. What a blessing! And it helped my patience with everything else a lot too =)

Sami is getting over her cough still so I think it will take her a few more days. But, with her it's different--her tears. On one hand, older siblings help children grow up and then on the other, younger siblings keep them young. Sami so often acts like Autumn, but then so often acts like Eli too.

Crazy Love and Lukewarm Christians

The other day I was talking to a fellow from our small group about the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. I have the second book he wrote called Forgotten God, but for some reason just haven't picked it up yet. I believe the premise of the book is a call by Chan urging Christians to realize what it really mean to love God wholeheartedly.

One of the strongest chapters, so I've been told and have read in reviews, is the fourth chapter about Lukewarm Christians. From what I've gathered, Chan asserts that the scripture in Revelation 3:16 "So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth." that there are no lukewarm Christians--such people are not saved.

The day after I had this conversation, I was reading Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges and the chapter I was ready was about the respectable sin of ungodliness, which Bridges describes as "an ungodly attitude toward God." later, in the chapter in more detail-- "Ungodliness may be defined as living one's everyday life with little or no thought of God, or of God's will, or of God's glory, or of one's dependence on God." (p.54) It was interesting to me that I would read this chapter right after the discussion about Chan's book. The ideas seemed similar yet very different.

Last night, I took these thoughts to my husband and we had a great discussion. I asked him what he'd thought about Forgotten God, the book. I'd seen him pick it up several times. He said that he didn't feel he could really be a wise judge of its theology because he hasn't read it from cover to cover, but that he could tell the author says things differently than he would.

So, we started talking about the idea of Lukewarm Christians. I grew up in LA and spent the first 22 years of my life on the west coast, then spent 5 in the midwest/west, 4 in the south, and now 4 around the Mason Dixon Line. Christians are viewed differently in each place, culturally. In the south, everyone goes to church on Sunday--it's what you do whether or not you're a strong believer. But, BUT, in the West, you go to church if you're a follower of Christ. And if you're not, you don't. That's where Chan lives--specifically he lives and is a pastor in So. Cal. where I grew up. When we lived in the south, I started to see that there are a lot of "gray" Christians--everything isn't so black and white like it is on the West Coast. It's a funny thing about us as Americans, sometimes we think that if something is a certain way in one part of the country, then it must be that way all across the U.S. But, that's not true. There are so many regional differences in the U.S.

Aside from the cultural views of Christians, though there is another way to think about Chan's point, which my husband talked with me about. In Revelation, the churches are being reprimanded. But, they are not being discarded. Paul says that we are saved by grace not by works in Romans. So, if one was to assert that one could lose their salvation by being a lukewarm Christian, that would be toeing the line and asserting that someone could lose their salvation by backsliding or being "lukewarm". The Word does say that God will discipline those he loves. Being spit out would be pretty harsh to me, but wouldn't that be discipline? Weren't the churches being encouraged to get back on track--by hearing that the consequences of their behavior and actions were not desirable?

I do believe we are saved by grace, through faith, not of ourselves or anything we have done. God's grace is something I have never deserved, and I know it. I am thankful every day for it. And I am also thankful for the security of God's love that I can never do anything to lose God's love and that He will not abandon me.

Just a few thoughts. =) I am really enjoying Respectable Sins--wow! It is so challenging. What a blessing it is to read a great book that challenges my heart and mind!

Just finished...

I just finished this Bible Study, but my thoughts are a bit jumbled. So, please be patient with me as I sort them out...

I think I'll back up first. A few years ago, I read an amazing book called Seeing Through Cynicism by Dick Keyes. It hit me hard--like a brick! And so many lights went on for me. I was able to see that my struggle with many mainstream Christian books stemmed from growing feelings of cynicism about the "church", mass popular Christianity, and mega churches. It was as if there were books that gathered cultish like followings (which always makes me think of brainwashing) and mega churches that were/are about checking in on Sunday and putting in your time without any accountability and personal relationships--with God or others. See? Can't you just hear my cynicism in those few thoughts? I saw it and didn't know what to do about it. My cynicism was beginning to permeate my entire world view--which is deadly! I read the book by Dick Keyes and it really helped me see what was going on in my head and my heart.

The book also really helped me think about how to tackle it. One of the ways I found that was wise to do that was to stay out of Christian bookstores. I know that may sound funny, but the advertising and displays had begun to make me uncomfortable. I remember walking into Lifeway in Georgia and seeing a display for The Purpose Driven Life that said "Why wait until your 75 to have the life you want? Have it now." or something very similar to that affect. That's not biblical at all! Sanctification is a process and we can't choose to rush it--God works in all things in His timing, not ours. At least that's what I believe from what I've read in the Word. It's our culture that tells us we should be able to have everything we want now, not the Bible.

The second thing that I began to do was to read books by people I trusted--who's theology I knew I could trust. I had found that it seemed like a lot of authors were asking me to interpret the Bible and read into it--read things into it that weren't there. Asking me to imagine how people were feeling. I understand there was a purpose to this, but it didn't feel right and this is why... about 5 or so years ago, I read Francine Rivers series of books on women in the Bible. She wrote a story about each of these 5 women and then at the end had a short Bible study about the verses actually in the Word. I was astonished to realize how much I had read into the story about Bathsheba and how much wasn't there that I thought was! It made me realize that I needed to be careful to take what I read back to the Word and make sure that it is biblical. Much of the fallacies that I had thought came from inferring about the feelings of the people in the stories. In doing this over the years, I saw that this put the focus of the stories on the people and not on God. So, after all of this, and much pondering, I arrived at the conclusion that it was wise to read books by authors that I trusted and to be careful about inferring/reading into the Bible.

My second coping strategy has run into a few little bumps as I've participated in the blog book review programs because I've had the opportunity to read a lot of books by authors that I haven't known, but for the most part, I have really been pleased with the books that I've read and the few that I haven't, made me go back to the Word and really search out the truth. This summer I read these books published by NavPress: Money Strategies for Tough Times by Matt Bell, Trusting God by Jerry Bridges, and Paul Miller's new book about prayer. All three were excellent and I am so thankful that I had the chance to read them!

An Undivided Heart is also published by NavPress and it is the first that I haven't been so crazy about. This study, An Undivided Heart, is an 8 week study (though it took me about 4 weeks) about drawing closer to the heart of God with "an undivided heart", loving Him, and letting Him love us. I have never read a book by this author, Rita J. Platt before. The chapters were short and very doable to do one a week even if you're pretty busy. I just did a few questions each day. The format of the book is fine, though I longed for lines to write on when there were questions instead of blank space. But, that's really just a matter of personal preference.

As I got into this book, I noticed that the author often asked me, as the reader, to imagine or infer what was happening in a given scene in the book. I know that there is a place for this, but I'm not really keen about doing that. And she asks the reader to do that a lot.

But, there was another thing that made me unsettled as I went through this study--because it is what has helped me fight my cynicism and struggles to trust and listen to what authors have to say. The authors and people that she references are people I don't know, with the exception of Henri Nouwen. She even referenced the movie Nights in Rodanthe and how the main character describes love. I stayed away from that movie because it is about a woman who falls in love with another man while separated from her husband and who finds that she needs to do what she should do to be happy (http://www.pluggedin.com/videos/2008/Q4/NightsinRodanthe.aspx). I know I have a limited scope of knowledge and there are many authors I don't know about, but when I tried to find one of the people online that she quoted, I couldn't.

I do believe that God had a purpose for this book in my life--whether it was to challenge me to look for the truth in the Word or whether it was to make me realize that I need to draw closer to Jesus. And I have seen both of those things because of doing this study. But, is it one I would recommend? No. I think there are other studies I would recommend first. But, is it okay? Yes. And I could tell that the author loves the Lord dearly.

Fall Festival and Sickness

This has been a hard weekend. Eli likely has the swine flu and Autumn either has a cold or a milder version of the flu. I'm hoping it's a milder version of the flu so she'll be done with it.

One thing that meant for us was that the girls couldn't go to the Fall Festival at the church where they attend Awanas yesterday. They've been looking forward to it for weeks. I prepared them on Friday and explained that we would try to have several surprises for them the next day. I felt bad for them, but knew there was nothing I could do to change that Autumn and Eli are/were sick.

I was talking on the phone yesterday morning and the friend asked if the girls were really disappointed and how they were doing. I told her they were okay. And thankfully, they really seemed to be. I'm sure they were disappointed but I am so thankful that they still enjoyed their day. I got out the puppet theater in the morning and made coffee cake for breakfast. After breakfast, they got dressed up in their fancy dresses and found the new shoes I surprised them with (I have to exchange Sami's though because they were the wrong size). Then, they played with Autumn's new ponyville toy and cash register through the morning. Eli was cranky through most of it, but the girls were okay. After lunch and a nap, I got out a big roll of princess coloring pages I had found for them and they were excited to get to color. They did that for quite a long time and then we had dinner. After dinner, I made popcorn and we watched Wallace and Gromit in A grand day out. Then Bible stories and bed time.

I am very thankful for the hearts and joy that the Lord has given my children. I know they could have whined all day and complained, but they didn't. One thing about our house is that what mom and dad says goes. I think that we both see in ourselves (especially me) a resistance to authority, so we want to teach our children how to submit with a joyful heart to the authorities over you. In their case, it's God and mom and dad. This doesn't mean that I won't teach them when to stand up to people and how to speak up--not at all. But, God continues to work on my heart and a submissive attitude and I desire for my children to live in joy and not bitterness as I have struggled with.

This is actually an issue for a long discussion and I need to run and get things ready for my family to wake up, but hopefully soon I'll be able to write more...

I never knew there were so many things to make with Whiskey...

We lived in the south for almost 4 years. I never expected to live there. But, I grew to really love and appreciate the south. There are still a few things though that I still haven't understood--like "Pit Beef". Surprisingly, though I have many cookbooks, I didn't have any Southern cookbooks. I have had no desire to own a Paula Deen cookbook. I once saw an episode of her tv show and it made my arteries cringe--I say that very kindly. But, I've always wanted a Southern cookbook with recipes from the real south.

This week I received in the mail the Jack Daniels' Spirit of Tennessee Cookbook. The cover to the left is not what it looks like now--that is the previous edition. It is now a paperback, rather than a hardback. I actually like this because it is easier to fit on my bookshelf. It is a very nice sized cookbook. But, back to the cookbook...I had no idea there were so many drinks and recipes one could make with Jack Daniels! But, what I enjoyed most about this cookbook was all the pictures and what I learned about life in the south. There was even an explanation about what "Pit BBQ" is! It was fun to finally understand since there is a church near me that has Pit BBQ every month during the summer. I have felt like a fish out of water not understanding what it is.

I'd say about half of the recipes have Jack Daniels in them. Many of them don't. My husband will enjoy trying the drink recipes and I will enjoy trying the food recipes without Jack in them (after all I don't know any child under 10 that would be inclined to try chicken cooked with Jack Daniels). But, that's okay. I'm still very glad to have this cookbook.

Normally, I wouldn't review a cookbook without trying the recipes, of course. And in this case, I am. But, that's because I like this cookbook as much for the writing and stories as I do for the recipes. Several of the recipes were very similar to other things I've already made and I'm certain they'll come out great.

If you've ever wanted to peruse a real southern cookbook, full of recipes from regular folks--then this would be a fun cookbook to check out!

Please note...I did receive this book as a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Setting up a new computer

Now we've gone back to 1 computer instead of 2, but I think it's a good thing. The tricky part is finding all of web sites I had bookmarked. It's funny how something that is supposed to make our lives easier can create so much work for us when we get into using it! =)

The one fun thing about all of this is that I did discover that I can now watch the old Bionic Woman on nbc.com =) I'm silly, aren't I? =)

My little girl turns 6 today

Wow. Autumn turns 6 today. Sadly, she has a cold and we will be spending the whole day at home, but we are going to try and make the best of it!

My computer broke

Sometimes there is great wisdom in sticking to what you know rather than venturing out and trying something new. Such is the case of what happened to my new laptop that we had bought at the end of July. It had worked just fine until I decided to try a new antivirus program because it was free via the Amazon program I'm a part of. It was called Bitdefender. I had problems with it from the beginning. I'm used to Norton and have used it for 8 years. I've always stuck with it--I shouldn't have changed. Because of the problems with Bitdefender, I thought I would try McAffee when I had the chance to try it for free. Bad, bad choice. In the process, it broke my computer.

It turns out that you have to completely uninstall any antivirus program before you install a new one and there's tricks with Norton and the others that only well trained computer folks know about. Ugh! If you don't completely uninstall them, the new program see the old program often as a virus itself--foreign to the computer and can lock it up. That's what happened to me. My screen went black--it didn't even just lock up. It went black! I will never do that again. I spent an hour and a half on the phone with HP and afterwards I just didn't trust the computer anymore. I am going to stick with Norton, pay for it, and forgo the pain of breaking and returning a computer again!

In the end, free isn't always the best deal! =)

A Man Worth Far More Respect than I realized...

First, I have to say, "wow." I feel like a kid saying that, but I had no idea growing up what the big deal was about Chuck Norris. Then, over the past few years I started hearing about these internet rumors about him and I didn't understand the fascination. I think I got a clue about all of that in reading this book.

This book is a collection of Chuck Norris's 101 favorite internet rumors about himself. I learned a lot of interesting things about Chuck Norris in this book. First, his first name is Carlos--he got nicknamed Chuck in armed forces. He got married 10 years ago (He is now 69) and has twin 8 year old boys. He loves God. A lot. And he loves his family and this country.

With each rumor, he shares either a story about his life or some of his perspective about life. He does talk about God a lot in this book which was very interesting to me.

I realized as I read this book that I really had known nothing (!) about Chuck Norris before I read this book. And now, I've learned a lot. Honestly, I can say that I'm glad that I read this book and I know about 10 people that I want to tell about this book right away--because I think they'll genuinely enjoy it.

Note: I did receive this book as a complimentary copy from Tyndale Publishing. But, I definitely would have bought it on my own!

The perfect place for this book: In the bathroom, so that when you can shut the door and steal a few minutes of peace away from the kids-- you can sit, laugh, and read something light, funny, and encouraging!

Being a Book Blogger...

I enjoy reading. And I know it's good for me. I was just notified by one of the publishers that I review books for that I will need to state in my reviews that the copies of the books I've read have been complimentary. It's a new regulation from the Federal Trade Commission.

My husband thought this might change folks opinions of the reviews they read on my blog and elsewhere, but I wanted to share some things with you.
1) I only read books I want to. I choose them.
2) If a book is bad or if I don't like it or I have a concern, I will say so. There is no motivation for me to be untruthful in this. On the contrary, there is motivation for me to be truthful--I desire to walk rightly before the Lord and walk with integrity and honesty.

It is an interesting thing about the books I've read and reviewed on this blog--some of them might not have been my first choice for reading material--rather my second choice--but God has used them in huge ways in my heart and mind to challenge and encourage me (others I would definitely have bought myself as my first choice of reading material). The books I have received through these programs have been such a blessing to me (moms rarely buy things for themselves).

Anyways, I just wanted to share this with y'all and let you know.

A Cute Tale...

Recently, I read and reviewed Max Lucado's new book Fearless. I liked it very much. There is a snippet in that book of a new children's book that he just published called "The Tallest of Smalls".

It is often interesting reading stories with my children because it makes me aware of how sheltered they have been. My girls are homeschooled. Sami goes to preschool two mornings a week at a local high school where Autumn went for 2 years. They now go to Awanas, dance, and P.E. But, Autumn has seemed to remain largely ignorant of when she is not included by other children. She hasn't been hurt yet. I know the day will come though when that will happen. I don't look forward to it.

As I read the Tallest of Smalls to my girls, I knew that they wouldn't really understand most of what it was about. They don't have a lot of personal experience to connect it to. Although, there was a little girl who, when Autumn asked her to play with her one day at the church we used to go to, told her no. So, maybe she knows a little more of how it feels to not be liked or included than I realize.

I love Max Lucado's books about the Wemmicks and I love this one too. It is very similar in theme--the fact that we are all loved by God no matter what--for who we are and who He made us to be. We don't need to compare ourselves to others to feel good about who we are. I know there will be a time, likely in the not too distant future, when my girls will understand more fully the message of this book. On one hand, I do not look forward to that day. On the other hand, I look forward to them knowing that Jesus loves them just the way they are!

Quite a weekend

It seems very surreal that Molly got lost on Saturday. You'd never know by the look of her. She acts just like normal--not really phased by it. Thankfully, I think we've recovered too. I can't even fathom what it would feel like to lose a child after losing Molly. It was so scary to me! With Sami being one who must touch everything, she spends a lot of time in carts.

My husband and I had an interesting discussion about kids and dogs and this was the kids part from my end. I have come to feel that as much as I would like to give my kids the freedom to walk and not hold my hand, it isn't safe. If we are in a store, 90% of the time Sami travels in the big part of the cart and Eli in the top. If the cart is big enough, Autumn also sits with Sami. It's just easier and safer. No one gets lost. More than that, it's lots less stressful for me. Sami just doesn't seem to be able to control herself yet and not touch everything in the store! That can make for very stressful trips for me if she is walking on her own.

When Autumn was 15 months old, I realized that I should have been training her from a much younger age to hold my hand when we were out. I say much younger because she started walking at 9 months. I had wanted to give her that freedom and enjoy the innocence of those first steps and learning to walk. But, I realized when she was 15 months that I also, more importantly, needed to teach her to be safe by holding Mommy's hand and it became an issue of submitting to authority and obeying Mommy, too.

I'm going through the same thing with Eli now. But, this time if he won't hold my hand, I just pick him up. He's got a lot of Sami's spunk and so I need to make sure he understands he needs to hold my hand and be safe. I'm okay if he holds the girls' hands instead--just as long as it's somebody's hands.

There is a desire in our hearts to give our children freedom, because it seems that enjoyment will come in that. But, that freedom needs to come when they're ready for it, I think. If we give it to them too soon, it can be a very unsafe thing. It's hard for mom to be strong and insist on holding hands, but I know it's the best thing for my kids and me.

God is teaching me about sitting under His authority and I see that with my kids every day.

Molly is found!!

Praise God! Someone found Molly and just called, so my husband is on his way to go pick her up. I am so thankful that she is safe and that she will be home soon. No more complaining for me about how much work she is =) !! When she went missing, I just cried. As much as I may struggle with her some days--just as I do with my kids--I love her and very much don't want anything to happen to her.

Our Puppy

Our puppy, Molly is missing as of this afternoon. Please pray that someone will find her. My husband was out hiking with her when she ran away. She loved him so much--and he her so I don't have any idea why she didn't come back! She has tags on her, but I have no idea the liklihood that someone will find her. I hope someone will--else my husband will be deeply heartbroken. Please pray that someone will find her and help her get back home to us.

Pumpkin Pie

Every year after we go to the Pumpkin farm and bring home a pumpkin, I make a pumpkin pie. This year I decided to make a Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie. I'd tried one before, but wasn't super impressed. But, I had a new recipe from a cookbook I love, so I thought I'd try again. I never read recipes thoroughly before I start in them--this time I should have!

First, I had to make the cornmeal crust and partially prebake it. Wow! This involved a lot. It involved baking it for 10 minutes and then pricking the bottom with a fork. Then, I baked it another 10 minutes. Then, I had to whisk an egg white until it was frothy and paint the poked holes with a pastry brush--and then bake it for another 2 minutes. Wow! Then, I was supposed to let it cool (I didn't have time, so I skipped that step.)

I made the filling which was really quite easy. That part wasn't so bad. I am thankful I used a deep dish pie pan so it didn't overflow and make a mess in my oven. Then, I poured the filling in and baked the pie.

Sadly, it had to be refrigerated overnight before we could taste it and find out whether all of the work was worth it! After waiting another day, we ate it! And Autumn thinks that the pie was definitely worth the effort it took! I will say, it was a good pie and although the crust required a lot of work, it was easier than the regular cheesecake I make.

But, I think I'll try and read the recipe first next time and see what I'll be getting myself into before I dive in! LOL (I say that, but I never read the recipes--even when I say I'll try and remember to do that--I've said this before, I think.)

Baby Miracles

When I was in high school, my Sunday School teacher Janet Church had the idea of looking for baby miracles in our lives to help us see the work of God in our lives and to help us remember how much we have to be thankful for.

Here are my baby miracles for this morning…
1. That my foot wasn’t broken when Autumn dropped a 28 oz. can of peaches on it last week. I really am thankful for that.
2. That I feel well enough to go on the field trip for the homeschool co-op we’re in that I planned and have to collect the money for today.
3. That all my kids are well enough to go on the field trip and haven’t caught my cold yet =)