{untitled}
What you think I am
is not what I am.
I am your sister, your father, your friend.
I am the one who cuts you off on the highway, responds in anger, gets depressed.
I am the one who envies your strengths,
who shares your weaknesses.
I laugh.
I cry.
I sing.
I dance.
I dream.
I create.
I struggle.
I sin.
What you think I am
is not what I am.
I am your enemy.
I am you.
I am not different.
He is.
He is my Brother, my Father, my friend.
He is where I place my hope.
He is the One of whom I boast.
He laughed.
He cried.
He sang.
He danced.
He dreamed.
He created.
And He struggled.
But He did not sin.
Don't think me any different.
I am not different.
He is.
Re-birth of a blog?
Sunday, April 12, 2009
On Dec. 19, I fell into the black hole. The blogging black hole, that is. And then, by sad mishap, I lost all my links. So I haven't "blogged" in almost four months. I miss reading my friend's blogs (do they even have them anymore, i wonder, or has Facebook caused The Death of the Blog). I miss the spiritual encouragement of Holy Experience. I miss Little Redhead, and Monergism.com, and the Rabbit Room, and all the other great links to kindred spirits around the world. I miss writing. Today is Easter. As little time as I have, I wonder if perhaps it's time for the blog to be re-born.
Blog hijacked
Monday, January 26, 2009
Sorry, But I (Steve) have hijacked Laura's blog and changed the template. This flagrant act was done to get her back to writing/blogging.
Jesse Tree -- Days 19 and 18
Friday, December 19, 2008
Day 19 -- Nehemiah: Return and Rebuilding
Scripture Passage: Nehemiah 1:1-28, 9:1-28
An acknowledgment by the Israelites of their continual leaving and God's faithful deliverance.
Key Verse: Nehemiah 9:28b: "And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time and time again."
Suggested Symbol: the wall
Day 18 -- Habakkuk: Waiting and Watching
Here we are at the theme of advent: waiting. Just as Habakkuk watched and waited, the Israelites awaited the birth of their King. And we stand, ever watching in hopeful anticipation for His return.
Scripture Passage: Habakkuk 2:1, 3:1-19
Key Verse: Habakkuk 2:1 -- "I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts."
Suggested Symbol: watchtower
Jesse Tree -- Day 17
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Day 17 -- Holiness
Scripture Passage: Isaiah 6:1-13, 9:2-7
The prophets told repeatedly of the coming Redeemer. Isaiah is chock-full of passages pointing toward the birth/suffering of Jesus and the redemption of God's people. But as I read the first of today's passage, my biggest question was "How is it that a firey coal is symbolic of Jesus. Just what is the symbolism there?" I found the following explanation on Monergism.com (a web sit G-Love recommended). This comes from a sermon by Charles Biggs, pastor of Ketoctin Covenant Presbyterian Church in Virginia and a graduate of Westminster Theological Seminary.
Key Verse: Isaiah 6:7 -- "Your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."
Suggested Symbol -- tongs holding a burning-hot coal
Scripture Passage: Isaiah 6:1-13, 9:2-7
The prophets told repeatedly of the coming Redeemer. Isaiah is chock-full of passages pointing toward the birth/suffering of Jesus and the redemption of God's people. But as I read the first of today's passage, my biggest question was "How is it that a firey coal is symbolic of Jesus. Just what is the symbolism there?" I found the following explanation on Monergism.com (a web sit G-Love recommended). This comes from a sermon by Charles Biggs, pastor of Ketoctin Covenant Presbyterian Church in Virginia and a graduate of Westminster Theological Seminary.
When we hear “Holy, holy, holy” we are like Isaiah: We hear “guilt, guilt, guilt”! But God takes away our guilt in Christ Jesus. God gives us new hearts so that we might find him utterly lovely. The angel in Isaiah's vision takes tongs from the altar, takes a hot, burning coal and makes atonement for Isaiah's sins by touching his lips. This is symbolic to the Person and Work of Christ for us in atonement. Christ Jesus our Savior lays down his life and sheds his blood on the altar in heaven, taking God's wrath upon him so he can send the Holy Spirit to us. The coal from the altar symbolizes punishment and purification. The altar from which the coal was taken was the place where bulls and goats were placed to shed blood before God and to offer a substitute in place of the sinner. The fire that consumed the animal on the altar was God's purification. In Christ, Jesus lays down his life once and for all as a man, a once and for all sacrifice for sinners to be punished in their place. After his resurrection from the dead and ascension back to the throneroom of heaven, Jesus sends forth His Spirit to us so that we might then be purified. So, the coal from the altar symbolizes the punishment and purification that would come in time because of the Person and Work of Jesus Christ!
Key Verse: Isaiah 6:7 -- "Your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."
Suggested Symbol -- tongs holding a burning-hot coal
Jesse Tree -- Day 16
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Day 16 -- Elijah
Scripture Passage: 1 Kings 18:20-40 (also, good background in the preceeding verses, beginning at 17:1) The Israelites, yet again, had turned to idols (see a pattern here?), and God had sent famine and draught. The prophet Elijah, who had a death warrant on his life issued by King Ahab, had been hiding (at God's instruction) in a ravine east of Jordan. But then God instructed Elijah to go before Ahab, and God promised that rain would follow. Ahab and Elijah had a face-off, with one (Ahab of course) proclaiming Baal as supreme and the other (Elijah) proclaiming the God of the Israelites as the one true God. Both made altars to their Gods, but the altar to Baal wouldn't burn. Elijah soaked the altar he'd made with water, and then God sent fire from heaven that not only burned up the sacrifice, wood, stones and soil, but also "licked up" (don't you love the terminology there -- like God did this with a flourish) the water puddled around the altar. God showed His power and brought His people back to a place of belief (another pattern, don't you think?).
Key Verse: 1 Kings 18:39 -- "The LORD, He is God."
Suggested Symbol: firey mound of wood, stones and water
Scripture Passage: 1 Kings 18:20-40 (also, good background in the preceeding verses, beginning at 17:1) The Israelites, yet again, had turned to idols (see a pattern here?), and God had sent famine and draught. The prophet Elijah, who had a death warrant on his life issued by King Ahab, had been hiding (at God's instruction) in a ravine east of Jordan. But then God instructed Elijah to go before Ahab, and God promised that rain would follow. Ahab and Elijah had a face-off, with one (Ahab of course) proclaiming Baal as supreme and the other (Elijah) proclaiming the God of the Israelites as the one true God. Both made altars to their Gods, but the altar to Baal wouldn't burn. Elijah soaked the altar he'd made with water, and then God sent fire from heaven that not only burned up the sacrifice, wood, stones and soil, but also "licked up" (don't you love the terminology there -- like God did this with a flourish) the water puddled around the altar. God showed His power and brought His people back to a place of belief (another pattern, don't you think?).
Key Verse: 1 Kings 18:39 -- "The LORD, He is God."
Suggested Symbol: firey mound of wood, stones and water
Jesse Tree -- Day 15
Monday, December 15, 2008
Day 15 -- David, son of Jesse
Scripture Passage: 1 Samuel 16:1 through 17:58
Remember day 1 -- a shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse? Here's our first connection back to Jesse. David, the shepherd boy from Bethlehem, Jesse's son, is anointed to become King of Israel.
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 16: 1 -- "The Lord said to Samuel, 'How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.'"
Suggested Symbol: shepherd's staff
Scripture Passage: 1 Samuel 16:1 through 17:58
Remember day 1 -- a shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse? Here's our first connection back to Jesse. David, the shepherd boy from Bethlehem, Jesse's son, is anointed to become King of Israel.
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 16: 1 -- "The Lord said to Samuel, 'How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.'"
Suggested Symbol: shepherd's staff
Jesse Tree -- Days 13 and 14
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Day 14 -- Ruth
Scripture Passage: Ruth 1:15-2:3
God's plan of salvation was not only for the Jews. Ruth's question to Boaz is one that we might ask of God.
Key Verse: Ruth 2:10 -- "Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me -- a foreigner?"
Suggested Symbol: wheat
Day 13 -- God's Unlikely Hero
Scripture Passage: Judges 6:11-7:25
Ah, my favorite story in scripture. The Israelites had once again rebelled against God, so he delivered them into the hands of the Midianites, where they remained for 7 years. Then, God took Gideon -- wheat-thrasher and self-professed "weakest" link in his family -- and made of him a great warrior, using Him to deliver the Israelites out of the hands of the Midianites. God might discipline His people, but He would not abandon them, nor His covenant with them.
Key Verse: Judges 6:14 -- "The Lord turned to him and said, 'Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?'"
Suggested Symbol: clay pitcher
Scripture Passage: Ruth 1:15-2:3
God's plan of salvation was not only for the Jews. Ruth's question to Boaz is one that we might ask of God.
Key Verse: Ruth 2:10 -- "Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me -- a foreigner?"
Suggested Symbol: wheat
Day 13 -- God's Unlikely Hero
Scripture Passage: Judges 6:11-7:25
Ah, my favorite story in scripture. The Israelites had once again rebelled against God, so he delivered them into the hands of the Midianites, where they remained for 7 years. Then, God took Gideon -- wheat-thrasher and self-professed "weakest" link in his family -- and made of him a great warrior, using Him to deliver the Israelites out of the hands of the Midianites. God might discipline His people, but He would not abandon them, nor His covenant with them.
Key Verse: Judges 6:14 -- "The Lord turned to him and said, 'Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?'"
Suggested Symbol: clay pitcher
Jesse Tree -- Day 12
Saturday, December 13, 2008
(This one's late, friends, so sorry. Was out unexpectedly all day yesterday.)
Day 12 -- The Fall of Jerico
Scripture Passage: Joshua 1:1-11, 6:1-20
Finally, after the death of Moses, Joshua leads the Israelites into Jericho, which is in the land of Canaan -- the promised land. Another promise is kept in this plan of redemption God is weaving through scripture.
Key Verse: Joshua 6:2 -- "And the LORD said to Joshua, 'See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor.'"
Suggested Symbol: shofar (horn)
Day 12 -- The Fall of Jerico
Scripture Passage: Joshua 1:1-11, 6:1-20
Finally, after the death of Moses, Joshua leads the Israelites into Jericho, which is in the land of Canaan -- the promised land. Another promise is kept in this plan of redemption God is weaving through scripture.
Key Verse: Joshua 6:2 -- "And the LORD said to Joshua, 'See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor.'"
Suggested Symbol: shofar (horn)
Jesse Tree -- Day 11
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Day 11 -- The Law
Scripture Passage -- Deuteronomy 5:1-22 and Romans 8:1-4
God gave His law -- the ten commandments -- and when all was said and done, it could be summarized in two broad commands: to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our fellow humanity as ourselves. With the giving of these commands, God set his standard for righteousness -- a righteousness He knew man couldn't keep. The law was given, then, not to produce righteousness, but so that man could see His sin and His need for a Redeemer. It was all part of God's plan.
Key Verse -- Romans 8:2 -- "For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."
Suggested Symbol -- the stone tablets
Scripture Passage -- Deuteronomy 5:1-22 and Romans 8:1-4
God gave His law -- the ten commandments -- and when all was said and done, it could be summarized in two broad commands: to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our fellow humanity as ourselves. With the giving of these commands, God set his standard for righteousness -- a righteousness He knew man couldn't keep. The law was given, then, not to produce righteousness, but so that man could see His sin and His need for a Redeemer. It was all part of God's plan.
Key Verse -- Romans 8:2 -- "For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."
Suggested Symbol -- the stone tablets
Jesse Tree -- Day 10
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
So how are you doing on your Jesse trees? Don't fret if you're behind -- you can skip days if needed, or sometimes there are days which can easily be combined. Today and tomorrow we'll be looking at more in the story of Moses. So this is a good time to plan to combine two days if needed. (Honestly, I don't think we've ever had a year where we didn't miss days in our advent study. Let me encourage you to adjust, not give up :>})
Day 10 -- Passover and Exodus
Scripture Passage: Exodus 12: 1-14:31
Despite the nine plagues God has sent on the people and land of Egypt, Pharoah has continually denied Moses' pleas to let God's people go. Now, God has promised a final, devastating plague -- to strike down the firstborn of every household. But the Israelites are instructed to kill a lamb and place its blood on their doorposts so that the spirit of death will pass over their homes and their firstborn will live -- a foreshadowing of events to come, when Jesus will be the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. (Notice that the Israelites are instructed to dip a hyssop branch in the blood of the lamb -- when Jesus was suffering from thirst on the cross, it was a hyssop branch the soldiers dipped in vinegar to offer to him.)
Suggested Symbol: lamb
Day 10 -- Passover and Exodus
Scripture Passage: Exodus 12: 1-14:31
Despite the nine plagues God has sent on the people and land of Egypt, Pharoah has continually denied Moses' pleas to let God's people go. Now, God has promised a final, devastating plague -- to strike down the firstborn of every household. But the Israelites are instructed to kill a lamb and place its blood on their doorposts so that the spirit of death will pass over their homes and their firstborn will live -- a foreshadowing of events to come, when Jesus will be the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. (Notice that the Israelites are instructed to dip a hyssop branch in the blood of the lamb -- when Jesus was suffering from thirst on the cross, it was a hyssop branch the soldiers dipped in vinegar to offer to him.)
Suggested Symbol: lamb
Jesse Tree -- Day 9
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Day 9 -- Moses and the Burning Bush
Scripture Passage -- Exodus 3:1-10
Yesterday, we were with Joseph in Egypt. Today, we find the Israelites still in Egypt, where they've been enslaved to the Egyptians for hundreds of years. (The Israelites had prospered once they arrived in Egypt, so the jealous Egyptians eventually enslaved them.) God's people have been crying out for deliverance from this slavery, and God, who is still continuing to work his redemption plan, has heard and felt compassion for them. He appears to Moses in the form of the burning bush and promises to deliver His people. (Be sure and point out verse 6, in which God refers to Himself as the "God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.")
Key Passage: Exodus 3:7-8 -- "I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to resuce them." (again, a foreshadowing of the larger redemption story!:)
Scripture Passage -- Exodus 3:1-10
Yesterday, we were with Joseph in Egypt. Today, we find the Israelites still in Egypt, where they've been enslaved to the Egyptians for hundreds of years. (The Israelites had prospered once they arrived in Egypt, so the jealous Egyptians eventually enslaved them.) God's people have been crying out for deliverance from this slavery, and God, who is still continuing to work his redemption plan, has heard and felt compassion for them. He appears to Moses in the form of the burning bush and promises to deliver His people. (Be sure and point out verse 6, in which God refers to Himself as the "God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.")
Key Passage: Exodus 3:7-8 -- "I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to resuce them." (again, a foreshadowing of the larger redemption story!:)
Jesse Tree -- Day 8
Day 8 -- Joseph
Scripture Passage: Genesis 32: 18-36, 37: 1-36, 41: 1-49, 43: 1-15, 45:4-8, 50: 15-21
(Again, this is a massive amount of scripture. The story of Joseph is long. I think I would read at most Gen. 37:1-4, 37:18-24, 41:25-28, 45:4-8, 50:20, filling in with the narrative between scripture readings. Or G-Love -- that's the hubs, if you don't know -- recommends letting the kiddos watch the Dreamworks version of Joseph, which closely follows the biblical narrative, then simply referring back to the story as you do your Jesse tree study/devotion.)
Scripture Passage: Genesis 32: 18-36, 37: 1-36, 41: 1-49, 43: 1-15, 45:4-8, 50: 15-21
(Again, this is a massive amount of scripture. The story of Joseph is long. I think I would read at most Gen. 37:1-4, 37:18-24, 41:25-28, 45:4-8, 50:20, filling in with the narrative between scripture readings. Or G-Love -- that's the hubs, if you don't know -- recommends letting the kiddos watch the Dreamworks version of Joseph, which closely follows the biblical narrative, then simply referring back to the story as you do your Jesse tree study/devotion.)
Here, in the story of Joseph, we see God providentially work situations to bring Joseph to the land of Egypt, where, in the midst of famine, he is in charge of grain storage. In this responsibility, God uses him not only to ensure the well-being of His family, but also the continued lineage of Christ (who will eventually be born in the line of Joseph's brother, Judah). Joseph becomes a sort of Christ figure (a foreshadowing of the greater redemption story), as God uses his sacrifice into slavery to bring about eventual forgiveness and salvation (from famine) for his brothers. (Is Joseph considered an official Christ-"type" in biblical academia? To be honest, I don't know.) God demonstrates His faithfulness to His covenant, His creativity in bringing His promises to pass, His provision and care for His people, etc.
Key Passage: Genesis 50: 20 -- "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good."
Suggested Sumbol: coat of many colorsJesse Tree -- Day 7
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Day 7 -- Jacob Receives the Promise
Scripture Passage: Genesis 28:10-15 (a longer reading would be verses 1-22)
Jacob, son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, heir to the promises of God made to them -- Jacob has a dream of a ladder to heaven, with angels ascending and decending. God is at the top of the ladder, and He speaks to Jacob in the dream, reminding Jacob of His promises to Abraham and Isaac (to make a great nation, to send one of their descendants who will bless the world, to provide a lamb, etc.) and extend those promises to Jacob. Jacob wakes knowing He has been in the presence of God, calls the place "the gate of heaven," and then names it "Bethel," which means "house of God."
Key Verse: Genesis 28:15 -- "I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."
Suggested Symbol: ladder (maybe leading into the clouds)
Scripture Passage: Genesis 28:10-15 (a longer reading would be verses 1-22)
Jacob, son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, heir to the promises of God made to them -- Jacob has a dream of a ladder to heaven, with angels ascending and decending. God is at the top of the ladder, and He speaks to Jacob in the dream, reminding Jacob of His promises to Abraham and Isaac (to make a great nation, to send one of their descendants who will bless the world, to provide a lamb, etc.) and extend those promises to Jacob. Jacob wakes knowing He has been in the presence of God, calls the place "the gate of heaven," and then names it "Bethel," which means "house of God."
Key Verse: Genesis 28:15 -- "I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."
Suggested Symbol: ladder (maybe leading into the clouds)
Jesse Tree-Day 6, and a Special 100th Post!
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Day 6 -- Isaac as a Sacrifice
Scripture Passage: Genesis 22: 1-19
One of my favorite passages in scripture, this narrative of Isaac is full of redemption-story symbolism. God had made a covenant with Abraham: He had promised to make Abraham father of a great nation, and to send one through that nation who would change the world. But here God was, instructing Abraham to sacrifice the very son meant to continue the family line. But Abraham trusted the character of God -- that God would fulfill His promise even if it meant raising Isaac from the dead. So Abraham proceeded with the planned sacrifice, to the point of raising his knife against Isaac. And then, at just the right moment, God sent a ram, caught in the thorny thicket not by tender, puncturable flesh, but by impenetrable, uninjurable horns. A perfect, unblemished ram. And the redemption story continued.
Key Verse: Genesis 22:8 -- "God himself will provide the lamb."
Suggested Symbol: Ram
Scripture Passage: Genesis 22: 1-19
One of my favorite passages in scripture, this narrative of Isaac is full of redemption-story symbolism. God had made a covenant with Abraham: He had promised to make Abraham father of a great nation, and to send one through that nation who would change the world. But here God was, instructing Abraham to sacrifice the very son meant to continue the family line. But Abraham trusted the character of God -- that God would fulfill His promise even if it meant raising Isaac from the dead. So Abraham proceeded with the planned sacrifice, to the point of raising his knife against Isaac. And then, at just the right moment, God sent a ram, caught in the thorny thicket not by tender, puncturable flesh, but by impenetrable, uninjurable horns. A perfect, unblemished ram. And the redemption story continued.
Key Verse: Genesis 22:8 -- "God himself will provide the lamb."
Suggested Symbol: Ram
100!
Friday, December 05, 2008
When I was a middle-schooler, the library had a chapter book about a little girl who loved and collected words; I kept the book checked out almost the entire school year. I'd check it out, and take it back. Check it out again. Take it back again. You get the idea.
Like the little girl in that book, I have always found words so fascinating.
So, in honor of my 100th post (yes, this very post you're reading), I've categorized 100 words into lists -- words I like the sound of, words I dislike because of what they mean, Irish words I look forward to using, etc. The lists aren't all-inclusive -- just what I came up with off the top of my head. I hope you find them thought-provoking, or maybe just amusing.
One word that intimidates me
dispensationalism
Nineteen words I like the sound of
preposterous
exacerbate
ethereal
fastidious
exquisite
panache
mystical
precocious
pontificate
lofty
captivating
aesthetic
sagacious
malleable
misconstrue
resonates
precious
ponder
poetic
(For some reason, I especially like words that begin with the letter "p." Weird, I know.)
One Jane-Austen-ish word that I wish we still used
vespertine
Ten words I don't like because of their meaning
cancer
vengeance
heartbreak
hatred
liver
overdrawn
guilt
depression
cynicism
vomit
Fifteen of my favorite words that appear in the Bible
known
grace
beloved
anointed
Jesus
compassion
inheritance
imperishable
forgiveness
taste
Abba
sufficient
salvation
delight
rest
Four "Irish" words I look forward to saying
slaggin'
loo
woolies
tele
Sixteen words I think are beautiful because of their meaning
love
redemption
home
newborn
laughter
husband
imagination
cozy
artistry
intimacy
forgiveness
celebration
wonder
communion
friend
chocolate
Five words I think are fun to say
twinkle
gargantuan
jambalaja
pizzazz
onomatopoeia
Five of my favorite non-word words (meaning, you won't find them in a dictionary)
G-love
wunderkind
wunderment
chillax
fabulosa
Four great name-words
Emma
Elliott
Aden
Isabella
Twelve words I tend to overuse
hip
Stop-it (counted as one word because it sounds like one word when I say it)
compelled
amazing
*(&%*# (sorry, but it's true)
glorious
adorable
wow
lovely
suddenly
impressive
no
Eight random words I think describe me
(not to be narcissistic, but I needed another category -- :)
animated
high-strung
tender-hearted
slow
idealistic
crafty
task-oriented
sentimental
Of course, the reason I really love words is not for their individual meanings, but for their power in community with one another to so perfectly convey thoughts, feelings, ideas, facts, and story.
Praise God for the gift of language.
Like the little girl in that book, I have always found words so fascinating.
So, in honor of my 100th post (yes, this very post you're reading), I've categorized 100 words into lists -- words I like the sound of, words I dislike because of what they mean, Irish words I look forward to using, etc. The lists aren't all-inclusive -- just what I came up with off the top of my head. I hope you find them thought-provoking, or maybe just amusing.
One word that intimidates me
dispensationalism
Nineteen words I like the sound of
preposterous
exacerbate
ethereal
fastidious
exquisite
panache
mystical
precocious
pontificate
lofty
captivating
aesthetic
sagacious
malleable
misconstrue
resonates
precious
ponder
poetic
(For some reason, I especially like words that begin with the letter "p." Weird, I know.)
One Jane-Austen-ish word that I wish we still used
vespertine
Ten words I don't like because of their meaning
cancer
vengeance
heartbreak
hatred
liver
overdrawn
guilt
depression
cynicism
vomit
Fifteen of my favorite words that appear in the Bible
known
grace
beloved
anointed
Jesus
compassion
inheritance
imperishable
forgiveness
taste
Abba
sufficient
salvation
delight
rest
Four "Irish" words I look forward to saying
slaggin'
loo
woolies
tele
Sixteen words I think are beautiful because of their meaning
love
redemption
home
newborn
laughter
husband
imagination
cozy
artistry
intimacy
forgiveness
celebration
wonder
communion
friend
chocolate
Five words I think are fun to say
twinkle
gargantuan
jambalaja
pizzazz
onomatopoeia
Five of my favorite non-word words (meaning, you won't find them in a dictionary)
G-love
wunderkind
wunderment
chillax
fabulosa
Four great name-words
Emma
Elliott
Aden
Isabella
Twelve words I tend to overuse
hip
Stop-it (counted as one word because it sounds like one word when I say it)
compelled
amazing
*(&%*# (sorry, but it's true)
glorious
adorable
wow
lovely
suddenly
impressive
no
Eight random words I think describe me
(not to be narcissistic, but I needed another category -- :)
animated
high-strung
tender-hearted
slow
idealistic
crafty
task-oriented
sentimental
Of course, the reason I really love words is not for their individual meanings, but for their power in community with one another to so perfectly convey thoughts, feelings, ideas, facts, and story.
Praise God for the gift of language.
Our Jesse Tree, a daughter's creativity, and info for Jesse Tree -- Day 5
Thursday, December 04, 2008
(Watch Sweet Communion tomorrow for a special 100th post -- which, as of right now, I have no idea what it will be.)
Some photos of our Jesse Tree
And ... several months ago I had my oldest kids take tests to verify their learning styles (auditory, visual or kinesthetic). Emma
knew that her test identified her as a kinesthetic learner, so it's hard to argue with her when she wants to do something with her hands while she listens. As we were having our Jesse Tree discussion tonight, she built her own Jesse tree with Imaginext toys that were already in the living room floor ...
(Look, it's surrounded by attentive, listening warriors!)
Now, for your day 5 info.
Day 5 -- Abraham and the Promise of a Nation
Scripture Passages: Genesis 12: 1-7; 15: 1-18 (story of Abraham is in Gen. 12-Genesis 25)
God continued his redemption story as He made His covenant with Abraham, whose descendents became God's chosen people.
Key Verse: Genesis 15:5 -- "And he brought him outside and said, 'Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them ... So shall your offspring be.'"
Suggested Symbols: stars or starry sky
Some photos of our Jesse Tree
And ... several months ago I had my oldest kids take tests to verify their learning styles (auditory, visual or kinesthetic). Emma
knew that her test identified her as a kinesthetic learner, so it's hard to argue with her when she wants to do something with her hands while she listens. As we were having our Jesse Tree discussion tonight, she built her own Jesse tree with Imaginext toys that were already in the living room floor ...
(Look, it's surrounded by attentive, listening warriors!)Now, for your day 5 info.
Day 5 -- Abraham and the Promise of a Nation
Scripture Passages: Genesis 12: 1-7; 15: 1-18 (story of Abraham is in Gen. 12-Genesis 25)
God continued his redemption story as He made His covenant with Abraham, whose descendents became God's chosen people.
Key Verse: Genesis 15:5 -- "And he brought him outside and said, 'Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them ... So shall your offspring be.'"
Suggested Symbols: stars or starry sky
Jesse Tree -- Day 4
Day 4 -- Noah and the Flood
Scripture Passage: Genesis 6:5-8:21, 9:12-17
(This is a long passage, my friend. Small children would struggle to sit through it. My recommendation is that you read it ahead of time, and then when you sit with your children, alternate between (1) reading selective portions straight from the scripture and (2) simply telling the story. Key portions to read would be 6:5-8 and 18, 7:23-24, 8:18-21, and 9:12-17. I think you could easily fill-in with the narrative between these portions of scripture.)
This part of the redemption story is so rich for discussion! For one thing, so much of the character of God is seen: we see his justice (toward mankind in general), his mercy (toward Noah and his family), his provision (to provide for Noah's family), his compassion and covenant-making (as he promises to never again destroy every living thing as he has done), his faithfulness (as he promises to remember his covenant), and so much more! Also, the larger story of redemption is symbolically woven through the smaller story of Noah: man sins and dies (for the wages of sin is death), but God provides a means of rescue (in this case, for Noah and his family). And finally, as he saves the lives of Noah's family, God carries on with his plan to redeem a people for himself. These are just a few of my quick thoughts on it.
Key Verse: Genesis 9:15a: "and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh."
Suggested Symbol: rainbow
Scripture Passage: Genesis 6:5-8:21, 9:12-17
(This is a long passage, my friend. Small children would struggle to sit through it. My recommendation is that you read it ahead of time, and then when you sit with your children, alternate between (1) reading selective portions straight from the scripture and (2) simply telling the story. Key portions to read would be 6:5-8 and 18, 7:23-24, 8:18-21, and 9:12-17. I think you could easily fill-in with the narrative between these portions of scripture.)
This part of the redemption story is so rich for discussion! For one thing, so much of the character of God is seen: we see his justice (toward mankind in general), his mercy (toward Noah and his family), his provision (to provide for Noah's family), his compassion and covenant-making (as he promises to never again destroy every living thing as he has done), his faithfulness (as he promises to remember his covenant), and so much more! Also, the larger story of redemption is symbolically woven through the smaller story of Noah: man sins and dies (for the wages of sin is death), but God provides a means of rescue (in this case, for Noah and his family). And finally, as he saves the lives of Noah's family, God carries on with his plan to redeem a people for himself. These are just a few of my quick thoughts on it.
Key Verse: Genesis 9:15a: "and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh."
Suggested Symbol: rainbow
Jesse Tree -- Day 3
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
(Didn't think to mention this before, but if you don't want to treat this as a family devotional time, or maybe for my precious single friends, this also makes a great personal advent Bible study/devotional. To anyone interested, you still have time to start ... just double-up a couple of days).
Day 3 -- Sin Enters the World
scripture reading: Genesis 3:1-3:24
Man's sin caused him to be put out of the garden and separated from the presence of God.
key verses:
Genesis 3:6 -- "So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate."
Genesis 3:24 -- "He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life."
suggested symbols: apple, tree with fruit, serpent
Day 3 -- Sin Enters the World
scripture reading: Genesis 3:1-3:24
Man's sin caused him to be put out of the garden and separated from the presence of God.
key verses:
Genesis 3:6 -- "So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate."
Genesis 3:24 -- "He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life."
suggested symbols: apple, tree with fruit, serpent
Jesse Tree -- Day 2
Monday, December 01, 2008
Did you start your countdown to Christmas yesterday using the Jesse Tree? If not, don't let that prevent you from doing so! Part of the beauty of this advent countdown is that each day's reading is short, so you can easily combine days 1 & 2 and start today (or combine two days later when you miss one, because, believe me, chances are you'll miss one).
Anyway, here's your info for day two. Blessings, friend, for a simple, joyful Christmas focused on Jesus.
Jesse Tree
Day 2 -- Creation
scripture reading: Genesis1:1-2:3
God created all things perfectly.
key verse: Genesis 1:31
"God saw all that he had made, and it was very good."
suggested symbol: earth or globe
Anyway, here's your info for day two. Blessings, friend, for a simple, joyful Christmas focused on Jesus.
Jesse Tree
Day 2 -- Creation
scripture reading: Genesis1:1-2:3
God created all things perfectly.
key verse: Genesis 1:31
"God saw all that he had made, and it was very good."
suggested symbol: earth or globe
Advent -- a Jesse Tree journey
I had promised, dear friends, to research and publish a list of advent resources. Alas, yesterday, I realized that even if I researched and published it today, you wouldn't have time to make any necessary purchases for it. So ... that's when I got the idea to publish information for an advent display (sometimes referred to as a Jesse tree) here each day.
To do this, I'll be combining information from two resources I own. One is a poster I received in the mail many years ago, and which I have religiously filed away each year after using because I wanted to save it forever. The other is a neat little advent devotional box I purchased at Community's Christmas Bazaar. Both of these resources use scripture and visual images to communicate the redemption story.
For each day in December preceeding Christmas, I'll post (in the morning) a scripture reading and a suggested "symbol" to accompany that reading (my poster has illustrations of symbols, and my devotional box has little leather ornaments with a drawing of an appropriate symbol). How you choose to represent the symbol is up to you. Here's your chance to be as creative as you want to be! (I once knew a lady whose symbols were little ornaments she'd made out of sculpey clay and hung on a miniature tree). I'll be hanging my leather ornaments on a leafless tree branch (I'm aiming for a Martha Stewart minimalist sort of look here). You might want to draw a tree on poster board, then let your kids draw the symbol after each night's reading. Today is day 1, but don't let that discourage you; I believe you can quickly decide what you'll use for your tree and how you'll represent your symbols.
My hope is that this will provide a Christ-centered resource for Christmas -- in the midst of a world that has secularized and commercialized what was meant to be the celebration of His birth.
So ... onto day 1.
Jesse Tree
Day 1 -- Branch
scripture reading: Isaiah 11: 1-2.
God chose Jesse's son, David, to be king -- and it was through this ancestral line that King Jesus -- the one who was promised, the one about whom Isaiah prophesied -- would come. Jesus was born in the line of Jesse 1000 years after David.
key verse: Isaiah 11:1
"A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit."
suggested symbol: tree or tree branch onto which you'll "hang" (or draw, or embroider, or whatever) your ornaments
(NOTE: I just found a jesse tree resource online which provides a coloring page for each day. Some of the days scripture and symbols might not match up with mine, but you still might want to check it out.)
To do this, I'll be combining information from two resources I own. One is a poster I received in the mail many years ago, and which I have religiously filed away each year after using because I wanted to save it forever. The other is a neat little advent devotional box I purchased at Community's Christmas Bazaar. Both of these resources use scripture and visual images to communicate the redemption story.
For each day in December preceeding Christmas, I'll post (in the morning) a scripture reading and a suggested "symbol" to accompany that reading (my poster has illustrations of symbols, and my devotional box has little leather ornaments with a drawing of an appropriate symbol). How you choose to represent the symbol is up to you. Here's your chance to be as creative as you want to be! (I once knew a lady whose symbols were little ornaments she'd made out of sculpey clay and hung on a miniature tree). I'll be hanging my leather ornaments on a leafless tree branch (I'm aiming for a Martha Stewart minimalist sort of look here). You might want to draw a tree on poster board, then let your kids draw the symbol after each night's reading. Today is day 1, but don't let that discourage you; I believe you can quickly decide what you'll use for your tree and how you'll represent your symbols.
My hope is that this will provide a Christ-centered resource for Christmas -- in the midst of a world that has secularized and commercialized what was meant to be the celebration of His birth.
So ... onto day 1.
Jesse Tree
Day 1 -- Branch
scripture reading: Isaiah 11: 1-2.
God chose Jesse's son, David, to be king -- and it was through this ancestral line that King Jesus -- the one who was promised, the one about whom Isaiah prophesied -- would come. Jesus was born in the line of Jesse 1000 years after David.
key verse: Isaiah 11:1
"A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit."
suggested symbol: tree or tree branch onto which you'll "hang" (or draw, or embroider, or whatever) your ornaments
(NOTE: I just found a jesse tree resource online which provides a coloring page for each day. Some of the days scripture and symbols might not match up with mine, but you still might want to check it out.)
For the Love of Books: A Virtual Feast of Books
Sunday, November 30, 2008
(prepare for a long list)
At long last, friends, here is the virtual book list compiled over the last week. What a treat it is to see which books resonate with you, which ones qualify in your estimation as a book worth recommending. I appreciate so much those of you who provided lists; I know that I've already identified a few new books to read (and I'm moving them to the top of my list). And a special shout-out to Daniel Russell (the only man who braved the heavily female Sweet Communion blogworld and offered his contribution) and to Virginia Tillery (who created the fabuloso Book Feast blinkie ) -- salute.
Now, some of my favorite quotes about books/stories, and then the list:
"Reading is a sage way to bump up against life. Reading may be an escape, but it is not escape from my own life and problems. It is escape from the narrow boundaries of being only me." Gladys Hunt
"[stories] help us see, however, that our own story is not big enough, that the world is larger and more varied than our limited experience. ... They help by calling us into relationship – with other people, with other places and times, with creation, and with God." Daniel Taylor, The Christian Imagination
"One book read thoroughly and with careful reflection will do more to improve the mind and enrich the understanding than skimming over the surface of a whole library. Indeed, the more one reads in this hasty, superficial manner, the worse. It is like loading the stomach with a great quantity of food which lies there undigested. It enfeebles the intellect, and pours darkness and confusion over all the operations of the mind." Hawes
"How many a man has dated a new era in his life from the reading of a book." Henry David Thoreau
"The Bible is so good with chocolate. I always thought the Bible was more of a salad thing, you know, but it isn’t. It is a chocolate thing." Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz
At long last, friends, here is the virtual book list compiled over the last week. What a treat it is to see which books resonate with you, which ones qualify in your estimation as a book worth recommending. I appreciate so much those of you who provided lists; I know that I've already identified a few new books to read (and I'm moving them to the top of my list). And a special shout-out to Daniel Russell (the only man who braved the heavily female Sweet Communion blogworld and offered his contribution) and to Virginia Tillery (who created the fabuloso Book Feast blinkie ) -- salute.
Now, some of my favorite quotes about books/stories, and then the list:
"Reading is a sage way to bump up against life. Reading may be an escape, but it is not escape from my own life and problems. It is escape from the narrow boundaries of being only me." Gladys Hunt
"[stories] help us see, however, that our own story is not big enough, that the world is larger and more varied than our limited experience. ... They help by calling us into relationship – with other people, with other places and times, with creation, and with God." Daniel Taylor, The Christian Imagination
"One book read thoroughly and with careful reflection will do more to improve the mind and enrich the understanding than skimming over the surface of a whole library. Indeed, the more one reads in this hasty, superficial manner, the worse. It is like loading the stomach with a great quantity of food which lies there undigested. It enfeebles the intellect, and pours darkness and confusion over all the operations of the mind." Hawes
"How many a man has dated a new era in his life from the reading of a book." Henry David Thoreau
"The Bible is so good with chocolate. I always thought the Bible was more of a salad thing, you know, but it isn’t. It is a chocolate thing." Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz
“The magical proposition of the gospel, once free from the clasps of fairy tale, was very adult to me, very gritty like something from Hemingway or Steinbeck … Christian spirituality was not a children’s story. It wasn’t cute or neat. It was mystical, and odd and clean, and it was reaching into dirty. There was wonder in it and enchantment.” Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz
THE LIST
Anna
Hannah Coulter, Wendell Berry
Poetry by Philip Larking
Gilead, Marilynne Robinson
Daniel
On Mexican Time, Tony Cohan
Debbie
Redeeming Love and Atonement Child, both by Francine Rivers
Nights in Rodanthe and The Choice, both by Nicholas Sparks
A Wife After God’s Own Heart and A Woman After God’s Own Heart, Elizabeth George
Elizabeth
People of the Book, Geraldine Brooks
The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander
A Thousand Splendid Suns, Kahled Housseni
Emily
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Mary Ann Shaffer
Jawan
Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World
When Sinners Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage, Dave Harvey
Whiter Than Snow: Meditations on Sin and Mercy, Paul David Tripp
Covenants: God's Way With His People, O. Palmer Robertson
Same Kind of Different As Me, Rob Hall & Denver Moore
The Back of the Napkin, Dan Roam
The Waiting Child: How the Faith and Love of One Orphan Saved the Life of Another, Cindy Champnella
Jenny
Burning Bright, Tracey Chevalier
Virgin Blue, Tracey Chevalier
Memory Keepers Daughter, Kim Edwards
The Night Journal, Elizabeth Crook
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Barbara Kingsolver
Jessica
My favorite book of late is Peggy Noonan's When Character was King, a biography about President Ronald Reagan. Noonan was his speech writer during his first term in the White House and has amazing insight into the who's, what's and why's that made Ronald Reagan the confident leader that he was. The book is filled with personal stories laced with the humor that Reagan was known for. I am not a political junkie, but I loved this book and finished it with a great respect for our country's former leader.
Kathy
Captivating, Eldredge
You Can Hear the Voice of God, Sampson
The Holy Spirit in You, Prince
Boundaries, Cloud/Townsend
Kim
The Book of Lost Things (super creepy, but well written)
Jane Eyre
Laura
Bible Study: Sonship by World Harvest Mission
Autobiography: A Severe Mercy, Sheldon Van Auken
Faith/Crafting: Faith Books and Spiritual Journaling, Expressions of Faith Through Art, Sharon Soneff
Faith: The Path of Celtic Prayer, Calvin Miller
The Pursuit of God, Tozer
Poetry: The Singer Trilogy, Calvin Miller
Devotional: My Luggage Isn't Heavy, by the missionaries of World Harvest Mission
Cookbook: Keeping Good Company, Roxie Kelley
Fiction: People of the Book, Geraldine Brooks
Burning Bright: Tracey Chevalier
Wanting to Read: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Junot Diaz
An Arsonist’s Guide to Writers’ Homes in New E., Brock Clarke
Melissa
My Name is Asher Lev, Chaim Potok
Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers
Missy
Year of Wonders, Geraldine Brooks
Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers
Twilight series, Stephanie Meyer
Cold Mountain, Charles Frazier
Pam
The Painted House, John Grisham
Secret Life of Bees, Sue Monk Kidd
Nicholas Sparks books
Rachel
Emma, Jane AustenChrist the King, Anne Rice
The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus, Brennan Manning
The Reason for God, Tim Keller
The Beautiful Cigar Girl, Daniel StashowerC
hange Me into Zeus' Daughter, Barbara Robinette Moss
All Over but the Shoutin' and Princes of Frogtown, Rick Bragg
Ellen Foster, Kaye Gibbons
Taste and See, John Piper
Evil and the Justice of God, N.T. Wright
Losing Battles, Eudora Welty
A Confederacy of Dunces, John Kennedy Toole
Odd-Egg Editor, Kathryn Tucker Windham
Selected Writings of Martin Luther and John Calvin
Selected Poems by John Donne
Shirley
Secret Life of Bees, Sue Monk Kidd
Honor Roll (some of Laura's all-time favorites)
Hannah Coulter, Wendell Berry
Poetry by Philip Larking
Gilead, Marilynne Robinson
Daniel
On Mexican Time, Tony Cohan
Debbie
Redeeming Love and Atonement Child, both by Francine Rivers
Nights in Rodanthe and The Choice, both by Nicholas Sparks
A Wife After God’s Own Heart and A Woman After God’s Own Heart, Elizabeth George
Elizabeth
People of the Book, Geraldine Brooks
The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander
A Thousand Splendid Suns, Kahled Housseni
Emily
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Mary Ann Shaffer
Jawan
Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World
When Sinners Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage, Dave Harvey
Whiter Than Snow: Meditations on Sin and Mercy, Paul David Tripp
Covenants: God's Way With His People, O. Palmer Robertson
Same Kind of Different As Me, Rob Hall & Denver Moore
The Back of the Napkin, Dan Roam
The Waiting Child: How the Faith and Love of One Orphan Saved the Life of Another, Cindy Champnella
Jenny
Burning Bright, Tracey Chevalier
Virgin Blue, Tracey Chevalier
Memory Keepers Daughter, Kim Edwards
The Night Journal, Elizabeth Crook
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, Barbara Kingsolver
Jessica
My favorite book of late is Peggy Noonan's When Character was King, a biography about President Ronald Reagan. Noonan was his speech writer during his first term in the White House and has amazing insight into the who's, what's and why's that made Ronald Reagan the confident leader that he was. The book is filled with personal stories laced with the humor that Reagan was known for. I am not a political junkie, but I loved this book and finished it with a great respect for our country's former leader.
Kathy
Captivating, Eldredge
You Can Hear the Voice of God, Sampson
The Holy Spirit in You, Prince
Boundaries, Cloud/Townsend
Kim
The Book of Lost Things (super creepy, but well written)
Jane Eyre
Laura
Bible Study: Sonship by World Harvest Mission
Autobiography: A Severe Mercy, Sheldon Van Auken
Faith/Crafting: Faith Books and Spiritual Journaling, Expressions of Faith Through Art, Sharon Soneff
Faith: The Path of Celtic Prayer, Calvin Miller
The Pursuit of God, Tozer
Poetry: The Singer Trilogy, Calvin Miller
Devotional: My Luggage Isn't Heavy, by the missionaries of World Harvest Mission
Cookbook: Keeping Good Company, Roxie Kelley
Fiction: People of the Book, Geraldine Brooks
Burning Bright: Tracey Chevalier
Wanting to Read: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Junot Diaz
An Arsonist’s Guide to Writers’ Homes in New E., Brock Clarke
Melissa
My Name is Asher Lev, Chaim Potok
Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers
Missy
Year of Wonders, Geraldine Brooks
Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers
Twilight series, Stephanie Meyer
Cold Mountain, Charles Frazier
Pam
The Painted House, John Grisham
Secret Life of Bees, Sue Monk Kidd
Nicholas Sparks books
Rachel
Emma, Jane AustenChrist the King, Anne Rice
The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus, Brennan Manning
The Reason for God, Tim Keller
The Beautiful Cigar Girl, Daniel StashowerC
hange Me into Zeus' Daughter, Barbara Robinette Moss
All Over but the Shoutin' and Princes of Frogtown, Rick Bragg
Ellen Foster, Kaye Gibbons
Taste and See, John Piper
Evil and the Justice of God, N.T. Wright
Losing Battles, Eudora Welty
A Confederacy of Dunces, John Kennedy Toole
Odd-Egg Editor, Kathryn Tucker Windham
Selected Writings of Martin Luther and John Calvin
Selected Poems by John Donne
Shirley
Secret Life of Bees, Sue Monk Kidd
Honor Roll (some of Laura's all-time favorites)
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander
Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks
The Thirteenth Tale, Diane Setterfield
March by Geraldine Brooks
Windows of the Soul, Ken Gire
Scent of Water by Elizabeth Goudge
Pilgrim’s Inn (aka Herb of Grace), Elizabeth Goudge
books by Chaim Potok
books by Francine Rivers
The Nazi Officer’s Wife by Edith Hahn Beer
No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith
The Quantity of a Hazelnut by Fae Malania
The Lenten Tree by Dean Meador Smith
The Bedside Book of Birds by Graeme Gibson
An Egg is Quiet, Dianna Aston
Cook’s Illustrated magazine
Mind’s Eye, Paul Fleischman
short stories by O.Henry
For the Love of Knitting by Kari Cornell
A note on finding books: Melissa asked about where to get books. Obviously, the library is a good source. And often I can borrow one I want to read from a friend who has it. But sometimes there are books you know you'll read again, and these you want to own. Occasionally, I purchase a book I know I want on alibris.com or one of the other online used-book sources. I also check the thrift store, the libraries around town (as Homewood, Vestavia, Hoover, and perhaps others have on-site used bookstores), and used-book stores around town (one, in particular, is near the Whistle Stop Cafe in Irondale). How about you, my blog-reading friends -- any good book sources that you know about?
Well, there you have the list. Hope you leads to many hours of enjoyable, and even life-altering, reading! (If anyone reading this meant to send a list and wasn't able to do so, feel free to comment on this post).
The Kitchen Boy by Robert Alexander
Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks
The Thirteenth Tale, Diane Setterfield
March by Geraldine Brooks
Windows of the Soul, Ken Gire
Scent of Water by Elizabeth Goudge
Pilgrim’s Inn (aka Herb of Grace), Elizabeth Goudge
books by Chaim Potok
books by Francine Rivers
The Nazi Officer’s Wife by Edith Hahn Beer
No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith
The Quantity of a Hazelnut by Fae Malania
The Lenten Tree by Dean Meador Smith
The Bedside Book of Birds by Graeme Gibson
An Egg is Quiet, Dianna Aston
Cook’s Illustrated magazine
Mind’s Eye, Paul Fleischman
short stories by O.Henry
For the Love of Knitting by Kari Cornell
A note on finding books: Melissa asked about where to get books. Obviously, the library is a good source. And often I can borrow one I want to read from a friend who has it. But sometimes there are books you know you'll read again, and these you want to own. Occasionally, I purchase a book I know I want on alibris.com or one of the other online used-book sources. I also check the thrift store, the libraries around town (as Homewood, Vestavia, Hoover, and perhaps others have on-site used bookstores), and used-book stores around town (one, in particular, is near the Whistle Stop Cafe in Irondale). How about you, my blog-reading friends -- any good book sources that you know about?
Well, there you have the list. Hope you leads to many hours of enjoyable, and even life-altering, reading! (If anyone reading this meant to send a list and wasn't able to do so, feel free to comment on this post).
A virtual feast
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Years ago, I was part of a lovely group of women who had an unusual feast during the month of November -- a feast of books. We would each bring our favorite books we'd read during the past year, and then each person would share a short synopsis of each book on their list. In the end, one person would compile a large list, and this would be distributed by e-mail to everyone in the group. It made for great reading all year long!
This group hasn't met in a couple of years (sigh), and I miss the women, and I miss the feast. So I decided this morning in a burst of vision to have a virtual feast of books! So here's the deal: Think of your favorite books from the last year -- fiction or non-fiction, children's or adult. Then, either post the list (synopses optional) as a comment here on my blog, or (if the list is long) send me an e-mail (bookchic2@gmail.com). I'll then compile and publish the full listing on my blog Thanksgiving weekend. So ... that means you need to send your list soon -- say, no later than November 26, o.k.?
I can't wait to see what you've been reading!
This group hasn't met in a couple of years (sigh), and I miss the women, and I miss the feast. So I decided this morning in a burst of vision to have a virtual feast of books! So here's the deal: Think of your favorite books from the last year -- fiction or non-fiction, children's or adult. Then, either post the list (synopses optional) as a comment here on my blog, or (if the list is long) send me an e-mail (bookchic2@gmail.com). I'll then compile and publish the full listing on my blog Thanksgiving weekend. So ... that means you need to send your list soon -- say, no later than November 26, o.k.?
I can't wait to see what you've been reading!
Weekend happenings
Monday, November 17, 2008
Well, dear faithful blog readers, if you're reading this, that means you haven't given up on me entirely, even though I haven't blogged since last Wednesday. I've finally emerged from my art-cave, where I was obsessively preparing for the church's Christmas Bazaar on Saturday. I thought I'd share a few things from the weekend.
Weekend item number one: Bazaar
God was gracious with the success of my booth. Seriously, by the last hour of the day, it looked almost empty. I was incredibly humbled by everyone's enthusiasm over the crafts and art in my booth. It was pure craziness! It was bittersweet, though, because I found it difficult to socialize at all, or even peruse the other vendors' booths. I soooo wanted to visit with friends (um, didn't get to spend 5 minutes with Kim Hill and Dianne) and to ooh and ahh (how do you spell that phrase?) over everyone's work. So if I participate next year, I'm recruiting the aid of a friend t0 hang out with me and help man my booth. (Must give credit to G-Love, though, who did come by, sit at the booth, and let me pick up a gift of two.) Here's a shout-out to Crissy, Adria, Kim P., Sonya, Mona and the other women of CPC's Women's Ministry, who put this event together. The entertainment, which probably accounted for most of our traffic during the day, was brilliant.
Weekend item number two: Teens at the house
In the midst of the Christmas Bazaar craziness, my two oldest kids had friends spend the night. Friday, we had three teen-age boys around the house all night. Saturday, two teenage girls. Let me tell you about boys baking muffins, and girls pumping gas.
The boys -- As I was working in the "studio" (a.k.a. bedroom totally trashed with art and craft materials) on Friday, the three young men decided to satisfy their sweet tooths with a little homebaked goodness. I know that two of the fellows (uh, that would be the two that don't belong to me) spend a little time in the kitchen, so I wasn't too worried about their cooking venture. But I did find it necessary to warn them about the quirks of my very old, very difficult oven. This oven has always cooked WAY hot (requiring The Cook to decrease both the temperature and the cook time). But now the oven has the added challenge of a bottom element that no longer works. So my instructions to the boys, who were making chocolate chip muffins, were as follows: "Preheat the oven for five minutes on broil (otherwise you'll be waiting 20 minutes for the oven to heat). Then turn the temp down to whatever's listed on the muffin package. Make sure you place the muffin tin on the bottom rack, then place an empty cookie sheet over it so that the top of the muffins won't burn before the inside is cooked through." Sound's simple enough, huh? I left the boys in the kitchen and went back to my crafting. About ten minutes later, I caught a whiff of the appetizing aroma of baking chocolate, and knowing that the boys had gone back to the x-box, I decided I better check on the muffins for them to be sure they weren't overdone. So, I rushed to the kitchen, pulled open the oven door, and found (any guesses?) ... flat muffins. The three teen wonders had placed the cookie sheet NOT on the top rack (as I meant for them to do), but directly sitting on the muffin tin. We all got a big laugh out of that.
The girls -- I left the bazaar on Saturday and had to drive to Trussville to pick up Emma and her friend, Liz. They wanted to shop a bit, so we spent a couple of hours in Target, TJ Maxx and Michaels (ok, that was for me, not for them), before picking up a bite to eat. Then it was time to head home, but we had to have gas or we weren't going to make it home. I was as much out of gas as the van was, so I told the girls they would have to get out in the freezing cold and pump it. Now, mind you, these are two fifteen-year-olds who are learning to drive, so this education needed to happen. Little did I know how much, though. You should have seen the two of them, trying to figure out when to pay (it does say "PRE-PAY" for a reason), how to insert the credit card, how to open the gas cap, even how to operate the pump itself. They were quite a sight, but so proud of themselves for not going a penny over the $7 I told them to put into the tank.
Boys baking muffins, girls pumping gas -- we're a liberated bunch, aren't we?
Yesterday, my adrenaline gave out, and I (VERY uncharacteristically) spent two and a half hours napping. Then I took another half-hour nap after small group. Feeling refreshed, finally, this afternoon. Staying home, teaching my kids, catching up on laundry, answering my 74 unread e-mail messages, and committing to help the G with the support-raising he's been flying solo on for the last couple of weeks. Oh, and looking forward to compiling some good advent resources to post here on the ol' blog. So thanks for reading, and toodles til my next post.
Weekend item number one: Bazaar
God was gracious with the success of my booth. Seriously, by the last hour of the day, it looked almost empty. I was incredibly humbled by everyone's enthusiasm over the crafts and art in my booth. It was pure craziness! It was bittersweet, though, because I found it difficult to socialize at all, or even peruse the other vendors' booths. I soooo wanted to visit with friends (um, didn't get to spend 5 minutes with Kim Hill and Dianne) and to ooh and ahh (how do you spell that phrase?) over everyone's work. So if I participate next year, I'm recruiting the aid of a friend t0 hang out with me and help man my booth. (Must give credit to G-Love, though, who did come by, sit at the booth, and let me pick up a gift of two.) Here's a shout-out to Crissy, Adria, Kim P., Sonya, Mona and the other women of CPC's Women's Ministry, who put this event together. The entertainment, which probably accounted for most of our traffic during the day, was brilliant.
Weekend item number two: Teens at the house
In the midst of the Christmas Bazaar craziness, my two oldest kids had friends spend the night. Friday, we had three teen-age boys around the house all night. Saturday, two teenage girls. Let me tell you about boys baking muffins, and girls pumping gas.
The boys -- As I was working in the "studio" (a.k.a. bedroom totally trashed with art and craft materials) on Friday, the three young men decided to satisfy their sweet tooths with a little homebaked goodness. I know that two of the fellows (uh, that would be the two that don't belong to me) spend a little time in the kitchen, so I wasn't too worried about their cooking venture. But I did find it necessary to warn them about the quirks of my very old, very difficult oven. This oven has always cooked WAY hot (requiring The Cook to decrease both the temperature and the cook time). But now the oven has the added challenge of a bottom element that no longer works. So my instructions to the boys, who were making chocolate chip muffins, were as follows: "Preheat the oven for five minutes on broil (otherwise you'll be waiting 20 minutes for the oven to heat). Then turn the temp down to whatever's listed on the muffin package. Make sure you place the muffin tin on the bottom rack, then place an empty cookie sheet over it so that the top of the muffins won't burn before the inside is cooked through." Sound's simple enough, huh? I left the boys in the kitchen and went back to my crafting. About ten minutes later, I caught a whiff of the appetizing aroma of baking chocolate, and knowing that the boys had gone back to the x-box, I decided I better check on the muffins for them to be sure they weren't overdone. So, I rushed to the kitchen, pulled open the oven door, and found (any guesses?) ... flat muffins. The three teen wonders had placed the cookie sheet NOT on the top rack (as I meant for them to do), but directly sitting on the muffin tin. We all got a big laugh out of that.
The girls -- I left the bazaar on Saturday and had to drive to Trussville to pick up Emma and her friend, Liz. They wanted to shop a bit, so we spent a couple of hours in Target, TJ Maxx and Michaels (ok, that was for me, not for them), before picking up a bite to eat. Then it was time to head home, but we had to have gas or we weren't going to make it home. I was as much out of gas as the van was, so I told the girls they would have to get out in the freezing cold and pump it. Now, mind you, these are two fifteen-year-olds who are learning to drive, so this education needed to happen. Little did I know how much, though. You should have seen the two of them, trying to figure out when to pay (it does say "PRE-PAY" for a reason), how to insert the credit card, how to open the gas cap, even how to operate the pump itself. They were quite a sight, but so proud of themselves for not going a penny over the $7 I told them to put into the tank.
Boys baking muffins, girls pumping gas -- we're a liberated bunch, aren't we?
Yesterday, my adrenaline gave out, and I (VERY uncharacteristically) spent two and a half hours napping. Then I took another half-hour nap after small group. Feeling refreshed, finally, this afternoon. Staying home, teaching my kids, catching up on laundry, answering my 74 unread e-mail messages, and committing to help the G with the support-raising he's been flying solo on for the last couple of weeks. Oh, and looking forward to compiling some good advent resources to post here on the ol' blog. So thanks for reading, and toodles til my next post.
Christmas Bazaar
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Yay! Finally, my Christmas Bazaar items are finally coming together. Here's a look:
There'll be entertainment, 30 crafters/artists selling their products (awesome gifts!), and even lunch available for purchase. So if you're in the Birmingham metro are, come to Moody on Saturday; it'll be worth the drive!
There'll be entertainment, 30 crafters/artists selling their products (awesome gifts!), and even lunch available for purchase. So if you're in the Birmingham metro are, come to Moody on Saturday; it'll be worth the drive!
Unexpected encounter, and a little about the Christmas Bazaar
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Today was my day off. Steven took vacation last week, and at the end of it, I asked him if he would mind giving me a day off. A day with no responsibilities at home. There were two issues at the basis of my request:
As I merged onto the interstate, I saw the ambulance behind me. Lights flashing, siren screeching. Within minutes, my happy little excursion turned into a life-alterring (NOT exaggerating) encounter with my own heart.
The wreck had only just happened, that much was obvious. Traffic hadn't even slowed in the eastbound lanes where the crash occurred, but in the westbound lanes traffic had virtually stopped. The roadside was overflowing with emergency vehicles, stationary now but still frantic with their collection of flashing lights.
That's when I saw it. The car was thrown face-down at about a 45-degree angle -- hood pressed voilently against the pavement, backside jutting high into the air. And just behind the vehicle, ten or more medical personnel, crouched beside what I'm supposing was the wrecked car's driver.
It was a BAD scene. Bad. And before I knew it, I had a knot in my stomach so severe it hurt and a flood of emotions I totally didn't expect. I began to pray -- earnestly, intensely -- for this injured person I didn't know, for the individual's family, for the medical personnel. What to pray, I wondered? Do you pray for healing when you see a scene like this? You do, but healing isn't always God's plan. (He uses struggling for good purpose, His ways are higher than our ways, I know all the seemingly trite responses). But then what to pray? I asked him, and He gave me words. Mercy, God; Be merciful. Grace, God; Be gracious. Mercy, and Grace, whatever they look like in this situation.
And then I repented. From the depths of that painful knot in my stomach, I repented. Of grumbling over, complaining about, taking for granted, and generally de-valuing this life -- this glorious, painful, blessed life -- He's given me.
Repentance was needed. Deep, sure repentance.
I've seen bad wrecks before. I'm not sure why this one affected me like it did (that knot stayed in my stomach for hours), except that I do believe the Holy Spirit grants us fresh encounters with Himself when we least expect to meet Him*, and, in so doing, grants us newness of life** -- glorious, painful, blessed life.
*(though, as He's always with us, shouldn't we live expecting to meet Him)
** (a play on the scripture, dear Bible-studying friends, not a misuse of it)
Now, on a lighter note ...
I promised a little something about our church Christmas Bazaar set for next Saturday. So here, for your viewing pleasure, are photos of the mess my patient hubby has endured over the last several weeks. Watch tomorrow or Tuesday for details about the Bazaar, and sneak peeks at the wares I'll be selling.
- I needed a break (between homeschooling, home management, general parenting, my part-time job as newsletter editor of Crossroads, and support-raising, I'm very busy with responsibilities -- all things I LOVE, but everyone needs a little time off sometimes, right); and
- the need for uninterrupted creative time to work on my artsy little books and jewelry for next week's Christmas Bazaar (more on that later) .
As I merged onto the interstate, I saw the ambulance behind me. Lights flashing, siren screeching. Within minutes, my happy little excursion turned into a life-alterring (NOT exaggerating) encounter with my own heart.
The wreck had only just happened, that much was obvious. Traffic hadn't even slowed in the eastbound lanes where the crash occurred, but in the westbound lanes traffic had virtually stopped. The roadside was overflowing with emergency vehicles, stationary now but still frantic with their collection of flashing lights.
That's when I saw it. The car was thrown face-down at about a 45-degree angle -- hood pressed voilently against the pavement, backside jutting high into the air. And just behind the vehicle, ten or more medical personnel, crouched beside what I'm supposing was the wrecked car's driver.
It was a BAD scene. Bad. And before I knew it, I had a knot in my stomach so severe it hurt and a flood of emotions I totally didn't expect. I began to pray -- earnestly, intensely -- for this injured person I didn't know, for the individual's family, for the medical personnel. What to pray, I wondered? Do you pray for healing when you see a scene like this? You do, but healing isn't always God's plan. (He uses struggling for good purpose, His ways are higher than our ways, I know all the seemingly trite responses). But then what to pray? I asked him, and He gave me words. Mercy, God; Be merciful. Grace, God; Be gracious. Mercy, and Grace, whatever they look like in this situation.
And then I repented. From the depths of that painful knot in my stomach, I repented. Of grumbling over, complaining about, taking for granted, and generally de-valuing this life -- this glorious, painful, blessed life -- He's given me.
Repentance was needed. Deep, sure repentance.
I've seen bad wrecks before. I'm not sure why this one affected me like it did (that knot stayed in my stomach for hours), except that I do believe the Holy Spirit grants us fresh encounters with Himself when we least expect to meet Him*, and, in so doing, grants us newness of life** -- glorious, painful, blessed life.
*(though, as He's always with us, shouldn't we live expecting to meet Him)
** (a play on the scripture, dear Bible-studying friends, not a misuse of it)
Now, on a lighter note ...
I promised a little something about our church Christmas Bazaar set for next Saturday. So here, for your viewing pleasure, are photos of the mess my patient hubby has endured over the last several weeks. Watch tomorrow or Tuesday for details about the Bazaar, and sneak peeks at the wares I'll be selling.
One Body. One Voice.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
I had a facebook message from a friend in Dublin today; she shared an amazing story of something that's going on in her life. And I rejoiced with this Sister for God's blessing to her.
I also read the blog of a friend from church today; she wrote with words that were full of frustration and hardship and faith. And I anquished with this Friend over common struggles.
Oh, how I love the Body of Christ -- and this deep connection of soul that comes from sharing something so intimate, so true.
So when my sweet friend Whitney Preg gave me a CD with a few songs by The Wailin Jennys, it's no wonder that "One Voice" instantly became a favorite (despite it's non-reformed verse one). The lyrics follow.
"One Voice"
This is the sound of one voice
One spirit, one voice
The sound of one who makes a choice
This is the sound of one voice
This is the sound of voices two
The sound of me singing with you
Helping each other to make it through
This is the sound of voices two
This is the sound of voices three
Singing together in harmony
Surrendering to the mystery
This is the sound of voices three
This is the sound of all of us
Singing with love and the will to trust
Leave the rest behind it will turn to dust
This is the sound of all of us
This is the sound of one voice
One people, one voice
A song for every one of us
This is the sound of one voice
This is the sound of one voice
I also read the blog of a friend from church today; she wrote with words that were full of frustration and hardship and faith. And I anquished with this Friend over common struggles.
Oh, how I love the Body of Christ -- and this deep connection of soul that comes from sharing something so intimate, so true.
So when my sweet friend Whitney Preg gave me a CD with a few songs by The Wailin Jennys, it's no wonder that "One Voice" instantly became a favorite (despite it's non-reformed verse one). The lyrics follow.
"One Voice"
This is the sound of one voice
One spirit, one voice
The sound of one who makes a choice
This is the sound of one voice
This is the sound of voices two
The sound of me singing with you
Helping each other to make it through
This is the sound of voices two
This is the sound of voices three
Singing together in harmony
Surrendering to the mystery
This is the sound of voices three
This is the sound of all of us
Singing with love and the will to trust
Leave the rest behind it will turn to dust
This is the sound of all of us
This is the sound of one voice
One people, one voice
A song for every one of us
This is the sound of one voice
This is the sound of one voice
Favorite autumn recipe
Monday, November 03, 2008
Here, on the eve of the election, I thought I would share my favorite Autumn recipe, Election Lunch.
Election Lunch
And two appropriate "quotes" to accompany this post:
Oh this lovely season: "Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." Camus
On the greatest Kingdom: "For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? And what great nation is there that has statues and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?" -- Deut. 4:7-8
Election Lunch
1 lb. smoked sausage, sliced and halved
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 ½ tsp dry mustard
¼ c honey
1 (10 oz) can mild Rotels (or, if you prefer no spice, just plain diced tomotoes)
1 (1 lb) can lima beans, drained
1 (1 lb.) can light red kidney beans, undrained
1 (1 lb) can garbanzo beans, undrained
- Brown onion and sausage. Drain well.
- Combine ingredients in large slow cooker, and stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 2-4 hours.
NOTE: I usually double this recipe because I have a very large crockpot. If you choose to double it, reserve the juice from the kidney beans and garbanzo beans, then add as much of it into your soup as your crockpot will allow.
Serve with cornbread, crackers or fresh homemade bread, and ENJOY!
And two appropriate "quotes" to accompany this post:
Oh this lovely season: "Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." Camus
On the greatest Kingdom: "For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? And what great nation is there that has statues and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?" -- Deut. 4:7-8
The surprising place where others will see Jesus
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Ministry through weakness. It's a core value of World Harvest -- one that deeply resonates with Steven and me.
There was a time in my life when I felt utterly capable -- ready to conquer the world, confident I possessed (in myself) everything necessary for success.
Now, I think I become more aware every day just how incapable I am .
I don't always like it. I want to think I'm capable. I compare myself to others and wish I had their strengths. But inevitably, my weakness slaps me in the face, and I realize anew that I must depend on the perfect Capability of the One who goes before me
So when I read the following, I wanted to shout with all the volume and intensity I could produce: "YES!" And I wanted to whisper with all the passion and intimacy in my soul: "yes."
"I am more likely to have Jesus revealed to me and through me in weakness than in strength, sinfulness than in purity, or doubt than in perfect faithfulness....
"I come to this astonishing conclusion: Jesus is found in brokenness...""The surprise of this brokenness is not just that the Almighty allowed himself to be broken, and that he invites me to touch him there in that brokenness. It's also that my own brokenness - that hidden, ugly, twisted stuff that I had expected would disqualify me forever from his friendship, and that, if it were known, would torpedo all my other relationships too - is precisely the place where he desires to touch me, and it is the place where I am most able to truly connect with other people."
by Greg Paul, in God in the Alley*
Jesus is found in brokenness.
2 Cor. 12: 8-10 -- Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
*I'm indebted to Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience for introducing me to this quote, and the book from which she obtained it.Happy Birthday
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
This blog has been hijacked for a day by Steven G.
Since many more people read Laura’s blog than mine, it was necessary to hijack her blog to let the world know that today (Wednesday, Oct 29) is Laura’s birthday.
Things you may not know about the birthday girl:
Laura is exactly 4’11” tall.
She has boundless energy and works circles around anyone I know.
She loves art stuff and loves to create.
She doesn’t love to sleep.
She likes steak and doesn’t like Vienna Sausage (go figure)
If the temp is below 75 degrees, Laura is freezing
She is a great writer and spent 10 years working in PR at BellSouth
Her weight barely fluctuates 5-7 lbs. She weighs almost the same as when we met in 1982. (I have gained 50lbs!)
She is a good singer, but can’t memorize lyrics.
She wears my socks almost every night.
She hates to dust.
She loves hot, scalding baths.
She looks great for 29
She is great at organizing yard sales (HUGE yard sales)
She looks really hot in anything!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOOKCHICK
Aching
Saturday, October 25, 2008
I watched a movie with Emma late last night -- P.S. I Love You. Jenny Bartz had been telling me I needed to watch it. But it's about a person who dies, and I tend to avoid tearjerker, sick-people movies. Trusting my friend, however, I ordered the movie from Netflix. She knew I ought to watch it.
I knew it would make me cry. It did. I didn't know that about a third of the movie was set in Ireland. I cried because it made me long for Ireland and her people.
Sometimes, the GOING seems impossible. So much money to raise. I want to make it about us: "We aren't capable," "We don't know enough people," "We're too broken." But somewhere, buried inside all my self-focus, I know that it's all about God, about all things being possible with Him, about carrying His redemptive Word in an incarnational way to the world (now, and when we get to Ireland).
Thursday, we found out that one church had tabled our application for support. Don't really know the implications of that. But yesterday, we received our first invitation from a church to talk with its missions subcommittee. Might this church be our first supporting church? Don't want to get ahead of myself, but the idea is exciting! And humbling.
I knew it would make me cry. It did. I didn't know that about a third of the movie was set in Ireland. I cried because it made me long for Ireland and her people.
Sometimes, the GOING seems impossible. So much money to raise. I want to make it about us: "We aren't capable," "We don't know enough people," "We're too broken." But somewhere, buried inside all my self-focus, I know that it's all about God, about all things being possible with Him, about carrying His redemptive Word in an incarnational way to the world (now, and when we get to Ireland).
Thursday, we found out that one church had tabled our application for support. Don't really know the implications of that. But yesterday, we received our first invitation from a church to talk with its missions subcommittee. Might this church be our first supporting church? Don't want to get ahead of myself, but the idea is exciting! And humbling.
Long-awaited book recommendations
Friday, October 24, 2008
You may not have been waiting for them, but, frankly, I've been dying to make some book recommendations for this time of year. Autumn, Halloween, harvest, nature -- there are so many amusing, inspiring, entertaining, beautiful, and, yes, even Ghoulish, books to be found on these topics! But after my post of several days back extolling the virtues of exchanging books for nature, I thought it might be a bit hypocritical of me to recommend them. And who wants to be a hypocrite?
... But today is a rainy day, and thus (in my mind) a perfect time to curl up with a good book -- fiction or otherwise. Thanks to instructions from Dianne at Circle of Quiet, I'll be adding a Book Recommendation sidebar to my blog. Until that's done, however, you'll have to settle for these homemade photos of books I own.
Happy reading, my friend.
COMFORT FICTION:
Pilgrim's Inn by Elizabeth Goudge (whose books, I've just discovered, have all recently been reprinted. Yea! (except that my wish list with Amazon.com has suddenly tripled!).
NATURE:
Fallen Leaves by Louise Kollenbaum: A leaf book and journal, complete with acetate envelopes for pressing and saving leaf specimens
City Leaves, City Trees by Edward Gallob: For children or adults, each two-page spread includes a photograph of a tree, text identifying and describing the tree, and a page of leaf illustrations that are actually photograms, or shadow photographs (where leaves are placed directly on photographic paper and exposed to light). Very unusual.
Mushrooms by Loni Parker and David T. Jenkins (vintage Oxmoor House, with delicately detailed, colorful illustrations) -- perfect for identifying all those mushrooms growing on our lawns right now, or just for reading and perusing, if only for the illustrations.
cover
sample illustration
HARVEST:
Pumpkins (gloriously photographed non-fiction picture book by Ken Robbins)
Pumpkin Moonshine (precious offering by famous illustrator Tasha Tudor)
GHOULISH OPTIONS:
The Haunted Churchbell (vintage picture book by Barbara Ninde Byfield)
Through the Tempests Dark and Wild, a story of Mary Shelley (creator of Frankenstein) by Sharon Darrow.
Inkheart trilogy: Inkheart, Inkspell (pictured), Inkdeath, by Cornelia Funke -- Not a traditional halloween stories (i.e. no "goblins"), but full of evil villains
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and The Raven, both illustrated by Gustave Dore.
Edgar Allan Poe's Tales of Mystery and Madness -- Poe in superbly illustrated graphic book style by Gris Grimly, the ultimate October book treat.
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