Books I've been reading

 Some of my diligent readers may remember that I have been reading a lot of classic books over the past 3 years. It began with a radio show that I heard, you can read about it here: http://thywordisalamptomyfeet.blogspot.com/2018/07/a-good-book.html

I read in a magazine recently about this woman (the author of the article) who said that she was given a book list in high school of good books to read if you couldn't attend college, for whatever reason. She said it had several hundred books on the list and that she had begun at the top and read down the list, and she had been reading those books for 20+ years.

I have a book list and I've just been reading whatever book I liked at the time to read. After reading the article in the magazine, I thought that maybe I should just restart at the top of my list. Since I have done that I read books by Sherwood Anderson, Ray Bradbury, Pearl S. Buck, and Willa Cather. I read two other books by Willa Cather in the past few years, including My Antonia and Oh, Pioneers!

The next book on my list to read was called, Death Comes to the Archbishop, by Willa Cather. My personal rule for a new book that I am reading is that if I don't get into it by page 75 or even page 100, I don't have to keep reading it. There are plenty of other books out there for me to read that I would like. This was one of those books that I just could NOT get into! Oh, I tried... and finally gave it up this week. It was more of a chore to read it. The story was kinda dull and boring for me. I've not loved her other books either. They were okay, I don't know what it is about the author's voice, it just hasn't captured me in the novels. 

Part of the reason that I kept reading the book was that I know my Mom liked(s) Willa Cather. It felt to me like the character development was slow. She did not call the main character the same name. It was Father Latour, or Padre, or Jean, or "The Bishop." There were other characters/ fathers in the book and sometimes she called them Father Joseph and other times it was Father Vallaint. I was not sure if it was the same person. Since they were all named Father --- I began to mix them up!

I thought that Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury was good, and I liked it. I also read The Illustrated Man by him, and it was different. It was more futuristic about space, not something that I would have chosen. The illustrated man had tattoos that kept changing and told stories. 

I also enjoyed The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. I liked reading about the family and following their lives from rich to poor and in between. The man married, had children, prospered in his area, and ended up having grandchildren. I liked the loyalty of the man's wife to him, I admired her character. It is fun reading a variety of novels too... futuristic to historical, war, family, small-town life, etc.,

My next book is The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane. We own a copy of it, my kids read two books in high school that are in the collection with it, so we have that book. It is a little shorter though, only 160 pages. Then it is on to Theodore Dreiser and William Faulkner!

What about you? What have you been reading? 

Exodus 24:7
Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.”

Esther 6:1
That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him.

Psalm 139:16
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Book review: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry

 I recently read a very thought-provoking book called, "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry" by John Mark Comer. It was so good. It changed the way I think about many things in my life. It changed the way that I view rest and Sabbath.

First, I need to back up a little bit. Several months ago, in the fall I heard about a podcast called "MomLife" while listening to the Christian radio station. As it turned out, I found a different one than was advertised, but no matter. The one I found is one that I really liked. In the podcast, the ladies were discussing this book that they had all read, "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry" and how it changed each of their lives. I was intrigued since I had heard of the book.

There were four different podcasts that I listened to. Each one talked about a different chapter of the book, which was Silence & Solitude, Sabbath, Simplicity, and Slowing. I listened to each podcast, took copious notes, and became more intrigued about this book. I put it on my Christmas list, talked about it a lot, and then received it for Christmas from my husband.

I found this book to be an easy read. I was not crazy about the layout, which has many paragraph separations but I got used to it. The author begins with his own story of how he became convicted that the "hurry" lifestyle of our culture is not the way of Christ. The main verse that he quotes is...

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

The author discusses how this is an invitation for all of us stressed-out, burned-out, tired people behind on their to-do lists just to make it through the day. He says that if you want to experience the life of Jesus, you have to adopt the lifestyle of Jesus. (pg. 82) Jesus realizes that the most restful gift He can give the tired is a new way to carry life, a fresh way to bear responsibilities. He offers us a whole new way to bear the weight of our humanity: with ease. With Jesus doing the heavy lifting, at his pace... slow, unhurried, present in the moment, full of love, joy, and peace. (pg 88)

The author goes on to discuss Jesus' life and lifestyle as presented in the Gospels. He was not stressed out, he did not snap at others, he was not in a hurry. His schedule was full, but he never came off hurried. He was constantly interrupted, yet was not agitated or annoyed by them. Jesus commonly woke up early and went off to a quiet place to be with his Father. You don't read stories of Jesus out shopping, grabbing the latest sandals or new clothes. He spent time with people. He shared meals with them. Jesus put on display an unhurried life, where space for God and people were his top priorities. Because he said yes to his Father, he said no to many other countless invitations. (pg 92-93)

John Mark Comer breaks down getting rid of the fast pace of our lives in four major areas: Silence and Solitude, Sabbath, Simplicity, and Slowing. How many of us really allow times of total silence to our day? I know I tend to fill the quiet with music or a podcast. Instead, we could pray more. What if we put down our phones (stop the dopamine hit we get from it) and stare out the window? What if we appreciated nature and God's creation instead of the latest meme? What if we talked to our family at breakfast instead of playing a game on our phone? What if we talked to someone in line or prayed instead of checking our email all the time? 

I found the chapter on the Sabbath to be intriguing. I have decided to be off of my phone as much as possible for the WHOLE day on Sunday. The author actually turns his phone OFF for 24 hours. With my aging parents and being in charge of our church prayer chain, I don't feel like I can turn my phone totally off. But I don't pick it up 34 times either. If someone texts me, I will respond. If someone calls me, I will answer. But I try to REST as much as possible. I take a break from social media for a whole day. I do not play games on my phone. I have found it to be wonderfully freeing. One Sunday I did not look at my phone all day until 7:00 p.m. when I face-timed my oldest daughter. It was so great!

On Sundays, I also try not to work. I do not shop and make others need to work. I am not legalistic about it. I do not send emails for my Tuesday classes. I don't turn on my computer unless I really, really need to. I go to church, do the Sunday crossword, relax, read a book, play games, make a good dessert, take a nap, talk to my kids and hubby, go for a walk, etc., Whatever I find to do that is restful, slow, delightful and worshipful. I slow down to enjoy life with God, who offers everything that materialism promises but can never deliver- contentment. (pg. 169)

I was not one who was caught in the "rat race" of America. But I do like to do things quickly. I walk fast. I type fast. I noticed that I try to wash my hands quickly. Does rubbing them quickly make 20 seconds go by faster? No! I like to drive fast. Pastor Comer addresses this too... drive the speed limit! He talks about many, many ways to enjoy a restful lifestyle. He admits that he has days where he still tries to hurry. Of course, so do I. But then I remember how Christ slowed down to pray. So I will too, as I eliminate hurry from my life.

I hope you will take the time to read this impactful book. I may need to read it again next year!

1 Thessalonians 4:10-11
"I urge you, brothers and sisters... to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life."

Matthew 6:33

"Seek FIRST the kingdom of God..."

Ephesians 5:15-16
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

"Tired of Being Tired" book

This post is 3rd in a series (of 3) of informational articles/ books that I've read this summer. Here is the post about "Your Healthy Back." Here is the post about Eating less plastic.

I just finished reading the book called, "Tired of Being Tired." It has a lot of common sense ideas which I've heard a lot the past few years. Take good vitamins. Eat less or no sugar. Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables. Get enough sleep. Drink more water, less coffee, and less alcohol and sugared drinks. Have fun every day. Breathe deeply. Get enough exercise every day (but not too much...)

But the book addresses so much more than just that. It explains the reasoning behind all of those items. It discusses adrenal burnout, which is what makes you feel exhausted when you are stressed out, doing too much and no chance of slowing down anytime soon. I really appreciated the explanations about how sugar/ alcohol/ coffee are stimulants. One of my biggest take-aways from this book is:

DO NOT EAT SUGAR BEFORE BED. "Why?" you may say. Well, there is a myriad of reasons, including that sugar is a stimulant, which can keep you awake. Sugar enters your bloodstream all at once, and then insulin is secreted and stores that sugar away into your cells. Now that there is not enough sugar in your bloodstream, your brain senses that you are in a time of famine and sends a red alert to your adrenals to release adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline releases energy from sugar stored in your liver and muscles and cortisol breaks down your own muscle mass to turn it into sugar. Since excess sugar damages drain and body cells-- as in diabetes-- this influx of sugar into your bloodstream triggers the secretion of insulin, which immediately stores away this new sugar into cells. This process occurs over and over when you eat sugar and other refined carbohydrates. (pg. 187)

If this was not bad enough, eating sugar also causes the insulin/ serotonin vicious cycle that causes cravings. mood swings and depression. It contributes to the fat around your middle. Eating sugar at night also causes acne, extreme fatigue, increased colds and flu, insomnia, irritability, mood swings and PMS, and yeast infections. Serotonin is the "feel-good" neurotransmitter and is made from, among other nutrients, the amino acid tryptophan, found in PROTEIN. So instead of eating sugar (candy, ice cream, chocolate, etc.,) before bed, it is better to eat protein-- turkey, nuts, string or swiss cheese, warmed raw milk, etc., (pg. 188)

When you have a sudden blood sugar crash after eating sugar or simple carbohydrates, it is known as hypoglycemia. (pg. 191) I have definitely felt that way! One time on our honeymoon, we had a light lunch and took a "little nap" before dinner. We woke up at 4:30 a.m. starving. There were no vending machines at our hotel. I had to wait until 6:00 a.m. when the continental breakfast opened. I was shaking because I was so hungry. This is part of the reason that I have carried a granola bar in my purse for a long time. 

People learn to overeat carbohydrates, which are often comfort goods such as chips, ice cream, candy, popcorn, and cereal, which are all refined carbohydrates. The book recommends eating six smaller meals/ snacks instead of possibly having hunger or sugar cravings in which you might grab something easy and not very nutritious. It talks about sugar substitutes and recommends never consuming aspartame or saccharin. The sugar alternatives include crystallized raw can juice, stevia, xylitol, sorbitol, and FOS, which is popular in Japan.

The book also discusses caffeine addiction and getting off of caffeine slowly. I don't know about this one. I don't have sugar in my coffee, and I feel like giving up a majority of my sugar is enough for me right now. It is very hard because sugar is EVERYWHERE-- tea, coffees, desserts, ice cream, popsicles, yogurt, syrups, candy, sodas, chocolate, and even in ketchup! We don't drink a lot of soda. When I make tea, it is usually herbal tea. (even iced) I am just going to be more vigilant about checking labels for sugar. 

The book discusses sleeping pills, anti-depressants, and other medicines and their effect on the human body. I have decided to try to get off of my sleeping pill first. I have gone down to 1/2 of one and accompanied it with essential oil supplements. The authors recommend a few alternatives to sleeping pills, including melatonin, sleepy time teas, GABA (to be taken with food), valerian root, passionflower, and vitamin B6 among other things. I am willing to try these alternatives. Exercise, music and relaxation techniques all help in going to sleep.

The book includes recipes and meal plans. (The co-author is also the co-author of The Schwarzbein Principle, which is a book that my older brother gave members of my family about 15. years ago.) I hope that maybe straightening out my diet and lessening some stimulants that maybe I'll be able to eat dairy again. The authors talk about your body being in an alkaline or acidic state which is interesting to me. Maybe if I can regulate my systems, it can handle milk and cheese again. That would be nice. I do like cheese and regular yogurt sometimes. 

If you are interested in learning more, be sure to find this book at your local library. I have enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It was a good $5.00 find on a quick stop into the health food store!

What do you think? Are you interested in reading this book?

A good book

I enjoy reading. I'm always on the hunt for "a good book" to read. I've read some wonderful books and some books I wish I had not read. I've read some classics, some modern and many in between. I have found many books in recent years to be written about the WWII era, and got kind of tired of it.

Last month, I was listening to the radio in my husband's car. It was on a Christian radio station that has more talking shows. It happened to be about 1:00, and the show "Chris Fabry Live" was on the radio. I've heard his show before, but this one affected me more than others. On the show, Chris Fabry had a professor named "Dr. Rosie" from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, she's a professor of Literature, English and Homiletics. She was talking about a book list that she had made in 2016 (two years ago). She mentioned that the books on the list were books that everyone should read in their lifetime. Of course I was curious about the books on the list, and how many I have read before.

She had two different callers, one was a woman talking about Bram Stoker's "Dracula" being on the list and wondering why. The professor explained that it talked a lot about how one was pulled away from righteousness into evil. Another book that they spoke about with a caller was called, "Romy's Place" by James Schaap. Since I was in the car, I could hardly wait to get back home and find the list on Chris Fabry's website.

The list contains a variety of books, including American Classics, English Classics, Foreign Classics, Classic Christian Fiction, Christian Contemporary Literary Fiction, Classic Christian Drama, Classic Christian Poetry, Good Quality Christian Non-Fiction, and Good Quality Non-Fiction. After I looked on the list, I realized that we owned some of the books, and I had only read maybe 15 books, out of several hundred on the list! I read a few books in school. My kids have read a few books in school that I've never read (such as "Silas Marner" and "Animal Farm".) A lot of the books I've never even heard of! I'm liking the variety so far, and have read 2-3 new books from the list since I heard about it last month! I like knowing that they are recommended books too.

I've found several of the books for sale online, and at the library book sale. I'm sure that many of them are available for check out at the library too. I like that there are some newer books and some older books. I've begun reading "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" recently and have been enjoying it!

So if you find yourself needing a tried and true good read, be sure to check out and print the list. I hope you'll enjoy the books as much as I have so far!

Here is the link:
https://www.moodyradio.org/siteassets/programs/chris-fabry-live/2016-reading-list.pdf


Let me know what you think!


Joshua 1:8
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Galatians 3:10
For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”

Philippians 4:3
Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Summer reading 2015

I've got my summer reading cut out for me this year! My faithful blog readers will remember that I did an experiment for Lent with Jen Hatmaker's book 7. For Mother's Day my hubby gave me another book by the same author, called Interrupted. I'm looking forward to reading it!

For my birthday, my hubby also got me a book that Jen Hatmaker discusses in the book 7, called Seven Sacred Pauses. It will be a good challenging book for prayer, to be sure!

 A few months ago, I decided to buy Bringing Up Girls by Dr. James Dobson. I read the companion book Bringing Up Boys several years ago when Caleb was younger. Since I have three girls, I think it will be a good book for me to read!

I'm sure I'll read a few novels that I own too, for a change from these "intellectual", thought-provoking books. I'll read magazines too!

What about you? What's on your stack to read this summer? I'd love to read your comments!


Exodus 24:7
Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.”

2 Kings 23:2
He went up to the temple of the Lord with the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the prophets—all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord.

John 20:30
[ The Purpose of John’s Gospel ] Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.

More Comic Con at library

My hubby took these photos when we went to the library for Comic Con last week and I didn't get them onto my post last week, which you can see here.

 Bethany and her favorite Superhero-- Captain America!

Caleb with his handmade lightsaber and "Princess Leia-brarian"...

It was a fun day!


Exodus 24:7
Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.”

Exodus 32:32
But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.”

Joshua 23:6
“Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left.

Comic Con at the library!

This past Saturday, our local library branch had their very own ComicCon! There was a costume contest, LOTS of people dressed up in various costumes (including Spiderman, Captain America, Batman, a Tardis lady (Dr. Who) and Thor.) There were many more! We wore our Super hero shirts from Halloween, and checked out comics, the Tardis police box, watched part of a movie about comics, made masks, colored comics, and came home with comic books to read! Such a neat time!

 posing in the Tardis box...

 I saw this Atari game console, and it reminded me of my older brothers playing Asteroids on it... so funny! The Wii we have now is WAAAYYY better!

 We posed by the logo on the wall in the main foyer too...

We got cool free stickers... BAM! ZAP! SMASH! BOOM! The kids also got free finger puppets too.



Deuteronomy 3:24
“Sovereign Lord, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do?

Deuteronomy 4:34
Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?

Psalm 93:4
Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea— the Lord on high is mighty.

Psalm 147:5
Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.

7 Experiment for Lent: Week 6- Spending

This week for 7, which is based on the book 7:An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker, was to shop at only 7 places for the week. I don't feel like we are excessive shoppers and spenders, but I know sometimes we spend for fun or boredom. 7 has really changed the way I shop, and this week was no exception.

The first day of the week, I forgot until part way through the morning that it was my switch-over day. (Probably because it was Spring Break) Of course, my hubby and I had planned to shop that day and that evening too. We looked at two stores in the morning and bought something. Well, Joshua bought something. I didn't contribute anything to one place, but the other place was part of last week's planning left over. Since last week of 7 was waste, we have been working on our garden. We looked for vermiculite to begin preparing the garden for seeds, but we didn't find it. We also looked at items for the square foot idea, and for another handmade trellis. We did find some items there.

In the evening that day, we went to Kohl's to purchase shoes for our son, because he REALLY needed them. We had a coupon and found a nice pair there. His other TWO pair of shoes were falling apart, with more than one hole in each one. My hubby made the purchases there too, but I helped pick them out and I looked at a few other things, but did not buy anything for me. (7 was running through my head...)

My list of 7 places for this week included City Market (grocery store), Target, online bill pay, Jo-Anns (for crafts to do during Spring break), Lowe's, Del Taco and Jamberry Nails (somewhat by accident). My sister-in-law was going to a Jamberry nails open house on Saturday morning, so I tagged along. I bought some nail polish there (didn't even think about 7!) A few of the places I went to several times-- such as Jo-Ann's (even though I love Hobby Lobby!), the grocery store and Target. I did curb my spending a few times-- my son needs new baseball pants, but I have put it off. Also, I found I was CRAVING McAlister's sweet tea-- which I rarely have. So I looked up a recipe online and my made own version. Not exactly the same, but it curbed my craving.

In the days before I began this week, we spent different ways, such as at a quilt show (crafty patterns and ideas), paying the piano teacher, items for my American Girl class, bought ice cream at Cold Stone, and other small things. There are so many times that we just don't think about spending money on small things. Some things are necessary, but other things are just "wants." This week helped put things into priorities for me.

I like what Mrs. Hatmaker says in this chapter about spending. One of the areas that she talks about is eating and eating out. Another author that she quotes said, "I'm voting three times a day with my fork for a wholesome food supply." She talks a lot about making healthier food choices for her family, and looking at all we need in the world to sustain ourselves. We have a stewardship responsibility to earth, and to God. We can't answer for the way another Christian mismanaged money or their irresponsible consumption. We can only answer for our own choices. (p 330-331)

 She also talks about the mentality of this quote, "Just because I can have it, doesn't mean that I should." We rationalize in lots of different ways when we purchase things... It's no big deal... We can afford it... I've worked hard for my money, so I can spend it how I want... I deserve this... etc., So we spend, amass, indulge and indulge some more, item by item. Jesus talks about tithing, and the mentality that Christians have about it, and tells us to "turn out our pockets and give generously to the poor," in Luke 11:37-42. (p. 330, 331, 333, 334). Mrs. Hatmaker reminds us that this is a fast, and a fast is about making sacrifices or it's not a fast. The discomfort is where the magic happens." (p 340)

What if we had friends to our homes instead of going to coffee together? What if we went on walks together instead of seeing a movie? What if we got outside more and got to know our neighbors? What if we played games in the front yard with the kids instead of buying a new app or video game? It might just changes our lives... a little at a time. Food for thought, for sure!

What about you? Have you ever tried to curb your spending for a time, or done a "spending freeze?"


Ecclesiastes 5:10
Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.

Isaiah 55:2
Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.

Luke 16:13
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Favorite Thanksgiving books (for kids)

Several years ago, I was in a Scholastic book club for homeschoolers. I liked it because I was able to get inexpensive books for our homeschool library. Some of the books that I ordered back then where some Thanksgiving books that we still read to our kids today.

This book, I'm Thankful Each Day, is a cute board book with rhyming text encouraging children to be thankful each day, not just at Thanksgiving. That is a good attitude to foster in all children (and adults too)-- our days are filled with blessings!

This book begins with, "Thanks for Thanksgiving, for turkey and pie..." and is filled with rich illustrations including many facets of a child's life-- school, music, outdoors, games, animals, dress-up and more. The text is poetic and the book is quite relatable to children.

 This book is one that was read to me as a child, and we read it in homeschool with FIAR (Five In A Row curriculum). I enjoy the illustrations, alliteration and mystery in the book. We like to make Cranberry Bread around the holidays too!

 This book is a fun book because Mrs. Moose wants a turkey for Thanksgiving, and Mr. Moose sets out to find one. The turkey is of course hiding, and there is a surprise for the turkey when he comes! It is a very cute story and the faces on the animals have so much expression!

This is a great book which has some pictures but a good explanation about what happened at the first Thanksgiving in the 1600's. It discusses the voyage, the first year in Plymouth, shows the houses they made, tools they used, how they met Squanto and more. The first Thanksgiving in America last three whole days! The Pilgrims had much to be thankful for, and we do too!

I'm sure you could find these books at the library. Do you have any Thanksgiving books that your children enjoy? I'd love to hear about them!


Psalm 69:30
I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 95:2
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

Psalm 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Ezra 3:11
With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: “He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.

Book review: "Speechless"

This past weekend, I finished reading "Speechless: Living in Awe of God's Disruptive Grace" by Steven Curtis Chapman and Scotty Smith. This is my book review of the book...

I have loved Steven Curtis Chapman's music for years, have all of his CD's, and I have blogged about some of his songs before. His song, "I Will be Here" was the song Joshua sang at our wedding. I read the book, Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman (Steven's wife) about 2 years ago (read more about that book pub. Sept 2010 here). I really enjoyed that book, even if parts of it got me crying. Some of the stories from Mary Beth's book were included in Steven's book, which was published in 1999. Very many things have changed in the Chapman's lives since Speechless was written (including their adoption of three Chinese daughters and losing Maria in a car accident in May 2008).

I found this book at the Library book sale earlier this summer and immediately purchased it. It sat on my shelves for a few months, and I'm glad I finally pulled it out and read it. Steven Curtis Chapman and his pastor, Scotty Smith wrote this book about the wonder of God's grace, and how it can touch our lives. The more we see God's grace in our daily lives, the more we see our lives touched and how it can make us speechless. The book is interspersed with lyrics from Steven's Speechless CD, including the #1 hit, Dive. I enjoyed reading the stories of the inspiration for the songs in the CD, as well as some of his older songs.

My favorite portion of the book is near the end, when Scotty Smith is discussing heaven, and the end times. He writes about heaven, and how Christians can see it as a form of the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve walked with God, and worshipped Him.   My favorite lines in this portion say, "Remember, the King loves us! The kingdom has come and the kingdom is coming! We are not home yet, but we will be some day!" What hope and gratefulness we can have in our hearts and lives as we look forward to being in heaven with Jesus, the Savior! God's grace can truly transform a life!

I encourage you that if you are interested in learning more about God's grace and also about Steven Curtis Chapman's life and music to pick up this book.

From the Back Cover

Have you encountered God's disruptive grace? The kind of grace that can change your life and turn your understanding of what it means to be a Christian upside down? If you're wondering where the "abundance" of the "abundant life" is, singer-songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman and Pastor Scotty Smith want to introduce you to a grace that can transform your marriage, your family, your friendships, and your relationship with God and yourself. A grace too big, too wonderful for words, that will leave you Speechless.

See the book review on Amazon.com here.

What books have you read lately? I'd love to hear your thoughts about them!

This review has also been posted on goodreads.com.

Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

John 1:15-17
(John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:14
For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

Ephesians 2:6-8
 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

2 Timothy 1:9-10
He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Sowing and reaping

Sowing and Reaping

A few weeks ago in our homeschool, we read one of my favorite children's books, Miss Rumphius. In this picture book, the main character Alice Rumphius sets out to do something to make the world more beautiful. She journeys around her town with lupine seeds (I always loved lupines best, she says) and dropping them along the paths. The next Spring there are lupines everywhere!

 Shortly after we read this book, I read a devotional from Matthew 13:37 discussing Jesus as the Sower. "He that sows the good seed is the Son of Man." The devotional book that I am reading this year is called "Every Day with Jesus" (also called Wonderful Names of Our Wonderful Lord by T.C. Horton and Charles Hurlburt).

This devotional was from May 16:

"The seed is the Word of God. God's Son sowed the good seed. He sows the Word of Truth in the hearts of men. When we sow the Gospel, we sow good seed. When we give out the Word of God we are sowing good seed. Nothing is comparable to the WORD itself. It has potential power. It is a living seed and never fails. We are to imitate our Lord, the Sower and see that the pure seed of the Word is scattered wherever we go. "Sow beside all waters."

Prayer: Lord, make me a seed-sower this day, and hear my prayer for all the sowers in all the world. Amen!"

Matthew 13:18-23

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.  The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.  But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Matthew 13:37-39

 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one,  and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

Isaiah 55:11

(God says)... so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Devotional for kids

When I was younger, my parents were pretty good about doing devotionals with us after dinner. One of the main devotional books that was used was called, "Little Visits with God"by Allan Hart Jahsmann and Martin P. Simon. All five of us kids remember evenings at the dinner table, before the dishes were done, listening to our Dad reading stories from the book.

After I was married and became a mother, it was the devotional book that I wanted to buy for my own family. I found the book, in a new edition, with some of the names changed (not 1970's names anymore!) but the same timeless stories of putting the Bible into practice in daily life. Each "little visit" includes a Bible verse, several paragraphs in story form of a devotion which relates to kids' lives, questions to encourage participation, suggested Scripture readings and a short prayer.

I like the book because the devotionals are related to every day life-- what kids say and think, teaches them about sin and how to avoid it, what God can do, how to treat others, about God's characteristics, about why Jesus died and what His sacrifice means to us.

We haven't used it too much recently, but I think we need to pull it out and use it with our younger kids again too. I think we went through it with our older daughter but that was several years ago. The book is a bargain at only $10, but it is a valuable tool in our "parenting toolbox". I hope maybe you will find a copy to read with your own kids!


Deuteronomy 4:9
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to yourchildren and to their children after them.

Deuteronomy 11:19
Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Psalm 34:11
Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

15 Favorite Christmas Books

Recently, I saw a post on Pinterest where a blogger posted about her family's 20 favorite Christmas books. It got me thinking, and I decided to post my own list of our 15 favorite Christmas books too. These books are primarily Christian books, that we have gathered in our home. Since Christmas is about Jesus' birthday to us, our books are centered around celebrating the religious side of Christmas. I hope you may find some new reading for a child in your life, young or old!

Here is my list, in no particular order:

A Shepherd's Gift- by Mary Calhoun (ours is paperback) - When a boy named Matthew sets out to find his lost sheep on a quiet evening in Bethlehem, he could not have known that the search would lead him to something so special. In what seems to be an ordinary stable, he finds a young couple with a newborn baby. There, among the dozing animals, Matthew discovers where true gifts come from.

This is the Star- by Joyce Dunbar - This is a repetitive book where each line builds upon the last. What makes this book one of our favorites is the illustrations by Gary Blythe. They are so realistic, they almost look like pictures! I love the illustration of the three kings... you could almost reach out and touch them!

Tale of Three Trees- by Angela Elwell Hunt- This is a book that we read at Easter too! It follows the story of three trees and how they are each a different part of the life of one very special baby/ man...

One Wintry Night- by Ruth Bell Graham - This beautifully written story is about a boy who is caught alone in a sudden snowstorm, and the woman in the cabin where he finds refuge tells him the Christmas story, beginning with creation and concluding with the resurrection. We love the amazing illustrations by Richard Jesse Watson. My parents gave me this book for Christmas before we had children, and I am glad they can read it now too!

The Pine Tree Parable- by Liz Curtis Higgs- A heartwarming tale of a farmer and his family who raise tiny seedlings into Christmas trees and discover the true meaning of Christmas on their pine tree farm one snowy December night.

King of the Stable- by Melody Carlson - The story of Matthew, a young boy taken to live with relatives in Bethlehem, was made to work in the stable and meets a new baby who Matthew discovers will be the King of Kings!

The Crippled Lamb- by Max Lucado - A sweet story for younger kids about Joshua the lamb, who often felt left out, but God has a special plan for his life. Ours is a board book, but the paper edition would be nice. The illustrations by Liz Bonham are beautiful and lifelike.

One Baby Jesus- by Patricia A. Pingry (A new Twelve Days of Christmas) - A twist on the familiar song, filled with delightful watercolors of children and animals in a live nativity. This is a board book for younger children, and we like the focus on Jesus in this new song version!

The Twenty-Four Days before Christmas- by Madeline L'Engle - An Austin family chapter book in which  seven-year-old Vicky Austin is escited for the twenty-four days before Christmas and all that they will hold. A new baby creates a bump in Vicky's plans ... another great family read-aloud!

A Midnight Clear: Selected Family Christmas Stories- by Katherine Paterson- Each Christmas, Katherine Paterson wrote a story for her pastor husband's congregation to illuminate the true meaning of the holiday season. The twelve included here present a vision of hope and peace calling the readers back to that first Christmas over two thousand years ago.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever- by Barbara Robinson- This is a great family read-aloud, with lots of humor and silly situations that are created by a family named the Herdman's, who take over the sunday school Christmas pageant.

B is for Bethlehem-by Isabel Wilner - This book was originally written for second graders to perform, and is now a colorful picture book filled with rhyming couplets for each letter of the alphabet. My favorite page is the last... "Z is for Zeeland and Zurich and Zanzibar. You'll be lighting the candles wherever you are."

The Story of Holly and Ivy- by Rumer Godden/ Pictures by Barbara Cooney - "This is a story about wishing. It also is about a doll and a little girl. It begins with the doll." So begins this lengthy story of Ivy who wishes for a home and a doll, and Holly who is a little doll that wishes for a little girl. The illustrator also authored one of my favorite children's books, Miss Rumphius.

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey-by Susan Wojciechowski- Jonathan Toomey is a wood-carver with a cold heart, which changes slowly after being asked to carve a special piece for a widow and her son.

Punchinello and the Most Marvelous Gift- Max Lucado - With Maker-Day approaching, the Wemmicks and Punchinello try to do something really big for Eli, their Maker. Clumsy Punchinello ends up creating quite a disaster, and the Wemmicks realize what Maker-Day is all about.

I hope you will enjoy these stories which are written to point you to the true reason for the season, JESUS! May you take time to read one of these books with a child that you love this Christmas and enjoy some quiet time remembering Christ and His birth.

Matthew 2:1-3, 7-11

 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi  from the east came to Jerusalem  and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.  He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The Good Shepherd

Lately in our homeschool, we have been reading the book, "The Tanglewoods' Secret" by Patricia St. John. I have really enjoyed listening to my husband read it to our children several nights a week. In the book, one of the main characters, Ruth meets a pastor who gives her a picture of the Good Shepherd and leads her to salvation in Christ. This is the picture that he gives to Ruth:

This picture is of great intrigue and interest to Ruth, who knows a shepherd and knows how much a shepherd will sacrifice for his sheep. She knows a shepherd who lost a sheep in the story, and how his hands were so cut up by the brambles in which the sheep was ensnarled when he untangled the sheep. She sees in this picture how the shepherd is nearly risking his life for the life of the sheep, who got himself stuck on a precipice, with a large bird ready to take it's life.

Isn't that how our good shepherd is to us? He loves us so much that He sent His son to die for us, even when we don't deserve it! Even when we have sinned against Him! What a precious gift of grace!

Grace as I learned is:
God's
Riches
At
Christ's
Expense

So we can experience God's riches because of Christ's sacrifice for us-- for YOU and ME! It still is unfathomable to me how BIG that gift truly is! I hope you have accepted it, if not, please do so today. You can find out more info here.

John 10:1-10

“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. ² The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵ But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” ⁶ Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

⁷ Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. ⁹ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.^[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.¹² The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. ¹³ The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶ I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. ¹⁷ The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Do you know the Good Shepherd and the depth of His love for you? I hope so!

Please say please...

This story is one that I like from the Children's Book of Virtues Edited by William Bennett. I like the idea that children can be taught good manners, sometimes from each other, and sometimes from parents. I nearly always say, "Please" when I ask my children to complete a task or be kind in our home. I think if we can't be kind to the ones we love the most, why would we be kind to others? I hope that my children grow to see the value of manners, and that I tried in big and little ways to teach them!

Please by Alicia AspinwallGood children learn good manners (sometimes from their brothers and sisters).

Webster's defines our manners as our "morals shown in conduct." Good people stick to good manners, as this story from a turn-of-the-century reader reminds us. 

There was once a little word named "Please," that lived in a small boy's mouth. Pleases live in everybody's mouth, though people often forget they are there.

Now, all Pleases, to be kept strong and happy, should be taken out of the mouth very often, so they can get air. They are like little fish in a bowl, you know, that come popping up to the top of the water to breathe.

The Please I am going to tell you about lived in the mouth of a boy named Dick; but only once in a long while did it have a chance to get out. For Dick, I am sorry to say, was a rude little boy; he hardly ever remembered to say "Please."

"Give me some bread! I want some water! Give me that book!" — that is the way he would ask for things.

His father and mother felt very bad about this. And, as for the poor Please itself, it would sit up on the roof of the boy's mouth day after day, hoping for a chance to get out. It was growing weaker and weaker every day.

This boy Dick had a brother, John. Now, John was older than Dick — he was almost ten; and he was just as polite as Dick was rude. So his Please had plenty of fresh air, and was strong and happy.

One day at breakfast, Dick's Please felt that he must have some fresh air, even if he had to run away. So out he ran — out of Dick's mouth — and took a long breath. Then he crept across the table and jumped into John's mouth!

The Please-who-lived-there was very angry.

"Get out!" he cried. "You don't belong here! This is my mouth!"

"I know it," replied Dick's Please. "I live over there in that brother mouth. But alas! I am not happy there. I am never used. I never get a breath of fresh air! I thought you might be willing to let me stay here for a day or so — until I felt stronger."

"Why, certainly," said the other Please, kindly. "I understand. Stay, of course; and when my master uses me, we will both go out together. He is kind, and I am sure he would not mind saying 'Please' twice. Stay, as long as you like."

That noon, at dinner, John wanted some butter; and this is what he said:

"Father, will you pass me the butter, please — please?"

"Certainly," said the father. "But why be so very polite?"

John did not answer. He was turning to his mother, and said,

"Mother, will you give me a muffin, please — please?"

His mother laughed.

"You shall have the muffin, dear; but why do you say 'please' twice?"

"I don't know," answered John. "The words seem just to jump out, somehow. Katie, please — please, some water!

"This time, John was almost frightened.

"Well, well," said his father, "there is no harm done. One can't be too 'pleasing' in this world."

All this time little Dick had been calling, "Give me an egg! I want some milk. Give me a spoon!" in the rude way he had. But now he stopped and listened to his brother. He thought it would be fun to try to talk like John; so he began,

"Mother, will you give me a muffin, m-m-m-?"

He was trying to say "please"; but how could he? He never guessed that his own little Please was sitting in John's mouth. So he tried again, and asked for the butter.

"Mother, will you pass me the butter, m-m-m-?"

That was all he could say.

So it went on all day, and everyone wondered what was the matter with those two boys. When night came, they were both so tired, and Dick was so cross, that their mother sent them to bed very early.

But the next morning, no sooner had they sat down to breakfast than Dick's Please ran home again. He had had so much fresh air the day before that now he was feeling quite strong and happy. And the very next moment, he had another airing; for Dick said,

"Father, will you cut my orange, please?" Why! the word slipped out as easily as could be! It sounded just as well as when John said it — John was saying only one "please" this morning. And from that time on, little Dick was just as polite as his brother.

http://www.enotalone.com/article/5505.html

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Genesis 24:17
The servant hurried to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water from your jar.”

2 Corinthians 5:9
So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.

Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.