Category Archives: books
Live Event with Liz Curtis Higgs
Liz Curtis Higgs came to our church last year for our spring women’s conference. (Some of you may remember the urinals.) She is HYSTERICAL. I loved it! Huge contrast to her deeply emotional, dramatic novels — which I also love. Her historical novels typically spring from a book of the Bible, but plop the characters in 18th century Scotland. Her last book, Here Burns My Candle, gave fresh perspective to the book of Ruth.
In celebration of the release of her newest book, the sequel to Here Burns My Candle, Liz is doing a live web simulcast tomorrow. Here’s a preview and all the info for you to get in on the fun.
Join Us for Laughter and Encouragement!
| Date: | Tuesday, April 5 |
| Time: | 2:00 PM ET |
| Place: | WaterBrook Multnomah Livestream Channel |
| Add to Calendar: | Outlook / iCal | Google Calendar (Instructions: Outlook & iCal – Click and Select ‘Save’, then open file to add to calendar) |
For the Love of a Good Book
Sometimes I disappear from the blog due to personal or family dramas. Sometimes it’s because of an internal struggle I’m having with God or myself. Sometimes, though, it’s just because a good book has taken over my life. Such is the case this week.
Believe it or not, I actually created a whole schedule for upcoming posts. I wanted to write about a recent parenting dilemma (Yes, I have them frequently.), about my daughter’s birthday (She turned seven yesterday. Can you believe it?!), about some cool insights gathered from our pastor, about our recent trip to Disney (It was awesome!), and a few other things, but … well, I chucked it all for the love of a good book. Okay, maybe “chuck” is a strong word. I’ll get back to my schedule. Eventually. It’s just that I feel like I’ve discovered a new friend!
Everyone loves a good how-did-you-meet story, so let me tell you ours. (She doesn’t know we’ve met yet, or that we’re destined to be best friends, so I guess it’s not “our” story. This is all beside the point.)
This past weekend for our once-a-month date, my friend Lauralin and I got our nails done then headed to a new independent bookstore not too far from here. She had been nudging me for months to check it out. I walked in and it was love at first sight. Fresh coffee and tea, cozy leather armchairs, serene lighting and an entire room filled with books and quiet. *Cue the collective sigh.*
After three hours of talking books and authors and “have you read this?” and “I can’t believe you’ve never heard of her!” and “Oh, you can borrow this one, but you absolutely must buy that one” — After three-plus hours of delight, I realized that I had completely forgotten about my family at home whom I had abandoned without dinner plans (and who were obviously starving, evidenced by the phone call I received shortly thereafter inquiring about sustenance) and dutifully bee-lined it to the register with my final selections. The owners, clearly identifying us as bibliophiles, directed us toward a few shelves we had not yet noticed. They were filled with ARCs — Advanced Reader Copies.
I love ARCs. As uncorrected proofs, they consistently contain errors, but I would much rather find errors with disclaimers, than errors in something I know has gone through several editors’ hands, for which I paid full price, and that possesses no hope of being rectified any time soon. BONUS: ARCs are free, typically offered in exchange for reviews. In this case, for a positive shelf-talker.
And there it was: Dolci di Love by Sarah-Kate Lynch. Okay, actually Lauralin grabbed it first and I grabbed something else, but we quickly decided we had the wrong ones and swapped, to the delight of us both. I expected a heart-wrenching family drama, but received a wondrous story of beauty, mistakes, love and forgiveness, all dappled with an amusing group of meddling Italian widows. If you’re a movie-watcher, imagine touches of IQ and Under the Tuscan Sun but with a more intricate plot; deeper, far more endearing characters; and much better actors. Okay, so maybe it’s not like those movies at all, but parts of the book made me think of those movies. And all of the book made me want to visit Italy.
While I treasure the safety of beloved authors who consistently satisfy, there is nothing quite as exciting as finding a new-to-me author. It’s a thrill coupled with the hope of a fresh new well. I finished Dolci di Love this morning, promptly jumped on the author’s website and wrote her an email. Imagine my wonder to discover she has several other books! I can’t wait to start reading them all. It’s just … well, joyful! Once I get my bookshelf back in order, I’ll post a full review for you all. This, her newest novel, is already available in New Zealand. The US version (which I read) releases March 29th.
If you’re new to me or this site, you may assume that, because I am a Christian, I only read Christian or faith-based books. This would be a false assumption. Yes, I do read many books distributed by Christian publishers, but this is not one of them.
Read with Me: Girls, it is Friday, so it’s time to check-in. I’m still reading. Are you?
The Life Ready Woman: Thriving in a Do-It-All World
When asked what was God’s purpose for your life and how you were pursuing it, many of you responded with roles of wife and mother, but just as many of you expressed frustration at having to or wanting to work and not knowing how to balance it all. The book I introduced earlier this week inspires women to identify their God-given dreams and take active steps toward pursuing those dreams. The book I introduce today is more about balancing those dreams.
Before I give you my thoughts, let me introduce the book with words straight from the publisher.
Are you a ‘Doing it all’ or ‘Do what matters’ woman?
Whether a stay at home; or working mom, an airplane-hopping executive, an empty-nester caring for multiple generations or a single juggling high demands of career and personal life, today’s fast-paced modern world leaves women gasping for balance. We as modern Christian women want to look to the Bible for guidance on how to manage our lives — but because the world of women looks so different today than it did when the Bible was written, it is hard to find chapter and verse that seems to apply to our situation today.
Thankfully, God has given us exactly that timeless, unchanging guidance for how to find peace, clarity, and God’s best for our lives once we know where to look! The Life Ready Woman: Thriving in a Do-It-All World, reveals a profound biblical roadmap for how each of us can find the abundant life we are longing for, rather than the stressful, torn, how-do-I-balance-it-all life we often feel like we are trying to keep up with today. Actually being a LifeReady Woman means that you are clear about your life, bold in your faith, and able to find God’s best for you, and the end result will be that you not only survive but thrive in our do-it-all world.
God has given every wonderfully unique woman different skills and abilities, different desires, and different temperaments — and every woman around the planet and through the ages is certainly living in different circumstances. But no matter what a woman’s life looks like, the Bible says that God has an individual mission and plan that He’s carefully designed for each of us. And He wants us to find it. Starting January 2011, The Life Ready Woman and the Life Ready Woman Video Series will help every wonderfully unique woman to thrive as she identifies and courageously pursues God’s unique design and callings for her.
There is the book (which I have — and which I am giving away one copy to one of you!), but there is also the video series with accompanying workbooks that could be used by community groups or churches. This is all being distributed by FamilyLife, a wonderful ministry that promotes families first. They have some of the best Christian marriage conferences in the nation. (Oh, and that’s part of the giveaway too! Details below.)
B&H Books
ISBN-10: 1433671123
Release Date: January 1, 2011
Paperback: 272 pages, Retail: $14.99
Buy it now at Christianbook.com for $11.99!
About the Author: Shaunti Feldhahn is a former Wall Street analyst, best-selling author of the book For Women Only, national speaker, and regular commentator in the media. She has been featured on The Today Show, PBS, TNT and Fox News- to name a few. You can learn more about her many activities by visiting her website Shaunti.com or get some great mom advice from her at MomLifeToday.com.
About MomLife Today: At MomLife Today you will enjoy community with real moms experiencing every age and every stage of MomLife—right alongside you.
Moms need friends we can walk through life with, but more importantly we need friends who will encourage us and equip us in our role as moms in an honest and transparent way … and that’s just what you’ll find by becoming part of our MomLife Today community! We believe that every MOMent counts! We admit it, being a mom 24/7 is not easy. Rather than lament the role of motherhood, however, we choose to embrace that role and learn from each other how to make it through each day with the right attitude. Come share the joys, sorrows, insanity, and special moments of motherhood with us as we live it and candidly write about it…we’ll have lots of fun along the way!
My Thoughts: I have to admit: when I started this book, I didn’t like it. The first few pages smelled of feminine empowerment and sexual superiority. While I believe in sexual equality, I do not believe in sexual sameness. Men and women were created differently on purpose and it is to our greatest advantage to invest and rejoice in those differing strengths. So, I was nervous. “Here comes another feminist who wants me to roar and run over my man.” But I am familiar with FamilyLife and I knew they were promoting this book, so I kept reading. As I got past the first few pages, I was delighted to discover this author seeks to uphold God’s truths while affirming the wonderful position women have in our culture and time in history. Even better: She seeks to view our position in this post-modern world through the lens of God’s unchanging Word. We have unrecognizable freedom when compared with our foremothers and oppressed sisters in other countries. It is our priviledge to seize that freedom and use it for God’s glory.
But how do we balance that freedom with the call to be wives, mothers, and more? How do we juggle housekeeping with jobs and soccer schedules and piano lessons and personal ambitions? Not to mention marriages and in-laws and neighbors and ministry and a healthy, growing relationship with God? That’s what this book is about.
Sure, we can do it all, but will we do it all well? What sacrifices are made when we spread ourselves so thin? And are those sacrifices worth it? The Life Ready Woman equips readers to be deliberate with our choices so that we can live the fulfilling lives God intended for us without guilt or regret. The further I got into this book, the more valuable I found it. In fact I plan to enthusiastically recommend it and the accompanying video series for an upcoming study through our church.
GIVEAWAY #1 (through me): A copy of this book! Leave a comment on this post and you’ll be entered in the drawing. A name will be selected randomly and announced on Monday.
GIVEAWAY #2 (through MomLife): In celebration of Shaunti Feldhahn’s Life Ready Woman
Not only, is MomLife Today helping promote Life Ready Woman, but they are thrilled to announce that Shaunti will be joining MomLife Today as a regular contributor!
Weekend To Remember Get-Aways offer marriage-changing principles that you can take home and apply to your daily lives to strengthen your marriage. Whether you are newly engaged or have been married for 50 years, you will find value in the tools provided at the getaway.
Don’t miss this opportunity to receive a conference registration for you and your spouse … and more! MomLife Today will be randomly selecting NINE lucky recipients to receive one of these great gifts:
- 2 Weekend To Remember Get Away conference registrations for two. $259 value each pair (Two couples will receive this.)
- 2 Life Ready Woman DVD packs. $149 value each (Two different people will receive this gift.)
- 5 The Life Ready Woman books. (Book will go to 5 people.)
To enter click one of the icons below then tell your friends. Winner will be announced on March 2nd on the MomLife Today website.
My disclosure in the right sidebar explains that I often receive free books for review. This is one of them. Please note that I am under no obligation to write a positive review and I receive no compensation from the author or publisher for my participation in this blog tour.
The ME Project (and a giveaway!)
Deluxe Starbucks Coffee Gift Basket
- Three 2.5-oz. bags of Starbucks coffee
(Sumatra, House Blend, and French Roast) - Tazo black tea
- Starbucks marshmallow cocoa
- Almond roca
- Almond roca buttercrunch toffee cookies
- White chocolate and raspberry cookies
- 2 Starbucks mugs
- Keepsake black bamboo basket
Have I got your attention? This coveted basket is grand prize for the book launch of Kathi Lipp’s The Me Project. You may know Kathi from The Husband Project or The Marriage Project. While both of those titles focused on relationships, this one focuses on personal accomplishment. Here’s the question: are you living the life you’ve always wanted? If not, why not? And don’t say you just need more coffee.
Earlier this week I lamented how daily demands and mundane responsibilities hijack my greater ambitions. Maybe you feel the same way. We all struggle with how to balance who we are as wife, mother, sister, and individual. We feel pulled in many directions and, unfortunately, the things that are most often neglected are the pieces that offer us the greatest fulfillment. But if God gave us those desires, those talents, those dreams, shouldn’t we prioritize them, too? How might our lives look different if we took a few minutes a day to put our dreams on “project status?”
This book offers a 21-day challenge toward that end. Through fun, creative, daily steps, the author encourages readers to:
- discover (or rediscover) the unique plan God has for you
- bring purpose back into your life
- change your attitudes toward your roles in life and how you approach your goals
- gain confidence to accomplish your dreams in the midst of an already busy schedule
- connect with like-minded women to make goals a priority
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
ISBN-10: 0736929665, ISBN-13: 978-0736929660
Release Date: February 1, 2011
Paperback: 224 pages, Retail: $12.99
Sound too easy? It really kind of is! The author has graciously given us a sneak peak to show you just how “doable” these action steps are.
Three Super-Simple Kick Starts to Living Your Dreams
– in the next 15 minutes
by Kathi Lipp
Is there a dream that God has given you, but you are waiting until the kids are grown and you have money in the bank before you get started?
You may not be able to enroll in a month long pastry making class or take a week off of work to get started on your novel, but today you can take three little baby steps to making your dream a day-to-day reality.
1. Go Public with It
It’s a little scary to tell the world what you want to do when you grow up—but this is one little step could get you closer to living your dream than almost any other. Plus—it takes very little time and you don’t have to raid your kid’s college fund to make it happen.
When you gather up all your courage and tell your best friend, “I want to learn how to paint,” suddenly she remembers an old art book she has laying around she would love to give you, or her friend from church who teaches art classes. The people you know and love want to be a resource. Give them the privilege of being a part of making your dream happen.
2. Join an Online Group
This is one of the simplest—and cheapest—ways to start exploring your passion. Find out who else is talking about restoring antiques and listen to their conversation. Start by Googling your interest along with the term “online groups.” You will be amazed with the number of people who want to talk about the proper way to care for 1950’s lunchboxes as much as you do.
3. Don’t be Afraid to Pray
I remember the first time I put an offer in on a house—I wanted it more than I had wanted almost anything else in my life. While I knew that I had dozens of other people praying on my behalf, I was too scared to pray.
I didn’t want God to tell me no. I was afraid to pray until my co-worker Kim asked me (in a loving, kind way), why I didn’t believe that God wanted His best for me. Don’t be afraid to pray—as with anything amazing in my life, the path is never what I expected, but it has always been obvious that God’s hand has been on it the whole way.
Kathi Lipp is a busy conference and retreat speaker, currently speaking each year to thousands of women throughout the United States. She is the author of The Husband Project and The Marriage Project, serves as food writer for Nickelodeon, and has had articles published in several magazines, including Today’s Christian Woman and Discipleship Journal. Kathi and her husband, Roger, live in California and are the parents of four teenagers and young adults. For more information visit her website: www.kathilipp.com
Did I forget about the giveaway? Never! To enter, simply leave a comment on this blog. I want to know about your dreams. What is it the purpose you feel God has for your life and how are you pursuing it? One name will be randomly chosen for the giveaway; the winner will be announced on Kathi’s website on March 7th.
The Return of Books and Giveaways!
Last year I stopped doing book tours, posting reviews and offering giveaways. I had hoped it would help me focus more on my Bible reading. It didn’t. It just made blog posts more sparse and me a little edgy. So, in an effort to quiet the crickets who have taken up residence around here, and to instill a little more serenity for me personally, I joyfully announce the return of books. I’m reading again (YAY!) and I can’t wait to share some of it with you!
Stay tuned as this week I’m hosting two different blog tours, both with giveaways! 
Over the next couple weeks I’ll be re-vamping my very dusty Bookshelf as well. I’ll let you know when that has been properly updated.
In the meantime, I’d love to hear what you’ve been reading. Any favorite titles or authors you simply must share?
Horrors and Splendors
Change seems to be the theme of the week.
I’m reading a novel about fresh starts. Are they really possible? Can you leave behind who you were and start over? Or are we doomed to always lug around the mistakes of our past? Do our choices define us? Can we change those definitions, even if they seem etched in stone for all to see? I wrestle with this issue so often.
I’m also reading a book for our small group study that deals with spiritual disciplines. I’ve discovered that the mere word “discipline” makes me feel oppressed. It’s heavy. As if I’m not already feeling overwhelmed by my shortcomings, here are another thousand habits I must form in order to be better.
The truth is I’ll never be perfect.
The truth is I’ll always feel the sting of not reaching my potential.
The truth is that God’s grace makes transformation possible.
Our speaker on Sunday said “You may not be able to teach an old dog new tricks. But I am no dog.”
Praise God, neither am I.
I have to admit that reading through Jeremiah and Ecclesiastes has been exceptionally depressing to me. The pages reek of futility, doom and opportunities for fresh starts missed. Even James is filled with harsh warnings. John seems the perfect balance for these. By reading all four books together, we get a harmony of truth. We get the human perspective (Ecclesiastes), the God perspective (Jeremiah), the Type A, “get doing” perspective (James) and the Grace perspective (John).
Right now you may be thinking “Wow! Tanya caught up with all of her reading?! Wasn’t she six months behind??” Be kind. I was only four months behind. And, yes, I’m still behind, but since October beautifully coordinated the beginning of four new books, I decided to give myself a fresh start there. I’ll go back and catch up as I can. I wrote a little more about this in my recent Q&A post. This is far from my point.
The point is that we have a choice: to become the amazing creatures God intended or to turn away from Him and all the blessings He has planned for us. Without Him, we haven’t a clue what potential lies within us, what awesome adventures He longs for us to experience.
C. S. Lewis wrote this:
“All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations … There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations — these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit — immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.”
I want to become one of those everlasting splendors. May God grant me the wisdom, grace, humility and strength needed to follow Him each day, each moment, toward that end.
Your turn. What are you thinking as you read?
Due Diligence
A few weeks ago I wrote about an encounter I had with Jehovah’s Witnesses. (Click here to read that post.) I am tempted to take the bait offered me and elaborate on the doctrines I hold. But this blog is not a place for theological debate. I do love theology and I love studying apologetics and world religions, but there are many, many, many minds out there that are far more organized and eloquent than I. Occasionally I may stumble into an intense discussion, but this little corner of the blogosphere holds a very different purpose. I don’t write here to argue or expound.
However, I also do not write to simply pose questions. I would hate for any of you to leave this blog feeling less equipped than before you came.
It is critical that you and I understand what we believe and why. If we are to engage those around us, we must also have a cursory knowledge of what they believe. We need to know where they’re coming from before we can give any sort of guidance as to where they should go.
The Apostle Paul didn’t immediately confront the Athenians. He walked around the city and observed their temples and gods and devotion. Only when he understood where they were coming from (at least one some level) did he present them with the truth. Not everyone believed, but some did. Would they have been as receptive if he hadn’t done his homework? If he had showed no interest in them or respect for them? I don’t think so.
Sure, “cold turkey” evangelism sometimes produces results, but the majority of people who come to Christ do so through relationships. A friend or co-worker invests in their lives. A relative diligently shares Truth in love. Christians take the time to answer questions and gently guide those unbelievers toward Grace.
I am a firm believer in educated evangelism. With that in mind, I want to offer you a few resources.
Nelson’s Illustrated Guide to Religions by James A. Beverley
As the subtitle says, this is “a comprehensive introduction to religions of the world. What I like about this book is the depth of content. It is not all-inclusive, but it is extremely thorough on the religions it covers, 19 in all, from Baha’i to Witchcraft. Most chapters are about ten pages. Larger religions, like Islam and Protestantism, receive more attention, 70-80 pages. Each chapter is complete with timelines, key players (or “prophets”), major doctrines and philosophies. Readers also learn from some visuals and added features that include religious culture and methods. I love this book for its clear and concise method of relaying information. It answers questions and satisfies curiosity without emotionally charging readers toward the offense or defense of issues.
A Ready Defense by Josh McDowell
This book takes a very different approach. While it does offer brief overviews of several major world religions, the author’s intent is to equip readers to defend Christianity and its foundational beliefs. The chapters begin by offering explanations of the major doctrines of Christianity and how we know them to be true. Later sections compare Christianity to other faiths while offering targeted answers to their criticisms of our beliefs. This is an excellent book for quick reference when confronted with specific questions from unbelievers.
We are fragile jars of clay and God has placed in us a brilliant Light. We are responsible for sharing that Light. May we not overlook the importance and weight of this humbling responsibility.
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”
– 2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB)
A Little Q&A
There are a few questions that need some answers around here. Today I’m interviewing myself. I apologize in advance if it gets aggressive.
I see you’re still playing with your blog design. What’s up with that?
I’m indecisive and can’t justify the cost of a designer right now. I’m open to suggestions, though!
What are you reading these days?
This is a tough question to answer honestly because I’m still so stinkin’ behind on my Bible reading –
Oh, right! I should have asked that first! How are you doing with the Read with Me Challenge?
Uh … great. Okay, not really. I’m still reading, and that’s a very good thing. I am terribly behind, though, so I decided, since October so beautifully starts at the beginning of four books, that I’m starting over. I’m not starting over in Genesis, but rather starting fresh with this month. That way I’ll be reading the same stuff as most of you (which was kind of the point all along!) and I’ll be able to release the guilt of never catching up. Sure, I’ve skipped a number of books in the middle, but I’m okay with that for right now. When I have “grace days,” I can try to catch up on those. And if I don’t ever get to them, I’m still okay with that. The “skipped books” are mostly Paul’s epistles which I tend to read much more frequently than other parts of the Bible. If nothing else, this challenge has helped me to walk the road less traveled … or at least read the books less read.
All right. I can live with that.
Oh, good!
So, what else are you reading?
A lot. I have refused to take on any more book blog tours until I finish reading through the Bible, but I have entered one of those stages of life where I feel I’ll never catch up on all that I want to read! I am reading a number of YA and children’s books for CCBR. (I took the summer off over there and trying to get back on schedule.) I am also reading a number of non-fiction books: Going Public, Gospel-Powered Parenting, Crazy Love, Why We’re Not Emergent (by Two Guys Who Should Be) (I’m enjoying this one a lot!) and Deep Church: A Third Way Between Emerging and Traditional.
Wow. That’s a lot of non-fiction.
Yeah, well, “pleasure reading” — like my favorite fiction authors — has turned into a rather guilty pleasure. I’m avoiding the guilt. And learning a lot in the process!
What’s your hook on the emergent church? You’ve listed two titles within that realm.
A number of bestselling Christian authors are part of the emergent movement. I’ve read a few of those books, but have yet to understand what the “movement” is about. It’s been difficult to pin down why they’re so antagonistic toward traditionalists and vice versa. This is my effort to understand the arguments and decide which side I’m on. Or if I even need to choose sides. Don’t worry — a post is forthcoming (if I have the nerve to write it).
So, how is the school transition progressing? Are you still in agony?
Agony … that’s an ugly word. Appropriate, but so not pretty. Let’s see … we’re doing better. After that first week, each kid took a turn begging to return to the Academy. Zach took it one step further the next week by begging to be homeschooled. Ellie finally started going to school without crying, but it involved handmade “love notes” from Mama and Daddy every morning at drop-off and again secretly hidden in her lunchbox. Apparently, she is the ONLY first-grader to get notes from Mom at lunch, so that makes her pretty cool stuff among her peers. Oh, but those peers may be our next big hurdle.
We’re knee-deep in Halloween talk and dating. Yes, I said “dating” — in FIRST GRADE. Ellie announced this weekend that she was So-and-so’s girlfriend and that this person and that person always hold hands at recess, but this other couple just hugs under the tree and … yadda, yadda. We are in so much trouble. Meanwhile, Z has picked up a few unsavory speech habits. We’re nipping that in the bud, too. All in all, we’re doing okay. We’re still suffering some growing pains, but we’re slowly getting the hang of public school.
What is your take on Halloween?
Oh, boy. Don’t we have this discussion every year? Um … yeah, I think we do! Let me reiterate this: I don’t like Halloween. Aside from it’s evil history and conception, it’s just a weird holiday. People dress up as disgusting un-dead things then go house to house scaring people and asking strangers for candy. Parents pound into their kids not to talk to strangers and not to take candy from people they don’t know, and yet for this one bizarre night, all those rules are forgotten. It’s strange.
Now, in an ideal world, I think this would be a super-cool community activity. If everyone were dressing in harmless, fun costumes and we knew that everyone was freely giving out fun, harmless goodies, I would have no problem with this! Even with the history, I don’t think I would have a problem with it BECAUSE our culture is so far removed from Celtic moon worshiping. (You may be interested to read James Watkins thoughts on this and what the Apostle Paul might say.)
But that’s not the way things are.
I can’t walk into a single store without being assaulted by some bloody corpse or a trampy vampire or a witch with far too much cleavage. These are the very things from which I choose to protect my children.
Knowing my position on Halloween a friend asked this weekend what we’ll do now that the kids are in public school. Well, we’re not changing much. The kids still will not go trick-or-treating, and we will still avoid the zoo, the mall and most other places that celebrate elaborately. But we have consented to let them participate at school. There the costumes and decorations will be monitored and kept relatively tame. (We are in a very Christian community, even within the public school.) Our kids know our position, they even know the history of Halloween. They know we are different, but they also know how much fun it is to dress-up with friends.
Wow. That was a really long answer. I think we’ve got time for just one more question. Have you tried any new recipes lately?
Oooh, yes! I made an absolute decadent dish last week: Prosciutto-Wrapped Sea Bass with a Rosemary Butter Sauce. I served it with a roasted veggie medley of butternut squash, parsnips, carrots and red-skinned potatoes Splashed with olive oil and roasted garlic … oh, it was DIVINE!
I may be drooling a little. That’s not good for my laptop. All righty, folks! Until next time –
WAIT — I have more to say!
Nope. Sorry.
This is MY blog!
Okay, FINE. What’s up?
I promise to post before and after pictures of some of the house tomorrow.
I think we’ve heard that before. Until then … Happy Tuesday, everyone!
I want to tell you the good news!
Tenth Avenue North has a new CD! Okay, it actually released in May, but after waiting so long for their next “new” stuff, this still feels fresh. If you’ve not yet met this band, you must. Do it now. They’re music is amazing. The soulful lyrics evoke true worship while their sound both haunts and rocks. This, however, is not really my point, just a happy little side-plot to what I really want to tell you.
Sometimes God orchestrates a number of details to “coincidentally” reiterate the same point. A sermon message may cover the same passage you read the week before which tackles the exact issue you’ve been struggling with. Or maybe a friend unwittingly recommends a song that perfectly reinforces a point made in the book you’ve been reading and the movie you rented last week. Lately I’ve encountered a collision of “coincidences.”
This not-spanking-new CD has resonated with the very theme of three novels, a nonfiction book and a perpetual personal hurdle.
Here’s the good news: Salvation does not depend us, but solely on what Christ has done for us.
This may sound elementary to you. Decades-old Christians may roll their eyes and whisper under their breath a desire for something new to ponder. But think about it: isn’t that the best news you’ve ever heard?
Too often the Gospel is reduced to a discussion of hell, death, sin and work. You have to believe, confess, repent, and then work out that salvation. There’s no dancing, no cursing, no drinking, no lying. You have to dress appropriately, talk the right way, give the right answers and never let anyone see the truth behind your ever-present smile.
The problem is that none of this sounds like “good news.” God’s Message, the Gospel, is indeed good news. It’s GREAT news! And I fear the joy of that news too often gets lost in theological details. The Gospel is simple, yet we find wonderful ways to complicate it.
Some want to have a part in salvation. They want credit for the good they do and the doctrine they preach. The delight in the attention and admiration their “perfect” lives receive.
Others simply can’t believe salvation could be that easy.
How could something so valuable be free?! Does God really know what I’ve done?
How could He forgive ME? Maybe He’ll forgive me once, but not again and again and again.
I have to get this right! And what happens if I don’t? What happens when everyone sees how imperfect I am?
One group struggles with pride and a reluctance to give grace too easily. The other struggles with insecurity and fear. One doesn’t want to accept grace; the other doesn’t feel worthy of it.
Let me tell you the good news again: Salvation doesn’t depend on us, but solely on what Christ has done for us. It’s not about who we are, but who He is and what He has already done. He did it all. It’s finished. Complete. There’s nothing more to do, nothing more to earn.
“You are more than the choices that you’ve made. You are more than the sum of past mistakes. You are more than the problems you create. You’ve been remade. This is not about what you’ve done, but what’s been done for you. This is not about where you’ve been, but where your brokenness leads you to.”
“And He’ll break through the clouds to save those who cry out His name.
The One the wind and the waves obey is strong enough to save you!”
All this because of His unfathomable, unexplainable love for us. He is strong enough, his love extends far enough to save even me. Even you. Now that’s good news! I can think of nothing better.
~~~~~
If you want to enter into my recent collision, here is a link to the CD titled “The Light Meets the Dark.” (The lyrics quoted above come from tracks 3 and 2, “You Are More” and “Strong Enough to Save”, respectively.) And here are links to the books I’ve been reading: Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World (a nonfiction book) by Joanna Weaver and The Noble Legacy series (a trilogy of contemporary Westerns, subcategory: romantic suspense) by Susan May Warren.
What difference does it make? (Read with Me)
At this point in our Read with Me journey we’ve read a lot of the Bible. Almost half! Some parts are incredibly interesting. Other parts are … well, the catalyst for skimming and the reason many people never make it through a challenge like this.
And So-and-so begat this person who begat that person who begat someone who was killed after he broke a seemingly innocuous law of God, but only after he begat another name I can’t pronounce who only had daughters (the poor wretch) and they all made up this tribe that numbered blah-de-blah thousand people who inherited a land I’ve never heard of.
You all know I hold the Bible in utmost esteem. You also know I’m honest. I am not mocking or making light of it at all. Quite to the contrary! All of Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching and edification. So, why is some of it so boring?
I admit there are days I complete my readings with glossy eyes. I walk away wondering what difference it makes. Since Jesus freed us from the necessity of animal sacrifices, why should I care how many bulls or rams or goats were murdered by which tribes thousands of years ago? What application can I find for my life within the census of an ancient nation?
We’re all reading a lot and I don’t want to burden you with more, but if you struggle with these same thoughts, let me recommend something.
The Power of Praying Through the Bible
by Stormie Omartian
(Harvest House Publishers, 2008; Available in paperback or Kindle)
This title by a familiar author presents a devotional organized in biblical order (Genesis to Revelation). Each incorporates a personal application and a prayer prompt based on the specific Scripture highlighted. Now, not every piece of the Bible is given a devotional. This morning I looked for something on Luke 5 and found nothing. In fact, she skips the whole first ten chapters of Luke. The majority of the book (about four-fifths) is devoted to the Old Testament, which is where most people have trouble finding application anyway.
So, how are you doing? Are you still with us?
Has anyone blogged about their journey? I would love to link up, if you have. Just let me know and I’ll insert a Mr. Linky so everyone can share.
