Thursday, November 20, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The Remarkable and Very True Story of Lucy & Snowcap
I'm finally getting around to reviewing this vacation book - wow, vacation was over a month ago! I actually read this book the first night at the hotel (well, I didn't actually finish it that night, but I got a good way through it). The story held my interest, but, I'm not sure I thought it was as good as the reviewer did. I do think younger readers would like it, and will look forward to reading their comments (Lara, it will be up to you to get some readers/comments on this book for me). What I liked is that unlikely girl becomes the heroine, and in becoming the heroine, accepts and embraces the things that are different about her, and make her who she is. Actually, there are other characters in this book who also come to this place in their lives. I liked how unlikely people became partners, and learned to respect each other. I liked how there was some "magic" involved. I liked how although a little fantastic and hard to believe, it was also based on some real history, and the author shares that with us at the end of the book. Mostly I appreciated the author bringing a girl in as heroine and possibility, when so often girls don't like themselves and don't appreciate the gifts they bring to the world.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Riding on the Clouds
Is God In Control?
This month has been mission month at our church. I have lots to ponder on the messages we received. Today we had a guest praise leader - Robin Mark. He's the writer of many songs, including "These are the days of Elijah, declaring the word of the Lord, these are the days of your servant Moses, righteousness being restored . . . This morning we got to hear the "rest of the story". Robin wrote this song while watching TV during 1994. This is the year of the genocide in Rwanda. He remembers watching the news, and and realizing that the number of people murdered was 2/3 of his country (Ireland). He had the thought - how can God be in control? But then God spoke to his heart, and said, I am in control, just like I was in the times of Elijah, in the times of Moses, Ezekiel. I am still God, I still come. I had to include this story for a person near to my heart, who doesn't like this song!! Hopefully this will bring new meaning, and liking for this song. There IS no God like JEHOVAH!
Is the Shekinah (Glory of God) Apparent In My Life?
Our message today, included thoughts of the Shekinah, or glory of God. The glory of God filled the temple in the Old Testament times, but departed from Israel for 400 years not to appear again until the Angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds and the Glory of the Lord shone around them. Nine months later the Glory appeared in the form of a little baby, and now, the Holy Spirit dwells in us, God's temple. It begs the question do I show the Glory of God? It's a little disappointing to think how often I don't . . .
What is God's Plan?
The week before we had a talk from the International Justice Mission. The speaker told us there are more slaves in the world now, than there were in the days of the North and the South. Doesn't this just blow your mind?! There is something seriously wrong with this world. We're not just talking about girls and women sold into sexual slavery, but people sold into slavery to work in fields, or sew, or for whatever evil purposes people have in mind. He said, people ask them, when they hear these stories, where is God? How can He be in control? What is God's plan to rescue these people and this world? Well guess what. God does have a plan and it's you and it's me. We need to get to work. We need to pray. We need to learn more about the injustices in the world and do what we can to show Jesus love - whether it's by work, prayer, financial support or all three. So, write to your senator and representative - tell him/her you care about the injustice to people in this world. Be a modern day abolitionist. Get your sample postcard here.
I hear these messages and I think. What am I doing? What AM i doing? What am I DOING. God calls us to courage, and I think I am lacking . . .
This month has been mission month at our church. I have lots to ponder on the messages we received. Today we had a guest praise leader - Robin Mark. He's the writer of many songs, including "These are the days of Elijah, declaring the word of the Lord, these are the days of your servant Moses, righteousness being restored . . . This morning we got to hear the "rest of the story". Robin wrote this song while watching TV during 1994. This is the year of the genocide in Rwanda. He remembers watching the news, and and realizing that the number of people murdered was 2/3 of his country (Ireland). He had the thought - how can God be in control? But then God spoke to his heart, and said, I am in control, just like I was in the times of Elijah, in the times of Moses, Ezekiel. I am still God, I still come. I had to include this story for a person near to my heart, who doesn't like this song!! Hopefully this will bring new meaning, and liking for this song. There IS no God like JEHOVAH!
Is the Shekinah (Glory of God) Apparent In My Life?
Our message today, included thoughts of the Shekinah, or glory of God. The glory of God filled the temple in the Old Testament times, but departed from Israel for 400 years not to appear again until the Angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds and the Glory of the Lord shone around them. Nine months later the Glory appeared in the form of a little baby, and now, the Holy Spirit dwells in us, God's temple. It begs the question do I show the Glory of God? It's a little disappointing to think how often I don't . . .
What is God's Plan?
The week before we had a talk from the International Justice Mission. The speaker told us there are more slaves in the world now, than there were in the days of the North and the South. Doesn't this just blow your mind?! There is something seriously wrong with this world. We're not just talking about girls and women sold into sexual slavery, but people sold into slavery to work in fields, or sew, or for whatever evil purposes people have in mind. He said, people ask them, when they hear these stories, where is God? How can He be in control? What is God's plan to rescue these people and this world? Well guess what. God does have a plan and it's you and it's me. We need to get to work. We need to pray. We need to learn more about the injustices in the world and do what we can to show Jesus love - whether it's by work, prayer, financial support or all three. So, write to your senator and representative - tell him/her you care about the injustice to people in this world. Be a modern day abolitionist. Get your sample postcard here.
I hear these messages and I think. What am I doing? What AM i doing? What am I DOING. God calls us to courage, and I think I am lacking . . .
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Dinner With A Friend
On Menopause . . .
Today was a good day because I got to have dinner with my friend Vonnie. She is my sister-friend, and we always have a lot of fun. We had some scintillating conversation at Villa Maria. We started with menopause, always a fun subject (unless you are having a menopausal moment at that exact moment!). Just so you younger friends of mine know, this is not exactly a fun experience. The worst part is you get to be crabby so much, and, you cry, and you get to have a lot of interrupted sleep too, with moments of extreme heat in between. Very nice. We were talking about herbal remedies, and that reminded me of a book I have: The Wisdom of Menopause. Just so you know, there really is no such thing as menopausal wisdom, you just pray that you get through it. I think God changes husbands just in time too, because mine has been very patient as I go through my emotional moments! Anyway, I do recommend this book although it is a little new age in spots. For example, when she says it's time to discard those things that are causing disharmony in your life, and then proceeds to tell how she divorced her husband - hmmmm. . . I don't approve of that!
Queen Esther and Beth Moore . . .
In January I will begin a new Bible Study on Esther. Vonnie and I came up with an absolute brilliant idea to have a Queen Esther Bible Study cruise. Our cruise would be limited to women (well, we may allow men on board to cook dinner, bring us books, etc). The first part of Esther deals with extreme pampering . . . a whole year of beauty treatments - 6 months with oil of myrhh and 6 months of sweet spices and perfumes. We would, of course, have to modernize the pampering routines - I'm thinking bubble baths, pedicures, manicures, uninterrupted reading time, naps, lots of chocolate, etc. etc. I do believe that men much prefer plumper women, don't you? So, no need to worry that you would be overindulging at the buffets!
Don't you think this is a marvelous idea? Of course, we would have Bible study time in between so that we pampered our bodies and our souls. The best thing about Esther too, is that she is a smart and clever woman, so she is a great role model for us! Of course, Vonnie and I would plan the Bible study so that we could cruise for free :-)
If, like me, you can't afford to cruise, or even vacation, I suggest a good book from the library, some Mr. Bubble, some music of your choosing, and a locked bathroom door. I recommend that you don't come out of there for at least an hour, and you should decree that your family respect your role as Queen of the house for the evening by attending to your every need!
Today was a good day because I got to have dinner with my friend Vonnie. She is my sister-friend, and we always have a lot of fun. We had some scintillating conversation at Villa Maria. We started with menopause, always a fun subject (unless you are having a menopausal moment at that exact moment!). Just so you younger friends of mine know, this is not exactly a fun experience. The worst part is you get to be crabby so much, and, you cry, and you get to have a lot of interrupted sleep too, with moments of extreme heat in between. Very nice. We were talking about herbal remedies, and that reminded me of a book I have: The Wisdom of Menopause. Just so you know, there really is no such thing as menopausal wisdom, you just pray that you get through it. I think God changes husbands just in time too, because mine has been very patient as I go through my emotional moments! Anyway, I do recommend this book although it is a little new age in spots. For example, when she says it's time to discard those things that are causing disharmony in your life, and then proceeds to tell how she divorced her husband - hmmmm. . . I don't approve of that!
Queen Esther and Beth Moore . . .
In January I will begin a new Bible Study on Esther. Vonnie and I came up with an absolute brilliant idea to have a Queen Esther Bible Study cruise. Our cruise would be limited to women (well, we may allow men on board to cook dinner, bring us books, etc). The first part of Esther deals with extreme pampering . . . a whole year of beauty treatments - 6 months with oil of myrhh and 6 months of sweet spices and perfumes. We would, of course, have to modernize the pampering routines - I'm thinking bubble baths, pedicures, manicures, uninterrupted reading time, naps, lots of chocolate, etc. etc. I do believe that men much prefer plumper women, don't you? So, no need to worry that you would be overindulging at the buffets!
Don't you think this is a marvelous idea? Of course, we would have Bible study time in between so that we pampered our bodies and our souls. The best thing about Esther too, is that she is a smart and clever woman, so she is a great role model for us! Of course, Vonnie and I would plan the Bible study so that we could cruise for free :-)
If, like me, you can't afford to cruise, or even vacation, I suggest a good book from the library, some Mr. Bubble, some music of your choosing, and a locked bathroom door. I recommend that you don't come out of there for at least an hour, and you should decree that your family respect your role as Queen of the house for the evening by attending to your every need!
Home by Marilynne Robinson
Well, I read Home through one time, and it kept me up all night because I was upset about the ways characters acted and interacted with each other. I called my sister the next day and said--you LIKED this book? She did. Hmmmmm...we usually agree on these things.
We had some discussion on how certain characters reminded us of, well, certain characters in our current life. One thing that really bothered me is that Jack asked his dad and his friend (both ministers) if a person could be predestined to do bad things. I did not like that at all. They hemmed and hawed, and, instead of directly answering him tried to make a big theological discussion about it. He was trying to ask, am I made this way, or can I change. Finally, the wife of his dad's friend said "Yes, you can change--everything can change." Okay, why don't spiritual leaders just tell us this, rather than making a big debate (or trying to make a point) about things.
Jack's father says all through the story that he forgives Jack for his mistakes. He has done this all his life. Yet, in his old age and weakness, bitterness creeps out. He says things that hurt Jack and don't help him at all. Things that are not grace, but bitterness. I know I act this way too, but the "old gent" as Jack calls him, is dying, so let's get past this and on to the forgiving.
I felt the ending was hurtful, but real. I need another book to bring closure and healing to all the characters (okay, I do know that this does not always happen in real life).
The only person who shows Jack grace is his sister Glory. She has hurts of her own, but she continually strives to get past them and show grace. But, even her story is sad. Aaaaugh! I just didn't think I liked this book, yet, I couldn't stop thinking about it. So . . . reread it, and did find grace and beauty in the story after all.
I think I liked the prequel, Gilead, better, but this story involved my emotions more. Give it a try and tell me what you think.
We had some discussion on how certain characters reminded us of, well, certain characters in our current life. One thing that really bothered me is that Jack asked his dad and his friend (both ministers) if a person could be predestined to do bad things. I did not like that at all. They hemmed and hawed, and, instead of directly answering him tried to make a big theological discussion about it. He was trying to ask, am I made this way, or can I change. Finally, the wife of his dad's friend said "Yes, you can change--everything can change." Okay, why don't spiritual leaders just tell us this, rather than making a big debate (or trying to make a point) about things.
Jack's father says all through the story that he forgives Jack for his mistakes. He has done this all his life. Yet, in his old age and weakness, bitterness creeps out. He says things that hurt Jack and don't help him at all. Things that are not grace, but bitterness. I know I act this way too, but the "old gent" as Jack calls him, is dying, so let's get past this and on to the forgiving.
I felt the ending was hurtful, but real. I need another book to bring closure and healing to all the characters (okay, I do know that this does not always happen in real life).
The only person who shows Jack grace is his sister Glory. She has hurts of her own, but she continually strives to get past them and show grace. But, even her story is sad. Aaaaugh! I just didn't think I liked this book, yet, I couldn't stop thinking about it. So . . . reread it, and did find grace and beauty in the story after all.
I think I liked the prequel, Gilead, better, but this story involved my emotions more. Give it a try and tell me what you think.
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