Every once in a blue moon I go over and actually update my book corner. I know horrible, huh? But I thought I would mention it here. Because, hey, if I didn't you might totally miss it. And whoever really reads this blog might actually want to know what I'm sticking my nose in. LOL
I'm finishing a bible study from Priscella Shirer. Good speaker but to be honest I like Beth Moore a little better. But she is still very good. Just personal taste. We have one more week of the study "He speaks to me: Preparing to hear the voice of God". I'm considering doing Jennifer Rothschild "Me, myself, and lies: A thought closet makeover" this summer with Beth Moore's blog. If your interested here is the first post about it from her blog. My church basically takes a break all summer with all the bible studies I'm in. : (
I finished "You were made for more: The life you have, the life God wants you to have" by Jim Cymbala (my favorite author). And of course it was great. Honestly I picked it up just because it was written by him. I didn't really care what it was about. But wow, God really worked something out. It was really what I needed to hear and get into me. Here's a section that I keep rereading, trying to engrave into my system:
The idea that hardship produces benefits is difficult for us to appreciate today, surrounded as we are by a culture that shuns any kind of pain, no matter the gain. The goal of most people is ease, comfort, and self-gratification. People find it unreasonable to think that challenges and struggles might be a regular part of God's plan for their lives.
This misunderstanding of God's way is exacerbated by too many television preachers. The airways are filled with success formulas (supposedly based on the Bible) that actually pervert God's goal for his people. god predestined us "to be conformed to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29), not to be the richest, best-dressed, most comfortable folks on the planet. Solomon and some of the other kings of Isreal enjoyed incredible material blessings, yet God sent more than a few prophets to rebuke these men for spiritual and moral bankruptcy. This vital distinction isn't highlighted much in the message of "success"-oriented ministries.
The Bible makes it clear that most believers in the early church experienced nothing that could be described as success. The book of Acts tells how the first Christians were persecuted and chased all over the Mediterranean world. Some of them were killed because of their beliefs. When they faced difficult times, no one stood up and said, "What's wrong with you people? Don't you have enough faith? Just rebuke the devil. Nobody has to die! Stephen's death was unnecessary. He should have just 'confessed' he would live a long, comfortable life. In fact, since God's plan is for everyone to prosper, you all should be living in the biggest houses in Jerusalem. Why are the unbelievers living there? Start claiming those houses and taking them over. Those ungodly people don't deserve them, but we do."
I hope the foolishness of this way of thinking is obvious to you. Paul wrote to one church is a city where he had lasted only three weeks before getting chased out by a mob, "No one [should] be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know" (I Thess. 3:3-4)....
....But to conclude that problems and hardship are automatically a sign of Satan's harassment in our lives is too simplistic and unbiblical an explanation. We need a knowledge of God's Word and the discernment of the Holy Spirit to know what is really going on. In fact, I am convinced that more often than not, tough times in the lives of faithful believers are indicators that God is preparing them for something special down the road....
It was something I really needed to hear at that stage of my life. And I'm hoping that I got it. Now that book is sadly over I have started another book I'm very happy about. Russell got it as a Christmas present not too long ago: "Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master shaped His disciples for greatness, and what He wants to do with You" By John MacAuthor. So far it is really good. I saw that he has also written a book called "Twelve extraordinary women" that looks really interesting. Maybe I can read that afterwards. Hum...
Just a little book fetish
Showing posts with label book corner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book corner. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Friday, April 25, 2008
tick tock....tick tock
Well.....I'm at work and things are really laid back. There is a part of me that enjoys not having to run around like a chicken with head cut off from time to time. And I am kinda excited about an uneventful day today to go into a weekend. But at this time I'm thinking a lot. Thinking about a lot of stuff that is going on that I probably should not be thinking about. It's not like I'm worried. It's just that when this something happens it gets you thinking about life. I promise not to torment you forever. I just don't want to give all the details yet until I know them all myself. So just keep me in prayer.
Anyways, moving on. This saturday our whole church is participating in 'Sharfest'. Our home group signed up as a team and are going to an Elementary school and help clean up the campus, paint a mural and stuff. I'm looking forward to it. Yester-years I use to go witnessing in LAX or walk the streets with a group of Christians in Long Beach and pass out tracks. Ya, I know, you are probably thinking, "you were one of those crazy people". But I've been missing it lately. I try to be a witness in my daily life. But there is something to say for when you are actively witnessing. When you see the light in people's eyes when the dedicate their lives to God and decide to accept Jesus as their savior.
I've also been thinking about mission trips. I went on my first mission trip in nursing school. And honestly I didn't really think I would like it. But I wanted to try it once. I ended up loving it and told myself that I would continue to do something with missions through out my life. Our church, I don't think, doesn't do any more then normal with missions. But for part of the women's monday night live they had a panel of women from our church talk about missions in their lives. Some of them are women who have made an effort reaching out to their family, as their mission. One of the ladies raised 5 boys who ended up praying for them as they all went into some mission field. Isn't that amazing! --the call of God....One was a young mother with twin 2 year olds and a 6 month old baby is going with her husband to Iraq in December. I don't think I can do that. But I do feel the pull to do something. Maybe this year my family and I can participate in the trip to Puerto Escondido to the orphange. I don't know. It's one of those things that I'm amazed that I have a desire for. It's something that I wouldn't choose for myself. Something that I am surprised that is in me at all. Like the fact that I have a minor in Youth Ministries. Something like that still makes me laugh now. I never would have put myself there. But God literally closed every single door until that was all that was left. Can you believe that? I kept asking God to tell me what to minor in. I was lost. I wanted to minor in music so bad but the door was slammed shut. So I just kept hunting and waiting. God still hasn't used it. I'm waiting for His direction. He must have a plan for it. I don't feel a specific pull in one direction and He hasn't laid anything in front of me. So it just sits there.
I know this might be really boring to read...because I'm just babeling on about odd stuff. So if you don't want to continue reading thats okay.
I've been reading two books by Beth Moore. I'm really on this Beth Moore thing. I had the same thing with Jim Cymbala several years back. He has some really good books if you ever want to check him out. Anyways the first Beth Moore book I'm reading is 'Breaking Free'. And the second is Voices of the faithful. I'm not too far in either book so I'll let you know how it goes, but so far it is really good. I didn't pick up breaking free because I felt like I had to be set free from anything. But I just felt....I guess a pull toward it. And as I started reading Moore describes the worst captive is the ones who are unaware of their captivity. It's interesting and I just see God pulling me in a direction to set free the general strongholds in my life. God wants a hold of me. He doesn't want anything else. I feel like He is trying to have me deny everything else and say no to myself. That is where I feel it is bringing me. I think about that and the unmentionable topic going on in my life and I don't see the obvious connection. I see the connection with other aspects of my life. I see the deny self with my weight loss goals, or my financial management, or my walk with Christ, or my relationships.
Note: This was written through out my shift. And now my shift is over so I'm just going to post it. thank you for reading if you read this far. I'm sure at some point I'll ramble on again soon.
Anyways, moving on. This saturday our whole church is participating in 'Sharfest'. Our home group signed up as a team and are going to an Elementary school and help clean up the campus, paint a mural and stuff. I'm looking forward to it. Yester-years I use to go witnessing in LAX or walk the streets with a group of Christians in Long Beach and pass out tracks. Ya, I know, you are probably thinking, "you were one of those crazy people". But I've been missing it lately. I try to be a witness in my daily life. But there is something to say for when you are actively witnessing. When you see the light in people's eyes when the dedicate their lives to God and decide to accept Jesus as their savior.
I've also been thinking about mission trips. I went on my first mission trip in nursing school. And honestly I didn't really think I would like it. But I wanted to try it once. I ended up loving it and told myself that I would continue to do something with missions through out my life. Our church, I don't think, doesn't do any more then normal with missions. But for part of the women's monday night live they had a panel of women from our church talk about missions in their lives. Some of them are women who have made an effort reaching out to their family, as their mission. One of the ladies raised 5 boys who ended up praying for them as they all went into some mission field. Isn't that amazing! --the call of God....One was a young mother with twin 2 year olds and a 6 month old baby is going with her husband to Iraq in December. I don't think I can do that. But I do feel the pull to do something. Maybe this year my family and I can participate in the trip to Puerto Escondido to the orphange. I don't know. It's one of those things that I'm amazed that I have a desire for. It's something that I wouldn't choose for myself. Something that I am surprised that is in me at all. Like the fact that I have a minor in Youth Ministries. Something like that still makes me laugh now. I never would have put myself there. But God literally closed every single door until that was all that was left. Can you believe that? I kept asking God to tell me what to minor in. I was lost. I wanted to minor in music so bad but the door was slammed shut. So I just kept hunting and waiting. God still hasn't used it. I'm waiting for His direction. He must have a plan for it. I don't feel a specific pull in one direction and He hasn't laid anything in front of me. So it just sits there.
I know this might be really boring to read...because I'm just babeling on about odd stuff. So if you don't want to continue reading thats okay.
I've been reading two books by Beth Moore. I'm really on this Beth Moore thing. I had the same thing with Jim Cymbala several years back. He has some really good books if you ever want to check him out. Anyways the first Beth Moore book I'm reading is 'Breaking Free'. And the second is Voices of the faithful. I'm not too far in either book so I'll let you know how it goes, but so far it is really good. I didn't pick up breaking free because I felt like I had to be set free from anything. But I just felt....I guess a pull toward it. And as I started reading Moore describes the worst captive is the ones who are unaware of their captivity. It's interesting and I just see God pulling me in a direction to set free the general strongholds in my life. God wants a hold of me. He doesn't want anything else. I feel like He is trying to have me deny everything else and say no to myself. That is where I feel it is bringing me. I think about that and the unmentionable topic going on in my life and I don't see the obvious connection. I see the connection with other aspects of my life. I see the deny self with my weight loss goals, or my financial management, or my walk with Christ, or my relationships.
Note: This was written through out my shift. And now my shift is over so I'm just going to post it. thank you for reading if you read this far. I'm sure at some point I'll ramble on again soon.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
great expectations
I was browsing through the book corner and realized that I had not yet made a review of Charles Dickens "Great Expectations". Let me first say it is very difficult to make comments on 'classics'. After all they are classics aren't they. But here I go...
Great Expectations by C. Dickens
*****
This is a great book. It is a little slow at the beginning but Dickens wonderfully paints the picture with words to keep you interested. The language in it makes you want to run to a dictionary. And makes you wish you were the elegant with words. I wish the ending had a little more of an umph. The original ending was quite depressing and I would have been more unhappy with it, but I still wanted more even though it was rewritten. That should speak of an authors heart, if what they want isn't there then you can tell.
Great Expectations by C. Dickens
*****
This is a great book. It is a little slow at the beginning but Dickens wonderfully paints the picture with words to keep you interested. The language in it makes you want to run to a dictionary. And makes you wish you were the elegant with words. I wish the ending had a little more of an umph. The original ending was quite depressing and I would have been more unhappy with it, but I still wanted more even though it was rewritten. That should speak of an authors heart, if what they want isn't there then you can tell.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
a little more
Sorry I haven't posted in a while. For about the last 2 months I have been getting sick on and off. Today I woke up with my 3rd cold. It's just starting so it's mild but I am so sick of getting sick. I'm starting to think that it has something to do with me getting sleep. Last night I had about 6-7 hours interupted sleep (due to the baby, of course) and the night before about 3-4 hours interupted sleep. I guess in the next 3 days I have off of work inbetween christmas, christmas eve, wrapping presents, going to the grochery store, making christmas breakfast for about 10 people, cleaning my house, and much more I should take a nap so I stop getting sick. Oh well.....
Besides that baby Nelly just turned 5 months wednesday. Russell and I wanted to get a cake and celebrate, but despite the best of intentions we never got around to it. But we still sang her happy birthday. she is getting so big. She is absolutely adorable!--have I said that before. : )
A little bit on the book corner
I finished 2 books a little bit ago.
'A death in the family' ****
it was a darling book mainly from the view of a little 7 year old boy. The author does a great way of demonstrating how children think and process life and death. It was the last book the Agee wrote and was still in its editing format. It doesn't really seem to have an ending, but it is still left very complete by way of the authors talent.
'mommy guilt' *****
The primary reason I give this book 5 stars is because I highly recommend it to men and women alike. When I would read parts to Russell he would always comment how it should also be called 'daddy's guilt'. Raising a child comes with its fair share of feelings--however you might describe them and to be able to process them so that you are an effective parent is the key. I can't say that I go along now with no guilt but I can say it has given me a stepping stone to help deal with somethings I was feeling and identify them. It's a mixture of a book and a workbook with several research topics it brings up to give you perspective.
Besides that baby Nelly just turned 5 months wednesday. Russell and I wanted to get a cake and celebrate, but despite the best of intentions we never got around to it. But we still sang her happy birthday. she is getting so big. She is absolutely adorable!--have I said that before. : )
A little bit on the book corner
I finished 2 books a little bit ago.
'A death in the family' ****
it was a darling book mainly from the view of a little 7 year old boy. The author does a great way of demonstrating how children think and process life and death. It was the last book the Agee wrote and was still in its editing format. It doesn't really seem to have an ending, but it is still left very complete by way of the authors talent.
'mommy guilt' *****
The primary reason I give this book 5 stars is because I highly recommend it to men and women alike. When I would read parts to Russell he would always comment how it should also be called 'daddy's guilt'. Raising a child comes with its fair share of feelings--however you might describe them and to be able to process them so that you are an effective parent is the key. I can't say that I go along now with no guilt but I can say it has given me a stepping stone to help deal with somethings I was feeling and identify them. It's a mixture of a book and a workbook with several research topics it brings up to give you perspective.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Books I want to read
I added two books I want to read to my book corner at the bottom of the page.
The Pillars of the Earth by K. Follett
"In the quest to build the greatest Gothic cathedral ever known, a struggle between good and evil erupts—turning church against state and brother against brother (oprah.com)." It's suppose to be a drama, a thriller, a romance, a suspense, and hold you are the edge of your chair.
Love in the time of Cholera by G. G. Marquez
"In the late 1800s, in a Caribbean port city, a young telegraph operator named Florentino Ariza falls deliriously in love with Fermina Daza, a beautiful student. In this magnificent story, García Márquez beautifully and unflinchingly explores the nature of love in all its guises—small and large, passionate and serene. Love can ravage its host like a disease, but it can also persevere through the bleakest decades and survive the effects of time itself. (oprah.com)"
If anyone wants to read them with me, let me know. I'm still itching to start that internet book club.
The Pillars of the Earth by K. Follett
"In the quest to build the greatest Gothic cathedral ever known, a struggle between good and evil erupts—turning church against state and brother against brother (oprah.com)." It's suppose to be a drama, a thriller, a romance, a suspense, and hold you are the edge of your chair.
Love in the time of Cholera by G. G. Marquez
"In the late 1800s, in a Caribbean port city, a young telegraph operator named Florentino Ariza falls deliriously in love with Fermina Daza, a beautiful student. In this magnificent story, García Márquez beautifully and unflinchingly explores the nature of love in all its guises—small and large, passionate and serene. Love can ravage its host like a disease, but it can also persevere through the bleakest decades and survive the effects of time itself. (oprah.com)"
If anyone wants to read them with me, let me know. I'm still itching to start that internet book club.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
The DaVinci Code
I just finished reading, actually listening, to the Da Vinci Code. I know I'm a little behind the popular rush to read it--but I didn't want to read it just because everyone else was. I did recently rent it from the library to listen during my commute to work. I think it is going to start a new habit. It really did help distract me during the time of sitting in the parking lot of the 405. Sadly I finished the book in about a week of work (which is only 3 days). I think that says a lot about my commute. It's a good thing that I got more then one audio book on CD.
Anyways, I really did like the book. It was a great mystery--I recommended it to Russell and now he's listening to it during his commute. (It's taking him a little longer to get through the whole thing. He doesn't have as far to go.) It was very suspenseful. I do have to say that I have one major problem with the story line. Sophia Neveu and Robert Langdon are pretty much the main characters. Sophia Neveu is a cytologist who works for the French FBI. Rober Langdon is a teacher who has studied the idea of the hidden holy grail. Through out the whole book it is Robert Langdon not Sophia Neveu who deciphers all the labyrinthine puzzles. Isn't it Sophia Neveu's career to uncode codes? Whats up with a women being completely helpless?
Also because there was so much rave during the time this book surface, I'll discuss this topic. First I want to state, this book is a fictional book. Again I repeat fictional. If we do just entertain the idea, but I don't believe it is true. The holy grail is out there and there is a secret group that broke off from the church to protect it. Lets just step outside the box of our ideas for a split second. Why would Jesus be any less God if He had a wife and a child? Could this all be something totally blown out of proportion? And lets just say that in the Da Vinci's Last Supper painting there is a women to the right hand of Jesus instead of one of His disciples. Where would the other disciple be? Why isn't there then 14 people? I probably don't know enough about this to make any kind of an argument either way. It all just seems like there was too much work up about some rumors and a painting.
But I do like the fictional book.
****
I give it 4 stars.
If you want to comment on this book, feel free. Also if you are interested in starting a internet book club let me know.
Anyways, I really did like the book. It was a great mystery--I recommended it to Russell and now he's listening to it during his commute. (It's taking him a little longer to get through the whole thing. He doesn't have as far to go.) It was very suspenseful. I do have to say that I have one major problem with the story line. Sophia Neveu and Robert Langdon are pretty much the main characters. Sophia Neveu is a cytologist who works for the French FBI. Rober Langdon is a teacher who has studied the idea of the hidden holy grail. Through out the whole book it is Robert Langdon not Sophia Neveu who deciphers all the labyrinthine puzzles. Isn't it Sophia Neveu's career to uncode codes? Whats up with a women being completely helpless?
Also because there was so much rave during the time this book surface, I'll discuss this topic. First I want to state, this book is a fictional book. Again I repeat fictional. If we do just entertain the idea, but I don't believe it is true. The holy grail is out there and there is a secret group that broke off from the church to protect it. Lets just step outside the box of our ideas for a split second. Why would Jesus be any less God if He had a wife and a child? Could this all be something totally blown out of proportion? And lets just say that in the Da Vinci's Last Supper painting there is a women to the right hand of Jesus instead of one of His disciples. Where would the other disciple be? Why isn't there then 14 people? I probably don't know enough about this to make any kind of an argument either way. It all just seems like there was too much work up about some rumors and a painting.
But I do like the fictional book.
****
I give it 4 stars.
If you want to comment on this book, feel free. Also if you are interested in starting a internet book club let me know.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
My Day, His Way
My Day, His Way
By C. Hopson
I love this book and highly recommend it. I actually went to a woman's retreat where C. Hopson was the speaker and she is very good. This book is a easy read with only 139 pages. This book would work very well for a guided devotional; after each chapter it has a small poem, scriptures, and questions to get you thinking. It is very inspiring to live with God in mind in even the simple activities of your life. All together it reminds us to get up everyday and tell ourselves to live each day saying, "God I'm available if you want me to show someone your love today." I like how through out the book she is letting love be the primary point. Hopson also shows how when the opportunity arises not to be afraid but minister to the people and tell them the truth of Gods direction in saying, "God cared so much about you that He brought me here to share His love with you".
I give this book 5 stars.
*****
Small exert...
Change my Eyesight, Lord
Oh Lord, sometimes I'm into self,
and what feels good to me,
And I admit that my own plans
are all I really see.
I guess I didn't spend the time
today, with you, in prayer,
So I would be in tune with what
you had for me to share.
I wonder who the Susan's were
who never saw the light,
And never felt your loving touch
because of my poor sight.
Forgive me for my selfish days,
and give me a new view.
I want to change my eyesight Lord.
Please help me see like you.
By C. Hopson
I love this book and highly recommend it. I actually went to a woman's retreat where C. Hopson was the speaker and she is very good. This book is a easy read with only 139 pages. This book would work very well for a guided devotional; after each chapter it has a small poem, scriptures, and questions to get you thinking. It is very inspiring to live with God in mind in even the simple activities of your life. All together it reminds us to get up everyday and tell ourselves to live each day saying, "God I'm available if you want me to show someone your love today." I like how through out the book she is letting love be the primary point. Hopson also shows how when the opportunity arises not to be afraid but minister to the people and tell them the truth of Gods direction in saying, "God cared so much about you that He brought me here to share His love with you".
I give this book 5 stars.
*****
Small exert...
Change my Eyesight, Lord
Oh Lord, sometimes I'm into self,
and what feels good to me,
And I admit that my own plans
are all I really see.
I guess I didn't spend the time
today, with you, in prayer,
So I would be in tune with what
you had for me to share.
I wonder who the Susan's were
who never saw the light,
And never felt your loving touch
because of my poor sight.
Forgive me for my selfish days,
and give me a new view.
I want to change my eyesight Lord.
Please help me see like you.
Book Corner
I started a new page element at the bottom of the page called "Book Corner". It is where I will list books that I am currently reading and books that I have finished. At the finish of the book I'll write a critics review. Maybe I can get enough people interested that I can start a whole new blog for this and we can start a Internet book club. Maybe we can even talk about a book as we read it. But that is just a thought. For right now it is just a "one man" (or woman) group. And I wont bore you with all the stuff while I'm reading just when I'm finished. : )
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