Finished: The Princess and Curdie

The Princess and Curdie by George MacDonald

Finished: The Princess and the Goblin

The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald

Finished: Les Miserables

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

Finished: Cloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

Finished: The Count of Monte Cristo

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Finished: Fierce Women

Fierce Women by Kimberly Wagner

Dead Sneakers

In case you're ever tempted to leave your sneakers at the bottom of the steps in a dark place:  don't.

It will feel strangely similar to what you think stepping on a dead animal might feel like, and you just might have adrenaline shooting through you for a very brief, heart-pounding moment.

Not that that's happened to me, or anything.

Prayer-Wish

I am finding it a struggle to not treat praying like wishing.

Brundibar

There is an essay written here that relates Maurice Sendak's worldview.  Because it touches on his strange book, Brundibar, which I own, I am including here for future reference.

Application of Motherhood

I was encouraged by this blog post today. Here is an excerpt:

Imagine yourself in your kitchen trying to make dinner for a group of little kids who are tired and should have eaten a half hour ago. Imagine that things are going wrong beyond that — maybe you are out of something you assumed you had, children are fussing with one another, and maybe your littlest is still at the age where they come stand on your feet and pull on your pant leg. Bonus points if you are wearing maternity pants and this little person is actually capable of pulling your pants down. You are hot, you are tired, and you are sick of it.

This is no time for a gospel presentation. There isn’t time. There isn’t anyone to lead the discussion around the felt board, because you are still scrambling to figure out dinner. This isn’t a time for a gospel presentation because it is a time for gospel application. This is a time to take the grace that God has extended to you, and feed your children with it. Apply what you believe about God’s mercy and kindness and long suffering towards us, and pour it out to them — in a form they can believe in.

Holiday Shopping

OK. I seriously spit my soup out all over my computer while watching this.

Finished: Singing in the Fire

Beautifully written brief biographies about those who persevered under suffering. I was able to read one a night before bed.

Singing in the Fire, Faith Cook

Finished: The Sound of Trumpets

Beautifully written brief biographys about believers who made a difference in their lives until the Lord called them home.

The Sound of Trumpets, Faith Cook

Finished: Growing Up Amish

Growing Up Amish relates in a very real and readable way the author's wrestling with direction and future in his life, his struggles with the Amish church, and his eventual decision to leave the church and cling to Christ. Perhaps it is because I know Ira on the other side of Amish-ness that drew me to the book to begin with...but he writes with such eloquence and candor that it was almost as though it was not the Ira I knew. But then again, much of what he wrote was about the old Ira - not the new creation.

"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation." 2 Corinthians 5:17

Growing Up Amish, Ira Wagler, 2011

Finished: Miriam

Definitely a book for girls - probably seventh or eighth grade due to the girlfriend/boyfriend references of two 16 year olds. Not heavy on the romance, the story is more about the friendship of two girls, one of whom is a Jew, and is forced to leave her home as the Gestapo sweeps through Norway during World War II. The book relates, in a simple yet impacting way, some of the sufferings that Jews - and their friends - endured, without being frightening. It is a good book to begin to open our children's eyes to some of the atrocities, without terrifying them.

Originally published in Norway and translated by Pat Shaw Iversen.

Miriam, Aimee Sommerfelt, 1960

Finished: The Small War of Sergeant Donkey

This book is a heroic reminder of those that did small works to defeat the enemy in 1945...even young boys and their donkeys. Wholeheartedly recommended to 5th grade boys and girls alike, with some clarification being provided on some of the Catholic references contained within.

The Small War of Sergeant Donkey, Maureen Daly, 1966

Finished: Blue Willow

A real treasure written in 1940, this book is on par with the themes of Lois Lenski's Strawberry Girl, and the like.

Janey is a young girl, having to travel from place to place as her father finds work to support her and her mother. He is altogether hard-working and provides well for his family, under the circumstances, but Janey yearns for a place to call home.

I'd recommend it primarily to fifth grade girls, although boys would do well to understand the hardships of this era, and the ways fathers provided for their families through hard work.

Blue Willow, Doris Gates, 1940

Finished: The Secret of the Disappearing Sultan

A fun book, wherein a normal girl is taken along as an attempt to abduct a young sultan transpires. The plot is altogether unlikely, which is what makes the book fun to read. Like that could ever happen.

I'd say say a 6th grade reading level for content. Most likely will interest a female rather than a male, as the girl is more the heroine of the book, and it is told from her viewpoint. It is in no way girly, however.

The Secret of the Disappearing Sultan, Margery Warner, 1975

Unwanted

There was a ceremony yesterday, where hundreds of Indian girls named Nakusa or Nakushi (meaning "unwanted" in Hindi) got to choose new names for themselves, according to an article in Fox News.

And yet the real hope...the Hope that is carried beyond this world's names still lies out of reach for many of these young women.

from Isaiah 62 -

1 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,

and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,
until her righteousness goes forth as brightness,
and her salvation as a burning torch.

2 The nations shall see your righteousness,
and all the kings your glory,
and you shall be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will give.

3You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD,
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

4 You shall no more be termed Forsaken,
and your land shall no more be termed Desolate,
but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,
and your land Married;
for the LORD delights in you,
and your land shall be married.

5For as a young man marries a young woman,
so shall your sons marry you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
so shall your God rejoice over you.

Finished: The Seventeenth Swap

Eric Greene is a terrific character who, through his unexpected interactions with people, grows into thinking outside of the box. His motivation is the desire to see a disabled friend obtain what he cannot have. Well written and delightful.

I'd give it a 5th grade reading level for the internal struggles Eric endures. Would appeal to male or female.

The Seventeenth Swap, Eloise McGraw, 1986

Excerpts: Bloomability

"At about four o'clock in the morning, this is what I decided: I hadn't had to struggle for those skis. Someone had given them to me out of their own generosity, without my having struggled for them, without my having earned them.

I thought maybe I should give them back and tell Aunt Sandy and Uncle Max that first I'd better earn the money for them. I'd wash floors and windows and chop wood and do all the laundry and all the cooking. What a struggle!

But in the end, I decided that it was Christmas and people liked to be generous at Christmas, and maybe I ought to just accept this struggle-free gift. It might be hard to do -- wait! That would be my struggle. I would struggle to accept their generosity. Yes I would."

So I consider how free the gift of grace is, and how I keep going back to trying to earn it now that it's been given to me.

Bloomability, Sharon Creech, chapter 19

Musings on Medical Ethics

I had a random thought this morning. (What a surprise!)

If one changes their body medically for convenience or pleasure, is that ethical? Is there a difference between a non-medically necessary nose job and a changing of gender surgery?

Beautiful Feet

My sister-in-law forwarded some thoughts on how to make yourself beautiful through your actions. (for attractive lips, speak words of kindness, and the like)

This got me to thinking about Romans 10:15 "...how beautiful are the feet of him who brings good news." I've done a Bible study on this passage twice, and never before have I understood what this would have meant for the immediate hearers.

Beautiful feet was an oxymoron in Biblical times. Feet were dirty, grimy, smelly and certainly never beautiful. You'll recall this was the coup de grace for the disciples - that Jesus, the Christ, would wash their feet.

How beautiful are the feet of him who brings good news. Read Isaiah 52. It only gets more beautiful.

A Freudian Link

Some great thoughts on mothering from a blog that linked to a blog. (Thanks, Megan.)

Et Ampersand

Because I find it fascinating, here is a link to the history of the ampersand, as well as instructions on how to correctly configure and use it.

Eat Mor Chiken.

There have been Sundays that we don't have an evening service, where we've been out and about and think "let's go to Chick-fil-a for dinner". And then we remember. It's Sunday.

Smells Like...

Sometimes scrambled eggs smell like wet dog.

Finished: A Wrinkle In Time

I am reminded of the public testimony of a delightful young woman (SD) at church. When she related how God changed her life, I was moved to tears in thinking what inexpressible joy her parents must have to know she was adopted in to the family of God. This passage stirred those feelings again in me. I always have a desire for the conversion of my children, but this passage renewed the urgent desire for the conversion of my children.

At last she turned to her father. "I'm -- I'm sorry, Father."

He took both her hands in his, bent down to her with his short-sighted
eyes. "Sorry for what, Megatron?"

Tears almost came to her eyes at the gentle use of the old nickname.
"I wanted you to do it all for me. I wanted everything to be all easy and
simple.... So I tried to pretend that it was all your fault ... because I
was scared, and I didn't want to have to do anything myself --"

"But I wanted to do it for you," Mr. Murry said. "That's what every
parent wants."

A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engle p180

Free Sunday Brunch

When I peeked in my breakfast drive-thru Chick-fil-a bag, I saw a card that read, "Free Sunday Brunch". My first thought:

Oh no. Chick-fil-a has gone the way of the world.

Then I saw that it was a pamphlet from a local church. My next thought:

If we had all the money and people that they did, we could do that, too.

My third thought:

Oh no. I've gone the way of the world.

As I flipped through the pamphlet, which detailed the fall events at the church, my conscience rebuked me again and again. Yes, it was a shiny, attractive listing of all of the "free" things that the church offered. I wavered between indignation and humility. Humility won, praise the Lord.

Together, we are the body of Christ. Large or small, God is at work in us and through us.

God has called us to be where we are, serving one another, loving one another, serving Him and loving Him.

Finished: A Year Down Yonder

Loved it. Not as much as the first one, but enjoyable nonetheless.

A Year Down Yonder, Richard Peck

Finished: A Long Way From Chicago

Loved it. Read it again.

A Long Way From Chicago, Richard Peck

Finished: Danny the Champion of the World

This is the first book by Roald Dahl that I have actually enjoyed. In fact, I like it so much, I'm reading it to the kids.

Danny the Champion of the World, Roald Dahl

Finished: Babette's Feast

A collection of short stories (anecdotes of destiny) by Isak Dinesen. Enjoyable first read. No need to reread, except for the first, and most famous.

Babette's Feast, Isak Dinesen

Finished: A Day No Pigs Would Die

Another goodie. For the kids to read later (high school).

A Day No Pigs Would Die, Robert Newton Peck

Finished: The Cay

Excellent. Definitely a re-read by the kiddos when they are "of age".

The Cay, Theodore Taylor

Finished: Dead or Alive

Tom Clancy - you should write your own books. They're much better that way. Once they were timeless. Now you're adding current pop culture references like Starbucks and Angelina Jolie, and it's just not nearly as much fun. But I'll read them anyway. Because I still like them.

Dead or Alive, Tom Clancy

My Experiment

Here's an experiment I retroactively am trying to see if it speeds up the "home improvement project time".

Step 1: Put foot in freestanding sink that is not securely attached to the wall.
Step 2: Turn on water and begin to use pumice stone to slough off dead, dry skin on heels that has accumulated because you walk around all the time, inside and out, in your bare feet.
Step 3: (And this is really important...) Lean into sink with too much pressure, as though you're trying to stand in it.

Result: Sink totally comes off the wall. Make sure you catch the sink and turn the water off. Then call for help. (Realize that whomever you may be calling to might be using headphones to watch Inception for the 45th time on the computer, so you may want to stomp on the floor some to get his attention, being sure to not awaken the children, because, after all, it is 10:30 at night.

Hypothesis to be tested: Causing sink to come off of the wall will result in a new sink being attached correctly to the wall in a faster amount of time than fixing the original problem. (We've know about the problem for 6 months. Therefore, if a new sink is installed in less than 6 months, this experiment will be a success, and I will recommend it to all my friends.

Hope?

"the Universe in its abundant grace will provide for you and carry you and your family through this challenging path. All the love, peace, and joy that exists are yours and exist inside you... just be in the moments and try not to judge them."

I read this attempt at encouragement today from one person to another. I'm still processing its implications. I had begun to write my thoughts about it, but they were just going all over the place. I'm just going to let stand on it's own for now.

Came and Went

This is a quote from a Fox News article regarding the recent Camping "came and went".

"The globe will be completely destroyed in five months, he (Camping) said, when the apocalypse comes. But because God's judgment and salvation were completed on Saturday, there's no point in continuing to warn people about it, so his network will now just play Christian music and programs until the final end on Oct. 21."

May we never stop preaching the Good News of Christ!

And Speaking of Police

I thought this was really funny.

Police Action

I'm thinking that when I drive by a police officer my instinctive thought should not be relief that I wasn't caught, but shame that I was not abiding by the law to begin with.

Every Sunday

I ran across this thought this morning, and it rings true: Every Sunday is a weekly Easter.

Baked Whiskers

I ran across this term today, and that's all I have to say about it. Do you know what it is, without looking it up?

True Humility

Tim Challies hsd a book review on his website today. In talking about battling envy, he paraphrased the author's assessment of Charles Wesley, "To delight in the superiority of another. There is humility." It occurred to me that while this works horizontally, with our relationships with others, this should describe our relationship with God. We should delight in His superiority, not trying to master or control our situations, but rely on him alone. This is, indeed, humility.

VW - Seriously Cool

The Green Desktop

So when did the trash can on the desktop become the recycle bin?

No Record of Wrongs

Love keeps no record of wrongs.

I would advocate keeping this to the forefront of your mind when reading your e-mail. It may just be the right thing to do to hit the delete button. No need to read it later. Or forward it for discussion.

Calling All Banana Lovers...

Just so I can be sure to be fair and balanced, here is a health report on that most malodorous of fruits, the banana.

Got Networking Issues?

With All Due Respect

Doesn't the very phrase "with all due respect" imply that there is no respect due?

Holy Sonnet

I prayed some of these lines for a non-believer today.

This was my prayer: "Batter her heart, three-personed God. Take her to you, imprison her, for she, except you enthrall her never shall be free, nor ever chaste, except you ravish her."

I love this sonnet.

Batter my heart, three-person'd God, for you
As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;
That I may rise and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend
Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
I, like an usurp'd town to another due,
Labor to admit you, but oh, to no end;
Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captiv'd, and proves weak or untrue.
Yet dearly I love you, and would be lov'd fain,
But am betroth'd unto your enemy;
Divorce me, untie or break that knot again,
Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.

John Donne

Mom in a Day

I think this is just as funny, every single time I've seen it.

The Timing is Off

This clock was a wedding gift, and I just noticed it's error - 14 years later.

Christmas for Real

There's nothing like Neil Diamond singing "Joy to the World".

Helpful Counsel in Counsel

Succinct. Counsel. Good.

Read Ed Welsh's thoughts.

Guardians of Time

Here is a thought-provoking, challenging and extremely helpful post on guarding our children's time and raising them to be worshippers of God. Thanks to the husband for forwarding this one.

Excerpts: The Autobiography of Mark Twain

"When I was younger I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not; but my faculties are decaying now and soon I shall be so I cannot remember any but the things that never happened. It is sad to go to pieces like this but we all have to do it."

Chapter 1, The Autobiography of Mark Twain, edited by Charles Neider

Excerpts: Surprised By Joy

"You may add that in the hive and in the anthill we see fully realized the two things that some of us most dread for our own species -- the dominance of the female and the dominance of the collective."

Surprised By Joy, chapter 1, C.S. Lewis

Which Word?

I had to choose tonight between 2 words:

Hullaballoo and Brouhaha

It was a tough choice.

Finished: The Sea of Monsters

John? When's the next one coming? John? Hello? Are you out there? I want to keep reading.

The Sea of Monsters, Rick Riordan

Finished: Surprised By Joy

I actually found this book difficult to read, with all of the literary allusions and philosophical meanderings. I did enjoy it, however, but would only commend it to a certain type of person.

I did like the picture of being pulled into God...such irresistible grace.

Surprised By Joy: The Shape of My Early Life, C.S. Lewis

Bacon

Are 4 pieces of bacon too many to put on my salad? If so, I can just eat one.

Nutty Bars

Those Little Debbie Nutty Bars I bought on a whim at BJ's? What was I thinking? They are TERRIBLE for you! I can't give them to the kids as a treat. I'll just have to eat them myself.

Finished: Robinson Crusoe

I know this book has wonderful insights and value to it, but here are my two thoughts:

1. What!? No chapter breaks?

2. I thought his guy Friday was a main character. He doesn't show up until over half the book is through!

Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe

Finished: The Lightning Thief

A terrific middle school book by Rick Riordan, this has just the right mix of Greek mythology and modern day life to make a good read. John - pass on the rest of the series to me, will you?

This is much better than the movie (of course). Percy Jackson and the Olympians are seemingly challenged, ADHD, dyslexic kids who are actually offspring of gods and mortals. An interesting way to explain dyslexia...their brains are hard-wired for Greek, which they can read just fine.

I know my son will like these books when he gets a bit older.

The Lightning Thief, Rick Riordan

The Great Physician

One stanza of a myriad, by George Herbert.

Now heal thyself, Physician; now come down.
Alas! I do so, when I left my crown
And Father's smile for you, to feel his frown:
Was ever grief like mine?

Just For Laughs

This is the kind of thing I find hysterical! Catalog Living.

Talk to the Man

When you're in the grocery store, make sure you stop and chat with the Herrs' man if he's stocking the shelves. He's got coupons in his pocket!

On My Towel

Always looking for good reading material in the bathroom, I resorted to reading the tag on the hand towel. I thought I'd pass along the very interesting information that it contained.

"Machine Wash Warm. Tumble Dry. Wash Dark Colors Separately and Before Using. Do Not Bleach. Avoid Contact With Medication Containing Benzoyl Peroxide."

Cars

It's really hard to find a used car these days. Everything is pre-owned.

Finished: The Wrecker

True to Clive Cussler, The Wrecker was Tom Clancy on sedatives. I say that because while Clive is somewhat enjoyable as a story-teller, and knows his "train talk", he doesn't compare in his ability to come up with as complicated and marvelous of a plot.

An easy read.

The Wrecker, Clive Cussler

Finished: Diary of a Wimpy Kid

A far cry from the other book I just finished!

This was highly recommended to me by someone who doesn't know me well and referred to me to form an opinion by someone who does.

Horrible.

And that's all I have to say about it.

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Jeff Kinney

Finished: Anne Bradstreet Pilgrim and Poet

It is always an encouragement and a discouragement to me to read of godly women, their trials, and their response.

Anne Bradstreet is no exception.

Bearing severe trials, she constantly put her eyes back onto Christ. I want to be that way. I desire to have nothing but a God-ward look when I am pressed to disbelieve or despair. But in reading her life and her poetry, I realize that her godliness is not separate from her sin. She is so real about her struggles and temptations. Similar to King David, she lays out her fears and through her pen-song, is brought to an ever-increasing trust in her Saviour.

A pilgrim I, on earth perplexed
with sins, with cares, with sorrows vexed,
by age and pains brought to decay,
and my clay house mould'ring away.
Oh, how I long to be at rest,
and soar on high among the blest!

Mine eyes no more shall ever weep,
no fainting fits shall me assail,
nor grinding pains my body frail;
with cares and fears ne'er cumbered be
nor losses know, nor sorrows see.

And when a few years shall be gone,
this mortal shall be clothed upon...
in weakness and dishonour sown,
in power 'tis raised by Christ alone.

Lord, make me ready for that day,
Then come, dear Bridegroom, come away.

Anne Bradstreet: Pilgrim and Poet, Faith Cook

Target Practice

I guess this product is why Target is called Target.

Finished: Our Mutual Friend

You know, if you give a character the name Eugene and make him dispicable, it doesn't really matter what happens in the end, does it?

This is a definite read-again, as I believe all Dickens are. Love the characters, love to hate the characters, love to see how they carry on together or destroy one another...

Our Mutual Friend, Charles Dickens

The Forecast

I suppose if you're from Mercury, 87 degrees may be considered colder.

Finished: Fahrenheit 451

A good point made in this novel...

Toward the end, the main character is told he is Ecclesiastes. In other words, he is the one that carries it around in his head, so he is classified as the carrier of that book. Aren't we, as Christians, to become the words that we read in Scripture? If we carry God's Word in our heads and in our hearts, then they should change us. We should become known by the Word imprinted upon us.

Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury

Excerpts: Seeing With New Eyes

"Those you counsel must know that God is gracious. They must receive and depend on real grace. No one can truly change who does not know and rely on gifts from the hand of the Lord. Since Christ is both Giver and Gift, attempts to change without grace are barren of the very purpose, power, and Person that change is about. Self-manufactured changes do not dislodge almighty me from the center of my tiny self-manufactured universe. Still in the futility of my mind and the hardness of my heart, I only act a bit different. Successful living without grace describes mere self-reformation: get your act together, save your marriage, get off your duff and get a job. Failure in living describes failed self-efforts: when you can't get a grip, you despair. Christless, grace-less attempts at change conclude either with the praise of your own glory or with your shame."

Seeing With New Eyes, David Powlison, Chapter 2, p 48

Successful Parenting

Ed Welch of CCEF posted this the other day, and I found it encouraging. Well, as encouraging as something can be when you realize that you haven't "arrived".

I was challenged in contemplating the question, "What are you learning about Jesus?"

What am I learning about Jesus?

And if I can't come up with something, then get in the Word!

Finished: Pudd'nhead Wilson

Entertaining Mark Twain. Wouldn't read it again, but glad I read it once. I'll hang on to it.

Pudd'nhead Wilson, Mark Twain

Finished: Moll Flanders

Weird. A book purporting to be against immorality by revealing the (successful!) life of an immoral woman and her supposed redemption.

Interesting. Not really worth an additional read.

Moll Flanders, Daniel Defoe

Word Derivation

While I know that nettoyant pour le corps means body wash (it says so on the bottle), I can't help thinking every time I see it that it means soap for dead people.

Finished: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

You know, I always thought that 20,000 leagues was a measurement of depth, but through my (third!) reading of the book, I realized that it is the measurement of distance travelled under the sea.

I really, really like this book: the time it was written coupled with the technology foreseen...add to that the remembrance of the DisneyWorld ride when I was in 5th grade, and the mysterious Captain Nemo, and add to that the compelling plot, the mysteries of the deep...

I'll keep picking this up every few years and reading it again.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Jules Verne

Control of Birth Control

Al Mohler has a timely commentary on The Pill.

Bird Song

Normally background noise with their twitters, cheeps and chirps, I understood the birds I sat outside while dawn broke this Resurrection morning.

Alto started, Cardinal constant in Cheerfulness. Bass resonated, Dove full of Sorrow, unmatched in his Grief. Soprano joined with her descant, Chickadee with reminders of Hope. Tenor, it seemed, had forgotten his part.

It was fully morning. The dawn had broken. The birds went back to their twittering.

Yet Tenor had not forgotten, was not late, as Owl, when all was silent for a moment, reverberated his part, declaring Truth.

The choir was joined by a part not written, a rogue line in the music, Flicker mocking.

Then all was silent.

I waited for Owl to reverberate Truth. I waited, knowing that Truth was the answer, the next line. But Owl was silent.

Instead, after the mocker, Grief came again, Dove resonating.

And they began their song anew.

Joy. Sorrow. Hope. Truth.

Search Me, O God

In self-righteousness, I protest, "But what about all those other things that I do?"

This in response to, "Why didn't you remember to do this? And how could you forget to do that? And that other thing...I can't believe you didn't do it!"

The bottom line is that those things that I have been "called out on"...the things I didn't do...I should have done. Self-righteousness has no place protesting against neglecting to exhibit love and gratitude. While I recognize that I cannot do it all, surely there are things that I overlook or neglect that are to my shame when I do not do them.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. " Psalm 139:23-24

A Timely Link

In the midst of conversations about contentment, paying for children's college educations and adoption, this post covers it all. Even boob jobs. (Her words, not mine.)

Please read it.

A Brilliant Marketing Campaign?

"A Chicago area urology practice is promoting vasectomies by informing potential patients that if they get the procedure done right before March Madness, that they’ll be able to stay at home for a few days to recover and watch some of the games uninterrupted reports the Southtown Star." (read more)

So, is this a strategic marketing campaign? After all, most men don't require an excuse to sit down and watch a series of games on TV. This just gives them an added incentive to be able to do so under doctor's orders. And on the surface, I think it sounds like an absolutely brilliant marketing campaign.

But is there a hidden agenda? Is it an attempt to sterilize our male population? I mean, can a guy just walk into the doctor, say "Hey, sign me up" and there's no further discussion about it? Are there any questions asked, protocols followed other than a few waivers and consents signed? I am sure the answer to this question varies by doctor.

And the procedure is reversible. In that sense, it isn't a permanent sterilization, should someone change his mind. But does the procedure enable more activity with less consequences? Would mass sterilization of our male population actually be of benefit, or would we find it leading to even further depths of immorality? Does marketing vasectomies in this manner trivialize the procedure into something to be done on a whim, with no consideration of the consequences?

You know, there are times when I should ask myself, "Is the kitchen clean yet?" And then I should go clean it. This may be one of those times.

Check This Out!

My sister opened an Etsy shop, that you simply must visit, just because it looks so nice!


Go see kassiescreations.

Glad I Read That

The back of my deodorant container caught my eye this morning.

Directions: Put on underarms only.

I was just getting ready to smear some on my head. Good thing I can read.

For My Own Contemplation

I was interested in this article in Newsweek about antidepressants, that poses an interesting dilemma. Posting it here for contemplation.

Integrity

Andree Seu has some great thoughts on integrity today at WORLDmag.com. Here's a taste:

"I want to be a person of “integrity,” not of spare parts hanging out all over the place that need to be constantly tucked back in, like Scarecrow stuffing his shirt in The Wizard of Oz."

I'll Show You My High Beams!

It was a dark, dark night. I was driving home from church. The car coming toward me had the audacity to flash his high beams at me.

"You wanna see high beams? I"ll show you high beams." And I flicked my lights back at him.

I pulled up to the traffic light, wondering why people felt it so important to flash beams at people when they were annoyed by the intensity of the lights. I mean, can't we just let things go? So you had a moment of discomfort when my bright lights hit your eyes.

Then the light struck me. There were no beams coming from my car. My headlights weren't on.

Excerpts: A Quest for More

"It is possible for us to profess allegiance to the big kingdom and yet, in our daily choices, be fighting for the success of the kingdom of one.

...there is grace for this battle! In the person and work of Jesus Christ, God has made ample provision for you and me as we live with kingdoms in conflict. His grace blows a hole in your self-contained kingdom, and in his redemptive love he reaches in and pulls you our, again and again."

A Quest for More, Paul David Tripp, pp 66, 68

I just love that visual. God's grace blowing a hole in my self-constructed wall and His great arm of mercy reaching in and plucking me out!

Finished: Debt of Honor

I picked this up at a book sale, not realizing that it was already in my basement and I had already read it. No matter. Enjoyed it again. (How could you not enjoy espionage, national security and "Get me the President!"?)

Spoiler: Jack-boy becomes president. Didn't we know that from the very first Clancy book?

Debt of Honor, Tom Clancy

Finished: The Possessed

What a terribly depressing book! I loved it! However, because pretty much everyone dies in the end, I've decided to not rename my children things like "Kirilov" and "Stepan Verkhovensky". The back cover sums up the book quite well: "...the young men...combine fanaticism, treachery and self-contradiction to incite an entire town to pillage, arson and slaughter." Premise: man creates chaos to match his tortured soul.

Thank God (literally) for Christ.

The Possessed, Fyodor Dostoyevsky

So Cavalier About Sin?

There are two bakeries that I pass relatively frequently: Sinfully Delicious and Sinful Delights. I find the names distracting. They do not entice me to purchase their goods at all.

The names' purposes are to allure and entice...to get you into the shop and purchase supposedly delicious baked goods. It is ok to name the stores this because it's a lie? It isn't really a sin to eat them, therefore, you can call it sinful? But then, isn't the lie a sin?

Why aren't casinos named things like "Spending in Sin" and whorehouses named "Sin and Stuff"? Why do baked goods qualify to have sin in their titles, and it's ok?

This is more a random thought...perhaps I'm overreacting a bit. But there should be great caution in how we utilize the English language. How many times (and I hear it over and over again) have you heard the phrase, "That's such a sin", but it's not referring to sin at all?

Our world does not recoginize the evil and destructive nature of the sin that dwells in us.

The Tongue

I was encouraged, edified and admonished (sorry, couldn't come up with another "e" word) by this post this morning.

A Beating Heart

As I draw closer to my midwife appointment, more and more anxiety sets in. I say to myself, "If only I could just hear the heart beat again. Then my fears will be stilled."

It occurs to me that the same thing occurs when feelings of doubt and questioning rise up within me about my spiritual life. If only I could sense that my heart was right...if only I could hear my heart beat.

Doubt and anxiety are rebellious irrational things. They rise up out of our hearts when logic defies them.

So this is why I can sing:

I lay my wants on Jesus; all fulness dwells in him;
he heals all my diseases, he doth my soul redeem:
I lay my griefs on Jesus, my burdens and my cares;
he from them all releases, he all my sorrows shares.

I rest my soul on Jesus, this weary soul of mine;
his right hand me embraces, I on his breast recline.
I love the name of Jesus, Immanuel, Christ the Lord;
like fragrance on the breezes his name abroad is poured.

stanzas 2 and 3, I Lay My Sins On Jesus, Horatius Bonar

Cultivating Thankfulness

As we teach our children to pray, we begin with simple thoughts of thanks. "Thank you for food. Thank you for dad. Thank you for peanut butter sandwiches."

I've noticed a habit in both of my older children that they continue to pray in thanks for requests. "We thank you that you would get Aunt Kristen home safely." "We thank you that you would help me sleep without a bad dream."

Perhaps it isn't quite intentional on their part, but I've learned a bit of anticipating the goodness of God in requests when they pray like that.