Goals Update: March

It's time for another goals update!

Become a faithful member of the 5 am club.  Um, I got up before six a few mornings...I don't mean to make excuses, but for those of you who do not live on the western border of the eastern time zone, do you realize how difficult it can be to get out of your nice and cozy bed when the sun does not rise until 7:56 am or later?  I kid you not.  EIGHT O'CLOCK.  What the heck type of a set-up is this?  All I have to say is that I am currently, in fact, not a fan of Daylight Savings Time for doing this to me. 

Memorize 52 verses. Fail.  I didn't even have verses to memorize for my SWI class...I just need to do it.  You know, maybe stop typing this post and go through the verses I've been working on and then maybe start studying some new ones.

Memorize (the first half) of the book of James. Just go back and read where I was at with this goal in February; it's pretty much the same situation.

Continue in the SWI program. Finally, I can write about a success!  I finished my first term class a few weeks ago; honestly, I really like this term better, but am sad because there are only two classes left.  I have a paper to write for it, which I plan on doing this week.  I also attended SWI Seminar Saturday and had a great time.  Not only were the presentation awesome, but Jess and I had a fantabulous time eating boatloads of those awesome peppermint candies...mmm....now, I need to get to work on finishing Adopted for Life and writing those eight papers.

Read through the Bible. I am almost caught up from being so far behind at the beginning of last month.  A few days ago, I just got to sit and read for a few hours.  It was kinda cool to read through pretty much an entire book in one setting.  Maybe I'll do that more often.

Continue to think through our family traditions. Fail.  I feel like I need to better about doing these things in advance...I can't develop new traditions for Easter when it's the middle of the Easter season.  Too much pressue.  So my lesson learned is I need to be a good deal more proactive about this; we already have many traditions in place, but there is still more we can do to become a more intentional Gospel family.

Communicate with our family (and friends) more. Even worse than last month.  That's all I'm going to say.

Build up our emergency fund. We're back to focusing on the car loan, so see the next item.

Make a huge dent in our car loan. We were fortunate to get a decent tax return from the federal government; as soon as the money was deposited into our account, we used the majority of it to pay some more on our car loan.  I'm starting to get really ambituous with paying off the loan even earlier than we had anticipated...so keep your fingers crossed for that!

Cut our grocery bill. I have decided to just stop eating, as that may be the only way to cut our grocery bill.

Develop a consistent and workable cleaning schedule. Honestly, I'm being fairly consistent with this (and Isaac always helps when he can).  I don't have a set schedule, but if something needs to get done, we just do it.  It's worked out pretty well so far. 

Read 30 books. I finished four books this month, none of which were on my 2010 Reading List.  I am really focusing on Adopted for Life now, as I have a paper on it due pretty soon.  I need to tackle some of my 2010 Reading List next.  Yes, I realize I still have not posted reviews of The Portrait of a Lady and Corelli's Mandolin.  But one day, I will get those flushed out and sensible. 

Scrapbook. Uh....again, nothing.  But I have been organizing some online albums, so that should count for something, right?

Continue blogging. I didn't do a good job with this either.  And I have been a wretched blog reader and commenter.  I am going to work especially hard in April on leaving the love for other people.  The weather has recently been gorgeous, so I'm speaning as much time outside as possible...which is probably why I haven't posted so much this month.

So here's to progress- even if it's just a little bit.  How are your goals coming along and do you have any ideas for motivation for those of us who are struggling with some of our goals?

Welcome Spring

As today marks the first day of spring, Jen and I decided to venture to Bernheim Forest, a lovely arboretum and research facility just south of Louisville.  Though there wasn't much green to be seen, several buds were peeking through the brown and gray drudgery.  I can't wait until spring is in full bloom!

The Ides of March

Ever since high school, I've looked forward to the Ides of March.  Though we never were out of school because of the Ides, there was still a festivity in the air when March 15th rolled around.  You didn't even have to be in Ms. McAferty's Latin class to enjoy the day (although it was much better if you were).  Though I don't attend toga parties anymore (but hmm...maybe I should host one next year) and most people I'm in contact with on a daily basis couldn't care a bit about that fateful day Julius Caesar was stabbed (Et tu, Brute?), something won't let me forget the feelings of nostalgia that well up halfway through the month.

I have an interesting tradition for the Ides of March.  I watch this movie.  Most of you have never heard of it, but oh, it was a childhood classic for me.  I had honestly forgotten it existed until a few years ago when I saw the DVD on sale at Wal-Mart.  I am pretty sure I literally squealed in the middle of the store before calling my mom to tell her the good news (and yes, the movie is also now a part of her DVD collection).  Of course, I promptly purchased the DVD and watched it that night.  At any rate, I like to watch The Last Unicorn on the Ides (for whatever reason I started doing this, I'm not sure).  Sometimes I even put my hair in pigtails and snuggle with my Little Foot from The Land Before Time.  It's nostalgic, you see.  The Ides, a childhood movie and stuffed animals.  And for those glorious 93 minutes, I actually feel like I am six years old again (in a good way). 

And oh yes, imagine my joy last fall when I discovered my coworker not only knew of the movie, but loved it (and also owns it).  We discuss its merits on a regular basis.  Today, in fact, we tried to describe the intensity and beauty of it to another coworker for at least twenty minutes.  And then we found this...and started crying.  Seriously, the music is hauntingly beautiful.  Especially for a childrens' movie!



In other non-nostalgic-Ides-of-March news, I would like to announce the winners of the What's in the Bible? giveaway:

Liz from Straight Up...Now Tell Me and
Jessica from Reflections of a Princess

Liz, since you commented first, I'll send you the certificate for the first episode.  Jess, I'll give you the certificate for the second episode when I see you this week.  Congratulations friends!

Now, go watch The Last Unicorn...and beware the Ides of March!!!

The Next Five Minutes

Barry wrote a great post a few weeks ago, and it's too good not to share with those of you who may not be a regular visitor to his blog.  Because I don't think I can put it any better than he did, I'm simply reposting Barry's words and images verbatim:

What’s your reaction to the following graphic and video clip?

The text reads: “Each week, millions and millions of upper middle class American citizens put on expensive dress clothes, and load themselves into SUVs and drive past homeless shelters, orphanages, prisons, missions, and halfway houses on their way to a very expensive and nice church, where somebody tells them how to be more like Jesus.”

A lot could be said about that, and I want to give you a chance to do just that. What’s your response to the statement? Is it true or is it false? Is it fair or is it unfair? Why or why not? Now, watch this 5-minute video.



David Platt began his message at a recent conference by showing that clip (HT Timmy Brister); Platt went on to say:

Over 4.5 billion who are without Christ are right now heading to an eternity in hell. That is a vast spiritual need. Add to that a vast physical need. 26,000 children will die today because of preventable disease. God has chosen to determine the measure and integrity of faith by our response to the poor. If this book is true, then we do not have time to play games with our lives [emphasis mine]. We do not have time to play games in the church. I want to call us this morning to forsake hopes, plans, dreams, possessions, and ideas of a nice, comfortable, safe middle-class American life. I want to call you to forsake it all in radical abandonment for Jesus Christ.

Both the graphic and Platt’s message are an indictment, if not a scathing rebuke, to most American Christians.

Isaac Newton

I am just loving these biographies from the Christian Encounters series! After I finished Saint Patrick, my husband encouraged me to try to review another book from the same series if I could. Lo and behold, the opportunity presented itself, and a short biography titled Isaac Newton was soon on its way to me.

Any of you who know me are probably thinking, "Isaac Newton? She picked a biography of a guy who is all about math and science?" Yes! I know it seems rather crazy, considering how math and science have always been my worst subjects. (Case in point: when I was studying for the GRE, I was totally stumped by a mathematical problem involving a triangle. I could not figure it out for the life of me. I turned to my amazing study buddy Holly and asked, "I just don't get this. How do I even go about solving this? I mean, I haven't taken an algebra course since freshman year. Social workers do statistics, not triangles!" Holly replied, "Jen, just use the formula." A blank expression settled on my face. "Formula? What formula? I don't see anything in the directions about a formula." Holly looked at me like I was from Mars. "A-squared plus b-squared equals c-squared. You don't remember that?" Um, no. I didn't think I was going to need that until I had children who were taking algebra, so I chunked it out of my brain after I took the final. Word to the wise, friends- do not forget the Pythagorean theorem, especially if you are planning on taking the GRE).

However, I thoroughly enjoyed this biography of Newton by Mitch Stokes. Stokes does a great job depicting Newton's life and his scientific studies; he even explains the truth behind the apple falling from the tree (which, incidentally, did not land on Newton's head). But oh friends, did you know that Newton wrote more about theology and religion than all of his other studies? And yet we know so little about these! Stokes included several excerpts from Newton's writings (not just about theology, but about optics, calculus, and other subjects I simply don't understand). One of these excerpts I'd like to share. Newton writes:

To celebrate God for eternity, immensity, omniscience, and omnipotence is indeed very pious and the duty of every creature to do according to capacity, but...the wisest of beings required of us to be celebrated not so much for his essence as for his actions, the creating, preserving, and governing of all things according to his good will and pleasure. The wisdom, power, goodness, and justice which he always exerts in his actions are his glory which he stands so much upon, and is so jealous of...even to the least tittle.

It doesn't matter who you are and whether you agree with Newton's ascertations or not, but that is just beautifully written and expressed. Would that we wrote like that today! I highly recommend this biography; I am so glad my husband pushed me to select and review this book. I respect Newton a great deal more than I ever did, and though I may not appreciate his development of calculus, I am glad God gifted him in so many ways and that Newton pursued the understanding of the world around him.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Beguiled

Sometimes, you just need a no-brainer read.  Enter Beguiled by Deanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand.  I started this book on Sunday and finished it Monday (and would have finished it sooner if we didn't participate in "Souper Sunday" with the one and only Jen Jones).  Beguiled is the first book I've reviewed for Bethany House Publishers, and I must say that the book was pleasantly surprising.

Beguiled follows Rylee, a young woman living in Charleston, as she works for the wealthiest families as a dog walker.  But as more and more of her clients become victims of crimes, the police begin to question Rylee about her involvement.  Rylee teams up with Logan, a reporter covering the story, in hopes that she will be able to proclaim her innocence to the police- and to the city of Charleston.  As the reader progresses through the mystery (complete with some very intense moments), we find out more about Rylee's past and the importance her history plays in the epidemic of crime in the wealthiest neighborhoods.

Sure, the book wasn't necessarily too thought-provoking, and it definitely didn't change my worldview or anything, but I had almost forgotten how nice it is to simply read a story for the sheer enjoyment of it.  Yes, I love reading the 100 greatest novels and the other books on my reading list, but sometimes you just need an unambitious story to take you far away from the insanity of your week.  I don't say unambitious to insult the authors; on the contrary, Gist and Bertrand created a story which allows readers to read and simply enjoy.  There is nothing wrong in that pursuit.  My advice for you?  Go grab a no-brainer read and enjoy it sometime in the near future.  It's actually quite a rewarding experience. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Behtny House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Don't forget to enter the What's in the Bible? giveaway!

What's In the Bible?

Recently, I had the opportunity to review the new children's series What's in the Bible? from the one and only Phil Vischer, creator of VeggieTales. Tyndale House is partnering with Vischer to produce and promote the series that will go through the Bible, book by book, to help teach children...well, What's in the Bible.

My husband and I watched the first two episodes and enjoyed the show immensely. It is a combination of live action, animation, and puppets. The content is great, and although there are bound to be some theological differences in how the information is presented, I felt that overall, the series was remarkably well done. Vischer doesn't water down the information, but rather seeks to present the whole truth to children, teaching them the meaning of big church words thrown around so casually by many believers (e.g. covenant, redemption, canon). One of my favorite segments is titled A Pirate's Guide to Church History; I thought this particular bit was an especially important idea because church history is a generally untouched subject, and yet it is so critical to understand. Even in the first two episodes, Vischer manages to delve into difficult and sticky topics like original sin and the canonization of the Bible.

And of course, you can expect the series to be both serious and funny, engaging not just your children but most likely the whole family. Here is a short excerpt:



I am really looking forward to checking out all the other episodes as well! Maybe the best news of this particular post is that Tyndale has provided me with two certificates for one free DVD of What's in the Bible? to give to two lucky readers!  Each certificate is good for one particular episode: The first episode is titled In the Beginning, and the second episode is titled Let My People Go. If you'd like to win one of these episodes, just leave a comment to be entered.   I'll draw the winners one week from today on the Ides of March (that's March 15th for those of you who didn't take Latin).

Good luck and happy watching!

Chasing Francis

Chasing Francis: A Pilgram's Tale by Ian Morgan Cron is a novel chronicling the crisis of faith of a pastor. After becoming a believer in college, Falcon helped found a church in New England which quickly became the typical mega-church, offering buildings, programs, and church membership rosters to boot. But when a small child of the congregation dies, Falcon's world- and his faith- come crashing down around his head. During a leave of absence from the church, he travels to Italy to spend time with his uncle, a Franciscan monk. Uncle Kenny leads Falcon along a pilgrimage, helping him to understand the life of Francis of Assisi and how the saint's faith affected the Church, not only in the Medieval era, but also in modern times.

The book is wonderfully written and easy to read. In general, Cron's work is very thought-provoking; what does our modern day church, with its often inward focused mentality, say about our faith? Though we may not take a vow of poverty like Franciscan monks, do we even consider the poor when we worry about affording our next big purchase? Do we simply tolerate the arts, thinking they may be nice but not essential, or do we see how the arts can point us to Beauty itself? I encourage you to read the book and work through the issues presented throughout Falcon's story.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

March's Focus: P and A with Wycliffe Bible Translators

It's hard to believe this, but this month marks the first anniversary of our family Focus of the Month!  Over the past year, we have given to and prayed for organizations and individuals who are serving across the nation and the world.  It's really been an interesting adventure as we continually encourage ourselves to research and examine all the work being done throughout the nations by various individuals, groups, churches, agencies, and organizations.  The more you look around, the more you see being accomplished- the more lives you see being changed.

But you also become more aware of issues and problems you didn't even know existed.  So while this new endeavor has been encouraging, it's also been incredibly sobering.  We're definitely not wealthy by any means, but when I see the stories of so many across this oft-devastating world, I cannot help but feel convicted of my level of comfort and wealth.  I'm sure many of you have seen this website, but even if you have- check it out and be reminded and encouraged that it often takes a very little to make a big difference.

And so, you ask, what will be the Focus of the Month now that you've got a year of this family tradition under your belt?  Well, we're going back to where we started.  Our very first Focus of the Month were P and A with Wycliffe Bible Translators.  You can read the original post about the beginning of the Focus of the Month tradition and how we met and choose P and A as our first focus here.  Lately, P and A have been on my heart a good deal, and I wanted to share a brief update with you all as well.  Since last March when we first 'introduced' you to them, they have moved to Central Asia and are continuing to learn the local language(s) in order to translate the Word of God into the languages so that everyone can have access to the Word in their own language.  Please continue to pray for not only excellent language acquisition, but also relationship development- that P and A would be the Light to their neighbors and friends.  Also pray for safety, as they are in a very closed country at the moment.

I want to repost one paragraph which truly shows how needed the work of translators P and A is:

There are 6,912 spoken languages in the world today. Of those languages, only 438 have complete translations of the Bible available. One thousand one hundred and sixty-eight languages have translations of the New Testament. And 2,251 languages do not have any part of the Bible translated; one hundred ninety three million people in the world speak these 2,251 languages.

If you would like to donate to Wycliffe Bible Translators and help support this incredibly important work, please visit their website here.