Reading. It's a Good Thing.

Remember the new goal I set for 2009 of reading 10 pages of theology a day?  I just love it.  And when I say reading theology, please don't think that's as deep and profound and stuffy as it sounds.  I'm just reading books about God and spiritual growth.

I'm finding there are a handful of benefits resulting from this exercise... 

#1: I look forward to my reading time because I know I'm going to learn something else about God and my relationship to Him that I didn't know before.  Sort of like going on an adventure.  The book I'm adventuring through now, Let's Start With Jesus, has been amazing.  I'm seeing God's love in a whole new light, and light bulbs are coming on for me concerning the command to love others.

#2: I am reaping the very result I had anticipated - an ongoing meditation over the spiritual truths I'm reading.  I enjoy the thought processing and putting together the new stuff I'm reading with the truths I've previously learned.  Making those connections is a treat. 

#3: I really enjoy time spent with my friends, discussing what I'm learning and then in turn listening to what they're learning in their studies.  Often the Lord puts it all together, and we find that what each of us is studying separately meshes beautifully.  I thrive on these discussions.

To be honest, I've cut way back on my blog reading in the last week, and the book reading has easily taken priority.  I'm feeling content that this is the direction God has sent me in.  How I look forward to the next book!

What are you reading?  Leave a comment and tell me about it.

I Want One!

Do you want to know what I'm drooling over right now????  One of these...

 

                      

It's a Flip Video Mino Camcorder.  Did you know that it will record up to 60 minutes of video footage?  60 minutes!  1 whole hour!  Of video footage! 

Do you realize what that could do for my A Day at the Office vlog series?  You could listen to me ramble on about nothing for 60 minutes.  Think of how that could change YOUR life, too. 

Yeah, I'd probably cover my ears and sing la-la-la-la-I-can't-hear-you, too.

But a girl can dream, can't she?

A Letter

Dear Starbucks Barista,

I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for refraining from dousing yourself with your favorite eau de parfum this morning.  It must have been a truly difficult sacrifice to make for your customers in that it's your favorite scent and you enjoy it immeasurably, so I thought I should let you know that it made a difference in my life today.

You see, I have been unable to enjoy my very special Peppermint Mocha Twist to the fullest degree because of your perfume.  The flavor of my beverage and the scent of your perfume do not mix well, practically gagging, and your scent was all that filled my nostrils as I sipped on my cup of mocha.  Can you imagine the tragedy that has come to my frigid, winter mornings in being unable to partake of the warm creaminess of my beloved drink?  Not to mention the parting with my $3.65 for the smallest of comforts?

Granted, the Peppermint Mocha Twist is now off the menu, and I will not enjoy it again until a mere 11 months have passed.  The Raspberry Mocha will do just fine in its stead, though.  Even now, I am enjoying the raspberry goodness, free of floral notes wafting from my cup.

So I just wanted to say thank you.

Your Ever-Grateful Patron,

Liz 

To Know Him

As I have anticipated the new year coming, the last few days I've been mulling over what I ought to set as goals for 2009.  One goal continues to be at the forefront of my mind because of various situations prompting me, and it is to become disciplined about reading.  Specifically, choosing to do more theological reading.

The best idea and most straight forward plan is to read 10 pages a day.  That would provide a constant flow of biblical truth to meditate on, with the intent of spurring me on in spiritual growth.  I know I always feel spiritually dry when I go weeks upon weeks without reading books apart from my Bible reading at quiet time, so setting this as a goal would benefit me tremendously.

I thought I'd make a short list of what I intend to read.  Put it in writing, so to speak.  The plan is to read a minimum of 10 pages each day, if not more.  Here are the books I have in mind to get me started:

Let's Start With Jesus  (by Dennis F. Kinlaw)  - This is already in progress, so I'm counting it in my new year's plan.

Because He Loves Me  (by Elyse Fitzpatrick)

Love, The Ultimate Apologetic  (by Art Lindsley)

The Fear Factor  (by Wayne Mack & Joshua Mack)

Future Grace  (by John Piper)

Suffering and the Sovereignty of God  (by John Piper and Justin Taylor) - This is already in progress, but I haven't touched it in weeks.

I would also like to read something from Ravi Zacharias, and I'm pretty sure I have a friend who can hook me up with one or two of his books.  *Hint...hint, friend.*

I'm looking forward to the learning that's ahead for me this year.  I love it when I discover new things about God that I have never seen before.  I want to know Him.

2 Peter 1:2-4a Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature....

------------------------------------------------------------------*Updated to add that as I finish these books I will be listing the titles/authors over in my sidebar.  That way you can see what I've completed and have quick access to them, in case you might just like to join in on my reading adventure, too.

New Year, New Look

So... anything look different around here on the old blog?  Hmmm... let's see.  Could it be that I changed my background design again?  Of course I did. 

Christmas is over.  It's a new year.  Time to start fresh.  And I'm downright fickle.  I love to change things up whenever I can.  I'm so glad I found The Cutest Blog on the Block site because it's perfect for people like me who would like to change their blog design as often as they change their underwear - EVERY OTHER DAY. 

Oh, I kid!

I've probably broken Blog Rule #253 and changed my blog design too many times, creating a blog identity confusion for my readers.  I might be shooting myself in the foot by caving to my fickleness.  Does my blog lose its "stickiness" with my frequent changes? 

Dear readers, if you want to chime in on this, go ahead and give me your two cents worth.  Please be gentle, though, because I cry easily.