Wednesday Hodgepodge

Until my blogging inspiration returns, I'll jump in here as I can.  I've seen the Wednesday Hodgepodge link up every week on one of my friend's blogs, so today seems like a really good day to answer some hodgepodge questions.

                                                                      

1. Share your Christmas Eve traditions.

Every year my side of the family gathers on Christmas Eve night for finger foods, reading the Christmas story, and exchanging gifts.  That includes me and my husband, Mom & Dad, and my sister & her family. This year we add my grandma, since she moved in with my parents at the start of 2010.  It's pretty much the highlight of Christmas for us because we get to eat all those little goodies like meatballs, shrimp cocktail, smokies in a blanket, and especially the baked goods.  (Sugar cookies are my favorite.).

2. What was the best book you read in 2010? (we're not going to include the Bible here)

This is a tough one to answer because I've read a lot of books, and many are new favorites.  I'm going to choose two (or three), one fiction and one non-fiction. 

Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury was fascinating to me because it introduced me to the world of autism, and it was also the first book I had read by Kingsbury.  The story gave me goosebumps.  I must say that a tie for favorite fiction would also be How Do I Love Thee? by Nancy Moser.  Loved that book!

Under non-fiction I have to choose Outrageous Mercy by William Farley.  He's a new author to me as well, and he really gave me new eyes to better understand God's justice and love in a way I had not grasped before.  I think everyone needs to read this book because it's about making the cross central in everything we do... live, serve and worship.

3. Do you have pets and if so do you allow them on the furniture?

I have a cat and a dog, and we allow them on the furniture.  Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to enjoy them as pets.  I'd have to crawl around on the floor with them, and you know, I've got old knees at 38.

4. What event in 2010 are you most thankful for?

Unfortunately, I'm having trouble remembering a lot of highlights from 2010.  So the most recent event that stands out in my mind just happened a couple weeks ago.  A dear friend in our church, Martha, passed away from pancreatic cancer, and Judy and I were asked to sing at her funeral.  We sang the hymn "I Love to Tell the Story" because it embodied what her life was about.  I cannot express the filling of joy I experienced in those moments of singing, praising the Lord for His gospel and in honoring our friend for her faithfulness to the gospel.

5. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?

I had the privilege of being a speaker at a ladies luncheon at church in May.  It was both challenging and encouraging to me.

6. Brussel sprouts...friend or foe?

FOE!!!  The one and only time I tried brussel sprouts was at a buffet.  I took only one, just to say I tried it.  I put it in my mouth and started chewing, and all I wanted to do was spit it back out.  Ugh!  How does anyone eat those things?

7. Who would you nominate for man/woman of the year?

I am uncertain.  This question would be easier for me to answer if it was who I would NOT nominate.  *cough* Nancy Pelosi *cough*

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I got a new phone this week, and it's a smart phone.  I'm totally enthralled with the technology.  I mean, really.  I can't believe what this Android phone can do.  The only thing it's missing is the ability to "beam me up".  Now that WOULD be something!

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Fall Into Reading 2010 Challenge: Wrap Up

It's the first day of winter, which means it's time to wrap up the Fall Into Reading 2010 Challenge with our host Callapidder Days.  I enjoyed having something to challenge me to read, although my reading lists changed not too long after I chose my books. 

These are the ones I read:

Fiction:

• Love's First Bloom by Delia Parr
• Masquerade by Nancy Moser
• The Intervention by Terri Blackstock
• The Telling by Beverly Lewis (audio)
• Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury
• The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
• A Time to Dance by Karen Kingsbury
• Unwrapping Christmas by Lori Copeland

Non-fiction:

• The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul
• Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament by Nancy Guthrie (a devotional for review that I simply skimmed it)
• Radical Womanhood by Carolyn McCulley
• Outrageous Mercy by William Farley

**My top recommendations from this list are The Intervention, Unlocked, The Holiness of God, and Outrageous Mercy.**

These are the ones I either didn't get to or just set aside for later:

A  Woman's Place - Lynn Austin

Riven - Jerry B. Jenkins

In My Father's House - Brock & Bodie Thoene

The Joy of Fearing God - Jerry Bridges

The Divorce Dilemma - Dr. John MacArthur

The Fear Factor by Wayne and Joshua Mack (a study I'm still working on)

Overall I'd say I did fairly well.  That's a lot of books for me to complete in that period of time.  I look forward to the spring when Callapidder Days hosts another reading challenge.

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Fall Into Reading: Question #12

I know it's really late, but I'm linking up with Callapidder Days on her final question of the Fall Into Reading 2010 carnival.  You do realize that means the end of fall is drawing near, don't you?  I must say if you were here in Indiana you would see that fall left many weeks ago because we've had nothin' but SNOW for more than a week.

So here are the three questions she asked:

Do you write in your books?

I do not write in fiction books, but I do write in my non-fiction biblical books.  I highlight in most of them and sometimes make notes in the margins.

Can you read in the car?

I would really love to be able to read in the car, but the vehicle would have to be stopped in order for me to do that.  I get carsick if I read in motion.  I can't even walk on the treadmill and read at the same time.  Ugh... the feeling is horrid!

Does the rest of your family enjoy reading?

My husband reads, but not as much as I do.  Unless you count the daily newspaper.  No, I take that back.  I read blogs daily, so I KNOW I read more than he does.

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Sunday Scripture

photo © 2006 Germán Meyer | more info (via: Wylio)

     But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

     For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 

     Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NKJV)

Quotes on Holiness

I have been reading The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul to take part in Tim Challies' challenge to read the Christian classics.  Although I kept thinking I was going to share the things I've been reading and learning from the book, every week passes and I just never get around to it because of time.  I'm doing well if I actually have the chapter read the day before Tim reviews the chapter on Thursdays.

I realized that even though I don't have time to put all my thoughts down in a post, I could at least share some quotes that spoke to me from the reading.  Here are my favorites from chapter 8, Be Holy Because I Am Holy.

The call to holiness was first given to Adam and Eve.  This was the original assignment of the human race.  We were created in the image of God.  To be God's image meant, among other things, that we were made to mirror and reflect God's character.

The Bible calls us "holy ones."  We are holy because we have been consecrated to God.  We have been set apart.  We have been called to a life that is different.  The Christian life is a life of nonconformity.

The "saints" are called to a rigorous pursuit of the kingdom of God.  They are called to depth in their spiritual understanding.

The key method Paul underscores as the means to the transformed life is by the "renewal of the mind."  This means nothing more and nothing less than education.  Serious education.  In-depth education.  Disciplined education in the things of God.  It calls for a mastery of the Word of God.  We need to be people whose lives have changed because our minds have changed.

To be spiritual has only one real purpose.  It is a means to an end, not the end itself.  The goal of all spiritual exercise must be the goal of righteousness.  God calls us to be holy.  Christ sets the priority of the Christian life:  "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matt.6:33).  The goal is righteousness.

 

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