Amanda's Book Blog

The Meaning of Marriage

2012-02-08T16:04:00.000+11:00

Timothy Keller, he's done it again! Another excellent, thought-provoking book from the author of The Prodigal God (one of my favourite books).

"The Bible begins and ends with a wedding."

Even though this statement is true, and on the back cover of the book, this book is not just for married or engaged couples. It's also for the single person. Considering Keller's church is made up of mostly singles, he's amply qualified to write a book about marriage that they will find relevant.

The thing I liked most about this book was his balanced approach to marriage. In a culture where singles often feel like, and are treated as, second-class citizens, Keller turns us back to what the Bible says. He shows how the Bible should shape our thinking, rather than the culture around us. He even covers courtship and dating. You'll be surprised by his conclusion.

This book is a must read for anyone, in any stage of life. Get yourself a copy!

Your Life in Rhythm

2011-08-17T16:14:00.001+10:00

A dear friend gave me this book to read and I haven't been able to put it down over the last week. The theme is reminiscent of the Greg Harris adage to remember the season of life you are in and to order your life accordingly. But this book brought a somewhat fresh approach to an old idea.

From the cover: "Less stress, more Peace; Less frustration, more Fulfillment; Less discouragement, more Hope

Who doesn't want more of that?!

It inspired me to remember that life is short and a lot of hard work, but along the way to make time to rest, enjoy, and lovewell those God has blessed me with. I'm going to buy my own copy!

Books

2011-08-01T20:13:00.001+10:00

I haven't posted here for a while, but it's not because I haven't been reading. I just haven't had time to jot down any book reviews. So, for those of you who are interested enough to even read this blog here's a list of the latest with a few lazy book reviews (I didn't write them):

The Cricket on The Hearth, Dickens

The Jesus I Never Knew, Yancey

I started Crime and Punishment recently but haven't got very far through it due to misplacing the book.

In the Bible I've been reading Romans, Psalms, and 1 Samuel

Well, that's my reading list...

I'd love to hear what everyone else has been reading too...

Reading for School

2011-03-04T08:59:00.000+11:00

I love my work. Who else but a home schooling mother gets to read exciting books each day while 'teaching' her children? It doesn't feel like teaching at all - we all have so much fun while learning. This year we have embarked on the Sonlight curriculum. I only wish I had made this decision sooner in our home schooling life - the boys love the history, crying out for, "just one more chapter, please."

The Witch of Blackbird pond is no exception. It is a delightful story of a young lady from Barbados who sets out to live with her Puritan relatives in New England after the death of her grandfather. The only problem, she doesn't fit in. The superstitious, legalistic atmosphere is enough to snuff out the life of this little bird of paradise. And after she is accused of witchcraft (a common charge in those days) it looks as though that is just what will happen.

More from John Ploughman's Talks

2010-11-30T12:43:00.000+11:00

"Long ago my experience taught me not to dispute with anybody about tastes and whims; one might as well argue about what you can see in the fire. It is of no use ploughing the air, or trying to convince a man against his will in matters of no consequence.

No man's lot is fully known till he is dead: change of fortune is the lot of life. He who rides in carriages may yet have to clean it. Sawyers change places, and he who is up aloft may have to take his turn in the pit. In less than a thousand years we shall all be bald and poor too, and who knows what he may come to before that? The thought that we may ourselves be one day under the window should make us careful when we are throwing out our dirty water. With what measure we mete it shall be measured to us again, and therefore let us look well to our dealings with the unfortunate...instead of a little help, they give the sinking man a great deal of cruelty, and cry, 'Serves him right.'

If providence smites him, all men's whips begin to crack. The dog is drowning, and therefore all his friends empty their buckets over him. The tree has fallen, and everybody runs for his hatchet. The house is on fire, and all the neighbours warm themselves...

How aggravating it is when those who knocked you down kick you for not standing up. It is not very pleasant to hear that you have been a great fool, and there were fifty ways at least of keeping out of your difficulty, only you had not the sense to see them. You ought not to have lost the game: even Tom Fool can see where you made a bad move.

'He ought to have locked the stable door;' everybody can see that, but nobody offers to buy the loser a new nag.

'What a pity he went so far on the ice!' That's very true, but that won't save the poor fellow from drowning. When a man's coat is threadbare, it is an easy thing to pick a hole in it. Good advice is poor food for a hungry family..."

Choosing to See

2010-11-26T10:57:00.000+11:00

I saw this book the other day while in Koorong, but decided to wait and purchase it another time 'cause I had already spent way too much money in there. Books are a weakness of mine. Anyway, I was destined to read it sooner than I had thought. My lovely sister loaned me her copy. Thank You, Andrea!

Suffering is not exactly on most people's wish lists, but as Mary Beth says,

"I know that suffering is one place where He ministers to us the most."

Yep. I would agree with that.

Mary Beth Chapman shares her life story and about the death of her four-year-old daughter in a raw and honest way, not often seen from a high profile Christian. Have a box of tissues by your side!

Missionaries to the Indians

2010-11-18T09:14:00.001+11:00

This book tells the story of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, missionaries to the Indians; the family the Sager children lived with after their gruelling journey on the Oregon Trail. It doesn't have a very happy ending as the Whitmans are killed in a massacre, but the history is very interesting and the book gives plenty of topics for lively discussion about white settlers possession of Indian land.

Allergies

2010-11-11T14:09:00.000+11:00

This is what I am reading at the moment...

And this is why...

Gems from Spurgeon

2010-11-09T15:38:00.002+11:00

Charles Spurgeon is a favourite of mine, so when I spied this book at the Lifeline Bookfair recently I snatched it up at for all of 50c. Bargain!
The gems within are a bargain too. I am going to share a few of his thoughts with you over the next month or so. "The topics and brief chapters are homespun, reflecting the London preacher's wit. In these chapters, Spurgeon reflects on idleness, grumbling, appearance, firmness, patience, gossiping, opportunities, faults, debt, home..."

Faults
He who boasts of being perfect is perfect in folly. I have been a good deal up and down the world, and I never did see either a perfect horse or a perfect man, and I never shall till two Sundays come together. You cannot get white flour out of a coal sack, nor perfection out of human nature; he who looks for it had better look for sugar in the sea. The old saying is, "Lifeless, faultless": of dead men we should say nothing but good, but as for the living, they are all tarred more or less with the black brush, and half an eye can see it. Every head has a soft place in it, and every heart has its black drop. Every rose has its prickles, and every day its night. Even the sun shows spots, and the skies are darkened with clouds. Nobody is so wise but he has folly enough to stock a stall at Vanity Fair. Where I could not see the fool's cap. I have nevertheless heard the bells jingle. As there is no sunshine without some shadows, so is all human good mixed up with more or less of evil; even poor law guardians have their little failings, and parish beadles are not wholly of heavenly nature. The best wine has its lees. All men's faults are not written on their foreheads, and it's quite as well they are not, or hats would need very wide brims, yet, as sure as eggs are eggs, faults of some sort nestle in every bosom. There's no telling when a man's sins may show themselves, for hares pop out of the ditch just when you are not looking for them. A horse that is weak in the legs may not stumble for a mile or two, but it is in him, and the rider had better hold him up well. The tabby cat is not lapping milk just now, but leave the dairy door open, and we will see is she is not as bad a thief as the kitten.

If we would always recollect that we live among men who are imperfect, we should not be in such a fever when we find out our friend's failings; what's rotten will rend, and cracked pots will leak. Blessed is he who expects nothing of poor flesh and blood, for he shall never be disappointed. The best of men are men at the best, and the best wax will melt. It is foolish to turn off a tried friend because of a failing or two...Being all of us full of faults, we ought to keep two bears, and learn to bear and forbear with one another; since we all live in glass houses, we should none of us throw stones. Everybody laughs when the saucepan says to the kettle, "How black you are!" Other men's imperfections show us our imperfections, for one sheep is much like another; and if there's an apple in my neighbour's eye, there is no doubt one in mine. We ought to use our neighbour's as looking glasses to see our own faults in, and mend in ourselves what we see in them.

I have no patience with those who poke their noses into every man's house to smell out his faults, and put on magnifying glasses to discover their neighbour's flaws; such folks had better look at home, they might see the devil where they little expected. What we wish to see we shall see, or think we see. Faults are always thick where love is thin. It would be far more pleasant business, at least for other people, if fault hunters would turn their dogs to hunt out the good points in other folks; the game would pay better, and nobody would stand with a pitchfork to keep the huntsmen off his farm. As for our own faults, it would take a large slate to hold the account of them, but, thank God, we know where to take them, and how to get the better of them. With all our faults, God loves us still if we are trusting in His Son, therefore let us not be downhearted, but hope to live and learn, and do some good service before we die. Though the cart creaks it will get home with its load, and the old horse, broken kneed as he is, will do a sight of work yet. There's no use in lying down and doing nothing, because we cannot do everything as we should like. Faults or no faults, ploughing must be done, and imperfect people must do it too, or there will be no harvest next year...

Reading maketh a full man...Francis Bacon

2010-10-15T17:02:00.000+11:00

Some of the books I am reading at the moment.

Love, love, love this one!

Another excellent read from Carson. He is coming to Canberra in December and I can't wait!

Very similar to The Prodigal God, but a lot more detailed - more adult themes too.

Book of Words

2010-02-17T12:10:00.007+11:00

It's been awhile since I last posted, so I'll give you a run down on the latest books I've been reading. When John and I went away for our anniversary I decided to take a couple of the children's books that I hadn't read before. In fact, I didn't even know we owned them and I'd been wanting to read them for a while, having heard so many good things about them.

Sarah, Plain and Tall is a delightful book for young and old. I'm closer to the 'old' end of the scale and I cried like a baby only a few pages into the story. The story is not all sad though, it has a lovely ending to it. The book has the feel of a 'classic' even though it was only written 25 years ago. I haven't given any of the story away for the simple fact I want you to go and get a copy of to find out why it won the John Newbery Medal.

This took about 15 minutes to read. It is the true story of an 8 year old girl who traveled with her father to Indian territory to build their home. When her father leaves to bring the other members of the family to be with them, Sarah is left in the care of an Indian family.

I'm having trouble with the image for On the Banks of Plum Creek but we read that and are now in the middle of By the Shores of Silver Lake. In my Bible reading I'm in Zechariah, which is what we are studying in our Home Group. I'm also reading a book by Spurgeon, Sermons on Women of the Bible, most encouraging.

Servant-leader

2010-01-13T10:48:00.004+11:00

"A leader, according to its simplest definition, is someone who commands a following. To lead is to go ahead, to show the way and to inspire other people to follow." John Stott
Being a leader is not just restricted to the important role of Prime Minister or President of the United States. We are all leaders in our own spheres...our communities, our homes, our workplaces. We see people leading every day. But what does it mean to be a leader? More importantly, what does it mean to be a Christian leader?

Stott draws on the first four chapters of 1 Corinthians for the basis of this book and he points us to the first servant-leader, the Lord Jesus Christ.

'You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all' (Mark 10:42-44).

I have known leaders who lorded it over their flock, relishing the power that came with their position of authority. I am sure we all have stories to tell. But a servant-leader...who can find? That is the tension we see in the church today, in fact it has always been there. We have a picture of what the church should be and then we have the reality of what it is. "Romantic talk about 'the bride of Christ' and the very unromantic, ugly, unholy and quarrelsome Christian community we know ourselves to be."

We needn't despair though, God remains faithful when we are faithless.

I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world. But still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am.
John Newton

His plans are never thwarted, and amazing as it is, He chooses us to accomplish His work.

Here are some of the chapter titles

The ambiguity of the church
Power through weakness
Holy Spirit and Holy Scripture
The church and the Trinity
Models of Ministry

2009 Challenge

2010-01-12T16:41:00.008+11:00

Well, I didn't quite reach the hundred mark in my quest for reading 100+ books in 2009, but I came close. This year I am not joining any challenges, life is challenging enough, hey! I do intend to catalogue my reading material on here though, so stay tuned.

The last few books I read in 2009 were:

Truth For Today John MacArthur

Calling Christian Leaders John Stott

1 Peter NKJV

Little House in the Big Woods Laura Ingalls Wilder

Little House on the Prairie Laura Ingalls Wilder

Farmer Boy Laura Ingalls Wilder

November reading

2009-11-26T15:07:00.006+11:00

Another thought provoking book from Carolyn McCulley. I found the chapters on feminism in our culture (including our church culture) informative and interesting.

Both of these 'Little House' books are favourites in our home. The children always ask for just one more chapter, which is why we get through them so quickly.

Also read Psalms, Proverbs, and 1 Peter.

August, September, October Updates

2009-10-21T10:00:00.002+11:00

I haven't read as many books over the last few months, been too busy with other things. This is the latest:

The following by C.S. Lewis

The Screwtape Letters
Prince Caspian
Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The Silver Chair
*************************************

The Early Tozer: A Word in Season Tozer
Bringing Home the Prodigals Rob Parsons

2 Timothy
Proverbs

Another Update - April, May, June, July Reading

2009-07-21T15:06:00.004+10:00

Over the past few months I have read these books (and a few more):

Harry The Dirty Dog - Gene Zion

Colossians
Philemon
Proverbs
Jeremiah
Philippians
1&2 Thessalonians

Paul Revere's Ride - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow illustrated by Ted Rand

The New Baby Calf - Chase Reid

The Magician's Nephew
The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe -All by C.S. Lewis
The Horse and His Boy

The Love Dare - Kendrick (from the hit movie Fireproof)

This would have to be the best book I have ever read for married couples - and the above mentioned movie is an excellent tool for couples too.

The book "is a 40-day challenge for husband's and wives to understand and practice unconditional love.

Whether your marriage is hanging by a thread or healthy and strong..." this book is for you. And you won't be disappointed.

Shepherding a Child's Heart - Tedd Tripp

This is the best book I have ever read where child training is concerned. I must have had a marker in almost every page, there were so many pointers I wanted to go back and reread.

Tripp's basic message though is to point your child to the Cross. Show them their sin and then show them the One who can save them from it.

Discipline is seen as a rescue mission; the child is in enemy territory when he strays from God's law and the parent, as sanctioned by God, is to see them restored to safety.

"How could I see you in peril and not seek to rescue you?"

I could go on...but I won't. Buy the book, see for yourself - you won't be disappointed.

The Prodigal God - Timothy Keller

Another book destined to become a Classic. Only this one is not about marriage or child training, this one is about our relationship with God and the things that keep us from Him.

Most of you know the Prodigal Son story in your Bible. And like most people you probably remember it for the beautiful part where the profligate son comes home, still covered in rags, to be forgiven by his father. We tend to focus on a message of God's unconditional love when we come back to Him in repentance. But is that what the Story is really about? No, it is not.

Keller points out that both the Elder Son and the Younger Son were estranged from God. The younger with his wild ways and loose living, but the older one was too, with his self-righteousness and perfect moral code. Neither knew, nor loved their father. And the end of the story only shows one of them being reconciled to him. And this is because Younger Brothers see their need of a Saviour way before the Elder, 'rule-keeping' types who are satisfied with their 'good selves'. Good selves who don't need to be saved from anything.

"In this challenging and inspiring book. Timothy Keller invites both faithful believers and curious outsiders to come to a new and totally life-changing understanding of the central message of the Christian faith."

Are you a Younger Brother or an Elder One?

Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye?

2009-07-07T17:03:00.004+10:00

Finally, here is the review of Carolyn McCulley's book. Her way of writing grabs you from the start and makes you want to read more. I started flicking through the pages just out of curiosity and it didn't take long before I couldn't put the book down.

I like the way she deals with 'the single issue.' In her estimation it is not inferior to the marital state but it is not to be elevated either. I know there are books out there that want us to think singleness is superior to marriage, as though it is a form of spiritual superiority married people somehow miss out on. But I don't think the Bible teaches this. Marriage and singleness are both gifts given to us by God and Carolyn encourages women to esteem the gift they have been given.

Her use of the Proverbs 31 woman throughout is an interesting twist on a passage we would normally equate with marriage too.

Part One - Surveying Singleness covers the "hard questions" singles often receive from unthinking friends and family, and ways to deal with them while resting in "God's Quiet Providence."

Part Two - Finding A Guide For Relationships in The Proverbs 31 Woman

Why guarding your heart before marriage matters
Observing and serving the men around you

Part three - Finding A Guide For Daily Life In The Proverbs 31 Woman

Having a love for home and hospitality
Wisdom in the workplace with an eye on eternity
Investing in the next generation
The heart issues of beauty, aging, and worldliness
The impact of women's words for building up or tearing down
Subduing self-centredness through serving others
How to finish well in a youth-oriented world

Discussion of wisdom in relationships is always a worthwhile subject. So whether a person is single or married both will find that wisdom among these pages.

An Update

2009-05-19T13:55:00.002+10:00

Over the last couple of months I have read the following:

Mirette on The High Wire - Emily Arnold McCulley

Owl Moon - Jane Yolen

Respectable Sins - Jerry Bridges

From the back cover:
"Have Christians become so preoccupied with the major sins of our society that we have lost sight of our need to deal with our own more subtle sins? Jerry Bridges returns to his trademark theme of holiness and addresses a dozen clusters of specific "acceptable" sins that we tend to tolerate in ourselves - such as jealousy, anger, pride, unthankfulness, and judgmentalism."
An encouraging and challenging read.

A Thunder and Lightning Bug Story - Curtis Chapman

Mr Gumpy's Motor Car - John Burmingham

D is for Dinosaur - Ken Ham

Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye? - Carolyn McCulley
I will write a separate review for this one.

Mr McGee Goes to Sea - Pamela Allen

On The Other Side of The Garden - Virginia Fugate
A call to return to Biblical Womanhood, Virginia (from the back cover)reveals how to:
Find renewed purpose in life
Achieve God's design for your marriage
Distinguish submission from blind obedience
Correctly influence your husband, children, and church
Communicate your needs in a language men understand
Deal with passive, overbearing, or unspiritual man
Evaluate your work and your ministry
Love your children and your family
Cope with disillusions, disappointments, and irritations
Turn frustrations of a real life marriage into joy

My favourite quote from the book:
"My mistake was that I believed highly visible crusades were all that God valued. I thought that only those who devoted their lives to the service of millions, like Mother Theresa, were examples of being 'in the ministry.' Unfortunately, this misconception romanticized ministering away from home and discounted the value of the people closest to home. However, in time the Lord graciously led me through the Scriptures to knowledge that being a helpmate and a mother is a valuable ministry - and the one to which I had been called."

I read this book about ten years ago, so I found it helpful to go back over it again in great detail as I had forgotten a lot of the content. Another encouraging and challenging book.

The Silver Sword - Ian Serraillier
A lovely children's story about a family's separation during World War two. I read it aloud to the children, which gave me the opportunity to edit as needed. It didn't need much, just a couple of comments here and there. I know the children enjoy the tale, they always ask for yet another chapter.

The Politics of Birth

2009-04-20T21:36:00.005+10:00

I read this book by Sheila Kitzinger quite a few weeks ago, so I am going to have to rack my brain to remember everything about it. Maybe I won't tell you everything, just the things that interested me the most. Sheila has written many, many books on pregnancy, birth and beyond, though I found this one a little different to the others I have read. This is a book more for a birthing activist or someone who wants to understand the reasoning behind a family's choice to home birth.

I am already a fan of home birth, so I didn't read it for that reason. I did find I couldn't put the book down, it was just so interesting. Though a word of warning is needed for people who may want to read it for themselves. It is definitely a book for adults because of the content and some offensive language.

"In The Politics of Birth Sheila Kitzinger explores ways in which we learn about birth, how we talk about it, assumptions that professional caregivers may make, and the roles and skills of midwives."

"The aim of The Politics of Birth is to help develop deeper insight into how an industrialised and technocratic birth culture impacts on the physical and emotional health of childbearing women and families. This book is for women and all those who want to improve our culture of birth."

Kitzinger has a way of making an old subject become new again, giving women renewed hope and belief that her body was designed to birth babies. And for most women it is a straightforward process.

One of the areas she discusses is the role of a Doula during pregnancy and birth. For today's woman birthing in a hospital environment with many shift changes during her labour, a Doula is an asset to any family. The lack of continuity a woman receives birthing in a delivery suite situation can be remedied with a known and trusted woman (Doula) accompanying her. She stays for the duration offering practical, as well as emotional support to the family.

Sheila talks about women in prison who give birth while serving time. Usually they are handcuffed (this was written in 2001, so policy may have changed. Let's hope so.)throughout the whole of labour and birth, some even have a guard handcuffed to them while they go to the toilet. Sounds degrading to me.

A wonderful ministry opportunity for an older Christian woman would be to serve as a Doula to a prisoner expecting a baby. I'll be praying someone takes up this marvellous opportunity of fulfilling Jesus' words in Matthew 25:36.

Horton Hears a Who!

2009-03-30T15:25:00.001+11:00

I must be getting desperate! I have nothing else to blog about, so I have stooped to talking about Dr. Seuss. I am not usually a fan of these books because they are mindless and stupid. But apart from that, quite harmless.

On reading “Horton Hears a Who!” I found a couple of comparisons to a couple of quite emotive issues in our society. The first being abortion. Horton is decidedly pro life. My favourite sentence in the entire book (it is used quite a bit throughout) is, “A person’s a person, no matter how small.”

I think the pro-life movement should grab that sentence and use it as their new motto.

Basically, the book is about an elephant who hears a cry for help coming from a floating speck of dust in the air. Of course, others think he is crazy. After all, they can’t see the person or hear the cry, so it must be untrue. Poor logic, though it sounds familiar. How often have you seen this worldview among people you know? I think it’s pretty common.

The other issue found in the book comes to light later on in the story. A whole other world is on that speck of dust, complete with towns, mayors and village people. Or it would be more accurate to say village creatures. Dr, Seuss has some crazy critters in his books. Later on (people still disbelieve Horton) Horton is persecuted by his fellow animals and chased mercilessly so that they can destroy this speck of dust thereby getting rid of the problem.

Horton wants to save their lives but he needs the inhabitants of this small world to make themselves known to the outside world. If Horton’s friends could see it is true they will let the Whos live. This is where the other issue comes in; the Whos don’t believe they need saving. They (well, one of them can and he has to convince the others of the truth – an evangelist perhaps?) can’t see or hear another being from beyond their world, therefore, it isn’t true.

I don’t know a lot about Dr. Seuss. I wonder if he was trying to say something about human nature in this book?

“I say!” murmured Horton. “I’ve never heard tell
Of a small speck of dust that is able to yell.
So you know what I think?…Why, I think that there must
Be someone on top of that small speck of dust!
Some sort of creature of very small size,
Too small to be seen by an elephant’s eyes…

…some poor little person who’s shaking with fear
That he’ll blow in the pool! He has no way to steer!
I’ll just have to save him. Because, after all,
A person’s a person, no matter how small.”

Humility - Andrew Murray

2009-03-26T13:40:00.004+11:00

An often ignored Christian grace, Humility,something I would like. Well, my human nature doesn't think so, but I can see it would please my Heavenly Father if I were more like His Son and humility is the way to do that.

I read this book many years ago, but I can see it is a book that needs to be read often. For me that would be once a year, at least. One of the things that struck me most this time is that I need to "accept every humiliation..." I need to..."look upon every fellow-man who tries or vexes you (me), as a means of grace to humble you (me)."

Another helpful piece of advice that came to me from Oswald Chambers - My Utmost for His Highest - regarding people that vex or try a person, "...is to say to yourself - That man, that woman, perfect in Christ Jesus! That friend, that relative, perfect in Christ Jesus! And I would like to add here when I despair of my own sinful nature "...perfect in Christ Jesus!

Humility gives us "...a new revelation of the Lord Jesus. Nothing but the presence of God can reveal and expel self." And self is the very thing that hinders us most from giving Jesus our all, from making Jesus our all. "We glorify God most when we are most satisfied in Jesus."

And we are "indeed blessed - to be so free from self that whatever is said about us or done to us is lost and swallowed up in the thought that Jesus is all."

I think this verse goes perfectly with the above statement.

"We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18

The last time I read this book I made it a real prayer, a most sincere prayer that God would make me humble. Well, he started the process (at times very painful) and I have been humbled quite a bit over the past five years. He does answer prayer, but I didn't get the answer I expected (not sure what I expected, just not what I got).

After going through quite a few humiliating things I found myself scared to pray for it again. The outcome was good, I was just scared of the process. Knowing Jesus better is a humbling experience. And that is a good thing, though I didn't feel that at the time.

"The Father will complete that which man had accepted at the beginning in ignorance." I was ignorant. Boy was I ignorant! But now I know what to expect and I know also that He is there right beside me all the way.

A Review

2009-03-19T09:54:00.002+11:00

I last read Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray, many years ago. Though I obviously missed most of its message because I am still far from the mark. It is the kind of book you can read many times and always get something out of it.

The author encourages us not to despair if our life seems so far from what we want it to be. What is impossible with man is always possible with God. It is His power that keeps us and works in us to "will and to do".

I found this quote pretty challenging even after spending most of my adult life at home serving my family.

"Temper is a proof whether the love of Christ is filling the heart, or not. How many there are who find it easier in church, or in prayer-meeting, or in work for the Lord - diligent, earnest work - to be holy and happy than in the daily life with wife (husband) and children and servant; easier to be holier and happy outside the home than in it!"

The first chapter deals with the fruit of the Spirit, the one we should have foremost in our heart - love. "The fruit of the Spirit is love."

"We talk about grieving the Spirit of God by worldliness and ritualism and formality and error and indifference, but, I tell you, the one thing above everything that grieves God's Spirit is this want of love. Let every heart search itself, and ask that God may search it."

This is impossible to do unless the Holy Spirit enables us with His power. The lack of this love is manifested in the way we treat others who differ from us doctrinally.
Our convictions are more important than love. In our zeal for the truth we forget to speak it in love - another commandment.

I loved Murray's admonition to not let a day pass without praying for the saints and for God to bless His people. How often do I focus my prayers on other's faults and failings when all I need do is pray for God's blessing upon them. "But, oh! we are far more occupied with our work than we are with prayer." "The Holy Spirit comes in answer to believing prayer."

One of the messages of this book is that we do not know ourselves. We think highly of who we are and what we are capable of, walking in our own strength instead of God's power. This is the reason we cannot continue in work the Lord has for us, we do not rely on the Holy Spirit moment by moment. "Having begun in the Spirit..." we now walk in the flesh.

God cannot help us in part, He needs to be the driving force behind anything we do, say, or think.

I am afraid this review has become rather long -winded, so I will leave it here and stop giving the whole message of the book away. If you can get your hands on a copy it is a great read, inspiring you to rest in the One with all the love and power you will ever need.

The Latest

2009-03-03T10:19:00.004+11:00

It has been a bit quiet around here lately, so I thought I would post a list of the books I have finished recently. I will have to get back with a couple of book reviews, soon.

Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray

Bible Doctrines Explained for Children by B.A. Ramsbottom (we had a sheep called that once)

Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper

Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransom

The Book of ACTS by Paul

Gems from Tozer

2009-01-20T16:31:00.004+11:00

I know I said earlier that I had a new favourite book. Well, I wasn't expecting to replace it with another so soon. And yet, I have a new favourite.

Gems from Tozer is a compilation of his greatest quotes from three of the books he has authored: On Worship, On Making Jesus Lord, and On the Holy Spirit

This book was challenging, convicting, and left me feeling like a worm. Albeit a worm loved by God. The most challenging chapter "Dangerous Misconceptions - The Devil's Booby-Traps" had this to say:

"We Christians must look sharp that our Christianity does not simply refine our sins without removing them. The big danger is that we assume that we have been delivered from our sins when we have in reality only exchanged one kind of sin for another.
We must, for instance, be careful that our repentance is not simply a change of location. Whereas we once sinned in the far country among the swineherds, we are now chumming with religious persons, considerably cleaner and much more respectable in appearance, to be sure, but no nearer to true heart purity than we were before."

I could share many more quotes from this gem of a book (pardon the pun), but that would probably ruin it for you. And no doubt, some of the quotes that affected me so deeply would be different to the ones you find convicting.

"God be merciful to me, a sinner."

Terrific Toddlers Book Review

2009-01-16T13:27:00.003+11:00

This book is written by Mel Hayde and I was very fortunate to win it on Cath's site, last year. Thanks Cath!

The book is full of great ideas to help you through those toddler years, but it may not work for a family with more than three children. However, Mel did say she has known families with up to five children thriving on her concepts.

This book reminded me to praise and be positive with my young children, though maybe not so much as the book's suggestion of 90% of the time. Little people do need a lot of correction and it is okay to say no all day, if that is what their behaviour warrants. Spending that initial time in correcting (even though it seems to last all day and go on for weeks) means that in the future, you won't need to so often.

Our culture also seems to be preoccupied with Mummy time and this book is no exception. Mrs Hayde is worried "staying home all day, every day is not healthy for you, or your toddler." I am not saying it is wrong to have time away from your children, I do. Though for many years I didn't and didn't mind either. A friend of mine once said her children belonged in her personal space. I like that attitude.

As mothers, we sometimes find it difficult to surrender to motherhood. We feel we need that time away, some me time. I am not so sure how biblical that mindset is. Having your children in your 'personal space' most of the time may not work in your situation, personal circumstances may make it impossible. But for the majority of us, it is possible. We may need to gauge our worldview by God's word instead of our culture. "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

I love Mel's 'be flexible' motto, and her great advice regarding sleep for little people. We cannot expect young children to thrive unless they are getting enough sleep. This would tie in well with staying home. I think it exhausts children, and mothers, to be out all the time. Often, we do the same thing over and over again, expecting different results. Einstein said that was the definition of insanity. I think I must be insane.

Another great piece of advice from the book: If your child is having trouble sleeping she suggests looking at environmental causes. 'Behaviour explosions' could be the result of certain food intake, so we need to be more careful with their diet. Sometimes cutting out all colouring and additives will cure a child's constant, irritable behaviour.

Mel Hayde encourages parents to be the one in charge. Not allowing a small child to dictate his likes and dislike all of the time is good counsel. As is the tip to teach your child self-control from an early age.

Reading this book took me back to those delightfully long days I enjoyed with my children many years ago. I still enjoy my time with them, only now, the days are lightning fast. My recommendation to you, enjoy your little ones - they don't stay that way long.

Terrific Toddlers is a worthwhile book appropriate for families with two - five children. Mrs Hayde does endorse Babywise methods. As I am not a fan of Gary Ezzo's ideas, I thought I would mention that.

January Books

2009-01-15T13:10:00.005+11:00

I was going to wait until the end of January to share the books I have been reading, but I just couldn't wait. I have a new favourite book. It is called By Searching - My Journey Through Doubt Into Faith, by Isobel Kuhn.

I actually bought this book as a Christmas present for Karli but she was in the middle of another book and said I could read it first. I couldn't put it down.

Isobel Miller grew up in a Christian home but as a young adult she goes through a time of doubting and replaces her faith with worldly pursuits instead. This is an inspiring account of God's faithfulness and mercy as He draws her to Himself. He is so good!

She goes on to marry John Kuhn, serving together as missionaries in China for twenty-six years.

One of my favourite quotes from the book is actually a quote by Hudson Taylor:
"Learn to move man, through God, by prayer alone."

I have it on my fridge as a daily reminder.

Some of the other books I have read so far:

The book of Esther

A Year on Our Farm - Penny Matthews

Kiss Goodnight Sam - Amy Hest

Charlie and Lola, We Honestly Can Look After Your Dog - Lauren Child

The Story of the Great Feast - Lion Bible Story - Penny Frank

Joseph and the King of Egypt - Lion Bible Story - Penny Frank

Terrific Toddlers - Mel Hayde (I have a book review coming for this one)

The Story of the Sower - Lion Bible Story - Penny Frank

Noah and the Great Flood - Lion Bible Story - Penny Frank

The Duggars 20 and Counting - The Duggars

Jesus the King - Lion Bible Story - Penny Frank

People Jesus Met - Lion Bible Story - Penny Frank

The Story of the Lost Sheep - Lion Bible Story - Penny Frank

The Story of the Two Brothers - Lion Bible Story - Penny Frank

The Princess and the Baby - Lion Bible Story - Penny Frank

The Story of the Good Samaritan - Lion Bible Story - Penny Frank

I am also working my way through the whole Bible again. There are various views on whether you should count it as one book or many individual ones. I think I will count them individually given that they were written at different times and by different authors (I know God is the ultimate author). What does everyone else think?

This year I hope to read a few daily devotionals as it doesn't take long to read three pages a day. here they are...

Truth for Today - John Macarthur
Daily Readings from the Life of Christ - John Macarthur
My Utmost for His Highest - Oswald Chambers

Another Book Challenge

2009-01-05T16:49:00.002+11:00

I have decided to join another book challenge.

This challenge asks you to:

*create a list of Christian books that you’d like to read…

*titles can be fiction, nonfiction, or a mixture of both

*read these between January 1st - April 30th, 2009

*overlaps with other challenges ARE allowed

*eBooks and Audiobooks ARE allowed

The 2009 - 100+ Reading Challenge

2008-12-30T16:22:00.001+11:00

I must be crazy, but I have decided to join J. Kaye's Book Blog Challenge for 2009.

Here are the rules, in case you want to join, too.

The 100+ Reading Challenge will be hosted here this year. Here are the guidelines:

1) You can join anytime as long as you don’t start reading your books prior to 2009.

2) This challenge is for 2009 only. The last day to have all your books read is December 31, 2009.

3) You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2009.

4) If you don’t have a blog, please join our Yahoo Groups.

5) When you sign up under Mr. Linky, list the direct link to your post where your 100+ books will be listed. If you list just your blog’s URL, it will be removed.

6) All books count: children’s, YA, adults, fiction, non-fiction, how-tos, etc.

7) Feel free to post in the comment section or on Yahoo Groups your monthly progress as well as your favorite books that month.

I can't guarantee I will meet the challenge, but I am going to try.