WHAT I'VE BEEN READING

I hate to admit it but I'm one of those readers who has about 10+ books going at the same time. I just can't resist getting new books and I'm not very good about staying with one book until it's done. The exception comes when I need a little mind candy and get an easy fiction book. My interests range from theology to homeschooling to motherhood.

Leper by Sigmund Brouwer - This was one of those easy reads. I finished it in a day or so and it was really satisfying. Sigmund Brouwer is a Christian fiction writer who has recently teamed up with Hank Hannegraf to write a series of apocalyptic novels which have a partial preterist eschatology as their basis. I haven't been able to get into those yet even though I've been studying preterism/postmillennialism for a while.

The Mommy Manual by Barbara Curtis - I am so thankful to have found this woman. I heard about her through Amy's Humble Musings and Choosing Home. For those who don't know, Barbara is a mother of 12 children so she has quite a lot of experience under her belt. I bought this one along with Lord Please Meet Me in the Laundry Room. I gave that one to a friend but hope to buy it for myself soon. I've only just begun this book but it is so encouraging. I like her whole Montesorri approach to children and have been working on observing and enjoying my children more.

Willing to Believe by R.C. Sproul - My husband and I have had this book for about five years and neither of us has been able to get through it yet. I recently picked it up again because we've been having discussions about Calvinism as a result of some things our pastor has said. My husband and I have a friendly debate going with our Sunday School teacher concerning Calvinism vs. Arminianism. We're the only Calvinists in the class so I feel it's necessary to really know the background of these doctrines. Sproul traces the major debates in the church concerning free will and predestination. Even though you know where he's coming from he doesn't get heavy handed with his opinions. He very thoughtfully explains the positions of Augustine, Pelagius, Luther, Erasmus, Calvin, Arminius, Edwards, Finney and others. I think I'm going to finally finish this one.

The Joyful Homeschooler by Mary Hood - I got this one at a used homeschool book sale about a month ago along with a You Can Teach Your Child Successfully (grades 4-8) by Ruth Beechick and A Patchwork of Days. I'm also interested in investigating the Ambleside curriculum a little more and this book was published by Ambleside Press. Along with the rest of the homeschool community (*grin*) I'm striving to find a balance between challenging academics, consistent scheduling, and instilling a love for learning. Keeping my sanity and enjoying the process would be great too.

Here are some other books I need to get back to -

When I Don't Desire God by John Piper - Have y'all forgotten that I was blogging on that book? Oooops...sorry.
1776 by David McCullough - I bought this six months ago and brought it to my in-laws for Thanksgiving and my father-in-law read it in a couple days. It is fascinating and I really like the way McCullough writes history.
Humility by Andrew Murray - Penetrating and convicting. I'll read anything he has written.
Creative Correction by Lisa Whelchel - Here's a fun book that I picked up a while back when I was reading Shepherding A Child's Heart. Talk about two different approaches. I was so worried when I started reading Lisa's book because she wasn't "doing it" the way Ted Tripp subscribes in his book. I'm slowly beginning to realize that no one method is perfect for every child. I'm a follower by nature and have to watch out that I don't elevate someone's opinion to the level of gospel truth.

So what are y'all reading? What books do you want to get? I'm always looking for a new Piper book and recently I've been interested in getting some stuff by C.J. Mahaney. Has anyone read God is the Gospel or Mahaney's book on humility?

HE KNOWS THE WAY I TAKE

How easily I forget. At the beginning of the year I chose two verses that I felt the Lord wanted me to use as a guide for 2006. They were Psalm 127:1 ~ "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it..." and Zechariah 4:6 ~ "...Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts." I may have been forgetful of these verses but the Lord certainly has been using them. It seems I've been more anxious and fretful over certain things this year. I've worried about curriculums, my inability to stay consistent with a schedule, my lack of discipline when it comes to finances and housework and some other things.

He knows. He sees. He has not forgotten. He is using these verses I so easily forget. He is peeling back more and more layers to continue to show me the depth of my sinful self-reliance.

It's funny. I always thought I was more like Mary and less like Martha, but God has been showing me how Martha-like I can be. I'll tense up when I see something out of place. I'll stress out when I see a pile of papers that needs to be organized. I'll cower in fear when I think of this great responsibility of educating my children.

He knows that I am dust. My life is but a vapor. But His love is so great that He still desires me to cast all my anxiety upon Him and trust in Him. "Believe My word," He says. Stop trusting in yourself and leaning on your own understanding.

I need to remind myself that I am dust but He is the Lord of hosts. I can strive to be more consistent and faithful in my responsibilities but I will never be perfect. Stop being so hard on yourself. (Yes, I'm preaching to myself!) I am reminded of a poem by Amy Carmichael~

Fret Not Thyself

Far in the future
Lieth a fear,
Like a long, low mist of grey,
Gathering to fall in dreary rain,
Thus doth thy heart within thee complain;
And even now thou art afraid, for round thy dwelling
The flying winds are ever telling
Of the fear that lieth grey,
Like a gloom of brooding mist upon the way.

But the Lord is always kind,
Be not blind,
Be not blind
To the shining of His face,
To the comforts of His grace.
Hath He ever failed thee yet?
Never , never: wherefore fret?
O fret not thyself, nor let
Thy heart be troubled,
Neither let it be afraid.

Near by thy footfall
Springeth a joy,
Like a new-blown little flower,
Growing for thee, to make thee glad.
Let thy countenance be no more sad,
But wake the voice of joy and health within thy dwelling,
And let thy tongue be ever telling,
Not of fear that lieth grey,
But of little laughting flowers beside the way.

For the Lord is always kind,
Be not blind,
Be not blind
To the shining of His face,
To the comforts of His grace.
He hath never failed thee yet.
Never will His love forget.
O fret not thyself, nor let
Thy heart be troubled,
Neither let it be afraid.

"For from of old they have not heard nor perceived by ear, neither has the eye seen a God besides Thee, who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him." Isaiah 64:4