1.31.2011
Our trip to the museum!
Today my family and I went to the Albuquerque history museum. It was a lot of fun, and after way too long without putting pictures up, here's some pics!
A beehive
One portion on the vertebrate of a blue whale; it was huge!
A bit of the computer portion of the museum--all about the history of the computer.
1.29.2011
Everyday's Thanksgiving, Part #13
I'm thankful for:
0241. John 8:1-11
0242. new people who follow my blog!
0243. writing letters
0244. kettle corn
0245. leading a Bible study
0246. a new cat addition to the family
0247. fake flowers
0248. The Gadarene by John Piper
0249. the space trilogy--"Out of the Silent Planet", "Perelandra", and "That Hideous Strength"--by C. S. Lewis
0250. milk
0251. What Wondrous Love is This? sung by Michelle Tumes
0252. good sermons
0253. play performances
0254. balloons
0255. new books to read
0256. being able to read
0257. electricity
0258. miraculous friendships
0259. old fashioned clothes
0260. plants that somehow live year after year after year...
1.22.2011
The Children
The Children
By John Piper
Do you hear the children crying?
I can hear them every day,
Crying, sighing, dying, flying
Somewhere safe where they can play.
Somewhere safe from all the dangers,
Somewhere safe from Crack and AIDS,
Safe from lust and lurking strangers,
Safe from war and bombing raids.
Somewhere safe from malnutrition,
Safe from daddy's damning voice,
Safe from mommy's cool ambition,
Safe from deadly goddess, Choice.
Do you hear the children crying?
I can hear them every day,
Crying, sighing, dying, flying
Somewhere safe where they can play.
* * * *
Do you see the children meeting?
I can see them in the sky,
Meeting, seating, eating, greeting
Jesus with the answer why.
Why the milk no longer nourished,
Why the water made them sick,
Why the crops no longer flourished,
Why the belly got so thick.
Why they never knew the reason
Friends had vanished out of sight,
Why some suffered for a season,
Others never saw the light.
Do you see the children meeting?
I can see them in the sky,
Meeting, seating, eating, greeting
Jesus with the answer why.
* * * *
Do you hear the children singing?
I can hear them high above,
Singing, springing, ringing, bringing
Glory to the God of love.
Glory for the gift of living,
Glory for the end of pain,
Glory for the gift of giving,
Glory for eternal gain.
Glory from the ones forsaken,
Glory from the lost and lone,
Glory when the infants waken,
Orphans on the Father's throne
Do you hear the children singing?
I can hear them high above,
Singing, springing, ringing, bringing
Glory to the God of love.
* * * *
Do you see the children coming?
I can see them on the clouds,
Coming, strumming, drumming, humming
Songs with heaven's happy crowds.
Songs with lots of happy clapping,
Songs that set the heart on fire,
Songs that make your foot start tapping,
Songs that make a merry choir.
Songs so loud the mountains tremble,
Songs so pure the canyons ring,
When the children all assemble
Millions, millions, round the King.
Do you see the children coming?
I can see them on the clouds,
Coming, strumming, drumming, humming
Songs with heaven's happy crowds.
* * * *
Do you see the children waiting?
I can see them all aglow
Waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting,
Who of us will rise and go?
Will we turn and fly to meet them
In the light of candle two?
I intend to rise and greet them.
Come and go with me, would you?
By John Piper
Do you hear the children crying?
I can hear them every day,
Crying, sighing, dying, flying
Somewhere safe where they can play.
Somewhere safe from all the dangers,
Somewhere safe from Crack and AIDS,
Safe from lust and lurking strangers,
Safe from war and bombing raids.
Somewhere safe from malnutrition,
Safe from daddy's damning voice,
Safe from mommy's cool ambition,
Safe from deadly goddess, Choice.
Do you hear the children crying?
I can hear them every day,
Crying, sighing, dying, flying
Somewhere safe where they can play.
* * * *
Do you see the children meeting?
I can see them in the sky,
Meeting, seating, eating, greeting
Jesus with the answer why.
Why the milk no longer nourished,
Why the water made them sick,
Why the crops no longer flourished,
Why the belly got so thick.
Why they never knew the reason
Friends had vanished out of sight,
Why some suffered for a season,
Others never saw the light.
Do you see the children meeting?
I can see them in the sky,
Meeting, seating, eating, greeting
Jesus with the answer why.
* * * *
Do you hear the children singing?
I can hear them high above,
Singing, springing, ringing, bringing
Glory to the God of love.
Glory for the gift of living,
Glory for the end of pain,
Glory for the gift of giving,
Glory for eternal gain.
Glory from the ones forsaken,
Glory from the lost and lone,
Glory when the infants waken,
Orphans on the Father's throne
Do you hear the children singing?
I can hear them high above,
Singing, springing, ringing, bringing
Glory to the God of love.
* * * *
Do you see the children coming?
I can see them on the clouds,
Coming, strumming, drumming, humming
Songs with heaven's happy crowds.
Songs with lots of happy clapping,
Songs that set the heart on fire,
Songs that make your foot start tapping,
Songs that make a merry choir.
Songs so loud the mountains tremble,
Songs so pure the canyons ring,
When the children all assemble
Millions, millions, round the King.
Do you see the children coming?
I can see them on the clouds,
Coming, strumming, drumming, humming
Songs with heaven's happy crowds.
* * * *
Do you see the children waiting?
I can see them all aglow
Waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting,
Who of us will rise and go?
Will we turn and fly to meet them
In the light of candle two?
I intend to rise and greet them.
Come and go with me, would you?
The Shelter of God's Promises
Lamb of God
Your only Son, no sin to hide
But You have sent Him from Your side
To walk upon this guilty sod
And to become the Lamb of God.
Your gift of love they crucified
They laughed and scorned Him as He died
The humble King they named a fraud
And sacrificed the Lamb of God.
O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God,
I love the holy Lamb of God
O wash me in Your precious blood
My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
I was so lost, I should have died
But You have brought me to Your side
To be led by Your staff and rod
And to be called a Lamb of God.
-- Twila Paris
1.21.2011
Tell Me the Old, Old Story
Tell me the old, old story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
Tell me the story simply, as to a little child,
For I am weak and weary, and helpless and defiled.
Tell me the story slowly, that I may take it in--
That wonderful redemption, God's remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often, for I forget so soon;
The "early dew" of morning has passed away at noon.
Tell me the story softly, with earnest tones and grave;
Remember, I'm the sinner whom Jesus came to save.
Tell me the story always, if you would really be,
In any time of trouble, a comforter to me.
Tell me the same old story when you have cause to fear
That this world's empty glory is costing me too dear.
Yes, and when that world's glory is dawning on my soul,
Tell me the old, old story: "Christ Jesus makes thee whole."
-- Arabella Catherine Hankey
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
Tell me the story simply, as to a little child,
For I am weak and weary, and helpless and defiled.
Tell me the story slowly, that I may take it in--
That wonderful redemption, God's remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often, for I forget so soon;
The "early dew" of morning has passed away at noon.
Tell me the story softly, with earnest tones and grave;
Remember, I'm the sinner whom Jesus came to save.
Tell me the story always, if you would really be,
In any time of trouble, a comforter to me.
Tell me the same old story when you have cause to fear
That this world's empty glory is costing me too dear.
Yes, and when that world's glory is dawning on my soul,
Tell me the old, old story: "Christ Jesus makes thee whole."
-- Arabella Catherine Hankey
Recessional
Recessional
God of our fathers, known of old--
Lord of our far-flung battle-line--
Beneath whose awful Hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine--
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet
Lest we forget--lest we forget!
The tumult and the shouting dies--
The Captains and the Kings depart--
Still stands Thine ancient Sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget--lest we forget!
Far-called, our navies melt away--
On dune and headland sinks the fire--
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget--lest we forget!
If, drunk with sight of power, we loose
Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe--
Such boasting as the Gentiles use
Or lesser breeds without the Law--
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet
Lest we forget--lest we forget!
For heathen heart that puts her trust
In reeking tube and iron shard--
All valiant dust that builds on dust,
And guarding calls not Thee to guard--
For frantic boast and foolish word,
Thy mercy on Thy People, Lord!
-- Rudyard Kipling
God of our fathers, known of old--
Lord of our far-flung battle-line--
Beneath whose awful Hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine--
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet
Lest we forget--lest we forget!
The tumult and the shouting dies--
The Captains and the Kings depart--
Still stands Thine ancient Sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget--lest we forget!
Far-called, our navies melt away--
On dune and headland sinks the fire--
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget--lest we forget!
If, drunk with sight of power, we loose
Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe--
Such boasting as the Gentiles use
Or lesser breeds without the Law--
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet
Lest we forget--lest we forget!
For heathen heart that puts her trust
In reeking tube and iron shard--
All valiant dust that builds on dust,
And guarding calls not Thee to guard--
For frantic boast and foolish word,
Thy mercy on Thy People, Lord!
-- Rudyard Kipling
1.19.2011
1.17.2011
200!
For starters, this is my 200th post! Hurray!
Secondly, I wanted to share the lyrics to a new song I wrote based off of John 8 and the account of the woman caught in adultery, specifically these verses:
Have They Left You Here?
"Woman, have they left you here?
Though your sin is great, and you could not draw near?"
Then He lifted me, and He held me close,
And He said, "My daughter, no one will ever cast that stone."
On the road I tarry, knowing what before me waits
The chief men rush ahead of God, eager to deal my fate
They push and crowd and grip the stones, and look 'round to He
The One they call the Son of God, and He asks, "Is this she?"
I cannot meet His eyes. I am guilty, He is God!
He is the Maker; I, the sod.
But from His mouth I hear kind words, strange to my ears,
And slowly the people dissipate; He says, "Woman, do not fear."
"Woman, they have left you here,
Though your sin is great and you cannot draw near.
Know My name is Love, and it is for you.
Come to Me, My daughter, though I know all that you do."
I'm going to try and record it soon, and when I do I'll post the video on here. I hope you enjoyed it!
If you have time (and even if you don't, make time), check out this video that Luke posted on his blog. It's incredible.
Secondly, I wanted to share the lyrics to a new song I wrote based off of John 8 and the account of the woman caught in adultery, specifically these verses:
Straightening up, Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?"
She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more."
John 8:10-11
Have They Left You Here?
"Woman, have they left you here?
Though your sin is great, and you could not draw near?"
Then He lifted me, and He held me close,
And He said, "My daughter, no one will ever cast that stone."
On the road I tarry, knowing what before me waits
The chief men rush ahead of God, eager to deal my fate
They push and crowd and grip the stones, and look 'round to He
The One they call the Son of God, and He asks, "Is this she?"
I cannot meet His eyes. I am guilty, He is God!
He is the Maker; I, the sod.
But from His mouth I hear kind words, strange to my ears,
And slowly the people dissipate; He says, "Woman, do not fear."
"Woman, they have left you here,
Though your sin is great and you cannot draw near.
Know My name is Love, and it is for you.
Come to Me, My daughter, though I know all that you do."
I'm going to try and record it soon, and when I do I'll post the video on here. I hope you enjoyed it!
If you have time (and even if you don't, make time), check out this video that Luke posted on his blog. It's incredible.
1.14.2011
1.13.2011
Everything's Thanksgiving, Part #12
I'm thankful for:
0221. saying goodbye, because it teaches me to long for the day when all the believers will be together in Heaven, and we won't have to say goodbye anymore
0222. old ways
0223. and new changes
0224. "He Ran To Me" by Phillips, Craig, and Dean
0225. my Bible
0226. 1 Cor. 1:18-31 and 1 John 2:15-17
0227. trackers that tell me how many people visit my blog
0228. a sturdy bucket
0229. a new nightstand
0230. systematic theology
0231. having the opportunity to take the GED and graduate!
0232. funny kids' books
0233. sweatpants
0234. teaching guitar lessons
0235. witnessing tools
0236. memorizing Scripture
0237. getting free books
0238. trying to find a job
0239. living where I live
0240. planes
1.12.2011
Three poems
I wanted to share these poems with you all:
Epiphanytide
Epiphanytide
Trembling before Thee we fall down to adore Thee,
Shamefaced and trembling we lift our eyes to Thee:
O First and with the last! annul our ruined past,
Rebuild us to Thy glory, set us free
From sin and from sorrow to fall down and worship Thee.
Full of pity view us, stretch Thy secptre to us,
Bid us live that we may give ourselves to Thee:
O faithful Lord and True! stand up for us and do,
Make us lovely, make us new, set us free—
Heart and soul and spirit—to bring all and worship Thee.
-- Christina Rossetti
Jerusalem the Golden
Jerusalem the golden
With milk and honey blest!
Beneath thy contemplation
Sink heart and voice oppressed;
I know not, oh, I know not
What joys await me there;
What radiancy of glory,
What bliss beyond compare.
They stand, those halls of Zion,
All jubilant with song,
And bright with many an angel,
And all the martyr throng;
The Prince is ever in them,
The daylight is serene;
The pastures of the blessed
Are decked in glorious sheen.
There is the throne of David;
And there, from care released,
The song of them that triumph,
The shout of them that feast;
And they, who with their Leader
Have conquered in the fight,
Forever and forever
Are clad in robes of white.
O sweet and blessed country,
The home of God’s elect!
O sweet and blessed country
That eager hearts expect!
Jesus, in mercy bring us
To that dear land of rest;
Who art, with God the Father,
And Spirit, ever blest.
-- Bernard of Cluny
To the Infant Martyrs
Go smiling souls, your new built cages break,
In Heaven you’ll learn to sing ere here to speak,
Nor let the milky fonts that bathe your thirst,
Be your delay;
The place that calls you hence, is at the worst
Milk all the way.
-- Richard Crashaw
I thought this last one was really interesting. Apparently Crashaw wrote it in remembrance of the children Herod slew in his attempt to kill Christ. If Crashaw had lived today, perhaps he would have dedicated this instead to the millions of children killed by abortion?
1.06.2011
5 years old!
Yesterday was Chloe's 5th birthday. Here's some pictures to "document" the event!
She kept telling us that her feet were now "five-year-old feet".
Licking the icing off her "five-year-old" candle.
1.03.2011
Voices of the Faithful
Voices of the Faithful wasn't really what I had expected. I didn't know it was a devotional for a whole year. I expected it to be longer stories about martyrs and missionaries. While it was about such people, the stories were significantly shorter than I had hoped.
Each month had a different theme, such as 'Compassion' or 'God Working'. I enjoyed how the book was set up like that. On the whole, I would have preferred if the stories were longer and more informative. I know it's difficult to do that in a 366-day devotional, but perhaps a half-year devotional would have been better in allowing more room for the stories? In the end I did enjoy the book, but not so much that I'll be ordering its sequel, Voices of the Faithful - Book 2, anytime soon.
Thanks for reading!
1.01.2011
1-1-11!
2011...
Like I said yesterday, I love beginnings! Today is the first day of 364 more beautiful days like it!
I also love making resolutions. Usually I don't do very well with them, but in 2010 I think I did the best I ever had! A few resolutions that I actually followed through with were reading through my Bible again, learning to knit (finger knit at least), and continuing to blog. This year I want to learn how to cook some more (I'm basically awful at it), read through my Bible with a new plan (that's still under development), and write more. We'll see how it goes!
One of the scary things of 2011 is that if you look down on my sidebar you'll see that I'm entering into my fourth year of blogging!(!!!) Unbelievable! Thank you so much to all my followers, basically Hannah and my parents, for still reading this! I love blogging, so I think I'd keep it up even if I only had one follower.
Happy New Year, everybody! It's going to be great!
By the way, treasure this as the only 1-1-11 you'll ever see!
Like I said yesterday, I love beginnings! Today is the first day of 364 more beautiful days like it!
I also love making resolutions. Usually I don't do very well with them, but in 2010 I think I did the best I ever had! A few resolutions that I actually followed through with were reading through my Bible again, learning to knit (finger knit at least), and continuing to blog. This year I want to learn how to cook some more (I'm basically awful at it), read through my Bible with a new plan (that's still under development), and write more. We'll see how it goes!
One of the scary things of 2011 is that if you look down on my sidebar you'll see that I'm entering into my fourth year of blogging!(!!!) Unbelievable! Thank you so much to all my followers, basically Hannah and my parents, for still reading this! I love blogging, so I think I'd keep it up even if I only had one follower.
Happy New Year, everybody! It's going to be great!
By the way, treasure this as the only 1-1-11 you'll ever see!
My best books in 2010
In 2010 I read a total of 91 books. A lot of them were a waste of time to read, but I wanted to share my favorites from 2010 with you, along with a little bit (a very little bit) of what I liked about them. Here we go!
* these are in no particular order; they're not listed from best to least, etc.
1. The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers - At first glance I didn't think this would be a very good, but I was surprised in the end. The author was brave in approaching the difficult subjects contained in this book, and in my opinion it was well written too.
2. The Heart-Reader by Terri Blackstock - This is the kind of book that plunges right into the middle of the story rather than giving a basis at first. In this case, that was a good thing. This book reminded me of why we're here on earth--to share of Christ and tell people of the hope He brings. I really enjoyed it!
3. Holiness by J. C. Ryle - I spent about a year trying to make my way through this book. It was really good, but it was hard to read. I ended up enjoying the last chapters better than the beginning, which was a nice surprise. It was an extremely challenging book, and I would recommend it to anybody!
4. Boy Meets Girl: Saying Hello to Courtship by Joshua Harris - This was an excellent book. I'd heard a lot of good stuff about I Kissed Dating Goodbye and ended up reading it in 2010, but was really disappointed by it. I felt like Joshua Harris didn't approach the subject of dating very well in that book, and kind of just left people wondering "Well, how else are we supposed to get to know each other?" In contrast, Boy Meets Girl was excellent. It was funny and very insightful. It had a lot of great stories about relationships throughout the book, and on the whole it was probably one of my favorite books of the entire year.
5. Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot - No matter how many times I read this book, it just never gets old. I re-read it in 2010, and enjoyed it even more than I had before. Elisabeth Elliot is such a no-nonsense sort of person. She presents the facts as they are and doesn't leave any wiggle room. People like that are incredibly rare these days. Even if you've read this before, read it again!
6. The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom - This is one of those extremely popular books in the Christian community that everyone loves but that I had never read. I was thrilled to finally be able to read it in 2010, and I wasn't disappointed. Corrie ten Boom is a lot like Elisabeth Elliot in her straight forwardness and blunt nature. She was honest about the difficulties of being persecuted for helping the Jews, and the book on the whole was just amazing. Read it when you get a chance!
7. In My Father's House by Corrie ten Boom - I loved this book. I had never heard of it until 2010, but I was thrilled to be able to read it. It's a prequel to Corrie ten Boom's The Hiding Place, and tells about her life growing up. In some ways I liked it even better than The Hiding Place!
8. Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss - This is another book that everyone talks about but I'd never read. I expected this to be a book about dealing with sin and preparing for Heaven, etc.; and it was, but it was in a format that I didn't expect. Stepping Heavenward is the fictional journal of Katherine and tells of her life as a believer. An excellent book!
9. Plague Maker by Tim Downs - I really only started reading this book because I thought the front cover looked cool. Not much to go on, I know, but I was really glad I read it. Tim Downs must have had to do an amazing amount of research to write such an informative and articulate book. The ending was a bit disappointing, but the book on the whole was good.
10. The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges - My dad recommended this book to me in September of 2010, and it was one of the best books I've ever read. I'm not quite sure how to explain it, but it was just really good in that it gave techniques for fighting sin, but it focused most of all on the gospel and the freedom we have in Christ, freedom from condemnation and shame as well as freedom from sin. I really liked it!
11. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen - This book is long, but it has become my favorite book by Jane Austen. She gives you a great look into the lives of each person, and this book was funny too, unlike with Pride and Prejudice.
12. Authentic Beauty by Leslie Ludy - I'd heard a lot of good about this book, and after months of being on a waiting list I finally got it! I was not disappointed. Leslie Ludy reminded me of Elisabeth Elliot in her no-nonsense approaching to finding sin in our lives and ripping it out. I had to read it twice, and hope to read it again soon!
13. Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot - I am a champion worrier, so I really enjoyed this book that talking about resting in God, and trusting quietly in Him. I'm going to try and read it again in 2011!
14. Then Sings My Soul by Robert Morgan - I already wrote a review about this, and you can read it here. It was great!
15. Quest for Love by Elisabeth Elliot - This book is kind of a sequel to Passion and Purity, and while I didn't enjoy it as much as that book, this was good too. In it were contained a bunch of stories about relationships, and throughout the book Elisabeth Elliot challenges the reader to ask questions like "What did these people do wrong?" "Was God really at the center of their relationship from the beginning?" "Was it right for them to think that they could finally be content with each other, rather than being content in Christ first?" It was very good, and I would suggest that other people read it, but only after they've read Passion and Purity because that's just the way the books go together.
And, that's it! Throughout 2011 I hope to start posting more reviews of books. Check these ones out when you get a chance!
* these are in no particular order; they're not listed from best to least, etc.
1. The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers - At first glance I didn't think this would be a very good, but I was surprised in the end. The author was brave in approaching the difficult subjects contained in this book, and in my opinion it was well written too.
2. The Heart-Reader by Terri Blackstock - This is the kind of book that plunges right into the middle of the story rather than giving a basis at first. In this case, that was a good thing. This book reminded me of why we're here on earth--to share of Christ and tell people of the hope He brings. I really enjoyed it!
3. Holiness by J. C. Ryle - I spent about a year trying to make my way through this book. It was really good, but it was hard to read. I ended up enjoying the last chapters better than the beginning, which was a nice surprise. It was an extremely challenging book, and I would recommend it to anybody!
4. Boy Meets Girl: Saying Hello to Courtship by Joshua Harris - This was an excellent book. I'd heard a lot of good stuff about I Kissed Dating Goodbye and ended up reading it in 2010, but was really disappointed by it. I felt like Joshua Harris didn't approach the subject of dating very well in that book, and kind of just left people wondering "Well, how else are we supposed to get to know each other?" In contrast, Boy Meets Girl was excellent. It was funny and very insightful. It had a lot of great stories about relationships throughout the book, and on the whole it was probably one of my favorite books of the entire year.
5. Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot - No matter how many times I read this book, it just never gets old. I re-read it in 2010, and enjoyed it even more than I had before. Elisabeth Elliot is such a no-nonsense sort of person. She presents the facts as they are and doesn't leave any wiggle room. People like that are incredibly rare these days. Even if you've read this before, read it again!
6. The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom - This is one of those extremely popular books in the Christian community that everyone loves but that I had never read. I was thrilled to finally be able to read it in 2010, and I wasn't disappointed. Corrie ten Boom is a lot like Elisabeth Elliot in her straight forwardness and blunt nature. She was honest about the difficulties of being persecuted for helping the Jews, and the book on the whole was just amazing. Read it when you get a chance!
7. In My Father's House by Corrie ten Boom - I loved this book. I had never heard of it until 2010, but I was thrilled to be able to read it. It's a prequel to Corrie ten Boom's The Hiding Place, and tells about her life growing up. In some ways I liked it even better than The Hiding Place!
8. Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss - This is another book that everyone talks about but I'd never read. I expected this to be a book about dealing with sin and preparing for Heaven, etc.; and it was, but it was in a format that I didn't expect. Stepping Heavenward is the fictional journal of Katherine and tells of her life as a believer. An excellent book!
9. Plague Maker by Tim Downs - I really only started reading this book because I thought the front cover looked cool. Not much to go on, I know, but I was really glad I read it. Tim Downs must have had to do an amazing amount of research to write such an informative and articulate book. The ending was a bit disappointing, but the book on the whole was good.
10. The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges - My dad recommended this book to me in September of 2010, and it was one of the best books I've ever read. I'm not quite sure how to explain it, but it was just really good in that it gave techniques for fighting sin, but it focused most of all on the gospel and the freedom we have in Christ, freedom from condemnation and shame as well as freedom from sin. I really liked it!
11. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen - This book is long, but it has become my favorite book by Jane Austen. She gives you a great look into the lives of each person, and this book was funny too, unlike with Pride and Prejudice.
12. Authentic Beauty by Leslie Ludy - I'd heard a lot of good about this book, and after months of being on a waiting list I finally got it! I was not disappointed. Leslie Ludy reminded me of Elisabeth Elliot in her no-nonsense approaching to finding sin in our lives and ripping it out. I had to read it twice, and hope to read it again soon!
13. Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot - I am a champion worrier, so I really enjoyed this book that talking about resting in God, and trusting quietly in Him. I'm going to try and read it again in 2011!
14. Then Sings My Soul by Robert Morgan - I already wrote a review about this, and you can read it here. It was great!
15. Quest for Love by Elisabeth Elliot - This book is kind of a sequel to Passion and Purity, and while I didn't enjoy it as much as that book, this was good too. In it were contained a bunch of stories about relationships, and throughout the book Elisabeth Elliot challenges the reader to ask questions like "What did these people do wrong?" "Was God really at the center of their relationship from the beginning?" "Was it right for them to think that they could finally be content with each other, rather than being content in Christ first?" It was very good, and I would suggest that other people read it, but only after they've read Passion and Purity because that's just the way the books go together.
And, that's it! Throughout 2011 I hope to start posting more reviews of books. Check these ones out when you get a chance!
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