Saturday, October 4, 2008

The New Books Shelf at the Library

I always pause at the New Books shelf at our library. Frequently, I'll check one out just to look through; it seems that I never love these books enough to read word-for-word, but some are interesting to skim.

So on my last trip, I saw this book called It's My Heart. I picked it up because I thought the perspective would be interesting. I've been thinking a lot about my children's hearts -- the emotional side -- and how, as much as I love them, I tend to be mostly about "making them" behave and "making them" do what they need to do (school, homework, chores, church and so on). The "making them" doesn't work very well with pre-teens and teens. Instead of changing my strategy (which would be good for us all and probably less stressful), I up the ante, so to speak. I try to find the logical consequence to "make them" act right.

I checked out the book to read through at home. What would it tell me about kids' hearts?

Got home and opened it up and, guess what, it is about kids' hearts. Not heart as in emotions and the seat of the soul and so forth, but actual, physical hearts!

I laughingly told my two girls about this and my older one looked me straight in the eye and said, "you can't judge a book by its cover." She's right.

So I now need to think about what a book about kids' hearts (not the physical organ) would say.

I think it would be a lot about relationships and connections.

Lists and everyday life

Loved this about making lists!

http://clbeyer.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/living-with-lists/

I'm trying to grasp this concept of finding beauty in the ordinary, everyday life I live.

I think that I sometimes like the planning of life and the reading about life (or some part of life) more than I like the actual living/doing.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Fireproof, the movie

I saw Fireproof with my kids last week. Great movie. Would like to see it again with hubby.

Going to movies like this is the easiest "ministry" I do! I really like supporting those who are making movies that have Christian values.

We own Facing the Giants on DVD. I would like to rent or buy Flywheel.

1000 Gifts

Gifts...

  • loss of electricity...we got to spend time with family and neighbors outside
  • my understanding husband
  • tears
  • goodness of most people
  • my church (the building and the people)
  • libraries and their books
  • KISS Grammar! (what a surprise--I didn't use to like grammar)
  • changing seasons
  • new days, ability to start fresh and try again
  • forgiveness
  • Ann at Holy Experience
  • Ambleside Online Advisory