Thankful For My Favorite Book

Today on The Blogging Bookworm, Shannon, who is a librarian by profession, expressed her thanks for books and all they have meant in her life, and invited us to list books we are thankful for. Oh, goodness. Where to begin?

I'm currently re-reading "The Great Divorce" by C.S. Lewis. I thought about putting that on her list, because every time I read it it just blows my mind. But that blog is mostly for people who are encouraging each other to read books that are influenced by the green movement, so "The Great Divorce" didn't strike me as what they were looking for.

I could have listed anything by Jane Austen, too. I'll admit it; I'm a Jane Austen nut! So much so, my husband got me this for a gift:
That's right, folks, it's an official Jane Austen Action Figure, complete with book, quill pen, and writing desk. I want to take her out and play with her! Please???

But I have to be completely honest, because that's what I try to do here on this silly little blog of mine. My favorite book, without any ifs, ands, or buts, is the Bible. I'm not just saying that because I work in a church. It really, really is my favorite book.

I grew up in an environment in which the Bible was a book of wise sayings written by wise people, about a very wise teacher, but it was not considered to be anything more than that. You could put it on the shelf with Aristotle and Ghandi, and it just fit right in. But when I was in my early teens, I for some reason wanted to know what all the fuss was about, so I tried to read it. Got a little bogged down in Leviticus. Skipped over to the Psalms; they were pretty cool. Skipped over some more that seemed rather confusing, and started reading the Gospels in the New Testament. Now, finally, there were things about Jesus, who, of course, fascinated me. Some of the adults around me pooh-poohed the miracles- all explainable scientifically. His death, faked. The resurrection? He woke up from a coma, or the body was stolen.

For some reason, I just kept reading it. And, eventually, I decided everything in it was actually true, whether I understood it or not. Not because someone brainwashed me into thinking it was true, but because I tested it in my daily life, and it always passed the test.

I'm not going to tell you that I understand everything in there. Are you kidding? There are seminaries full of highly educated and brilliant theologians who spend their whole lives trying to nail down every nuance; they've been doing that for close to two thousand years, and they're not done. I will tell you that I get most of it now, at least enough to mine the wisdom, try to apply the guidance to my life, and be continually humbled by what the Bible reveals to me about God and humankind, and the rest of the Creation.

At one point in my life I had reason to fast and pray for forty days, and, I know, I know this sounds strange, but the Bible, the Word of God, became my food during that time. Enough so that I wasn't hungry for physical food. I have a lot of books on my bookshelf, but none of the others have ever had that effect.

I've been in many Bible studies with other people, but nothing can replace just plain reading it, over and over and over. For six straight years I followed a reading plan the took me through the whole thing each year. I've had two years off from that, now, and that's too long. So starting in January I'm back on that plan. I'm actually very excited about that.

So today, and every day, since I first picked it up and thumbed through it when I was twelve, I am thankful that God speaks to me through the Bible.

The November 30 Day Thanksgiving Challenge

Mike's Paintings

Some of you expressed interest in seeing more of Mike's work. He has only recently started oil painting. For many years he worked in colored pencil, and, of course, most of what he did was commercial. He's painted both of these in the last year or so.

If you'd like to see more of his work, or order note cards or prints, go to http://www.cafepress.com/michaeldesign.

Thankful For Wise Perspective

I'm a little bit of a news junkie, and right now there is more news about the economy than an average person like me can synthesize. In article after article I read that we are headed in to a possible depression comparable to the Great Depression, that the U.S. will never again be the leading world economy, etc. Not too hopeful.

In general, I've taken all this with a grain of salt. First of all, the economy when my husband I and I first got married was, in my opinion, worse. Inflation was ridiculous. Unemployment was much higher, even here, where we have some insulating factors. Mortgage interest rates were much higher- our first little house had a 9.5% mortgage, and that was with an FHA loan. My husband was unemployed for a while, and wound up free-lancing from our home for six years, which was less than ideal.

That's not to say there aren't people who are struggling. I just try not to let the media, who feed on exaggeration, pull me into their drama.

Sunday, my husband and I got a chance to get some very sensible perspective.

After church we decided to eat at Culver's, which is a bit of a First Baptist hang-out at lunch time. As we were looking for a table, we were invited by a church friend, H.E., to sit with him, as he was eating by himself. I had never had the pleasure of a long conversation with this man, though Mike has gotten to know him pretty well. Was I in for a treat! He was one of the most interesting people I've talked to in a long time. He is retired from a management position in the oil business, and he told us about that. He grew up on a farm, and he told us about that. He remembers the Great Depression well, and he told us about that (but not at all in that "young people don't know how good they have it" way). He has followed the current political scene with relish, and offered great perspectives on that. Yet all of this was very conversational, and we never felt like we were being "talked at", but that we could express ourselves and explore ideas freely.

Here are some of the things I came home with:

On oil- we need to drill, to give ourselves time to change over to natural gas or hydrogen. We will always need oil to some degree. Right now, we don't have fueling stations for those new technologies for cars. There is a recent discovery of a huge oil deposit in the Gulf of Mexico that we would be crazy not to pursue.

On the president elect- "I wish him the very best!", but inexperience is a problem, and that's why we are seeing so many Clinton era appointees. That would be fine if this were still the 90s, but time has marched on.

On the economy- this is nothing like the Great Depression when 40% of the community he grew up in were out of work, and the Dust Bowl was going on out west. No one had a cent then, every bank in town was dissolved, and everyone bartered for everything. His family farmed, and had a five acre vegetable plot that they used to barter for other things. They most likely grew all the produce that was being traded in that little town. However, we are in for at least a couple of pretty rough years.

On the bailout- probably needed to do something about the banks, but the automakers need to be allowed to declare bankruptcy, because it will allow the courts to renegotiate the labor contracts, along with other necessary changes that will make them viable after awhile. They won't quit making cars all together, they'll just be forced to make management changes that will be for the best in the long run.

Of course, these are just one person's opinions, but they are based on a long life of successful business management, practical experience, and the perspective of ninety years of life, which have made him moderate and humane, while understanding the need to take a "tough love" approach in some circumstances. It was so interesting, and comforting, to hear what he had to say.

So, today I'm thankful for the chance to hear the wisdom that age provides.

Sunday Stroll-November 23, 2008

It is a brisk, breezy November afternoon here. We haven't had any snow that has actually accumulated yet, but it's been plenty cold. There isn't much color left in the gardens. The chairs under Ye Olde Yew are not occupied any more. It's not the right season to sit out there to read.

The Lamb's Ears are still soft and pretty, because the warmth of the ground has kept them green.

The last few leaves remain on the burning bush.

Inside, it's very quiet. Robin has gone out to Washington, D.C. to take an audition. I keep expecting to hear the trumpet start playing upstairs, but all is still. Mike is immersed in his painting down in the studio. He has an art show in a couple of weeks that he's preparing for.

Cinnamon has found her favorite sunbeam to warm her old bones.

It's all very peaceful.

If you'd like to see what others are finding this Sunday, go to The Quiet Country House.

Thankful To Witness A New Beginning

Yesterday I had the privilege of singing in a wedding. I used to do this a lot, but in recent years less so, so it was fun to have this opportunity again.

I've known this couple for a year or so. They are delightful people, and I found it encouraging that they came to our congregation specifically to find a church they could share, since they are coming from two different ones. That showed a commitment to forging a new path as a couple, and being willing to give up old associations, if necessary, to do that.

The rehearsal was the usual confusion of who stands where, but everyone was good naturedly laughing. The wedding party was a largish one, with a wide span of ages, including two little flower girls who were adorably excited. The ceremony itself was simple and traditional, including the couple jumping over a broom before they headed back up the aisle, in a nod to the groom's African-American heritage. They arranged to leave the church in an open carriage, which I thought was brave of them, considering it is November. It was FUN!

So, today I'm thankful that I got to witness the official beginning for a new family, and the joining of two really nice family groups. Best wishes to them!

The November 30 Day Thanksgiving Challenge

Thanks For Warmth

Today I'm thankful for the great new fabrics and technology that are available for outdoor clothing. I'm writing this after coming back from the crossing. It was the first day of the season when the windchill was below zero ( which means my husband issued his first "frozen booger alert" of the winter!). When I first started the job sixteen years ago, I really didn't have any special clothing other than the usual cloth winter coat, hat, scarf and gloves. It's amazing I didn't get frostbite!

Now I have a nice Columbia 3-in-1 coat, thermal fleece gloves, wind mittens, snowboard pants, insulated boots, thermal fleece helmet, and Smartwool socks. I didn't wear all of this today, by any means, but I certainly will for a few weeks this winter. I acquired all of this gradually over the years. The best places to get these things are stores that cater to runners or skiers. The new fabrics repel water and wind, wick moisture away from the body, and are light weight. I'm never really cold out there now, provided I chose to dress appropriately. Sometimes I guess wrong, and come home pretty cold or wet, but nothing that a hot shower and a cup of coffee won't cure.

So, thanks to all those fabric technologists for their genius.

The 30 Day Thanksgiving Challenge

Thankful For Humor

I'm thankful for humor. I saw this humorous clip the other day, and thought it actually fit with the subject of thankfulness because it is commentary on how not to be thankful.

Now, there are a couple of little (non-swearing) phrases this comedian uses that I wouldn't use myself, so I'll just warn you ahead of time, but my husband and I both found it very funny, and the underlying message is right on.



The 30 Day Thanksgiving Challenge

Thankful For, Well, Thankfulness!

Back on November 1, when I somewhat rashly concieved of the November 30 Day Thanksgiving Challenge, here's what I was thinking:

1. I was sick of the election news. I could tell my guy wasn't going to win, and my one little vote wasn't going to do any good.

2. I was sick of the economic news. There wasn't a thing I could do about it as we watched our retirement funds shrinking.

3. I was sick of everyone I knew talking about the above mentioned topics ad nauseum when there wasn't anything any of us could do about it.

4. I was sick of being sick about it!!

Then it dawned on me. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 say we are to give thanks in all circumstances, because that is God's will.

It's easy to give thanks when everything is hunky-dory. Why is it God's will that we do so in all circumstances, even the rotten ones we can't control, even the dangerous ones, even the scary ones?

The reason it's God's will is that He knows it will not only change our attitude, it will actually change our circumstances. It's for our own good, not because He's so needy that He needs His people to make Him feel good about Himself.

So, I plunged in. And believe me, it does work. I was given perspective on historical events. I was given reminders that God was in control and I didn't have to be. I began to see little details I had been glossing over. I began to stop and enjoy those pleasant moments that come to all of us in the course of the day- the beautiful weather; the funny thing a small child said; the good snacks someone brought the staff at church; the " 'at-a-girl" pats on the back from congregants; the memory of an issue that used to be a problem, but now is resolved; the phone call from one of my kids. Every single day there is a lot of this small, common, routine stuff, and it's easy to forget what a blessing it all is.

Last Sunday Shannon, who is also writing for a month on thankfulness, posted an article that reinforced the idea that just being thankful can actually change circumstances. I'd encourage you to pop over there and read it. Erin has also described how she is hanging on to thankfulness and her faith as she and her husband try to sell a house in a bad market. Ruth wrote about a health scare that made her appreciate a birthday, and vow to make the most of the time she has ahead of her. Abbie was able to give thanks for a fun surprise. Jena was thankful for a peaceful afternoon on her farm. Melissa expresses her thanks constantly in her posts for the little son she has, that she wouldn't not have if it were not for the experience of healing. Ruchi describes the way her father modelled the importance of thankfulness.

It's fun to go read these posts and realize everyone's story is different, but there are quite a few folks who realize the value of being thankful. Reading them opens my eyes even further to what I could be thankful for.

The November 30 Day Thanksgiving Challenge

News Update

I posted November 9 about the persecution being experienced in the Orissa Province of India, and then on Nov. 17 about the Salvation Army and it's work. Today I read a news article posted on the Salvation Army site that you might want to read. The Army has workers in Orissa who have been attacked.

For those of you who know my son Paul, this is the area of India where he served with Youth With A Mission a few years ago. YWAM's missions have so far been spared, but they are working with those who have been made homeless by the violence. It's both fascinating and disheartening to connect all these dots. I feel a special concern for this ongoing situation.