What's on My Nightstand: February

I'm not getting in as much reading as I'd like lately (those darned Olympics!), but I do have some great books on my nightstand.

Sense and Sensibility (Insight Editions). The insights into the film versions (including inconsistencies) and the culture of 19th Century England make this a fun edition to read. It's like reading Jane with a friend, which is always a delight!

This Momentary Marriage: A Parable of Permanence. I'm not quite finished with this one. Savoring Piper's wisdom for as long as I can. I find myself re-reading it, and learning something new each time.

Hoping for Something Better: Refusing to Settle for Life as Usual. After reading Lisa's raves, I couldn't wait to get started on this book/Bible study (thanks, Jennifer!) I started yesterday, and am already loving it. Nancy Guthrie is a wise woman.

The 10 Best Decisions Every Parent Can Make. A friend recommended this one to me, and I'm anxious to dig in. With a daughter in middle school, I'm looking for all the parenting help I can find.

The Familiar Stranger. I'll be reading and reviewing this one soon.

Are you reading anything good these days? You can link your list here.

The Week in Words: February 22

I don't know about you, but since I've started this carnival I've been much more intentional about my reading. I pay more attention to the words. I start the next week's post early, so I can immediately put in any quote that catches my fancy. Here's the best of this past week.

In this social media day and age, eyes are on us whether we know it or not. We are creating a reputation that will not only become a legacy but a lamp illuminating our character. Every tweet, facebook blurb, blog post, etc., is a catalog of who we are and what we are reflecting to the world. We are called, as followers of Jesus, to be intentional, prayerful, and wise about our presence.

- from this post at (in)courage, written by Sarah Mae

~RT @kirkfranklin: God is NOT trying to figure out His next move for you. you just need to make sure you're ready for it. Sovereign. 

And just for fun:

"It is enough," said she; "to say that he is unlike Fanny is enough. It implies everything amiable. I love him already." - Mrs. Dashwood to Elinor, Sense and Sensibility (Insight Editions) (a very fun edition indeed!)

Your turn! Remember, the link's up til Friday.

Wherein Everything Comes to a Screeching Halt

The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. - Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)

How true.

As I posted here, R and I had a plan. We I thought the Lord directed us to a better path to achieve that plan. Since that time, it's become abundantly clear that we are I am to stop. I don't know if God's telling us me that we're heading in another direction, or if we're just taking a break.

I didn't know it, but R has been frustrated because he's been praying and doesn't have any answers. And here I thought I had them all. The Lord reminded me that I am to follow my husband, not clasp his hand and pull him behind me like a toddler. He is the leader. I.am.not.

I also remembered something Mr. Blackaby taught in Experiencing God...if you don't have direction from God, keep doing what you're doing until you get it. So, for now, we're going to keep doing what we've been doing - nothing more, nothing less. R will continue working and taking his class. I'll continue working and keeping the home fires burning. And we'll be waiting on that direction.

With
All,
I
Trust

Sometimes I Wish

~I actually knew what I think I know.

~My house was completely in order. Not spic and span...just more organized. I keep getting sooo close.

~I would more readily remember what it feels like to be a 6th grade girl.

~God would give me instructions that are as detailed as those He gave Moses for the building of the tabernacle.

~I could read R's mind (I said sometimes, right?)

~I was more loving.

~I was more lovable.

~I was more forgiving.

~I was less high maintenance.

~I could have a long talk to my Grandaddy. I've been missing him a lot lately.

~I was more disciplined.

~I could stop saying I so much!

~Jane Austen had written a sequel to Pride and Prejudice. I wonder how she envisioned Lizzy & Darcy's life together.

~Life was more like Little House on the Prairie

~The Huxtables were still around.

~Chocolate was one of the four food groups.

What do you wish?

The Week in Words: February 15

I'm in a mad dash today, but here are the three quotes that hit home this week:

Our lives either put the beauty of God's truth on display, or they obscure it. - Joshua Harris,
Dug Down Deep

~We prevent ourseves from excelling by overmothering ourselves. - Chantel Hobbs, Never Say Diet: Make Five Decisions and Break the Fat Habit for Good

~I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. - Psalm 32:8 (ESV)

What spoke to your heart this week?

10 on the 10th

Is it already the 10th of the month? Time for Mer's 10 on the 10th. In honor of Valentine's Day, I'm going to share my 10 favorite romance movies. In no particular order, they are:

1. Pride & Prejudice (Focus Films version). I know, it's not exactly true to the book. Still, I think it's a beautifully made film.

2. When Harry Met Sally. The original chick flick.

3. Sleepless in Seattle. Witty and charming, and a great cast to boot.

4. You've Got Mail. The reunion of Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan was definitely worth the wait.

5. Sweet Home Alabama. Patrick Dempsey and Josh Lucas. *swoon*

6. While You Were Sleeping. I love this movie as much for the supporting cast as for the lead actors.

7. Fireproof. What a love story should be.

8. The Philadelphia Story. No romance film list is complete without Cary Grant. I adore this movie!

9. Adam's Rib. Classic Kate Hepburn.

10. Pillow Talk. Classic Doris Day.

Do you have any faves that I've missed? Be sure to visit Meredith to check out the other entries.

The Week in Words - February 8th

I read SO many great words this week that it was hard to limit myself to only three quotes. However, I didn't want to try your endurance, so I'm cheating and putting one aside til next week. Here's what I couldn't resist:

To habitually prefer things temporal before things spiritual in the predominant acts of heart and life is the certain character of a graceless soul. He who deliberately prefers riches and beauty in another, before the image and fear of God, gives a very dangerous sign of a graceless heart and will. If you value beauty and riches more than godliness, you have the surest mark that you are ungodly; if you claim not to value them, then why do you prefer them? How could you do a thing that detects your ungodliness and condemns you more clearly? Does this not show that you either do not believe the Word of God, or else that you do not love God and regard his interest? Otherwise, you would take his friends as your friends and his enemies as your enemies. ~The Godly Home by Richard Baxter, as excerpted at Crossway

This book is most definitely going on my wishlist.


God saw the people of Israel—and God knew. - Exodus 2:25 (ESV, emphasis mine). This one blows me away because it reminds me that God sees my circumstances & He knows what I'm going through. He knows the pain, doubt & fear. He knows how hard this trail is, and He hasn't forgotten me. Praise His Name!

[The Christian woman] looks away from the troubles and miseries and obstacles of life that seem to make the future bleak, and she focuses her attention on the sovereign power and love of God who rules in heaven and does on earth whatever he pleases (Ps. 115:3). She knows her Bible, and she knows her theology of the sovereignty of God, and she knows his promise that he will be with her and will help her and strengthen her no matter what. This is the deep, unshakable root of Christian womanhood. ~John Piper, This Momentary Marriage, p. 97

John Piper's book is a must-read. I could say a lot more about it, and I have at 5 Minutes for Mom. Click on the link for a chance to win a copy of this amazing book...but not before you've left your specific link to your Week in Words post below!

(The link will be up until Friday at 5:00 p.m Eastern)

By the Seashore

It's been a while since I've written about R's job situation. Honestly, sometimes I've worn myself out just thinking worrying about it. These last few months have been full of tears, hopes, questions, and doubts. It's been an emotional roller coaster. (Funny, I've always thought that saying is an overused cliche, but it just fits.)

I know we've been given a gift...many of them. Some days, I see them. Some days, I cling to them by faith; although I cannot see the gifts, I see the Giver. I am learning first-hand what Paul meant when he wrote ...The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:5-7, ESV)

I know the Lord is at hand. I'm seeing Him in ways I've never experienced before. Could it be that I'm looking more closely out of sheer necessity?

I'm learning to not be anxious. I keep bringing the requests...the significant and seemingly insignificant alike...to Him. I've got to give Him everything, because I don't have the mental fortitude to decide if some things are worthy to take to Him or not. I'm believing that He cares about all of it.

The end result? I'm finding that peace Paul tells us about. It defies logic. I doubt I can explain it. I just know that we're living in an incredibly sweet place right now....taking God as His word and watching Him work. We're starting to see the waters ripple. It's not always easy, standing here in front of the sea and waiting for Him to part it...but it's much easier than treading water.  Our baby steps are inching us closer to the promised land.

Most recently, the Lord practically dropped a college degree program in our laps. It's something R is interested in, and will be excellent at doing. We had made plans to pursue this goal, but God changed our route. The destination is the same, but the path is better. He's meeting with an admissions counselor & program coordinator on Monday.

We had also made plans to help us financially. Plans that, again, God changed. This new route will require us to stand on His promises, and will bring HIM (not us) the glory. And isn't that what our lives should be about?   

God gets glory when two very different  and very imperfect people forge a life of faithfulness in the furnace of affliction by relying on Christ. (John Piper, This Momentary Marriage: A Parable of Permanence, p. 48).

The Week in Words - February 1

Sorry I'm late! I was busy playing in the snow Saturday (WOO-HOO!), and Sunday is my "unplugged" day. Are you ready with your quotes? I confess, I found some wonderful quotes in Anne of Avonlea, but I forgot to write them down before I had to return the book to the library. So, I only have one quote this week, but it's a great one from John Piper's This Momentary Marriage: A Parable of Permanence

God took the record of all of your sins that made you a debtor to wrath (sins are offenses against God that bring down his wrath), and instead of holding them up in front of your face and using them as the warrant to send you to hell, God put them in the palm of his Son's hand and drove a spike through them into the cross. It is a bold and graphic statement: He canceled the record of our debt...nailing it ot the cross (Col. 2:14)

Nothing to add to that, except PRAISE JESUS & AMEN!

Are you ready to play? Remember, leave your specific link below.