What's On My Nightstand - September

As the dog-days of summer come to a close (Lord, please let them come to a close!), I'm looking forward to spending evenings tucked under my favorite blanket with these:

~Raising Girls (currently reading). I'm reading this at the recommendation of a friend who's got a girl a few months older than CJ. At first I was skeptical about what insight two women who aren't mothers could offer, but I'm actually learning a lot. As the mother of a pre-teen girl, I need all the help I can get.

~Women's Ministry in the Local Church (currently reading).  I can't wait to start blogging about this one at Offering Hospitality next month. Very convicting read about our role as women in the local church, even for those of us who aren't on the women's ministry team. As a deacon's wife, I'm finding it extremely helpful.

~Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cure (currently reading).  Lisa's posted several excerpts that piqued my curiosity about this series of sermons from the 1960s. I'm only in the second chapter, but I'm already finding it relevant for believers today. I'm sure I'll be blogging about this book in the coming weeks.

~Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild. (to read). I've had this one in my stack for a while, but after hearing Mary Kassian on the Revive Our Hearts program this week, I'm moving it to the top of my list.

~Surprised by Grace: God's Relentless Pursuit of Rebels (to read). I'll be joining some good bloggy friends to discuss this one in September...wait for the surprise announcement.

~The Last Song (to read). We watched the movie this weekend, and CJ is eager to read the book. I'm screening it before allowing her to read. Has anyone else read this? Your thoughts? (I've enabled comments on this post).

What are you reading these days? Leave a comment.  Better yet, write your own list & link it to 5 Minutes for Books.

A List of Links

My blog has been pretty quiet lately. Not much to say, really.

But here are some people who've had really really good things to say:

~My friend Lisa has so many wonderful thoughts that it's hard to link to just one post. But I strongly recommend this one (and the comments).  Then do yourself a favor and become a regular reader of Lisa Writes.


~Kevin DeYoung has some great advice for Christians in the wake of the latest Proposition 8 news.

~This post of Amber's (and the comments) is a must read. Seriously.


And some people have had some really great things to eat:

~Green Beans with Balsamic Browned Butter

~Spinach and Artichoke Hummus

~Sweet Potato Fries with Chipotle & Cilantro Mayo

I'm dying to try all three of them!

For those looking for some good reading material that's not on a computer screen:

~The girls at Offering Hospitality have asked me to join in a group discussion on Women's Ministry in the Local Church. We'll be starting in September. You can learn more here (and even try to win a copy!)

~I just finished reading Laura Bush's memoir, Spoken from the Heart.  It was not a quick or easy read, but it is very informative. I developed a new found respect for President Bush and Mrs. Bush.

~I'm in the middle of Raising Girls, at the recommendation of a good friend who has a girl not much older than CJ. So far, it's eye-opening and encouraging.

~I'm also reading another book that does not fall into the category of good reading. AT. ALL.  (However, you should read Albert Mohler's review) I won't name it, because I don't want anyone to do an internet search for the title and land here. I said I'd never read it, and I still can't believe I am. But when a family member recently told me that it's the best thing she's ever read, I knew I would have to read it before we could have an intelligent conversation about it. On the positive side, it's already sparked some great discussion with R, and caused me to make sure I am grounded in the Word.

Happy Reading!

Ebb and Flow

Saturday will mark three months since R's last day of work. In less than two weeks, he'll walk into into his first class. The days between the end of one season and the start of another have been filled with ordinary tasks and an extraordinary God. Somewhere in the middle, our bond has been strengthened.

We are changing as individuals and as partners. It's not easy. Our roles have been firmly etched into the bedrock of 17 years of marriage. Yet we are learning to grow and stretch beyond limitations and expectations. We discover a new, deeper camaraderie.

We've stood together as our girl has departed for a mission trip and youth camps.

We've waited impatiently for her to return.

We've savored our time alone.

We've strolled hand-in-hand on the brick pathways of his future.

We've worked together to provide for our family. He gardens. I preserve and bake.

We've instituted family reading time. He studies calculus. I study my girl. 

We've dated.

We've laughed.

We've cried.

We've sprawled out on our comfy sofa watching our favorite series on DVD.

It's the ebb and flow of life.

Insignificant.

Invaluable.