What I'm Reading in 2012

I always post a book list, probably since this blog's existence. Usually it's a random list. But this year you will find that it's more intentionally laid out, because, we all I know I can't function without specific goals.

And in case you were wondering about last year's list, between the Is there a hell? theological debacle and my apathy, nothing remarkable can be said.

So, without further adieu, the 2012 reading list:

January- Bonhoeffer by Metaxas, Sense & Sensibility by Austen
February- Sound Mind Investing by Austin Pryor ; I have read bits and pieces, but need to go back and read it in its entirety.
March- Cost of Discipleship by Bonhoeffer (a much need re-read) and Mansfield Park by Austen
April- Knowing God by JI Packer
May- The Problem with Pain by CS Lewis
June- Do Hard Things by Harris and Northanger Abbey by Austen
July- Catch-up month (after a month of Camp, I'm sure I'll fall behind)
August- Persuasion by Austen
September- American Lion by Meacham (started it in 2011- I basically need an encyclopedia to get through it, but I am bound to finish.)
October- Bible Doctrines by Driscoll
November- The Reason for God by Keller or The God Who is There by Carson; I haven't decided which one yet.
December- Farewell to Arms by Hemmingway

Through out the year: One Year to An Organized Life by Regina Leeds; once again, I've read bits and pieces, but need to go back and review.

What are you reading?
I am alway, ALWAYS, up for a good book discussion.

what an afternoon off is worth.

Lately it seems, my post have taken a creative turn. I think the more I learn about God, the more I learn about myself and what I was created for. I truly believe I was created to create. And sometimes I don't always know what that looks like in a vocational sense, but I am willing (today) to commit that to the Lord, and as R. Scott Rodin says in his book The Steward Leader, "We are content to live our story because we trust its author."

Thus, I am content creating at Camp and in my on little corner of the house- the attic.

Yet, I truly believe we are command to be forward thinking. But, wherever we are, we are to be all there (Jim Elliot). There's this tension between living today and planning tomorrow.

However, I always come back to this one thing: GOD IS FAITHFUL.

He is faithful to keep me breathing. He is faithful to provide my needs daily. He was faithful to make way the path of old patriarchs, and so, I can trust, based on His immutability, He will do the same for me.

So, the very fact that I know that He has created me to create, is evidence of His completely gracious faithfulness in my life. While I am still figuring out how that plan will play out, and what the extent of that planning should be, I am content living my story, because He has (and will continue to do) great things for me.

If nothing else, please read these three verses:
Psalm 16:11
Isaiah 25:1
Ephesians 3:20


It will make your day; I promise.

I can't contain myself, so I had to share!

I have never in my whole entire life been so excited about twine, as I am this very moment.

This baker's twine is from The Twinery. Generally, their stuff is pretty expensive (but reasonable as far as baker's twine goes), but I was able to snatch up a sweet Cyber Monday deal that was quite serendipitous. Must have been meant to be.

Destined to be a Christmas cookie classic.

So friends, I just have to share one quick recipe with you, because I believe it's destined to be a classic and, in fact, it may become a THE Christmas cookie (you know, the signature one that all grandmas have) that I will bake for years to come.

Here it is: the HOT CHOCOLATE COOKIE:

You can find the recipe HERE.

From Me to You.

I had the intention, now that the 7th grade girls' basketball season has come to a close here in Central Illinois, that I would post my creative-outlet-full of projects for Christmas. But I just needed some down time. So I took a little hiatus.

The purpose of this blog has been, and will continue to be, to remind myself the ways in which God has told me to be still, to cease from striving. And for me, the ceasing to strive part is found in throwing myself full force into a creative work.

For example, while at home for Thanksgiving I was introduced to the song, Let Us Sing and Love and Wonder, penned by John Newton. This has become my theme for this Christmas season. I want to love. I want to sing. I want to wonder. This old hymn has caused me to be still and contemplate the birth of Christ and what that means to me.

So, I made a little art print to rest on our mantel to remind myself of this. And now it's my gift to you.

If you would like a higher quality jpg to print for yourself, feel free to email me and I will send you a copy. (It's designed to be placed in a 8x10 frame.)

Click HERE to hear a cool version of the John Newton classic.

Conviction.

While at home for Thanksgiving I needed a book to read- I had only brought boring ones- so my mom handed me Life Management for Busy Women by Elizabeth George. Apropos (by the way, I didn't know that this word has an "s" on the end, until today) don't you think?

I appreciated, though convicted and humbled, by this quote from Susanna Wesley (John Wesley's mother):

"I will tell you what rule I observed...when I was young, and too much addicted to childish diversions, which was this- Never to spend more time in recreation in one day than I spend in private religious devotions."

Blew.
Me.
Away.

I run longer most days than I spend in private prayer and reading of Scripture.
What a challenge! And one I want to strive for. One worth striving for.

Do you spend more time in recreation than you do reading God's Word?