What AG's Reading...

This just has to be documented...

I mentioned in the homeschool post that AG makes her book requests known to Graham and he goes to the library and picks them up for her.   Each week, she tells him what she wants and then he tries his best to scope the nonfiction section for the "exact" books she wants.  We've been doing this for months.
*Due to our strange homeschooling/MDO schedule, we can't get to the library ourselves.  This should change next year.

Anyway...This morning, I was in the middle of enjoying my breakfast of oatmeal, raspberries  blackberries, and my one cup of caffeinated coffee for the day (I have literally eaten this meal for about 3 month straight and I'm still in love with it!)  Back to the story....I'm eating my breakfast and Graham says to AG, "What book do you want me to read you during breakfast?"  She replies, "Hyenas!" YUCK!  I had a hard time getting through the rest of my meal and finally had to move to the living room.  My girl and her animal nonfiction--her weird obsession.

This week's book list in no particular order:  HYENAS, LIONS, TIGERS,  and SEA TURTLES
I assure you, this is exactly the requests that AG made.  We joke all the time about her extreme decisiveness   She knows exactly what she wants and it cracks us up.  It's rare to get an "Ummm..." or "I don't know" from her about anything.

Oh, and G didn't forget about Ro.  She likes light-hearted reads:  THE BERENSTAIN BEARS 5 BOOK COMBO.  Yep, that's more her speed.

What I'm Reading...

The Well-Trained Mind:  A Guide to Classical Education at Home by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise

What I'm Reading...

Over the past month or so, Graham and I have been doing some reading together as a couple.

Here's how it works:  Each day, I read a chapter, write a note to Graham in our little journal, and leave the book on the table for him to read the following morning.  The next day, I get so excited to read what he has written to me and his thoughts on the chapter.  At night, we discuss the chapters and spend a little time talking with one another.  It's been fun!

We just finished up Driscoll's book, Real Marriage and now we are starting When Sinner's Say "I Do" by Dave Harvey.

Here are a few blurbs from the book...

*Here it is:  What we believe about God determines the quality of our marriage.

*The gospel explains our most obvious and basic problem--sin has separated us from God and from each other.

*God is the most important person in a marriage.  Marriage is for our good, but it is first for God's glory.

*Guys, the radiant woman on whose finger you slipped that wedding ring?...sinner.  Ladies, the man who offered you a vow of perfect faithfulness and lifelong sacrifice?...sinner.  In ceremonies all over the world, every day, without exception, it is sinners who say, "I do."  It is sinners who celebrate their tenth anniversary, their twenty-fifth, and their fiftieth.

*My friends, when sin becomes bitter, marriage becomes sweet.

*God is completely, totally, enthusiastically supportive of your effort to build a strong, God-glorifying marriage.  He wants us to delight in marriage.  He wants to make it strong, make it stick, and make it sweet.

Okay, okay...I got a little blurb happy, but there are just too many good points that I just had to share!  

life-n-pics

The cooler temps have meant more coffee and...

more time to read outside on the swing.

Last week, we got some major rain and the girls finally got to break out their rain boots.

I need a new fiction book to read.  Any suggestions?

Downer

I hate to be a downer, but I was not a fan of Nicholas Spark's latest book, The Best of Me.  When I finished it, I just sat in the chair and stared at the pages.  What?  He should have let me write that one.

Can't Wait!

Yes... I love Nicholas Sparks books.  I've read almost every book he has written.  Yes...I know that his story lines can be predictable, but I don't care.  I like predictable.

Anyway...his new book, The Best of Me, will be in stores tomorrow AND I'll be there to get my copy.  Can't wait!

By the way, I FINALLY read Francine Rivers' book Redeeming Love. After years of wanting to read it, I went to the library and checked it out.   Ladies, it's a MUST READ!

Daily Bible Study

I'm linking up with Kelly today!  I know, I'm shocked too--maybe I'll start playing the blog game more.

Right now, I am reading through the Bible and using my ESV Study Bible commentary along with my reading.  I recently finished I Samuel and Luke, along with reading some from Psalms and Proverbs each day.

I like to read a book along with my Bible study.  Here are some of my favorite authors:
A.W. Tozer, John Piper, Francis Chan, Warren Weirsby, Timothy Keller, and David Platt (just to name a few).

Like I said in an earlier post, I am currently reading Forgotten God by Francis Chan.

One of the major topics he addresses is Exegesis vs. Eisegesis.

Exegesis:  an attempt to discover the meaning of the text objectively, starting with the text and moving out from there.

Eisegesis:  to import a subjective, preconceived meaning into the text.

Check out this quote:

The bottom line is that we can easily pursue just about any lifestyle we desire, then find Scriptures to show everyone it's all right to live that way.  But what would it look like to live exegetically?  If we were to start with Scripture and allow it to dictate our actions, how would we live?

This is my prayer...that I (we) would study the scriptures and allow God's words to mold me (us).

What I'm Reading...

Forgotten God by Francis Chan

I love having a good book to read along with my daily Bible Study.  I've only finished the Introduction, but I already know that this book is going to challenge, convict, and teach me so much about The Holy Spirit.  I am so excited to read more.

Great Read...

It's been a hectic summer and other than my daily Bible study, I've had little time for reading.  Now that our routines are starting to get into place, I have much more time to dedicate to reading.  I finally wrapped up The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer and I want to share a few things from the book...

A.W Tozer on the goodness of God:

The greatness of God rouses fear within us, but His goodness encourages us not to be afraid of Him.  To fear and not be afraid--that is the paradox of faith.

Tozer ends each chapter with a quote, poem, or hymn.  Here is a wonderful hymn by Charles Wesley:

Arise, my soul, arise;
Shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding Sacrifice
In my behalf appears:
Before the throne my Surety stands,
My name is written on His Hands.

My God is reconciled;
His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child;
I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And "Father, Abba, Father," cry.

Check out Indelible Grace sing this beautiful hymn:



Now that I have my piano, I've been playing a lot of the great hymns of the faith.  Here is a link to a wonderful hymnbook with demos and downloadable sheet music: http://www.igracemusic.com/hymnbook/home.html

What I'm Reading...

I'm still reading A.W. Tozer's The Knowledge of the Holy.  I've had a few interruptions over the last two weeks.  I should finish it some time next week.  

Here's my new fiction novel...

 So far------>SO GOOD!

I've gotta finish it before the movie is out in theaters.

A friend of mine has started a ladies' Bible study on the book of Ruth.  We are supplementing our reading with Warren Wiersbe's Be Committed:  Doing God's Will Whatever the Cost.  I can't wait to dive in to this book.

Challenges

Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp is a great book for parents. I like it because Tripp bases his principles on the scriptures. Scripture has to be our ultimate authority; if we aren't guided by God's Word then we are doing our children a huge disservice.
Lately, we have been going through some challenges with our little two year old. Trust me, it has been a trying time and frustrations have been at an all time high, but we are starting to see some positive changes across the board. It has been slow and gradual but consistency has been the key (a lot easier said than done).

 In order to be the parent I'm commissioned to be, I've had to examine my spiritual walk closely and I'm humbled. I have so many areas where I have failed to trust God and let Him lead. I can use a reality check periodically--Thank you, Lord.

We will never master this parenting gig--no one will. Thankfully, we have God to lead, guide, and direct us through it all.

So worth it!

Reading with Dad