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Friday’s Five Friday

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Barbara Harper

Welcome to Friday’s Fave Five, hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story, in which we can share five of our favorite things from the last week, a wonderful exercise in looking for and appreciating the good things God blesses us with. Click on the button to learn more, then go to Susanne’s to read others’ faves and link up your own.

It’s not been one of the very best weeks — poor hubby has been sick for a week now. Some weeks you have to look a little harder for some good points, but there are almost always some to be found.

1. Medicine. Jim had been holding off going to the doctor, figuring if he had just a cold or even the flu it would just need to run its course. But it had gone on a long time and the weekend was coming up, so we thought maybe he should try to get in in case of strep or an infection. He was given an antibiotic for bronchitis and prednisone for swelling and inflammation, so hopefully once those kick in he’ll start to mend.

2. The Children’s Christmas program at our church Sunday night. They do the exact same program with kids each year (except they may do different songs): a portrayal of Christ’s birth with Mary, Joseph, the inn keeper, shepherds, wise men, angels, etc. The cutest are the little ones in animal costumes made like footie pajamas. I wasn’t even sure I was going to go that night — Jim was home sick, I hadn’t been feeling all that great that morning, I thought, “It’s just going to be the same thing as last year…” But I am glad I did. It was enjoyable and those programs help set the tone for the season.

3. This sweet carol sung by some of the older girls in the children’s program.

4. Cozy books are always a fave, but I just finished an audiobook of At Home in Mitford and started Little Women. They make me want to curl up with a blanket and keep listening, but I try to keep them to when I am driving or curling my hair, etc.

5. Watching Little Women (the Winona Ryder version) with my daughter-in-law one evening when they were here to do laundry. My son was there, too, but I think he was working on something on the computer most of the time. I had been wanting to watch it in conjunction with reading the book (no worry about spoilers since I had read the book and seen the DVD many times before) and because, though it’s not specifically a Christmas story, it begins at Christmas and has another significant Christmas in it. It was fun to watch it with Mittu.

Hope you have a great weekend! I’m hoping to catch up on what I didn’t get done this week: Christmas cards!

Book Review: At Home in Mitford

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Barbara Harper

I first encountered Jan Karon in the pages of Victoria magazine some years ago. Victoria chooses a “Writer-in-residence” whose work they showcase in each issue throughout the year, and Jan was featured one year. I loved her warmth and hominess and clear faith depicted — in fact, I was surprised and pleased that a secular magazine would feature a writer whose faith was integral to her stories. I believe it was there I also first heard of and then sought out Mitford.

At Home in Mitford is the story of Father Tim Cavanaugh, a nearly 60 year old single Episcopal priest ministering in a fictional small town in NC which is replete with colorful and sometimes eccentric characters. He is so busy with his parish that he hasn’t been on a vacation in years and can’t seem to get away for more than a day or two, and the strain is starting to show.

Then unexpectedly a dog “as big as a Buick” comes bounding into his life, an untamed, neglected boy comes into his care, and a new enchanting neighbor “pops through the hedge” to visit. The discovery of stolen jewels weighs heavily on him, he’s asked to bear burdens and secrets of his people, and a condition of his own begins to manifest itself.

I strongly disagree with this assessment that Karon “satirizes Father Tim and the citizens of Mitford.” I see no satire here at all but rather realism, warmth, humor, and pathos. The characters are clearly and lovingly drawn with flaws, quirks, and endearing features intertwined realistically. As I mentioned earlier, there is a warmth, a hominess, a coziness in Karon’s stories. Here is one example when Father Tim goes to the home of good friends for dinner:

In the center of the kitchen was a large pine table, bleached by age, with benches on either side. A mason jar of early wildflowers sat in the center, along with a deep-dish apple pie, fresh from the oven. A dazzling beam of light fell through the windows that looked out to the stables.

Their guest stood transfixed. “A foretaste of heaven!” he said, feeling an instant freshness of spirit.

And then follows gently irony as he muses on the fact that everything is calm and peaceful and nothing dramatic or surprising happens there just before he’s blindsided by major news (good news this time.)

I enjoyed as well the beginnings of a “older” romance later in the book. It’s nice to see love stories aren’t just for the young. 🙂

Karon also weaves quotes from various authors, poets, and preachers throughout the book. She must be widely read but does not come across as pretentious at all.

I don’t know if her books would be classified as Christian fiction: I don’t think so. But faith is integral to the story. I had not know much about Episcopalianism before reading this book and I don’t know all the fine points of their beliefs, but the gospel is quite clearly and naturally presented.

Later books were a bit too ecumenical for me, but I could read them as a continuing part of the story, acknowledging but not agreeing with some of the happenings. The one thing that particularly bugged me was that many characters have a tendency to say “Good Lord!” or “Oh Lord,” which I perceive as taking the Lord’s name in vain, using something holy and glorious as an empty epithet. It was often said that Father Tim used such phrases as a prayer, though.

I was surprised to learn recently that this book started out as a weekly newspaper column and was begun when Jan was nearly 50 (that gives me hope that there may be a story in me yet!)

When I first read the books however many years ago, I borrowed them from the library. This time I listened to the audiobook read by stage actor John McDonough. It took me a while to get into his style. He seemed a little ponderous at first, but in some parts he reminded me of a beloved pastor from my teen and college years, and once I got into the story I enjoyed his rendition very much. Mitford is not a place to rush through, but to sit down, relax, and take your time.

I thoroughly enjoyed this revisit. the only problem now is that I want to sit down and devour the rest of the books in the series. But I’ll look forward to delving into a few more of them next year.

(This review will also be linked to Semicolon‘s Saturday Review of Books.)

Booking Through Thursday: Records

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Barbara Harper

Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme which poses a question or a thought for participants to discuss centering on the subject of books or reading.

I haven’t done one of these for ages, but I thought the question for this week was interesting:

Do you keep a list of the books you’ve read? How? In a journal? Through one of the online services? If so, WHY? To keep good records for future reference? To make sure you don’t accidentally reread? If not, why not? Too eager to move on to the next book? Too lazy? Never thought to bother?

I’ve only kept a list since starting my blog and I really enjoy it. Why keep a list? Well, I do get satisfaction from lists of things I’ve completed. It provides a sense of accomplishment. And it’s fun to look over and remember. At the end of the year I enjoy compiling a list of books I’ve read that year. It’s like catching up with old friends or looking through a photo album. I’ve been keeping a list for each year on my sidebar but after the first of the year I think I’ll try to compile those into one master list.

I don’t worry too much about accidentally rereading a book. I figure if I don’t remember having read it, it will probably do me good to go through it again.

I do wish I had lists from books I read from childhood. It would be interesting to see what my tastes were then, plus there are some stories that I can’t remember whether I’ve read or just seen the film of.

My most thorough lists are kept here on the blog. I do have an account at Goodreads but I’ve only recently begun to keep up with it regularly, so it only has a fraction of the books I’ve read.

Sometimes I enjoy looking through other people’s lists of books read as well, to compare notes and see if we liked the same books, to get an idea of their personality and preferences, to get ideas for my own ever-growing TBR list, etc.

Learning from the Savior’s learned obedience

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Barbara Harper

One of the verses in my Daily Light reading for this morning was Hebrews 5:8: “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.” The context for all the rest of the verses in today’s reading had to do with affliction, but that phrase about Jesus learning obedience arrested me, not for the first time. He had always obeyed the Father perfectly, but in Gethsemane was the first time, as far as we know, that He prayed “not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). So perhaps learning obedience had to do with obeying the Father’s will despite His own will? (There is more helpful commentary on this verse at the bottom of this page.)

One way in which this encourages me is to observe how the sinless Son of God obeyed and endured. Here are a few thoughts:

1. Our will and His will. It’s not necessarily wrong to struggle with God’s will. For us, more often that not, it usually is a problem of faith or obedience. People throughout Scripture have been called to do things that at first they didn’t want to do: Moses, Ananias, others.There are many times when God’s call to someone included encouragement that He would be with them and help them: Joshua, Jeremiah, Paul to name a few. These days people say you’ll know something is God’s will when you “have a peace” about it, but sometimes God’s will causes fear, trepidation, reluctance. Jesus asked, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me,” and then submitted His will to the Father’s: “nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” We can follow His example when we shrink from something He has called us to do. He was sinless, but we can pray and seek His Word to deal with any sinful issues we might have in regard to submitting to Him.

2. Remember our purpose. In John 12: 27, Jesus said, “Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.” The plan of redemption had been decided upon from the foundation of the world. I’m sure many of the people mentioned above had to go back to their calling and remind themselves of God’s purposes and promises when they were later in the thick of things.

3. Seek His glory. After saying, “Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour, Jesus said, “Father, glorify thy name” (John 12:28). When we look at ourselves, our safety, our pain, our fears, our comfort, we shrink back: when we seek His glory we can find the purpose and strength we need.

4. Resist temptation with God’s Word. Satan tried to derail Jesus from His purpose, but Jesus resisted with God’s Word. We need to read and know His Word that we might do the same. Though He never sinned, we do fail, and thankfully God promises grace to forgive and help us. But he also wants us to be filled with His Word and grace and enabled to resist temptation thereby for His glory.

5. Remember the coming joy. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrew 12:2). I wonder what all was encompassed in that joy: perhaps having finished His course, pleasing His Father, being reunited with His Father and back home in heaven where all is right and no sin or sorrow dwells, providing the way for us to go there, too. And that leads us to…

6. Look beyond the momentary to the eternal. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1-2).

Are there any other ways in which Jesus’ obedience encourages your own?

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

Reading questions

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Barbara Harper

Sherry at Semicolon had some questions relating to reading the other day, and I thought I’d borrow them for a post.

1. What classic book do you hate? I can think of several I was disappointed in — The Man in the Iron Mask, The Three Musketeers, and even Pride and Prejudice, but I can’t think of any I hated. Of course, one will probably come to mind about 3 seconds after I post this.

2. To what extent do you judge people by what they read? It depends on how you mean “judge.” If someone reads, say, trashy romances by preference, that does say something about them. In fact, one favorite book blogger I used to read went from having a vibrant testimony to reading those kinds of books to posting almost exclusively from those kinds of books to then getting divorced to now never saying anything about the Lord.

On the other hand, I think reading various book bloggers has opened my eyes to the fact that good people can have widely varying tastes, and some can be interested in things I am not interested in, and that’s okay. And some can have good reasons for reading things that I wouldn’t. And just because the Christian community raises an outcry against a book doesn’t mean it’s worthless, though there are a handful whose opinions I would greatly trust.

3. What television series would you recommend as the literariest? If you mean what series referenced the most books, “LOST” referred to many and often had people scrambling to read books shown or mentioned on the series for clues about it. If you mean what series stayed closest to its book origins…I think I’d agree with Sherry‘s answer of the “Pride and Prejudice” with Colin Firth, which was originally a TV mini-series, or the first “Anne of Green Gables” film (also originally a PBS series), or the very early days of “Little House on the Prairie.” Both of the latter two strayed wildly from their origins as they went on (which doesn’t make sense. A series is a success because it’s based on beloved books and characters, and then producers want to go a completely different direction with them…no, it just doesn’t make sense.)

4. Describe your ideal home library.

Oh, I dunno, maybe this one? 🙂

Incidentally, while looking for that link, I came across a post showing different libraries in films that was pretty neat, though I’d not recommend all the films listed. The site Beautiful Libraries is a feast for book-loving eyes.

Though I prefer light, airy colors for decorating most of the time, I do like some warmth in a library. I’d like a plethora of real wooden bookshelves, with a desk or table to spread things out on, some cozy seating with rich upholstery, a window seat, good lighting, big windows and a fireplace. A ceiling like the one in the Biltmore Library would be a plus. 🙂 I fact, I like everything about that library except the red upholstery.

5. How do you decide what to read next?

I usually have a few books at a time stacked up to read and choose from there. If I’m participating in a challenge like Katrina’s Fall Into Reading, I might check the library or choose from what’s on the list. I also keep a running “To Be Read” list compiled from books I see others recommending. From one of those stacks or lists I usually just go by whatever strikes me as interesting at the moment, but there are some books I have to “make” myself get into. Sometimes I end up enjoying that kind, others I have to make myself keep going (not because it is not worthwhile or uninteresting — I’ll dump that after a fair try — but just because there are some books I don’t gravitate to. Though I benefit from nonfiction, I do usually have to make myself start and keep with it.)

6. How much do you talk about books in real life (outside of the blogging community)?

Not much but probably more than most people I know. I don’t know many people “in real life” who like to read much. I do often find myself mentioning something I read or recommending a book.

I do try to be careful about not just recommending a book when someone is talking about a problem. It’s natural for my mind to go that way, but some years back I read of someone exasperated at people “throwing books” at whatever problem she was talking about. While the recommended books would probably be helpful, there are times someone needs an answer, an expression of sympathy, etc, in the moment.

Feel free to borrow these as well, and let me know if you do!

Book Review: The Christmas Dog

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Barbara Harper

Betty Kowalski is having trouble obeying the Bible’s command to love her neighbor. Her neighbor isn’t making it any easier, with a heated dispute over a fence between their properties, a pile of rubbish in the yard, including her former neighbor’s prized pink toilet, remodeling noise all hours of the day and night, and now his dirty, pesky dog doing his business on her dogwood tree.
Add to that an unexpected visit from a troubled granddaughter, an upset in her son’s family, and a promise to help with a friend’s 50th anniversary celebration, and Betty has her hands full.

Christmas books can sometimes be overly sentimental, but The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson was a delightful surprise. I figured I knew where things were headed with the dog, given the book’s title, but Betty’s transition from curmudgeon to caring Christian was both heart-warming and convicting.

(This review will also be linked to Semicolon‘s Saturday Review of Books.)

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus!

Posted on December 2, 2012 by Barbara Harper

Come, thou long expected Jesus, 
born to set thy people free; 
from our fears and sins release us, 
let us find our rest in thee.  
Israel's strength and consolation, 
hope of all the earth thou art; 
dear desire of every nation, 
joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver, 
born a child and yet a King, 
born to reign in us forever, 
now thy gracious kingdom bring. 
By thine own eternal spirit 
rule in all our hearts alone; 
by thine all sufficient merit, 
raise us to thy glorious throne.

~ Charles Wesley

I’m so glad He came!

Friday’s Fave Five

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Barbara Harper

It has been a full, good, productive week! Here are some favorite parts of it:

1. Time with family. Jim and Jeremy were both off through Monday, when we had to take Jeremy back to the airport, so we had the entire weekend to just hang out, play games, and…

2. Decorate the Christmas tree. It’s up earlier than usual for us — Thanksgiving was the earliest it could be, but I love doing this all together while Jeremy is here. And now I feel like we have an extra week for Christmas activities. 🙂

3. Getting the bulk of the Christmas shopping done, most of it online– first time ever that’s happened before it’s even December. And I have a great deal of it wrapped already, mainly because I didn’t want bags and boxes cluttering up the closet or sewing room.

4. A lunch date at Cracker Barrel. After we dropped Jeremy off at the airport, Jim took me to lunch at Cracker Barrel, one of my favorite places, but one he’s not crazy about, so it meant a lot to me. ♥ They had a special on chicken and dressing that was really good (except for a few loose bones…), and their Coca-Cola cake is luscious.

5. Mini pink-decorated Christmas tree on my desk. I got this at a little shop where we used to live, and I don’t remember where I used to put it in the old house, but here it fits just right on the side of my desk.

Hope you have a great weekend!

A Perfect Christmas

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Barbara Harper

This is a repost from a couple of years ago. I came across it in my archives a day or two ago and it was a good reminder to me.

(Photo courtesy of the stock.xchng.)

Most of us have a vision in our minds of the perfect Christmas: family gathered around, a clean and sparkling house, a beautifully adorned Christmas tree with piles of lovingly chosen presents underneath, a feast for the eyes and the table, scents of roasting turkey or ham, pumpkin pies, apple cider, everyone marvelously getting along like the end of a made-for-TV movie.

But what if that’s not reality this year?

What if one member is in prison? Or overseas or across the country? Or in heaven?

What if a lost job or a major medical expense has led to a depleted bank account and bare cupboards?

Is Christmas then ruined?

Let’s go back to that first Christmas.

Mary and Joseph were alone and away from home and family in a strange city. They did not have a beautifully decorated house: they did not even have a hotel room. The only place someone had available for them was a stable. The only scents of the season were those of animals in a barn. Mary, as a young, first-time mother, did not have the blessing of a modern hospital and sanitary conditions, a skilled nursing staff and childbirth training. Giving birth was painful and messy. Joseph would have been out of his element helping a woman deliver a baby, and perhaps he was dismayed or frustrated that he could not provide better for her in general, especially in her moment of need. And after the blessed relief of a healthy child safely born, there was little acknowledgment of who this Child was besides the shepherds, Simeon and Anna, and, later on, the wise men. Soon they would face the danger of a king bent on killing the Child in their care and the loss of reputation Mary would endure her whole life as many thought her Child was illegitimate, and soon the ominous promise that a sword would pierce through Mary’s own soul.

What did they have then, that lonely, uncomfortable, smelly night? They had the Child of promise. A Child whom they were told to name Jesus, which means “Jehovah saves,” whose very name is a promise, who would reconcile them to God by taking care of their greatest need, who would “save His people from their sins.” They had the realization that, as the angel told Mary when first delivering the news that she would bear a child though she was a virgin, this Child was the long-awaited and longed-for Messiah, the King, the Son of the Highest. What cause for joy and wonder! They had no idea how it would all work out. But they had the promise, and because of the promise, they had hope.

It’s certainly not wrong to enjoy a decorated tree, presents, wonderful food, and family gathered. But we can celebrate Christmas even all of those elements are missing or less than ideal…because we can celebrate in our own hearts and with those around us that same promise, that same hope. If that’s all we have this Christmas…that’s more than enough.

What’s On Your Nightstand: November 2012

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Barbara Harper

The folks at 5 Minutes For Books host What’s On Your Nightstand? the fourth Tuesday of each month in which we can share about the books we have been reading and/or plan to read.

It seems so long since the last Nightstand, though it has only been the usual time frame. It’s been a busy month.

Here’s what I finished since last time:

The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges with Challies‘ “Reading Classics Together” group. I didn’t review the book as a whole since I discussed it chapter by chapter (you can find those discussions here if you like.) Overall a great book. I appreciated the balance.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin for Carrie‘s Book Club October pick, reviewed here. A thought-provoking classic.

Wildflowers of Terezin by Robert Elmer, reviewed here. Loved this one. A WWII story set in Denmark, involving a secular Jewish nurse and a Lutheran priest reluctant to fight against oppression until he sees its human face.

Allerednic: A Regency Cinderella Tale–In Reverse by Chautona Havig, not reviewed. I had great expectations for this one, but I found it a little boring.

The Hobbit (audiobook), reviewed here. Loved the story and the audiobook.

C. S. Lewis’s Space Trilogy: Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength, reviewed all together here. I listened to these via audiobook but had to get the books from the library and go over certain sections again. Maybe not quite as loveable a series as Narnia, but it makes some excellent points.

Thriving at College: Make Great Friends, Keep Your Faith, and Get Ready for the Real World! by Alex Chediak. Just finished last night; review is hot off the press here.

I’m currently reading/listening to:

Unless It Moves the Human Heart: The Craft and Art of Writing by Roger Rosenblatt. Twenty pages last night went by in a flash: looking forward to reading more.

At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon (audiobook). I read this years ago and I am enjoying going over it again via audiobook. A very cozy book.

Next up:

The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury

The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens for Carrie‘s Book Club December pick. I have a whole book of Dickens’ Christmas stories…I may or may not peruse more of them if I have time.

I also have my last Fall Into Reading book, The Christian Imagination by Leland Ryken. I’m not sure I will get to it between Christmas activities and wanting to get a couple of Christmas reads in. I should know better than to leave nonfiction last. I want to — I like to complete my lists! — but if I don’t read it this month it will still be there in January. It’s not something I want to rush through just to complete by a deadline.

What are you reading? Got any special books lined up for December?