Earlybird Thanksgiving Random Dozen

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Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee is hosting her usual Wednesday Random Dozen on Tuesday this week, since many will be making pies or traveling tomorrow.

1. Are you sticking to traditional Thanksgiving foods this year, or are you being culinarily adventurous?

All the usual very traditional Thanksgiving fare.

2. Tell me something concrete that you’re thankful for. (Something you can literally touch, see, etc., not a concept like “hope.”)

Music and the means to play it.
Heat at the touch of a button, especially after having been without it for two weeks.
Books.
Films.
Food.

3. You knew the flip side was coming: Share about something intangible that you’re thankful for.

Love, joy, peace, grace, forgiveness.

4. Share one vivid Thanksgiving memory. It doesn’t have to be deep or meaningful, just something that remains etched in your memory.

I think it was about 13 or 14 years ago we lived in GA and planned to come to SC to stay with friends, go to our old church and the Thanksgiving praise service the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, spend the night with them, and then drive to TN Thanksgiving morning to spend a couple of days with more good friends, my husband’s former pastor and his family. The first part of the trip went as planned with a great visit and a wonderful service. But pulling out of our friend’s driveway Thanksgiving morning, our car broke down. We had to have it towed in but had to leave it as no mechanics were working on the holiday. We rented a car and headed out to TN, stopped at a Burger King for our Thanksgiving lunch, drove over the mountains where Jesse got sick all over the rented car, and made it to our friends’ house in time for leftovers that evening. The rest of the visit was very nice: then we had to deal with the car issue afterward.

5. What is one thing that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt is going to happen this Thanksgiving because it always does, year after year?

Oh, just all the usual stuff — cooking, eating, napping, more eating. Sometimes we watch a movie or play a game in the evening.

6. Do your pets get any left-overs?

Yes, my husband, thankfully, takes on the job of getting everything off the bird that he can, and he saves a bit for our dog.

7. Does your family pray before the big meal? If so, do you join hands while seated, stand, repeat a formal prayer or offer a spontaneous prayer? Who does the praying?

My husband either prays spontaneously or asks one of the boys to while we’re seated around the table.

8. Will you be watching football in the afternoon? If not, what will you be doing?

No football. My husband and I will be napping at some point, I am sure.

9. There are two distinct camps of people on this issue: How do you feel about oysters in the dressing/stuffing?

Bleah, I am not an oyster fan.

10. Do you consider yourself informed about the first Thanksgiving?

Yes.

11. Which variety of pie will you be enjoying?

Apple and pumpkin.

12. Do you feel for the turkey?? (This is a humorous throw back question related to the 12th question in another Random Dozen!

Not really. I enjoy every bite. 🙂

Check over at Linda‘s to find more participants or to join in yourself.

What’s on Your Nightstand: November

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What's On Your NightstandThe 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. You can learn more about it by clicking the link or the button.

I finished My Heart Remembers by Kim Vogel Sawyer about three siblings separated after going West on an orphan train. I probably would not have picked it up, because I have read books and seen films about the orphan trains, and they all seemed to have the same basic plot line, but this one came highly recommended by several blog friends. I did enjoy it: Kim brought in some elements I hadn’t seen before.

I also just finished Home to Harmony by Phillip Gulley. It’s in the same vein as Mayberry or Jan Karon’s Mitford series: small town, eccentric residents, heart-warming stories. It was….okay. Parts I really liked, parts touched me, but overall I didn’t like it as well as Mitford. I’m not inclined at this point to read the sequels: I have a whole shelf full of books to be read. But I might pick them up some time in the future.

I also finished Farraday Road by Ace Collins, and it is the only one I did a full-fledged book review of this month, here.

With Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, my reading plans for the next month are going to be very loose, though I do always have something available to read.

I’ve just begun The Heirloom by Colleen L. Reece and Julie Reece-DeMarco, given to me by my friend, Carol. It’s been on my shelf for a while, and I just rediscovered it while reorganizing my bookshelves and saw it was set during the Thanksgiving season. It’s fairly short, so it will be perfect for this week. I’m also planning on Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, a compilation of 22 Christmas related essays from authors varying from Augustine and Luther to Piper. I saw this recommended by a lot of people last year, but by the time I got it the Christmas season was nearly over, so I saved it for this year. I’d also like to do a Bible study called My Heart Restored by June Kimmel.

Other than that…I have plenty to choose from my TBR bookshelf: I just recently gathered most of them on one shelf, the middle, double-shelved one here. Only the front row is TBR:

Book Review: Farraday Road

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The opening pages of Farraday Road by Ace Collins set the stage for mystery: a literal “dark and stormy night,” a car discovered run off the road, two bodies having been shot, one alive and one dead, and a historic bridge washed off its moorings. Lije (short for Elijah) survives but neither he nor anyone else in the town can think of any reason why he or his wife, a pillar of the community known for her generosity, would become targets. In his grief he searches for clues about what happened, sometimes teamed with a reluctant detective who thinks at first she has the suspect, sometimes doing his own investigating, which leads him to another mystery involving a piece of prime real estate his wife had purchased before her death.

I am sorry to say I was not thrilled with the book. It could have used much tighter writing, and the “mystery” seemed splintered off into too many pieces which at the end are still unconnected. Hopefully it will all come together in the sequel, Swope’s Ridge. I thought perhaps this was Mr. Collins’ first book: I was wrong. He has written more than 50 books, but most of them are non-fiction. I was disappointed that, for a book in the genre of Christian fiction, there was a four-letter word usually absent in most Christian fiction and that there was little Christianity in it beyond the charitable nature of Lije’s deceased wife and the testimony of a wrongly-accused prisoner.

If you’ve read the book, I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts: perhaps I am missing something. And if you haven’t, please don’t let this review dissuade you from checking out the book if you like mysteries: most of the reviews at Amazon.com and Christianbook.com are positive.

Thanks to Zondervan for providing a copy of the book for review.

Results of Getting Things Done week

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So, last Monday I declared Getting Things Done week. I debated with myself about whether to show what I got done (– would anyone really be interested? Would I just be booting my own horn?) But just the fact that I declared publicly that I was going to dig in and get things done last week provided a little bit of accountability, even though no one was going to come after me or check up on me to see the results. But I decided to go ahead and show the results:

1. Cleaned off this table.

Before:

After:

This is a little drop-leaf table that used to be our main dining table ages ago. Now it is in the “sunroom.” It’s meant to be a table where people can work on different projects that they might need to leave out to finish or dry or whatever, but it tends to end up a place to dump things.

2. Cleaned off computer desk.

Before:

3. Sorting through files.

No photo for this one, but I sorted through two filing cabinet drawers, tossing our several things and moving them all up into the craft room into my little pink two-drawer filing cabinet (which I discovered tends to pitch forward. Sigh. Maybe I can put a brick in the back of the bottom drawer or something.) I also cleaned our two drawers in an upstairs plastic rolly-bin thing.

4. Cleaned out part of this cabinet.

Before:

After:

Still have some work to do there, but I put  major dent in it.

By the way…that poor little amaryllis that someone gave me years ago actually bloomed all by itself in the box without having been planted. Does anyone know if I can cut off the old bloom and plant it again, or is it done?

5. Straightened and organized these bookcases.

Before:

After:

I still have a little work to do there, as you can see by several little stacks.

That blue bin contained outdoor things — basketballs, bats, super-soakers, etc. I had the boys go through it and sort out what was usable and what they wanted to keep, then they put the bin out in the shed. Then they moved two shelves worth of craft books to the craft room, and then I sorted and arranged what was left. I have a box-ful to get rid of (including a 30 year old Roget’s Thesaurus that is way out of date. I usually just use the one online anyway). I have a few more from home-schooling days that I want to list for sale — they are music books that I regret we never got to but which the boys have outgrown now.

It felt good to get to these things that have been needing attention for so long, plus it helped to actually see and remind myself of what I have. I discovered I have duplicates of a couple of books (which I am thinking I’ll hold a give-away for here). An added bonus was unexpected discoveries, like the letter I mentioned from my mom, and this sign one of the boys made a few years ago when I was repairing a stuffed animal:

I don’t remember their having a stuffed bee, but I do remember sewing a leg on something. I got a kick out of the “B+” blood type.

So now I need to start on a new list for this week, but I am floundering this morning. I’ve been fighting off a headache that isn’t enough to incapacitate but is making me draggy and foggy. I’ve been taking acetaminophen, but the only thing that seems to help is putting pressure on my forehead or cheekbones. I don’t want to spend the day doing that, though, so I am going to see if I can keep this momentum going and maybe shake it off. I am only going to try working on these types of things today and tomorrow, though, with Thanksgiving coming. The rest of the week I’ll just play by ear.

Have a good day, whatever your plans are!

Microfiction Monday

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Welcome to Microfiction Monday,
where a picture only paints 140 characters.

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Susan at Stony River has begun a Microfiction Monday wherein participants write a story in 140 characters based on a particular image that Susan has chosen for the day.  Design 215’s Character Counter helps keep track of the number of characters. It’s a fun exercise in creative conciseness…or concise creativity…

As the bright glory surrounding God’s throne, as the colorful, faceted arc after rain, so is God’s grace and protection surrounding His own.

For those who might not understand the references there, in Genesis 9:8-16 God established a covenant with Noah and his sons and future generations after the flood that He would never again destroy the world by a flood, and He set the rainbow as the token of His promise. Ezekiel 1:28 and Revelation 4:3 speak of a rainbow surrounding God’s throne. It wasn’t until thinking about what to write in regard to this photo that I caught the encircling — the parallel between the circle of the rainbow round His throne, the arc of the rainbow, and the encircling of His promise and protection around His people.

I guess if I have to write another paragraph explaining my thinking, that might mean I didn’t do the greatest job expressing myself with 140 characters!

If you’d like to read of another encounter I had with a rainbow, The Storm and the Rainbow was originally a blog post that was submitted and accepted as an article for Frontline Magazine.

And you can find other people’s takes on this photo at Susan‘s.

Face the Cross

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I first heard this beautiful hymn on the Wilds CD Creator, Redeemer, and King, and it literally stopped me in my tracks.

Upon the cross of Jesus my eye at times can see
The very dying form of One who suffered there for me.

Face the cross, He hangs there in your place.
See the Lamb upon the killing tree.
Stand and look into the Savior’s face
As on the cross, He dies for you and me.

Face the cross and see the dying Son.
See the Lamb upon the killing tree.
See His anguish and His tears of love.
Face the cross, He dies to set us free.

Turn not away, turn not away.
His nail-pierced hands are reaching out to you, to you.

Look upon the One without a sin,.
Spotless Lamb upon the killing tree.
Feel His pain and love from deep within,
So great a price, yet paid so willingly.

Turn not away, turn not away,
Face the cross, face the cross.

Face the One who suffers in your place,
See the Lamb, upon the killing tree.
Light of the world, now clothed in darkness grim
As on the cross, He hangs in agony.

Face the cross and turn not away, turn not away.
His nail-pierced hands are reaching out to you.

Turn not away, behold His wounded side.
Turn not away, behold the crucified.
Face the cross, He hangs there in your place.
Face the cross, and see the King of Grace.
Face the cross, face the cross.

— Words by Herb Fromach, music by David Lantz

Thoughts about…hell

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I don’t remember what train of thought led me to this destination, but I was thinking this morning about the fact that modern day Christians don’t like to talk about hell very much. It’s offensive. Yet the fear of and desire to avoid hell played a major part in my own salvation and that of many others I know. But without the love of God, I would have remained in that misery of fear: the fact that He did love me and did make a way that I could be cleansed and forgiven drew me. It is as Jude said in verses 22-23 of his letter: “And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Some will respond more to a compassionate appeal; others will only be shaken from their complacency by fear of the fire.

I’ve heard it said that Jesus spoke more about hell than heaven. I haven’t counted up the verses to see if that is true, but it would only make sense that He would want to warn people about such an awful place. I think we do a disservice to our friends and loved ones when we avoid speaking of it.  There is a little tract titled “Hell: Suppose It’s True After All?” (full text here) which poses just that question. It is too big an issue to take a chance on. Another, titled “What To Do To Go To Hell,” opens up to a blank interior, meaning we don’t have to do anything to go there: we are already on our way and need to do something to avoid it.

Salvation isn’t just a “fire escape” from hell: it is so much more. It is by faith entering into a relationship with God as a Father, a relinquishing of our rule over our own lives to acknowledge and yield to His rule, a turning from and cleansing of sin, a beginning of learning to know Him in all the facets of His being, in all the ways He illustrates His love and relationship with us (Shepherd, Light, etc.).

Too often I want to present only the positive: His love, His care, His provision. But there is something blocking access to Him in that way: Isaiah 59:1-2: says, “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Sin is a barrier, a roadblock. The ultimate end of sin and self-will is hell. It’s not going to be a good ol’ party time with the buddies. It is awful.

But the good news is that God doesn’t want us to go there any more than we want go there ourselves. I urge you, as lovingly and kindly, and yet as urgently as I can, to consider these truths:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God. John 3:16-21, NKJV.

You can read more here.

Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt: Bird(s)

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Theme: Bird(s) | Become a Photo Hunter

Apple sculpture

Some of you will remember this photo from Melli‘s photo challenge for the apple category. But the sculpture has birds, too! This sculpture sits in front of a little shopping center downtown.

And this one isn’t mine: it’s from the I Can Has Cheezeburger site — it’s often the last thing I look at before I log off for the day. Most of the pictures are cats, and I am not particularly a cat lover, but often the captions are hilarious. They do use other animals as well. This one cracked me up:

funny

Friday’s Fave Five

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FFF fall leaves 2

Susanne at Living to Tell the Story hosts a “Friday Fave Five” in which we share our five favorite things from the past week. Click on the button to read more of the details, and you can visit Susanne to see the list of others’ favorites or to join in.

1. In going through some old files this week, I came across an old letter from my mom written about 25 years ago. My mom rarely wrote letters: she preferred calling. There was no major news in it, just everyday stuff. But it was like a little visit with her.

2. I also mentioned earlier that I hadn’t been able to find my favorite Chocolate Chip Eggo waffles — I like them because I prefer them without syrup, so that saves a few calories, and with a couple of microwave sausages, it makes for a quick but filling breakfast. A few ladies mentioned that there is a shortage of Eggo waffles due to flooding in one area and equipment problems in another. But…I actually found a couple of boxes in a store that didn’t have them last week! If I had been thinking I would have taken both of them, but I was so excited I just grabbed one. But that will leave the other for another fan of them.

3. Lunch with my friend, Carol, yesterday. It had been a long time since we had been able to get together, with weddings in each of our families over the last few months, among other things. It was fun and a good time to catch up.

4. We’re supposed to get a new furnace installed today! Ours has been out for a few weeks, but thankfully it hasn’t been terribly cold. A little chilly in the mornings and evenings, but not as bad as it could have been.

5. A fairly brief but very full Bible study on Bible verses that say God is something — my Shepherd, my light, my strength, etc. Much food for thought there.

Bonuses:

I had declared Monday that this was Getting Things Done week. I have been enjoying getting some things done that have been on the list for a while! More on that maybe Monday — I still have the weekend to go!

And though I mentioned it earlier in the week, I really enjoyed watching Up with the family last weekend.

I mentioned at the end of last week’s FFF a little 16 month old baby named Gaberiel who was in critical condition. He did go on to heaven from his mother’s arms this week. His funeral is this morning at 11 a.m. Ontario time. I’m sure the family would appreciate your prayers. He leaves behind a mom, dad, and four brothers and sisters who are rejoicing that his suffering is over but understandably missing him.

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15.

A living, bright reality

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O Jesus, make Thyself to me,
A living bright reality:
More present to faith’s vision keen,
Than any outward object seen:
More dear, more intimately rich,
Than e’en the sweetest earthly tie.

This little poem was written on the back of an envelope from a note someone sent me in college, and it has stayed with me all these years. I wasn’t sure of the author, but a quick search indicates this was from a hymn by Charlotte Elliott, the author of the more well-known hymn “Just As I Am.”

These words have been on my heart lately, for myself, my family, my church, and Christianity in general — that our Christianity would truly be not just doctrine, though that is vitally important; not just “what we believe” or “what we do” (or don’t do), but rather, as we so often say, a vital and living relationship with a real, living Christ. Not just praying before meals and during crises, but keeping in touch with Him through the whole day. Not just dragging ourselves to church and through some semblance of devotions, but gaining in His Word what we vitally need more than food. Not just a vague appreciation for an escape from hell, but an active, consuming love that energizes a life spent doing His will out of love rather than duty. A heart that longs after Him.

May it be so.