In my previous post I mentioned a book called Aurora, a book about the Aouroa Colony and about quilts. I found this great quote in the book:
Don't waste life in doubts and fears; spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour's duties will be the best preparation for the hours and ages that will follow it.
---by Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Bible also talks a lot about not worrying or being afraid. Moses told Joshua many times to be strong and courageous. In the sermon on the mount Jesus commands us, "Do not be anxious for your life..." (Matthes 6:25-34) This quote from Emerson also seems to talk about doing your work well. The Bible tells us to do our work as unto the Lord, and to do our work if we want to live. So I will do my job tomorrow as unto the Lord. I will not worry about the future but trust Him to provide for me.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Blog Tour
I have a couple more books for you to check out: A Flickering Light and Aurora by Jane Kirkpatrick.
A Flickering Light is a novel about a young woman photographer in the early 1900's - trying to make it in what was considered a man's profession. The story includes threads of following one's dream, love and temptation, and faith. I loved that the story was set in the Midwest and the some of the characters were based on actual historical figures.
Aurora is a beautiful book about quilts. Jane Kirkpatrick tells the wonderful stories behind the quilt patterns and the book contains more than 100 photographs of both quilts, the Aurora colony, and artifacts. Jane Kirkpatrick is a wonderful storyteller. She makes you feel like you are a part of the story.
Both books have some great quotes. One of my favorite is at the beginning oof A FLickering Light. It is a quote from Rev. Edward Everett Hale:
Faith, hope and love are the three eternities. To look up and not down, that is Faith: to look forward and not back, that is Hope; to look out and not in, that is Love.
Check these books out for yourself. You will love them.
If you would like to purchase these books, just visit Random House here:
For A Flickering Light:
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781578569809&ref=externallink_wbm_aflickinglight_kef_0312_01
For Aurora:
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400074280&ref=externallink_wbm_aurora_kef_0312_01
A Flickering Light is a novel about a young woman photographer in the early 1900's - trying to make it in what was considered a man's profession. The story includes threads of following one's dream, love and temptation, and faith. I loved that the story was set in the Midwest and the some of the characters were based on actual historical figures.
Aurora is a beautiful book about quilts. Jane Kirkpatrick tells the wonderful stories behind the quilt patterns and the book contains more than 100 photographs of both quilts, the Aurora colony, and artifacts. Jane Kirkpatrick is a wonderful storyteller. She makes you feel like you are a part of the story.
Both books have some great quotes. One of my favorite is at the beginning oof A FLickering Light. It is a quote from Rev. Edward Everett Hale:
Faith, hope and love are the three eternities. To look up and not down, that is Faith: to look forward and not back, that is Hope; to look out and not in, that is Love.
Check these books out for yourself. You will love them.
If you would like to purchase these books, just visit Random House here:
For A Flickering Light:
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781578569809&ref=externallink_wbm_aflickinglight_kef_0312_01
For Aurora:
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400074280&ref=externallink_wbm_aurora_kef_0312_01
Monday, April 27, 2009
April Showers
We haven't had a lot of rain in April this year - although we did get some over the weekend and everything is turning green outside. Here's what's been "raining" in my life this month:
1) Doctor and hospital visits with my dad. Dad doesn't drive anymore, so I am his chauffeur/nurse/case manager. Dad has been struggling with his health this spring. He's had a UTI, anemia, skin cancer, negative medicine interactions, gout, and muscle weakness. I am hoping he's on the road to recovery.
2) Rehearsals and shows - I was in a variety show this spring and we put on 7 shows to raise money for college scholarships. It was so much fun!
3) Thoughts and prayers ( and a few worries) about the future. My job ends on June 26. Craig and I are trying to figure out what our life will look like in the future. Should we take this time to make some major changes? Should I just collect unemployment and wait for a job to come along? What does God want us to do?
April showers bring May flowers. What will my month of May bring? A new job? Good health for my dad? More time with my family? Answers to my prayers? Or will it bring more times of testing, more opportunities for me to trust God?
1) Doctor and hospital visits with my dad. Dad doesn't drive anymore, so I am his chauffeur/nurse/case manager. Dad has been struggling with his health this spring. He's had a UTI, anemia, skin cancer, negative medicine interactions, gout, and muscle weakness. I am hoping he's on the road to recovery.
2) Rehearsals and shows - I was in a variety show this spring and we put on 7 shows to raise money for college scholarships. It was so much fun!
3) Thoughts and prayers ( and a few worries) about the future. My job ends on June 26. Craig and I are trying to figure out what our life will look like in the future. Should we take this time to make some major changes? Should I just collect unemployment and wait for a job to come along? What does God want us to do?
April showers bring May flowers. What will my month of May bring? A new job? Good health for my dad? More time with my family? Answers to my prayers? Or will it bring more times of testing, more opportunities for me to trust God?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Experiencing The Spirit
Easter is a wonderful holiday - the best holiday because of these three words: He is risen. I aqm so thankful the Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and that He had victory over death by rising again. But it didn't end there. The story of Easter really goes on to the day of Pentecost when Jesus sent the Holy Spirit.
Unfotunately too often I try to rely on myself instead of waiting for the help of the Holy Spirit. I try to understand scripture on my own. I try to figure out GOd's will for my life - on my own. I try to resist temptation, or forgive someone, basically try to live the Christian life, without allowing the Spirit to work in and through me. What a fool I am sometimes!
So this Easter season I am reading Experiencing the Spirit- The Power of Pentecost Every Day by Drs. Henry and Mel Blackaby. The first chapter starts out, "The person who does not know the Holy Spirit of God does not know God." So I am reading this book to help me to understand the Holy Spirit and to experience His work in my life. Won't you join me?
You can purchase the book at http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781590529119 or at www.amazon.com.
Here is a summary of the book by the publisher, WaterBrook Multnomah:
The first Christians “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6) shaking the gates of hell even in the face of severe persecution. The result: People all around “were filled with wonder and amazement” (Acts 3:10).What can give Christians today the same impact?God’s Holy Spirit is ready to answer that for us in an awesome way, as Henry Blackaby and his son Mel Blackaby make clear in Experiencing the Spirit. You’ll see how the proof of the Spirit’s presence is our awareness of God’s personal assignments for us, plus our supernatural enablement to carry out those assignments. You’ll find essential clarification on the difference between natural talents and spiritual gifts. You’ll explore the dynamics of being filled with the Spirit through intimate relationship with Him, committed obedience, and radical departure from sin. Instead of considering what you can do for God with your abilities and talents, you’ll be encouraged here to seek what God wants to do through you supernaturally by His Spirit, empowering you beyond your personal competence and capacities. Release the Holy Spirit’s work at the very core of your experience of the Christian life.
Unfotunately too often I try to rely on myself instead of waiting for the help of the Holy Spirit. I try to understand scripture on my own. I try to figure out GOd's will for my life - on my own. I try to resist temptation, or forgive someone, basically try to live the Christian life, without allowing the Spirit to work in and through me. What a fool I am sometimes!
So this Easter season I am reading Experiencing the Spirit- The Power of Pentecost Every Day by Drs. Henry and Mel Blackaby. The first chapter starts out, "The person who does not know the Holy Spirit of God does not know God." So I am reading this book to help me to understand the Holy Spirit and to experience His work in my life. Won't you join me?
You can purchase the book at http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781590529119 or at www.amazon.com.
Here is a summary of the book by the publisher, WaterBrook Multnomah:
The first Christians “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6) shaking the gates of hell even in the face of severe persecution. The result: People all around “were filled with wonder and amazement” (Acts 3:10).What can give Christians today the same impact?God’s Holy Spirit is ready to answer that for us in an awesome way, as Henry Blackaby and his son Mel Blackaby make clear in Experiencing the Spirit. You’ll see how the proof of the Spirit’s presence is our awareness of God’s personal assignments for us, plus our supernatural enablement to carry out those assignments. You’ll find essential clarification on the difference between natural talents and spiritual gifts. You’ll explore the dynamics of being filled with the Spirit through intimate relationship with Him, committed obedience, and radical departure from sin. Instead of considering what you can do for God with your abilities and talents, you’ll be encouraged here to seek what God wants to do through you supernaturally by His Spirit, empowering you beyond your personal competence and capacities. Release the Holy Spirit’s work at the very core of your experience of the Christian life.
I'm Back!
I just picked up my laptop from the Geek Squad, where it's been for the last two weeks. I needed a new CD Rom drive. I couldn't believe how much I missed having it - I couldn't do bookwork for the truck, couldn't check emails, and couldn't blog! It's so nice to have a computer at home again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)