Book Review: Holy Habits

Authors Mimi Wilson (also of Once-a-Month-Cooking) and Shelly Cook Volkhardt, teamed together to write a book on intentional living.

"Our part is to make it a habit to know Him. His part is to make us holy." I have been guilty of thinking that I would become holy if I just read my Bible daily - mindlessly. 

"Holy Habit: Look for the fingerprint of God in the world and tell others what you see." God's fingerprint is in everything - from nature to circumstances to the people around us. We must learn to see these things as God's fingerprint - His own silent movement in our lives. Thank Him for it! Praise Him for it! Obey His guidance. 

"[God] is always the same. There is a freshness with Him continually." How true! The great I AM never changes and yet He is always fresh. He never gets old.

This book had me in tears multiple times as the authors shared experiences of God working in their lives and answering prayers. Each time I was reminded of what God was doing in my life or had done. I was encouraged to say, "That's my God!" A few times they talked about answered prayer that was something that I might have been praying for. God answers prayer. He hasn't forgotten me. He will answer my prayers in His time. I am thankful for the things He has done and the things that He will do. My God is an awesome God!

Great book. Perfect for the person just starting out on their journey to drawing closer to God. Perfect for the person who has sought to know Him personally for years. no matter where you are in spiritual life, this boo will be a blessing. 

I read it in a single morning. :)

Moving Tip #1: Where to Find Boxes

Welcome to my little series on moving. As I mentioned before, I have done this quite a bit... like six times. Along the way I have learned a few tips that I hope can save you some time and money.

Moving Tip #1: Where to Find Boxes

If you are getting ready to move, you have probably seen on U-haul's website or at the hardware store, packs of boxes for purchase. That might be a decent idea if you are in a pinch and have a few last minute items that need thrown in a box right before you move and right after you ran out of all of the free ones. But let me help you avoid that at all costs...

The best blogs and household advice will tell you to go to the nearest grocery or liquor store and ask the management for boxes. That's solid advice. Except for one small thing... I don't frequent liquor stores. In fact I whole-heartedly disapprove of drinking in any form. The Bible is very specific about alcohol and drunkenness, so why would I go to a liquor store and ask them for the boxes? Exactly, I wouldn't. So I don't. That means I need to find another avenue to locate my boxes.

As far as grocery store boxes, I have had some difficulty getting them from my local grocery store. They are stingy. Like three boxes a week stingy. Then the boxes that they give me are flimsy and awkward. They were meant to ship fast, not necessarily well. I had to overly tape the bottom of the boxes to secure the contents and remove pieces because the boxes just didn't hold the contents right. Some people have a lot of success with grocery store boxes, but unless you are in a pinch and have time to drive to all of the nearby grocery stores I would skip it.

Instead, I prefer to get my boxes from local businesses, like my husband's office, my school, and my
dad's office. If needed I might ask some friends to help out as well at their places of work. It is all just going to the recycle bin anyway, so why not put them to use? Businesses receive regular shipments of office supplies, copy paper, gifts, t-shirts, large book shipments, and a handful of other items that come in nicely sized boxes. These boxes are designed to be secure and sturdy for shipment. They tend to be just right for packing.

As far as plastic bins, which are very easy to move, they have a few problems. Number one - they are pricey. You could be out a couple hundred bucks just buying bins. I suggest don't do it. Number two - even the smaller bins fill up quickly and often end up being too heavy or challenging to carry. Save the backs of all the people who help you move!

There is one exception to this plastic bin rule - any items that are going into storage, such as seasonal clothing or decor. I will be storing these things in my basement when not in use, and I don't want them to get damp or bug infested. The extra money is worth it to me on these occasions and only one of the four bins is ridiculously heavy. :)

How's that for Tip #1?

Stay tuned for Tip #2 coming soon!

Lessons from a Second Year Teacher

Year Two. There were seriously times during Year One that I was convinced that Year Two would never occur. Either I was going to die of stressful causes, or I would become a hermit and never leave my apartment again, or I would quit. Something was going to prevent me from making it to Year Two. In all honesty, my first year of full-time teaching ended in a fairly poor manner. I shed a few tears throughout the school year, but I literally sobbed during those final days. Circumstances were not so great. 

Thus, I was facing Year Two of teaching with a reasonable amount of dread. I was afraid that I would go back into the terrible hole of working for endless hours a week. At times last year, I was putting in nine hours a day at school and an additional seven a night, plus six hours on Saturday and four hours on Sunday between services... for weeks on end. The thought that I would have to go back to working insane hours terrified me. I physically, mentally, and emotionally could not do that again. (There were additional circumstances that contributed to my great dread.) 

Teacher in-service and the first two weeks of school this 2nd year were not encouraging. I actually told my husband that on my next day off I would be updating my resume and looking for a normal job. But I am pleased to tell you that things have gotten dramatically better. We are now finishing our fourth week of school, and I am alive!! I am not stressed out. I have spent no more than 55 hours a week working, and that is truly the best news ever! 

Here are a few things that I have learned during these first four weeks of Year Two:

1. Last year's individual experiences have little bearing on this year. The students have grown or changed. I have grown or changed. It is not even comparable. Each year will have its own learning curve. (For example, one of my classes had made massive strides to learn how to write a decent essay for my assessments. They were phenomenal essays by the end of the year. This year they came back and are worse than they were at the start of last year. Nothing was retained. I cannot expect that learned behavior from last year will be automatically be implemented this year, because that child is a year older and even more soundly a constantly changing teenager.) 
2. The hours do get better. I have shaved off some ten to twenty hours a week in just one month. 
3. Preparation transforms during the second year from frantically learning the curriculum to teaching specifically for that class. My 8th grade history class has an extremely different learning needs than last year's 8th grade history class. 
4. Many of the processes of the job (grading, recording grades, filing, creating lesson plans, using the school's educational program/Renweb) have become much easier. They feel natural this year, whereas last year many of those things felt like a struggle on week 1 and week 30. 
5. Apparently having a year under your belt means that the administration can load up your schedule with extra responsibilities. Those moments of free time where I was desperate to gather my thoughts or sit down are gone, but also not nearly as necessary. 
6. The students thinking they can use the relationship you spent the previous year building to their advantage. Whenever my students graduate from one of my history classes, they will probably end up in another one of my history classes. In a smaller school, I teach multiple classes and see the students for about four years throughout their high school career. They try to use the relationship that we developed last year to <try to> get permission to do things a "new student" would not be allowed to do. 
7. With #6 said, I do feel like I have the freedom to have a little more fun. I am not just trying to get through the material, teach the students, and prove myself as a teacher, now I am trying to teach specifically to those students. That means recognizing when they need a break from the monotony of a school day or (worse!) my history class, and utilizing the myriad of tools and ideas available to me. Yes that takes time and preparation, but I have it now, whereas last year I did not. 

So there are just a handful of things that I have learned this year. Hopefully my horror story at the beginning will not deter you from having an enjoyable and successful second year!

Moving Tip: Intro

This week I will be moving into my very own house! I am super excited about it! It is definitely everything that I could have hoped for in this area of the country with the finances that we have. It is a fantastic first home, and I can't wait to share a few snapshot photos in time.

The only real downer about this move is that it is our sixth move in less than five years. Yes, the sixth! I guess that would make quite the story as well. It's been painful, but along the way I feel like I have become the professional mover.

Along the way I have learned a few tips that have stream-lined the moves and made everyone's life a little easier. At the suggestion of my friends, I will be doing a little series on moving tips. They will be logged under the label "Moving Tips." (I like things to be obvious; what can I say?)

Not my most effective move.
I am going to try to save you from this mess!

On My Shelf

I absolutely love to read! I am always on the hunt for another good book. There are several hundred books on my shelves, well, now my parent's basement. But if I had to pick my favorites, these would be them. If you asked me to recommend a book, it would be one of these. That's not to say that I agree with every little thing in each book. {Please read the disclaimer below.} 

The books with stars listed beside them are my ALL-TIME FAVORITES. These are the books that I read over and over again. They are the ones with the bindings worn and highlights and stars and flagged pages. They are the BEST!  

Note about Fiction: There are tons of great works of fiction out there. I have read hundreds of books in the Christian realm of fiction, and I am a big fan of classics (think Jane Austin, Charles Dickens, Silas Marner, and just about anything you would read in a literature class). But I have come to the conclusion that fiction doesn't have a lasting impact like these other books. The few fiction books on this list are my all-time favorites. I have read them multiple times, and come to think of it, just might read them again. I hope you enjoy them too!

Disclaimer: You cannot "throw the baby out with the bathwater" here. Take what you can and forget the rest. I don't know these authors and the stupid things they have said or done or lifestyles they lived after they wrote these books. All I know is I read the book, something spoke to me, and I hope that it speaks to you also. If I had to list only the books that I totally agreed with every single word, the only book I could list is the Bible. (I hope you understand that the Bible is a given.) So please don't be upset or offended because of certain authors who are on this list, or a short sentence in a book that you might not agree with. 

Commentaries & Bible Studies

The Darkness and the Dawn* - Charles Swindoll

Brokenness/Holiness/Surrender - Nancy Leigh Demoss

Humility - C.J. Mahaney

What Do I Know About My God? - Mardi Collier

Calm My Anxious Heart - Linda Dillow

General Christian Life

Music Matters - Cary Schmidt

Eternity in their Hearts - Don Richardson

Experiencing God - Henry Blackaby

Lord, Change My Attitude - James McDonald

For Ladies Only

Lies Women Believe - Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Made to Crave - Lysa TerKeurst

In the Best Possible Light - Beneth Peters Jones

The Look - Nancy Leigh DeMoss

For Teens

Discover Your Destiny - Cary Schmidt

Hook, Line & Sinker - Cary Schmidt

Life Quest - Cary Schmidt 

Purity & Dating

Passion and Purity* - Elizabeth Elliot

Quest for Love* - Elizabeth Elliot

And the Bride Wore White - Dannah Gresh

I Kissed Dating Goodbye - Joshua Harris

Single Men are Like Waffles, Single Women are Like Spaghetti - Bill & Pam Farrel

Stay in the Castle - Jerry Ross

Just Friends - Cary Schmidt

Before You Meet Prince Charming - Sarah Malley

Marriage

Created to Be His Helpmeet - Debi Pearl

Love & Respect - Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

Sacred Marriage - Gary Thomas

Creative Counterpart - Linda Dillow

It's a Wonderful Life - Terri Chappell

Biographies (or Biographical-type)

The Hiding Place* - Corrie ten Boom 

Night - Elie Weisel 

A Chance to Die (Amy Carmichael) - Elizabeth Elliot

Evidence Not Seen* - Darlene Deibler Rose

She Said Yes* - Misty Bernall

End of the Spear - Steve Saint

Through Gates of Splendor - Elisabeth Elliot

Dancing Under the Red Star - Karl Tobien

Apologetics

Mere Christianity* - CS Lewis

Why I Believe - D. James Kennedy

Done - Cary Schmidt

The Presence of a Hidden God - D. James Kennedy

The Case for Christ* - Lee Strobel

Money 

Rich Dad, Poor Dad - Robert Kiyosaki

The Total Money Makeover - Dave Ramsey

Money Matters - Larry Burkett

Fiction

Christy* - Catherine Marshall

Little Women - Louisa May Alcott

Not a Sparrow Falls - Linda Nichols

At the Scent of Water - Linda Nichols

In Search of Eden - Linda Nichols

A Gown of Spanish Lace - Janette Oke

The Shunning/The Confession/The Reckoning - Beverly Lewis

If you have any books that you would like to recommend, please let me know. I would love to add to this list. 

I am sure you have noticed that I have written a number of book reviews and will continue to do so. See the the "Book Reviews" label periodically for updates. I read two or three new books a month, so there won't be a shortage of posts. 

A Favorite

Perhaps one of my favorite passages in the Bible, Isaiah 55:8-13 are always an encouragement to my soul. My God is in control of everything. He knows far better than I. His plan is already in progress. He knew before I even thought about it. Above all, His plans and His purposes and His thoughts will bring total glory to Him.


For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

Forgiveness Reigns, Part 2

To give you some background on this passage, David has just become king. He has defeated any enemies in the land, he has fortified the cities, built walls, and collected armies. As a new king in ancient times, he did his primary job as king. He made the people safe. Now he is going home and going to sit on that throne of his and will deal with the internal responsibilities of his kingdom. Greeting the people, addressing their problems, and making sure everyone is at peace.

If David were living in, let’s say Egypt, one his first jobs back in his capital, would be to see establish his lineage. Make sure his wife gives birth to a son and make sure no one else makes a claim to the throne, so that is where this passage starts…

2 Samuel 9:1-7, vs. 13

Vs 1-5 – Ok, just want to point out here, that David was interested in seeking out any living relatives of Saul, but not so he could kill them so they could not make a claim to the throne, but so he could show them kindness and love.

David found out that Saul still had one living relative – one person who could potentially lay claim to the throne. A little boy, the son of Jonathan, named Mephibosheth.

I want to point out that not only did David find out, in verse 1 it is very clear that David is the one who seeks out Saul’s relatives. I am sure that when poor Ziba is standing in the throne room of the new king of Israel, knowing all that we have discussed, that he was probably terrified. Shaking in his boots so to speak.

Then to make matters worse David asks if there is anyone still living (who could possibly lay claim to the throne). But he quickly adds “that I may shew the kindness of God unto him.” Wow!!!

V8-13 – Not only did David restore a relationship with Mephibosheth, he gave him back all of the servants, land, and wealth that had previously belonged to Saul. Even the position at the king’s table. David promised to care for Mephibosheth and his family as if he were Mephib’s own father. He would treat Micha, like his grandchild. He would care for them, because he wanted to show them kindness.

I want you to realize for a moment that David was human. Like as human as they come. He probably hated Saul in the most Christ-like way possible. Saul had wronged David at every turn and he still choose to love him and show his descendants the “kindness of God.” Not the kindness of David, but the kindness of God.

It can be challenging to live up to the example that Christ set for us, after all He did live 2,000 years ago. But the situations are still the same. There is still that dare I say – teacher, or friend, or authority figure, or sibling, or coworker or whoever – who has literally wronged you at every turn. They have made your life miserable! They have gotten under your skin, wronged you, offended you and done who knows what to you over and over and over again. And you have forgiven, and moved on, and yet it happens again and again. Then finally it is gone from your life, or so you think, and you are faced with the task of forgiving and showing the kindness of God again… or you can finally get some revenge.

If you believe that the Bible is 100% true and is your authority for life, you’re your standard is going to be, like David’s: To bring glory to God. And the way to do that will be to show kindness again and again.

So you have a choice, this week…

How are you going to respond…

1.              With kindness?

2.              With the right attitude?

3.              With compassion?

4.              With forgiveness?

5.              With gratitude?

David did and I think he faced some pretty terrible things at the hands of King Saul.

One other thing that I discussed in my Sunday school class was the following thought:

Also compare how this illustrates God’s love for us – despite our continual sin against God.

Just a reminder - this is skeleton of my Sunday School lesson, like the notes I take into class with me. I usually expound on each of these thoughts and have class discussion in addition to what you see.