natalie’s blog

Pages and pages of notes are cluttered with random thoughts, midnight revelations, conflicting questions, and scattered verses of Scripture. I am on a quest to learn, to know, to understand. But the treasure lies buried yet beneath the surface. I am wrestling with God to find it. He seems at times to be obscuring it, urging me to dig in another place; and at times whispering clues, painting pictures in my mind of the reward that is to be had. Fuzzy pictures, to be sure. For the clarity has not yet come. But it will. I will keep wrestling until it does. Until God sends me away with a blessing.

“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Psalm 119:18

We are in the process of sending out our family newsletters, but I thought I would post a copy here as well. Plus, this one is prettier than the one we’re mailing, because this one is in color! Feel free to download and read to find out some of what our family has been up to this year. (Although if you read my blog, you probably already know half of it!)

As long as I’m in a “happy new” mood, I figured I’d also announce the new Pajama School Blog! I’d love to have you stop by and check it out!

And, last but not least, we have one other exciting announcement to make. But I’m currently sworn to secrecy about it, so you’ll have to wait a little bit longer…

Several years ago, I remember commenting to a small group of ladies that I was struggling with feeling cold-hearted and unemotional spiritually. A wise older woman asked me what kinds of books I was reading. At the time, my reading consisted of primarily philosophy and theology. I had not considered the connection, but realize now what a significant effect my reading diet has on my spiritual life. Since that time, I’ve tried to make a point to balance out my reading choices between different genres of books. I’ve gotten back into reading more biographies. I also try to incorporate books that deal with various areas of practical Christian living, and books that pertain to specific business issues, in addition to books that address theological or philosophical issues. I still don’t get through nearly as many books as I’d like (I think it’s because I just can’t learn to read any faster than my slow, methodical style…), but here is a list of the books I read this year, along with brief notes about each one. I’d love to know what great books you have read and would recommend. I’m always open to suggestions for future reading!

Peace Child
By Don Richardson

Years ago, I heard about a book called, “Peace Child.” The people who talked about it spoke very highly of its author. So I acquired the book and it’s been sitting on my shelf ever since. The book is a first-hand account of the Richardson’s missionary work among the tribal people of Western New Guinea, Indonesia. As soon as I began reading, I was captivated! The writing is full of color, and overflows with rich spiritual truths. One can’t help but be in awe of God’s power to transform the most pagan cultures into loving, faithful Christians.

Life As a Vapor
By John Piper

Thirty-one short chapters made this book a nice devotional companion for my morning quiet times one month. Full of Scripture, commentary, anecdotes, and quotes, my heart was continually reminded of the overarching purpose in life – knowing God and living for Him alone.

The Law
By Frederic Bastiat

I had heard this book referenced a number of times recently, so when it showed up at the bottom of a box of books given to me by some friends, I snatched it up! Only 70 pages long, this book may be a short read, but it is not an easy read – at least not for me! I think I need to read it several more times before I can fully comprehend it. Nevertheless, I found it incredibly enlightening and amazingly relevant to our times and our society. There are many little nuggets of wisdom to be gleaned from the pages to bring about a greater understanding of the purpose of law and the proper function of government.

Love and Respect
By Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

A friend of mine who does a lot of marriage counseling with her husband highly recommended this book to me. I usually make a point not to read books on marriage for various reasons, but she said she thought it would be helpful to me even as a single person in learning how to better relate to the men around me. Although I didn’t particularly care for the style of writing – it seemed very circular – I definitely came away from reading it with a greater appreciation for the importance of communicating respect toward the men in my life. I was also challenged to take responsibility for my attitudes and responses, regardless of the attitudes and responses of others.

Pierced by the Word
By John Piper

Another short devotional that reiterates Scriptural truths and provides thoughts for reflection throughout the day. Books like this are a great way to feel like I’m sitting with and learning from some of the great students of the Word of our day. It’s refreshing to “hear” them talk of the issues that are a part of our contemporary life and share how we can view them in light of God’s Word.

Building Gold, Silver and Precious Stones
By N.A. Woychuck

Since our theme for AIC this year was 1 Corinthians 3:9-15, I thought this would be a timely read. And boy was it! My heart was drawn repeatedly back to Jesus Christ as I gained a greater understanding of what it means to build “gold, silver, [and] precious stones.” In many ways, this has been a year for me of being reminded of this truth that Dr. Woychuk shares: “There is only one question, and that is how to apply the Gospel to all circumstances and conditions. It can and will correct all that is wrong.”

The Piano Shop on the Left Bank
By Thad Carhart

An American residing in Paris, Carhart imaginatively captures the story of his curious attraction to a small Paris Atelier where he gains access to the “other” side of Paris and rediscovers his love for the piano. He is inspired to resume piano lessons as an adult and the book is his poetic narration of the events that transpire as a result. Carhart gives readers a wonderful look into the world of piano playing and the building of pianos and reminds us of the beauty of music. This was one of my favorite quotes: “‘Leonardo spent years developing a codex of body parts. He drew ears, he drew elbows, he drew hands, he drew all parts of the body in as many different aspects as he could. Then he forgot about it and painted what he saw. You must do somewhat the same.’ Gyorgy Sebok, said in a masterclass to a student inquiring how to achieve a particular effect on the piano.”

Time Out, Ladies!
By Dale Evans Rogers

Mrs. Rogers, wife of the famous Roy Rogers and mother of 9 children, shares candidly with women of her day on topics ranging from marriage to children to prayer. Each chapter is short and the book is an easy-read, but Mrs. Rogers does not mince words as she exposes many of the wrong philosophies permeating the culture of the 1960’s. I appreciated her statement at the beginning of the book that “Christ, not I, has the answers. He is the answer to every human need.” She continues to reiterate this point throughout the book and it is obvious that she is committed to growing in her relationship with Jesus Christ in her own life.

Complete Idiot’s Guide to Self-Publishing
By Jennifer Basye Sander

My friend, Jennie, gave me this book to read so that I could outline what steps we needed to take next on her book project. In the course of reading it, I became intrigued by the process of self-publishing. I was still in the early stages of working on my book, Pajama School, and had planned to go the traditional publishing route. Inspired by the benefits outlined in this book (but trying to keep in mind the realities of how difficult it would be!), I decided to officially launch my Journey to Self-Publishing. This book provides lots of practical advice that helped get me started in the right direction.

Do Hard Things
By Alex and Brett Harris

As a long-time reader of The Rebelution Blog, I was thrilled when I found out that its authors, Alex and Brett Harris, were writing a book! I have been continually impressed by both the content and the quality of their writing, and appreciate so much all that they have done to encourage young people to seek the Lord and make a difference in the culture.

God’s Signature over the Nation’s Capital
By Catherine Millard

A friend of mine lent me this book right before our family traveled to Washington D.C. this spring. I read it on the drive out there and found it to be a great combination of historical information and facts about the structures themselves. Although we didn’t get to all the places covered in the book, it did help us map out our plan for each day!

Ten P’s in a Pod
By Arnold Pent III

Some friends gave me this book for Christmas several years ago. I’ve been wanting to read it ever since, and finally pulled it off the shelf to read this year. I could definitely relate to certain stories shared by the author! More than anything, I was inspired by the large amount of Scripture reading that was required in the Pent family – several hours a day for most of the family members. Because of such consistency in God’s Word, many of the children, by default, had memorized large portions of Scripture, which they regularly recited during their family programs. This book challenged me to make a more conscientious effort to spend time reading Scripture.

Lords of the Earth
By Don Richardson

Somewhat of a sequel to Peace Child, Mr. Richardson again captures the reader with his vivid telling of the missionary work among the Yali tribal people of Irian Jaya. The story this time centers on the work of missionary Stan Dale. It is at different times heart-wrenching, jaw-dropping, and awe-inspiring. Books like this do a great deal to help broaden my perspective and understanding of God’s work throughout the whole world.

Still Growing
By Kirk Cameron

As a former “Growing Pains” viewer, and current admirer of the ministry of Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron, I was excited to get a copy of this autobiography. It was fascinating to catch a glimpse into the life and family of one of Hollywood’s young stars. But it was even more fascinating to read of Kirk’s conversion to Christianity, and to see the amazing things God has done in and through his life since he became a Christian.

The Courage to Run
By Jim Ryun and Sons

Ever since Jim and Anne first announced their plan to run for political office at a Wichita homeschool convention years ago, our family has enjoyed supporting them and cheering them on. Having met both of them and various members of their family, I can attest to their unwavering love for the Lord and passion for serving Him. They have had a tremendous influence on my life, and I was so excited when Mom and Dad presented me with a specially autographed copy of this book for my birthday last year! The short daily readings were full of practical insights. Several of them also served as perfect reading material for my Olympic-themed piano camps this summer.

Words of Warning for Daily Life
By C.H. Spurgeon

I’ve got a little collection of published sermons that have sat on my bookshelves for a while now, so I figured it was about time that I at least read something of this acclaimed, “Prince of Preachers.” Spurgeon speaks with boldness and clarity, and is ever intent on bringing his listener back to the heart of the gospel – salvation through Jesus Christ. Of this salvation, he has this to say, “Some people, when they use the word ‘salvation,’ understand nothing more by it than deliverance from hell and admittance into heaven. Now, that is not salvation: those two things are the effects of salvation.” He also shares this important reminder, “Right well remember this [referring to his references of God’s mercy and love], for else you may fall into error by fixing your minds so much upon the faith which is the channel of salvation as to forget the grace which is the fountain and source even of faith itself. Faith is the work of God’s grace in us.”

Restoration – Returning the Torah of God to the Disciples of Jesus
By D. Thomas Lancaster

A friend of mine whose family holds to more of a Jewish tradition than most Christians lent me this book. It was very thought-provoking! I gained a greater understanding and appreciation for the culture of the Jewish people, their feasts, and other aspects of their lifestyle. I was also impressed with how so many of the laws and traditions God instituted were designed to help His people live with a constant awareness of His presence and the great things He had done on their behalf. In our eagerness to throw off the “constraints” of the Old Testament, Christians today have also forsaken in many ways the God-centered approach to life that He desires His people to embody.

Publishing Basics – A Guide for the Small Press and Independent Self-Publisher
By Robert Bowie Johnson, Jr. with Ron Pramschufer

Once I decided that self-publishing was the path I was going to take for Pajama School, I set out to learn as much as I could about the field. I came across an offer for this free booklet and started my education! This was a great first read to familiarize myself with the terminology of the publishing field. The more I read on the subject, the more some of the things I initially read in this book were affirmed. Read my full review here.

The Prepublishing Handbook
By Patricia J. Bell

Although some of the specific information in this 1992 book is now outdated, it still contains a number of relevant principles. From this book, I also borrowed the term that I now use frequently to describe how to effectively take the first step of a journey into a new field: vigorous self-education. Read my full review here.

Guerrilla Marketing for Writers
By Jay Conrad Levinson, Rick Frishman & Michael Larsen

If being a successful self-publisher is all about marketing, then this book is what every self-publisher needs! With 100 ideas gleaned from years of experience, there is no want of creative approaches for anyone willing to invest the time and energy into promoting their book. Now that I’m getting closer to the release date for Pajama School, I think I need to get my own copy of this book and re-read it! Read my full review here.

How to Publish and Promote Online
By M.J. Rose and Angela Adair-Hoy

This book helped me boil down the overwhelming field of marketing into 3 Keys to Marketing for the Self-Publisher. I was grateful for the input from a variety of experts in various fields, and for the authors’ candor in sharing both their successes and failures. Read my full review here.

Lord, Teach Me Wisdom
By Carole Mayhall

Having read Carole Mayhall’s book, Words That Hurt Words That Heal, I was excited to find this book and glean from her insights in the area of wisdom. Carole’s writing is very “real” and full of personal illustrations and stories. The book is separated into four sections – Wisdom’s Ways, Wisdom for a Wife, Wisdom for a Mother, and A Wise Woman Builds. Although I’ve never met her, Carole strikes me as a wise, godly older woman. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from her through her writing!

How to Make Money Publishing from Home
By Lisa Shaw

This book covers a broad range of publishing options, and provides a snapshot of others who have been successful in those respective areas. As a result of reading this, I grew excited about pursuing some other publishing projects in the future! Read my full review here.

Unseen
By J.R. Messenger

Several years ago, a friend gave me this book that was written by a family member. I’ve put off reading it for a long time, because I don’t read much fiction anymore. Unfortunately, this book was a reminder of why I quit reading most fiction. The plot was shallow and contrived, and the story was predictable and somewhat corny at points. (I’m probably just a book snob, but that’s my opinion…)

Island of Saints
By Andy Andrews

A friend lent me this book, and once I got into the first couple of chapters, I had a hard time putting it down! There were numerous twists in the plot that left me guessing about what would happen next. The historical elements were intriguing, and I’m still not sure whether it was a true story or not…

With Christ in the School of Prayer
By Andrew Murray

Normally I don’t read books on prayer because I think it’s probably a better use of my time to just pray instead. But I’m so glad I read this book! Andrew Murray, a recognized authority on the topic of prayer, shares some incredible insights that left me with a new understanding of what a life of prayer should look like. One of the most poignant insights I gleaned from the book is the importance of expecting God to answer our prayers. Mr. Murray shares, “It is one of the terrible marks of the diseased state of Christian life in these days, that there are so many who rest content without the distinct experience of answer to prayer.” He goes on to say, “There may be cases in which the answer is a refusal, because the request is not according to God’s Word, as when Moses asked to enter Canaan. But still, there was an answer: God did not leave His servant in uncertainty as to His will.” Isn’t that an incredible, faith-building thought?!

In Faithfulness, He Afflicted Me
By Lynnette Kraft

For years I have known of the Kraft family and observed them from a distance. I have been amazed at the difficult experiences they have gone through, but the peace and faith that continually characterizes their lives. Lynnette sent me a copy of her book as a prize for coming up with an “almost” name for her blog, so the night I received it in the mail I couldn’t wait to start reading it. It was so engaging that I stayed up way too late reading the whole thing! Lynnette does an incredible job of pointing her readers to Jesus as the One who provides true peace and comfort in the midst of the most difficult trials in life. I was also blessed by the beautiful picture Lynette paints of God’s calling for women as wives and mothers. I don’t know that she necessarily even does so intentionally, but it comes out in the way she expresses her love for her husband, her children, and her home.

The Practice of the Presence of God
By Brother Lawrence

To be honest, the only reason I read this book is because it was included in the same volume as the afore-mentioned book on prayer by Andrew Murray. However, I found it to be a perfect continuation of the primary thing God has been impressing upon my heart this year – the importance of walking in the Spirit and performing even the most mundane duties to His glory. I loved this thought that Brother Lawrence shares, “That in order to form a habit of conversing with God continually, and referring all we do to Him, we must first apply to Him with some diligence; but that after a little care we should find His love inwardly excite us to it without any difficulty.” Here’s another great thought, “That our sanctification did not depend upon changing our works, but in doing that for God’s sake which we commonly do for our own.”

Last Days Madness
By Gary Demar

I’ve studied eschatology a little bit in the past, but have wanted to study it more in depth for some time. I was spurred on to do so when I found myself disagreeing with some of the things being shared in a conversation with an ardent premillennialist. I asked Dad for a recommendation of a good book to start with (since he has studied the topic at some length in the past), and he suggested this one. I found myself almost giddy with excitement as I devoured page after page of this wonderful book! In fact, it was mostly due to the influence of this book that I started getting up early in the mornings to read through whole books of the Bible (like Daniel, Revelation, etc.) in order to gain a more complete understanding of what the Bible teaches in this area. While I still have much studying to do on the topic, this book has given me a renewed vision for the importance of Christians influencing every sphere of our culture for the glory of God. There is one sentence that particularly grabbed my attention, and summarizes the fault with much modern eschatological teaching, “Perhaps because we are to such an extent ‘strangers to the past,’ we easily read into the events and circumstances of our own day a distinctiveness and uniqueness that may not actually be there.”

Heaven
By Randy Alcorn

This is unquestionably the best book (other than the Bible, of course!) that I’ve ever read! At a whopping 500+ pages, it may appear daunting, but it is broken down into short, easy-to-manage chapters. I could almost feel myself being blessed each morning as I read from it, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I read it again someday (once everyone else in my family finishes reading it, since I’ve told them all that they absolutely must!). Mr. Alcorn shatters the preconceived conception that most people today - including myself - have of heaven. Instead he presents what he believes to be a more biblical picture – based on 25 years of study on the topic, and a dose of biblically-inspired imagination. He particularly dispels the notion that heaven is an ethereal world where we, as disembodied spirits, will spend eternity floating on clouds and playing harps – an image that causes many people to claim indifference as to whether or not they are going to heaven when they die. He places a lot of emphasis on God’s promise to create a new heavens and a new earth. I was particularly enlightened by the explanation that God’s plan for redemption includes not just the souls of men, but the whole of creation. His ultimate plan is to redeem the entire world and return it to a state of complete perfection – devoid of sin, pain, and death. And that’s where we will dwell for all of eternity, in our humanity, but free of corruption. There is so much more that I could say, but you really should just read the book for yourself!

On the Other Side of the Garden – Biblical Womanhood for Today’s World
By Virginia Fugate

As part of the preparation for a talk I’ve been asked to give in January at a women’s event on “Being Content,” I’ve started reading books that specifically address God’s role for women. I’ve had this one on my shelves for a while and opted to start with it. Mrs. Fugate shares solid biblical truth unapologetically. She does so as one who has made mistakes and gone through a difficult process to arrive at her present understanding of biblical womanhood, so her tone is one of humility. Her book is borne out of a desire to help other women avoid making some of the same mistakes she did. She begins by outlining what the Bible teaches about God’s role for women, then exposes the oppositions to biblical womanhood that are prevalent in our humanist and feminist-saturated culture, and finally spends the last third of the book outlining practical ways that women can apply God’s principles of biblical womanhood in their lives.

Pajama School
By Natalie Wickham

It just so happens that I have read this excellent book numerous times this year! Between writing, re-reading, editing, re-writing, re-reading, editing, etc.,it’s probably been about a dozen times total. There were so many occasions that I wanted to just sit down on the couch with another book, but the Lord compelled me to spend that time working on my book instead. I have such a renewed appreciation for the work that goes into the excellent books I have had the privilege of reading! I continue to be amazed at God’s blessing upon this project, and am still hoping and praying to have it released in March, 2009.

The Holy Bible
God

This year, for my regular Bible reading, I followed a rotation of reading through the books of history (Joshua-Esther). The plan is a 2-month rotation that Dad developed that outlines what to read each day in order to get through the set of books in two months. Ideally, then, by the end of the year you would have read through each book six times. I didn’t finish the last rotation, though, because sometimes I diverge from the plan when I’m particularly interested in studying another book or topic.

(Click here to view my 2007 Year of Reading in Review.)

We hosted our annual Ladies Neighborhood Christmas Tea last Sunday. It was such a delightful time of visiting with our neighbors! Naomi is supposed to be working  on a full-fledged post with pictures, but until then, I just thought I would post this picture of the serving table. It was still missing a couple of the food items when this picture was snapped, but Mom does such a wonderful job putting together a beautiful presentation. I’m grateful for the many tips I’ve learned from her about food presentation!

My contribution was the flowers. There’s a little flower shop in town that does a “cash and carry” special every Friday. I love concocting reasons to stop in there and bring home a bouquet of fresh flowers!

…sisters [and brother].

It has been fascinating lately to delve deeper into history, and to try to gain a better understanding of the events that have transpired since the beginning of time. It’s even more fascinating to try to imagine things from God’s perspective. To try to see the big picture of how He is continually orchestrating people and events to perfectly carry out His plan! Following is a poem in which I’ve tried to capture, in small part, a journey through history that reveals what the Bible repeatedly refers to as God’s “mystery.” At the bottom of the post is a list of specific verses that I drew from for each stanza, along with approximate historical dates. Of course, to get the complete story, just read through the Bible!

Christmas: God’s Mystery Revealed!

The stage was set ere time began,
A perfect script conceived in heaven;
Events unfolding throughout history,
Revealing the clues of God’s great mystery.

A beautiful garden, man’s perfect location,
Forbidden fruit, a serpent’s deception;
Then entered the stage the curse of sin on all flesh,
But then the promise that one day its head would be crushed.

Time swiftly passed; the years rolled away;
A man named Abram was called to the stage;
Blessing bestowed upon him by God’s undeserved mercy,
All the world would be blessed through the seed of his family.

Then Isaac, then Jacob, assumed his role,
And God said, “Now you shall be called, ‘Israel.’”
“Be fruitful and multiply,” He commanded,
So the blessing from generation to generation was handed.

Sibling rivalry ran in the hearts of twelve brothers;
And Joseph was sold as a slave by the others;
Into Egypt he came; to great power he rose,
Sent by God to preserve the people He chose.

Though great were his deeds and many were saved,
There arose a new king who knew not Joseph’s name.
“Let the burdens be heavier, make them serve us!” he cried;
But the people of Israel only multiplied.

Now off in a corner the plot develops;
A bush, seen by Moses, that a fire envelops;
From the midst, a voice, that proclaims, “I AM”;
Then, “My people cry out and redemption is my plan.”

Ten plagues wrought destruction till Egypt was ravaged,
But Israel escapes, the lamb’s blood their passage –
Applied to the sides and the top of the door,
So the Angel of Death passed over, and God brought them forth.

Miracle of miracles the Red Sea was divided,
The way of salvation supernaturally provided;
Now safe and secure, from the mountain was spoken
A covenant of promise that could never be broken.

God’s treasured possession, redeemed at great cost;
To obey would bring blessing, to rebel – great loss;
With heart, soul, and might, their love was His desire,
And to teach to their children the commands He required.

This the point of their failure, for once they were gone,
their children knew not God, nor the works He had done;
Abandoning faith, to false gods they bowed down,
God’s anger provoked, but His patience wore on.

Again the sands of time descended,
New clues emerged, the mystery extended;
A valiant man emerged on the scene,
David – a shepherd, a warrior, a king.

Forever established his throne would be,
The promise declared to David and his seed;
Again words of blessing if Israel would but obey;
Instead the rebellious bride wandered, gave her heart away.

Time after time in compassion God sent
A host of His messengers, but Israel would not repent;
Masterfully scripted, now the part she must play,
But woe to the villain who has entered the stage!

Babylon the Great in pomp and pride,
The bearer of wrath with her arrogant stride;
Fire and sword ruled the day,
Till she emerged triumphant – carried God’s people away.

In the midst of captivity a remnant remained,
Keeping God’s Word, proclaiming His Name;
His promise rang out, “I’ll come dwell in your midst”;
Be faithful, be watchful, and the truth you’ll not miss.

Then the curtain was closed, the stage grew dim,
But the faithful ones still waited for Him;
A promised deliverer would come, they knew,
But the secret was kept until Act Two.

Splitting the silence, word from above!
Not in royal grandeur, but a whisper of love;
Favored one of God, virgin Mary to conceive and bear
Son of the Most High, the promised deliverer.

A shocking revelation, but wait, what’s this?
The throne of David His father will now be His!
A kingdom set up to endure forever,
Over the house of Jacob He – the eternal Ruler.

Unassuming birth, a small town, fulfillment of prophecy,
Short time later brought to the temple was He,
Where Simeon – devout and filled with the Spirit,
Saw Jesus; at once, the mystery – he knew it!

Into the world the answer had come;
God alone in human flesh could make all people one;
Those who were Gentiles at times in the past
Were welcomed into the promise at last.

Though once far off and dead in sin,
The blood of the Lamb brought redemption again;
Applied to men’s hearts by God’s grace alone,
Faith freely given; not by works of our own.

The inheritance now is ours to claim,
Because by adoption we bear Jesus’ Name;
He purchased for us what could never be earned –
A home in heaven, forever preserved.

Not only in this life, but for all eternity
His chosen people, a royal priesthood are we,
Proclaiming His greatness, now we have light –
marvelous, brilliant, gloriously bright!

For ages and generations the clues have been given;
It’s clear that the answer is no longer hidden;
To the world God has fully made known His mystery,
which is Christ in you – the hope of glory!

©2008 Natalie Wickham

Corresponding Scripture passages:
1. Isaiah 46:9-10
2. Genesis 3:14-15 (4004 B.C.)
3. Genesis 12:1-3 (1921 B.C.)
4. Genesis 35:9-12 (1732 B.C.)
5. Genesis 37-45 (1728 B.C.)
6. Exodus 1:8-12 (1635 B.C.)
7. Exodus 3:1-10 (1491 B.C.)
8. Exodus 11-13 (1491 B.C.)
9. Exodus 14, 19:3-6 (1491 B.C.)
10. Deuteronomy 6:4-7 (1491 B.C.)
11. Judges 2:10-12 (1409 B.C.)
12. 2 Samuel 7 (1048 B.C.)
13. Psalm 81:8-12 (1048-606 B.C.)
14. 2 Chronicles 36 (606 B.C.)
15. 2 Chronicles 36 (606 B.C.)
16. Zechariah 2:10-13 (520 B.C.)
17. 400 years between the Old and New Testaments
18. Luke 1:26-30 (1 B.C.)
19. Luke 1:26-30 (1 B.C.)
20. Luke 2
21. Ephesians 2
22. Ephesians 2
23. 1 Peter 1-2
24. 1 Peter 1-2
25. Colossians 1

…reveals a heart that needs to be drawn closer to Jesus, the Source of true contentment.

My brother-in-law is taking a Western Civilization class this semester and was given an extra-credit challenge of identifying the statue pictured above. He sent it to all of us to see if we could figure out its identity. But after hours of searching, we’re all at a complete loss! So, I decided to post it here and see if I happen to have any really smart readers who know who this is. Any ideas? Please?

…listening to the delightful sound
of a house full of children at play;
…cherishing moments that speak of God’s beauty
wrapped up in an ordinary day;
…enjoying still moments in early morning hours
to watch the sun rise and to pray;
…learning to walk in the power of the Spirit
who produces His fruit in what I do and say;
…thinking each moment on things that are true
so that I might always walk in His way.

…can only be learned in the context of unfulfilled desire.

If you are a homeschooler living in the state of Kansas, you may participate in this contest. I have a free 6-month subscription to The Guardian News - A Kansas Homeschool Newspaper that I’m giving away. If you are interested in participating in the contest, just leave a comment on this post or send me an e-mail. I’ll put all the contestants in a container and draw a winner next Thursday. (Only new subscribers, though, please.)

The Guardian News is a great newspaper that was launched earlier this year by Jeff and Emily Davis. I have been very impressed with the quality and content of the paper and it is a great way to stay up-to-date with what’s going on in the homeschool community in Kansas. (Not to mention that they kindly offered to publish a press release about my forthcoming book, Pajama School, in their most recent issue! ) At just $20/year, the subscription price is well worth it! If you are interested in subscribing, you can find additional information and a subscription form on their website.

…but not from me. This morning Dad asked me to read over an e-mail he had written to some friends of ours after finding out that some of their family members were voting for Barack Obama. (He intended to send it yesterday, but forgot to ask me to look over it until this morning, so a few of the statements reference the election results in the future tense.) It was very insightful, so I asked if he would mind if I posted it on my blog. He was amenable to the idea so, without further ado, here are some wise election-related thoughts from my Dad:

Just this week I finished reading a massive, generally excellent book by Paul Johnson titled, A History of the American People. A number of times in the history of our nation, God has tested a new President (or allowed him to be tested); sometimes the President has “passed” and sometimes he has “failed.” Most recently, I think most would agree President Bush “passed” the test in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. (I dread even imagining if Al Gore had been “the leader of the free world” when this happened.)

It could be argued that the test for our next President has already begun, although the feverish, final days leading up to the election have muted its coverage, that being the unprecedented financial collapse and ongoing crisis, which many leaders in our government seem to think they can fix by misspending tax dollars on a scale so great as to be almost incomprehensible.

In my mind there is a direct connection between this latest crisis and 9/11. In Deuteronomy 6 the Lord warns of a phenomenon that could happen in the hearts of His people and has happened many times since throughout history – forgetting God after a season of obedience that ushers in a prosperity which God Himself gives to those who believe in Him and keep His commandments. Just two or three generations after this warning was given, we see in the book of Judges that prosperity gave way to idolatry, and God had to judge His people to get them to return to Him. It could fairly be said, I think, that the World Trade Center symbolically represented the true god of our nation – the accumulation and hoarding of wealth and worshiping the comfort, entertainment, and luxuries which money can provide. And God destroyed our god, using as He sometimes does, enemies more evil and God-less than the ones being judged. Sooner or later, depending on the severity of their judgment, the Israelites would cry out to God for deliverance. But after 9/11, the no-atheists-in-foxholes type pronouncements of a higher power and of the United States being a great nation died down quickly, and there was no national acknowledgment of our idolatry and manifold sins nor of the justice of God’s judgment and there was certainly no call for repentance. So God judged us again, and right in the middle of an election campaign; how rude of Him to interrupt us in this way! One wonders if He may have wanted at least some of those looking for a messiah to recognize that He can create problems beyond any savior’s ability to solve! (As an aside, I suspect Mr. Obama, many more of whose supporters than Mr. McCain’s seem to be worshipers, is keenly aware of his finiteness, but it serves his campaign’s purposes not to let this dirty little secret out – that he can’t fix everything and he knows he can’t – until the election is over.)

Reading through the history of the Israelites (Joshua–Esther), when God brought crises, sometimes the king and the people cried out to Him and He delivered them, sometimes they tried to buy their way out, even selling off items of value from the temple, and this always had a bad outcome. Since God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, I don’t think our effort to buy our way out of this economic mess, which I believe God has brought upon us in judgment, is going to be any more effective for us than it was for the Israelites.

What will be interesting to see, if Mr. Obama wins, will be the reactions of two distinct groups within his camp. (1) Those who are secular to the core and want payback immediately if not sooner for their pet causes – sexual perverts (same-sex “marriage,” homosexuals in military), pro-aborts (FOCA–Freedom Of Choice Act), liberal media (”Fairness” Doctrine), environmentalists (reduce carbon emissions no matter the cost), etc – if he doesn’t come through for them and/or doesn’t remain consistent with their expectations. (2) Those who have been so influenced by his color or mesmerized by his style that they were willing to ignore or compromise on issues of substance. Among these are millions of basically moral black people and, among non-blacks, some gullible Christians and millions of churchgoers and other “good” people who think they’re Christians. If Obama presides in accordance with his historical record of opposing the Biblical position on almost every moral issue, how long will it be before these moral people become disenchanted? And how angry will they get when they realize they have been betrayed, that they have been, as Vladimir Lenin would say, “useful idiots,” discarded now that their usefulness is over? As an example, we need only look back a few years to 2006, though it had been building since 1994, when Christians and conservatives who had been wooed by the Republican party from the beginning of the “Contract with America” and every two years afterward, then promptly ignored after each election, finally decided enough was enough and abandoned the GOP by the millions. My suspicion is that Obama’s “useful idiots” will not be nearly so slow to catch on and far less patient!

One other aspect to elections we have been pleased to discover is that there are alternatives beyond the two the media and the two major parties typically present as the only ones (in logic I think this is called a false dichotomy – thinking you have to choose A or B when there are more options available): voting for candidates from other than the two major parties and/or not voting for anyone for some offices.

Our philosophy is to vote for the person whom we think is the best candidate for an office, regardless of party or elect-ability, unless he/she belongs to a party whose stated position on any moral issue is immoral. (Unfortunately, at this point in history, this means we don’t vote for Democrats.) For this election, for President we voted for Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party (if you’re not familiar with the CP, you might enjoy visiting their website (www.constitutionparty.com) and seeing how closely their platform comports with Biblical and constitutional principles). For most positions in our state or locally, we voted for Republicans, but for some offices we didn’t vote for anyone.

Reading about [names withheld] and knowing their Godly heritages, I wonder if they felt they had to vote for either Mr. McCain or Mr. Obama and, of the two, they preferred Obama. Certainly they would be in good company, as millions of God’s people are voting for Mr. Obama today. But as Christians, if Mr. McCain was not a desirable choice, would it not have been better not to vote for anyone for President or to vote for someone like Chuck Baldwin who, although he won’t get elected, requires no compromise of any of our sacred principles? Food for thought for next time, perhaps!

Give thanks. Make known. Sing. Talk. Glory. Seek. Remember. Be mindful. Show forth. Declare. Bring. Come before. Worship. Fear before.

As I read 1 Chronicles 16 this morning, I was inspired and challenged by the realization that these are the verbs that should characterize the life of the people of God. God is the substance of their thoughts, the topic of their conversations, the memory of their past, the source of their joy, the motivation of their actions. God is the essence of their life.

Have I…
…given God thanks today?
…made known His deeds today?
…sung praise to Him today?
…talked of His wondrous works today?
…gloried in His holy name today?
…sought His strength and face today?
…remembered His marvelous works today?
…filled my mind with His covenant and Word today?
…showed forth His salvation today?
…declared His glory among the heathen today?
…brought an offering to Him today?
…come before Him today?
…worshiped Him in holiness today?
…feared before Him today?

Have I lived like one of God’s people today?

In the midst of lots of heavy and serious things to be pondering and discussing these days, I thought some lighthearted pictures would be a nice reprieve. Joey just finished his last season of Upward soccer. Here are some of his action shots from the games:

Going in for the goal…

Joey and Ryan vie for the ball!

This is my favorite - nice air, huh?!

Part of Joey’s devoted fan club. We all had lots of fun watching Joey and cheering him and his team on to numerous victories.

Voddie Baucham has posted an awesome analysis of The Homosexual Marriage Debate on his blog. He exposes the logical absurdities of the arguments in favor of homosexual “marriage” and reveals the frightening reality of why most young people today eagerly embrace this redefinition of marriage.

As we pray for the elections that are less than a week away (and in fact are taking place right now through advance voting) let’s cry out to God on behalf of California and our brothers and sisters in Christ who are in the thick of this battle against the rulers of darkness masquerading as wealthy corporations and social elites.

I came across this statement in an article I read this morning:

“The human thinks with his mind. He also thinks with words. That’s why poor language use is clear evidence a person cannot think clearly.”

This provided for some interesting discussion in our house, so I thought I would present it here for the consideration of my readers. Any takers? What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with this assertion?

Either this week or next, advance ballots will be sent out in the mail and American citizens will begin voting in the election that has been garnering attention for almost two years. Hailed as the most important election in our lifetime (haven’t I heard that before?), we have seen many twists and turns and unexpected moves as the candidates have traveled the long road to Election Day. Democrats are more energized than they have been in years and record numbers of new voters are registering and affiliating themselves with the Democratic Party in order to be a part of this historic election. Republicans found themselves scrambling from one candidate to the next in the primary season as one preferred candidate after another was knocked out of the race. Finally they wound up hooking their wagons to McCain’s campaign, which only months before had more closely resembled a dead horse. In a brilliant [read: perfectly calculated political] move, McCain tapped Sarah Palin as his VP and most of the remaining conservative voices who weren’t yet on board with the Republican establishment quickly mounted their own political high horses and threw their full support to the McCain/Palin bandwagon.

A journalist friend of mine once said that the media doesn’t write the news, but they define what news is. If the media doesn’t report it, it might as well have not even happened as far as most people are concerned. If we could see how much indirect influence the predominantly liberal news media has had on our thinking and decisions, I think we would be appalled. For example, according to the media we have two choices in the Presidential election: Barack Obama or John McCain. How many people even know that there are other candidates running? Ever heard of Chuck Baldwin, Bob Barr or Cynthia McKinney? No? Why is that? Is it because they “don’t have a chance” that the media pretends they don’t exist? Or is it because the media pretends they don’t exist that they “don’t have a chance”? Well, I for one prefer not to let the mainstream media inform my political understanding or dictate my voting principles.

Let’s not forget that we live in a Representative Republic (not a Democracy…and I wish someone would please inform the front runners of that…). As American citizens we have the unparalleled privilege of looking at a full slate of candidates and choosing the one that most closely aligns with our views to represent us at every level of government. Of course it is unlikely that we will find a candidate who perfectly represents our views on every issue, but can I just say that it is an incredible mark of stupidity to deliberately vote for candidates that do not align with our views and positions when there are other candidates running who do. This is how we end up with an elitist, increasingly liberal, pool of politicians ruining, uh, I mean running our country. They are far removed from what are supposedly still the strongly held values of the vast majority of Americans. How can this be? We are voting them into office, that’s how! If we want godly leaders who will uphold righteous laws and punish evil doers, preserve our rights and freedoms, and insure our safety insomuch as is possible, we have to vote for them.

It is the ultimate insult to our form of government and the vision our Founding Fathers had for this nation for us to deliberately vote for candidates who do not represent our views. Let’s look past the propaganda the mainstream media and political establishment so eagerly try to feed us and explore all the candidates. And above all, let’s resolve not to waste any votes this election season!

Links for those interested in exploring all the Presidential candidates:

Chuck Baldwin: http://www.baldwin08.com/
Bob Barr: http://www.bobbarr2008.com/
John McCain: http://www.johnmccain.com/
Cynthia McKinney: http://votetruth08.com/
Ralph Nader: http://www.votenader.org/
Barack Obama: http://www.barackobama.com/

After many hours of writing, researching, praying, and collaborating with friends I am finally ready to announce the title of my upcoming book. Many of you have expressed your support and encouragement as I have tackled this endeavor and it is exciting to be at this point in the process! So, without further ado, may I introduce to you my book:

Pajama School - stories from the life of a homeschool graduate

Pajama School is currently in the final stages of editing. Once the edits have been implemented and the interior design completed, I will be doing a small print run and sending the book out for reviews and endorsements. If you or someone you know would be interested in receiving an Advance Review Copy for review and/or endorsement, please e-mail me for more information. Lord-willing, Pajama School will officially be released and available for purchase in March, 2009. In the meantime, you can find more information on the Pajama School website and stay up-to-date by visiting my Journey to Self-Publishing blog.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support!

BTW, you can also click here to become a fan on my Facebook page.

[Drumroll please]…I know that everyone has been waiting with bated breath to find out what the title of my book is and what it’s about. I’m finally ready to announce it…next Tuesday, that is. It has certainly been quite the journey thus far, and I know I still have a ways to go, but it’s been exciting to see God provide the people and resources to help me each step of the way. My continued prayer is that God would fill me with His wisdom and use this book to turn many to righteousness:

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Daniel 12:3

In the busy pace of life
it’s easy to forget
that quiet time alone with God
will leave my soul content.

Content to face the tasks at hand
and not feel overwhelmed,
For God is ordering each day
and holds time in His hand.

Content to dwell in peacefulness
and not give anger place,
For God is watching o’er my tongue
and fills my speech with grace.

Content to take the trials that come
and not complain or murmur,
For God is working through it all
and refines me like pure silver.

Content to act in love to all
and not seek self alone,
For God is changing my old ways
and makes His thoughts my own.

Content to be whom God created
and never to complain,
For God is singing over me
and loves the works He made.

Content to abide in any state
and not wish for another,
For God is acting in His time
and gives great joy and pleasure.

So let me never dare forsake
or fail each day to spend,
the quiet time with God alone
that leaves my soul content.