by Kimberly | Nov 10, 2011 | Books, Quotes
Ok – I don’t have children (yet) but I write for children (and for teachers who teach children. And some of those teachers are parents.)
“All of us are training our children both intentionally and unintentionally. We need to make sure we aren’t leaving the important things to happenstance. We know it’s crucial that they become familiar with God, our Heirloom and our only hope for real life. We yearn for them to love and trust and follow Christ. It would be foolish just to wait for them to learn that by chance. We must plan to reflect God and teach about Christ in the repeated events of our lives.”
(Noel Piper, Treasuring God in our Traditions, pg 35)
EC and I practice things now that hopefully, one day, when our family grows, they will be able to follow us as we follow Christ, however imperfectly. New Elder nomations last night at church were asked about this question. Each answered sufficiently and were very emphatic that families are important in teaching Christ in the lives of children.
by Kimberly | Nov 10, 2011 | Books
My new normal: no internet at home and no cable at home: more time to read! So excited about this. (Really, I’m not just saying this). I’ve only watched one.25 football games this season. so, I don’t watch television, I have laundry to do and time to wait for cookies to bake and sauces to simmer. I read while EC is getting ready for bed. I read in the mornings. I read in the car (when I’m waiting, not driving). I don’t have kids so I can read more. I read because it helps me think more, write better (don’t laugh) and it stirs my brain and heart. I like to read. So, let me make a suggestion. Pick one of these and read it! Let me know what you think.
1. Bonhoeffer. On Kindle. This is dragging for me primarily because of all the German history right now – but know it will get better. Can’t wait to see how God uses it in my life!
2. The Story Girl. On Kindle. LMM. Just a fun story – nothing deep. Just fun. And its FREE on Kindle right now!
3. Anne of Avonlea. Borrowed. LMM. Love the movie – now to dig into the classic.
4. From Blushing Bride to Wedded Wife. Marla Taviano. Be praying for her and her husband as they have recently had medical problems in their family. This book is out of print, but I was given an extra one by Marla to have a giveaway with – so stay tuned. When I’m done – I’ll be offering one to a lucky reader!
5. Walking in the Spirit. Berding. Such a great book on Romans 8. Very readable. I’m going to start reading through this one (again) with a friend.
6. Lit! Tony Reinke. On reading. Helpful.
7. What Did You Expect. Tripp. Great marriage book. Basically on how to keep short accounts and offer forgiveness. Love it.
8. This Momentary Marriage. Piper. A serious look at marriage and how it mirrors the gospel. True to Piper style!
9. Treasuring God in Our Traditions. N. Piper. Especially now as I have a family, I want to think through these thoughts that Piper offers more.
10. Love That Lasts. Gary and Betsy Ricucci. Going through it together with EC. Very good read to read aloud on a date night and ask questions. Has prompted many good discussions and times together.
11. God on Sex. Danny Akin. We sat with them at a wedding over the summer. He blessed us with this book. It is good – great on the power of communication.
12. Note to Self. Joe Thorn. A little book on preaching the gospel to yourself.
13. The Hidden Art of Homemaking. Schaeffer. On the running of a home and how to make it an art form
14. A Young Woman’s Guide. John Angell James. Sermons preached for women. (If you have a kindle, this is only 99 cents right now – I recommend it)
15. Prayers of An Excellent Wife. Andrew Case. For EC.
So – in chronological snobbery style: I have two 1800s books (or early 1900s), some 80s, 90s, and even some 2011. So, I have a broad spectrum.
Keep watching for quotes from these and other books.
by Kimberly | Nov 10, 2011 | Uncategorized
There always has to be the part of a trip when you hit the return button. Well, when we left Stanhope, we knew we were heading home. But, I have such a planner of a husband that he didn’t just make the return trip driving – no, he had wonderful things in store for us even as we returned to Durham.
Our first stop was St. John, New Brunswick. We took the scenic route and went to St. Maartens and visited the Bay of Fundy trail (which was closed for the season). But, I stuck my feet in the really cold water and enjoyed the views from the roadway.
We then found a random way to our port city hotel (which was lovely, but what was not lovely is having all the roads closed due to construction around our hotel). We finally checked in. The only disappointing meal we had the whole trip was in St. John – but the caesar salad was incredible!
When we left Canada and checked back in to the USofA – the patroller said “Welcome home, Mr and Mrs Campbell” That was great to hear – and yes, I’m always glad to be back in America (where gas is cheaper and we measure by miles!)
Our first stop was Providence. Such a beautiful (but totally need Jesus) city. EC got to play in the First Baptist Church of America on their grand. He played a faithful hymn that was special him and his mentor at SBTS. Our beautiful hotel room overlooked the capitol building and it was a lovely site at night. We were “honeymoon” hooked up with dinner and breakfast and robes and our wonderful view room. We love the guys at Renaissance Providence!
Our last stop was Philadelphia. One of those cities that I have wanted to go to but hadn’t had the chance to go to yet. EC had been there for a short stay but hadn’t gotten to do much. The best meal for me on the honeymoon was at Bonte’ for breakfast and some stellar almond chai. Then we did the typical historical touristy stuff, and drove by Tenth Presbyterian Church – a faithful church in that community for so long.
We left there shortly after 6pm and headed to our home. Our trip was lengthened (but strengthened) by McDonalds and Super Target and was more enjoyable by my singing the Twelve Days of Christmas, regular version, country version, KC version. Who knows – but I had the task of keeping my husband awake.
EC – you planned a great trip. I’d gladly take another one with you any day!
by Kimberly | Nov 9, 2011 | Books
If you love to read, and you are a believer, this book is for you.
Joan Didion “When I’m near the end of a book, I need to sleep in the same room with it.”
About 8 years ago I heard a friend of mine deliver a talk to college students. This talk was on how to watch movies (or any other forms of media) with a Christian worldview. He didn’t declare that all forms of media were off limits except those produced by Christians with a “Jesus, Man!” hurrah at the end of it. However, he did give some very specific pointers for how to watch media and engage with a lost culture by changing the habit of watching movies. It has changed how I watch movies (and I love movies).
This book has done the same for me in how I read books. I love to read. I usually have about 10 going at one time: fiction, non-fiction, autobiography, journals. Books for my personal life, for my hobbies, or for my job. All of these can be read using a Christian worldview – even if it is a book on how to style food for photography!
Tony Reinke, in Lit!, gives his readers tips on how to read. You may think we don’t need another book on this – but pick it up and you’ll see that this book is very helpful. Whether you like to read fiction or classic literature, the latest Max Lucado book or you would rather pick up Andreas Kostenberger’s latest New Testament commentary – Lit! will give you some guidelines on how to read them.
Gospel-Centered reading? You bet! Reinke even devotes a whole chapter in how our sin and the gospel affects our reading. Oh believe me, how true this is. Sin and our sinful hearts affect what we read and what affects us. We can live captured by these thoughts or we can pour our attention on Scripture and edifying books. But, even if we don’t ONLY read biblical books, or Christian books (which aren’t always helpful and gospel-centered or true) – sin and the gospel affects our reading.
“Faith in Jesus brings with it a critically important benefit for the Christian reader – discernment.” (pg 35).
Reinke shares personal stories and brings humor into this book. It is readable and thoroughly helpful.
by Kimberly | Nov 9, 2011 | Books, Quotes
One of my top ten books of all times…look forward to going through it with a sweet friend this year:
“Remember that we vowed in our wedding ceremony to love and to cherish till death do us part? Do we even understand what we promised to do? To cherish means to hold dear, to care for tenderly or to nurture, to cling fondly to, or treat as precious.”
(Carolyn Mahaney, Feminine Appeal, pg 44)
