by Kimberly | Mar 27, 2011 | Uncategorized
Over the years since this book was published and was the talk of the world…I’ve seen it, wanted to pick it up, and yet passed right by. My room loaned me her copy and I’ve read just a chapter each night and breezed through it.
I wasn’t stunned at any of her findings. Maybe that has to do with my age, experience, and living life with couples who are real and transparent to share their life with me. But, nothing in this book was an “aha!” moment.
This book listed some things that most women I feel like should know. Maybe not the women who think men are perfect and should only care about things that matter to them, but men are men. We are different from one another – complementary to each other.
Here is my one beef with this book, or word of caution to its readers, and not only with this book, but with other books in this genre.
It makes marriage to be more consumeristic than God intended marriage to be. Marriage is about joy and friendship and sex and children and fidelity and other things. But, marriage is more of the gospel, representing Christ to the world, and for our sanctification than this book would ever say.
As my room just said – this is a third tier book. Once you have the basics down and you want to find out how you can SERVE and LOVE your spouse better – this would be a book that you should borrow from your local library or a friend.
by Kimberly | Mar 23, 2011 | Uncategorized
I first heard this song back in the summer of 2000 when I directed the choir for a summer of Centrifuge in TN. Since then it has always held a special place in my heart.
In the video, shown here, are my friends Shelly Moore, Mike Passaro and the band (video done by Wes Latta who has also done some work for my “real job” project). Love that Shelly sings it in a key that I can sing it! 🙂
Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,
And Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power,
Thou hast made me whole.
Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
O, how great Thy loving kindness,
Vaster, broader than the sea!
O, how marvelous Thy goodness,
Lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in Thee, Belovèd,
Know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of promise,
And have made it mine.
Refrain
Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings:
Thine is love indeed!
Refrain
Ever lift Thy face upon me
As I work and wait for Thee;
Resting ’neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,
Earth’s dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father’s glory,
Sunshine of my Father’s face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting,
Fill me with Thy grace.
by Kimberly | Mar 21, 2011 | Uncategorized
A book about affirmation – does that mean that this review needs to be affirming? Probably!
My first impressions of this book, stylistically, were not the greatest, but I plugged away. And I am so glad I did. This book is one of the most helpful books that I have read to date in my day-to-day life/speech/relationships with other people. Thank you, Sam!
Here is my favorite quote of the whole book:
“One you have gained a hearing, say things worth hearing. Once people tune in to your radio frequency, give them something worth listening to. Point people in the direction of supremely valuing the supremely valuable, namely Christ Jesus. We are called not only to avoid bad speech, but to utter good speech.”
This good speech is not “Go Gators! or good luck on that test, or anything like.
Good speech is the tagline of the title: God-centered praise of Those who are not God.
Here are some examples: Thank you for being diligent in planning. Thank you for showing contentment because God wants us to be content. Thank you for leading well. Thank you for being hospitable. Thank you for displaying kindness to your brother. Thank you for showing sweetness to me in how you answered me this morning. Thank you for taking the time to listen to me, for showing grace toward me and putting yourself under my authority.
Do you see where Sam is going with this book? Our applauding others is not to hear ourselves talk, make ourselves look good, or even make them look good – it is to make Christ look good. Bring His glory to the forefront of this broken-down world we live in.
This book, especially toward the end, holds very practical ideas of implimenting this in your every day life: whether job, marriage, parenting, friendships, church roles, serving, etc.
If you are a person who loves words of affirmation or even may have trouble affirming others in your life, this would be a good book to challenge you and the motivation of your heart with.
by Kimberly | Mar 21, 2011 | Uncategorized
Hello Spring! I won’t count out more winter days in the RDU area (because I’ve lived here too long), but I love the wind and warmer temperatures.
1. For the past two weeks to have been really hard, the past 5 days have been really a much needed breath of amazing air from my Jesus.
2. And you know, things come from friends. Time of rejoicing and times of pain and tears and no sense of understanding. I have friends who are: excited about new ministry opportunities, having babies, just found out they were pregnant, losing babies to miscarries, struggling with adoptions, being diagnosed with cancer, struggline with cancer, marriages crumbling, jobs crumbling. As I start reading Broken Down House by Paul Tripp – all of this rings true.
3. Weight is going down! 🙂 External and internal motivation, and warmer weather play a factor in this!
4. I feel encouraged in what I do. The last two weeks have been hard on my soul and mind and body. God is very gracious and reviving to me.
5. In African-American society, I saw a weak part yesterday – not many men taking leadership in their family. Unfortunately. Who do the young black men in our country turn to?
6. My friends are very crucial in my life. They are a source of grace and gospel and nurture and nourishment in my life. Some are let in a little closer – and those closer ones are precious to me! Thank you – you know who you are!
7. Going to Charlotte this week and watching bball this weekend! Go Gators and Tarheels!
8. 2 months from today I’ll be on a big boat going to Alaska. And yes, I am excited!
9. Oh, songs, I need to do a song post: Old Alabama by Brad Paisley, Colder Weather by ZBB, Little Miss by Sugarland, – those are definitely top right now!
Link Love
There aren’t many this week: it seems like most I read are on Rob Bell, Japan, or food. Let’s see what I got:
1. New hymn worship cd that Bob Kauflin highlights
2. A delicious coffee cake recipe from my friend, Leah
Ok – I know that’s not a lot…if Rob Bell would just not be a heretic then maybe I would have more! 🙂
by Kimberly | Mar 16, 2011 | Uncategorized
This one again takes me back to Plant City Primitive Baptist Church, sitting on a piano bench, playing this on the piano for a small congregation. I loved this song. It was rather easy to play (only 2 flats) and only had 3 verses. I don’t know if I knew then how much these truths would really help shape me in the coming years.
Now, I look back on these words and tune with relish. These words speak of the sovereignty of God and the anxious nature of sinful man. With so many things going on in our world: whether natural disasters or personal decisions, or death, or hope and life and joy: the truths in this song need to be remembered.
Philippians 4:4-7
“Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I will say rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand, do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of god, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow (Ira Stanphill)
I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day. I don’t borrow from its sunshine, for it’s skies may turn to gray.
I don’t worry over the future, for I know what Jesus. And today I’ll walk beside Him, for He knows what is ahead
Every step is getting brighter as the golden stairs I climb. Every burden getting lighter, Every cloud is silver lined.
There the sun is always shining, There not tear will dim the eye. At the ending of the rainbow, where the mountains touch the sky.
I don’t know about tomorrow, it may bring me poverty. But the one who feeds the sparrow, is the one who stands by me,
And the path that be my portion, May be through the flame or flood. But His presence goes before me, and I’m covered with His blood.
Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand. But I know how holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.
