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.
by Kimberly | Mar 14, 2011 | Uncategorized
1. The last ten days of my life have left me very tired! 🙂 I even took a Sunday afternoon nap yesterday! 22 minutes of wonderfulness!
2. The Body of Christ, no matter what church you are in, is such a sweet reprieve for my soul. I love it when you meet believers and just are instantaneous friends and know that your relationship will be like Iron.
3. I went to Gatlinburg this past weekend: praise Jesus I don’t live there. Too many tourists in too small of a place! But, the mountains are gorgeous.
4. I spoke on 1 Corinthians 15, Colossians 1, and 1 Peter 2 in three sessions with the ladies of Morris Hill Baptist Church from Chattanooga, TN.
5. I went hiking with a sweet friend. Supposed to be a 2.6 mile hike. However, it turned into a 3.8 hike witha 2.6 mile return on pavement straight up hill. Fun. 🙂
6. I love daylight savings time. More time to run after work! And that reminds me of summer and movies on the lawn at the NCMA and July 4 at the Kokabooth Amphitheatre in Cary and hiking and any other fun stuff I can relish!
7. I am again learning trust, patience. God knows I need daily reminders.
8. This week: I am looking forward to: being in town! And by town, I do include Durham! Just not venturing outside of the Triangle this week.
9. I’m thinking about money. In a good way though. I’m trying to save and not just use the money that I have graciously been given to just accumulate more “stuff”. I think I’ll get two more items with some tax return money and then save the rest and also be able to bless others with some of it. Our money is not for us.
Link Love
1. Since I couldn’t sleep last night, I read most of a VERY LONG but AMAZING review by Kevin DeYoung of Rob Bell’s new book. And yes, he has read it now…
2. I actually believe this – and have been thinking much about this. Thank you Tim! Do everything through a lens of Scripture!
3. Love this book recommendation by Brian Croft, a pastor in Louisville: own it today if you don’t already have it.
4. I love this girl and her amazing testimony and family and life and blessings.
5. Do you like Pier 1? Enter to win this giveaway!
6. Thank you Durham – I think I’ll want to go here
7. I would love to wake up in here every morning! 🙂 See number 9 above!
8. Chef Marcus talks about food and lent
9. You still have today to enter this giveaway for pretty jewelry from Kendie
10. Great, hard to read, but needed post by Stephen Altrogge
by Kimberly | Mar 10, 2011 | Uncategorized
Ok – my Mom gets “younger” and I have more things to write to her. Here are her 63 year young things I love about my Mom:
1. She makes a great “sue chef” – yes I know it is spelled wrong, but we always laugh bc neither one of us really ever remember how to spell it.
2. She prays for me. All the time.
3. She likes to plan.
4. She loves to play board/card games.
5. She’s pretty good at Trivial Pursuit.
6. She’s pretty.
7. She doesn’t look her age (I hope I carry on both 6 and 7).
8. She is faithful.
9. She doesn’t like to be late anywhere she goes.
10. She plays a mean game of Bejeweled 2 and owns all of the top scores on her own computer!
11. She doesn’t snore.
12. She loves to bless her children.
13. She used to let me sit in front of her and she would brush my hair – wish I could go back to those days.
14. She is my biggest fan – hands down.
15. She loves Jesus.
16. She is an adventurous eater.
17. She’s pretty good at a crossword puzzle (gets that from her mother).
18. She loves to share food with me at restaurants.
19. She doesn’t care that her shoes don’t match her outfit – she’d rather be comfortable.
20. She has gorgeous nails and I’m so glad she encouraged me long ago to stop biting mine.
21. She has pretty handwriting even though she can’t write in a straight line! That’s why she has me.
22. She’s not technologically savvy – slightly frustrating at times – but I love her for it!
23. She listens to me anytime I call.
24. She helps Dad with the taxes.
25. She is gracious to folks who come visit.
26. She was a big help to my Granny before she died. Story: early on in my Granny’s blindness, Mom would have Dad drop her off at the house (next door) and they would work the crossword together and she would help her pay bills and write/read letters to family members.
27. She always thought of really fun counting games for the family reunion.
28. She loves me no matter what weight I am.
29. She is my editor.
30. She likes the Gators.
31. She’ll watch reruns of NCIS with me.
32. She’s not loud in the morning! I love Quiet morning people!
33. She wants me to go on her dream trip with her in May: Alaskan cruise
34. She buys John Grisham books, reads them in a day, then gives them to me!
35. She’s a fast reader. (I didn’t inherit that trait, unfortunately)
36. She makes great smoked mullet dip.
37. She always helped me with my homework, especially english and grammar.
38. She loves kids.
39. She is interested in my life.
40. She is very artistic.
41. She’ll do anything she can for me.
42. She loves my brother and sister-in-law and the two grand-dogs.
43. She is a gracious and giving person.
44. She’s a fighter!
45. She prepared the grocery lists for us when we were younger so A and I could go grocery shopping.
46. She loves Publix as much as I do!
47. She wants me to succeed in life.
48. She prays for my future husband and hasn’t given up on the fact that God has one for me.
49. She cries for me.
50. She loves her extended family.
51. She’s smart.
52. She gets excited about little things.
53. She is wise.
54. Her taco soup is one of my Papa’s favorites.
55. She makes a great Strawberry Pizza.
56. She finally finished my baby blanket a few years ago. Persistent!
57. She is gracious to my friends when they come visit and wants to talk about them.
58. She wants everyone to be happy around her.
59. She makes other people a priority.
60. She thinks I’m pretty.
61. She puts up with me – even when I’m not pretty.
62. She loved her Mom (who just died on March 3).
63. She is still alive after 62 years, starting 63 today. Story: My Mom has been sick as long as I can remember. She should have died 28 years ago and if she had I would not be the woman I am today – because I would have lived 27 years without her. I’m glad God has brought her this far, sustaining her, so I could have a mother this long into my life. I can’t imagine living life without her.
Happy Birthday Mom – I love you.
by Kimberly | Mar 9, 2011 | Uncategorized
I found an old hymn book this weekend while I was at home, and found this song. I personally like the tune that the Sojourn guys have put to it much better than what is written. And given my Granny’s passing this past week, this song has been very dear to me.
Enjoy.
Lyrics by Henry F. Lyte
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
change and decay in all around I see;
O thou who changest not, abide with me.
I need thy presence every passing hour.
What but thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless;
ills have no weight, and tears not bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if thou abide with me.
Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes;
shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
