Read this, not that!

(title totally inspired by "Eat This! Not That!" which has taken over my Twitter feed and has now made me obsess over where to eat a cheeseburger.)

The longer I go without posting, the more difficult it is to get back on the train.

I do appreciate your prayers for my family as we continue to mourn the loss of my grandfather-who was so totally awesome by the way.

It has been a several weeks now of change, adjustments, sadness, growth, expectations, etc.  BUT-to spare you the deep, dark feelings of yours truly-as to which I haven't even figured out myself yet-I will eaaasseeee back into the blogosphere with a few book reviews. Giving Opinions vs. sharing emotional pain?  Opinions win out.

I've done a few of these, and I've been flying through some books lately.

1. Freedom of Forgetfulness  by Timothy Keller

Quick read.  (Like 45 minutes, maybe.)  And totally fabulous.  I couldn't believe that I liked this book as much as I did.  His writing is deep and personal, yet not impossible to understand.  I must say-being on the mission field completely rips apart all pride and boastfulness, a NOT fun lesson to learn.  Therefore, this book just gave me more ammo on being humble... with "gospel-humility".  Best quote from the book:

"...from meeting a truly gospel-humble person is how much they seemed to be totally interested in us. Because the essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less."

And it was $1 on Amazon.  Go purchase for the Kindle-now.

2. Seven by Jen Hatmaker

Huuuularrrriioussss!!!!  I read this book in like... 2 days.  It was so funny and entertaining... and oddly enough, interesting.  Jen is the wife of Brandon Hatmaker-pastor of a church in Austin, TX- and she has written many books and travels around speaking.  But she devoted 7 months to fasting 7 different "things" that tend to soak up our lives and become "wasteful".  Clothes, food, waste, technology etc.

Anyways-it's basically her diary throughout the journey and even though it may not be the deepest, theological book-I don't believe that was her purpose.  She is real in what was great and not so great about doing this, and you can tell she definitely had some "ah-ha" moments with Jesus.  I need to read more of her books.

3. Weird by Craig Groeschel

This is a good book.  An easy read.  And he says good stuff.  I do think people should read it... but for me, I feel as if I already knew most of this stuff.  And I feel as if most other practicing Christians know it too, but then again... maybe I'm wrong?  I do think that being here in Cambodia has magnified all of these life practices he calls "weird".  And yes-they are weird.  Because they're tough and not normal and not always fun.  But-maybe it totally rocked your world and if so, then that's great!  Keep being rocked.

4. The Meaning of Marriage  by Tim Keller

Yup, written by the same guy who wrote #1.  Thank you Jake Stum for suggesting this book to me, because it IS great!  Ok-I know I'm not married-and I don't always looooveeee reading books on marriage, BUT... he said it was Biblically sound and researched well so I thought it must be worth it.  And, even as a single gal, it was full of things to learn about and consider.  Of course, I particularly related to the chapter on singleness and I loved this section because it is absolutely what people... eh hum... ignorant people like to say... (actually a quote from a separate article by Paige Brown)


"...a number of common ways that Christian churches try to “explain” singleness:

 “As soon as you’re satisfied with God alone, he’ll bring someone special into your life”—as though God’s blessings are ever earned by our contentment. “You’re too picky”—as though God is frustrated by our fickle whims and needs broader parameters in which to work. “As a single you can commit yourself wholeheartedly to the Lord’s work”—as though God requires emotional martyrs to do his work, of which marriage must be no part. “Before you can marry someone wonderful, the Lord has to make you someone wonderful”—as though God grants marriage as a second blessing to the satisfactorily sanctified."

Overall, a wonderful book on a Biblically based marriage, and I'm sure one day, I will be glad I read it!