Booklist: November 2011

Overall, November was a very productive month for reading. While more can ALWAYS be read, I finished some books that need to be completed and started (and completed) others that have sat on my shelf for awhile. And November's list is definitely an improvement over October's pathetic list. At that rambling to say: I'm pleased!

I've wanted to read about Martin Luther for sometime. I've felt woefully ignorant. Sure, I've read about him in church history and world history, but I had never read a biography of Luther. Years ago, I purchased a children's book about Luther. What a delight it was finally to read it! Especially over Reformation Day. Now that I've finished it, I'm contemplating the Reformation curriculum I would design for my children using this text.

Having read Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians, I was intrigued and concerned (having heard other's comments) about his series on Egyptian mythology. Perhaps I'll blog about it a little more fully later. For now, suffice it to say, it is not as good as Percy Jackson and has some other serious issues. Yet, it *is* well-written; a quality that is severely lacking in much of children's/young adult fiction today.

Spinach. Whole-wheat bread. Vitamins. Many of us think of these foods and supplements as "health nut" items. We consume our processed foods; we eat carbohydrates like they are going out of style. And cup after cup of caffeinated, corn-syrup-sweetened drinks are drunk. It's gross, yeah? I've never been a health guru... but Mary Frost's book has opened my eyes to our nutrition-deficient food. Not all of Frost ideas are worthwhile, however. "Mother Nature" is referenced several times, etc. Despite these flaws, I plan on purchasing a copy of her book for reference in the future.

The older I become, the more politics interests me. As a Christian, I believe that my faith affects all areas of my life (not just Sunday), and I will give account to God for my decisions. (1 Corinthians 10:31; Romans 14:12) With this in mind, I want to be very careful for whom I cast my vote. Reading Ron Paul's The Revolution was a genuine pleasure. Rarely have I encountered a politician who is willing to express himself frankly and not merely express empty platitudes and "good" rhetoric. I'll definitely be sharing quotations from his book soon. :) Ron Paul believes in the rule of Constitutional law as the Founders understood it; I believe I've found my candidate.

I first heard about The Hitchhiker's Guide in college. Several of my friends LOVED this book. And it's taken me years to read it. Douglas Adams is an atheist, and his work reflects it. (As we would expect.) In that respect, it is highly disappointing. That being said (the warning delivered), God did give Adams a wonderful sense of humor. His book is deliciously random, utterly hilarious, and delightfully British. However, I cannot recommend it to young adults without parental consent.

November 2011
Martin Luther - The Great Reformer by J.A. Morrison
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
Going Back to the Basics of Human Health by Mary Frost
The Revolution by Ron Paul
*The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

*Not for children. A strongly atheistic worldview. To be read only with discernment.

And so it begins!

The Christmas season is again upon us. And though I have been listening to Christmas music since before Thanksgiving (Shame on me!), I found a new version of a beautiful Christmas song today. For your inner indie. Enjoy!


I will try to update my blog more often through the holidays. Thank you for patience!

Don't forget the Youth Rally

Group Photo: Squish together!

Reformation had the pleasure of hosting the Fall Youth Rally this year. Eager to see "our camp kids", Mellissa and I gladly volunteered to organize it.

On Friday night, the kids arrived with joyful faces; they were so excited to see one another and fellowship.

 After the welcome, we played ice-breaker games and fish bowl.

Eating pizza, junk food, and pop, everyone was on a sugar high...

Which probably explains how late they stayed up.

Lots of talking.

Lots of jamming.

And lots of singing.

But the primary importance of a youth rally is not fellowship. While fellowship is important, our primary goal is further Christian education.

Pastor Brett M. lectured on the Humiliation and Exaltation of Christ. As believers, we are united to Christ; we share in both His humiliation and exaltation.

On Saturday, we piled into different vehicles and traveled to a nearby park.

The day was beautiful and blustery. We couldn't have asked God for better weather.

Some of the kids couldn't resist the playground. I couldn't blame them.

The rally was only 24 hours. But it was a fabulous 24 hours, and I won't forget it. A day to learn, to fellowship, and to thank God for covenant community.

Booklist: October 2011

The amount of reading I accomplished in October was abysmal. Bummer. My family was extremely busy during the month of October. And my reading suffered. (Not to mention Stargate has me distracted... I should blog about that sometime...) Consequently, while I read (er, started) many books, I only finished one. GASP! It was an important read, however.

I first heard about Timothy Keller in the spring... and I've continued to hear more about him since. After reading his work on the the parable of the Prodigal Son and discussing it with my elders and friends, I do not agree with Keller's approach. To be fair, he does recognize a potential problem within the church. (We must remember that the church is not for "good, moralistic" people, but rather the church is for redeemed sinners - not people who trust in their own self righteousness.) However, overall his ideas are not helpful... Christianity *is* a religion, and the God who redeemed us expects us to live a life of piety out of obedience - which will appear bigoted to the world around us. Despite my disagreement with Keller's theology, I am glad that I read his book. It gave me a glimpse into popular theology and a debate that is going on in the church today.

October 2011

The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller

More from The Band Perry

In the month of August, I posted another Band Perry song. And some of you really loved it; I don't blame you. My first introduction to this young, country group was on YouTube. My brother knew I would adore their sad, contemplative "If I Die Young." He was absolutely right. Two copies of their self-titled album later, I have a new favorite. Check it out below. No, it doesn't fit my life at all. But I can't help but love it.

Booklist: September 2011

Investigating a variety of topics, I read many interesting books in September. One concerning eschatology, one economics, one education, and a memoir. As I read I'm amazed at how much I still have to learn...

September 2011
An Eschatology of Victory by J. Marcellus Kik
*The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Keynes the Man by Murray N. Rothbard
The Harsh Truth about Public Schools by Bruce N. Shortt

*Adult content and themes - not for teens

CELTIC THUNDER!

Sometimes, a girl's got to go out with her girlfriends. Especially to a Celtic Thunder concert. DOO DOO DOO!

Having attended a Celtic Thunder concert two years ago, we were ready to see another! In spite of the crazy traffic, Keely drove us safely there. (Thanks, girlie!)

Talking, laughing, and singing, we were eager to get there, but we enjoyed the companionship on the ride. We speculated about this concert compared to the last one... and we listened to STORM. We were also excited to have Nicole with us on this trip.

At last we made it! We took pictures around the Benedum Center... mused about the big city.

And waited in line to get in to hear our favorite boy band.

Don't we look excited?

After making it inside the beautiful Benedum Center, we purchased our programs.

And proceeded to devour them. Full of facts, pictures, and the order of the concert, the souvenir programs are worth every penny.

Then the concert began, we screamed. We yelled. We sang along. And we loved every moment of it. There were old favorites (Desperado), new favorites (A Place in the Choir), and songs soon to become a favorite (Cat's in the Cradle & You've Got a Friend in Me). 

After the concert was over, we were walking back to our vehicle, when we saw them. The band! Wow! Keely and Kelsie were brave enough to enter the throng to get autographs. Yay!

 Can you find Ryan, Keith, George, Keely, and Kelsie in these photos?

All in all, a completely delightful evening. Again next year? Yes, please.