I have been reading God’s Epic Adventure by Winn Griffin.   It is a very good foundational read on helping one read through the bible accurately.  I highly recommend the book.

Most western Christians have been taught to read the bible as a self help book, or memorize one verse here and one verse there.  We hear topical sermons and read one story or chapter at a time and never get the broad sweep of the story of God’s people. This book along with some of NT Wrights books are helping Mike and I think through how we continue telling the story of our God and our faith to our children and those people God brings into our lives to serve.  Check it out!

I started it!  Some children’s book.  Can you believe in all my 33 years I have never read The Hobbit?  I know I have led a sheltered life. You know a book is good if it can hold the audience of both children and adults.  I am not sure they are writing books like that these days?  So instead of posting something I am off to read. 

See you all tomorrow:-)

Well here they are in all their glory.  I don’t have the time to do all of the amazon links for you.  So if you want to know more about it, just Google it, like I did! Maybe when I have more time, I will update this with links, but don’t hold your breath. Throughout the year, I will be crossing off the list and writing reviews if they are worthy of the time and energy. 

Homeschooling

• How to Get Your Child to LoveReading: For Ravenous and Reluctant Readers Alike
  by Esmé Raji Codell 
• For the Children’s Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School 
  by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
• Charlotte Mason’s Original Homeschooling Series by Charlotte Mason 

Parenting

• Duties of Parents by J. C. Ryle
• Raising Kids for True Greatness: Redefine Success for You and Your Child by Tim Kimmel  
• Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends
• Childs Book ofCharacter Building, Book 1: Growing Up in Gods World at Home, at School, at Play by Ron Coriell 
• Finding God at Home: Family Life As a Spiritual Discipline  

Theology

• The Shinning Sword
• Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places: A Conversation in Spiritual Theology by Eugene H. Peterson 
• Run With the Horses by Eugene H. Peterson  
• Living More With Less by Doris Janzen Longacre
• Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger: Moving from Affluence to Generosity Transforming
• Discipleship by Greg Ogden.

Fun

• Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss
• Pain: The Gift Nobody Wants
• The Endless Steppe: Growing Up inSiberia by Esther Hautzig
• The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Ivanhoe by Walter Scott
• Verses of Virtue by Elizabeth Beall Phillips   

Housekeeping/organization

• Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House
• Get More Done in Less Time– And Get on With the Good Stuff
• Speed Cleaning: Tips, Tricks & Strategies to Get Everything Done in Half the Time or Less
• Who Says it’s a Woman’s Job to Clean? by Don Aslett 

Random Goodies

• Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
• The Joy of Cooking
• The Oil Painting Course You’ve Always Wanted: Guided Lessons for Beginners and Experienced Artists by Kathleen Staiger
• The Intellectual Devotional: Revive Your Mind, Complete Your Education, and Roam Confidently with the Cultured Class by David S. Kidder and Noah D.
• Janson’s History of Art: The Western Tradition

So I have been working on my new reading list for 2008.  

I have carried over a few I was unable to read in 2007 and added many more.  I am averaging about 2 books a month, so I decided to think about different categories that I wanted to read about so that I could stay well rounded.

The categories are as follows:

• Parenting
• Homeschooling
• Theology
• Housekeeping/organization
• Fun
• Random Goodies

I have found a few great ones to share with you but before I do I want you, dear friends, to go think about what you want to read this year and then if you feel so inclined share your list with me.

Happy Reading!

and in with the new.  All of the Christmas paraphernalia is put away, leftovers are eaten, normal life and eating and schooling have resumed.  We will have  a church new years party at our home tonight and the kids are thrilled.  I heard we will have a game of  ”pin the tail on the donkey”!  Good times people.

In other news, I have been working on my book list for 2008(things I want to read personally) and have been invited to contribute on a group Kingdom Conversations blog.  I think they wanted a female voice so I guess I am flattered.   I have  a few posts I am working on for that (they take a bit longer to think through) and I am steadily thinking through our international trip to Peru.  Which food items need to go, which school items need to go…you know a woman needs a plan people!

 So, I just stopped by today to say, how thankful I am for 2007 and how hopeful I am for 2008.  Thanks for all you kids that have stopped by this year!  I hope to see you tons in 2008.

I have loved to read since the 2nd grade,  I stayed awake at night under my covers reading for hours after my parents said it was time for bed.  I was a history major in college because I loved a good story.   I would love to see more people read, and read deeply. It is so helpful in shaping ones thinking.   Here is a  sample of what I am reading.  It changes every month, although a few of these I have been working on for some time. 

Little Men 

My friend described this as a great story but really a great book on parenting.  She is right! It is fun to read it with a parents perspective.

Soul Talk 

Any friend of Dallas Willard is a friend of mine, so Larry Crabb is “in like flynn”. This book  was just recommended to me and so far it is great.  I love the idea of spiritual direction and how it is practiced.  I think I could see myself moving in that direction once the children are grown.

Pinocchio -

It is important to learn to obey what ever the cost.  Really, honestly….., whatever the cost and teach your kids the same thing too.

A Long Obedience in the Same Direction 

The title says it all.   I love Eugene Peterson like he is my grandfather.  I don’t know why.  Maybe it is because I listened to a course he did from Regent called “Soul Craft” right in the beginning of my deconstruction of “what is means to be the church.” It was a gentle voice in the midst of the chaos.

Crafted Prayer 

Graham Cooke hits it home when he talks about the reality of most Christians prayer life and the opportunity for us to grow into what prayer is really meant to be.  Kind of like, you can use prayer like an aspirin for a headache or enjoy prayer like being in tune with “mission control” during an exciting adventure unfolding minute by minute

NT wright - audio series - and as a result the synoptic gospels specifically.  

This is like eating a man size t-bone steak.  Definitely, slow steady bites keep you moving through it.  I love the audios because I can play them over and over when I am working in the kitchen.  You know kind of “kickin’ it” Brother Lawrence style.

Charlotte Mason Companion 

 This women was so passionate about educational reform.  I love big picture ideas to move me forward with my homeschooling journey.  She paints a vivid picture that I pray to attain with our home school. I am the type of person, who has to know “why”  a certain thing is prescribed before I wholeheartedly embrace it. I don’t mean the “why” because it is a good idea or cute or the right thing to do, but what certain things are doing holistically.  Once I understand the “why” I am off and running passionately.  She paints a solid picture for the “why” that is for sure.  That is why I was drawn to Maria Montessori and Sophia Cavaletti and ultimately Charlotte Mason.

The Secret Garden-

“Gentle words give life.” and conversely the opposite holds true as well.  It is so  important to speak life into people and teach your kids to do the same.

So these are the words rambling around in my grey matter, along with grocery lists, chores to be done and when is the next time I can take a nap without being interrupted.

Peace to all!

Eugene Peterson has said that being a well read person is as important to your spiritual formation as is, silence, solitude, prayer or any other spiritual discipline.  It is a way of letting words shape you, allowing yourself to here the rhythm and cadence of language so that the poetry of scripture can slide smoothly into your soul. 

 So I have been out and about and found a few good books that I will be reading over the next few months.  I want to thank Randi at Let’s just say… for a great beginning. I am pushing past the bounds of just homeschooling “fair” and letting words shape me. I will keep adding to this list as I progress. Let me know some of your faves.  I wonder were it will take me? Look around and see if you find something that interests you.   This is part of my “soul craft” so come learn with me.