Death By Suburb- Book Review

Death by Suburb by Dave L. Goetz has been a buzz book in Christian circles for awhile now. It has long been sitting on my stack waiting to be read. Often, I feel let down by the “buzz book” in Christian circles so I suppose I was 1/2 curious and 1/2 jaded toward reading it.

What a pleasant surprise. I found it hard to put down! I absolutely love that Dave has spent much time reading some of the older Christian classic texts… the ones that most suburbanites (or anyone) will go near. He took those books that are full or rich morsels of wisdom and translated them into modern day speak in a way many could relate too.

The readability of Death by Suburb in no way waters it down or shallows it out. It maintains depth while still holding it’s relevance. It could be considered the entertaining version of cliff notes for the classics of the Christian faith.

What I thought would be a major Christian guilt trip on living amongst suburbia was nothing of the sort. Instead Dave comes against the idea that you can not live a deeply spiritual life in the midst of the suburbs, but rather that the “thicker” life needs to be pursued in spite of that. It can be found in the suburbs! What an encouragement!

If you, like me, are a Christian, drive a minivan, know what it means to be off sides in soccer, have fretted over your child’s costume for an activity…. If your life whatsoever resembles suburbia… read this book.

Obama Attempts To Defend Late-Term Abortion Stance to Evangelicals

For an interesting post check out Sunflower Desert. I know this will be controversial considering some of my dear friends heart Obama. I just think this is an interesting- yet shallow- justification for killing an infant shortly before they are born. Interesting because he is even making an attempt I suppose. The fact is most democrats that are pro-choice don’t even support this “procedure” (there I go using a politically correct term… you can tell what generation I’m a part of)… In lieu of procedure insert murder.

Look in many ways I like Obama. I love the “I have a dream” inspring hope orator part of him. But when one breaks down many of his actual beliefs I absolutely can not support him.

Someone recently said (wish I remember WHO) that you can judge a nation (or a church etc.) by the way the least among them are treated. I can not think of anyone more vulnerable than the baby that is viable in the womb practically moments from being born. Even those that hate to make a big deal out of abortion in picking a candidate should see this as a reflection of his character.

What Time is It?

It’s morning… I think. The drapes are pulled and no sunlight can make its way into the room. My sheets are soft, inviting. The house is silent. The husband has taken the kids out for the morning. No deadlines. Nothing to get up for. The room around my bed is immaculate, no mess to stress me out. I could stay in bed or I could get up and get coffee. What I decide matters to no one. I think I’ll sleep a little longer. What time is it anyway? Who cares this is me time.
……….

Written for Mamablogga’s January Group Writing Project- Me time.

Do You Like Free Stuff?

If you don’t know about it already… Rocks in my Dryer, (who holds the Works for me Wednesday carnival,) is hosting a massive give-away carnival. There are something around 600+ Free things being given away over there right now!

One of my favorites is my friend Karen over at Pediascribe’s $100 Amazon Gift Certificate. Yes you read that right $100.00! She has lost her mind

In other news I was blessed to meet and hang out with the wonderful Amber from Homeschool Diva and her precious 3 little ones. Our kids had so much fun together and it is always great to meet someone who already feels so kindred even though you have only known each other through blogging.

Hinds Feet on High Places

I just finished re-reading one of my favorite books, Hinds Feet on High Places. In this allegory, Hannah Hunard’s character “much afraid”, experiences many of the hurdles we go through on our own journey as Christians. Her unique gift to tell a fictional story that is entertaining and hard to put down, while still maintaining deep parallels has made this book timeless. I would say this would rank among my “must reads” for Christians.

Baby-How.com

If you haven’t heard of Baby-how.com head over there right now. A reader wrote me about it and I was really impressed with how easy to navigate it was, how clean and simple, but useful. It is a site that would come in handy most for those of you that don’t have a lot of mommy peers in real life. It is somewhere you can go to ask your questions and also put in your own 2 cents.

Check it out.

This Year’s Theme?

I headed over to my daily reading of My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers and found this delicious yet challanging meditation:

If God so clothes the grass of the field . . . , will He not much more clothe you . . . ? —Matthew 6:30

A simple statement of Jesus is always a puzzle to us because we will not be simple. How can we maintain the simplicity of Jesus so that we may understand Him? By receiving His Spirit, recognizing and relying on Him, and obeying Him as He brings us the truth of His Word, life will become amazingly simple. Jesus asks us to consider that “if God so clothes the grass of the field . . .” how “much more” will He clothe you, if you keep your relationship right with Him? Every time we lose ground in our fellowship with God, it is because we have disrespectfully thought that we knew better than Jesus Christ. We have allowed “the cares of this world” to enter in (Matthew 13:22), while forgetting the “much more” of our heavenly Father.

“Look at the birds of the air . . .” (Matthew 6:26). Their function is to obey the instincts God placed within them, and God watches over them. Jesus said that if you have the right relationship with Him and will obey His Spirit within you, then God will care for your “feathers” too.

“Consider the lilies of the field . . .” (Matthew 6:28). They grow where they are planted. Many of us refuse to grow where God plants us. Therefore, we don’t take root anywhere.

(read entire meditation here)

This passage in the bible ranks among my favorites. It never ceases to challenge some area of my life. Yesterday I did an awful lot of fretting. I also fought bitterness at a certain circumstance in life. I prayed a lot asking God to mold my attitude. Yet, some of it is a choice. God has got us. He will provide, has has provided, and he is providing right now.

The part about growing where you are planted… So important. So often, (as I described in my last post), I’m thinking about the next steps in life’s process. To just be content and grow where I’m at giving little thought to what is next… This is a lofty goal for this year. I will learn this! Patience is not a virtue I possesses quantities of, yet I know that it can be etched into me. I really do believe this will be a theme of my 2008. We’ll see.

What’s Next?

Why is it that when I’m reading a book I’m always concerned about how much progress I have made to the end?

Why am I always wanting the “next” thing to happen?

Why do I have a hard time sitting and resting during vacation.  Don’t get me wrong, sleeping is a cinch for me, but resting?  Relaxing?  Wide awake?  So hard.

Why do I wonder things like “where will I live next”?

Why do I find it so difficult to just enjoy a drama free season in life?

Questions.

I’m going to find the answers.  I truly believe this is an immature spot in my life.  An area where my character is lacking.

“Be still and Know that I am God”. 

This is a command I struggle with, unless there is drama.  I hate the moments my life is constantly swirling… but sometimes I seem to dislike more the moments where it is calm.  I just don’t know what to do with them.

I’m on vacation and I’m pressing in.  I’m trying to force relaxation with out sleeping.  I’m trying to not be bored with that concept.  I’m trying to use my time to just reflect on God and enjoy the drama-free season.

Anyone understand what I am talking about?  Anyone conquered this? 

A Spoonful of Pink Eye

We are in beautiful winter Florida and my oldest has come up with a case of pink eye!  No fun.  Praying it doesn’t spread to the rest.

A change of scenery.

If you have not noticed things look slightly different around here.  I really liked the old template, Especially the blog structure.  In fact I maybe should have designed around that :)  But the color and look were getting old to me.   What do you think?

Also, I will probably put my old theme up for sale soon.  Let me know if you are interested.

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