Quote of the Day

From Wendy Horger Alsup's Practical Theology for Women:

Notice that the warning in Ephesians 4 against grieving the Spirit is given in the context of the use of angry, bitter language. We are called to put away slander (the abusive attack on a person's character or good name) and bitterness (conversation marked by resentment, cynicism, anger, or ill will). In place of it, we are commanded to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving just as Christ forgave us (see also Colossians 3:12-13). Is it any wonder that angry and bitter communication grieves, causes sorrow, and offends the Holy Spirit? When we repeat evil reports against one another or participate in bitter speech, we spit upon God's grace poured out on us. The way we use our tongues reflects Christ's teaching that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34). Though there are many indicators of a heart that resists the Spirit, the use of destructive speech in our homes, churches, marriages, and friendships is a red flag.

Preaching this to myself...

The Help

I'm back from a nice little trip to Lake Oconee thanks to my sister and her family.  I had some time to read Kathryn Stockett's The Help, but I'm not finished with it yet.  Tara Barthel is reading it, too, and has an enthusiastic post that should encourage you to pick it up.

I love the writing, and here's a little taste of why:

For no reason but to irritate me, we get a heat wave in December.  In forty degrees, I sweat like iced tea in August and here I woke up this morning to eighty-three on the dial.  I've spent half my life trying not to sweat so much:  Dainty Lady sweat cream, frozen potatoes in my pockets, and I still soak my sweat pads through in five minutes.  I tote my Fairley Funeral Home fan every place I go.   

I'm a Southern girl, and I can relate to so much in the book although I was born just after Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated.  I know about funeral home fans, and I have a silver pattern.  And, mercy, how this book makes me crave fried chicken, biscuits, butterbeans, and sweet tea!  Fortunately I'm in Georgia right now and can have some after church tomorrow.

I'm going to go read now.  :-)

Question of the Day

How can an organization whose very name limits membership based on skin color in good conscience accuse another organization of racism?

Amazon Student

Yesterday PalmBoy signed up for Amazon Student, a really good deal.  You get Amazon Prime free, plus other discounts.  This comes just in time for buying textbooks.  Know a college student?  Check it out.

The Overton Window

I stayed up late last night finishing Glenn Beck's political thriller The Overton Window.  He calls it a work of "faction" -- a combination of fact and fiction.  It's a "what if" book, peppered with quotes from our founding fathers.  It's been a long time since I've read a page-turner that kept me up at night, but I was disappointed with what seems like an abrupt ending.  Still, there's plenty to think about there, and I'd recommend it.

The epilogue is filled with resources worth looking into.  And if you're wondering what the title refers to, check this out.

16

(I'm going to blame this belated post on my laptop repairs and our travel schedule.)

Sweet PalmGirl is sweet 16! We're blessed by our songbird, and I'm looking forward to seeing Europe with her.

Getting My Groove Back

My reading groove, that is.  For so long now I've been reading pretty much only what has been required for me to teach my children or what I've forced myself to finish for some other reason.  And during our packing up for the move and our travels to the southeast, my attention span has only allowed me to scan blogs on GoogleReader or flip through magazines.  I've nearly always read before bed, but for the past several months, I've not had the energy for that.  This past week, though, I had some time in the mountains of North Carolina to read and rest, and I'm back!

I read Leif Enger's Peace Like a River, a book I've seen recommended on many blogs.  What a beautifully written book!  And guess what?  Thanks to a surprise from my sweet fairy godfriend, I got a Kindle for my travels.  I like few things better than a book and a pencil in my hands, but I have to say that the Kindle is easy on the eyes, and I really like how much easier it is to haul around than a pile of books and magazines. I put the ESV Study Bible on it and took it to church on Sunday and that was handy, too.  Right now I'm reading Glenn Beck's The Overton Window, and it's fun to read a page-turner for a change.  I'm looking forward to getting to The Help after that one.

I feel like myself again.  :-)