"LOST" parodies

For fans of the show "Lost" (admit it, you know you're out there!) enjoy!
P.S. Watch for a special appearance of Dharma Initiative Ranch Dressing :)

Anyone for some Haggis?

The Baronet's Song by George MacDonald, is another favorite. MacDonald was a Scottish minister, and wrote many fiction works (some of his better-known were At The Back of the North Wind, Phantastes, and The Princess and the Goblin. This book definitely has the gothic romance quality to it, but also describes characters who just make you want to love Jesus more. C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien admired his works, and while I don't completely agree with all of MacDonald's theology, I love his writings and think they point people to Christ in a wonderfully creative way.

Bonus: You don't have to go anywhere NEAR haggis to like MacDonald's books :)

Sheepish

This is definitely a favorite of Christian books I've read - it's simple, straightforward, yet presents a picture of Christ as the Shepherd like none other. Philip Keller was raised in Kenya by missionary parents, and as an adult, became a sheep owner. He goes through Psalm 23 line by line, and examines the spiritual and real-life principles of shepherding, sheep (they really are pretty stupid) and submission to God as our shepherd. Anyone interested in borrowing it, let me know (but I'll want it back so I can read it again :)

Can It Top the Movie?

Most of us have seen (and can quote, backwards and forwards) the movie "The Princess Bride." I've heard that the book is even better than the movie, so I picked it up recently and have started it. I love it so far - it's very satirical, and laugh-out-loud funny at times. William Goldman, the author, evidently had waaaay too much time on his hands, though, and wrote an extensive forward/introduction/prelude/whatever-you-want-to-call-it about how he adapted the story from S. Morgenstern's original tale. He even claims that Florin is a real country...it adds some fun to the tale, but basically goes nowhere....dude, just tell the story! I did enjoy reading about how Goldman was present during the filming of the movie and even though he wrote the part about the Fire Swamp, kept shouting out "her dress is on fire!" every time Robin Wright Penn's (Princess Buttercup) dress caught on fire. They had to re-do that scene several times because of him.

Kingdom Comes

I've been listening to this Sara Groves album, Add to the Beauty, a lot lately (thanks Joe :) Her lyrics are so simple, and yet profound and deep. Her song, "Kingom Comes," is such an encouraging look at how our steps towards growth and holiness, no matter how seemingly meager and small, build up to something great - a Kingdom.

"When anger fills your heart
When in your pain and hurt
You find the strength to stop
You bless instead of curse

When doubting floods your soul
Though all things feel unjust
You open up your heart
You find a way to trust

That's a little stone, that's a little mortar
That's a little seed, that's a little water
In the hearts of the sons and the daughters
The kingdom's coming

When fear engulfs your mind
Says you protect your own
You still extend your hand
You open up your home

When sorrow fills your life
When in your grief and pain
You choose again to rise
You choose to bless the name

That's a little stone, that's a little mortar
That's a little seed, that's a little water
In the hearts of the sons and the daughters
The kingdom's coming

In the mundane tasks of living
In the pouring out and giving
In the waking up and trying
In the laying down and dying."

P.S. Yes, I KNOW I said this blog was to be about books, but I make the rules here :)

RE: That Marriage Book

Well, I haven't posted in awhile, and thought it was time to add something, if not a book review, at least a comment on one of my previous posts. A friend recently posted on how she regretted some things she wrote on her blog, and I completely identify. I posted on the book Getting Serious About Getting Married. After hearing/reading/fielding many comments and reactions, I do have a response to one of my own comments, and wanted to retract something I said that I feel was wrong.

My comment was,

"Maken addresses the current messages told to singles today (yes, even by the church!): 'singleness is a gift - equal to, or even better than, marriage,' 'God is all you need - you shouldn't want marriage so much,' 'You are wrong to take matters into your own hands and search for a spouse - God will bring him/her to you at just the right time.' I try to refrain from using strong language, but I'll go ahead and say what I think: these messages are a load of shit."

Singleness is a wonderful gift, if it's what the Lord has allowed and planned for a time in a person's life. It allows a person to really focus on their relationship with Christ, and have extra time and freedom to explore many different things and friendships. A relationship is a wonderful gift, if it's also what the Lord has allowed and planned for two people. It allows two people to learn more about one another, see Christ in a new way in each other, and bless, encourage, and take the risks of being vulnerable with one another.

Christ IS all we need - whether single, married, in a relationship - whatever. He is the one who gives us the strength to be where we are right now, in our daily lives, following His lead. He enables us to either be a content, strong, loving, single person, OR a content, strong, loving person in a relationship. He is what we need for every stage of life, and I know I'm not empowered to move through the various stages, joys, challenges, and daily routines of life without Him.

My final say? There are so many books on relationships, dating, etc. etc. Some are valuable, others not so much. God is the ultimate Counselor and source of wisdom, if we listen to him. I'd say skip Maken's book and go straight to Jesus.

P.S. For all us bloggers out there (although I post so infrequently that I doubt I can really call myself one) who can identify, this was convicting (and no, I'm NOT calling any of you "fools!")

"Do you see a man who speaks in haste?
There is more hope for a fool than for him." Proverbs 29:20

Books on cd

Since I have a long commute back and forth to work, I occasionally listen to books on cd in my car. Problem is actually listening to the book - I get distracted by driving (although it's probably better than getting distracted the other way around!) and usually have to rewind a few times before I can get the gist of what the author's saying. It's a lot of fun, though - sort of like being read aloud to. Right now I'm listening to 1776 by David McCullough. It's actually more fascinating than I thought it would be. I saw McCullough speak at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. a few years ago (yes, I actually went with a bunch of other teachers!) He was a great speaker, very interesting, and offered a really different perspective on the "heroes" we often make historical figures out to be.