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Friday Ramblings

I believe the extremely busy period of these past couple of weeks is just about over. While it was nice to be busy, I’ll be glad to be able to slow down a little bit next week. If I want to get through 50 books this year (a goal I set myself to begin the year) I am going to need to devote a bit more time to that pursuit. I have read 33 and have another two well underway. That leaves me needing to read 15 books in the next 8 weeks. Even I can handle that math. That means I have a lot of reading to do! A lot of the books remaining on my shelf are quite heavy books (not in terms of weight but in terms of difficulty) so it won’t be an easy task.

Looks like we have a moderately busy weekend ahead of us. Tomorrow I need to do a bit of yard work, but since we only have a bit of a yard, that will not take too long. It is Abby’s second birthday tomorrow, so we are having my in-laws over and will be celebrating in the evening. She doesn’t quite seem to know what to make of this birthday stuff, though she does know that she is going to be getting some new toys. Needless to say she is quite excited. A Nicholas, who is four, is getting a little bit jealous. While he does understand birthdays, he is struggling with handing all the attention (and the toys) over to his sister for the day. I think it will be a good lesson for him to learn.

I learned a lesson myself this week. As I was writing my review for the movie Luther I came to the not-so-startling realization that I am terrible at writing movie reviews. I could probably write a lengthy, boring summary of the movie’s contents, but to write something interesting that doesn’t merely recap the movie’s events is quite difficult. I had all sorts of things I wanted to say, but most of them just didn’t quite come out right. One thing I meant to mention is that the movie portrays all of the Catholic characters in a negative light with the one exception of Luther’s Father Superior. I was actually happy to see this, not that I bear animosity to Catholics in general, but simply because it seems all the major players actually were pretty awful people. I was worried that they would tone this down, but the viewer is left with the sense that all of these people were concerned far more with money and stability than with serving God.

Yesterday afternoon I was at the local Christian bookstore and the staff were setting up for a little concert that was going to happen there later in the day. Some local no-name singer was going to be coming in to promote her new album. The equipment provided for her was:

  • A CD player
  • A microphone
  • Two small speakers
  • One small mixer/amplifier

The poor girl didn’t even get a microphone stand. I thought to myself how much courage it must take to stand in a store and sing away, knowing that in all likelihood the only people watching you are your husband and close friends. Everyone else is just hurrying about, trying to buy what they need and keep out of your way. I admire people who have the courage to stand there and sing their hearts out, caring little for what others think.

I wish you all a good weekend! I intend to relax, to celebrate my daughter’s birthday and to kick back with a few good books (and a couple of Diet Cokes).


  • Francis

    Did Francis Prove To Be “The Humble Pope?”

    Francis’ time as pope has come to an end and already many are attempting to define his legacy. Was he a reformer? Was he a progressive? Was he an apostate? Perspectives are wildly varied with some honoring him as the greatest pope of modern times and some dishonoring him as a disgrace to the office.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (April 23)

    A La Carte: How to begin a conversation with a dechurched friend / Machen was right / The truth of Christ’s resurrection / When grief becomes sin / Nope to the media’s ideal for a new pope / Book sale / and more.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (April 22)

    A La Carte: Pope Francis / Yes, Jesus was crucified with nails / The mystery of “the call” / Just a little bit / The last of the four / John outran Peter / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Will You Be a Pillar?

    How do we lead in a culture shaped by performance, individualism, and platform? Platforms to Pillars by cultural commentator Mark Sayers offers a biblical alternative to the platform mentality that dominates our society. Drawing from the ancient world, Sayers challenges Christians to become pillars—people who provide strength and support for others, who live with character…

  • The Tallest Trees

    The Winds Blow Hardest Against the Tallest Trees

    Through the weekend had many questions about Christian leaders who fall. And I expressed that just as the winds blow hardest against the tallest trees, so temptations may press hardest against the leaders who rise the highest. Just as floods press against shallow roots, so seductive desires rise up against those whose fall would bring…

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    A La Carte (April 21)

    A La Carte: Toxic servant leadership / Taking our stress to the Lord / The problem with habits / Is it wrong for Christians to choose cremation? / Why does your church meet in a house? / Big book and Kindle deals / and more.