Monday, January 05, 2015

Twelfth Day of Christmas

There is much I could write about at the start of a new year - but I'm not going to. I'm simply going to share three shots from this Twelfth Day of Christmas.

 Stacia asked if SHE could hide the wise men for today. What a cheery greeting.....and she even had a REASON....."We're thankful we are part of God's big picture." Yes. Yes, we are.


Take a close look at the photo below....that itty little bit of damage adds up to $1900+ when you consider that the side panel, back door and bumper are all scraped....and that there are electrical connections for the tow and paint to be painted and blended all over the whole thing....wow. I'm pretty sure their insurance is not going to like this.

 One wonderful part of feeding fourteen people for a week is you are left with a glorious bits and pieces from past meals....and when I put them all together in the pressure cooker with some extra seasoning we had a lovely STEW for dinner.

 And now it's time for our 12th Night reading.....and then Michael and I are going to sit in the hot tub and talk - we have lots to process and have had very little processing time. No kids allowed.

 Choosing Joy!
©2015 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...
 

Lean On Me - Anne Marie Miller


Lean on Me: Finding Intentional, Vulnerable, and Consistent Community is Anne Marie Miller's memoir more than it is a how-to book on living in Christian Community. Anne states, " In writing Lean on Me, it's my desire to show you that whatever course you find yourself on, you are not alone, you need God, and you need others." I think the reader's guide and resources listed at the end of this book provide valuable input for growing authentic Christian Communities.

Anne writes honestly from the path she found herself on - divorce - and the healing that began as she reached out to form a "team" or a "community." It is interesting to me to read this from the vantage point of an introverted author.  I did find the book lagging at times - going in  circles -  and YET for someone who is walking a similar path this could be very helpful.
If you are looking for checklists and Biblical exposition Lean on Me  may not be the book for you. This book does highlight the value of a healthy Christian community.  My biggest take away is the four categories of relationships Anne shares: not vulnerable and not committed, vulnerable and not committed, committed but not vulnerable, and committed and vulnerable. Anne provides stories which illustrate authentic Christian community for each category. I found it helpful to think through my various relationships and groups and evaluate the level from which I'm interacting.
I found the title provided food for thought as well - to live in community will require me to be intentional, vulnerable and consistent. The title itself was worth the read for personal applications. ::grin::

Overall, this is a good book. I recommend it for those seeking to establish a community for themselves and for those who may be walking through divorce.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review; I am disclosing this in accordance with the FederalTrade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Choosing Joy!
©2015 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...