The Reason for God - Timothy Keller

The Reason for God: Believe in an Age of Skepticism, by Timothy Keller was PWOC Page Turner's January selection.   A few of us commented we may not have made it through this book without the deadline of the book club looming.

This is not a HARD read - but it's not an easy read either. In other words, I had to read some pages a couple of times - but when I slowed down and engaged it was engaging and enlightening. LOL

There were many things I LOVED about this book. I loved his switch from classifying people as believers and unbelievers. He points out all believe in something and so instead he calls us believers and skeptics. I loved a current voice answering the skeptics of today in the context of today's culture. I loved his call to focus on the foundational before getting mired in the minors. I liked the ecumenical voice in this book. I loved his description of the difference between religion and the gospel of grace. I loved how he showed the context of other cultures and illustrated the adaptability of the gospel. We don't have to convert, and shouldn't attempt to convert, a person to WESTERN CULTURE. Christianity should look different in each culture - and he contrasts this with other religions.  I was intrigued and impressed at his practice of having a friendly question/answer session after his sermons on Sunday - a chance to be able to answer honest questions and get honest answers.  His thoughts on "community" and the importance of the local church feed my thoughts on community as I see it in so many books I'm reading. There is a lot of good stuff to ponder in this book.

I liked the physical layout of the book. Introduction, Part 1 - Leap of Doubt - where he addresses the seven doubts he most often has heard from skeptics, followed by an Intermission, Part 2 - the Reasons for Faith - and an Epilogue.  Due to the layout, this book could easily be used as a source book - even if one did not read it from start to finish.

Seven doubts Keller deals with:

1. There can't be just one true religion
2. How could a good God allow suffering?
3. Christianity is a straitjacket
4. The church is responsible for so much injustice
5. How can a loving God send people to hell?
6. Science has disproved Christianity
7. You can't take the Bible literally

The Reasons For Faith

1. The clues of God
2. The knowledge of God
3. The problem of sin
4. Religion and the gospel
5. The (true) story of the cross
6. The reality of the resurrection
7. The dance of God

This is my first Timothy Keller book. I'd like to read more. It looks like he has taken several of his chapters and expanded them to whole books. I'd love to hear which you'd recommend next? Justice, works, marriage....which ones have you read?

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

Surgeons, Puzzles and Conversations

We saw the surgeon today. Michael had staples removed and we're trying solid food again. He also said it will be another 3 - 5 weeks of convalescent leave.  Yeah - this was SOME SAME DAY SURGERY. ::snort::  I'm thinking Michael will push to be back on at least light duty in 3 weeks. Now that he's a bit more lucid, I think he's getting bored.

We read 9 chapters of Island of the Blue Dolphin today. I cooked dinner and we relaxed together. Not a bad day at all.

I talked with my Mom. We all enjoyed a Skype with Nate over in Turkmenistan.

Arielle got bored and started putting together the puzzle that looks like a "mirror"

 

Ticket to Ride - Asia

 

We were previously upset that Japan was not in the game - there is one little part of Japan - Kobe

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

Woot - Girl Time

Christmas Break is over and PWOC is back in session. Last night the evening group resumed our study of Daniel. We were small in numbers - BUT the fellowship was sweet and the DVD was powerful.....we're on Daniel 3 - fiery furnaces and such.

We left Zander and Stacia home today. Zander had agreed to stay home and "take care of Michael." I hear I need to do a bit more instructing in this area. He did assure Michael  had air. ::snort:: Stacia was still sleeping when we left, but as she'd thrown up last night I didn't want her with the other kids. I wasn't sure if Desiree's kids would be at study - and the  LAST thing Desiree needs is a houseful of flu!!! She seems perfectly fine.

We discovered it's much quicker for three of us to get out of the home than it is for five of us. LOL It

was great to see everyone again! I was about as sharp as a butter knife and stumbled through announcements - but hey - it was a long break!  I enjoyed the laughter. ::snort::Worship was a sweet breather and our group actually managed to get done on time even though Beth's DVD was 1 hour and 6 minutes long. I am enjoying her messages. I am missing the relaxed time to share deeply with one another. I've not led a video study in a quite a while; it's good for me. The structure does make it an easy study to lead.

Today was a board meeting too. I'm so blessed to serve with this team. We spent time revisiting our vision and goals from our board retreat, and comparing  with where we are now. We talked about things going well and things we can improve. Several specific tasks grew from the discussion. It was productive - that can't always be said of board meetings -  these ladies rock! 

We ran by the commissary and bought a few more essentials - ensure, soup for Michael and lettuce and spinach for us. Spent a quiet afternoon and evening at home. It's been a week since Michael's surgery. He's been up much  more today.

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

You Can Still Wear Cute Shoes: And Other Great Advice From an Unlikely Pastor's Wife

In, You Can Still Wear Cute Shoes: And Other Great Advice From An Unlikely Preacher's Wife, Lisa McKay gives us a humorous - yet serious - look at the expectations pastor's wives face (self-imposed and church imposed). Lisa tackles big subjects with wit, tact and transparency. She shows us how to avoid silly expectations pastor's wives often place on themselves, shares how we can be our husband's worst enemies or biggest supporters, discusses having BFFs in the church pews,  how to be ourselves and more. The end of each chapter includes comments from Lisa's blog readers -both pastor's wives and lay women.

I appreciated Lisa's wisdom on when to say yes and when to say no.  I found the sections on friendship thought provoking - specifically the role online friends can and can't play in our lives. I found myself considering the four phases of community from Lean on Me....still contemplating which relationships I'm Vulnerable but Not Committed in and where I'm committed but not vulnerable, and how many I'm truly both committed and vulnerable. It was beneficial to read another view on community. The book is sprinkled with insight on how to truly love our congregations. The back of the book contains a section written to Pastor's about supporting their wives, a list of resources and a chapter on how to blog.

I highly recommend this fun read to fellow pastor's wives. I've heard it may help a "lay women" understand the pastor's wife. I can't guarantee that. ::snort::

I did not receive a free copy of this book from anyone.

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

Good Day

Shout out to my parents....you're loved. I went in to the bathroom and found this....had a big heart before the photos. I didn't think to take a photo until I'd started erasing. Stacia drew Gma and Zander drew Gpa. ::grin::

Today was a busy day. All the paperwork I didn't get done yesterday, got done today.

Michael had a better day. He's still on liquids.

The youngers got a full+ day of school done.

I got the chili in the crock pot this a.m. and Arielle and I loved it. We both were able to grab a bowl before running out tonight.

Arielle started babysitting for the local church's small group again. I began PWOC Evening again tonight.....really, really good lesson on The Fiery Furnace.

Stacia informed me, when I walked in the door, that she threw up while I was gone. I'm not liking the sounds of this. LOL

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

Rough Day - Sort of

We haven't a clue WHY,  but Michael had a rough morning. He's back on a liquid diet for another week. He's already pushing the boundaries as to the definition of "liquid."

I had planned to do a PWOC board report, a couple of PWOC After Action reports, and put together announcements for Wednesday's PWOC meeting.  I did none of it - and I'm o.k. with that.

I spent the day running up and down the stairs with enticing bits of liquidness, doing couch school with the younger two and zipping out for anti-nausea meds. I was THRILLED with the service and the price (free) of Rite Aid.

The older kids managed a full week of school last week. The younger two managed table school. Last week was still Christmas break in our school district - so we actually GAINED days. ::snort:: BUT we need to make some progress on couch school.

I had hoped to take down Christmas decorations today in my spare time - but that didn't happen either. I'm also o.k. with this.

We did move the Gingerbread villages into the kitchen. The PLAN was to throw them away but these two discovered they love gingerbread....so they dismantled the pieces to save.....ugh.



Zander got a kick out of eating Santa



I started the day with great hopes of what I'd accomplish now that we were home.I cooked 2 kinds of beans to make some chili. By diner time I steamed rice and we had burritos instead. I'm o.k. with that.

Zander and Stacia discovered these spy toys really WORK. One can type a message and it shows up on the other's eye piece.

Bottom line - I didn't get much of what I "needed" to do done today. I am not usually a slacker. Today was simply a day to focus on my number one ministry. Family. I loved getting laundry done, a meal cooked (of sorts) and cuddling on the couch and reading with the kids. I also accomplished my two top personal goals - time with Jesus and a workout. The rest will wait. I'm o.k. with that.

It is nice having Michael home. Here he is decked out in a green and yellow robe ready to cheer the Ducks on to victory. They didn't win. I'm not sure I'm o.k. with that. I really, really like Mariota and it made me sad his last game was so dismal.....I am impressed with the Bucks....just wish they'd not played the Ducks tonight.  Sometimes it's tough to be a fun.

Arielle is making a cheery "babysitting bag."

First EVER - we allowed dinner to be eaten on the couch, in the family room, in front of the TV  - it was the championships!

This is how Arielle likes to watch the game!

Heard some great news from Josiah as he looks to re-locate.....it was fun to talk with him. Yeah - it was a good day.....when its all weighed in the balance.

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

He's Home

Today was a busy Sunday. The kids and I went to chapel  After chapel I got the kids settled at home and headed to the hospital.

Michael was DRESSED. He had a good night and they told him as soon as the doctor showed up to discharge him he could go home. The doctor never showed up, but called in at 3:00 p.m. to say that Michael could go home. Unfortunately, we need a note from him saying how long Michael is on convalescent leave and we have to get that from him tomorrow. Michael has to take it to the clinic on base and give it to them so they can begin his leave.  It doesn't make a lot of sense to do it this way - but that's the way it works here. SO.....Michael will have to get up and about tomorrow to go to base to be told he can go home and stay on quarters. ::snort::

It's going to be a busy week with caregiving and ministry stuff starting up again.

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