I have been annoyed with the term "worthy." So I looked it up in the dictionary so I could understand it better. Worthy denotes arriving at an acceptable or adequate level. I like that it is adequate and acceptable, not exemplary or extraordinary. I want to live certain standards, but I don't live them perfectly. It is good to know that I can be worthy and of worth because I live in a acceptable manner not because I have reached perfection.
What has made you think recently? What did you learn?
Friday, August 28, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Most Perfect Laughter
Title character, Crispin, a 14th century English serf, is cast out of his village. Fleeing from those who want to harm him, he encounters a traveling minstrel named Bear, who becomes his mentor and helps him discover the meaning of freedom-- of thought and action.
I especially like Bear's thoughts on Jesus Christ.
"When I think on the perfections of our Savior, I choose to think most upon His most perfect laughter. It must have been the kind that makes us laugh, too. For mirth is the coin that brings a welcome. Lose your sorrows, and you'll find your freedom." (Avi, 96)
Sorrow and pain may seem the common fate of man, but JOY erases the burdens and pains of the day. When I think of the Savior, I will think of His smile. Go on, Smile!
Crispin and the Cross of Lead, by Avi, Hyperion Books for Children, 2002
I especially like Bear's thoughts on Jesus Christ.
"When I think on the perfections of our Savior, I choose to think most upon His most perfect laughter. It must have been the kind that makes us laugh, too. For mirth is the coin that brings a welcome. Lose your sorrows, and you'll find your freedom." (Avi, 96)
Sorrow and pain may seem the common fate of man, but JOY erases the burdens and pains of the day. When I think of the Savior, I will think of His smile. Go on, Smile!
Crispin and the Cross of Lead, by Avi, Hyperion Books for Children, 2002
Monday, August 17, 2009
Walk Two Moons
Thirteen-year-old Sal is traveling from Ohio to Idaho with her grandparents in search of her mother, who left and has not returned. Along the way, Sal tells the story of her friend Phoebe who's life mirrors her own. Beautifully written. The characters were universal- we all have had a best friend who is a little neurotic and paranoid; quirky grandparents; and fathers who don't express emotion well. I loved following Sal on her journey towards peace.
When Phoebe's mother disappears, Sal and Phoebe fear the worst: a potential lunatic kidnapping and a murderous next door neighbor. At the end of her journey Sal understands why she and Phoebe concocted worst case scenario versions of reality.
“It seem to me that we can't explain all the truly awful things in the world like war and murder and brain tumors, and we can't fix these things, so we look at the frightening things that are closer to us and we magnify them until they burst open.” (Creech, 277)
I can drive myself crazy about something small because it is easier to stress about than the really big issue. I tell myself I am angry because my kids are running around screaming. Not true. Is their behavior annoying? YES! Is their behavior appropriate? Probably not. Is their behavior the cause of my anger. No!
Anger is the emotion I allow myself to feel when I am overwhelmed with the world around me. I feel overwhelmed and out-of-control of myself. The need to control spills onto my children; I must control them. When I am unable to control them (I know internally that I can't) and I remember that controlling their behavior is not the plan anyway-- teach correct principles and help them choose the right-- I feel like exploding. There is too much stimulus internally and externally. I erupt, “STOP BEING SO SILLY!!!”
It is immensely easier to be upset about loud children than learning self-mastery. Louis L'amour said, “To destroy is easy, to build is hard. To scoff is also easy, but to go on in the face of scoffing and do what is right is the way of a man.” “We must do what we think we cannot,” Eleanor Roosevelt.
Sal decided that “bravery is looking Pandora's box full in the eye as best you can, and then turning to the other box,” the one with all the wonderful and pleasing things in life (Creech, 277). With a sure knowledge of all the terrible, we can fully appreciate and treasure the “smoothbeautiful” things of life.
Walk Two Moons, Sharon Creech, HarperCollins Children's Books, 1994
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Stellaluna
Today Jarom asked me to read Stellaluna, by Janell Cannon, to him. I haven't read it for a while, and I had forgotten how much I liked it. Not only are the story and illustrations beautiful, but the last two pages give more information about bats-- terrific for parents of children with curious minds.
Stellaluna is a baby bat who, during an owl attack, is separated from her mother and ends up in a bird's nest. She is adopted by the bird family, but struggles to fit in. Everything that is natural to her is wrong in the bird family.
After being reunited with her bat family, she and her bird siblings (Pip, Flitter and Flap) discuss their differences.
" 'How can we be so different and feel so much alike?' mused Flitter.
" 'And how can we feel so different and be so much alike?' wondered Pip.
" 'I think it is quite a mystery,' Flap chirped.
" 'I agree,' said Stellaluna. 'But we're friends. And that's a fact.' "
Differences in opinion and taste and life provide contrast and beauty. I love that people from all backgrounds can be friends as we look past our differences and see the humanity and the beauty that God placed in each of His children. May we open our eyes and see the love the Lord has for each of us.
Stellaluna, by Janell Cannon, Harcourt Brace, 1993
Stellaluna is a baby bat who, during an owl attack, is separated from her mother and ends up in a bird's nest. She is adopted by the bird family, but struggles to fit in. Everything that is natural to her is wrong in the bird family.
After being reunited with her bat family, she and her bird siblings (Pip, Flitter and Flap) discuss their differences.
" 'How can we be so different and feel so much alike?' mused Flitter.
" 'And how can we feel so different and be so much alike?' wondered Pip.
" 'I think it is quite a mystery,' Flap chirped.
" 'I agree,' said Stellaluna. 'But we're friends. And that's a fact.' "
Differences in opinion and taste and life provide contrast and beauty. I love that people from all backgrounds can be friends as we look past our differences and see the humanity and the beauty that God placed in each of His children. May we open our eyes and see the love the Lord has for each of us.
Stellaluna, by Janell Cannon, Harcourt Brace, 1993
Friday, August 7, 2009
The Bronze Bow
The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare is the story of a boy named Daniel who is consumed by hatred for the Romans occupying Jerusalem. In nearby Capernaum, the rabbi Jesus of Nazareth teaches of love and peace. The story chronicles Daniel's tormented journey from blind, confining hatred to his acceptance and understanding of love.
Midway in his journey Daniel is inspired by the Psalm of David:
It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
He teacheth my hands to war, so that my hands can bend a bow of bronze. (Pslams 18:32-34)
Daniel is intrigued by the strength it would take to utilize a bronze bow. He and his friends pledge to work for "God's victory."
Crisis after crisis threaten to crush Daniel and he is left in his own bitterness, hatred, betrayed hopes and loneliness. As Daniel reaches rock bottom, he questions the psalm that always gave him strength and compares it with the teachings of Jesus who called men to prepare their hearts and minds instead of their hands. He wonders,
"Was is possible that only love could bend the bow of bronze?
He sat trembling, glimpsing a new way that he would never see clearly or understand.... We have to choose, not knowing.
To know Jesus would be enough.
Almost with that thought the terrible weight was gone. In its place a strength and sureness, and a peace he had never imagined, flowed around him and into his mind and heart." (Speare, 252)
Daniel's choice to allow love to work in his life, without understanding how it would help, demonstrates pure faith. Daniel's faith allowed him to relinquish the hate and vengeance that had driven him. Daniel found peace and healing to his soul. The resentment he had harbored toward his demon plagued sister evaporated.
I especially appreciated the development of Leah, Daniel's sick sister. Following a highly traumatic experience Leah confines herself to the home and languishes in despair. She is tormented by the demons in her head. I found solace in the understanding and caring showed this girl.
I had always questioned the Biblical stories of people possessed by demons and devils. After reading this story I understood the biblical usage and took comfort in applying that to my mental conditions. When my brain is not fulling functioning and I hear despair and fear and anger in my head I can think of Leah and ascribe those thoughts to the demons that haunt my mind. Then I can turn to the hope of Jesus and remember how he healed the lame and cast out devils. Then with my mind focused on that hope, the darkness clears and I can see light and truth.
The Bronze Bow, Elizabeth George Speare Winner of the 1962 Newbery Medal
Midway in his journey Daniel is inspired by the Psalm of David:
It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
He teacheth my hands to war, so that my hands can bend a bow of bronze. (Pslams 18:32-34)
Daniel is intrigued by the strength it would take to utilize a bronze bow. He and his friends pledge to work for "God's victory."
Crisis after crisis threaten to crush Daniel and he is left in his own bitterness, hatred, betrayed hopes and loneliness. As Daniel reaches rock bottom, he questions the psalm that always gave him strength and compares it with the teachings of Jesus who called men to prepare their hearts and minds instead of their hands. He wonders,
"Was is possible that only love could bend the bow of bronze?
He sat trembling, glimpsing a new way that he would never see clearly or understand.... We have to choose, not knowing.
To know Jesus would be enough.
Almost with that thought the terrible weight was gone. In its place a strength and sureness, and a peace he had never imagined, flowed around him and into his mind and heart." (Speare, 252)
Daniel's choice to allow love to work in his life, without understanding how it would help, demonstrates pure faith. Daniel's faith allowed him to relinquish the hate and vengeance that had driven him. Daniel found peace and healing to his soul. The resentment he had harbored toward his demon plagued sister evaporated.
I especially appreciated the development of Leah, Daniel's sick sister. Following a highly traumatic experience Leah confines herself to the home and languishes in despair. She is tormented by the demons in her head. I found solace in the understanding and caring showed this girl.
I had always questioned the Biblical stories of people possessed by demons and devils. After reading this story I understood the biblical usage and took comfort in applying that to my mental conditions. When my brain is not fulling functioning and I hear despair and fear and anger in my head I can think of Leah and ascribe those thoughts to the demons that haunt my mind. Then I can turn to the hope of Jesus and remember how he healed the lame and cast out devils. Then with my mind focused on that hope, the darkness clears and I can see light and truth.
The Bronze Bow, Elizabeth George Speare Winner of the 1962 Newbery Medal
First Blog!!!
I have thought about having a blog for some time and couldn't decide what to do with one. While on vacation I shared with a friend things I had learned from a novel I had finished. Thinking of that conversation this morning I decided to blog about the "truths" I discover while reading. So check in from time to time and see what is worth reading and learning. Share with me your insights!
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