Recommended Reads: Bonhoeffer & True North

Brian and I began reading Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas a few weeks ago.  I had heard his name floating around our house for quite some time, as Bonhoeffer wrote a number of theology books that Brian read in seminary.  Bonhoeffer was a pastor of the 'true church' in Germany during the reign of the Nazis and plotted to have Hilter killed.  The horror of what the Nazis did to the Jews is mind numbing, and I am left with questions such as why wasn't more done to stop what Hitler did?  The world definitely needed more faithful, courageous men like Bonhoeffer who was martyred just three weeks before Hilter committed suicide.

Although I must confess that I didn't read all of its 542 pages, I definitely recommend that you do!  [I skipped the church-y & government-y parts and read the chapters like Bonhoeffer in Love! ;) ]  It is such an inspirational read as it challenged me in my faith, particularly the parts when Bonhoeffer was in jail.  His fellow prison-mates often commented on his constant cheerfulness and how he'd help others out of their depression.  Sometimes I don't feel cheerful - if I have mounds of housework, a fussy baby, no friend dates scheduled, a busy husband, etc. - but how much more did Bonhoeffer have reason to not be cheerful (he was in an underground prison and didn't see the light of day for four months!).  Why was he cheerful?  Because of Christ.  The same Christ I have.  Therefore, I shall be cheerful in all circumstances too!

I love Bonhoeffer's last quote, as he walked up the steps to the gallows:

"This is the end...For me the beginning of life."

May all of us who cherish Christ above all things be able to say that when our 'end' comes.

Another book I just started reading is True North: Choosing God in the Frustrations of Life by Gary & Lisa Heim.  Kregel Publications sent it to me to review for their blog tour in July.  At first I was slightly skeptical, but now that I'm finished with chapter one, I am really enjoying it and am pleasantly surprised with their theology.  Please look for my review in July.

Prayer

"Pray without ceasing."

-I Thessalonians 5:17

Prayer.  It's something I struggle with.  But why?  It's a GIFT God has given to His children; it's an honor, a privilege to be able to talk to the King of Kings, Creator of the Universe, Holiest of Holies as a child would talk to his father.  It's a gift to be able to come to the King with all of our requests, burdens, joys, frustrations, worries, hopes, etc. as a child - no need for complicated words or fear of not being heard or helped.  What a true and amazing GIFT!

Prayer fills us with joy as we realize that God cares about every detail of our lives.  "But even the hairs of your head are all numbered" (Matthew 10:30).  He knows me better than I'll ever know myself.  He knows what I really want, really need, really desire.  He knows everything I'll ask before I even think it!  So prayer isn't for God...

Prayer is for us!  Prayer is our God-ordained method of communicating with Him.  Prayer makes us holy and more-Christlike.  Prayer is God's means of providing for our every need.  Will God answer our every prayer?

"And this is the confidence we that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to His will he hears us.  And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him." (I John 5:14-15)

Although God won't say 'yes' to my every request, He always has my best in mind.  And I am so thankful for the times He says 'no'...I don't know what trouble or hardship He is preserving me from.  What Paul is saying in I John 5 is that if we live in submission to God's will (as outlined for us in His Word) and seek to please & glorify Him with our lives, our prayers will be much more in line with His will for us.  By asking for God's will to be done in our prayers, we can bank on the best outcome...whatever that may be.

Makin' A Splash

Aidan 'made a splash' this weekend at the local aquatic park!  It was a super hot day; the perfect way to cool off.

 Despite the water, our little man's cheeks turned very red.  Unfortunately, I think he takes after his mom...Red Face.  Poor kid.  But he's still cute, right!?

Mommy & Aid - we love the warm weather!

 This picture is dedicated to my bestie Kgal and Ry.  Aidan LOVES his swimsuit and rash guard (you know, those big Iowa waves create quite the rash).  We brought his little hoodie along as well, but it was too hot to wear.  Thank you for the wonderful gifts, Gallies!  We love and miss you.

My favorites.

Our sweet friends joined us and showed us the ropes.  They were minus one -we missed you, Myra!

N loving the frog slide.

R bustin' some moves.

Aid loves his Karla.

We have a membership to the park now so we hope to go there often this summer.  It's super nice - a kid's dream.  I'm sure we'll make many special memories there with our little man - can't wait!

Round About Update!

My Round About quilt is coming together!  Last night our sew club met in Mary's hay mow to sew, sew, sew and eat a few treats!  We were the first group to break the barn in for the season, and it was so fun to hear the chickens, geese, and goats underneath us, as well as see the beautiful countryside out the windows.  I'm all about the farm animals.  Until I smell them.

This is my work station.  Mary has ironing boards set up along the perimeter, but we don't iron.  We press.  What's the difference?  Ask Mary.  I just do what I'm told. ;)

The crew.

Me.  Hard at work.  Can you tell?!

I sewed four small circles of wild colors and polka dots on a 9 inch square.  I did this to 36 squares.  Yes, 36!

All the other ladies sewed only three circles on their squares.  Why?  Well, I didn't read my pattern.  Oops.  I told Mary should could make a new pattern...after me.  ;)

All 36.

Favorite part:  lovies from Izzy.  I just don't like face kisses.  I want a goldendoodle.  Just like Izzy.  Only red?

Izzy loves her mama.

Then I cut my squares in half.  Then in fourths. Yes, all 36.

My stacks.  Now they're going into a bag where four will be randomly selected at a time and all 36 squares will be resown together.  Yes, all 36.  [But that's not the worst part.  The worst part is that all 36 will have to be ironed...or pressed...or whatever.]

Yay!  1/36 is finished!

That's the update.  I'll keep sewing and keep you updated.

Abiding

The last few months have left me discouraged.  Discouraged at the lack of holiness.  Discouraged at the lack of holy ambition.  Discouraged at the [apparent] satisfaction in the mundane and not in Christ.  Instead of wallowing in my discontent and discouragement, I went to God's Word for answers.  I long for joy and encouragement from Christ...not discouragement!

My devotional this morning was from John 15 and it fit my struggle perfectly.  How do we find joy in all circumstances?  By abiding in Christ.  Abiding in his love and in obedience.  Abiding is clinging to Christ.  Abiding is obeying Christ.

Because God loves us, He allows us to be pruned as a gardener (like me!) prunes his plants to keep them healthy and beautiful (although I haven't done any pruning - not sure how!).  The goal of pruning is to make a stronger plant.  As abiders in Christ, we must 'sit still' and let God cut away what needs to be cut in order to make us more holy and Christ-like. I can confidently cling to Him because He loves me and only does what is best for my life.

Abiding brings me in tune with God's will and conforms my desires to what He wills for my life.  But I must be obedient to His word: "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love."  

This leads to encouragement as I sit, clinging to Christ and being obedient (not a complainer or full of discontent!) even though this pruning process may be, at times, painful.

But Jesus loves me, this I know.  And I am so thankful He does.

(Devotion from Lydia Brownback: Joy)