Love Does

Well, it's been a long time since I told you about the books I've been reading. There is a huge stack of books by my bed that I won't put away until I blog about them. I thought I would start with Love Does by Bob Goff. Have you read it???

Even though I read it last summer, it has really stuck with me.

Love Does really challenged me to stop planning, thinking, and talking about doing stuff, and just do something. It's no secret to people who know me well that I love to plan. I will plan anything...parties, lessons, vacations, etc. You name it, and I will plan it. Also, I tend to be a big dreamer. There are so many projects and ideas floating around in my head all the time. My biggest problem is that I find it hard to get past the dream and start doing. When I arrive in heaven, I don't want to have to say, "Well, I had a lot of good ideas, but I didn't act on any of them." Instead, I want to make sure that I don't miss opportunities for myself and our family to serve others and share Jesus.

Here are a few quotes from the book that really stood out to me:

This one pretty much sums up the whole book:

"In the end, love doesn't just keep thinking about it or keep planning for it. Simply put: love does." (p. xiv)

"I think of church as a vibrant community of people consisting of two or more of varied backgrounds gathering around Jesus. Sometimes they are at a place that might have a steeple or auditorium seating. But it's just as likely that church happens elsewhere, like coffee shops or on the edge of a glacier or in the bush in Uganda. All of these places work just fine, I suppose. When it's a matter of the heart, the place doesn't matter. For me, it's Jesus plus nothing-not even a building." (p. 14)

I couldn't agree more with the quote above. It's Jesus plus nothing. Period. It is so frustrating to me when we as humans get all torn up over the color of the carpet in the church or some other unimportant issue. It's all about Jesus. Not carpet. Or anything else for that matter.

"I used to be afraid of failing at something that really mattered to me, but now I'm more afraid of succeeding at things that don't matter." (p. 25)

That one hit me really hard. A year later, I'm still thinking about it and asking Jesus to help me focus on what truly matters for eternity. Those things that have eternal significance.

"God is always trying to save lives, and it seems like He usually uses the least likely people to do it. So the next time God asks you to do something that is completely inexplicable, something you're sure is a prank because it requires a decision or courage that's way over your pay grade, something that might even save lives, say yes." (p. 66)

This idea is really tough for me. I so want to be willing, but I wouldn't necessarily use the words brave and courageous to describe myself. In fact, I often find myself completely tangled up in fear. I don't want that fear to control my obedience to Christ. It's hard.

"I think God's hope and plan for us is pretty simple to figure out. For those who resonate with formulas, here it is: add your whole life, your loves, your passions, and your interests together with what God said He wants us to be about, and that's your answer." (p. 143)

Oh wow! I struggle with this so much. It seems I'm constantly trying to make sure I know and am completely following God's will for my life. I've been reading a lot about this from other sources too. What seems to keep coming up is that since God created us, He is the one who planted those desires, dreams, and talents inside us. Of course, we need to make sure we are using them in ways that line up with the Bible. It just feels super freeing to me to know that the ideas in my head aren't a surprise to God. They are there for a purpose, and I just need to make sure to use them for His glory.

"What I realized about my faith is that I was doing just that, collecting information and memorizing things about God. I collected pictures and gathered artifacts and bumper stickers about Christianity, and I talked about knowing Jesus like we were best friends, when actually, we really hardly knew each other at all. And I memorized Bible verses and the names of the books of the Bible in order and the sequence of a bunch of events as well as who was there. At some point I had to confess that I was stalking Jesus." (p.198)

Because I am a rule follower in life, I tend to make sure I'm doing all the "things" right. Checking off all the boxes and calling it done without experiencing true relationship with Jesus. This also reminds me of the book Not A Fan (it's really great too). I don't ever want to be a stalker or a fan.

I certainly don't have it all figured out, but this book really helped me realize some important stuff. Honestly, I could go on and on, but I've already made this post way too long. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend you do. It may just change your life!

(If you have read Love Does, I'd love to hear your thoughts!)

What I've Been Reading...

It's been quite a while since I've done an update on what I've been reading.  I actually read quite a bit believe or not.  Finding the time is the main problem, but I really enjoy it.  I mostly enjoy nonfiction books, but an occasional fiction book suits my fancy too.

Quite a while back (like last summer) I read Loving Frank.  It's based on the life of Frank Lloyd Wright.  To be honest, I didn't really like it.  It just didn't end well.  Since it holds pretty close to the actual story of his life, I guess the ending just is what it is.  Or was what it was I suppose.  So, I really don't recommend it.  If you want to read it anyway after that glowing review, here you go! Ha!

There's also been a big slew of books that I either started and didn't finish OR skimmed through and read parts that looked interesting.  For example,

I can't remember why I read some of this one.  Quite possibly, it was recommended on a random blog that I came across.  That's where I get most of my book recommendations.  I only read part of it.  There was a little bit of bad language, and it just didn't really fit my interests at the time.  But if you must, here you go!

Then for some reason that I don't even understand myself I read two books about the Kennedy family.  Come to the Edge was about John F. Kennedy Jr. and his girlfriend.  It was pretty interesting. 

Once Upon a Secret was interesting to read too.  It's written by one of JFK's supposed mistresses.  Of course, he's not here to back up (or deny) her story, but it sure sounded convincing! Also, you should know I am fairly naive and easily convinced.

Then the teacher in me read (parts of) these two books: Hope Against Hope and The Smartest Kids in the World

Both were informative, especially for those of us who work in education.

Somewhere along the way, someone recommended Girlfriends to me.  I'm always interested in the topic of friendship, so I read some of it too.  It was ok but didn't keep my attention very well.

Of course, there have been lots of cookbooks.  I ALWAYS read cookbooks.  In fact, it's kind of an obsession with me.  I own way too many, and I love to read them.  I read them like a novel.  It's a little disturbing.  I'm sure it all just links back to my crazy love of food.

So recently, I got on an Ina Garten kick.  I'm sure she's a lovely lady and chef, but she was just never one of my favorites.  I think she just seemed a little fancy for my little East Tennessee self.  Since I try hard not to get above my raisin' (because my brother Mike likes to remind me not to), I had never read any of her books.

Then I checked them out at the library.  And read them all.  There are eight.  And yes,  I read them all. I kept checking out the next one and then the next until Brian finally asked, "So what in the world is up with all the Ina lately?"  Ask me how many of her recipes from those eight cookbooks I've actually made.  On second thought, don't.

I also read parts of these two cookbooks too.

I read most of Anne Lamott's Traveling Mercies.  I didn't get to finish it because I renewed it the maximum number of times at the library, and the mean library ladies made me return it.  (They aren't really mean.  In fact, they know me by name because I am in there so much.  I also check out lots of books that I use in my classroom, and they have my number on speed dial to tell me my books are in! I'm pretty sure I keep the local library in business.)

I haven't read this one yet, but it's already on my nightstand.  So many writers I am familiar with have recommended it.  I am not a great writer by a long stretch, but I am interested...

Now, we need to talk about Bread & Wine.  Again, it was a book that I heard about from various blogs I read.  I just can't say enough about this book.  I loved it.  Loved. It. I had checked it out from the library instead of buying it.  Again, I renewed it the maximum times before my library friends pried it from my hands.  I'm going to stop here because it deserves it's own post. So stay tuned... 

I fell so in love with Shauna Niequist (see above) that I ordered my own copy of Bread & Wine as well as two of her other books (below).  I can't wait to read them!

I just finished Quitter today! I've been familiar with Jon Acuff for quite a while.  I read his first book and follow his blog.  He's a hilarious writer!

This is another one of his that I have already checked out and hope to read soon.

I couldn't wait to read The Antelope in the Living Room.  I've read Melanie's blog for years.  I was excited to meet her back in the fall.  She was just precious in person too!  Seriously y'all, I laughed out loud over and over again while I read it.  I finished it in one day because it was just that good. Her first book was just as funny, so I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. I highly recommend it.

I also bought Love Does recently, but I haven't started it yet.  Unless, of course, you count the times I've read big chunks while sitting in Barnes and Noble.  I have my highlighter ready and seriously can't wait!

When I ordered Love Does, I also ordered Hands Free Mama.  I "previewed" it at B&N too, and I can tell it will be right up my alley.

On the fiction front, these are next on my list: 

What Alice Forgot is about a women who wakes up from a fall to realize she's forgotten ten or so years of her life.  I actually started it a while back then got side-tracked by some other books.  Then the library ladies came calling.  As usual.  So I've checked it back out, but I have so many others currently in progress or waiting in the wings.  I hope I can get to it before they make me give it back. 

(Sidenote: When I started reading it, I had a dream that I couldn't remember important people and events in my life.  It was scary, so I hope finishing it won't make me have more scary dreams!)

I also already have this one checked out, but I doubt I'll get to it in time.  We'll see!

Oh, and this one too.  I've checked it out at least twice before this time.  I still haven't started it, but I keep getting it because so many people have said it's great.

And last, but oh so not least, there's Restless.  I am in the middle of this one now, and it is rocking my world.  When I first heard about it, I knew I needed to read it.  I'm SO GLAD that I am.  Most days I only read one chapter.  Since I'm using it to go along with my Bible study time, I am really taking my time with it.  I want to let it all sink in and am praying that God will really use this book to speak to me in some specific ways.  Like I said, I haven't finished it yet, but I really love it so far.

I think that just about catches me up on my reading list. Whew!

So, what have you been reading lately? I'd love some more ideas for books I should read!