Book: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

 

I read this book every few years, and every single time I literally can't put it down. I love the story and it speaks really deep into my heart. I remember a few years ago I had the opportunity to study Hosea in my Bible college under a really neat prof who loved all things Israel. But it really was this book that got me into the meat of the story of redemption.This honest book is about a man pursuing a woman who is stripped away of her own identity and self worth....its a beautiful beautiful tale of redeeming love.
One of my favorite verses is:

Hosea 6:1

Come let us return to the Lord! He has torn us in pieces, now He will heal us. He has injured us; now He will bandage our wounds. In just a short time, He will restore us so we can live in His presence. Oh that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know Him! Then He will respond to us surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring!

Inspirations...Journals

I have a couple places to outlet my need for writing. I had 4 journals stacked on my dresser a few weeks ago and my sweet bf looked at them and laughed and said "I guess thats a normal amount of journals for you." I have a purpose for each one.

• One writes my thoughts...my secrets...verses.....worries and hopes.

• One records little snippets of my day so I can remember what I have to do each day.

• One is a precious journal devotional, My Utmost For His Highest, that was given to me as a Christmas present, and that I have been slowly working my way through. I love this book so much.

• And the last is my sermon journal. I have been listening to Tim Keller and Mark Driscoll recently, and this little book records the interesting things I have learned, but also helps me keep track of the ones I have listened to.

I am a paper gal. I love paper. I am intrigued by kindles and kobo readers and all those electronic toys that could store thousands of books at my fingertips....but I wouldn't trade that for my bookshelf of books. I have collected them for years. I still have children's books from my childhood, thriftstore books found in Bible College, books from Japan and New York, and gifts and on and on....and I would never give those up for a million years. I guess its the same with journals. I do write electronically. I have a few blogs. I sometimes even write myself emails when I have to outlet quickly because typing is just so much faster! But I wouldn't trade writing on paper with a good pen for the world! There is nothing like it! (I say, as I type into my electronic blog....just believe me! hahah)

The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium.  ~Norbet Platt

Book: The Hobbit-J.R. R. Tolkien

 

I started this book and I am so surprised I have never read it before. I love it! Coincidentally, I am also getting through the Lord of the Rings Trilogy extended version Blue Rays. I am so excited to watch The Hobbit this Christmas. I feel like the LOTR just makes me enjoy the Hobbit even more, or maybe it's the Hobbit that makes me enjoy LOTR. But I am enjoying the back story connections  and J.R.R.'s humorous enjoyable storytelling.