Another book report!

About a week ago I finished reading this book (I know, Surprise! I've actually been reading books from start to finish - let's hope this continues. . .), Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung. I loved this book, and not only because he's Dutch and reformed. He's committed to helping Christians understand the biblical view of decision making in the big and small things of life. There's a lot of scriptural depth in this book, but it's also easy to read and rather funny at times. Often we (I) can be so concerned about discovering God's will that we lose sight of who God is and what He has already commanded us to do/think/say as we live life for him each day. I highly recommend you get your hands on this short book. . .and or just listen to this sermon that he gave to men (but applicable to all) at a conference a while back. Many of the points/examples he mentions in the hour long sermon are mentioned in the book. Be ready to underline/take notes. Let me know what you think! In light of just doing something, I'm off to watch a movie I rented (Coco Chanel) as I sip hot chocolate. Have a lovely weekend, and by all means - just do something!

Hope in New Life

As I was walking along a park, from the bart train station to my apartment, I came across this tree and just had to take a picture. Seeing the buds on these branches bursting open, and unfolding in beauty, in the warmth of the sunlight brought so much peace and hope as I think about my life. Just as this tree comes into bloom year after year after year, because of Christ this can be true of my life as well. I choose, because of grace, to burst open, year after year, and more so (hopefully) day after day.

A friend just told me that when she thought about her future she used to picture a huge black hole. But instead she now chooses to picture a sun rising over an ocean with a whole bright day ahead of her. I want a similar picture to come to mind when I think about my future. What comes to mind right now this is blossoming tree. I know that 2011 will bring change. My hair will grow (and then I'll cut it), I'll get some new things, I'll try some new things, and most importantly I'll continue to take steps of faith in areas of my life. In all these things, and more, I want to have hope and peace as I put one foot in front of another. This is only possible if I keep Christ's perspective and remember that He's worth living for - life is new in Him, because of Him, and for Him daily. I am so thankful!

Cold Tangerines

Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist is the first book I started and finished in 2011. It's a rarity for me to read books so quickly, but I devoured this one and highly recommend that you do likewise. The chapters are short vignettes about life, and what it looks like to embrace and celebrate it for what it is - in the midst of the combination of light/dark, easy/hard, clear/muddled, hopeful/hopeless, exciting/mundane that we experience in each and every day. I really loved the author's writing style, and she's even reminded me of my love for writing - that I'm typically too lazy to develop much past the skills I honed in the 7th grade. Here's to turning a new leaf, yet again. And I can't wait to start (and finish) her second book, Bittersweet. Perhaps there will be a book report on the way for that one as well!

Happy New Year!

With every sunset comes a sunrise - even when clouds or sleep obstruct our view, days end and days begin again - all thanks to the grace (an undeserved gift) of God toward us. I'm thankful for this new year and the 365 (well, now 351. . .) more mornings, and new mercies, that will come with it. I hope to continue to grow to walk by faith, not by sight ("out of sight, out of mind" does not and should not apply to a relationship with Jesus!) - whether I can see the beautiful sun rises and sets of each day or not.

I got to thinking about sunsets because of the beautiful one I saw this evening in the bay area. I arrived home at 5:14 to find that a package I had been waiting for (computer charger that I left at the hotel where Winter Conference was held) was actually waiting for me in Richmond since I was not home to receive it when UPS came to deliver. The postcard explained that the customer service desk would be open til 6PM and if I don't pick it up today it would be shipped back to San Diego. That's the last thing I wanted so at 5:17 I was pulling out of my drive way to make a 35+ minute drive in heavy traffic, hoping to get to UPS before they shut their doors.

Along the way I noticed a breath-taking sunset and I realized (again) that regardless of if I get my computer charger or not, it's much more about the journey rather then the destination. How I want to continue to enjoy the sweetness of the beauty and hope of life in each passing moment and how thankful I am for the reminder to do so. Though, I must say, I am happy to report that I pulled up at 6PM (on.the.dot.) and made 3 men smile as I excitedly rushed in to retrieve my package just in the nick of time. As I left, they locked the door behind me and I breathed a sigh of relief as I drove home - reflecting all the more on the beauty of the sunset and the joy found in the unexpected small things in each day.

Here's to fresh perspective on the 14th day of 2011!