What if

Reading. A love. A must.

It's important. And in most cases... I believe essential.

Reading takes your mind places it cannot go on it's own. Books house whole new worlds that expand the mind. Literature is so diverse. There are infinite topics... you can't tell me you're not interested in at least one. It's not only about learning, but amusement, wonder, challenges, and a sense that we're not alone.

I do not have this opinion simply because I am an education major. I suppose that could be a large part of it. Although, it is amazing how many education majors and teachers I meet that absolutely hate reading or maybe even worse are completely apathetic about about. I might be able to understand if a high school math teacher struggles with a love for reading, but any teacher who teaches all subjects (K-6th) should have a broad love for knowledge... that includes reading. Nearly every other subject requires it. It's the basis of knowledge. If you as the teacher don't have a passion for the basis of knowledge, how do you ever expect to light a fire in your students. It just completely blows my mind.


When it comes to spiritual maturity, I also believe that reading has an important role. First being that there is a book called the Bible... and the God of the universe who created your innermost being speaks to you through it. Secondly, there are so very many wise christians that have come before us. They struggled and mulled over a good deal of what we do currently. Quite a few were righteous people that sought God out and have some remarkable things to share. And lastly, it's important to know the theories and beliefs that float around in the modern day world. Some have foundation and like works from past followers can help us grow and learn. Others are nowhere near the truth but we have to be aware of them. When I think of people I know who are spiritually mature or are strong leaders, they are well read. I don't think that's a coincidence.


I'm not saying reading is the above all, end all and it's impossible to wise without. In today's culture there are many other options. Technology has exploded with other options for gaining information. It's just a matter of searching out the right information. The very thing that has made it easier for those who struggle with reading to learn has crippled many. We get bored too quickly and don't have the patience to sit down and read a book.

Needless to say, I have a passion for reading. I do not yet consider myself "well read", but I am working on it. I only wish there were more hours in the day for me to do all I need to and read as much as I would like to.



Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. ~Author Unknown

I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~Anna Quindlen, "Enough Bookshelves," New York Times

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers. ~Charles W. Eliot


The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them. ~Mark Twain, attributed
Books let us into their souls and lay open to us the secrets of our own. ~William Hazlitt

Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren't very new after all. ~Abraham Lincoln

TV. If kids are entertained by two letters, imagine the fun they'll have with twenty-six. Open your child's imagination. Open a book. ~Author Unknown

Books had instant replay long before televised sports. ~Bern Williams

To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting. ~Edmund Burke

Books - the best antidote against the marsh-gas of boredom and vacuity. ~George Steiner

Your Hands

Imagination

I love, love, loooooove the song Imagination by Bethany Dillon.
It is not only beautiful to listen to but the lyrics speak to my heart so much.

Imagination by Bethany Dillon

I need to be reminded of who I was
When I took my first steps out the door
All I said now follows me around
I'm reminded I'm not like that anymore

I uprooted and miles behind me
Are the faces and the home I love
You've brought to my attention
I'm slowly changing and becoming
What I wanted to stop

Isn't that just like a finite mind
Setting out with such righteous indignation
But now I'm at your feet
Could you look at me with some imagination

The bush before me, I slip my sandals off
I only stopped to look
In the depths of the sea, in the midst of a great storm
I run, I run from you

Isn't that just like a finite mind
Setting out with such righteous indignation
But now I'm at your feet
Could you look at me with some imagination

So remind me why you woke me up
And why you wake me every morn
The staff in my hand
Held in by your love
Just stay close, stay close

Because I know my own mind
I set out with righteous indignation
But when I'm at your feet
Please look at me with some imagination
With some imagination

The Swell Season

Joy

Album recommendation: Joy (live) by various artists from IHOP (International house of prayer). AMAZING.

"My God's not dead, he's surely live. He's livin' on the inside. Roarin' like a lion. He's alive, now I'm alive." -He's Alive by Laura Hackett & Cory Asbury

"Ain't no party like a Holy Ghost party, cause a Holy Ghost party don't stop." ;) - Holy Ghost Party by Cory Asbury

"We are your royal priesthood. My dad he's not angry. He's not disappointed with me." - Marriage Wine by John Rizzo

"Death as no hold me, sin has no hold me. You have the victory!" -Awakening Melody (Featuring Joshua Hawkins) by Justin Rizzo

Lament

I went rock climbing at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch in Arkansas yesterday with my two sisters and some friends from school. It was the youngest one’s birthday, she turned 16. :) The middle sister and I have had lots of issues here in the past… 4 years? :/ But yesterday was probably the best day we’d had in that length of time. I was able to just let things wash over me and focus on the beautiful of nature around me, my wonderful friends, and just loving her. I realized again yesterday something that I at times forget because we’re so busy arguing. She’s broken. As am I. I truly believe that only THE Rapha can heal us.

I’ve encountered lately more “anti-Jesus” thinking than usual. Usually it’s disguised as something that sounds amazing and true. But I know. I know where it will take us. I see it everyday. I see people dealing with even more brokenness than I have to deal with. I long for the day when all is right and the Lord comes for us. There’s so much depravity. I wish I could be a little girl again, with a mind oblivious to all the evil. I’m so emotionally involved in what I see. My heart aches for people I barely know who have dived into a game of justifying the immoral because they think it’s what they want and what will make them happy. I don’t want to be devoured by the jaws of corruption. But those people or I suppose the evil one (the sin not the sinner) try desperately to convince me that it is what I want… to relish in my desires in a way that has nothing to do with how God has planned for us to enjoy them. Oh to be home with my Father.