Exposed

When we had our wood floors put in, we had to box up all of our many books so that the study furniture could be moved. This weekend we finally tackled the job of going through all of our books, making a pile for Half Priced Books, and then organizing the rest. I ran across a book that I've heard a lot of great things about, but haven't read yet called How We Love by Milan and Kay Yerkovich. I opened the book and read the dedication, which made me laugh out loud:
"To our four children, who effortlessly exposed every character flaw we didn't even know we had."
I just love that, because it is so very true. Parenting these little ones has a way of peeling away those layers of dysfunction, one day at a time. I can't think of anything that drives me to God's throne more than my inadequacy as a parent, along with the huge responsibility of bringing them up well.
It may take me a year, but I'm finally going to read this book!

I can't just stop at one...

In my last post I gave my John Piper recommendation, but I have to add another...

Go here and read the reviews on Desiring God-Meditations of a Christian Hedonist.

You'll see why that just has to be on your fall reading list. In fact, I'm going to get it out and read it again myself. Many people site this book as one of the most important books they've read, other than the bible, in their Christian walk.

For me, this book answered many questions I'd had for a long time.


***Update*** I forgot to mention that many of John Piper's books are available on-line, for free, here.

Name that bedside table

I bet you can't tell whose is whose, or maybe you can. I know it could be worse, but it does drive me somewhat crazy that Scott reads so much.

Don't get me wrong, I love to read as well, as you can see from the picture, but I also like to be able to enjoy me some webbed-toe girls on The Bachelor without feeling sooooo guilty about it.

Knowing your husband is spending The Bachelor hour sifting through C.S. Lewis just takes some of the fun out of it.

I know some of you are just aghast right now, and really, I don't blame you.

I'm just say'n....

Anyway, my friend Julie over at the Peapod Four posted her fall reading list, and well, let's just say I don't think she spends a lot of time watching The Bachelor.

She asked me what John Piper book I would recommend, and I'm having a hard time deciding. There are so many great ones, so I'm still thinking about what would be a good introduction to the world of John Piper.

Really, after reading this post, I doubt she'll be taking my advice on anything important.

But just for the record, I've heard John Piper say many, many times he doesn't watch much TV at all b/c there is really nothing worth watching. I totally agree with him in theory. So just b/c I happen to love him and have, on occasion, watched The Bachelor, please don't hold it against him. You can pray for me now if you haven't already.

For thoses 2 of you who also, on occasion, catch The Bachelor, by accident of course, you have to go here for the recap.

I doubt I will hit Publish on this post, because the guilt feelings associated with posting about The Bachelor and John Piper in the same post are almost too much to bear. I am going to need major therapy, well more major therapy than I did before. It's almost too much to take.

Okay, I think I've come up with my book recommendation....
Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper

Now how's that for irony??? Read this book and you will be shocked at the irony. Let's just say this, I am a work in progress. Some areas need a little more work than others, but John Piper has been a huge influence in getting me going in the right direction. Thank you, John Piper, you have helped God begin a good work in me. May no man, or should I say Bachelor, lead me astray!