Rachel's Reflections

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

My favorite porch....

Some days are better than others. Sometimes I just wish I could dig myself a hole somewhere and come out when there has been a fix-all, cure producing magic wand for those who suffer with mental illness. Why the darkness that is within? I heard a song today and part of the lyrics were, 'the more you are broken the more the light shines through'....talking about the light of God. I suppose there is truth in that especially considering that, 'when I am weak, then I am strong.' Today was a dreary day, overcast with light rain most of the day. I needed the sun today.

Memories......

Sometimes when I can't sleep, I sit and think. Sometimes that can be dangerous. Sometimes that can be good. Depends on the day, err...night. Sometimes people get stuck on my mind, can't stop thinking about them. Tonight I was going through 238 GB worth of pictures and came across the Vacation Bible School pictures from 2012. Among those pictures, were a few of Ms. Patty that made me smile. It's weird sometimes to look at a picture of people interacting, (most of the pictures I take, I do so candidly) and yet the knowledge that one of those people is no longer with us makes the hurt ever present but it also feels surreal. Like the end of the Sandlot movie when they fade away the players at the final game and tell you what they went on to do. I wish there was some synopsis of what those who have gone on before us, went to do. We are left with a mystery, we know they are in a better place, but what are they doing?

This is humanity's last chance. Centuries of greed, pride, and hate have sent mankind hurtling toward disaster, and far from its original purpose. There is only one solution that can reset the compass and right the ship-and that answer is only two words.

With time running out, it is up to David Ponder and a cast of history's best and brightest minds to uncover this solution before it is too late. The catch? They are allowed only five tries to solve the ominous challenge.

My thoughts:

I recall hearing this name before and being curious about reading one of this books. This seemed like the best opportunity to do so. It is a fascinating book that pulls history into the mix. Being that I am not a huge fan of history, this fact made this not one of my favorite books but still a good read. I like how he uses history to tell his story with many great figures from history.

Couples Who Pray

I enjoyed reading the book, Couples Who Pray. It was a powerful reminder of the scripture verse, Matthew 18:20, For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them. It seems easy to get lost in this world, everywhere you turn there is chaos and broken hearts. If more couples spent more time praying together, there would probably be less arguing. In this book they talk about how if a couple would commit to just praying for five minutes a day that they would see improvement in their relationships. They would see better communication, more respect, happiness and satisfaction, as well as more agreements and less tension. I would recommend this book.

Max Lucado Max on Life

We have questions. Child-like inquiries. And deep, heavy ones.

In more than twenty-five years of writing and ministry, Max Lucado has received thousands of such questions. They come in letters, e-mails, even on Dunkin Donuts napkins. In Max on Life he offers thoughtful answers to more than 170 of the most pressing questions on topics ranging from hope to hurt and from home to the hereafter.
Max writes about the role of prayer, the purpose of pain, and the reason for our ultimate hope. He responds to the day-to-day questions—parenting quandaries, financial challenges, difficult relationships—as well as to the profound: Is God really listening?
A special addendum includes Max’s advice on writing and publishing.
Including topical and scriptural indexes and filled with classic Lucado encouragement and insight,Max on Life will quickly become a favorite resource for pastors and ministry leaders as well as new and mature believers.

My thoughts:

I am a huge fan of Max Lucado, so I might be a little partial in my review! I have always enjoyed the way he shares insight and wisdom. I 'get' what he is saying, never feel like it is over the top, yet always profound and thought provoking. I enjoyed the question and answer format of this book. It was a little different that other books that I have read by him. I like one particular question, though I can't remember the question I do remember part of the answer being that, "A real man leads his wife to the things she loves to do." I had to think on that for a minute but something about it stuck with me. I also enjoyed his definition of 'counselor' which, "...means many things, such as friend or helper, two people you need the most when you move into unfamiliar territory...he will come alongside you and fill you with peace and move in your heart as never before." I like his thoughts about God never sending us anywhere alone and that life is constantly moving and changing and yet the Holy Spirit remains at our side. I enjoyed the scripture and the thoughts and the positive affirmations. I would definitely recommend this book.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Ice Cream for lunch?!?!

Today has been one of those days. You know the days where you try to do one little thing, and you end up having to do a whole list of other little things just to get that little thing done you wanted to do! A couple years ago when we transitioned Ivan out of the crib, we went right into a twin bed. We bought the boys bunk beds that could be used separately as twin beds and for the last how many ever years, that is how they have been used. This morning, Dennis said, 'I know what we can do today, lets put the boys bunk beds together.' I walked into their room and turned the light on and looked at the piles of toys, crammed everywhere....papers, dust, books, Lego's, Lego's, Lego's.....I turned the light off walked out to the living room and said, 'how about I clean out from under their beds and organize all the toys this week and next weekend we can put the bunk beds together.' So that was the plan. After having spent yesterday at Connors, I was kind of hoping today would be a quiet day to lounge around the house. Dennis said we could put the beds together next weekend but he wanted to put the ladder and guardrails together today...he got started on that and I got started on laundry. When he was finished, I said well we might as well just go ahead and put the beds together.....if you give a mouse a cookie....so we pulled the beds out and oh my were there a lot of toys stuffed under their beds....