amazing love! how can it be?

Posted on June 11, 2017 by Anne

On Memorial Day weekend, we attended the baptism of sweet Kenna. I was moved to tears – so many tears! – of gratitude that she has believing parents who are part of a joyful, loving church family. She will always hear about Jesus and the gospel. One of the hymns we sang that morning was a favorite of mine, and Kenna couldn’t help dancing to it, either.

I grew up with the original version by Charles Wesley, but I love the Indelible Grace arrangement. So much joy!

Amazing Love

1. And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me who caused His pain!
For me who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be That
Thou, my God, should die for me?

Chorus: Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!

2. He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace!
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race.
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

3. Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

4. No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own

2016 reading wrap-up

Posted on December 27, 2016 by Anne

As I’ve mentioned, I made my 2016 reading goals via the Challies 2016 Reading Challenge. I didn’t quite make it, but I’m okay with that because I feel like my reading life was reinvigorated this year, even as my work life was super busy . I didn’t stick to the categories in the reading challenge, but this rule-follower is actually okay with that, too. Here’s what I read this year, followed by my five favorites of the year:

A book about Christian living: Be Still, My Soul (25 Classic and Contemporary Readings on the Problem of Pain). I started this one last year and finished it on New Year’s Day.

I recommend this collection of essays from noted theologians like J.I. Packer, Joni Eareckson Tada, Martin Luther, and John Piper. My favorite essay was from D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.

A biography: Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More, Poet, Abolitionist, Reformer by Karen Swallows Prior

This is a fascinating read that I will be thinking about long after today. I hope to share more soon.

A self-improvement book: The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy by Jon Gordon

We’re going through this book at work. It’s a quick read, so I finished it in just a few days.

A classic novel: Lord of the Flies by William Golding

How in the world did I miss this book all these years? It was a page-turner, and I loved its depths. I’ll be thinking about it for a long time. If you haven’t read it yet, don’t wait!

A book about productivity: Do More Better: A Practical Guide to Productivity by Tim Challies

This was another good read. I’m planning to set aside some time this coming weekend to set up the system he recommends. I appreciated how he reminds the reader why we should strive to be productive.

A book about theology: Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds by Jen Wilkin

This is a really good resource for women who want to know God’s Word better. It is both practical and encouraging, and I’ll be referring to it again, I’m sure.

A book about joy or happiness: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

I didn’t love this one. Part of the problem may have been the format; I listened to the book on my commute via Audible, and I don’t think it’s a book that works that way. The author read it, and I found her voice distracting. Also, she would periodically read excerpts from emails or blog comments, and I had trouble distinguishing when she was referring to herself or reading something someone else wrote. I suspect I would have taken more away from the book if I’d actually read it. There are a few ideas that have stuck with me, however. One was an idea she repeated: being heavy is easy, but being light-hearted is hard. It takes effort. Also, she talked about the idea of enthusiasm as a form of social courage. I’ve thought about that one a good bit, too. If you’re looking for a book on happiness, I think Happiness Is a Serious Problem by Dennis Prager is a better choice.

A book that won a ECPA Christian Book award: Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas

I’ve owned this one on Kindle for a long time, and countless people have recommended it to me but for some reason I’ve only just now gotten to it. It’s very good. I really appreciate good biographies as a way to learn more history, and although I’d heard and read a bit about Bonhoeffer through the years, I’d never known the full story in the context of Nazi Germany. I wish I’d been able to read this before I visited Berlin a few years ago. Anyway, if you haven’t read it yet, I recommend it.

A book with a one-word title: Feed by M.T. Anderson

Yuck. I really, really didn’t like this book, but I have this compulsion to see a book all the way through, hoping that surely it gets better. It didn’t.

A book with the word “gospel” in the title or subtitle: Gossip and the Gospel: Understanding the Harmful Effects of Gossip in the Church – Timothy Williams

I was disappointed in this one. There’s some good stuff here – some painful conviction and some guidance on handling gossip, slander, etc. But there are also verses out of context and some condemnation that lacks the Gospel.

A memoir: The Death of Santini: The Story of a Father and His Son by Pat Conroy

I’ve wanted to read this one for a while now, but it moved up in the queue upon the author’s recent passing. Pat Conroy was a master of the English language, and as a southerner I especially appreciate his love of the south. Even though he made peace with his father, his story is still a very sad one. “In families, there are no crimes beyond forgiveness.”

A mystery or detective novel: The Gods of Guilt by Michael Connelly

I enjoy Connelly’s stories, but this one wasn’t my favorite. It got better about 3/4 of the way in, but just wasn’t a stand out.

A book you own but have never read: A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken

This one has been on my shelf for years, and many folks have recommended it. I enjoyed it, but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations after all of the rave reviews.

A book by a female author: The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert

I really cannot recommend this one at all. I really enjoyed the first part, but then it took a strange, slow, ultimately boring turn. I didn’t like any of the characters, either. Very disappointing.

A novel set in a country that is not your own: The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway

This one is good. I visited Sarajevo a few years ago, so I could picture the scenes as I read. I’ve put more of his books on my to-read list.

A book with an ugly cover: Blood Defense (Samantha Brinkmann Book 1) by Marcia Clark

This one was free on Kindle recently, so I gave it a try. It was a decent thriller, and I read the whole thing hearing Maria Clark’s voice as the narrator.

I can’t find a proper category for this one, so I’ve made up my own — A science fiction book that Anne didn’t hate: The Martian by Andy Weir

Although too science-y at times, this story moved along. The main character is hilarious. Now, I can finally watch the movie.

A book about a country or city: Paris by Edward Rutherford

I love Rutherford’s novels. He weaves stories with history and makes a place come alive in a most compelling way. This one was no exception. Now I really want to return to Paris.

A book about relationships or friendship: The Friendship Factor by Alan Loy McGinnis

I wish I could remember where I saw this book recommended so I could give proper credit, but alas, I cannot. It was a fairly quick read with some helpful encouragement. Kindle isn’t the best format for reading books like this, however. It would be nice to have a paper copy to flip back through.

A book about prayer: Praying Backwards: Transform Your Prayer Life by Beginning in Jesus’ Name by Bryan Chapell

It took me a ridiculously long time to finish this book, and I think I would have liked it more if I’d read it more diligently. He makes some good points, but if you’re looking for a good book on prayer, I’d recommend Paul Miller’s A Praying Life.

A book with 100 pages or fewer: Found: God’s Peace — Experience True Freedom from Anxiety in Everything by John MacArthur

This is a quick read, and honestly I found it too simplistic. If you’re truly struggling with anxiety, get thee to the Psalms (which, to be fair, MacArthur does recommend). Books like this frustrate me because they make a complicated problem sound so easy to solve.

A Christian novel: The Hammer of God by Bo Giertz

I was inspired to read this one by this article, which called this “the best Christian novel you’ve never heard of.” That is probably overstating it, but I enjoyed it and will be thinking about some of the story lines for a while. I marked several beautiful lines and passages.

A book published in 2016: Everything We Keep: A Novel by Kerry Lonsdale

I got this one for free via Amazon’s Kindle First deal. It was compelling enough to draw me in, but it had some weaknesses. There were some just plain unbelievable events and some things didn’t add up. It was a good beach read, even though I didn’t read it at the beach.

I’m making up another category — A book that’s part of a series that I feel compelled to see through: Mightier Than the Sword: A Novel (Clifton Chronicles Book 5) by Jeffrey Archer

I couldn’t pass this one up when the Kindle version was marked down several months ago. I usually enjoy Archer’s fiction, but this series has too many coincidences. Each book ends with a cliffhanger, however, that necessitates purchasing the next book.

A book with at least 400 pages: Everyone Brave Is Forgiven by Chris Cleave

This one is just lovely — beautifully written, at once sorrowful and hopeful. Set in London in World War II, the story isn’t fast-paced, but the characters and prose are compelling.

A book based on a true story: The Swans of Fifth Avenue: A Novel by Melanie Benjamin

This one is one of the most fun books I’ve read this year. Based on the story of how Truman Capote betrayed his “swans” — high society ladies who lunch — by writing about the stories they’d confided in him, it’s tragic but well written.

A memoir: A Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas

This one came with high praise — it’s Stephen King’s favorite memoir. I can’t say that I “enjoyed” it because it’s sad, but she is a good writer.

A book about adoption: The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

This book was recommended for ISTJs by Modern Mrs. Darcy, so I just had to read it. And I really enjoyed this one, y’all! Sweet, sad, hopeful, and full of book quotes and references. I jotted down lots of quotes.

A book with a great cover: The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro

I really wanted to like this one, but it was just meh to me.

A book about science:

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg

This one was interesting and worth the read.

Fiction:

The Things We Wish Were True by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen

This one was free on Kindle, and I saw it recommended somewhere else. It was another one in the “meh” category.

Non-fiction/Business:

The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate the Three Essential Virtues by Patrick M. Lencioni

We read this one in our office book club. Much of the book is a parable, and then the author explains the three virtues for the remainder. Good stuff to think about.

Fiction:

Along the Infinite Sea by Beatriz Williams

This one was another mediocre one for me. It had potential, but didn’t land for me.

A book on the current New York Times list of best sellers:

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

This one lived up to the hype, and I’m so glad because I’ve had a run of disappointing books going. I cried at the conclusion, and I never cry when reading. (Movies and tv are a different story.)

Fiction:

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

This one was really good, and it restored my hope that there is some good modern fiction out there.

Fiction:

The Course of Love: A Novel by Alain de Botton

Modern Mrs. Darcy recommended this one, and it is a very unusual book. But I found myself copying down passages (it was a library copy, so I couldn’t mark it up). Lots to think about in this one.

Fiction:

The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney

And now back to mediocre fiction. People seem to either love or hate this one, but I found myself thinking “meh.”

A book written by an author with initials in his/her name:

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J. D. Vance

This one lived up to the hype. He’s a great story-teller, and he draws some conclusions that shouldn’t be ignored.

Fiction:

Good as Gone: A Novel of Suspense by Amy Gentry

And we’re still in the mediocre fiction rut. This one was a Book of the Month Club selection. It’s a decent beach read, but honestly I’ll never give it another thought.

Fiction:

Still Life by Louise Penny

Everyone and her mother seems to be recommending this series, and this is the first I’ve read. I’m not sure that I’ll pick up another. To be fair, it took me too long to read it, so I couldn’t keep the threads of the story straight.

Fiction:

The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls by Anton DiSclafani

I really liked this one for about the first half, and after that I just forced myself to finish it. Too much ickiness for my tastes.

Non-fiction:

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink

Interesting read. Lots of suggestions and exercises at the back of the book, too.

A book written by a Puritan:

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners by John Bunyan

A classic. I strung it out too long and lost the flow, but I still found some nuggets.

Non-fiction:

Blog, Inc.: Blogging for Passion, Profit, and to Create Community by Joy Deangdeelert Cho

This one was really cheap on Kinde, and I’d hoped for some tips to reinvigorate the old blog. There was nothing new here, though. Bet you wish there were! 😉

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So that’s it. I read 44 books this year. Here’s my top five, in no particular order:

1. Paris by Edward Rutherford

2. The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

3. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

4. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

5. Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J. D. Vance

I’ve got a plan for my 2017 reading. Stay tuned & Happy Reading!

**Full disclosure: When you click on any of the book links here at georgianne and then make a purchase, Amazon tosses a few pennies my way. Thanks for supporting my book habit!

“We have allowed our love stories to end way too early.”

Posted on December 2, 2016 by Anne

A few lines from The Course of Love by Alain de Botton:

Our understanding of love has been hijacked and beguiled by its first distractingly moving moments. We have allowed our love stories to end way too early. We seem to know far too much about how love starts, and recklessly little about how it might continue.

…and she is curious because she knows, better than most, that there is no one more likely to destroy us than the person we marry.

He would find it so much easier to give blood to an injured child in Badakhshan or to carry water to a family in Kandahar than to lean across and say sorry to his wife.

Kirsten wants a blow-by-blow account because that’s how she copes with anxiety: she hangs on to and arranges the facts. She doesn’t want to let on directly quite how worried she is. Her style is to be reserved and focus on the administrative side. Rabin wants to scream or break something.

monday miscellany

Posted on November 28, 2016 by Anne

A collection from around the internet:

~ Dying to self in the age of self-love

~ For those who fail every day:

We are so easily consumed by our circumstances and our failures. We need to be persuaded that what makes the difference is God-centeredness—a deep conviction that God is in the midst of our day-to-day living, a trust not in the quality of our situation, but in the character of our Creator.

~ 5 truths for sleepless nights

~ Why Christians love books

~ It’s not just grammar; it’s clear thinking.

Happy Monday!

shutting it down

Posted on November 13, 2016 by Anne

I’ve been thinking about it for a while now, and I’ve decided it’s time to close down the blog. I simply don’t have the time to do a decent job of updating it, and it’s become just another thing I feel guilty about not doing well.

I started blogging many years ago — it seems like a lifetime ago — and it was an online journal of sorts. I took it down when my life took a drastic turn, and I blogged privately for a time. Eventually I started blogging here. It’s been a fun run, and I’ve “met” some great folks. Composing blog posts when I’m driving or in the shower will probably remain a habit for a long time.

This domain expires next month, so I’m not sure if it will all go *poof* when I don’t renew. I’m still posting photos on Instagram, so if you’re interested, you can follow me there.

So aloha and bye y’all!

“Change occurs among other people…”

Posted on August 17, 2016 by Anne

From The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg:

When people join groups where change seems possible, the potential for that change to occur becomes more real. For most people who overhaul their lives, there are no seminal moments or life-altering disasters. There are simply communities–sometimes of just one other person–who make change believable…

“Change occurs among other people,” one of the psychologists involved in the study, Todd Heatherton, told me. “It seems real when we can see it in other people’s eyes.”

…Belief is easier when it occurs within a community.

3 Link Thursday

Posted on August 4, 2016 by Anne

In lieu of Monday Miscellany, here are three links that have made me think — on a Thursday:

~ From one of my new favorites, Modern Mrs. Darcy: Is that novel worth your time?

~ The great enemy of self control is feeling:

Your life should be built on fact. Theological fact first. The way the world actually is, second, meaning natural revelation. I would put math third. All such facts are just the way a foundation ought to be—hard, cold, rigid concrete. It doesn’t wobble. If you anchor your feelings to such facts, the end result is that your feelings will be disciplined by them, and you will finally be able to enjoy your feelings. Feelings are like children—when they are wild and undisciplined they are no fun at all. Little hellions is what they are. Nothing worse than chaotic feelings with runny noses.

~ George Orwell, call your office.

monday miscellany

Posted on July 18, 2016 by Anne

Links that have caught my eye recently:

~ Why Venezuela putting its food supply under military control is so chilling.

~ Speaking of socialism, is Obama a socialist or a fascist? Thomas Sowell:

It bothers me a little when conservatives call Barack Obama a “socialist.” He certainly is an enemy of the free market, and wants politicians and bureaucrats to make the fundamental decisions about the economy. But that does not mean that he wants government ownership of the means of production, which has long been a standard definition of socialism.

What President Obama has been pushing for, and moving toward, is more insidious: government control of the economy, while leaving ownership in private hands. That way, politicians get to call the shots but, when their bright ideas lead to disaster, they can always blame those who own businesses in the private sector.

Politically, it is heads-I-win when things go right, and tails-you-lose when things go wrong. This is far preferable, from Obama’s point of view, since it gives him a variety of scapegoats for all his failed policies, without having to use President Bush as a scapegoat all the time.

~ TWA 800: The great untold story of our time

Well, I had more links, but WordPress ate them. This will have to do for now.

Happy Monday!

2016 Reading Challenge

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Anne

As I’ve mentioned, I plan to work through Challies 2016 Reading Challenge. I’ll update my list here as I complete each category.

A book about Christian living: Be Still, My Soul (25 Classic and Contemporary Readings on the Problem of Pain). I started this one last year and finished it on New Year’s Day.

I recommend this collection of essays from noted theologians like J.I. Packer, Joni Eareckson Tada, Martin Luther, and John Piper. My favorite essay was from D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.

A biography: Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More, Poet, Abolitionist, Reformer by Karen Swallows Prior

This is a fascinating read that I will be thinking about long after today. I hope to share more soon.

A self-improvement book: The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy by Jon Gordon

We’re going through this book at work. It’s a quick read, so I finished it in just a few days.

A classic novel: Lord of the Flies by William Golding

How in the world did I miss this book all these years? It was a page-turner, and I loved its depths. I’ll be thinking about it for a long time. If you haven’t read it yet, don’t wait!

A book about productivity: Do More Better: A Practical Guide to Productivity by Tim Challies

A book about theology: Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds by Jen Wilkin

This is a really good resource for women who want to know God’s Word better. It is both practical and encouraging, and I’ll be referring to it again, I’m sure.

A book about joy or happiness: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

A book that won a ECPA Christian Book award: Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas I’ve owned this one on Kindle for a long time, and countless people have recommended it to me but for some reason I’ve only just now gotten to it. It’s very good. I really appreciate good biographies as a way to learn more history, and although I’d heard and read a bit about Bonhoeffer through the years, I’d never known the full story in the context of Nazi Germany. I wish I’d been able to read this before I visited Berlin a few years ago. Anyway, if you haven’t read it yet, I recommend it.

A book with a one-word title: Feed by M.T. Anderson Yuck. I really, really didn’t like this book, but I have this compulsion to see a book all the way through, hoping that surely it gets better. It didn’t.

A book with the word “gospel” in the title or subtitle: Gossip and the Gospel: Understanding the Harmful Effects of Gossip in the Church – Timothy Williams I was disappointed in this one. There’s some good stuff here – some painful conviction and some guidance on handling gossip, slander, etc. But there are also verses out of context and some condemnation that lacks the Gospel.

A memoir: The Death of Santini: The Story of a Father and His Son by Pat Conroy I’ve wanted to read this one for a while now, but it moved up in the queue upon the author’s recent passing. Pat Conroy was a master of the English language, and as a southerner I especially appreciate his love of the south. Even though he made peace with his father, his story is still a very sad one. “In families, there are no crimes beyond forgiveness.”

A mystery or detective novel: The Gods of Guilt by Michael Connelly I enjoy Connelly’s stories, but this one wasn’t my favorite. It got better about 3/4 of the way in, but just wasn’t a stand out.

A book you own but have never read: A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken This one has been on my shelf for years, and many folks have recommended it. I enjoyed it, but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations after all of the rave reviews.

A book by a female author: The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert I really cannot recommend this one at all. I really enjoyed the first part, but then it took a strange, slow, ultimately boring turn. I didn’t like any of the characters, either. Very disappointing.

A novel set in a country that is not your own: The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway This one is good. I visited Sarajevo a few years ago, so I could picture the scenes as I read. I’ve put more of his books on my to-read list.

A book with an ugly cover: Blood Defense (Samantha Brinkmann Book 1) by Marcia Clark This one was free on Kindle recently, so I gave it a try. It was a decent thriller, and I read the whole thing hearing Maria Clark’s voice the whole time.

A book someone tells you “changed my life”:

A commentary on a book of the Bible:

A book your pastor recommends:

A book more than 100 years old:

A book for children:

A book published in 2016:

A book about a current issue:

A book written by a Puritan:

A book recommended by a family member:

A book by or about a missionary:

A novel that won the Pulitzer Prize:

A book written by an Anglican:

A book with at least 400 pages:

A book by C.S. Lewis or J.R.R. Tolkien:

A book that has a fruit of the Spirit in the title:

A book with a great cover:

A book on the current New York Times list of best sellers:

A book about church history:

A graphic novel:

A book of poetry:

A book from a theological viewpoint you disagree with:

A book written by an author with initials in his/her name:

A book about worldview:

A play by William Shakespeare:

A humorous book:

A book based on a true story:

A book written by Jane Austen:

A book by or about Martin Luther:

A book with 100 pages or fewer:

A book about money or finance:

A book about music:

A book whose title comes from a Bible verse:

A book you have started but never finished:

A book by David McCullough:

A book about abortion:

A book targeted at the other gender:

A book by a speaker at a conference you have attended:

A book written by someone of a different ethnicity:

**Full disclosure: When you click on any of the book links here at georgianne and then make a purchase, Amazon tosses a few pennies my way. Thanks for supporting my book habit!

miscellany: knitting edition

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Anne

greyred ~ The health benefits of knitting:

Using your hands meaningfully triggers healthy engagement and activity in about 60 percent of your brain, said Alton Barron. The rhythmic, mathematical nature of knitting and crocheting keep the mind absorbed in a healthy way, providing an escape from stressful thoughts but allowing for internal reflection, said Carrie Barron.

While television can engage people from the outside, the mind requires stimulation from within in order to “free associate” or think imaginatively, she said. The psychiatrist suspects the return to knitting is a response to the rise in technology, much like the arts and craft movement followed the industrial revolution.

~ Knitting makes humans warmer & happier.

~ The secret to becoming a great knitter.

~ Avoiding ears when casting on and off.

~ A ravel of knitting words:

The word that started it all, the verb knit has been used in English since about 1000 AD. It derived from the Old English word cnyttan, which means “to tie in a knot,” which was its first meaning. By the 1300s, the verb referred to tying string or thread into a net, and in 1530, we have our first use of knit to refer to the creation of an object by weaving together a series of interlocking loops using two needles (“I knyt bonettes or hosen.”)

From the verb, we get the noun knit showing up in the late 1500s. It initially referred to a knit stitch, one of the two foundation stitches that make up all knitting (as in, “work in knit for two rows”), then came to be used for knitted fabric (“knit stretches more than lawn“) and items made by knitting (“hand-wash delicate knits“).

~ Fuzzy Goat is simply the best local yarn shop. If you’re ever in Thomasville, Georgia, it’s definitely worth stopping by. Tell Cadence I sent you. 🙂

~Happy knitting, y’all!