this day with God: a book spine poem by Jenny

My friend Jenny sent me this book spine poem.

Pride and prejudice,
The inheritance of loss,
Girl in hyacinth blue.
Recapture the wonder,
Keep a quiet heart,
Turning points.
The hunger games,
Love and respect,
Sheet music,
This day with God.

Ah, yes! How well I know it! The small struggles and beauties of a day with God.

For more book spine poems written in response to my meme, see Meredith, Ali and Ali, and Erin - and check out Ben, who beat us to it.

If you'd like to see your own poem on this blog, send a photo and a written version to this address.

book spine poetry: hoping for something better

Speaking of poetry, have you heard of  book spine poetry? My friend Kath introduced me to the concept. You can see some examples here.

Just for fun, here's my very own book spine poem (the first book is the heading). How many of the titles and authors do you recognize?

hoping for something better

Until the day break
The scent of water
The hollow hills
The endless steppe
The remains of the day
The last battle
Homecoming
Cry, the beloved country
How long, O Lord?
Till we have faces.

Create your own book spine poem, send a picture to my email address, and you might see it on this blog. I can't wait to see what you come up with!

If you're a blogger, here's a challenge. I'm starting a meme. Here are the rules (free free to ignore them):

• Create a book spine poem (examples here).
• Take a picture.
• Post it on your blog.
• Link back to this post.
• Tag another blogger, or two, or ten.

I'm tagging my poetry and/or book loving friends
Ali, Nicole, Meredith, Cathy, Wendy, Sus, Gordo, Maddi, Leila and Bek.

Have fun!

5 books that changed who I am (6) the one book

Here's where I add an extra book to my 5. Really, in the end, this is the one and only, in each and every season. If the other 5 books changed me at all, it's because they led me to this and opened it up to me.

(6) Always
The Bible, God's word to us all, feeds me, delights me, challenges me, surprises me, and works its way into my heart, where it changes me from the inside out.

Runners up: none.

Yep, that was 6. But I nearly made it. That's pretty good for me. :)

I'm supposed to pass this meme onto other bloggers I know, but they've received it already! If you're a blogger, feel free to do it and tell me about it. :)

5 books that changed who I am (3) mid 20s

More on the books that changed who I am...

3. mid-20s - learning to enjoy God
All that thinking, and perhaps I still needed to learn to enjoy God. I'd become convinced us evangelicals were great at thinking about God, but not always so good at godly emotions: things like fear and sorrow and, above all, joy. Surely the truth should shape every part of us, including our emotions!

Oddly enough, I learnt about joy during what you'd expect to be a very dry season: while studying for my PhD (lots of microfilm and dusty library catalogues). I learnt it at the feet of the Puritans, especially as I read John Owen's Communion with God. Over many memorable days, Owen fed me with the unchanging facts of union with Christ, taught me (wonder of wonders) that God delights in me, and invited me to enjoy the many facets of communion with Christ. I blogged about what I learnt here.

Runners up: John Piper Desiring God, CS Lewis Surprised by Joy, and Mike Raiter Stirrings of the Soul (later to be joined by Piper's When I Don't Desire God, which helped me fight for joy during tougher times).

Which books have helped you to rejoice in God? Tell us here.

5 books that changed who I am (2) young adulthood

You might remember that before I went away, I started blogging through this meme, from the lovely Nic, about the books which changed who I am. It was supposed to be one post; since I'm a rambler, I turned it into several. Here's the second.

2. early adulthood - learning to think with God
During my late teens and early 20s my theological foundations were firmed up: what I believe about Jesus, the Bible, God's sovereignty, womanhood, and all kinds of other things. This happened through Bible reading and conversations and prayer - and, yes, books, so it's hard to pick one that changed me most!

I'll go with JI Packer's Knowing God. I must have read the first few chapters a dozen times (and never quite made it to the end of the book!). Packer taught me that knowing God is more than knowing about God, showed me how to meditate on God's truth until it shapes my mind and feelings, and helped me get to know our great God.

Runners up: John Stott The Cross of Christ, Don Carson How Long O Lord, Graham Goldsworthy Gospel and Kingdom, JC Ryle Holiness, and John Piper and Wayne Grudem Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.

What about you? Which books have shaped the way you think? Tell us here.

5 books that changed who I am (1) childhood and teens - getting to know God

Nic tagged me for this meme. Lovely! But how do I cut it down to 5? As I look back over life's seasons, it seems to me that God shaped me in at least one significant way during each season, and that he used one book (or group of books) to do it.

Here they are - plus the one book that's changed me all along the way. (I'm going to cheat a little and post these one at a time, starting with childhood.)

1. childhood and teens - getting to know God
I was brought up on CS Lewis, and read his books over and over - fantasy, mythology, autobiography, Christian living, theology - but most of all, as a child, The Chronicles of Narnia. CS Lewis taught me to love and live for God, delight in creation, long for heaven, lose myself in reading and writing - and so many other things! When an idea pops into my head, a CS Lewis quote is never far away.

Runner ups: JRR Tolkien Lord of the Rings, Patricia St John Treasures of the Snow (and everything else she wrote), plus books by Isobel Kuhn, Peter Marshall, Sallie Lee Bell, and others. Writing this is reminding me to encourage my kids to read more Christian books...

What were the books that changed you as a child or teenager? Tell us here.

10 more things that make me happy

Last Friday I posted 10 things that make me happy. Here, for good measure, are 10 (slightly more frivolous) things that make me happy - including a few lists for you list-lovers!

1. Chocolate, plain or with something crunchy in it.

2. Driving on the open road, especially on the way to holidays. Holidays.

3. Coming home after a busy day, and the way the feel of the house changes when Steve comes home too.

4. Icecream air: the silence and stillness that rests on a house when it's quiet and uncluttered and empty.

5. Listening to a favourite Christian CD on my car stereo (current favs: Sovereign Grace Come Weary Saints and Jars of Clay The Long Fall Back to Earth; best driving songs: Jars of Clay Scenic Route and REM Find the River).

6. A beautiful big park with lots of grass, huge old trees, a river or lake and a path to walk along. Japanese gardens. Old trees. Avenues of old trees.

7. Watching a favourite DVD series with my husband in the evenings (West Wing, Firefly, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Buffy, Northern Exposure, Veronica Mars, Pride and Prejudice and Life on Mars, just to name a few) especially when we get take away curry and have an unofficial date night.

8. When my 4 year old kisses and cuddles me and says "I love you. I like you." and makes me say it back.

9. Reading a book when I can't bear to reach the end, including just about anything by JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Paul Gallico and Alexander McCall Smith; most of Tamora Pierce and JK Rowling; plus lots and lots of other books and authors I'll tell you about some time.

10. The sunny, cool, still days of Autumn.

image is by jpctalbot at flickr

10 things that make me happy

I was tagged by the lovely Meredith for this meme. Here are 10 things that make me happy.

1. Sitting in a cafe all on my own, sipping a mug of spiced chai latte, and writing in my journal.

2. Going out for morning tea or dinner with my husband and talking about how we're really going.

3. Having a day off and spending it with my kids.

4. Digging deep into God's word until it digs deep into me.

5. Chatting with a good friend for as many hours as possible.

6. Curling up on the couch with a cup of coffee and a good book.

7. Walking on a cool, sunny day, thinking, dreaming and praying, as I watch the light through the trees, the mist over the mountains, or the waves crashing on the beach.

8. Writing when I'm "in the zone" and it's all coming together.

9. Bringing my anxieties and hurts to God in prayer.

10. Teaching the Bible to a group of women. What a joy!

It's hard to think of anyone to tag who hasn't been tagged already, but here goes: BG and Honoria.

image is from stock.xchng

children's books quiz: book meme

Here's a quiz for all you fellow book lovers, especially if you love children's books. I thought it was time for Nicole's book meme, given the recent bookish nature of this blog. I've made it easier by taking all the clues from this list of my favourite children's books.

Here's the rules:
- Take 10 books, and transcribe the 5th sentence from page 56.
- Make sure that at least 5 books are fiction, provide 5 hints, and pass the meme on to 6 other bloggers.

Here are the sentences. See if you can guess which books they come from. If you've read the books in question, it should be very easy!

1. From the very beginning Madame took an interest in Posy.

2. The goblins began to sing, or croak, keeping time with the flap of their flat feet on the stone, and shaking their prisoners as well.

3. "She catches flies and sucks their blood."

4. He heard Fillyjonk's shrill little voice in the garden; she had found the Hemulen.

5. For days Pa hauled logs.

6. Copses, dells, quarries and all hidden places, which had been mysterious mines for exploration in leafy summer, now exposed themselves and their secrets pathetically, and seemed to ask him to overlook their shabby poverty for a while, till they could riot in rich masquerade as before, and trick and entice him with the old deceoptions.

7. She said it stiffly because she was not used to thanking people or noticing that they did things for her.

8. Peter whistled.

9. The big dyeing job was done twice a year at the hairdresser's, but every month or so in between, Mrs Wormwood used to freshen it up by giving it a rinse in the washbasin with something called PLATINUM BLONDE HAIR-DYE EXTRA STRONG.

10. "That means that we can't possibly tell you because you're a native ... a nice native, of course."

I've already given you the only hint you'll need: all the books are children's books from this list. I've cheated a bit: when the 5th sentence was impossibly difficult or completely obvious, I'll admit to choosing sentence no. 4 or no. 7. If you need help - which I doubt! - I'll give you another clue.

Put your guesses in the comments, and happy guessing!

I'm not going to tag anyone, but if any other bloggers want to have a go - Honoria or Sandra, or Belinda, or anyone else I've fogotten - tell me and I'll see if I can solve yours!

6 things I've learned this year

Another meme, this one from my bloggy friend Rachael, about 6 things I've learned this year. This one looked like fun! Here's some things I've learned (I'm sure there were more, but I'm too exhausted from the year to see things clearly!!).

• That I haven't got my super-powers yet (what's going on here?). I can't teach Sunday School, lead a women's Bible study, write 3 long EQUIP book club posts, 7 blog posts and 1/2 a Sola Panel post every week, AND spend time with God and love my family and friends - surprisingly. And that when I forget I'm not superwoman, I get really, really tired and a little down. Bring on the holidays!
• That sometimes I love spending time with God, and other times (like at the moment) it's really, really hard work - but I guess it's still worthwhile? Yes, I know it's still worthwhile. I do. Really.
• That God takes away my anxiety when I ask him to, then I forget this and go back to old habits of worrying, then he takes away my anxiety when I ask him to, then I forget this and go back to old habits of worrying, then he takes away my anxiety when I ask him to. That God means what he says (Philippians 4:6-7).
• That the Bible does have answers for big issues like anxiety disorders, depression, and addictions - something I've always wondered (thanks, Martyn Lloyd-Jones and Ed Welch). That it's easier to say this than to live it, especially when you're tired. That sometimes it's best to stop trying to change yourself and just ask God to change you - or to stop tinkering and look.
• That I'm getting old. I wake with the birds, I'm wearing my new reading glasses right now, and I'm getting hard of hearing (something I inherited, not totally due to turning 40!). I do that thing people do when you say "Happy birthday" and they think you say "Hippo by the way". Inside, of course, I'm still 30. Worryingly, that's actually starting to sound youthful.
• That God wants older women (like me) to teach younger women about biblical womanhood (Titus 2:3-5 - thanks, Carolyn Mahaney). That God made men and women to display Christ's eternal love affair with the church (Ephesians 5:22-33 - thanks, John Piper). That women can be strong, tender and beautiful, all at once (1 Peter 3:1-7 - thanks, John Piper). That this kind of beauty increases with age (thankfully). That I'm a very slow learner.
• And one extra (you know by now I always go one over): that blogging is fun, demanding, relaxing, exhausting, distracting, exciting, absorbing, thought-provoking, worrying, enjoyable, time-absorbing, encouraging, intriguing, vulnerable-ing, and too many other "ings" to think of right now. And that it's a great way to make some very dear friends.

Rachael tagged me to do this meme, and she's tagged most people I'd want to tag - except Ali, Honoria and Sandra. Go, girls!

6 random facts about me

I've been tagged by Nicole to do this meme. Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person who ‘tagged’ you!
2. Post the rules on your blog!
3. List 6 random facts about yourself!
4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post!
5. Let each person know they have been tagged by commenting on their blog!
6. Let the tagger know the entry is posted on your blog!

Here are 6 random facts about me:

1. The first album I owned was Arrival by ABBA. When I was about 9, my friend and I used to play it loudly outside the house, and perform roller-skating routines (yes, 4-wheel not in-line skates) on my parents' steep driveway. Very Xanadu.

2. My worst haircut was a bowl haircut I never quite forgave my mother for when I was in grade 4. On the plane to Canada, where we lived for 6 months, the air stewardess mistook me for a boy. As you can see, I have never forgotten. But a Canadian boy called Ken got a crush on me despite the haircut, and showed his affection by pushing me regularly into snow drifts.

3. My husband and I love watching TV series on DVD. When we were younger, it was Star Trek. Since then, we've worked our way through, or are still working our way through, Babylon 5, Buffy, West Wing, Seinfeld, NCIS, House, Lost, 24, Alias, Stargate, and the new Doctor Who. Like reading a favourite book (especially The Lord of the Rings) I have been known to cry when they ended.

4. I convinced my footy-loving husband to read the novels of Jane Austen when he was in his early 20's. He loved them so much, he was going to name all our daughters after his favourite characters. We have only one daughter. Her name is Elizabeth, "Lizzy" for short, after the best Jane Austen character of all: Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice. My husband has watched the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice so many times, he's worn out our DVD - not to mention all the other Jane Austen film adaptations from the 90's.

5. While we're on the topic of names, all our kids labour under the burden of 2 middle names. Each of our boys has one middle name after a grandparent, and one after a favourite theologian. Since our 3 boys only have 2 grandfathers, it's a good thing one of their grandmothers was mis-named "Francis", the male version of "Frances", on her birth certificate. Any daughters we had were also going to have one middle name after a grandmother, and one a fruit of the Spirit - Grace, Joy, Hope, Faith - but with 1 daughter, we didn't get far down the list.

6. I like to write journal entries, blog entries, and notes from talks and books, in those cheap spiral-bound hardcover notebooks you can buy from the supermarket. I'm sure this disappoints many of my stationary-loving friends, who could spend hours drooling in top-end stationary stores. Sorry, Ruth and Jenny.

And there you have it! Some random facts from the life of Jean.

Here's my nominations for this meme: Belinda, Pilgrim Penguin, Sue, and Sandra. Yes, you counted right, that's less than 6, I broke the rules. But I don't know many bloggers! Unless Gordo wants to have a go, but I guess most men are above these trivialities!