What I'm Reading - The Narrated Bible

Oh, I know... that doesn't sound too exciting. But it is! I read this Bible a couple years ago, and I picked it up and I'm reading through it again. Yes, I have other Bibles, but I like coming back to this one for reading. Why? Well, I have a couple reasons.

First, it's NIV. That means it's the New International Version. Typically I read/study from either the New King James or from the New American Standard. While I appreciate those versions, sometimes I get the verses so memorized that my eyes just gloss over them as my mind recites them. This often results in mindless reading. Not a good thing. By reading another translation, the words are just a bit different. (The meaning is the same.) This makes me slow down a bit and grasp the meaning rather than just subconsiously skim over something because "I've got it memorized."

Second, it's written in chronological order. I really like this aspect of it. I've tried to read through a "normal" Bible, but it jumps back and forth a lot. And I never understood where the different kings fit in with the different prophets. This Bible puts everything in the order in which things happened. (As best as the editors could put it together, of course!) So, I'm reading about the kings at the same time I'm reading about the prophets that were alive during that time. This makes the pieces fit together much more quickly for me.

Third, another thing I like is the narration. I didn't think I would, but I do. Before reading a section, the authors summarize the section, so I know what's coming. This also helps me to fit the pieces together a bit more easily. The narration isn't vital for me in accounts that I know really well, but in some of the more less-known passages (I'm thinking Ezekiel, for example), these narrations are very helpful.

Fourth, the print is a good size for my eyes. Many Bibles have such small print. This one isn't super-huge, but I can easily read it without straining. (A definite plus!)

Fifth, if you would like to read through the Bible in a year, the passages you need to read each day are clearly marked. And the year doesn't have to start with January 1! It goes by weeks. So, you'll start with week one. That could be January 1, or it could be July 7.

And so, that's what I'm working my way through. It proved to be a good read the first time through, and I expect it will be this time as well. If you're Bible reading is in a bit of a rut, you may want to check out this Bible. It may provide just what you need.

Here's a link to it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Narrated-Bible-Chronological-Order-NIV/dp/0736902392/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278503769&sr=8-1. I don't get a kick-back or anything if you purchase it from there, but at least you'll have all the information about it if you want to buy one, and you can read what others are saying about this Bible.

God Bless the USA

Today we celebrate our nation's birthday. It's a day we remember those who gave their all so that we may know freedom on earth. I am blessed beyond all measure, not only because I enjoy freedom in America, but more importantly because I enjoy spiritual freedom through Jesus Christ. He purchased my eternal freedom by dying in my place about 2000 years ago. What a wonderful Savior He is!

In honor to those soldiers, past and present, who have fought to preserve the freedoms we enjoy in America, "Thank you!"

My Kenya Presentation!

For those of you who have wanted to see pictures of my recent trip to Kenya, you will be pleased to know that I have finally finished uploading a copy of my presentation to you tube. I never would have gotten this project completed without the diligent and patient help of Carl. "So, hats off to you, my son! Thank you!"

Below are the links to the different clips on you tube. The entire presentation was just over an hour long, and you tube only allows ten minute segments. Hence the need for seven different segments. But this way you can watch one and if you have to go away you can watch the next one later.

Anyway, here are the links. Enjoy!


1 -
Kenyan geography, education, health care, and exports



2-
Kenyan work, roads, mosquitoes, architecture, and "The Trunks!"



3-
Daily life – getting water, groceries, errands, cooking, bathroom, laundry



4-
Asher, their ministries, street boys



5-
street boys, a song in Swahili, prayer requests



6-
Kristie’s tidbits: “Mama Asher” & dresses. “Faces of Kenya”



7-
Misc.

Cake Class!

Alicia and I finished our first cake decorating class last night. It met for two hours once a week for four weeks. And we learned a lot! It really was an enjoyable class. Two other mothers and their daughters (who were about Alicia's age) made up the rest of the class. And one of those mothers was a good friend of mine in elementary school. So, even though most of the classtime was spent learnin', I enjoyed catching up with her and getting to know her daughter a little bit.

So, what did we learn? We learned how to make a double-layer cake, complete with filling. We learned how to make stars, flowers, roses, shells, rosettes, and leaves. (I'm sure there were a few other things we learned, but I can't remember right off.) Last night we learned and practiced writing. We also decorated our final cake for class. Alicia and I decided to stick with a patriotic theme since this Sunday is the fourth of July. Red frosting is hard to make! It tends to want to come out pink! And pink, white and blue just won't do!

Anyway, here are some pictures of our final cake. And today we're making four dozen cupcakes for church tonight. ~smile~

Thinkin' 'bout camp, camp, camp, camp!!!

I follow the status updates made by the Christian camp that our kids attend, and this past week the status update brought tears to my eyes. Here's the post:

"This morning a mom placed her faith in Christ after hearing about her daughter's salvation at Pine Ridge earlier in the week. What a changed home that will be!"

I think about this family often. I pray that their home will indeed be changed by the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God.

Website of Interest - Laine's Letters

It's been a number of years since I stumbled across the website www.lainesletters.com. Laine is a Christian wife and mother who started her website before blogging hit the nation like a whirlwind! While there are undoubtedly many other wives and mothers who have blogs that are similar to Laine's, I still find myself going back and rereading her articles.

Laine used to write very faithfully, but she has since cut back on her computer time. Her website is divided into three parts: recipes, letters, and "in my home." The recipes are self-explanatory, but they represent "real" food. You likely won't have to make a trip to the grocery store before trying most of the recipes. The letters are short devotionals about things, and those are very good as well. But it's the "in my home" part that I enjoy the most.

In this part of her website, she lists some of the things that happened in her home during the past week. I realize she hasn't written any updates in a number of years, but most of the things she writes about are pretty timeless: how to save money, how to stick to a budget, how to make your house a home, how to heal with herbs, how to cook, how to clean, etc.

Timeless.

Take a half hour today, and sit down and read some of her stuff. May it inspire you to get ambitious and work a bit more at making your home a refuge from the cares of this world.

Recipe - Peas and Asparagus

The other day I was given a pile of asparagus, and, having never cooked it before, I was a bit intimidated. So, I posted a plea for help on my Facebook status, and I received lots of helpful tidbits. I also searched my favorite cooking website, http://www.allrecipes.com/, to see what I could come up with there. I found lots of recipes that looked good, but the one we tried yesterday coupled asparagus with a veggie my family already enjoys, peas. I can't say the kids were thrilled with asparagus, but only Justin said he didn't like it, and even he ate it without too much complaining. I enjoyed it, and since I still have quite a big pile in the refrigerator, I'm looking to doing a bit more experimenting for lunch today. But here's the recipe as I made it yesterday. Enjoy!

PEAS AND ASPARAGUS
1/2 cup water
2 (10 ounce) packages frozen peas
3/4 pound fresh or frozen asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
Dash pepper

Bring water to a boil. Add peas, asparagus, butter, parsley, garlic salt and pepper. Return to a boil.
2.Reduce heat; cover and simmer until asparagus is crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain; serve immediately.