Tuesday's Top Ten [Top Books of 2018]

I was quite a few books shy of my reading goal this year. Despite that disappointment, I can't say that overall the books I did read were disappointing! Minus a few here and there, I enjoyed them all. (Visit my Goodreads Year in Books to see more of what I read.) In the mean time, here are my top ten reads of 2018... (in no particular order)

1. Footprints of a Pilgrim by Ruth Bell Graham is a book of poetry by Ruth that her daughter encouraged her to publish and a few stories interspersed throughout of Ruth and her life with friends, children, and as a wife. Read it! You'll be inspired, convicted, and encouraged. You'll laugh, cry, and oooo and awww.

2. Katharina and Martin Luther by Michelle DeRusha is like reading a very interesting text book. It is so packed full of information, but it is so good. I appreciated DeRusha's efforts to remain as factual as possible, while giving a new understanding and perspective of this famous couple in history. It was one I checked out from my local library and one I want to make part of my personal library.

3. Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot is a must read for every Christian. This story is powerful and will change the way you think about evangelism, life, and death. To see my entire review, go here.

4. The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul blew.my.mind. I believe that if you call yourself a Christian, you have to understand who God is according to what HE said about Himself. Sproul was a master theologian who studied this well and I am so incredibly thankful he took the time to write about what he learned about the holiness of God - the central aspect of God's character. I am eternally changed as a result. Sproul once said that the number one problem people face is that they have no idea who God is according to His word therefore they have no idea who God created them to be. This book helps establish a foundational and mind blowing understanding of who God is, helping you understand who you are because of your Creator! Read.it.

5. J.R. Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring is a book that we read as we travel. Since we grocery shop once a month in a city forty-five minutes away, this was one we savored slowly. Since Tolkien is a literary and linguistic expert, it is impressive. More than that, Tolkien is a master story teller and I thoroughly enjoyed reading and discussing it alongside my hubby.

6. What Really Matters for Struggling Readers by Richard Allington is a must read for every teacher in any subject, in any grade level. Reading is a foundational subject where many students struggle, causing issues for education for the rest of their learning lives. We cannot make life long learners without first teaching students how to read well. This book is incredibly helpful for teachers as we sift through the plethora of curriculum available, the so called research that goes along with this curriculum, and the researched strategies that are proven to work. I highly, highly recommend adding it to your professional library.

7. Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix by J.K. Rowling was the first book in the Harry Potter Series that I actually enjoyed from beginning to end. I seriously dragged through the first books, trusting a few of my literary expert friends that they were worth reading over and over and over again. It wasn't until reading this book that I began to understand that statement. (Also, I know, I know, don't judge. I'm 34 and reading them for the first time! Haha! Better late than never can apply to books too.) With that out of the way, I will admit that the next two were equally as enjoyable...

8. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

9. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

10. The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict was actually an infuriating book if what Benedict researched and wrote had an ounce of truth. While it's historical fiction, I imagine that there is some truth to the life of Mitza - Albert's wife. Einstein may have been a brilliant scientist, but his marriage failed. Why didn't he work as hard on that relationship as he did in his learning science? He may have been a genius there, but it's obviously lacking in other areas and this book brought that to light by revealing the spider webs in the darkest corners of the Einstein home. Every home has its secrets, but my goodness, my respect for Albert dropped significantly if he did what was claimed. If you want to be anything like Albert, do not mimic his "husbandry".

Tuesday's Top Ten [Fun Writing Tools]

If you read my last post about change, you'll get a glimpse into my thoughts as of late. It's been a long time since a top ten popped into my brain. Usually I have a growing list, however, my mind has been occupied with many other things. I'm not surprised by today's list because it has to do with my 1st graders school and the successes we've had just by implementing different tools for the betterment of her writing. Writing helps with memory, plus it is important to establish the reciprocal relationship between reading and writing at an early age. Anything to make the learning process more enjoyable for my student, makes the teaching process more enjoyable for the teacher. I love how her desire for writing her spelling words, or practicing her handwriting, or learning how to write a basic sentence increases with these simple tools and then varying them up...

1. A personal white board, 

2. chalkboard, 

3. and/or a magnetic write and wipe board. Giving your student something new and different to write on works wonders, plus saves a tree (which teachers are notorious for killing many in one day).

4. Invisible Ink Pens (with a uv light). The moment Brielle received these was the moment she wanted to begin writing her spelling words! Win, win. 

5. This roll-a-dice, Write-the-Word game where two dice are rolled and the result of the two numbers is what box the student is to follow. For example, if the sum is 9, then the student is to write the word with rainbow letters.

6. Window Markers. We have these crystallizing markers that Brielle really likes. I'll admit that the effect is pretty neat to watch. It was a gift from my mother for the win!

7. Stamps. We have a plethora of letter stamps that Brielle enjoys stamping and then coloring.

8. Window Steam. This one only works if it's cold outside, and then you may already have a steamy window, but to do this, just breath on a cold window and then write the word in the steam. For some reason this is super fun.

9. Write words in sand, salt, shaving cream or whatever item they could easily use their finger to write out their word, smooth out, and do another, and another, and another...

10, 11, 12, +.  A "Say It, Write It, Make It" Mat (like this one). You can make the word using blocks, LEGO's, play doh, beans, sticks, Twizzler pull candy, &etc. your options here are limitless because you do not necessarily need the mat to have a variety of items with which to make a word.

This list is great for teachers, home school parents, or homework practice! However you use it, I hope the variety of fun options helps your student to enjoy the process of practicing.

My Weakness

I believe in confessing weaknesses and sins in your discipleship relationships, with your spouse, in close friendships, and at times, publicly. Doing so, exposes these weaknesses and sins to the light, allowing you to more fully see the God of the universe and conquer the issues that keep you from drawing closer to Him. Also, keeping them in the dark clouds your thinking, making you stuck in them. It is through the accountability that comes with these relationships and their journeying alongside you - continually pointing you back to Christ - that helps you in weakness.

God did not design the Christian walk as a solo journey. We are called to fellowship with other believers who also struggle with weakness and sin, to be unified in Christ as we journey together in this life. God gave us a forever family and that is a tremendous blessing.

But more than that God gave us Christ! His grace is sufficient. That is what Jesus told Paul when he asked to be released of his weakness, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9) Paul's response was that he would boast all the more of his weakness because Christ was glorified. I don't know what Paul's weakness was except that he said it was a "thorn in the flesh" (12:7), but I can share with you what I plan to do with mine: bring it to the light by sharing it here, thank Him for His grace and His blessings, trust in God's will for my life, and the plan I have to conquer it.

Bringing it to light.
The woman of Samaria encountered Jesus at a well (John 4:7-30) where He asked her for a drink. When she was puzzled by this (because Jews hated Samaritans) the conversation that followed amazed me. He kept telling her that in Him was life and she did not see it until Jesus brought her sin to light. Jesus strips open her inner life, pours light on her deepest secret, because keeping sin in the dark will never lift the blindness, "For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works be exposed." (John 3:20) By revealing her sin, she was finally able to see THE Light and recognize Him for what He was: LIFE.

By sharing this, I hope that you take the opportunity this time of year brings: the reminder to reflect. Although I believe this should be a daily endeavor and not just at the beginning of the year, I do like to jump at the opportunity to begin afresh, to dig deep and make changes where changes need to be made. And the place that needs growth in my life is my personal prayer life. It is weak.

Giving thanks!
Do you know how incredibly thankful I am that my weakness reveals God's blessings? That because He has blessed me, I do not take the time every day to approach Him in thoughtful prayer. I'm often careless and unprepared. I am so unlike Daniel who prayed at the same time, in the same place every day. I do not pray unceasingly. I am not like Corrie Ten Boom's sister, Betsie who's prayer life was indistinguishable from her conversations. But I am not in exile or experiencing the Holocaust first hand. I have a roof over my head, food, clothing, and like most Americans I have everything I could ever need or want at my disposal. God has blessed me, and so I should unceasingly thank Him.

I am also incredibly thankful that He made me a sovereigntist - and I don't mean a person who supports self government. I mean that I am someone who understands that God is in control, that God is sovereign over all things, including what He gives and takes away, because everything in the "heavens and the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all." (1 Chronicles 29:11-12) Since He has given me all these things, my prayer should reflect David's and often it does, but I lack consistency. Plus, I find it difficult to approach God when I know that what Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:8 is true, "your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." I am often guilty of praying, well God, you already know what I need sooooooo I guess I don't really need to ask.... No! He told us to ask, so ask! And then praise Him for it.

And with that, I am also incredibly thankful for His grace poured into my life by the work of Christ when He died on the cross for my sins, was buried, and rose again. Because of His gift of grace, giving me the righteousness that I don't deserve, I do not have to worry about my weaknesses. Because of Jesus' work, I am able to rely on God as He works in me to draw me closer to Himself. That is an incredible place to rest.

Trust.
I trust that by bringing this weakness to light, and knowing that God desires this communion, that He will answer this desire to have a purposeful and consistent prayer life! I will not doubt in my asking (James 1:5-6), but rather trust that if the Bible says to pray unceasingly, and that by bringing this weakness to light, God will put this on my heart.

A plan.
Another reason to praise Him! Recognizing this weakness to a friend produced a prayer book that I cannot wait to dive into (and has also been on my wish list for quite some time), The Heart of God by Kenneth Boa. I believe that her giving it to me was also God giving me the push I needed.

Each day is planned with scripture references followed by specific prayer directions, this daily guidance is the purpose and consistency that I desperately need. And so this journey begins....

Thank you reader for finishing this post. I sincerely hope and pray that you are encouraged, inspired, and thoughtful after completing it.