Book Club Schedule Update

Hey, everyone,

Here's an update of our book club schedule for the next few months:

June 22 - 'A Penny for Your Thoughts' by Mindy Starns Clark
July 20 - 'A Time to Mend' by Sally John and Gary Smalley
August 31 - 'A Shred of Evidence' by Kathy Herman
September 28 - 'The Princess' by Lori Wick
October 26 - 'The Island of Heavenly Daze' by Lori Copeland and Angela Hunt

Some of us have some of these, so you may be able to borrow a copy! Happy reading!

The Old Testament Kings

Today in her vlog Wendy recommended that we begin diagramming or charting the various kinds so that we can keep track of who's who. That's a great idea, but it's already been done for you! Some nice person included a link to an awesome chart in her comments this evening. I thought I'd pass it along! It's definitely worth the ink to print it out and save. :-)

"Love on a Dime" by Cara Lynn James

Lilly Westbrook leads a seemingly charmed life. Part of the social elite, she spends her 22nd summer vacationing on the beach in Rhode Island, where the rich go to play. Lilly doesn't let her social position define her life, however, and covertly does the mission work she feels called to do. Her biggest secret of all? Using her writing gift to pen dime novels under the name 'Fannie Cole;' but will her new publisher and former fiance keep her secret, especially when a scandalous reporter tries to blackmail her and publish her secret?

I admired Lilly for her faith, her determination to do the right thing in face of adversity, and her talent; however, sometimes she seemed unnecessarily scared of trusting those who loved her the most with her true self. To stand so strongly for keeping her work a secret and yet not also stand up for her faith to her parents and fiance irritated me. I found myself alternately annoyed with and admiring Lilly. Despite her quirks, something intrigued me and I couldn't wait to read the end.

This book was well written and I will definitely look for James' next novel!

Thomas Nelson has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review. My opinions are my own.

Applying the Heart

Today Wendy used the very first verse of our reading as her focus. Her lesson today was very good and every second of the vlog was directed towards it. It will both encourage and perhaps convict you. If you haven't checked it out, please do so!

Bye, Bye, Pretend Christians

There are lots of people out there who call themselves Christians and say some pretty scary things. I typically tend to avoid the people on TV because I don't want to start to study someone's teachings and then find out that they've missed an important point of theology and then have to go back and evaluate everything else that I've heard from them. I read an article that was linked to KLOVE's website today, though, about a sermon by a famous preacher that I think deserves a second look.

Rick Warren is the pastor at Saddleback Church in California, a huge megachurch that just celebrated its 30th anniversary. He recently preached a sermon challenging everyone in his congregation - all 20,000 of them - to put their money where their mouths are, so to speak - or to find another church home. He's looked at the eight characteristics of the first original church as described in Acts and has set goals for his church based on these.

Warren says that in the original church there was no audience, but that everyone served and ministered in some way. He says that we are all there to support each other and that everyone has a calling, a talent, a gift, and a job to do. The Great Commission is for everyone - and over the next ten years, he's planning for everyone to be serving. He's even planning to send parishioners out to every country in the world. We're talking about radical, word-for-word obedience here.

I think that what he says makes sense. But don't take my word for it. Read the article for yourself and see what you think.

Do you have a gift or a talent that He's asked you to share??

Road Trip, Anyone??

Lysa TerKeurst is speaking in Apex on August 13-14! I am SOOO excited! This is a Friday night/Saturday morning conference. I realize that this is really far into the future, but ticket prices do go up a bit mid-summer, and I want to get this locked in on my calendar now. Anybody else want to go??

Tickets are $25 if we reserve our spots now. You can check it out here.

SoBo Faith Fest 2010

Faith Fest is coming to South Boston again! On Saturday, May 29th, from 12 noon until 9 PM a free Christian music festival will be taking place on in the Halifax County football stadium. Included in the day's activities are a car show, petting zoo, clowns, climbing walls, puppet shows, crafts, and concessions. Oh, and did I mention that the headlining band of the evening is Rush of Fools, best known for their song 'Undo?' (Three other Christian bands will also play. You can see which ones here.)

So, I thought that since our little group never did get together last summer, nor did we manage a winter thing this year, that maybe this festival would make for a fun day for all of us. Entrance and all children's activities are free, and it's not too far away. I realize, however, that it is a 'busy' weekend. We're planning to go; is anybody else in??

Oh, PS - KLOVE is one of the sponsors of this event. :-)