Amy Carmichael on Thoughts

"Think through me, Thoughts of God, 
That always, everywhere,
The stream that through my being flows, 
May homeward pass in prayer.

- from Amy Carmichael in Toward Jerusalem

You might also be interested in my first post about Amy Carmichael. 

What I'm Reading this Week - October 28

What I'm reading this week . . . not much, to be honest.  It's been a very busy week of teaching for me.  Most of what I've been reading has been students' papers and tests.  And, there was also some proofreading and editing that I did for a client this week.

I hope you had more time to read than I have had.  If you came across anything interesting, please share it!

Hope you all have a great weekend!  Here's to finding some time to read!

Equal Standing - Women in Luke - Part 3

Anna
- a prophetess
- from the tribe of Asher
- only married for seven years
- had been a widow for many years
- lived at the temple
- served God with fasting and prayers night and day
- was at the temple when Simeon declared Jesus to be the Messiah
- told others about the Messiah having come

Amy Carmichael - God Knows Our Prayers

"For my beloved I will not fear, 
Love knows to do
For him, for her, from year to year, 
As hitherto.
Whom my heart cherishes are dear
To Thy heart too."

- from Amy Carmichael in Toward Jerusalem

You might also be interested in my first post about Amy Carmichael. 

What I'm Reading this Week - October 21

I do a decent amount of reading through the Kindle app.  While I don't have an actual Kindle, I use the Kindle app on both my computer and on my iPod Touch.  While some might find the idea of reading ebooks abhorrent, I like the practicality of having a book around to read when I have a few minutes here or there.

Here are some of my favorite finds of free Kindle books:
Whirligigs by O. Henry
The Queen's Blade by T. C. Southwell
Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie

Have any great finds to share?  Add them in the comments!

30-Day Giving Challenge 2011

Last year I participated in the 30-Day Giving Challenge during the month of November.  The premise is rather simple: each day of November be a blessing to those around you by giving each day.  I plan on participating again this year, and I will also be blogging about my experience.

As last year, I will be participating in the challenge by making each of my "giving" acts anonymous.  And thus, my posts might at times be a bit vague in order to keep things anonymous.

To read more about the challenge, see the link above.  The information hasn't been updated yet this year, but the premise still holds.

Come join me in the adventure!

To see some of what I wrote about last year, check out these posts:
- 30-Day Giving Challenge Week 1
- 30-Day Giving Challenge Week 2
- 30-Day Giving Challenge Week 3
- 30-Day Giving Challenge Week 4
- 30-Day Giving Challenge Final Days

Equal Standing - Women in Luke - Part 2

Mary, the mother of Jesus
- a virgin when Gabriel spoke to her
- engaged to Joseph
- Gabriel addressed her as "highly favored" and "blessed among women"
- accepted humbly Gabriel's message; it appears that she accepted all of this by faith
- traveled with Joseph to Bethlehem; there Jesus was born
- the mother of the Messiah
- pondered over all the events pertaining to Jesus' birth and the celebration by the shepherds
- apparently rather poor: "a pair of turtledoves" (Luke 2:24)
- anxiously looked for Jesus when he went missing in Jerusalem at age 12
- came to Jesus during His ministry, and urged Him to see her
note: the way the text reads, it appears that this request was not one that she should have made
- among the women who are listed as one's who came with Jesus from Galilee
- among the women who went to the tomb and found that Jesus had risen

Amy Carmichael on Being Filled by God's Love

"Father of spirits, this my sovereign plea
I bring again and yet again to thee, 
Fulfill me now with love, that I may know
A daily inflow, daily overflow."

- from Amy Carmichael in Toward Jerusalem

You might also be interested in my first post about Amy Carmichael. 

What I've Been Reading this Week - October 14

Today I want to highlight some my recent book reads.

Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter
This is the fourth book in the Gallagher Girls series.  Written about a group of spies-in-training, this series is rather engaging even though it's geared towards teenagers.

The Intrigue at Highbury by Carrie Bebris
This is Bebris' fifth book in the Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mysteries series.  It's a delightful continuation of Emma with Darcy and Elizabeth joining their sleuthing efforts to help out Mr. Knightley in a murder investigation.

Strictly Business by O. Henry
This collection of short stories is another enjoyable dose of Henry's wit and humor.

Writing Goal - September 2011 Progress

Last month I wrote about my goal to write 250 words each day.  Well, here's my report on my first month at this.  During September I averaged about 200 words a day.  While this is a bit under my target, September is always busy for me with my teaching responsibilities.  So, I'm feeling pretty good about the progress I've made.

Here's to more writing!

Equal Standing - Women in Luke - Part 1

I recently had a friend ask me what the Bible teaches about women, their standing before God, and their standing in society.

As a result, I challenged my friend to read through the book of Luke and to study Christ's interactions with women.

I also decided to do the same study myself.  And, I thought some of you might be interested in what I've studied.  I'll be sharing about one women each week.

Elizabeth (Luke 1)
- from the daughters of Aaron
- married to Zechariah, a priest of the division of Abijah
- they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statues of the Lord
- barren: note that Luke points out that Elizabeth's barrenness was not connected to ungodliness
- she saw God's gift of John as God taking away her reproach among people

Amy Carmichael - Quote

"If . . . in the fellowship of service I seek to attach a friend to myself, so that others are caused to feel unwanted; if my friendships do not draw others deeper in, but are ungenerous, then I know nothing of Calvary love."

- from Amy Carmichael in If

You might also be interested in my first post about Amy Carmichael. 

What I'm Reading this Week - October 7

Here are this week's finds.  Have fun!

Think by John Piper | Free Download from Christianaudio.com 
I read this book this summer.  I highly recommend it, and for the month of October you can get the audiobook as a free download.

Plan Early for a Productive Holiday Work Schedule | All Freelance Writing 
I know it might seem a bit early to be thinking about it, but the holidays are just around the corner.  If you're a freelancer, here are some really great ideas and thoughts on how to plan your work around the holidays.

Digital Dead Sea Scrolls 
Five of the Dead Sea Scrolls have been digitized and can now be accessed online.

Amy Carmichael - Quote

"If . . . the praise of man elates me and his blame depresses me; if I cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself; if I love to be loved more than to love, to be served more than to serve, then I know nothing of Calvary love."


- from Amy Carmichael in If

You might also be interested in my first post about Amy Carmichael.