What I'm Reading This Week - July 29

This week I began reading Radical by David Platt.  As I was reading the first chapter it reminded me of So Send I You by Oswald Chambers.  I first read So Send I You when I was in college, I and decided this week it was time to read it again.  I've been reading the two together, and have found it really insightful.

I've recently started a twitter account.  If you'd like to follow me, here's the link.  I'd love to connect with you there.

Here are some of the online articles that stood out to me this week:
- How To Raise Your Rates Without Losing Clients
- What if Church Looked More Like THIS?
- Pastors: How to Find Time to Read (this is some great advice for anyone, not just for pastors)

The Cost of Obedience

"Obedience to the call of Christ nearly always costs everything to two people - the one who is called and the one who loves that one."

- Oswald Chambers, So Send I You

Freelancer? Self-Employed? What About Finances?

As soon as people find out that I'm self-employed, I get all sorts of questions.  How do I handle taxes?  What about health insurance?  What sort of expenses are business expenses?

Earlier this year I came across a book that I wished I had had when I first started working independently: The Money Book for Freelancers, Part-Timers, and the Self-Employed by Joseph D'Agnese and Denise Kiernan.  Even having read it this year, I found it extremely helpful, and I highly recommend this book.  You'll find the answers to most of your questions in it.

Click here to read a review by Travis King.
Click here to read a review by Sierra Black.
Click here for the website for the book.

Disclaimer: This recommendation is purely my own based upon what I personally have found helpful. 

Amy Carmichael - Quote

"My potter's busy wheel is where
I see a desk and office chair, 
And well I know the Lord is there.

And all my work is for a King
Who gives His potter songs to sing, 
Contented songs, through everything."

- from Amy Carmichael in Toward Jerusalem

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

What I'm Reading This Week - July 22

This week was more along "normal" lines for me.  I taught piano and guitar lessons.  I worked on lesson plans for the fall.  I wrote some.  I ran errands and cleaned up the house.  I hung out with friends.  I read some.  Here's what's been in my stack this week.  And I'm happy to say that I've (finally!) finished the Eli Maor book.

- The Pythagorean Theorem by Eli Maor (hardcover)
- The Biography of Robert Murray M'Cheyne by Andrew Bonar (Kindle edition)
- Buch der Lieder by Heinrich Heine (DailyLit.com)

What have you been reading this week?  Any recommendations?

Amy Carmichael - Quote

"A sound of gentle stillness stirred and said,

My child be comforted, 

Dear is the offering of melody,

But dearer far, love's lowliest ministry."

- from Amy Carmichael in Toward Jerusalem

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

What I'm Reading This Week - July 16

This has been a rather busy week for me.  I did some freelance work as a translator. I taught piano and guitar lessons.  I helped to judge debates for a debate camp.  I did some writing.  I did mundane things, such as running errands and doing the dishes.  I spent time with friends.  I drank some coffee.  And, I read!

Here's what's been in my stack this week:
- The Pythaogrean Theorem by Eli Maor (hardcover)
- Pharsalia by Lucan (Kindle edition)
- Buch der Lieder by Heinrich Heine (DailyLit.com)

What have you been reading this week?  Any recommendations?

Thoughts on the Goodness of Work

This is one of my favorite hymns:

Jesus, Thou Divine Companion

Jesus, thou divine Companion,
by thy lowly human birth
thou hast come to join the workers,
burden bearers of the earth.
Thou, the carpenter of Nazareth,
toiling for thy daily food,
by thy patience and thy courage,
thou hast taught us toil is good.

They who tread the path of labor
follow where thy feet hath trod;
they who work without complaining
do the holy work of God.
Thou, the peace that passeth knowledge,
dwellest in the daily strife;
thou, the Bread of heaven, art broken
in the sacrament of life.

Every task, however, simple,
sets the soul that does it free;
every deed of human kindness
done to man is done to thee.
Jesus, thou divine Companion,
help us all to work our best;
bless us in our daily labor,
lead us to our Sabbath rest.

- Henry Van Dyke, 1909

Amy Carmichael - Quote

"And shall I pray Thee change Thy will, my Father, 
Until it be according unto mine? 
But, no, Lord, no, that never shall be, rather 
I pray Thee blend my human will with Thine."

- from Amy Carmichael in Toward Jerusalem

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

What I'm Reading This Week - July 8

For those of you living in the USA, I hope you had a great Fourth of July.  I enjoyed a relaxing day (which started off with sleeping in!), time with family, great food, and a fun fireworks display.

Here's a look at my reading stack this week:
- The Republic by Plato (Kindle version on my iPod Touch)
- The Pythagorean Theorem by Eli Maor (hardcover)
- Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy (through DailyLit.com)
- Der Tod in Venedig by Thomas Mann (through DailyLit.com)

The last one I'm reading to help me keep up with my German.

How about you?  What's in your stack?

Amy Carmichael - Quote

"Love through me, Love of God,
Make me like Thy clear air
Through which unhindered, colours pass
As though it were not there."

- from Amy Carmichael in Toward Jerusalem

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