Spine Labels - Set 11

spine labels
noun (plural) - a collection of odds and ends that are as random as reading spine labels in a bookstore

World Map Purse Airplane Clutch

Beef, Tomato and Acini di Pepe Soup

Earl Grey Tea Lip Balm

World Map toiletry bag

Coffee Cups earrings

Tea and Honey gift set

Anne of Green Gables stair riser

Wool Felt Mini Pom clips

Earl Grey scented candle

Box Fox - curated boxed gifts


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Reading and Writing Goals 2017

This past year I had two reading and writing goals.
- Writing: the 500 Words a Day Challenge
2016 was my fifth year participating in this challenge. I've enjoyed it for the past couple of years, and I find it helpful to keep me writing consistently, even if not in large chunks all at once.
- Reading: read a total of 80 books

How did I do?
- Writing: I just met my goal for the 500 Words a Day Challenge. Most of this writing was for the classes I teach and for translation freelance projects. I'm really happy with how much I wrote.
- Reading: As I have mentioned previously, I did a lot of reading this year. I read a total of 144 books.

What's up for this year?
- Writing: I'm planning on continuing the 500 Words a Day Challenge. It's been working well for me, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with this goal this year.
- Reading: My plan is to read a total of 100 books this year. This number is higher than what I set for last year. However, since it is less than what I actually read last year, I'm hopeful that I'll be able to reach this number in 2017.

How about you? Any reading or writing goals for 2017?

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Favorite Reads from 2016

This year year I read 144 books. I can't believe I got through that many!

Some of the books I read were rereads. Some were books that were new to me. Here are my favorites from this year.

The Fog Diver by Joel Ross
This is a fun young adult fantasy read. Join this group of teens trying to survive in their world.

Browsings by Michael Dirda
Booklovers will enjoy this selection of musings about books.

Hanns and Rudolf by Thomas Harding
The subtitle tells it all: the true story of the German Jew who tracked down and caught the Kommandant of Auschwitz.

Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
We are all mortal. This book navigates end-of-life, medical care, and the fact that mortality stares all of us in the face.

I Don't Wait Anymore by Grace Thornton
I've already listed some of my favorite quotes from this book. This book has really stayed with me. I'm planning on reading it again in 2017.

Any books you read in 2016 that you recommend? I'd love to hear your recommendations.

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Best of Because He Lives 2016

Here are the most popular posts posted here in 2016.
A few posts you may have missed, so check them out.

- For the Sake of His Name
- Knowing God
- Favorite Quotes on Missions
- 30-Day Giving Challenge 2016
- I Don't Wait Anymore
- Fictional Places I'd Like to Live

Happy New Year, dear readers!

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By Searching

I recently finished reading By Searching by Isobel Kuhn.
Here are some quotes that stood out to me.

"The next day was Sunday. I had resolved to bend to decorum enough to go to church in the morning, then I meant to claim the rest of the day to do what I liked. I had a friend named Mamie in the city, and had an appointment to spend the afternoon with her. Idly I wondered that Mrs. Whipple had not as yet made any effort to get me alone and talk religiously. Little did I dream the truth, which she told me only years later. That first night, after we had all gone to bed, she could not sleep for the burden of me. At last she got up and fell to her knees, asking God the cause. For more than an hour she battled in prayer that whatever was the reason He had sent me to them, it might be fulfilled before I left."
(page 32, Kindle Edition)

"Dear Mrs. Whipple never tried to pry: the privacy of the human soul was respected by her, and that was another reason we all loved and trusted her so."
(page 37, Kindle Edition)

"Life does contain moments of adventure, but these times are interspersed with long periods of plain, unvarnished hard work. The real things of life are attained at these monotonous level periods, so to speak, more than they are at the high peaks of excitement."
(page 47, Kindle Edition)

"'Learn to move man, through God, by prayer alone' was one of the many that I eagerly noted, and it has blessed me all my life."
(page 60, Kindle Edition)

"And now, as reader and author part, I can find no better words to use than these same, 'Let us go on.' Go on searching and exploring the greatness and the dearness of our God. He has no favorites. He has said, 'Ye shall find me when ye shall search for me with all your heart' (Jer. 29:13)."
(page 160, Kindle Edition)


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Merciful God

Merciful God, O abounding in love,
Faithful to all who draw near You;
Hearing the cries of the humble in heart,
Showing the cross they may cling to.
Broken I come, helpless in sin,
Found at the feet of Your mercy.
Father, forgive; may my sin be remembered no more.

Merciful God, O abounding in love,
Faithful through times we have failed You;
Selfish in thought and uncaring in deed,
Foolish in word and ungrateful.
Spirit of God, conquer our hearts
With love that flows from forgiveness;
Cause us to yield and return to the mercy of God.

Merciful God, O abounding in love,
Faithful to keep us from falling;
Guiding our ways with Your fatherly heart,
Growing our faith with each testing.
God speed the day struggles will end;
Faultless we’ll gaze on Your glory.
Then we will stand overwhelmed by the mercy of God.

Merciful God by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, and Stuart Townend


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