Books

I've been on a strict diet of books since 2012 started. I'm trying to get through them as quickly as possible, and to read each book in a way that I "use" them. Admittedly, my reading did slow down a bit in April, but I'm picking up the pace again.

I also have a rule to only read one book at a time and I try to diversify the rotation as generously as possible. Right now I am refreshing myself on linguistics. This was one of my favorite classes in undergrad and I seemed to have a knack for it. I was even thinking to switch to a Ling major but my school did not offer it.

I am a gregarious creature

I have a vision. This is my vision: it would be lovely to spend my days in a large white kitchen with two french doors connected to my organic garden outside from which I could cook all sorts of delicious treats! I'd be there all day long cooking and baking with Julia Child and Rachmaninov (and any one else who'd like to join me) until I had way more food than I could ever deal with, so in the evenings I'd call many people over and we'd have a great feast! During this gathering there would be people discipling people, others evangelizing others, sweet fellowship and lots of fun! This would be a very eclectic and international crowd of friends and on late summer nights we'd go swimming under the stars!

To make this happen I am continuing the art of cooking/invention with Julia.

I have way more ideas and thoughts added to this snippet, dealing with discipleship, international missions, and productivity, but I will share this another time... if you're lucky.

Gabriel's Resolve-The Visit-The Mistake

"Why, Farmer Oak," she said over the top, looking at him with rounded eyes, "I never said I was going to marry you."

"Well--that is a tale!" said Oak with dismay. "To run after anybody like this, and then say you don't want him!"

-T. Hardy
Far from the Madding Crowd

What a tease.

Now-isms

"Maturity and perseverance are weakened by a 'now' mentality."

"We forget that God's primary goal is not changing our situations and relationships so that we can be happy, but changing us through our situations and relationships so that we will be holy."

-Paul Tripp
Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands

Richard Baxter on his wife

This is too beautiful not to link. Read how Richard Baxter describes his helpmate and her role in his life and ministry. Click here.

Numbers 15

37 The LORD said to Moses,
38 "Speak to the people of Israel, and tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a cord of blue on the tassel of each corner.
39 And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after.
40 So you shall remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God.
41 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the LORD your God."
Numbers 15

We are naturally inclined to whore after the desires of the flesh. Active, intentional steps must be taken in order to turn and remember God's holiness--remember Christ--and delight in Him alone.

Work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who works in you. He is able to do far more than we ask or imagine.

Enchillada night

I made enchilladas yesterday! I had two international couples over last night before our class and I made my mom's Mexican staple. It's been so long since I've had enchilladas!

We ate beef enchilladas with red sauce smothered with sour cream, white rice flavored with lime and cilantro (so good) and a cucumber salad. :) So happy. I love having people over in general, but this especially inspired me as I was sharing with them food that I grew up eating--my culture.

Also, my two Australian friends ate their very first American chocolate chip cookie made by me! We had Mexican food followed by an American desert! How typical Jaclyn.

The underestimated gospel

And the LORD said to Moses, "Is the LORD's hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not."

Numbers 11:23

What I get from Tripp

Human beings were created to be interpreters. We don't just respond to the facts and experiences of our lives, but we respond to our interpretations of those facts.

This is why it is very important to make sure our interpretations are always filtered through scripture. If our interpretations are not biblical, then our responses will not be biblical either.

Keep guard.

Strategy.

Strategy.

Ask the right questions.

I bought the sushi

I am very confident that 99.9% of the people who read this post would agree that buying sushi from Kroger is always going to be a bad choice. Yet, it couldn't be helped. Hunger pains tore at my stomach as I considered Kroger brand sushi to a Kroger chicken salad sandwich. (While, admittedly, chicken salad sandwiches are also a questionable choice, once it is compared to Kroger sushi, chicken salad should win.)

However, all sense aside, standing at the supermarket, I WANTED the California roll--it was overwhelmingly desirable at the moment. But the heart is deceitful.

Lest I stray from my point: I chose to buy California rolls for my meager lunch even though, to the sane mind, this was a bad move. I gave in because I could only think about what I desired. I did not consider the wisdom or quality of the choice. I was hasty.

The California rolls tasted like paper and I could barely finish them.

This is a metaphor to how sin works in our lives: it blinds us and we end up choosing Kroger sushi--something that NEVER satisfies and always causes regret later.

FFTMC

Interesting muse Thomas Hardy offers in Far from the Maddening Crowd: "The rarest offerings of the purest loves are but a self-indulgence, and no generosity at all." Thoughts?

Lights on

A light bulb just sparked. (As usual as I'm drifting off to sleep.) An idea. Inspiration. Movement. Looking forward to developing this one--I think it has great potential!

More to come.