Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices

May's Puritan reading was Precious Remedies against Satan's Devices by Thomas Brooks. I'm almost done it. This quote caught my attention today:

All divine power and strength against sin flows from the soul's union and communion with Christ. While you keep off from Christ, you keep off from that strength and power which is alone able to make you trample down strength, lead captivity captive, and slay the Goliaths that bid defiance to Christ. It is only faith in Christ that makes a man triumph over sin, Satan, hell and the world. It is only faith in Christ that binds the strong man's hand and foot, that stops the issue of blood, that makes a man strong in resisting and happy in conquering. Sin always dies most where faith lives most. The most believing soul is the most mortified soul. Ah! sinner, remember this, there is no way on earth effectually to be rid of the guilt, filth and power of sin, but by believing in a Saviour. It is not resolving, it is not complaining, it is not mourning but believing, that will make thee divinely victorious over that body of sin that to this day is too strong for thee, and that will certainly be thy ruin, if it be not ruined by a hand of faith.

Puritan Reading Challenge - The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment

In January, I took up Timmy Brister's Puritan Reading Challenge. I read The Bruised Reed first.
Next, since we didn't have February's title yet, I picked up The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs. I finished it just a few days into March.

I've read The Rare Jewel before but this time was particularly meaningful. February was a hard month spiritually. I was challenged with some issues about myself and I am thankful to God for bringing these things to my attention. I don't think it was any coincidence that I was reading this book at the time.

The Rare Jewel is not necessarily easy to read, in more ways than one. I began it at the beginning of February and after a couple of days, went back and started outlining it as I went so I could keep track of all his points. That helped a lot. It's laid out well but there are subpoints of subpoints so sometimes I got a little confused until I started writing it down.

It's also not that easy to read because it's challenging spiritually. Here are some quotes and points from it. In italics are the direct quotes.

Contentment is an inward quiet gracious frame of spirit.

Contentment is freely submitting to and taking pleasure in God's disposal.

A Christian comes to contentment, not so much by way of addition as by way of subtraction.

(I can't tell from my notes if this next is an exact quote - I think so but I'm not sure)
Not only in good things does a Christian have the dew of God's blessing and finds them very sweet to him, but in all the afflictions, all the evils that befall him, he can see love and can enjoy the sweetness of love in his afflictions as well as in his mercies.

God is most honoured when I can turn from one condition to another according as he calls me to it.

Speaking of the providence of God...
No more can you make the providence of God alter and change its course with your vexing and fretting; it will go on with power...

God may have some work to do twenty years hence that depends on this passage of providence that falls out this day or this week.

If you have a love and friendship to God, be willing to be crossed... that the Lord may have his work go on in general.

By contentment we come to give God the worship that is due to Him.

Burroughs spends quite a bit of time on the evils of a murmuring/discontented spirit. It's very convicting!

One quote that particularly affected me:

The great design God has in afflicting you is to break and humble your heart; and will you maintain a spirit quite opposite to the work of God? For you to murmur and be discontented is to resist the work of God. God is doing you good if you could see it and if He is pleased to sanctify your affliction to break that hard heart of yours and humble that proud spirit of yours, it would be the greatest mercy that you ever had in your life.

From ch. 12: Considerations to content the heart in any afflicted condition
1. consider the greatness of the mercies we have and the meanness of what we lack
2. The consideration that God is beforehand with us with his mercies should content us
3. The consideration of the abundance of mercies God bestows and we enjoy
etc.

Highly recommended in any season of life. I am hoping to reread each of these books over the next few years because there is so much in them, I can't possibly get it in one reading.

We are studying the Puritans in our history study in school right now and I'm finding it interesting to be reading some of their works at the same time as I am reading about them. Sometimes I don't seem to be reading about the same people!

I Now Understand...

what my parents went through.

I took my son driving today. First time for me with him, about his second or third time driving but it's been a while.

He did fine. We didn't run into anything. He didn't speed - much. We got there in one piece and I didn't even have to raise my voice.

But I was tense all the way and I felt like I was doing what I used to make fun of in my mom. You know, when your right foot is firmly pressed to the floor to help brake...

It was a good experience for both of us. I'm sure he'll learn how to moderate his speed and his braking speed and how to navigate around corners so we only go in one lane. And I'll learn how much to say and not to say.

Since I want him to do some driving on an upcoming road trip, he needs to practice and drive every day. But I think I might let his dad do a few of the driving practices. It's hard to be a mom sometimes.

Sunday Hymn - O Sacred Head

O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down,

Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown;

O sacred Head, what glory, what bliss till now was Thine!

Yet, though despised and gory, I joy to call Thee mine.

What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, was all for sinners’ gain;

Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain.

Lo, here I fall, my Savior! ’Tis I deserve Thy place;

Look on me with Thy favor, vouchsafe to me Thy grace.

Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee, Thou noble countenance,

Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee and flee before Thy glance.

How art thou pale with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!

How doth Thy visage languish that once was bright as morn!

What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest friend,

For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?

O make me Thine forever, and should I fainting be,

Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee.

My Shepherd, now receive me; my Guardian, own me Thine.

Great blessings Thou didst give me, O source of gifts divine.

Thy lips have often fed me with words of truth and love;

Thy Spirit oft hath led me to heavenly joys above.

Here I will stand beside Thee, from Thee I will not part;

O Savior, do not chide me! When breaks Thy loving heart,

When soul and body languish in death’s cold, cruel grasp,

Then, in Thy deepest anguish, Thee in mine arms I’ll clasp.

The joy can never be spoken, above all joys beside,

When in Thy body broken I thus with safety hide.

O Lord of Life, desiring Thy glory now to see,

Beside Thy cross expiring, I’d breathe my soul to Thee.

My Savior, be Thou near me when death is at my door;

Then let Thy presence cheer me, forsake me nevermore!

When soul and body languish, oh, leave me not alone,

But take away mine anguish by virtue of Thine own!

Be Thou my consolation, my shield when I must die;

Remind me of Thy passion when my last hour draws nigh.

Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, upon Thy cross shall dwell,

My heart by faith enfolds Thee. Who dieth thus dies well.

I've been humming this one for the past few days for two reasons. First, because Easter is approaching and I've been thinking about it. And I'm also working on playing this on the cello. The notes are easy but making it sound good is the challenge. I've been learning vibrato this year so I'm trying to apply it to this song and work on the phrasing too. I'm hopeful that with practice it will sound like it does in my head.

Or as it does on this album:

We first bought this album as a cassette tape after hearing John Catchings play with Michael Card and loved it then. I think this is part of the influence for me in wanting to learn cello. Then we didn't hear anything of John Catchings for a long time, until one day I was listening to one of the Sovereign Grace albums, probably The Valley of Vision and heard the cello in the background. We checked the album notes and sure enough, it was John Catchings. I've noticed his name on a few other albums too.

Last night I decided to check itunes for his album and there it was! Highly recommended.

Sunday Hymn

Yes, it's true, I'm posting a Sunday hymn. Whether I do it for more than one week in a row remains to be seen. But for now, here is "I Sing the Mighty Power of God" which I believe we'll be singing in church tomorrow.


I sing the mighty power of God, that made the mountains rise
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey.

I sing the goodness of the Lord, who filled the earth with food,
Who formed the creatures through the Word, and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.

There’s not a plant or flower below, but makes Thy glories known,
And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne;
While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care;
And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God art present there.

Kick Starting the New Year - a Puritan Challenge

Timmy Brister, at Provocations & Pantings, has started a Puritan Reading Challenge for 2008, which includes reading a Puritan book each month. Since I've been thinking for a while that it would be a good idea to read some more of the Puritans, this provides a good push to do so.

Here's the link for the post with all the details.

Would you like to join too?

Prayers for Preteens

This list of daily prayers for preteens came from Family Life but I can't find it on their site any more. I think it would be suitable to pray for all ages of children. Unfortunately, there are only 26 items but you can either add something to the bottom for the last five days of the month or just spread it over the month.

1.. Pray that God will protect your preteen's innocence.
2.. Pray that God will bring godly friends into your preteen's life.
3.. Pray that your preteen won't forget how to laugh.
4.. Pray that God will draw your preteen into a relationship with Him ordeeper into the relationship that's already established.
5.. Pray that God will bring other godly adults into your preteen's life.
6.. Pray that your preteen will be grounded in the spiritual disciplinesof Bible study, prayer, and worship.
7.. Pray that your preteen will learn to love the unlovely (reach out to other kids).
8.. Pray that God will bring about tests of character into your preteen'slife to help him learn how to stand strong in his convictions.
9.. Pray that your preteen will develop humility.
10.. Pray that you will catch your preteen in sin in order to haveopportunity to train him.
11.. Pray that your preteen will develop a larger peer group of believersthat can have its own identity --- enjoying music, parties, and memories together.
12.. Pray that intellectual understanding of the changes in your preteen'sbody will give your preteen cause to praise God for His glorious creation.
13.. Pray that your preteen will respect and treat the opposite sex in a biblical manner.
14.. Pray that your preteen will develop his own convictions about what hewatches, listens to, and reads.
15.. Pray that your preteen will learn self-control.
16.. Pray that God will allow you to catch your preteen in a lie. Pray also that God will give you the courage to follow through with the restitution and the repentance.
17.. Pray that your preteen will not give in to temptation to use drugs or alcohol.
18.. Pray that your preteen will be loving and caring to his siblings.
19.. Pray that your preteen will learn how to manage his anger.
20.. Pray that your preteen will learn how to control his tongue.
21.. Pray that God will protect your preteen's mind from being burned bypornographic images and ideas.
22.. Pray that your preteen will not develop an attachment and preoccupation with material things.
23.. Pray that God will keep the communication lines open between you andyour preteen during the teenage years.
24.. Pray that your preteen will develop biblical convictions.
25.. Pray that your preteen will stand strong when peers pressure him to do something contrary to those convictions.
26.. Pray that your preteen will begin to understand God's mission for his life.

Daily Prayers for our Husbands

Years ago, I was given a list of daily things to pray about for my husband, one for each day of the month. I've been a little lax in doing it over the past few years so this morning, I decided to write them out in my devotional book. As I was doing that, I realized that some of you may not have seen these before.

Although we all know it's important to pray for our husbands, if you are anything like me, you'll know that it's also hard sometimes to think of what we should be praying about, other than generalities or "bless his day". This list helps to dispel some of that fuzziness.

I'm not sure who wrote it originally so there is no credit given. My apologies if you know the person who wrote it.

1. That he might become a holy man, a man of prayer, mature in the Lord, growing in his knowledge of the Lord. I Thessalonians 5:23, Colossians 4:12, Ephesians 1:18-19, 3:16-19, 6:18.
2. That he might grow in all 11 descriptions of a man who will not be shaken as listed in Psalms 15.
3. That he might be a man of contentment as seen in Proverbs 15:16, Philippians 4:11, I Timothy 6:6-8, Hebrews 13:5.
4. That he might learn to take every thought captive, to not be conformed to the world’s thinking and to think scripturally. Romans 12:2, II Corinthians 10:5.
5. That he might daily seek God with all his heart, walking in the Spirit moment by moment, growing in his dependence on Him. Psalms 119:1-2, Proverbs 3:5-6.
6. That he would ever be captivated by my love. Proverbs 5:18-19.
7. That he would be a man of courage. Deuteronomy 31:6, II Chronicles 19:11.
8. That the Lord might give him wisdom to lead his family physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Ephesians 1:17-19.
9. May he always look at the plank in his own eye before seeing other’s sawdust. Matthew 7:3.
10. That he might become a called man, not driven, with well thought through and prayed through goals in life. I Corinthians 9:24-27.
11. That he might be a man of prayer, guarding his heart and mind, putting into practice what he ahs heard, seen and learned. Philemon 4:4-9.
12. That he might stand firm against the schemes of the devil and resist Satan in all circumstances. Ephesians 6:10-18, James 4:7.
13. That he might grow in spiritual maturity by putting away childish things, cultivating, understanding, striving after the Christ ideal, partaking of the deeper truths of the gospel, and overcoming temptation. I Corinthians 13:11, 14:20, Ephesians 4:13, Hebrews 5:14, I John 2:14.
14. That he might make me holy, cleansing me by the washing with water through the word. Ephesians 5:26.
15. That he would learn to not depend on his circumstances for happiness but on God alone. Hab 3:17-19.
16. That he would be a man who enters into spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:11-12, I Thessalonians 5:8.
17. That he might have new strength in the midst of his busy schedule and that the Lord might infuse him with His strength. Isaiah 40:31, Ephesians 3:14-19.
18. That he might have a burden to see lost people come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Matthew 28:19-20.
19. That he would be kept from strange women and evil men and that his friends would be men and women who walk with God. Proverbs 13:20.
20. That his self image might be a reflection of the Lords thoughts toward him. Ephesians 1:17-19, Romans 12:3, Psalms 139.
21. That he might be a man responsible for family spiritual growth. Proverbs 4:1-14.
22. That he might not be deceived into unbelief, sin or bitterness. Matthew 13:8-10.
23. That he might learn to love as God has commanded. I Corinthians 13:4-7, Romans 12:8-10, Ephesians 5:25.
24. That the fruit of the Spirit might be exhibited more and more in his life. Galations 5:22-23, John 15:8.
25. That he might grow humility and being a shepherd. I Peter 5:2-6.
26. That he might grow daily in character. II Peter 1:5-8.
27. That he might keep a clear conscience I Peter 3:16-18.
28. That the Lord might protect him, guarding his course. Proverbs 2:8.
29. That he might learn to manage his time well. Ephesians 5:15.
30. That the Lord would put a song in his heart. Psalms 33:3, 40:3, Job 35:10.
31. That he may have a holy fear of God. Psalms 34:11, 111:10, Proverbs 9:10.

Thankful Tuesday

Cindy at Dominion Family has been posting advice from older mothers to younger mothers. The series is very good and the comments are well worth reading.

I was thinking about it this morning and realized that I am thankful for the good parenting resources that are available. Our #1 choice is Shepherding a Child's Heart, by Tedd Tripp. One of our Sunday School classes is going through the video series and I am reminded again of how valuable the information is.

Pastor Tripp doesn't just focus on external behaviours (do this or that and your child will behave perfectly). Instead, he takes us to the Bible and shows how the hearts of our children should be our focus, rather than their behaviour. When their hearts are right with God, their behaviour will follow.

Over the years, we personally have found that this type of discipline and training leads not only to obedient children but children who want to follow God. Our parenting journey isn't over, by any stretch, but at this point, we are trusting that our children will continue on the path they have started with God.

I have also appreciated various messages and workshops put out by Sovereign Grace Ministries. Covenant Life church has a "Family Room" section and the messages linked through that have been excellent as well.

As parents, we do need to be careful to sift through all the resources available and make sure that what we are reading and studying lines up with Scripture. More specifically, the resources need to always point parents and children to the gospel of Christ. It is only through the grace of God that any of us are able to stand; this applies to parenting just as much to any other aspect of our lives.

Thankful for friends

I woke up this morning thinking about friends. Specifically, the ones God has blessed me with. I realized that I have about 5 or 6 close friends that I see regularly (and always wish I could spend more time with them). Then there are others that I really enjoy being with but our schedules don't allow visiting that often, except at church or in passing. But when we do spend time together, it's great.

Conventional wisdom used to say that pastors' wives (or pastors, for that matter) shouldn't have friends in the church. I've always thought that was silly and I am thankful that these days, it doesn't seem to apply. I am also thankful for where God has placed us so that we can have these friendships.

I imagine that part of the problem for some pastoral families is that it takes a long time to develop close friendships and pastoral families are often not in a church for that long. I just googled it and this page says that the average length of time for a senior pastor is 7.2 years and slightly longer for bigger churches at 8.7 years. That's actually longer than I expected. This site quotes Barna research and says it's 5 years on average. That's the figure I'm familiar with.

At any rate, if after 5 years, the pastor typically moves on to another location, how can he and his wife develop close friendships in the church? I think it would be very difficult, especially after the 3rd or 4th move. We've been at this church for 10 years. I know that if anyone had asked 5 years ago or 8 years ago how I felt about friends I would have said that we had a few close friends. Now after 10 years, the Lord has blessed us with many more and part of that is from having 10 years together. Some of my friends are new to the area but overall, it's the women that I have worked with and raised my kids with and gone to different activities with that have developed into the lasting friendships.

I must admit to being somewhat cynical about the "forwards" and posters about friendship that I get occasionally. And no, just because I don't send them on to 10 people and back to the person I got it from, doesn't mean that I don't value that friendship. I just don't value the forwards. But in thinking about friends this morning, I have to say that sometimes the fancy posters do say it well.

Actually the Bible says it even better:

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy."

Phil. 1:3-4

Thankful November

Rebecca at Rebecca Writes is once more asking for posts of thankfulness during the month of November. This has spurred me on to actually post something on this blog. Hopefully, it will happen more than once in November, although if I judge by the way October flew by - well, we'll see what happens.

I'm thankful for technology. I'm thankful especially for my ipod and how many great things I can store on that one small item. I'm especially thankful for it at the gym. It's going to be my new best friend for the next 4-6 months as my gym partner is having a baby this month and is taking a few months off. I expect to work hard and learn lots in the next 6 months!

I'm thankful too for the computer and for the internet. It's amazing how much is out there - and there's lots of really great stuff. Through facebook, I've connected with some old friends and some cousins that I haven't been in touch with for years. I'm able to download messages to listen to on my ipod and I do lots of school planning too.

Of course, technology is like cars - it's wonderful when it works and horrid when it doesn't. But overall, I think that technology has enhanced my life and enabled me to both grow spiritually and to be in contact with other people who help me to grow and learn. And that's a good thing.

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Sunday Hymn - Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken

Glorious things of thee are spoken,

Zion, city of our God!

He, whose Word cannot be broken,

Formed thee for His own abode.

On the Rock of Ages founded,

What can shake thy sure repose?

With salvation’s walls surrounded,

Thou may’st smile at all thy foes.

See! the streams of living waters,

Springing from eternal love;

Well supply thy sons and daughters,

And all fear of want remove:

Who can faint while such a river

Ever flows their thirst t’assuage?

Grace, which like the Lord, the Giver,

Never fails from age to age.

Round each habitation hovering,

See the cloud and fire appear!

For a glory and a cov’ring

Showing that the Lord is near.

Thus deriving from our banner

Light by night and shade by day;

Safe they feed upon the manna

Which He gives them when they pray.

Blest inhabitants of Zion,

Washed in the Redeemer’s blood!

Jesus, whom their souls rely on,

Makes them kings and priests to God.

’Tis His love His people raises,

Over self to reign as kings,

And as priests, His solemn praises

Each for a thank offering brings.

Savior, if of Zion’s city,

I through grace a member am,

Let the world deride or pity,

I will glory in Thy Name.

Fading is the worldling’s pleasure,

All his boasted pomp and show;

Solid joys and lasting treasure

None but Zion’s children know.

She's Alive!

Yes, indeed, I am still alive. The summer has gone by quickly and we are ramping up to fall here. The weather has been behaving like it really is fall but I'm trying to ignore that. Of course, the fact that I've worn shorts once since we got home from holidays 3 weeks ago doesn't really help.

So what did I do this summer? Worked at camp, worked at VBS, went to BC for two weeks of gloriously warm holidays, planned for school, ignored my garden (except to pull out the incredible weeds that shot up during the two weeks we were gone), planned for school some more, practiced cello, cooked, processed in various ways about 80 lbs of peaches, organized the church library with my kids, enjoyed visiting with friends, welomed our son home from camp (and had a panicked 30 minutes when he didn't show up on the bus we thought he was on), celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary (we went for coffee and a walk) and watched swimming lessons every day for an hour for two weeks. And read a fair number of books, although never as many as I would like.

All in all, a pretty good summer. I think we're all starting to get to the point of looking forward to the structure of fall, although I'm trying not to think about how busy it's going to be. One more week left. We're heading to the city for today and tomorrow and I think we'll take a day away in Jasper next week and then *boom* - fall will start!

My tip of the day regarding computer use:


When I sit down to the computer, I try to remember to check the time. Then I decide right then how long I will be on the computer and keep an eye on the time. Sometimes I go over but it's helpful to get me off, especially if I'm just being lazy and surfing and not doing anything worthwhile. I'm 5 minutes overdue right now but that's because I decided to blog about 7 minutes ago! I just find that little check to be helpful to remind myself to get up and get going on other pursuits.


A photo for your enjoyment (I would post an old picture of ourselves but I don't have any scanned - you'll have to make do with a flower):

Catching up

I'm heading out tomorrow morning with two of our kids to this place

located on the beautiful Shuswap Lake in the BC Interior.



I won't be spending too much time at the beach since I'll be working in the kitchen but I still plan to get some swimming and beach time in.

I'm also taking books and scrapbooking supplies to work on during an afternoon break (after the nap and swim) and evenings. I know I'm taking too much but I might just need them all! :-)

My husband gets to stay home and work at home all week with the two younger children. I wonder if he's regretting these plans yet?

Back in a week. No promises to posting speed (I always wish I could post more but life seems to get in the way. Of course, if I stopped reading other people's blogs maybe I'd have more time but even that blog reading has been sparse lately) but I am hoping to take some pictures every day. I'll try to keep up a little better.

Summer Reading Challenge Update

My update comments are italicized:

Seasonal Soundings is encouraging us all to read over the summer with her Summer Reading Challenge. Here are the books I'm hoping to get through:

On Teaching the Piano - by Hetty Bolton. I've read this before but since I'm going back to some piano teaching in the fall, I thought it was a good time to reread it. I'm about halfway through. Now about 3/4 of the way through. It's a good reminder to be purposeful in my teaching.

Rhythmics, Dynamics, Pedal - by Leimer-Gieseking. As above. Not yet.

Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student - Corbett. I won't complete this before the end of the summer as I'm participating in an online study group that will go until February but I will be reading this weekly. We're working through logic this week.
This is going well. We have a week's break this week so I'm hoping to get caught up. It's a good thing I didn't have to do some reading this week - lots of running around.

Great Books -

VIRGIL - Aeneid (Robert Fitzgerald translation) - I'm on book 5. Finished! I really enjoyed it - that was a surprise to me. A little gory in places but generally very interesting. I'll be interested to listen in on the lectures in the fall.
LIVY- History of Rome (de Selincourt translation) There are 5 books (main sections). I'm about 3/4 of the way through the first one. However, I have more time for reading next week, I hope, so I'm hoping to make it through it. It's surprisingly interesting. The Great Books are really not that hard to read.
SALLUST - The Jugurthine War / The Conspiracy of Cataline
CAESAR - The Conquest of Gaul
CICERO - Selected Works
PLUTARCH-Lives of Noble Grecians and Romans, vol.2 (Dryden translation)
TACITUS- The Annals of Imperial Rome
SUETONIUS - The Twelve Caesars
JOSEPHUS - The Jewish War
EARLY CHRISTIAN FATHERS
EUSEBIUS- The Church History (Maier translation)
ATHANASIUS- On the Incarnation (with introduction by C. S. Lewis)
ATHANASIUS - Athanasius : The Life of Anthony and the Letter To Marcellinus
AUGUSTINE - Confessions

For our summer book club:
Winter Birds - by Jamie Langston Turner. Most of the books for the book club came but there are two still on their way so I've been restraining myself from reading the copy that I have sitting here. I'm tempted though.
Living the Cross-Centered Life - by CJ Mahaney

In my morning devotions
A Call to Commitment - a commentary on Hebrews by William Lane. I'm at ch. 3-4 and it's very interesting. It's funny but I hadn't really thought about reading commentaries until I saw it mentioned on girltalk. Then I was scanning bookshelves downstairs and discovered this one.
Not too much further. Maybe in a couple of weeks I'll get back to it.

You will notice there is very little fiction on that list. That's because I read fiction all the time, whether it's on the list or not. I have been reading through Patricia Veryan's books again, and I am at the point of needing to read all of her Riddle books (not my favourites out of hers but I'll force myself to read them again...).

The Riddle of the Shipwrecked Spinster
The Riddle of the Deplorable Dandy
The Riddle of the Alabaster Royal
The Riddle of the Lost Lover
The Riddle of the Reluctant Rake

I was in the city library shortly after I posted this and found 4 out of the 5 on the shelf and had the 5th one at home. I had a good binge and read them all. Mostly satisfying. I haven't reread one other series by her yet so maybe I'll get to them as well.

I'm working on a biography of Alexander Graham Bell that is very interesting. I also read Not Buying It and hope to post a review at some point. I read a Helen MacInnes the past few days - The Double Image. I really enjoy MacInnes' writing. She's very thoughtful too - it's not all action.

Happy reading!

Project 365 - June 24

Driving home from Edmonton one night about 10 pm, the sky was beautiful. Under the darker clouds, the sun painted beautiful colours. These pictures were taken out the car window so they aren't as clear as they could be if we had stopped but still beautiful colours.

Project 365 - June 22

Recipe Round-up - Rhubarb Kuchen

Rhubarb Kuchen

This is a wonderful dessert for this time of year, when the rhubarb is sweet & tender. Actually, it's good anytime! I think this recipe came from Canadian Living years ago.

3/4 c. butter, softened
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/3 c. plain yogurt
1 egg yolk
1 t. grated orange rind
2 c. flour
1/2 t. baking soda
3/4 c. sliced almonds
5 c. chopped rhubarb
1 T. orange juice
Glaze: 1/3 c. strawberry jelly (or jam)

In bowl, cream butter with 3/4 c. sugar; beat in yogurt, egg yolk & orange rind. Combine flour, baking soda, and 1/2 c. of almonds; gradually stir into butter mixture until incorporated. Using wet spatula or hands, spread evenly onto bottom & 3/4" up side of greased 10-in. springform pan.

Toss rhubarb with remaining sugar & orange juice; arrange evenly over dough. Sprinkle remaining almonds around edge. Bake in 350 oven for 45-50 minutes or until pastry edge is golden brown and rhubarb is tender. Let cool on rack. Remove sides of pan.

In small saucepan, bring strawberry jelly & 3 T. water to boil, whisking constantly. Reduce heat & boil gently, whisking often, for about 3 minutes or until thickened. Brush over rhubarb & sides of cake. Let stand for 5 minutes. Makes 12 servings.

Enjoy!

Summer Reading Challenge

Seasonal Soundings is encouraging us all to read over the summer with her Summer Reading Challenge. Here are the books I'm hoping to get through:

On Teaching the Piano - by Hetty Bolton. I've read this before but since I'm going back to some piano teaching in the fall, I thought it was a good time to reread it. I'm about halfway through.

Rhythmics, Dynamics, Pedal - by Leimer-Gieseking. As above.

Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student - Corbett. I won't complete this before the end of the summer as I'm participating in an online study group that will go until February but I will be reading this weekly. We're working through logic this week.

Great Books - my son will be doing Great Books II with Schola Classical Tutorials this fall. Since I wasn't very successful last year in keeping up with the reading, I'd like to do the majority of it this summer. We'll see how that works. (You can all stop snickering now, unless you want to look at this cartoon.)

VIRGIL - Aeneid (Robert Fitzgerald translation) - I'm on book 5.
LIVY- History of Rome (de Selincourt translation)
SALLUST - The Jugurthine War / The Conspiracy of Cataline
CAESAR - The Conquest of Gaul
CICERO - Selected Works
PLUTARCH-Lives of Noble Grecians and Romans, vol.2 (Dryden translation)
TACITUS- The Annals of Imperial Rome
SUETONIUS - The Twelve Caesars
JOSEPHUS - The Jewish War
EARLY CHRISTIAN FATHERS
EUSEBIUS- The Church History (Maier translation)
ATHANASIUS- On the Incarnation (with introduction by C. S. Lewis)
ATHANASIUS - Athanasius : The Life of Anthony and the Letter To Marcellinus
AUGUSTINE - Confessions

Wow, that list does look a little daunting. I think I should be checking the study guides to see if the students will be reading all the pages.

For our summer book club:

Winter Birds - by Jamie Langston Turner

Living the Cross-Centered Life - by CJ Mahaney

In my morning devotions

A Call to Commitment - a commentary on Hebrews by William Lane. I'm at ch. 3-4 and it's very interesting. It's funny but I hadn't really thought about reading commentaries until I saw it mentioned on girltalk. Then I was scanning bookshelves downstairs and discovered this one.

You will notice there is very little fiction on that list. That's because I read fiction all the time, whether it's on the list or not. I have been reading through Patricia Veryan's books again, and I am at the point of needing to read all of her Riddle books (not my favourites out of hers but I'll force myself to read them again...).

The Riddle of the Shipwrecked Spinster

The Riddle of the Deplorable Dandy

The Riddle of the Alabaster Royal

The Riddle of the Lost Lover
The Riddle of the Reluctant Rake

Sheesh, some of those covers just scream "romance novel". Veryan's books are romance, true, but her writing is much better than most romance novels. And there are no icky bits. I enjoy her characters & stories.

I'll be interested to see what I manage to get through this summer! Maybe this list is why I rarely write down what I plan to read!