Francine Rivers's Blog, page 17
February 7, 2015
Old Testament Lessons
This year in Bible Study Fellowship, we’re studying the life of Moses. There was a day when I would have groaned at the mere suggestion of reading Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. Leviticus? Really? It now strikes me as one of the most interesting books in the Bible. I’ve read it three times this year, only once because it was assigned. Leviticus shows how well God knows us, how we think, and how we try to get around God. It’s about about holiness, holy living, and how we fall short. One of the messages I learned from this book is that ignorance
January 30, 2015
I love my dog, but....
I have no intention of taking him to the grocery store or to a restaurant. I certainly do not want him in my lap with his head out the window, enjoying the wind in his face while I attempt to drive my car. I do not want my dog with me at the mall or movie theater or doctor’s office, or while I shop, watch a movie or have my annual physical. I love my dog, but I don’t want him “talking” to the neighbors or thinking he has a right to do his own thing whenever he wants, whatever his thing happens to be.
January 23, 2015
Diversity
America is called a “melting pot”, and it surely is. There isn’t a nation on the planet that doesn’t have representation, and most have brought family traditions with them. I know our family did. Rick and I are not that far removed from being from across the water. We’re both Heinz 57 variety Americans with a little more of this than that. Rick’s maternal grandparents came from Sweden. You’d have to go back two hundred years to Britain for his paternal ancestors. My (maternal) grandfather came from Germany, my grandmother Switzerland, and both came
January 16, 2015
Underground Cell Groups
The news is full of various terrorist attacks around the world. Journalists are currently being targeted. Seventy have been killed by ISIS, not including the staff at Charlie Hebdo, not including the seventeen Iraqi journalists. Saudi blogger Raif Badawi has been sentenced to 600 lashes, 50 a week, for “insulting Islam” by criticizing senior religious leaders, and suggesting Saud Islamic University is becoming a den for terrorists. His wife, Ensaf Haidar, has been sentenced to 1000 lashes because she dared say the floggings are killing her husband.
January 10, 2015
Unbroken
Rick and I went to “Unbroken” recently. We’ve both read Laura Hillenbrand’s excellent book, and bought an extra copy to loan out. Louis Zampirini’s story shows the strength of the human spirit to survive and the power of God to enable one to forgive and thrive.
January 2, 2015
Would you know Van Gogh?
I saw an article in our local newspaper the other day, announcing an “Unseen” art exhibit at the community center. The exhibitors are part of an art program available through the Wellness and Advocacy Center which is part of the County Mental Health Division. The group is a peer-run and self-help center. What intrigued me is these exhibitors suffer mental illness and are homeless.
December 26, 2014
Wedding Anniversary
Rick and I got married on December 21, 1969. With all the activities of Christmas, one would think a young couple would pick a less hectic time for a wedding, but that was the only time the church was available. My parents had retired and moved to Oregon and Rick was in the Marine Corps, stationed at El Toro. Hence, I did most of the planning, and it was a simple, old-fashioned wedding with family and friends. All Rick had to do was get time off and show up (not always easy to do when you are subject to the “exigencies of the Corps”). He said he’d go AWOL
December 19, 2014
Christmas Music
Imagine being rock bottom and hopeless. Imagine being fifty-six years old, jobless, in failing health and near bankruptcy. When you were younger, you flunked out of college and left home, hoping to find your own way in the world. And you did. You made a name for yourself. People recognized your talent.
December 13, 2014
Christmas Traditions
I used to have a long list of things I “needed” to get done before the family celebration on Christmas Eve. The change in my thinking began when I attended an “Unplugging the Christmas Machine” retreat. When I made my to-do list for Christmas and who did each chore (me), I was appalled. No wonder I was tired and cranky. No wonder I felt depressed by the time Christmas Eve was over. Expectations were so high, failure was almost guaranteed.
December 6, 2014
Red Kettles and Bells
As Christmas approaches, volunteers in red aprons or jackets and a velvet Santa cap stand by a red bucket and ring a bell. You see them in front of supermarkets and stores and hear them wishing people a Merry Christmas, even those who don’t give a dime to help others, but walk right past to shop inside. Rick and I have not rung the bell, but we never pass by those who do without putting money in the bucket.
Why?
