Thinking, fast, and slow - Daniel Kahneman

I am almost finished with Lysa Terkeurst's book. Yes, I am reading it quite slowly. It's hard to get through it because after every chapter's reading, there are tons of questions to answer and bible chapters to read and study in order to "get my study's worth". If I don't do them, I don't think that'd be fair to myself or Lysa's book.

I just received Kahneman's book from the library. I will be starting this as soon as I am done with Lysa's book.

May 2016 - Lysa TerKeurst - Am I messing up my kids?

I am working on this book right now. Chapter 1-5 have been funny and honest. This is the first Lysa TerKeurst book I have picked up, and I have heard so much about her already, I had decided to wait to read anything that's hers on purpose. After every chapter, there is a little study and space for notes. I will probably highlight some of my favorites here when I am done... if I remember to...

When God Weeps - Joni Eareckson Tada, Steven Estes

This was a hard book to read, especially in the beginning. I personally liked Joni's section better.

In this book, the authors explored the most difficult question everyone asks when suffering hits... WHY? When I suffer, I often asked why. If I don't ask why, I'm too beaten up or too bitter to ask.

I have finally arrived into 2016 where I am experiencing Mountain Top with God. Not the highest but it's one. I am on a break! For the past 5-6 years, our family has actually been going through a lot. My blogs have not really been tended to. I have lost track of time. I have learned how to suffer well, how to deal with emotions, how to let go of bitterness, how idolatrous I can easily become, how much I don't actually know, how much more of the vastness of grace and trust I do not have, and how much I really need Jesus. I am not a content person, nor a joyful person. I am in nature pessimistic and depressive. I have a lazy bone and I like to blame and make excuses. I am disorganized and I like to knock myself down... haha like I just did. But I have also learned how God is faithful and will never give up on me. Not in a cliche "superficial, I'm just saying" way. I am saying it because I am seeing strong evidence of it in my own life and my family's lives.

When I first became saved by Jesus's grace, I went through quick overview lessons on how to live like Christ. For two solid years, one lesson a week, I would learn a character of God or a theological truth in the bible. After that, lessons became longer and longer. Well, it required long suffering. The training has been tough, hard to get through. But in the midst and afterward, it becomes so evident I need to trust Him and continue on. Then I can see light in the tunnel. I know I will be rescued. I know He is here to teach me important things. So I can find my identity with Him, to identify with Christ. This is essential for every believer. Many times, we identify so much more with culture, the world and its teachings. That's how we are deceived and led astray. When we suffer and not blame God for our suffering, but rather sin, death, and evil, we then stand on God's side and know He is on our side.

p202 Suffering keeps swelling our feet so that earth's shoes won't fit.

Thank You Lord Jesus for not allowing us to go astray and try to fit in the world and its sad state.

Phew

Again, I haven't been on because my computer keeled over about a year ago. I have read many books since then, including Revolution to World Missions by KP Yohanan, Before You go by Jack Hempling, some books by Ted Dekker, and a seriously awesome one, Peacemaker by Ken Sande.

Right now I am working on Intimate faith by Jan Winebrenner and War on Words by Paul Tripp.

"I know I have been M.I.A. for almost a year. The computer keeled over one night a year ago and we didn't get it fixed till the beginning for this summer. It was a good time. The Lord called me on a trip, Abigail was baptized in November, adopted a dog, God spoke to my husband about adopting while I was in India, He used me to tell the gospel at my job, Esther accepted Christ one night in April, Isaac learned how to glorify God in his gymnastics meets, Phil took an interim pastor position, got promoted at the seminary, etc etc etc... No, the Lord has not stopped teaching me and I have not stopped learning!..."

Check it out
http://www.akouwtheos-singloud.blogspot.com/

March - LB

I realized I didn't post anything for March but I finished the Left Behind series for kids in March. I really liked the series as fictional writing. Again, the authors are not prophets of God or Jesus Himself so even they know what they write is not completely true. I applaud the authors for sharing the gospel through the characters multiple times in each of the 40 books. I also applaud the effort to follow and quote the book of Revelations as a guide to their writings. The one thing I do not like is that in a series like this, the room for imagination is limited. The books spelled out every event as if they were going to happen that way even though as an adult I know it is not. Especially at the end when Jesus comes back to reign for 1,000 years. The end was too spelled out and definite, it sort of turned me off to it. I would only recommend this series to older children, having explained to them the authors intentions and frailty.

This month I am working on Auschwitz: A new history by Laurence Rees. It has been a slow read. Not because it is boring but because everything in the book is heavy. The witness accounts, interviews of SS soldiers, .... it has been somber. I will be done in the end of April and will post my review for the book. Stay tuned.