Saturday, November 19, 2011

Mornings, Trains, and Crimson Cherry Tea




Toppling brightly-colored blocks, winding wooden train tracks, and engaging in occasional property disputes, my youngest plays happily alongside his older cousins. The next generation of kids are willowy grown up teens, who can drive away for shopping runs, and descend into the basement for music jam sessions. Guitar, piano, voice and violin meld in worship songs that we can hear and hum along to upstairs. Family board games, movie nights on the couch, and relaxed multi-generational conversations are also what makes this vacation time with relatives so sweet.

Hot crimson cherry tea or fresh ground fair trade Ethiopian coffee are both welcome accompaniments for escaped times in God's word. Reading, working through my newest Beth Moore Bible study book, or just time in the book of Isaiah refresh and rejeuvenate me.

LORD, be gracious to us;
we long for you.
Be our strength every morning, [...]

The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high;
he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness.
He will be the sure foundation for your times,
a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure. (Isaiah 33:2, 5-6)

What are you drinking right now, and what have you been reading this week?

9 comments:

Jennifer Dougan said...

ich auch, Cindy :)

Houseofmills said...

I am drinking a coffee and a great book I have read this week is called "same kind of different as me" by Denver Moore and Ron Hall. An AMAZING book. You have to read it.

Jennifer Dougan said...

Hi Houseofmills,

That coffee sounds delicious right now. Thanks for the book idea. What do you like best about it?

Jennifer
www.jenniferdougan.com

cabinart said...

Which Beth Moore study? I'm in Esther, which seems like a lite almost trashy novel in contrast to Believing God!

Currently enjoying the 2nd run of my husband's french roast coffee (less caffeine that way).

And I LOVED "Same Kind Of Different As Me" - wow, powerful, true, compelling in a "what's next" sort of way.

Jennifer Dougan said...

Hi Cabinart,

My favorite Beth Moore studies so far have been "Believing God" and "Breaking Free." I haven't done "Esther" yet but I hear it's a lot lighter than her others. The study I'm doing right now is "The Psalms of Ascent." It's fine. Have you done her study on the tabernacle and tribes of Israel called "A Woman's Heart: God's Dwelling Place"? Really good.

Two votes for Ron Hall's book... okay, I'll have to check it out. :)

Mmm, your coffee sounds good and mine is just finishing brewing. Can't wait!

Have a great week,
Jennifer
www.jenniferdougan.com

Cheryl Barker said...

My hot drink of choice is hot chocolate :) I just finished reading What Difference Do It Make, the follow up to Same Kind of Different As Me (one of the best books I've read). So neat to hear more of the story and also to hear how Same Kind impacted the lives of others.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cheryl Barker said...

Just saw the previous comments about Same Kind of Different As Me. Crazy how we're all talking about the same thing :) Looks like it's time for you to read it! :)

cabinart said...

I read "Same Kind of Different" because of several recommendations on Cheryl Barker's blog!

As to Beth Moore studies I've done - Breaking Free, Believing God, Fruit of the Spirit, and now Esther. Whichever one I'm working on is my favorite at that time. Esther is definitely easier, but still full of applicable lessons. The thing that grabs me is Beth's ability to find things in verses I've been skimming my entire life AND her ability to tie in verses from all over the Bible!

Jennifer Dougan said...

Wow, Cheryl and Cabinart (Jana),

That is crazy that you both mention that book. I looked it up online today as a result, and will seek it out. Thanks. Cheryl, what do you like best about the second book?

Jennifer
www.jenniferdougan.com