...and while we are discussing books, I wanted to plug The Hobbit. Are you excited about the release of The Hobbit on December 14th? We're ready to begin reading The Hobbit together at our house. I'm not sure the kiddos, brother in particular, will see the movie, but maybe!
We've learned to take him to a movie theatre near a library. That way if he and I need to leave, we can get our money back and go have fun reading books, while the others finish the film.
Recommending, The Annotated Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Bookends: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Bookends: It's Easier to Reach Heaven, Than the End of the Street by Emma Williams
Between us and God, is the chasm. The
abyss of never ending aloneness. I cross the barrier, the chasm,
through the Cross of Christ.
If we believe the Word of
God to be infallible and inerrant, what does it say to us today
about, “The Situation"? Can I, as a Christian, stand with
Israel and still stand with Palestine? I believe, I must. Can I as a
believer recognize the covenant role God extended to Israel and still
live the words of Jesus in the Gospels, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.”
In It's Easier to Reach Heaven, Than the End of the Street, A Jerusalem Memoir by
Emma Williams
shook me awake to the realities of a conflict I have been largely
unaware of and neglectfully ignorant to. A conflict I have
little capability to fathom, but a spiritual responsibility to
understand. I am woefully ignorant on the Israeli/Palestinian
conflict, but I also know it is my conflict. A conflict that lies
within the heart of every human.
Jesus said, “The first shall be last and the last shall be first.” I remember a moment many years ago in which the reality of
the color scheme of heaven sank in. I got it. I understood. Heaven
would not be what I imagined and I would not hold the place in it, I previously imagined I would. Things were going to be
radically different. The true reality I see only dimly will one day become reality. What does that mean for how I live today?
Can any one of you
think of a nation – or even an individual for that matter – that
has ever become more moderate as a result of being starved? Could
anyone really imagine that a people who have suffered so much, as we
all agree those in Gaza have, will become less angry, or less
extreme, after being deliberately made hungry by the same people they
attribute their suffering to?
(page 363) Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” How does this apply to
you and I?
Of course everyone
wants peace. But before peace can come we need justice. There can be
no peace without justice....The Israeli government is not yet willing
to recognize that the Palestinians are here to stay. It's carrying
out a policy of ethnic cleansing, and is unwilling to look within, to
realize there's a problem inside Israeli society. As long as the US
supports this, it is ironically, giving support for the destruction
of Israel – and the Israeli lobby is certainly not to the benefit
of Israelis. (page 367) These are really difficult worlds to swallow, but what if Williams is right? What if the very existence of beloved Israel is threatened by US policy that ignores the basic human rights and needs of the Palestinians, also children of God?
It
was not until I had children, that I came to appreciate the
earth shaking that happens at the playground. Playgrounds are places
for powerful healing. Future leaders sift sand, swing, and slide
together. Hope can be mined on playgrounds. It is palatable and
present. We must not label one child a child of the covenant and
another the child of a terrorist. God forgive us. Set us free.
We are to be people of peace. We must
fight for peace, not with human hands, but through the Holy Spirit.
We are to stand with those who cannot stand for themselves and
through Christ we are called to be living bridges bringing people
together. Promoting peace. Speaking peace. Voting peace. Praying
peace. Giving to peace.
Emma Williams book, first printed in the US in 2010, is a
must read for those seeking to understand the “Situation”. She
genuinely represents both sides with a perspective towards understanding that seeks to promote peace. I desire to judge neither my Israeli brother, nor my Palestinian brother. I am only now beginning to learn what I need to learn. We
are all part of humanity. All are God's children. I am responsible for what I believe.
Looking forward to watching this film when it comes off limited-release.
The Other Son by Cohen Films
Labels:
Emma Williams,
It's Easier to Reach Heaven,
Than the End of the Street,
The Israeli Palestinian Conflict
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Library Challenges
I have 2 hours and 12 minutes until my life changes. My regional library system, in an attempt to keep the work load of our lovely and quiet librarians manageable, is halving the number of books one can reserve via our on line reservation system. Gasp. How can they do this to me? Us? We? I live with my reservation system. I love my reservation system. We are deeply close and personal best friends, when I'm not perusing Amazon at the same time, determining the latest and yes, greatest books for the littles. How I am going to live? Adapt? Change?
I am going to set up an on line account for an unsuspecting male in our house. I am going to help him reserve some books, and he's going to sigh and say, “you have book and coffee issues.”And I'll smile and hit, submit request.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Cause my Punkins' Love Pumpkins...
Impromptu visits are the best. The little punkins' and I made an impromptu visit to the pumpkin patch after school yesterday.
Perfect moments and perfect mud.
Scones anyone?
Before.
Sitting pretty.
Sitting, at all.
After.
Smile...
...if you want one of these. Yes, I bribe them,
to get pictures of punkins' and pumpkins!
Monday, October 29, 2012
Soccer Season Officially Over
The soccer season is officially over. Brother really enjoyed his time on the field with both his coaches and his teammates. He even ended the year scoring the last goal of the season for his team and his first goal ever. It doesn't get much better than that!
Monday, October 22, 2012
Young Woman of Words
This daughter, not yet woman, is filled with words. Her love of words is with her all her day. She is working hard to form and shape them with care. Diligent to dare. Whether soaking them in or shaping them without, she sets forth a stillness that encourages me to form words wisely. For she lives on the edge of her seat, soaking them all in.
Favorite words right now. Trying to live them. Trying to speak them.
Truth, trust, transparency.
Small, still, silence.
Real, resolute, responding.
Query, question, quest.
Probe, persist, presence.
Open, optimist, ocular.
Necessitate, needy, now.
Grasp. Grace. God.
Let us be like lace. Letting light shine in, and illuminating inner rooms.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Little Boy Bean
Little Boy Bean
Long and lean, little boy bean.
Tall and lean, face so clean.
Eyes wide, longer stride.
I shrink, you grow.
He's not so little anymore.
He's losing more teeth each day, but he always keeps his sense of humor!
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