That's how my newest niece makes me feel.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Mini-Sabbatical - Prayer Requests for Week 2
Thank you for praying for my mini-sabbatical!
I had a very good first week. I weeded out over 250 books from my library and organized what was left!
Josh Perry took 70 of them home with him! There are about 100 on a table in the foyer for people to graze and take what they'd like.
And I'm feel much better. My cold seems to have finally gone away.
Here are my requests for this week:
1. Prayerfulness, peacefulness, and joy in Christ.
2. This is "filing cabinet week." Pray for effectiveness in tossing what I don't need and organizing what I do.
3. Please pray for wisdom and I try to make decisions about what to do with myself AFTER my mini-sabbatical. I need to balance rest and work, come up with good priorities, and make good decisions--not just return to my patterns from before.
I had a very good first week. I weeded out over 250 books from my library and organized what was left!
Josh Perry took 70 of them home with him! There are about 100 on a table in the foyer for people to graze and take what they'd like.
And I'm feel much better. My cold seems to have finally gone away.
Here are my requests for this week:
1. Prayerfulness, peacefulness, and joy in Christ.
2. This is "filing cabinet week." Pray for effectiveness in tossing what I don't need and organizing what I do.
3. Please pray for wisdom and I try to make decisions about what to do with myself AFTER my mini-sabbatical. I need to balance rest and work, come up with good priorities, and make good decisions--not just return to my patterns from before.
Monday, July 09, 2007
Not in Part But the Whole
My sin has been nailed to the Cross and I bear it no more!
Praise the Lord, O My Soul!
-Pastor Dan's sermon this week: Paid in Full.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Soaking in Psalm 51
How much can you get out of one psalm?
Paul Tripp has been meditating on Psalm 51 for months and months and he shows no signs of stopping.
Excellent and searching stuff.
Paul Tripp has been meditating on Psalm 51 for months and months and he shows no signs of stopping.
Excellent and searching stuff.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Half A Year of Books 2007
Time again for my semi-annual list of books I've completed so far this year. Remember, making this list is not an endorsement of the book. Read with discernment.
No time to do the work of linking each of the books. I'm sure that you can find them at your favorite bookseller on your own!
There is a preponderance of escapist mystery novels (more than usual). I'm hoping to balance that out in the second half of the year.
James, P.D. Shroud for a Nightingale
Ramsey, Dave The Total Money Makeover
James, P.D. Unnatural Causes
James, P.D. An Unsuitable Job for A Woman
James, P.D. The Black Tower
Alcorn, Randy The Law of Rewards
Leavitt, Steven & Stephen Dubner Freakonomics
Younts, John A. Everyday Talk
Osteen, Joel Your Best Life Now
Allen, David Getting Things Done
James, P.D. Death of an Expert Witness
James, P.D. The Skull That Lies Beneath
Schultz, Bob Boyhood and Beyond
Ricucci, Gary & Betsy Love That Lasts
Mahaney, C.J. Humility: True Greatness
Austen, Jane Sense and Sensibility
Henry, Marguerite Misty of Chincoteague
Sayers, Dorothy L. Strong Poison
Hybels, Bill Just Walk Across the Room
Alcorn, Randy Deception
Stout, Rex Fer-De-Lance
James, P.D. Devices and Desires
Stout, Rex A Right to Die
Osborne, Larry The Unity Factor
Stanley, Andy How Good Is Good Enough?
McCullough, David W. (ed.) Great Detectives
McCullough, David 1776
Lencioni, Patrick The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
Buckingham, Marcus and Donald Clifton Now, Discover Your Strengths
Thompson, Rick E3: Effective, Empowering Elders
No time to do the work of linking each of the books. I'm sure that you can find them at your favorite bookseller on your own!
There is a preponderance of escapist mystery novels (more than usual). I'm hoping to balance that out in the second half of the year.
James, P.D. Shroud for a Nightingale
Ramsey, Dave The Total Money Makeover
James, P.D. Unnatural Causes
James, P.D. An Unsuitable Job for A Woman
James, P.D. The Black Tower
Alcorn, Randy The Law of Rewards
Leavitt, Steven & Stephen Dubner Freakonomics
Younts, John A. Everyday Talk
Osteen, Joel Your Best Life Now
Allen, David Getting Things Done
James, P.D. Death of an Expert Witness
James, P.D. The Skull That Lies Beneath
Schultz, Bob Boyhood and Beyond
Ricucci, Gary & Betsy Love That Lasts
Mahaney, C.J. Humility: True Greatness
Austen, Jane Sense and Sensibility
Henry, Marguerite Misty of Chincoteague
Sayers, Dorothy L. Strong Poison
Hybels, Bill Just Walk Across the Room
Alcorn, Randy Deception
Stout, Rex Fer-De-Lance
James, P.D. Devices and Desires
Stout, Rex A Right to Die
Osborne, Larry The Unity Factor
Stanley, Andy How Good Is Good Enough?
McCullough, David W. (ed.) Great Detectives
McCullough, David 1776
Lencioni, Patrick The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
Buckingham, Marcus and Donald Clifton Now, Discover Your Strengths
Thompson, Rick E3: Effective, Empowering Elders
Proud Uncle
We have not one, but two new nieces!
Heather's brother and sister in law, David & Yvonne Lundeen just welcomed Piper Quinn into their family last week.
And my brother and sister in law, Andy & Amy Mitchell got to hold Cora Faith for the first time yesterday!
I'm one proud uncle!
Heather's brother and sister in law, David & Yvonne Lundeen just welcomed Piper Quinn into their family last week.
And my brother and sister in law, Andy & Amy Mitchell got to hold Cora Faith for the first time yesterday!
I'm one proud uncle!
Monday, July 02, 2007
Mini-Sabbatical - Prayer Requests for Day 1
As I officially start my mini-sabbatical Tuesday, I would appreciate prayer for these things:
1. A God-centeredness in my mind, heart, and priorities.
2. Increased health and rest. I have come down with a "Summer cold" and a sinus infection. I'm now on antibiotics, but it's not a fun way to get started with my sabbatical. I have a number of things I'm trying to accomplish during my sabbatical, and I don't want to over-do myself either. A good mix of rest and work is what I'm shooting for.
3. This week is "library-week." I am hoping to sort through my 1,000+ book library and get rid of around 200 books, sorting the rest into (1) what I hope to read (and putting those in a queue), what I will use or loan to others profitably, and (3) what I want to keep for my kids. Everything else MUST GO! Please pray for diligence in this task.
Thanks!
1. A God-centeredness in my mind, heart, and priorities.
2. Increased health and rest. I have come down with a "Summer cold" and a sinus infection. I'm now on antibiotics, but it's not a fun way to get started with my sabbatical. I have a number of things I'm trying to accomplish during my sabbatical, and I don't want to over-do myself either. A good mix of rest and work is what I'm shooting for.
3. This week is "library-week." I am hoping to sort through my 1,000+ book library and get rid of around 200 books, sorting the rest into (1) what I hope to read (and putting those in a queue), what I will use or loan to others profitably, and (3) what I want to keep for my kids. Everything else MUST GO! Please pray for diligence in this task.
Thanks!
Sunday, July 01, 2007
The Shadow Knows
Pastor Dan's message from this morning.
And we were there! We got to worship at Curwensville Presbyterian Church. My wife said, "That was a means of grace to me this morning!"
I'm out of the pulpit for the next 4 weeks, as I enjoy a mini-sabbatical. So there will be no "Matt's Messages" until the last week of July.
But I do hope to blog a little bit more than usual during my sabbatical. So, there will be (hopefully) an increase in my reflections here.
And we were there! We got to worship at Curwensville Presbyterian Church. My wife said, "That was a means of grace to me this morning!"
I'm out of the pulpit for the next 4 weeks, as I enjoy a mini-sabbatical. So there will be no "Matt's Messages" until the last week of July.
But I do hope to blog a little bit more than usual during my sabbatical. So, there will be (hopefully) an increase in my reflections here.
