crazy about crazy love

You guys, I started reading a new book over the weekend that is punching me in the guts and making me stop in my tracks to examine my heart.

The book is called, Crazy Love by Francis Chan.

Earlier this year, this book was added to my list of books to eventually read!

Now, when you hear or in this case, read the title, Crazy Love what comes to mind? 
A. a wild romance
B. dating relationship gone wrong
C. a parent's love for their child/children

It's neither of the above but almost close to option C.

It's about God's immense love for us, his children and how he wants us to love him with all our heart, soul & mind. ((matt 22:37-38))

Me & my bff C decided to read it together. She has it on audio I believe. We both have read through chapter 5 (as of last night). It's insane! I love that we are reading this together to help keep each other accountable (something I am not good at alone!) and to spiritually grow with God's help, his grace.

Some people, even Christians may call the ideals in this book, radical, but Chan writes that God wants, deserves and demands our best. Not drawing near to God out of guilt, but out of genuine love.

From the back of the book, I quote, "Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn't working  harder at a list of do's and dont's-it's falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same. Because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything."

WOW!

I've taken some notes from the chapters I've read so far. There is so much to digest. There is so much more I could share. I'll probably pick back up on chapter six tomorrow night.

In one of the chapters, we are reminded from Luke 18:27, "what is impossible with man is possible with God." Amen, right!?

Gosh, I LOVE that! Through God, all things that seem hopeless in our life don't have to be that way. With God, there IS hope, possibilities and opportunities!

Have you heard of Crazy Love? Have you read it or are you reading it? 

What do you think about it?

p.s. if you haven't, check out the current giveaway! :)

bookies.

like just how I go through phases of things, like:

1. being on a corn tortilla chip eating kick 
(true story. I have 1.25 opened bags right now.)
2. wearing neutral eyes with a pop of fuchsia on the lips

...i go through reading a book or two or three in a short amount of time.

On Monday (3 days ago) my mama bought me a new book from Target( also it's a target book club pick!), called Garden of Stones by Sophie Littlefield.

I had a $2 off coupon I wanted to take advantage of, assuming I'd even be interested in the book, which I was once I read the back of the book. $11.89-ish plus the $2 off, thank you.

Garden of Stones is a about an embarrassing fact of American History:
the encampment of American Japanese citizens right after Pearl Harbor was attacked in WWII.

Without giving away too much of the story, it follows a widowed mother & teenage daughter as they are torn from their homes and transported to the dusty desert internment camp with thousands of others. There is sadness, despair and confusion yet hope and the will to keep going thrives in young Lucy for herself, for the memory of her dear father and for her withdrawing mom.

Within the first few chapters, I was hooked. {i am at least half through the book.} It's an unfortunate tale of what life was like for Japanese Americans in California at that time, yet Littlefield writes beautifully with sensitivity too.

After I finish this book, I'll move on to The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I rented the movie from redbox with James a few weeks ago and I loved it! It made me want to get the soundtrack and read the book. That night, I texted my sister and a friend this line from the movie, said by Charlie,

"people accept the love they think they deserve."

WOW! It really made me think. Sister J had the book so she brought over for me to read this past sunday.

 

I just love books and seeing them on display on the shelves.

I did some spring cleaning last week and narrowed all of my cd's into one crate to make room for more of my books that I want to hold onto or pass on/give to others.

There's at least one here that I've read, practically NEW, with no pages bent, that I will be giving away in the very near future!

What are you currently reading? Are you going through any quirky phases?

Love for Sue and NieNie

Noticed anything new around here? I am so behind in things I've been wanting to mention! Please excuse me! lol.

Well, about a week and a half ago, one of my bloggy bffs, Sue of As it seems, installed a new nav bar, made me a blog button with picture & text and made up my one -of -a- kind signature! I absolutely love them!

and if you didn't know, she is the beauty & brains behind As It Seems Designs where she makes custom blog designs and add-ons to make your blog pretty! And i have to say her prices are reasonable! 

I wanted to give Sue a little love and thank you shout out! She did a great job! I love you Sue! :)

I also wanted to let you know that I bought & read the book, "heaven is here" by Stephanie Nielson. I read it in two days a couple weekends ago. OMG. It was so heartfelt and a true testimony  that miracles are real. I've been a reader of Stephanie's blog, the nieniedialogues for nearly 4 years now and I knew alot about her already from she's shared on there, but you feel like you know her even more by reading her book.

She writes about her life prior to the plane crash accident (august 2008 in arizona) in which she suffered 80% burns on her body, her hubby Christian 30% burns and their friend & pilot passed away. She writes about her first waking moments from her medically induced coma, her hospital stay and recovery for the year after the accident. It just amazes me how she strong she is and how wonderful a person she is despite what has happened to her and her family. She chooses to have joy and share hope. Even though we've never met in person,  she has definitely influenced my life.

There were moments when I thought, "how was she able to remember all these little details, going back and writing about it?!"and  "She writes so well!" There were times while reading that i knew exactly what she was going through. You're right, I haven't been in a plane crash and i havent been burned, but ive been in the hospital for months. I've had to rely on others to help me go potty and wipe my bum. I've had a PICC line and had an infection from it. I've been depressed and I've been in pain (physically and emotionally). I've had my life completely change in a day.

I feel like I relate to Stephanie in alot of ways. Her faith is a bright spot in her life and she's around my age.While reading the book, I teared up at least three times. it just tugged at my heartstrings. She is such a beautiful person, inside and out.

Sometimes, i literally feel like my world is crumbling or that i'm not good enough and i feel despair. Maybe you have felt that way before too? i haven't had it easy all my life as i'm sure and know everyone faces struggles, but there is always someone who has it tougher than you. and there is always hope and the fact that you're never alone. I just need to remember this when I am having a self-pity party!

I highly recommend this book for inspiration. It's a great  example of the power our minds have in deciding on what kind of outlook on life to have (which makes a huge difference) and the power our hearts have in choosing the way we live our gift of life.

One last thing, don't forget to enter this blog's first giveaway in celebration of reaching 50+ followers! yahooooo! Yous got four more days to enter to win some girly things!

book review: two among the righteous few

I admit I am a total book worm. I love to read though my love for reading actual books goes in phases. I may read three books in one month or not read one book for three months. Last friday, i finished reading," Two Among the Righteous Few: a story of courage in the holocaust" by Marty Brounstein.

I don't know about you, but i am so drawn to stories that are associated with the Holocaust. I know it might sound morbid or odd, but I think it's important to really know the "behind-the-scenes", the different people's versions of what happened, what they went through or how their lives were affected by this unimaginable, devastating time in our world. All of this whether it be fiction or non-fiction.
This story, however, is real. A true story.I felt such a deep connection to the story, to the people in the book , especially to the author and his wife, Leah "Ineke" baars. I don't want to giveaway too much in case you'd like to read the book, but it's about a young Catholic couple named Frans and Mien Wijnakker who risked their lives along with their four young children to help save at least two dozen Jews in south Holland. The couple lived simple lives and were devout Catholics, yet even their priest was against the idea of hiding Jews in their home. This brave couple embodied what it meant to be brave and faithful. To stand up for what is right.

check out the book here
It's inspiring and makes you ask yourself, "would I be willing to risk my life to help those who were facing injustice and death?"

I was fortunate enough to be able to attend Mr. Brounstein's book signing on friday night at Barnes and Noble!! I have never met any author of any book I've ever read, so for me to be able to go this time for a book on a topic I really enjoyed meant so much to me. It was indeed a once in a lifetime opportunity. I got to meet Marty, his wife who both signed my copy, as well as had a picture taken with them. They were kind and thankful that us small group (about 20 people) came for the signing and to hear Marty talk about the book and how he came about in actually writing the book, which happened on accident. I'll never forget last friday night.
I was on a literary high.