The Booking Through Thursday for today is:

Suggested by JM:

“Life is too short to read bad books.” I’d always heard that, but I still read books through until the end no matter how bad they were because I had this sense of obligation.

That is, until this week when I tried (really tried) to read a book that is utterly boring and unrealistic. I had to stop reading.

Do you read everything all the way through or do you feel life really is too short to read bad books?

Years ago I had a problem with self-discipline in reading, starting them only to abandon them, so I began to make myself finish any book I started (any book designed to be read through, of course — not something that was primarily reference or a “pick up and dip in” book.)

I think in our “easy entertainment” era, we can lay aside something that doesn’t “grab us” right away and miss a treasure. A lot of older books weren’t written in a style to “grab” the reader right off the bat: they laid a lot of foundation first before getting on to the story.

Also, usually any book I pick up is one I’ve checked on enough to think I am going to like it — even a recommendation from a close friend whose tastes are similar is not enough to make me go get a book without further checking into it. Since I got the book in the first place because I thought there was a good chance I would like it, I’m willing to give it a fair chance.

However, life is too short to read a bad book, and I have so many I want to get to that if a book is really doing nothing for me after a good chance, I would have no problem with laying it aside. I will lay it aside sooner if it is truly bad — morally or in its writing, etc. But if it is just boring, I tend to give it more of a chance. I don’t have an arbitrary number of chapters or pages that I go through before giving up on it, but if there comes a point when I feel I am wasting my time, it’s bye-bye, book.

“Throughout our history, America has been protected by patriots who cherished liberty and made great sacrifices to advance the cause of freedom. The brave members of the United States Armed Forces have answered the call to serve our Nation, ready to give all for their country. On Veterans Day, we honor these extraordinary Americans for their service and sacrifice, and we pay tribute to the legacy of freedom and peace that they have given our great Nation.”

“Veterans Day is dedicated to the extraordinary Americans who protected our freedom in years past, and to those who protect it today. They represent the very best of our Nation. Every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, and Coast Guardsman has earned the lasting gratitude of the American people, and their service and sacrifice will be remembered forever. In the words of Abraham Lincoln: ‘ . . . let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the Nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle . . . .’ On this Veterans Day, I ask all Americans to express their appreciation to our Nation’s veterans.”

President Bush, 2007 Veterans Day Proclamation

Along with honoring our veterans, I think their loved ones who stay behind deserve our support as well.

The Silent Ranks

–Shiela Gault

We appreciate you all!

Hosted by Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee. Visit Linda’s to link up or find other participants.

1. What was the last song you listened to?

I don’t remember what the last song was, but the last CD was A Firm Foundation by the Steve Pettit team.

2. Have you ever had “buyer’s remorse” over anything?

Oh, sure, plenty of times. Two of the worst involved a door-to-door salesperson in one instance (some cleaning solution) and a telephone solicitation in another (way-overpriced vitamins). I don’t buy anything from anyone at the door or on the phone any more, with the exception of Pizza Hut coupons — a couple of times someone has come around selling a sheet of PH coupons that were the best deals ever. I wish those people would come back.

3. What is something in your life that you are thankful for now that you didn’t think you would be at the time of the event? (Something that seemed ill-timed, inconvenient or hurtful which turned out to be a good thing.)

I’ve mentioned this a few times, but my family moved the summer before I went into 8th grade, and the school I went into that year was the most clique-ish place I have ever seen. I had never had a problem making friends at school before, but I spent most lunch-times by myself for months. I did eventually make one close friend and several more acquaintances. I learned several years later that the “in crowd” I wanted so much to be a part of (and one guy in particular I had a crush on) were into some very unwholesome behaviors, and I realized that God was actually protecting me by not letting me “in” with them. There have been several other situations — my parent’s divorce, transverse myelitis, etc. — that God “worked together for good” (Romans 8:28).

4. Do you watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade every year? If so, do you have a favorite float or balloon?

No, we rarely watch it.

5. Share a quote, scripture, poem or lyric which has been an inspiration to you lately.

On Sunday I quoted the hymn “I Could Not Do Without Thee,” and the second stanza means a lot to me:

I could not do without Thee,
I cannot stand alone,
I have no strength or goodness,
No wisdom of my own;
But Thou, beloved Savior,
Art all in all to me,
And weakness will be power
If leaning hard on Thee.

6. This is meant to be a fun question, and this is a G-rated blog, but please share a “guilty pleasure,” something that you enjoy that’s probably not the most edifying, time-worthy or healthy thing you could be indulging in. Did I mention–G rating?

Eating simple carbohydrates. I’m drawn to donuts, cookies, etc.

7. What Thanksgiving food are you looking forward to?

Dressing! Mashed potatoes and gravy, too, as that’s about the only time we have them.

8. What is your favorite book to read to children, or what was your favorite childhood book?

I did a whole “Thursday Thirteen” post about books I read to my children once. One of the favorites was a little-known one titled Gus The Bus about a faithful little school bus whose tires get over-inflated, carrying him away to frolic in a field with some horses and other fun things before he is finally found and his tires get corrected. He ends up back at the schoolyard with a smile and a daisy stuck in his side mirror. I almost threw out our taped-together copy once, but the kids wanted to keep it. Other favorites were Curious George, Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? (especially when we had our own Jesse), The Little Engine That Could, Go, Dog, Go, Are You My Mother?, The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, several Little Golden Books. Another favorite was Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie by Peter Roop, about a girl who has to keep the lighthouse lamps burning when her father is delayed from getting back home due to a storm. I liked the portrayal of having to step up and do something you think is beyond your strength, only to find out that you can do it.

9. Do you collect anything? (Feel free to post a photo.)

Boyd’s Bear figurines (a few here) and heart-shape things or things with hearts on them (a few here). I don’t know if I’d say I collect things with pink roses — but I do gravitate toward them and have a lot in my home. A picture for each category:

This was from my husband and is a favorite because we got engaged while sitting on a log.

I made this!

10. Gift bags or wrapping paper?

It really just depends on the gift. Bags are quicker, but more expensive.

11. Share an after-school memory from when you were younger. What was your routine like on an average day?

I really can’t remember from childhood: probably some assortment of homework and playing. The last two years of high school I had to do homework, watch my younger siblings, and get dinner started until my mom came home from work. I didn’t like that as well as mom being there when I came home.

12. True story: Once, in a job interview, I was asked this question and told there would be no clarifying; I simply had to answer the question: “When you’re fishing, do you feel for the fish?” So what about you? When you’re fishing, do you feel for the fish??

As in touch the fish? No. Ewww. As in feeling sympathetic towards the fish? No, not really. But then I haven’t fished since…I can’t remember when. Sometime during my childhood. That is a very odd question for an interview.

When I mentioned stocking our missions closet recently, Jewel said she’d like to hear more about it. I am happy to oblige!

We “inherited” this ministry from another couple who left our church to help a smaller church in another area, so I don’t know exactly how this was started. When a missionary comes to speak at our church, a love offering is taken for them, but the missions closet is a little something extra. The love offering is given to them in the form of a check, and it may be the next day or longer before they are able to cash it, so some items in the missions closet are little necessities (toothpaste, etc.); other items are just for fun, for their family, and possibly for their ministry.

I have heard that some churches use a point system whereby points are figured to determine how much the missionary and his family are allowed to take, but I have no idea how points are assigned. We’ve found that the need varies so much from family to family that we’d rather leave it open-ended.

I can see, though, that a point system might alleviate some of the awkwardness and uncertainty that a few feel. Some “old-timers” who are used to this sort of thing have no problem coming in and choosing a few things, but a few feel awkward in wanting to avail themselves of the opportunity but not wanting to overstep or seem greedy. Usually we end up suggesting things for them to take or urging them to take something they seem interested in. My husband will often tell them, “It’s not going to do anyone any good just sitting here: go ahead and take it.” On the other hand, occasionally a missionary traveling by car is packed to the gills, or is flying and short on luggage space, or for various reasons really does not need anything, and we want to be careful not to “push” a visit to the missions closet on them to the point that they feel they have to come and take something they don’t want so as not to offend us. We might suggest a CD that can be easily tucked in somewhere, but we know what it is like to travel or pack too much stuff, so we try to encourage but not push.

Jewel was particular interested in what items we stocked in the closet, so I’ll list most of them. We started by just restocking what the couple before us had there and then asking visiting missionaries for suggestions. We also took into account what things we liked to take when we traveled.

Sheet sets in various sizes
Towel sets
Dish towels
Potholders
Throw blankets
Travel irons
Curling iron
A variety of toiletries, both full-sized and travel-sized
Craft items (decorative-edged scissors, punches, foam shapes, etc.)
Various tools
Bungee cords
Balls: football, soccer ball, etc.
Golf tees, balls
Socks
Basic baby items (onesies, sleepers, etc.)
Toys (We have separate bins for girls’ and boys’ toys.)
Batteries
Battery-lit lanterns
Flashlights
Car emergency kits
First aids kits
Thank-you cards, note cards
Stationery sets
Christian music CDs
Christian books for adults, teens, and children

Probably the books and CDs are taken the most, but sheets, towels, balls of all kinds, and tools are our most often taken items. Batteries and bungee cords are chosen pretty frequently, too.

Toiletries are the least-often taken items, which was surprising to me. One missionary commented that some churches give them gift bags, most often filled with toiletries, and they ended up with more than they could use. I don’t know if that’s the case generally.

We don’t stock food in there. One Sunday School class collected a variety of mostly canned foods (without checking to see if we could use them first), but none were ever chosen, and when they’d been in there for a while and it occurred to me I should check the expiration dates, and the majority of them were past the use-by dates. I was heartsick at the waste of their efforts and determined if we ever receive food donations again, I’d donate them to the rescue mission. Another reason not to stock food is to avoid attracting “critters.” I wrote a while back about some rodent visitors to the closet and their by-passing  boxes of macaroni and cheese and Jello to chew on handmade soap and towels (We keep towels in over-sized Ziploc bags now).

We occasionally have an odd thing donated that I’ll leave for quite a while, but if there is not interest over the course of several months I’ll remove them and donate them elsewhere. We don’t usually keep clothing in there: we just don’t have the space and we don’t want to encourage people to donate castoffs. But once someone gave a couple of really nice ladies’ coats, with the tags still on, that she found in her mother’s closet after she passed away. One was chosen by a missionary wife in Mongolia (where they really need warm coats!) and the other by another missionary wife who was in need of one that winter. Someone donated a belt once, and a visiting missionary walked in and went straight to it: it was exactly the size he needed.

And that’s when I feel most blessed and most used in this ministry: when someone’s eyes light up at seeing just the thing they wanted or needed.

As far as logistics go, though it would be nice to have a room singularly devoted to the missions closet, I think most churches are not equipped for that. Our “closet” also houses a piano where lessons are given, Christmas decorations, tape ministry boxes, and assorted other storage items. Sometimes it is a bit of a challenge, but we try to keep it neat and keep only missions closet items on certain shelves all together.

The missions closet is financed by a portion of the church budget and occasional monetary donations, and I turn in receipts for the items I purchase to the church business manager. For the first time this year, Wednesday night offerings in October were designated for the closet in preparation for the Missions Conference. And, as I mentioned, sometimes someone will give us an occasional item. As a general rule we don’t take used things: I’ve heard horror stories about things given to missionaries, and we don’t want them to feel they’re getting “leftovers,” or worse yet, junk.

Overall it is a very fun ministry to buy things and give them to people! And from the comments of missionaries, it seems to be much appreciated. The only negative is having to stay late: the missionaries usually have a table at the back with some of their things displayed, and they’re back there to talk with folks after the service. Then our missions committee meets with them for a few minutes, then we’re able to take them to the closet. But though staying late is the part my flesh balks at, more so the older I get, really, it is not a major sacrifice. Every ministry costs something, and that bit of my time is well worth it.

And that, my friends, is just about everything I can think of to tell you about a missions closet. I’d love to hear whether your church has one and how it is conducted, what kinds of things you keep in it, etc.

(One last note: obviously what I have been discussing here is different from a closet designated for folks who come by the church needing some kind of help. We were in one church that had a closet for that purpose, but it was mostly cast-off clothes, and I don’t think it was used much. Some churches have food pantries: ours has a “benevolence fund” that the pastor can access at his discretion. That kind of ministry is a whole different topic.)

What do you think when you hear that a missionary will be speaking at your church? Are you disappointed that you won’t hear the pastor? Or excited about a change of pace? Are you tempted to stay home because it is “just a missionary” after all? Or looking forward to dozing off during the video?

A few weeks ago a young lady spoke at our women’s meeting about her summer on a mission field, and I was blessed in so many ways even beyond just hearing what the Lord did that summer that I made a list of some of the blessings we can glean as missionaries present their work. Our church is having a Missions Conference this week, so it seemed like a good time to revisit these thoughts and post them.

1. Jesus told His disciples to “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields” (John 4:35b), and hearing a missionary presentation is one good way to obey that command.

2. We can see more fields than we could possibly visit in person.

3. Our hearts are stirred for the lost.

4. We are stirred to contribute both by prayer and giving.

5. We’re stirred to come alongside and help the missionary in his or her ministry.

6. It’s educational: we learn of other cultures from those who have actually experienced them.

7. We’re stirred up to serve the Lord in our own areas of ministry.

8. Our faith is encouraged as we see God’s hand at work in the lives of ordinary people who have stepped out in faith and yielded themselves to Him, and we are encouraged to do likewise.

9. Our faith is encouraged as we see God’s provision for funds, supplies, abilities.

10. Our hearts are knit together with brethren we might never meet in this life. We get to know our spiritual relatives whom we will meet some day in heaven.

11. We’re called to be willing to be used in whatever way God might see fit in the mission field He has for each of us, possibly even an overseas one.

How about you? How do you feel about missionary presentations?

Welcome to Microfiction Monday,
where a picture only paints 140 characters.

Susan at Stony River has begun a Microfiction Monday wherein participants write a story in 140 characters based on a particular image.  Design 215’s Character Counter helps keep track of the number of characters. It’s a fun exercise in creative conciseness…or concise creativity…

Imagination on parade
Through the dell, across the glade
Before the dream and daylight fade
And slumber to its rest is laid
Neath the shade.

The first time I heard this hymn was from a ensemble visiting our church, and it spoke to my heart, especially the second verse. I thought it was a new hymn, but looking it up after I got home, I saw it was written by Frances Ridley Havergal in1873. I like the newer melody better, but I don’t know who wrote it. It’s on one of my favorite CDs, “A Quiet Heart” by Soundforth (you can hear sound clips or buy individual tracks here; you can hear longer sound clips here, you can buy the CD either place, and no, this is not a paid advertisement.)

The whole song text is here as well as alternative tunes; I have usually only heard it sung with these four stanzas.

I could not do without Thee
O Savior of the lost,
Whose precious blood redeemed me
At such tremendous cost.
Thy righteousness, thy pardon
Thy precious blood, must be
My only hope and comfort,
My glory and my plea.

I could not do without Thee,
I cannot stand alone,
I have no strength or goodness,
No wisdom of my own;
But Thou, beloved Savior,
Art all in all to me,
And weakness will be power
If leaning hard on Thee.

I could not do without Thee,
O Jesus, Savior dear;
E’en when my eyes are holden,
I know that Thou art near.
How dreary and how lonely
This changeful life would be,
Without the sweet communion,
The secret rest with Thee!

I could not do without Thee,
For years are fleeting fast,
And soon in solemn loneness
The river must be passed;
But Thou wilt never leave me,
And though the waves roll high,
I know Thou wilt be near me,
And whisper, “It is I.”

The first time I heard it I was struck with the repetition of “lone,” “alone,” and “loneness.” I was feeling very much  alone at the time because Jim was traveling a lot, and I was reminded that I am never alone with Christ, and that’s not just a trite saying but a meaningful reality. And then the second stanza has been a help to me so many times. We truly have no strength, goodness, or wisdom of our own, but because of the redemption mentioned in the first stanza, we can experience the strength in the second stanza.

I saw at Susan’s that Melody from With the Fruit of Her Hands is giving away one of her necklaces on her blog from her online shop, Hope of My Heart Designs. I don’t care for most birthstone or “mother’s” jewelry, but I like this one. Go over and leave a comment before Sunday evening to be entered in her giveaway!

PhotoHunt

Theme: Veterans/Military | Become a Photo Hunter

I haven’t done a Photo Hunt in ages. I got super busy a few Saturdays in a row, and then just fell out of the habit — sometimes I’d look at the categories but couldn’t seem to come up with anything interesting.

But I have a few photos from a Veteran’s Day parade a few years ago plus a few in connection with my father-in-law.

Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations, that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of a free and undivided Republic. ~John A. Logan

The Photo Scavenger Hunt is hosted by TN Chick.

Susanne at Living to Tell the Story hosts a “Friday Fave Five” in which we share our five favorite things from the past week. Click on the button to read more of the details, and you can visit Susanne to see the list of others’ favorites or to join in.

1. A whole evening to read. That doesn’t happen very often. Usually I read in snatches of time here and there. But one evening there was nothing on TV and nothing happening in the blogs I read or on Facebook, and I just wasn’t in a frame of mind to do anything physical, so I spent a lovely evening with a book.

2. A really good apple and orange. One problem with eating fruit is that you never know quite how it is going to taste until you start it, even if you buy the same variety. Sometimes it more dry or tart, etc., ulike a package of Oreos, which tastes the same every time. But a really, really good piece of fruit is…really good!

3. A good ladies’ meeting. Somehow it has almost become a tradition to have the November meeting at a ladies’ home who has a home theater (installed and left by the former owners) and watch a film. Plus this hostess usually prepares a full meal rather than snacks, and she usually includes some kind of potato soup — one of my all-time favorite soups. We watched the film “Open My Eyes, Dear Lord” about the lives and ministry of Joe and Tanna Collins — dear, sweet, ordinary people who stepped out in faith. Her testimony about the Lord answering her objections step by step was both sweet and humorous. Unfortunately the film doesn’t share the “rest of the story” as included in the article (it was probably made before the events in the article), but I printed it out and was able to share a few things from it. Several things spoke to me, but this was particularly convicting:

In 1997, the wife of a witch doctor was repeatedly beaten for attending church after she came to Christ. In spite of beatings that would sometimes leave her in bed for two weeks, she would sneak out to be with other Christians for church services. Soon, she had led 22 of her fellow Nepalese to Christ, and she would risk more beatings by spending time with anyone after church who needed to be saved.

How often I drag my feet to attend church (even knowing that God will speak to me and it will be a blessing) because I am tired or whatever — and this lady wanted to attend so much she did so despite beatings.

4. Stocking the missions closet. Our church has a little closet where we take visiting missionaries so they can choose from a variety of items as just an extra little ministry to them. Our missions conference starts this Sunday, so I have been stocking it up. It’s a fun ministry, and it is especially a blessing when something is especially what they needed or something they’re really excited to get. It’s neat to know the Lord leads in even such things. Once a missionary family picked up a little tool which I was not entirely sure even what it was — for some reason I just added it in when shopping, but they needed it.

5. Baby time. My daughter-in-law, Mittu, is baby-sitting a little 8-month old girl. I met her for the first time this week. I haven’t been around babies in a while, and I’m not normally someone who just gravitates to babies. But oh, the sweetness! It was a little preview into what it might be like when grandkids come along. I can’t wait. No pressure, no hurry, all in the Lord’s timing — but I am looking forward to it even more than I already was!