2.17.2009

We are Art

There are many times that I find myself defending Art. As a culture, we have many different ways of participating in art but we don't always acknowledge it as such. I've heard people say before that they aren't very interested in art but I would have them answer the following questions:

Do you watch movies?
Do you decorate your house or landscape?
Do you enjoy listening to music?
Do you like to shop for clothes?

If you have answered 'yes' to any of these questions then you participate in art. Of course there are other forms of art such as dance or painting but these are only two of the many forms that we see around us.

In Refractions by NavPress, Makoto Fujimura talks about art in a way that I have never heard of before. He talks about how it has impacted his life and the lives of those around him. What is also very interesting is that he talks about having lived through 9/11 since he lives a few blocks from Ground Zero. He shares how his art has become even more of a source of self expression after that event.

If you are even remotely interested in art, this is definitely a great book.

2.11.2009

Peace

My name means 'peace' and I had a friend once say that she really feels like the meaning of a persons name plays a role in who people become. I would say that in my life, peace has been a BIG part of who I have become. I often make major choices after feeling the peace of God. I have longed for the peace of God through troubled times. Peace -- there is nothing like it.

Lately, I have felt a different kind of peace. Usually peace in my life is more of an "okay" about a decision but right now I'm feeling a peace that is more like contentment. I'm at peace with where I am in life, who God has made me to be, and where He is leading me.

While I don't know all the details about where He's taking me, I am at peace with whatever He has for me as long as it is what He wants. He knows way more than me and I trust Him because He only has His best for me.

2.02.2009

Word of Promise: The Gift of Psalms

I was familiar with the Word of Promise because of the New Testament CDs so I was very excited when I got the chance to review The Gift of Psalms. This devotional comes with a very nice book with a few selected Psalms and the brief devotional for each day. But what makes this book so special are the CDs with each Psalm read completely. I know that there is a lot of publicity around the actors that participated in making it and I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't cheesy.

I have about a five minute drive to work each day so I thought it would be a great time to listen to the devotionals. I spend a couple minutes before I left to read the cooresponding section in the book and then I headed off to work. As I started the CD, I was first drawn in by the voice. I love hearing the Psalms read by a man (which most of them are with this product). I could hear the emotion behind Davids words and I loved the Psalms that they chose to include. After the Psalm was read, a different voice shared the devotional which was word for word from the book. I was a little disappointed in this because I was hoping to hear something more than what I had just read. But one great thing about hearing the devotional again was that I picked up on different things the second time through. I walked away feeling like I had had a completely different devotional experience than before.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I was shocked to see that it was so well made. This would make a great gift since the wrap is what contains most of the advertising. I felt as though I had received a gift when I opened got this in a mail and I will definitely think of this again when I'm shopping for someone.

I was touched. I wished that all the Psalms were used but there are a lot of them so I can understand. This product was great. I encourage you to check it out.