Books, Love, Faith: Friday's Fave Five

June 25, 2010Time to look back at the blessings of the week. Thanks to Susanne at Living to Tell the Story for hosting this each week. Be sure to visit Susanne if you’d like to join in.

1. Fathers. I miss my dad, but he left me so much. I’m so thankful for him. Then there’s my boys’ father -- that would be my sweet hubby. He’s a wonderful husband and an awesome dad. I wrote about him in this post. We celebrated him on Father’s Day! So thankful for these guys!

2. Another good book. I know, I sound like a broken record. But what can I say – I’m a bibliophile! Davis Bunn is one of my favorite contemporary Christian authors, and I read The Centurion’s Daughter last week. I’m finishing The Hidden Flame, its sequel, this week. Love both of them!

3. An anniversary. It’s been a few years, and still I’m crazy about this man. (That would be the guy in number 1.) We had a special evening out, and I’m thankful for all those years. I wrote about marriage and writing here, if you'd like to check it out.

4. Travel. I do love it, and we’re going to do some in the coming weeks. I look forward to seeing family, experiencing God’s creation, and enjoying some quiet, relaxing time. That puts me in mind of a G.K. Chesterton quote:

The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see.

May I always be a traveler, seeing all there is around me, taking it all in whether it’s my destination or not.

5. A quote about faith as a way of life. Rebecca at Wonders Never Cease introduced me to a fascinating book this week, An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor.

"In a world of too much information about almost everything, bodily practices can provide great relief. To make bread or love, to dig in the earth, to feed an animal or cook for a stranger – these activities require no extensive commentary, no lucid theology. All they require is someone willing to bend, reach, chop , stir…and yet these are the same activities that change lives, sometimes all at once or sometimes more slowly, the way dripping water changes stone. In a world where faith is often construed as a way of thinking, bodily practices remind the willing that faith is a way of life."

Bend, reach, chop, stir – don’t those sound like activities we women perform every day? Faith, as a way of life.

Wishing you a wonderful week!

20 comments:

Rebecca Ramsey said...

Laura, I'm so glad you enjoyed Barbara Brown Taylor's book! I read it again and again.
Happy weekend to you, friend!

Faith said...

love your list!!!!
the books sound great and Happy Anniversary...we are having one on Wed!!

Unknown said...

Altars of the World is our next Book Group book... I have been wanting to read it for a year now!

Have fun on your travels!

Jean Wise said...

love your list and you know I enjoy travel!! and the book too!

Anonymous said...

I've read both of those books and enjoyed them greatly.

Happy Anniversary! You're two years ahead of us!

Thanks for the link to Kindred Heart Writers. I've subscribed!

Debbie said...

I enjoyed those 2 Davis Bunn books, too.

Anonymous said...

Hmmmmm I am thinking I will have to check out those books. I am looking for a "good read" :)

Love your traveler quote, so true.
Happy Anniversay! :)

audreygeddes said...

Thanks for the book recommends - those looks great! And happy anniversary to you as well :}. This summer you might also enjoy a new Christian fantasy book out called, "The Testings of Devotion," which is about God's angels. The author does a great job of using Biblical truth in crafting an exciting story of these warriors. It was so good!

Michelle DeRusha said...

Love that quote by Barbara Brown Taylor -- she is one of my favorite authors. I'v read Leaving Church, but not the one you mentioned. Must get that one, too!

Lisa notes... said...

I’m a bibliophile too. So much fun to find good books and authors. I love the quote and your commentary: “Faith, as a way of life.” That’s how I want to live. Thanks for the inspiring five.

Willow said...

Great FFF list! I'll remember on my trip next week to be a TRAVELER. Thanks for the reminder.

Melinda said...

Great list ... I'm all about making faith a way of life. It's tough to get our own wants and needs out of the way and really tune into God, but, boy, does life seem a lot sweeter when we do -- even in the midst of our trials.

My house is looking beautiful. We still have a little ways to go to get things completely back together, but I think in another week, we should be there. Whew. It's nice for remodeling to be a choice this time, as opposed to six years ago when Hurricane Charley nearly blew our house away. ;0)

Excited for your book launch!! ;0)

Jerralea said...

I like your thoughts on travel, and faith as a way of life. They speak to me about being available - both to see and to do. Too often, I'm preoccupied with my own agenda ...

Happy anniversary!

Laura said...

Hello, Ms. Laura! These are some very sweet blessings. And I'm going to have to check out that book (add it to my ever growing list). Blessings to you!

Christine said...

That does sound like a great book. Thank you for introducing it.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I look forward to getting to know your writing! Have a good weekend!

Lindsay said...

I love this quote:

The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see.


may I too always be a traveller :)

Have a very blessed week!

Susanne said...

I really like Davis Bunn too but haven't yet read this series. I'll have to get it onto my list.

Happy Anniversary to both of you and many more.

Joanne said...

Love your list, your book recommendations and your great quotes which resonate with me.
Congratulations on your anniversary!
Blessings,
Joanne

Debbie said...

Happy belated Anniversary! It is so nice to read about someone who is still in love:)

Cathie said...

Happy Anniversary! Thanks for recommending the Brown book - I looked it up and it seems like a good choice for a fall adult study group at church. Have a good week.

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