I love the library!  Not only do they have books to read and movies to watch, they have e-books and audio books.  HALLELUJAH! Now I can listen to books while I am doing other things. 

What does this mean, it means I will look for the audio before I look for a hard copy.  I know nothing is like holding a book, I love reading a hard copy when I have time.  But when I don’t have time, reading is the thing that gets left behind. 

Let's get to what am I listening to and anyone who knows me will laugh.  I'm listening to: The Now Habit. A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play. 

(You can stop laughing now.)    

The basic idea of the book is this-procrastination is not a character flaw, but a learned protective reaction to pressure.  Feeling overwhelmed from the pressure of failure or success.  And if the underlying fears can be diminished then the learned reaction (procrastination) can be unlearned. I thought the book would give steps to avoid procrastination, but it looks at why you procrastinate and how to overcome.   Very interesting!  Stop procrastinating and check it out.  It's worth your time.
 
The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play.   Author Neil Fiore, PhD.

Like alot of you I grew up watching the Jetson's.  And I will have to say I'm a little disappointed that we are still driving cars on the road and not flying through the air.  Another disappointed is I don't have a "Rosie" robot to clean my house.  Heavens knows I need her! 

Sometime, it seems like using an IPhone is somewhat Jetson like.  What is funny is that we walk around with something smaller than a deck of cards not tethered to anything- that we can talk on, watch, or listen to and then complain that it is to slow.

All of that to bring me to the book I am reading.  I say book-is it still a book if it is on your phone?  Olive Tree had 3 free books to download; all of which are written by Francis Chan.  I just started "Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit"   I'm only in chapter 1, but it is very interesting.  Chan makes this statement "He (God) is infinite and we are finite..."  Humbling isn't it.  i can't wait to read more.  I'll update you periodically. 

Author Jim Stovall.

I knew it had been a while since I had written, I just did not realize how long.  Here are two books I would suggest, both are written by Jim Stovall:  The Way I See the World and You Don’t Have to be Blind to See.   And if you have not guessed by the title of the second book, Jim is blind.  He was not born blind but slowly went blind from the ages of 17 to 29. 

In his books you will not find anything that will cause you to feel sorry for him.  What you will find is encouragement.  He shares parts of his story to teach and challenge so that you can be successful in whatever you choose to do. 

I am listing some things that have stuck with me. 

§  Happiness is our sole responsibility. 

§  It is important to realize that every person we meet will have the potential to impact us in a positive way.  (This means the reverse is true; I am impacting people I meet.  I hope that’s good!)

§  Instead of prioritizing our schedule, we need to schedule our priorities. (Ouch! That one stepped on my toes.)

Go to the youtube below and you will hear one of his stories.  This particular story is his motivation for why he writes and speaks.   (If it doesn’t work copy and paste the link into your browser.)  Jim has writen many other books; including The Ultimate Gift.  For more information about Jim Stovall go to http://jimstovall.com/   

Happy Reading, Trena
check out my other blog: http://nospringchick.blogspot.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1xGJZngN5g

The Blessed Life by Robert Morris

In the first blog about The Blessed Life I wrote “This book is not a get rich quick book.  So far it is about obedience and the blessing that come with it."  Well, I finished the book.  Guess what; this book is not a get rich quick book.  It is about obedience and the blessing that come with it.   

Since reading this book I have made some purposeful changes in my business and personal life.  As usual I was second guessing myself on some changes, then a client stopped by my office and out of the blue he asked if he could give me some business advice.  His advice, “Whatever you do, tithe and then give more.”  He summarized the book and confirmed my changes in five words. 

What an ending: Tithe and then give more. 

P.S. Remember the hymn: 
Count your blessings name them one by one,
Count your blessings see what God has done.
Leave a comment about what God had done since you started tithing. 
 

Something quick!

As you know Church That Matters gives away a book when you hand in a commitment card.  Our pastor just added a new book yesterday.  Armed and Dangerous, Ephesians 6:11, Straight Answers From the Bible.  The book has a list of topics; you chose a topic-go to the page and there you will find some scriptures on that topic. 

Yes, I know this is not a new concept.  Several years ago Victory Christian Center gave away a similar book.  I kept one in my Bible bag; I used it all the time!  (I gave it away, so if anyone has a spare...)

This book would be handy for anyone, but Armed and Dangerous is great for youth.  Many of the topics are things they may not want to go to a parent or adult about; such as drug abuse, lust, and temptation.  The book is small, easy to carry and bright orange (hard to misplace.)  I like to open it randomly and read.  That's a good way to end.  

..thumbing through...
Topic: the future.
1st scripture:
My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:  For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.  Proverbs 3:1,2

 

Busy Busy Busy

It has been a busy place around here; hence the lack of getting to rock-n-read.  Here's an overview of just the last two weeks. 

• I (meaning husband Troy, friend Robin, son Christopher and myself) have relocated our 600 sq ft office to my 160 sq ft dining room. 
• Troy and I have had relatives stay with us from Oregon for a few days (which was great!) 
• Went to a family reunion, Sunday after church (which was also great.)  
• Planned Hats & Hankies Ladies Movie Night. 
• Finished and printed speaking brochures. 
• Started a new blog...  nospringchick.blogspot.com.  (check it out)  

This and the regular day to day activities of work, church and being a grandparent. 

All this to say, I have not taken the time to write a chapter or book review.  Although I have not finished the Blessed Life yet, I have started another book, "The Christian Atheist."  The book in a nutshell, is that our walk and our talk don't always go together. 

Stay tune and thanks for being patient.

The Blessed Life by Robert Morris: Fulfilling the law.

Have you ever read something that was explained so well, you wondered how you missed it?  That is how I have feel reading this book.  Robert Morris explains the principle of tithing so well I wondered how I missed it.  Everyhing he talks about is in the Bible!   But I never connected the dots.

Morris points out that the laws in the Old Testament are principles in the New Testament.  Jesus’ crucifixion did not abolish the law; it fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17.)  Though we have grace; the principle of the laws still apply.  The righteousness of grace has set a higher standard for the principles (Matthew 5:20.)  Example: standard (law): do not kill; higher standard (grace): Jesus said if you hate you have killed.  In other words do not hate.  Standard (law): Do not commit adultery; higher standard (grace): Jesus said if you lust you have committed adultery.  In other words do not lust/desire after someone or something.  In the two examples the standard is the act and the higher standard is the thought process that leads to the act.  Most of us can say, I have not killed anyone, but can we say we have not hated anyone.  Which is the higher standard? 

If you have not read this book, you have got to do so.  Robert Morris has a knack for using scripture in the Old Testament with the related scripture in the New Testament.  I love it! 

If you have or are reading The Blessed Life by Robert Morris, make a comment.  I would love to hear what you are getting out of the book.  Even better, if you have applied the principle of tithing, tell me about it.

Tell next week,

Trena Zickefoose