Fables: The Good Prince

Fables: The Good Prince by Bill Willingham

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


What happens when virtue, honesty, purity and truth prevail? Magical things even more powerful than we can imagine. Luckily, Bill Willingham did!



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The Last Battle

The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I used to dislike this book when I was younger. The Calormenes are such bullies. The help never comes to the king. The monkey hoodwinks the ignorant populace. It all seems so futile, and then Narnia ends! The beloved land I searched for in the back of my closet all those years was gone, and now I'd never get there!
I hope that now I see Narnia for what it really is, a mirror of the real story. I trust Aslan when he says I need to know Him in this world too. I still search for Narnia, just not in the back of the closet anymore. And I will get the fairy tale ending I always wanted.



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Couch Time

I mentioned "couch time" in relationship to my summer goals on my Twitter feed (@stewardess), and Mary (@ILoveMyBirdTim) asked for more info.

There isn't much to say. In fact, I didn't even invent the idea, nor do I really know much about it. Like most things I know about I learned (read: stole) from someone else. I think Krista mentioned having couch time with her husband at a CCGNO event and I just ran with what I figured it meant.

Our couch time consists of 30 mins. to an hour spent together doing nothing. We have no distractions (computer, phone, TV) and just focus on each other. The first week we talked. The second week we solved a problem together. This'll be our third week in a row! Traditions have to start somewhere, right?

(For more info see Krista. She and her husband won "best couple" for their commitment to things like couch time. Impressive!)

Edit: Awesome article from the Love & Respect Facebook page about "face-to-face" and "shoulder-to-shoulder" time.
https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150212146502849

Summer 2011 Goals

1. Increase my FAITH
2. Improve my marriage

Feel free to ask how I'm doing; it'll keep me accountable.
Feel free to offer wisdom (which is different from advice).

Luke 17:5
"Lord, increase our faith."

*wisdom (n.) Looking at life from God's point of view.

Proverbs 9:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

See the Movie/Read the Book

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Adrenaline-filled thrill ride that keeps the pages turning, but is a definite skim. This book might have been a 1/4 inch deep, if that. But a rocking good time, pardner. If they stay true to the book, the movie will be phenomenal!



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Pagan Christianity: Exposing the Roots of Our Church Practices by Frank Viola

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


So, I learned some stuff, and it gave me much to think about.
Did you know, the New Testament epistles are basically organized by the length of the letters? Why didn't I know that? Fascinating. I'm going to read them in their probable chronological order, just for kicks (and scope).

Galatians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Romans
Colossians
Philemon
Ephesians
Philippians
1 Timothy
Titus
2 Timothy

I would be suspect of anyone who totally agreed with every single thing in this book, and equally so of anyone who was 100% opposed. If I can learn something from it, a book can't be worthless, but as it is written by men it will not speak God's ideals perfectly.



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I Heart Book(mark)s

In honor of love, literature, and loving how much I've been reading while snowed in, I present I HEART BOOK(Mark)S!

You know you want one.


Leave a comment telling which books you've read this snowpocalypse and maybe you'll be so honored!

Fables: The Great Fables Crossover by Bill Willingham

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It all came together beautifully. I loved how the Genre's were personified!



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Just in Time for Valentine's Day

I made this my desktop background.

Yes, I chopped the wood and built the fire myself.
Anything in life worth having is worth working for.

This one's for the kitchen.
I can't sing, but luckily I can cook.

Feel free to borrow, steal, post, print, etc...

May you love each other not in words or tongue, but in actions and in truth.
1 John 3:18

Meet Oklahoma State Superintendent Janet Barresi

Weekly Message from Supt. Janet Barresi 1-14-2011 from OK Dept. of Education on Vimeo.

Fables: The Dark Ages by Bill Willingham

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I didn't like it. The title says it all. Very Dark Ages. :( Unfortunately, this is the story of all wars and their unintended consequences.



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Something to Ponder

"Today a reader, tomorrow a leader."
— Margaret Fuller

Because It's True

You Are Special by Max Lucado

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I read this book every year to my students; this year I might read it on day one. I classify it as a "fun book" with no lesson to be learned, but it's simply not true. It has a deep message that must be learned. Maybe I should move it to a "theme" book, so students will find the deeper meaning.



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What a privilege to share this message with my students. And to remind myself that it's true about them and about me. At this time of year, I need to remember that they are special.