New Blog: Mountains of Books

I started a new blog, Mountains of Books. It's about books, authors, reviews, and reading.

Stop on by and have a look.

Noel Piper on Lent

"It is a time for turning away from anything that has kept us from God and for turning or returning to him. It is a time to pray that God will renew our love for him and our dependence on him."

from Treasuring God in our Traditions, p. 93

Pictures of Joey

Menu Plan Monday

Monday - Spaghetti

Tuesday - Chicken, veggies, roasted potatoes

Wednesday - Lentil & Rice Casserole w/ veggies

Thursday - Nacho Casserole w/ corn & salad

Friday - Hummus Pizza

Saturday - Pasta w/ Broccoli Pesto Sauce or Leftovers (I haven't made this in awhile!)

Sunday - family dinner

The Practicality of Knowing God

The basic premise of Practical Theology for Women is to live your life based on the truth of who God is. It's simply stated, but so profound.

Who God is and how we respond to life circumstances are in direct correlation with each other. If we know God to be faithful, then even in the most dire of circumstances we have hope. If we know God to be just, then we can be assured wrongs will be righted. If we know God to be loving, then we will have no fear in confessing our sins. If we know God to be Father, then we can trust his guidance.

The problem, as the author Wendy Alsup puts it, is "some of us don't know the truth of the character of God" (p.99). We know of God. We know about God. We know stories of God. But, oftentimes, we don't live as if we truly know God and he is real. This reminds me of a quote by Dallas Willard, "Namely, we believe something not when we say we or even when we believe we do, but when we act as if we do."

Wendy continues,

"How often are we devastated, disappointed, or frustrated by problems that cloud our day and hang over our head? It may be as simple as getting a flat tire, more serious like losing a job, or the most serious issue of losing a loved one in death.

What issue has put you in a bad mood? What situation is hanging over your head right now like a thunderous rain cloud? What thought patterns are governing your attitude? And are you going to allow those thought patterns to be your master, or are you going to take those thoughts captive and make them submit to what you know to be true about God? (emphasis mine)

This is why knowing theology--knowing God--is so important. It's practical.

Change is Coming: An {Important} Announcement

Some of you already know this {important} announcement. But here it is: We're moving.

It's never been our plan to stay in California unless the Lord directed us to. Before we got married we had two directions we felt we were to take: the mission field or seminary.

Well, Lord willing--we'll be moving to Louisville, Kentucky this summer where Joe will be attending Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I say "Lord willing" because he hasn't yet heard back from the admissions office. Joe forgot to mail the fees with the application, so we had a bit of delay in the application process...we're expecting to hear back from them within a week or two.

We're definitely excited about this decision, the prospect of a new town, and the proximity to my family (6-7 hours to SC!). I'm looking forward to four seasons, green scenery, having our own place again, and the newness of it all. What's also exciting is that the school has a Seminary Wives Institute, where I can meet other wives of seminary students and to prepare for whatever God has for us in the future as Joe prepares with his degree.

(He's going to get an M.Div, isn't that kind of funny? He'll be a Master of Divinity!)

As for now, we're planning (we're in the thinking of planning stage right now) to move sometime in the end of June/beginning of July. We have a wedding to go to in Virginia July 11th and 2nd Annual Oxendine/Patterson/Closterman Family Vacation the first week of July.

We're excited. If Joe gets accepted there will be much to do and research in the coming months. Can you believe it's already March? Crazy! If he doesn't get accepted we still might be moving back east...maybe. We'll see what God has. It'll be good whatever it is.

Perceived Rights

Don't we all have them? Or at least we think we do. We perceive to have the right

• to our parking space
• to have exactly what we ordered in a restaurant--no mistakes
• to be respected in the workplace (based on our age, experience, etc.)
• to be acknowledged for our hard work
• to not have our plans changed
• to not be inconvenienced
  
• to be thanked for our services/ministry in the home and elsewhere
• the right to an easy life, within reason of course.

The reality is that's all wrong. None of these are our rights. They are "perceived" rights. They are rarely, if ever, based on object truth. They're our perception. What we want, feel, desire.

perceive - v. become aware of through the senses; regard as

rights - n. an entitlement to have or do something

When we compare this attitude of "rights" against the attitude of Christ we notice something glaringly different. Christ, very God himself, asserted no rights except to follow the will of his Father.

He did not protest death. He did not display His power or authority. He did not make demands or promises of revenge. He simply went to die giving up every right he had.

He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:8

In light of the cross, our perceived rights are small, fruitless, and self-exalting. Let us strive to give up these "rights," surrendering our attitudes and will to Christ, hoping

"As our grasp on our perceived rights weakens, our needs fade into the background, and we become little images of Christ--consumed with the needs of others to the forgetfulness of our own."

from Practical theology for Women by Wendy Horger Alsup

Practicing Hospitality: Chapter 4

Here we are on chapter 4 already--halfway through the book! I'm still enjoying it and it's really encouraging me to practice hospitality in my life and family, while still broadening my view. For the book discussion visit Passionate Homemaking.

The standout point for me was that orderliness is the goal, not perfection. Also, I thought it was a good point in having a guest ready home and a right perspective of our possessions--they're to be used.

Now, on to the discussion questions:

1. How can you become a planner of generosity?
For me, I've been thinking (and am now planning) to invite people over to our house twice a month--a group event and then one-on-one with another couple or family. For the group event maybe a game or movie night and invite 3-4 people (possibly have them invite a friend too as a way to meet new people and get to know acquaintances better).

2. How can you begin to change you perspective to view household management with an eternal purpose?
It's not just about my desire for a neat and orderly home, but preparation for sharing in God's kingdom. Being an open door, a safe haven, and refuge. Chaos and disorder rarely, if ever, feel safe and can make a guest--especially an unexpected one--feel like a burden and inconvenience.

3. What tips might you have to help maintain a more orderly and prepared home?
My tips would be:

• have a couple of "go-to" meals that have been tried and tested with the ingredients stocked in your kitchen
• have a cleaning schedule--having one has helped keep me sane even though I don't follow it religiously
• daily or weekly schedule--I don't do this every day or week, but I do for days that there is a lot going on. It helps me not to forget something and breaks things into segments so I can see how I'm spending my time. Sometimes I feel like my schedule is jam packed but when I write it down I see I have more open time than I thought...usually.
  

Menu Plan Monday

For some reason, I've had this Spinach Minestrone on my menu for two weeks and have yet to cook it. What's holding me back? I don't know. Maybe I'll actually get to it this week.

Monday - Red Beans & Rice w/ cornbread

Tuesday - Spinach Minestrone w/ rolls

Wednesday - Sloppy Lentils w/ veggies & home fries

Thursday - Nacho Casserole w/ corn & salad

Friday - 10 Bean Soup w/ drop biscuits

Saturday -Beefy Asian Rice or Leftovers

Sunday - family dinner TBA

quote from Practical Theolgoy for Women

I read this the other day and felt it was a good word to ponder during this Lenten season.

"Rather than grasping all of his [Jesus'] rights and power as sovereign God, Christ made himself nothing for our sake. It is not that he thought badly of himself. The point is that he did not think of himself at all. He opened his hands and willingly let go of his rights, forgetting about himself completely. He allowed himself to be maligned, spat upon, treated as a bastard, liar, and traitor, and ultimately allowed himself to be murdered...

We are called to willingly give up our rights and welcome sacrifices that accompany being a servant to others. We are not called to think badly of ourselves. People who think badly of themselves are as self-centered as those who think highly of themselves. Instead, we are called not to think of ourselves at all. As our grasp on our perceived rights weakens, our needs fade into the background, and we become little images of Christ--consumed with the needs of others to the forgetfulness of our own."

from Practical theology for Women by Wendy Horger Alsup, p. 87

Lent

How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered!
How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit!
Psalm 32:1-2

Today marks the first day of the Lenten season. Lent is a time of prayer and preparation for Easter. It's 40 days, not including Sunday's, set apart for reflection and repentance. What better time to reflect on the graveness of sin and the beauty of grace than the weeks prior to the resurrection of our Lord.

I'd encourage you to use these weeks to focus on Christ and the cross. As I've grown older, I've realized how quickly we rush by the cross and Christ's sufferings. It's painful to look at. Seeing our own sin at his expense. At first glance, there's not much joy in the cross. It's a uncomely, bloody death marking the sins of all humanity. Who takes joy in reflecting on their own weaknesses?

But without the cross, there is no joy. Without Christ's suffering, there is no life. Without his despair and sorrow, there is no hope.

We need to spend time before the cross, kneeling in retrospection at the sacrifice that was made on our behalf. For if we do not, then do we really know what we've been saved from? Do we really know how deep our sins and misery are apart from Christ? Reflect with me on the passion of Christ, so that we might to take part in His joys.


Resources for Lent:

Contemplating the Cross: a 40-day Pilgrimage of Prayer by Tricia Rhodes is a great devotional for Lent. The author is my pastor's wife, a truly gifted writer and speaker who has a heart for God and helping others know him personally. You can find the devotions on her website (click here). I read this last year during Lent and am planning to read portions of it again this year. On her website Tricia has different ways you can observe Lent (click here).

The Passion of Jesus Christ by John Piper is another good devotional for Lent. Piper shares 50 reasons why Jesus came to die.

CRI/Voice Institute: The Season of Lent - Gives a brief history of lent, practices, and lenten readings.

What's on your nightstand?

Recently I discovered that 5 Minutes for Mom has a 5 Minutes for Books site, which is right up my ally! The fourth Tuesday of every month is "What's on your nightstand?" sharing what you've bben reading and plan to read the next month.

Let's just say this, I've been a reading madman...rather mad "woman" lately. In the last two weeks I've finished three books from my booklist for the year!

This month I finished reading:

• Jane Austen (a biography) by Claire Tomalin
• Through the Shadowlands: The Love Story of C.S. Lewis & Joy Davidman, Brian Sibley
  
• Daisy Miller, by Henry James (short and sweet)
  
• Prisoner of Tehran, by Marina Nemat (I read this one in two days!)
  

I'm still reading:

• Practicing Hospitality, by Pat Ennis & Lisa Tatlock
  
• Practical Theology for Women, by Wendy Horger Alsup (I'm a little over half way through this one.)
  
• Montessori from the Start: The Child at Home, From Birth to Age 3, by Paula Polk Lillard & Lynn Lillard Jessen (I just started it today!)
  
• Mi primera mirada a Los Tamanos/Colores/Formas/Numeros (These are Spanish kids books on size, color, shapes, and numbers. I'm reading them to Joe, but more for my benefit than his. I'm trying to get my Spanish back.)
  

Next month I plan to read:

• Lady Windermere's Fan, by Oscar Wilde
• Radical Womanhood: Feminine Faith in a Feminist World, by Carolyn McCulley
• Story, by Robert McGee
• Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life, by Barbara Kingsolver

I really enjoyed reading the biographies/memoir. Prisoner of Tehran wasn't originally on my list for this year, but I saw it in the library a few weeks ago and on my most recent trip I picked it up. I read it in two days. It was really good, but sad. I'm really interested in Middle Eastern culture and literature, especially in regards to Iran. The book is the story of a woman who became a political prisoner during the Islamic Cultural Revolution. It follows her time in prisoner and how she got out.

It makes me want to go back and reread Lipstick Jihad, which I never actucally finished. It'd be interesting to see the difference of Iran from a woman who was coming of age during the revolution and a woman who goes back to Iran as a young adult 20 years after the revolution.

Just a note...

Practicing Hospitality is in conjunction with the book discussion over at Passionate Homemaking with Lindsay. The discussion and questions are posted on Mondays, although I usually post on Thursdays. You can join the discussion here.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life is the next book in Simple Mom's Sound Mind, Sound Mom Book Club. The reading dates are March 19 - May 21, 2009.

Menu Plan Monday

Last week our meals got rearranged a bit, my brother-in-law brought dinner over Monday, so Monday's dinner was moved to Tuesday. Then Tuesday's dinner moved to Saturday, but then got canceled because we had so many leftovers to eat.

I also made some homemade granola and chocolate chip granola bars--yummy!

So...there's some repeats from last week:

Monday - Veggie Stir Fry

Tuesday - Spinach Minestrone

Wednesday - Lentil & Rice Casserole w/ veggies

Thursday - Lentil & Rice Veggie Bake

Friday - Rubio's for MOPS fundraiser

Saturday - Leftovers (OR Sloppy Lentils w/ home fries if there's not enough)

Sunday - Body Brunch at church

Joey's 3 months old!

Today marks Joey's third month of life. It was only three months ago that our little man showed up in our lives...out of the womb that is. And, oh how he's grown!

First Time Rolling Over Video!

Practicing Hospitality: Chapter 2

Hospitality & Strangers

This book is redefining my view of hospitality (and how I practice it) more than I thought it would. It's challenging the way I currently practice hospitality and how I can be extending hospitality toward others.

Here are some questions from Lindsay at the book study:

1. How was your definition of hospitality re-defined after reading this chapter?
I really liked how the authors defined hospitality as "a daily pursuit because of our love for people, which flows out of our love for God." Hospitality is more about extending love, than just entertaining. Another thing that stood out to me was in biblical times people didn't necessarily have to have know the person to extend hospitality to them. I also like how they mentioned at the end of the chapter that hospitality is really a reflection of God's nature.

2. How can you begin to switch gears from focusing on “entertaining” to truly demonstrating Biblical love?
For starters, I've been trying to interact more with people I meet while I'm out and about. Instead of simply going through the check out register bored and seemingly impatient, my goal is to interact with clerk or others in line. You never know where a short conversation might lead. (I did this the other day at Michaels and the woman was a little shocked!)

3. How can you begin now to start including a variety of “strangers” into your hospitality practices?
The application process is hard for me at times. It requires getting past my regular way of thinking. But that is the point, isn't it? This could be ministering to the homeless with my church, making a meal for a busy family I know, and/or getting together a game night with old and new friends. (It feels like thinking of these shouldn't be this hard...)

You can join in on the book discussion over at Passionate Homemaking. It's good.

I think I've got the cutest kid!

Change Is Coming

In the next few weeks I'll be bringing some changes to the blog. I've been thinking about it for some time and am finally putting some action to that thinking.

If you been around here for a while you've noticed the randomness that can be my blog. Everything from book reviews, pictures of our life, reflections on worship, poems, notes from my Bible, things God's been teaching me, menu plans, attempts at post series, Works-for-Me Wednesdays, and not to mention times when I haven't posted for weeks or even months on end.

How will things be changing?
Well, I'll be breaking things up. We're (Joe & I) will be dividing this blog into three different blogs:

Reflections of a Princess - Reflections will finally (fingers crossed) get its chance to be what I originally planned for it to be: a blog on the Christian journey specifically geared toward women and topics on biblical womanhood. (I'm planning to write a more detailed post on what this means later.)

My Family's Money - I'm partnering with Joe and getting my own blog on My Family's Money. I'm going prime time! Not really, but maybe. Here I'll post menu plans, Works-for-Me Wednesday among other things; basically I'll be sharing the in's and out's of how we live frugally and sharing our journey as we live debt-free while moving toward a more simplistic (and somewhat sustainable) lifestyle.

Mueller Family Blog - We have yet to come up with a witty, Mueller-esque name for this blog, but don't worry we will. This is where you'll get all the pictures and video of our joy Joey (maybe the occasional picture of mom and dad), along with tidbits of what's going on in our life.

With all the different blogs, how much will you be posting?
The plan is to keep posting the same amount with the benefit of each blog being more of a niche, which could mean more focused posts.

The goal is to post with some regularity on each new blog, especially my corner of My Family's Money since it already has a steady readership.

Added bonus: I'll feel less guilty about posting sporadic menu plans with thoughts on spiritual topics and posts of just pictures of my son.

When will "the change" be official?
Umm....good question. Give us two weeks.

Also, look for another important announcement regarding change in the Mueller household. (Someone of you already know it, and no there's no new baby yet--so don't even ask!)

Menu Plan Monday

Monday - Honey Baked Lentils w/ rice and squash
Tuesday - Lentil Rice & Veggie Bake w/ biscuits
Wednesday - Red Beans & Rice w/ cornbread
Thursday - Tomato-Curry Lentil Stew
Friday - Hummus Pizza (Joey's 3 months old!)
Saturday - Leftovers
Sunday - Family Dinner

Valentine's Day

For V-day we've kind of made it our tradition to cook dinner together. This year the menu was fettuccine with a (homemade) white sauce and shrimp and a chocolate souffle.

Joey signing some Valentine's Day cards and reading his first Valentine from his great-grandparents.

OUCH!

Yesterday Joey got his first round of shots--five of them in all! I thought I was going to cry for him. He was all happy and laughing when he was laying on the table. Then when the nurse gave him his first shot he shuddered and his little eyes looked up at me as if to say, "What was that!"

Those cute little eyes watered up and his face turned red, and he screamed. I had to hold his arms and the nurse had to hold his legs, and there were four more shots to go!

But he's doing good. No unusual crying or fever (at least not yet). Last night, he was playing on his mat and started to try to roll over. I wondered if he'd feel the little soreness in his thighs, but he didn't seem to notice anything. Then a few minutes later, he started whimpering.

The poor guy was trying to roll on his sore thighs.