Disappointment with God by P.Yancey

For this month's book review, Philip Yancey tackles three questions no one asks aloud: Is God unfair? Is God silent? Is God hidden? He uses the book of Job in first part of book that sets out to prove the faithfulness and love of God. "Job gained a faith that can never be shaken because it came out of having been shaken."
Using a friend named "Douglas" (a modern day Job), Mr. Yancey asked him, "What have you learned that might help someone else going through a difficult time?" "I learned first...not to confuse God with life. We tend to think life should be fair because God is fair. But God is not life. And if I confuse God with the physical reality of life ---by expecting constant good health, for example---then I set myself up for a crushing disappointment."
"Faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse."
"God is like a person who clears his throat while hiding and so gives himself away." (By Meister Eckhardt)
I love the next to last chapter entitled, "Why Job Died Happy".
Another great quote: "I had far rather walk, as I do, in daily terror of eternity, than feel that this was only a children's game in which all the contestants would get equally worthless prizes at the end. (By T.S. Eliot)
Another great book that challenges and convicts! Ok, the York Peppermint Patty has nothing to do with the book, but was just a reminder of the lesson learned about the power of chocolate and mint ..... I mean the power of prayer and God's word.

Missing My Momma

You know what I love about a blog? It helps you organize your thoughts onto paper. There are some days that I miss my momma so bad. I heard a great analogy ...The saying of "time heals" that makes it sound like if you a put a bandaid on it, it will be all ok. This sorrow is not as small as a cut or tear. It is like part of you was amputated. You don't get over it, you just get used to the new kind of normal. You just get used to missing that arm or leg or in this case, your momma.
I miss my momma on days especially when I am sick. She was a great comforter.
I miss my momma on days I wish I could tell her about Anna and the baby (she could help sew which I desperately need help with.)
I miss my momma on days I can't remember what her voice sounded like.
I miss my momma when it comes to a heavy burden to share.
I miss my momma's laughter (and even some of her scolding). (That's weird)
I miss my momma when I think about her prayers (she always got God's attention).

The list could go on.. But the purpose is not to cry over what I miss about her (although I do that), it is simply to remember why I loved her so much.

When God Doesn't Make Sense by James Dobson

Quotes from the book:
If you think life should be fair or easy, you are Satan's target.

Let God be God! (His timing is perfect, to us it seems late.)

With God even when nothing is happening, something is happening.

Your arms are too short to box with God; don't even try it!

Adversity can have a positive effect by helping develop character and to realize dependence on Him. (Object lesson of a 2x4 piece of wood, it can build a house or knock a man out. You either despair or trust God!

Some things in this life will have to be put in file of "Things I Don't Understand".

You cannot suddenly fabricate foundation of strength (and faith) from nowhere; they must have been building all along.

Surgery of life hurts - But we know the surgeon!

Instead of silence of God, one day we will have the presence of God (face to face). Pain is the 'not yet' of eternity.