"Untamed"

"Untamed" by Lisa Harper

Somehow, I finished this book at the end of last year, but never actually wrote the review...not even in my review notebook! So I pulled it out, since I don't really remember much. Seeing the cover didn't help (even though I have this weird photographic-memory-like talent of seeing a book cover and remembering exactly what the book was about and where my favorite parts are). So I flipped through it...and nothing is underlined. Which is highly unlike me. Even in books I don't like I can find something I like to underline! The only pages I've dog-eared are for quotes that open up chapters, nothing by the actual author! I know I read it, because perusing it today did ring a bell in my brain, but there's nothing in the book that jumped out at me, or challenged my way of thinking. Now all that being said, it wasn't a bad book. The writing was well done, there was nothing I disagreed with or that went against my beliefs. I think the problem was that it wasn't deep enough for me. This would be a good book for a new Christian, who is older than I am. 

Overall, I give this book 3/5 stars.

*I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah's Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review.*

Failure

Um, wow. Major, Utter, Big-Time FAIL.

It is 25 days into my personal Bible Bonanza and in my reading I'm on day....6.

TWENTY(ish) DAYS BEHIND!!!

Fail. Life's been a little crazy. So now, should I just start back up at day 6? Start over? Try something else, and come back to this later?

I dunno. I haven't decided what I want to do yet. I'll let you know when I decide. I've also been quite bad at keeping up with the whole "monthly goals" thing I started last month....although I have been checking them off! Unfortunately, I'm not home at the moment, so I can't share with you. Maybe tomorrow?

Okay, enough failure. So it was measurement week with my trainer this week, and while my weight has not changed since last time (about 6 weeks ago), I've lost almost an inch from both my waist and hips! Hooray!

Any failures or victories in your week?

"Prize of My Heart"

Time for another book review! And this book was set in my own state :) 

"Prize of My Heart" by Lisa Norato

Captain Brogan Talvis has spent two years searching for the child his now-deceased wife carelessly gave away while he was at war. Once he finds the boy, however, his plans begin to unravel. Brogan never expected to fall for Lorena, the boy's mother-figure, much less have to use his nautical prowess to rescue her from a once-trusted friend. When secrets from all sides are brought to light, will Lorena and Brogan be able to give up their own life plans for the Lord's?

Norato has woven an adventurous tale of romance and redemption on the high seas that is sure to delight any historical fiction fan. The characters and plot lines were so well written, I felt as though I were watching a movie! Definitely a great weekend read!

5/5 Stars

*Note: I received this book free through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer's program, in exchange for a review. I was under no obligation to provide a positive (or negative) review.

Exodus

Yikes! Only Day 9 and not only have I only posted twice, but I'm almost three days behind in reading! It was four this morning, but I was able to read this morning before going out. Hopefully I can knock out another day before I go to bed tonight! Anyways, I'm at the church and my notebook is at home, so I only have my notes from today. Let's see what I've thought, shall we?

• LOL at the image of Moses running from the staff-turned-snake. Reading it, I pictured how one of the preachers at the Awakening Conference would've told the story. ("Aaahhhh!! DUDE! Did You see that?!  That stick just turned into a snake!" I know. I did that. Now pick it up. "Uh, wait, what?" Pick up the snake. "Seriously? Pick up this snake?" Yes. Oookaaayyyy....but if I get bit, it's on You!")
• Moses tried every excuse he could think of for why he shouldn't be the one until he finally told God how he really felt-he didn't wanna do it (Exodus 4)
• How would people feel if I name my first son "Mushi"? (Exodus 4)
• "But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." (Exodus 9:16)
• Ex.10:21: "Darkness that can be felt". That's some intense, scary imagery right there!
• "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." (Exodus 14:14)
• Ex.14:21: We tend to think of the parting of the Red Sea as a *whoosh*, a really quick, instant thing, but it lasted all night! (And don't even get me started on that cloud pillar that made it dark on one side, light on the other....AWESOME!)
• Visit us at Elim! We've got 12 Springs and 70 Palm Trees! A true Desert Oasis! (Ex 15:27)
• Moses was pretty whiney to God. I wonder if that's why the Israelites were so whiney to him? The whole "Leadership sets the tone" sorta thing.
• Exodus 16: First mention of a Sabbath other than God's at creation (correct me if I'm wrong, but it's the first one I noticed.)
• Exodus 16:33: I wonder where that manna ended up? Is it still around? Did it get destroyed? Did someone eat it out of curiosity? Because I'd really like to try some manna if you've got any lying around...)

Well, that's it for now! Time to kick off our first Missions Month Midweek program with the kiddos! 

Bible Bonanza-Slow Start

Well, we're on day three and I'm already almost a day behind! I've been soooo tired the past few days, and have had a headache, so I've been falling asleep reading! I should have time to catch up on Saturday, though, so we're on the right track. Here's a few thoughts I've had so far:

• I didn't know "Kenan" was a Biblical name!
• I feel bad for Sarai. Her husband tells her to pretend she's his sister, and gives her over to a king. Not once, but twice! Then, because she can't have children, she tells him to make a baby with her servant...and he does! And when she finally does have a child of her own, Abraham almost sacrifices him! 
• Think about this one: "You are the God who sees me." (Gen16:13) WOW!
• Best way to get what you want? Humility and Flattery (Gen 18:16-33)
• "On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided" (Gen 22:14). We tend to call our high points our "mountaintop" experiences. But for Abraham, going to the mountaintop was a low (initially). He was commanded to go to the mountain and kill his son. His only son. The son that the whole promise of his future rested on. Talk about a bad day! Yet in his darkest moment, God showed up and provided what he thought impossible. Gives the mountain an all new perspective. 

The Bible Bonanza 2012!

Almost exactly one year ago, I took this photo and started my attempt to read the Bible in 90 days

I failed. I got to somewhere in Leviticus and just....stopped. Not reading the Bible. Just reading at that pace. I got busy and just....stopped. But starting today, May 1st, I'm going to try again. 

Now, you may be saying, 

"But Ashley, WHY would you want to read the Bible in 90 days?! You wouldn't get anything out of it! Besides, I don't even think it's possible to read the whole thing in just three months!" Well, dear, interested friend (or stranger), let me tell you. 

The first time I started this, I loved reading through so quickly. You really get to see the big picture message behind the individual stories. Also, I need to shake things up in my life and reconnect to God in a deeper way, so this seems like a good way to start. And yes, it is possible. I know people who have done it in just one month! And it's on my 30x30 List. Plus, and this may not be a great reason to read the Bible (but it's an honest one), Bragging Rights! 

So to help myself actually do this, I'm telling the world. It's happening! I'm also going to try very very hard to blog every day with something I'm learning or that jumps out to me. And I'm calling it the Bible Bonanza. I know, it's cheesy. But it's fun to say! 

So welcome to the Bible Bonanza! Have you read through the entire Bible at one time? What do you think of doing it in 90 days (or even 30)??