For a long time I have been disappointed with the Christian fiction selection out there. Angie has recommended two new authors I need to try.

Traci DePree

Brandilynn Collins

If you have any other suggestions please feel free to share. My favorite CCA is currently Jan Karon.

So, on to the book list...
* Experiencing the Holy Spirit - Andrew Murray
* How to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit - A. W. Tozer
* Let Us Pray - Watchman Nee
* Praying God's Word - Beth Moore
* The Release of the Spirit - Watchman Nee
* How to Study Your Bible - Kay Arthur
* How to Pray/How to Study the Bible - R. A. Torrey - NEW/UNREAD
* The Practice of the Presence of God - Brother Lawrence
* What Happens When Women Pray - Evelyn Christenson
* What Happens When We Pray For Our Families - Evelyn Christenson
* Praying the Word of God - Stormie Omartian
* The Power of a Praying Woman - Omartian
* Abide in Christ - Andrew Murray - in progress
* Andrew Murray's Comprehensive Book on Prayer - his full collected writings on the topic
* Lord, Teach Me to Pray - Kay Arthur - starting in February (for the third time - I read it every February because it is a 28 day format)
* When God Prays - Skip Heitzig - NEW/UNREAD
* Breakfast with Jesus - Greg Laurie - in progress (it is a devotional format)
* Breakthrough Prayer - Jim Cymbala - NEW/UNREAD
* How to Study the Bible and Enjoy It - Skip Heitzig
* Let Prayer Change Your Life - Becky Tirabassi
* How to Keep a Spiritual Journal -
* Journal Keeping - Luann Budd
* Prayer Walk - McHenry
* Contemplative Mom - Ann Kroeker
* Life's Ultimate Privilege - Fromke
* Hearing God - Peter Lord - NEW/UNREAD
* Knowing God - J.I. Packer
* Disciples Pray Life - study course
* Basic Christianity - John Stott - in progress
* The Prayer Ministry of the Church - Watchman Nee - in progress
* A Woman's Call to Prayer - Elizabeth George - NEW/UNREAD

I finally finished this book. It is quite practical on some levels and very difficult on others. I am currently unable to "diet" while I am breastfeeding but as soon as I can I would love to go through the 40 day plan that is recommended in this book. It is based on a kosher or OT eating plan. As a NT Christian I am quite aware that I am free from the Law but I also believe that as you learn better you should do better. Looking at this diet from a scientific and health perspective it is a very good plan. I am just not sure if I can go 28 days without bread, pasta and rice. LOL I will share more on this as I make adjustments to my eating and exercise habits. There are some small ways that we can adapt our daily eating that can make a big difference and that is where I will start.

What a weird movie! I am not even really sure how to evaluate the thing yet. It seems a bit pro abortion in it's premise. Not one of my favorites for the year - a bit disturbing even.

Ok, I am watching way more movies than I am reading books lately but we have been loaned a few from my in-laws. They rent them for five days and then pass them on for us to watch before they are due back. Anyway, all that to say that we watched The Village last night. I had been seeing some commercials for this one and thought it to be very demonic in nature. I had already decided I would probably not see this one. When my in-laws saw it they told us it was not what it seemed on the advertisements and passed it along for us to watch.

It was fantastic! I loved it!!! The whole premise is truly creative. I highly recommend it. There were some things that were missing from it that I would have enjoyed seeing more of but it was a great story. I wish there had been more shared about their everyday life and their religious beliefs. Religion was glossed over by just mentioning praying for someone in passing. I am sure that the writer probably meant to be vague for nonconfrontational purposes. It was very Hitchcockesque in it's directing and staging. I am a huge Hitchcock fan so that was very appealing to me.

I do not want to give it away in case someone has not seen it. It is a movie that has me thinking on it as I move through my day. I am contemplating deeper meaning and ethical choices that were made. It is very thought provoking and intriguing. If you have not seen it you must know that it is very different from the way it has been portrayed in the commercialism of the thing and that it is not demonic but quite suspenseful with twists that keep it moving and hold one's interest throughout.

my new movie - Love Comes Softly. I decided a long time ago that if I read a book and then tried to watch the movie I would have to approach the movie as a totally separate work. This has helped me to be less disappointed in my movie watching endeavors. This movie deviated from the book somewhat but was done beautifully and was a wonderful story that presented the gospel of Christ in a very positive way just as the books did. I highly recommend this movie!

I thought I would pop in and start my movie list for the year with a few opinions to boot.

1. Samantha - An American Girl Movie (loved it - it is Emily's movie and we enjoyed it together)
2. Lost in Translation - should have been lost in the shuffle - too weird for me.
3. Cheaper by the Dozen - not so much realistic but very funny - enjoyed it immensely.
4. Agent Cody Banks - watched with the kids and really thought it to be a fun movie. Some of the humor was a bit iffy for my taste but overall fun. Certainly not for the younger set. (under 6 or so)

More to come...

Trying to finish up a few books to list here, too. So many started and nothing finished yet. Later...