Hi Friends and Family.
Well, it's time. Blogger has been a great way to start blogging. But I took a big step and moved my blog over to WordPress last night. It's user interface is cleaner and neater, plus it provides me with more of the tools I need in order to accomplish my goals with my blog.
In doing so, I have a new Blog address! You can find my blog now at http://www.shellyduffer.com
Check it out and let me know what you think!
Know that I love and appreciate each of you who stop by my little corner of the blogosphere to read what is on my mind!
S
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
The Purpose of Adoption
I am reading Reclaiming Adoption Dan Cruver, John Piper, Scotty Smith, Richard D. Phillips.
Here's a great quote that explains clearly and succinctly the purpose of adoption:
As we will see later in this book, the ultimate purpose of adoption by Christians, therefore, is not to give orphans parents, as important as that is. It is to place them in a Christian home so that they might be positioned to receive the gospel so that within that family the world might witness a representation of God taking in and genuinely loving the helpless, the hopeless and the despised.
Here's a great quote that explains clearly and succinctly the purpose of adoption:
As we will see later in this book, the ultimate purpose of adoption by Christians, therefore, is not to give orphans parents, as important as that is. It is to place them in a Christian home so that they might be positioned to receive the gospel so that within that family the world might witness a representation of God taking in and genuinely loving the helpless, the hopeless and the despised.
John PIper: The One Who Seeks God's Glory is True----Sermon streaming live at 7:10 EST
John Piper will be preaching on John 7:1-4, streaming live at 7:10 tonight.
You can watch at this site: The One Who Seeks God's Glory is True
Or watch below:
You can watch at this site: The One Who Seeks God's Glory is True
Or watch below:
Thursday, January 27, 2011
In Nuclear Silos, Death Wears a Snuggie | Danger Room | Wired.com
I found this article about the people who man the United State's nuclear missiles fascinating. It's a job of intense boredom. The author of this particular article explains what it is like 100 ft underground waiting for the launch command.
Kindle Lending Club - Borrow and Lend Kindle Books for Free - Kindle Lending Club - Borrow and Lend Kindle Books for Free.
I have Kindle on my laptop and on my Iphone. I've often wished for a way to borrow books from other Kindle users, similar to Barnes and Noble's Nook. Tonight I read a blog post about the new Kindle Lending Club....take a look! I think it has potentiality...........
I Read Dead People | Out of Ur | Conversations for Ministry Leaders
Love this post by Skye Jethani. Particularly like the lines:
"But if they're not dead, I like them to be pretty close. I can usually trust that they're not going to waste what time they have left on this earth writing sappy Hallmark card sentimental Evangelical fluff."
The Most Influential Books for Reformed Evangelicals – Kevin DeYoung
Kevin DeYoung posts a list from his commenters to his blog, of the books that have influenced them the most. The list is interesting, his commentary on the list even more so.
Book Review: Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper
Go to the best school you can. Get the job that makes the most money possible. Retire early. Spend the rest of your life "Doing what you want to do"-----collecting antiques, going on cruises, woodworking.
None of these things are bad in and of themselves. But is that all life is intended to be? Is that the way God designed living our life here on earth to look like?
John Piper, in the book Don't Waste Your Life, takes issue with the prevailing thoughts that life is primarily for our enjoyment. Instead, Piper pleads with his readers to "Make much of God"; that the joy that doing so creates, as well as the grace that we don't deserve, should lead the believer to be willing to risk all for Christ.
I was personally very taken by the story related in this book about Adinoram Judson, who, with his young bride, left the United States to serve God in Burma, only returning one time. That sort of risk of life and wealth and the Western definition of (pseudo)-"happiness" and satisfaction seems to carry with it the kind of lasting contentedness that acknowledges that we are but sojourners in this life on earth-that our home is not here but eternally with God our father.
In reading this book, I have been reminded of a verse that has come to have a great deal of meaning to me personally. Paul says in 2nd Corinthians 4:17-18:
None of these things are bad in and of themselves. But is that all life is intended to be? Is that the way God designed living our life here on earth to look like?
John Piper, in the book Don't Waste Your Life, takes issue with the prevailing thoughts that life is primarily for our enjoyment. Instead, Piper pleads with his readers to "Make much of God"; that the joy that doing so creates, as well as the grace that we don't deserve, should lead the believer to be willing to risk all for Christ.
I was personally very taken by the story related in this book about Adinoram Judson, who, with his young bride, left the United States to serve God in Burma, only returning one time. That sort of risk of life and wealth and the Western definition of (pseudo)-"happiness" and satisfaction seems to carry with it the kind of lasting contentedness that acknowledges that we are but sojourners in this life on earth-that our home is not here but eternally with God our father.
In reading this book, I have been reminded of a verse that has come to have a great deal of meaning to me personally. Paul says in 2nd Corinthians 4:17-18:
17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
But until that day when the eternal weight of glory is realized and attained, we are to live in this world. But will our time here be wasted in vain pursuits? In gaining all the "glory" we can gain here on this earth? All the money, the cars, the vacations? Piper urges his readers to evaluate their lives, to give thought to what really matters. To realize that we may be called to give everything--including our lives--in order to make much of God. And that to make much of God is the reason why we were created.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
All the hell you will ever bear.........
To manage a life of pain, as a believer in Jesus, remember: This is all the hell you will ever bear. (M'Cheyne)
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Bookcrossing.com: A site like Geocaching--but for books!
I just came upon what looks to be a very cool tracking site.
It operates much like Geocaching, except for instead of hunting for treasures, one can hunt for books. If I am correct, instead of throwing away books they no longer wish to keep, book owners can place their book somewhere to be "found" by another person. The cool part is the tracking---you can see where in the world your book goes! Very, very cool.
Bookcrossing.com
It operates much like Geocaching, except for instead of hunting for treasures, one can hunt for books. If I am correct, instead of throwing away books they no longer wish to keep, book owners can place their book somewhere to be "found" by another person. The cool part is the tracking---you can see where in the world your book goes! Very, very cool.
Bookcrossing.com
Sunday Sundries
A short list of completely useless but interesting/amusing links:
1. Found this commercial for chocolates hysterical--a woman trying for the world record for not blinking, loses sight (pun intended) of her goal. Her downfall? A piece of chocolate. World Non-Blinking Record
2. Venn Diagram for where the Platypus came from
3. Here's video of 8 people who are "ridiculously good at ordinary jobs"
4. A fantastic list from Columbia University on how to be a more productive writer
5. My 11 year old has started a blog--it's fun to see life through her eyes. I particularly like the title of her blog: Life of a Smart 11 Year Old
1. Found this commercial for chocolates hysterical--a woman trying for the world record for not blinking, loses sight (pun intended) of her goal. Her downfall? A piece of chocolate. World Non-Blinking Record
2. Venn Diagram for where the Platypus came from
3. Here's video of 8 people who are "ridiculously good at ordinary jobs"
4. A fantastic list from Columbia University on how to be a more productive writer
5. My 11 year old has started a blog--it's fun to see life through her eyes. I particularly like the title of her blog: Life of a Smart 11 Year Old
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Behind the Lens at the Ring Dance---my girl gets her class ring!
This is a picture that my girl, Keli, just sent me via her phone. She is at her Junior "Ring Dance" tonight, a formal dance where the juniors receive their coveted Class Ring.
I can't even begin to tell you how good it did my heart to receive this picture from her tonight. First, there aren't many girls at that dance who are going to take a moment from their friends and their festivities to text a picture to their "uncool" mother who is sitting at home being a slug in her Owl Pajamas. But my girl did.
And it made my night.
You see, just a few weeks ago my girl was very, very sick with mono and secondary infections. She still is struggling to get back on her feet, fighting a nasty case of bronchitis now. But just a couple of weeks ago, she was terribly ill in the hospital.
No mom ever wants to see their child ill. But most moms are great nurses. This mom is not. I am a lousy nurse, a terrible nurse. Compassion and mercy are low on my list of virtues, spiritual gifts, whatever you want to call them. I just don't have them. And yet there was a transformation in my soul as I watched my girl struggle to breath and dealing with great pain. I realized in those hard moments, just how much I love my girl and how much of a privilege it was to stay up with her night after night, to nurse her both at home and in the hospital, to administer ice chips and popsicles and eventually solid food.
I am blessed. I am blessed by all four of my children. But tonight I am taken with my girl: She is courageous. She is strong. She is determined and focused. She has an amazing sense of humor. And she is a survivor. I am proud.
And I can't wait for her to get home and to tell me all about the dance and show me her new ring in person. ((By the way, she won that ring-----one junior each year wins a free class ring and this year she won it---a gift to us from God because purchasing one was not an option this year. We are grateful))
Abortion and the Narrow Way That Leads to Life
John Piper's message tonight on Matthew 7:7-14: Not for the faint hearted. Whew.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Two Great Articles to Help You Celebrate "National Handwriting Day"--(Yes, there is such a thing)
January 23rd is National Handwriting Day! I know I'm excited, and I bet you can't wait either!
Truthfully, there is something very cool about receiving a letter or manuscript that is written by hand--it is something to be treasured, and something that is becoming rarer with each passing year.
Below are two links to great stories centered on the handwritten:
1.The Cult of the Moleskine explores why those notebooks are so popular
2. How Twitter Made Handwriting Cool is a great article about all sorts of writing tools--from simple notebooks to the "World's Best Pencil"
Take time this Sunday to handwrite someone a note!
**Update:
A helpful article on listkeeping and Moleskine Here
Truthfully, there is something very cool about receiving a letter or manuscript that is written by hand--it is something to be treasured, and something that is becoming rarer with each passing year.
Below are two links to great stories centered on the handwritten:
1.The Cult of the Moleskine explores why those notebooks are so popular
2. How Twitter Made Handwriting Cool is a great article about all sorts of writing tools--from simple notebooks to the "World's Best Pencil"
Take time this Sunday to handwrite someone a note!
**Update:
A helpful article on listkeeping and Moleskine Here
Thursday, January 20, 2011
What does it mean to be a Christian?--Our Identity in Christ
Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ]]
In this book, author John Macarthur tackles the question: "What does it mean to be a Christian?" One could come up with dozens of different answers. But Macarthur lands on the concept of Christians as slaves for Christ. Through his research, he has come to the conclusion that this concept has been lost among those who claim to be Christians. MacArthur does not shy away from the difficult topics, specifically the heinous act of slavery that America perpetuated as well as the current slaveholding that still exists in the world today. Instead, he lays down a foundation by teaching what the word "slave" means and refers to both historically, presently and in the future.
His last few chapters address the act of adoption, focusing on the adoption of believers into God's "family", thus granting adoption that makes Christians the sons and daughters of God.
I appreciated the level and depth of study that Macarthur obviously did in order to be able to write this book. It's very readable, but does not water-down truth. No, instead the author, through his writing, seems to urge his reader to join with him in exploring the deeper things Christianity. My only critique would be that it seemed repetitive at times. But overall, I would highly recommend this book for a clearer understanding scripturally of the identity of a Christ follower.
In this book, author John Macarthur tackles the question: "What does it mean to be a Christian?" One could come up with dozens of different answers. But Macarthur lands on the concept of Christians as slaves for Christ. Through his research, he has come to the conclusion that this concept has been lost among those who claim to be Christians. MacArthur does not shy away from the difficult topics, specifically the heinous act of slavery that America perpetuated as well as the current slaveholding that still exists in the world today. Instead, he lays down a foundation by teaching what the word "slave" means and refers to both historically, presently and in the future.
His last few chapters address the act of adoption, focusing on the adoption of believers into God's "family", thus granting adoption that makes Christians the sons and daughters of God.
I appreciated the level and depth of study that Macarthur obviously did in order to be able to write this book. It's very readable, but does not water-down truth. No, instead the author, through his writing, seems to urge his reader to join with him in exploring the deeper things Christianity. My only critique would be that it seemed repetitive at times. But overall, I would highly recommend this book for a clearer understanding scripturally of the identity of a Christ follower.
How Not to Choose a Job
Matt Perman, on his Blog "What's Best Next", has a great article today regarding the hunt for a job. Since I am currently up to my neck in the job hunt scene right now, I found it words to be both fascinating and encouraging. You can read his post here: Matt Perman: What's Best Next
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
When I Don't Know What to Do: 2nd Chronicles 2:12
Several months ago I came across a verse on a blog that I follow, that I had never seen before. The author of the blog titled the verse "A Practical Prayer for Many Situations That I Find Myself In".
The verse is 2nd Chronicles 2:12. You'll want to look it up to read the entire verse, but the part that stands out is the cry "O our God.....we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."
How many times do I find myself in that exact same spot, where I am at a complete and utter loss as to what to do? Sadly, so often when I reach that point, that bewildering place, I do not pray these words here. No, instead I try to reason it out, I try to think it through, I try on my own to develop a plan. Shelly always has a plan. If I just think hard enough, if I just try long enough, if I can just do this or do that, I'll figure out what is next.
What must God think in those moments that I deliberately refuse to put my eyes on Him?
The last several months, if I were to be completely honest, place me right there: right on the edge, the precipice of knowing not what to do. Life is beyond me, all control of my life-what I have known life to be-has been wrested out of my hands, similarly to Job. And yet in my stubbornness and pride, I still find it difficult to turn to my God and say the words in John 6:68: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." Or, as 2nd Chronicles 2:20 expresses it----I don't know what to do, but my eyes are on you God. Help me. Show me.
Tonight one of the songs being sung at worship is Tommy Walker's "When I Don't Know What to Do". I remember listening to that song over and over and over again in the days directly after my life as I knew it collapsed. I was fortunate enough to be in Hawaii at the time, and I would walk for hours, listening to this song over and over and over again on my Ipod, studying the sky, the ocean, because I didn't know what to do.
But I've gotten away from coming honestly before my God and pleading these words to him:
When I don't know what to do, I'll raise my hands
When I don't know what to say, I'll speak your praise
When I don't know where to go, I'll run----not walk----to your throne.
O, even now, even tonight, I don't know what to do, but to try to place my eyes on my God.
The verse is 2nd Chronicles 2:12. You'll want to look it up to read the entire verse, but the part that stands out is the cry "O our God.....we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."
How many times do I find myself in that exact same spot, where I am at a complete and utter loss as to what to do? Sadly, so often when I reach that point, that bewildering place, I do not pray these words here. No, instead I try to reason it out, I try to think it through, I try on my own to develop a plan. Shelly always has a plan. If I just think hard enough, if I just try long enough, if I can just do this or do that, I'll figure out what is next.
What must God think in those moments that I deliberately refuse to put my eyes on Him?
The last several months, if I were to be completely honest, place me right there: right on the edge, the precipice of knowing not what to do. Life is beyond me, all control of my life-what I have known life to be-has been wrested out of my hands, similarly to Job. And yet in my stubbornness and pride, I still find it difficult to turn to my God and say the words in John 6:68: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." Or, as 2nd Chronicles 2:20 expresses it----I don't know what to do, but my eyes are on you God. Help me. Show me.
Tonight one of the songs being sung at worship is Tommy Walker's "When I Don't Know What to Do". I remember listening to that song over and over and over again in the days directly after my life as I knew it collapsed. I was fortunate enough to be in Hawaii at the time, and I would walk for hours, listening to this song over and over and over again on my Ipod, studying the sky, the ocean, because I didn't know what to do.
But I've gotten away from coming honestly before my God and pleading these words to him:
When I don't know what to do, I'll raise my hands
When I don't know what to say, I'll speak your praise
When I don't know where to go, I'll run----not walk----to your throne.
O, even now, even tonight, I don't know what to do, but to try to place my eyes on my God.
When I Don’t Know What To Do
By Tommy Walker
Lord I surrender all
To Your strong and faithful hand
In everything I will give thanks to You
I'll just trust Your perfect plan
Chorus
When I don't know what to do
I'll lift my hands
When I don't know what to say
I'll speak Your praise
When I don't know where to go
I'll run to Your throne
When I don't know what to think
I'll stand on Your truth
When I don't know what to do
Lord I surrender all
Though I'll never understand
All the mysteries around me
I'll just trust your perfect plan
Bridge
As I bow my knee
Send Your perfect peace
Send Your perfect peace Lord
As I lift my hands
Let Your healing come
Let Your healing come to me
Ending Vamp
Lord I love You
Lord I trust You
Lord I lift my hands to you
Monday, January 17, 2011
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