two new books

two books have come to my attention this year, 

both written by people in my own community.

the first is an intimate story of one woman's journey into deeper intimacy with the Lord, as his beloved daughter.  the author?  pamela marhad, the mother of one of my closest friends.  beautifully written in part allegory, part dialogue, the author honestly reveals her own feelings of inadequacy and God's seemingly unbelievable responses to her.  the message is certainly one i can relate to, and that i know many women are longing to hear.  the result is a new kind of devotional aptly titled,

He Calls me Beloved.

http://www.amazon.com/He-Calls-Beloved-Pamela-Marhad/dp/1414113145/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

the second is ready just in time for christmas.  written by a man whose blog i follow and illustrated by a woman in my church.  it is a retelling of the nativity story from luke 1 & 2 with some added fictional first- person perspectives, the familiar becoming wonderfully unfamiliar once again.  although i have yet to read it, the author writes and speaks like an old-time story-teller with the fresh perspective of one who walks with God.

the author?  john blase.  

the illustrator?  amanda jolman.  

i can't wait to read it myself.

Touching Wonder 

http://www.amazon.com/Touching-Wonder-Recapturing-Awe-Christmas/dp/1434764656/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256829022&sr=1-1

if you're interested, both books are available from amazon.com.

happy reading.

pixar's "Up"

just a few years ago i didn't even know what pixar was.

and to further my shame,

i placed all animated movies in a category,

or lesser class, all of their own.

needless to say, i never watched.

but then a few summers ago between conversations over

dinner and in the park, someone i've come to be rather fond of

expressed his delight in the quality and depth of story

found in certain animated films.

though skeptical, i listened and eventually

watched ratatouille.

guess what?

i actually liked it.

this time it was my suggestion -

"Up".

.

within the first few minutes beneath the big screen

a story of two lives

- carl & ellie-

had already been silently told.

it seemed complete all on its own,

a sweet adventure of joy mingled sorrow

that echoed so many of my own hopes and fears.

with tears still wet on my face

the silent ballad ended.

i wondered for a moment if the film was over.

i knew the movie had really just begun,

though i couldn't imagine the story improving.

surprisingly, it did.

the country of marriage

compliments of wendell berry

iii.

"sometimes our life reminds me

of a forest in which there is a graceful clearing
and in that opening a house,
an orchard and garden,
comfortable shades, and flowers
red and yellow in the sun, a pattern
made in the light for the light to return to.

 

The forest is mostly dark, its ways 

to be made anew day after day, the dark 

richer than the light and more blessed, 

provided we stay brave 

enough to keep on going in."

sometimes i just want to stay in the lovely house 
and garden in the light,
but the forest is equally part of the beauty of this country.

thank you scott, my love,
for having the courage to walk
into the forest depths with me.