Bloom!

- Continuing our Wednesday Book Discussions, today we are reviewing Don't Waste Your Life, by John Piper . "I will tell you what a tragedy is," writes John Piper. "I will show you how to waste your life. Consider this story from the February 1998 Reader's Digest : A couple 'took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda , Florida, where they cruise on their 30-foot trawler, play softball and collect shells...' Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgment: 'Look, Lord. See my shells.' That is a tragedy." I pray to God that we will never stand before Him, forced to account for our lives, and realize we've squandered them. Like Piper, I cannot imagine anything more awful or tragic. But if we do not want to waste our lives, what does it look like to live them well, and successfully - not by the world's terms, but by our Creator's? Wh...

- - Today we share part two of Megan's series that she's compiled from a speech her father gave. If you haven't already, make sure to read the introduction and part one: - Part I: Think Small, Because Small Changes the World - Part II: Stand on Your Head, Because the World is Upside Down - It’s no surprise – but the world you’re entering (or in) is fueled by money. Sex. Power. Fame. - And if you take the world at face-value, you too will find yourself motivated by these things. But before you take the world at face-value, I want you to ask some hard questions: - If it’s really all about fame and sex, why do rock stars feel the need to shoot heroin? - If it’s really all about power, why do the powerful feel the need to seek out satisfaction in secret affairs? - And if it’s really all about money, why are those who are worth $100 million so unhappy that they risk jail time to concoct elaborate ponzi schemes just so they can have $200 million? - Maybe it's because the worl...

- - A trace of where we've been on the web this week . . . Scrap Flower Tutorial It's been awhile since we've posted a crafty project, and these fabric flowers from PinkSuadeShoe are simply adorable. And if you are like Megan and fell in love with some expensive flower hair clips from Anthropologie - now you can make them yourself, without the cost! Your Hands - JJ Heller This is one of our new favorite songs. If you haven't heard it yet -or even if you have - go watch JJ Heller perform this on the radio. Until next week, Jessina, Megan & Joanna -

- - Continuing our weekly conversations . . . - The deal: Each Thursday, we announce a question of the week. We seek to ask questions that spark interesting conversations, whether it simply be about books, traditions, spiritual disciplines, more theological matters, or anything related to life in general. You can join in our conversations two ways: - 1. Leave a comment with your thoughts! - 2. Or, if you prefer, post an answer on your own blog and leave us a link to your post so we can comment and add to the conversation. If you post on your own blog, you are welcome to use the picture above as long as you link back to us somewhere in your post. - This week's question . . . Monday's article this week was on how small things changed the world. We'd love to hear your examples of this - have you ever done something you thought insignificant that brought much bigger results? Or, whether or not you can see the results - because often we can't - we'd love to hear example...

- For Our Wednesday Book Discussion this week, we thought it would be fun to share some of our favorite books from a variety of genres. Fiction: The Chosen , by Chaim Potok Danny and Reuven are Orthodox Jews from very different sects - but this is the story of their unlikely yet deep friendship, their coming-of-age, and their struggles to find their faith and dreams. Memoir: Ocean Star , by Christina DiMari This remains one of our favorite memoirs. It's a story of redemption - the story of a heart lost and found, broken and made new. Christina recounts her troubled childhood, how she met Christ, and the journey He has taken her on to renew her heart, face her scars, and become a beacon of hope for others in similar situations. Non-Fiction: How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World, by Jordan Christy It's summertime. And that means that sometimes we just want to kick back with a fun read. So here is a light and enchanting handbook on "the art of living with style, ...

- - When Megan graduated from highschool last year, her father gave a charge to the graduates. But it wasn’t a kind of charge that is limited in applicability only to a graduating class. It’s five pieces of wisdom that he wanted to share with his little girl about the world she was entering. And because we thought they were so wise, Megan is going to share these five ideas from her Dad within the next few weeks, recreating what she can from his notecards. So today we introduce Part I of Megan's series, Wisdom from My Father. - Part I: Think Small, Because Small Changes the World - One of my father’s good friends is a man named John Duffy. He is a brilliant criminal defense lawyer, and he is always doing something to help others. As a young lawyer in the ’60s, he risked his life to go down south and become a “freedom fighter," using the court system as a battleground to defend the African Americans’ rights to vote. In the 70s, he was quickly gaining attention for his work as ...

- - A trace of where we've been on the web this week . . . - IJM Student Ministries International Justice Mission has a helpful website specifically geared towards students and youths, with practical ways to help and resources to learn more. - Until next week, Jessina, Megan, & Joanna -

- - Continuing our weekly conversations . . . - The deal: Each Thursday, we announce a question of the week. We seek to ask questions that spark interesting conversations, whether it simply be about books, traditions, spiritual disciplines, more theological matters, or anything related to life in general. You can join in our conversations two ways: - 1. Leave a comment with your thoughts! - 2. Or, if you prefer, post an answer on your own blog and leave us a link to your post so we can comment and add to the conversation. If you post on your own blog, you are welcome to use the picture above as long as you link back to us somewhere in your post. - This week's question . . . - In light of this week's articles concerning ways which we can help to alleviate injustice in the world, do you have a particular outreach ministry which you admire and respect? Gracy shared some of her favorites ( NightLight International , International Justice Mission , etc.). What are ...

- For our Wednesday Book Discussions, Gracy Howard (see 5 Step to Fighting Slavery ) is back today to share her top five recommended books on justice and modern-day slavery. Thanks again for sharing, Gracy! And if anyone has any books to add to the list, please leave a comment. - 1. The Good News About Injustice by Gary Haugen Haugen is the president of International Justice Mission , an organization dedicated to delivering victims of slavery worldwide and procuring justice on their behalf. Haugen is a Christian, and his book is a call to action. This is an incredible read, especially if you are seeking to better understand justice and its role in today’s world. It also gives specific tips on how to fight for justice and defend the oppressed. - 2. Not for Sale by David Batstone Batstone is the co-founder of Not For Sale , an organization fighting slavery and raising awareness across the globe. Batstone’s book profiles the most prevalent forms of slavery, and then offers bios and stor...

- - A sweet friend, Gracy Howard, is back on the blog today ( she wrote for us before ) to share some practical tips for fighting modern-day slavery. Gracy is a soon-to-be sophomore at Patrick Henry College where she is pursuing a degree in journalism and hopes to one day combine her love for the arts with her passion to fight slavery. She also blogs at Forte for Freedom . Thanks for sharing, Gracy! - Five Steps - Over the past couple years, a lot of people have asked me for advice on how they can fight modern day slavery. - At first, I think, "Oh, that's easy. There are so many organizations to get involved with, so many blogs you can check, so many ways you can help spread the information." - But then I realize that the quantity of work to be done and quantity of needs/ways to help can be extremely overwhelming. There's just so much! Some of us have very little time or money at our disposal. How do we fight modern day slavery? - I have come up with s...