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Book Review- Messianic Jewish Manifesto

13 Jun

It took such a long time for me to finish this book – two months I think? – but I am glad I did. It is a well-written book on the Messianic Jewish movement originally published in 1988. Clearly its contents are a bit dated but the majority of it is still viable. David H. Stern covers theology, ideology and program for Messianic Judaism.

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Messianic Jewish Manifesto

He shares a call to action for Messianic Jews and information for those who are against, for or unsure about where they stand.

He encourages us to push away the ‘either-or’ mentality and embrace being 100% both Jewish and Messianic.

He challenges those involved in this movement to fully catch its vision – to heal the breach between the church and the Jewish people.

I marked a few areas that really stood out to me :

“…Israel is called God’s son as far back as Exodus 4:22. The Messiah is presented as God’s son a few verses earlier in Mattiyahu 1:18-25, reflecting Tanakh passages such as Isaiah 9: 6-7, Psalm 2:7 and Proverbs 30:4. Thus the Son equals the son; the Messiah is equated with the nation of Israel. This is what Mattiyahu is hinting at by calling Yeshua’s flight to Egypt a “fulfillment” of Hosea 11:1.” page 107

 

“Unless we have the mind of God, our own dreamings and willings are mere strivings after wind.” page 190

 

“Holiness means doing everything in life in the fear of God and in obedience to his commands.” page 190

 

If you are wanting to learn more about the Messianic Jewish movement, I encourage you to read this book.

~Laura 

Monthly Goals: June 2017

7 Jun

Heeeellooooo doctor appointments and couch! Goodness, I feel like that’s most of what I did in May.

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Recap of Monthly Goals:

EDIT Amelia book til ready for a professional editor.  – Still in the midst of writing a longer, more detailed, makes-more-sense-to-the-story scene. I also had a brilliant light-bulb idea that I’m gonna add!!

Make writing a habit most every day –  nope

Grow SGL’s Traffic –  I’m actually gonna take this goal off for a while and change it back to ‘get on a regular posting schedule’ =)

Lose weight/get healthier – I’ve actually lost almost 2 lbs this month! That’s huge for me

Read more books on Jewish living –  I’ve finally finished Messianic Jewish Manifesto by David H. Stern. Come back for a review of it!

Write a letter to one person a month –nope

Try a new recipe – if you follow me on Instagram, you know about my new obsession – Creamy Chocolate Shake. (I’m drinking one right now in fact) This yummy shake hides healthy fats and vitamins. You’ve gotta try it! (just in case you’re curious, yes I’m still in love with smoothie bowls and have one every morning.

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OH made me a shake one day when I was in bad pain

Watch/Read a Documentary – I watched another Gordon Buchanan show, this one was Gorilla Family and Me. I also read Julia Child’s book “My Life in Paris” which was thoroughly enjoyable. (watch for a full review coming!)

Recap of May’s goals:

Edit the heck out of Amelia’s story  – just a few days

Be stricter on NO SUGAR and more veggies/juice – I’ve done Great on this one guys. I haven’t knowingly had processed sugar more than once in may! And my veggie/fruit intake has increased.

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Finish gallery wall –  finally! There’s some more I’d like to do with it but I like how it is now so I’m moving on

Start a container garden – Due to increasing medical bills I think I’m gonna give up on this idea this year. Might get a few herbs on my counter but that’s it.

Get my hair trimmed – nope

Watch Under Our Skin 2 – I found out you have to rent it on amazon and I’m so frugal that I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Finish crochet projects – YES! and they turned out so cute.

Go through at least 2 areas and declutter – Busted this out right away due to dealing with mice again. Went through and majorly cleaned my office and laundry room

Go on a DATE with OH – technically it was in June, but I’m counting it!

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It’s seriously halfway through the year already! I want to do a quick ‘Goal Check-in’ this month. Here’s my 2017 Goal list.  Since I’ve been updating every month on my regular goals, I’m just going to talk about my BIG goals right now. Which are:

~get my first book published this year  

~ Have my second book written in full  

~Lose weight/get healthier

So. I’ve barely been able to edit my first book and I’ve only just started my second one. And that is because of the struggles of the third goal. Augh. It’s frustrating but can’t be helped. I’m really hoping that I find something that helps soon so that I can get back to writing because I really miss it. I’m bummed about this because I had high hopes to get published this year. Anyway, moving on…

June Goals:

Start 21-day detox

Get Hair Trimmed – have an appointment for when I’m in Bend!

Finish next set of crochet projects

Go through 2 areas and de-clutter

Schedule landlord/landscaper to clean up our sad yard?

VACATION!

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Once again I’m linking up with Stay Gold Autumn – click the picture to check out other great goal posts!

Like to post about your goals? Link up with any goal post in staygoldautumn.com’s linkup on the first day of the month!

What are some of your goals for June? 

~Laura

It’s the Lyme Life – may 2017

24 May

Today’s post is a collection of  (some of ) what’s been going on  the last few weeks. Some of these you might have seen on Instagram or  Facebook.

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While new symptoms and pain have knocked me for a loop, we’ve been able to have a bit of fun in the nice weather. Getting to the dog park, going on walks around the neighborhood and having friends over.

This is what I’ve been reading lately – look for upcoming reviews! (plus. The recipe for the chocolate shake will be in my monthly goals post coming up! )

Some of my family came for one weekend and we had a lot of fun!

 

 

 

Seeing the flowers bloom has been lovely, and ahhh, their sweet fragrance. Abby and Lady and I are soaking up every chance to get outdoors and play.

That’s all for today, Come back soon for May’s Health Update!

~Laura

Have you checked out my latest posts? A review on Lorna Doone, character development and A Currently Post.

What have you been up to lately? 

Book Review – Lorna Doone

16 May

Have you ever fallen in love with a name simply because you saw a movie once?

Lorna Doone is one of those for me.

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I watched the movie years ago and enjoyed it (although I’ve only got vague recollections about it now) so that when I saw a copy of it at Powell’s bookstore the other month, I knew I had to get it.

It took me a while to get through it – it’s written in a harder-to understand style so that I often grabbed another novel for something fluffier and easier to follow. But I enjoyed it SO much. I figure I’ll enjoy it more the second time reading it, being more familiar with the story and shouldn’t get bogged down with trying to picture things – and having to look up words. (like culvern.)

Synopsis:  The Doones are a hated family that terrorize the country. Their violent, plundering ways often end in murder. After losing his father to the Doones’ love of violence, John Ridd knows there isn’t any good in the lot of them. But then, he meets Lorna. The girl that is at odds with her evil family, due to a gentle heart and giving nature. He determines to rescue her but never imagines all he’ll have to go through in order to do just that.

The way Blackmore threads together so many characters over a long period of time is amazing. As I neared the end I just got more impressed – and more intrigued by how he was going to finish it. I’ll even admit to setting it down because I was so upset by what just happened that I couldn’t take it. Of course, that only lasted maybe a minute before I picked it up again! The side characters he created are fantastic  – Gwenny with her heartbreaking tale and stoic nature, Tom Faggus the ‘heroic’ outlaw, Uncle Ben with his many secrets, Annie who is the only one who knows of John Ridd’s true feelings (aside from, of course, Lorna) and the list goes on! I do wish I’d been able to read it quicker as then I wouldn’t have forgotten who some of the characters were.

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anyone else have a love for puffin classic editions?

 

 

Now I want to watch the movie again. Preferably this one from 2001.

I can recommend this book – although probably not for younger readers as its plot can get very hard to follow and while the violence isn’t gory, it might be too much for someone younger. All in all, a wonderful classic that I’m so glad I finally read.

Have you read Lorna Doone? What’s your favorite classic novel?

~Laura

 

Writing Prompts: Character Creation (Edward)

11 May

I found this great little character development sheet that I’m going to use to help round out some of my characters in my novel.  (fun fact: I tried to print out 4… I ended up with 12 copies of it. Have no idea what happened. OY)

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Today’s will be the second-main character in my new novel.

Edward Kempthorne – English – Youngest of 4? kids – 32 years old – lived in the U.S. since he was a teen

Optimist or Pessimist: Why? – Pessimist. Learned it from his father and losing someone he loved only increased it.

Introvert or Extrovert: Why? – He learned to keep his thoughts/feelings to himself when he was growing up (was he ridiculed when he did share, reinforcing this trait?)

Drives and Motivations: He wants to make a difference in the world – not sell (WHAT?) like his father does/expected him to. He wants to make his family proud. Doing what’s right.

Talents: Reading people, (add to this!)

Extremely skilled at: writing speeches?

Extremely unskilled at:

Good Characteristics: honest, hard-worker, direct

Character Flaws: stubborn, lacks confidence in himself(?), resistant to change

Mannerisms: subtle

Peculiarities:

Biggest Regret: that he put his job above his family one fateful day

Minor Regrets: that he hasn’t married yet, he’s never _____, bitter words that never should have been spoken

Biggest Accomplishments: getting into the “Academy” to become a cop

Minor Accomplishments:

Character’s darkest secret: Hmmmmm

Does anyone else know? :  not yet

If yes, did character tell them? either straight out he does, or in a round-about way…

If no, how did they find out?

 

So obviously I’ve got more figuring out to do for Edward but I have fallen in love with him already.  I love that he’s English and is a searching, broken soul. His search through the darkness for truth and light will be interesting to write.

~Laura

Monthly Goals : May

4 May

April was full of stress and pain and I’m honestly glad to see it gone. Another perk is that flowers and trees are blooming and the air smells wonderfully like spring (until you pass a ‘grower’s’ house and then it’s awful. but anyway.) I printed out my goals and affixed them to my laptop so I saw them several times a day – it helped so much in reminding me to do them .  . . or to at least think about doing them.

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Recap of Monthly Goals:

EDIT Amelia book til ready for a professional editor.  – For the first 2 weeks of the month I did good on this. In the midst of writing a longer, more detailed, makes-more-sense-to-the-story scene.

Make writing a habit most every day –  The first 2 weeks were spot on!

Grow SGL’s Traffic – nope. I’ve not even kept up with 2 posts a week, much less worried about growing SGL! – working on it

Lose weight/get healthier – I’ve actually started gaining again – check out my health update for more info

Read more books on Jewish living –  I’m halfway through Messianic Jewish Manifesto by David H. Stern.

Write a letter to one person a month – yes!!!

Try a new recipe – YOU GUYS.  I rocked this one this month. My parents got me a Spiralizer attachment for my Kitchenaid. So, because of that I made : Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Pasta (I added a bunch of veggies and chicken and then we put it on cauli-rice). I actually made it twice this month –  it’s now going to be a regular meal. Plus, I made Spicy Chicken and Eggplant Stir-fry (this was yummy but make sure and use a japanese eggplant like it calls for.) Below is a video of my  OH working on the charoset we made for Pesach – this thing is BRILLIANT. Plus I made bone broth for the first time yesterday although that was technically in May….all well

 

Watch/Read a Documentary/Biography – I watched Gordon Buchanan’s  Elephant Family and Me on Netflix. I enjoyed it so much, I then watched Polar Bear Family and Me.  He’s done a bunch of these documentaries that I fully intend on watching. Plus Abby enjoys them too

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Learn Hebrew- I worked on this a teeny-tiny smidge but that’s about it

Recap of April Goals:

Edit the heck out of Amelia’s story

Be stricter on NO SUGAR and more veggies/juice – the last few weeks I have. Even got my OH to stop bringing home sugar-filled items this past week. Plus I’ve definitely increased my veggies and juice intake!

Finish gallery wall

start a container garden – started planning it!!

Get my hair trimmed

Do Metal Toxicity test asap

Go to Craniosacrial chiropractor appt –  did this times 5 times 

plan a stay-cation for our 4th anniversary – This didn’t happen. I was in severe neurological pain and OH was sick. I ordered take-out (through Grubhub) , he rented some movies from Redbox, we ate and he fell asleep while I watched a movie. All well. We were both home and together, that’s what matters! 

I tried a few cleaning tricks that are BRILLIANT and I just had to share them with you.  Natural alternative to bleach (this got our duvet cover CLEAN) and Erase Stains from Mugs (this seriously worked on all 4 mugs I tried it out on) and Cleaning your Dishwasher  (I’d done this before, works great!)

For May:

Edit the heck out of Amelia’s story

Be stricter on NO SUGAR and more veggies/juice

Finish gallery wall

start a container garden

Get my hair trimmed

Watch Under Our Skin 2

Finish crochet projects

Go through at least 2 areas and declutter

Go on a DATE with OH

~A lot of the stress of April was been car-related. OH’s car was full of mold. The Subaru started smoking and rattling worse than ever and had to go to the shop. The Bug blew a belt. The puppies enjoyed the morning OH was working on the Bug as they got to hang out front with us.

~I’ve been wanting this book and this book for a while now, I might end up buying them this month!

~I’m currently enjoying this playlist on Youtube

Once again, I’m linking up with StayGoldAutumn.com for monthly goals! Check it out!
Like to post about your goals? Link up with any goal post in staygoldautumn.com's linkup on the first day of the month!

Any fun plans for May? 

~Laura

Book Review – April 2017

25 Apr

This month has been full of reading, folks! I’ve made a conscious effort to pick up a book instead of turn on the tv, and this month’s list is the result.

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When Bad Things Happen to Good People  by Harold S. Kuchner  – Striving to answer the age-old question ‘why, God?’, Kuchner shares the doubts and fears that often come with the question. He shares his wisdom as a rabbi, reader and parent in the hopes to bring comfort to the reader.

~This was recommended to me – that’s the only reason I finished it. I’m not a fan of this book. There were very few points that were made that I either didn’t already know or agreed with. That probably sounds arrogant but I don’t mean it to be. He has different beliefs than I do, and his including those (evolution for one), I felt to be unnecessary and distracted from the point of the entire book. If I rated these, this would be half a star.

The Shepherd’s Voice by Robin Lee Hatcher – Finally free from prison, Gabe has a hard time finding work during the Great Depression. He heads home, hoping his father will take him in. Instead he finds compassion and faith when Akira offers him a job and a home.

~This is a favorite that I read once a year. I love the journey that Gabe and Akira go through. As well as the faith and life lessons peppered throughout. Plus it’s set in the 1940’s (?) in Idaho. Fantastic setting.

Rose in Bloom by Louisa May Alcott – As a sequel to Eight Cousins,  we revisit Rose after she’s traveled the world for two years. She’s decided that before she marries, she wants to show that she’s an independent young woman. But the world is at odds with her decision, making her wonder just who her true friends are.

~Another delightful story from Alcott. The twists were unexpected and surprising – I had a hard time putting it down! In fact, i read it in just a few days. Highly recommend this, young or old.

Captain’s Courageous by Rudyard Kipling – When young millionaire, Harvey, is swept overboard and rescued by a fishing boat, his life is forever changed. The crew teaches him how to fish, and how to be a man.

~This was a birthday present and came with a recommendation from one of my nephews. I enjoyed this book so much, although I will admit to still not knowing what a ‘foc’sle’ is. Kipling wrote a classic boy’s adventure with this one. Highly recommend, for young or old readers!

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy – Click through for my full review! For now, I’ll say that I enjoyed this novel immensely.

Created to Live by Cathy Harris – Click through for my full review! Well worth the read on a heartbreaking and controversial topic.

Currently Reading:

Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss ~I am listening to this as an audio book via Librivox. If I had a copy in hand, I would have read it within a week, most likely. As it is though, I listen to it on the nights when I’m in too much pain to sleep. Very entertaining and not sure how I haven’t read it already!

Messianic Jewish Manifesto by David H. Stern ~ Pulled this from my OH’s library. I’m moving through it really slowly but it’s a good read so far. I am able to understand it without feeling overwhelmed. 

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson ~ A favorite that I read probably twice a year. Here’s a review from a few years ago if you want to check it out.

Revision and Self-Editing for Publication by James Scott Bell ~I picked this up at the library and am eager to get any helps on editing my first novel!

Once again, I’m joining the Reading Roundup linkup. Click the picture and find some more great reads!

Reading Roundup

What are you currently reading?

~Laura

Writing prompt – Character Fidgets

20 Apr

I got today’s writing prompt from What is a Plot. Think about your main character’s fidget. What do they do as a tell? Write a scene.

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As she waited for her mother, Amelia opened her book, eager to know what happened next to Esmeralda. She got so wrapped up in the world of old-time Paris that she didn’t hear the front door open, admitting her mother. The heavy footfall coming closer pulled her out of it just in time to slam the book shut and sit properly, the book getting shoved on a side table.

“I’m glad to see that you managed to be presentable today. And where you ought to be.” The sarcasm dripped from her mother as the tall woman eyed her daughter with criticism. “Although why you can’t be like Mrs. Smark’s daughter, I’ve no idea. You could learn a lot from that girl if you’d only take the time. What a relief it would be to have a daughter that I could take out in society.”

“Yes, Mother.” Amelia clenched her hands between her knees, hoping this interview with her mother would end soon. It was always a trial to sit still and silent during these. Her mother paused just long enough for her response and then set off again about her ideas of proper etiquette. Many minutes went by as she expounded on this pet subject of hers, during which Amelia flexed and relaxed her hands in response to particularly cutting remarks, until a knock at the door indicated the arrival of Amelia’s piano teacher.

“For goodness sake, Amelia, stop ruining your skirt like that – you’ve wrinkled it dreadfully.” Her mother’s comment brought Amelia’s gaze to her skirt and she tried to smooth out the wrinkles she’d created, but they refused to budge. Much like the knot in her stomach.

“I don’t know why you do such a thing. You really should get over it, a lady putting her hands between her knees is unheard of.” With that, her mother rose to greet the piano teacher coming into the room.

Amelia sighed and flexed her fingers to get the blood moving in them again. She’d make sure and do some extra scales this morning to help limber them up.

~I do very little editing on these writing prompts. I prefer to use them more to practice and get the creative juices flowing. 

~Laura

 

Book Review – The Scarlet Pimpernel

18 Apr

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy is a story of adventure, romance and political intrigue during the French Revolution. I’ve only seen THIS version of it, and loved it so much that I finally found a dvd copy to buy. Then, one day at Powell’s, in the Childrens Classic section (also known as my favorite section), I found a copy of the book! It only took me a week to read it- I had a hard time putting it down! What’s fun is that the movie that I love was actually taken from this book as well as El Dorado,  so now I’m even more excited to read the continuations of the adventures of The Scarlet Pimpernel! I didn’t even know there were more books. So exciting!

-Set in the tumultuous times of the French Revolution, one Englishman and his loyal followers dare to brave La Guilloutine and rescue a number of aristocrats – men, women and children. These cunning escapes ignite a hatred in one man especially, Chauvelin, a ruthless French agent, who has sworn to find the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel and capture him. It will take all the bravery and wits that the clever Englishman has to elude his clutches, as well as still keep his promises.

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I will state that even  though the book was quite different from the movie, I loved them both. There are different aspects of the book that would have been nice to see carried over to the movie, but perhaps they were in other versions. This is written in an easy-to-understand way, not like so many other classics that you’ve got to have a dictionary handy just to understand it! I highly recommend this story – for young and old. A guaranteed new favorite!

~another side note, just found the entire movie made in 1934 on youtube. Now I’m gonna have to give it a shot! 

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~a very young Ian Mckellen is in the 1982 version! Enough said right there.

This lovely mug is from A Fine Quotation

Have you read The Scarlet Pimpernel? What’d you think? 

~Laura

~ While covering different genres, I do not read anything that has blatant sexual content. I will tell you if there is any sort of such (typically very mild and delicately put) in them and if I don’t think they’d be appropriate for young/teenage readers. ~

Book Review: Created to Live

6 Apr

I have been intending to write this book review for a few months now and it’s always fallen by the wayside. Such sadness! I’m happy to finally get this out to you guys – so, without further ado, the book review for Cathy Harris’ Created to Live.

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Synopsis: Did you know that in America, an abortion is performed every 26 seconds? Since the ruling in 1973, a staggering 58 million abortions have devastated individuals and families. You’ll find resources, the hard truths behind what we’re told about abortions and encouragement to fight the battle against abortion. Told in an honest, loving way, Harris shares her story and invites you to make a choice for unborn babies.

I’ve never read a book with this as the topic so I wasn’t sure quite what to expect but I found myself quickly interested and read it every day til I reached the end. Harris’ style of writing is easy to read and I found myself impressed on how she presented different aspects of her story – and the history of abortion – throughout the book.  My heart was torn as I read the stories of other women, I even shed some tears at some of them.

But don’t think this is a read that will get you down and disheartened! Harris gives practical steps on how to join the fight against abortion. I liked how she advised starting in your home with conversations and working out from there. We must get comfortable talking about it before we can really go out and fight this battle.

Here are a  few quotes that stood out to me:

“Offering to hold someone’s hand is sometimes all it takes to save their life.” – page 43

 

“The abortion industry was soaked in lies from its beginning. The abortion decision begins with the lie that a baby is not a person, but is instead merely a ‘personal choice’. Those lies have been compounded and have deceived millions of people. Due to the power of entrenched demonic perception over this issue, defeating the enemy’s lies is one of the toughest battles women and men face after going through an abortion.” page 84

 

” In His tenderness, He sits on the throne. In His nearness, He holds the government on His shoulders. In His kindness, He brings forth judgments and extends His hands of mercy.” – page 114

 

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I highly recommend grabbing a copy of Created to Live!

I received Created to live for my honest review. It was published by Ambassador Int.