One more step

Transition. Yes, this is our living room.

One more step. 

Moving blankets = Crib for baby and Lydia

One step closer to being on "the field". Closer to the unknown and unfamiliar and uncomfortable. Further from comfort, ease and the routine. This week we are moving. Part of my heart is aching for the simple material comforts of what has been our home for six years. This little Cartersville townhouse became "ours" the day we were married. We spent our first summer "setting up house": painting, cleaning and bringing home wares from IKEA.  I love the color of the living room. I miss my chalkboard which I planned the weekly menu on. I look out to my beloved garden and know what will sprout this summer (where, what color it will be, when I planted it...). There are so many things Brian hung up on the now-blank walls "for me". 

Most of that stuff is gone, sold or given away. I am simultaneously saddened and happy. God blessed us with a great "moving sale" last weekend. And let me tell you about it. We sold just about everything. We made a good bit of money. We had numerous friends come over to play with Lydia, to help haggle, to help Brian move out the furniture and boxes of stuff into our yard and even make us lunch!

Making "deviled eggs" 

Empty living room means more room to ride the power wheels!

This Saturday we'll pack up a U-Haul with what remains: books, clothes, our bed, Lydia's furniture and kitchen stuff. We'll move into our temporary home, a house just a bit south of here, owned by our friends and faithful supporters. They are moving out and allowing us to live in the house as they get it ready to sell and put it on the market. It's amazing generosity; the gospel lived out. 

We have been blessed with so many things: selling our house, selling our stuff, having a place to move into, etc! We have been blessed with friends who help us move, clean, love Lydia, make us food and care for us! Yet, why am I so scared? (to quote Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music). 

This step...little compared with moving our family overseas to do ministry...is great, needed, but very real. I'm leaving home. I'm getting closer to leaving friends, family and all the scenery and backdrop I've ever known in being a wife and mother. It's quite scary; I have to admit. 

The reality of God's call on our lives is sinking in a bit more. Oh, how I pray for grace to embrace Him for all the wonder and joy He gives!

Books to Sell

ALL BOOKS are in good to like new condition. All prices include domestic shipping. If you need international shipping, we can discuss the shipping price. The link will take you to amazon.com for a picture.

If you would like to purchase any book, please email thestocks.ga@gmail.com. I will continue to add books in the coming weeks.

Theology
B. B. Warfield Ten-Volume Set (B003MJQXX4)  $130.00
The Sovereignty of God by Arthur Pink $6
Paul: An outline of his theology by Herman Ridderbos $25
Lectures on Calvinism by Abraham Kuyper $5
Praying Backwards by Bryan Chapell $6
The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God by John Frame $15
A Quest for Godliness by J. I. Packer $13
Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken $14
Vintage Church by Mark Driscoll $10

Commentaries Set (All sets are complete and in good condition)
John Calvin 22 Vol. Set (0801024404) $139.00
Hendriksen/Kistemaker New Testament Commentary 12 vol. set (0801026067)135.00
Martyn Lloyd Jones Exposition of Ephesians 8 vol. set (0801057930) 127.00

Single Commentaries
Martin Luther Commentary on Galatians - Modern English $10
Gleanings in Joshua by Arthur Pink (old binding) $6
Exposition of Hebrews by Arthur Pink (0801068576) $15
Galatians: NIV Application Commentary by Scot McKnight (0310484707) $10

The Bible Speaks Today Commentaries $8 EACH
Stott Sermon on the Mount
Stott Acts
Stott Romans
Stott Ephesians
Stott 1 Timothy & Titus
Stott 2 Timothy
Clowney 1 Peter

Books for March

Jonathan Edwards Lover of God by Owen Strachan and Doug Sweeney

The writings of Jonathan Edwards define the definition of difficulty. Anybody who has sat down and read his work knows that when they finish they felt like they had been running 400 meter intervals rather than sitting in their reading chair. Is there any cliff notes? Better... Enter Jonathan Edwards: Lover of God, the first of five books in the Essential Edwards Collection. This book is a brief introduction of the life and thought of one of the greatest thinkers and theologians America has ever produced. It is short, clear, and helpful. Within each chapter, the authors drive between large quotations of Edward's writings and their insight commentary. After each chapter, the authors seek to apply Edward's life and idea to the reader's world. My reading of the book wet my appetite to read more of Edwards reminding me of his God-entranced vision of all things and joyous piety for the Lord. I give the book 8 out of 10 stars and look forward to reading others in this collection.

Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes

I love this book. It whacked me like a pinata, inspired me to pursue great things, encouraged me as I have failed, and brought me to a clearer understanding of the disciplines of godliness in the grace of God. The author, R. Kent Hughes, is known for his expositional preaching at his local church. With years of exemplary preaching, Rev. Hughes packed this book full of solid biblical teaching, true-life stories, and practical advice as he sought to apply Paul's command in 1 Tim. 4:7-8 holistically, "Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." Great book for any man (or boy who wants to be a man) especially all Christian men. I give the book a 9 out of 10 stars.


The Church Between Temple and Mosque by J. H. Bavinck
Unintentionally, this month I found myself reading two books on the relationship between the Christian faith and other religions. Often was the case where I thought to myself, "Didn't I just read this" yet I was thinking of the other book. Actually, it made for a greater understanding on the topic since each book approach the subject differently. The Church Between Temple and Mosque surveys the topic through sociology and theology. Bavinck argues for five magnetic points which are found within a fundamental unity in man: (1) I and the cosmos; (2) I and the norm; (3) I and the riddle of my existence; (4) I and salvation; and (5) I and the Supreme Being. From these magnetic points, the author shows where the Christian stands both in community with, and over against, other religions. The book is full of information on Hinduism and primitive religions which I gleaned from willingly. I give the book 8 out of 10 stars.


The Gospel in a Pluralist Society by Leslie Newbigin

On the flip side of the same topic, I read the philosophical work, The Gospel in a Pluralist Society. In this classical work on the subject, the premise of the book is a treatise on understanding and living Christianity in an age of pluralism, and his primary argument is that the Christian faith is both contextual and relatively understood as well as universal and intended as truth for all. He bases his argument in a comparison with science, arguing that faith and science are both ways of knowing that have their own fundamental assumptions. One does not have to agree with every point to benefit from this work (and I had a few major disagreements). Newbigin's critique of doubt and pluralism "it's true for me" argument were helpful. Revelation in history as the Christian's starting point and the congregation living out the faith as a witness were also very helpful. If you venture to read this book, you must also know that half the book is chapters on epistemology (the study of knowledge) which if you are not expecting can get a little dry and/or overwhelming. I give the book 7 out of the 10 stars.