Fauna and Flora: The Weekly Digest

 Looking out the window....

 

My stoop is ready for summer.

 

I'd not paid attention to this tree at our apartment complex
before.  It's called a Russian olive tree.  I find its gray green leaves
and reddish brown branches beautiful.

 

 

This lovely cluster of Tickseed flowers were in a container
in front of my dentist's office.

This was my first time seeing Lamb's Ear plants.  These were in
the flower beds at Green Mountain Recreation Center.

Day lilies are one of my favorite summer perennials.
There were several beds of these around town.  I took this picture 
near the ARC Thrift Store. 

Favorite quote(s) of the week...

 

Lord, help us in such a way that we can see that You are working. May we magnify You in our inmost souls. Make everyone around us see how good and great a God You are. - Charles Spurgeon, Faith's Checkbook, p. 179. 

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
And if I die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my toys to break.
So none of the other kids can use 'em....
Amen.

"Prayer of the Selfish Child" - Shel Silverstein, A Light In the Attic

 

You show me a perfect quilt and I''ll show you a quilter who's probably got some issues.  Mark Darrell (The Quilting Marine).

 

Misinformation about the Bible’s answers to these issues has led to much wrong teaching about boundaries. Not only that, but many clinical psychological symptoms, such as depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, addictions, impulsive disorders, guilt problems, shame issues, panic disorders, and marital and relational struggles, find their roots in conflicts with boundaries. Cloud & Townsend, Boundaries, p. 26.

 

I'm thinking about...

This is the best picture of the flow of my thoughts right now.

What I've read since the last digest...

• A World of Charity by Jonathan Edwards  ✮✮1/2   
• Charles Dickens by G. K. Chesterton  ✮✮  (Please see my Goodreads comments here)
• The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola by Saint Ignatius of Loyola  ✮  
• A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein (Category:  Kiddie Lit) ✮✮✮✮  

I'm currently reading...

• The Dieter's Prayer Book by Heather Harpham Kopp
• Mansions of the Heart by R. Thomas Ashbrook 
• Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend 
• A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
• On Reading Well by Karen Swallow Prior
• Now, Discover Your Strengths by Gallup 
• Faith's Checkbook by Charles Spurgeon
  
• The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
  
•  Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster
• The New American Standard Bible
  

Recent blog posts...

• My previous digest, "Prince and the 'Round Tuit'" is here.
  
• First Line Friday #35: Finding the Groove by Robert Gelinas is here. 
• My "25 for 2025" challenge is here. (Updated regularly)
• My "I Can Only Blame MyShelf" reading challenge is here.  (Updated regularly). 

From the Workshop... 

I am thankful for...

• Reverse look up on Google.  I've learned about many plants and flowers using that feature.
• Colored pencils.
• The ceiling fan in my office area.
• Craft glue that doesn't wrinkle paper.
• Small health victories. 

 

 

First Line Friday #35: Finding the Groove by Robert Gelinas

Thanks to Carrie at
Reading is My Superpower
for the Link-up

 

 

Title:  Finding the Groove
Author:  Robert Gelinas
Genre: Christian Faith

 

    〰First Line〰

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When I was in college, I used to study for my Greek and Hebrew exams at a local jazz venue. 

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Synopsis:  (From Goodreads) 

"A jazz-shaped faith ... balances freedom with boundaries, the individual with the group, and traditions with the pursuit of what might be. I have discovered in jazz a way of thinking, living, communicating---a way of being ... a groove." You don't have to be a jazz musician, or even a jazz connoisseur, for this book to speak to you. If you love God and his Word, and if you've longed to follow Jesus Christ outside the slick corporate structures that some American churches erect, this book is for you. If you want to discover a freer, more genuine expression of Christianity, Finding the Groove will be music to your ears, your heart, and your mind. Using brilliant metaphors from the world of jazz, Robert Gelinas reveals breathtaking possibilities for the body of Christ. What might a 'jazz-shaped faith' look like---and how could it help us fulfill the message of the gospel in a way no method, movement, or structured program ever could? How can understanding the beauty of jazz help you better understand Jesus, his vision for those who follow him, and his heartbeat for a world that is badly out of sync? But this book isn't about music. It is about a passionate, biblical, fully integrated way of looking at life and salvation that will free you to find your own unique groove in the kingdom of God.

 〰First Thoughts〰

I want to give full disclosure before I express my first thoughts.  Yes, the author of this book is my pastor.  No, this is not a paid (or unpaid) endorsement of the book (I haven't even read it yet).  Yes, I will be honest in my first thoughts and in my "last thoughts" or a full-blown review--whichever I end up writing.  Even if Pastor Gelinas knew I was writing this, I don't think he would be opposed to my honest thoughts about this work.  

I've been trying to get my book study community group off the ground.  After a failed attempt at a live group (seven people signed up, but none showed up for the meeting--rude!), I consulted with our community group coordinators who suggested converting the group to an online format. As much as it pains me, I'll give it a shot.  During our discussion they recommended that the group study one of our pastor's books while he's away on sabbatical.  While I'm not too keen on using our pastor as an advertising tool to boost my group's participation, I did want to read the book to see if it was something that would be a good fit. 

This volume drew me because of its reference to jazz music.  I've never played jazz, but I have enjoyed listening to and enjoying the improvisational nature of the genre.  So, how does that play into Christian faith?  I've been at the church long enough to know that he can't be talking about improvisation as a Christian "do-it-yourself-kit" where one makes God into whatever he wants and interprets the Scriptures any way he pleases.  So I'm interested to know what this "jazz-shaped faith" is and how it works biblically.  

 So, what's the first line of the book you're currently reading?

Prince and the "Round Tuit": The Weekly Digest

Looking out the window....

 

The shrub roses in the church's flower beds are blooming.

 

The bunnies and squirrels are scurrying about the apartment complex.

A cool experience... Earlier this month I enjoyed two rather cool things.  First, the city of Lakewood's Heritage Lakewood offered a free "Rockin' Block Party" at the amphitheater.  Along with food trucks and a beer garden (whatever that is), the festivities included a Prince cover/tribute band called Paizley Park.  Oh, my!  I never had the opportunity to attend a Prince concert in my youth, but this was the next best thing.  They were excellent.  I found out that they are based here in Colorado and do both "civilian" and corporate gigs.  If I were ever to have a big blow-out party, I'd book them in a heartbeat.  I didn't get to stay for the whole event (I turn into a pumpkin after sundown), but it was so much fun.

The second cool event was something I briefly mentioned here.  I visited the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum just up the street in Golden, CO.  Note:  Out of respect to the artists, I'm only sharing a snippet of the artwork.  The exhibits this season are art quilts from the Montana/Idaho region of the Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) and the Colorado Japanese American Women's Quilt Project.  These works of art are for display and admiration rather than for utilitarian purposes.  The theme of the SAQA projects was "Abundant Palette."  The quilts from the Colorado Japanese American Women's Quilt Project represent stories from several families about their experience in America including those who suffered in the internment camps during World War
II.  These quilts have inspired me to add making an art quilt to my list of crafts to try in the future.

Favorite quote(s) of the week...

 

...studies show that the absence of feeling bad isn't enough to make you happy; you must strive to find sources of feeling good. - Gretchen Rubin, The Happiness Project, Chapter 5.

 

How are you 18 and look divorced already?  You've got a real 37 year old vibe to you. - Gabriel Rutledge, comedian.

 

He who slings mud will surely lose ground. - Jesse Duplantis

 

If the recipient is not going to value your effort, they are just not quilt worthy.  And there are many others out there that are [quilt worthy].  - Karen Brown, Just Get It Done Quilts YouTube channel.

I'm thinking about...

Summer.  Years ago I wrote a blog post about adopting the proper mindset for summer.  I know that technically summer doesn't start until June 20th.  However, I'm loosely basing my seasons on the academic calendar (and of course, Colorado's crazy weather).  The school children are out for the summer, my apartment complex has opened the swimming pool, and I put my snow scraper away and pulled out the sunshade for my car.  So, summer it is.  

One of the things that's helping me plan the enjoyment of this season is a recent episode of Happier.  The hosts talked about establishing "A summer of..."  The Gatekeepers group at work did something like this last year.  They called it "Summer Dreams."  We listed some of the things we planned to do for the summer and the things that we dream of doing.  The only thing was, we never revisited it in the fall.  It would have been fun to hear about all the adventures of the team.  Oh well.

 

I have a few themes for the summer:

• Summer of "Virtuous" Literature:  Last year, I read through Karen Swallow Prior's On Reading Well (Dr. Prior spoke on campus and gave the attendees free copies of her book).  The premise of the book is that good literature can provide lessons in the cardinal, theological, and heavenly virtues.  Each chapter discusses a literary work and how it is either a good or bad example of a particular virtue.  I found the book very interesting, but I didn't read the featured works along with Dr. Prior's commentary.  This summer I'd like to get through as many of the works as I can.

• 

  Image from Google

  Gym Rat '25:  Each year, the City of Lakewood's Recreation Department offers an unlimited summer pass to the city's rec centers for a very reasonable fee.  With Colorado's dry heat, working out indoors is a better option for me during the summer.  My goal is to get in the gym at least three times a week for the duration of the pass (it runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day).
• Getting Around To It:  I have several UFOs/Ps (unfinished objects/projects) that I've been putting off for way too long.  I need to put their steps to completion on my calendar--in essence giving myself a "round tuit."

What I since my last digest...

• The History of Tom Jones:  A Foundling by Henry Fielding  ✮✮✮1/2
  
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald  ✮✮✮ (Category: School Daze Needed Rereads)  
• Pauses for Pentecost by Trevor Hudson ✮✮✮ 
• Encouragement for the Depressed by Charles Spurgeon ✮ 
• How Should I Live as a Single? by Joel Beeke and Paul Smalley ✮✮
• Aesop's Fables by Aesop ✮ 

I'm currently reading...

• A World of Charity by Jonathan Edwards
• The Dieter's Prayer Book by Heather Harpham Kopp
• Mansions of the Heart by R. Thomas Ashbrook 
• Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend 
• A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
• Faith's Checkbook by Charles Spurgeon
  
• The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
• Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster
  
• On Reading Well by Karen Swallow Prior 
• Now, Discover Your Strengths by Gallup
  
• The New American Standard Bible

Recent Blog Posts...

• First Line Friday #34:  The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is here.
• My previous digest:  Comic Relief is here. 

 I am thankful for...

• I say this every year, but I'm thankful for a public library that allows adults to participate in their summer reading program.
• My therapist.  We are doing some good work together.
• The end of snow season.
• Teas that need no sugar or honey to taste good.
• All the sweet birthday gifts I received. 
• The living water promised by Christ in John 4 and John 7. 

From the Workshop...

"Happy Little Brushes": Acrylic on Canvas (16x20)

"Kalinda" #8:  This went to a raffle for an organization's fundraiser.

 

 

 

"Irish Chain": Went to Loving Stitches Ministry

"Tying Up Leftovers": Went to Loving Stitches Ministry