Day 02: Auntie's Babies [40 Days of Gratitude 2023]

Today was a quiet day of creativity and rest.  The snow started last night and will continue through Saturday, so all the Black Friday shoppers can have at it.  It feels strange not having to rush around and try to get things done before I boot up and clock in for my work day.  Goodness, has it been that long since I've had any real days off?

Today, I'm grateful for:

• Creativity that blesses the babies.  Picking up where I left off who knows how long ago, I finished the crochet items for one of "Auntie's Baby Showers in a Bag."  Because of some good changes to my skills and equipment, I'm making some slight changes to what's included in a set.  Now the sets will contain:
• One sewn diaper bag.
• One baby blanket (crocheted or quilted)
• Hat and booties.
• One crocheted or sewn stuffed toy.
• One tissue box cover:  crocheted or stitched on plastic canvas.
  
• A painting, wall hanging, sign, or stitched project that goes with the theme of the set.

I have several sets started and hope to finish them over the winter so I can take them to Colorado Family Life Center this spring. They've moved to a new building and I'm excited to see it.

• Having a warm place to live amidst the snow and frigid temperatures.

 

Day 01: The Kids' Table [40 Days of Gratitude 2023]

Hey y'all.  It's been a hot minute.  I haven't posted in a while, and I've not done this challenge since 2017.  For some reason I stopped at day 30 and for the life of me can't remember why.  Anyway.  I hope that these posts will not only catch y'all up, but get me back to consistent blogging again.  It's not for a lack of trying.  For the past few weeks, every time I've sat down to attempt a post, every word that traveled through my brain sounded like Charlie Brown's teachers.

 

And who wants that?

So let's begin.

Today, I'm grateful for:

• Finishing my final class of the year.  In 2023, I taught seven courses.  Now you know why my brain is mush.  This officially starts my teaching sabbatical.  I'm still working my full time job, but I'm taking a break from teaching.
• A place to go for the holiday after my initial plans fell through.
  

My friend Chris and her family owns J. C.'s Cafe in Golden.  Every Thanksgiving, they close the restaurant and have a potluck for any of their family and friends who don't have anywhere to go for the holiday.  The food was great and I had a good time.  

I even sat at the kids' table for a bit and colored with the children.

First Line Friday #15: Practicing Christian Doctrine

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

 

 

Title:  Practicing Christian Doctrine
Author:  Beth Felker Jones
Genre:  Christian doctrine/Theology

 

 〰First Line〰

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The word theology can be a conversation stopper.  When people ask what I teach, and I answer "theology," the most common response is a short "Oh," followed by uncertain silence.

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Synopsis:  (From Goodreads) 

This introductory theology text helps students articulate basic Christian doctrines, think theologically so they can act Christianly in a diverse world, and connect Christian thought to their everyday lives of faith.

Written from a solidly evangelical yet ecumenically aware perspective, this book models a way of doing theology that is generous and charitable. It attends to history and contemporary debates and features voices from the global church. Sidebars made up of illustrative quotations, key Scripture passages, classic hymn texts, and devotional poetry punctuate the chapters.

The first edition of this book has been well received (over 25,000 copies sold). Updated and revised throughout, this second edition also includes a new section on gender and race as well as new end-of-chapter material connecting each doctrine to a spiritual discipline.

  〰First Thoughts〰

After teaching college-level theology and doctrine for a couple of years, I wanted to research alternative textbooks for my courses.  While the current textbooks are intellectually stimulating and theologically informative, they don't seem to challenge my students to practically apply the materials.   I was trained in systematic Bible study and practical theology before I ever formally trained in what I call "egghead" theology.  A study of theology and doctrine that doesn't spark action is, to me, useless.  Yes, study is important, but so is application.  My hope is that this book will be the balance that my students need.

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