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.  

〰Last Thoughts〰

Book completed 11/8/25
Rating:  ✮✮ stars
Conclusion:  Please see my review here.

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