Conflicted over Yoga?
Get this book instead:
I have this book, and I LOVE it!!! I bought it when I was struggling with having energy during the middle of the day. Stretching was waking me up and I wanted a little more information on how to do it properly, and the extent of the muscle groups I could stretch.
First, it breaks the body down into its muscle groups and shows you how to stretch the individual muscle groups properly. The second half of the book lists many many activities with a picture chart of the stretches to do, as well as their preferred order, both before and after that activity.
I would recommend this book to ANYONE who wants to stay more flexible. Stretching is strenuous, and I'm sure the drops of sweat on my brow are indicative of a few calories burned (the operative word here is "few"). However, I still won't trade this activity for my road bike. If one wants to stay slim with stretching-type activities, they're gonna HAVE to supplement it with more rigorous aerobic activity.
Anyway, I just watched the CNN interview with Doug "Friend of the World" Pagitt and this book came to mind after watching the video clips of the yoga class participants.
Edit: I thought it was fitting to add an excerpt from this morning's Bible reading to this post.
Luke 6:26 "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way."
Labels: books, current events
Adventures in Reading
Friday nights I usually reserve for low-key activities. Mostly, by Friday evening, I am tired of being at work (although I usually go in for a few hours on Saturday as well) and I NEED undivided attention with the Lord. By then, I crave prayer and Bible reading, and usually find myself engrossed in a piece of Christian literature. Last night I continued in John Bunyan's "
Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners".
If only John could see me now.
I believe I am reading at about paragraph 153 (not for sure, I'm at work at the moment) and John is discussing his discovery regarding the cure for the wounded soul, his most favourite book, Martin Luther's commentary on Galatians. What John doesn't know is that his Grace Abounding has provided the same solace for me. John found a friend in Martin, and I found a friend in John. I cannot thank either of them for their steadfastness in running the race, but I can stand on their shoulders (or perhaps in their shadows, at this point).
When my heart wants something a bit lighter, something that doesn't exact its discipline upon my soul with every word and prove spiritually taxing (though invaluably necessary and beneficial) , I turn to a bit of history. I began
A Monk and a Mallet last night as well. And I'm engrossed.
You see, there are two kinds of history teachers. There are the kind who give you facts and dates in a rather abstract vacuum, and then there are the teachers who present history in a way that relates to humanity. This author is one such teacher.
I had ONE history class in architecture school out of many who alone taught the subject with great interest. For that reason I astounded him with my test grades and insight on the subject. He even took me aside and questioned me on the fact that I had done so well (I'm assuming my classmates weren't, and I'm pretty sure he thought I was cheating), and I was honest with him: he was a good teacher, and made the subject interesting. Modern architecture. That is one history subject I LOVE now because of him. I ALWAYS have fond memories of what I learned and for that reason never have any hesitation to read anything further on that topic.
I highly recommend Stephen Nichols' book. It's short and interesting. And if I didn't have to put in a few hours at work today, I'd still be in the living room reading it.
Labels: books, friends, practical theology, where I am right now
New Books
Challies.com mentioned the booksale going on at Westminster Bookstore. So I hurried on over and purchased these four books. They're sitting on my coffee table waiting for me to finish the licensing exam so that they can be devoured.
Labels: books
John Bunyan said it first
...and said it best.
THE CONCLUSION
1. Of all the temptations that I ever met with in my life, to question the being of God, and the truth of His gospel, is the worst, and worst to be borne; when this temptation comes, it takes away my girdle from me, and removeth the foundation from under me: O I have often thought of that word, Have your loins girt about with truth; and of that, When the foundations are destroyed what can the righteous do?
2. Sometimes, when, after sin committed, I have looked for sore chastisement from the hand of God, the very next that I have had from him hath been the discovery of his grace. Sometimes, when I have been comforted, I have called myself a fool for my so sinking under trouble. And then, again, when I have been cast down, I thought I was not wise to give such way to comfort. With such strength and weight have both these been upon me.
3. I have wondered much at this one thing, that though God doth visit my soul with never so blessed a discovery of himself, yet I have found again, that such hours have attended me afterwards, that I have been in my spirit so filled with darkness, that I could not so much as once conceive what that God and that comfort was with which I have been refreshed.
4. I have sometimes seen more in a line of the Bible than I could well tell how to stand under, and yet at another time the whole Bible hath been to me as dry as a stick, or rather my heart hath been so dead and dry unto it, that I could not conceive the least dram of refreshment, though I have looked it all over.
5. Of all tears, they are the best that are made by the blood of Christ; and of all joy, that is the sweetest that is mixed with mourning over Christ: O 'tis a goodly thing to be on our knees, with Christ in our arms, before God: I hope I know something of these things.
6. I find to this day seven abominations in my heart: 1. inclinings to unbelief; 2. suddenly to forget the love and mercy that Christ manifesteth; 3. a leaning to the works of the law; 4. wanderings and coldness in prayer; 5. to forget to watch for that I pray for; 6. apt to murmur because I have no more, and yet ready to abuse what I have; 7. I can do none of those things which God commands me, but my corruptions will thrust in themselves; when I would do good, evil is present with me.
7. These things I continually see and feel, and am afflicted and oppressed with; yet the wisdom of God doth order them for my good: 1. they make me abhor myself; 2. they keep me from trusting my heart; 3. they convince me of the insufficiency of all inherent righteousness; 4. they show me the necessity of flying to Jesus; 5. they press me to pray unto God; 6. they show me the need I have to watch and be sober; 7. and provoke me to look to God through Christ to help me, and carry me through this world.
Amen.
--Taken from his Grace Abounding to the Chief of SinnersLabels: books, friends, practical theology
New books!!!
Last weekend I enlisted the help of two of my coworkers to take me to IKEA and do a little furniture shopping with me. The books had now commanded the floor of my apartment. There was little baseboard to be found anywhere. Not a bad design concept if you're over 5,000 sf. But I'm not.
I got these AWESOME shelves that aren't really supposed to be stacked as high as they are, but Thomas assembled them and secured them to the wall. They aren't going anywhere. Gorgeous, kinda modern, kinda outdoorsy... They take advantage of the high ceilings. I LOVE high ceilings (I just hate heating and cooling the space).
Three new books arrived today to be added to the family.
I'm excited about Cancun. Sitting on the beach, tanning, reading. ohhh, yeah.
Labels: books
