26 January, 2012

Words.

We use them all the time. We use them to make people laugh, or cry. We use them to tell people what we want or need. We use them to share what we think or feel about things. We use them to encourage… we use them to hurt… to build up or tear down.

Words, words, words.

Lately, I’ve seem to have a problem with words. I have found that I am full of many things to say, but I just can’t find the right words to express those things. Now, this could be a good thing or a bad thing. For instance, it’s a good thing I’m not saying what’s on my mind as I read through people’s Facebook statuses (admit it, there is always a temptation to write a snarky remark on someone’s ridiculous status on Facebook!) or on Twitter. It’s good thing that I don’t pull out some colorful language when I’m speaking to (usually stupid) patients on the phone at work. As hard as it is sometimes, I am glad I can hold in those words.

It’s the times when I know I have something to say that needs to be said, yet I can’t form the words to express them. I know I have things that have been put on my heart to share…and it doesn’t matter if I’m speaking them or writing them down, I can’t seem to bring myself to share those words with those around me.

I know part of the problem is that I feel like what I have to say does not have any worth. I have watched myself shy away from talking with groups of people, with friends, with my Bible study group, because I feel like my words have no power or worth to them. Even little things, like my opinion on movies, music, or books are hard for me to voice.

I know the importance of words, and how blessed we are to be able to communicate with each other freely. I know how words can be used – both in good and bad ways – to influence those around us. I am a lover of words. I am an avid book reader. Words move me to laughter, to anger, to tears, to joy. They fill my soul when I am reading them. I know how powerful they are. And I want my words to be used for something good. To bless others. To influence a life. To reach out to others. To share my heart. I want others to be moved by my words.

Why is it so hard to share something that is so close to my heart? Because I’m scared. I don’t like to show my heart very often. It’s hard for me to open up to others. There are few who I have drawn close to, those that have seen glimpses of my heart, but I’ve never fully shared my soul with another person. But I wish I could! I wish I could say the things that are dear to me… the things that bless me and bring me joy. I wish I was brave enough to share the words the Lord has put on my heart… The things He has revealed to me.

The Lord has given me this heart for a reason. My love of words… my love of music… and the passion I feel about it is from HIM. I shouldn’t be holding that in. I should be freely sharing it with those around me. It’s something precious He has seen fit to give to me. Why would I want to hide that precious gift away? Sometime my hearts just aches to be seen…to be shared. I know that is the Lord nudging me, pushing me to share what he has given me to share. And most of the time I ignore it… because I’m too afraid.

I don’t want to be that person anymore. I don’t want to face the Lord at the end and have him say, “Look at all those times I gave you something sweet, and you did nothing with it.”. That thought crushes my soul! I don’t want to be the servant that hid his treasure and did nothing with it. (Matthew 25:14-30) I want to share that treasure… I want it to grow and multiply… I want it to be used.

25 January, 2012

Book Lovers - UNITE!

While searching for some inspiration for the design of my blog, I came across a couple of quotes I fell in love with on Good Reads...especially the last one.
“Give me a man or woman who has read a thousand books and you give me an interesting companion. Give me a man or woman who has read perhaps three and you give me a very dangerous enemy indeed.” 
- Anne Rice, The Witching Hour
 
 “I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library.” 
- J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 
  
“I grabbed my book and opened it up. I wanted to smell it. Heck, I wanted to kiss it. Yes, kiss it. That's right, I am a book kisser. Maybe that's kind of perverted or maybe it's just romantic and highly intelligent.” 
-Sherman Alexie, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
 
I'm pretty sure I'd be classified as a book kisser. ;)
 

Wordless Wednesday: Rocks and Waves


For more go to Wordless Wednesday

19 January, 2012

52 Book Challenge - Book Four: Clockwork Angel

Clockwork Angel is the first book of “The Infernal Devices” series by Cassandra Clare. This book follows Tessa as she travels by boat from New York to London at the request of her brother Nathaniel, only to be taken captive by The Dark Sisters as soon as she arrives. It is under their horrible instruction, Tessa discovers that she has the ability to Change into a person just by holding on to something that they owned. She is finally told by the Sisters that her training was to prepare her to marry a man they call the Magister. When she refuses, they threaten to kill her brother whom they are holding captive.

Will and Jem are Shadowhunters. They have been trained to use magic which is accessed through runes that are tattooed on their skin to hunt down demons. Will and Jem find Tess while they are investigating the murder of a young girl, and take her back to the Institute which is run by Charlotte and Henry Branwell. As Tessa grows closer to both boys, she discovers that she is drawn to both Will and Jem, and finds that her feelings are stronger than she expects.

As Tess works with the Shadowhunters to help track down her brother and find the Magister, she discovers secrets about her parents that cause her to question who she is and a betrayal by one she holds dear.


It has been years since I have read something by Cassandra Clare, but as soon as I started Clockwork Angel I remembered why I liked her books. I become attached to her characters very quickly. She has a way of making you like them (or hate them) and drawing you in to their world. Of course, there’s the cool characters like vampires and fairies, which I love. I was also very excited to see a character from her original series “The Mortal Instruments” appear in this book. It was a good read, and I can’t wait to get the second one!

Rating: 5 Stars.