Yes! I still find time to read!

Saving Women from the Church: How Jesus Mends a Divide by Susan McLeod-Harrison is the book that I just finished reading last night. At just over 200 pages, it is not a long book; but I found it very good in the arguments it makes for gender equality in the evangelical church. Each chapter has a story about how women are hurt by their congregations. The stories are fictionalized but are based on true accounts. Then McLeod-Harrison has a fictionalized version of a story from the bible that helps to address the contemporary story. After both stories, there is a section entitled "What was Jesus Doing?" where the author addresses what was going on in the culture of the bible story and how Jesus uplifted the woman in the story. This book set up to be a great book for a bible study class or a devotional guide because each chapter also contains questions and a section for personal reflection.

I truly wish that every woman in all churches can have the opportunity to read a book like this one. Several of the stories touched near and dear to my heart, and I could feel years of the pain in my own soul pour forth. I went to divinity school and studied theology before I could deal with how women are treated within my own congregation. For those who cannot attend graduate school to study theology, this book is an easy to understand guide for them. And I recommend it to both women and men who want to see how Jesus empowers us all.

The author is a firm supporter of Christians for Biblical Equality. And their blog featured a review of this book last month.

Early Voting

I am glad that several early voting places in my county opened up this week. I voted in the early voting this morning, taking my 2 1/2 year old with me to the community center. I was pleased to see that the line wasn't so long. And I have voted in the NC primary a week early.

Because with 9 days until my due date, there is no telling what I'll be doing this time next week.

VoIP

I am a registered Democrat. My husband is registered as a Republican. You would think that we would get some telephone calls from candidates about who we should be voting for in the NC primary next week.

But we have VoIP.

And we love our VoIP.

God's Family

I don't know why my 5 1/2 year old said this, but today at lunch (at a popular fast food place) he looked at me and said that we are part of God's family.

It is a wonderful thing to remember and treasure. Today, I am happy to be a part of God's family. And I am glad my innocent son reminded me of that in between sips of his chocolate milkshake.

Wow!

I was feeling rather sad today. I don't know why except maybe it is my hormone level changing, and I will be in labor soon (*crosses fingers*). At 38 weeks and 3 days, that is a possibility.

I almost didn't go to my small group meeting tonight. Until one of the members called and told me there were gifts. While I do not need anything specifically for baby #3, I was curious about presents. So I went and stayed for the meeting.

After the meeting, the group prayed for me. They did the laying on of hands thing, too. It was the first time a group had ever done that for me. And it is making me reflect one word--Wow!

The weight of the hands on me as the group prayed for me and my #3 offered me a lot of comfort. It reminded me of how God is putting protection all around me for this impending delivery. And no matter what the future may hold, I will trust that my path is known by my God.

It was a good "wow!" experience for today. And it almost didn't happen.

Thirty-six weeks

I have entered the ninth month of pregnancy. And my life feels like it is coming apart. So I'll take it one day at a time.

I am beautiful. I am not lazy. I am not a loser.

I have a woman's strength for this life. I will make the most of myself. I refuse to be blamed for other people's failures and shortcomings.

Wherever God leads me, that is where I will go. I will have the courage to make God my priority and go to do the task that God has given me.

Amen.

So Helpful

My 2 1/2 year old son is so helpful when I am using my computer printer. He always rushes to get the paper and hand it to me.

When the paper is 12 pages long, the pages sometimes get out of order...and a little wrinkled.

Pro-immigration

Yes, I support immigration to the United States. It is a personal thing. Along the lines of what is said in this video: