Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

Lisa

A few of my favorite things

I rarely do these monthly round-ups of things I’m reading or listening to, mostly because I don’t think my tastes are all that interesting or unusual. But because it’s December and I’ve got “These Are a Few of My Favorite Things” on a loop in my head, I thought I’d share. For whatever it’s worth to you. And share yours with me, too! What are the things you recommend to everyone or that are just plain fun additions to your life right now?

Here are mine:

  • Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. This series on Netflix was a recommendation from a friend when I was sick. I didn’t get a chance to start watching until after I was already feeling better, but now it’s my go-to lunch show or what I do while I’m folding laundry in the afternoon. It’s set in 1920s Australia and focuses on Phryne Fisher, who has returned from abroad. She stumbles into detective work. Really enjoyable stories, and they’re based on books, so I’ll be checking those out as well.
  • Amazon Prime Music channels. I’ve been jamming to a variety of stations while I clean lately. Two of my favorites are classic hits and classical Christmas. Also if you’re looking for the *perfect* gift for a reader/TV watcher/music lover or a family with all of the above, consider gifting an Amazon Prime membership. We got ours last year at a discounted price and we love it. (Disclaimer: This is an affiliate link, which costs you nothing but means I earn a small percentage of your purchase.)
  • Square One coffee. Small-batch roasted, local, fair trade. I started drinking this regularly after we returned from Kenya, and I discovered that I can drink this stuff black because it tastes so good. No cream required. wpid-20151019_164422.jpg
  • Global + local=interesting. We introduced the kids to Nepalese and Indian food recently. Before that, Phil and I ate at a buffet that serves African dishes. Our Thanksgiving meal included locally raised pork tenderloin, bread from a local bakery, vegetables we bought at two separate markets in the area (and one of those was a squash native to Japan). We are so grateful to live in a community that offers a wide variety of both global tastes and locally made items.
  • And speaking of homemade (sort of), we whipped heavy cream to top or Thanksgiving pie. This is the second time ever we’ve done this, and people, I cannot go back to store bought whipped cream. It takes almost no time and it is so tasty you can eat it with a spoon.

TV, music, food, drink. The only thing missing is books! But I write enough about books on this blog, so  if you’re a regular reader, you probably already know some of my favorites.

What are you raving about these days?

The blurred line between saints and sinners: Review of Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber

accidental saintsIt would be tempting for someone to dismiss a tattoo-clad Lutheran pastor who freely uses colorful language and does CrossFit as a fad, without much substance to back up her beliefs. I say “someone” but I mean “me.” I’ve been wanting to read a book by Nadia Bolz-Weber for some time, mostly because I’m in a phase where I want to read edgy Christian stuff. I was surprised, then, by the depth of Bolz-Weber’s convictions and how much her stories and understanding of Scripture challenged me. I’m so glad I gave her a chance. (Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book through the Blogging for Books program in exchange for my review.)

Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People is a collection of stories, of how Bolz-Weber, a Lutheran pastor at House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver, Colorado, has imperfectly loved the people in her care. It is more how-not-to-love people than a shining example of how to behave in such a way as to be called a saint.

It has been my experience that what makes us the saints of God is not our ability to be saintly but rather God’s ability to work through sinners. The title ‘saint’ is always conferred, never earned. (p. 7)

It is hopeful writing (and full of language which might offend some people. I personally don’t find it gratuitous, but you’ve been warned.) and challenging. Some of her thoughts on Advent are particularly thought-provoking and timely as we enter this season.  Throughout the book, I found myself pondering her interpretation of a text I’d read numerous times before.

She’s also blatantly honest about her own shortcomings. Her stories are as much lessons for herself as they are for anyone reading.

If you think yourself a sinner too messed up for a purpose in God’s kingdom, I challenge you to read this book. And if you’re working hard to earn your sainthood, pick this one up as well. The line between sinner and saint is blurry, sometimes, and Bolz-Weber’s stories are proof that God often shows up in the unlikeliest places and people.