how cliche can we get?

day 15.  role models.  i usually hate these questions.

it is unfortunate to say, but i don't have anyone who i consider to be a role model.  i admire some people, so i guess that would have to do.  i am myself and i recognize that.  but these ladies have made a big impression on me, in a way i hope to make an impression on a young girl someday.

one is my mom, of course.  she is an amazing woman.  she loves people in the most intimate and honest way.  she is an entertainer, a caregiver, and a minister to women.  she loves her husband (my dad) through everything, good and bad.  she is a woman and a lady.  if she had gone to ouachita, she would have been an EEE -- classy, that is.  she's as bold and she is beautiful, but also gentle and has a quiet spirit, as i believe paul meant for women.  the older i get, the more she reveals to me about her youth, and each of her embarrassing stories makes me admire her more.  what a gal.  my mama.

another lady i am beginning to value a lot works across from me.  her name's sherry and she's amazing.  she is so poised and well spoken; she's organized and driven, but like my mom she has the most gentle and sweet spirit.  she knows exactly on whom she relies and is so encouraging to young women.  she is like a mom, though she and i have only known each other a while.  i think she gives off the mom vibe.  she loves her husband and has such a strong story of faith.  i got to share a room with her on a staff retreat and i was blown away by her humility.  she's been through so much and has an awesome testimony, but is not a showboat.  i love her more and more each day we work together.  what a woman. 

i hope one day i can have the effect on young women the way these two women have had and continue to have an impression on me.  it helps to remember that someone is always noticing you and your behavior.  your language, your attitude, and the way you carry yourself.  we are all being formed, but that is not an excuse to live how you want to live today and apologize tomorrow. 

who's watching you?

winner, winner, chicken dinner.

the winner is ... 

i'm not sure why i put i would announce the winner on the third... 

that was really lame...

i wish you could have ALL won!  seriously!

but winner, you have 24 hours from the time stamp on this blog to claim your prize.... 

and golly, you ought to know what scent you want to smell! 

congrats, 

brittney from razorback britt!

you must have a few winning bones in your body.  

non fiction.

challenge day 14: a non-fiction book

well, kind of like yesterday, i am not exactly sure if we're just talking about a favorite or a current read.  since i embarrassed myself yesterday with talk of the twilight business, i guess i'll try to redeem myself by talking about something with some substance. 

my favorite, favorite non-fiction book is this one:

image from global online store

one of my professors at ouachita wrote it.  it's a historical account of ethnicity and race in the bible.  it's eye opening.  going to a southern baptist college, being one of the only (if not the only) black person in my biblical studies courses, i had the tendency to wonder where race falls in american theology.  of course, i never felt discriminated against at school, but it's no secret that the "south" has used "the bible" as an excuse for their "behavior" once or twice.  that, and the most racist people i have personally ever met are "professing christians".  so anyway, it just gave me a great perspective on issues of race.  not for debating or arguing, just as a personal apologetic for what i already knew had to be true. 

second is this one:

image from goodreads

an eye opening look at christianity as a global entity (which, let's be honest, we in america often ignore), including where we've come from and where we're going.  it will rock your little sunday morning world.

the most challenging non-fiction work i have read, maybe ever, was chesterton's orthodoxy:

image from goodreads

the language is so antiquated, but the ideas are so fresh.  i loved this book, though i could only read one chapter at a time (and often more than once).  i recommend chesterton to anyone who is patient and wants to improve their reading comprehension skills!

of course, anything my a.w. tozer would make the favorites list as well.  i enjoy anything the teaches me something and anything introspective and convicting. 

let's not participate in the dumbing down of america.

let's read more.