What are a Few of Your Favorite Things?
Good Morning Friends,
Saturday I joined Michael and Gina Spehn on their radio program Family Matters for a fun recollection of some of our favorite things. I didn’t know ahead of time what questions they would ask, so I was all prepared to answer that my favorite foods are dark chocolate and Lou Malnati’s pizza and my favorite beverage is diet coke. However, their questions weren’t so simple.
We had such a great time sharing, that I thought for this week I’d tell you some of my favorite things so that you could get to know another side of me.
I invite you to share a few of your favorite things with me too, and I will reward those who respond by entering your name into a drawing for a free autographed copy of my book, Lord I Just Want to be Happy.
You don’t need to answer the same questions, but you certainly can.
My favorite bible teacher(other than Jesus): The writer of Ecclesiastes–which some people say is King Solomon who also wrote parts of Proverbs. Either way, here was a man who lost his way in life. The older he got, the more foolish he lived. But as he looked back and surveyed his life, he commented on what he learned. I think he might have said, “If I had known then what I know now, I would have made very different choices.” Throughout Ecclesiastes, he speaks quite lucidity on what really matters and what doesn’t. I think his message needs to be taught in today’s culture that has lost its way striving after pleasure, riches, power, status, and knowledge. The writer had all those things and more, but he warns us, eventually they all wind up empty.
My favorite bible character: Queen Vashti in the book of Esther. She was a brave woman who stood against her husband’s demand in a culture that treated women as objects to own rather than people to love. Vashti had the courage to speak the truth, even when it cost her freedom and her crown.
My favorite line from a movie: “Have you ever become the worst version of yourself?” asked by Tom Hanks to Meg Ryan in the movie “You’ve Got Mail.” As soon as I heard that line I grabbed my pen and wrote it down. I have reflected upon it often.
My favorite line from a song: “Ring the bells that still can ring, forget your favorite offering, there’s a crack in everything that’s how the light gets in” from Leonard Cohen’s, song, Anthem. I love how he squeezes a profound truth into a single sentence.
My favorite street in the world: I didn’t know the name of the street, but my favorite place to walk in the world I’ve seen so far is Red Square in Moscow, Russia. I was absolutely awestruck by the beauty of the Russian Orthodox churches as well as the architecture of the Kremlin and other buildings that bordered the square. We were there on an early Sunday morning, saw the sun rise and watched an old babushka woman in the high church tower use her foot to pedal the bells ringing praise to the one true God. The entire morning was glorious–a little taste of heaven.
My favorite moment (other than having my children or getting married): Last year, I convinced my 81 year old father to fast dance with me at my nieces wedding. My father had not danced for most of his adult life. I had to drag him on the floor, but we both had fun, and it will be a memory neither of us will ever forget.
So friends, share some of your favorite things. I’ve been humming that song from Sound of Music all weekend!
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My favorite Bible Teacher honestly are my kids….Their simplicity of understanding God is amazing and they teach me so much every day!!! However if you were looking for more than this I would say James (Jesus' 1/2 brother) I loved studying the book and so much of his writing is practical and understandable.
My favorite Bible character is Mega Faith Woman….She has no name, but God tells her she has Mega faith. Matthew 15:21-28
My favorite line from a movie is "Why are you trying so hard to fit in when you were meant to stand out" From what a girl wants…..And the sap in me loves from Jerry Maguire "You had me at hello"…
"I’ve Seen Dreams That Move The Mountains, Hope That Doesn’t Ever End, Even When The Sky Is Falling
I’ve Seen Miracles Just Happen
Silent Prayers Get Answered, Broken Hearts Become Brand New That’s What Faith Can Do" Kutless that's What Faith Can Do….Truth be said there is no song I do not love this was a tough question!!!
My favorite Moment…..This is tough, but I have to say that seeing my oldest three children holding their baby brother before while he was alive would be my favorite. Oh how beautiful it was to see my youngest be such an amazing big sister!!!
Thanks for the challenge!!! Blessings to you, Jessica
Steven Stosny's book called: "You Don't Have To Take It Anymore" He really gets Abusive men and why they do what they do! As well as what women can do to get their power back from the abuse! I recommend it 100%
You know, all my life I've heard Queen Vashti slandered as an unsubmissive wife, and it's always bothered me.
My favorite teacher is probably Dr. Paul David Tripp.
My favorite Bible character is probably Joseph. His grace toward his brothers, his faith that God is faithful even in the parts of his life where God doesn't seem evident, and his integrity during his captivity convict me deeply.
My favorite line from a movie is tough, but the one that comes to mind is John Coffey in Green Mile where he says, "He killed them with their love." In context, it just blew me away and I could think of so many times and ways people kill us with our love and how very evil that is.
Favorite line from a song is more difficult than the last, but I'll go with "Thy Jesus can repay from His own fullness what He takes away," from "Be Still My Soul."
My favorite street would have to be the main street in Helen, GA. It's made up like a little Bavarian village, and we've had a lot of special times there.
My favorite moment recently was the scavenger hunt of sorts that my husband and I did for our 16th anniversary. We picked out 16 places that were important in our courtship and marriage and we visited them and took pictures of all of them.
Thanks for the thoughtful journey:
Bible teacher – Charles Stanley – as God has worked through him to bring my husband to Christ!
Bible character – Abigail – her faith filled and selfless acts regardless of her husband's poor choices
Song – Press On by Selah or Blessings by Laura Story
Line from movie – Most anything from Steel Magnolias but definitely, "Hit Weezer!". In the face of death and mourning and pain and crying out to God, the dear friends support each other through laughter and tears!
Favorite Street – the little country road where I grew up with my large, fun family! We still have family there, so I am blessed to travel it often!
Favorite moment – many! – but most recently when my 17 year old daughter suggested we buy matching shirts!!! 🙂
Favorite fiction: anything by Jan Karon
Favorite non-fiction: Victorious Christian Living by Alan Redpath
Favorite Bible character: Caleb -because the Bible says “he wholly followed the Lord”
Favorite movie quote: “I mean, what is so wrong with being personal, anyway? Because whatever else anything is, it ought to begin by being personal.” Kathleen Kelly in “You’ve Got Mail”
Favorite television show: Rehab Addict. I would love to do what she does.
Favorite street: Crescent Avenue, Greenville, SC
Favorite food: chicken burrito at Mr. Salsa’s/chocolate
Favorite Christmas gift: the dollhouse that my dad secretly built for me when I was 8
Favorite moment: When I was seeing my grandmother for the last time. The doctor said she would not know I was there, but when I held her hand and started singing to her, tears began to roll down her cheeks. She started mouthing the word “love”. It was a moment I’ll never forget.
Favorite song: Right now, it is “My Soul Finds Rest in God Alone”