Caring for Words in a Culture of Lies

I really enjoyed this book by Marilyn McEntyre. It is her attempt to encourage us to preserve the vitality and precision of the spoken and written word in a time when language is being "depleted, polluted, contaminated, eroded, and filled with artificial stimulants". The book centers on her 12 strategies for stewarding language well. They are:

1. Love Words
2. Tell the Truth
3. Don't Tolerate Lies
4. Read Well
5. Stay in Conversation
6. Share Stories
7. Love the Long Sentence
8. Practice Poetry
9. Attend to Translation
10. Play
11. Pray
12. Cherish Silence

January 2010 Book Log

1. The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly
2. Vintage Jesus by Mark Driscoll
3. Gospel Powered Parenting by William Farley
4. Caring for Words in a Culture of Lies by Marilyn Chandler McEntyre

Must pick up the pace if I want to reach my goal.

A Jack Funny

Jack has been complaining lately that his bed is uncomfortable. He was climbing the ladder to the top bunk while reasoning the following:

I think the problem is that I am too skinny. If I had more fat on my body then my
bed wouldn't feel so hard.

Redneck Badminton

As I was typing the title, I asked Jon how to spell badminton and Jack hollers from his room where he should be sleeping and not listening "m-i-t-t-e-n." I guess I should be impressed that he knows how to spell "mitten."


The net is Anne Michal's soccer ladder that is the only thing she wanted for Christmas a couple of years ago. I think it has been used more for imaginative play than anything else. Remember when they used it for a baby rollercoaster in their carnival. A good blogger would have a link here, but that isn't me.



Creed likes to mix sports.



Notice all the different attire. I have no clue what is up with that.

And all blog posts need a close-up of Creed.

An Emma Funny

She was sitting on the couch and I could hear her sniffing with all her might. I told her she needed to go blow her nose and she said, "It isn't blowable."

A Repost

From here:

For Knox

In silent times we strain to hear,
The voice of joy we hold so dear,
And yet when silence lingers still,
We pause with straining heart and will,
With trailing tears yet flowing.

In rowdy times we look to see,
The silly smile and grinning glee,
But when we linger to look twice,
Our hearts always pay the price,
With trailing tears yet flowing.

In family times we long to touch,
The little boy we love so much,
And an open space is ever left,
For we here remain bereft,
With trailing tears yet flowing.

In quiet times we pray with love,
To our God and His Son above,
To care for us who cannot be,
With whom we wish so much to see,
With trailing tears yet flowing.

In merry times we laugh and play,
And life still passes, day to day,
Times come and go and come again,
They pierce our hearts now and then,
With trailing tears yet flowing.

Oh God of grace, Thou ever true,
We bow our heads and hearts to you,
We pledge our all into your care,
And pray our grief, for You to spare,
With trailing tears yet flowing.

Then God of mercy, faithful King,
We lift our hearts and to You sing,
What praise we have, we to you give,
What lives we have, we for you live,
With trailing tears yet flowing.

God of glory, keep thy promise sure,
Thy will in heaven, on earth secure,
And raise us with your powerful hand,
Restore our family in the Promised Land,
Where tears shall stop their flowing.

Creed Helps Elizabeth with her Math

Look,Mom, math is fun!
Wait! I don't quite get this part.

We have a question!