Ginger Ciminello > Reading

Dear Ginger: Book It

May 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment

dear ginger

Ginger –

You read A LOT of books! How do you recommend getting started reading books? I have such a huge bookshelf with so many I want to read when really I feel like the Bible is the one I should be opening for the few moments I have each day to read. Do you set book reading goals? I sometimes think I’m just not a reader. But I feel like that’s like someone saying “I’m just not a runner.”

-L

Dear L,

As soon as you compared reading to running I totally understood where you were coming from. For years I was the non-runner in a world of race-loving friends. I strongly felt bibs were for eating and NOT for exercise. But there’s something about a goal that can get me to do the most unexpected things. I have to say it, declare it, and then just go for it. Thus this non-runner came home with her 13.1 medal.

run run

I love that you are setting a goal for reading. I think the “Book It” reading program in elementary school might have fostered some of my early page-turning. Winning prizes really appealed to me, and then the love for literature soon followed. I don’t enjoy all types of reading, some books make me want to poke my eyes out. I need stories throughout even a non-fiction book to stay engaged and interested. But I suppose I also just enjoy learning. I prefer to read paper books, although I do enjoy my Kindle while on vacation. I love to mark up my books with underlining, highlighting and lots of notes. I think it keeps me engaged and helps me to find passages that I want to refer to at a later time.

The list that your question came from just happened to contain a lot of Spiritual Growth material. I talk about a lot of books, but the list has been growing since I was about 13 years old. I also happen to have attended a ton of Bible studies that went through books and also have a degree in theatre ministry from College. Much of my required reading from school still sits on my shelves. But aside from that, here’s how I usually approach reading.

I spend the morning reading my Bible, usually over breakfast. I am a “MUST HAVE BREAKFAST” gal so it’s an easy way to make sure I get fed in every way possible. I typically read one page from “The Valley of Vision” prayer-book or “My Utmost for His Highest.” Then I start an entry in my journal and read anywhere from 1-4 chapters of whatever book of the Bible I’m currently reading. (I do set some goals in Bible reading. This year I’m reading through the Gospels over and over. There’s not a number of times I’m hoping to hit all four, I simply wanted to focus on the words of Jesus. So I suppose you could say it’s a theme rather than a goal.)

Since I eat lunch alone, (or dinner when I lived by myself) that’s when I spend a good portion of time reading whatever book is next on my list. I usually ask for books on my Birthday or for Christmas after keeping a running list of suggestions from others in the front of my journal all year long. I don’t have a “finish this by this time” goal – I just read a book until it’s done. Some slower books can take me 2-3 months on my lunch pace… but if a story or theme catches me I will usually make my lunch last a little longer each day.

I used to read fiction in the evenings until I realized I was reading more Harry Potter than anything else. (Not joking.) I needed some veggies and protein in my high-carb reading diet! I now typically only read fiction on vacation. It gives me something to look forward to and a good reason to load up my Kindle.

I’ve also learned that it’s ok not to read every page of a book. I’m not in school any more. If I’m struggling through a chapter for too long, I just move on. That’s really hard for my personality to allow, but I started considering that option after perusing these posts from “Following to Lead.” (How Do Leaders Read So Much? and To Read A Book in An Hour)

Like running, there are days when you pull out the book and do the work even if you aren’t feeling it. But don’t let a missed day keep you from jumping back in after a break.

Hope this helps! Does anyone else have any other suggestions for L?

Following,

Ginger

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Advent Reading

December 11, 2012 by 1 Comment

Resource list #1. Favorite reads for December…

“Touching Wonder: Recapturing the Awe of Christmas” by John Blase. I can’t tell you how much my heart enjoys reading the Story with new eyes. “This retold story of Word made flesh invites readers to react appropriately—with eyes opened wide in wonder, jaws dropped in amazement, and hearts rejoicing.”

The Christ of Christmas: Readings for Advent by Calvin Miller. These 31 days of readings and Scriptures will invite you to rest in the presence of God throughout the Christmas Season and the whole year. “Revisit the Manger… the miracle… the meaning.”

“How in the World to get ready for Christmas?”  A beautiful blog post by Ann Voskamp over at A Holy Experience. ”This will take time. This will take waiting. I must make space for these….”

God is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. This book comes highly recommended by one of my nearest and dearest friends. Becca’s desire to savor the mystery of the season causes me to want to pick up every book she reads… this one by Bonhoeffer especially!

God Came Near: Chronicles of the Christ by Max Lucado.  A beautiful book that paints a unique picture of the humility and humanity of the Incarnation.

Advent and Christmas Wisdom from Henri J. M. Nouwen. This book was a gift from a dear friend and I have treasured reading it for the past 6 years. There are so many thought-provoking reminders throughout this devotional.

The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones. Every story bears His name… and I especially love the voice given to Mary’s story in this one! “At the center of the Story is a baby, the child upon whom everything will depend. Every story whispers his name. From Noah to Moses to the great King David—every story points to him. He is like the missing piece in a puzzle—the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together.”

Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd-Jones. Although I don’t own this one (yet!) I’ve given multiple copies away in the past year. The text, the artwork… everything about this book is beautiful. “On one quiet night, creation whispered a secret. Grass and bees, robins and trees all spread the word. Sheep told their young while angels sang the song to the shepherds. Hushed news of a miracle echoed to the ends of the earth. The moment had come. The long-awaited child had arrived!”

What am I missing?

Following and waiting…
Ginger

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Food for Thought

October 23, 2012 by 1 Comment

This fall I traveled with my family to Ireland. One word: amazing.

I love hiking and being outdoors, so this was the perfect location for some beautiful walks. One day early on in our journey we set out on what we believed would be a 6 mile hike to a boat dock. We would then catch a little ferry back to our starting location and snag some lunch. Only problem, around mile 6 it became clear that we still had quite a ways to go. We were nearing 1pm and by this point my oatmeal and granola bars were a distant memory. I was approaching hangry status. (Anger fueled by hunger. Can anyone relate?)

That’s when we saw the berries.

Although I was raised in Texas, I have zero memories of picking my own fruit. We lived in the suburbs. I know of farms you can visit and pick your own berries, but I’ve never been to one.

It took some convincing to get me to reach my hand into the bushes and snag my first blackberry. I was concerned about dust and bees and thorns and poison… you know, the usual. But I finally just reached into the brambles and pulled out a dark juicy one. SO GOOD.

There’s something about reaching out and grabbing that fruit, even if there’s a possibility for a scratch or sting. It just tastes sweeter when I pick my own berries.

Ready for the metaphor?

Check out the quote by Spurgeon.

“We ought to muse upon the things of God, because we thus get the real nutriment out of them. . . . Why is it that some Christians, although they hear many sermons, make but slow advances in the divine life? Because they neglect their closets, and do not thoughtfully meditate on God’s Word. They love the wheat, but they do not grind it; they would have the corn, but they will not go forth into the fields to gather it; the fruit hangs upon the tree, but they will not pluck it; the water flows at their feet, but they will not stoop to drink it. From such folly deliver us, O Lord. . . .” - Charles H. Spurgeon

Big vocabulary words, but the point Spurgeon is making is timeless.

Intimacy with the Lord is sweeter when we dig into the Word with our own eyes. Sermons, books, blog posts, podcasts, youth group, Bible study… all of these are great ways to mature and grow in our walk of faith. But are we letting ourselves be “raised” by the books we read and the studies we attend rather than carving out our own time to read and enjoy?

Remember: there is no substitute for a hand-picked blackberries.

Following,
Ginger

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Friday Finds: Summer Reading

June 1, 2012 by 2 Comments

I’m not actually going on a vacation this summer, so there’s no time set aside for more reading than usual- but it just feels right to stack up the books and make a goal. Jordy Liz posted her pic this week and inspired me to do the same. Here’s my list, in no particular order.

The non-fiction titles:

1. The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller: “Facing the complexities of commitment with the wisdom of God.”

2. God’s Story, Your Story by Max Lucado: “When His becomes yours.”

3. Under The Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken: “A sequel to A Severe Mercy.” (*A Severe Mercy is one of my fav books of all time!)

4. Worldview Conversations by Stanley J. Ward: “How to share your faith & keep your friends.”

5. Breath for the Bones by Luci Shaw: “Art, Imagination, and Spirit: Reflections on creativity and faith.”

6. Love Does by Bob Goff: “Discover a secretly incredible life in an ordinary world.”

7. One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp: “A dare to live fully right where you are.”

8. The Well by Mark Hall: “Why are so many still thirsty?”

I have to keep a steady diet of non-fiction… otherwise fiction would keep me from having a functional life! During college I would spend my breaks reading through entire series lying on a couch and soaking in stories. But for a treat, here are my few pieces of fiction for the road:

9. The Arabian Nights: “Sometimes called The Thousand And One Nights, is the title of a collection of fanciful Oriental tales first brought to the notice of English readers in 1704, by Antoine Galland, Professor of Arabic in the Royal College of Paris.”

10. Hole In My Life by Jack Gantos: “A memoir, by turns harrowing and hilarious, about a huge mistake.” (-Miami Herald)

That’s the list, but I’m sure it will grow with each passing day.

And now I’m curious. What’s on your nightstand, dresser, or list for this summer? Do tell!

Happy Friday,
Ginger

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Friday Finds: Starred

May 25, 2012 by 1 Comment

I’m going through the starred items in my google reader and sharing my favorite blog posts from the past few weeks. When I star something in my reader it’s like hanging a picture on my wall – total framer. If you haven’t read them yet, may I strongly recommend that you check each one of them out!

Happy reading and Happy Friday!

-Joy’s post at Love And Respect Now: Lessons from John Maxwell & a Four-Year-Old - that title alone should capture your attention! Great reminder about being intentional in our questions and conversations.

-From the intentional and challenging writers over at Fast. Pray.: The Marriage Calculator - This post packs a powerful punch.”In terms of singleness, it often takes the form of a giant mental calculator where marriage is the end goal and various life choices have point values.  And somehow, when you get over a certain number of points - voila! – spouse!”  Follow the link and keep reading!

-Jordy once again hits me where it hurts – my selfish pride. Jordy Liz Blogs: Selfish Expectations - Will I ever learn to check unrealistic expectations at the door when it comes to relationships?

Jeff Goins post at Michal Hyatt’s blog: How to live your dream when you’re scared to death – “Remember: Until you start living it, you’re only dreaming.” Once again I’m reminded to choose passion and obedience over fear.

Care to share what you’ve been starring and saving up this month?

Following,
Ginger

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Chips, and salsa, and ranch… oh my.

March 28, 2012 by Leave a Comment

My favorite food has changed over the years.  When I was younger it was definitely ribs.  I still love ribs, I just can’t eat them too often.  My teeth need a break, and so does my waist.  If pressed, my answer now might be shrimp, but it’s too easy to get bad seafood in the middle of the desert.  So for the last five years my response to “What’s your favorite food?” has been chips and salsa AND ranch.  Go ahead, raise your eyebrows.  But I dare you… mix the ranch and the salsa, dip your chip, and then get back to me.  I love it.  But this is also a very, very dangerous delicacy to love.  I am notorious for eating multiple baskets of chips and salsa prior to the arrival of my meal at restaurants.  By the time my food arrives I’ve filled up on carbs and don’t have room for any of the things my body actually needs.  Tortilla chips may fill me up for a while, but they certainly won’t satisfy or sustain me for long.

I may have a new obsession. I loved falafel before Israel, but now I might be mildly addicted and on the hunt for a hole-in-the wall place to serve it up hot and fresh out of a FRYER. So not great for me. But soo good. Oh. My. Goodness. NOM. NOM. Darn you, fried chickpeas!

Isaiah 55:2 reads, “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.”

I find it interesting that we are to LISTEN in order to eat what is good. That tells me that God’s Word is food for my hungering soul.  My friend Lauren reminds me that God’s portion isn’t stingy! Forget the picture of stale bread and dirty water. Throw that image out of your mind. God’s Word is compared to good food and the richest of fare! It’s filling, pleasureful and overflowing. Why would a God who LOVES to give good gifts fill us with anything less?

“Whom have I in heaven but you? 
   And earth has nothing I desire besides you. 
My flesh and my heart may fail, 
   but God is the strength of my heart 
   and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:25-26, NIV)

This world is full of some amazing diversions, but we know in our hearts there must be more than simply drinking coffee and following celebrity gossip. Jesus said in John 10:10 He has come to bring the abundant life.  We choose everyday whether we will fill up on carbs or make our way to the Banquet table that holds the real feast.

I want to feel the way about God’s Word that I do about food. I want to crave it, thirst for it, hunger after it. It’s not just satisfying… it’s so good for me.

I’m so thankful He loves to answer this prayer: Lord, let me love your Word. If your appetite still hasn’t been wet by the Word, can I challenge and invite you to join me and pray this prayer today?

Hungry,
Ginger

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Friday Finds: Heartache Help

February 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Fact: We all experience rejection.  (Sometimes on a daily basis.)

It can be a tough road to navigate – especially in relationships.  So the last point I want to make about navigating through heartache is that we need to learn to embrace rejection.

I present to you, “The Art of Rejection” by Halyley DiMarco & Michael DiMarco.  I’ve quoted their book several times over the past week with good reason. This little book helped me to view my own breakup with rational and logical thoughts. I couldn’t get past my wounded feelings and needed fresh perspective.

The DiMarcos firmly and gently helped me to navigate all of the emotions and dilemmas that come along relationship rejection.

From the back cover:  Rejection Happens.  And it’s never fun.  But with the right perspective, you can turn it into something positive.  Learn how to view rejection as an art form instead of a painful experience that requires healing.  In The Art of Rejection you’ll find…

-Reasons why it’s okay to break up

-Do’s and Don’t of calling it quits

-What to do when rejection happens to you

This book didn’t just help me in dating relationships, I’ve referred to this book countless times when I feel rejected by friends, acquaintances, and even places of employment.  If you are struggling to move past a broken relationship, this might be a great little book for you.

I’ll close with one of my favorite paragraphs from the book:

“YES, you are good enough, but you aren’t for them. Those are two different issues.  YOUR goodness has nothing to do with them.  You are two different people with two different lives that happened to cross.  Just because this person has rejected you doesn’t mean you are defective or bad.” The Art of Rejection

May we always remember in the midst of our heartaches that we serve a God who is all too familiar with feelings of rejection and hurt.  “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”  Isaiah 53:3

Following,
Ginger

(The bulk of this post is from a previous entry in April of 2011.)

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Friday Finds: Good News

February 17, 2012 by 2 Comments

“If Jesus appeared at your dining room table tonight with knowledge of everything you are and are not,

total comprehension of your life story and every skeleton hidden in your closet;

if He laid out the real state of your present discipleship with
the hidden agenda,
the mixed motives,
and the dark desires buried in your psyche,

you would feel His acceptance and forgiveness.”

- Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel

This quote, this book… so good. Add this one to your reading list.

Happy Reading, friends.

-Ginger

p.s. We are headed back to Mexico this weekend for another medical clinic. Your prayers for safety and gospel connections would be greatly appreciated. D’s bringing his stethescope and I’m bringing out the JSB in Spanish again!

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Joy like Christmas Morning

January 25, 2012 by 2 Comments

Yep, that’s your’s truly relishing in the first few moments of Christmas morning.  My eyes are a cross between total joy and total sleep deprivation.  Oh, Christmas morning…

I want you to think of something that you really wanted for Christmas when you were a kid.  Make sure you choose something that you actually ended up receiving!  It should be the kind of gift that made it difficult for you to sleep on Christmas Eve.  You couldn’t wait for it.  When you discovered that very gift waiting for you in the morning you began hyperventilating and being terribly overdramatic.  (Wait, was that just me?)  Ok, have you picked something yet?  Did you choose your most-desired Christmas gift?  Good.

New question: Did you wake up thinking about that Christmas item this morning?

LOST STUFF
Isn’t it amazing that something that held so much JOY all those years ago is now lost and forgotten.  Maybe the memory of it put a smile on your face.  But the truth is that stuff (no matter how cool in the moment) just doesn’t bring lasting joy.

But what about the huge trampoline that was waiting in the backyard in 4th grade?  I don’t think I even asked for it.  It was an AMAZING surprise that brought joy to my siblings and I (and let’s face it, the whole neighborhood) for years.  But like everything else, the trampoline wore out, fell apart, and eventually made it’s way to the trash.

Even if you enjoyed your favorite item for a few years, it doesn’t hold the same daily joy for you now.

So if we want joy like Christmas morning, do we simply continue to replace the old stuff with the new stuff?

CHANGE OF HEART
I would challenge that rather than changing out our stuff, we need a change of heart and mindset.  God is always in the business of changing us from the inside out.  He desires for us to find real and lasting joy- something that’s done by spending time in His presence.  It’s totally contrary to the solution the world would give us.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”  Romans 12:2. 

I tend to lose joy when I put all the focus on me.  Joyless living is all wrapped up in self-focus and selfishness.

“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others.  Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”  Philippians 2:3-4 

THE GOOD STUFF
We fill up on joy when we fill up on the good stuff.  Satisfaction and joy in Jesus can be a reality.  The more we’ve been satisfied by God’s love, His Word, and His presence, the more we will yearn for it.  On the other hand, we can spend so much time away from the Lord and His spiritual food and drink that we may no longer feel hungry or thirsty.

“’Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?  Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.’”  Isaiah 55:2.

Have you ever filled up on chips or bread at a restaurant to the point of not being able to eat the main course?  When we choose to fill up on appetizers, we don’t have room for the meal that will truly satisfy us.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good.”  Psalm 34:8

When we fill up on His Word we carry a weapon for the offensive – the sword.  David said, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”  Psalm 119:11.

The more we know God’s Word, the quicker we recognize Satan’s attempts to cover up that truth… the truth that says HE is the source of joy.  Spend time with the Lord this week.  Rather than asking him to be with you, why don’t you draw near to him?  He’s always waiting.

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”  James 4:8

Finding joy,
Ginger

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Thursday Tips: Getting Started

January 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment

As I was lamenting the hill that we were tackling somewhere around mile 9 of the race this past weekend, I looked over and read a sign that was being held high over the crowd.  It read:

THE FIRST STEP IS ALWAYS THE HARDEST

So true.  As with any goal, physical or spiritual, taking that first step is going to be the most challenging!  Once we get the hang of things we generally fall into a rhythym.

I know, sometimes picking up your Bible can be the equivalent to starting to train for a marathon.  We don’t know where to start, it seems to big, and we’ve been burned out in the process before.  But that’s why I wanted to share a tip today that has helped countless people of all ages get started in their Bible reading goals.  This is a retro post (originally posted in July of 2011), but the count on the viewership tells me that only my family and a few friends caught this one.

I hope you’ll check it out and share your own personal training tips in the comment section for other runners/readers!

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24, NIV

Running,
Ginger

Filed Under: Living His Story, Spiritual Growth, Thursday Tips Tagged With: , , , ,
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