The Saturday Six

One.

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Some of you have probably already gone back to school, so I'm a day late and a dollar short with this one, but if you haven't sent your kids back yet, here's a GREAT idea for some first day of school photo opps. You know very little makes me happier than photo opps. Even though I don't have kids, maybe someday I can tag along for a family on their first day of school. Would be such fun!

Two.

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I won't lie. There were several ideas in this list that made my OCD organizational heart SWOON. They might not all work for you, but check it out!!!

Three.

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I just started reading Jessica's blog recently, and she had a post this week about Yasso Bars. I learned about Yasso Bars when I worked at WBCL, because they were one of Lynne's FAVORITE things. She introduced me to a variety of flavors, but sadly, they are hard to find in Marion/Kokomo. So I didn't even know that there were NEW flavors!! I still highly recommend these if you can find them in your area! Delicious and healthy!

Four.

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Another recent blog find...which I actually found through Instagram, is Nicole's blog. She's passionate about Jesus and photography, so obviously I love her already, but I am also loving reading this season of her story. She and her husband are adopting a baby and have also recently found out they're expecting a biological child, too! Check out her encouraging words! 

Five.

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For my single friends...this article has some great suggestions and points. It is geared more toward college age single girls, so if you're older than that, some points may not apply to you, but there are still great truths found here! And also...much love from me to you today. My niece {who gets married today} and I were talking earlier this week about how both of us were older than we thought we would be when we got married, but I know God has not wasted that time for either of us, and He isn't wasting it for you either. I love you, sister!

Six.

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This week's book is totally unlike books I normally choose! Every now and then I like to switch it up to try something new, and this one was a pleasant surprise. I chose it to challenge myself, and then when it arrived, I wasn't sure I'd chosen the right book. But I did!

The Temple and the Tabernacle by J. Daniel Hays is much more of an academic-style book than I'm used to reading, but I actually loved it! Dr. Hays is a dean and professor at Ouachita Baptist University, and this book reads much more like a textbook than most books I normally choose, but I want to be quick to say that it's pleasantly easy to understand.

First, let me give you the synopsis. Beginning with the Garden of Eden, Dr. Hays takes his readers on a journey of the places God has chosen to dwell. From the Garden to the Tabernacle in the wilderness  to the various temples to the human heart, he explores what it means for God to dwell in a place with His people. He explains how God is far less impressed with the magnificence of the place than He is with the sincerity of the spirit found there.

His words are heavily backed by Scripture {I am so glad I didn't have to do all the documentation he did, but I definitely appreciated all the hard work he put into it!} and the book includes helpful tables and photos/artists' renderings that allow readers to better envision the ancient places of worship.

Although the book is intended to be informative, Dr. Hays also incorporates many helpful pieces of life advice. I came away from my time of reading convicted about the condition of my own spirit when I enter a temple of the Lord. It made me wonder if we {generally speaking} are much too concerned with the magnificence of our church buildings and not nearly concerned enough with the condition of our hearts as we worship.

This is a book that took some concentration for me, because I wanted to absorb it, but it was a much easier read than I expected. It is also a book I want to keep in my library and return to for more in-depth study and inspiration. I appreciated the work Dr. Hays put into the study and the great care with which he documented everything. I appreciated the visual aids and insights he shared that I've never considered, even in pieces of Scripture I thought I knew well.

I was reminded that God puts much thought into everything He does, and the details do matter. I appreciated the interpretation of details that I'd never before noticed, considered, or understood.

If you're interested in learning new and helpful information that might impact the way you worship and relate to the Lord, check out this book!

* Many thanks to Baker Books for publishing this resource and for sending a copy my way in exchange for a review.*