Moments Like Bunny Rabbits

I named this post “moments like bunny rabbits” simply because the photo above is my favorite of all the photos I’ve taken this month. And because moments really are like bunny rabbits–small, quivering when you hold them, prone to hop away rather quickly. And a farmer’s hands holding a bunny rabbit is maybe my favorite moment of all.

I don’t have much to say this month. The children are looking at a giant book of sea creatures and asking me to name the different kinds. The sun is shining, which makes me happy, and I will soon go out to hang the laundry.

I do have two recommendations to make.

First, the BEMA podcast hosted by Marty Solomon. He and his co-hosts approach Bible study from an Eastern, Hebraic perspective. They bring in rabbinic teachings and explain ancient culture in a way that illuminates the meaning of the text. They model asking questions and looking for problems as a way of gaining a deeper understanding. I have been learning so much from this podcast! I am one who has tended to see Bible study as a bit boring…you sit around and ask basically the same questions and come away with basically the same answers.

Not anymore. I am learning new things and most importantly seeing a wider, more beautiful, more winsome portrait of the God of the Bible from the same text that has so often confused me and turned me away. I LOVE learning from BEMA. I am finding out the Bible isn’t boring, far from it; it’s just that my worldview, preconceptions, and ignorance of literary techniques have limited my understanding.

I highly recommend it for anyone who longs to learn more of God and his Word. Start with Episode 1 in Season 1, “Trust the Story.” It’s the episode that got me hooked. And the BEMA hosts themselves strongly recommend starting from Season 1 and listening all the way through the first five seasons to get a big picture overview of the Bible.

My second recommendation is the debut novel, Seller of Secrets, just out by the Mennonite fantasy author Sheri Yutzy. I had the privilege of meeting her at a book tour tea near the little town of Springs, Pennsylvania, recently. I love connecting with other authors and peculiarly so when they are Mennonite, because I feel a kinship. Sheri’s journey of stepping out from a rather sheltered, conservative background to seek an agent and a publisher particularly resonates with me because it reminds me of my own. If you like fantasy, you will like her book.

And now for a precious couple of this month’s moments.

A family portrait in sunlight near Blackwater Falls.

Mother and daughter on a cliff overlooking the Blackwater River. Daughter wishes to go closer to the edge of the cliff than mother will allow.

Fishing with magnets attached to a string for paper-clip-wearing paper fish. Kudos to Christian Light’s developing Kindgarten program. I love this view of the fishing project because Teddy’s pants (or lack thereof) cracks me up. A common problem for a skinny guy.