Wordless Wednesday

Winston Churchill

When I began reading John Perry's short biography of Winston Churchill, I was sure that the book would largely center on Churchill's faith, since the book seems to be part of a series titled, "Christian Encounters."

However, instead of a book that centered on Churchill's faith, the book danced around issues of God and church. If you're looking for a quick read with insight into the people who shaped Churchill, this is an excellent source. But don't expect to find that Churchill spent his life dedicated to God, as his rousing speeches that called upon God's help might lead you to believe. Rather, he appears to have done a lot of talking about God, but not much living a life of service to God.

At the same time, he lived an amazing life, and, through a harrowing experience early in his life, believed that he was destined for greatness. And insisted upon living that way at all costs. Don't read this book expecting to hear about a great conversion experience, or about how his entire life seemed dedicated to God's purposes. Do read this if you're interested in learning about the realities of the intersection between faith, politics, and public perception.

Disclosure: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a postitive reivew. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions' 16 C.F.R. Pt. 255.

I made a Bucket List

Hmm. So here's the deal. I live in St. Louis right now, but I'm currently praying that I'll be able to return home to Arkansas very soon. However, I want to leave knowing that I've made the most out of my experience here in the STL. When I was in Minnesota, I met another girl from St. Louis (no, you are not reading that sentence wrong), and we were talking about how my term in St. Louis will end in November, and she asked me if I had a St. Louis bucket list. I had not even though to compose one until now, but now I have been inspired. So, without further ado
adieu delay, my STL Bucket List:

 

1. See Wicked at the Fabulous Fox theatre. This is not negotiable.
   
2. See a show at the MUNY theatre (it's outside!!), possibly Damn Yankees. I'm hoping to invite my mother and trick her into using profanity.
   
3. Attend the Taste of St. Louis. All the delicious food of St. Louis in one place. The real question is: why haven't I been before?
   
4. Go to a Rams game. I've been to the Cardinals, and the Blues. The trifecta must be completed.
   
5. Go to the Magic House. To complete this task, I'm going to need a child. Therefore, if you're looking for entertainment for your small child, let's go. This sounds much creepier than I've intended.
   
6. Grant's farm. I hear it's great. People always ask me if I've been. I feel like a failure when I say no. So I must go.
   
7. A Murder Mystery Dinner at the Lemp Mansion. Really? You need more explanation? It's a murder mystery dinner. At a fancy mansion.
   

 

    If these options capture your fancy, let me know. Join me. We'll have good times.

 

    I've already been to the Arch (3 times!), the City Museum, Cardinals games, a Blues game, the science museum, the art museum, the Hill, Soulard, Benton Park, and lots of other places. Feel free to suggest a location that you think I've missed. If you come to visit me, feel free to ask if we can go to any of these places. Even if we've already been, I'll take you. But if I take you to the Arch, you have to buy me a present.

 

    There are a lot of trips and vacations I want to take - Vegas, Ireland, Cherry Blossom Festival, Europe, somewhere with a warm beach. I have no guarantee that I'll ever get to these places. But I am here in St. Louis now, and I intend to make the most of it.