Miscellaneous Matters

Well, THAT was not an unparalleled success.

You see, (as from about the 27th of last month) I had intended to have an internet fast (excluding the news, YouTube and school-related sites) until the 5th of March. However, in my hasty zeal for said goal, I neglected to inform those of you who read my blog of my intentions. Sorry, Anna, for not replying to you before now. :-)

And as you may have noticed, it's not the 5th of March yet.

Well, there are a few things that have caused this abrupt break in my resolve. No, school-work is no less murderous than before, and I still am very busy. But...

Firstly, I just can't take it anymore. Even with breaking a few of my self-imposed rules, I fear I am not half as disciplined as I would like. Never mind. This fast was just one of many that I have had in the past, and will have in the future in order to train myself towards discipline. Rome wasn't built in a day. And what self-control I did exert did help me get my work done.

Secondly, there are people who have emailed me who want replies. I did put a vacation responder on, but still, it's a bit selfish if I CAN spare the time to not pay attention to them at all.

Thirdly, a prominent Australian Christian bookstore is having a HUGE reduction sale. So, I'm buying up for all the birthdays that will occur before August, at which time I expect they will have an even bigger reduction sale. (You see, when a reduction sale is on, I can engage in a bit of mathematical dishonesty and pretend that I'm actually "saving" money by spending so much at these times.) So, I come to ask you, my dear readers, to help me decide what books I should buy as gifts. (Note: Family members, please stop reading here.)

For my dad, I had thought:

a) Culture Shift by Albert R Mohler.
b) Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World by Justin Taylor and John Piper OR
c) The Truth War by John MacArthur

You see the problem? All reportedly excellent books. But only one to choose.

For my mum, I had thought:

a) Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney
b) Marriage to a Difficult Man (Biography of Sarah Edwards) by Elizabeth Dodds OR
c) A Grief Sanctified (account of Richard Baxter's grieving for his wife) by J.I. Packer

There are a number of things here. Firstly, I bought "Shopping for Time" for my mum last year, by Carolyn Mahaney and her daughters, and she really liked it. So, perhaps Feminine Appeal would be best. But my mum likes history and biographies, so perhaps either Marriage to a Difficult Man or A Grief Sanctified would be better. What do you think?

For my grandma, I had thought:

a) The Legacy of Sovereign Joy by John Piper
b) The Birds our Teachers by John Stott
c) The Secret Key to Heaven by Thomas Brooks

Three very different sorts of books, all of which I think she'd enjoy....

And one last question. Should I buy "Do Hard Things" by Alex and Brett Harris at this reduction sale, or at the August one? Because if I bought it at the August one, I could give it to my brother for his birthday. But if I bought it now for myself I wouldn't have to wait till after my brother had read it after his September birthday before reading it myself. (It would be unethical to read a gift book before I had presented it as a gift. :-P) And if I bought it for myself now, both my brother and I could benefit from it, and I could buy my brother something else for his birthday. (If you think this is the best option, suggestions for what he might like would also be nice!)

Your thoughts?