The Willis Clan

Just wanted you to know that this homeschooling family (who lives in Ashland City) has traveled through the US, winning music and step dancing competitions, and even made it up to a level that competed in Ireland last summer, and did quite well there. So this show – yes they are coming to our place again! – AUGUST 15th  in downtown Ashland City will be top notch and livelye, to say the least! www.thewillisclan.com

The Myth of Happiness by Rick Wagner

Not really a review – just a little blurb to let you know about a good book i am enJOYing:

I just began reading this book, and would finish it now if I wasn’t so disrupted and busy with life.  You, too, can read some of the first part I’ve read by going to its publisher’s site – Zondervan.com.

I love these kind of honest and thoughtful books.  I usually read the intro and first chapter, then realize how much I like the quotes at the beginning of each chapter and then flip through the book to read all the quotes and think about who wrote them.

Author Rick Wagner lets us know that most of us don’t know the difference between JOY and “being happy” or “feeling good,” but reminds us of that deep longing we have for something more.  He illustrates and clarifies his thoughts with spots from the movies, books, and music of today’s culture and continues with those back through time to C.S. Lewis and even further back to the bible characters and passages.

If you , like me, know you need more JOY – the real stuff – this little book (published a couple of years ago) is an important read.

many discounted books

Did you know that a large percentage of the books in the NEW bookstore are discounted.  There have always been a few, but I’ve spent this month going through each section marking down many books that have been here awhile.  And I’ve ordered some good discounted books to pass along the savings to you.  The discounts range from 15-85% off.

Just some:   Franklin Graham’s THE NAME (40% off) now $8.97

John Maxwell’s THE DIFFERENCE MAKER (over 40% off) now $10.

A Stepping Stones Chapter book (for 2nd-3rd gr) of GREAT EXPECTATIONS (Dickens) is only$1.98 at 50% off.

Some of the original ELSIE DINSMORE series books (only from vol. 3-9) are 50% off!

Valerie Bendt’s Unit Study books (teacher guides) are 75%off!  All under $4.

MONEY WISE ( Henley) is 60% off  at $3.

Each week I’ll list just a few – but there are so many!  In all categories – art, biographies, christian living, devotionals, history, marriage & family, music, science, and Bible, too.  Books by Billy Graham, Max Lucado, Chalres Swindoll, some older classis, as well as books by new young whippersnappers.

new books

There’s always new books in the bookstore – like Retired Coach Tony Dungy’s UNCOMMON (a great inspiration for young men to find that personal path to significance),

GOD SPEAKS YOUR LOVE LANGUAGE (by the love language author Gary Chapman),

STUPID ABOUT MEN (by family therapist Deborah Dunn, who helps women quit making the same mistakes – often influenced by romantic childhood myths – and make changes in their relationships),

HIS PRINCESS BRIDE ( Sherri Rose Shepherd continues to helps women see how much the lover of our souls really loves us and includes 50 prayers to lovingly pray to Him).

Also BEAUTY BY GOD, CRAZY LOVE, and of course THE LOVE DARE, and FIREPROOF (the book and the movie)

Did you see the Ben Carson story on TV recently?  I’ve got several books on this renowned surgeon, two being GIFTED HANDS and THINK BIG, in hardback or paperback.  Biographies like his are truly inspiring.

Jeff Miller – March 14th

Have you listened to the guy who plays “Waiting” for the video tour of my store? (Scroll down a little, or go to HOME.)  The talented Jeff Miller will stop by our place (A New Thing and Stone Bridge Books AND The NEW cafe – THE BACK ALLEY CAFE) just before his next US Tour.  Stop by the store any day and I’ll play one of his cds for you – But LIVE is so much better, so come and SEE how he builds and creates his songs.  Concert is FREE, but we’ll pass the hat because this is his profession.

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration – THE WILLIS CLAN

Join us Friday evening, March 13th, for a FREE concert by the amazing Willis’s.  This family (with 10 kids!) plays all your old favorite Irish tunes and more. Check out their Best Irish Dance Crew – the Willis Clan on YouTube.  You will love this show!  Their website is www.thewillisclan.com

a thought on love

Have you ever heard anyone say, “She/He just loves so and so way too much!” Often one is speaking of a girl loving a guy too much, or someone giving too much to their pet.  In The Four Loves C. S. Lewis says we cannot love someone too much  – that’t not the problem.  The problem is that we do not love God enough, that we do not love Him more, above all other loves.  When we love someone, including our pet cat, or anything more than we love God, that’s when things get out of whack.  But when we love Him, who created us all in love,  first and foremost, then all other loves are good and are not improper nor distorted.