Learning about The Good and Beautiful Life

Gulf Shores at sunset. Laura Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

I've been looking for landmarks.

Let me back up a little. I spent last week on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, soaking up sunshine and salt air and more than a little bit of fried seafood. We had a vacation week routine of sleeping in, lingering over breakfast, then putting on swimsuits, slicking up in sunscreen and trekking for the beach. With sand buckets and boogie boards in tow, we were good for a few hours of sticky sand, searing sun and crashing surf.

Taking my seven year old into the chilly Gulf waters with her boogie board, I remembered a story that Andy Stanley (now at his own church, Northpoint, but at that time at his father's church, First Baptist of Atlanta) told, and I'm sure he's not the first, but I remember his version from one Sunday morning sermon probably 25 years ago, about being a kid and playing in the ocean and losing sight of landmarks on the beach. Swimming and playing in the water, then looking to shore and realizing you're a bit farther out than you thought and you don't recognize the people or objects that are near. And it's true, wading in the surf, trying to keep up with my child and not lose my footing, we worked our way down the beach, farther and farther away from our belongings.

Gulf Shores at sunset. Laura Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

In order not to be completely disoriented, and because I'm the mama, I needed to look up every once in awhile and readjust my position, so I could see where we were and get a handle on my surroundings. And that's what I need in a spiritual sense, too.

Maybe it's my birthday coming up, maybe it's the daily turbulence of dealing with young children, teenagers, aging parents, a job, a house. These are all blessings, to be sure, but sometimes blessings can be overwhelming. I'm in need of a fresh spiritual breath. Put another way, I'm getting lost in the surf and my eyes are searching for a landmark on shore.

 Last fall, I joined a small group Bible study in my church, what the pastors like to call a "connecting community." It's just six of us, but what we lack in size we make up in enjoying each others' company. Our study from the first year was "The Good and Beautiful God" by James Bryan Smith. It's a very practical guidebook for getting to know God. This fall, we will take up the next in the series, "The Good and Beautiful Life." Here's a passage from the first chapter:

"The aim is to help Christians understand and implement the teachings of Jesus about things like anger, lust, lying, worrying pride and judging others. What Jesus teaches about these things is simply the truth. Living according to his teachings leads to a good life, a life that can withstand the storms and trials we all face.

"...Jesus is not making life more difficult, but is revealing that the way to the good and beautiful life is to obey his teachings. There is no other way. Either our lives conform to his teachings, or we fail to live a good and beautiful life." ~ ("The Good and Beautiful Life," by James Bryan Smith, InterVarsity Press, 2009).

Laura Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

James Bryan Smith will come to my church August 16 and 17 and present a TED-style conference based on the tenets set forth in the Apprentice series. If you’re in the Atlanta area, check out the conference at First Presbyterian Church of Douglasville.

James Bryan Smith, author of "The Good and Beautiful Life."

Registration is open and the best price will be available until July 15. After that, it goes up slightly. If you’ve read the books and want to hear more, join us. If you’re looking for a warm church home, please visit First Pres ~ I'd love to see you there.

Laura Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Christmas tablescapes

Mickey Mouse holiday table. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

The Friday before Thanksgiving, before the busy-ness of the holidays takes over, the women of my church do a wonderful thing - it's called the Christmas Memories dinner. It's an opportunity for ladies to pull their beautiful holiday china out of the cabinets and create decorated tables and invite their friends for an early Christmas celebration, (and this is the best part) served by the men of the church. Opportunities like this don't come very often, in fact, just once a year. 

The evening begins at 6:30 p.m., when the women arrive and walk through the fellowship hall, taking pictures and oohing and aaahing over the decorations, and greeting friends. Our church has three services and although we may all be at worship on Sundays, it's only through events like the women's dinner that we get to see our church friends all in one room. The meal is served at 7 p.m., and it's served by the men of church - they put on their bow ties and cummerbunds and spirit of service. The dinner is usually simple, but tasty - chicken, green beans and potato casserole this year, plus cheesecake for dessert. After the desserts are served, the program begins - a few seasonal songs by some of the fabulously talented women in the church, and an inspiring message. The theme is usually one I need to hear - slow down, savor the season, learn to say "no" to busyness and yes to the activities that add meaning to the season.This year, a young woman named Sarah Prince inspired us with tales of her missionary life in South Africa.

Every other year or so I host a table - it's a fair amount of work, packing and unpacking the china and linens, but it's always a rewarding evening. I thought I'd share a few pictures from this year's event, plus my very favorite table from a couple of years ago. 

This was the table next to mine, decorated by Wendy Methven. She even decorated the chairs - 

Christmas table with fruit and green. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

I liked this table with the feather trees and keepsake "Faith" ornament.

Faith ornament on table. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

The following are from my table - I decided on a gingerbread and candy cane theme. Being unemployed meant that I couldn't run out to Tar-jay and grab eight of everything, so I gave myself shabby chic license. A festive red and green quilt sewn by my talented sister-in-law went over the tablecloth. I used simple white plates over gold chargers and my favorite red glasses. Pearl handled flatware, purchased a few years ago just for this event, came in handy again. A collection of Fiesta Ware and assorted holiday mugs rounded out the table settings.

Lucy's Christmas table setting. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

At each place, I set a candy cane striped takeout box filled with a gingerbread man ornament, a gingerbread man cookie cutter, and a decorative soap shaped like a peppermint candy.

Very fuzzy picture of my Christmas table. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

In the center of the table, I placed a live tabletop Christmas tree and covered it with gingerbread man cookie cutters, small rolling pins, gingerbread man ornaments, candy canes, measuring cups and spoons and spatulas. Once my guests were seated at the table, I removed the tree so that we could talk to each other and see the program.

Lucy's gingerbread tree. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Once I removed the tree centerpiece, I placed a tray of homemade gingerbread men on the table. They were delicious and fragrant, and I encouraged my guests to take several at the end of the evening.

Gingerbread men. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

And now, to my all-time favorite Christmas table. This is one from a few years ago, Stephanie Ford's Blue Christmas tribute to Elvis and Mississippi. That's plasticware, friends, and Moon Pies for take-away goodies.

Blue Christmas tribute to Elvis. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

For my FPC friends, if you have pictures from this year's, or past events, please share them on Facebook or at acookandherbooks@gmail.com and I will add them to this post. 


Text and images copyright Lucy Mercer, 2011.