Born in 1564, Galileo is noted for his creation of the first reliable telescope, which led to his controversial conviction that the earth rotates around the sun. The "sun-centered" model of the universe was a divisive issue within his lifetime. The "earth-centered" view had prevailed since the time of Aristotle. The Catholic Church saw Galileo's view as contrary to Scripture, so Galileo was eventually forced to recant his beliefs. He spent his remaining years under house arrest as ordered by the Inquisition.

Although much is known about his trial with the Inquisition because of his "heretical" belief, there's more to the story. I read a great book this month that gives further insight into this history with the untold story of Galileo's oldest daughter. She was the oldest of his three illegitimate children. Her name was Virginia, and she became a nun at the age of 13 and took on the name Sister Maria Celeste. She wrote the most tender, insightful, and whimsical letters to her father from her convent, and 124 of her letters are still preserved! In Galileo's Daughter, Dava Sobel translates each letter from the original Italian into English. She interweaves them into the previously known facts about Galileo, thus revealing the character of the famous scientist who held a strong allegiance to both his science and his faith. I loved this book and was totally fascinated by the science (which usually doesn't fascinate me), the history, and the tenderness of their father/daughter relationship.

Speaking of daughters - I am now an official "Daughter of the American Revolution!" For over one hundred years, the members of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution have dedicated themselves to historical preservation and encouragement of patriotic endeavors. The NSDAR was established in 1890. It is a non-profit and non-political organization with nearly 180,000 members.

My mother did the hard work to prove our lineal descent from Jeremiah Dixon, a patriot of the American Revolution. That's how I was able to become a member. If you've read Java very long, you know that I am a history geek. Fourth of July is my favorite holiday, and I am crazy about our founding fathers. So this is a really big thrill and honor!

As for thrills, for me this summer, it was on a tube, zooming along at 30 knots on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri! My brother and sister-in-law came for a fabulous visit, and it was culminated by our Sunday afternoon adventure. If you see the picture, I am the one screaming and holding on for dear life, while my sister-in-law, Carrie, looks relaxed and cute!

So give these things a taste test:

1. Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir by Dava Sobel.

2. NSDAR - Any woman 18 years of age or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible for membership. DAR defines a "patriot" as one who provided service or direct assistance in achieving America's independence.

3. Take a day at the lake - ride a tube, scream and laugh with family!

This is the third cup in a four-cup brew! If you recall, I asked you a few months ago to think of yourself as a table with four legs. So far, we've talked about your spiritual leg and your emotional leg. This month we will take a look at your mental leg. So pour yourself another cup of java and consider...

You have a power plant right between your ears!

 

Brains like to be challenged. Your mind needs to have something to do, or it will create something to do - something that might not be so constructive. This leg needs to dance! Your body needs exercise and so does your brain. Polish writer Stanislaw J. Lec agrees. He states, "You have to climb to reach a deep thought." All of that climbing is sure to make you stronger. If you don't strengthen your brain, it will wiggle and jiggle itself just to alleviate the dullness and find a channel for all of its energy.

I learned this the hard way; I was bored for years and didn't even know it. My mind had nothing useful to do, so I spent too much time contemplating the lesser things of my life. I was left with a "poor me" attitude, a martyr complex, and bouts of depression. With way too much idle mental time, I overanalyzed my marriage and my husband. The results were unreasonable expectations, despair and frustration.

When I finally began to examine the "legs of my table," I began to trace some revealing patterns. I got a clue that I might need something bigger and better to think about. That's when I broke out of my mental lethargy and subscribed to the Talking Books Library. I began listening to volumes of books on myriad subjects - histories, biographies and classics - both fiction and nonfiction. A whole new world opened to me! New thoughts brought fresh stimulation, and my whole perspective on life began to open up like a flower in the sunlight.

The places I hoped to travel, I visited through the vehicle of the written word. Pictures I always wanted to see were projected onto the screen of my mind in vivid color and texture by means of the artful expressions of authors like James and Hawthorne. My mind grappled with mysteries and stretched to view exotic landscapes - local, foreign and even alien! I was learning, and for the first time in my life, I realized I had been bored for decades and never really knew it. Maria Mitchell wrote, "We have a hunger of the mind which asks for knowledge of all around us, and the more we gain, the more is our desire; the more we see, the more we are capable of seeing."

So examine that leg! It is frequently the most neglected leg. See if it is being adequately challenged. If not, you can take some simple steps to make the necessary repairs. Spend a few minutes each day reading something that interests and challenges you. Then ponder it during the day. Pick up a journal and record your thoughts and questions. Join a book club, Bible study or audit a class from your local university. Feed your curiosity, and you'll stimulate an enjoyable, insatiable hunger.

The Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to "refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels." (2 Tim 2:23) If you and I are also supposed to refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, we must be able to recognize those things which are foolish and ignorant. We must know what is mere speculation created by a bored brain! To do this we must have an active "mental" table leg! If you're feeling rather quarrelsome, it may just be that the "mental" leg of your table needs some attention.

Well... that's what's been percolating in me lately!

- Jennifer

Question: I just read the article about you in Today's Christian Woman...I really loved your outfits and jewelry! There is such a void in the fashion world for clothes that are fun, creative and feminine - but not stuffy, ridiculous or inappropriately suggestive.

I long to see women in magazines with a healthy figure (not fat, not emaciated) wearing clothes that actually make me smile and think, "Wow, that's pretty!" It seems that women spend the bulk of their clothing budget on work clothes, but it's hard to find fashion models wearing anything that I could wear to work.

Where do you get your clothes?

From: Laura B. of Philadelphia, PA

Answer: You're so right! ! Finding fashionable and appropriate clothes can be difficult, but that doesn't keep me from trying. First, let me state that it takes a "Fashion Committee" to get me looking the way I do! And they could tell you that what you see in the magazine are my best outfits, - what I call my '07 uniforms!' Traveling most weekends to stand before different audiences lets me wear the same clothes over and over and over and over and...you get the idea!

I get most of my clothes from Ann Taylor Loft and Dillards. My most fun stage clothes usually are from Nordstroms or some interesting boutique in a place I've traveled. The fashion committee includes: Kathryn McCall (my wonderful assistant), friends like Karen, Kellie, Kathryn and Lori, and last but not least, the fashion Queen herself, the honorary head of the fashion committee: Patsy Clairmont. And, I must say, Phil (my husband) is my ultimate mirror!

And now, the beans are officially spilled!

 

1. The Self Talk, Soul Talk book is hitting the bookshelves now. Please pray it gets into the hands of those who need it most. Pray for favor from the media and reviewers. The message of the book has brought me such liberty, and I really want others to be free in their "thought closets" also.

2. I have 14 speaking events in the next 16 weeks! Please pray for me to have energy and God's message and anointing. Please pray for my assistant Kathryn who travels with me. May she have energy and be blessed as she pours out.

3. As usual, thank you for continuing to pray for Phil and the boys. School has started and life is in full swing. This is Clayton's senior year of high school and Connor is in the third grade. And Phil, he's still in college! (He's a professor! Ha!)

Bless you and thank you for praying...

- Jennifer

Each month we will give away something from the JenniferRothschild.com Store. All you have to do is click on the link below, to let us know you were here. Your name will automatically be added to a random drawing to win.

This month's winner is Danielle from Collegeville, Pennsylvania('thegahmansix@...)

Danielle wins a three-pack gift of Self Talk, Soul Talk books that are HOT off the press and autographed by Jennifer Rothschild!

Congratulations! Danielle, please email us your mailing address.

Two Offers:

Save $3 when you buy one autographed copy of Self Talk, Soul Talk. Visit the link below, sign in to the Store, and use [threeoff] (no spaces, no brackets, all lowercase) in the coupon code area when you check out.

or

Save $4 on each book when you buy two or more autographed copies of Self Talk, Soul Talk. Each book is $8.99 (a savings of 31%) and autographed by Jennifer. Click on the link below and you'll see the special offer called Two Plus Pack. No coupon code needed.

 

Click here for the Self Talk Soul Talk book blog where you will hear an audio message from Robin McGraw (Dr. Phil Show) and read endorsements from Dr. Gary Smalley, Kathy Troccoli, and more.

• Read an excerpt from the book
• Read the Press Kit
• Read interviews from women who talk to themselves, like: Lisa Whelchel, Patsy Clairmont, Marilyn Meberg and others.

I hope you'll consider being one of my faith-walkin' Sole Sisters. I covet your prayers, and appreciate so much the things you do to spread the word about my message.

Here are just a few of the small things you can do to make a big impact.

• Email Five Friends (10 points)
• Join Soles Sisters (10 points)
• Write a Review at Amazon or Lifeway (10 points)
• Email us a Photo with You and a Friend (20 points)
• More

Here are a few Quick Links you might find helpful.

 

• Jennifer's NEW Self Talk, Soul Talk Blog
• About Jennifer Rothschild
• Video: My Story
• New, Jennifer Rothschild Store
• Subscribe to WomensMinistry.NET weekly eNewsletter
• Email Jennifer