Recently finished reads

 Walden by Henry David Thoreau - I picked this one up because it has been on my list for a number of years and I just finished reading two other books on simplicity.  So I thought this might fit in well with that line of thinking.  And it did. But I must say that aside from the first and last chapter (or even parts of the first and last chapter) I got bogged down in his details of making life work. A bit on the boring side for me.  I also found his opinions to be somewhat self-righteous and condescending.  (He just squats on a piece of land, builds his house, and takes up residence there for two years, and that's ok because he is enlightened and more thoughtful than everybody else.) But he did have some good insight into culture - of his day - and yes, ours. (Nothing new under the sun...)   His efforts to live simply came out of frustration with the overfilling of stuff and activity in his own culture.  He also surprisingly had a bit of insight into community, which I didn't expect.  So while I don't think we all need to follow Mr. Thoreau's example in practice necessarily, the whys of what he did would do us well to consider especially in this day. 6

Shadow of the Almighty by Elisabeth Elliot -  I read this once many, many years ago - might have even been in the 90's! - and loved the story of this man sold out to God and the mission of following Him wholeheartedly.  It was interesting to read it again this side of Peru, especially because of our contact with his brother, Bert's ministries in Trujillo and even having Bert and his wife, Colleen to our home once shortly after we arrived.  It made Jim and his story even more real.  I am moved again by his commitment to the Lord and his face-forward-ness in following whatever he was called to with courage and excitement.  I also appreciated those passages in his journal and letters where he admitted to struggling with feelings of hopelessness and spiritual dryness as we sometimes make such heroes of these men of faith who have gone before us, that we forget they were but men.  I need to hear about their struggles as well because that is real life.  And it is in real life in which I need to be encouraged.  Was newly refreshed and bolstered again.  9

Baby Diamond

I did newborn photos recently for my friends. They said I could share. I'm glad, because this baby is really sweet.

My new bedroom

I should have done some before pictures, but those of you who had seen my bedroom knew that it was a screaming bright yellow.  Yes, I'm serious.  Screaming.

But now, it's this....

And who deserves all the credit for this oasis of beauty?  John Ferguson - that's right!  He has been working so hard this week to get this room beautiful - and he has done an amazing job!  Thank you so much honey!  You rock!

May, June books update - four more

I knew I had read more books, but I couldn't remember what they were.  And then I found my list!

Abundant Simplicity by Jan Johnson -  After the Texas trip I went on an organizing/spring cleaning/decluttering rampage.  This gem was so helpful in just rerouting me back to first things and realizing how suffocating stuff and activity is.  I so quickly get sucked in to our cultural norms only to find myself gasping for breath.  I highly recommend this as a great tool for a once a year (maybe twice) evaluation/re-focusing/decluttering of life.  Heavy on the spiritual end as far as "where your treasure is there your heart will be." Amen to that.  10

Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider-  Same sort of thing - more practical advice and such - still good.  It was a good come alongside Jan Johnson's book, but Johnson's will be the go-to for me from year to year. 8

Wednesdays Were Pretty Normal by Michael Kelley -  This book was given to us by a dear friend who is friends with the author.  I remember praying for Kelley's son in Bible Study many years ago.  Anyway, this is Kelley's account of their family's journey after their two-year old son was diagnosed with leukemia.  He tells their story, but also speaks to his own personal struggle with God and his faith during the journey.  It is the most honest account of struggle and grasping for faith, and finding it in the right place I have ever read.  I will recommend this to many who are on difficult paths.  Kelley's willingness to write so honestly, I think, will be an encouragement to those who are otherwise afraid to put what they are really thinking into words.  9

Lit by Tony Reinke -  I feel like I have written about this one, so if I have, sorry.  But it is worth touting, because it is the best book on books I have ever read - and I LOVE books on books.  Reinke speaks to what a Biblical world view of literature looks like and then goes practical in how to apply it to personal reading as well as thinking through different categories of reading. For the reluctant reader as well as the reader who has a stack of twenty books on the bedside table, take and read.  10

May, June, etc. books

I feel so delinquent.  But since I saw most of the readers of this blog on my trip down south, it helps assuage the guilt.  I was busy -yeah!  Besides, I still don't know what I am going to do with this thing anyway.  But until it is decided, I guess I will write about some recent reads.

History of the Medieval World by Susan Wise Bauer - I finally finished this beast of a history.  Took me a year  -not straight, of course - but picking it up and down.  It WAS my conquest on the trip - determined to finish it.  And I did.  I'm glad I did.  I have been reading much lately on Medieval literature and the symbolism employed by it's authors.  Having a general background of the history certainly helped.  And while history can get *dull* at times, I must say that Mrs. Bauer keeps it as entertaining as she can while still sticking to the facts.  She uses primary sources as much as possible -which is huge for me as I tend to be more than a bit skeptical of what anyone might call history these days - since we tend to revise it according to our needs.  Did she do that?  I don't know - but the emphasis on primary sources lends more credibility for me than the typical university or wikipedia fare.  7

Possession by A.S. Byatt - my bedtime reading on the trip.  Two scholars discover a love affair between two poets from the previous century.  It got a little drab during the letters between the lovers.  Might have been the mood I was in  - I don't know.  I'll probably read it again someday.  Don't know what else to say about it - I'll give it a 6.

Brothers Karamazov by Fydor Dostoyevsky - Yes, so this is considered Dostoyevsky's highest achievement.  I have read it once before - about 10 years ago.  At the time, I was not impressed  -which can sound really pretentious.  What I mean though, is that I did not love the novel like I was told I should.  I DID love Crime and Punishment and count it as one of my top five favorite books.  So I decided to reread this one - and see if maturity might give me more insight into what lays between the covers of this gem.  Well, I have figured out what the deal is for me.  It is true that there is some amazing writing and story telling, not to mention profound insight into the soul of man - which is Dostoyevsky's gift.  But there is also lumbering text of, to me, unimportant minutia that just rambles on.  I will always recommend Dostoyevsky above any contemporary writer - his insight into the heart of man cannot be matched - except maybe by Tolstoy.  But be forewarned - there will be mires of mediocrity to persevere through while digging out the gold.  He is worth the effort for sure, but not every sentence is treasure.  The ones that are though, are incomparable.  9

Just another May day in Calgary

Among Giants

I am working on putting together photos for Jason's basketball team and I came across this one from when they practiced with the University of Calgary Dinos last fall.  I love it.  And what are those guys in the back saying anyway?

Feb. book review

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas -
John read this last year and raved so much about it that we included it in our books for this year's book club reads.  I must say, that overall, I enjoyed it, but the bulk of the enjoyment came within the last six chapters or so - when WWII was up and going.  Before that, I felt like I was slogging along with a bit too much information - but it was probably more my mindset and stylistic preference.  But I tell you what, when I hit WWII, I couldn't put it down - primarily for the wealth of insight from Bonhoeffer's own writings.  The honest wrestling he did while striving to find balance in doing what he thought was right in the middle of a "Christian" culture gone very far wrong was so inspiring.  He was an amazing man - and truly a hero for the sake of Christ. 8

Half-Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan - My other book club book for January - and another WWII era read.  This had an interesting combination - a group of Jazz musicians, some American, some German, most of them black - and that matters for the period and the place in which the story is taking place - working first in Germany, but then having to flee to Paris.  I kind of don't know what all to say about it - I liked it - I did like it, and it was very well written.  Edugyan does the back and forth in time thing as the story is unfolding - you are hearing and seeing what the character is seeing and thinking and saying now, and then you are taken with him into his memories as the story deepens.  I always have a hard time explaining that, but it is not hard to follow at all.  It was good - I do recommend it.  8

Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James - So, P.D. James takes her love of Jane Austen and adds on to Pride and Prejudice a murder.  While the murder mystery aspect was not sensational - I found myself not really wrapped up in who did it too much - the Austen aspect was great.  James "channeled" Jane Austen and wrote in her style.  So it felt like I was reading an Austen novel rather than a P.D. James mystery.  which was fun.  She did a great job carrying over the characters - keeping their personalities and quirkiness the same as well as filling in the rumors from the village of Maryton regarding Miss Elizabeth Bennet's marriage to Mr. Darcy. (We all know she was only after his fortune - so say the village hens.)  8

The Nursing Home Murder by Ngaio Marsh - First, let's just get straight that the "nursing home" is a hospital.  I think if I had realized that, I would have read it sooner.  Anyway, for mystery fans, if you have not discovered Ngaio Marsh, run to your used book store or library and grab up one of her little volumes.  She fits into the Queendom of Mystery just as much as Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie, and P.D. James.  Her stories are just as formulaic (in a good way)- from the central dominant and highly logical detective to his quirky sidekick and various "characters" helping out along the way.  I think she will be my new "beach read" when I just want something easy and entertaining to rest my brain.  9

Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan - Yes, you should read these.  They are so fun!  Fun in the not much depth, but lots of action and lots of great dialog while incorporating Greek mythology and some over the top characters.  Yes, Medusa ran a garden statuary store.  Yes, Posidon likes to wear a Hawaian shirt.  Yes, Mars is basically a biker dude.  It's a fun mix of present day action and ancient fables - and I just love stuff like that.  Read them and just enjoy the silliness while getting yourself up to date on your Greek mythology. 9

Birthdays!

Happy birthday to Jason and Miranda! 

 Basketballs, monkeys, and Reville...oh my!

We had a great time celebrating.  We love you Jason and Miranda!

Another guest post - Is Harry Potter good for the world?

Justin has done a great job on his term paper and I think it is worthy to share.  As I have indicated before, he is doing a literature/worldview course based off the Harry Potter series.  I assigned him a term paper to answer the question "Is Harry Potter good for the world?" based on his readings and own thoughts as he engaged the stories again.  His audience is our Christian brothers and sisters.  For my friends who have struggled with the series and/or have been fearful of where reading it might lead to for your children, I offer Justin's paper.  It is thoughtful, insightful, and gracious and I do believe will challenge the typical assumptions.  But even if you are unconvinced, you still have to admit it's well-done.  Good work Justin - you makes a mother proud. Is Harry Potter Good for the World

Guest post - The Way of Suffering by Dr. Knox Chamblin

 Many of you know it has been difficult these past few weeks as we grieved with some dear friends over the loss of their daughter.  We have experienced another loss - actually a ton of people have experienced another loss as our dear friend, Dr. Knox Chamblin passed from earth to heaven last night.  I read this journal entry he made in his CaringBridge Journal online on the day, Jan. 30, just hours after having dined with our friends before they headed back to life after all of the funeral activities.  I had thought at the time I should share it with them, not knowing (and obviously Dr. Chamblin did not yet know) that these words would be so much more poignant in merely a weeks time.  I think it is insightful always to learn from those who have walked before us and truly there is no man that I have ever known who has walked so fully and full of love, gentleness and grace than this one.

Monday, January 30, 2012 8:51 PM, CST

The Way of Suffering

(from Knox)  A skeptic, having witnessed the breadth and depth of human suffering, declared:  "He is God and not good, or he is good and not God.  Either he can end suffering but will not, or else he wants to but cannot."  This falsehood is addressed in Psalm 62:11-12a, "Once God has spoken, twice have I heard this:  that power belongs to God and that to you, O Lord belongs steadfast love" (emphasis added).

My leukemia and now Ginger's sarcoma have placed the weightiest burden upon us.  We are beset with many fears and manifold anxiety; but the effect has been to draw us closer to God and to one another.  Never before have we been so grateful for Biblical truth (see Psalm 34:4 and Philippians 4:6-7).  We are praying that the promise of Psalm 30:2 will become true for us:  "My God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me."  While we pray for another ten years of life, we bow in reverence to the will of our sovereign God and heavenly Father.  God delivers some of his children from this, others he delivers through this.  In his commentary on Job, J.N.D.Anderson writes that suffering is God's most precious gift to his children.  God has entrusted cancer to Ginger and me.  We pray that the witness of our response will bring great honor to our heavenly Father and hope for the people of God.

There is great mystery in suffering, and many questions will remain unanswered until we enter into the heavenly glory.  In face of this mystery, C.S.Lewis, in The Problem of Pain, says that looking at life is like looking at a fabric under a large magnifying glass.  The fabric is clear at the center but blurry around the perimeter.  So, says Lewis, keep the cross of Christ at the center of your world view.  Here both the power and the steadfast love of God come to supreme expression.  Furthermore, we can confidently embrace the words of Romans 8:32, "He who spared not his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?"

With deep love and high esteem for all of you,

Knox

Last of the 2011 books

Christian Mythmakers by Rolland Hein - another of my literature geek books. A chapter given to each writer, such as Dante, Tolkien, Lewis, Chesterton, Bunyan....Hein takes the most brilliant of our storytellers and opens up their lives and writings to us through the lens of their own Christianity. Their faith was so much a part of them, that it manifested itself in stories of which we today can still read, enjoy, and learn from. As has been said before, the essence of art is to delight and instruct. This book showcases some of my favorite teachers. 9

 

Eragon by Christopher Paolini-  Ok, 1) I don't know why my blog formatting is wigging out on me and 2) I don't know why so many Christian parents were horrified by Harry Potter (based on that they heard, not read) and were NOT horrified by Eragon (based on what they heard, NOT read.)  So if I might be a bit edgy -everything that has been wrongly dumped on Harry is in Eragon.  The invocation of spirits for power used by the good and the bad guys - is there.  Which is exactly what the Bible is talking about when it speaks of sorcery.  With a bit of New Age mumbo jumbo thrown in for fun- just like Star Wars. The end.  Don't believe everything you hear, even if it is coming out of a Christian periodical, book, mouth - find out for yourself and make informed decisions for yourself and help your kids make informed decisions.  Wisdom, use wisdom. So, with that out there, did I like Eragon?  

I was not thrilled.  But I tried to keep in mind the youth that wrote it, and, for a 15 year old, it wasn't bad.  I happen to live with some pretty gifted young writers, so I am biased.  That said, I thought the dialog in particular was so completely cheesy, it was not believable.  It got in the way of the drama of the story and seemed forced.  The story itself seems like a complete knock-off of Lord of the Rings - which I am not opposed to.  Authors for centuries have been re-telling their favorite tales.  But gifted authors do it much more subtly - you don't realize the influence until you have stripped away at the layers of the story.  That's brilliance. This felt like a knock off to me.  But I may be bitter because of all the bad flack Harry has been getting and Eragon hasn't.  It's possible.

Having outed the sorcery aspect of the story, would I let my kids read it?  Well, they already have - at least three of them.  I'm trying to catch up.  But I don't regret them having read the series, these particular kids.  It was my oldest son who let me know about the sorcery as we were discussing the whole Harry Potter outrage.  He had read the first three books, and identified the magic as as such and then went on in the story.  It didn't give birth to a weird fascination with the occult, he didn't start praying to Baal, he didn't run out and pick up a deck of Tarot cards.  THIS particular child would not do that - that is not a bent for him, that is not his struggle.  But if he did have a bent towards dark things, if he was facinated by such things, I would be cautious in letting him read it.  If he wanted to read the series, I would probably read it with him to talk through things biblically as they were encountered.

So will I read the rest of the series?  Up until the last chapter, the answer was no.  I have too many other things I want to read to waste my time.  And then BANG - the brilliance of Christopher Paolini got me too.  The last chapter left such a hook, that I finished wanting to know what happens next.  The whole book was agonizing for me to read, and yet, I want to know more.  That is what he is good at - that is his gift as a storyteller. And that's why he is a bestseller.    So with that all said...6.

 

Sorry about the format...

Anyway, next up the book two and three of the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins,

Catching Fire and Mockingjay.  This series is one of those that catches you up in and carries itself.  Once begun, I could not put any of these books down.  They are rivetingly plot-driven, while allowing you care for the characters at the same time.  it's not just 24, but at times it felt like it.  The series as a whole is, I think, a warning to North American culture to beware what we find entertaining.  Collins uses motifs and names from the ancient Greek and Roman world - which is interesting, because it would not be the first time North America, particularly the US was compared to Ancient Rome.  I don't want to give anything away, so I won't get into the plot.  I wrote about the Hunger Games here.  I was disappointed with the end of Mockingjay.  It felt like I had been left beat up on the side of the road.  After all the emotion I had invested in following Katniss and Peeta and all, I needed it to have been worth it - and it wasn't.  Disappointingly so.  We are left with glimmers of hope, but not without some major heartbreak.  But it was well written - fun to get so caught up in a story I couldn't do anything else - fun to still be thinking about the story and the symbolism meant for us to read and understand.  So read it, but know there will be emotional aftermath in the end.  8

Merry Christmas from our fam!