Recent reads - August

The first two on my list are repeaters - will be repeated often in my life.
To Be Told by Dan Allender - I reread this again in light of the publishing of my friend Elizabeth's new study .  It is a comfort to me that it is God writing and working out my story - especially the parts I don't like.  I want to more fully enter in and understand my story - as much as is possible through this veiled life I live.  I know I will see more fully the other side of Heaven, but until then, resources such as this  and Elizabeth's help me to gain greater insight into the Author and how my story fits in with The Story He is ultimately writing for His glory.  9

Depression: A Stubborn Darkness by Ed Welch - Another repeater, I read this in tandem with Allender's book.  This is the best book on depression I have read - and I believe is out there.  Welch is firm, and gentle in his handling of such a delicate topic.  This book is for the wounded (who isn't wounded?) and for those who love them.  Please. Read. This. Book.  10

my literature geek book for the month.
The Discarded Image by C.S. Lewis -  Lewis is not only renowned for his apologetics, but among literary academia, this is the go-to book on Medieval literature.  Pretty impressive.  I found myself intrigued yet struggling as Lewis introduced me to many influential authors, who influenced the writer of the middle ages, of whom I had never heard.  He also spent considerable time explaining the medieval mindset, as that is what the writers were writing out of - it matters in a big way.  What was important to them, how they viewed God, nature, themselves, what kind of symbolism did they employ to communicate their messages - all of this was deeply insightful and overwhelming.  I could not take it all in on one read.  So I guess it's good I own the book.  It will be a great resource as I dive more deeply into the works of the middle ages as well as, and especially, contemporary authors who are heavily influenced by these works.  9

Speaking of contemporty authors influenced by medeival lit...

The Neverending Story by Michael Ende -  I have not seen this movie - only know it by the big dog thing that flies - and I am glad I have not seen the movie.  I might have been overly influenced by the movie and missed out on the rich symbolism and structure Ende went to a lot of trouble to write into a story. I won't go into much, except that this is a fairy-tale of a boy and his journey.  There are magical creatures, and much like Narnia, there is more to these creatures that just what is on the surface - and more to the world.  As a whole the story ebbed and flowed, but when we discussed it in book club, we wondered if the slow-going parts were not intentional as symbolizing the slowness of the main characters journey.  sometimes the road is long and slow, but persevering always has it's rewards.  And there was more like that.  I do recommend it, although some of the book club gals found it didn't work as well for a read-aloud to their kids - the slowness at times being part of the problem.  8

London by Edward Rutherfurd - True confessions, I am not quite done with this book, but it is over 1000 pages long!  And the pattern remains the same, so I am guessing that what I think now is what I will think by the end of the remaining 300 pages I have to read.  This is a historical fiction novel following the development of London as a city from it's very beginnings to the present day.  Rutherfurd uses fictional characters that, as family lines, carry through the entire novel.  At times the story lines can become tedious and I find myself skimming quickly to get to what I need to know to move on to the next chapter.  Each chapter is another time period - the next time period, as the tale is told chronologically.  I am enjoying the interweaving of the fictional story with the historical stories -like Geoffrey Chaucer being the godfather of one of the characters, and Shakespeare being a part of the theater set of another character.  So basically, I recommend this with reservations - it has taken me six months to read it - on and very off, but pushing towards the end, I am glad to have read it.  6

Oh yes, my dear Sherlock - what a treat you are.

I am currently working through The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle.  I picked this collection up after watching Justin's new BBC series, Sherlock (not for children).  I do love Mr. Holmes and his brilliance as well as the humble and loyal Dr. Watson.  The stories are not only mysteries to get lost in and enjoyed, but Doyle had strong opinions about his times, which can be found woven among the mystery itself.  I refer particularly to A Study in Scarlet which is a scathing account of the tyranny of Brigham Young after the settlement of the Mormons in Utah.  From a Brit?  Oh yes.  Sir Arthur was not ignorant of his times.  Very entertaining - can't wait to get through them all, but yet I long to savor the stories as well.  Love me some Sherlock.  10

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

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

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

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

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

Been a long book reviews - the last

 The Moviegoer by Walker Percy - I have been hearing forever how great this book is, so I finally found time to read it.  While I loved Mr. Percy's writing style...sort of...I found it a bit too existential, stream of consciousness, book about nothing.  There, how was that for an evaluation?  It reminded me a bit of Virginia Woolfe's Mrs. Dalloway where much of the action is happening on the thoughts of the main character - his attempt to find himself.  It was a bit slow for where I was at the time of reading, maybe because I really don't have time for that sort of thing right now.  But I did enjoy the cadence of Percy's writing - if that even makes sense.  I will read more from Mr. Percy for sure. 7

The End of the Affair by Graham Greene - John Ferguson says this book is about God.  And it is.  London during the Blitzkrieg,  a woman involved in an adulterous affair prays for her lovers life after a bomb hits the building they are in.  His life is given him, and she breaks off the affair.  The novel is about his pursuit of her and why she left him and about her pursuit of God and His role in her life.  Beautifully written - full of depth - Greene writes about real faith in real life.  Love him for it.  9

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I began to hear the nay-sayers, so I thought I better go ahead and read it so I knew what it was rather than listening to the "crowd".  Two of my boys had already read it, so I knew a little bit.  North America, post -world as we know it, looks a lot like the Roman Empire in the sense that there is a great city that runs the "world" and they have a sick idea of entertainment.  And by sick I mean that in a "not good" sort of way.  Basically, each year, every district has to offer up two of their children for sacrifice and the entire "world" gets to watch it happen live.  It's a bit more complicated than that, but that is the just of it.  It was a good read - a couldn't put it down read - and a convicting read.  I found myself asking at the end, are we as a culture that far from this?    9

Been a long time book reviews - the one where I get a few eye rolls...

But I can handle it.  Because I know my people I am getting eye rolls from love me and I love them - so what's a few eye rolls between friends.  Maybe even a few sighs....
Alrighty....

Harry Potter, books 1-7  by J.K. Rowling - So...these books are the basis for Justin's literature study this year.  Yes...I'm serious.
I chose the image with the British titles because I feel strongly that the change in the title of the first book didn't help anyone and actually made Americans seem pretty ignorant.  But that's neither here, nor there.... I re-read all of the books in September and October.  Yep, I still like them - and actually even more as I see more of the tradition of English literature glowing throughout.  But I'm a lit junkie - I love that stuff - the symbolism and such that is rampant in these stories - the same symbolism that authors such as Shakespeare, Chaucer, Dante, Lewis, Tolkien, Coleridge, need I go on??? - have used for hundreds of years to portray the framework of Christianity, the Great Story,  in story.  These stories are deep - and layered - multi-layered - and brilliant - and yes, edifying to the soul.  If anyone wants to have a deeper conversation about why Harry is a profitable read, I'm all over it.  Just ask.  10

Harry Potter's Bookshelf by John Granger - So, as I was saying, the Harry Potter books were very much influenced by what their author read, which was a lot of the Great Books of Western Lit.   9

The Gospel According to Harry Potter by Connie Neal - Another book for Justin's "class", I actually found this one annoying a bit.  I do believe the Christian themes are obvious in the stories, but Neal seems to reach a bit too far for my taste in making exact "this means this" accountings.  I didn't agree with several of her thoughts - I thought them too simplistic.  But Justin thought she was reaching on purpose as a rebuff to the "reaching" done to find occultic themes in the stories.  Maybe so - there was certainly much reaching done in that regard.  6

How Harry Casts His Spell by John Granger - All of these are for Justin's class - this is the one that gets into the tradition of the stories from English and symbolist lit as well as framework and themes that are quite eye-opening...in a good way.   And since nothing JK did is new, I am understanding with greater depth other great works of literature  - which is the point of this class for Justin.

The Deathly Hallows Lectures by John Granger - Advanced Lit Class - 400 level - made my head hurt, but in a "this is really cool" sort of way.  I can't even go into the details except to say that few will want to pursue the depths to this degree, but those of us who are "lit junkies" will, and will then find keys that will help to unlock many more of the Great books.  As I have said before....

Been a long book reviews part 4

Seasons of a Mother's Heart by Sally Clarkson -  Miss Sally came all the way up to Alberta to give us some encouragement.  Encouraged I was - Sally speaks from a sense of reality - life for a momma is tiring, but with the right perspective, it is a joy.  This little book helps with the perspective angle.... 8

Educating the Wholehearted Child by Clay & Sally Clarkson - The Mary to Susan Wise Bauer's Martha (The Well-Trained Mind).  I think merging Susan's passion for learning and encouragement to not fear the things of old along with the Clarkson's passion for homeschooling with joy while not making it harder than it needs to be AND keeping the main thing the main thing,  is the perfect recipe for our path.  9

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp - She writes prose like a poet and leaves you challenged and refreshed at the same time.  How is that even possible?  Get it.  Read it.  10

Been a long time book reviews, part 3

Generous Justice by Tim Keller - This is a gem, taken with the right perspective and that perspective is to take it as part one of a treatise on caring for the poor with the next book posted here as part two.  Keller's point, I believe, is to stir up our stingy, greedy hearts and look at what keeps us from being generous, while giving us Gospel motivation to be generous.  But taken by itself, I think it would be too easy to just feel guilty and pledge to give away more money and time towards loving and caring for "the poor".  And while that would be good, we are called very much to be active in loving and caring for those suffering poverty, injustice, and oppression - I'm not sure it would be best.  Which is why I think it should be taken in hand with this next book.  7

When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert - So Keller deals with our heart of greed and stinginess.  That is necessary to do first.  Fikkert and Corbett answer the next obvious question, the "So now what?"  I loved what these men had to say because I have personally struggled with what it looks like to love the poor and oppressed.  I was left with a bad taste after our time in Peru because I was tired of being lied to to get money, and of being manipulated because I was seen as "rich."  My heart was hardened - and I was angry.  But as I read, I discovered that most of the problem was my perspective as a "fixer" and not a "come-alongside-er".  I had to deal with my superiority complex that didn't see the poor as having anything to offer - just as takers.  I wish I had read this book while in Peru - I think it would have helped me to understand better the situation and how to respond with generosity and wisdom.  If you are considering a short term mission trip to a developing country, or even an urban project in North America, or if you are considering a long term missionary career,  or even if you just want to know how to better respond to suffering and poverty in your own world where you live and serve-  read this book.  9

The Wealthy Barber Returns by David Chilton - the Canadian Dave Ramsey, Chilton's first book was wildly successful being handed out to college graduates by the thousands.  So since we need to know how to do things in Canada, I picked up his latest and read it quickly before we did our latest budget.  It was helpful especially on the retirement planning side, so kudos to Chilton.  And a thank you very much.  7

And while we are on the topic of my idolatry...
Love to Eat, Hate to Eat by Elyse Fitzpatrick - So I'm just sick to death of trying to lose the same 10, 20, 25 pounds I have been trying to lose for ..well...since my second child was born.  I have tried everything - go on the diets, then get frustrated and go off - working out, blah, blah, etc., etc. Everyone knows the story.  So another diet book?  No.  A book dealing with food idolatry.  Yes, we all know that "comfort food" didn't just happen yesterday.  It developed because we use it to console and comfort ourselves.  As Christians, we know that anything we use to console and comfort ourselves apart from God is an...wait for it...idol.  Have I known this?  Yes.  Have I known I use food/drink as an idol?  Yes.  Have I tried to deal with my idolatry in every way but owning it and admitting it and taking it before the Lord?  Yes.
So finally, at the end of myself (a good place to be), I grabbed Fitzpatrick's book back off the shelf and read it with an open heart willing to hear that I am using the control of food as a god.  She skillfully and gently addresses the heart issues involved in overeating as well as attempts to control, as in bulimia and anorexia.   I will be working through this stuff for a while, I am sure.  But I really truly am excited. Thanks Elyse for this treasure of Scriptural wisdom.

Been a long time book reviews - part 2

Tackling those books I have read in the past half year of a ministry/life flavor:

 The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson - I have really been wrestling the past six months with my calling and purpose as a mother/wife.  It's not that I don't want to be, or even want to be something I think is so much more important.  I just want to do what I want to do when I want to do it.  That's the problem.  But in March I heard Miss Sally speak and was immediately drawn to her own love for family and desire to be fully for them and their growth in the Gospel.  This is the first of a two-book treatise on the subject of motherhood and the high calling and privilege it is.  I recommend it for any momma needing a reminder of what it's all about.  Yes, everything you are doing does matter.  let Miss Sally encourage you  in your endeavors.  8

The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson - You know, this may be book one and the other book 2.  Anyway, read them both and be encouraged, not guilted.

Depression by Ed Welch - The best book on the subject.  Read it - because at some point everyone will struggle with this demon or at the very least love someone who struggles.  10

Seeing with New Eyes by David Powlison - Does Scripture speak to our psychological stuff.  Um...yes.  And Powlison brilliantly helps us to see our stuff through the lens of Scripture rather than the lens of humanism that we mostly see in the world of psychology today.  9






Ok, that's all I got tonight.  Only 16 more to go...

Been a long time book reviews-part 1

I know it's been awhile since I did any reviews.  And I have read a lot since then.  So here goes - we'll work in categories...
Book Club reads over the last half of the year and what "we" thought about it:

The Princess Bride by William Goldman - No Pit of Despair.  It's the Zoo of Terror or something crazy like that.  No "Plato, Aristotle, Socrates...Morons!"  Buttercup was a complete ditz.  Does Stephen King really have ancestors from Florin?  And does he know that Goldman stuck him in this book?  So, as to be expected, it didn't live up to the movie.  That said...it was still funny in its own right.  Goldman's diversions were sometimes randomly witty and sometimes uncomfortable in a Michael Scott sort of way.  Could have done with less of Goldman and more brains for Buttercup...as well as some more of the dialog he wrote for the movie.  6

The Twelfth Imam by Joel Rosenberg - What is one to think when one's 16 year old son opens up a book and after a few minutes says, "Read the first paragraph and tell me what's wrong."  Not a good sign.  Aside from writing that seemed to pour forth from a jr. high English student, the story felt contrived, the characters flat, and just a little bit shallow.  The theology of the 12th Imam was interesting - I believe Rosenberg is known for knowing his stuff.  He is widely respected in journalistic and Christian cultural commentary circles.  So... that's good....  3

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - Yes.  Yes.  One of those "if you have not read this book yet, please run to your nearest bookstore or library and grab it because you will not be disappointed."  I don't want to say anymore - might ruin it.  If that's even possible.
So there.  10

Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt - I apologize in advance if this is your favorite book.  I couldn't even barely make it through before I just wanted to crawl under a rock.  Yes, it is miserably sad - and I have no problem with sad books.  Life can be sad and I have found that there are times I need a sad book as a sort of catharsis for my own emotions.  I actually really like sad stories becasue they tend to have great depth.  But I really like hope too and there wasn't any in Angela's poor ashes.  That I could see at least.  Maybe I was so far down in that pit I totally missed it.  It's definitely possible.  And I will say this - brilliantly written - the whole thing is written as if a child is telling you what happened to him today.  I was totally drawn in at first by the perspective.  And then I just had to go find some sunshine...somewhere.  Mixed feelings for sure about this one.  5

The Help by Kathern Stockett - We haven't actually discussed this one yet, but I did write about it here last year when I first read it.  But I can't figure out how to get back to that post to link it, so...sorry.    I will say I do like this one - I love hearing that Jackson accent in my head as I read.  I find myself talkin' like that right after I done readin'.  Love me some Aibileen.  That woman knows how to love people well.  So that's all I'll say about that.  8

March Reads

The Kruetzer Sonata by Leo Tolstoy - One of many short stories written by Tolstoy, this story takes place on a train, the entire story being re-told by one man to another over the course of a night.  It is a story of an idealistic love that turns quickly lifeless, then moves to jealousy, wrath, betrayal and then finally murder.  From the lips of the story teller, it is his story to be told, so we are cast into his mind from beginning to end, how his thoughts took him captive and led him down a tragic path.  What I love about Tolstoy is his insight into the mind and heart of man - our behavior happens for a reason - and reasons which must be accounted for and taken responsibility for.  8

Son of Hamas by Mosab Hassan Yousef - Our March book club read, Yousef tells his story as the son of one of the founders of Hamas and eventual departure from Hamas, and Islam to follow Jesus Christ.  He tells his story simply - almost too simply for my tastes.  I found myself wanting more, also realizing that there probably is more, but not more he can tell.  I salute Yousef for the courgae to tell his story and also for his desire to see real peace come to the Middle east, a peace he says that is impossible without following the mandate to "love your enemies."  7

Instructing a Child's Heart by Tedd & Margy Tripp - Worth it's weight in gold, this gem is a must read for all Christian parents wanting to raise their children to be fervent followers of Christ.  I have realized lately that my priorities for teaching my children have been out of whack, focusing much on academics (which are necessary) and not enough on training in righteousness as learned through the Gospel of Jesus.  Trip lays out succinctly what is important and how to make it important in the family.  9