Home Is Where God Sends You

Book Review: Heart Echoes

2012-02-18T09:59:00.000-08:00

Teal has a long-kept secret. The people closest to her know she’s keeping this secret, but they’re okay with that. Until a California earthquake reveals her teenage daughter’s secret. Suddenly Teal’s secret begs to be told, leaving Teal desperate to keep the truth from being revealed.

I could hardly put this book down!

A conversation between Teal and her half-sister, Lacey, seemed especially profound to me. During this conversation, Lacey told Teal to:

Just act like God adores you, no matter how awful you think you are, and after a while, it will become your first thought every day. It will be what echoes in your heart instead of those lies from the hurts. (p. 238)

She continued:

There’s so much more to this relationship with the holy Father. I mean, God is absolutely crazy about us. He can’t stop thinking about us. He’s always watching over us, waiting for us to notice Him so He can show us what new gift He’s got in His hand. (p. 239)

I love that!

Heart Echoes helps readers understand they don’t have to prove their worth to God because He already loves and accepts them. It also shows that they don’t have to prove their worth to others because we’re all messed up in some way. God offers grace and teaches us to pass it on freely to the people He’s placed in our lives.

I’m happy to recommend this book to you and thank Tyndale House Publishers for sending a complimentary copy for my honest review.

Book Review: Straight to the Heart of Moses

2012-02-13T13:24:00.000-08:00

I had mixed feelings—mostly good—about Phil Moore’s book, Straight to the Heart of Moses. This book is part of the Straight to the Heart series. Each book in the series, as I understand it, gives the reader 60 Bite-Sized Insights into the portion of the Bible that is the topic of the book. In this case, Moore is giving us 60 insights into Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

Some of Moore’s insights are amazing. He really made me think and helped me see Moses’ story—and others—in fresh ways. I loved that!

I also like the way he connected what was going on with the Israelites to the New Testament. He showed how different events in this chronicle corresponded to or were parallel with the Gospel of Jesus. In other words, Moore compared God’s work in saving the Israelites with Jesus’ work to save each of us.

Each insight is about four pages long. I’m thinking this is why they’re called bite-sized. However, many of these are tough meat, chewy bites that require much work to digest. I liked that, but it wasn’t what I expected when I read bite-sized. (I was probably thinking M & M's.)

My only frustration with this came when Moore would attempt to tackle an especially big point in those four pages. Rather than explain in full, he’d offer footnotes with minor clarifications or Scripture for further reference. I’d follow these in an attempt to understand, but sometimes I wished Moore would have simply written more. I could tell he was on to something, but I needed clearer connections and greater explanations.

I recommend he write a bigger book. (That’s a compliment.)

In the meantime, I’m thankful for insights offered here and leads to pursue for even more insights. If you enjoy Bible studies that prompt you to dig, I recommend this book.

Thank you, Kregel Publications, for sending a complimentary copy of this book for my review.

Note: Beginning February 22 and continuing through Easter Sunday, Kregel Publications will be tweeting links to Straight to the Heart of Romans. The entire book will be posted as short, five to ten minute, daily readings. Find it by following Kregel Publications or #Straight2Heart on Twitter.

Operation Fragrance

2012-02-09T12:50:00.000-08:00

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.” –2 Corinthians 2:14

Trees and other plants rely on small animals to help them survive. Bees carry pollen from flower to flower in Spring. Squirrels take acorns and other nuts from place to place. Birds move the seeds from fruit trees to new locations where there may be more room for seedlings to grow. In turn, the animals get the food they need from the plants. God planned for the plants and animals to help each other in this way.

In a similar way, we carry the fragrance of the knowledge of God with us wherever we go. We plant seeds of God’s love in others, nourishing them spiritual and helping God's kingdom to thrive. As we go where God leads, He goes with us, filling us with His Spirit, His strength. This is God’s plan for us. We are triumphant so long as we rely on Him.

Holy Spirit, fill my life with the fragrance of Your love that others may know You wherever I go. Amen.

The Groundhog Goat

2012-02-02T03:38:00.000-08:00

“But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord to be used for making atonement by sending it into the desert as a scapegoat.” –Leviticus 16:9

On the Israelite Day of Atonement, the priest was to symbolically lay all of the sins of the people on a goat chosen by lot to be sent into the desert. Thus the scapegoat was born. The goat didn’t do anything wrong; he just took the blame.

I think the groundhog is a modern day scapegoat of sorts. Instead of removing our guilt, though, he clears Mother Nature. Depending on where you live, come February, spring may be in the air. Birds start singing. Flowers begin to poke their heads up through the ground. Then it snows. Brrr! The calendar told us spring wouldn’t start for another seven weeks, but rather than admit our high expectations, we blame Mr. Groundhog for the cold. Poor old Punxsutawney Phil!

Groundhog’s Day is a lighthearted way to cope with the disappointment of unreasonable expectations. The scapegoat, taken seriously, helped people deal with the disappointment of impossible expectations. God knew the people would not be capable of keeping the law in its entirety, so He provided atonement: symbolically through the scapegoat, permanently through Christ.

As you journey through life, your expectations may be high. It’s only human to long for perfection, though we’ll never find it on this Earth. To your delight and satisfaction, some expectations will be met. Others, inevitably, will lead to disappointment. Take these to Christ, your High Priest. Let Him help you cope and maintain a light heart.

Father, when things don’t go my way, help me to cope, rather than blame. Amen.

How to Take the Land

2012-01-24T07:14:00.000-08:00

“Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you.” –Deuteronomy 4:1

When the Israelites entered Canaan, their goal was a complete takeover. They were to completely destroy or forever run out of town the people occupying their God-given land.

Needless to say, this is not our goal when we move to a new place. Our goal is to make our home among the people in our new community. Once we feel an inner sense of belonging or rightness about a place, we’ve taken possession. We’ve reached our goal.

Unfortunately for the Israelites, they never reached their goal. They got tired of their conquest and settled for less than God intended for them to take. They became comfortable living outside of God's Will. Eventually, they found themselves in quite a pickle because of it. (I wrote about this at Wildflower Thinking a few weeks ago. To read those thoughts, click here.)

Again, running the neighbors out of town is not our goal. But living in the center of God's Will is! When He sends us to a new location, He wants us to, figuratively, take the land for Him!

Deuteronomy 4 tells us how to do this: Follow God’s law. Read God's Word and let it change you through and through. For example, the Ten Commandments, summed up simply, tell us how to get along with God and with others. (See Deuteronomy 5.) Once we’ve learned to do this, we can make friends--godly friends--just about anywhere. There’s nothing like a Christian friend to help someone in a new land!

Think about it: If God is number one in your life and everything you do is for His glory, your actions and choices will reflect that priority. Your true friends will be Christians who also want to honor God. (You’ll find them in the Bible-believing church you choose to attend regularly.) Non-believing neighbors and acquaintances will see the positive way you relate to God and to one another and will be drawn by God’s Spirit to want to learn more. Suddenly you’ll have new brothers and sisters in Christ, and you’ll have taken possession of the land. This sounds so simple, but it requires a complete focus on God and obedience to His Word. Live for Him, and He’ll help you make a home--anywhere.

Master, teach me Your law. Help me obey. Show me how to take this land for You! Amen.

Volunteering

2012-01-18T12:32:00.000-08:00

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” –Isaiah 6:8

My husband and I used to watch the television program, Quantum Leap. In this program, the main character, a lonely scientist whose experiment had gone dreadfully wrong, found himself leaping through time into the lives of different people. In order to leap to the next life, he had to fix something that the person had done wrong--he had to restore time and make life better. This scientist didn’t go willingly, though. With each leap, he hoped his next would take him home. In the final episode, however, he realized that leaping through time, fixing lives along the way, was his great contribution to humanity. He decided to continue; he volunteered to go on.

When we move, we have a similar choice. We can reluctantly let others drag us from place to place and resolutely do what needs to be done. Or we can enthusiastically embark on a new adventure, asking God to show us ways to build His kingdom along the way. Maybe there is a task that needs to be completed and your unique combination of talents is just right for the job. Or maybe you are particularly able to minister to someone with a specific need because of experiences you’ve had in other places. Maybe your next-door neighbor needs to hear the gospel from a fresh perspective--yours!

When God was looking for someone to send to His people, Isaiah volunteered. In fact, if you look at the end of the sentence showing his response, you’ll see an exclamation point. Isaiah earnestly wanted to do something for God. We can serve Him willingly, too!

I’m sorry that I’m not always excited about moving, Lord. Please help me look forward to the adventure of the next ministry. Help me to see unique opportunities in each place. Lead me to people You’d have me serve for You. I am available here, Lord. And wherever you send me!

Book Review: The 60 Minute Money Workout

2012-01-08T06:46:00.000-08:00

The 60 Minute Money Workout by Ellie Kay is what it says it is: an easy, step-by-step guide to getting your finances into shape. Within the book's pages, Kay treats money fitness like physical fitness. You can’t achieve all of your goals in one day, but if you work out regularly, eventually you’ll be fit.

Kay encourages her readers to do one 60 minute workout per week, yet she provides several to choose from—some to be done often, others only once a quarter or even once a year. She warns readers that they may be tempted to work longer than an hour, but tells them to resist temptation, so they won’t burn out. Workouts include: determining your money personality (or spending habits), spending plan, retirement and savings plan, debt reduction, paying less, travel and fun, allowances, kid entrepreneur, college savings, home-based business, launching a home-based business, couple’s, and giving. Each of these includes a warm up, strength training, cardio burn, heart rate, and a cool down in keeping with the fitness theme. Kay also sprinkles several tests and evaluations throughout the book to help the reader understand his or her own habits and inclinations, so the reader can use these to reach goals instead of having them be the thing that hinders progress.

It’s a very useful book with great advice and many practical ideas. Readers can think of Ellie Kay as their personal finance trainer. However, just as one has to be self-disciplined to reach physical fitness goals, readers will have to be self-disciplined and follow Kay's workouts in order to reach their financial goals.

I thank Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers for sending a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review.

For When We Don't Know What to Pray

2012-01-04T16:18:00.000-08:00

"Lord, I do not know what to ask of you; only you know what I need. I simply present myself to you; I open my heart to you. I have no other desire than to accomplish your will. Teach me to pray. Amen." -François de Fénelon

When we don't know what to pray, we simply tell God so. Then we tell Him what we do know: we want His Will to be done. His Spirit will not only teach us to pray, but also to do as God wants us to. I believe this is one kind of prayer that our Lord truly loves to hear.

Father, thank You once more for knowing us better than we know ourselves and for answering our prayers even when we don't know what to pray. Remind us to present ourselves to You often for Your purposes. Thy Will be done. Amen.

Book Review: The Daniel Fast

2011-12-29T06:39:00.000-08:00

The Daniel Fast by Susan Gregory is a good book. Gregory encourages her readers to feed their souls, strengthen their spirits, and renew their bodies by being extremely disciplined about what they eat for a designated period of time and by praying and studying their Bibles, too. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s a good thing to do. Gregory even provides recipes and devotionals to help her readers along the way. In fact, these take up most of the book. Gregory closes with a question and answer section for further clarification of her idea. And it is a good idea.

But it isn’t a fast.

And the Bible passage that it is based on wasn’t about a fast.

Scot McKnight, author of Fasting, defines fasting as “the natural, inevitable response of a person to a grievous sacred moment in life.” He says “The focus in the Christian tradition is not ‘if you fast you will get,’ but ‘when this happens, God’s people fast.’ Fasting is a response to a very serious situation, not an act that gets us from a good level to a better level” (pp. xix-xx).

In other words, we don’t fast because we want something from God—even a good thing like spiritual growth or a deeper relationship with Him. We fast because God calls us to it through the circumstances of life. If something good comes of the experience, that is a bonus for us.

In the first chapter of Daniel, he and his friends request a special diet. They do not make this request in order to fast or grow spiritually or even to become healthy, though. They do so out of obedience to God. The king has ordered them to eat food that has been sacrificed to idols. This will violate God’s law. They choose to obey God, and He honors their decision by making them healthier than anyone else in the king’s training program.

This is no different from Daniel’s choice to pray, though it landed him in the lion’s den, or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s choice to not bow to an idol, though it landed them in the fiery furnace. In all three situations, the men chose to obey God, and God blessed their decision in return.

If you choose to follow Gregory’s Daniel Fast because you long to grow closer to God, I have no doubt He’ll honor that decision. He loves it when we devote ourselves to Him in disciplined and concentrated ways. But you won’t be fasting. You’ll be disciplining yourself to eat healthy foods, pray, and study God’s Word. The experience will be good for you.

Thank you, Tyndale House Publishers, for sending this book for my honest review.

He Knows Where You Are

2011-12-24T04:11:00.000-08:00

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” –Psalm 139:7-10

On the first Christmas Eve after a move, little children often worry that Santa won’t be able to find them in their new home. Parents assure them that Santa knows where they are as they tuck these precious children into bed where they can dream of sugarplums--or whatever today’s children dream of on Christmas Eve.

Likewise, there are times after a move, when a part of each of us can’t help but wonder if God knows where we are. Perhaps we’ve moved from a four-bedroom home with a big backyard to a small half of a duplex and can’t quite seem to make everything (or everyone) fit. Perhaps we’ve moved from a warm, southern climate to the bitter cold and are watching the snowplow man fill the opening of our driveway for the fourth time today. Perhaps our new community is more expensive than we anticipated, stretching our budget to its limits and beyond. Perhaps our best friend is on the other side of the country, our husband is deployed, and we feel oh-so-completely alone.

Friend, you are never alone. If you “go up to the heavens,” God is there. If you “make your bed in the depths,” God is there. If you “rise on the wings of the dawn” or “settle on the far side of the sea,” God is there. Wherever you are, God is there. He knows where you are.

Father, as I close my eyes to sleep tonight, may visions of happy times dance in my head as you secretly prepare precious gifts for me to find in this place. Amen.

Book Review: The Accidental Bride

2011-12-22T06:30:00.000-08:00

Denise Hunter’s sequel to A Cowboy’s Touch is brilliant! As I had hoped, hoped, hoped it would, it tells the story of Shay, single mom to Olivia. (Now I’m just watching for Dylan’s story!)

In The Accidental Bride, Shay is struggling to keep the family farm. Once left on the courthouse steps on the way to elope and later abandoned by a husband, Shay is fiercely independent and determined to keep all men out of her life. Until she accidentally marries the one who left her on the courthouse steps.

I won’t give away the comedy of errors that made this marriage possible, but Shay doesn’t find them funny at all. Travis, her new husband, however, sees his opportunity to convince her he’s changed, matured, and learned his lesson. Not marrying her was the biggest mistake of his life. Using her tenuous farm situation, complicated by an accident that leaves her unable to care for the farm alone, Travis promises to help if Shay won’t annul the marriage for at least five months.

Themes in the story include learning to please God rather than people and remembering to take life’s problems to God first, seeking His help and will in order to make things right. I loved the story and the subtle lessons it contained. I recommend this book.

Thank you, Thomas Nelson Publishers, for sending a complimentary copy for my honest review.

Filling Out the Dreaded Dream Sheet

2011-12-14T04:59:00.000-08:00

“God keeps his promises and rewards our obedient faith. When God promises to direct our paths, we can be confident he will carefully lead us.” –The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible, p. 21

“We’re so stressed out! We just don’t know what to do,” lamented a new friend anticipating her first Army move. Her husband was trying to fill out his dream sheet, a list of places he would like to go for his next assignment. Soldiers fill these out before each change of assignment so the powers that be can take family desires into consideration along with Army needs.

“We just want to go where God wants us to go. What if we write the wrong thing?”

If you are an experienced Army wife, you are probably rolling on the floor laughing right now. Not at my friend (well, maybe just a little bit), but mostly at the situation, remembering that feeling yourself and realizing, what you know now and she will soon learn, it’s an exercise in futility.

I’ve heard a lot of jokes about the Army dream sheet—that we tell where we want to go, so the Army can be sure to send us somewhere else. I don’t really believe that. I’ve come to understand that when the Army sends you somewhere other than where you’ve requested to go, it’s because the needs of the Army outweigh the needs of the few. Logic clearly dictates this. Just ask Spock. (Or watch The Wrath of Khan.)

Thankfully, what I’ve learned and what my friend will learn is that with God this statement is untrue. With God, the needs of however many equal the needs of even just one. And, as incomprehensible as it seems, He is able to meet all the needs of both!

Therefore, when we fill out our dream sheets, we do so with prayer and surrender to God’s Will. Then we can be confident that wherever God sends us is where we’ll best be able to serve Him, to serve our country, and to serve our families. Whether or not, the location was on our dream sheet, we can move with confidence—we’re going where God wants us. Where we land is best for all.

Lord, we acknowledge You in all our ways, even as we fill out our dream sheets. We trust that You will direct our paths. Lead us wherever You want us to go—for the glory of Your name and the good of all people. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Just for Fun

2011-12-09T13:56:00.001-08:00

Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers is offering The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall for 30% off and free shipping with promo code CHRISTMAS11 at their website. Click here to access it! Enter the code at checkout.

Here is the trailer for the book:

You can also read the first chapter by clicking here.

Personally, I haven't yet read this book, but I've enjoyed other books by this author. This would make a great Christmas gift for someone who likes Amish fiction.

Note: Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers is sending me a free copy of Cindy's next book as a thank you for this post.

Book Review: To Be Perfectly Honest

2011-12-06T04:06:00.001-08:00

If you like to laugh and appreciate a light-hearted approach to a deep subject, read To Be Perfectly Honest by Phil Callaway. I really enjoyed this book!

At his publisher’s insistence, Callaway made a vow to tell the truth for a whole year. He kept a journal of his experiences—challenges, insights, and failures—and used it to write this book.

Callaway wasn’t very good at telling the truth.

But he was completely honest about this throughout the book. At least, I think he was. It looks that way.

And Callaway learned a lot from this experiment. I was thankful he shared his insights with his readers. I especially liked his Honest Confessions at the end of each chapter.

Callaway’s e-mail conversations with people who challenge him to confess things, Ruth Madoff, and the post-Rapture pet care atheist are hysterical. His on-going ministry to Mormon missionaries and frustrations with humanity’s quirks are entertaining, too.

Mostly, though, I liked the way Callaway related to the people around him, patiently bearing with their imperfections, honestly confessing his, learning not to judge too quickly or too harshly, and ultimately wanting God’s best for everyone.

The book is subtly thought-provoking, and I had fun reading it. I thank Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers for sending a complimentary copy for my truly honest review. To quote the cover, “One man’s year of almost living truthfully could change your life. No lie.”

Chicken Talk

2011-12-05T10:56:00.001-08:00

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” –1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Culture shock is a reality that movers have to face whether they move across town, across the country, or around the world. While adjusting to a new community, it’s tempting to play the compare and contrast game. “My old church did that this way, and it was so much more effective!” “My old grocery store had lower prices and more to choose from.” “The ladies in the PTA back home were friendlier.” No matter how you felt about your old home, there will be times when the grass seemed to be greener there.

Opening my first carton of eggs in a Dutch market was such an experience for me. Instead of finding pretty white eggs, polished to perfection and stamped with the USDA seal of approval, I found eggs covered with feathers and “stuff.” My husband laughed at me. “You didn’t think eggs come out of chickens clean, did you?” I’m a city girl, I did, and that’s how I wanted to find my eggs at the store.

But God doesn’t want us to compare and contrast. He wants us to be joyful in our present circumstance. If we pray continually, He’ll fill our heart with His joy. We may have to make a few adjustments along the way, like learning to wash our own eggs, but there will always be something to be thankful for. Nobody makes chocolates, cheeses, and bread like the Dutch!

Lord, thank You for helping me adjust to each new place as You move me from home to home. Help me to ignore the frustrations while joyfully discovering great treasures. Thank You for each new circumstance of my unpredictable life. Amen.

Find God First

2011-11-26T08:35:00.000-08:00

“God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” –Acts 17:27

Acts 17:26 tells us that God made every nation of men from one man, so people would "inhabit the whole earth." He determined each person's place on history's time line and "the exact places where they should live." Why did God do this? ". . . so that men would seek him . . . reach out for him . . . find him" (emphasis mine). God's primary desire for every individual is that each of us finds Him. Have you found God in the place where you live?

Little children in Sunday school learn early on that God is everywhere, and He's always watching over them. As adults, we're quick to acknowledge this is true, but do we always believe it deep inside? It's tempting to seek a feeling rather than our God. If the feeling isn't there, we assume God's gone, too. But He's not. Acts 17:27 ends with the assurance that God "is not far from each one of us."

As you move into your new home, choose to believe this whether you feel God's presence or not. Seek Him by looking for evidence of His existence in the created world around you, by worshipping with other believers, and by reading His Word. Reach out to Him through prayer, and if you feel He's out of reach, pray longer and harder with increased determination. Keep it up persistently for these actions honor God. In time you will find Him. God lives in your new home.

Father, I know You are with me, ever closer than I know. I'll believe and seek until I find. I crave enduring fellowship with You. Amen.

Book Review: Cliques, Hicks, and Ugly Sticks

2011-11-20T04:48:00.001-08:00

Cliques, Hicks, and Ugly Sticks: Confessions of April Grace by K.D. McCrite is a really cute story for late-elementary-age girls. If you have a young daughter, I recommend this book, the second in a series, to her and to you. (I still remember loving it at that age when my mom read the books I was reading!)

April Grace is an 11-year-old girl entering her first semester of junior high. The story is set in the 80’s. (Does that make it an historical novel?! Oh, my! Can't be.) Yet April Grace, her family, and her community reminded me of the Walton’s and their little town. So picture Elizabeth in 80’s attire, and you know what April Grace is like. (She even has the red hair!)

Along with the normal challenges of junior high, April Grace must deal with unwanted house guests who take her older sister’s room forcing her sister to move into hers, her mom’s surprise and difficult pregnancy, and her placement under protest in the church’s Christmas play. Life is hard for this spunky, little girl. And she very honestly shares all of her feelings!

Yet she survives and learns many valuable life lessons along the way. Themes regarding family, community, compassion, self-esteem, forgiveness, and living out one’s faith are subtly woven throughout this fun story.

I thank Thomas Nelson Publishers for sending a complimentary eCopy for my honest review.

No Mail

2011-11-17T10:41:00.001-08:00

“I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery . . . But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’” –Psalm 31:12, 14

Sometimes, just after a move or during a long deployment, I may rely too much on mail and e-mail. If I’m feeling lonely, I’ll catch myself checking my on-line mailbox several times a day for news from family and friends far away. If the snail mail carrier is late, I'll check the mailbox every fifteen minutes or so until the mail arrives. If it contains packages or letters from home, I think of my mail carrier as a dear friend who brings me fun treats! If the mail is only junk or, worse yet, nothing at all, it’s all the mail carrier’s fault.

It’s not really the mail carrier’s fault; it’s just easier to blame the mail carrier than it is to feel lonely and rejected like the author of Psalm 31:12. When I do feel lonely like the psalmist, I have to remind myself that my friends and family haven’t really forgotten me. They pray for me and think of me when God brings me to mind, but putting pen to paper or fingers to a keyboard takes time. They have important things to do, and so do I. Too much keeping in touch is an unreasonable expectation. I won’t burden those I love with it.

So I’ll take another lesson from the psalmist during these times and choose to trust in the Lord my God. He is with me; I am not alone. He even sends me letters anytime I want--I just have to remember to look for them in His Word, in the new flowers in my garden, and in the faces of new neighbors who will soon be friends.

In lonely times and always, I’ll trust in You, O Lord. You are my God! Amen.

Book Review: Wonderland Creek

2011-11-13T06:40:00.001-08:00

A book about a girl who reads too much—who could resist?! Wonderland Creek is the story of Alice, a young woman whose teachers recommended she give up the idea of becoming a teacher and become a librarian instead. Alice related better to her books than to the people in her world. But when her fiancé breaks their engagement and she loses her dream job, Alice decides its time to run and hide. Taking books collected for an impoverished community, she hitches a ride with her aunt and uncle who drop her off on the steps of Acorn’s public library, promising to pick her up within two weeks. But the creek running through Acorn isn’t named Wonderland for nothing, and Alice quickly finds herself caught up in the adventure that will forever change her life.

Alice in Wonderland, the book (I’ve never seen the movie.), was too intense for me—like the Wizard of Oz, it gave me nightmares. Wonderland Creek had the same level of intensity in some places, making me want to throw the book across the room. I kept reading, though, and in the end, decided I really liked this story. It was kind of a cross between Alice in Wonderland and Catherine Marshall’s Christy, if you can imagine such a thing. I loved most of the characters and the historical setting—the great depression, the New Deal, packhorse librarians, unionization, and the conservation corps. The ending was perfect for the story. It’s one I recommend; just be ready to hang on tight in spots when unbelievable plot twists may temporarily frustrate you.

Bethany House Publishers sent a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review.

Book Review: Healing Is A Choice

2011-11-08T11:44:00.000-08:00

Because I liked Stephen Arterburn’s book The Encounter so much, I decided to read Healing Is A Choice, too. It was different from The Encounter, as I knew it would be, but it’s definitely a worthwhile read. (The Encounter is fiction. Healing Is A Choice is psychological, self-help.) If you’ve been wounded, spiritually, socially, mentally, even physically, and still feel pain, this book offers sound and biblical advice to you.

I especially liked the format. Arterburn gives ten choices one must make in order for healing to occur. Following his explanation of each choice is a cultural lie that often keeps people from finding the courage to make the necessary healing choice. Arterburn clearly (and from a psychological and biblical perspective) shows why each lie is a lie. Finally, following the lie, are the corresponding workbook pages to the text. These give added clarity to Arterburn’s points and provide questions for the reader to work through, whether alone or with a small support group.

Throughout the book, Arterburn shares stories from his own life, lessons he learned while recovering from an unexpected and unwelcome divorce. He tells with great honesty of the lessons he learned about himself and changes he chose to make in order to avoid repeating mistakes in his second marriage. If he hadn’t chosen to heal and to grow and change, he might have run into the similar problems in his second marriage as he did in his first. But the book isn’t about recovering from divorce. This is the author’s personal application. The principles within the book can be applied to so many other life situations that cause pain. (Arterburn includes other people's life stories to show how this is true.)

I thank Thomas Nelson Publishers for giving me an eCopy of this book in exchange for my honest review. If you are healing or long to, or if you minister to those who need healing, I recommend this book to you.

A Cheerful Heart

2011-11-06T05:56:00.000-08:00

“All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.” –Proverbs 15:15

It’s all a matter of perspective. I can think of myself as oppressed--a slave to circumstances beyond my control that force me to change location every few years. Or I can feast on a greater truth, one that cheers my heart regardless of any situation. This truth is: I am a slave set free. I used to be oppressed by sin. I used to belong to this world, living under the law of sin and death. Through Jesus’ blood, however, I am free! The oppressive circumstances of this world can never leave me wretched because I am God’s child.

This means that I can talk with Jesus while unpacking rooms full of boxes. I can run the dishwasher and washing machine over and over again in order to put clean belongings in new-to-me cupboards in order to please my Lord. I can decorate my home in a way that will remind everyone who lives in it of the God whom they belong to while pointing visitors toward the One we all serve. I can do each task, whatever it is, cheerfully because I know this pleases my heavenly Father. In this way, my heart has a continual feast on blessings from above, even when the tasks on Earth seem unending. These won’t weigh me down so long as I’m looking up.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for delivering me from an oppressive life of sin. Please fill my heart with the joy of serving and communing with You wherever I go, whatever I do. Amen.

Book Review: The Doctor's Lady

2011-10-29T03:22:00.000-07:00

This book wasn’t what I expected. I knew it was about a marriage of convenience between two people who wanted to establish a mission among native Americans in the early 1800’s, but I thought it would tell about them establishing the mission. Instead, it’s the story of their journey from New York to Oregon, first by ship, then by wagon, to establish the mission. It’s the story of how they learn to care for one another through all the hardship they endure along the way. It’s also the story of how they learn to overcome their own ideas and recognize their own weaknesses, so they can more fully rely on and submit to God.

I liked this book.

After the conclusion, Jody Hedlund explains that the book is based, pretty extensively, on the true story of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman—and their travelling companions. Narcissa and one of those companions, Eliza Spalding, were the first white women to cross the Continental Divide and travel to the West. They did this in 1836. Hedlund used Narcissa’s journals as the primary source for this book, The Doctor’s Lady.

If you enjoy historical fiction (in this case, mostly truth) with subtle, but powerful, messages about trusting in God and building a strong marriage, I recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for this review.

Wherever He Goes

2011-10-26T03:10:00.000-07:00

“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.’” –Ruth 1:16-17

This beautiful passage shows Ruth’s complete devotion to her mother-in-law, devotion born no doubt of Ruth’s marriage to Naomi’s son and a shared experience of sudden widowhood. Ruth was determined to go with Naomi to the ends of the earth if necessary, and she even accepted Naomi’s God, our one true God, as her own to prove it. Ruth knew there wasn’t much hope for two women alone in Bethlehem, but she vowed to stay with Naomi no matter what came their way.

Knowing that his vocation could take them all over the world, friends of ours used this passage in their wedding vows. The bride boldly promised to follow her groom wherever he might go, and over the years, she’s done just that.

Another friend married while her husband was in college, before he’d made career plans that would take her to the ends of the earth. “If I’d known he was going to join the Army and move us around every two or three years,” she says, “I’d have married him anyway.”

God must smile at such examples of devoted love!

Lord, moving is tough whether I see it coming or not. Help me to be the devoted spouse You mean for me to be. May my actions and attitude show determined commitment to You, my Lord, and to my spouse–wherever we go! Amen.

Book Review: The Encounter

2011-10-25T13:34:00.000-07:00

I could not put this sweet story down! The Encounter is Stephen Arterburn’s parable about the power of forgiveness, as opposed to resentment, in a person’s life. After three divorces, pain killer addiction, and a failed suicide attempt, Jonathan Rush is desperate for help. His pastor sends him to Fairbanks, Alaska, the place where resentment and anger began to take over in him, to learn what he can about the mother who abandoned him. Jonathan is skeptical, but agrees to follow his pastor’s advice.

Along the way, he meets a local reporter, Erica Bingham, who chooses to help him, off the record, just because she’s curious. This story, which is a very quick read, tells of each stop they make on the way to discovery and the freeing lesson Jonathan learns as the story ends.

Following the story, Arterburn tells of two true stories that merged in his mind to create the parable. He talks about lessons he’s learned along the way and asks follow-up questions to help the reader consider more. I appreciated this section of the book, but the story, which spoke clearly for itself, was my favorite part. Anyone who struggles with anger, resentment, or the inability to forgive will benefit from reading this book. Those who just love a happy story should read it, too!

I thank Thomas Nelson Publishers for sending a complimentary eCopy of this book for my review.

Book Review: Heaven is for Real for Kids

2011-10-23T04:12:00.000-07:00

Last year about this time, I reviewed the book, Heaven is for Real. I loved it! And now I get to review the children’s version, Heaven is for Real for Kids. This book is absolutely precious. If you have young children, you must read it to them!

When Colton Burpo, now 12, was 4, he almost died. While in the hospital, he had an experience of visiting Heaven, talking with Jesus, meeting relatives who’d died, whom he’d never met, but who recognized and were happy to see him. After his experience, Colton knew things he couldn’t have known unless he’d actually visited Heaven. And his descriptions of what he saw there were consistent with what the Bible says, though a child his age wouldn’t have in-depth knowledge of biblical descriptions of Heaven.

The grown-up version tells the story from Colton’s father’s point of view. The children’s version tells kids, in Colton’s own words, what Heaven is like. Each page has a picture, a sentence or two about something Colton saw in Heaven, and a corresponding Bible verse. Colton himself told the artist how the pictures should look. Words, illustrations, and Scripture together paint a beautiful picture of Heaven, helping the reader anticipate going there someday. Colton’s story closes with a prayer for the reader to say.

The book opens with a letter to parents from Colton’s parents. It closes with a Q & A section giving parents more information about Colton’s experience. Heaven is for Real for Kids is a hopeful book for children and their parents to enjoy.

Thank you, Thomas Nelson Publishers, for sending a complimentary eCopy of this book for my honest review.