Doing Hard Things

I've started reading Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris, and while it's directed at teens, it is hitting me right where it hurts. I've avoided hard things for much of my life, and missed out on many years of rewards as a result.

Here is the book's official description:

The next generation stands on the brink of a "rebelution."

With over 16 million hits to their website TheRebelution.com, Alex and Brett Harris are leading the charge in a growing movement of Christian young people who are rebelling against the low expectations of their culture by choosing to "do hard things" for the glory of God.

Written when they were 18 years old, Do Hard Things is the Harris twins' revolutionary message in its purest and most compelling form, giving readers a tangible glimpse of what is possible for teens who actively resist cultural lies that limit their potential.

Combating the idea of adolescence as a vacation from responsibility, the authors weave together biblical insights, history, and modern examples to redefine the teen years as the launching pad of life and map a clear trajectory for long-term fulfillment and eternal impact.

Written by teens for teens, Do Hard Things is packed with humorous personal anecdotes, practical examples, and stories of real-life rebelutionaries in action. This rallying cry from the heart of revolution already in progress challenges the next generation to lay claim to a brighter future, starting today.

Had my teen years been the launching pad described here, I can't imagine where I might be. I'm still toying around with the same ideas I was in high school, usually paralyzed by the fear of failure when I think of stepping out and trying anything new. Now, a teen pregnancy, early marriage and four kids later, I've found myself firmly planted in my 30's and wondering how I got here so fast.

My hard things involve career choices, lifestyle changes, and personally radical choices for God. I'm planning an all-out assault on complacency and excuses, in whatever form that assault eventually takes. God is stirring in my heart a compassion for the unborn and the women trapped in the lie of a convenient escape, for the desperately poor in Third World nations, for the persecuted and underground church around the world, and living a life clearly marked as different from that of the world. I'm excited to see what God has in store.

As a side note, do you think he has a visit with Kris in the future for me?! That would be pretty cool too.

Book Review: The Girls from Ames

For secretaries day my boss bought me this book. Overall I really enjoyed it. It's written about 11 girls that have been friends for 30-40 years and the story of women's' friendships.

There were several things in the book I could really relate to in my own relationships. One was the way one of the women explained what her friendships mean to her. She stated this "Having these women in my world has meant not only acceptance, but radiant joy and laughter that knocks me out of my chair. Through our darkest moments, we have lifted each other up. In every moment of grief we've shared, our laughter is a life vest, a secure promise that we will not go under." That is powerful and oh, so very true. I need my girls, desperately at times. There have been times of deep grief that they have just surrounded me with an "I'm here" and they don't leave. I can never repay my friends for the love they have given me.

There were some things in this book I absolutely could not condone or relate too and greatly disturbed me. In fact when they speak about one friend choosing to abort a child with a disability I almost threw the book away. I chose to keep reading because I was curious to learn about these women and their friendships.

Another thing that was really interesting to me is that they state that life long friends tend to be somewhat distant in their twenties and then in their late thirties they realize how much they need each other and make efforts to spend time together. They say that in their twenties they are so busy getting married, having babies, pursuing careers that their friendships kind of go to the side. Now that I am in my thirties, I see that. In my twenties there are a few of my friendships that I didn't put as much effort into as I should have. Now, I realize how much I need them and I try to make a better effort.

I can't decide if I should recommend the book or not. It was an interesting read, one I could relate to at times and one that disturbed me greatly at times. I know that doesn't tell you much but it is a story about the complete lives of 11 women. There are times of great sadness, hardships, grief and loss and how their friends loved them through it.

The Best (and Worst) From Reese's 2008 Reading

Choosing one "best" book of 40 read proved to be an extremely difficult task. As Kayren pointed out, I do try to read a broad assortment of books which means that I may have enjoyed some books equally but for completely different reasons. For example, I found Clarence Thomas' memoir My Grandfather's Son to be enlightening, as it gave me a glimpse both into what an African-American faces when he/she chooses to stand with a conservative political agenda, as well as a front seat view of what was involved in Justice Thomas' confirmation as a Supreme Court justice. It's hard to compare that with The Last Chinese Chef by Nicole Mones, a book I found to be interesting as it discussed ancient Chinese customs and cuisine, choosing to see the romantic interests of the main character as a side story- one I wasn't very interested in, to be honest. See what I mean? How can I compare Godless: The Church of Liberalism by Ann Coulter to Bag of Bones by Stephen King?!

I've done my best.

When I'm choosing a book to read(if it hasn't been recommended by a friend), I must admit that the title draws me first. If it's a cheesy title I probably won't even pick it up. (In fact, the one I'm reading now has a terribly cheesy title, in my opinion. I'm almost embarrassed to admit I'm reading a book called Extreme Measures!) Next, cover artwork. It's not essential, but if it catches my eye I'm more likely to open the cover and read the spiel in there. I usually read the back cover as well, skimming for anything that hints of offensiveness or boredom. Then if I'm still iffy on it, I'll read the first paragraph. If I'm still not sure, I won't bother.

Fourteen of the books on my list are on the subjects of the Middle East, Asia, Africa and immigrants in America or are set during WWII. I'm interested in Asia in the past, Afghanistan and the Middle East in more recent history and currently, Africa as it is currently, and all settings for WWII. I haven't read any strictly historical books on the second World War, but I do have some waiting in line.

Some books come recommended, such as Safely Home, which was recommended by Lora, if I remember correctly. I read amazing reviews of Khaled Hosseini's books, as well as of Stephen King's books. I loved the former and hated the latter. Clearly, recommendations may or may not help.

But what gets me most isn't a good story, it's excellent writing. The most awesome writers can weave magic out of the mundane and typical. They don't need brilliant stories or specific genres to propel them to noteriety, they do it with the sheer beauty of their words. They have the gift of magic.

And so here are my choices for best book of the year, from my own reading list:

Honorable mentions:

Safely Home













Red Letters: Living a Faith That Bleeds












First Place (tie):

Bel Canto













A Thousand Splendid Suns













Worst Books of 2008:

Dishonorable mentions:

The Lovely Bones













Bag of Bones













(Note to self: don't read anything with "Bones" in the title.)

First Place:


Change of Heart













I realize the 3 books on my "worst list" are either very popular books or by popular authors. I've chosen them mostly for their offensiveness factor, as well as elements of the ridiculous. If I'd chosen them by boredom rating, The Alchemist would have made the list, as well as The Prayer Chest. Both were glorified snoozefests.

If I'd been able to choose one from this year, the only one I've read would have made it. I LOVED Cane River by Lalita Tademy. As a rule, I don't read Oprah books, but I'm glad I bent that rule in this case. A very interesting story based in fact from Louisiana, starting before the end of slavery and working up through three generations until 1936. A great novel.

Cheers!

A Lazy Gal's Book Review Summary For Christians

I mean, clearly anyone can read these quick, summary book reviews of the past few books I've read but they are from a Christian perspective. Maybe I don't even need to say that, since I try to filter everything through my Christian experience. I don't generally hide that fact.

The Street of a Thousand Blossoms

I loved this book and I knew I would. It is set in pre-, mid-, and post-WWII Japan which gives an insight into the lives of the people at that time. You experience with them the pride in their country, the lives lost to war, the fear and hunger as it became clear Japan was fighting a losing battle, the terrible attacks on the people at the height of the war, and the rebuilding after their surrender. Amidst all of this is interwoven the stories of two orphaned brothers, raised by their grandparents, as they become adults and follow their dreams.

There are references to their gods and ancestors in the afterlife, but what can you expect from those who don't know the Lord? It was true to the likely lives and experiences of that culture at that time. There is also a gay man who thinks back (in a vague way) to his lifestyle choice in the past but doesn't live that way in the story. He has a chance to marry a widowed woman whom he loves and to be father to her daughter, but passes because deep inside he feels he is gay.

Overall, this is a book I would recommend anyone read.

Mr. Darcy's Daughters

I wasn't sure I was in the mood for a nineteenth-century-set English novel when I first picked this one up, but I've vowed to work my way down the stack of books in my room and it was next in line. As I began reading I found it refreshing to immerse myself back in Elizabeth Bennett's and Mr. Darcy's world, even though they were in Constantinople and never seen in the book. The jolt came about a third through the book when the main heroine Camilla is found to be engaged to a "sodomite". Yup, another gay guy. This time in nineteenth century England. His character is taken off to Italy in shame when it becomes known in social circles, along with his hunky Italian manservant.

Aside from that, I'd give the book 2/5 stars. The writing is decent, the story a little rambling, and the oldest sister exasperating. I felt that the author tried a little too hard to model her characters after the Bennett sisters. Clearly, not everyone agreed- or cared- as Ms Aston was given free reign to write yet more sequels. If you're looking for something to equal Pride and Prejudice, don't waste your time. If you like light, no-brainer reading from Old England, this is your book.

The Alchemist

From a Christian perspective, I find it alarming that this book has sold so many books and is still readily available as a best seller. It is about spirituality, not religion, and eagerly mixes Christianity, Islam, and New Age beliefs. As for the writing, it isn't great. The only reason this book is popular in the least is that it isn't rigid in it's interpretation of spirituality, and the lost will be drawn to a wide open road to redemption. The underlying message of the fable is to follow your dreams, which a Christian can make a Godly case for (try reading Cure For the Common Life by Max Lucado). Trust me here, don't waste your time on this book.

Book Review: Girl, Interrupted

After seeing the movie (long ago and I barely remember it!), this book wasn't what I expected. The movie, as I recall, had a storyline and developed characters while the book was snippets of the author's recollection of her time in a mental hospital. The characters were flat and I couldn't decide if I sympathized for the main character Susanna.

The only aspect of the book I really appreciated was in the end when she looked back and picked apart her diagnoses of "borderline personality" and questioned if there had really been a problem with her beyond those of a fairly normal emotional teenage girl. She clearly feels there is a difference between someone with, say, schizophrenia and someone with issues that can't be as clearly defined such as "borderline personality". I have to say I agree. And from a Christian perspective, I am of the opinion that there are times when chemicals in the brain aren't as they should be and cause problems in the same way skin develops acne, cancer presents itself in various organs, or eyes become nearsighted. On the other hand, some of the conditions that are considered mental problems can also be spiritual. I think it is tricky to maintain a balanced view of mental conditions for many Christians.

I'm not really sure how this book came to be made into a movie. Some books simply scream to become movies; this one did not. If you're interested in the subject of mental hospitals and mental illness, especially in the late 60's, you might enjoy this book. Otherwise, skip to something more interesting.

Safely Home and Shunning Apathy

I'm sitting here at my desk tapping my fingertips against my chin as I try to think where to start. When a gal encounters something that changes her life, it's hard to summarize that in a short post.

First, I read Red Letters by Tom Davis. Step one of an unknown number away from the life I've known.

Second, I read It's Not About Me by Max Lucado. Step 2.

Third, reading through blogs and websites about orphaned children, African and Russian AIDS victims, I sensed a sad shame coming to me over the Western Church's mostly apathetic response.

Fourth, Lora suggested the book Safely Home by Randy Alcorn. I read about it on the internet and then bought it on eBay. I spent approximately a quarter of the book crying. It opened my eyes to the suffering of the Christians in China and how the Church is flourishing under heavy persecution. As for the writing, I was relieved to find it's not dry and flat like too many Christian authors' books. I've only ever completed a handful of Christian novels because I usually put them down in frustration after little more than a chapter. Alcorn kept my attention with ease.

I know the enemy of my soul would rather I not think about anything beyond my own trivial problems. He must spend loads of energy on keeping Christians apathetic and I think that the only reason my eyes have been opened is by a direct moving of the Holy Spirit in my life. He doesn't move in vain and I'm interested in what the future holds. What might an American homemaker living in England do to change the world and challenge the church? Only The Lord can say.

If you don't feel a tugging in your spirit to look into the suffering of the Church and the millions of poor and dying around the world, I challenge you to pray for God to reveal it to you. Read Red Letters and Safely Home, spend some time on websites such as Eternal Perspective Ministries, Children's HopeChest, 5 for 50, Prisoner Alert, Tom Davis' blog, Randy Alcorn's blog, Compassion International, the Bags for Darfur blog, Voice of the Martyrs (and their volumes of resources) and Bibles Unbound (I'm very excited to check that one out!). I'm sure there are many, many more resources available as well. While you educate yourself, pray that God lights a fire in your heart for the suffering.

Certainly, the most effective and obvious thing anyone of us can do is pray.

Bless you.

Book Review: Change of Heart

It's very likely that I just read my last Jodi Picoult book. Change of Heart felt like anti-Christian, many-paths-to-God, embrace-world-religions propaganda. Don't get me wrong: I don't expect non-Christians to write as a Christian would or even to uphold Christian values, but I am offended when they add their written voice to the wave of assaults on our values. If Christians were a violent group of people, as the European Muslims tend to be, books like this would incite riots. Jesus is not going to come back in the body of a convicted murderer, no matter what good that convict may try to do.

The writing was good; she definitely has talent. But I can read writers with equal talent that don't make me want to lose my lunch.

Book Review: The Lovely Bones

I considered reading this book for years before I finally had the courage to pick it up. I'm not keen on death-by-rape-and-murder books. There's too much of it the world as it is without spending any of my free time and money on make-believe versions of it. When I was last in Oregon I found an inexpensive copy of The Lovely Bones at St Vincent de Paul, and a lady standing nearby assured me that the violence and graphic nature of the crimes leading to the narrator's death were treated carefully and with respect. So I bought it, and finally got around to reading it last week.

I have to agree that with the possibility of extensive and candid coverage of the rape and murder of a 14 year-old girl, the author treated the matter with delicacy. It's still an unpleasant subject, no matter how it's written about, but I appreciate that the horrors of it weren't exploited.

I found it interesting and enlightening to see how the murdered girl's family dealt with her death- from her father and mother, to her sister who was just a year younger, and to her 4 year-old brother. The book covered about a decade of their lives, including the initial shock and horror, to the playing out of their grief in rather destructive ways, and the eventual healing that came to them all.

From a Christian perspective, the author's idea of the heaven that Susie (the victim and narrator) lived in is laughable. Her heaven is a more self-centered and indulgent form of earth- no sign of a God of any sort other than herself, with whatever Susie wishing for badly enough appearing. She spends much of her time watching her family and wishing she was back with them. After many years she is allowed a short time back on earth in someone else's body; she chooses to use that time to fornicate with a former boyfriend. Then she's swooped back to heaven. Not very realistic or impressive, in my judgment.

If you haven't already read this book, it might be worth a loan from the library or a cheap copy picked up from a secondhand store, but keep in mind that the spiritual depictions are ridiculous. If you can distance yourself from Susie's after-death experiences, the other story lines are an interesting scan of the horrors murder reeks on a family and the healing that eventually comes to them.

~Reese

Book Review: Ninteen Minutes

Nineteen Minutes was an interesting read. This is my second Jodi Picoult book and she deals with controversial issues that really make you think from perspectives you may not look at normally. Sisters Keeper was the first book I read and it really opened my eyes, and changed my viewpoint for the better.

Nineteen Minutes is about a school shooting. In the two books that I have read, Jodi Picoult gives you many different perspectives. In this book that consisted of the shooter, the popular kids, the judge, parents of the shooter, defense attorney, parents of victims, teenagers that are being bullied daily and a few others. Since you are dealing with so many points of view, and so many story lines, it can get a bit confusing, but overall it's pretty smooth even though it jumps around.

If you like feel good books (like I do!) then this may not be the book for you. If you can handle graphic details of crime scenes, and topics that are not easy to deal with, you may enjoy this book.

-Heather

(upon proof reading this review, I realize that I don't give a clear picture of if this is a good book or not, or if I even enjoyed it. I'm glad I read it, but I don't want to give the impression that it's an emotionally easy book to read. )

It's Not About Me

If you're a Christian and you are reading this, may I make a suggestion?

• Find It's Not About Me by Max Lucado ASAP.
  
• Before you crack it open, pray that God would speak directly to your heart as you read.
  
• Read the book prayerfully.
  
• Re-read as necessary.
  
• Pass it on to other Christians.

Have you ever wondered why so many Christian's lives are as empty as those of the lost? It's because our priorities are wrong. Like the world, we live for ourselves. We're like the tour guide who stands in front of the priceless painting, as if we were the center attraction. As if we are the center of our own little universe. Our successes fan our egos, our suffering reduces us to depression, our lives are so complicated from all the activities and plans to fulfill our dreams and make our lives meaningful.

But it's not about me. It's about Christ.

All my life should be like the moon reflecting the sun; I should reflect the SON. When I line everything else up behind that one and only priority, it all falls into place. My talents are meant to point a lost world to Jesus. The short time my children are in my care is for me to point them to Christ and to equip them to show others to Him. My home is to be a place of peace and love, not only to nurture my family but also to invite others to so I can direct them to Jesus. My job, my marriage, my relationships... all these are opportunities for Christ to perfect his image in me.

I want to be a Christian- a follower of Christ- who lives like he did. He radiated love, compassion and mercy to all around him and offered grace. He didn't waste time promoting himself, only his father's agenda. Countless people have been martyred to point other's to the Truth; what am I doing with my life? What am I going to do to make it count in the kingdom? Because this- ALL OF THIS- isn't about me.

All for His glory-

~Reese

Another Day, Another Ramble

Some days I wake up and find that three posts have already lodged themselves in my brain and are banging around in there, anxious to get typed out. Other days, it's nearing bedtime and I'm still trying to think of something interesting to say.

I've been known to skip around the internet looking for nifty tidbits to pass on; I'd let you know my usual cyber route but then you'd have no need to come back to Crazyville. Today I only came across a few items of interest, and they weren't brilliant: the lost parrot who told the vet his address, the bull that ran through the back door of a German family's home and reeked havoc before running out the front door. Odd, maybe, but nothing to write home about.

So, I thought I'd ramble about absolutely nothing for a bit.

I'm all into Zip It purses at the moment. My daughter came home from school, all excited about this odd purse, so I bought her a smallish sized one and one she uses as a school book bag. (eBay is my favorite place to find them.) Then, I grabbed hers one day as I was heading out the door to the park... and didn't give it back until my own came in the mail last night.


Cute, eh?! It unzips into a long zipper. I'm thinking it's the perfect purse to travel with, as I always struggle to keep my purse flat enough in my suitcase until I get to my destination and take it out again. Unfortunately, it doesn't double as a bra.

I recently finished The Last Chinese Chef and was pleasantly surprised by the read. I learned more about gourmet Chinese cuisine than I had ever known before, and the story line was interesting. The picture on the front cover is what initially caught my attention at the library; sometimes the cover art isn't much of an indication of the substance inside (I think I just rewrote a famous saying), so I'm happy to report that it was a good book.

One thing I took away from the book is how eating in China is always done in a group, in a communal way and that both casual and formal relationships are forged and solidified with the tradition of eating together. I felt challenged to recommit to family dining, especially weekend breakfasts- which our family finds immense pleasure in. So, off I went to find a griddle to replace the one I left in Germany. I found an Emerilware Cast Iron Double Griddle and love it! I made a big weekend breakfast for the first time last Saturday since moving to England. Here is the aftermath of that project:

We were all full and happy, enjoying each other's company. We even left the tablecloth on and used the nice British placemats (which are just like seriously oversized coasters with cork on the underside). On Sunday, I flipped the griddle over to the grill side and grilled up delectable pork chops for lunch. Another satisfying family meal.

I've enjoyed listening to Ravi Zacharias' messages today on my iPod from Focus on the Family. They were entitled Why We Must Remember Parts 1, 2, 3 from April 29, 30 & May 1st. You can hear them by going to Focus on the Family, clicking on Broadcasts and browsing through the recent broadcasts. Mr. Zacharias is an inspiration every time I hear him; he is being used by God all over the world. I highly encourage you to seek out these podcasts and take a listen.

I leave you with this last thing, a verse Mr. Zacharias referenced in his message. It is Jesus speaking in John 19:14b:

"Because I live, you also will live."

That is a scripture I will be praying for several individuals in my life who need to see the life of Christ manifest in their situations. God said it. I believe it.

Bless you! Cheers.

~Reese

Book Review: The Kite Runner

Wow. I just finished this book today and my mind is filled with its images and all these mixed emotions.

It took me a long time to read, unlike Hosseini's second novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns. Splendid Suns pulled me in and held me because I felt compassion for the main characters. Kite Runner's main character evoked equally strong emotions in me, only those feelings were disgust and dislike. I had trouble getting past his betrayal of his best friend. Once I finally dug into the book again, I was caught up and eventually satisfied by the redemption portrayed.

Don't expect a feel-good read, but do expect the situations to be resolved and rectified in the best possible ways. This book is full of ironies, which I loved; the original sins become shadows of the redemptions. The last page will leave you smiling, even if it is in a bittersweet way.

Overall, a great, very emotional read and I highly recommend it.

Addition to original post: I also wanted to add that one thing I really appreciate about Khaled Hosseini's books is the lack of graphic sex. It seems that in most best-selling books these days there is the compulsory graphically-depicted sex scene- just as in movies Hollywood is always churning out- but that is absent in his books. Yes, there are "sex scenes", but only those that relate directly to the story and they are restrained. Personally, I think it is not only morally appropriate to treat the sexual behavior of characters in this way, but far more artistic. It takes more talent to describe sex indirectly than directly. Bravo to Dr Hosseini!

~Reese

Book Review: Missing Identity

This was a great book. I first heard about these families on a Matt Lauer special. I then saw them on Oprah. The book is very much the story that was told on both shows, so I knew how the book ended and much of the stories that were told, but it is written with so much grace.

If you don't know the story, it's about the Van Ryns and the Ceraks whose daughters are in a horrible car accident. I believe that five people pass away due to this accident. Their children are switched and the Ceraks believe their daughter has passed away and the Van Ryns are standing beside their "daughter" who is fighting for her life. Five weeks into the fight they realize that this is not their child, but it's actually the Ceraks' daughter, and their daughter has passed away.

You may wonder how they did not know it wasn't their daughter but after hearing their story, and reading the book, it's actually completely understandable. Not only did they not know, but the hundreds of people visiting her did not figure it out.

These families have an amazing testimony and they have allowed God to work through them in great tragedy. I am really in awe of the total peace that surrounds these people and am thankful that they decided to share their stories.

Book Review: The Five People You Meet In Heaven

I enjoyed this book. I think the concept of the book is interesting.

The basic idea is that when you die and go to Heaven, it's not at all the Heaven that we would imagine it to be, but instead you go and you meet five people and you have to learn something from each of the five. The five people are people that were affected or effected your life in some way. It brings meaning to your life by explaining things you could not understand here on Earth.

I doubt for one second that this is what Heaven will be like, and it is a novel, but like I said, it is an interesting thought.

After reading The Shack, it was nice to have an easy read that I didn't have to think about ;)

Posted by Heather (who is sadly missing her Pepsi can..for some reason blogger won't let me upload it!)

The Shack: What I Learned

I wanted to expand on how impactful The Shack was for me. My pastor's wife (and amazing friend) recommended the book The Shack to me. She told me I needed to read it with an open mind and open heart. When Julie recommends something, I go for it, trusting her completely. I don't think she had a clue how profound it would be for me.

I have been trying to figure out the right words to say in this post. I know I wrote a review earlier, but I feel like I need to expand on it. I want to try and do that, without giving the book away.

The main character, Mack, has lost his faith in God due to his daughter's murder. He has thoughts like "if God really loved Missy, he would have stepped in and saved her". He has no more trust and his faith has been shaken to the core. God (or as he is called in the book, Papa) wants to reconcile the relationship with Mack and so Papa, Jesus & the Holy Spirit meet Mack at "The Shack", the place of his daughters murder, to teach him all about God's love and to try and start Mack back on the road of trusting God.

This entire book is all about God's love for us. In the beginning of the book, Mack describes God as Gandalf, in Lord of the Rings, an old man who comes and goes as he pleases and interferes in our lives when he wants. I was shocked when I read that, because basically, that is how I believe too. I have lost my faith in God. Do I believe that Jesus died on the cross to save me? Yes. Do I believe that God is a God of love? No, not lately. Prior to this book, I looked to God as more the type that would rather knock me down with lightening then come in for an embrace.

I grew up going to a Presbyterian Church and then switched to a Foursquare church when I was around 14. The pastor there was good, but he was the hellfire and brimstone type. He overcame so many heart attacks and every time he did he gave credit to God and said it was because he had so much faith. I came to believe that if I had enough faith that everything I prayed for would happen. I'm going to put in a little disclaimer here, because I liked this pastor, he's a wonderful Christian man, but my interpretation of what he was saying may have been distorted to give me my views.

I can pinpoint the exact moment I lost my faith. 10 1/2 years ago, one of my good friends and I became pregnant at the same time. We were both going to have boys, 3 months apart. Her baby passed away at 1o days old. The 1o days that she was in the hospital with him I did not sleep, but prayed that baby K would live. He did not, and in those moments, my faith was stolen. I thought that since I had faith that God could heal K, and since I stayed up every night praying, he would be healed. I mean, that is what I had been taught right? It was devastating. When he died, my faith died too.

In 2003 my nephew, James, was born with a horrible genetic disorder and we were told he would not live. In the 19 months that we were blessed with him, I never once prayed for his healing. Why? Because I did not think God could, or would, heal James, and I knew that if I prayed for it, and it did not happen that I could not handle another let down by God.

So, what did this book do for me that so many others have failed. For some reason, this book clicked with me at the right time. I totally could relate to every single thought and action that the main character Mack had. This book showed me God's point of view. Yes, this is a novel, it's not true, but it gave me a glimpse of how God may be thinking. He explains why God doesn't always stop the bad things, but if allowed, His grace will ALWAYS work through them.

I have always seen how God worked through James. Even in our families darkest moments, I could see God's hand, but it wasn't enough to open my eyes to His love. Through James' disease God changed a church and our family. There have been many times that I have been angry that James was the sacrifice that was made so that a lot of people could learn how to love at a deeper level. I can now understand that it's not my place to judge why God allowed James to die, and to be born with this horrible disease, but I can see how He worked through it, and I'm done judging why it had to happen.

I've learned through this book that God is ready to walk with me through all the junk that life brings, and bring me safely through it. I think I have a long ways to go on this journey, but I don't feel so alone in it anymore.

-Heather

Book Review: A Thousand Splendid Suns

This book was beautiful. It was very informative about the recent history of Afghanistan, within the context of the story. By the end of the novel I was crying so hard Tim kept asking me if I was okay- from the next room!

Every time I read a book set in a place like Afghanistan, India, Africa, etc., I am struck anew by how blessed and spoiled we are in the Western world. I have never been on the verge of starvation or had to live in a war torn land or been forced to become a refugee from my country. I appreciate that I can travel to other cities and cultures through books and come back to view my life with a better perspective. That's what this book did for me (as did The Poisonwood Bible and Red Letters, among others.).

This is from Publishers Weekly:

Afghan-American novelist Hosseini follows up his bestselling The Kite Runner with another searing epic of Afghanistan in turmoil. The story covers three decades of anti-Soviet jihad, civil war and Taliban tyranny through the lives of two women. Mariam is the scorned illegitimate daughter of a wealthy businessman, forced at age 15 into marrying the 40-year-old Rasheed, who grows increasingly brutal as she fails to produce a child. Eighteen later, Rasheed takes another wife, 14-year-old Laila, a smart and spirited girl whose only other options, after her parents are killed by rocket fire, are prostitution or starvation. Against a backdrop of unending war, Mariam and Laila become allies in an asymmetrical battle with Rasheed, whose violent misogyny—"There was no cursing, no screaming, no pleading, no surprised yelps, only the systematic business of beating and being beaten"—is endorsed by custom and law. Hosseini gives a forceful but nuanced portrait of a patriarchal despotism where women are agonizingly dependent on fathers, husbands and especially sons, the bearing of male children being their sole path to social status. His tale is a powerful, harrowing depiction of Afghanistan, but also a lyrical evocation of the lives and enduring hopes of its resilient characters.

I highly recommend it. The pages flew by and when I put it down I was eager to pick it up again. I haven't read The Kite Runner yet, but I can't imagine that it's better than this.

~Reese

Book Review: Godless

I have strong political opinions but prefer not to discuss them, as politics serve more often to separate rather than unite. I do my best not to judge others for their political views, however difficult it might be for me to see their points of view, and hope that others will do the same for me. Respect for differing opinions is a sign of honor for another; yet I prefer not to test the limits of my own or someone else’s ability to show that sort of honor. Thus, I keep my own thoughts to myself most of the time.

Alas, my views will be quite obvious with this review. Reading Godless: The Church of Liberalism by Ann Coulter leaves little of my political feelings left to betray. It is not with shame I count myself among the conservative Christians of America. In fact, to get right down to it, I am an ultra-conservative, because I find that the beliefs of the conservative Republican agenda line up most closely with biblical values. Not perfectly, to be sure, but more closely than other political groups’ values.

So it is from a Christian perspective that I say that I really enjoyed this book. Coulter’s argument is that the liberal stand-which belittles Christians as Bible thumping radicals-, is a religion in itself. The chapters are organized around the following themes that make up what she believes is the liberal religion of Godlessness:

• Creation mythology (theory of evolution)
• Sacraments - abortion
• Holy Writ (Roe v. Wade)
• Martyrs (from Alger Hiss to Mumia Abu Jamal)
• Clergy (public school teachers)
• Churches (government schools, where prayer is prohibited but condoms are free)
• Doctrine of infallibility (as manifest in the "absolute moral authority" of spokespeople from Cindy Sheehan to Max Cleland)
• Cosmology (Big Bang, in which mankind is an inconsequential accident)

One of the most fascinating discussions in the book is where we end up as humans if we are indeed, as the government-run public schools teach, only animals. If we are no better than animals- not made in the image of a holy God- then there is no end to the atrocities that can be carried out- from abortion to euthanasia, eugenics to approval and/or encouragement of bestiality. As a matter of fact, many examples are given of leaders and philosophers in our time who actively push the ideas of infanticide and having a baby simply to harvest parts for other family members, among other unthinkable practices.

Ann Coulter is very intelligent and witty, and shamelessly makes herself a target for ruthless attacks by the media and liberal pundits. I am grateful to her for her willingness to be a target, as it has enabled me to think beyond the fact that I dislike an idea because it isn’t a Godly one, to the consequences that are inevitable when these ideas are carried to their completion. It has also helped me to open my eyes again to how far public schools have slipped away from parental control and how little parents have to say in the educating of their own children when it is left up to the state.

I would recommend this book to anyone, Republican, Democrat, Independent, or third party. Whether one agrees with the author or not, it’s an eye-opening read.

Cheers!

~Reese

The Shack: A Review

Here is what my favorite singer, Michael W. Smith said about The Shack:

"The Shack is the most absorbing work of fiction I've read in many years. My wife and I laughed, cried and repented of our own lack of faith along the way. The Shack will leave you craving for the presence of God."

I've been trying to think of what to say about this book. Some who read it may not grasp it at all, because it is so far "out of the box" from what some churches teach. For me, who has struggled for 10 years to "find God" and to really try and grasp God's love for me, this book is miraculous.

The story line is captivating. You will shed many, many tears. This book is only 248 pages, but it took me several weeks to read it. Some nights I didn't have the emotional energy to pick up the book and the nights I did read it, I would have to re-read several paragraphs just to grasp the truths that were being delivered right to my soul.

I highly recommend this book and I think that anyone who reads it will be changed forever.

-Heather