Misperceived and Almost Missed Out

I chose this book as an alternate reading material for my seventeen year old daughter; seeking a healthier option to vampire romance you might say.  I misunderstood the description of the story. I thought Departures would be a single story with an overlap of characters from two book series in a travel adventure. I’d never heard of the author nor the book series. Actually it clearly states “Two Rediscovered stories by Robin Jones Gunn” on the cover. My mistake…almost.

Departures is a quick easy read, great for young audiences. Light hearted and innocent with mostly believable interactions between characters. I wasn’t too sure my 17 year old would stick with it. In fact she wouldn’t read it.

However! Through this book we were introduced to the rest of the books in the Christy series. We’ve since read through the 4 volume Christy set.  Basically, it’s my opinion the Departures stories are best enjoyed with a background knowledge of the characters.

The short, light read in Departures led us-my daughter and I-into a surprisingly rich series of books which encourage a relationship of depth and meaning with God and other believers. The characters demonstrate a power & joy in knowing God in a daily and personal way. The books have opened conversations about choices, relationships, what it really means to be a Christian, what “witnessing” could look like when in relationship with God.

Robin Jones Gunn develops a story of true supernatural love that has potential to impact a young girl’s eternal perspective. Departures may have left me wanting more depth, a greater challenge for my daughter; the Christy series imparts surprising moments of clarity & wisdom.

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”

Darkside of Words: Is THAT What You Mean, ReallY?

More on words…

Not to be confused with moron words, that would be hurtful. Simply not right.

Words can be wondrous and edifying, joy bringing, laughter braying and simple blessings. Used to communicate love, to encourage, to share stories. Words are enhanced by personal interaction, facial expression, tone, body language and back and forth dialogue. Intent is important when using words to communicate. As is being mindful. Same thing?

Words can be hurtful, hateful, resented, regretted. Misconstrued or purposely pointed. Intended harm or a ricochet within the mind of the receiver.

This potential to cause harm may increase with the lack of tangible context found in face to face dialogue. Consider conversations via technological assistance, mano y mano as such. The shortn’n & misspelt words add to chaos rather than clarity. Dontcha think? Who decided which letters put in what order have WHAT meaning? Or mean what in which text to whom?

How often words are misinterpreted! Miss Red. Is it the word or the person? Is there consideration in meaning?  Means…or just plain ole mean?

With which people can you shortcut sentences? Or others with whom any number of repetitions and revisions will remain redundant and repulsive?

Facial expression and body language. Other forms of communication. Require a whole ‘nother type of reading ability!

Or maybe the distraction of trying to determine the physical aspects of the conversation has diminished the reading challenge.

words. wondering. wonderful. wonder filled.

words. weaponized. wound. weary. weeping.

Gleaning From the Bad Girl

I’ll admit to not wanting to read this book based on the title, Bad Girls of the Bible.  Shame on me! Perhaps I didn’t think it would be “serious” enough for my time; not enough “depth” or even (dare I say it?) disrespectful to the holy scriptures. With doubts and reluctance I dipped in and found myself immersed. If I admit anything, maybe, I was afraid of meeting myself in these pages. And, girl, did I ever!

Liz Curtis Higgs introduces the ten chosen baddies with humor AND depth. Imagine that! I also appreciated the methodology of each chapter: introduce woman with a colorful to shady to down right evil history with an altered name, in a fictionalized, contemporary tale; followed by a step by step and thought provoking analysis through biblical scripture, including chapter and verse; wrap up chapter with probing  discussion questions. As a leader in women’s ministry, I highly recommend this book for a study group.

Higgs states her goal as speaker and writer is  “to use humor to put an audience at ease and to help them stay engaged through the meatier passages” and “ to keep us (readers) involved with the story and the study.” She hit her mark with wit and wisdom, insight and inspiration. Bad Girls of the Bible is an enjoyable read worth every moment. There is much to be learned from sharing our stories, the bad as well as the so-called good. Higgs says it well: “Story moves us like nothing else. It sneaks past our defenses and makes a beeline to the heart. You can resist rhetoric, but it’s harder to fight narrative…Story has taken you somewhere else–a place where God can transform you.” As a woman, I recommend this book for anyone to read and enjoy the transformation.

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”

The Question is Answered

“For such a time as this” comes to mind as a motivation to read Randy Alcorn’s book If God Is Good…Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil. This is not light bedside reading nor to be casually perused. Through observation, detailed research and discussion from a variety of perspectives Alcorn addresses an historically and currently common condition of humanity: suffering. A well written discourse pointing to the redemption story of the Bible. This book is soaked in biblical scripture and truth as it develops answers to the title question.

As I was reading this book I noticed suffering everywhere in the news reports and conversations surrounding me of devastation in wars and earthquakes and tsunamis; tragedy near and far. I not only heard of but experienced suffering through the sharing of life with people in my personal life through illness, hurts, divorce and death. The subject of this book touches every life. Period. Every individual person in every location on this planet. The best part of this book, that which allows me to keep turning the page with joy and hope, is the life giving truth Randy Alcorn reinforces and reminds us: God IS good ALL the time. This will be a timeless classic to return and guide us from worldview hopelessness to the joy in the foundation of our faith: Jesus.

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”

Hello world!

There’s something about middle of the night thinking that works better for me than morning. Or daylight in general. It’s currently, AM.

Shall we see what we end up with on here?

Words.

i Love words! Enjoy words! am fascinated by words. play with words. am moved, inspired, empowered.

communicate. illicit response. interact. engage. emote. express.

share. explain. question. resolve. inspire.

How many different words to express similar experiences, life journeys, yet emphasis upon particular highlights based on the individual’s perspective influenced by worldview, past, present, future ideas? Infinite! Some temporary, some eternal.

ALL Exciting! Really? All?

Books. Wondrous words put together. Cohesive. Contained.

Yet, are they?