Yes, That's It

I am constantly on the search for wonderful, memorable, thought-provoking books. They're hard to find. I had to chuckle at Destry yesterday when I asked how he is liking the book he is reading about Alexander the Great.

"It's okay," he responded unenthusiastically. "It's just not great writing, you know?"

Oh yes, I know. I suppose it's okay that not all books are "masterfully written" for then we wouldn't fully appreciate it and would miss the joy when we get to revel in an author's gift. I just wish that feeling came along a little more frequently--the feeling I get when a book completely transports me, challenges me, and changes me.

I recently read "Honey for a Woman's Heart" by Gladys Hunt, and she nailed it right on the head. This is what I'm looking for. Recommendations anyone?

Good prose is like a windowpane. It is crystal clear; it is focused; it startles the reader with the view. Good writers hone down their sentences,using no extra words, few adjectives, and strong verbs. You can feel good writing. (pg 46)

How does a reader unravel this merging of characters, action, plot, theme, and language in a good book? Asking some basic questions may clarify what you are looking for.
1. What are the characters like? Are they real and memorable?
2. What do they want and why do they do what they do?
3. What true things does this book say about the human heart? about the world?
4. How does this book stretch me and enlarge my world/life view?
5. What is memorable about the author's use of language?

Something happens inside you as you read a really good book, and its significance is what haunts you long after you have finished reading it. If a book leaves you exactly where it found you, thinking and feeling nothing you hadn't felt or thought before, you are no different for having read it. The criterion for a memorable book is the hope of rereading it some day and a passion to share the book with someone else (49).

Two Months Old

What a precious, precious little guy Tyrell is!
He seems to be even more and more alert every day! He makes all sorts of sounds, clicks his tongue at mommy, and smiles all the time. The laugh seems just underneath the smile and I expect it to make an appearance soon.He holds his head so well and thinks he is too big to lay down on mama's shoulder. It cracks me up to see this little head at almost a 90-degree angle when I think he should be sleeping. (And I absolutely love this darling hat on him--can't help but smile when I see him in it).He is eating a little cereal in the evenings now and eats it more neatly than any child I've had. He practically inhales it off the spoon instead of pushing it out with his tongue. He still loves to look at toys and is just starting to bat at them. He gets so excited and kicks his little legs and flails his arms as they swing above his head. He gets lots of attention, and loves every minute of it!Enjoy this video of this little sweetie mimicing mama by clicking his tongue!

Love-Hate Relationship

I recently finished the book "Mere Churchianity" by Michael Spencer. He had some observations I found excellent and thought-provoking, and at other points, I wanted to scribble all over the page, challenge him, or close the book and not pick it up again.

In a nutshell, Spencer is saying that the church has become a self-perpetuating institution which claims to represent Jesus but in actuality is disconnected from Jesus and all he stands for, so true seekers of God are leaving the church in order to become more like Christ.

My first criticism of this book is its bold statements using trigger words whose connotations he has not clearly explained. As Socrates once said "if you wish to debate with me, you must first define your terms." I was also put off by the arrogance and double standard littered throughout the book. For example, he frequently criticized others for a lack of Scripture to support their actions and beliefs (comically referring to someone having an idea and sticking a Jesus smiley face 'sticker of approval' on it), then he turned around and claimed his statements and beliefs as fact without supporting Scripture. At other times he outright twisted and misapplied Scripture. He criticized the arrogance of some claiming to know what Christ wants from His people, then told the reader what is best. Ironically, he observed that the most consistently Jesus-shaped people are the ones living the life, not telling anyone what to do. In one breath he looks down his nose at the "unsophisticated" and "theological ignorance and error" of some believers and in the next commends them for their 'straightforward preaching of Jesus' words'. These are problems, and some of the reasons I will not recommend this book to anyone.

Having addressed the book's weakest points, I must also share some outstanding observations. Spencer didn't mince any words in his attempt to awaken church-goers to their tendency to "go to church" as observers, as "satisfied audiences", rather than as disciples who have a mission in the world. He asked if the church's goal should be to help each christian become a missionary in his/her own world, or if the church's goal should be to attract large numbers of people, bring lots of money to the budget, and get members in sync with church activities. He challenged readers to go beyond a club-mentality concept of church and live as Jesus did by loving the sinner.

My favorite analogy from this book compared a FAN to a PLAYER. Going to games, buying jerseys, collecting baseball cards and memorizing statistics does not make someone a baseball player. "There is no question that such a person has a sincere interest in baseball, but he's a fan not a player" (191). In the same way, Spencer goes on to address "fans of Jesus" in a culture where "following Jesus isn't really serious business, not on the level of risk, life, and death. Instead, it involves having a great life, hearing great music, hanging out at great events, and getting the T-shirt" (193). He reminds us that in the first century, it was *dangerous* to be a Christian--not popular or cool. What would the church look like today if all of us professing Christians were more than mere fans? What if we didn't limit our faith to a "christianized consumer culture"? What if we truly died to ourselves and lived for Christ? What if we were willing to suffer, go to prison, and/or die for the cause of Christ?

Finally, Spencer had some insightful observations, but I am uncomfortable with his prescription for 'Jesus-followers' to leave 'church' and pursue a 'Jesus-shaped spirituality and community'. My gut response to this book conjures up the word "profane." I understand profane to refer to not attributing value where we should. Esau, for example, was called a profane person (Hebrews 12:13-17) because he didn't value his birthright and thus sold it for a mere morsel. He was irreverent in his consideration of his birthright; he showed contempt for it and treated it as common. When I consider that our Lord describes the church (assembly, called out group of people meeting for a particular cause or purpose--in this case to worship, serve, and glorify Christ) as His bride and His body of which He is the Head, and which He loves and gave himself up for. . .well, I see the church as something to value. Rejecting and demeaning Christ's body, treating it as unnecessary and common, preferring the morsels of men. . .this doesn't sound like we are valuing what Christ values and loving what Christ loves.

As I sang the following words with other believers in the assembly this past Sunday, I couldn't help but reflect at how we mess up God's perfect will and thus fail to bring Him glory.

In my life, Lord,
be glorified.
Be glorified.
In your church, Lord,
be glorified today.

Easton Needs a Spankin'

"Mo-om, Easton needs a spankin'!" Kiana sang as she pushed the door open into the living room.

"Whoa," I responded, as I lifted her and carried her back outside. "Don't bring those feet onto the carpet."

After I got her settled and called to Easton, I asked "Now, why does Easton need a spankin'?"

"Because he's all muddy," she replied as Easton arrived.

Kiana's feet are on your left, Easton's foot is on your right.

Oh, how young we start!!

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Matthew 7:3-5

Missouri Fried Chicken

Kentucky Fried Chicken's got nothing on my girl!The cooking portion of Briana's home economics curriculum this year emphasizes stove-top cooking. Last year she focused on baked goods such as homemade breads, pies, and casserole dishes. This year she is learning to cook meats, sauces and gravies.

Kiana loves fried chicken, especially when it's tender and juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. I should have taken a picture of the very clean bone when she was finished!
Daddy gave the meal five stars, and her milk gravy was delicious and lump-free. The next meal on the agenda featured a broth-based gravy and the magic of cornstarch.

Presenting Chicken Marsala served over mashed potatoes. It was finger-lickin' good!
Briana is quite the capable little cook, and I love the servant's heart she exhibits as she learns to make a new meal for her family each week. I have to admit I almost don't know what to do with myself while she is working without instruction and it's the time of day that I'm usually making supper.

I guess I've found the spot on the schedule for Mom to blog!

A Moment of Reflection

Cleara's baby is six months old today.

I don't think of her as much anymore, but she is on my mind and in my prayers today. I still call her Ayana in my mind, as that is the name we had picked out for her. We had shared this name with Cleara and she seemed to like it.

I wonder if she named her Ayana.

I wonder if Ayana is still with her birth grandmother, or if she has been placed into the foster system because of her grandmother's choices (like Cleara herself was).
I wonder if she is safe and loved.
I wonder if anyone sings "Jesus Loves Me" to her, or prays over her as she lays in bed at night.

I am so grateful for Tyrell, and know he is the blessing we are to love and raise, so don't think this reflection minimizes my love for him in any way.

I just wonder how she is doing.
And I trust the Lord who loves her and knows her name.

A Fresh Look

My family was recently blessed by a dramatic recitation of the Gospel according to Mark. I love that the Word of God is quick, living, and powerful and has something fresh for us every time we encounter it.

Hearing the entire book of Mark in about 90 minutes refreshed the big picture for me. Here are just a few points that stood out to me.

• The compassion and the power of Jesus. He touched the leper, fed the multitudes, reassured and healed the sick, raised the dead, blessed the children, restored sight to the blind. . .even as His disciples wanted to brush them aside.
• The lack of understanding from His followers. I lost track of how many times the Scripture said the disciples didn't understand. Truly we "do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."
  
• The tough teachings of Jesus. Often I think we want to view Jesus only as the One who healed, fed, and touched. But there are some tough teachings in the book of Mark. Removal of all that causes us to sin (hand, foot, eye, divorce) because it is better to be maimed, to suffer, in this life than to be thrown into hell--that is some serious stuff.
• The humility of Christ. He avoided worldly acclaim by cautioning people not to tell who He was and had a heart of service rather than exercising His authority for His own sake.
  
• The many times Jesus admonished the religious leaders. I was struck by their critical spirits (seeking a reason to accuse Jesus), their pride, their nitpicking. . .their stubborn hearts.

Here is an excerpt from Mark 5 so you can be blessed as well. I challenge you, as Eric Wilson's oral interpretation challenged me--read through the book of Mark. It's not that long, it took me less than an hour. Renew the big picture, then share what stands out to you.


"Tell how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." Mark 5:19