Lydia got this for graduation. I was a little nervous after reading some reviews that it would be too sexist and there since this is a guy writing for Lydia got this for graduation. I was a little nervous after reading some reviews that it would be too sexist and there since this is a guy writing for all young people, a good editor could have cleaned up a few thoughts (like young boys like Choose Your Own Adventure books, etc) and then there is the part about women pursuing high Ed and careers when they could just settle down and not get in debt.... But the good stuff. I agree it is a liberating approach to finding God will. I think he does a good job giving people the benefit of the doubt giving good ideas on seeking God and then having freedom in choices. I remember when I first learned this lesson in college. We were discussing jobs and it is mind shifting to hear someone say that God is most likely fine with you choosing either as long as you love him and others in either place. I listened to a podcast while reading this book about a guy who asks God about what he should say in every situation and he hears. I thought it was funny to be presented with both extremes at the same time. Hopefully most of us live in the middle of the two and seek God and experience abundant life in the mess. I hope Lydia will read it this summer. ...more
Ok, I'm hooked. I read this too late into the night twice. The plot is captivating. And she writes so beautifully about God's will and trust and communiOk, I'm hooked. I read this too late into the night twice. The plot is captivating. And she writes so beautifully about God's will and trust and community without being cheesy. I got goosebumps several times and look forward to the rest of the series! And this also makes me want to be a tourist in DC....more
Needs photos and maps!! But other than that, it was delightful. And of course I have the internet so I just looked up photos of almost everything that Needs photos and maps!! But other than that, it was delightful. And of course I have the internet so I just looked up photos of almost everything that was covered. This book is right up my alley-travel memoir that goes deeper, into history and culture and meanings. A few felt sad that it might be ending but most I felt like a way would be made to continue. I heard ES on a podcast (I think Rick Steves' talking about the European watchman but I can't remember exactly) so I am so glad I found this book. ...more
This book is written in 52 short devotional chapters with scripture in all. I read it nightly through Lent and now beyond. I am glad he was encouraged tThis book is written in 52 short devotional chapters with scripture in all. I read it nightly through Lent and now beyond. I am glad he was encouraged to record his stories of living overseas AND the preparation part. It is very encouraging, inspiring and convicting. We didn't agree on everything (he didn't let his family read Harry Potter and I was more strict on COVID visiting) but he also had a chapter on respecting how different people are called in different ways. I own this if anyone would like to borrow and read it. ...more
A twist on the dual timeline story. This time it is the same person at the same age! It was something new and the plots were enjoyable. I was surprisedA twist on the dual timeline story. This time it is the same person at the same age! It was something new and the plots were enjoyable. I was surprised by the end. There is a fine line between sharing faith and saying sugary platitudes, this one got close but I don't think it crossed it. It was nice to read a Christian fiction which encourages faith in God's plan, but set in a real life fantasy, and especially one that had romance but also other good things going on. I will read more of this series and look forward to discussing it at book club. ...more
I learned about Sydney at the 2024 Olympics and loved watching her race and hear her story. I like redeeming memoirs so I thought this would be a greatI learned about Sydney at the 2024 Olympics and loved watching her race and hear her story. I like redeeming memoirs so I thought this would be a great one to check out. It is very straight forward about a few years of her life-2016 Olympics to 2022. She talks about training, her fear, coming to Jesus, her relationship with her current husband. So there were stats about times and races and then emotions of how she left behind the scenes. Definitely a good read for young women, especially those who want to grow in their faith and like running. ...more
Russ Ramsey's art books are meant to be savored. I normally binge books but this one I read one chapter at a time and never more than one a day. RembraRuss Ramsey's art books are meant to be savored. I normally binge books but this one I read one chapter at a time and never more than one a day. Rembrandt is in the Wind was my favorite nonfiction book of 2022 and the chapter on the stolen Rembrandt piece was some of the best writing I've ever read. This is a quality follow-up, introducing us to more artists and their lives and work and how our lives are impacted by art as we all go through this world of beauty and suffering. I had heard of many of the artists but not all, and knew some back stories, but not all of that either. I, like Ramsey, had seen lots of Rockwell's classic Americana pieces, and it wasn't until 2020 at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston exhibit that I saw any of his work on race in America. I was reading this book during the 2024 election when a second qualified woman was defeated for president by (imo) an unfit man. Reading the last chapter was the first time tears came to my eyes since I woke up to the news. Life is painful and unfair and messed up and unjust and we aren't the first to walk those roads but thankful, we also have faith and beauty and writing and art and community in this life as well. Highly recommended. ...more
Jesus & Art & Magic, what a fun combo. A little magic treehouse (traveling around to learn cultural and historical things) and a little Russ Ramsey's RJesus & Art & Magic, what a fun combo. A little magic treehouse (traveling around to learn cultural and historical things) and a little Russ Ramsey's Rembrandt is in the Wind (stolen art and seeing art through the lens of faith). I must have heard of this book on his social media but I don't remember it, but the library bought it for me. Cool plot and characters and definitively something to hold tweens' attention while they are also learning about the world and themselves. I recommend it to anyone who likes art and all middle grade readers. ...more
Wow! Have you ever read and book and didn't want it to end, you just wanted the author to keep going and going with the characters? If yes, then this iWow! Have you ever read and book and didn't want it to end, you just wanted the author to keep going and going with the characters? If yes, then this is the book for you! 80 years and at least that many characters, many generations and many places in 724 pages. It would be a good book club book so you could discuss what tragedy made you the maddest? What trial, the saddest? Though there was so much hardship, it didn't feel like a total drag (except one storyline!), but more of a true to life overcoming and find the joy story. And living/medical stuff, so much blood and pus and tears and sex and babies being born and leprosy and burns and water. I really enjoyed the family, and the setting. The glimpses of life in South India and especially the historical Christian community there. I can't remember where I first heard about this book but I'm really glad I've read it. ...more
This is an inspiring books about women coming to faith in Jesus Christ. I was surprised that most were Syrian refugees. I also didn't like that the womThis is an inspiring books about women coming to faith in Jesus Christ. I was surprised that most were Syrian refugees. I also didn't like that the women seemed to only have horrible relationships with the men in their lives. Is there hope for women who have a more 'regular' less abusive life? The last one did, which I'm glad they included. Good call to action points. A great read for anyone, man or woman, who wants Jesus to be known all over the world. ...more
A beautiful and inspiring look at the cross and what it means to our faith and the world. Brian invites us to view the cross as through a kaleidoscope.A beautiful and inspiring look at the cross and what it means to our faith and the world. Brian invites us to view the cross as through a kaleidoscope. It can't be summed up in a tidy sentence and we can continually learn and experience more. I read this during Lent, finishing with the final poem (while poetic is in the title the vast majority book is written in prose) on Easter. I have read all of BZ's works and he is my favorite nonfiction author and thinker. I had heard about his Camino walk and stopping to look at each crucifix, I expected this book to be more of memoir of that trip. It wasn't (and I'd still read that) but it was so excellent. ...more
Best book ever, changed my life-Review of the Bible. Now review of THIS Bible. I got it after hearing Scot on a podcast and I liked the premise: while Best book ever, changed my life-Review of the Bible. Now review of THIS Bible. I got it after hearing Scot on a podcast and I liked the premise: while most translations try to make the Bible easy to read and on the same level, this one he really tried to keep the nuances of the author's differences. I didn't really notice that but I did like the more literal word for word translation that slowed me down while reading familiar words. I read it slowly over the year and definitely recommend it to anyone who has read the Bible a lot and would like a new way at looking at it. ...more
I can't remember how this book was recommended to me as it was written in 2007. I've listened to NT (or as his friends call him-Tom) before, sermons aI can't remember how this book was recommended to me as it was written in 2007. I've listened to NT (or as his friends call him-Tom) before, sermons and interviews, but this was my first book of his to read. The information is excellent. At the same time, I was in a Bible study on Heaven and heard a podcast, and I hope his refocusing has entered back into the Christian thought because both were very much aligned with this hope and talking about the new heaven and earth and how our eternal lives start now with justice and hope. It was a little denser in parts than I expected and I would have to go back and reread a few paragraphs to see if he was outlining the thing he would then disagree with or reframe. Overall a really good read that took me almost two months to finish!...more
A great read! Do you enjoy thinking about the Roman empire? This book is for you! Do you enjoy thinking about Jesus? This book is for you too! In the saA great read! Do you enjoy thinking about the Roman empire? This book is for you! Do you enjoy thinking about Jesus? This book is for you too! In the same vein as Ben-Hur and the Robe (and more recently The Chosen on tv) I am Malchus is historical fiction set during the time of Christ. We only get one verse about Malchus in the Bible, but he was a real person with a story and DCK imagines and tells his story. Full of historical truth, contemplation on faith and what it means to be human, the descriptions of places and culture are written by someone who has researched and walked in the lands. DCK can write both poetically and drive a narrative. I found myself wanting to keep reading at night to find out how it all happens next as well as pausing to consider truths. No spoilers but I audibly gasped at one point near the end. The book is not short, but I found myself wanting to keep reading, maybe there will be a second set in the book of Acts. While I was reading this, our family watched Forrest Gump (which I think it one of the best movies ever made), and like Forrest, Malchus seemed to be at every big event of the time or had a friend who was an eye-witness, but just like Forrest Gump, it was well done and I loved seeing these thing through the eyes of someone I was rooting for and respected and liked. Disclaimer- I am a good friend of DCK. Sometimes I hesitate reading friends' books because they might not be well written but I'll have to give a good review. From the first paragraph my fears were relieved and I was so pleased to find a really great book. I can only say good things about the story and I only found one or two misplaced or missing quotation marks. I can highly recommend this with no hesitations (which is good because I gave it to several family members for Christmas.)...more
This was really sweet and enjoyable to read. Some parts got a little old since I read it in big chunks but others kept me really engaged. It made me lauThis was really sweet and enjoyable to read. Some parts got a little old since I read it in big chunks but others kept me really engaged. It made me laugh, made me think, encouraged me and I even teared up. Great look at two lives that weren't really too long ago and so much is the same and yet so much has changed (hello, WhatsApp!) And also hearing about how bad Ireland was and how they didn't have any hope and yet now is at peace, makes me hopeful for Palestine & Israel. ...more
I heard many great reviews of this book and all said to listen to it on audio, which I agree, the interspersed songs and him singing and just him tellI heard many great reviews of this book and all said to listen to it on audio, which I agree, the interspersed songs and him singing and just him telling/reading in his own voice was wonderful. AND he does voice impressions, with the highlight of that being US President Bill Clinton. He talks about his childhood (sad) with Troubles and family issues, forming the band (they formed in High school and he also met his wife in HS!), songwriting and each album, but my favorite parts were about his activism. By someone else (or someone else reading) it could sound like name after name dropped but I believe he valued these relationships and tried to live his life helping others, especially 3rd world debt, the AIDS epidemic and other extreme poverty causes (and he shares somethings they got right and many things learned). You get to see inside the artist/poetic moodiness and being demanding. The sides of loving the scripture and God and the least of these and dropping F-bombs and living like a rock star. I wish I could have seen the pictures of a print book and sometimes the chapter titles and changing topics was hard being audio. I went on hold with Libby and waited months to get it and then had 2 weeks to listen to 20 hours, I got exactly half way and had to turn it in and had a couple more months wait, but this time I finished it! Some good thoughts - he sees the irony of an Irish man with an anger problem being an activist for non-violence (but he didn't let it stop him!). He also says Americans problem with guns is the same as the Irish problem with alcohol: they don't know they have one. It is long and some parts didn't interest me, but if you are a fan (as a child of the 80s they have often been the soundtrack of my life) or want to know about a do-gooder rock star I definitely recommend this memoir. And I want a house in the south of France now!...more
I slow read this a chapter at a time, just like the other two. Great retelling of the book of Acts. I recommend them all to get a fresh, narrative, yetI slow read this a chapter at a time, just like the other two. Great retelling of the book of Acts. I recommend them all to get a fresh, narrative, yet faithful retelling of the Bible. ...more
This was a really good book. I have done several Beth Moore Bible studies and really sympathized with her 'fall from evangelical grace' as someone who This was a really good book. I have done several Beth Moore Bible studies and really sympathized with her 'fall from evangelical grace' as someone who opposed Trump, so I knew I would like this book. I kinda feel like everyone needs a personal therapy session after reading this and I'm glad I had the next best thing in a book club (we ate at Chuy's and I got enchiladas even though I don't really like them because she mentioned them). We agreed that while she told a lot, she left a lot to mystery (like when was the last time she was abused? did her mom know about it?) Reading about her upbringing in a small town Baptist church made me long for that, but her descriptions of her new liturgical church made me long for that as well! She was funny (I listened to it and enjoyed her voice) and heartfelt and inspiring. ...more
I kept this on my bedside table through out this entire spring and read a chapter several nights a week. It is a retelling of the gospels and is excelI kept this on my bedside table through out this entire spring and read a chapter several nights a week. It is a retelling of the gospels and is excellent especially if you want to pause and read them in a new light. He has written three and I hope the book of Acts retelling still to read!...more