The story captured my attention and the writing put me on the edge of my seat more than once. Always look forward to a new Lee Child thriller. Good for long nights, commutes, or a diversion to someone else's adventures.
A story of courage and consequences by a master storyteller with cautions and lessons for us today.
It's the story of unforeseen consequences of curiosity and painting and withdrawal into the secret life of an artist. It takes so little to fall from favor, to be blacklisted. And it takes courage and luck and pluck to get back on your feet to succeed and be wanted again.
Recommended if you like mysteries with the quirks and whirls of the art world thrown in.
I opened the first liturgy and was hooked. This very practical, very authentic, very straightforward series of prayers demands honest. You'll have to open your heart with vulnerability and the willingness to let God transform you one surrender at a time.
Read it slowly, thoughtfully, and completely - whether you think one of the prayers applies to you or not.
Going to recommend it for seminary students in my Spiritual Formation courses.
★★★★★ The publisher provided a copy for review.
Excellent work! Overall, very enjoyable and important. I found it so thought-provoking that my seminary professor husband Waldemar Kowalski read it, too. He offers this theological review:
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I have two issues I want to highlight:
I very much enjoyed the section on Scarcity vs Abundance (Ch 21), the inclusion of the “lesser” (the daughter of Jairus and the hemorrhaging woman Chs 23 & 24), and the feedings of the 5,000 and 4,000 as showing that Israel’s story is to be fulfilled, but also that the Gentiles are invited in (Chs 25 & 26). What I find an odd omission is that both Mark and Matthew tell these stories together, but Jethani mentions only Mark. I consider that an odd choice, particularly in view that while Mark is generally understood as addressed to a Gentile audience, Matthew is written with Jewish hearers/readers in mind. That both audiences are told this is significant and would I believe strengthen this portion of Jethani’s work.
The second issue is more consequential. It is certainly true that many have misunderstood heaven as only being a spiritual place. However, Jethani says “In fact, the Bible has shockingly little to say about what happens to us immediately after we die, and what it does say doesn’t reference heaven.” (Ch 27) I have to disagree. Any believer who has lost a loved one has wondered about their state, and all of us who have responded to such questions have had to look at passages such as 2 Cor 5:1-8 (and 12:1-5); 1 Thess 4:13-18 and arguably Heb 12:1. (If Luke 16:19-31 is intended as more than a teaching against the excesses of the rich then it also gives us clues about the intermediate state.)
Jethani is absolutely right to stress that the intermediate state is not the final goal and final state. He is also right to stress that the Kingdom of God is accessed here and now in our relationship with Christ. I think he has failed his readers in dismissing the intermediate state as if were not there. Yes, the lack of detail given in the biblical account makes it clear that this is NOT the endgame, the final state. That is not to say that the Bible gives us no information. It is indeed called Paradise by Paul and Jesus (2 Cor 12:4; Luke 23:43) and it is a place where the believer is “at home with the Lord” (2 Cor 5:8). In Paul’s vision in 2 Cor 12 he calls this place both “heaven” (ouranos) and "Paradise" (paradeisos). This is where Jesus has gone to be with the Father (Acts 1:11) and where he is doing the work of interceding for us (Rom 8:34; 1 Tim 2:5).
I don’t dare lose sight of the reality and glory of that intermediate state. A lot of people I love are waiting there - not for an eternity in that place, but for that final and embodied state written of in Rev 21 & 22 (and 1 Cor 15).
Check out Waldemar's theology blog at http://communiocate.blogspot.com/
★★★★★ The publisher provided a copy for review. It's worth it. Why?
If you feel like your journey of faith has landed you in the wilderness - scrub-land and deprivation on every hand, or maybe even in the desert - where it seems there is no life, nourishment, or water for you, this set of 2 books will provide sustenance and refreshing along the way.
You'll see the path behind and around you as it is: God's provision for developing in you depth, character, and trust. I highly recommend the book but then also hope you pick up the journal and work through it. If you yourself are not in this season, you will gain empathy, words, and a spiritual companion (the author) to offer solace to others who are walking through grief, pain, and doubts.
The journal offers prompts, prayers, and questions to guide you through an honest appraisal of where you are and where the Holy Spirit is leading you.
I may not agree with all of Bessey's theology, but that's ok. Her understanding of God-among-us in the unlovely times, in the times we feel unwanted and unwelcome, is unmatched. Get the book. Remember, it's coming soon.
The 40 units or chapters can be approached by topic, personal need, or by categories such as Soul Care living, directing, discipling, restoring, etc. "Whether you are committed to practicing four or all forty spiritual disciplines on a regular basis, you must be mindful that the process of God-centered transformation is designed for those who year to live their best authentic life." (Peacock)
Theological reflections are fleshed out with stories from her life, observations, and heritage. Using scriptures, poetry, and questions for active worship, the author invites the reader into a deep life of spiritual hunger and satisfaction.
The author examines the gifts of the Spirit mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 and Galatians 5 as they come alive on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. Many current believers are cessationists - that is, they assume that these gifts ended with the deaths of the first generation of the Early Church - but there is no such indication in scripture. This book gives those streams of theology food for thought.
The instructions given by Paul for orderly worship and Christian gatherings include gifts of the Spirit as normative and expected in koinonia. He offers no expiry date for their practice or usefulness. Paul's writings indicate that if the gift of knowledge has not yet passed away, the other spiritual gifts he mentions (such as prophecy and tongues) are an ongoing part of the Spirit's work that will continue to enhance the Body of Christ until "completeness comes" - when only love remains (1 Corinthians 13:8). Therefore, charismatics expect the Holy Spirit to continue to build the Kingdom of God through the activity of these gifts within the Church.
This scholarly and practical look at prophecy, miracles, healing, a word of knowledge and wisdom, tongues, evangelism/proclamation, and worship is a welcome addition to other books written on the topic. It's a joy to see emerging by Pentecostals and charismatics. In addition to definitions and explanations, Collins examines the strengths and dangers of misuse, offering encouragement and cautions within charismatic traditions and practices.
This will be required reading for my students.
The delightful thing about this volume is that how comprehensive and engaging it feels. When I preach, I want to be certain not to make up things or read impossibilities into the text. This is my new guidebook to the Pastoral Epistles.
For a linguist interested in details for accurate translation, the phrase by phrase, in context treatment of these letters is a pleasure. This book offers insights into how the language was normally used as well as innovations of use and form by New Testament writers.
For a preacher like me, it offers a breadth of background, dictionary, lexicon, and function. I've long ago left my Hebrew and NT Greek classes behind, as have so many Bible and theology students. To have a gifted scholar teach us and remind us of structure, culture, and meaning is a true gift. It will change what you say to your congregation and classroom as well as how you say it. My husband is a theology prof so he'll be picking up a copy as well.
Highly recommended.
Well, you can't know until you spend years perfecting your creativity.
Some ongoing questions that pop up in blogs and discussions are: "Is this a craft project or an art project?" and "How do you know the difference between something made a hobby and something made as a job?" (Usually the latter is identified by remuneration.) "When do I know/do enough to qualify as a 'real' artist?"
Mancoff spotlights various arts by how they're made. If you like art history, this is for you. Same if you're a student of art who wonders how that masterpiece "happened" with basic materials. And ... you'll learn a lot whether you identify as an artist or crafter, especially if you want to broaden your repertoire of techniques and skills.
if you've wanted to dip your pen into new ideas,
if you want to shake up your boring text in journal or artwork ...
c'mon, you'll want a copy of this. So much fun, cool methods, and good illustrations in one volume.
If you're looking for simple, practical advice on starting or maintaining a budget, I recommend this book. It highlights how to make decisions toward financial balance and freedom. Good for those starting out and those digging themselves out of a financial hole.
How do you know the needs of child or where they are spiritually and relationally? How do you serve a family as you touch a child? And how does this express itself in the community of faith? Those basic questions lie at the core of a successful outreach and ongoing service to children.
Experts in psychology and ministry weigh in with advice and practical ideas for serving children and their families. Recommended for senior leaders and ministry staff that serve families and children.
★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
Intake affects output, right? That's good science and practice. We're all thinking about health, aging, and staying active with maximum energy.What if a fix (or bump up) was as simple as eating well?
Kringold puts it all together - nutrition, motion, rest, reducing stress ... and a volume that doesn't offer startling new insights. But if you pick up this one book, you'll have a compilation of sound counsel for eating well, rounding out your nutritional needs, examining your lifestyle for natural prevention, and a boost in the right direction if you need cures for unhealthy habits.
A bonus is link to a short how-to: "Health Coach Secrets."
★★★★ ☐ The publisher has provided a copy for review.
What a fun book. I'm looking forward to more of this story, if the author will write a series. Interesting characters. A plot that keeps moving. A community you want to cheer on. Hopes and dreams that are (sometimes) fulfilled. That's pretty much a review of a good novel, right there.You'll meet people you'd be friends with in plausible situations - well, ok, authors have to make up a lot of stuff to make it mesh. There's a set of questions for book clubs or journal-writers to ponder, too.
I liked this one enough to put a hold on the first book she's written - grab a copy for your lazy evenings or to check off your "just-got-to-escape" list.
An aspirational self-help book of encouragement for writers. So you've come to the end of ideas, energy, and time? Writers are readers, right?
You might want to pick up Westmore's challenge to examine why the ideas are not flowing or why you don't have the oomph or can't seem to find the hours you had before.
The author recommends EFT Tapping (Emotional Freedom Techniques), logosynthesis (using positive words), and other therapeutic (and pseudo-therapeutic) tools to unblock your self-image, writing, and forward movement.
It's interesting, somewhat New-Agey, and worth perusing to find a technique that might work for you. Just don't make a religion out of it.
The author examines the psalm phrase by phrase through personal anecdotes, stories gleaned from friends and other sources, biblical scholarship, church history, and contemporary studies. Fugitt brings the scripture to life with a deep look into the implications of living out Psalm 23 as individuals and communities of faith.
Highly recommended for pastors and students of scripture and culture. It would make a great gift book as well.
Generosity spins a global web, says Anderson. Jesus agreed: "Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 8:38)
The book exams the universal principle of giving and the effects - immediate and ongoing - of being a generous person. Both donor and recipient receive extended benefits, especially if they continue the web of generosity.
You'll want to look around you and see how you can be an unexpected blessing - and live a life large with hope and gratitude. I recommend this one for its encouragement and for its research and practical push toward living a generous life - with your own time, energy, money, and relationships.
Avena explores the effects of the constant infusion of sugar, as well as how to curb cravings and sugar dependence in her 7-step method. Most importantly, she addresses how to get through the pressures of eating with friends and family, the withdrawals, and balancing mental health without lapsing back into a sweet addiction.
The author ends with ideas for setting up a healthy kitchen (including tools and shopping tips), good recipes, and ways to think ahead for remaining "sugarless" for life.
While I didn't find anything dazzling or new in this book, if you're on the hunt for a basic revision of your sugar-saturated intake, this book offers solid advice - what, how-to, and a mental shift that may just be what you're looking for.
The title made me laugh. I may be the world's best "forgetter." When they're over, I shed memories of events and places. I never remember restaurants or hotels. I forget people and meetings. I hardly remember anything - which is why I blog (Peaceful Ones). Writing it down means I can go back to remember what's just happened or who we met a few years ago in that town somewhere on the plain or in the valley.
Small insists that we don't have to remember everything and that forgetting is a gift to the mind and heart. The rigidity and inflexibility of having to tell a joke exactly the same way or putting a book back on the shelf in the same order (for all but librarians?!) takes a lot of energy and causes anxiety. How memory is absorbed and shed is a mark of mental health or disease.
The author examines the gift of forgetting - that we can redo memories, find new joys in old places, and reinvent ourselves - past and future. Read this book as part of the adventure of exploring the wonderful and complex beings God created. You'll appreciate those forgotten moments more than ever!
Written from a Christian viewpoint, there's much to recommend for non-religious others as well. Reagin covers the basics of management and relationship-building, the effects of your decisions, and the qualities that can help your business or organization thrive.
Take time to pick up this book and put your feet (and mind) on a firm foundation. Journal the questions or go through them with your board or leadership team to boost your chances for success.
How much space do you have - in your life, in your calendar, in your home, your work, your soul, your budget ... and the other spaces you occupy? Why is it so crowded?
"And," Kent asks, "where does God fit into those spaces?" How can you make room to know, love, and experience him so that you overflow with His life and light? The author challenges you to expand your spiritual life through the seasons, through the places, and through the relationships God has given you.
It's encouraging and uplifting, full of stories and practical applications. If you're feeling dry or wrung out, like there's no time or space for "real living," this book is for you.
These challenging essays explore questions that make you think about Jesus. What was he like, both human as well as divine? How did he feel? What choices did he make and what did he do - and in what context? Did he know God was his Father? Why was he baptized?
Primed with research, stories, and questions, the checklist at the end of each week's reading will give you or your group concrete methods to pursue your understanding about God-with-us.
"It makes me wonder ..." comes up more than once. For that reason, among many others, I recommend it to thoughtful explorers of their faith - or those who want to know what Christianity and following Jesus is all about.
Was this a pandemic casualty? I haven't gotten around to reviewing through I liked this book. I learned some things about how pattern shows up and shows off.
Abrahams has the expertise to explain and explore pattern and its effect on a space and on people. You'll enjoy the illustrations, photos, and text. Get a copy if you're ready for more adventure but hesitant about taking the plunge into color and pattern for your house or office.
This came out a while back and I'm still puzzling through it. The culture, values, and age group are so far from my own that I spun it around a few times and couldn't finish.
I am going to recommend it to young women who are distracted by influencers, social media, and peer pressure. Maybe you'll find a way through the maze of comparisons and illusions to a true spiritual life that satisfies you from the inside out.
I'm a bit late to review this one. It was interesting to explore the ups and downs of running a famous hotel. You can only imagine what goes on behind the scenes of a client's effortless stay.
Steel writes imaginative and wonderful descriptions of Oliver and Yvonne, tasked with caring for guests. It's a touch of romance, adventure, and mystery in the best and worst case scenario with implications for staff, guests, and onlookers. I got caught up in the drama, especially since I used to clean hotel rooms during college summers. (Ugh. But I learned a lot!)
I enjoyed this novel. I also plan to tip my servers and maintenance personnel a little extra on our next stay.
I've watched it happen over and over to girlfriends and colleagues. Iit's happened to me as the "almost-elected" nominee several times.
It's a trend that every working woman has experienced or observed. Well-liked and well-intentioned guys overlook qualified women or push them to the side when promotions come around. In general, these men are not high-level CEOs or huge decision-makers. For the mot part, they will not advocate for a female coworker. They don't speak up. They don't mentor. Instead, they guard their flanks and their position and leave highly-skilled women on the sidelines.
Reed examines the fears and aspirations of men in the middle. Well-researched and supported by workplace experiences, she asks why men will not boost women into higher positions as they rise through the ranks or manage groups.
Eye-opening and solution-oriented, this book is worth including in workplace discussions on equality and gender.
The world you no longer live in - unless you're rich and famous. This story weaves around debutantes, balls, young marriageable women on display in a short season of life. They may or may not want husbands - but off they go to be twirled and courted and feted at two grand events.
Steel remembers what it's like to be young and the drama of fitting in. She knows what the wealthy and status-driven will do to keep their place and understands the rules of high society. She offers a glimpse of a culture that has shifted to other methods for marrying off their young.
You may like or dislike the women and their families but you'll want to know what and why as you keep turning the page. A good novel to tuck in the tote bag for when you need an escape and time to dream about dresses and jewelry and ballrooms.
Another page-turner, unleashed on an eager fan base. Child and Child know how to engage the reader with action and cliffhangers. I always look forward to Reacher novels. This one was especially fun because it was retro, set in time 30 years ago.
You'll recognize a younger Reacher, a man who travels lightly, shows up with unexpected solutions, and fights evil with good intentions and a hard punch. When you want an adventure to take your mind off your boring job, pick up this novel.
An autobiography and study of hope, courage, and comfort. Golden says that who you are can light up a room and make others' lives better. No matter what the circumstances, the light of Christ wants to shine through.
Golden has arranged the chapters with questions for small group discussion or personal journaling. In a world that seems dark and hopeless, this is an encouraging look - a new view - of life as it is and life as it can be. Recommended.
Wow. I need this book - and will buy it in paperback as a reference. We assume so many things about people around us. First impressions, disappointed expectations, or excesses ... there are so many ways we form opinions about who people are, what they want, and how they will act.
Brooks encourages us to examine who we are and why we approach relationships the way we do. He advocates for grace (and mercy) in our dealings with others. You'll come away instructed, coached, and better able to understand humanity - which is a tall order.
GET THIS ONE. You'll be a better person for it.
Well, this one was a surprise. I ended up liking it. However, the culture (black, Southern) is so far from my worldview (immigrant Canadian family) that it took me a while to understand the dynamics.
The Garden family of women is competitive and competent, but they are working at cross-purposes throughout. "I'm right, you're wrong," could have been a subtitle.
I'd love to know what readers in the American South think of it. Fortunately, the ending brings some resolution and satisfaction. Overall, a good story and interesting interactions.
This was heartwarming and funny, even when it dealt with real issues. Much of how we live today depends on how we process past experiences. With an unexpected beginning and much drama between, the end is satisfying and good.
I recommend this quirky novel if you're struggling to make sense of where you are today. I'd say, "Read it!" if you're stuck in the middle of conversations or relationships. Watching Trixie and Bear negotiate their friendship will give you something to think about and some things to be happy about. Take it with you - and enjoy!
Macomber is a good writer. Her stories are interesting and familiar because she opens the door to our families, our emotions, and our dreams - by writing about things we know, in uncommon ways.
Claire, Michael, Hilary, and Julia - and their friends - go through challenges that may end in tragedy and mistakes. But ... with the encouragement of her dad's words, ringing in her ears, Julia comes to realize, "It's better this way."
A fun read, a good story. One to tuck in your bag for the commute or read during the wait for an appointments.
Well, the experienced storyteller comes up with another fun plot and characters you want to cheer for. In the flow of this romantic thriller, you will run into surprises. Theo and Mike are on separate missions but unite to find her family's killers.
Steel brings a love story and hope to tragedy and grief, no matter what she writes. You'll be surprised and on the edge of your seat - and then enjoy a satisfying ending.
So you got a dog. You don't have much time. But you are frustrated because your pet doesn't listen or obey?
Pick up this simple and clear training manual; it's a great start to a new relationship with your dog. You'll have to be sequential. You'll have to be consistent and firm. You'll learn how your dog understands what you want and want to please you. This book will help you with all that.
Put it on the table beside your gaming chair. Don't forget to check in every day and get moving. Follow the pictures and step-by-step instructions, written by someone who loves and knows animals.
Look out, my 3 doggies. New lessons are coming your way!
I used to homeschool. This is the kind of book that our 4 kids loved. The pictures and instructions are simple enough for them to do the crafts on their own (after elementary age). The projects are adaptable enough to be the foundation for various subjects. It wouldn't be the only book on my idea shelf but it would be a welcome addition!
I look forward to Elena Standish novels - and this one doesn't disappoint. The settings feel authentic, the characters genuine, and the mystery to be solved is intriguing. Ok - that's basic.
What I liked about this story is that it kept me turning the page, wondering what was coming next. I was cheering for those doing well and damning those creating trouble. You've got to pick up a copy for your next trip or your commute. I promise the hours will fly by.
The old-fashioned cover is deceptive. Within is collection that gives a broad and up-to-date look at a pastor's heart. For both leaders of congregations and those who appreciate reflective reading, Peterson offers a plunge into stories and shapes of scripture and the Christian calendar.
Peterson was a student of people, historical writings, and scripture, so his writings offer insights for practical life as well as theology. If your view of the Christian life has become stale, pick up a copy. You'll be prepared to be inspired by quotes from Christians of the past, observations by current scholars, and a man who loves the Bible.
Some books encourage creativity and curiosity. You'd expect that from a book with this title. Shigeoka is a storyteller who intends to pull you into the world of the creative thinker.
Transformation is encouraged through practical guides of questions, lists, and exercises. You won't be disappointed - next time you walk down the street, sit in a meeting, or wake up to a new day, you'll have new tools to fuel and expend your own creative work and conversations.
This is a fascinating look at women's place in history. Social scientists and anthropologists interpret the scant evidence of history, since there are no survivors from various cultures. We have DNA samples, leftovers of writing and hospitality, worship, migration patterns, and settlements. A researcher's job is not just to read the evidence but to interpret it. Therefore, depending on the philosophy (and culture and religion) of the researcher, the findings can be diverse and exciting.
This volume interprets history through the lens of feminism and anti-patriarchy. Daeva present a well-documented trail of evidence, previous research, and current speculation. While I disagree with most of the author's conclusions, this book presents a wealth of research in anthropology, humanities, historical religious, and mythology.
Dive in if you dare - and see where she takes you. I'm the mom of three fine grown sons and a wonderful daughter. It's been clear from their first yelp that men and women are created differently and those differences show up from the time of birth. Whether our adult kids would agree with each other and Daeva on the evidence dissected and reworked, is not up for debate. The window you look out of determines your view of the street, no doubt about it.
