Thursday, October 24, 2013

The In-Between—Goins

***(It’s ok but…)

The In-Between: Embracing the tension between now and the next big thing
by Jeff Goins
Moody, 2013, 164pp.

Jeff Goins has earned his audience as a blog writer aimed at helping writers write.  With this second paperback he edges into the publishing world beyond blogging with the conviction that the greatest growth in our lives comes in the lulls between the 'big things'. He reminds us that growth comes imperceptibly, as we learn to slow down and relish the mundane moments that make up most of life.

To illustrate, Jeff candidly shares experiences from the growth seasons of his own life: a semester of study in Spain, a year traveling with a Christian band, proposing and getting married, the birth of his first child… Though these narratives are of mixed quality from a strictly literary standpoint, each is a vulnerable opening of Jeff's heart to the reader. He walks us introspectively through his own 'in-between's reflecting on what he has gained from each. His hope is that we too will slow to notice the growth in our own souls in the waiting seasons of life.

His retelling of his wedding ceremony brought tears to my eyes. Other sections, particularly the final two scenarios, were unduly drawn out and unconvincingly presented-- as though they were necessary filler to round out Part Three.

The book is light reading and, like blogging, can be picked up and put down in those waiting moments every day holds. It is best read in this way, as too analytical a reading will disappoint.

The light copy-editing throughout contrasts sharply with the professional cover and formatting of this book. Under scrutiny numerous passages are unclear, cumbersome or otherwise awkward:

"Maybe it was the fact that he didn't grow up with much money or maybe he just liked looking good, but Al was a precise, clean-cut man."

"…I swaddle our son in the dark, wrapping him in thin sheets we bought at Target for more than a glorified blanket should cost."

"…and I'd often pull out my parents' cell phone, which I rarely used, and call my friend Ashley."

"The train had to be going half the pace as the ones in Europe,…"

Whether this is a book directed to 'believers' or 'non-believers' is also unclear and problematic. "God" is mentioned throughout but often in the most apologetic of ways. Those who don't share Jeff's faith are offended (as per the Amazon reviews), or assume any 'god' will do. Those who may in fact share his beliefs are uncertain what he actually believes and why he is so reticent to say so… This fence-sitting position in hopes of appealing to a greater audience is unlikely to have a life-changing impact on anyone. For this reason I was disappointed that Moody would carry it under their publishing banner, but grateful to receive it free-of-charge in exchange for an honest review.

Considering the fine job Jeff does as an up-and-coming blogger to would-be writers of all kinds, the lax copy-editing of this book seems an unfortunate decision. Though his informal, self-doubting 'voice' is preserved, his reputation as a serious writer is called into question. On the other hand, perhaps this is just the book to illustrate the need for long waits between the 'big things'--such as getting published. Some things should not be rushed. It does indeed matter what a writer does with the 'in-between' stages in his career.

--LS

Monday, August 19, 2013

The Bible Savvy Series—Nicodem

This series consists of four volumes:

Epic: The Storyline of the Bible
Foundation: The Reliability of the Bible
Context: How to Understand the Bible
Walk: How to Apply the Bible

by James L. Nicodem
Moody Publ, 2013, 576pp

This is a fantastic little set of books to increase your Bible Savvy, whether you are a newbie or an old-timer when it comes to God's Word. They are not only good-looking in four tidy little volumes, but they are user-friendly reading besides! My first impression was that they would be ideal for youth and new believers as the language seems geared to them. This is especially true of the first volume, Epic, which is an overview of the Bible around the theme of Redemption. But wait, here is an excellent presentation of the Gospel taken from the book of Genesis! Could you do that? This first volume, Epic, and the second one, Foundation: the Reliability of the Bible would be strategic for seekers and skeptics who have never understood the cohesive and trustworthy nature of Scripture.

But Volumes 3 and 4, WALK and CONTEXT are written as tools specifically for believers and in my opinion are sorely needed tools in the Body of Christ at large, whether among new believers or well-seasoned ones. Too few of us give priority to the personal reading and study of the Word. These two volumes spur us on to dig in and apply what we find, but not before heeding the Context!

The volume on Context is a 'must read' for every believer who has not been instructed in how to interpret the various genres of Scripture. You don't have to look far to see that these principles are not widely heeded, even among people who profess to teach the 'truth' of Scripture. Here is a call back to the basic ground rules. No one should teach or preach or lead a Bible study without understanding these principles! These are not volumes only for 'beginners'!

For more detailed reviews, please see my reviews under the individual volumes. Thx. I received this set of books free of charge from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

--LS

CONTEXT: How to Understand the Bible

 

CONTEXT: How to Understand the Bible
by James L. Nicodem
Moody Publ. 2013, 152pp

(Book #3 in the Bible Savvy Series)

--Without context any text can become a prooftext for a pretext!--

The Bible can be difficult to understand but every believer can learn to read it with confidence once they know the ground rules. That's what this little book is about—the principles that must be applied to interpret the various genres of Scripture accurately. In my opinion this topic is essential for every believer to understand, and Nicodem tackles it in such a user-friendly down-to-earth way! He breaks the study of context down into four aspects of setting that must be considered to properly understand any text: The historical setting, the literary setting, the theological setting and the immediate setting.  Then for each he suggests two or three guidelines to follow in interpreting each.

Historical setting is important because the Bible is based on objective historic facts. Knowing the 'who, what, when, where and why' of the cultural setting is the starting point for getting the most out of any passage.

Noting the literary setting is the second factor. It makes a difference whether we are reading laws, history, poetry, proverbs, prophecy or epistles. Each is governed by different principles. For instance reading a figurative passage of poetry will require different skills than deriving a lesson from a historical account. Making sense of Old Testament laws will be easier when you recognize some are civil, others are ceremonial while others can be classified as moral laws applicable for all time. And realizing the nature of a Proverb is to show how life generally works will keep us from 'claiming' Proverbs as though they were promises with guarantees attached.

Pastor Nicodem does an exceptional job of presenting a few basic rules for each genre. But this is not dry theoretical reading. He gives clear examples throughout, humorous anecdotes and even a chance to practice with the study questions that follow the chapter!

His discussion of theological setting is essential reading! Following this principle would prevent so much bad teaching from being propagated. Essentially the point is that any truth gleaned from one verse must be supported by the rest of Scripture. We are not free to interpret verses randomly without reference to the rest of Scripture. Because the Bible is inspired by God we can expect it to be consistent with itself, or as Nicodem says repeatedly: "the Bible must always agree with itself because it all comes from the same Mind." This chapter includes a careful explanation of progressive revelation with the great example of polygamy vs. monogamy in Scripture. He then demonstrates letting the Bible interpret itself with three topic overviews: prayer, hell and baptism. He's not afraid to step on toes here or expose teaching that does not follow this principle!

The final setting to consider is the immediate context. Words may have multiple meanings and should always be understood in their contexts. The larger context of sentence, paragraph, chapter and even book may need to be considered as well. In this chapter Pastor Nicodem gives some common sense cautions regarding word studies and choosing a balanced Bible translation. His strong preference is the NIV Study Bible, but he recognizes other legitimate and excellent choices. Once again his illustrations are compelling and will challenge the reader to consider whether he may have disregarded the context in his own understanding of various texts.

I highly recommend this short but comprehensive book for every believer who has not been specifically taught principles of Bible interpretation. Knowing and practicing these principles will safeguard the reader from deceptions and confusion of all sorts that pass as 'Bible truth'. New believers or old-timers will find great profit here! Too often people assume pastors and teachers are the only ones who need to know this 'stuff'. Not so. In my opinion, this is the most crucial book in this series. Don't miss it!

--LS

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

WALK:How to Apply the Bible—Nicodem

WALK: How to Apply the Bible
by James L. Nicodem
Moody Publ. 2013, 132pp

(Book #4 in the Bible Savvy Series)

--Practical steps for moving from text to life--

In this concluding volume of the Bible Savvy Series, Pastor Nicodem lays out a step-by-step guide for applying the Bible to one's own life. He stresses that it is not enough to know Bible facts; they must transform the way we live. For this to happen will require the Holy Spirit's illuminating work and a willingness to submit to what is taught. A valuable preliminary chapter is devoted to these essentials before Nicodem unfolds his nifty methodology for Bible reading and application. For apart from the Holy Spirit's indwelling the Bible will be intelligible but lack personal significance.

The remainder of the book is devoted to teaching believers how to handle the Word as a tool that will change the way they live. Using the acronym COMA Pastor Nicodem lays out four steps that can be used with any Bible passage to gain understanding and apply it personally:

Know the CONTEXT of what you're reading.

Make OBSERVATIONS of the theme, repeated words or concepts, anything striking, facts about God

What MESSAGE is God communicating to you; Is there a timeless principle?[Hint: Is there a Sin to confess? a Promise to claim? an Example to follow? a Command to obey? a Statement about God?]

What APPLICATION can I make to my life. (Be personal and specific. Write it down. Pray about it.)

This methodology is thoroughly introduced with extensive personal examples and numerous practice opportunities both in the text and in the Study Guide following this chapter. Nicodem's "mantra", as he puts it, is: "It's not how much of the Bible you get through that matters, but how much of the Bible gets through you!"(38) So he stresses NOT to hurry through the reading of this book but to stop and try out the COMA steps on a variety of suggested passages and then compare them with his own examples in the appendix until the method is clear and practicable.

Only then does he go on in the concluding chapter to discuss factors that contribute toward spiritual growth: the Holy Spirit, Personal Effort, Godly Habits, and Role Models. I especially appreciate his explanation of the Holy Spirit's work vs. our own efforts. While acknowledging that "The Holy Spirit is the wind in the sails of your spiritual growth" and "The daily discipline you need to apply God's Word to your life…must come from the Holy Spirit"(99) he insists this does not mean no personal initiative is required. Just as in physical training, training in godliness involves rigorous exercise. We must 'make every effort' to be effective and productive in our knowledge of Christ. (II Pet.1:5-8) This includes being intentional in our Bible reading habits.

I highly recommend this little book for any young believer needing to establish a foundation of Bible reading and study. But it would be equally valuable for even long-time Bible readers who may need the nudge to be intentional in applying what they read to life. This simple, yet effective COMA paradigm would be an excellent way to revive a waning (or absent) Bible reading habit for all ages and stages of believers!

--LS

P.S. The Bible Savvy website offers additional helps, a wonderfully do-able  4-year Bible reading schedule!  and a blog by the book’s author demonstrating his real-life practice with COMA.

Oh, and forgot to mention, I received The Bible Savvy series of books from the publisher in exchange for writing an honest review of my impression of them.  I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them for every youth in your life and copies for your church library and yourself as well!

FOUNDATION:The Reliability of the Bible—Nicodem

FOUNDATION: The Reliability of the Bible
by James L. Nicodem
Moody Publ. 2013, 139pp.

(Book #2 in The Bible Savvy Series)

--A user-friendly guide to the origins of the Bible—how it came to mankind and what to make of it!--

This second in the Bible Savvy Series focuses on the nuts and bolts of how the Bible came to be the Bible. What sets the Bible apart from all other books? How do we know it is true? Can we rely on it as an authoritative, fool-proof message from God to us? How do we know the books it contains are not mistakenly included, or that some are not missing? What about the Apocrypha?

Whole textbooks and courses in seminary are devoted to answering these questions, but Pastor Nicodem once again captures the essence of this material for the layperson and devotes four short chapters to the topics of Inspiration, History of the Canon, and Revelation with one final chapter urging the reader to READ this Book that he has now demonstrated to be the inerrant and inspired revelation of God to man. Though the coverage of each topic is necessarily brief, there is always space for anecdote and for clarifying important distinctions and mistaken notions. For instance what exactly does it mean for the Bible to be 'inspired'? Is it the writers who were 'inspired' as they wrote? Or is it perhaps the reader that becomes inspired as he reads, implying that the Word of God is only the Word of God when God speaks through it in a fresh way...Or is there a third option?

And what about all those alleged 'mistakes'? How can we trust a book that contains errors? After offering solutions to a sampling of these supposed errors Nicodem points any unsatisfied reader to a more comprehensive resource for further clarifications while holding to his position that because God is a God of truth, the Bible is true in all facets and therefore worthy as a final authority in matters of life and godliness.

The chapter on the doctrine of revelation deserves a careful reading, as there are many ideas 'out there' about how to get to know God, many of which would decry the Bible as insufficient or outmoded or just not essential for a relationship with God. "I have my own ideas about God" is a commonplace opinion and defense against hearing anything absolute, especially from Scripture. But the author maintains that God has purposely given us the Bible so that we can know Him. It is God's revelation of Himself to man. Without it we cannot accurately know what God is like or comprehend His offer of salvation or our sin problem that necessitates it. Nor can we know what God requires of us apart from God's revelation to us. 'Knowing God' in nature is a limited revelation, demonstrating that He exists and that He is powerful, but not detailing the means of relationship with Him. For this the 'special revelation' of the Word of God is essential.

I also appreciated the advice in this chapter on revelation, regarding knowing God's will. Though the Bible may not contain explicit advice for every conceivable decision we must make, the author states if we will saturate our lives with the Word of God, we will be prepared to make wise decisions, because we will be becoming wise people. Otherwise we'll be scrambling like an ill-equipped football player to study the playbook when it's time to be on the field playing football. This is a great reason not to delay getting to know the Word of God personally.

This potentially theoretical discussion of the Bible's origins is brought down to very practical terms in the closing chapter of this little (139pp) book. In a chapter called 'Get a Grip' Pastor Nicodem comes back to his reason for underlining the reliability of the Bible. He wants the reader to read it! He goes so far as to say that "If we are not voracious readers of God's book, our relationship with God and our spiritual growth are going to be seriously stunted." (107) He then commends five essential practices: Listen to it regularly, attentively and discerningly with intent to put it into practice. Read it daily and completely. (He recommends the NIV Study Bible here and throughout his other volumes.) Study it (This point is covered very minimally here; one would hope to at least be pointed to resources detailing the 'how-to'; perhaps his further volumes will elucidate this point). Memorize it (with a simple 'here's how) and Meditate on it.

It's impossible to read this volume without gaining a fresh appreciation for the supernatural nature of the Word of God and a renewed resolve to dig in and live it out!

--LS

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I haven’t seen anything so compellingly readable on this topic!  Highly recommended!

Saturday, August 10, 2013

EPIC: The Storyline of the Bible—Nicodem

EPIC: The Storyline of the Bible
by James L. Nicodem
Moody Publ. 2013, 139pp.

(Book #1 in The Bible Savvy Series)

Epic, the first in the Bible Savvy series, is an overview of the Bible built around the theme of Redemption. In easily readable, (even interactive!) prose Pastor Nicodem lays out all 66 books under six memorable headings roughly according to genre, (e.g.: history, prophets, gospels, epistles and apocalyptic literature) He then describes what's in each set of books and how they all relate to each other and to the theme of redemption. Timely samplings of Scripture are included to whet the reader's appetite, and many common complaints and troubling questions are answered in a straightforward style along the way... Why read Leviticus? What's all the ethnic violence in Joshua about? What are the prophets trying to say? And is it possible to make sense of Revelation?

This user-friendly little volume does a terrific job of showing the big picture of what the Bible is all about, with just the right mix of specifics, personal anecdote, and theological explanation to keep the text relevant and interesting. For anyone who has yet to read the Bible through, or who has bogged down in the attempt, this little book will revive your interest! For new believers or willing skeptics this is an excellent aid to understanding the Bible.

Following each chapter are review questions to encourage retention of what was read. These would be ideal for turning this book into a small group study or for individual reflection.

The first chapter is particularly outstanding in its careful discussion of why redemption is necessary in the first place! The essence of the Gospel is here alongside the story of sin's entrance into the world as seen in the opening chapters of Genesis. Frame by frame the treachery in the Garden of Eden is examined. This is essential reading for believer and seeker alike and foundational to an understanding of the Bible and the God's plan of redemption.

Many will also appreciate the final chapter devoted to an overview of the book of Revelation. In just twenty pages the scope of the book is presented and a smattering of divergent interpretations introduced. Although the presentation is necessarily brief and all will not agree with the author's own points of view, I appreciated his inclusion of views other than his own and his attempt to simplify this difficult book. His efforts provide a launching off point for any reader keen on pursuing a deeper study of Revelation.

Although billed as a book for all ages, because of its casual, I-write-like-I-talk style, I would recommend this book especially to young people not yet familiar with the whole Bible, but curious.  It contains an especially good introduction to the meaning of the Gospel as seen in Genesis, so would be great for ‘seekers’ too… Though not a substitute for Bible college or more focused study, it is an excellent stepping stone into Bible study, a great place to begin!

--LS

I received this book free of charge from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.  What a wonderfully readable synopsis of the Bible! Highly recommended to newbies and skeptics especially.  This presentation of the Gospel is super clear!

Thursday, August 8, 2013

The River Why—Duncan

Faced with the tasks of weeding, watering, washing dishes, vacuuming or writing—which to do first, I will inevitably NOT choose writing, especially if it calls for something original and especially if it entails forming and sharing an opinion about something…which is why, my inter-library loan is now overdue and the review of this summer read I so enjoyed is not yet written…

So, here goes, a second attempt

The River Why
David James Duncan
A Bantam Book, Sierra Club ed. 1983,
291pp.

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What I liked: I love this writer despite his crass irreverence. (Thus my hesitance to recommend his book.) He has such a quirky way of seeing things and capturing the hilarity of even serious things that he gets even me to chuckle as I read. His characters are bigger than life and unforgettable. The lessons they convey are often via humor. Granted others would laugh out loud. But for me, an audible chuckle takes some doing, and I like an author that can accomplish it.

Unfortunately: Often religious people, institutions or teachings bear the brunt of Duncan's humor. Little is sacred. This can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your religious allegiances. If you are a Jehovah's Witness, for example, you will not enjoy this book, (just as Seventh Day Adventist's would have had trouble with his first novel, The Brothers K) but it will deliver a jolt of perspective as to how your 'witless'-ing style comes across to some folk. Duncan obviously finds religious hypocrisy detestable and he is not afraid to say so but his honest (and humorous) reactions to it have value. Hilarity is perhaps not the worst way to expose ineffective religiosity.

***Spoiler alert!  The story will not be the same once you’ve read further.***

On the other hand…though the book begins with multiple irreverent references to God, and is rife with language which may offend, it soon becomes evident that this is the log of a spiritual journey, from cynical agnosticism to belief in a God who is indeed there and who is in fact loving. This journey is wrapped up in story, laced with real-life struggle, despair and questioning. But in the end doubt gives way to faith, despair to rest and the fisherman who narrates throughout is snagged by Love.

The River that snakes through the landscape like a great scrawled cursive w-h-y forms the setting for this journey, both literally and symbolically. We wade through countless streams and learn more than we may ever have hoped to know about fly fishing (and environmental concerns!) in the process of pursuing the reason WHY we are alive. Various streams of spirituality are introduced by the eccentric characters we meet along the way—the philosophical, native mysticism, and a hippie version of yin and yang. Each is seen as having some merit, drawing into question the nature of the spirituality arrived at by book's end. The final product may not be entirely orthodox but neither is it mere religiousness. Duncan's irreverent fisherman Gus discovers a God who is indeed evident in His Creation, despite evolutionist views to the contrary, and who loves and wishes to be known personally by His human creations. And that's a refreshing read for a 'secular' book! Granted, the means to a relationship with this God is not entirely clear, but is beautifully hinted at in stories and analogies. Jesus' name is not mentioned. But there is a certain "Man-fisher" that lures with love…

This is by no means a 'Christian' book, but finding a journey toward faith so thoughtfully depicted by such an excellent secular writer is a real treat IF you can overlook the potentially offensive language and earthiness in spots. Duncan is expert at tying flies by way of story that will draw his readers along the stream toward the hook of faith. Unforgettable characters. Excellent writing!

--LS

-----------

And as always, here are my favorite passages, more 'spoilers' if you will:

"Who was this 'God of nature'? Why hadn't I met Him, or at least learned something substantial about Him, or at the very least heard His Name consistently taken in some way other than in vain?" p.37

"After all, I'd fished as intently as perhaps any boy had ever done, and I not only failed to encounter Walton's god, I failed to see the least evidence of his existence." p.38

"I also like how four of the disciples were just plain old commercial fishermen till they started to follow Jesus around on dry land, and how they didn't start to do that until he kept asking them to, and after he died they went right back out fishing again, and probably would have kept fishin' if Resurrected Jesus hadn't come for them, and when he came the first thing he did was show them where to catch the hundred and fifty and three fish they caught. And until all that happened those disciples were pretty much like me, except technique-wise. They just fished. And even after they quit fishing for fish they still fished, for men—whatever that means. That's why I like them. They just minded their business, which was fishing, and only started praying and preaching when they were lured into it—and it took God's son to lure them! And maybe God told Izaak Walton about Himself, how do I know? But He never told me nothing. And until He or some new son of His comes along and tells me straight out that they want me to be different than how I am, I'm going to be like the disciples, and how me and them are is we're fishermen, plain and simple. I' going to fish as long as I can as hard as I can, and wherever that takes me is where I'm going, be it Good Place or Bad. Because if God is everything the Bible and the Compleat Angler crack Him up to be, it's Him that's making me want to fish anyhow, and Him who will turn me into a fish or worm or fly or angel or star or saint or sun or frog or taco whenever He decides and what could I do about it? nothing. Just keep fishing. That's all." p.44

"The Queen's the most beautiful thing there is. She's where all pretty things come from. When we can't even look at something as pretty as the sun without shuttin' our eyes, how could we look at the Queen?"

"…The Queen has to wear lots of thick robes to cover herself up with. She makes the robes herself, 'cause nobody else can make somethin' Queen-light don't shine through. It's not like she likes wearing all that heavy stuff. She does it 'cause of us. The Queen is here…she is right here in this room, and if it weren't for her robes, we'd be going Poof! See the Queen before you're ready, you die…" p.124

"My naked eye had seen nothing of this whirling spectrum, and even now, through binoculars, I saw little of the beauty that must really be there. Then it struck me: trees, mists, mountains, flowers, fish, stones and streams—all these must be the robes saving my eyes from the Queen's searing light; yet they refracted and colored that light, and it shone dimly through, making them beautiful. Such beauty as the Queen's must exist. My heart pounded that it be so." p131

"I'd believed that solitude would free me and, alone and independent, I would make myself into the person I wanted to be. But solitude, I found, was no guarantee of anything. Day after day I stood alone on whispering streams, tranquility and beauty on all sides…Presto! a swarm of hobgoblins came scuffling into my skull, hunkered down like hobos under a bridge, and proceeded to yammer at the tops of their lungs! …some facile ditty from a TV commercial; …idiotic scraps of doggerel…my critic, pitching me shit, calling me names, giving me grief over every treed fly, missed strike, stubbed toe, telling me I should…; this one had a brother, the Whiner: 'I'm sleepy, I'm hungry, I'm tired, I'm bored, I'm lonely…My back hurts, My stomach aches, Why are we doing this, What are we doing here, When can we go home, When can we leave home?' And most obnoxious of all, the Gloater: 'HA! What a cast! I'm the greatest!....Who but***ME*** could have hooked that fish under those conditions?...' I was free. I was alone. It was hell. the confusion, the misery, the stupidity—all of it followed me from [home] to [here], and in the quiet it grew fecund and multiplied. It came from nobody but me."

"And so I learned what solitude really was. It was raw material—awesome, malleable, older than men or worlds or water. And it was merciless—for it let a man become precisely what he alone made of himself. One needed either wisdom or tree-bark insensitivity to confront such a fearsome freedom. Realizing now that I lacked both, I let myself long fro company." p.147,148

"How can you be so sagacious and patient in seeking fish, and so hasty and thick as to write off your soul because you can't see it?" p.179

"[I] read like a fiend, finding it a far more satisfying thing to sally self-effaced through a masterpiece than to mope along creeks all day pricking holes in fish mouths." p.200

"The day melted into buttery evening. Things grew beautiful—" p.204

"I tell you, Gus. I was right about God. He isn't just. If He was, I'd have sunk there in my North Sea stupidity. But thank God He's more than just…

"…but since this hook pierced me the world hasn't been the same. I just didn't know anything, nothing at all, till God let me watch that line run away from me, my hands all powerless an' cold…You're young, Gus. I don't know if you've been to that place beyond help or hope. But I was there, on the sea that day. And I was sent the help unlooked for, an' it came in the shape of a hook. An' nothin' will ever be the way it was before that day, not for me it won't… he stretched his right fist toward me...in the center of the palm lay the scar, red and waxy…'Behold the sign of the Fisher's love for a wooden-headed ass!'" p.231

"But I felt that the one I called Nameless was trying to speak to me—had long been trying. And his "words" were silent, spoken in a language of images: the drowned fisherman, the pine know, the why in the river, old Thomas, Eddy in the alder, the scar in the palm—these were the signposts marking both my inner and outer journey. they were not much like the usual sacred signs…And these things had been given as gifts—like rain, like rivers—unlooked for, unasked for: I had to follow the signs that I was given, as rivers follow valleys, as spring follows winter, as leaves turn and salmon spawn and geese fly south in October. I couldn't trade the trail these images blazed for me for a straight and narrow way *not when water's ways, meandering and free flowing, had always been my love." p.235

*[My note: Actually, it is for freedom Christ sets us free. There is no way that frees us but the straight and narrow way of Christ Jn.14:6 This is a paradox, but nonetheless true] LS

"I wanted to know my soul. I wanted to befriend Whoever it had been that walked with me on the road, yesterday dawn. But when I stuck my feet in the source-spring I could feel too well the limits of my own unguided yearnings. I would never make it. Not alone. I would never make it to the real source of things unless or until Ol' Nameless chose to come and find me fishing." p.246

"It's a damned tough business sitting around trying to force yourself to force God to force feed you a revelation or vision or spiritual assistant or something." p.246

"And then I felt it—a sharp pain in my heart, like a hook being set. I whirled around: sunlight struck me full in the face. My eyes closed. And then I saw it…a line so subtle it must be made of nothing nameable. And it ran from my heart of earth and blood, through my head, to the sky;…ran from the changing , flowing forms of the world to a realm that light alone could enter. But my pain grew sharper: mad with joy, I sank to my knees on the white road, and I felt the hand, resting like sunlight on head. And I knew that the line of light led not to a realm but to a Being, and that the light and hook were his, and that they were made of love alone. My heart was pierced. I began to weep. I felt the Ancient One drawing me toward him, coaxing me out of this autumn landscape, beckoning me on toward undying joy." p.277-278

"Taking the good with the bad, I'm just living happily ever after. That is, I'm being hung by the heart until dead. Dreefee dead. Who could ask for more?" p.280

"…it was my twenty-first birthday, which meant that I was now a man –because in America a man is defined not as a person who can vote or think or be drafted or carry guns or preach or pray, but as somebody who can get drunk legally…" p.281

'I may make all things well: and I can make all things well: and I shall make all things well and I will make all things well: and thou shalt see thyself that all manner of things shall be well…' –Lady Julian of Norwich

"…In my heart I know the Man-fisher knows best: river-armed and ocean-handed, he tends his lines with infinite patience, gracious to those who love him, a mirage to those who don't… In the end it all rides on how you look at things. And how you look at things depends on how His line leads you to look…"p.290

Saturday, April 27, 2013

The Gardener—Stewart/Small

Winsome story, delightful--colored pencil(?) and ink-- pictures.  A young girl blooms where she’s planted in hard times, taking her love of growing things to the city where she is displaced for a while during the Depression.  She uses her passion to transform the world around her, leaving it a brighter, more hopeful place.  Don’t miss this author/artist duo!  Who knows what ambitions such a story will plant in a young hearer’s heart?

--LS

Enjoy the narrated version here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of5gK-9sOL4

P1100769

Thursday, February 28, 2013

The God I Love—Tada

The God I Love: A Lifetime of Walking with Jesus—A Memoir
by Joni Eareckson Tada
Zondervan, 2003, 357pp.

                  *****
I was delighted to discover this updated autobiography of Joni for a couple of reasons. First, I remember enjoying her original book, JONI years ago (1976) when it came out. Secondly, I was eager to read her story again because recently I've bumped into very strong antagonism toward her testimony. Having myself admired her strong faith in the face of quadriplegia I was surprised to hear her accused of undermining the faith of those with similar conditions. It seems that her outspoken testimony to God's grace in the midst of suffering has been construed to be a stumbling stone to faith for healing in those who are touched by her ministry. In other words, since she didn't experience healing, it would have been better for her to have kept silent than to create a ministry to disabled persons! Really?! What has happened to a well-reasoned, Biblical doctrine of suffering as part of the Christian life?

Anyway, with that background in mind I read with especial interest this new memoir of Joni's, curious as to her thoughts on healing. Had she sought it for herself? And how did she come to terms with not being healed? Her beautifully woven story lingers long on her happy childhood prior to the accident, painting idyllic pictures of family camping trips, hymn sings around the campfire, and of her father's memorable storytelling. It describes an athletic, even daredevil, Joni who rode and showed horses, swam, and ran competitively and loved to play piano and draw. But it also tells with candid humility and perceptiveness of her inner longings and struggles growing up, of finding a tangible relationship with God and of the disconcerting reality of having a rebellious bent still.

Then at age 17, a daring dive left her paralyzed from the shoulders down. She doesn't belabor the gritty details of her recovery nor does she hide the dark depressing moments. But having the perspective of time and maturity she is able to look back and highlight the poignant moments when God came near in one way or another. It is a beautiful story of being drawn from bitterness to acceptance and then beyond to actually seeing her 'accident' as a blessing in disguise. (And yes, I should insert, she did seek healing, even attending a Kathryn Kuhlman crusade, and she did grapple with a Biblical understanding of healing, but it is almost an aside to her story). This volume extends her earlier story to describe how God took her, wheelchair and all, and gave her incredible opportunities to share Him with the world, including the founding of Joni and Friends, a ministry focused on bringing the Gospel tangibly to those who suffer with disabilities.

But this is no dry recounting of some vague 'ministry years'. Joni's love of life exudes from its pages. She came to see her wheelchair as her ticket to adventure because of all the opportunities it gave her. I love this memoir for its personal and candid tone. Joni never speaks from a pedestal of easy victory, but takes the reader through her own thoughts and struggles as she processes the deaths of each of her parents, and months and years of physical pain (no, paralysis doesn't imply life will be pain-free). She shares her delights too, among them marriage, but most of all finding that yes, God has given her the real desire of her heart—He has given her Himself. Her wise and joyful memoir is a rare treasure in our times, when blessings are often equated with physical comfort and well-being. It is a testimony to the reality that God often permits things he hates in order to bring about something more important that He really loves. Joni's conclusion: "…yes—There are more important things in life than walking."

I highly recommend The God I Love to anyone grappling with disappointment, pain, or 'unanswered' prayer, or just desiring to perceive God's love in a greater way. It will point you to the God who may not rescue us from our circumstances in the way we had hoped but whose love will ultimately prove far greater than we could have imagined!

--LS

May God strengthen our hearts to know this love, that we "may be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Eph.3:18,19

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And here's a sampling of Joni's thoughts…

"Even paralyzed people can walk with the Lord." p221

"The truth was, I knew I would always struggle—I would always feel weak and needy of God. and that was okay. It was supposed to be that way. I was supposed to be dependent on him." p225

"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." Phil.1:21

"Each mile I put between the past and the future in your hand, I learn more of your providence and I find out who I am." p240

"Our eyes met, and --it was amazing—from that point, everything changed. How I looked no longer mattered. No longer did I feel ugly or unworthy. The love in Ken's eyes washed it all away. I was the pure and perfect bride—his bride. That's what he saw, and that's what changed me." p252

"One day…all the stains of earthly life will be purified away, just by one look from God's eyes. We'll be transformed forever by his gaze upon us…It will be more than I ever dreamed of, more than I ever longed for." p253

"[God] permits what he hates so that his power can show up in people like you and me." p263