The Ale Boy's Feast

The Ale Boy's Feast: A Novel by Jeffrey Overstreet

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed "The Ale Boy's Feast", although I was at a bit of a disadvantage--I had not realized that this was the final book in a trilogy called The Auralia Thread. If I had read the first two books, I think this read would have been much more meaningful for me.

If you have a teen or young adult or loves fantasy, this would be a good read for them. The story line between good and evil, the giving of second chances, the holding on to hope are all represented well. I especially liked the giving people a second chance story line, and how difficult that can be when you know no-one else feels that person is deserving.

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

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Rethink Food!

The Spirit of Food: 34 Writers on Feasting and Fasting toward God by Leslie Leyland Fields

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just really loved this book. As noted in the title, 34 writers submitted an essay about food, and at the end of most chapters a recipe is included. I seriously just want to start inviting people over to dinner.

It seems to me that eating has just become a task that we do. We feed our bodies in order to live, we feed our families because that's what we are supposed to do. But sharing a meal together is really a time of consecration.

This book will make you slow down, and really consider what sharing a meal is about. It's about God, who provided this earth and all that grows in it to sustain our bodies. Because He's God, He doesn't just provide us with boring sustenance, of course not! Our God is a lavishly loving God, and He gives us choices that satisfy our hearts and our bodies. We can create lovely pasta dinners, enjoy that tomato right out of the garden, make delicious breads and choose from a variety of meat choices (if we are so inclined).

I really appreciated that many of the authors pointed out, we need to start saying grace to God as soon as we start preparing our meals. We also need to thank and appreciate Him for the people who work so hard to provide those meals for us. We need to consider the choices we make when we buy our food. Are we buying food from people who are making responsible choices about the land and the animals that become the food on our table? Are we remembering that there are many people who do not have enough food to eat? Are we thankful when we eat, or are we just shoveling food into our mouths?

I don't think there was an essay I didn't like, but one of my favorite essays was "A Way of Loving" by Stephan and Karen Baldwin. They share the story of how they created an Italian meal from scratch, and how their daughter's friends were disoriented to see a meal created that was not out of a box. Not only that, but these teens didn't even know how to set a table. This meal became a gift of love and a lesson in dining for these kids. Karen and her family created a feast that included the little touches that dress up a table, like putting bread in a basket lined with a napkin. She endeavored to create a tone that said "this is a place to linger". I like that.

I also enjoyed "The Communion of Saints" by Jeanne Murray Walker. She writes about her visits to her local farmer's market and how it became a place of healing, or sanctuary for her.

This book is really about so much more than food. It's about creating communities of grace around our tables. In our fast paced society, this book will make you rethink food, and the companions that you share that food with.

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God's Words of Love

I am so pleased to be able to review Ruth Myer's "31 Days of Drawing Near to God: Resting Securely in His Delight". After receiving the book I realized that I already had read it, although under a different title ("The Satisfied Heart"). This book then, will become a gift for someone special.

Many years ago my sister gave me Ruth Myer's "31 Days of Praise". I have gone through those 31 days so often that it is falling apart. Although the Praise book remains my favorite, Drawing Near to God is not far behind.

If you are a woman who has a lonely heart; a heart that longs for something more; or a heart that doesn't believe that God could possibly love you, no matter what, then I invite you to purchase this book and fall deeper into a love relationship with God.

We cannot love God and be in a deep and intimate relationship with Him if we don't put Him first. But, how can you fall in love with God if you don't know His words of love for you? You will find those words of love at the end of each day's devotion reading.

Each of the 31 days focuses on one of the many ways in which God loves us: Day 1: I Must Have Love; Day 2: He Can More than Satisfy Me; Day 7: I Am His Treasure; Day 13: Everything About Him Says Something About Me. Those words of love come at the end of the day in question, in the form of scripture readings. God uses people like Ruth Myer to talk to us and encourage us, but the best words are His words. The author knows this and her devotions and scripture illumine God's love for us.

Don't wait! God is calling you to Him, He longs to be in relationship with you. Listen to this quote from Hudson Taylor that is included in "Drawing Near to God"

"Who does not thirst? Who has not mind thirsts or heart-thirsts, soul-thirsts or body-thirsts? Well, no matter which, or whether I have them all, Come unto Me and . . . remain thirsty? Ah no! Come Unto Me and drink! What? Can Jesus meet my need? Yes, and more than meet it. No matter how intricate my path, how difficult my service; not matter how sad my bereavement, how far away my loved ones; no matter how helpless I am, how deep are my soul yearnings; Jesus can meet all--all, and more than meet."

The following are some of God's Words of Love from Day 2: He Can More Than Satisfy Me
John 7:37; Psalms 37:3-8, Psalms 52:8; Psalms 89:14-16; Psalms 103:1-5; 1 John 4:9-10

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

Piano Lessons

Piano Lessons by Anna Goldsworthy

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love music. I was brought up with it in my home as my mom played both the piano and the organ. Learning to play the piano was a struggle for me (I really never progressed much beyond being able to play some hymns and maybe 3 years of piano books?), so I really admire those who have the gift to bring such beautiful music out of the piano. I enjoyed "Piano Lessons" so much! Anna's portrayal of her teacher, Mrs. Sivan, and her own (Anna's) growth as a pianist is written in an engaging way. I particularly enjoyed how the author brought out Mrs. Sivan's desire for her students to hear the music and to play it with all the senses, not just to get the mechanics correct.

Early in the book Mrs. Sivan describes music as "logical fantasy". I loved that. What a great description. Additionally Mrs.Sivan instructs her student that "we are in dialogue with sounds". For me, music can really soothe my soul, or energize me while I'm about my work. I enjoyed how the teacher almost seemed to have known the composers as she taught their music to Anna. Mrs. Sivan is always emphasizing, "music comes from inside". I think that is what makes music beautiful to the listener.

Listen to what Mrs. Sivan says about Chopin and his B flat Minor Sonata:

"This sonata basically Chopin's requiem for himself. First movement starts with grave, and after all story begins. Second movement is about dance of life, busy busy busy, like in enormous excitement and anxiety. This is scherzo of life: joke in big sense. Why we have no time to sit down and listen, except when suddenly illness or something . . . and then comes third movement, funeral march. When you come through this music you will suddenly realize Chopin's own funeral, and he's watching to see how people will remember him."

This is how the piano teacher talks about composers, and playing the piano. The book is full of dialogue like this and I found myself charmed by the story.




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Life, In Spite of Me

Life, In Spite of Me by Kristen Jane Anderson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was interested to read this book as my husband had heard the story on a Focus on the Family radio program. He had told me that it moved him to tears. Because of this I had pretty high expectations. I thought that the story was really going to capture my emotions. Instead, for the first half of the book, although Kristen was sharing details, I felt as though it was just a factual type story, and although very sad, it wasn't really capturing my heart. I actually put it down and started reading another book the next day. However, I picked it up again today, and have to say that I found the last half of the book very powerful. Kristen's yielding of her life to God, her trusting Him with all the details of her life, and the way God used the people He put in her life to prove His faithfulness were inspiring. Her willingness to be totally vulnerable, share her story, and to use that story to encourage and make a difference in other people's lives is a testament to her faith. I wonder if the first half of the book wasn't so meaningful to me because I didn't have the sort of life experiences that Kristen had? At any rate, once you read the end you will definitely find a young woman who desires to give her life to God and to submit to His plan for her.

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



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The Gold Dress

I've recently returned from a cruise to the Caribbean. Other than Canada, which is vastly different from the Caribbean, my husband and I had never been out of the states before. First time for a passport, first time for a cruise, first time we've spent so much money on a vacation. All our previous vacations were pretty thrifty, we hiked, we looked for good deals on vrbo (vacation rental by owner), we often made our own meals. This year we splurged for two reasons: 1) a friend lost his wife unexpectedly. I wanted my husband and I to do something special before it was too late for us, and 2) basically, I felt I deserved a great vacation like this. I have had some struggles, and, it's time for my reward.

Our seven night cruise had two formal nights. Being a woman, I naturally felt I needed a new dress for this occasion, not only to show off my tan, but because we reached a milestone 30 years in our marriage.

A funny thing happened as we prepared for our vacation though, and it's basically all because of a book and that gold dress.

In an earlier post I shared that I read Radical by David Platt. I started not feeling so good about spending all that money on a vacation when I could be using that money for God. I could go to Africa, India, or China. I could donate my dollars to the mission, a needy family, the church. And, no excusing not doing any of those things because I deserve a good vacation. There is no-where in the Bible where God says, "feed the widow, but, take your vacation first".

Also, my dress, which I made, wasn't coming along so smoothly. The pattern isn't actually made for altering, and, being 6'1", it needed to be altered. Got that figured out, and then I just couldn't quite understand how the lining was supposed to work. Took it apart about 4 times before I finally got it right. Then, I tried it on, and the invisible zipper looked more like an "S" curve than the straight line it was supposed to be, and it was hanging all crookedy on me. Frustration! About this time I'm thinking to myself that I really didn't need a new dress, I had some perfectly good dressy clothes that would be fine for formal night. Stubbornly I kept on, and was finally successful. The gold, lined, designer dress, that would have cost me $350 plus in the store, I made for $55 and a lot of frustration.

I think God must feel a lot about me like I felt about that dress. He remains faithful to me, while I'm altering His plan and trying about 6 different ways other than the way He's been prompting me to go. I show the world "Barb in the gold dress", and He sees me in the crookedy dress and still loves me. He is stubborn about me too--He's not going to give up on making me into the Holy woman He created me to be (even though I may fight Him at every turn).

What about that vacation though? I still went on the cruise, and had a fabulous time. It was great to be pampered and be waited on hand and foot, never have to even think about making a meal, or where to go to eat. It was very decadent--you leave your room and when you come back, your bed is made up. You can eat 24 hours a day. All you really have to do is think how you will spend your time and the crew does the rest. I'd like to tell you I was ready to get back to real life on my return, but sadly, that would not be true.

I do want to think more deeply about how I'm using my money. When I consider what I do in my life, or where I vacation I want to ask God first for His leading. I want to honor Him in all my decisions, and I want to somehow promote and support more justice for people who have not been as blessed as I am financially, and who do not have spiritual freedom. I would like to surrender more of myself to God--actually, I would like to fully surrender myself to God. Just saying that out loud feels risky.

Do you know the song "Healing Rain" by Michael W. Smith? Well, in the chorus it says:

Healing rain, it comes with fire,
so let it fall and take us higher,
Healing rain I'm not afraid,
to be washed in Heaven's rain

I've been thinking about this song, and wondering about that sentence "healing rain, I'm not afraid". At first blush you think, why would we be afraid of healing rain? But here's the why. God really does want all of me. He doesn't mince words in His book - He says "leave your family and follow me". He says, "leave your friends and come to My banquet table". He says "take up your cross and follow me". That calls for complete surrender. That calls for the willingness to be healed (give up that temptation that you're hiding in secret, love that neighbor you can't stand). That calls for passionate followers of Christ. Let's face it, that calls for sacrifice.

This is on my heart a lot lately. Am I willing?

There is a part of me that is afraid. What will He ask? I think He is close to asking me something. Will I hear? How will I know it's Him? Will I obey? Will I accept His passport to the life He wants to give me? (Isaiah 35:8)

Trusting God to Turn Me into Me - A Review of Soul Print

I have to be honest - I wasn't thrilled with the "Blogging for Books" book picks this time. The main reason I choose this book "SoulPrint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny", was the publish date of 1/18/2011. I figured it was new enough that I might as well check it out. From the book description, I was expecting a self-help sort of book, and was prepared to be disappointed. Boy was I wrong! Right from the start the author lets us know that this isn't about me helping me, but about God molding me.

"It's not just who you are, present tense. It's who you are destined to become, future tense. It's not just who others see when they look at you from the outside in. It's who God has destined you to become from the inside out . . . so while you live your life forward, God works backward. The Omniscient One always starts with the end in mind."

My problem is, I want to know the end NOW!

I was so pleased to find out how Bible based this book was. The author focuses on the life of David for his illustrations, and scripture is sprinkled throughout. We are reminded that nothing is accidental in our lives, but that God has a purpose and plan to turn us into the men and women He created us to be.

Chapter two focuses on 'lifesymbols'. Batterson says:

"Lifesymbols are all about seeing the purposes of God in our past circumstances . . . our memories can either empower us to live by faith or imprison us to live by fear".

We need to examine our pasts so we can remember God's faithfulness--trusting God through this type of remembering can help us to be at peace and trust Him with our present circumstances.

Another chapter that appealed to me was chapter 4 on 'alter ego'. We need to be authentic, and that means being vulnerable, and that feels like risk. Batterson reminds us:

"The church ought to be a place where we can confess our deepest doubts, worst sins, and wildest dreams. It ought to be a place where we can reveal who we really are--the good, the bad, and the ugly. Unfortunately church is often a place where we act like everything is okay even though it isn't okay. And that lack of authenticity forces everyone to hide behind their royal robes. But what if it were a place where people had the courage to disrobe?"

What a great question! Wouldn't the church look different if we all did just that?

This book has me pondering my past and present circumstances. I intend to remember God's faithfulness through my past, and possibly even create some sort of lifesymbol art to remind me that only He is God. As I continue my struggle to find my place in this world, I will trust that He is showing me the way, even though I cannot see it.

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