Lazarus Awakening: Finding Your Place in the Heart of God

            “Spiritual Amnesia is a common condition among Christians.  We’ve all suffered an unholy forgetfulness at times that eclipses any answered prayers or kindnesses received in the past,” Instead of acknowledging what Jesus has done for us, we remember only our problems. Joanna Weaver has explored the complexities of becoming a true friend of Christ in a world where we, the sinful, are still wearing the clothes of the grave that Christ has already redeemed us from, and stubbornly refuse to take them off. Weaver, best selling author of Having a Mary heart in a Martha World, has explored another angle to the favorite bible story in her new book, Lazarus Awakening, Finding Your Place in the Heart of God. 

            I have frequently read bible study books on a myriad of topics, but this is the first time in a long while I can honestly say, wow!  Weaver delves into the story of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus from an entirely different perspective, Lazarus.  She explores the real friend that Jesus asks and wants us to be. Not a hetairos, one who is a friend expecting to receive something in return, but a philos, an “intimate classification reserved for those close to the heart.” In her book, Weaver illustrates to the reader that Christ offers to us the same “beautiful acceptance” that He offered to Lazarus and the love that Lazarus returned, we can return also.” It is our duty to reciprocate.  It is in doing that, that one can discover the good news of the gospel.  Weaver encourages one to “simply enjoy hanging out with God…He is looking for friends. And the more unlikely the friendship, it seems, the better.”

            There were so many facets of Weaver’s study that called to me. I loved her approach to the Mary, Martha, and Lazarus story.  Her approach was so different than any I have read before.  I loved her frankness.  I appreciate when an honest Christian calls a spade a spade, or in this case a sinner, a sinner.  She states that it is “possible to become addicted to praise without really becoming addicted to God.” She continues to say that when this happens, “our worship ceases to be worship and turns into just another ritual.”  Weaver nailed it on the head with this statement.  As Christians, one can become so filled with praise that we forget friendship and simple gratitude for the grace of our dear Lord.

            It has been a long while since I found a bible study that I want to reread and continue to study.  Thank you Joanna Weaver for the opportunity to do just that.

FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review

Why am I doing it? Because I can.

A dear friend the other day asked me why I have been walking so much. My answer was, “because it feels good.” But after she asked, I began to truly contemplate her question.

My first honest response to myself was, I have no idea, or as I told my husband, I really thought, “What the “h” “e” double hockey sticks  am I doing this for?”  

Let’s look back in a mode of discovery and see if there is an answer.  

First of all, my hip hurts. Yep, I feel like a really old woman to divulge the fact that a year ago, due to no evident injury, I developed sciatica in my right hip.  Short story, it hurts. It hurts very much.  I imagine old women in the south saying, “Lordy be, my sciatica is just a flaring up today.”  I hate that it is an element in my life, but it is.  

Second, I am 51 years old and postmenopausal since 38 due to medical means. What this truly means is losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight is difficult to the extreme. I have always struggled with bearing a healthy weight. As a child, I was “chubby”. As a late teen I was “too thin” due to self prescribed extreme calorie restriction.  Over the years I have tried many diets and some worked, and some didn’t, but no diet was long lasting because I always came back to my size fourteen voluptuous form.

I think these two factors are the crux to my current walking regimen. Because my hip hurts so much I have decided, if it hurts doing nothing and it hurts doing something, I may as well exercise and redeem the health benefits from the walking.  My current best  is 7.4 miles.  I would love to make it to 10 miles by the end of the summer.  Only time will tell if I can do it.  That and heat and mosquitoes, but I plan to keep trying.

The other reason is my weight.  I am beyond frustrated in trying to achieve a weight that internally I, and externally the media,  feels is healthy. I can do it if I eat only soy based food products on a restricted diet plan, I know this because I have done this. However, this is not everyday American life cooking and eating.  This is also not a choice I can make to make meals for my husband and family when they come to visit. I profess to be a good cook, and I have the knowledge and ability to make healthy meals. However, I confess to be a cook that loves great food.  Great tasting food, comfort food, gourmet food, I simply love to prepare meals with fresh ingredients and amazing flavors.  Why do I love to indulge in the art of cooking so much, because I can.

All of this culminates to why I am walking so much.  First of all, my hip hurts and I have decided if it hurts when I do something, and it hurts when I do nothing, then I might as well do something and walk.  Why walk so much? Simply, because I can.  Secondly, if restricting my diet to the extreme is the only way to lose weight, but I love to cook, then I will attempt to burn more calories than I eat.  How? Walking.  Now, this coming week I must substitute  teach for summer school and this is an all day gig. This translates to no walking,with mosquitoes in the mix early mornings before school begins and with the heat and mosquitoes later after the day cools. So I will go to the gym and lift weights and perhaps use a machine treadmill.  Not my favorite choice. But after next week I will once again be pounding the pavement for my hip and my cooking habits.

Will I lose any weight? Most likely, no.  But my psyche will feel uplifted and my hip will feel more limber. So, in answer to my friend’s question, “why are you doing this, why are you walking so much?” I believe after much contemplation my answer is...because I can.

Summer Decadence

      I always tell my friends that I love every season, but honestly, summer I believe is my favorite.   For me, summer is pure decadence. I enjoy every part of the season for a multitude of reasons. The weather, the schedule, the wardrobe and the opportunity for simple contemplation make the season a time to savor.
     First of all, the weather during a Kansas summer is amazing.  Cool mornings and evening are coupled with warm to blazing hot days, the variety of temperatures create variety.  Just when you think you have the weather figured out it will change; is an old Kansas cliche that never fails to be true.  To accompany the temperatures one will find the magnificence of Kansas thunderstorms. I think of God's strength and power when I hear a raucous rumble of thunder or see spiderwebs of lightening streak across the sky.  I will concede that all of God's seasons have beauty within them, but for me, the summer days of warmth filled with bird song are perfectly delectable.
     Next, there is the schedule of summer.  I work in education for ten months of the year so summer is an opportunity for renewal. The staff and students all benefit from a break from each other and summer vacation provides the much needed distance.  Every educator knows that in whatever facet they work with students, be it cafeteria, bus driver, secretary, teacher, librarian, or custodian...being in the school system means one has a large family of children to care for, and every parent of a large family definitely needs respite care.  Loving the job doesn't mean distance isn't necessary for sanity's sake!
     Then, there is the summer wardrobe.  During the school year I live in business casual with jean Fridays as a treat.  Summer for me is gym shorts, exercise shirts and t-shirts, I am feeling "dressy" when I wear my white jean shorts.  Comfort is the main mode of operation in my wardrobe and I absolutely adore not dressing well. Flip flops or athletic shoes complete my ensemble which beings me to my final reason for taking such delight in summer; the opportunity for simple contemplation.
     During the summer, I relish lacing up my athletic shoes and taking long walks to bask in God's beauty and contemplate His purpose for me.  It feels like pure decadence to spend time conversing with Him while enjoying the beauty of the flowers along the walking paths, or feel the warmth of the sun shining on my face. Often, I listen to books on my iphone and think about the awe-inspiring gifts that God gave other writers and how the writers craft their stories.  Most of all, I ask God to let me know his will for me in my life and to give me the skill and courage to use the gifts he has given me to His glory.  Summer is pure decadence for me, simply because it is one of God's wonders!

The Library At Mount Char

If I had tried to find a more polar opposite book from the last one I read, I don't believe I could have accomplished the feat.  I try to read across all genres, so as not to succumb to a specific reading stereotype.  That being said, The Library At Mount Char is one of the most unique books I have ever read.

I must confess that I am stumped as to how to rate or review this book.  My gut instinct is to say that I did not enjoy this book, but I don't want to underestimate the book.  I believe that perhaps I just did not understand the depth of this book.

The Library At Mount Char, written by Scott Hawkins,  is a mix of genres.  I would describe it as a fantasy, horror and adventure fiction all mashed up into a bloody stew. Hawkins has written a novel with many characters in a world where a god-like entity rules with sadistic control and pleasure.  The heroine, Carolyn, slowly manipulates the characters to survive the world in which  she is thrust.

Personally, through the first three quarters of the book I was confused and could not find a plot.  If I was assigned the chore of creating a plot diagram I would fail because the storyline jumped between so many characters and settings that I did  not see any continuity.  However, the last fourth of the book seemed to pull some of the elements together to create a reasonable ending of good conquering evil, yada, yada, yada.

What I wonder is if there is much hidden symbolism that will surface as more learned readers attack this novel.  I just have a feeling that others will read The Library At Mount Char,  and see past the violence and gore as if it is a confusing poem to be unraveled.  I certainly plan to continue looking for other reviews to see what I missed in my lack of understanding.  Perhaps it just is not my fancy as I generally enjoy a lighter form of entertainment.  I would encourage the adventurous reader to give it a try.  This book certainly is a change from the mundane.

FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review

When Grace Sings

Psalms 71:8 - Let my mouth be filled [with] thy praise [and with] thy honour all the day. Kim Vogel Sawyer does honor to her God and her readers in her latest offering, When Grace Sings, book two of the Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy. This Christian fiction novel is a charming account of the lives of an old order Mennonite family and the outside the “order” world they face. 

Alexa Zimmerman is a young lady managing a bed and breakfast in the town of Arborville, Kansas.  She lives with her aged, disabled, grandmother in the grandmother’s newly remodeled home.  She is faced with a haunting past and family that she has recently come to know.  A tabloid reporter, Briley Forrester, is assigned the job of uncovering hidden story within the old order Mennonite community.  A variety of characters complete the work, creating a sweet story of family, faith, and trust.  In Vogel Sawyer’s story some of the community’s secrets are revealed while others are waiting for the third installment in the trilogy to be shared.

Vogel Sawyer artfully uses her tender story telling gift to share the hope of her characters and the hope of grace in the Lord with her readers in each of her books and, When Grace Sings, is no exception.  This reader thoroughly enjoyed, When Grace Sings, and encourages all who want to enjoy a warmhearted book of hope to read it as well.

FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review

Go Ahead & Like It

Go Ahead & Like It, thank you, I will! 

After reading Jacqueline Suskin’s book, Go Ahead & Like It I have found that I do like it very much! There is a great deal of things that I like about Suskin’s book.

I like the random “like” lists that are written in various scripts and fonts.

I like the unique variety of illustrations that are scattered throughout the book in photo and line drawing form.

I like the way that Suskin explains why she makes lists and what she likes about list making.

As a fellow list maker myself, I   understand the comfort a list can provide the maker.  Making lists clears the mind of a clutter. Making lists can also fill the heart with remembered gratitude.  Finally, making lists provides the maker with an opportunity to reflect on the circumstances generating the list.

Suskin does an admirable job of introducing the reader to the joys of making lists and receiving lists from others; and she does this in an attractive, easy to read format.  Go ahead and add Suskin’s book to your reading list, I am confident you will like it!

FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

Food 52: Genius Recipes - 100 Recipes That Will Change The Way You Cook

A great cook uses more than a recipe to make a successful dish or meal. A truly great cook, a genius in the art of cuisine, uses intuition and a deep knowledge of the ingredients, combinations and amounts of the ingredients to make cooking a true art.  Food 52 “Genius Recipes- 100 Recipes That Will Change The Way You Cook,” by Kristen Miglore is a tool that both a great cook and a budding new cook may use to better their craft.

The recipe book “Genius Recipes- 100 Recipes That Will Change The Way You Cook,” includes wonderful recipes for a full range of courses. Fine selections for breakfasts, snacks and drinks, soups and salads, meat and vegetarian main dishes and finally desserts are all included in the book. The idea of “Genius Recipes…” came from a weekly column on Food 52, launched by Kristen Miglore.  Miglore states in the introduction to her book “Genius Recipes…,” that the recipes “are about reworking what we’ve been taught and skipping past all the canonical versions to a smarter way.”

Miglore has done an amazing job of compiling recipes that are simple in nature yet elegant in completion.  Each recipe in the book has an introduction, and ingredients with instructions. These are coupled with a genius tip to aid in making the recipe a masterpiece.

 I enjoy the craft of cooking and baking so diving into some of the recipes included in the book was a treat.  First I tried the English Porridge, which was creamy, smooth and satisfying, while simple to make.  Next, I made the Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies.  These were really quite good.  The cookies were crispy and chewy with a rich chocolate texture from the coarsely chopped bittersweet chocolate bars stirred into the dough.  I am anxious to try many more of the recipes included in the book.

In addition to the wonderful recipes and writing in Miglore’s  “Genius Recipes…” book, the book itself is a gem.  The format of the pages is well done and eye pleasing.  The pictures are clear and have a beautiful, natural honesty to them that makes the reader feel as though each dish could be simply lifted off the page to be treasured and savored.  Overall, the book would be a delightful addition to any cooking library or a beautiful gift to give a fellow cuisinier.
FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

Acing The ACT: An elite tutor's guide

Acing the ACT is every student’s dream and Elizabeth King’s book by the same name is a well-written, practical approach to achieving the goal.  “Acing The ACT” is a tool for the student that sincerely wants to better an ACT score by careful studying and learning the tricks and strategies employed by the test makers. In the short time that it took me to go through the guide, I learned many strategies that I am anxious to pass on to my students.

             King breaks the process of studying for the ACT into three categories: memorization, tricky questions, and human error.  Memorization consists of just that, memorizing specific grammar rules and  math formulas necessary for the test questions.  Tricky questions deals with strategies to handle confusing or creative ACT questions that cause the test taker to lose points through failure to completely read a question or place too much weight on the way the question is presented on the page. Finally, human error trains the student to be aware of the consistent errors made while taking the ACT prep tests and learning how to counteract those errors on future tests.  Normally, much studying for the ACT is concentrated on cramming information into the brain to later be regurgitated on the exam.  “Acing The ACT,” focuses on what areas of the test must be memorized data and what areas are pure application and need approached according to how the question is presented.  

            The guide is furthermore broken into four main sections: the English test, the math test, the science test, and the essay. Each section carefully explains the components of the tests, how many questions and how much time is devoted to each area. Following this information, King gives attention to the approach in answering problems in each category.

            Overall, my favorite part of the guide is the clear instruction King has given to all students studying for the ACT.  In one handbook she has compiled a clearly written text that any student may use to better the chances of getting higher ACT scores.  I would recommend this guide to any teacher or student who is sincerely interested in learning how to get the highest score possible on the ACT.

FTC disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.