Tangled Ashes {book review}

Tangled Ashes by Michele Phoenix

Conservative and a little leery of modern fiction, I hesitated for most of the summer to pick from Tyndale's fiction list. I have been pleasantly surprised! At first I was unconcerned with--and leery of--the book's hero, Beck, who is a somewhat  reluctant recovering alcoholic. It was the story's subplot, beginning in the prelude and continued through flashbacks that kept me in the story at first. What does a WWII abandoned baby and a modern-day reconstruction of an ancient castle have in common?

 

The fact that it was not romantic love but rather friendship and, I trust the less obvious thread of God's love and salvation to play a factor as well, and the hope issuing from both, that conquerors in the end. I'm all for a morally good love story with at least a hint of reality: but reality does not usually see a man taking a 90-day job assignment in Paris, falling in love, and putting his life back in order. In 90 days. And neither does Beck...or the little WWII baby...but the hope lingers that this was only the beginning.

 

While not all the books by a single author are created equal, I do look forward to reading more from Michele Phoenix and seeing what she has to offer!

{Written for inclusion in Tyndale's Summer Reading program!}
 

24/6 {book review}

24/6 by Matthew Sleeth, MD

 

 

Sleeth's book is good food for thought, but not much more in my opinion. It's subtitle, A prescription for a healthier, happier life, should have been a clue that it was not going to be up my alley. He does include historical and biblical significance for the Sabbath, which is worth the read. He begins each chapter with a medical illustration--something I suppose I should have expected from someone bearing the initials "M.D." at the end of his name, yet as someone not medically-inclined in any way, shape, or form, I did not appreciate them. The book neither convicted me of any lack of personally keeping the Sabbath nor convinced me of his application of it, either. 

There is legitimacy to the claim that not being on the go (especially career-related) 24/7 can lead to a healthier life. Also that the idea that taking time to enjoy relationships and perhaps a hobby or two brings happiness. Sleeth certainly did not side-step the spiritual aspect. And yet, not so large a mention as to merit placement in the subtitle. And what really is the Sabbath without the One who is Lord over it?

{Written for inclusion in Tyndale's Summer Reading program!}
 

Follow Me {book review}

FOLLOW ME: A call to die. A call to live.
By David Platt

 

Platt again makes a challenge to nominal Christian living (check out his book Radical). The whole of Christianity is not “asking Jesus into your heart”—but rather in following Christ. Believing the gospel is not the end, or merely the means to an end, or just an escape from hell. Believing the gospel is a start to a brand new life, one in which Jesus calls to fearful and stubborn hearts: “Follow me.” Not always a fan of modern Christian living books, David Platt has not failed to challenge my thinking yet.

Mainstream American Christianity must wake up and realize what is at stake. A lot of false conversions, because we’re soft on sin. A lot of wasted opportunities, because we’re too busy pursuing the “American dream.” A lack of life abundantly, because we’re too busy even with good things to truly fellowship with Jesus. A lot of baby Christians, because we’re too busy or fearful or selfish to invest in others in discipleship. Platt calls us to see the mission: Jesus transforms us, and even as He works in us, we invest in others. This cycle must be repeated until the trumpet calls!

{Written for inclusion in Tyndale's Summer Reading program!}

::The Invested Life:: {book review}

{by Joel C. Rosenburg and T.E. Koshy}

This book begins with an overview of discipleship, emphasizing that the Great Commission is not just preaching the Gospel to unbelievers but to make disciples. They include one chapter on being disciple (how can one know how to disciple unless following the example of one who invested in his own life?), but the rest of the book is about being a discipler. Who needs to be disciple? How does one go about discipling, anyway? What is the end objective?

In between the how-to chapters are personal testimonies, beginning with the American couple who discipled a young man named Bakht Singh, who eventually became known as India's greatest evangelist. Singh in turn discipled Koshy, who discipled Rosenburg, who is discipling others. The author's wives also share their testimonies. The discipling spiral shown in these testimonies is an inspiring addition to the book as a whole as well as providing good information

Rosenburg--and Koshy and their wives--make many good observations and share helpful advice. I love a statement by Lynn Rosenburg about how her mentors showed her to love God more than loving ministry and service. The advice that stood out to me involved showing hospitality and involving the family in ministry.

Did I agree with everything? No. For one thing, I would have appreciated a greater Gospel presence, especially at the beginning. Too many people think they're saved and want to do ministry, when they're not truly trusting Christ for salvation and serving Him in love through His power.

Overall, worth the read? Definitely.

{written for an entry in the Tyndale Summer Reading program}

Still LoLo {book review}

Lauren Scruggs endured a gruesome accident that involved a private 2-seat airplane propeller. Today she lives with a prosthethic eye and left arm. While not hard-core Gospel driven, the Scruggs family do a great job of giving all praise to our sovereign, good, and gracious God.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0088NXOAY/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1372556064

*Cons

• her world of fashion and independence are a world removed from mine, from my convictions and standards
• a lot of talk about dating and guys...although she point-blank says at the end that she does not find her identity in them anymore, but rather place her hope in Christ alone

*Pros

• seeing not just a life, but a family tested and come out at the other end praising God and trusting Him as their source of strength, hope, and grace
• Lauren's story of her second time in New York was a tale of rebellion and sin leading to more sin. She went, knowing perfectly well God was saying no, because she wanted to. She compromised in many areas that summer, but I appreciated her testimony of renewal, God's grace, and God's constant watch over and protection of His children, even when they are running away from Him

While I would have appreciated a clear presentation of the Gospel, I was otherwise pleasantly surprised by the story. Afterall, what connection would I find with a fashion journalist who lost her eye and arm?

But I had forgotten that God's grace is greater and more amazing than the specific circumstances and details!

::Written for the purpose of fulfilling requirements for the summer reading program through Tyndale!::