In this book, the main character, Mack, is led to the shack where his daughter was brutally murdered in order to meet with God and receive restoration and healing. The bulk of the book records his conversations and interactions with Papa (God), Jesus, and Sarayu (the Holy Spirit).

Overall, I have to admit, I was disappointed. There were moments of great encouragement in it and several sentences that I whole-heartedly agreed with and felt built-up by, but in general I felt that the book was drawn out, lacking character interest, and unsatisfactory in answering several of the theological issues the author brought up. (It is my perception that theological discussion was not the main point of the story, at which point I think Young would have been better off just leaving some of the questions he raised, particularly about the Trinity, out altogether.)

I do wonder if the book would have been better as a short story. There are some good nuggets in it; unfortunately, one has to wade through very poor plot build-up and many conversations that take far longer than necessary in order to find them. By far, of all the books I’ve read this year, this one slowed me down the most because I found I had to make myself keep plowing through it despite moments of true boredom.

I can’t help but feel that I wouldn’t ever find myself recommending this to a friend, especially one who might be struggling with the sorts of questions Young tries to answer in this book. If someone close to me is suffering, I would more likely recommend C. S. Lewis. If they are seeking to understand more of the attributes and character of God, I would tell them to read A. W. Tozer. If they want to know more of the Greatest Love Story ever told, I would encourage them to read the Gospel of John. And, certainly, if they had questions about the Triune God, I would actually tell them not to read The Shack, as I felt it could easily leave more questions and uncertainty than it resolved.

Despite many claims, I don’t think this book will last long beyond the immediate sphere of readers it has impacted. Like I said, it has some good points. In all, though, I don’t consider it a great book.

The first book of the month was The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis, a book I hadn’t read in years. As fully expected, I enjoyed it thoroughly.

First of all, let me begin by saying that Lewis is an exceptional author. It’s hard to imagine any of you might not have read at least one of his books, but if you haven’t, can I please encourage you to put one on your immediate reading list? You will not be disappointed! He is witty and humorous, insightful and shrewd, and– best of all– full of love for Christ and His work in our lives.

The Screwtape Letters is a tremendous book to help us, as believers, get a picture of the reality of the spiritual warfare we daily live in– and of the many and common temptations/ditches/pitfalls the enemy would like to catch us in. Through a very interesting (and humorous and, yes, somewhat disturbing) series of letters from a “senior” demon (Screwtape) to his nephew (Wormwood), I once again found myself challenged to recognize the schemes of the enemy I too often give in to.

Of interest to me was realizing that, sure enough, more than 60 years after the book was written, the same subtle lies are being whispered to each of us. Our enemy isn’t as clever as he is convincing, and if we can learn how to discern and reject thoughts from hell and instead embrace thoughts from heaven, we will have won the battle for our minds.

Two weeks ago I finished reading Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt. First published in 1969, this book is now in its fourth edition* and has been read by many, many parents as they endeavor to encourage a love for and environment of reading in their homes.

The author spends time presenting reasons why reading is important for a number of things, including teaching values, cultivating the soul and imagination, building character, and uniting a family. At times I felt she didn’t communicate all her ideas in a completely coherent and/or compelling manor, but nonetheless found myself freshly energized and re-inspired to appreciate reading as the vital part of family and home life that it should be.

That said, I think the real value of this book lies in the second half, which is an extensive annotated bibliography of books for children of all ages. I found myself pouring over this list and searching amazon for prices and availability, and it was so much fun! I’ve known there are lots of good books to be had for my children, but sometimes it is daunting to weed through the thousands that are on the market for those that are worth having and exposing our children to. This list, which is long and chock-full of wonderful ideas, is also shaped by Hunt’s love for the Lord, her appreciation for good literature and art, and her desire to see children and families encouraged and built together. Without a doubt, this bibliography will help choose many of the gifts we give our children throughout this coming year, and will undoubtedly be referred to throughout many more years for ideas and inspiration.

All in all, if you want your children to grow up in an environment that cherishes reading and the bond that can be shared together through a book, you need to have this book on your shelf! It is a worthwhile read– and the bibliography alone is worth the price!

*The edition I have is an older one. I assume there aren’t many significant alterations to the newer edition, except perhaps that some of the books listed in the bibliography that are no longer in print aren’t included any more, though I can’t even say that for sure.

If you’re like me, you might be thinking at this point that you don’t really need another book that makes you realize how un-gifted you are when it comes to things like drawing, painting, sewing, knitting, photography, etc! If so, I know exactly how you feel. I’ve been there, done that, and I can tell you that this book is not one of those. In reading, I found myself inspired to start pushing the limits of what I feel capable of doing, instead of feeling hopelessly discouraged.

Certainly, there are lots of How To’s for simple knitting, felting, and sewing projects and, without a doubt, Amanda Soule is a very talented woman (the kind that can whip up fun spring pants for her children’s Easter baskets the night before!). Yet there is a constant theme and encouragement throughout the book to not focus simply on the projects for the projects’ sake, but rather to find the artistry and creativity in the simple day-to-day affairs of life, and to make an effort to do a little more with whatever occasion arises. This is something we can all do, wherever we are and whatever our limitations.

The author gives ideas for how to display your children’s artwork, how to keep artistic supplies readily available for you and your children’s use, how to create special places and moments for your children, how to celebrate, how to prioritize creativity, and much more.

Yes, one thing I’ve realized in my recent reading is that I too often fall into the trap of saying, “I’ll help the children put a little stage together for their play after I bake the bread, clean the bathrooms, do the laundry, make the beds, wash the dishes…” and on and on it goes. I tend to be very task-oriented. And while there’s nothing wrong with a basic understanding that the fun stuff of life ought to come after we’ve finished our work, there is also much truth in the fact that our work is never actually done. We have to decide beforehand that the extra minutes a creative touch might require is worth the time and effort.

And I must say that as I make creating more of a priority lately, I’m finding that day-to-day life is transformed from something to get through to something I look forward to. Time with the children, time for pausing from the lists and the work to be appreciative of the world around us and the people we love, time to develop the talent God has deposited in us, time to give beauty an expression right where I am.

I greatly enjoyed this book, and I think my whole family is benefiting from the inspiration it provided!

*There is quite a bit in the book that needs to be “weeded” through. Soule shares many good insights and even more terrific ideas, but there is quite a bit of her worldly philosophy woven throughout, particularly in the final chapter. I probably wouldn’t give this book to a new believer or a young child to read, but I do feel like it is a worthwhile read nonetheless.

The book follows the author’s family for a year as they commit to eating only locally. It documents her [substantial!] gardening and farming efforts, her cheese-making and local market shopping, her canning and freezing and drying. Through this book, we’re given the chance to learn from their journey and to understand more of the economic and health problems that are part of our modern-day food system.

One theme that came up frequently (and one I mulled on quite a bit) was that of everything having its own season. As Americans, we have little understanding of this principle– in many areas of our lives– and we think nothing of buying a bunch of grapes in November or half a dozen fresh bell peppers in January. We under-estimate the waste that goes into getting those foods to our locale when they are not in season, nor do we appreciate how much better they would taste if we would simply wait to eat them freshly harvested. I’m as guilty as the next of living with an on-demand paradigm, but I have found myself thinking about and purchasing food differently after reading this book.

Another great concept in the book is that of using food and mealtimes to strengthen family relationships. I loved reading about the author’s family as they gardened together, cooked together, ate together. Kingsolver notes a few things that were lost with the feminist revolution: women who nurture their family, children who grow up with a healthy connection to food, and family mealtimes. I love her challenge to us to reclaim these areas of our lives.

Kingsolver is candid and at times brutal in her assessment of the average American’s relationship to food, but I think she’s also right for the most part. There are some excerpts that I have copied down just to keep me on track in my quest to make sure the food I serve my family is true to my desire to give them love and health. But more than just sharing her assessments, Kingsolver goes on to share the Why behind the healthier and smarter choices and, in doing so, arms her readers with practical knowledge that is easy to understand and simple to apply.

On the downside, the author often espouses a worldview that I, believing that Jesus is the only way to heaven and that men are not intrinsically good, don’t agree with, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a million other insights that each of us could learn from. As with any book, you have to “chew the meat and spit out the bones.”

I also found the book a bit long at times. However, if you like memoirs you will probably enjoy every bit of detail and description Kingsolver takes the time to share.

Overall, I give this book two thumbs up and 4 out of 5 stars.

I was not disappointed. Not only is this book packed with practical applications and ideas for expressing the creative impulse that lies within each of us, it is the sort of book that first and foremost reminds one of Whose image we are created in after all. To say that I was stirred up by it would be an understatement!

One of my favorite themes was that of making art right in the middle of situations and moments that we might otherwise consider drudgery. The author appropriately chides many of us who often feel like we aren’t reaching our full potential while we fail to use our abilities, ideas, and creative expression right where we are, whether that be home or school or work or the missions field or any variety of places. Personally, I was freshly reminded that the many evenings each week that find me home with the children, minus Daniel or other grown-up companionship, should be full of expressed creativity on my part. I should never say, “It’s just the children…” and then spend the evening pining for something greater or better, but I should be constantly looking for how I can use the talents God has planted within me in every moment of life.

Very appropriately, the crowning chapter is, in my opinion, the last one (Schaeffer is a good author, after all!). Certainly I had been reading and chewing on the many good thoughts and challenges issued up until then, but at this point I had to stop and take full stock of my heart and my motives. In this final chapter– Environment– she discusses the fact that not only have we been created with the capacity to create art, but we are an art form. Who we are– our attitudes, thoughts, behaviors, appearance– and what we bring to every conversation and dwelling place affects the people who live and work with us. When we are thoughtless of others and only look out for our own choices and freedoms, the environment we create, the art of who we are, is far less than what God has intended and desires for us.

I could share many, many excerpts from this book that are impacting the way I am going through my days, but instead I will simply challenge you to read it yourself. I have no doubt that God will use it to re-inspire and renew you in expressing your Hidden Art, wherever and with whomever you find yourself.

Well… time for reading my way is hard to find.

You see, I like to read in a certain, favorite way: cuddled under an afghan, cup of tea or coffee or hot cocoa in hand, surrounded by peace and quiet, losing myself for hours in a book. Honest confession: opening a book to read a couple paragraphs at time while nursing the baby and doing my best to tune out the drumming of a five-year-old, the choo-choo’ing of a three-year-old, and the singing of a four-year-old (while not losing track of these little ones entirely!), just doesn’t appeal to me in the same way.

Sometimes, though, it’s time to readjust our expectations and preferences. And that was just what I needed to do in regard to reading.

After all, reading is important. How much one ought to read is going to be different for each person, it’s true, but we all ought to be readers, first and foremost of the Scripture. Our minds need to be renewed! We should be stretching our understanding, our imagination, our comprehension, our thinking through regular reading. Maybe you read slowly, or reading isn’t easy for you, or maybe there are a million other things you’d rather do. Believe me, I completely (and very personally) understand that there are challenges to making reading a priority! But that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth it.

I want to be a reader again. I don’t want to just start a handful of books each year, only to never finish them. I don’t want to realize at the end of 2009 that blog-reading was the only reading I was consistent about. (Though I sure do like reading blogs and I will be the first to say there are plenty out there that are very great and inspiring reading material!)

With that determination, I have made my book list for the year 2009. At 25 titles, I think it’s a manageable goal of 1 book every 2 weeks. Some books will take less time while there will be others, I’m sure, that will take longer, but my hope is that they will average out so I can accomplish this goal.

Maybe you’d like to join me in this goal of reading more this year (it’s not too late to set goals for the year!). Perhaps I can be of some encouragement to you as I share my 2009 list and write reviews (you can hold me to it!) as I go.

The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections by Amanda Blake Soule
The Shack by William Young
The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis
Honey For A Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt
First We Have Coffee by Margaret Jensen
Safely Home by Randy Alcorn
Reforming Marriage by Douglas Wilson
Gianna by Jessica Shaver
The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith by Timothy Keller
Practicing Hospitality: The Joy of Serving Others by Ennis, Tatlock & Patterson
The Duggers: 20 and Counting! by JimBob & Michelle Dugger
Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog by John Grogan
A Biblical Home Education: Building Your Homeschool on the Foundation of God’s Word by Ruth Beechick
Shepherding A Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp
For the Children’s Sake: Foundations for Education & Homeschool by Susan Schaeffer Macauley
The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
The Elements of Style by Strunk and White
Marriage to a Difficult Man: The Uncommon Union of Jonathan and Sarah Edwards by Elisabeth Dodds
Raising Kids Who Hunger for God by Benny and Sheree Phillips
Multiple Blessings by Jon & Kate Gosselin and Beth Carson
Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations by Alex and Brett Harris
Home-Making by J. R. Miller

Happy 2009, Fellow Readers!

The series is long, fortunately, for those who cannot get enough of this wonderful sailor. But each novel stands alone, telling a complete story of adventures on the high seas. Fascinating reading for guys and gals alike.

A television series was created that is equally entertaining!

One thing to note about the books is that they are written by different authors. If you liked one, you might not like the next, but overall I really enjoyed these books. The diaries could be read aloud to younger children (6-9) as I think they might be difficult for many children to read on their own until they’re 10-11. As far as what age they’re appropriate to? Well, I’m 14 and still reading these books from time to time because they’re so enjoyable.

Here are a few of my favorites:

1. When Will This Cruel War Be Over? The Civil War diary of Emma Simpson written by Barry Denenberg. 1864 Emma Simpson is about 15 years old when this diary was written. She is from a wealthy family in the South. Her life is turned upside down when the Union soldiers take over her house and force Emma and her family to live in the attic. My favorite thing about this book was how Emma dealt with the soldiers and with what they were forcing her family to do. She had respect for the soldiers and their own duty but would not let them get in the way of her responsibility to look after her family.

2. Across The Wide and Lonesome Prairie. The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell written by Kristiana Gregory. 1847 This book a very real and uncanny version of the real trail stories. Many people die along the way and that fact makes this book more appropriate for those who are older (11-12). I really liked how Hattie deals with all of this death and the way she was a real pioneer.

3. A Picture of Freedom. The Diary of Clotee, A Slave Girl written by Patricia C. McKissack. 1859 Clotee was taught by the youngest white mistress how to read and learns a new word: F-R-E-E-D-O-M. She goes around the plantation asking all the other slaves what that word means. Clotee wants to know what it is and how it feels– and finally one day she experiences it herself. This particular diary made me think about freedom and what it is exactly. It also depicts the real and awful way slaves were treated.

4. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall. The Diary of Bess Brennan written by Barry Denenberg. 1932 Bess is blind and goes to a school where she is taught how to deal with her disability. She has her sister write in the diary for her as she herself cannot write. I enjoyed reading about her life in such a different world than I will ever live in. Her attitude is cheerful and happy to do whatever it takes to be “normal”, like everyone else.

As you can probably see, I tend to like history in the late 1800s best, but there are a few very good books that take place in the 1700s, the 1600s, the 1500s, as well as a few in the 1900s. There are even Dear America books that are written from the perspective of princesses and queens in the past, including Cleopatra, Marie Antoinette, Mary, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I.

The 5 diaries that are written in a boys perspective are these:

1. The Journal of Sean Sullivan - A Transcontinental Railroad Worker written by William Durbin. 1867.
2. The Journal of James Edmond Pease - A Civil War Union Soldier written by Jim Murphy. 1863.
3. The Journal of William Thomas Emerson - A Revolutionary War Patriot written by Barry Denenberg. 1774.
4. The Journal of Joshua Loper - A Black Cowboy written by Walter Dean Myers. 1871
5. The Journal of Otto PeItonen – A Finnish Immigrant written by William Durbin. 1905

The Dear America books make a great gift for a young girl that can be added to throughout the years. I highly recommend this series!