Fearless Daughters of the Bible: a book review

I received a free copy of this book from Chosen Books in exchange for a honest review.  I'll have to admit that this book was not what I expected, although I'm not sure really what I expected out of a book with this title.  Women in Bible times, and even women in our times, didn't and don't have the freedom that men do to lead in our churches these days.  It is often fearful to even try, knowing what obstacles we may face, in trying to serve in the way that God may be calling us to serve.  J. Lee Grady gives excellent examples in his book of women in Bible times that did not let fear stop them from doing God's work.  He also includes examples of modern day women that did not let their gender affect their life's mission.  The end of each chapter includes a "message from God," directly to His daughters, meant to encourage. 

 

This is a well-written book, meant to encourage women in today's society to be all that God means for them to be.  Mr. Grady provides practical guidelines for increasing faith, and these guidelines are meant all women.  Single or married, young or old, any Christian woman will find encouragement from reading this book.  Some of the examples of the modern day women are a little outside of what I would consider for myself, but I would recommend this book for any woman who wants to serve God more but maybe afraid to step outside of the norms for Christian women.

 

I have to say that what I liked most about the book is that Mr. Grady did not steer the book to married women in particular, but he included references for single women as well.  As a single woman, it is hard when many times an author seems to assume that all the readers will be married, or will fall into a specific population of the culture.  I know that certain books are geared towards certain populations, but books for general Christian studies should be geared to all populations, in my opinion.  Mr. Grady did that in this book.  

Book review of "Against the Tide" by Elizabeth Camden

With the help of a friend, I discovered a great way to share my love of reading (especially inspirational historical romance) with other people.  Against the Tide is the second book I have had the pleasure of reviewing (in exchange for an honest review of the book) for Bethany House Publishers.  In this book, Elizabeth Camden combines romance and intrigue in the setting of post-civil war Boston.  Lydia Pallas is an orphan who has had to find her own way in the world.  Her affinity for languages helps her obtain a job in the male-dominated world of the US Navy.  It is her skill with languages that brings her to the attention of Alexander Banebridge (aka Bane).  Bane seeks Lydia's help as he tries to curb and ultimately stop mastermind of  illegal opium trade in the United States.  Bane fights his attraction to Lydia, believing that his previous life experiences leave him no choice but to spend his life alone on his quest to stop the opium trade.  He's afraid of the danger that his life could bring to any family that he might have in the future.  His faith in God guides him on his quest, as he tries to stop those who are destroying the lives of others.  Lydia, orphaned at a young age, wants to prove to Bane that their love is worth fighting for, and she is willing to do whatever it takes to show him that she belongs at his side.  She has fought hard to find security in her life, after growing up without any security at all.  She seeks security in every place but the place where true security can be found.  Little does Bane know, that his past, his present, and his future entertwine with Lydia's past, present, and future in ways that can only be described as the hand of God (through the writing of the author).  Lydia's journey has its ups and downs throughout the book.  Elizabeth Camden did not disappoint.  In fact, I found it hard to put down.  There is plenty of suspense and adventure in the book to keep the reader hooked as the story goes along.  I thought the author did an excellent job with the story line, the plot, and the characters.  I identified with Lydia, as she struggles to make her way, alone in a workforce dominated by men.  My heart ached with her, and the struggles that she faces throughout the book.  I also identified with Bane, and his belief that because of his past he is not able to pursue his love for Lydia.  This book wasted no time in capturing my attention and was able to hold my attention throughout the whole book.  I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a historical book with just the right blend of romance, intrigue, and suspense. 

Book Review of "At Every Turn" by Anne Mateer

I think most of you know that I like to read. I like to read romance, preferably historical romance. Recently I was introduced to an author I did not know about. I was given the chance to preview the book for free in exchange for a review here on my blog.  The review was not required to be positive.  Here is what I thought about it:

 At Every Turn by Anne Mateer takes the reader on a journey through the eyes of Alyce. Alyce is a young impulsive girl with a good heart and a love for speed. She has to keep her love for speed a secret from her family. The only one who knows is her father’s mechanic, Webster. Webster is a mysterious man, very “little” is known about his past. In a moment of impulsiveness brought forth from her good heart, Alyce pledges as large amount of money to help foreign missionaries. When her efforts (and her good heart) cause her to fall short of her goal, Alyce enlists Webster to help her enter a race to try to reach her goal. Throughout the rest of the book, the reader gets to know Alyce and Webster more as Alyce races towards her goal.

I found Alyce’s blend of naivete and impulsiveness to be refreshing. She does not let the fact that she was born into money affect her view of others whose social class is lower than hers. Webster was a hard puzzle to figure out. I could see pieces of his heart through his care for Alyce, and was very pleased when the fullness of his heart could be seen. This book did not disappoint. Anne Mateer takes the reader on a journey filled with twists and turns that will keep the reader enthralled through the end of the book. If you are looking for a good read and love historical romance, this is the book for you. Historical romance happens to be my favorite. I haven’t read many set in the early 1900s, and I usually don’t enjoy books written in the first person tense. This book is both, and Anne Mateer did an excellent job. I look forward to reading more of her books.

clarity

I need to clarify on the whole adoption issue. I have a good support system around me. My parents, sister, aunts, uncles, etc. I'm just not close enough to any Christian men on a regular basis that would have a positive impact on any child I might have in the future and I believe this is a factor that would influence my decision. I think I'm thinking too much tonight. What do you think?

Powerful Puff of Positiveness, Popped

I watched the car that I've driven for over 4 years drive off earlier.  It didn't bother me as much as I thought it would.  I was stuck in a debt cycle, and I knew I had to make some changes.  I have another vehicle I can drive for a few months, and I can focus on filling in my debt pit.  I got so excited when I first thought about selling my car to get out of debt, but it didn't take long for that balloon to sink.  Thoughts of travel and adoption and less stress over finances had me floating high for a while.  Sadly, reality soon sank in.

Travel is not an issue.  I'm single, no children, it would be easy for me to travel if I had the money.  I have my passport, family in a foreign country, and a job that gives me plenty of vacation time.  The pin that popped the balloon was the thought of adoption.  I am fairly certain that marriage is not in my future.  It doesn't bother me as much as it did.  I think, as I get older, I realize marriage does not hold all the ideals that I thought it did.  I have always been interested in children, and I would love to have children of my own. 

Being single, adopting a baby is not something I would consider.  I would love to take in an older child.  After listening to a podcast on adoption on a Christian website geared for singles, several issues with single adoption were brought to my attention, and I was reminded of this with my nephew tonight.  While I don't think a single woman can't raise a child on her own (double negative for emphasis only), I do think it is important for that child to be exposed to other Christian adults, especially males (if the child is being raised by a single mother).  This was a point that was brought out in that podcast.  While I have plenty of Christian women in my life, there is a lack of Christian males.  There are Christian men in my church, but none that would be involved directly with my child's (if I ever have one) life.

Of course, one also has to consider that being in a single parent family may be better than a child growing up in an orphanage.  That's something I need to consider as well.  I know of many successful single parents, women that have brought up their children in church (both girls and boys), and these children are leading very successful lives today.  It's just a choice of whether or not God has called me to be a parent in this way.

I have this one my mind, since my car drove away today, and yesterday was Orphan Sunday.  I have a lot of decisions to work through in the next few months and pray that God will give me the strength and His guidance through them all.

Psalm 107 and the Dead Sea Scroll Exhibit

So, my aunt and I drove down to Ft. Worth to the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary today to see the Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit.  The trip was my birthday gift (kind of to myself).  My friend Jenny from college met us down there.  She has been to Israel on an archeological dig and made an excellent companion during our time going through the exhibit.  The exhibit was very well put together.  It's amazing to see how God has protected His Word through the years.  One of the fragments or pages that we got to see today was Psalm 107.  I read a little bit while we were there, and read the full chapter when I got home.  It's amazing how this chapter parallels with what I have been experiencing in my life and I wanted to offer a paraphrase as a testimony to what God has done in my life.  So here goes:

Psalm 107, a Diana paraphrase

 

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.

His faithful love endures forever.

Let the redeemed of the Lord proclaim

that He has redeemed them from the hand of the foe

and has gathered them from the lands -

from the east and the west, and the north and the south.

 

I have wandered in the desolate wilderness,

not able to find my way to that place in my life where I was supposed to be.

I was spiritually hungry and thirsty, and my soul was dying within me.

I cried out to my Lord in the midst of my despair.

He rescued me and showed me the way to go.

He showed me the path I was meant to travel

I give thanks to the Lord,

for His faithful love and His wonderful works for me.

He quenched my hunger and thirst, and has given me good things.

 

I have sat in darkness and despair, a prisoner in chains of my own doing.

Because I rebelled against God, and did not heed His counsel.

My spirit was broken by labor, I fell, and there was no one to help me up.

I cried out to my God, He heard me.

He lit up my darkness, and broke my chains.

I give thanks to the Lord,

for His faithful love and His wonderful works for me.

For He has broken my chains.

 

I was a fool, suffering under affliction caused by myself.

Caused by my sin and my rebellious ways.

I loathed any "word from God" and walked down the path of death.

Then I cried out to God in my despair.

He sent His Word.  He healed me.  He rescued me from the pit.

I give thanks to the Lord,

for His faithful love and His wonderful works for me.

For He healed me and He loves me.

I will offer gifts of thanksgiving and tell others how He has saved me.

 

There is a lot more to the testimony, but I am waiting to share until the whole of it has come to pass.  Let me just say that I am truly blessed to be loved by my God who will never let me go.

 

 



New Bucket List

So, here is my bucket list of things to do by the time I hit age 40:

1. Get my stupid debt paid off (hopefully by my next birthday)
2. Visit Jane Austen's house
3. See Phantom of the Opera on Broadway
4. Take my niece to the ballet
5. Take my nephew to a ballgame or etc
6. Finish reading all of Jane Austen's books
7. Take a dance class
8. Find out more about Theresa Mueller
9. Learn some German
10. Smile more....