The Glass Castle

by Jeanette Walls


This book was very good. It's basically an autobiography. The author has a very interesting story to tell about her childhood. But it is a sad story. Her father was very smart but not really responsible and her mother was selfish and unstable. But the beauty of the book is that she writes with such love for her family. You don't sense bitterness or self-pity or a demand for wrongs to be made right. And that is very striking. Although it wasn't her goal, the book did make me think about what the role of government agencies should be in protecting children from neglect. She and her family did not want anyone to interfere in their lives. But what do you do when parents aren't being responsible for their children? Plucking them out and putting them somewhere else doesn't always seem like the best choice but maybe in this fallen world, in such situations, there aren't really any good choices? Lots of unanswered questions and a different perspective on poverty in America.

I am glad that Jeanette Walls laid her life bare. I think a lot can be learned from hearing people's stories.

Christy

by Catherine Marshall



This is one of my mom's favorite books. My older sister just finished it as she was visiting and left it for me to read. The first week I could not put it down! I thought it was wonderful. Then I kinda thought it was dragging. Then it picked up a little bit but then at the last page I thought "what! that's it? it can't just end like that!" I do not like to be left hanging. Overall I did enjoy the book. It was written well and the characters certainly left their impressions with me. It was good to see a glimpse of life in the mountains of Tennessee in the early 1900's. The one thing that left me most frustrated though was that this story was a mix of fact and fiction (based on Catherine Marshall's mother's experience). I really want to know what parts were true and what happened after the last page!

I have read something other than blogs in the past month and a half haven't I??? I am amazed by how fast time flies. Anyway, one week I read a great new magazine, Salvo, that kinda seemed like a mini-book. I guess I would say it's a critique of cultural trends. It was very informative and thought provoking. I didn't feel like it was over my head nor too basic. Each issue focuses on a general topic with articles dealing with specifics. This was the premier issue and it dealt with science, bioethics, stuff like that. I'm actually considering subsribing, I was so impressed. It feels good to read something and learn and have my mind engaged in things that are going on in the world around me when it gets so easy to get caught up in my own little world of diapers, dishes, and dinner.



In the last 5 years my life has been wonderfully influenced by the teaching ministry of John Piper. So when I found out that one of our church's women's Bible studies was going through this book, I jumped at the chance (once again grateful for an unemployed husband). I have so much more to say but I'm realizing that it's getting late and I actually need to go read this book and do the homework for this week's study. I'll post this for now with the hopes of adding more soon.

What is a Family?

I actually finished reading this book a month ago. (Okay, make that 2 months ago since this review has been sitting in the "draft" box for a few weeks!) The whole time I was reading it I thought of all these things I wanted to write about it and comment on. But as I said, it's a month stale so we'll see how this goes. Great book. Since being a wife and mother is my life's vocation, I enjoy books about family and raising children. Edith Schaeffer is one of a kind. By reading her insights and examples from her own family I developed an even greater respect and admiration for this woman. She gives a framework for understanding the dynamics of a family that leads you to really treasure the gift that a family is. I also found it inspiring that during much of her experience as a wife and mother she was actively involved in ministry, at times even living in community. She gives so much more than practical tips on how to put your family first. She highlights different aspects of the family dynamic as she answers the question "what is a family?" Just looking at the chapter titles you can get a glimpse. A family is: an ecologically balanced environment, the birthplace of creativity, a formation center for human relationships, a shelter in the time of storm, a perpetual relay of truth, an economic unit, an educational control, a museum of memories, and a door that has hinges and a lock. I must admit that I found the first introductory chapter to be a bit corny. But once I got past that I was won over. I appreciated the chapter "A Shelter in the Time of Storm." It dealt with the realities of life, those harsh realities at times and the ways a family supports its members. She also specifically addressed times of illness and the important role we play in a loved one's recovery. All throughout, the book is based on biblical principles. I was blessed by the wisdom of this remarkable woman and look forward to reading this book again down the road. I think I can honestly say it is on the list of books that have really impacted my life.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Why I Left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement

The first time I saw this book in a catalog I thought it looked interesting. Not interesting enough to purchase though. I had been questioning contemporary Christian music of the KLOVE sort; bands that are the "Christian" versions of secular ones. I thought that perhaps the author of this book was part of such a band and was going to expose the evils of the Christian music industry. But I was wrong and the books not about that at all. It actually goes much deeper, to an even more pertinent issue. Here Dan Lucarini examines the use of rock music in our worship services. He speaks from his own experiences and questions a lot of common presuppositions about worship today and the effects of such thinking. He calls for the Bible to be the standard and thoroughly backs up his stance with Scripture. I really enjoyed this book. I found it so thought provoking but at the same time easy to read. I am so impressed by the author. He tackled quite a controversial topic with such grace and love. Even if you disagree strongly with what he's saying, you can't help but like the guy. I found his argument pretty compelling. I liked this book so much, not just because of its content but because it really engaged me and challenged me to think about what worship really is and what kind of worship is acceptable to God. Whether you agree with him or not, I think you will be blessed by reading this book. And it's one that definitely provokes discussion so if you have read it or do read it, please comment so we can talk about it.

Preachers Who Made a Difference

by Peter Jeffery

I love to read biographies of faithful Christians. They are such an encouragment. This book here summarized the lives of 9 great preachers. Some of whom I'd never heard of and others I had heard of but knew nothing about their lives. Many of them were from England, like the author. Preachers spanning the centuries. I enjoyed learning a bit of history about the church in England.
One of the most striking examples was Hugh Latimer - burned at the stake in the mid-16th century. At his death he comforted his friend with these words, "We shall this daylight such a candle, by God's grace in England, as I trust shall never be put out."