Row Row Row Your Boat...

Do you ever see a t-shirt, a bumper sticker, or who-knows-what and you just have to jot it down? I was at work earlier this week and a man at the store had this t-shirt on:

In case you can't read it, it says "Row, row, row your boat gently down a raging bone crushing life threatening class V stream, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream."

Now, I'm not into extreme sports, but if I were, a t-shirt like this would be what I'd wear all the time! Imagining what it would be like to go down a river like this t-shirt describes makes me want to puke! :)

Any of you ever do extreme sports?

How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph by Linda Massey Weddle

Develop Spiritual Champions for Jesus Christ with

New Practical Guide for Growing Children of Faith

Parents long to help their children reach their full potential. They schedule regular medical exams, get them involved in planned activities, help them with their homework, and invest for their college education. Yet while they may plan for their success, they can overlook a vital part of their personal development: Nurturing and encouraging a solid, lasting foundation of faith. Though we often assume that children are growing spiritually through church youth groups and programs, it’s essential that parents take an active, encouraging, and purposeful role in developing their values and morals.

Linda Massey Weddle, the U.S. program senior designer for AWANA and established author of children’s books and curriculums, has created How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph (David C Cook, June 2009) as a resource for parents who are longing to help their children find spiritual success. Based on Raising a Modern-Day Joseph, this unique guidebook encourages parents to develop a practical, personalized plan for instilling faith-based values and beliefs in their children that will last a lifetime.

How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph is modeled after Joseph of the Old Testament, who maintained his faith in spite of challenging circumstances. It features insights for growing kids spiritually and plotting out critical milestones from the toddler years through adolescence, while also allowing for the uniqueness of each child.

An ideal target for how parents want their kids to develop spiritually and morally, Joseph of Genesis offers parents a Biblical standard for building children of character. Using his story, How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph will help them do just that. They’ll discover how to instill five Master Life Threads for each stage of life, from preschool through high school. The practical guide helps children:

• Acquire wisdom from the Bible



• Understand God’s grace



• Gain a sense of destiny and purpose



• Develop a life-perspective based on God’s perfect plan

The result: Children and teenagers who know, love, and serve the Lord. How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph is a sure investment in the spiritual development of our youngest generation.

I'd like to say that I'm a huge fan of AWANA. My daughter's were involved when they were little and now my boys are in Sparks and T&T! I think AWANA is playing a vital role in my sons' spiritual development!

Thank you to Audra from The B&B Media Group for providing me with my review copy of How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph.

This guide for "growing great kids" has an encouraging introduction from it's author Linda Massey Weddle. One of the statements I love that she makes is when she's talking about how there are no guarantees in our children's walk. She says, "After all, even with the first two kids we read about in the Bible, one had a criminal record." Linda gets that we aren't perfect and neither are our kids. Thankfully, our God is perfect and his Word endures.

Linda also places an emphasis on the children not only learning about God at church and placing the weight on the church, but also on the parents - together training up the children. I appreciate that she speaks to single parents (such as myself) when she talks about our roles in raising our children.

The sections of this guide are broken up by age group. Linda tells us that just because our kids might be older as we're starting this book, doesn't mean we can't look over what she's sharing. There are principles that apply at every age that can be shared.

I love that I've got this book at the beginning of the school year, although it can be used at any time. At the end of each age group there is a Family Itinerary for the year. She gives an example of how to fill it out at the beginning of the book. It's very well laid out for us and readers will be able to tell a lot of thought has gone into how the book is set up, especially for families in our hectic times!

This year I'll be able to work on 2 sections: Early Elementary (Ages 5-8) regarding WISDOM and Older Elementary (Ages 8-11) regarding GRACE. Each chapter also goes into detail about what kids are asking about at these ages with some great answers. One question my 6 yr old might ask is "Where did God come from?" while my 10 yr old could ask "Why are there so many different kinds of Bibles?".

Linda also shares some errors we should avoid in each age group. There are verses each child is encouraged to memorize and biographies they might want to learn about. At the end of each section there is a checklist for parents about their child. And to top it off, she has ways parents can partner with their church.

I'm hoping this will be a book our AWANA leadership would be interested in doing. I think it would be a great encouragement to each family. I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to use this book with my boys this year.

There is a companion book that goes along with How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph called Raising a Modern-Day Joseph by Larry Fowler. This book can be found at the David C Cook website. If you're interested in purchasing either of these books, you can type the title in the Christianbook.com box on the right side of my screen. Today, August 6, 2009, the guide was $12.99 and the companion book was $9.99. Fantastic prices for such great resources!

The Hope of Refuge by Cindy Woodsmall

The Hope of Refuge

by Cindy Woodsmall

I'd like to start my review by thanking Liz at Multnomah Books for making this copy available to me.


Summary:


Raised in foster care and now the widowed mother of a little girl, Cara Moore struggles against poverty, fear, and a relentless stalker. When a trail of memories leads Cara and Lori out of New York City toward an Amish community, she follows every lead, eager for answers and a fresh start. She discovers that long-held secrets about her family history ripple beneath the surface of Dry Lake, Pennsylvania, and it’s no place for an outsider. But one Amish man, Ephraim Mast, dares to fulfill the command he believes that he received from God–“Be me to her”– despite how it threatens his way of life.


Completely opposite of the hard, untrusting Cara, Ephraim’s sister Deborah also finds her dreams crumbling when the man she has pledged to build a life with begins withdrawing from Deborah and his community, including his mother, Ada Stoltzfus. Can the run-down house that Ada envisions transforming unite them toward a common purpose–or push Mahlon away forever? While Ephraim is trying to do what he believes is right, will he be shunned and lose everything–including the guarded single mother who simply longs for a better life?



About the author:




Cindy Woodsmall is the author of When the Heart Cries, When the Morning Comes, and The New York Times Best-Seller When the Soul Mends. Her ability to authentically capture the heart of her characters comes from her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old Order Amish families. A mother of three sons and two daughters-in-law, Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband of thirty-one years.



Do you think you know what all the hubbub is about Amish fiction? Can you put your finger on why millions of copies of novels about the Amish are selling?



Cindy was recently covered on ABC Nightline. These are questions that ABC Nightline, Time magazine, and other media outlets are asking. But really the only way to understand the appeal is to read a fantastic book. Enter The Hope of Refuge by New York Times bestselling author Cindy Woodsmall. In the start of a brand new series, Cindy offers rich characters and insights into this often cloaked world, which you’re sure to enjoy. If you'd like to watch the piece by ABC's Nighline click on the picture of the video below:


If you're interested in purchasing The Hope of Refuge, you can visit Random House & see all of the different options where you can purchase the book online.

I'd have to say that The Hope of Refuge is probably one of my favorite Amish stories I've read. I've read several different authors who write Amish novels, and while I've enjoyed their books, for some reason Cara's character really resonated with me.

I also was happy that Cindy Woodsmall had Ephraim follow the Lord's voice, which is above the law of man. I don't want to give anything away, he's willing to take a shunning because he knows that what he's doing is right. To me, that's a sign of true character.

Another very important element to Cindy's The Hope of Refuge is that she didn't portray the bishop as someone evil or sinister. It seems to me that in many Amish novels, the bishop and other leaders are uncaring and controlling. Yes, the bishop put the bann on Ephraim, but it was because he was following their ways. Cindy shows in the story that he's concerned for Ephraim and that they are shunning him out of love.

Now, I realize that those not of the Amish community have a hard time dealing with shunnings. That's because we don't live under the same rules they live by. If we grew up with those rules in place we'd understand them and they would make sense to our way of life. As we've learned through psychology, children like boundries even when they cross them. I think we as adults like to know the rules and we feel safe living within those rules (or laws). The same goes for the Amish and their rules.

Cindy has made this story completely believable. The supporting characters draw you in and help you to understand how the Amish live and feel about each other and Englischers. As with all of us, we have formed opinions of people and that heavily comes in to play in this story.

If you have enjoyed Amish stories before, then this will be a fantastic addition to your reading!

New York Times bestselling author Cindy Woodsmall is on tour, and she may be coming to a city near you! Don’t miss your opportunity to meet Cindy and have her sign her newest title The Hope of Refuge at one of the following events.

Tuesday, August 11 7 – 8:30pm
Barnes & Noble
5141 Peachtree Parkway, The Forum
Norcross, Georgia 30092
(770) 209-4244

Wednesday, August 12 7 – 8pm
Barnes & Noble Opry Mills
515 Opry Mills Drive
Nashville, Tennessee 37214
(615) 514-5000

Thursday, August 13 6 – 8pm
Barnes & Noble
2540 Futura Pkwy. #135
Plainfield, Indiana 46168
(317) 838-7941

Friday, August 14 6 – 8pm
Barnes & Noble
1550 West 75th
Downers Grove, Illinois 60516
(630) 663-0181

Saturday, August 15 1 – 3pm
Baker Books
2768 East Paris Ave SE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546-6139
(616) 957-3110

Sunday, August 16 2 – 4pm
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
3700 Rivertown Parkway Ste. 2058
Grandville, Michigan 49418
(616) 531-1825

Monday, August 17 7 – 8:00pm
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
1739 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, Ohio 43212
(614) 298-9516

Tuesday, August 18 7– 8:30pm
Joseph Beth Booksellers
2705 E. Carson Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15203
(412) 381-3600

Wednesday, August 19 6 – 8pm
Hackman’s Bible Book Store
1341 Mickley Road
Whitehall, Pennsylvania 18052-4610
(610) 264-8600

Thursday, August 20 1 – 3pm
Rachel’s Country Store (Amish dry goods store)
6352 McClays Mill Road
Newburg, Pennsylvania 17240
(717) 530-9452

Can’t make the tour? You can still follow Cindy’s adventures on Youtube, Facebook, and Twitter. See you there!

Love's Pursuit by Siri Mitchell & Giveaway

Love's Pursuit

by Siri Mitchell
Bethany House / 2009 / Paperback
ISBN: 0764204327

Number of Pages: 320

I would first like to thank Jim at Bethany House for sending me my copy of Love's Pursuit by Siri Mitchell. This is the first novel I've read by this author. I'd heard wonderful things about her writing and was very excited to read this book.

Let me start off by stating that this book is NOT an easy read by any stretch of the imagination. To be honest, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to read the entire thing. Love's Pursuit is an intensely emotional story. The oppresiveness that the people live in as Puritans is beyond my understanding. I thought Amish society was rigid. Their lives are a day in the park after reading this novel.

We meet Susannah Phillips, a young Puritan woman who is waiting for John Prescotte to ask her father for her hand in marriage. She is also perceived as the good daughter in the Phillips family. Her sister Mary seems to live in Susannah's shadow her whole life and is somewhat of a mischief maker.

As we're reading the first chapter, Siri switches over to someone else describing their experience and we learn it is Small-hope. Siri goes back and forth between Susannah's story and Small-hope's. It took me a minute to realize what was going on, and there were no problems going back and forth between the two.

I'd have to say that I was 1/2 way through the book before I was able to get past all the depressing undertones of the story. There seems to be little laughter at all. No one seems to enjoy anything that God has put around them. Everything seems to be a chore and nothing is enjoyable about daily living. Men and women live their lives doing, doing, doing and hope that it's all enough.

The women seem to have little care about what is going on with anyone else, unless it's gossip. As long as their homes are running properly and with exact precision then all is well with the world. It's a weight I could never have lived under.

Let's discuss the men in this story!! First of all there's John Prescotte, Susannah's hopeful beau. He seems to like her, but we aren't quite sure if he'll take the next step. As for the villian in this story, he is so easy to dislike. Simeon Wright, what a horrible and dispicable character. Siri did a great job in his role! And last, but not at all the least, is our hero, Captain Daniel Holcombe. He has been sent by the Governor, his cousin, to protect the people from savages.

Daniel sees how these people live their lives and tries to share with the Phillips about God's grace. They in turn want to show him that living their way is the only way to salvation. Daniel has made himself Susannah's protector and as she begins to see into his heart she starts to question the life that is being set before her.

There are so many twists and turns to this story that make it all a whole, I don't want to give a single piece away. If you are able to get past the heaviness of heart in the first several chapters you will come away with a sense of rightness to the story. I am so glad I finished Siri's novel and I will seek out her other ones.

If you'd like to learn more about Love's Pursuit you can find it at the Bethany House website. There you'd be able to find an excerpt, reading guide, and Q&A. Click on the title to learn more. You can also find Siri at her website http://www.sirimitchell.com/ . If you'd like to purchase her book, type the name into the Chrisianbook.com box on the right side of my blog.

To win Siri's book, leave me a comment along with your email address and I will choose a winner August 7. Without an email address I won't be able to put you in the drawing. Contest open to US residents. As long as I have 10 entrants I will draw a name. So, if we get closer to the 7th and there aren't enough people get the word out. :)

Diversity in Christian Fiction ~ Faith n Fiction Saturday

Today's Topic

Deborah often mentions the lack of diversity in Christian fiction, and I definitely think it's something we should talk about more as I observe that many Christians do not feel that Christian fiction represents their own Christian experience.

Do you think Christian fiction represents a diverse range of belief, Christian experience, skin color, and nationality? Have you ever read a book and realized you hadn't read anything quite like it in Christian fiction before? Have you ever wished an author would take a different point of view? Do you think that avid readers of Christian fiction are open to more diversity in Christian fiction? What are some stand-out examples of books that represent diversity in Christian fiction?

My Answer

I don't believe Christian fiction represents a diverse range of color or nationality. Yes, there are several African-American authors e.g. Sharon Ewell Foster and as for Asian-American, there's only Camy Tang.

I feel like Christian fiction is very homogenized. It's all white, all the time. I'm not saying I have a problem with it, because I'm Caucasian and can relate to the people in the stories I read. I wouldn't have a lot in common with the struggles of slaves in the 1800's, I wouldn't understand what it was like to live in a Japanese camp in the early 1900's, etc. That's not to say I wouldn't want to read about their experience or enjoy a novel set in that time with their point of view.

I do wish there were more novels that covered topics such as divorced Christians. I read a novel several years ago about a lady with a weight issue and she got the guy. I loved that novel!! All the women and men are always the good looking ones.

Amish, regency, and novels that cover other time periods give us a wonderful view of times past. I wish that authors didn't always end the novel with the two people living happily ever after. Maybe they end up just being the best of friends, and that's ok.

What authors have you read that bring diversity into Christian fiction?