Refreshingly honest

While reading Life, In Spite of Me, by Kristen Jane Anderson, I was touched by her honesty about her struggles. I was also encouraged by how the Lord used her struggles to draw her to Himself.

I've never experienced the trials Kristen faced, but I can understand the helplessness she felt prior to knowing the Lord as her Savior, prior to her suicide attempt.

 I think this book would be a great encouragement to someone struggling with their purpose in life, someone who is lost. It's a great reminder that so many of us have similar struggles. I think it would be a great read for teens who feel like no one understands them.

Kristen writes, in detail, about the experiences leading up to her suicide attempt, her memories of that night and her life after she lost her legs. Her honesty is so refreshing.

The book flows easily. I read it in an afternoon.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Have you thought much about Lazarus?

I haven't. I mean, I know the story of Christ raising him from the dead. I know he was Mary and Martha's brother. I know he was there when Mary anointed Christ's feet with oil. But, that's about it.

Joanna Weaver takes a closer look at Lazarus in her latest book, Lazarus Awakening. It's her third book in a series looks at each member of this family from Bethany.With each chapter, she takes a look at the next part of the story as told in the gospels. Weaver opens by reminding us that we do know little about Lazarus, except that he was one who Jesus loved. And, she reminds us that "when Jesus comes on the scene, what seems to be the end is rarely the end. In fact, it's nearly always a new beginning."

Weaver addresses the truth that life doesn't always look like what we expect. But, Christ came to make dead men alive, just as He did with Lazarus. We were made to live in fellowship with him.

I liked the chapter "When Love Tarries." Weaver addresses the part of the story when Jesus tarries to return to see His sick friend. She plainly addresses her desire - and mine - to want control of life. "Surrendering the quill of my will has always been a difficult process for me." She does a lovely job of addressing why and how we should wait for the Lord.

Weaver's look at the "tombs" we choose to live in caused me to think about the things in my life that keep me from trusting the Lord fully. Like Lazarus, He gently calls us to "come forth."

My favorite chapter is "Unwinding Graveclothes." Weaver discusses how we can walk alongside others - through prayer and action - to move them to the fullness of life Christ promises each of us. She includes in the appendix further "helpful hints" for serving others.

Finally, she challenges readers to live the joyful, resurrected life we're called to live in Christ.

The book also includes discussion questions and a list of additional resources.

I thought Weaver did an excellent job of unpacking the story of Lazarus. And, I'll never skim over Lazarus again.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

I agree. I disagree.

I finally finished Steven Furtick's Sun Stand Still this weekend. It has been such a hard book to finish. I eagerly opened the book hoping to be challenged to be bolder in my prayers. Furtick's catch phrases "Sun Stand Still prayers" and "audacious faith" are definitely appealing. And, the account in Joshua of the Lord's provision of extended daylight and victory in battle for the Israelites is amazing.

Furtick writes, "if you're not daring to believe God for the impossible, you're sleeping through some of the best parts of your Christian life." I agree completely.

He asks, "does the brand of faith you live by produce the kinds of results in your life that you read about in the biblical stories of men and women of faith? Chances are, not even close." Again, he seems right on the money. I, too, believe we're inherently sinners and often fail to experience all God has for us. We rely on ourselves and our abilities instead of asking the Lord. But, we're not that different from the men and women of the Bible. They sinned and made mistakes, too. God used them anyway.

Furtick explains that we limit God by not asking and believing Him for seemingly impossible things. We need to dream big and look beyond our circumstances. Our vision needs to be based on who God is and not what we can do. Agree.

He warns "if the dream in your heart isn't biblically based, focused on Jesus, affirmed by the key people in your life, and tethered to your passions, gifts, and life experiences, chances are, you're way off prompt."

My struggle with this book was what I saw as a "me" focus instead of a God focus. Our ways are not His ways. Our dreams and desires are not always His best for us. All that happens on this earth, all of the events of our past, present, and future should be for His glory. I wish Furtick had driven that point home more fervently.

His way of writing was a bit too self-glorifying for my taste. When I read a spiritual book, I want to finish it with a bigger picture of who God is and a greater desire to glorify Him. Instead, I finished with a desire to get through the book as quickly as possible. 

I disagree with anything that promotes self and our ability to do anything for ourselves. While we need to pray fervently, we need to be responsive to the Lord's leading each moment of the day. I am concerned that some may read this book and see in it a possible way to get what they want in life.

I did like Furtick's chapter "When the Sun Goes Down." He addresses the reality that God does not always answer our prayers in the way we desire. I just wish he had approached the book from that starting point.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

More of myself than I wanted to see

I finally put down Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski tonight - only because I finished it. It's a completely engaging story about two college students (Mike and Sam) who spent six months living homeless on the streets of six US cities. Their experiences were compelling, eye-opening and convicting.

The book is truthful and well-written. Mike makes it clear that homelessness was their choice, and they could have stepped out of it at any time. But, their experiences are a strong, bitter taste of what life is like on the streets - streets around the corner from all of us.

I was convicted as I read about their experiences with Christians who were unwilling to even offer a smile or word of encouragement. Sadly, I saw myself often as one of those folks.


Mike discusses how homelessness is dehumanizing. It's emphasized by our unwillingness to interact with the homeless people we encounter. At the end of the book, Mike relates a story about an interaction he had with a homeless person after Mike and Sam came off the streets. Mike gave the man a burrito and visited with him while he ate it. The man said it changed his week. 


Simple acts can change all of our lives.

I enjoyed so many things about this book, but I especially appreciate the practical ideas for getting involved with the homeless in our communities that he includes. I'm hoping that I can become more like the people in the book who take the time to bless all people they encounter, regardless of what they look like. 

This book would be good reading for anyone, but especially someone seeking to gain a greater understanding and perspective of those who are homeless. It certainly challenged me.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook-Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. If you're interested in Under the Overpass, you can buy it here.

I love that mug!

We spent Thanksgiving with my husband’s sweet family. While there, I enjoyed coffee from a mug bearing the kids’ pictures. It was a Christmas gift last year. Look here. My MIL and I both love it. It’s so fun to see how much they’ve changed since last year. Our nine-year-old has really grown up this year!

I am completely a picture person. I love taking pictures, looking at pictures. One of the things I love about Christmas is receiving updated photos from family and friends. I’ve taken to sticking them in a little notebook to look back on year after year. And, I love sending them. Shutterfly is my favorite resource. Their cards are always creative and well-executed. (My advertising background makes me really picky!) Look for this one in your mailbox from us this year. But, there are so many cute ones. Look here to see more.

I’m thinking about doing some of these cards for our thank you notes this year. Fun, huh?

Shutterfly has some great offers right now that make photo gifts even more tempting!

Wow. I am a slow blogger. I've been way too busy having fun with my kids. This fall has flown by. Is it really already time for Thanksgiving?

I am loving Tallulah's laughter right now. It's totally contagious. And, she's laughing with Tiger. It doesn't get any better than that - even though he's supposed to be bathing instead of giggling with his sister.

A little time to kill

On Friday night, we ended up with a little time before we met friends for dinner. So, we stopped in Ross to browse instead of sitting in the car. B and I have been on-again-off-again looking for curtains for our family room. Who knew they were waiting for us at that Ross?

I am thankful that God provides in big ways and small ways. And I love having curtains in our family room. I didn't realized how much the room needed to be "warmed up" until our curtains were hung.