God's Battle Plan for the Mind - Book Review

This is a well-laid out, hard-hitting book on the topic of Biblical mediation.  The very word "meditation" draws up false religious groups, but there is definitely a clear use of meditation in the Bible, and there are even commands to do so.  The book tells about "occasional" and "deliberate" meditation, both of which have their place.  This book lays all these things out, as well as other reasons for meditating on God's Word, distractions from doing so, and ways to aid in meditation.  For someone who struggles with doing so amidst the entertainment and busyness of life, this was an especially convicting and practical book.  There were many great quotes from Puritan authors such as Thomas Watson, Jonathan Edwards, Richard Baxter, and more--my book is pretty well marked up. I definitely recommend this!

I received this book from crossfocusedreviews.com in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!

Books Finished in October

It was a busy month, so I didn't read very much.

1. Moving Without Mayhem by Jo Kent ***
[ Read from April 27 to October 02]
I skipped over the parts I didn't need to read, such as selling and buying your house (already done), but the rest gave some practical helps, such as how to pack boxes in the best way.

2. Apostate by Kevin Swanson ****1/2
 This is essential reading for the Christian or those with nagging questions about faith and reason. I am still working on reading it, but have read about half so far and have found it to be insightful and thought-provoking.

Kevin Swanson writes about many influential men who apostatized from the faith, either in their own lifetimes or in their lineage. The first part--called The Nephilim--covers Thomas Aquinas, Rene Descartes, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Jeremy Bentham, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Karl Marx, Charles Darwin, Fredrich Nietzsche, John Dewey, and Jean-Paul Sartre.

The second part--called The Literary Nephilim--covers William Shakespeare, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, and John Steinbeck.

The third part--The Cultural Nephilim--covers the influence of musicians and the church, and sums up with a call to follow Christ.

You will most likely learn much from this book, perhaps some surprising things and some disturbing things, but you will also see the futility and destructiveness of man-centered thinking. I highly recommend this book, and see it as very important for anyone in our day.

Almost a 5-star read for me. It's just a bit depressing overall, though it ends on a more positive note.

I received this book from crossfocusedreviews.com in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!

Philemon

Books Finished in September

1. Damsels in Distress: Biblical Solutions for Problems Women Face by Martha Peace ****[Read from August 17 to September 04]

Great little book. There are three sections, the first dealing with problems we have with others, such as gossip and hurt feelings. The second section deals with problems with ourselves, such as vanity and legalism. The third section deals with problems with the world, which was probably my favorite, consisting of three chapters--the first on the feminist influence, the second on the role of women in the church, the third with thankfulness amid trials.

Each section has examples, charts, Bible verses, and questions for yourself.

I appreciated the advice to step back and take time to think about a response to others when you are tempted to lash out when feeling emotionally upset.

The section on legalism was good, except I don't agree that hair length is merely cultural. I appreciated this balance: "Do not too quickly label people as legalists just because they have stricter or different personal standards than you. Legalism is not what you or they do but what you or they think about what you do."

Last, but not least, there is an appendix on salvation. It lists a good number of Scripture verses about Jesus, His mission, sin, and clearly lays out that salvation is all of grace.

2. The Book of 2 Thessalonians    
3. The Book of 1 Timothy
4. The Book of 2 Timothy
5. The Book of Titus

Books Finished in August

I'm sorry for the delay in posting these!

1. Saved without a Doubt by John MacArthur *****
[Read from August 01 to 22]

Great book that helped allay my fears! There are a lot of Scripture references. I do think there was an issue that wasn't addressed much, that I would have liked to have seen more about, but all in all an excellent book. After reading the study questions in the back of the book, I realized I don't know the material as well as I should, and will likely be reading the whole book over again, perhaps several times. There are assignments in the back of the book that should be helpful, too, such as memorizing key Scriptures.

Here are some of the many quotes I underlined on the kindle edition:

'Because we do not directly and immediately receive the fullness of all God's promises when we first believe--since it is "reserved in heaven" for us according to 1 Peter 1:4--we may sometimes be tempted to doubt our salvation and wonder about the ultimate blessings that are supposed to accompany it. The work of salvation in our lives remains incomplete--we still await the redemption of our bodies (Rom. 8:23), which will occur when Christ returns for us. Because we have not yet received full possession of our inheritance, we may question its reality or at least its greatness.'

'Our hope is not in ourselves but in our great God, who is faithful. Isaiah described God's faithfulness as "the belt about His waist" (Isa. 11:5). David declared that the Lord's "faithfulness reaches to the skies" (Ps. 36:5), and Jeremiah praised Him by exclaiming, "Great is Your faithfulness" (Lam. 3:23). The writer of Hebrews said, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful" (Heb. 10:23). While continued faith is necessary, our ability to hold fast is founded upon the Lord's faithfulness, not our own.'

'The peace spoken of here [Romans 5] is not subjective but objective. It is not a feeling but a fact. Apart from salvation through Jesus Christ, every human being is spiritually at war with God--regardless of what his or her feelings about God may be. In the same way, the person who is justified by faith in Christ is at peace with God, regardless of how he or she may feel about it at any given moment. Through trust in Jesus Christ, a sinner's war with God is ended for all eternity.'

'Natural human love is almost invariably based on the attractiveness of the object of love, and we are inclined to love people who love us. Consequently we tend to attribute that same kind of love to God. We think that His love for us depends on how good we are or how much we love Him.'

'Do you reject the world? Do you reject its false religions, damning ideologies, godless living, and vain pursuits? Instead, do you love God, His truth, His kingdom, and all that He stands for? That doesn't come naturally to any man or woman, because the human tendency is to love darkness rather than light to mask evil deeds (John 3:19-20). Unbelievers are of their father the devil and want to do the desires of their father (John 8:44). If you reject the world and its devilish desires, that is an indication of a new life in Christ. And since that new life is forever, settle into it with an abiding sense of assurance.'

'I frequently receive letters from anguished Christians who doubt their salvation because they can't seem to break a sinful or unwise habit. They fear their struggle with such things means they are locked into a pattern of sin. But John is not saying that the frequent occurrence of one particular sin in a person's life means that person is lost. Rather he clarifies his meaning in saying that a true believer cannot practice lawlessness (1 John 3:4). The Greek term used there (anomia) literally means "living as if there were no law." A person who rejects God's authority doesn't care what God thinks about his habits and is obviously not a Christian.
A Christian, on the other hand, has a drastically different way of relating to God. He or she is no longer a slave to sin but has offered himself or herself as a servant to the Lord (Rom. 6:14, 17-18). A true Christian can still sin, and may even do so frequently, but sinning frequently (while continually responding in confession and repentance) is not the same as shamelessly and unrepentantly practicing sin. In 1 John, we see that a true believer can do the first but not the second.'

'Now your love won't be perfect, but it will be there. Let that bolster your assurance, for John warned that your heart or conscience might try to incriminate you and make you doubt. The fallen flesh has the capability to play games with your mind. Satan, the accuser of the brethren, may seek to exploit that tendency.'

...The book goes on to talk about answered prayer, belief in Christ, discerning between spiritual truth and error, suffering for Christ, temptations, disobedience, adding virtue upon virtue, knowledge of theology, self-control, focus, not having a victim mentality or sugar-coating sin, use of the Word and prayer, endurance, and more.

2. The Mystery of Mary by Grace Livingston Hill **
[Read on August 24]

Trying to weed out some of my stash of novels, and in the process finding it hard not to read through them all, because sometimes there is a gem amid the so-so books. Not the best GLH book, though the story was quite engaging. Rather unrealistic, too, and not really anything about the Lord. Also quite a bit of deceiving going on, even if it was for safety (couldn't there have been a different way?). 

3. The Button Legacy by Ginger Marcinkowski ***

[Read on August 27, 2013]

The button box holds a secret. Not a trap-door kind of secret, but one of God's love through everything. The story is simple, but the words resonate with poignancy, picturesque stories told for each button. There are some sad stories, some funny stories, but in the end they point to God's grace. I appreciated the love and prayers between family, and the humble way of confronting wrong. There were a couple of somewhat embarrassing/intimate things, but not detailed. It wraps up a little too quickly, perhaps, at least for those of us who haven't read the companion book about granddaughter, Emily. There is nothing exactly objectionable, unless you count the time Emily goes into a dance-hall/bar and gets drunk--but the action is not condoned. Overall a solid, well-written tale, but it seems a bit unfinished.

I received a free kindle copy of this story from Cross Focused Reviews in exchange for my honest review.

4. Misery Loves Company by Rene Gutteridge ***
[Read on August 29]

Jules (Juliet) is a blogger who has never recovered from the pain of losing her husband. She struggles with life and death issues and with trusting in God, though she knows her husband did.

There is a cop who wants to help, feeling he has failed her and her husband. When she goes missing, he tries his hardest to follow any clues, even to the point of possibly losing his own job.

I thought I would only read a third of this book or so the first day, but ended up finishing it all! It soon captured my interest, and though it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be, it was fascinating.

There were twists, well-written characters, and a few good lessons, but it wasn't exactly a joyful read. (I know: what do I expect from this sort of book?)

Here's a good quote that partly sums up the lessons in the book: '"Most people believe we need each other to fill our lives with abundance and blessing. We believe we need people to show us all the good in ourselves. But I don't believe that's the case. We need people, Juliet, to show us our selfishness, to extract the ugliness that reveals itself in our hearts."'

I'm not sure the author believes in total depravity, but it comes close, which is better than most books these days.

The ending was a tense, riveting ride, with a few gruesome details, but nothing most people couldn't handle.

Overall a good, maybe very good novel, but not a particular favorite of mine, just because of the sadness and confusion of the main characters.

5. The Book of Galatians

6. The Book of Ephesians

7. The Book of Philippians

8. The Book of Colossians

9. The Book of 1 Thessalonians

Books Finished in July, 2013

1. Pat of Silver Bush by L. M. Montgomery **
[Read from June 05 to July 12, 2013] 
One moment this seemed like a 1-star book, the next like a 4-star, so I give it something in between. There are too many stories in it about witches, fairies, and the like. Even though the witch is not a real one, Judy, the maid (who is more like a mother), encourages Pat to think witches and fairies are real and fascinating. (Witches are real, but not people to fool around with.) Some of that fades as the book goes on, and I enjoyed the beautiful, quaint descriptions of the people and outdoors and the love of home (although sometimes Pat almost idolizes home).

Then, there are a couple of brief romances in the book, which are pretty realistic and innocent. However, she should have been led by her parents and Judy to be more careful.

So, I liked parts of it, but not all. Here are a couple of quotes I like:

"No matter what dreadful things happened at least there were still cats in the world."

"How I loved to wake up in the night and feel that my husband and my children were well and safe and warm, sleeping peacefully. Life hasn't anything better to offer a woman than that, Patsy."

2.  Laura Ingalls Wilder's Prairie Wisdom by Yvonne Pope ***
[Read from July 02 to 12, 2013]
I really like the cute illustrations, and there are some good quotes . . . some not-so-good ones, as well. Overall I like it, and it's a really quick read. :)

3. Beyond Ordinary: When a Good Marriage Just Isn't Good Enough by Justin Davis, Trisha Davis ****
[Read from June 15 to July 21, 2013]
Even though I'm not married and have no immediate plans to be, I thought this might be a good book to read. I was right. At first, the authors, Justin and Trisha, seemed rather shallow and mediocre, and they did struggle in their marriage a lot. However, some of their advice is applicable even to single people, for our relationships with God and others. For instance, the everyday choices we make, whether they are selfish or sacrificial, and putting God first. There were many practical and good tips. No doubt it would be even more helpful for married couples to read. There were questions at the end of each chapter for those who are married to apply to themselves.

Caveat: some of the material in the book may not be to your liking to read about, especially if you're a younger single person, but everything was handed quite carefully.

Here are a few quotes which were helpful to me:

'We went from "I love you so much; how can I serve you?" to "If you loved me, then you would do this for me."'

'In order to move beyond ordinary, we have to be intentional. We have an enemy who is intentionally coming against our marriage relationships. We won't drift into extraordinary; we will have to fight for it.'

'Distorting truth and compromising truth often seems innocent and harmless, but it always comes with a price.'

'When we start expecting our spouses' words, behavior, or choices to fill parts of our hearts that only God can fill, we set ourselves up for ordinary marriages.'

'But much like the Israelites, we can easily stop focusing on the presence of God and focus instead on the presents of God.'

'The crossroads that all of us stand at every day is do I choose ordinary again today, or do I choose extraordinary?'

'Bitterness is like picking up a stone to throw and holding on to it so you'll have ammunition the next time you're wounded. We take our stones, hold them tight, and find comfort in them. But if we dwell in bitterness long enough, resentment is sure to follow.'

'I had tried to escape the crushing of teeth and the breaking of bones and in the process had also forgone the faithfulness and mercies and salvation and compassion of God.'

'When we do not live in the fullness of God's love, we are incapable of loving others fully.'

'Wherever sin lives, intimacy dies. That is true in your relationship with God, and it is true in your marriage. But the good news is that wherever intimacy lives, sin dies.'

'We sometimes confuse discipline with a lack of grace, but discipline is an extension of grace.'

4. Voyage with the Vikings (Imagination Station #1) by Marianne Hering, Paul McCusker ***1/2
[Read on July 22, 2013]
As an adult having never (except maybe once) listened to Adventures in Odyssey, I still enjoyed this little book. It's fast-paced, simply-put but informative, and has fun illustrations. Children will enjoy traveling back in time through this series, I'm sure. The children in the book are brave, helpful, and loving, without the bickering and name-calling you often find in kids' books.

The whole story is not resolved, which makes one more curious to read the rest of the series, but at least the one time period is finished.

5.  Mistress Pat (Pat of Silver Bush #2) by L.M. Montgomery **
[Read from July 15 to 31, 2013] 
I'm afraid this is no better than the first, really. I still enjoyed certain parts and the style of the writing. But there was a staggering number of suitors and were mostly shallow thoughts. 

The Book of 1 Corinthians - I need to write better reviews of the books of the Bible, but this is, as always, the Word of God, and helpful in so many ways! I remember being especially blessed by chapter 11, with the headship of man, etc.

The Book of 2 Corinthians

Books Finished in June, 2013

1. Sparkly Green Earrings: Catching the Light at Every Turn by Melanie Shankle ***
[Read from May 30 to June 01]
Though I couldn't relate with too much and didn't agree with all of the author's parenting choices, I did find some profit in this book. Sometimes her sarcasm seemed slightly mean, though I'm sure she only meant to be funny, and I got a few laughs/smiles from the stories. It also made me appreciate the complexities and strength mothers must have if they are to be good mothers (even if it's slightly scary). It also ended on a positive, sweet note, which is good.

2. The Library Thief by Christa Upton ***
A simple but cute story, with kids who get along well, respect their elders, are kind to the mean girl, and figure out a mystery together. Not so much about "the library thief." It was mostly about a treasure hunt. I think most children would enjoy the story. 

3. Deployed by Mel Odom **
[Read from June 04 to 10] 
Though I am against divorce (at least in most cases) and women being in the military, this book was quite an adventure. It opened my eyes to some of the horror in other parts of the world, and I could sympathize with most of the characters in one way or another. None of the main characters were Christian, however, so that was a bit disappointing. Bekah had some sort of peace come upon her later-on in the book, but the gospel message was not there. If you're looking for an exciting military read that is clean (though violent), then this book may be something to try, but if you're looking for a strong Christian story, this is not it.

4. Horse Dreams (Backyard Horses #1) by Dandi Daley Mackall ***
I think most kids would really enjoy this, but especially kids who are in public school and who like animals. The characters and setting are believable yet somewhat quirky. The chapters go by quickly, with driving elements. The children in the story get along well, except for the one or two snooty girls. Some of it I question, but overall pretty good.  

5. Frame 232 by Wil Mara *** [Read from June 12 to 14]
The story captured my attention from the beginning, with descriptions real and frightening. For some reason, the last half was not as gripping as the first for me, though parts of it did keep me glued to it. I think there was a little too much time spent on the bad guys, not enough on the main characters and their personal feelings and actions. Perhaps it would make a better movie than book, although there are some scenes that would not transfer in a godly manner into film. (The book mentioned people swearing, prostitutes, etc.) Then, the Christian aspect of the book was lacking, in my opinion, though trusting in Jesus was mentioned briefly. Catholic churches and works were too accented, which may cause confusion for readers. However, it was well-written, with characters you basically either love or hate, and with a few twists, so I liked it. And if a book succeeds in making a conservative with no previous interest in the subject fascinated by the history (albeit speculative/alternative history) surrounding someone like JFK, I guess it deserves points. Overall, it is a vivid and fast-paced conspiracy novel, and I am interested in seeing what comes next in Jason Hammond's life.

6. Tangled Ashes by Michele Phoenix ***
[Read from June 15 to 21]
This is two stories within one. The two stories center around an old French castle, which holds within its walls the memories of a Nazi birthing center. The modern-day characters are fresh and intriguing, though the male, Mr. Becker, is a rather gruff and unlikeable character at first. Gradually I learned to feel concern for him, putting myself in his shoes. Jade, the female main character, is a bit blunt, but caring. Becker's job is to restore the old castle, and he specifically focuses on carving the wooden bannisters. His old hurts haunt him and instill fear and anger in him, and he tries to still the raging longing for alcoholic drink. Jade's job is to be a nanny to the boss's twins, who are average, cute children. She also cooks and cleans in the castle, the children in tow. Becker has growing feelings for Jade, but they are conflicted, and the romance is limited. The Christian message is limited, as well, but does come about slowly, if not entirely clearly. There are various pieces that come together in a climax, from an old man called Jojo, night wanderings, sickness, and the history of the old chateau. A good read for those who enjoy learning about personal struggles and history, with a little mystery thrown in. 

The Book of Revelation - Read with my family for devotions. A lot of fascinating and hard to interpret things in this book of the Bible!
The Book of Romans - Read for my personal devotions. Wonderful book full of God's grace and doctrines.

Books Finished in May

1. The Novelist by Angela Hunt ***
[Read from May 01 to 04, 2013]
This is a pretty gripping story, or actually two stories in one. The story within the story is an allegory of Adam's fall in the Garden of Eden and Jesus' redemption. The main story is about the writer of the allegory and her troubled son. I appreciated the writing lessons as well as the spiritual lessons in the story, though I didn't think it was perfect.

2. The Castafiore Emereald by Hergé ***
[Read on May 07, 2013]
A Tintin comic. A bit more chaotic than I liked, but still funny & interesting.

3. The Land of Black Gold by Hergé ****
A Tintin comic.  Quite funny, though there was some swearing in German that I could understand. :(

4. One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp *****
[Read from April 23 to May 19, 2013]
I was sort of expecting the usual modern instructional/inspirational book--helpful but a little dry or shallow. Instead, this book is a lyrical feast. The author asks hard, penetrating questions, and helps us to see God's love for us in every detail of life, even the ugly side of life. The only thing I didn't like about it, that I recall, is the painting of Christ and the way she reacted to it, since I don't believe we are to make likenesses of God, even God in the flesh--especially because we don't know what He looked like and our perceptions might skew things, or make the painting an object of worship, instead of the actual Christ. Perhaps there is danger of people thinking her pantheistic, as she "finds God" in everything/everyone, but she quite clearly refutes that in the section about the moon, and you can tell she is speaking poetically, or of finding God's glory/handiwork in everything.

Overall it is a beautiful book that will certainly stick in my mind and heart.

5. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi **
[Read from May 20 to 21, 2013] 
This was a fun, adventuresome read, especially while I was ill, but the ending frustrated me, as well as a few other things. Yes, the main character showed some good courage, but she also showed dishonesty and disobedience to parents. I can understand the reasoning for the way it ended, but it wasn't right. If it weren't for the ending, I probably would have given it another star, since it was well-written and entertaining.

6. Jimmy by Robert Whitlow *** 
[ Read from May 26 to 30, 2013]
Not a riveting read until near the end, but it does give some things to think about, and is a touching look into the head of a simple, sweet boy.  

The Book of Acts - I read it again for my own daily Bible reading. Always interesting (and inspired) reading!

Books Finished in April

1. The Gilded Prospect by Philip Thurman *1/2
[Read from January 29 to April 03, 2013]
The author has a very unique "voice," (writing style), which can be good or bad, depending on your viewpoint. Actually, I think in this case it's both good and bad.

This left me scratching my head:
'He traded between pulling at the meat and shoving fingers back into his mouth to cool. Each struggling grind extracted minutes between concentrated teeth for the lean scraps.'

Maybe the poetic style appeals to you, and maybe I mainly didn't like it because I was expecting something fast-paced. However, there were some really confusing parts, especially near the beginning. Page 269 was also confusing. It didn't clearly explain where they were or what they were doing until a page later. It could be I'm a little thick-headed, but the unusual wording is not always easy.

Some of the formatting also made it harder to understand--such as missing paragraph breaks, so you don't know who is talking.

Other things I didn't like:
The ambiguity of faith. Characters say, "You have to believe," but the don't say "in God," (though perhaps it is understood from earlier times), and they seem to assume God will have to heal their daughter if they believe He will.

Then, there was an Indian festival, which included totem pole, dancing, etc. Here's a quote from one of the characters: '"No matter how modern this world becomes, we never forget the honor of our ancestors and traditions. One of my sons may be my grandfather just as I may have once been the head of Little Birch," his tone shortened.
"Reincarnation?"
"Something like that. Our complex traditions run many thousands of years. Just because we've adopted a few modern conveniences doesn't mean we have to completely abandon our past. . ."'
True, but if those traditions are antithetical to the Bible you should abandon them.

Another odd quote: '"I'm as sore to the bone as any of you, but there's an energy here. Almost feels like the arms of my people wrapping around us tonight."'

The ending of the story, however, did have some good lessons, having to do with fathers and sons and love. But overall it could have been more riveting, compelling, and biblical in its execution. For the author's first novel, it was quite good, and mainly just needed a little more careful editing.

2.  Nadia's Hope by Lisa Buffaloe *1/2
The story is a little deeper than the cover would imply, but there was still a lot of romance, which frustrated/embarrassed me. I skipped as much as I could of the kissing parts.

I almost wasn't going to put this on my list here, but for record's sake, I decided I should.

It is the story of a hurting young lady with nightmares that haunt her. I cried for the character when her back-story was told. She eventually finds hope in Christ, realizing we can't understand exactly why everything happens.

The romance was shallow and not very godly on the part of the Christian young man, but perhaps the deeper subjects will help someone who has gone through similar horrors. The author certainly put her heart and soul into the matter.

3. Daniel Boone by Roy Nemerson ***
[Read from April 09 to 11, 2013]
This is an easy, children's fast-paced read, quite fun. I don't know if it's entirely accurate, and some of the illustrations and stories were a bit overly dramatic/romanticized, etc. There were a few (or at least one) vain use of the Lord's name. Other than that, not bad.

 4. Bound Together: How We Are Tied to One Another in Good and Bad Choices by Chris Brauns ****1/2
[Read from April 01 to 25, 2013]
The doctrine of original sin is not an easy topic, so I was interested in reading more about it. This book was written clearly, defining terms for the layperson.

I rate this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. It is helpful and encouraging, pointing time and again to Christ and the hope found in Him in the midst of a sin-filled world. Our actions do affect others, for good or bad, and yet there is One whose actions are stronger than all of man's or Satan's. My only complaint is the repetitiveness (though this may help drill it in the reader's head). It was still a great blessing to read. I appreciated the quotes from the Bible and Christian authors, and there are many additional worthwhile quotes and thoughts in the book that I couldn't take time to post.

For a much more detailed review (my notes on the book) and a giveaway, see my previous post on this blog.

5. Tintin in America by Hergé ****
I read this classic comic book in one day. It is fun and crazy.

6. The Broken Ear by Hergé ***
[Read on April 30, 2013] 
Another Tintin comic book which is also fun and crazy, but for some reason I didn't like it as well as the first.

Bound Together - Book Review and Giveaway

I signed up to review this for Cross Focused Reviews. My review was not required to be positive.

The doctrine of original sin is not an easy topic, so I was interested in reading more about it.  This book was written clearly, defining terms for the layperson.  Here are some brief notes on each section. (They used to be longer. *cough, cough*)

Introduction: A Fairy-Tale Beginning - Like fairy tales that begin darkly, so this world was plunged into darkness in Adam's fall.  But the ending will be glorious for Christians, like a happily-ever-after story.

Part One: Understanding the Principle of the Rope
Chapter One: Strange and Troubling Truth
Defining terms, real-life examples. Then there are given Biblical examples of judgment on nations, even when just the head, such as King David, sinned. 

Chapter Two: Original Rope
The Doctrine of Original Sin - Bible texts on the fall and before, how we were made in God's image.  How sin twisted the aspect of "image of God" in areas of worship, community, and vice-regency: relating to creation.
So What Does All This Have to Do with Me?
How Was Adam's Sin Transmitted to Us? - Different views of this are explained: the "realist," "federalist," (or "covenant") and a mix of both aspects, along with Biblical support for each view.   Criticisms for these.  Douglas Moo and D. Martin Lloyd-Jones are cited as proponents of a mix of both views.  The author's explanation of original sin is described vividly: "To put it another way, when Adam jumped off the cliff of sin and death in his rebellion against God, we were tied to him in his rebellion, and he pulled us over the side with him."  Charles Finney found this truth "subversive of the gospel, and repulsive to human intelligence."

Chapter Three: The Rope that is Stronger
Arguments given against solidarity (the rope principle) in The Brothers Karamazov portray the horror of children suffering from the crimes/cruelty of others.  How should/can Christians respond to these critiques?
The Gospel in Romans 5:12-21 - We are roped to Adam, but can be "roped to" and made righteous through the second Adam, Christ.  "Because God has made us and this world to operate on a principle of solidarity, there is hope that we can be saved from the consequences of Adam's sin, not by our own efforts (which can never suffice), but through the actions of a representative, someone who will do what we cannot do, someone who will suffer in our place, on our behalf." (p. 60)   We cannot deny the Scriptures or the world's corruption.

Chapter Four: Bound to a New King
Union with Christ - God sees the believer and Christ as one, though separate and distinct, through grace alone, and the Holy Spirit.  This is vital for us.  God is not remote.
Images of Union with Christ - The first illustration of our union with Christ in the Bible is the building.  Built on Jesus Christ, we are living stones (Eph. 2:19-22 and 1 Peter 2:4-5).
The second analogy is the physical body (Eph. 4:15-16).  Quote from Spurgeon: "So long as a man's head is above water you cannot drown his feet and as long as Christ, the Head of the mystical body, rises above the torrent of condemnation, there is no condemning even the least and feeblest member of His body!"
A third picture is the vine and the branches (John 15:1-17).
Fourth is the analogy of marriage.  "Our union with Christ is greater than this marital intimacy, as it is based on a relationship not with another sinner but with our sinless Savior, who has demonstrated his love for us by dying on our behalf."
Fifth is the picture of children adopted by a Father (Eph. 1:5, Rom. 8:16-17).
Sixth is the amazing comparison to the relationship of the Trinity (John 17). 
Martin Lloyd-Jones preached in response to questioners of the doctrine of original sin: "Once more I repeat what I said previously, that we must not begin to question our relationship to the world's first man, Adam, because every time you put the question I will make you ask the same question about our relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ."

Chapter Five: Can We Blame the Rope?
Can we blame sin on our parents, etc.?
Ezekiel's Response - The Israelites blamed their forefathers for their present plight.  God relayed, through Ezekiel, that the soul who sins shall die and other similar, just outcomes.  No one is guiltless.
So is the Principle of the Rope Real? - How can these two seemingly opposed principles fit together?  A hypothetical example is given to illustrate that there are effects from our sin, but each person is still responsible for their decisions.
Even genes cannot be an excuse for sin.  John Frame argues that in one sense all sin is inherited (from Adam).
Turning from Sin to Follow Christ - No excuses for sin.  Biblical examples of people who turned from their culture and family background to God.

Part Two: Applying the Principle of the Rope
Chapter Six: Bound Together for Joy
We are commanded to be joyful.
Three Indisputable Truths Regarding Joy
#1: All Christians Desire More Joy
#2: God Wants His People to Experience Joy (Morally, in contrast to God's sovereign will.)
#3: The joy level of many Christians is staying the same or even diminishing.
The Problem of Joy (review)
Proclaiming the Obvious - The foundation of all joy is the gospel (good news) of Christ.  First of all, most people don't have a clear idea of the gospel.  "The gospel is also diminished and joy leaks out--when those who have known the gospel for many years lapse into a works mentality in which they think that somehow we must do things to earn God's favor.  For this reason, Jerry Bridges reminds us, we must preach the true gospel to ourselves every single day.  Otherwise, we will soon feel defeated in the Christian life."
Another way the gospel is diminished is that some believe the lie that something other than God will satisfy.
The Discovery - Paul (in 34 of 50 times that "joy" and "rejoice" are used) connects his experience of joy to his relationship with other believers.
Making the Connection between Joy and Corporate Solidarity - Fruit bearing.
Fighting for Joy - Review the gospel.  Read books on it.  Invest in the body of Christ, with money, time, and gifts/abilities.

Chapter Seven: Bound Together in Marriage
There is an example given of a lovely marriage, and Biblical references to marriage.
Strengthening the Bond of Marriage
The Biblical Role of Wives - Submissive.  Chris Brauns lists reasons why people don't like the word submission today, and counters them.
The Biblical Role of Husbands - Loving and serving, like Jesus.  Asking for forgiveness. Being a good listener.  Example of Philip Bliss laying down his life for his wife in the burning rubble of a train.

Chapter Eight: A Red Rope for Hurting Families
This chapter is encouraging for anyone who is discouraged about someone in their family, and focuses on the Biblical prostitute Rahab, and God's grace to her and her family.
"Identify with the Lord Jesus Christ.  Perhaps God will be pleased to save not only you but your mother and father and your sisters and brothers as well. . . . Spend less time going over and over in your mind the decisions your family members have made, and spend more time growing in grace." (p. 136)
"Do not believe the lie that it is too late for your family.  Do not buy the lie that your sins are too great. Run to the cross. Hang a red cord out your window.  Put your trust in Jesus, and the grace of God will abound to you and your family." (p. 137)
"Be patient. The last chapter is not yet written." (p. 137)
Not that it is guaranteed that your family will all trust Christ, the author admits.  But there is still reason to hope.
Why Did God Order Israel to Kill Everyone in Jericho? - The Canaanites had been given much time to repent.  "The destruction of Jericho should serve as a sobering warning about the justice and holiness of God.  It is only a preview of God's final judgment."
Encouragement for Those Hurting Because of a Family Member - Remember Rahab and the power of the gospel. And be careful not to think our decisions affect no one but ourselves.  "We dare not take a path that will cause a bitter root to grow up in our lives, thereby defiling many." (p. 143)
All Christians Have a Family - Even if we are severed from physical family, as Christians we have a family in Christ.

Chapter Nine: A Rescue Rope for Those Facing the Fear of Death
Confidence in the Face of Death from Hebrews 2:10-18
The Incarnation - "Since we have flesh and blood, he [Christ] shared our humanity in order that he might be roped to us."
Four Ways Christians Benefit from Their Solidarity with Christ
The Story of Count Helmuth James con Moltke - An aristocrat by birth, Helmuth was expected to be a great leader in the time and ways of Hitler. Yet he opposed Hitler, and was eventually arrested and sentenced to hang, shortly before the end of WWII.  He was not sorrowful but elated in his last days, as he wrote to his wife, finding that bravery that comes from Christ.

Chapter Ten: Roped Together in Country and Culture
"If Westerners continue to see ourselves as islands, the future will be very dark.  Cultures and countries cannot flourish apart from a deep recognition of solidarity that only Christ and his church can make happen.
The Rise of American Solidarity - Alexis de Tocqueville visited America in 1831 to see why democracy worked better there.  He concluded that there was an abundance of natural resource, that the specific form of government (with smaller, local governments) was key, and that "a common culture of Christian morality had created a virtuous society."  He also referenced the high regard for marriage and the mothers who taught their children Christian values.
George Washington, too, sacrificed for his country.
However, Tocqueville foresaw a possible problem for America, the rise of extreme individualism.  This could lead to selfishness and blindness to any of the government's flaws, and to taking whatever is handed out.
The Problem of Radical Individualism - "Today many of the concerns articulated by Tocqueville have come to fruition."
"Today the autonomous self ("self in a castle," according to Scot McKnight) is seen as ultimate." (p. 170)
Why Radical Individualism Persists Today - Many people rail against individualism and long for the "good old days," yet refuse to go to church events.
It is hard to go against radical individualism because it has so permeated our culture.
Why the Church Is Uniquely Qualified to Counter Radical Individualism
The Biblical emphasis on Community - The epistle to Philemon deals with sharing the faith and being refreshed through the brethren.  We must live like we believe we are brothers and sisters in Christ.
More Biblical examples are given.
"Does the use of your time, treasure, and talents reflect that you know and understand that you are roped together with your local church?" (p. 179)
A Final Summary - "[C. S.] Lewis allowed [in The Problem of Pain] that it is hard for us to comprehend that Adam represented all his descendants, but he also noted that our inability to understand something does not mean it is untrue." (p. 180)

Afterword
Real life Lone Rangers don't exist.  Moses, Ruth, David, Nehemiah, and Esther acted heroically because of love for community and God.  Jesus is the ultimate example of this.

Appendix One: The Gospel and Assurance of Salvation
Likely many people have false assurance, but we can know that we are saved.
The Gospel
The Proper Basis for Assurance of Salvation - 1. Do you presently have faith in the Lord Jesus for salvation? 2. Does the Holy Spirit testify with your spirit that you are a Christian? 3. Does your conduct give evidence that you are a Christian?

For Further Reading
A list of resources is given.

Conclusion - I rate this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. It is helpful and encouraging, pointing time and again to Christ and the hope found in Him in the midst of a sin-filled world.  Our actions do affect others, for good or bad, and yet there is One whose actions are stronger than all of man's or Satan's.  My only complaint is the repetitiveness (though this may help drill it in the reader's head).  It was still a great blessing to read.  I appreciated the quotes from the Bible and Christian authors, and there are many additional worthwhile quotes and thoughts in the book that I couldn't take time to post.

Books Finished in March

1. I Exalt You, O God: Encountering His Greatness in Your Private Worship by Jerry Bridges *****
This book presents four main elements or reasons for worshiping God--for His greatness, for His holiness, for His wisdom, and for His love. Each of these parts divides into sections, or "days," going more into depth on each attribute. I really appreciate how many Bible verses there were throughout, and how they were applied. After the initial introduction about worship and the way we are to worship every day, each section ended in a prayer taking many thoughts and quotes from the Bible. There were also quotes from other authors such as MacArthur, Charnock, Calvin, and more. The last part, on God's love, reminded me of the total grace of God shown through His Son, something I needed to hear, and often do. It's not enough just to think of God's love in a vague way, but to read the verses of His unmerited, unchanging grace and love is highly important. To be reminded that we are full of sin and all made from the same clay was what the Lord used in my heart when I read it. This is a good devotional book I think I may pick up again and again. Though it may not go into as much depth as the old Puritan writers, it is clear and concise and helpful.

2. Damascus Countdown by Joel C. Rosenberg ****
This is the third book in a series. It was very hard to put down once begun. The story is written in snippets from characters ranging from the wicked rulers to the CIA agents to the girl back home, and each section had something interesting to offer. Sometimes it was a bit annoying to change scenes in the middle of something exciting, but the each new scene would make up for it. I read it in two days (took a break for a few days partly out of necessity--and I admit I wanted to see if I could beat my record of reading the last Rosenberg book in three days). I don't know if I agree with everything, mostly the Holy Spirit speaking to people, almost as if audibly, but then again I have relatives who have gotten strong impressions of things from God (not voices), which I believe is in keeping with what Scriptures say. There was quite a lot of violence and darkness and that was a bit taxing and depressing at times. However, it did make me want to study the Bible more on the subject of eschatology, and to want to witness more to people, and there were hopeful notes throughout the story, as well.

3. River of Mercy (The Riverhaven Years, #3) by BJ Hoff **
A historical Christian romance, with ties to the underground railroad, surrounding an Amish community.  I wanted to finish the series, though it wasn't my favorite all around.

The Book of John - The holy Scriptures, inspired by God, are beyond compare.  I very much enjoyed reading this book, which has the focus on Jesus as the Son of God.  Chapters 14 and 15 were particularly helpful to me at the time of reading them--God is so gracious!

Books Finished in February

1. Afterwhiles by James Whitcomb Riley **
(Read from October 13, 2010 to February 02, 201)
Some odd poems, some pretty good poems. He mostly uses hick-style dialogue, which is interesting.

2. Through the Fire / Inspirational Poems by Frank Sieber **1/2
The poems are very short and quite simple, but they are pretty good.

 3. Daphne Deane by Grace Livingston Hill **1/2
 (Read from February 22 to 24, 2013)
I decided to weed out the not-as-good GLH books in my personal library, but having never read this one, I wanted to give it a chance. Overall it is decent, but not one of my favorite GLH books. Still, there is something endearing about it, and it kept me reading. There is the quite usual range of characters--the handsome man with principles yet some confusion and waywardness, the sweet, lovely girl with strong faith, the gung-ho, supportive brothers, the nosy and gossiping neighbor, the haughty, selfish, and conniving girl. The contrasts in the "good" and "bad" young ladies are a little too polar, sometimes, so that the selfish one is almost a caricature, one who hates to give up and then wants her revenge. The story-line is not as questionable as the write-up makes it sound, and there were some good lessons, though I didn't agree with every little thing, and the young man in some ways doesn't really seem to be a Christian. In other ways he does. The story also includes a small mystery--odd lights in the old house. :)

The book of Luke - Started last year.
The book of Acts - We read this (starting last year) in family devotions.

Books Finished in January

1.  The Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Volume 2 by Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
(Read from October 13, 2010 to January 04, 2013) *1/2
I didn't understand half of it, and though sometimes it was witty & good when I did, overall I can't give it a high mark. 

2. Joyfully at Home: A Book for Young Ladies on Vision and Hope by Jasmine Baucham
(Read from December 26, 2012 to January 06, 2013) *****
This book exceeded my expectations, despite some typos. I had read some of her blog and knew she was an entertaining writer and had some good insights; however, reading it together as a whole made things clearer and more applicable. She addresses the hard questions with grace and care, and everything with humility. She emphasizes studying to form your own convictions. She tells of her joy, struggles, and growth with openness, like a friend encouraging a friend. She busts the myth of femininity having to be tea parties and lace--and gives lots of ideas for reaching out in your community and family. I wish I had read this when I was younger, to see more clearly the beauty, options, and need for industry of stay-at-home-daughterhood! Not that my parents didn't teach me any of this, because they did, and I'm thankful for that. Some of the more specific applications were newer to me, though. I probably wouldn't have really wanted to apply it at a much earlier time, since I wasn't saved until five and a half years ago. Now, there are many underlines in my book, and as Jasmine wrote, I don't just want to read about it, I want to do it! May God help it to be so.

3. Alone Yet Not Alone by Tracy Leininger Craven
(Read from January 12 to 15, 2013) *****
Truly an amazing story of God's grace and preservation! Two girls are captured and separated by Indians and live with them for years. Eventually comes a time when the main character, Barbara, decides to attempt an escape with her friends. Their trail is wrought with danger, yet God gives them courage, strength, and food. It was written simply, yet still enjoyably, for children and adults. I "had" to finish it last night, or actually early this morning, a little after twelve o'clock. 

4. Return to the Hiding Place by Hans Poley 
(Read from January 15 to 23, 2013) ****1/2
Great book, relating God's protection, strength, and comfort in trials for one young man and his companions during WWII.

The Annual Reading Challenge 2013

I'm late in joining, but here is my "landing page" for linking to books & book reviews.

My goals for this year are to finish up most of the books I started last year, as well as to read some good theological books and some poetry.  I'm specifically hoping to finish the long-ago-started but great book, The Treasury of David, Volume 1.  Of course, reading the Bible is the most important, but I want to not just read over it quickly, but study and memorize. 

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December

2013 Reading Challenge

Melissa has read 6 books toward her goal of 30 books.

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6 of 30 (20%)

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