Great Stories Relate to the Greatest Story

A Book Review of  "Finding God in The Hobbit" by Jim Ware

Though "The Hobbit" is not an allegory, it is a great story.  Great stories are great because they reflect in some ways our own stories.  "The Hobbit" is about journeys, friendships, and the struggle against evil.  We love or despise the characters because they tell us things about our own souls.

In "Finding God in 'The Hobbit'" Jim Ware brings his knowledge of theology and literature together in an exploration of Tolkein's classic children's tale: a tale that came to be beloved by readers of all ages.  In each chapterhe shares a story from the book and relates it to our own life journeys.  As Ware says, "God meets us…in that miraculous place where the Word becomes Flesh; the place where we…find ourselves swept up into the plot of the greatest Story of all." (p.166)

This quality hardcover book would make a thoughtful gift for anyone who loves English literature or Tolkein's work in particular.  Its small size (about 8 x 5 inches) makes for convenient reading, too.

I received a free review copy of this book from Tyndale Publishers.

The World Needs Fearless Women

Book Review: "Fearless Daughters of the Bible" by J. Lee Grady

This beautiful and engaging book has 15 chapters, each about women from the Bible who courageously followed God's call even when it went against tradition.  These women were willing to be misunderstood, to endure danger, and to walk by faith, not by sight. 

After profiling each biblical woman, Grady gives modern examples of women who displayed the same character traits as the biblical example.  For instance, in Chapter Two we meet the daughters of Zelophehad.  They appealed to Moses because of the unfairness of inheritance laws that would cause their father's name to disappear from their tribe because he had no sons.  Almighty God told Moses these women were right.  The law was changed to conform to God's ruling.  The modern example for this chapter was Rosa Parks, who also faced obstacles and challenged the unjust practices of her day.

Each chapter ends with "A Message from your Heavenly Father" in which Grady describes a blessing or affirmation God offers his daughters.  The author is father to four daughters and has an obvious passion for encouraging women to become all God made them to be.  This would be an excellent book for a Bible study class or as a graduation gift for a young woman.

I received a free review copy of this book from Chosen Books, a division of Baker Publishing Company.

Election Day Reading: American Patriots

American Patriots by Rick Santorum

This short book is an encouragement to the reader.  Have you ever thought that you couldn't do anything important for your country because you were too young, too poor, too old, or otherwise disqualified?  Read this book.  Chapters are short, so this book could also be used as a read-aloud for classroom or homeschool history enrichment.

Instead of telling us more about the famous figures of the American Revolution, Santorum gives us snapshots of the lives of ordinary Americans who did extraordinary things in the name of freedom.  They were not stopped by the fact that they were women, or youth, or enslaved, or illiterate.  They simply did what they believed was right.  They did what they could.

In an era in which the media emphasize celebrities, it's time we all celebrated the many around us who make unsung contributions to our families, communities, and country.  I'm glad I got to know the people portrayed in American Patriots.

I received a free review copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers.

Book Review: Embracing Obscurity

The premise of this book is that we are each one in 7 billion.  That doesn't mean we are insignificant, only that our obscurity can serve God's purposes just as another person's fame can.  This is something to ponder in a culture where people will do almost anything to get their face on TV for a moment and will consider that "face time" more significant than years spent serving their families and communities.

Most of Jesus' years on earth—thirty years out of thirty-three—were lived in obscurity.  He was a dutiful son, a carpenter, and a worshipper of God.  Even in  his three years of what we would call full-time ministry, he did not seek out fame.  Instead he embraced the life of sacrifice among a persecuted minority in the oppressive Roman Empire.  Although God in the flesh, He "made Himself of no reputation."  See Philippians chapter 2 for a fuller exposition of Jesus' voluntary obscurity.

Humility is a virtue greatly undervalued today.  It is time for us as God's people to truly be more like Jesus in this respect.

I received a free advanced reader copy of Embracing Obscurity B&H Publishing Group.  This book is also available as a Kindle edition.

Undaunted: The Autobiography of Josh McDowell

Josh McDowell is a man with a gifted intellect who overcame a childhood that would destroy many children.  His is a story of God's power to redeem lost years and create beauty from ashes.

Many are familiar with Josh McDowell as a powerful speaker and uncompromising defender of the Gospel.  Now Josh opens his heart and lets us in on the story of a life shaped by poverty, abuse and neglect.  His story will speak to anyone who has ever turned away from a God they thought was indifferent or even cruel.

Young Josh rejected God because he could not reconcile a loving God with the abuse he suffered from an alcoholic father and enabling mother; nor could he accept that God had stood by while he was sexually abused by a hired hand in his own home.  Josh rejected God with a passion and taunted Christians when he went to college.

The Christians he taunted were happy to have discussions with him.  Finally, they challenged him to disprove the resurrection—after all, to disprove the resurrection is to discredit the entire New Testament.  Josh took up the challenge, traveling to Europe and conversing with scholars until he finally had to accept that the resurrection was a real event.

Once Josh knew the truth, he applied his formidable intellectual gifts to advancing the Gospel and was transformed into the Josh we know today.  Along the way, he teaches us lessons in forgiveness.  He not only forgave his parents, but forgave the man who sexually abused him for years.  Undaunted is a story of triumph over tragedy.

I received a free review copy of this book from Tyndale.

Raising Good Children in a Decadent Culture

Here is my Motherhood Manifesto in which I declare my intentions to raise children who transcend the popular culture. Parents, decide now to empower your children by recognizing your power to prepare them to build a better world.

Finding Strength in Weakness

InSignificant tells the story of Chris Travis' two years of teaching at the worst middle school in New York City.  This pastor became a math teacher in order to serve those in the inner city.  Though he thought he was ready, he learned just how unready he was—and how sufficient God is.  This quote is one of my favorites:

 "Some days I could go into that awful school and deal with the stress for the sake of the kids.  Some days I couldn't.  On those days, I did it for Jesus." (p. 58)

As we realize our weakness and become more dependent on God, He does significant things through us.  Any moment, any small task, can matter for eternity.  To become significant, we must give up everything—comfort, pride, independence—for the sake of the One.

Travis refers to The Lord's Prayer, in which Jesus teaches us to pray "us, your, our, we…" instead of "me, my, mine."  Chris also points to the parable of the talents and gives examples of the ways God used some of his interests and skills in ways he never would have imagined.  Even a card trick, rusty karate skills and a knack for cartooning were used by God to bless his students, some of whom blessed him in return.

I received a free review copy of this book from Bethany House publishers.  It would make a great gift for teachers and student-teachers.