Citizenship Test
Could you pass the new citizenship test?
The Shack
A subversive "Christian" bestseller is reviewed in detail.
Books for Guys
A list of books that boys and men will want to read.
Distracting Ourselves to Death
Tips on controlling media consumption.
Bigger Isn't Always Better
From the article, "The truth is we're often easily discontented with what we have or where we are, presently."
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Book Review - Keeper
Keeper
Mal Peet
Candlewick (February 13, 2007)
SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains plot points that you may not want to know about before reading the book.
In short: With a strong setting and memorable characters this lyrical novel is mysterious and fast-paced, especially for young soccer fans.
South American journalist Paul Faustino doesn’t expect much from his interview with World Cup soccer star, El Gato. El Gato surprises him, however, with a tale of mystery, apparitions and struggle. Paul doesn’t quite know what to think of his story.
“The first and most obvious was that the world’s greatest goalkeeper was barking, moonstruck mad…But no. He’d known the man for years, and if there’d been any sign of buried craziness, he’d have spotted it. Besides, Gato’s tone of voice was so matter-of-fact, with none of the passion of the fantasist. Okay, then: this jungle story was an elaborate, carefully thought-through scam.”
With lyrical descriptions of setting and family there are a few gems of insight about parenting.
“He was teaching me things, skills, of course. But he was doing something else as well. He was showing me what weakness and fear were. But in a safe place. That clearing in the jungle was like a place taken out of the real world, separate from it. Do you know what I mean? It was a place where I was allowed to feel frightened, hopeless, awkward, ashamed, but it was a place where no harm could come to me. I was protected there. I could get things wrong but have other chances to ge them right. So that, later, out there in a bigger and more dangerous world, I would be able to manage these things. He, the keeper, was getting me ready for the life he knew I would have.
Faustino considered this. “It seems to me,” he said, “that you are describing what a father should do for his son.”
And the perils of a single minded focus.
“I think it is true to say that I hardly ever looked up until I stopped playing soccer.”
With the exception of a couple of profanities and a graphic description of a logging accident there is nothing else truly objectionable here. Some discussion is merited about the ghostly goalkeeper, although it isn’t clear to me whether he was meant to be metaphorical or real. The exciting soccer action, along with the mystery, will keep fans of the sport, enthralled.
Mal Peet
Candlewick (February 13, 2007)
SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains plot points that you may not want to know about before reading the book.
In short: With a strong setting and memorable characters this lyrical novel is mysterious and fast-paced, especially for young soccer fans.
South American journalist Paul Faustino doesn’t expect much from his interview with World Cup soccer star, El Gato. El Gato surprises him, however, with a tale of mystery, apparitions and struggle. Paul doesn’t quite know what to think of his story.
“The first and most obvious was that the world’s greatest goalkeeper was barking, moonstruck mad…But no. He’d known the man for years, and if there’d been any sign of buried craziness, he’d have spotted it. Besides, Gato’s tone of voice was so matter-of-fact, with none of the passion of the fantasist. Okay, then: this jungle story was an elaborate, carefully thought-through scam.”
With lyrical descriptions of setting and family there are a few gems of insight about parenting.
“He was teaching me things, skills, of course. But he was doing something else as well. He was showing me what weakness and fear were. But in a safe place. That clearing in the jungle was like a place taken out of the real world, separate from it. Do you know what I mean? It was a place where I was allowed to feel frightened, hopeless, awkward, ashamed, but it was a place where no harm could come to me. I was protected there. I could get things wrong but have other chances to ge them right. So that, later, out there in a bigger and more dangerous world, I would be able to manage these things. He, the keeper, was getting me ready for the life he knew I would have.
Faustino considered this. “It seems to me,” he said, “that you are describing what a father should do for his son.”
And the perils of a single minded focus.
“I think it is true to say that I hardly ever looked up until I stopped playing soccer.”
With the exception of a couple of profanities and a graphic description of a logging accident there is nothing else truly objectionable here. Some discussion is merited about the ghostly goalkeeper, although it isn’t clear to me whether he was meant to be metaphorical or real. The exciting soccer action, along with the mystery, will keep fans of the sport, enthralled.
Book Review - Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy
Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy
Gary D. Schmidt
Yearling (April 25, 2006)
SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains plot points that you may not want to know about before reading the book.
In short: This is a novel rich in characterization and language and is a good catalyst for discussion on the consequences of ideas, especially as it relates to the idea of Darwinian evolution.
Thirteen year old Turner Buckminster, the stiff minister’s son, is new to the Maine way of life.
“Turner Buckminster had lived in Phippsburg, Maine, for almost six whole hours. He didn’t know how much longer he could stand it.”
He has a hard time keeping his starched, white shirt clean; hitting a baseball; and generally adjusting to being the new kid. He soon finds himself atoning for his “wrongdoing” with a summer’s worth of hymn playing on the organ of the unpleasant Mrs. Cobb. He longs to set out for the “Territories” (set in 1912, this is the still largely unsettled west of the United States of America) and be freed from his bondage.
“…where being a minister’s son wouldn’t matter worth a…well, worth a darn.”
Turner soon meets Lizzie Bright, who lives on Mataga Island, a poor community founded by former slaves. As their friendship grows they encounter racism, hypocrisy and injustice which changes their lives forever.
Based on the true story of the Malaga Island community this novel is rich in characterizations and language. Lizzie, Turner and his father are well drawn characters that linger in your memory. However, and this is one of my main concerns, many of the other characters, especially the nominal “Christians” and deacons of the church, are stereotypical and villainous in a way so common to portraits of religious people in today’s novels. Turner’s father is a “straw man” at first but does eventually evolve into a complicated and heartfelt character. This evolution, however, leads me to my final concern.
“Turner”, he said, “books can be fire, you know.”
“Fire?”
“Fire. Books can ignite fires in your mind, because they carry ideas for kindling, and art for matches.” He handed the book to Turner.
“The Origin of Species”, he read aloud. “Is this fire?”…
“It is a conflagration”, he said.
Turner looked steadily at him. “Should a minister’s son be reading this?”
“Who better?”, said his father.
The sentiment about books is so very true, especially in this novel. Charles Darwin, and his book, are set up as saviors for Turner. Darwin’s idea frees Turner from his “bondage” and pushes him toward the “Territories” in his spiritual and intellectual life.
“And, it wasn’t long before he knew that what he was reading was fire, all right. It was almost like lighting out for the Territories.”
This novel is thus its own “fire-starter” for good conversation about the consequences of ideas, specifically Darwinian evolution. Absent follow-up however the implicit endorsement of said idea leaves young readers open to misunderstanding.
Gary D. Schmidt
Yearling (April 25, 2006)
SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains plot points that you may not want to know about before reading the book.
In short: This is a novel rich in characterization and language and is a good catalyst for discussion on the consequences of ideas, especially as it relates to the idea of Darwinian evolution.
Thirteen year old Turner Buckminster, the stiff minister’s son, is new to the Maine way of life.
“Turner Buckminster had lived in Phippsburg, Maine, for almost six whole hours. He didn’t know how much longer he could stand it.”
He has a hard time keeping his starched, white shirt clean; hitting a baseball; and generally adjusting to being the new kid. He soon finds himself atoning for his “wrongdoing” with a summer’s worth of hymn playing on the organ of the unpleasant Mrs. Cobb. He longs to set out for the “Territories” (set in 1912, this is the still largely unsettled west of the United States of America) and be freed from his bondage.
“…where being a minister’s son wouldn’t matter worth a…well, worth a darn.”
Turner soon meets Lizzie Bright, who lives on Mataga Island, a poor community founded by former slaves. As their friendship grows they encounter racism, hypocrisy and injustice which changes their lives forever.
Based on the true story of the Malaga Island community this novel is rich in characterizations and language. Lizzie, Turner and his father are well drawn characters that linger in your memory. However, and this is one of my main concerns, many of the other characters, especially the nominal “Christians” and deacons of the church, are stereotypical and villainous in a way so common to portraits of religious people in today’s novels. Turner’s father is a “straw man” at first but does eventually evolve into a complicated and heartfelt character. This evolution, however, leads me to my final concern.
“Turner”, he said, “books can be fire, you know.”
“Fire?”
“Fire. Books can ignite fires in your mind, because they carry ideas for kindling, and art for matches.” He handed the book to Turner.
“The Origin of Species”, he read aloud. “Is this fire?”…
“It is a conflagration”, he said.
Turner looked steadily at him. “Should a minister’s son be reading this?”
“Who better?”, said his father.
The sentiment about books is so very true, especially in this novel. Charles Darwin, and his book, are set up as saviors for Turner. Darwin’s idea frees Turner from his “bondage” and pushes him toward the “Territories” in his spiritual and intellectual life.
“And, it wasn’t long before he knew that what he was reading was fire, all right. It was almost like lighting out for the Territories.”
This novel is thus its own “fire-starter” for good conversation about the consequences of ideas, specifically Darwinian evolution. Absent follow-up however the implicit endorsement of said idea leaves young readers open to misunderstanding.
The Local Church - Part 1
The Importance of the Local Church
"We live in a crazy upside down world. People will move across the country for a job or for a school. But if you do that for a church, people will think you're insane. Or if you pass up an opportunity for advancement, explaining that you want to remain so that you can be a part of your church, people assume that you’re a part of a cult...Once there was someone who moved from heaven to earth because of the church. From heaven He came and sought her to be His holy Bride. When you are gripped and affected and stirred for the church, you are simply reflecting passion for His holy Bride." Mark Mullery
The local, visible church is an expression of God’s universal church. In fact, arguably, it is the only expression of the universal church since we cannot see the spiritual condition of people’s hearts and thus know the true universal church. We also know that God came from heaven for the church, His Holy bride. Knowing that our Savior died for His church we then start setting extremely high expectations of the local, visible church. When those expectations aren’t met the “church shopping” process begins. Assuming it is the only expression of the universal church that we have, however, shouldn’t we treat it with the same care that Christ does? Why does a large segment of the evangelical population treat “church shopping” so lightly?
In a series of recent articles about why he loves the church John MacArthur includes this quote from a young man contemplating converting to Roman Catholicism:
"Protestants don’t seem to appreciate the Church. The Bible describes the Church as an institution Christ founded and loves. The Church is everything to Catholics; it is nothing to most of my Protestant friends."
Dr. MacArthur then goes on to discuss the importance of evangelical Protestants having as robust a theology of ecclesiology as they do of soteriology. Why?
The Church is being built by the Lord Himself
The Church is the outworking of an eternal plan
The Church is the most precious reality on earth
The Church is an earthly expression of heaven
Our experience doesn’t always match those statements in the local church does it? If the local church is the only expression of the universal church then we need to move from experience to the truth of God’s word and realize the importance of the local church. Once again, from Dr. MacArthur:
"All of this means that the church is something so monumental, so vast, so transcendent, that our poor minds can scarcely begin to appreciate its significance in the eternal plan of God. Our salvation as individuals is almost incidental. The real aim of God’s plan is not merely to get us to heaven. But the drama of our salvation has an even grander purpose: it is an expression of eternal love within the Trinity. We’re only the gift.
How can Christians possibly be apathetic about the church?
We are a people called out for His name, redeemed, conformed to His Son’s image, made to be an immense, incomprehensible, all-surpassing expression of love between the Persons of the Trinity. The church is the gift that is exchanged. This is God’s eternal plan for the church. We ought to be profoundly grateful, and eager, and thrilled to be a part of it."
We all know the importance of the universal church intellectually but fail on the application to the local church. As Wayne Grudem says:
“We may conclude that the group of God’s people considered at any level from local to universal may rightly be called “a church.” We should not make the mistake of saying that only a church meeting in houses expresses the true nature of the church, or only a church considered at a city-wide level can rightly be called a church, or only the church universal can rightly be called by the name “church.” Rather, the community of God’s people considered at any level can be rightly called a church.”
The local church is extremely important to God and His plan.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
7th Grade Middle School Summer Reading
Reviews of the 2008 7th grade books.
Black Duck by Janet Taylor Lisle
Schooled by Gordon Korman
Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick
Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass
Rules by Cynthia Lord
Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson
Black Duck by Janet Taylor Lisle
Schooled by Gordon Korman
Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick
Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass
Rules by Cynthia Lord
Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson
Quote - The Bosom of Our Savior
"Man," said a thoughtless, ungodly English traveller, to a North American Indian convert, "Man, what is the reason that you make so much of Christ, and talk so much about Him? What has this Christ done for you that you should make so much ado about Him?"
The converted Indian did not answer him in words. He gathered together some dry leaves and moss and made a ring with them on the ground. He picked up a live worm and put it in the middle of the ring. He struck a light and set the moss and leaves on fire. The flame soon rose, and the heat scorched the worm. It writhed in agony, and after trying in vain to escape on every side, curled itself up in the middle, as if about to die in despair. At that moment the Indian reached forth his hand, took up the worm gently and placed it on his bosom. "Stranger," he said to the Englishman, "do you see that worm? I was that perishing creature. I was dying in my sins, hopeless, helpless and on the brink of eternal fire. It was Jesus Christ who put forth the arm of His power. It was Jesus Christ who delivered me with the hand of His grace, and plucked me from everlasting burnings. It was Jesus Christ who placed me, a poor sinful worm, near the heart of His love. Stranger, that is the reason why I talk of Jesus Christ, and make much of Him. I am not ashamed of it, because I love Him."
If we know anything of love to Christ, may we have the mind of this North American Indian! May we never think that we can love Christ too well, live to Him too thoroughly, confess Him too boldly, lay ourselves out for Him too heartily! Of all the things that will surprise us in the resurrection morning, this I believe will surprise us most, that we did not love Christ more before we died."
J.C. Ryle, from his book Holiness
HT: The Lawman Chronicles
The converted Indian did not answer him in words. He gathered together some dry leaves and moss and made a ring with them on the ground. He picked up a live worm and put it in the middle of the ring. He struck a light and set the moss and leaves on fire. The flame soon rose, and the heat scorched the worm. It writhed in agony, and after trying in vain to escape on every side, curled itself up in the middle, as if about to die in despair. At that moment the Indian reached forth his hand, took up the worm gently and placed it on his bosom. "Stranger," he said to the Englishman, "do you see that worm? I was that perishing creature. I was dying in my sins, hopeless, helpless and on the brink of eternal fire. It was Jesus Christ who put forth the arm of His power. It was Jesus Christ who delivered me with the hand of His grace, and plucked me from everlasting burnings. It was Jesus Christ who placed me, a poor sinful worm, near the heart of His love. Stranger, that is the reason why I talk of Jesus Christ, and make much of Him. I am not ashamed of it, because I love Him."
If we know anything of love to Christ, may we have the mind of this North American Indian! May we never think that we can love Christ too well, live to Him too thoroughly, confess Him too boldly, lay ourselves out for Him too heartily! Of all the things that will surprise us in the resurrection morning, this I believe will surprise us most, that we did not love Christ more before we died."
J.C. Ryle, from his book Holiness
HT: The Lawman Chronicles
Sharing the Good News - Bookstore Evangelism
When would the persecution start? Would they notice that I looked “suspicious” when I walked in? Perhaps they have a camera poised to catch “my type”? As I walked toward the religion section I was wary. I scanned the signs and settled for the “New Age” and “Astrology” row. I casually picked up a book titled The Solitary Witch and dropped my tract between the pages. I perused the titles a bit more (don’t want to seem to eager) then selected The Magical Almanac and dropped another tract between the pages. I prayed a short prayer for whoever might find that one then began in earnest, with a new boldness, dropping tracts in as quickly as possible. I ended with Oprah’s new “guru”, Eckhart Tolle, and then retreated to safety. I was thankful to escape the floggings and thankful for another small step.
Book Review – Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life
Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life
Wendy Mass
Little, Brown Young Readers (February 1, 2008)
SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains plot points that you may not want to know about before reading the book.
In short: A funny, offbeat mystery and coming-of-age novel, with excellent open-ended questions that provide fodder for discussions on worldview, the meaning of life and friendship.
As implied by the title this is a book filled with philosophical ideas handled in a humorous way.
“I had never considered the meaning of life before. Why hadn’t I considered it? What is wrong with me? Has everyone else thought about this except for me?”
Two months before his 13th birthday Jeremy Fink, receives a mysterious box engraved with the phrase, “The Meaning of Life: For Jeremy Fink to Open on His 13th Birthday.” Jeremy and his best friend, Lizzie, then begin a journey of discovery to find the keys to the box and, ostensibly, to life.
“Do you ever think about the meaning of life? Like, do you think you know what it is?” She shakes her head, “I try not to think about anything too deeply. It hurts my brain.” With that, she turns to the window and stares out at the rain again.”
This is a personal search as well as a philosophical one. Along the way he not only confronts different worldviews but also begins to understand his father, who died when Jeremy was eight. Jeremy and Lizzie travel across the city visiting flea markets, museums, and many offbeat, and interesting characters.
“Do we really get reincarnated like Rick said? Are Heaven and Hell real….I bet the meaning of death is tied to the meaning of life. This is something I really should have considered sooner. “
“But was it fate that brought us to this spot, or just good luck? What about fate and bad luck?”
“God’s love gives life meaning. I just follow the paths He sets out in the Good Book. That’s all I need to know. You follow His guidelines, it’s almost like a map through life to Heaven.”
Objections here are minor, but do include condoning of stealing and disrespect for parents. My major objection would not be an objection to the novel itself, but rather to anyone who lets a maturing middle schooler read this novel in isolation as no mention is made of the true meaning of life – in fact, “…the Way, the Truth, and the Life” – Jesus.
This is a work that begs for discussion and parental insight on the big metaphysical questions: Why are we here? What is our purpose? Were we created? Lizzie and Jeremy encounter every worldview, and big idea, imaginable, including the occult, evolution, liberal Christianity, and dualism, with no real answer at the end except that “truth” is relative. Rather than letting those who read this stumble through these various ideas themselves, separating truth from falsehood on their own, a wise guide is required.
Wendy Mass
Little, Brown Young Readers (February 1, 2008)
SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains plot points that you may not want to know about before reading the book.
In short: A funny, offbeat mystery and coming-of-age novel, with excellent open-ended questions that provide fodder for discussions on worldview, the meaning of life and friendship.
As implied by the title this is a book filled with philosophical ideas handled in a humorous way.
“I had never considered the meaning of life before. Why hadn’t I considered it? What is wrong with me? Has everyone else thought about this except for me?”
Two months before his 13th birthday Jeremy Fink, receives a mysterious box engraved with the phrase, “The Meaning of Life: For Jeremy Fink to Open on His 13th Birthday.” Jeremy and his best friend, Lizzie, then begin a journey of discovery to find the keys to the box and, ostensibly, to life.
“Do you ever think about the meaning of life? Like, do you think you know what it is?” She shakes her head, “I try not to think about anything too deeply. It hurts my brain.” With that, she turns to the window and stares out at the rain again.”
This is a personal search as well as a philosophical one. Along the way he not only confronts different worldviews but also begins to understand his father, who died when Jeremy was eight. Jeremy and Lizzie travel across the city visiting flea markets, museums, and many offbeat, and interesting characters.
“Do we really get reincarnated like Rick said? Are Heaven and Hell real….I bet the meaning of death is tied to the meaning of life. This is something I really should have considered sooner. “
“But was it fate that brought us to this spot, or just good luck? What about fate and bad luck?”
“God’s love gives life meaning. I just follow the paths He sets out in the Good Book. That’s all I need to know. You follow His guidelines, it’s almost like a map through life to Heaven.”
Objections here are minor, but do include condoning of stealing and disrespect for parents. My major objection would not be an objection to the novel itself, but rather to anyone who lets a maturing middle schooler read this novel in isolation as no mention is made of the true meaning of life – in fact, “…the Way, the Truth, and the Life” – Jesus.
This is a work that begs for discussion and parental insight on the big metaphysical questions: Why are we here? What is our purpose? Were we created? Lizzie and Jeremy encounter every worldview, and big idea, imaginable, including the occult, evolution, liberal Christianity, and dualism, with no real answer at the end except that “truth” is relative. Rather than letting those who read this stumble through these various ideas themselves, separating truth from falsehood on their own, a wise guide is required.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
We surf...so you don't have to - July 22
A Worldview in Action
Your true worldview comes out under pressure.
The Bible is Better than Being There
Tyler Kenney argues that having the Bible now is actually better than being there then.
The Altar of Freedom
An Abraham Lincoln letter to a grieving widow.
Your true worldview comes out under pressure.
The Bible is Better than Being There
Tyler Kenney argues that having the Bible now is actually better than being there then.
The Altar of Freedom
An Abraham Lincoln letter to a grieving widow.
Book Review - Feathers
Feathers
Jacqueline Woodson
Putnam Juvenile (March 1, 2007)
SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains plot points that you may not want to know about before reading the book.
In short: A wonderfully poetic and hopeful novel skillfully describing a young girl’s struggles with faith, disability and prejudice. Discussion of the theological issues raised is definitely appropriate after reading.
Sixth grader Frannie wrestles with the meaning of a line from an Emily Dickinson poem.
“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune – without the words,
And never stops at all.”
When a white student joins her all black class, Trevor, the class bully, dubs him “Jesus boy”, because of his long hair and pale skin. His calm demeanor and gentle language lead Frannie’s best friend, Samantha, to believe he may indeed be a savior.
“What if that boy really is Jesus? What if Jesus did come here, to where we live?”
“Jesus who?”
“Jesus-Jesus, that’s who. God’s son. Think about it Frannie. In the Bible, He just showed up and then miracles started happening – people started rising up from the dead and eating bread that was His body and drinking wine that was His blood and –“
Helping Frannie deal with the issues at school is a loving home, filled with her hopeful mother, gentle father and her deaf brother, Sean.
“The sign for believe flashed into my head – the way Sean signed it – his pointer finger against the side of his head like he’s saying “think,” then his hands coming together – like the sign for marry. I stood there thinking, for the first time, about how perfect that word was – to have a thought in your head and then to marry it, to take it into your heart forever…”
Set in a turbulent era of integration and war this novel discusses serious issues of prejudice, faith and disability in a thoughtful and respectful way.
“If Jesus came back to this world – I don’t know what I’d want from him. I know what I’d ask, though. I’d say, “Mr. Jesus, I’m sorry to bother you but I have a question. I wanted to know how do you have hope?” I’d want to know how do you have hope when there’s always a Trevor somewhere kicking at somebody. When there’s always a mama somewhere who maybe wasn’t thriving.”
“Don’t you want to be saved, Frannie,” Samantha finally asked me.
“You always ask me that and I always say no because you can’t even tell me what I’d want to be saved from.”
“Yes – I do. I tell you if you get saved, you don’t have to worry after you die.”
“Yeah, Samantha, but that doesn’t make any sense to me because once I die, I’ll be done and I won’t be worrying anyway.”
By effectively weaving in the music and events of that time it skillfully paints a realistic background while still describing a typical middle school experience.
“I tried to find the word surreal in my mental vocabulary bank where Ms. Johnson had said we should save vocabulary words so that we could grow up and have rich brains, but it wasn’t there. Ms. Johnson said the only way you can deposit a word in your bank is by committing it to memory. I hadn’t deposited surreal. I guess I must have spent it somewhere.”
Despite questionable theological observations,
“Aren’t we all God’s children?” Samantha said quietly. She looked around the room, taking us all in. “Each of you,” she said, “is a true child of God.” She turned to the Jesus Boy. “Maybe some are truer than others.”
“Maybe there’s a little bit of Jesus inside of all of us. Maybe Jesus is just that something good or something sad or something…something that stays with us an makes us do stuff like help Trevor up even though he’s busy cursing us out. Or maybe…maybe Jesus is just that thing you had when the Jesus Boy first got here, Samantha. Maybe Jesus is the hope that you were feeling.”
this is a soft and hopeful novel.
Jacqueline Woodson
Putnam Juvenile (March 1, 2007)
SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains plot points that you may not want to know about before reading the book.
In short: A wonderfully poetic and hopeful novel skillfully describing a young girl’s struggles with faith, disability and prejudice. Discussion of the theological issues raised is definitely appropriate after reading.
Sixth grader Frannie wrestles with the meaning of a line from an Emily Dickinson poem.
“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune – without the words,
And never stops at all.”
When a white student joins her all black class, Trevor, the class bully, dubs him “Jesus boy”, because of his long hair and pale skin. His calm demeanor and gentle language lead Frannie’s best friend, Samantha, to believe he may indeed be a savior.
“What if that boy really is Jesus? What if Jesus did come here, to where we live?”
“Jesus who?”
“Jesus-Jesus, that’s who. God’s son. Think about it Frannie. In the Bible, He just showed up and then miracles started happening – people started rising up from the dead and eating bread that was His body and drinking wine that was His blood and –“
Helping Frannie deal with the issues at school is a loving home, filled with her hopeful mother, gentle father and her deaf brother, Sean.
“The sign for believe flashed into my head – the way Sean signed it – his pointer finger against the side of his head like he’s saying “think,” then his hands coming together – like the sign for marry. I stood there thinking, for the first time, about how perfect that word was – to have a thought in your head and then to marry it, to take it into your heart forever…”
Set in a turbulent era of integration and war this novel discusses serious issues of prejudice, faith and disability in a thoughtful and respectful way.
“If Jesus came back to this world – I don’t know what I’d want from him. I know what I’d ask, though. I’d say, “Mr. Jesus, I’m sorry to bother you but I have a question. I wanted to know how do you have hope?” I’d want to know how do you have hope when there’s always a Trevor somewhere kicking at somebody. When there’s always a mama somewhere who maybe wasn’t thriving.”
“Don’t you want to be saved, Frannie,” Samantha finally asked me.
“You always ask me that and I always say no because you can’t even tell me what I’d want to be saved from.”
“Yes – I do. I tell you if you get saved, you don’t have to worry after you die.”
“Yeah, Samantha, but that doesn’t make any sense to me because once I die, I’ll be done and I won’t be worrying anyway.”
By effectively weaving in the music and events of that time it skillfully paints a realistic background while still describing a typical middle school experience.
“I tried to find the word surreal in my mental vocabulary bank where Ms. Johnson had said we should save vocabulary words so that we could grow up and have rich brains, but it wasn’t there. Ms. Johnson said the only way you can deposit a word in your bank is by committing it to memory. I hadn’t deposited surreal. I guess I must have spent it somewhere.”
Despite questionable theological observations,
“Aren’t we all God’s children?” Samantha said quietly. She looked around the room, taking us all in. “Each of you,” she said, “is a true child of God.” She turned to the Jesus Boy. “Maybe some are truer than others.”
“Maybe there’s a little bit of Jesus inside of all of us. Maybe Jesus is just that something good or something sad or something…something that stays with us an makes us do stuff like help Trevor up even though he’s busy cursing us out. Or maybe…maybe Jesus is just that thing you had when the Jesus Boy first got here, Samantha. Maybe Jesus is the hope that you were feeling.”
this is a soft and hopeful novel.
Book Review - Black Duck
Black Duck
Janet Taylor Lisle
Puffin (September 6, 2007)
SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains plot points that you may not want to know about before reading the book.
In short: An exciting tale based on an actual incident. Raises a question that begs for discussion, “Is it ever right to tell a lie?”
Using an historical incident (in the days of prohibition a boat off the coast of New England, the “Black Duck”, lost part of its crew after an altercation with the Coast Guard) as a starting point, Janet Taylor Lisle, weaves an adventure story using David, an aspiring 14 year old journalist, as a catalyst to tell the story. David interviews his older neighbor, Ruben, who, rumor has it, may have been involved in the infamous “Black Duck” altercation.
As Ruben, reluctantly at first, tells his story we get a multi-layered mystery that begins with the discovery of a dead body by Ruben and his friend, Jeddy, and leads to lessons in loyalty and betrayal.
Ruben and Jeddy learn the difficulties of being honest when up against town heroes who are lawbreakers, rumrunners, and squatters, while the ones paid to uphold the laws, the police, turn out to be, at least partially, the villains.
“Meanwhile, the old man disappeared inside his shack to heat up a pot of water to cook the blue crabs he’d caught. That was how he ate, never mind what time it was. Schedules the rest of us followed – like breakfast, lunch and dinner, night and day, had lost their pull on him. He was living free of all rules, even the most basic.
I was watching him like a hawk, I’ve got to say. I’d been under a heavy regime of right and wrong, good ways and bad ways, ever since I could remember, and to see one-eyed Tom out from under, cracking blue crabs at ten o’clock in the morning and falling asleep without even getting up from the table, was a sort of revelation to me.”
There is a lot of dishonesty going on here: David lies, at first, to get his interview; the boys lie, and skip school, to protect themselves, and others; the police lie to protect their interests; and the Coast Guard lies, to cover-up. Even the historical analysis is not completely accurate:
“The violence that came from keeping liquor out of people’s hands was a lot worse than the violence of people drinking to their hearts content.”
This coming of age story is fast and gripping and shows the importance of standing by your convictions. It raises questions about honesty and following the law and portrays a convincing and touching friendship between two boys.
Janet Taylor Lisle
Puffin (September 6, 2007)
SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains plot points that you may not want to know about before reading the book.
In short: An exciting tale based on an actual incident. Raises a question that begs for discussion, “Is it ever right to tell a lie?”
Using an historical incident (in the days of prohibition a boat off the coast of New England, the “Black Duck”, lost part of its crew after an altercation with the Coast Guard) as a starting point, Janet Taylor Lisle, weaves an adventure story using David, an aspiring 14 year old journalist, as a catalyst to tell the story. David interviews his older neighbor, Ruben, who, rumor has it, may have been involved in the infamous “Black Duck” altercation.
As Ruben, reluctantly at first, tells his story we get a multi-layered mystery that begins with the discovery of a dead body by Ruben and his friend, Jeddy, and leads to lessons in loyalty and betrayal.
Ruben and Jeddy learn the difficulties of being honest when up against town heroes who are lawbreakers, rumrunners, and squatters, while the ones paid to uphold the laws, the police, turn out to be, at least partially, the villains.
“Meanwhile, the old man disappeared inside his shack to heat up a pot of water to cook the blue crabs he’d caught. That was how he ate, never mind what time it was. Schedules the rest of us followed – like breakfast, lunch and dinner, night and day, had lost their pull on him. He was living free of all rules, even the most basic.
I was watching him like a hawk, I’ve got to say. I’d been under a heavy regime of right and wrong, good ways and bad ways, ever since I could remember, and to see one-eyed Tom out from under, cracking blue crabs at ten o’clock in the morning and falling asleep without even getting up from the table, was a sort of revelation to me.”
There is a lot of dishonesty going on here: David lies, at first, to get his interview; the boys lie, and skip school, to protect themselves, and others; the police lie to protect their interests; and the Coast Guard lies, to cover-up. Even the historical analysis is not completely accurate:
“The violence that came from keeping liquor out of people’s hands was a lot worse than the violence of people drinking to their hearts content.”
This coming of age story is fast and gripping and shows the importance of standing by your convictions. It raises questions about honesty and following the law and portrays a convincing and touching friendship between two boys.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Book Review - Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie
Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie
Jordan Sonnenblick
Scholastic Paperbacks (September 1, 2006)
SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains plot points that you may not want to know about before reading the book.
In short: A funny and witty perspective of life from a middle school boy dealing with tragedy. The “why” of the tragedy is brought up, but not discussed, and needs to be.
Steven is an eighth grader who loves to play the drums and is a good student but he has an annoying younger brother, Jeffrey, who sometimes gets in the way.
“Sure, Mom. Chicks dig a dude who’s sporting the latest eggplant turtleneck styles…Do you think RENEE ALBERT will dance with you Steven? You think she’s HOT, right?”
All seems typical until partway through the school year Jeffrey is diagnosed with leukemia. Steven’s parents, understandably, become busy and focused on Jeffrey and his treatment, which is described in medically correct detail, from the chemotherapy port to the vomiting, and a lot in between. Steven, feeling somewhat neglected, throws himself into drumming and girls.
“I stood around for a while more, listening to my friends’ moronic commentary about how Annette wanted to jump on me and make me her band-geek love slave…”
This “family in crisis” novel, although tragic, is realistic and humorous. Steven overcomes his selfishness and matures while his family becomes closer to each other. There is some blasphemy (“Oh my g _ _”, “I swear to g _ _”), disrespect to parents, crude language (“c _ _ _” and “pee”) and objectification of girls (“Hey, chick”, “She was a babe”. Once again, don’t we have bigger things to write about? Don’t they get enough of this everyday?) My biggest objection, however, involves Steven’s complaint to God he writes in English class.
“If you could pick one word in the English language to describe the universe, what would it be? Why?...Unfair. Unfair. Unfair, unfair, unfair. What do you call a planet where bad guys stroll through life with success draped around their shoulders like a king’s cloak, while random horrors are visited upon the innocent hands of children? I call it Earth…Thanks, God.”
With no previous discussion of God, this comes across as gratuitous and awkward. It seems more from the author than the character. If there had been a wise adult coming back later to discuss Steven’s question appropriately I would have been very pleased with his observation. There isn’t an exploration, however, leaving us, and middle school readers, to sympathize emotionally with Steven but having no context to think clearly on the issue.
Jordan Sonnenblick
Scholastic Paperbacks (September 1, 2006)
SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains plot points that you may not want to know about before reading the book.
In short: A funny and witty perspective of life from a middle school boy dealing with tragedy. The “why” of the tragedy is brought up, but not discussed, and needs to be.
Steven is an eighth grader who loves to play the drums and is a good student but he has an annoying younger brother, Jeffrey, who sometimes gets in the way.
“Sure, Mom. Chicks dig a dude who’s sporting the latest eggplant turtleneck styles…Do you think RENEE ALBERT will dance with you Steven? You think she’s HOT, right?”
All seems typical until partway through the school year Jeffrey is diagnosed with leukemia. Steven’s parents, understandably, become busy and focused on Jeffrey and his treatment, which is described in medically correct detail, from the chemotherapy port to the vomiting, and a lot in between. Steven, feeling somewhat neglected, throws himself into drumming and girls.
“I stood around for a while more, listening to my friends’ moronic commentary about how Annette wanted to jump on me and make me her band-geek love slave…”
This “family in crisis” novel, although tragic, is realistic and humorous. Steven overcomes his selfishness and matures while his family becomes closer to each other. There is some blasphemy (“Oh my g _ _”, “I swear to g _ _”), disrespect to parents, crude language (“c _ _ _” and “pee”) and objectification of girls (“Hey, chick”, “She was a babe”. Once again, don’t we have bigger things to write about? Don’t they get enough of this everyday?) My biggest objection, however, involves Steven’s complaint to God he writes in English class.
“If you could pick one word in the English language to describe the universe, what would it be? Why?...Unfair. Unfair. Unfair, unfair, unfair. What do you call a planet where bad guys stroll through life with success draped around their shoulders like a king’s cloak, while random horrors are visited upon the innocent hands of children? I call it Earth…Thanks, God.”
With no previous discussion of God, this comes across as gratuitous and awkward. It seems more from the author than the character. If there had been a wise adult coming back later to discuss Steven’s question appropriately I would have been very pleased with his observation. There isn’t an exploration, however, leaving us, and middle school readers, to sympathize emotionally with Steven but having no context to think clearly on the issue.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Quote - On Joy
"I'm going to make a statement now that might seem a little bit hard if not impossible to believe, but I mean what I say and I'm going to try to show you why. Here's the statement. There is no event and there are no circumstances in life that should diminish the Christian's joy. Let me say that again. There is no event and there are no circumstances in life that should diminish the Christian's joy.
In fact, let me go further than that. If there are circumstances or events that do diminish your joy, you have sinned...you have sinned. Does that sound ridiculous given the woes of life? Does that sound like an impossible thing to believe? But the Bible commands rejoice...how often?...always. In case you didn't get it, again I say rejoice."
John MacArthur, from a sermon titled "Fundamental Christian Attitudes: Joy"
In fact, let me go further than that. If there are circumstances or events that do diminish your joy, you have sinned...you have sinned. Does that sound ridiculous given the woes of life? Does that sound like an impossible thing to believe? But the Bible commands rejoice...how often?...always. In case you didn't get it, again I say rejoice."
John MacArthur, from a sermon titled "Fundamental Christian Attitudes: Joy"
Sharing the Good News - Drive thru evangelism
Nobody was in this line but as we got to the window the face staring back seemed a little overwhelmed. I asked if she had been working hard. She nodded in the affirmative. I told her she needed a raise and gave her a million dollar bill. Her eyes widened. She smiled and gave me my meal and change. As we drove away we heard her yelling to her co-workers, “Have you guys been working hard tonight!”
I used to think that tracts were ineffective, somewhat tawdry and cheap. As I thought about it I realized that in certain cases it was the only way to get the message out. If I really cared about that clerk, waitress or receptionist wouldn’t I write a note to her asking her to consider what would happen when she dies? Of course I would. Well-made, professional tracts are just that kind of note.
I used to think that tracts were ineffective, somewhat tawdry and cheap. As I thought about it I realized that in certain cases it was the only way to get the message out. If I really cared about that clerk, waitress or receptionist wouldn’t I write a note to her asking her to consider what would happen when she dies? Of course I would. Well-made, professional tracts are just that kind of note.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Book Review - Rules
RulesCynthia Lord
Scholastic Press (April 1, 2006)
SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains plot points that you may not want to know about before reading the book.
In short: A sympathetic and realistic novel exploring the family dynamics of disability and the individual dynamics of dealing with differences between people.
Twelve year old Catherine has an autistic (autism, according to the National Institute of Health, is a mental illness that affects a person's ability to communicate, form relationships and respond appropriately to the environment) younger brother, David, who, she feels, causes her embarrassment and pain at the most inconvenient times.
"I click my seat belt across me and open my sketchbook to the back pages. That's where I keep all the RULES I'm teaching David so if my someday-he'll-wake-up-a-regular-brother wish doesn't ever come true, at least he'll know how the world works, and I won't have to keep explaining things."
Catherine has created rules for David to, hopefully, save her, and him, further embarrassment.
"Don't stand in front of the TV when other people are watching it."
"A boy can take off his shirt to swim, but not his shorts."
"Some people think they know who you are, when really they don't."
"No toys in the fish tank."
As she gets to know Jason, a paraplegic at David's therapist's office, she begins to look at things in a different way and begins to mature as she does.
"I didn't tell Kristi everything about you. I didn't tell her about your wheelchair or your communication book. I didn't know how she'd react. I should've because you're my friend, but it got harder and harder," I drop my gaze to the tiled floor. "No, that's an excuse, too. The real truth is I was scared what she might think of me, not you."..."You're a good friend," I say, "and I've been - weak."
With nothing truly objectionable, except the ubiquitous middle school romance (really, is this all they think about?), this is a pleasurable and tender novel of family life and relationships.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
We surf...so you don't have to - July 13
The Easiest Way to Glorify God?
Thankfulness.
"Do Hard Things" is Not New
It has been around awhile.
Honoring God in the Gray Areas
Help for issues not directly addressed in the Bible
On the Price of Gas
Here is the best quote, "All of us tend to assume that whatever standard of living we're used to is the minimum we're entitled to. But as Americans, we're used to that standard being very high — much higher than the one enjoyed by virtually everyone who's ever lived."
"Dancing Matt"
It just makes me smile, despite the inappropriate title.
Thankfulness.
"Do Hard Things" is Not New
It has been around awhile.
Honoring God in the Gray Areas
Help for issues not directly addressed in the Bible
On the Price of Gas
Here is the best quote, "All of us tend to assume that whatever standard of living we're used to is the minimum we're entitled to. But as Americans, we're used to that standard being very high — much higher than the one enjoyed by virtually everyone who's ever lived."
"Dancing Matt"
It just makes me smile, despite the inappropriate title.
Quote - Murmuring and Discontentment
"Murmuring is no better than mutiny in the heart; it is a rising up against God. When the sea is rough and unquiet, it casts forth nothing but foam: when the heart is discontented, it casts forth the foam of anger, impatience, and sometimes little better than blasphemy. Murmuring is nothing else but the scum which boils off from a discontented heart."
Thomas Watson, The Art of Divine Contentment
Thomas Watson, The Art of Divine Contentment
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Quote - A Christian
"By God's grace alone, the Christian has come to see himself to be a sinner by nature and by choice. He also knows God to be perfectly righteous, the mighty Creator, Master, and Ruler over everything. He knows God to be the fountain of truth, which He has inerrantly and sufficiently revealed in the Bible. The Christian has been brought to know that his only hope of salvation is by the death of God the Son Incarnate, Jesus Christ, who took on our sin, absorbed the just wrath of God in the stead of His own, died under that wrath, and rose bodily three days later. The Christian knows that his only hope is faith in Jesus Christ, through which God in mercy clothes him with the perfect righteousness of Christ. So, with Christ as his Lord, the Christian begins the eternal process of unlearning his autonomous, you-shall-be-as-gods viewpoint, and learning to think God's thoughts after Him."
Dan Phillips
Dan Phillips
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Sharing the Good News - Stop light evangelism
I had seen other homeless people on that corner but didn’t recall ever seeing her. For the past six years I had spent at least five minutes every working day waiting for the light to change at that corner. Periodically people would stand there with their signs asking for a handout. As a rule, I don’t give money to people who are asking for it. Food perhaps, but never money. With food there are really only a couple of options, eat it or throw it away. Money gives you more options, not all of which are good. As a co-worker pulled up behind me he started pulling out his wallet so I began to do the same thing. All I had was a one dollar bill, a twenty dollar bill and a million dollar bill tract. As she approached my car I pulled out the dollar bill and the million dollar bill. I rolled down the window, gave her the money and asked her what she thought would happen to her when she died. I’m sure there was a better transition but the light was changing. She said she hoped heaven. I asked her why. She said because of Jesus Christ. The light changed. I told her that was great and asked her to promise me should would read the back of the million dollar bill tract. She said she would.
I drove away thinking – what was my motive? Was it that I saw my co-worker behind me? Was it because I cared for her soul? Was it because I just wanted to meet my man-made goal? Our motive must be right.
I drove away thinking – what was my motive? Was it that I saw my co-worker behind me? Was it because I cared for her soul? Was it because I just wanted to meet my man-made goal? Our motive must be right.
Book Review - Schooled
SchooledGordon Korman
Hyperion (July 31, 2007)
SPOILER ALERT: The following review contains plot points that you may not want to know about before reading the book.
In short: This is a good pick from the summer reading list assuming you have an appropriate discussion about handling bullies afterwards.
Thirteen year old Cap has been homeschooled at a 1960's style commune by his grandmother, Rain, all his life. When Rain is hospitalized Cap is forced to attend a local public school. Very smart but painfully naive to middle school politics, he is soon "schooled" in the modern social structure of tweenagers.
"I don't like it there, " I complained. "It's too crowded. People dress funny; they talk too fast, and all they're interested in is things! Cell phones and iPods and Game Boys and Starbucks. What's a starbuck?"
From chapter to chapter the story is told in first person by the various characters including Cap, the class bully, the school principal and the stereotypical "popular" girl, concerned about the right boy. Does this dynamic have to be emphasized for middle schoolers?
"The time was coming. I could almost smell it.
One day Zach Powers was going to be my boyfriend. Sure, he was sniffing around Lena - everybody knew that. But sooner or later he'd see that she lacked the depth and sincerity of yours truly, and that, besides, she had the hots for Daryl, or maybe Grant Tubman, if only he'd get rid of that ridiculous tongue stud that looked like a pimple. Enough said - especially about Lena, who was my best friend."
This is a satisfying novel filled with the naive humor of Cap and scattered, insightful thoughts about common middle school issues from various characters.
"School had nothing to do with learning and knowing and getting the right answers. School was about sports and girls and fun and being popular, because you're good at sports, hang out with the right girls, and have a lot of fun."
"Popularity had nothing to do with the truth...what really mattered was image."
"Rain said television was a vast wasteland that lowered our standards until we couldn't tell the difference between bad and good."
Besides a few blasphemies, "G_ _, what is he doing?, which are totally inappropriate and never needed in any book, especially one written for youth, my only concern is how Cap handles the bullies. He is unmercifully picked on, assaulted and bullied by, literally, the entire school. We certainly develop a sympathy for the victims of bullies, but we aren't given any appropriate suggestions in dealing with same.
We surf...so you don't have to - July 9
Heralding the Homemaker
The most important job in the world.
A 12 Point Cure for Complaining
We all do it. Here is some Biblical wisdom.
Hoops for Hope
An inspiring example of a "rebelutionary".
Billions of Missing Links: Barnacles and Mussels
Where are the transitional forms?
A Worldview Gone to the Dogs
We, humans, just know evolution is wrong.
The most important job in the world.
A 12 Point Cure for Complaining
We all do it. Here is some Biblical wisdom.
Hoops for Hope
An inspiring example of a "rebelutionary".
Billions of Missing Links: Barnacles and Mussels
Where are the transitional forms?
A Worldview Gone to the Dogs
We, humans, just know evolution is wrong.
Quote - Bring the Books
"He is inspired, and yet he wants books! He has been preaching at least for thirty years, and yet he wants books! He had seen the Lord, and yet he wants books! He had had a wider experience than most men, and yet he wants books! He had been caught up into the third heaven, and had heard things which it was unlawful for a men to utter, yet he wants books! He had written the major part of the New Testament, and yet he wants books! The apostle says to Timothy and so he says to every preacher, "Give thyself unto reading." The man who never reads will never be read; he who never quotes will never be quoted. He who will not use the thoughts of other men's brains, proves that he has no brains of his own. Brethren, what is true of ministers is true of all our people. You need to read. Renounce as much as you will all light literature, but study as much as possible sound theological works, especially the Puritanic writers, and expositions of the Bible. We are quite persuaded that the very best way for you to be spending your leisure, is to be either reading or praying. You may get much instruction from books which afterwards you may use as a true weapon in your Lord and Master's service. Paul cries, "Bring the books"—join in the cry."
Charles Spurgeon, from the sermon "Paul-his Cloak and His Books", Delivered on Sunday Morning, November 29th, 1863, by the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington
Charles Spurgeon, from the sermon "Paul-his Cloak and His Books", Delivered on Sunday Morning, November 29th, 1863, by the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington
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