Something Light - When Gummi Bears go bad

Book Brief – Miss Fortune: An Allie Fortune Mystery

Miss Fortune: An Allie Fortune Mystery

Sara Mills
Moody Publishers (September 2008)

Allie Fortune is the only female private investigator in New York City in 1947. She has just been hired by a client who says she is being regularly followed by person’s unknown. The FBI is also working on the case because a legendary treasure is missing. Allie meets up with the FBI agent, Jack, and the investigation is on.

“Jack readjusted his hat, “I’d better be going. I’ll see you around, Fortune.”

I nodded, not caring that his back was already to me.

He’d laid the envelope in the center of my desk, on top of the files I’d been working on, I reached out a shaking hand to pick it up, but couldn’t bring myself to touch it. Instead, I brought my hand back and just stared.”

I really wanted to like this novel. I almost stopped after giving it my obligatory fifty page trial run. Set in one of my favorite time periods and reminiscent of an old, classic black and white movie, it had everything going for it in my mind. Unfortunately, I was never drawn to the characters and the short, curt, almost Raymond Chandler like writing, interspersed with jolting flashbacks, didn’t work for me.

Rating: Borrow

Book Review - Face of Betrayal (A Triple Threat Novel)

Face of Betrayal (A Triple Threat Novel)

Lis Wiehl

Thomas Nelson (April 7, 2009)

PARENTAL ADVISORY: This book contains material inappropriate for children. This review may reference that same material and thus may also not be appropriate for children.

In short: A well written, fast paced, suspenseful novel with a seamless plot that keeps you guessing. Unfortunately, I can't recommend this book because of irresponsible content.

Three female friends - a prosecutor, a TV reporter, and an FBI agent - help each other as they all become involved in the case of a missing Senate page. The prime suspect may be a U.S. Senator. With cliffhanger short chapters, some written as blog entries, the novel moves quickly.

"Cassidy shook her head. "No, a high school junior - seventeen years old. She went out to walk the dog and never came home. When we filmed the story, she'd only been gone a little over twenty-four hours. Now it's been more than forty-eight, and there's still no sign of her. When the parents contacted me, the locals weren't taking them too seriously. But something about it didn't feel right to me. This girl, Katie Converse, is home on break from being a Senate page in DC. Her parents told me there's only about a hundred kids who get to do it from around the whole country. Someone like that would be responsible."

You would think that a "Christian" publishing house would also be as responsible as Katie supposedly was. I can't ignore the sexual immorality portrayed throughout this novel, from the sex crime prosecution descriptions to the pre-marital sex of one of the major characters. The relationship of the TV reporter wasn't love or romance, it was lust and completely irresponsible to present it otherwise. (I also find it irresponsible that no theodicy or defense was given to the "problem of evil" broached by one of the main characters at one point. This is a major stumbling block to many and was a great time to address the issue within the context of the story.) It does get addressed at the end of the book in that regard, but by then it was too late for me. The presentation makes evil seem almost appealing by glossing over the painful consequences and trivializing sin, thus weakening our consciences to its ugliness, with a fast paced rip-roaring yarn of a story.

I really do appreciate the fact that this is not a theology book. I am not asking for "pristine" fiction. I am quite sure this will mark me as "uptight" or "prude" in some circles. I'm OK with that. I'm just asking if the "sin" issues shouldn't be addressed in some manner since this novel is marketed by a "Christian" publishing house.

I do not write this out of piety or self righteousness, but as a sinner, saved by grace, who is still sin prone and working out my sanctification, as all believers should. My entertainment benefit isn't worth the blemish on my soul. My "sin" threshold has become pretty low. Occasional pre-marital sex, infrequent lesbian jokes or a limited amount of violent murder descriptions, all present in this novel, are no longer acceptable for me. I know all the arguments from Christian liberty but Christian liberty also allows me to set my own standard. I just can't honestly recommend this book knowing a weaker brother than I may read it and fall into sin - in fact - I am the weaker brother. I really don't have to read of the "seamy" side of life - all I have to do is look inside my own depraved heart. (Jeremiah 17:9)

Rating: Avoid

We surf...so you don't have to - May 26

Corporal Jason Dunham

A belated Memorial Day tribute to those who gave their life for our country, specifically Corporal Jason Dunham.

How can I break free from an addiction to entertainment?

Does entertainment have a hold on your heart?

De'TAT'ched Attitude

Interesting. They are erasing their "inky mistakes" because of the tight job market.

HT: Challies

Something Light - My first question was - why is a cat in the boat?

Book Brief – Home Another Way

Home Another Way

Christa Parrish
Bethany House (November 1, 2008)

It isn’t often, especially in Christian fiction, when the writing overcomes a clichéd setup to address important issues with substance and humor.

When her estranged father dies, Sarah Graham is penniless. She travels to a tiny town in the state of New York to claim her inheritance. Much to her chagrin, her fathers will stipulates a six-month stay in Jonah before she can receive the money. Lazy, promiscuous and bitter Sarah reluctantly stays. God uses the flawed people of the small hamlet of Jonah to teach Sarah love, forgiveness and grace.

Sarah learns of God’s sovereignty,

“What if my car hadn’t been stolen?...What if I pulled the books off the shelves on the left, instead of the right?...How can you tell if something is just a coincidence, or if it’s – “ I swallowed once, twice. “Or if it’s more?”

dealing with suffering on a daily basis,

“But life isn’t always about what we want, is it? If you stepped away from your own personal pity party for two minutes, maybe you’d see that other people have had some pretty terrible things happen to them, too. But they’re not sitting around, hating the world and everyone it it.

Do you think Beth wanted to be burned half past recognition, or that my mother wanted Dad and Tim to die? Do you think Memory wanted an invalid for a son?”

and having joy in the face of trials – to glorify Him.

“I looked back to the stage where Beth still stood, talking and smiling, surrounded by people who loved her. She had more joy than anyone I’d ever known; not that I’d known too many happy people. But I’d met plenty who had reason to be happy – talented, rich, beautiful people with big houses and blond children, and yearly vacations on tropical islands. Beth had none of those reasons, and less.”

This compelling debut novel is full of substance and rich characters who live a hard, but realistic, life. Let’s hope we see more of them, and this author, in the near future.

Rating: Paperback

We surf...so you don't have to - May 19

'My interests include cooking dogs'

Working on your resume? Commas make all the difference in the world.

HT: The Point

A Little Less Conversation and a Little More Action Please

God, please grant us perspective.

The Most Important Prayer Request in the World

May this be our most common prayer.

Quote - The Seriousness of Worship

“A church service involving clowns or fancy dress or skits or stand-up comedy does not reflect the seriousness of the gospel; and those who take the gospel seriously should know better. Frankly, it is more appropriate to liberal theology which does not take the gospel, or the God of the gospel, seriously. Serious things demand serious idioms. I heard recently of a church service involving dressing up in costume and music taken from a Tom Cruise movie. Now, if I go for my annual prostate examination, and the doctor comes into the consulting room dressed as Coco the Clown, with `Take my breath away’ from Top Gun playing in the background, guess what? I’m going to take the doctor out with a left hook, flee the surgery, and probably file a complaint with the appropriate professional body. This is serious business; and if he looks like a twit and acts like a twit, then I can only conclude that he is a twit.”

Carl Trueman

Something Light - Birdog

Book Brief - Proverbs: A Mentor Commentary

Proverbs: A Mentor Commentary

John Kitchen

Mentor (September 1, 2006)

As I read this book I thought of the following quote from Monergism Books:

The Humility to Read

I am one person in one place at one time. My experiences and perceptions are limited and colored by the environment in which I live. Therefore, it would be profoundly arrogant of me to think that I can best grow in the knowledge of God through Scripture by myself. Certainly the Holy Spirit is graciously given to all God’s children to enable us to comprehend and be conformed to the truths of the Bible. Nevertheless, one of the primary means of grace God uses in the process of our transformation is the universal-historical community of believers. Within that community, God graciously provides leaders of few and leaders of many to equip the saints for the work of ministry.

It is a humbling thing for me to read a book. Most books take at least several hours of combined time to process, and I have to forsake other distractions in order to focus and benefit from what I am reading. Most of all, I can’t talk back. I am forced to just listen, patiently follow and receive, to think another man’s thoughts after him.

One of the new desires placed into the heart of every believer is the desire to think God’s thoughts after him. Let’s pursue humility by receiving the thoughts of those who have led us and spoken the word of God to us in the most enduring of all earthly mediums: the book.

John A. Kitchen is one of those well suited to equip the saints. In this commentary he focuses on application and points to Christ while providing academic background appropriate for a layman's understanding.

An introduction provides context for the wisdom literature of the Bible. The next thirty one chapters contain comments on each individual verse in each chapter. A beneficial appendix summarizing the wisdom vs. folly theme running through Proverbs is provided. Thematic, subject and scripture indexes, as well as a bibliography, are also provided and helpful for later review and study.

This is a rich commentary for the layman and highly recommended as a reference for anyone.

"...the Christian book of wisdom, finding its highest demonstration and expression in the Person of Jesus Christ, who is wisdom itself."

"A proverb is a compactly constructed sentence packed with practical insight. It is a stubby sentence pregnant with meaning. It is college in a cup."

Rating: Hardback

We surf...so you don't have to - May 12

Atheists Miss the Joy

"How happy is the rising sun...?"

What Will You Do before the Window Closes?

Is America becoming more hostile toward Christianity?

Tax Day: Who Is Carrying All the Bricks?

How many bricks are you carrying?

Quote - Jonathan Edwards last words

"Dear Lucy, it seems to me to be the will of God that I must shortly leave you; therefore give my kindest love to my dear wife, and tell her, that the uncommon union, which has so long subsisted between us, has been of such a nature, as I trust is spiritual, and therefore will continue forever: and I hope she will be supported under so great a trial, and submit cheerfully to the will of God. And as to my children, you are now like to be left fatherless, which I hope will be an inducement to you all to seek a Father, who will never fail you. And as to my funeral, I would have it be like Mr. Burr’s; and any additional sum of money that might be expected to be laid out that way, I would have it disposed of to charitable uses.

Trust in God, and ye need not fear."

Jonathan Edwards

Something Light - "Her Morning Elegance," by Oren Lavie

Book Brief - Craftsmen: Skillfully Leading Your Family For Christ

Craftsmen: Skillfully Leading Your Family For Christ

John Crotts

Shepherd Press (December 30, 2005)

Using the metaphor of an apprentice loooking to learn a trade or craft John Crotts book "is designed to simplify the quest for wisdom."

The first section of the book defines wisdom and its basis - the fear of God. The second section applies God's wisdom to different areas of living, including work, marriage, speech and relationships. The book of Proverbs provides the bulk of support but "attention is given to the rest of Scripture as well."

Crotts is a skillful writer and lays out a wealth of application through careful exigesis of the Scripture and points always to the "ultimate Wise Man" - Jesus Christ. With study questions included, this book will prove helpful to any man - currently leading a family or not.

"Without any thought that God is watching their every movement, listening to their words, and even inspecting the motivations of their hearts, a countless number of men live without the slightest thought of God. Even if they give lip service to his existence and deep down suppose he exists in a corner somewhere, these guys go about their routines without the slightest concern for what God thinks or what He may do to them. As foolish as the family having lunch with the tiger would be [a story told earlier about a family deciding to have a picnic in the tiger enclosure of a zoo because, in their thinking, since they couldn't see the tiger then he must not be there], living as if the God of the Bible does not exist or does not matter is infinitely more foolish. After all, all the tiger can do is rip you to shreds and eat you for lunch, God, on the other hand, can and will send to hell all those who spurn him."

Rating: Paperback

We surf...so you don't have to - May 5

What Is A Successful Christian?

How do you define success?

A Failed Gospel Tract

In not preaching the full Gospel we are hurting the hearers and Christ.

Why Are We So Unhappy?

We are the richest culture the world has ever known...and the unhappiest it seems.

Quote - The Investment of Life

"Some years ago I read…this statement: “The investment of life is the most momentous of all human decisions. As Jesus, before entering upon His active ministry, went up on a mountain-top and beheld the kingdoms of this world and the glory of them, so should every Christian examine the opportunities for a life investment presented by the nations of a weary world.’ This statement impressed me with its deep significance.

As I have pondered over these facts, there has come to me a great longing to give to our young people this true conception of a life investment, and not to these only, but to hundreds of Christian men and women with wrong views of true success. In this commercial age even the preacher is tempted to leave the pulpit and engage in some work that will bring larger returns in dollars and cents. The paramount question that towers above every other, not only in youth, but at whatever point we may have reached, is this: ‘How can I now invest the rest of my life so that it will bring the largest return?

We cannot blame our young people for turning away from the ministry at home or in other lands, when in the home we talk as if money and ease were the ultimate goal to be sought. Many of our leading periodicals hold up the rich man as the successful man, and one would almost conclude that the title to happiness is written only on the back of bank bills. From the pulpit we condemn the love of money for mere selfish uses, but nothing practically better is offered as a greater inducement.

Oh, young people, lift your eyes and look on a world to be won for Christ before you choose your life work. See the millions of men and women living out a whole lifetime with nothing to comfort, elevate, or inspire– nothing beyond the sensual tragic life which they are now living, but a great black abyss; no one to touch their fevered, sin-sick lives with the sweet old story of the Great Physician."

Charles Cowman

HT: Scriptorium Daily

Something Light - For My Future, and Current, Driver(s)