Redeeming Love

I just finished Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. There is a lot of food for thought in this story of a farmer and his new bride (loosely based on the book of Hosea in the Bible).

Reading this book brought me to tears, laughter, and even some frustration at the main character's lack of trust in her husband. But after reading it I have realized that I am no different in my response to my Heavenly Father. He has given everything and I have nothing left to give.

What are your thoughts?


(This book is not for younger readers)

Coincidence?

Have you ever read something and then a few days later something related to that topic pops up?

I finished " Up From Slavery" by Booker T. Washington only to end up watching the movie "Amazing Grace" a few days later. Both deal with slavery, both are about ordinary men attempting great things, and both men put their faith into action.

Their lives inspire me to make a difference in the world. Who inspires you?

Christmas isn't Christmas

Christmas just isn't Christmas till I've seen, read, or listened to "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. This year I am a lucky owner of a paperback copy! No more waiting for the library's copy to become available.

I think my first memory of Scrooge, Bob Cratchett, and Tiny Tim was the Walt Disney version with Mickey Mouse and Co. Thankfully, I've moved on. :) Scrooge's transformation always brings tears to my eyes and I rejoice with Tiny Tim's "God bless us, everyone!"

Maybe it's been awhile since you've taken a stroll with the Spirits of Christmas - I encourage you to carve out some time to read this little book. You will be glad you did!

The Remains of The Day

Some months ago I was blog-hopping and stumbled across the mention of this book. Having a vague recollection of the title (I thought it was a horror film) I was surprised to find it at the library in the teen aisle.

After reading it I wonder what kind of an impression it leaves on a high-school English class. For me it left a feeling of sadness and a sense of waste but on reflection there are many lessons to be learned from it.

Some topics that could be discussed:

• How does being vulnerable affect communication?
• Should duty and service be put above love?
  
• How do ethics play into duty?
• Can lost opportunities be reclaimed?
• What are some areas of idealism that I hold onto?
  

I found myself willing the butler to just say "I love you" to the housekeeper, to take a risk and become a real person. He avoids pain and effectively locks away his heart until it is too late. He pulls back from living a full life and finds out how much he missed in the end.

If you are short on time Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins portray the main characters in a movie by the same title. I found I lost some of the butler's thought processes in the movie that you gain in the book but overall its pretty well done.

CSI, Charles Dickens and "Remains"

Hi,
I am still around but with summer there just hasn't been much time for reading, nor bookstore browsing.

I am working on a post about the book "The Remains of the Day" which also has been made into a movie with Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson.

Dante's Inferno is just sitting there...oh well.

I did get some fun, light reading in...George MacDonald's "The Shepherd's Castle" storyline keeps you guessing until the end. The uncle is a twisted character and his story could almost be a plot from CSI...it surprised me coming from a contemporary of Charles Dickens!

Reading Update

For those of you who were wondering... I am on chapter four of The Inferno and chapter five in A Godward Life. I finally made it past the first chapters!

The latest find at a book sale last Saturday and one that I haven't read yet is Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery. So that is on the list to read next.

Have any of you read Dare to Dream by John C. Maxwell? I picked that one up at a conference but haven't started it.

The sun shown for four days in a row this week but it started raining this morning. The forecast says it will last through the weekend. Hopefully I can snuggle down with a cup of tea and my books and watch the world go by. Sometimes I need to retreat from the harshness and busyness of life.

Happy Reading!

Passion & Purity

Just finished reading Elisabeth Elliott's Passion & Purity for the third or fourth time. At each reading I discover some new insight or challenge. Self-sacrifice...yuck, a hard one.

Self-sacrifice is such a foreign concept in today's culture. Yet that is what God calls us to do...love as He loved us. "Greater love has no man than this, to lay down his life for his friend." What does that look like in my daily living? At my job? Among my friends? At church?

I am struggling with this.