Blog Tour ~ Indivisible

Title:  Indivisible
Author:  Kristen Heitzmann
Publisher:  Waterbrook Multnomah
ISBN:  9781400073092
Price:  $13.99


From the Publisher ~ About the Book:


An inseparable bond.
An insatiable force. 

Battling his own personal demons, Police Chief Jonah Westfall knows the dark side of life and has committed himself to eradicating it. When a pair of raccoons are found mutilated in Redford, Colorado, Jonah investigates the gruesome act, knowing the strange event could escalate and destroy the tranquility of his small mountain town. With a rising drug threat and never-ending conflict with Tia Manning, a formidable childhood friend with whom he has more than a passing history, Jonah fights for answers—and his fragile sobriety.

But he can’t penetrate every wound or secret—especially one fueled by a love and guilt teetering on madness.

From best-selling author Kristen Heitzmann comes a spellbinding tale of severed connections and the consequences of life lived alone. 


My Thoughts:


I "overbooked" (pun only partly intended :)) myself for book reviews this month, and I'm not moving through my "stack" as quickly as I had hoped, so I'm still finishing Indivisible.   In the time I've been reviewing books, there have been occasions on which,  for whatever reason, I don't finish a  book completely before the review deadline, and I post as quickly as I can based on what I have read to that point (being clear that I haven't completed the book at that time.)  The temptation at that point is always to move on to the next book without finishing the current one.  Not so with Indivisible.  I am a little over halfway finished, and totally hooked.  I would actually be tempted to stay up all night and see "who done it" if I weren't suffering from some mid-life "I can't keep my eyes open after bedtime no matter what" malady. :)


Indivisible is suspense, but it goes beyond that.   The characters are rich, the relationships complex, and the storyline enthralling.   There is not just one mystery; there are several, and I am itching to see how they all come together in the end.  If you enjoy strongly written Christian suspense fiction, I highly recommend this latest work from Kristen Heitzmann. 


Read/Listen/Buy:


"Sneak Peak" ~ Read the first chapter here. 


Watch the trailer here. 


Listen to an interview with Kristen Heitzmann here. 


Buy the book here. 


Thanks to Waterbrook Multnomah for providing a review copy of this book in return for my honest review and participation in this blog tour. 

Present Perfect ~ Social Media Tour

Title: Present Perfect: Finding God in the Here and Now
Author: Gregory A. Boyd

• Publisher: Zondervan (April 13, 2010)
• ISBN-10: 0310283841
• Price: $14.99

About the Book:

"We long to be transformed. Yet our minds are filled with endless trivia and self-centered chatter. To-do lists. Worries about the past. Speculation about the future. We forget to live in the present moment ... and to invite God to be with us there. 

After reading classic contemplative authors Brother Lawrence, Jean-Pierre de Caussade, and Frank Laubach, theologian and pastor Gregory Boyd longed to experience the presence of God for himself. For two decades, he's attempted to implement the 'practice of the presence of God' in his own life ... sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing. What he's learned as a fellow pilgrim on his spiritual journey can help you find true spiritual transformation as you begin to practice the discipline of inviting God into every moment. Join Boyd on this transformational journey of a lifetime!"  (Back cover)

My Thoughts:

After I agreed to review this book, I discovered that the author is a leading proponent of Open Theism.  Had I known that ahead of time (I didn't research well enough!), I wouldn't have agreed to review the book...not because I don't ever want to read a book by an author with whom I have serious doctrinal disagreements, but because at this point in my life, I simply don't want to spend my limited reading time on a book from which I know I'm going to be "spitting out a lot of bones".   There are too many other books on which I *need* and *want* to spend my reading time at this point.  However, because I had received the book free from the publisher in exchange for participating in this blog tour, I followed through with reading it for review purposes.   


That said, there is much good in the book.  Some of the main messages of the book are excellent reminders:  God is with us all the time, we should be constantly aware of God's presence with us and listen for His promptings, pray continually, take every thought captive to Christ, etc.  I came away from the book focusing much more on how I can "abide in Christ" in my daily life.  That's certainly a good thing.  


However, there were definitely aspects with which I disagreed...particularly the idea that "the decay, death, and futility we experience in our life and witness throughout creation is not part of the Creator's original design.  Rather it's the result of a curse we brought upon ourselves..." (i.e. Man messed up God's original plan, and then God had to go to Plan B.)   


As a believer in "original sin"...that all men are born sinners...I disagreed with the assertion that "People aren't born cruel, vindictive, self-righteous, greedy, gluttonous, petty, or perverted.  Life in the demonically oppressed world we live in makes people this way."  I agreed with Boyd's overall point of our being called to love the unlovely, but disagree with his motivation and method in the chapter.  We are to love simply because God commands it, and simply through His grace and power in us...not by mental gymnastics through which we are able to see the unlovely as sweet, innocent little babies.


Boyd also discusses "The Inadequacy of Information".  To an extent, I agree with his premise.  It is easy to get so wrapped up in "information"...in books, in sermons, etc....that we are "hearers only" of the Word, rather than "doers".  I definitely struggle with "information addiction" at times.   However, we are commanded in Scripture to "study to show [ourselves] approved unto God..", and in 2 Peter 1, we are told to "add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love."   


I appreciate Gregory Boyd's encouragement to practice the presence of God day by day and moment by moment; however, I would recommend great caution and discernment in the reading of Present Perfect.


Present Perfect can be purchased at Amazon. 


Visit other participants in the blog tour here. 


Visit Gregory Boyd's website here. 


Thanks to Blog Tour Spot and Zondervan for providing a review copy of this book!

Post-Vacation Daybook....

For Today...May 10, 2010  


Outside My Window...Windy, cold, but a bit of sun peeking out at the moment.  It's supposed to rain all week here...:-(

I am Listening to....Unusual quiet for this time of day.  The children are all occupied with projects at the moment, and I'm trying to get in a quick blog post before lunch. :)

I am Thankful for... A wonderful week of vacation last week, and seeing God's hand at work in many answered prayers!  My sweet husband and children for making Mother's Day very special.   My mother.  My grandmothers, who are missed very much.  Praying, encouraging friends. 

I am Pondering...one of the most important books I've ever read, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream
, by David Platt.   I just finished this and reviewed it here...but I don't want this to be one of those books I read, review, and put back on my bookshelf (or even pass on to others, although I plan to do that, too!)  I want to not only hear, but obey...I want to live the challenge of this book.  You'll be seeing more on it around here soon!

I am Remembering...my grandmothers this week after Mother's Day. :)  I was *so* blessed to have all four grandparents until I was 17, and to have had close relationships with all of them.  My grandmothers couldn't have been more different from each other, but they each impacted me greatly in very different ways.  I'm so thankful for the blessing of my grandmothers!

Noticing...once again, God's perfect timing always, and His faithfulness even when sometimes we go through periods when it seems like He has completely forgotten our situation.  We have seen *so* many answers to prayer...some of them things we've prayed for for *years*...in the last few weeks...and so many evidences of His perfect timing.   

I am Reading...Present Perfect and Indivisible for book reviews later this week.  I am also...despite the fact that I have a stack of other books I *need* to read first...sneaking in a few pages of Mary DeMuth's latest, Life in Defiance (sequel to Daisy Chain and A Slow Burn) here and there.  I just can't wait to find out "who did it"! :)  

From the Kitchen...On the menu this week...
*Chicken Tacos, Beef Enchiladas, and Rice
*Chicken Salad on Buns, Pasta Salad, Carrots, and Fruit
*"Daddy's Famous Meatballs" (as Ammah Grace calls them :)), Mac & Cheese, Green Beans
*Grilled Chicken, Corn on the Cob, Spinach Salad
*Shrimp Boil (Billy's latest experiment...I can't wait!)  (What do you serve with Shrimp Boil?  I have no idea...)

On my Mind...Lots of planning and organizing right now.  Tweaking our schedule for our "summer term", trying to work my way through some projects on the house we want to accomplish before it gets too hot, getting ready for a busy (bug fun!) season schedule-wise, and really wanting to invest more time in my family and others around me.  Trying to be more intentional and use my time and energy more wisely for what God has for me to accomplish during this season.

I am Creating...About to dive headlong into wedding decor and VBS crafts!  Yay!

From the Learning Rooms..."Teacher Work Day" today :) and our homeschool group's Used Book Sale tomorrow...then heading into the "summer" term of school with gusto! :)  (We school year-round here...)

One of my Favorite Things...The sunrise over Lake Catherine while sitting in a rocking chair on the screened in porch of our cabin last week having my quiet time.  What an incredible blessing that was!  I can't wait to go back....

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week...Used Book Sale and Moms' Renew tomorrow, children's choir Wednesday, a day at home on Thursday (yay!), and a birthday party for a young friend Friday night.

A Photo to Share...


Hhmph!!  I had a couple of Lake Catherine photos I was going to post as a "sneak peek" of my "post to come" on our trip last week, but Blogger won't let me post photos at all right now!  I hope that is short-lived...I have several overdue "photo posts" I need to do in the next day or two...:)


Thanks to Peggy for hosting the Daybook each week!

Radical ~ Blog Tour and Giveaway

Title: Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream

Author: David Platt

Price: $14.99

Formats Available: Trade Paperback and eBook

On Sale: May 4, 2010

ISBN: 9781601422217

Publisher's Summary:


It's easy for American Christians to forget how Jesus said his followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would actually look like. They would, he said, leave behind security, money, convenience, even family for him. They would abandon everything for the gospel. They would take up their crosses daily...

BUT WHO DO YOU KNOW WHO LIVES LIKE THAT? DO YOU?

In Radical, David Platt challenges you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences. He shows what Jesus actually said about being his disciple--then invites you to believe and obey what you have heard. And he tells the dramatic story of what is happening as a "successful" suburban church decides to get serious about the gospel according to Jesus.

Finally, he urges you to join in The Radical Experiment --a one-year journey in authentic discipleship that will transform how you live in a world that desperately needs the Good News Jesus came to bring.


My Thoughts:


Webster's defines "radical" in this way:


a. marked by a considerable departure from the usual or traditional
b. tending or disposed to make extreme changes in existing views, habits, traditions, or institutions


Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream, by David Platt, definitely does both.  In fact, as I read, I kept thinking, "This book is definitely radical!"  And then suddenly I realized, "But it shouldn't be."  


Radical is an easy read...and a very, very challenging one.  It is at the same time very basic...and very deep.  It's content is really nothing new...in fact, the fundamental principles of the book are over 2000 years old...and yet, it challenges us to live a life totally different from the "norm" in American Christianity.


Platt has lived...and is still living...the life of which he writes.  Called "the youngest megachurch pastor in history", Platt realized one day that his "model in ministry" was a man who "spent the majority of his ministry time with twelve men.  A guy who, when he left this earth, had only about 120 people who were actually sticking around and doing what he told them to do.  More like a minichurch, really.  Jesus Christ--the youngest minichurch pastor in history."


In trying to reconcile that, he realized there were two large questions facing him:
1.  Was he going to believe Jesus? and
2.  Was he going to obey Jesus?


David Platt decided that more than anything he wanted to say "yes" to those two questions...to be radically obedient to Jesus Christ.  He is still on the journey, he doesn't have all the answers, but he realizes that these are the questions every Christian must answer, and he invites the reader to join him on the journey of radical obedience.


I've read several books recently that contend that the church today, particularly the American church today, has become much too comfortable.  I've read several books recently on "living as Jesus lived".   They strongly advocate many good things...feeding the poor,  caring for orphans,  helping the homeless...and yet they tend to be  doctrinally "soft".  Not so Radical.  Yes, he addresses the need to care for the needy...but as a *byproduct* of our faith, not the central focus of it.  


I have already put this book on the list of "required reading" for my children as they become teenagers.  I highly recommend it for every Christian.  (I actually would recommend it for non-Christians as well, as Platt lays out the Gospel clearly and honestly.) 


Straight doctrine.  True stories of radical faith, both in Platt's church and in persecuted and impoverished churches around the world.  A fresh look at God's purpose for the church, and at the dangers of the "American Dream" mindset.  And a challenge..."One Year to a Life Turned Upside Down".   Radical contains all of these.  It's not a "comfortable" book.  It will shake you.  It will challenge you.  It may excite and inspire you...or it may anger you!  And then it will require a decision of you, the same one David Platt faced at the beginning of this journey: 


Will you believe Jesus?  And will you obey him, no matter what?


Free Stuff!  


Take a sneak peek at Radical by downloading the first chapter here.   And while supplies last, order a free copy of the companion mini-book, The Radical Question, here.   


Order:


Radical can be purchased at your local Christian bookstore, or by ordering here. 


Disclaimer (per FTC guidelines):


Waterbrook Multnomah provided a free advance copy of this book for the purposes of this blog tour.  No other compensation was received for my honest review. 

Vacation Week Daybook!!

For Today...May 3, 2010  (Don't tell anybody, but it actually took me 17 hours...not consecutive!...to finish this post.  So...it's actually May 4 as I hit publish...:))

Outside My Window...Sunny, heading into a very warm few days (91 this week...eek!)

I am Listening to...Children doing chores.

I am Thankful for...Billy's vacation this week!  

I am Pondering...Bro. Kent's sermon last night.  Here are a few of my (very rough) notes:


The Danger of Spiritual Assumptions
Ecclesiastes 7:15-18


*Popular theology says "good things happen to good people, and bad things happen to bad people".  


*God cautions us to beware of the danger of works-based blessings. (v. 15)  
         Solomon's observations...
               ---"When the righteous man perishes"...Bad things happen to good people.  It happens!
               ---"When the evil man prospers"...Good things happen to bad people.  It happens, too.  A lot.
         Do these things fly in the face of Biblical theology?  No.  But they do fly in the face of popular theology!


*God cautions us to avoid the disappointment of self-righteousness. ((v. 16-17)
          These verses do not refer to true righteousness, but to legalistic self-righteousness.  "Health and wealth gospel" and        the like elevate religion to the status of a vending machine!   Outcome is disappointment or even destruction.


*God cautions us to avoid the destruction of rejecting the idea of God's judgement. (v. 17)
           
*God calls us to consider both and trust God.  
            Not that we are to find a  middle ground between righteousness and wickedness, but that we are to AVOID both legalistic self-righteousness and wickedness.   Instead we are to TRUST GOD.  
            Fear God!  Understand that He blesses in His own time and in His own way...His Sovereignty (vv. 13-14)


*Cling to Him!  Trust Him!  Continue to Follow Him!


I am Remembering...A great week last week!  Wedding shower for my dear friend's sweet daughter, visiting with old friend and Senatorial candidate Gilbert Baker (and getting Baker Backer tee shirts! :)), six fun hours of scrapbooking and fellowship Friday night, and R & R sitting under our wonderful backyard trees watching the squirrels and birds with Billy Saturday afternoon.  

Noticing...how my children's personalities emerge even as they are first waking up in the morning.  Ammah Grace bounces in giggling with a big hug.  Bayley comes in with a "plan" almost every morning, and is often cleaning before I even realize she is up.  Emlyn eases into the day, and she would prefer to do it snuggling on Mama's lap.   Peter's brain is planning his latest Lego creation or art project before his eyes are even open.    They are just amazing little (and not-so-little anymore) critters. :)

I am Reading...I'm taking a small stack on our trip....not sure when I think I'll read, but I'm tucking Present Perfect, Gardening Eden, and Under the Chinaberry Tree in my bag just in case.   I'm never quite sure what I'll be in the mood for when!  Mostly, I think I'll be finishing Radical, by David Platt. If you haven't heard about this book yet, watch for it.  The book tour started yesterday, and I hope to have my post ready soon after we get home.  Radical is definitely radical...so far I'm enthralled and convicted.  This is not a book to read if you want to stay comfortable.

From the Kitchen...Easy stuff this week, with Billy's vacation and our trip.  Billy's talking about grilling a feast this weekend...I'll keep you posted on that. :)

On my Mind...Kevin DeYoung's blog series on "social justice".  I've only gotten to skim parts of it, but I am so thankful to have read what I've read so far, and I can't wait to read the rest.  I'm incredibly disturbed with much of "the church's" take on social justice these days (using the term "church" loosely)...there will be more on that here very soon.

I am Creating...I actually finished two scrapbook pages at our scrapbooking night!  (Are you clapping?? ;-))  I'm looking forward to all of us spending some time with our nature/visual journals both at home and at Hot Springs/Lake Catherine this week.  I'll try to post pictures....:)

From the Learning Rooms...No school this week due to Daddy's vacation...but still lots of learning going on!   That's one of my favorite parts about homeschooling. :)

One of my Favorite Things...scrapbooking!  It felt so good to actually sit down and play with paper and patterns and embellishments and just *create*.   I am determined to "get back in the groove". :)

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week...A quick family jaunt to Hot Springs and Lake Catherine, relaxing family time at home, a fun outing or two here in town, and maybe a "house" project or two.  We'll see how far we get! 

A Photo to Share...

Yes, we are Baker Backers!  Watch for a full post on the "Baker Bus Stop" soon...and in the meantime, if any Arkansas friends are still undecided on a Senatorial candidate, check out Gilbert Baker!

Thanks to Peggy for hosting the Daybook each week!

Sunday Night Snippets

Did you ever have one of those times when humanly speaking, you knew you "should" stay home from church, but you just felt like you had to be there anyway?

I hadn't even opened my eyes all the way this morning when I realized I was in the midst of a bad pain flare.  I got up prepared to take it slowly and push through as usual, but quickly realized that wasn't going to work today.  Emlyn had had a hard time sleeping and wasn't feeling well last night, so we decided she would stay home as well.  

I debated all afternoon about going to church tonight.  I had a church-related obligation I *really* needed to make this afternoon, but at several points had decided even that wasn't possible.  By the time it was over, I knew the "smart" thing to do was head home and go to bed.   But...I just kept feeling like I needed to get there.

And I did.  Did get there, and did need to. :)   Have you ever noticed that it seems like the services that are the hardest to get to are the ones you need the most?  What a blessing!

First...one of those "I've sung this hymn a million times but the words never really struck me until now" moments.  Aren't these words beautiful??

Why Do I Sing About Jesus?

Deep in my heart there is gladness;
Jesus has saved me from sin!
Praise to His name, what a Savior!
Cleansing without and within!

Why do I sing about Jesus?
Why is He precious to me?
He is my Lord and my Savior;
Dying, He set me free!

Only a glimpse of His goodness;
That was sufficient for me.
Only one look at my Savior;
Then was my spirit set free.

Why do I sing about Jesus?
Why is He precious to me?
He is my Lord and my Savior;
Dying, He set me free!

He is the fairest of fair ones;
He is the Lily, the Rose.
Rivers of mercy surround Him;
Grace, love, and pity He shows.

Why do I sing about Jesus?
Why is He precious to me?
He is my Lord and my Savior;
Dying, He set me free!

--Albert Allen Ketchum

Then, Lyndel sang an old favorite of mine that I hadn't heard in a long time.  I've been processing through some new "layers" of the situation we've been dealing with for the past 3+ years this week, and I sat with tears in my eyes as I listened to the words of this song.   I always think of BMA camp when I hear this song, and as I listened to the words, I thought about singing them there so many times years ago, and how true they were.   As a teenager sitting in the camp chapel so many years ago, I had no idea what was in store for me 20 to 25 years later.  If I had, I would have started running and never, ever come back!  Of course, had anyone been able to tell me what was to come, I would never have believed them.  There was no way my life and my family would be touched by those things.  And yet...God has proven Himself faithful...just as these lyrics express...time and time again.

He knew...all those many years ago when I was sitting in that camp chapel in Ringgold, Louisiana...exactly what the last few years of my 30s and the first of my 40s would hold.  And His presence has truly gone before us and He has held my hand through every millisecond of it.  It was so amazing to have that "flashback" moment and see the truth of this song in my life from then until now.   Another incredible reminder of His sovereignty.

I don't know about tomorrow;
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from its sunshine
For its skies may turn to grey.
I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said.
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

I don't know about tomorrow;
It may bring me poverty.
But the one who feeds the sparrow,
Is the one who stands by me.
And the path that is my portion
May be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me
And I'm covered with His blood.


--Ira Stanphill

Then...Bro. Kent's sermon.  I had planned to post notes, but I think I'll leave you hanging...:-D  Seriously, I've been in this chair much longer than I should have and my body is screaming that it is time for rest.  See tomorrow's Daybook post for snippets from tonight's session in Ecclesiastes.  Good stuff.  *Really* good stuff.   So...come back tomorrow. :)

Speaking of tomorrow, I have issued a challenge to myself to publish a post every day this week.  This despite the fact that Billy is on vacation this week, which means our schedule is completely topsy-turvy. :)  So...check in and see how I do with my challenge!

Mid-Week Daybook...

For Today...April 28, 2010

Outside My Window...Sun peeking out, but still very cool.  Our birds are chirping, as always...we so love our very old trees and the birds and squirrels (now very spoiled birds and squirrels, due to Billy's hand feeding...:)) that inhabit them.   Workmen are working across the street.

I am Listening to...this week's free download of Page CXVI's "Hymns" album.  Ya'll know I love hymns. :)  The jury is still out on some of the arrangements...they aren't necessarily my "style", but I think they'll grow on me.

I am Thankful for...a relatively peaceful week.  

I am Pondering...the story of Jacob wrestling with God, as I have often pondered in the past few years.  Blog post to come with some of those thoughts soon, I hope. 

I am Remembering...This week has been a week of remembering very hard days, the faithfulness of God through those days, and the amazing lessons He taught (and is still teaching!) through them. 

Noticing...I have a LOT of book reviews coming up in the next couple of months!  I need to be reading like a madwoman. :)

I am Reading...starting Holiness, by J. C. Ryle for the Women of the Word book club on Facebook, *still* finishing Love Mercy: A Mother and Daughter's Journey from the American Dream to the Kingdom of God
, by Lisa Samson, for an (overdue...eek!) book review,  and starting A Heart Ready to Fly
 with the kids this week!

From the Kitchen...It's Wednesday, and supper is well underway in the crockpot...yay!!  I have struggled with Wednesday meals ever since our Wednesday schedule changed.  I'm finally beginning to "get it together" in that area..whew!   Saloon Beef, potatoes, and salad for supper...yum!

On my Mind...Way too much!!  I'm in one of those "My mind is swimming" modes at the moment...and trying to sort it all out and find an orderly progression through it!

I am Creating...Looking forward to creating scrapbook pages Friday night!!  A friend and I have been trying to get together for months, and I am *so* excited that we finally have a date in ink on the calendar. :)   Now I'm just hoping I can stay awake until midnight...I'm getting old, and that's not as easy as it used to be!

From the Learning Rooms...An uninterrupted week of "normal school" this week...those have been rare lately, and we're trying to enjoy it while we can!

One of my Favorite Things...Sitting in the backyard with Billy watching our birds and squirrels and enjoying the beautiful spring weather under our big, old trees.  


A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week...Choir x2 tonight, Bridal Shower for a friend tomorrow night :), Scrapbooking Friday night (yay!)


A Photo to Share...

Well, having spent 30 minutes trying to get Blogger's new photo upload tool to let me upload a photo here, I have given up.  I'll try again later. :)


Thanks to Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook for hosting the Daybook each week!