Thursday, May 29, 2014

Book Review -- Jesus Feminist

Jesus Feminist: An Invitation to Revisit the Bible’s View of Women
Jesus Feminist: An Invitation to Revisit the Bible’s View of Women by Sarah Bessey
My enjoyment rating: 4 of 5 stars
Book hangover rating: 5
Source: Personal copy
Genre: Non-fiction; Christian
Objectionable material: None

"The people of God have a unique and beautiful message for the women of the world: You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Your Abba (Father) delights in you. You are equal. You are lovely. You are called; you are chosen; you are beloved. You are gifted. You belong. You have worth and value. You matter." ~Sarah Bessey, Jesus Feminist

I'm not an Evangelical Christian and don't really "speak" the evangelical vernacular, since I wasn't raised as an evangelical, so it took me a bit to get the feel of this book. But once I did, I was wrapped up in her stories and faith of the ministry of Christ.

It gave me hope as a woman in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The last chapter was profound and beautiful.   Dare I say, life changing?
 

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Book Review -- The Cracks in the Kingdom

The Cracks in the Kingdom (The Colours of Madeleine, #2)
The Cracks in the Kingdom by Jaclyn Moriarty
My enjoyment rating: 4 of 5 stars
Book hangover rating: 4
Source: Library copy
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Objectionable material: None

Elliott is still fighting colors in the Kingdom of Cello; Madeleine is still hanging out in Cambridge, England. They are both still communicating via the crack in the universe that is housed in the parking meter at the end of Madeleine's street, and the search for the Royal Family of Cello continues.

Part II of Jaclyn Moriarty's The Colors of Madeleine series is just as whimsical, quirky, original, unique and fun as the first! This is the ONLY series I've continued since Harry Potter -- that's saying something!

There are some holes (pardon the pun) in the narrative -- links in the story that don't quite fit or work -- but I enjoyed both "worlds" so much and all the characters that I didn't really care.

If you are looking for a delightful and clever series, that doesn't involve dystopian death, depression, bleakness -- this should be next on your list.

Now...as with any series...I have to wait for the final book!!


Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Listen to Your Mother

Picture by Kerri Case

I don't know why they picked me.
My essay was old.
My kids were grown (relatively speaking).
I'd seemingly recovered from that intensely bleak period of my life.
But they did. They picked me.
And 14 others like me.
14 others who participated in a nationally recognized public forum called Listen to Your Mother  -- to share our stories -- so fiercely & uniquely ours -- yet so universally shared among this tribe we call motherhood.  A tribe you belong to regardless of your "mother" status, because you simply inhabit Mother Earth and are loved by a Heavenly Mother.
14 others with stories of motherhood -- joyful, personal, emotional, painful, beautiful, hilarious, genuine, true -- a grand chorus of impassioned voices sharing their hearts.
I'm completely tethered to these 14 now -- some of whom I still barely know.
It was a sacred experience.  The stage...consecrated ground.
And I will be blessed by it forever.
Picture by Sarabeth Jones