I am tired of “You got this!” devotionals and “Shine, girl!” platitudes and “Do ya hear me sis?” pep talks. Cut the chit chat and worthless vanity, give me the word and the Spirit and the character of God! How can a daughter of Christ expect to grow in the knowledge of grace and of the love of Christ and […]
Rise and Shine? Not with Liz Curtis Higgs!
A Grief Observed – C. S. Lewis
I have loved C. S. Lewis’ writing since childhood. The Chronicles of Narnia fueled much of my imagination (as little of it as I have) and Mere Christianity informed my college years rather thoughtfully. If we become what we read, then I’m a Narnian and I belong in Aslan’s country. In my search over the years for the best that literature has […]
Let Me Be a Woman
I’ve enjoyed Elisabeth Elliot’s writing since my junior high years when I first read Through Gates of Splendor. I even grew in my appreciation of her writing after reading the first of two biographies about her written by Ellen Vaughn. She lived an interesting life from an early age that contributed greatly to her writing style. I was recently told to […]
A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23
I’ve grown up in evangelical churches where pastors reminded the congregation frequently that we are sheep. Sheep are stupid they say, sheep need so much help, they can’t do anything for themselves. This is absolutely true, I don’t disagree with the comparison. Jesus even calls his people sheep in the New Testament. But have you ever read Psalm 23 while […]
Son of Bitter Glass – A Book Review
Eira does not remember her own mother’s death, but she remembers the day Prince Isbrand’s mother died—for Eira loves her best friend as much as any person can love another. On the day Isbrand’s mother was murdered by the Snow Queen, her best friend was cursed—along with all the kingdom of Ravenia—to a slow and icy doom. But Isbrand’s curse […]
When Strivings Cease – A Book Review
While I’ve now read one of her books, I am still mostly unfamiliar with Ruth Chou Simons and her company/blog GraceLaced. Her artwork has captured the attention and filled the picture frames of many women. Although, it was one of her book titles that originally caught my eye on a completely innocent walk through Hobby Lobby (ok, I did grab […]
Mr. Midshipman Hornblower – A Book Review
Horatio Hornblower is nervous, clumsy, and seasick. But he’s also an example of the strength a young man can find in the transition between boyhood and manhood.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Barbara Robinson
The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lied and stole and smoked cigars (even the girls) and talked dirty and hit little kids and cussed their teachers and took the name of the Lord in vain and set fire to Fred Shoemaker’s old broken-down toolhouse. Barbara Robinson authored three books involving the […]
The Bridge of Little Jeremy – A Book Review
As my reviewing network has expanded, I have taken on more books that are outside my typical fare and genres. It hasn’t all been bad – I’ve found some interesting books I would have not otherwise picked up. But I’ve also endured some disappointing (and entirely too long) novels. However, I have reviewed Indrajit Garai once before and was surprised […]
The Carver and the Queen – A Book Review
I have read my fair share of Leo Tolstoy’s short stories. I read One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich in high school. Thus far and no further has my experience of Russian literature extended. I’ll broaden my horizons eventually. For now, I took some time to read The Carver and the Queen, a new coming of age historical fantasy […]