Book Review: More Than Words

More Than Words by Judith Miller. 2010. Bethany House. 368 pages.

"Come down from that tree, Oma!" I'd done my best to sound firm.

Historical fiction. Amana Colonies, Iowa. 1880s.

Gretchen, our heroine, has a busy life. She helps her father with the general store. She tries her best to 'mother' her younger brother, Stefan. She is also responsible for taking care of her grandmother, her Oma. And since Oma has dementia--it's a job with no end. But. No matter how busy her life may get, Gretchen, finds time to write. She journals and writes poetry. Not every one notices this--Gretchen's special gift. Many just take her for granted. Not noticing the things that make her special, unique. But. There is one man (at least) who notices.

For better or worse, Gretchen's life is changed one year when an outsider, Mr. Finley, comes to town, comes to her father's store. A salesman more interested in getting acquainted with Gretchen than in selling his merchandise. A man who claims he's interested in joining the community. But is becoming a part of the Amana community really what he's interested in?

And then there are the visiting gypsies....her brother and grandmother can't resist visiting the gypsy camp every chance they get. It doesn't help that neither are supposed to. That Gretchen feels responsible for them both.

Can Gretchen find some peace in her life? Can she find love?

I didn't enjoy this one as much as Somewhere to Belong. But I didn't dislike it. I just found it a bit predictable in places. It didn't help that the publisher gave too much away in their description! True, I might have been suspicious of Mr. Finley's intentions anyway. HOWEVER. I did enjoy Conrad very much.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

The Sunday Salon: Week in Review September 5-11

This week I finished several books!

Galatians,

Ephesians,

Philippians,

Colossians.

All in the Common English Bible New Testament.

I've also started Hebrews. I've read Hebrews 1-6.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: The Thorn

The Thorn. Beverly Lewis. 2010. Bethany House. 352 pages.

At times I wonder what might've happened if I'd gone with Mamm that damp, hazy morning eleven years ago.

The Thorn is the novel of two sisters: Rose and Hannah (Hen). Set in the 1980s. In Pennsylvania Dutch Country. The first in a trilogy.

Hen chose to marry an outsider, an Englischer, Brandon; they now have a little girl, Mattie Sue. But after several years away from her community, her family, Hen is having second thoughts. She is saddened by how her marriage has turned out. Frustrated at how her husband wants to raise their daughter. He does not want his wife, his daughter, to have anything at all to do with the Amish. (How could he not want his daughter to know her grandparents?) She wishes her daughter were more obedient, more respectful. Wishes her daughter had never, ever been exposed to Barbie dolls, MTV, or Madonna. So she's struggling to find her place...

Rose, the younger sister, is still part of the Amish community. She's already been baptized into the community, the church. While she doesn't question her faith--her place within the community: she has no desire to see the outside world, the modern world--she doesn't always keep all the rules either. For one, she enjoys spending time with Nick, the foster son of the bishop. Secret time. Sometimes they ride horses late at night. Sometimes they go on walks. She knows that many would disapprove of this alone time, but she considers Nick one of her best friends. Even though he's an "outsider." Even though most consider him a rebel. But just because she enjoys spending time with Nick doesn't mean she isn't interested in courting an Amish man. She is thrilled when Silas Good asks her to be his girl.

Two sisters struggling with love, life, and family.

I liked this one. I liked both Hen and Rose. Nick reminded me of Heathcliff. Not in a bad way. Not in a completely selfish, self-destructive way. Just in his brokenness, I suppose. Silas was a bit underdeveloped in my opinion. And Brandon. I had more than a few issues with him!

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

On Christian Music

I wanted to share a link to Carrie's post at Reading To Know called Musical Theology. She writes about how frustrating it can be to listen to Christian radio. How some of the songs being played are just not theologically sound. Or perhaps to phrase it better theologically questionable.

I've never been a fan of Christian radio--I'll clarify, I've never been a fan of Christian radio stations playing Christian music--rock (whether hard or soft), praise and worship, rap, alternative, pop, etc.

But. That doesn't mean I don't listen to Christian music or that I'm not a fan of "Christian" music.

I've listened to Christian music for most of my life. (Not exclusively listened. But listened to some degree.) I definitely have favorites. I definitely have standards--theological standards--I apply to my music.

What I've learned is that it is not a matter of "genre" within Christian music. It's also not a matter of age, of "new" versus "old." You can find theologically questionable hymns in your hymnbook too. You can find questionable praise songs that have been sung in and out of churches for decades. Just because it's song within church doesn't mean you shouldn't take the time to examine the lyrics carefully and thoughtfully. Just because it's sold by your local Christian music store doesn't mean that it's theologically sound.

There are some great musicians, artists out there. There are good and bad examples in every "genre" within Christian music. And it isn't always fair to judge an artist by one song that they sing. Keep in mind that the artist isn't always the songwriter. And that some lyrics are a matter of interpretation. And perhaps most importantly not all matters of theology must be agreed upon. (Though the basics, the essentials, the heart-and-soul of the gospel message is a different story.)

So these are some of my favorites...

Caedmon's Call. I love, love, love Caedmon's Call. With songs like "Only Hope," "You Created," "Hands of the Potter," "Standing Up For Nothing," "Thankful", "Mystery of Mercy," "Before There Was Time," "God Who Saves," and "God of Wonders."

Andrew Peterson. I love, love, love Andrew Peterson. In fact, he'd probably top my list of favorites--in ALL genres of music. Some of my favorite songs? "Just As I Am", "High Noon," "The Silence of God," "No More Faith," "Loose Change," "The Chasing Song," "Faith to Be Strong," "So Long, Moses,""Behold the Lamb of God," "More," "The Far Country," "All Shall Be Well," "Mystery of Mercy," "All Things New," "The Good Confession," and "In the Night My Hope Lives On."

Steven Curtis Chapman. Some of his albums I listen to more than others. His "Beauty Will Rise" album is so very, very amazing. I would recommend it to just about anybody. I won't list favorites from all his albums. But I will mention "With Hope," "Burn the Ships," "Remember Your Chains," "God is God," "Not Home Yet."

Casting Crowns. Especially their first and second album. (I just haven't listened to their other albums as often.)

Newsboys. I love, love, love Newsboys. They've got some great lyrics hidden in some of their songs. (Like "Who?" from their Greatest Hits album).

dc Talk's Jesus Freak album.

Rich Mullins--The Jesus Record, and Songs 1 and 2. (I love, love, love "Creed," "We Are Not As Strong As We Think We Are," "If I Stand," "My One Thing," "Bound to Come Some Trouble," and "Hold Me Jesus."

Chris Tomlin. All of his albums are good. "Indescribable," "How Great Is Our God," "Your Grace Is Enough," "Mighty is the Power of the Cross," "Holy is the Lord," "Come Home Running," etc. Too many to list...

"My Jesus" by Todd Agnew

"God Shaped Hole" by Audio Adrenaline. (Without a doubt, my favorite, favorite Audio Adrenaline album is UNDERDOG. I just love, love, love that album.)

"Untitled Hymn" by Chris Rice

"What's Wrong With the World" by Shaun Groves. (Oh, how I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this one! And his "God of Us" is so very, very beautiful.)

"Aslan" by Kendall Payne

Theology DOES matter. At least to me. How about you?

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Music Review: Slugs, Bugs, And Lullabies

Slugs & Bugs & Lullabies. Andrew Peterson and Randall Goodgame. 2008. 41 minutes.

I will do my best to put into words how much I love, love, love this CD. I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I mean I love, love, love Andrew Peterson. And I've never been disappointed in any of his projects. So I had high hopes for this one. And wow, what a great album this is!!!

It is a children's album. But I don't think you *have* to be a child to love this one. (Perhaps just a child at heart.) Eighteen songs--well, seventeen songs and a very cute, very sweet poem (Up). You'll find a blend of silly, sweet, catchy, and thought-provoking songs. (Yes, there are a couple of songs that make you think--deeply--about God, about faith. Not all the songs are 'religious' however. Plenty are just silly, silly, silly.) Some are fast; some are slow.

Here's the video for God Made Me. (One of the catchiest tunes from the album.)

• Stop
• Post Office
• Piggy Little Toes
• God Made Me
• Dreams
• Bears
• Who's Got The Ball
• Up
• Tractor Tractor
• Chicken Wiggle
• Beans
• Tiger
• The Boy Who Was Bored
• You Can Always Come Home
• May the Lord Bless and Keep You
• Beautiful Girl
• My Baby Loves to Dance
• Settle In, My Child, and Sleep

Favorite silly song? Hard to choose between Bears, God Made Me, and Piggy Little Toes. (I loved Dreams too.)

Here's "Bears" live...

And a live version of "Piggy Little Toes"

Favorite lullaby? I loved May the Lord Bless and Keep You, Beautiful Girl, You Can Always Come Home, and My Baby Loves to Dance.

You can order the album from the Rabbit Room or on Amazon.

http://www.slugsandbugs.com/

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Sunday Salon: Week in Review: August 29 - September 4

This week I finished two books!

Romans in the Common English Bible New Testament

Matthew in the Common English Bible New Testament

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

Book Review: Wildflowers of Terezin

Wildflowers of Terezin. Robert Elmer. Abingdon Press. 352 pages.

Hanne Abrahamsen awoke with a start in the middle of a bad dream, something about being in nursing school once again and a man who looked like Adolf Hitler (but with the face of a codfish) announcing at her graduation that she was a Jew, and didn't everyone already know that?

Historical fiction. Set--for the most part--in Denmark during World War II. It stars a Jewish nurse, Hanne, and a Lutheran minister, Steffan Arne Petersen; the war brings these two together in unexpected ways. Steffan NEVER thought he'd be part of the Danish Underground. Never thought he'd be part of the Resistance. But. When he meets Hanne, when he learns what the Nazis have planned for all the Danish Jews, well, he has to do something. Still. It didn't have to be so personal. But Hanne is a remarkable woman. Brave and compassionate. Always thinking of others.

This was a great book! True, I am always seeking out new (and new-to-me) books set during this time period. So it was an easy choice for me. I loved how the story is told through dual narrators. I loved both Steffan and Hanne. It was an interesting novel--very intense but not over the top. Both characters surprised me!

I would definitely recommend this one!

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible