I have visited Sabbathday Lake a few times; it is a place of peace, (even though we once caught sight of Martha Stewart there!). The Shakers have had I have visited Sabbathday Lake a few times; it is a place of peace, (even though we once caught sight of Martha Stewart there!). The Shakers have had an influence on America far beyond their numbers (which are almost non-existent now, given that one of their faith tenets was celibacy). This is a good book....more
Imagining St. Brendan and his voyage to the New World. You may want to read this in conjunction with The Brendan Voyage by Tim Severin -- a descriptioImagining St. Brendan and his voyage to the New World. You may want to read this in conjunction with The Brendan Voyage by Tim Severin -- a description of a Kon-Tiki-like voyage in a leather coracle. Buechner mixes adventure and spirituality and it gave my book group much to talk about. (All these books that were read in my church book group are dated quite vaguely, as I unfortunately did not keep track at the time.)...more
I have several books and pamphlets of Lenten devotionals, but this is one I think I'll be returning to year after year and getting something new out oI have several books and pamphlets of Lenten devotionals, but this is one I think I'll be returning to year after year and getting something new out of, each time. Malcolm Guite has selected a poem for each day from Shrove Tuesday to Easter Sunday, along with one each for remembering poet George Herbert, St. Cuthbert, St. Patrick, and the Annunciation (feasts normally falling within Lent). Some of the poems are Guite's own sonnets, others range from Dante to Seamus Heaney. Each poem is followed by a discussion and elucidation of how it relates to the Christian journey. It doesn't take long to read each day, but gives much to ponder. I am pleased that Guite has also collected many of his sonnets in Sounding the Seasons, and that I can look forward to Advent when I can use his companion devotional for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, Waiting on the Word. I highly recommend this book....more
First winner of the Caldecott Medal in 1938. A Bible storybook would probably not win now. But this would still be a good baptism gift or of interest First winner of the Caldecott Medal in 1938. A Bible storybook would probably not win now. But this would still be a good baptism gift or of interest to children who are fascinated by animals....more
This book will not have a lot of new information for those raised or active in a liturgical church or almost any mainline denomination. It's written bThis book will not have a lot of new information for those raised or active in a liturgical church or almost any mainline denomination. It's written by someone raised in an evangelical church (it appears she may be a Presbyterian these days), who knew little if anything about Advent, Epiphany, Lent, or the concept of Ordinary Time. For anyone in a similar situation, it's a good introduction to the seasons of the church year, why they exist, and how to celebrate them....more
Everyone over 18, or however old one has to be to make medical decisions for themselves or someone else, should read this book. If you're getting readEveryone over 18, or however old one has to be to make medical decisions for themselves or someone else, should read this book. If you're getting ready to make a living will or advance directive, choose a person to have medical power of attorney, or make decisions about your own or a family member's living situation, you should read this first. Other reviewers have written more eloquently about the book, so I'm not going to take up time that you should be using to obtain and read a copy. Very highly recommended....more
The late and much-lamented Rachel Held Evans grew up in Dayton, Tennessee (yes, the home of the Scopes trial). Her father was a professor at Bryan UniThe late and much-lamented Rachel Held Evans grew up in Dayton, Tennessee (yes, the home of the Scopes trial). Her father was a professor at Bryan University (named for guess who) and she was raised in an evangelical church. At the time she lived and wrote this book, she had been blogging about what I'd call the widening of her spiritual horizons for a while. This is not, however, a "recovering evangelical" memoir.
Rachel is inspired to try living by the Biblical precepts for women, both Old and New Testament -- particularly as set forth in Proverbs 31:10-31. With a book contract as well as her blog keeping her accountable, she plans a focus for each month with several activities -- everything from sequestering herself in a tent on the lawn during her period to learning to cook to reexamining some of Paul's strictures on women. Each chapter of often hilarious description of how this worked out is preceded by a thoughtful essay on women and the Bible.
A Year of Biblical Womanhood was both entertaining and thought-provoking. I recommend it highly and will be reading more by this author....more
This is fairly obviously a PhD thesis, with all that that entails, but Bowler is a good writer and I've already learned a lot from just a few chaptersThis is fairly obviously a PhD thesis, with all that that entails, but Bowler is a good writer and I've already learned a lot from just a few chapters. More when I finish....more
The author, who has spent years studying and writing about the Prosperity Gospel, was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer when her son was a pre-schooThe author, who has spent years studying and writing about the Prosperity Gospel, was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer when her son was a pre-schooler. Although not a Prosperity Gospel adherent herself (she was raised Mennonite, pretty much the opposite end of the spectrum), her study couldn't help but inform some of her feelings about the diagnosis. Bowler has many intelligent things to say, not least the appendices of what to say and not to say to a friend who has a health crisis. I was happy to see that she is under contract for another book. I highly recommend this book....more
I have not seen the original version of this book (Margaret Wise Brown, who wrote the text, has been gone for quite a while) but this is a beautiful rI have not seen the original version of this book (Margaret Wise Brown, who wrote the text, has been gone for quite a while) but this is a beautiful reimagining of the Nativity with all the characters as persons of color. Floyd Cooper's illustrations are both realistic and imaginative -- I particularly like his angels. Recommended for families of all colors....more
Loading...
