Holy Bible, International Children's Bible

This is an excellent translation. I was first drawn to the art work in the Bible because it is so compelling and modern. It fits with the translation.

Then I checked out three sections with my Bible of choice. All three sections measured up, added clarity to the reader and were written with explanations in parentheses, red print taken out and far more conversational and less stilted. I looked at John 4 (The Woman at the Well) and it made both people involved in the conversation more real. The theological implications of the verse were certainly not neglected, misstated or downplayed.

Then I went to Revelation and the 2nd chapter with the letter to Ephesus. Revelation, to me, is most difficult for children to understand in light of the fantasy worlds that they experience every where around them. The translation was on target and true and did not try to be a Scriptural Harry Potter.

The last section I read was Proverbs 25 which is an amazing translation and I wish that I had had the translation when I was young. It flows while conforming to the original words. In fact, it enhances the poetic nature of the words. I will read continue to read Proverbs and Psalms from this translation. Excellent translation.

The Kings Christmas List by Eldon Johnson

The King's Christmas List, with its beautiful illustrations, tells the fanciful story of a little girl who instinctively followed with her heart even when it cost her something to do so. The message, to me, was to those who had much (a new playhouse, a dog, a toy, a set of parents who was supportive in every way) the biggest thing that they had was a sense of sharing and giving.

It is a wonderful story, especially in the Christmas season, to examine the virtue of why we give and ways that we can instill this in others around us as the primary gift of the season. My favorite line in the book is "It takes a lot of love and courage to share the things that are dear to you. When you stopped to help others on your way to the castle today, you showed them what My love looks like." It is the updated version of the Good Samaritan and a true lesson to a child who is far more interested in getting than in giving!

I also thought that the "Give a Gift to the King" was an added bonus instead of a cagily designed advertisement (as some might take it.) I did have a thought that the parent who reads this book and helps the child give the gift should be most careful in explaining that giving demands each of us to sacrifice what is ours to keep. The book made this act specific and individual.

Outlive your Life by Max Lucado

The book, Outlive your Life, stresses the idea that each one of us can and should make a difference in living out one's pilgrimage. In fact, throughout the book the author, Max Lucado, shows us that we are given opportunities all along the way to make big differences. He says that we suffer from our sense or ordinariness and often don't grasp the significance of the opportunity. I like his statement: "God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called." This was true when Christ called the apostles, simple fishermen mostly, and it is just as true today.

The author is a master at taking a simple statement and making the reader see it for something stabbingly personal. He is also a master at intertwining the gospel personages and passages with the people he has met personally along the road, both singing the same song. For instance, in his statement "he indwells the low-ceilinged world of the poor", he connects the apostles working among the poor with the admonition that God's children will be people of hospitality and ends it with the true statement that "Hospitality opens the door to uncommon community".

I loved the story of Stanley Shipp and the drifter. I also liked the way the author beat himself up on his own misguided response to this situation for compassion is a "movement from within--a kick in the gut". To me this chapter was the finest in the book. It kicked me in the gut...but not bad enough to hurt. It did sting, however.

So did the story of Father Damien on Molokai. This story caused pain as I struggled, in my own mind, to wonder how the Father recognized that this move to Molokai should be his own non-retreating mission of mercy. The book did not settle its focus on the great people who had responded to a spectacular need but, rather, it opened a door, a small ajar, so that each of us would, at least, consider opening the door a bit more in our own mission of mercy.

The Butterfly Effect by Andy Andrews

I would have enjoyed this book more had I not already read "The Boy Who Changed the World" by the same author. Some of the same material and ideas are also conveyed in this book. Nevertheless, the points are well taken in both. The main points diverge into one: Every choice one makes, makes a difference. Every choice you make, makes a difference. You can make a difference.

I found the first part of the book much more interesting because it was new material to me. It is the story of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, a Colonel in the Union Army, who insisted that his men stand their ground, despite all the obstacles that should have forced them to run, at the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. He would not allow his troops to allow the obstacles to keep them from standing and defending their position. And the decision changed the course of the War, the status of the country and its later ability to stand united as one country when other outside forces attacked.

The author, in the last part of the book, tells a similar story about the combined efforts of Henry Wallace, Norman Borlaug, and George Washington Carver whose lives were intertwined and each played a major role in discovering new plants and helping to feed the world's hungry. Borlaug is credited, rightly, with developing a hybridized high yield, disease resistant corn and wheat for arid climates. With this discovery, he truly changed the world for many starving people.

Andrews, in both cases, whether it be the Colonel of the Union Army or the intertwined roles of Borlaug, Carver and Wallace, calls the reader to examine his/her own role and responsibility for the experience of life today.

Sunday, August 22. 2010

Today is Sunday and I am through with the crossword puzzle already at 8:08 a.m. I am going to the park (short time on hot day) with Bev Hickam for Mason Oliver's birthday (Debbie's grandson) and then we are going to the movie (Eat, Love and Pray) and out to dinner. I am taking most of the day off because I CAN.

I caught up on my book and did all I can do until Liz comes tomorrow. When she does, I will be in a world of hurt. I did studying for seminary and I have no assignment this week for I am analyzing Scriptures like mad to get it into my mind. You take the Scripture, find pronouns, comparisons, figures of speech, repetitions, verbs, conjunctions, contrasts and find a much deeper meaning in the words. It truly works although it is a little like being in Miss Henry's grammar class.

Miss Mattie Henry taught me grammar and writing for three years--6, 7, 8 grades in Eugene Field School. She had her ways--when she got mad, one eye turned red and the other turned green but she made a believer out of everyone. There were people who said they were afraid of her and there were people who said they were not. The ones in the second category were, to a person, liars. I met Mark Scully for the first time when he came to visit Miss Henry in the classroom. That was a long time ago but I told the story when I gave the eulogy at Dr. Scully's funeral. I wrote a eulogy for Miss Henry in the Signal when she died. I wish I had a copy so I could read it again.

I will enjoy the day.

The Boy Who Changed the World by Andy Andrews

This is an excellent and informative book for children and adults. The author shows dramatically how the work one person does touches that of another and tht we build upon the progress of others who go before us or beside us.

Norman Borlaug, an Iowa farmboy, wondered about the plight of the hungry people in the world and decided that he would share to make a difference. This opportunity came to him when he went to work for Henry Wallace, who had long had a similar interest in plants and wanted to make a difference in the world. Wallace found his strong niche as U. S. Secretary of Agriculture and then later Vice President of the United States. The two men worked together to feed the world's hungry.

George Washington Carver played a major role in this threesome. He had been taught by his adoptive parents that he could make a difference in the world---and he did. Not only did the three men have similar concerns and interests, but they had a physical tie which kept them connected. When Carver went to the University to study, his teacher, there, had a six year old son, named Henry Wallace. Carver began to teach the child what he knew about feeding the hungry.

It all boils down, according to the author, to the Butterfly effect or when one thing happens, it sets all another thing. One never knows what one might be setting off. This effect is validated in the story of these three people who, in the course of their careers, fed two billion people. Very good story.

Let's Do Lunch by Roger Troy Wilson

Maybe I am just a frustrated dieter but I enjoyed the first part of the book more than I did the last part. I was interested in learning more about the idea of the book because of the photographs which showed that the way-of-life certainly worked for the author. And when it comes to losing weight, anything that works, might work for me.

He makes some points that I am now trying to put into my daily life. So that means, that, for me, it was a successful book and plan. His affirming comments from other initialed people also helped make me want to implement the plan.

What was off-putting to me were the last two sections: What Not to Buy lists (which included most everything I normally buy) and failed to tell the reader what TO buy, and the recipe sections. I didn't discount all of them and won't until I try two or three to see if my tastebuds agree with the author's.

All in all, it was a good read. I have implemented some changes in my daily life and I will try this plan for a two week period to see how I feel and what I weigh. Who knows, I may try it even longer. The book has inspired me to check it out further.