Synopsis
Taking her cue from C. S. Lewis, Mrs. Arrington posits that “our failure of desire for God and his kingdom naturally flows from a failure of imagination of the splendor and beauty of our rewards, our promised kingdom, and the God who gives them and himself to us as gifts.” Part memoir, part meditation, part exhortation, Godsight examines the possible reasons for our lack of imagination and desire, explores avenues for renewing the eyes of our hearts, and encourages us to seek a new, true vision of the kingdom life, beginning in the here and now and culminating at that time when we shall know fully even as we are fully known.
Comments
This is one of those rare books that is both visually appealing in its physical form and substantive in its content. It acknowledges and affirms our most secret longings, and challenges us to allow God to develop and channel those longings into the perfect plan He has for us, beyond all that we can yet ask or imagine.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Book Review: Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox, illustrated by Julie Vivas
Synopsis
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge, a small boy of unspecified age but “he wasn’t very old either,” lives next door to an old folks’ home and visits the residents there. Upon hearing that his particular friend Miss Nancy has lost her memory, Wilfrid Gordon sets himself a quest to learn what a memory is, and to find one to give Miss Nancy. Drawing on the insights of his other older friends and reaching into his own special treasures, he succeeds.
Comments
This is one of those children’s books I checked out from the library for myself – sensitive to the touch of dementia on families through my own experiences, I was curious to see how the subject would be handled in a story directed to elementary school age children. It was here treated with dignity and reverence and sober sweetness in the text, with just enough comic relief in the illustrations. I highly recommend it for folks of all ages who are dealing with the memory loss of a loved one.
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge, a small boy of unspecified age but “he wasn’t very old either,” lives next door to an old folks’ home and visits the residents there. Upon hearing that his particular friend Miss Nancy has lost her memory, Wilfrid Gordon sets himself a quest to learn what a memory is, and to find one to give Miss Nancy. Drawing on the insights of his other older friends and reaching into his own special treasures, he succeeds.
Comments
This is one of those children’s books I checked out from the library for myself – sensitive to the touch of dementia on families through my own experiences, I was curious to see how the subject would be handled in a story directed to elementary school age children. It was here treated with dignity and reverence and sober sweetness in the text, with just enough comic relief in the illustrations. I highly recommend it for folks of all ages who are dealing with the memory loss of a loved one.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thoughts on Synchronicity
Having been (very happily!) submerged (as much as a mother of four ranging from 3 to 20 years can ever be submerged in anything other than the crisis of the moment) in C. S. Lewis for the past couple of weeks - Mere Christianity talks with Andrew Lazo, The Problem of Pain in print in preparation for upcoming Sunday School study with Timothy Rouch, The Four Loves via audiobook with Chris, The Weight of Glory in hopes of attending Camp Allen retreat in the fall - I surfaced an hour ago, looked around to see what else was floating nearby, and my eye landed on George MacDonald's The Truth in Jesus edited by Michael Phillips.
Being a strange, bookish girl, I naturally started reading with the introduction, and just had to laugh (delightedly!): "When a man recognized as perhaps the most influential Christian author of the twentieth century speaks of his spiritual "master," one might naturally assume the elder to be as well known as his protege. Curiously, this has never been the case in the spiritual relationship between C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) and George MacDonald (1824-1905)..."
I (strange, bookish girl) did know of the connection between the two, but had no idea it was mentioned here. So enjoying my summer reading.
PS - Rounding things out, I'm also loving Splintered Light: Logos and Language in Tolkien's World by Verlyn Flieger.
Being a strange, bookish girl, I naturally started reading with the introduction, and just had to laugh (delightedly!): "When a man recognized as perhaps the most influential Christian author of the twentieth century speaks of his spiritual "master," one might naturally assume the elder to be as well known as his protege. Curiously, this has never been the case in the spiritual relationship between C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) and George MacDonald (1824-1905)..."
I (strange, bookish girl) did know of the connection between the two, but had no idea it was mentioned here. So enjoying my summer reading.
PS - Rounding things out, I'm also loving Splintered Light: Logos and Language in Tolkien's World by Verlyn Flieger.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
On Reading Old Books
Here's another excellent article:
http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/files/webfm/reflections/Feb10.pdf
http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/files/webfm/reflections/Feb10.pdf
Friday, July 9, 2010
Book Review: The Wounded Healer by Henri Nouwen
Synopsis
Nouwen opens with a description of “nuclear man,” the modern man who is forced to see that mankind's creative powers have reached a point where they hold the potential for imminent self-destruction. Nuclear man is further characterized by a historical dislocation, a fragmented ideology, and a search for immortality. Though originally intended to portray the youth coming of age at the time of the book's first publication in 1972, it is perhaps an even more accurate representation of the generations from that time forward.
The succeeding chapters share insights for ministry to the rootless and hopeless, emphasizing the necessity for one who would minister to others to first open himself up to participate fully in the suffering of those he is attempting to help and to share freely the compassion born of his own similar struggles.
The final chapter further explores the wounds of the minister and the grace by which they may become sources of healing to others. In the author's words, “A Christian community is therefore a healing community not because wounds are cured and pains are alleviated, but because wounds and pains become openings or occasions for a new vision. Mutual confession then becomes a mutual deepening of hope, and sharing weakness becomes a reminder to one and all of the coming strength.”
Nouwen opens with a description of “nuclear man,” the modern man who is forced to see that mankind's creative powers have reached a point where they hold the potential for imminent self-destruction. Nuclear man is further characterized by a historical dislocation, a fragmented ideology, and a search for immortality. Though originally intended to portray the youth coming of age at the time of the book's first publication in 1972, it is perhaps an even more accurate representation of the generations from that time forward.
The succeeding chapters share insights for ministry to the rootless and hopeless, emphasizing the necessity for one who would minister to others to first open himself up to participate fully in the suffering of those he is attempting to help and to share freely the compassion born of his own similar struggles.
The final chapter further explores the wounds of the minister and the grace by which they may become sources of healing to others. In the author's words, “A Christian community is therefore a healing community not because wounds are cured and pains are alleviated, but because wounds and pains become openings or occasions for a new vision. Mutual confession then becomes a mutual deepening of hope, and sharing weakness becomes a reminder to one and all of the coming strength.”
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Book Review: Dear and Glorious Physician by Taylor Caldwell
Synopsis
From childhood, Lucanus has a deep sensitivity to, and an uncanny ability to alleviate, the pain of others. During his youth, he also has several mystical encounters with a symbol of horror and suffering - a cross. As he matures, he is nurtured and taught first by tutors at home, and then at the university in Alexandria. Upon completion of his physician's training, he embarks on a career ministering almost exclusively to those who most need and can least afford good medical care. Although he touches many, he is tormented by his failure to be able to help some of those dearest to him.
On his travels, Lucanus begins to hear rumors and testimonies of a teacher in Judea, including stories of miraculous healings. He becomes obsessed with learning the truth about the man Jesus, and ultimately seeks out, interviews, and records the firsthand accounts of many who were closest to him. In the process, Lucanus works through his own anger and doubt to unshakable faith that the teacher from Nazareth was indeed the Son of God.
Comments
Dear and Glorious Physician is a shining example of historical fiction as it should be written. The author has clearly researched her material well, and treats the story with all due reverence without becoming stilted or sappy.
On the surface, this book is a richly detailed portrait of life in the Roman world near the time of Christ. On a deeper level, it is a moving account of the prevenient grace of God which shaped Luke into a physician, a believer, and a historian of the early church. Taken as a whole, it has enriched my reading of the New Testament by helping me to better visualize the settings and understand the ideology of the people of the time.
Recommendations
The book does contain some graphic descriptions of disease and sordid conditions. There is also some discussion of the depravities of the Roman upper class and court. These are, in my opinion, appropriate to an accurate depiction of that world at that time; however, they will be disturbing to some readers.
From childhood, Lucanus has a deep sensitivity to, and an uncanny ability to alleviate, the pain of others. During his youth, he also has several mystical encounters with a symbol of horror and suffering - a cross. As he matures, he is nurtured and taught first by tutors at home, and then at the university in Alexandria. Upon completion of his physician's training, he embarks on a career ministering almost exclusively to those who most need and can least afford good medical care. Although he touches many, he is tormented by his failure to be able to help some of those dearest to him.
On his travels, Lucanus begins to hear rumors and testimonies of a teacher in Judea, including stories of miraculous healings. He becomes obsessed with learning the truth about the man Jesus, and ultimately seeks out, interviews, and records the firsthand accounts of many who were closest to him. In the process, Lucanus works through his own anger and doubt to unshakable faith that the teacher from Nazareth was indeed the Son of God.
Comments
Dear and Glorious Physician is a shining example of historical fiction as it should be written. The author has clearly researched her material well, and treats the story with all due reverence without becoming stilted or sappy.
On the surface, this book is a richly detailed portrait of life in the Roman world near the time of Christ. On a deeper level, it is a moving account of the prevenient grace of God which shaped Luke into a physician, a believer, and a historian of the early church. Taken as a whole, it has enriched my reading of the New Testament by helping me to better visualize the settings and understand the ideology of the people of the time.
Recommendations
The book does contain some graphic descriptions of disease and sordid conditions. There is also some discussion of the depravities of the Roman upper class and court. These are, in my opinion, appropriate to an accurate depiction of that world at that time; however, they will be disturbing to some readers.
Book Review: Could It Be Dementia? Losing Your Mind Doesn't Mean Losing Your Soul by Louise Morse and Roger Hitchings
Synopsis
The authors are a manager and a trustee with Pilgrim Homes, a group of Christian residential care homes in the United Kingdom. The book first addresses an understanding of the human brain, including the mind/spirit/soul connection. It then progresses through discussions of the symptoms of dementia, possible causes and prevention, diagnosis, treatment and long-term care, and effects on families.
Comments
Dementia, particularly Alzheimer's Disease, has been part of my family's life for twenty years; I've had at least four relatives diagnosed to date. Many of the people I know also have family members or friends who are affected.
This book is quite probably the best of many I have read on the subject, and the only faith-based one. While some of the examples given are specific to systems and agencies in place in the UK, the great bulk of the information is universally applicable to anyone dealing with dementia in some form. It provides adequate and accurate medical information in language understandable to the average reader; practical guidelines to help determine whether symptoms are truly dementia, or some other similarly-manifesting illness or imbalance; and perhaps most importantly, affirmation and hope that even when a person's mind is adrift, his soul is still safely in God's hands and able to commune through the Spirit in ways beyond human understanding.
I would like to be able to place this book in the hands of every family, friend, pastor, and counselor dealing with the challenges of dementia. It achieves a rare balance of practicality and sensitivity, infused with a refreshing and soothing assurance of God's faithfulness.
The authors are a manager and a trustee with Pilgrim Homes, a group of Christian residential care homes in the United Kingdom. The book first addresses an understanding of the human brain, including the mind/spirit/soul connection. It then progresses through discussions of the symptoms of dementia, possible causes and prevention, diagnosis, treatment and long-term care, and effects on families.
Comments
Dementia, particularly Alzheimer's Disease, has been part of my family's life for twenty years; I've had at least four relatives diagnosed to date. Many of the people I know also have family members or friends who are affected.
This book is quite probably the best of many I have read on the subject, and the only faith-based one. While some of the examples given are specific to systems and agencies in place in the UK, the great bulk of the information is universally applicable to anyone dealing with dementia in some form. It provides adequate and accurate medical information in language understandable to the average reader; practical guidelines to help determine whether symptoms are truly dementia, or some other similarly-manifesting illness or imbalance; and perhaps most importantly, affirmation and hope that even when a person's mind is adrift, his soul is still safely in God's hands and able to commune through the Spirit in ways beyond human understanding.
I would like to be able to place this book in the hands of every family, friend, pastor, and counselor dealing with the challenges of dementia. It achieves a rare balance of practicality and sensitivity, infused with a refreshing and soothing assurance of God's faithfulness.
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