2023 Reading Analysis

At the outset of 2023, I set a new goal: READ LESS, PRAY MORE!! While I certainly prayed more, thanks to my 2023 Facebook Prayer Project, I didn't significantly alter my reading habits (perhaps the cut was in housekeeping instead of in reading - 😂). Yes, I read less, but I'm quite certain I could stand to cut back even further. In 2022, I read 73 books, totaling 21,492 pages (of those pages, I listened to 343.75 hours of audio books). In 2023, I read 66 books, totaling 17,886 pages (244.25 hours of audio books). That is only 7 less books, or 3606 less pages (100 less hours listening).

In 2022, I read more fiction (43) than non-fiction (30), but this year I read more non-fiction (37) than fiction (29). I read 5 books on prayer (although several more addressed prayer in a peripheral way). As far as ratings, 2023 suffered by comparison to 2022. Last year, 37 books were ranked four thumbs up or greater. This year, only 33, with the majority of those in the 4 thumbs up ranking. Still, almost all the books (95%) were rated 3👍 or greater (with only 1 regrettable read):

👍👍👍👍👍 - 6 books

👍👍👍👍-3/4 - 1 book

👍👍👍👍-1/2 - 5 books

👍👍👍👍 - 21 books

👍👍👍-1/2 - 8 books

👍👍👍 - 21 books

👍👍-1/2 - 2 books

👎 - 1 book

I know this ranking chart only reveals the rank for 65 books, but Pilgrim's Progress threw off a lot of my analysis. I did not calculate pages, because I read several different versions of the book (thus, probably adding back every bit of the year's reduction in books and pages - ha). Plus, since I read various ones, I didn't rank Pilgrim's Progress (although this post reveals which ones I prefer of the lot).

Stay tuned for the top dozen reads of 2023!

 

2023 - Fourth Quarterly Review

To assist my blog readers, I summarize my reading four times a year, providing a brief description, the page count, and a grading scale (💖5 thumbs up - highly recommend, 4 thumbs up - enjoyed, 3 thumbs up - good, 2 thumbs up - meh, and 1 thumb down - regret, wishing I could get back the time invested). I read the following books during the fourth quarter of 2023 (links to full reviews can be found in the side-bar, or after 2023, found through the search bar at the right):

Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking by Dr. Caroline Leaf - I'm sure following these guidelines even half-heartedly would help your brain and mental function. Yet, I must admit to a bit of overwhelm. This sounds like a lot of mental work. And it sometimes smacks of "think yourself happy." 290 pages, 👍👍👍-1/2

💖A Place to Land by Laura K. Denton - This tender, redemptive story will linger like a gentle kiss in your soul. Each page shimmers and taps all of the senses. I loved that it was well-written, clean, and wholesome. 337 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 9 hours), 👍👍👍👍👍

Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale - Cassandra Dankworth has just been dumped and fired. Can a bit of time-travel help her repair the damage so things will turn out better? Loved her quirkiness! 359 pages, 👍👍👍👍-1/2

The Hideaway by Lauren K. Denton - When Mags wills her old bed and breakfast to her granddaughter Sara she stipulates that Sara must restore the house before she can dispose of it as she wishes. The restoration process reveals hidden truths and introduces love. 352 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 8-1/2 hours), 👍👍👍

💖The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh - Another unique character with deep longings despite social ineptitude. I adored this book! 353 pages, 👍👍👍👍👍

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith - When Hadley misses her flight to London for her father's wedding, she feels unlucky. After six hours on a plane next to a dashing and entertaining British boy, her estimations may change. Full of the magic of love and the mess of conflict. 256 pages, 👍👍👍👍-1/2 - movie beats book! - [💖👍👍👍👍👍 for the movie Love at First Sight]

The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys - Set in Madrid after the Spanish Civil War, this book of historical fiction incorporates official documents (oral history, articles, and books) as it uncovers details of hidden scandal. 528 pages (I listened in audio form, 10 CDs, 12-1/2 hours), 👍👍👍-1/2

Safe People: How to Find Relationships That Are Good for You and Avoid Those That Aren't by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend - Boundaries are so important. This is something I struggle with. I needed this guidance in how to find and be a safe person. 208 pages (I listened to an abridged version on Hoopla, 2-1/2 hours), 👍👍👍

The Unsaved Christian: Reaching Cultural Christianity With the Gospel by Dean Inserra - Saved Christians are Christian by conviction rather than culture. Inserra's point is valid. Christianity with a weak understanding of Christ's role lacks the main essence. But, there is hope. Cultural Christians need to hear a clear articulation of the gospel. 208 pages, (I listened on Hoopla, 5-1/3 hours), 👍👍👍👍

The Sacrificial Lamb: A Reverend Margot Quade Cozy Mystery Novella #2 by S. E. Biglow - Barnes and Noble calls it a Christian Cozy Mystery. It is neither cozy nor Christian, really. Boys murdered. Passing generic terms of faith. 102 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 1-3/4 hour), 👎

Like a River: Finding the Faith and Strength to Move Forward After Loss and Heartache by Granger Smith - If you have ever experienced trauma or loss in some form, this book will resonate. 195 pages, 👍👍👍

Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Gregory Koukl - I took copious notes from this informative book on arguing for the faith. 284 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 4-1/2 hours), 👍👍👍👍-1/2

12 Days at Bleakly Manor: Book 1 in Once Upon a Dickens Christmas by Michelle Griep - Danger lurks when an odd assortment of individuals all visit a manor in hopes of staying the 12 days of Christmas to win a final prize. Sure to appeal if you want a Christian, inspirational, Victorian holiday mystery. 192 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 5-1/2 hours), 👍👍👍 

The Consequences of Fear by Jacqueline Winspear - The 16th book in the (apparently well-known and well-regarded) Maisie Dobbs Series, opens with a murder and ends with a marriage and a massive assault. Interesting, but perhaps not enough to lure me in for the series. 352 pages (I listened in audio form, 9 CDs, 10-1/2 hours), 👍👍👍

A Christmas Prayer by Kimberla Lawson Roby - Alexis Fletcher is engaged, but can the joy of the prospect of marriage cancel out her grief, her struggles with her sister, and her challenges with her future mother-in-law? 209 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 4 hours), 👍👍👍

A Tale of Two Hearts by Michelle Griep - Thinking deception will help his case, a law clerk asks an inn waitress to pose as his wife in order to attempt to secure an inheritance. Delightful references to the works of Charles Dickens and insightful comments about truth and faith. 192 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 6 hours), 👍👍👍👍

The Old Lace Shop by Michelle Griep - This is book 3 in Griep's lovely Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series. Another story of second chances, love lost and found, and God's provision. 192 pages? (I listened on Hoopla but only available in the full series set so guessing it was around 6 hours), 👍👍👍👍

Christmas Greetings 2023

(I found this beautiful image on Facebook, but no idea of attribution)

This will be an unusual Christmas for us, our first without all of our children gathered together under our wing. Bryce and his fiancée will be in California visiting her sister. It will feel quite strange without him. In an effort to lighten my mood, I decided to post some Christmas shirts I'd happily wear, some shopping signs, and two Christmas cards my sons gave to me when they were much younger. Hope this makes you smile, as well.

From the Piper and Ivy website, I noticed these three holiday t-shirts:

We cut back on our Christmas spending this year. I didn't send cards (nor did I receive many - a tradition that is passé). In light of that, here are two hilarious signs (one I found on Facebook; one I took myself when visiting Nashville, IN):

And for your holiday pleasure, the cards my sons lovingly presented back in the day:

The one from Bryce is impressive because he declared the extent of his affection - ha! The one from Sean makes me laugh because it reflects their sibling bond back then.

May you and your loved ones gather together and enjoy happy, fun, and funny times together, perhaps bedecked in your favorite holiday attire. May you recognize the significance of the season as we celebrate the birth of the Son of God who came in human form to walk a path to the cross to atone for our sin and reconcile us to the Father. May whatever grief this year has brought, be eclipsed by gratitude for what God has given.

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Additional bonus - here's a beautiful Christmas letter and photo I saw on a Facebook post from Alexander McCall Smith (author of The #1 Ladies' Detective Agency books) - well worth sharing:

A Christmas message from Alexander:

Dear Readers,

Here we are, once again on the very doorstep of Christmas. And in the room beyond that doorstep, is the New Year, ready to declare itself with soaring rockets and the linking of hands in song. The song that we sing in Scotland to mark the end of one year and the beginning of another is, of course, Auld Lang Syne, the words of which are attributed to Robert Burns. He certainly wrote a version, explaining that he had taken the words from an “old man’s singing”. Many songs are composed that way: inspiration comes from a snatch of song heard on the lips of another, and this is then worked up into a polished version.

Most of know the first verse or so, and then fade away a bit. But the later verses are very moving. I always find myself choking up a bit when I hear the words of this song, in particular the verse that runs: “We twa ha paidl’d i’ the burn/Frae mornin’ sun til dine/But seas between us braid hae roared/sin auld lang sine.” That means, more or less: we two have paddled in the burn together all day in the past, but since those days broad seas have separated us. That strikes me as being so poignant: time may separate us from old friends, as may distance, but we don’t forget our old friends and what they mean to us …

Sentimental? Of course it is, but there is nothing wrong in feeling sentimental about friendship, and love, and the simple cherishing of others. We need not apologise for wanting an end to acrimony and division; we should not have to explain why we yearn so desperately for people to love on another rather than shower invective on those with whom they may disagree; rather than to fight with one another; rather than to spend more and more money on working out new ways of killing one another. Oh, how we long for the moment when those who are currently sworn enemies take a deep breath and say that they want to be friends rather than enemies. Of course, that’s easier said than done, but until people start taking the first step and acknowledging the humanity of their enemies, there is no way out. Our poor planet will otherwise be condemned to endless arguments over territory and its control.

And it’s not without precedent. It happened in Northern Ireland, where old enemies set aside ancient resentments and agreed to stop trying to settle scores. It happened in South Africa, where Nelson Mandela, that most gracious of men, urged people to put aside the past and embrace one another. It can be done, even if at the moment the talk all goes the other way.

What would Mma Ramotswe say about the times in which we live? She is the wisest of people: what would she say this particular Christmas if one stopped her in the street in Gaborone and said, ‘What do you think, Mma, about what’s going on in our poor world right now?”

She would look up at the sky, I think, and say, “It is very bad – yes, it is very bad at the moment.” But she would not leave it at that: Mma Ramotswe has never been one for moaning, complaining, or shaking her head in disapproval. So she would go on to say, “We must remember that you do not change people by shouting at them.” And we would listen to this, and realise that she is absolutely right. You do not change people by shouting at them, you change them by telling them that you love them. That works. It just works. Mma Ramotswe is right.

Years ago I wrote a poem that included a line that I once used in the title of one of the Scotland Street books. The original said: “But what can I wish for you? Wish for love over Scotland, like tears of rain – that is enough”. We took part of that line and has it engraved in coloured glass in a window in our house in Edinburgh. Here is a picture of it.

I see that inscription every morning when I walk downstairs. And I stand by it, I think, although I might broaden it a bit to include a wish for love over other places too – where you live, where you are reading this right now; where people who are frightened and bereft live; where people who are unhappy for any of the many reasons why people are unhappy live; for all those places.

May I wish you all joy and happiness this Christmas and New Year.

With love,

Alexander McCall Smith

Book Review: The Old Lace Shop

The Old Lace Shop is the third book in Michelle Griep's Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series. I could not find it apart from the 3 book set, available on Hoopla in audio form. It is worth finding. I simply brought up the chapter selections and advanced to The Old Lace Shop. I liked this one as well as the second one.

The novel blurb on the Amazon website presents the premise like this, Recently widowed Bella White is finally freed from the domination of the overbearing men in her life, but when she enters into a business partnership with the handsome Edmund Archer, she begins to wonder if marriage is worth a second chance.

I enjoyed the setting, plot, and characters in this installment. Once again, the second chance coin makes an appearance and drives the story line. Realistic problems and a quick appearance from Dickens made this another gem. While the faith aspect is slightly pushed, I appreciated the message immensely. I needed to hear the wisdom of "Either your faith will move mountains or your doubt will create them." May my faith move mountains instead of making them in the coming year. 

Book Review: A Tale of Two Hearts

A Tale of Two Hearts is the second book in Michelle Griep's Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series. I enjoyed this one even more than the first. It satisfied my itch for Dickens at Christmas as it contained many more Dickens references and quotes. The characters were endearing. I eagerly rooted for their story to end well.

Mina Scott tends her father's inn while longing to spend her days reading books. If she has to be working, at least she gets to serve the dashing law clerk, William Barlow. Barlow's uncle is due to name an heir and leans toward one who is married. Thus, William convinces Mina to pretend to be his wife to convince Uncle Barlow of his suitability for the position. But, as the saying goes, "What a tangled web we weave, when we practice to deceive." Will their deception foil William's chances? Can Mina settle for pretending to be his wife, when she wants to be so in truth?

This novel is all about second chances. The second chance coin, that appeared in the first installment, appears again. Uncle Barlow and Mina's friendship is delightful. William comes to see his way to the truth. Charles Dickens even makes a brief cameo appearance, much like Alfred Hitchcock in his films. I agree with author Cynthia Ruchti's endorsement, "Charles Dickens would be delighted with the way [Griep] tucked into this story's pockets truths and observations he penned long ago." I think Michelle Griep and I would get along well.

Mid-month Mention: Holiday Hilarity and Hits

 

As the holiday season crawls into full gear, I offer this compilation of past posts that make me smile:

That time I unwittingly went out blinking (ha!) - a post from my early days of anonymous blogging

The curious Christmas gift Trevor received and consumed one year

Amazing snow art

A Christmas with many big hit gifts

My favorite Christmas decorations

Fun and funny Christmas ideas

Book Review: A Christmas Prayer

I searched Hoopla for another Christmas novel to pass my time on the treadmill/exercycle. If I had visited its Amazon page, I might not have selected this book. Several endorsements for Kimberla Lawson Roby's other books contained words like "juicy read," "full of sassy sensuality," and "liberal dashes of sexual satisfaction." I'm glad I went in blind. Other words from the endorsements ring more true for my experience of this book: "She pushes her characters hard, spotlighting their flaws." (USA Today) "Roby [deals] with real issues... that are important to women today." "Roby has a talent for underscoring the universal challenges of people of faith." This African-American Christian novel takes genuine struggles and brings them to a point of redemption.

Alexis Fletcher still reels from the death of her mother. The prospect of a new family would console her if only her fiancé's mother loved and accepted her. Instead, her future mother-in-law seems determined to break up their relationship. What drives this intense animosity? How can Alexis celebrate the holidays despite her grief and struggles? Her heartfelt Christmas prayer may be the answer to her deepest needs.

Although it may not have made the list in my previous post of Christmas book recommendations, A Christmas Prayer offers realistic dilemmas delivered into the hands of our gracious God. You don't have to be African-American to relate to the characters and issues presented in this Christmas novel. In a season of hope and joy, Christ brings our pain and conflict into His sphere of redeeming love. While the characters are flawed (like all of us), God's intervention brings healing and peace.

Book Review: The Consequences of Fear

I dashed into the library, landed on this audio book, The Consequences of Fear, and within minutes was driving away with the first CD playing in my car. It never even dawned on me, until attempting to write this review, that this is the 16th book in The Maisie Dobbs Series. I'm only bummed that this seems to be the only physical audio book in the series that my library has on offer. It was a pleasant, wholesome, and entertaining adventure.

It is 1941 and young Freddie Hackett, a delivery boy in London, has witnessed a murder. Since he cannot get the police to believe him (where is the body?), he seeks the talented Maisie Dobbs. Maisie believes the boy, but can she prove his story? The clues showing it was an installment in a series should have been obvious. All the backstory swept past me. I was oblivious, delighting in London descriptions, deciphering Freddie's state of mind, and discovering Maisie Dobbs' identity. But does her character lure me in enough to seek them out in paper form, from the beginning of a lengthy series? Have I foiled it by learning things already late in the game? If I were solely interested in clean historical fiction, I might. But, I'm betting I pass.

Book Review: 12 Days at Bleakly Manor

For a very long time, Charles Dickens was my favorite author. I seldom read Dickens anymore, but still have a fascination with Victorian novels and non-fiction. 12 Days at Bleakly Manor is the 1st book in the Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series by Michelle Griep. The plot is a standard manor house mechanism. A hodge-podge of people receive invitations to come to Bleakly Manor to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas. Each hopes to be the sole visitor remaining on Twelfth Night, January 5th, so they will receive their promised prize.

In December 1851, Clara Chapman receives a bizarre invitation to stay at an English manor house called Bleakly Manor. Normally, she wouldn't even consider leaving her ill aunt behind. But the 500 pound prize offered if she endures the full 12 days of Christmas may provide her only way out of impending poverty. Clara wonders what God is up to. She had wondered something similar when she stood at the altar awaiting her wedding, only to be jilted by her betrothed, Benjamin Lane. Someone stole her family estate and left her dependent upon her aunt. Was it Benjamin Lane?

She arrives at Bleakly Manor and meets several of the other individuals promised a prize. But who is the host and what is this odd game? Why are the rations so limited? And, finally, why is Benjamin Lane included in the invitation list? Can she ever forgive him? Moreover, who holds ill-intent against the assembled guests?

You will enjoy this book if you love any of the following things: Victorian England or Dickens, mysteries with a touch of romantic intrigue or stories that illustrate truths about religious experience, cozy holiday tales or atmospheric whodunits. Since I adore Victorian stories, I enjoyed this romp of a tale. It put me in the holiday spirit. The well-timed plot and structure kept me listening while attempting to whittle away the pounds on the treadmill.

Compilation - A Baker's Dozen Christmas Books

Across the years of this blog, I have read and reviewed over 30 Christmas-focused books. More than half of them received a lackluster to average billing. I will not draw attention to those, beyond saying that many of those reviews referenced my regret that they were not more like Karen Kingsbury's Red Glove Series (have always been a fan of those). This compilation includes the titles I considered excellent, very good, or good.

Excellent:

The First Miracle by Jeffrey Archer

A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck

A Wreath of Snow by Liz Curtis Higgs

Follow the Star by T. D. Jakes

Very Good:

Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb

Maggie's Miracle by Karen Kingsbury (of the Red Glove Series)

Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva

Good:

The Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp

A Choice to Cherish by Alan Maki

A Midnight Clear by Katherine Paterson (short stories)

Promise Me by Richard Paul Evans

Marley & Me by John Grogan

Twice Loved by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Book Review: Tactics

I've recently felt conviction about my intentionality in witnessing. We're most comfortable around those who are similar. If I'm only surrounded by like-minded believers, how will I lead anyone else to the truth of the gospel message? Thus, I listened to Gregory Koukl's book, Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions. Like another recent read about listening, I know I need to improve my listening skills. Koukl's tactics draw on the use of questions to guide discussion.

Some of Koukl's suggested questions: "What do you mean by that? How did you come to that conclusion? Why do you think that's how it happened?" By using questions, you can draw the individual out and learn where they are coming from. You need to know what their perspective is if you plan to advance a Christian perspective to them.

I took notes thoroughly from this book. The book is a series of lectures and I went into it as a student. I hope I retained some of the tactics offered (things like the suicide tactic, taking the roof off, and what a friend we have in Jesus tactic). I appreciated that Koukl's goal is to make you an ambassador for Christ, to teach you how to build a bridge to others. Another great take-away was Koukl's reminder we are not all harvesters. Sometimes your role is simply a gardener. Don't assume that your conversation with another will be that one conversation that leads them to salvation. Plant your seed and leave it to the Lord.

Book Review: Like a River

Granger Smith addresses his book, Like a River, to anyone who has experienced loss. That's a wide audience. Personally, this book resonated a bit too much for me. From the start, I could not stop reading. Although much of his story differs from mine, so many things feel the same. Not to mention the date of their trauma in 2019 matches the date of my traumatic event in 2023. I could relate to his struggles with intrusive thoughts and nightmares. I, too, have sought therapy using rapid eye movement. Parts of this book were excruciating to read. His story resonated more than I wanted.

Granger Smith was outside with his three young children (London, age 7, Lincoln, age 5, and River, age 3) when he noticed silence. Any parent of boys knows to suspect that sinister silence. When he identified the dread, he discovered his 3-year-old son lying face down in the water of their gated and locked pool. Despite efforts to revive the boy, River died that horrible day in 2019. Many responded with judgement and condemnation. Why is it so hard for people to tread cautiously when someone is sitting in fresh grief?

Granger's book emphasizes his drive for self-improvement and his efforts to carry the load with his own strength. No surprise! Those efforts failed miserably. My timing in reading this book coincided with sentences in my BSF Bible study that support Granger's message: "We can do nothing to revive ourselves and restore our relationship with Him. No noble act, payment, right thinking, or self-help program will do what only God can do." (Ephesians 2:8-9) When Granger surrendered himself to the river God had placed him on, and placed his total trust in Jesus, he gained the resources needed to thrive in life once again. This heartfelt testimony has a heavy emphasis on the gospel message of salvation. I identified with his struggles and his solution. Perhaps you might as well.

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On this Thanksgiving, I am grateful for the Lord's protection and preservation of my children. It is a gift I do not take for granted and one that blesses me daily. I'm grateful that in our times of lament, the Lord hears our anguish but never feels offended when we struggle with His plan for our lives. He carries us, shelters us, and guides us. He redeems our broken pieces! He makes beauty from ashes! Praise God!

Mid-month Mention #2: Lew Wallace Author Fair

If you live in the West Indianapolis area and love to give books as Christmas gifts, have I got a deal for you! This coming Saturday, you can attend the Lew Wallace Hoosier Author Fair in celebration of Crawfordsville's Small Business Saturday. Here's a brief introduction from the General Lew Wallace Study & Museum:

"When Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ was published in 1880, Indiana wasn't known for its literary culture. In the following forty years, however, Hoosier authors became popular. During this Golden Age of Indiana Literature, more best-selling books came from Indiana than from any other state except New York. Writers like Meredith Nicholson, James Whitcomb Riley, Lew and Susan Wallace, Maurice Thompson, and others put Indiana on the literary map. The General Lew Wallace Study & Museum is proud of that literary legacy Lew helped create. We host the Lew Wallace Hoosier Author Fair to honor that legacy."

This author fair takes place Saturday, November 25th, 2023, from 5-8 p.m., on the 3rd floor of the Fusion 54 Coworking Space (101 W. Main Street, Crawfordsville). It is free and open to the public. I attended for the first time last year, selling and signing my book, Watching the Wayward: Psalms for Parents of Prodigals. (Also available from Amazon) Two authors seated to my right, Josh Brewer and Tony Brewer, offered a fascinating, unique opportunity called Poetry on Demand. For a small fee, they composed a poem for you, on the spot. How cool is that! You'll find a variety of genres available from nearly twenty local Indiana authors. Since I'm still in the stages of getting word out about my book, I'll be raffling off a free copy that night.

While in Crawfordsville, why not visit a historic home decorated for a Victorian Christmas?

Maybe you're more into fashion. Attend the Lew Wallace Holiday Tea & Fashion Show:

This December 1st fundraiser event is hosted at the Elston Homestead at 400 East Pike Street, Crawfordsville, Indiana.

Enjoy any of these three opportunities to jump-start the holiday spirit! If you cannot attend any of these, I direct you to a video or two of the lights in London. It always boosts my holiday mood! I often hook my laptop up to fully immerse myself by watching on my television screen. Welcome to the holiday season!

Mid-month Mention: Adoption Option - Both Hands

 

November is National Adoption Month. Ambassador International (a publisher I queried for my poetry book) sends me their newsletter. They provided the following statistic to accompany their publicity for a few adoption-centered books:

"According to All For One, a non-profit in Georgia, 'In 2023, over 153 million children are orphaned globally, with 433,000 in the U.S. foster care system.'"

Those numbers are staggering. As Ambassador International pointed out in their newsletter, God's Word commands us to care for the orphan. James 1:27 says, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." (ESV) Matthew 25:40 says, "And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'" (ESV)

This month, for my Mid-month Mention, I'd like to highlight an organization my niece and her husband worked with to adopt their son, Shepherd. I had never heard of Both Hands prior to my niece, Kari, and her husband, Clayton, working with them. Both Hands ministers to orphans and widows while helping families afford adoption. 

I'll try to summarize how it works or you can click here to hear a three-minute explanation. Kari and Clayton gathered a team willing to support their project. They selected a widow to serve. They raised joint funding for the service to the widow and their newborn son's adoption. On project day, they served the widow. Many of their family members live nearby (sadly we don't) and they joined them for a day of cleaning, painting, and repairing. You can watch a video of their project day at the bottom of this post. 

Both Hands works with private donors to meet their operating expenses. Thus, all Kari and Clayton's fundraising went to meet those joint projects (widow's need, orphan's adoption process). Both Hands recently sent out a letter celebrating an achievement. They have served over 1,500 orphans and vulnerable children. You can follow Both Hands on Facebook and Instagram for updates on their program.

Cox Family Both Hands Project July 8 2023 from Clayton & Kari Cox on Vimeo.

Proud of Accomplishments

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Last week's regional game versus Gibson Southern started off strong and promising. First, our quarterback, Malachi, scored an 83-yard touchdown run. After a quick set of downs by Gibson Southern, we scored again, bringing it to 14-0. But, Gibson Southern is a tough opponent. By half-time, the score was 14-10. In the 3rd and 4th quarters they dominated. As the announcers were mentioning how cold it was, I was surprised to see a handful of Gibson Southern fans running shirtless across the walkway of their bleachers (photographic evidence in the Indy Star article).

You can read an excellent recap article from the Indy Star or watch this one-minute highlights video that shows our valiant efforts scoring two touchdowns in the first few minutes of the game.

Despite this loss, I feel quite proud of our team. Monday evening, at the school awards program, they read off Malachi's impressive stats for the season. You can view footage and see stats on this MaxPreps page. He is ranked 120th in the nation (with 3441 total yards), 7th in Indiana, and 1st in Division 3A and Sagamore Conference. He received an award for Most Valuable Player. Sean received a varsity letter and an academic excellence certificate. I thought he should have won the award for the highest GPA (his 4.064 is higher than the recipient's), but Sean said they select a senior. I guess there's next year. And we're looking forward to next year's season, as well.

Here are a few photos I snagged from the Tri-West Quarterback Club (including the one above, all taken by Holly Catt):

Book Review: The Sacrificial Lamb

In September, my library ran a Fall into Reading reading challenge. I have complained before about requirements specifying WHAT to read. Pardon me, but I want to read what I want to read, not some dictated category. However, this time around, they toned it down. Many of the bingo squares allowed you to clock 60 minutes of reading (something regular for me). Some were generic, like: "Read a book with a brown or orange cover." I went back and forth on whether The Fountains of Silence had a cover that was brown/tan or more yellow-hued. I didn't count it in the end and it didn't matter because I didn't win any prizes.

The only thing holding me back from one bingo angle was a cozy mystery. I searched for a Christian cozy mystery and settled on this novella, The Sacrificial Lamb, by S. E. Biglow. Reading about supposed murders of adult characters is far easier to swallow than young characters. This book felt more morbid than "cozy" because it dealt with the murders of several young boys.

I laugh at its billing as "Christian." Taking the theme of "the sacrificial lamb" and the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac, it spun a tale of a murderer who believes God told him to sacrifice a young boy. The main character, and sleuth, is a minister. She comments that her God is only a God of love. Hmm. This reminds me of my last read, The Unsaved Christian. Isn't that what the world wants now, a God of only love and not holiness? A God of only grace and not truth. Many embrace the idea of God, as long as not complicated by Christ, the true sacrificial lamb who takes away the sin of the world. While the book provided a clean read, I still wish I could get my two hours back!

Book Review: The Unsaved Christian

That title sounds like a misnomer, doesn't it? The unsaved Christian? Isn't a Christian, by name, a saved individual, a follower of Christ? But, Dean Inserra points out, though a person may call themselves a Christian, they may ignore who Christ is or the critical role he plays in salvation. They may think they're on the right track. After all, they attend church, live by a moral code, sing the hymns with gusto, may even know Bible verses. Yet, deep down, Christ isn't key. He's perhaps a good person to follow or emulate. 

For some, the Bible, God's holy Word, is just a book of stories meant to illustrate the ideas of God's love. They don't see themselves as "unsaved" or "lost." Their belief that God exists and wants us to be happy should be sufficient, right? Yet, the Bible says God will deny some entrance to heaven because, although they consider themselves followers of Christ, they do not trust in Christ's atoning work. Christ's death on the cross is the only path to cancel out the debt of sin and bring reconciliation with God. As Inserra states, many will say, "Didn't WE...?" instead of "Didn't HE?" If your trust is in what you're doing, you are trusting in self not Christ's sufficient work.

I loved a teaching principle Inserra learned in seminary: "Never preach a sermon that would still be true if Jesus hadn't died and risen from the grave." Cultural Christians can stand in church singing, "Up from the grave He arose," yet still live with no impact from that statement. Cultural Christians want Christianity without Christ, "a belief system in which God's love and acceptance are assumed." Many wrongly suppose everyone will get to heaven because God loves all of us. This negates the truth of the gospel. There is only one way to get to heaven. You must believe in and accept the gift of Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross to pay your debt of sin that estranged you from the Father. Without recognizing sin and turning to Christ to cover that sin, you can say you're a Christian and still be far from entering the kingdom of God.

First, Inserra identifies many of today's false beliefs and false gospels. Then, he walks the reader through ways to approach these deceptions. His goal is to point the lost to the narrow way that leads to life. The Bible says few find it. Many follow the wide way. "God is love. He loves everyone. He wants us to love everyone, too." This wishy-washy, touchy-feely view of Christianity isn't Christian at all. God is holy. He cannot abide sin. To do so would be unloving. 

Another significant statement Inserra makes is, "There's no bench for true followers of Christ." Convicting! What am I doing to reach those who don't even consider themselves outside the kingdom? Am I articulating the true gospel? If nothing else, this book makes me want to reach out to those around me. Time is slipping away. The gospel is "good news." I, for one, don't want to hold it in.

2023 Football Sectional Champs

I've said before, I'm not a typical football mom. I'm not in the stands shouting my lungs out. Fear of injury plagues my ability to enjoy football games. However, recently I've become a stealth supporter. Thanks to live-streaming, I can view the games from the comfort of my home, enjoy closer coverage and instant replays, and listen to (mostly informative) commentary. The live-streaming also allows me to enjoy the action simultaneously with my oldest son, Bryce. My husband laughs at how vocal I get while viewing privately at home. "Go, Malachi, go! Run, run, keep going!"

Last Friday's sectional championship game was thrilling (apart from one annoying commentator I could have done without). With a minute left in the first half, we were down 21-20. One commentator (the annoying one) kept saying if he was the coach, he'd have them go for the 3 points, saying "points is points." Thankfully, he wasn't the coach, and our coach had full faith in our powerful quarterback. With only seconds to go, we scored a touchdown and 2 additional points. Here's the highlight article that originally ran in the Indy Star. The score held through the second half, securing our status as 2023 Class 3A sectional champs.

Indy Star photographer Doug McSchooler captured some excellent images of Sean (#55) protecting QB Malachi (#7):

Malachi is a powerhouse. Time after time, he plows through a host of tacklers, remaining on his feet and launching into the end-zone. The commentator said, "You told me he was impressive, but you have to see him in action to fully grasp how good he is."

(Sean is at the far left in this Doug McSchooler photo)

Two more jubilant photos taken by the Tri-West Quarterback Club photographer:

Plus, Sean sent me this photo of him with Malachi holding the trophy:

The next game holds great challenge as we lost to Gibson Southern a few years ago, in a similar scenario. But, I'm holding to the hope that Malachi and our strong offensive and defensive players can hold them off to win the regional competition. Our sights are set even higher. Bryce and his fiancée are coming for a Thanksgiving visit. It would be fantastic if our team goes all the way to state level and Bryce gets to watch the game in Lucas Oil Stadium. The last time our team went to a state final and played there, it was the year after Bryce graduated. He missed it by a hair! It would be so cool if Sean gets to live the dream that evaded Bryce.

Book Review: Safe People

I struggle with boundaries. I run from conflict. To be honest, I'd rather pacify you with inauthenticity than confront difficulties I'm experiencing in relationship. This is something I need to work on. Ages ago, I read the Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend book on Boundaries. I have obviously allowed that wisdom to slip from my practice. In Safe People, this duo offers insight into the process of finding and engaging in relationships with safe people.

Safe People is a well-structured and easily followed book. The authors break down the problem. To begin with, they outline 20 traits of "unsafe" people. I must admit, some of those traits I see in the mirror. They discuss why we get into enmeshed relationships with unsafe people. Then, they provide encouragement and steps for establishing safer relationships in life. My opinion? This is all fine and dandy, but implementing, when you struggle with boundaries, is far harder than reading a book with tips and target behaviors. I'd love to find safe people. But, then again, I need to learn how to be a safe person myself first. Perhaps I would do well to seek the study guide for this book, or at least listen to the full-length version (my audio book was abridged).

Anticlimactic Anniversary Celebration

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

In 2020, we struggled to come up with suitable ways to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. In the midst of a pandemic and tied to home by a prodigal, we created a list of 30 anniversary activities. That was a wash! We still haven't snagged time around the fire pit or held hands on the porch. How easy are those? In 2021, we made a brief daytrip to Indiana's largest waterfall - ha! Last year, we did the best we've done in a while. We took an overnight to a beautifully decorated and cozy cabin nearby. This year, August came and went with no festivities. When I happened upon news that Celtic Thunder would perform in Nashville, Indiana, it sounded like the perfect solution. I love Nashville, Indiana, with its quaint charm and delightful shops. Alas, the concert was anticlimactic, at best.

Last year, I discovered Celtic Thunder's You Tube videos from their PBS performance. Immediately, I fell in love with their songs, their sound, and their theatrics. The Nashville concert left me deflated and unimpressed. Thank goodness Damien McGinty performed, or it might have been a total loss. He exhibited his characteristic enthusiasm and charm. Why was the staging so bland? Not a lick of appeal, but just a plain black stage with no embellishment. Where were all the beloved songs? I had hoped for "Toora Loora Lay":

"Home from the Sea":

or "A Place in the Choir":

Instead, the only two classic hits were "Galway Girl" and "Seven Drunken Nights." Moreover, I find it offensive when secular groups sing songs glorifying drunkenness shortly after crooning "Amazing Grace." (No belief, why sing it?) Why the predominance of political Celtic content? Most Americans love Celtic music for its flavor and lilt, not its political elements. While there were a few upbeat songs, many were somber airs of death. 

They are a fantastic group and I wish them well. I merely hope they continue singing together in the caliber of former performances. For now, I'll stick with watching my You Tube favorites. Although, I may ask for a CD for Christmas so I can listen when I'm in the car. (My CD player near the treadmill has bit the dust, so I suppose I should ask for that, as well.)

Book Review: The Fountains of Silence

The Fountains of Silence is not my first Ruta Sepetys book. I read Out of the Easy back in 2014. For car rides, I still need audio books. This one jumped out at me in the library during a quick trip one day. Sepetys has a way of taking historical settings and fleshing them to life with realistic characters and dilemmas. I would never have sought a book on the Spanish Civil War, but I'm glad I gave this a listen.

Daniel Matheson wants nothing more than a chance to study photo journalism. His father has other plans. But, on a trip to Spain, Daniel brings his camera and captures images that just might win him the award necessary to finance the schooling on his own. He's after the "real Spain." He wants behind-the-scenes glimpses. Perhaps Ana, assigned to attend to his needs at the hotel, holds the key.

I loved how this highlighted a true evil from history and incorporated actual documentation from articles, books, and oral history interviews. Sepetys is quite skilled in bringing history to life for the reader. Countless babies, stripped from their families (often with lies), were adopted out to "more fitting" families. This human trafficking went on for years in Spain. Imagine the heartache, to hold your tiny baby in your arms, then lose him/her when doctors tell you the infant died. I couldn't help but put myself in those shoes and shudder. The love story was sweet (although it stretched belief at the distance they allowed to remain). The author's note at the end of the audio book provides extra insight. I would love to see this one turned into a movie.

Compilation: A Baker's Dozen Books on Walking

Photo by Sébastien Goldberg on Unsplash

This may not be a definitive list of all the books I've read on walking, but in searching my blog, these 13 books rose to the surface. Instead of placing them in order of when read (chronologically), I'm listing my three favorite walking books, right out of the gate (followed by others I'm less enthusiastic about):

1. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce - novel - highly recommend!
2. God Walk: Moving at the Speed of Your Soul by Mark Buchanan - non-fiction - highly recommend!
3. The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen - young adult novel - great author, always trust her books (okay, slight departure as this is a running book😉)
4. The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy by Rachel Joyce - sequel to Harold Fry novel 
5. Maureen by Rachel Joyce - novel of Harold's wife's journey
6. The Walk by Richard Paul Evans - novel - 1st in series
7. Miles to Go by Richard Paul Evans - novel - 2nd in series
8. The Road to Grace by Richard Paul Evans - 3rd in series
9. A Step of Faith by Richard Paul Evans - 4th in series
10. Walking on Water by Richard Paul Evans - final in series
11. Hiking Through: One Man's Journey to Peace and Freedom on the Appalachian Trail by Paul Stutzman - non-fiction
12. Walking Home: A Poet's Journey by Simon Armitage - non-fiction
13. A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson - non-fiction

The end of October is the perfect time to head off on a lengthy walk. The air is crisp and cool. It makes a great way to prepare the body for the feasting coming in the following months. If you could take a long walk somewhere, where would you choose? My favorite was my literary walk in Paris. But, I also have fond memories of this simple walk on our property with my son, Trevor, back when he was sweet and innocent and a great walking companion. Gone are the days when our biggest dilemma was a consistent bedtime. Still, the memories are grand!

Book Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

Drawn by a movie preview in my Facebook feed, I checked out Jennifer E. Smith's book, The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. The lead character looked familiar. It turns out she played the lead in the movie version of Five Feet Apart. She's an attractive, spunky gal, and quite charming. The Love at First Sight movie sounded appealing, but I always prefer to read the book first. The book was delightful. Yet, I was skeptical the movie version would be as wholesome as the book.

Hadley Sullivan knows it will be a terrible day. After all, she's traveling to London to attend her father's wedding. He couldn't settle for abandoning his family. He had to seal the deal by marrying someone else, someone Hadley has never even met. When she misses her flight, she must wait for the next available one. But a British boy named Oliver ends up sitting next to her. Those four lousy minutes that made her late may just change her life...

As the inside cover tease reads: "Quirks of timing play out in this romantic and cinematic novel about family connections, second chances, and first loves. Set over a twenty-four-hour period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it."

The dialogue is fun. The characters are endearing. I'm so grateful the author didn't follow the way of modern YA by muddying the waters with a tryst in the airplane lavatory. No, this is a clean and enjoyable romance I would feel safe handing to any teen reader. I'm thrilled I encountered that advertisement.

Here's the movie trailer that lured me in:

As for the movie, I am impressed! No, more than that, blown away. Not only is it clean (momentary exception*), but it enhances Oliver's storyline in such a way that I think it outpaces the actual book. In fact, I far prefer the way Oliver's story plays out in the movie. It holds more substance and feeling. 

I rarely laud a movie over the book. This movie gutted me. I sat sobbing on my couch (and this, moments after my husband heard me cracking up from a clever line). The movie was magical and moving (so much so, I watched it a second time). It nailed the essence of Smith's novel.

Exception*: In the movie, when Hadley phones her father in the middle of the night to say she missed her flight, he is lying in bed next to his pending bride. Is it any wonder our young people see no hesitation for sex preempting, or outside of, the holy commitment of matrimony?