Book Review: Becoming Elisabeth Elliot

When I was at Wheaton College, I befriended a floor-mate named Andrea Howard. She was delightful (spunky, funny, fun). It was interesting to learn about Elisabeth Elliot (Andrea's aunt) and the story of her husband's martyrdom in the jungle of Ecuador. Once, while at Wheaton, Elisabeth came to the college to deliver a lecture. I own 2 of her books about Jim Elliot and love a particular quote from him I found once in Paula Rinehart's Better Than My Dreams. Thus, when Sara Brunsvold mentioned Ellen Vaughn's 2-part biography of Elisabeth Elliot, I was eager to dive in.

Becoming Elisabeth Elliot shares the initial parts of Elisabeth's life (her growth, her courtship, her loss of her first husband, and her struggles with her missionary role). It is clear, God's ways are not our ways. From the very beginning of her missionary career, she faced obstacles head on. After nine months of work on the Colorado language, all of her linguistic notes, files, charts, etc. went missing when someone stole her suitcase off a truck. Despite frustration, she accepted God's will and termed it her "school year." No explanation could suffice. She wrote, "Faith's most severe tests come not when we see nothing, but when we see a stunning array of evidence that seems to prove our faith vain. If God were God, if He were omnipotent, if He had cared, would this have happened?... It was a long time before I came to the realization that it is in our acceptance of what is given that God gives Himself." For her, it came down to obedience, regardless of the cost.

In another passage, toward the end, Vaughn writes, "For Betty, the sad days weren't times to be denied, suppressed, or avoided. Betty's medical training, and her theology, did not allow her to deny the existence of pain... It showed God was at work. If she walked the path of obedience, He would in fact use her very pain for His good purposes. But the problem with pain is that it hurts."

Anyone who has encountered unexplainable suffering will find comfort and hope in these pages about Elisabeth Eliot's life. She was not a saint. She had her own personal quirks and personality edges. Yet, her life is a primer for accepting God's will, even when it is hard and makes little sense. We must accept His will even when the outcomes remain unquantifiable. Elisabeth Elliot's pain and struggles drove her to deeper obedience than sunshine and flowers ever would. May I remember her example when I'm called to walk a hard road. This honest 2-part biography would be a fine addition to a personal library.

Mid-month Mention: Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt

I went back and forth on whether to post this. Only my regular blog visitors will read in time to join in the fun. Yesterday, I learned of a scavenger hunt put together by Christian fiction writers. Their goal is to expose the reader to more Christian authors and expand newsletter participation. I am all for this! What a thrill to discover more authors writing wholesome books. I spent a good chunk of time yesterday morning pursuing a third of the scavenger hunt websites and clues. Now, I've signed on for a handful of author newsletters. I'm eager to explore more today, but the deadline for completing the scavenger hunt is very near. Complete the hunt by tomorrow (4/13/25) at midnight (Mountain time) in order to be entered for a chance at five top grand prizes.

Lisa Tawn Bergren, an author I had never heard of, is the first stop on the scavenger hunt. Once you visit this page on her website, you will find the instructions for participation and the first clue for the scavenger hunt. Making note of it, you follow the link to the second author on the scavenger hunt, Gabrielle Meyer, another new-to-me author. Of the first third of author participants, I had read 3 authors before. What a wonderful idea! You have chances to win prizes. If you sign up for newsletters, you even receive some free reading materials. This is a great introduction to authors (although, I fear I will sign on for too many newsletters and find my inbox inundated)! I had a wonderful time reading each entry (many full of tid-bits of historical details I'd never encountered).

If you participate in the scavenger hunt and find new authors to explore, let me know. I'd love to hear what authors you found enticing in this array of Christian writers. If you miss out on this current opportunity, don't worry. It appears the scavenger hunt is available twice a year. I assume if you visit Lisa Tawn Bergren's website and search for "scavenger hunt" you may be able to figure out approximately when the fall hunt is slated. I intend to keep my eye out anyway.

Author Spotlight: Becca Kinser

(photo collage property of Becca Kinzer's author website)

Becca Kinzer is a critical care nurse who lives in Springfield, Illinois. She writes clean, lighthearted, humorous stories. Her first novel, Dear Henry, Love Edith, won the 2024 Carol Award for debut novel. This was my first introduction to Kinzer's writing, and I really enjoyed that epistolary tale of mistaken identities. In it, a young woman rents a room from a man she thinks is an older gentleman. They keep missing running into one another, so he assumes she's a spinster. As their correspondence blooms, so does love and a myriad of obstacles.

Sometimes it is difficult to follow-up on a successful debut, but Kinzer wrote an equally funny novel in her second book, Love in Tandem. Charlotte Carter faces the dismantling of her beloved small town music program. Desperate to save it, she agrees to join her ex-fiance's brother in a tandem bike challenge, hoping the prize will secure funds to save the music. As these opposites approach the 500-mile trek, their pretend-dating scheme runs into plenty of snags. Is love inevitable on a bicycle built for two?

I would have loved to have driven to Springfield, Illinois, to meet and interview Becca Kinzer. I appreciate her light-hearted humorous stories. They lifted my spirits on some gloomy days. Since I'm not gifted with the ability to write humorous tales, I admire this skill she demonstrates. Alas, instead of an interview, I'm relying upon information from the book club kit for her upcoming book (available,  with discussion questions, through Tyndale in their Crazy 4 Fiction book club kits).

As for writing with humor, Kinzer follows a driving principle. She writes, "There's a saying in the writing world that if there's no tears in the writer, there's no tears in the reader. Well, my interpretation is if there's no giggles in the writer, there's no giggles in the reader. Let's just say I had plenty of giggles writing certain scenes in this story." Kudos to Kinzer for making readers giggle!

You can influence the success of Kinzer's third book by purchasing it on its upcoming release date, April 15th, 2025. In this book, First Love, Second Draft, Kinzer focuses on second chances. Gracie is a rom-com writer who writes a baseball romance series. Noah Parker is a forty-year-old pitcher who is famous for one perfect game. When the two meet, there's a bundle of banter and a surfeit of sparks. But can their love overcome the complications they face?

In the book club kit, Kinzer discusses how to story germ originated. She writes about "having trouble sleeping. Scenes about a baseball player and his wife kept playing out in my mind. What if the absolute best night of a baseball player's professional career coincided with the absolute worst night of his wife's personal life?" Sounds like a great premise, no? Apparently, she wrote the book before her other two books took off. She teasingly liked to call the manuscript, "First Love, Seven Hundredth Draft." Ha!

I think I'm looking forward to the book most because it promises a story of redemption. Kinzer says, "There's an element of redemption and forgiveness that always goes hand in hand with a second-chance romance. I don't think the world can ever get enough of that type of story." I hope to find the encouragement Kinzer sought to instill in this story. She hopes readers "learn to cling to God through everything, especially the disappointments and seasons of waiting. By keeping a tight grip on our faith, we'll never lose reason to hope. And as with all my stories, I hope readers get some good laughs along the way."

Want a taste of the tale? Click here for a free flash fiction story, "Famous First Date," introducing Gracie and Noah. If you visit Becca Kinzer's author website, you can access two free novellas when you subscribe to her newsletter. Then, head to the Amazon page for her new novel, to secure your copy on the release date. Or if you'd rather purchase a signed copy, visit the author's website where you can purchase one from The Sly Fox. I'm wishing Becca all the best of success as this third novel reaches the light of day and into the hands of eager readers everywhere. Maybe someday I'll get to meet her and ask the myriad of questions bursting in my brain. 

Book Review: The Olive Farm

After a few unacceptable attempts at audio book novels, I moved to the non-fiction section this time. I happened upon Carol Drinkwater's memoir, The Olive Farm. Drinkwater is an actress I'm unfamiliar with. I enjoyed listening to her tale of finding love and family in her dream-come-true, owning an olive farm. 

The author narrated it and I was eager to find out what she looks like. It said on the cover, "Drinkwater will be forever remembered for her part as the wholesome Helen Herriot in the television series All Creatures Great and Small." Although I couldn't access the one she performed in (from the '80s), I dashed off to the library to pick up the newer Masterpiece Theater version of All Creatures Great and Small. It was great fun watching the three seasons of the show (something I may not have done had I not listened to Carol Drinkwater's book). 

I loved the author's narration. Her British accent was delightful, and she rattled off in French too. It turns out she has a whole series of books with the word olive in the title. I could access them on Hoopla, but I think I'll pass. She even has a new one coming out this year, called Return to the Olive Farm (also available on Hoopla). My Hoopla audio list keeps growing and growing. Not to mention, I've recently learned how to access audio books on Libby.

Book Review: Saving the Saved - Highly Recommend

I grew up in The Salvation Army. They believe a child of God, a Christian, can lose their salvation. One of the primary dangers in this view is an inflated sense of self-preservation. It leads to believing one has the power to negate what God has done on your behalf ("void His promise") because your actions supersede God's act of forgiveness that He has declared as FINISHED. Contrary to what they think, we are not the lynch pin holding our security in place! Praise God, He paid the debt I could not pay. He holds me, by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, a seal of promise, assuring my eternal ("eternal," not "temporary," not "probationary") life! He is the author/sustainer/perfecter of our faith.

While Salvationists would agree that we cannot DO anything to gain our salvation, they say we must DO something to keep our salvation. They assert we can "choose to come out from under that seal." In that case, what's the point of a seal? Living with constant fear one has not repented from each infraction (and, yes, we continue to struggle with SIN) leads to a performance-driven faith. I now believe that is an error, and a grievous one. It makes me think of a phrase I once heard stating there are only two religious camps: DO and DONE. I rest in what He has done, not what I do.

Salvation is a gift, an act of grace, "Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:9) First, He justifies; then, He sanctifies. On the cross, Christ paid the penalty for our sin. Once we are His child, sealed with the Holy Spirit, that Spirit helps us fight against the ongoing presence of sin we will battle until death. We are not out from under the consequence of sin, but we are FREE from the condemnation of sin. Again, I trust in Christ's act, not my actions, for my heart is desperately wicked and the battle against sin continues (Romans 7:14-25).

We are neither co-saviors, nor co-judges. God will decide each individual's spiritual destiny. Indeed, it is not our place to speculate. (We cannot determine someone in scripture ended up in hell because they did not repent of their waywardness.) Praise God, it is not our call. Yet everyone will answer for where they place their faith. Are you trusting in your sufficiency (your ability to remain obedient) or in a deep and abiding trust in Christ's sufficiency (His obedience in taking your sin penalty on the cross)? Are you wearing His robes of righteousness or your own?

I face tension with family members who believe in the Army's 9th doctrine, that "continuance in the state of salvation DEPENDS upon continued, obedient faith in Christ." It rankles all the more because I have a wayward son. I have a child who, despite attesting dependence upon Christ for salvation, makes harmful choices that others perceive as unrepentant rebellion. Indeed, if they pronounce judgment on one in scripture who, despite writing books of the Bible, strayed, they believe my child is in danger of hellfire. Yes, it's personal! Yet, Paul's letter to the Corinthians reveals it is possible to follow Christ and still indulge in seasons of sin. Indeed, those willing to pronounce judgment on my son should examine their own sin indulgences.

Perhaps all of this led me to Bryan Loritts' book, Saving the Saved: How Jesus Saves Us from Try-Harder Christianity Into Performance-Free Love. Loritts is determined to teach the reader how to rest in God's performance-free love. He argues against spiritual meritocracy (using our performance to gain God's approval). I loved this comment, "If anything I ever do of eternal value is because of God's grace, and if anything I ever do that brings shame is covered by God's grace, where is the boasting... the shame?" He urges us to come to Him "with the outfit He supplies. Life in the kingdom means I come out of my old clothes of performance and receive the new ones of abiding in Christ."

I loved his comments on prayer. He likened it to a 3-year-old, with arms outstretched, asking her daddy to carry her. He argues for the humility required to pray fervently. "Every day I spend in prayerlessness is a day wasted in pride--a day in which I say to God, 'I got this.'" And we don't hold the results against God. "He's worthy to be praised when breast cancer is cured--and just as worthy when the disease takes a life. We don't follow God for outcomes or for the benefits package; we follow Him because we love Him."

His discussion on Matthew 11:30 ["my yoke is easy; my burden is light"] brings special encouragement to my weary soul. He explains that, in the Greek, these words mean "custom-made." A carpenter measured the yoke to fit a specific ox's neck. "As the Divine Carpenter, Jesus knows you inside and out.... He customizes the yokes and trials of our lives so there's nothing we go through that we cannot handle.... You and Jesus are yoked together. He's in this with you, and there's nothing... you can't handle... in God's amazing love."

As Loritts speaks of why our failure is never final, he focuses on Peter's denial and subsequent use for the kingdom. He talks about our need for fresh, daily grace, and how that should make us gracious with others. Here is where the message hit me between the eyes. Unforgiveness is an affront, a sign of hypocrisy. I have exhibited this very problem and must repent of it. Loritts writes, "The unforgiving 'Christian' puts on a display of arrogance, assuming in their unforgiveness that they are the only ones truly worthy of being forgiven, of receiving God's performance-free love." Oh, how I need repentance.

Our repentance is not, however, to GAIN his love, but is an expression in RESPONSE to his performance-free love. We must be careful not to confuse salvation with sanctification. First, we repent of our sin and seek His forgiveness and His atonement (eternally expunging our sin debt). Then, our further repentance is a process of sanctification. It expresses our desire to become more like Him out of gratitude for the reconciliation we had no hope of attaining on our own. 

Our salvation makes us a child of God. It is an act of adoption that renders us secure. I would never look at my child and say, "That's it! You've gone too far. I no longer love you or call you my son." He is and will always be my son and nothing he does will negate that status. The truly saved do not need to be saved again, and again, and again. Indeed, believing such renders Christ's atoning work as equivalent to the Old Testament covenant sacrifices. (Here it would be good to look at Hebrews 6:4-6 - do we crucify Christ over and over to reclaim our salvation?) No, the saved rest in God's performance-free love and will greet the bridegroom wearing His robes of righteousness, not their own (filthy rags).

2025 - First Quarterly Review

To assist my blog readers, I summarize my reading four times a year, providing a brief description, genre, the page count, and a grading scale (💖5 page-turner - highly recommend, 4 page-turner - enjoyed, 3 page-turner - good, 2 page-turner - meh, and 1 page-turner - regret, wishing I could get back the time invested). I read the following books during the first quarter of 2025 (links to full reviews can be found in the side-bar, or after 2025, found through the search bar at the right):

💖The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston - When the deceased body of Bernard Greer falls into the river, Fred (an elderly, isolated homeless man), who bears an uncanny resemblance, is mistaken for Bernard and returned to Bernard's nursing home. While it certainly requires extensive "willful suspension of disbelief," this tender, redemptive story explores dementia, loneliness, found family, and kindness. Humorous Fiction. 320 pages, 📃📃📃📃📃

Positively, Penelope by Pepper Basham - After loving Authentically, Izzy, I eagerly jumped into this second installment (possible stand-alone). What great spunk and enthusiasm! Hard not to fall in love with Penelope, her love interest, and the island of Skymar. Rom-com. 416 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 12-1/2 hours), 📃📃📃📃

💖The Wright Brothers by David McCullough - Wilbur and Orville Wright had a dream they pursued with confidence and abandon. Fascinating history. Inspiration to stick with whatever you feel God is calling you to accomplish. Biography/History. 336 pages (I listened in audio form, 8 CDs, 10 hours), 📃📃📃📃📃

How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley - A group of senior citizens sets out to save a child-care facility and the young single dad relying on the facility. Humorous Fiction. 358 pages, 📃📃-1/2

This Must Be the Place: Following the Breadcrumbs of Your Past to Discover Your Purpose Today by Jami Nato - Every single thing that has happened to you, every place your heart aches or sings, every planned step and unplanned fall... all are breadcrumbs you can use to trace your place in this world and God's purpose for your life. Memoir/Christian Living. 192 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 4-3/4 hours), 📃📃📃📃-1/2

A Christmas Spark by Cindy Steel - Stuck in a cabin in a snow storm, love begins to blossom. Rom-com. 116 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 3-1/2 hours), 📃📃📃

Brightly Shining by Ingvild Rishoi - Depressing tale of two young girls struggling to survive their father's alcoholism and muster Christmas spirit where there is none. Maybe others found it, but I found little redemption in the tale. Christmas Fiction. 182 pages, 📃

The Intentional Year: Simple Rhythms for Finding Freedom, Peace, and Purpose by Glenn and Holly Packiam - Encouragement for intentionality in redeeming your time for God's glory, others' good, and your joy. Christian Nonfiction. 209 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 4-1/2 hours), 📃📃📃📃

The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly - A time-traveller interrupts life for a tween and teen in 1999, teaching them to appreciate "the first state of being," the present. Middle Grade Fiction. 272 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 5 hours), 📃📃📃

Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney - An elderly woman walks across Manhattan. You'd think there would be no story. Alas, you'd think wrong! With spunk and vigor, Lillian weaves an entrancing tale. Historical Fiction. 284 pages, 📃📃📃-1/2

Lost on a Mountain in Maine by Joe Egan  & Donn Fendler - A middle grade book sharing the story of Donn's experience when he was lost for 9 days on Mount Kathadin as a twelve-year-old. Middle Grade Nonfiction. 128 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 2-1/4 hours), 📃📃📃

Holy Habits: 10 Small Decisions That Lead to a Big Life by Noah Herrin - This 28-year-old author offers 10 habits to deepen your walk with God. Fairly standard stuff. Christian Living. 176 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 3-1/2 hours), 📃📃-1/2

Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig - Haig opens up about his debilitating bout with anxiety and depression and reminds readers that there are multitudes of reasons to stay alive. Memoir/Novel. 264 pages, 📃📃📃

Happy & Sad & Everything True by Alex Thayer - Dee Diller is dealing with a lot: loss of a best friend, mortified by her mother, and unsure why her father abandoned them. Her sanctuary in the school bathroom opens doors to heal her own inner wounds and the wounds of others. Middle Grade Fiction. 288 pages (I listened in audio form, 5 CDs, 5-1/2 hours), 📃📃📃

💖Letters from the Mountain by Ben Palpant - Outstanding epistle from a Christian dad to his daughter on writing and working as a lantern for God's light to shine into the world. Wanted to buy it for myself after listening to the first hour of the audio book. So much to highlight and underline. Christian Writing Memoir. 201 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 5-1/4 hours), 📃📃📃📃📃 

You Are a Tree: And Other Metaphors to Nourish Life, Thought, and Prayer by Joy Clarkson - An excellent discussion on metaphors in the Bible. Christian Living. 208 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 5-1/2 hours), 📃📃📃📃-1/2

The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham - A blend of Romeo and Juliet with You've Got Mail. Laura and Isaac are kept apart by feuding families, but will a mysterious correspondence bring them together? Christian Fiction. 352 pages (I listened on Hoopla, 10-1/2 hours), 📃📃📃📃-1/2

Tips on Staying Alive: Build Powerful Hope from a 10-year Cancer Survivor by L. Neal Pearcy - Part illness-battle-plan/ part resilience memoir. A quick and easy read packed with insights and information. I would have loved twice as many pages and a more in-depth look for the memoir section (proof again, that everyone's story matters!). Medical/Memoir. 45 pages, 📃📃📃

Delightful Reading Comics

Please forgive this filler post of delightful reading comics. My own reading has somewhat stalled out. Indeed, most days I'd even rather work on my purging tasks than pick up a book. Sob! Thankfully, that will be remedied soon. For my youngest son's spring break, he begged to visit Florida with his friends (who go every year - we can't afford that). He and I head down soon for a few days (not the whole week, like others), and I'm certain he will spend all his time with his friends leaving me alone in our Vrbo accommodation. I can't really hang out on the beach because my fair skin would burn quickly. Still, I will have ample time and plenty of Kindle books on my phone.

Stay tuned for my quarterly reading compilation post. It will have an abundance of suggestions (including 3 I highly recommend), in case you, too, are leaving on a spring break trip.

Finally, an image of a coffee table I'd love to own and put in my book room. If you ever see one up for sale, let me know. This one was supposedly made and posted on Facebook by Nerd Forge, although I couldn't find an active website for them (probably some AI-inspired spoof to make one think this kind of thing is possible and whet all our book-loving appetites):