Who Stole My Church?

April 29, 2008 | community, reviews

I’m reading an interesting book right now titled “Who Stole My Church?” by Gordon McDonald.

I first thought it was nonfiction, but surprisingly it’s fiction–sort of. I recognize the characters in it. In fact, I go to church with some. I’ve run across them as I’ve ministered. Good people. Backbone of their local churches.

Not sure what to do with the changes in their church, or the way that Christ is presented, or what in the world the words “postmodern” or “emerging church” means anyway.

I’m reading with an open mind, and actually liking this book a lot. There is no agenda, but rather a good conversation between sincere people trying to figure out what the church should/could/can/does look like and why that is important.

Suz

Interview with author, Miralee Ferrell

April 15, 2008 | interviews, reviews, writing

 I just finished the fiction novel, The Other Daughter. I invited the author, Miralee Ferrell, to talk about her new book and the issues behind the story.

Suzie: Miralee, this is your first published book. Tell us a little bit about your writing journey.

Miralee: Hi Suzie, it’s great to have a chance to chat with you. I started writing seriously with the thought of publication three years ago. The Lord spoke to me through a special speaker at church when he prayed for me. He felt the Lord was saying that I needed to be writing, and whatever I chose to write should be published. I prayed about it for over two weeks, and decided the Lord was nudging me that direction.

I started by writing my memories since my husband and I met 33 years earlier, with the things we’ve encountered and the spiritual applications. From that, I moved to short stories (non-fiction) and had three of them published in magazines. Then a friend and fellow author suggested I try Christian fiction. I didn’t think I could do it, but came up with a story line who’s inception was an incident in our past, then embroidered and changed it fiction. (more…)

Review: Broken Heart on Hold

April 3, 2008 | reviews

I have a friend whose marriage isn’t working. I have wished for a resource to place in her hands, but didn’t have one.

Until now. . .

(more…)

Christian Book Preview Review

February 8, 2008 | reviews

From Christian Book Preview

a review of The Woman I Am Becoming: Embracing the Chase for Identity, Faith, and Destiny
by T. Suzanne Eller

Fresh from her ground–breaking book The Mom I Want to Be, speaker and young–adult mentor Suzie Eller offers 18–to–29–year–old women an honest, faith–filled look at the journey to maturity. In The Woman I Am Becoming, she acknowledges the pressure to look and act a certain way, and helps readers explore key questions:

• What is a real woman?
• Where do I fit?
• What should I look like?
• Who should I be with?
• Where am I going?
• What about my faith?

Each short chapter offers words from Suzie’s own story and an application, followed by real–life advice from older women who are still becoming. Concluding questions then help readers make what they’re reading their own.

Review: by Elece Hollis, Christian Book Preview Reviewer

The Woman I am Becoming: Embracing the Chase for Identity, Faith, and Destiny, by T. Suzanne Eller is a book for women in their twenties, that aims to fill a generation gap. Eller reminds readers that life in America has changed with families having moved apart leaving many young women without guides and role models for life. Finding a mentor or worthy examples to follow is one theme of this book. (more…)

Mad Mary by Liz Curtis Higgs

February 7, 2008 | reviews

Liz Curtis Higgs is one of my favorite authors, for many reasons. The first is that she didn’t allow herself to be pushed into a literary corner where you can only be funny or spiritual or deep. She’s a funny lady, but also a writer with depth. It’s a nice combination. She’s a nonfiction author, but her last several books are fiction.

I’m reading one of her books right now: Mad Mary: A Bad Girl from Magdala, Transformed at His Appearing

In this book, published by Waterbrook Press, Higgs shares the story of Mary, a woman who appears homeless, but who lost her mind and her bearings after the suicide of her daughter.  She meets Jake, a pastor who works in the inner city church, and the last thing that she wants is an intrusive pastor in her world. (more…)

Spa for The Soul

August 20, 2007 | reviews

“We were not created to keep going and going and going, like the Energizer Bunny. It’s no wonder a familiar catchword in this new century is “24/7″ because that clearly describes our workweek, shopping opportunities, and how often we feel we must be available to others. Yet none of us can be “on” for twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. It’s simply not physically, emotionally, or spiritually possible. And when we try, we collapse.” Lucinda Secrest McDowell, Spa for the Soul

I sat on my dock today and read the first chapter of this great little book by author Lucinda Secrest McDowell. (more…)

Allison Bottke, relevant friend and writer

August 1, 2007 | reviews

Allison Bottke writes Christian fiction for women of the Baby Boom generation, “Boomer Babes” as she calls them. Every Friday I get to join Allison Bottke, one of my favorite friends and people, as a Baby Boomer blogger.

Randy Ingermanson, author, recently interviewed Allison on his site, Advanced Fiction Writing. Read what Allison has to say about writing, about her new novel, and about the beauty of U-turns in her personal life.

Q: People say that you write “women’s fiction with an attitude.” What does that mean?

A: It was my agent who first coined that phrase in reference to my work. He was trying to describe the kind of fiction I write but it’s not your typical romance fiction, and it’s not historical, and it’s not quite chick-lit. (more…)

Great book for those who feel along in their marriage

July 13, 2007 | quotes, reviews

Quote from Susie Larson’s book, Alone In Marriage. 

How often when wounded by someone else’s sin, do we sin by our response to them? 

. . . the Christian life is like a winding country road with deep ditches on each side. One side represents outright rebellion, the other our response to someone else ’s rebellion. The Devil could care less which ditch he gets us into, he just wants us off the road.

Alone in Marriage: Encouragement for the Times When it’s all up to You
by Susie Larson

Publisher: Moody Publishers
Release date: July 2007
ISBN:0802452787

Thinking the weight is too great? Almost every marriage goes through a time when one spouse has to carry more…emotionally, spiritually, financially, and even physically.  Susie Larson walks through that time with you, showing you which weights need to be thrown out, which ones are refining you, and which ones are strengthening you.

To find out more about Susie Larson and her ministry.