“Halstad House is like Grace Livingston Hill—you know, the good ones.” My daughter nodded. She knew exactly what I meant. “So like Found Treasure and The Obsession of Victoria Gracen?” Exactly like those two. We both realized that few people would understand what I meant, though. She threw out Continue Reading
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My Dearest Dietrich: Is It My Favorite Book of the Year?
It began with a little green book. I liked the title. The Cost of Discipleship. A friend had given it to me with assurances that I’d love the book. Odd thing is, I don’t even remember the first part of it. I only remember when I got to the contrast between “cheap grace” and “costly Continue Reading
Do You Have a Smoke Screen Killing Your Confidence?
"I can't do it." Across the room, my Uncle Lon looked up over his glasses and interjected himself into the conversation. "Can't usually means won't try." The words burned in my twelve-year-old heart because, well, I knew he was right. I didn't want to try. Again. Fail. Again. After Continue Reading
Do I Have Strong Opinions on Men’s Ministries?
"Why don't they open the stupid Bible once in a while?" Okay, so calling the Bible "stupid" was probably not the best choice of words, but I understood my daughter's frustration. Seriously, didn't she have a point? Who goes to Youth Group and expects not to at least hear a little something from Continue Reading
The Odd Things Books Make You Think of Sometimes
"I have to find my son!" How many times have I heard that line from Finding Nemo? At first, I was bugged by the idea that, once again, the parents are wrong and the kid is right. That's what I got out of it the first time I watched it. But after a few more rounds, mostly skipping parts to see Continue Reading
Be Sure Your Sin Will Find You Out
I'd like to apologize to both Robin Helm and the Celebrate Lit team for the lateness of this review of Lawfully Innocent. I'd signed up to have it posted on November 1, and here we are, half a month later. Things have been difficult lately, and I appreciate the grace both Celebrate Lit and the Continue Reading
What Do You Do When a Book Is Hard to Review?
Sometimes a book comes along that you just have to read. The Wonderful Yah is one of those for me. Despite a cover that didn’t appeal to me, any book that seeks to help readers understand the depths of Scripture is a book I want to dive into. The questions remain, then: First, “Who is Yah?” and Continue Reading
All the Preparation in the World Won’t Write It for You
Anne Shirley once said, "I am so glad that I live in a world where there are Octobers." Well, I happen to agree with her. Here in America, though, October isn't just a month full of harvests and pumpkins, crisp autumn nights and vibrant trees. October is that month. You know the one... The Continue Reading
The Painted Castle Review
Before I left Ridgecrest, I got a book I've been anxious to read since I read the last "castle book" by Kristy Cambron. Since I didn't expect to be gone for SIX WEEKS, I left it there. It's still there. I'm still here in Missouri. What does that mean? Sorry, but no review yet. I'll do it as Continue Reading
Life Is Full of Second Chances What Was Yours?
We planned a fiftieth wedding anniversary party--across the miles and one we never actually held. My parents' fiftieth wedding anniversary happened smack dab between #1son's and #5daughter's graduations from college. Oh, and just after that, I had to teach at a conference. It would have been Continue Reading
Do I Think You Will Love What’s Next?
Here at Mom's, it seems like every time we turn around, something else happens. I've caught both of us saying (with a little trepidation tiptoeing around the words), "What's next?" It started with medical records not being ready when promised... with the sale of the house falling through. Continue Reading
Listen to the Whispers and You’ll Hear the Pain
When I first met Chris Morris at a convention, he struck me as a kind, funny guy with a passion for people. The more I've gotten to know him online, the greater this passion has shown. So, when I learned that he struggles with mental illness, as so many Christians do, I was shocked. You'd never Continue Reading
