His Eye is On the Sparrow....

Last night was one of those difficult nights. I was in pain, and alone, and very easily could have given into despair. It was cold, windy and stormy. Life has been uncertain and overwhelming lately, and God felt very far away. I began to wonder if God had created me for pain, to be an object of his wrath, because this life has been very hard. I called out to God, and told him how much it hurts, how alone I feel, and all the questions racing through my unquieted mind. There was no answer, and I laid down in bed, to listen to the storm outside. I closed my eyes and listened to it rage and howl all around me, while I was safe and warm; and I felt peace envelope me. It was not quite like a blanket. Some of you may feel uncomfortable with me saying so, but I felt arms wrap around me, just as tangible as if someone were laying next to me. All my fear just left, and I rested, really deeply relaxed and rested.

Then, I heard a song bird, in the dark, in the cold fall weather, at night in the pouring rain...I thought, "this is trippy, I really am hallucinating now. It is the wrong season, weather and time of day for songbirds". I opened my eyes, and just on the other side of my window, between my pillow and my glass of ice water...was this:

He stayed and sang till the storm was done. Matthew 10:28-31 says "²⁸ Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.^{[a] 30} And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows."

What an incredible reminder of God's faithfulness and provision. He cares, and I'm His, and nothing on earth can take away one second of one day that He has preplanned for me. I have all the time I need to accomplish everything He has for me to do, and I have all the resources to complete the work He has for me and do it well. There is nothing I lack, that he does not already have. There is no crisis, or strained relationship, or economic hardship, loss, or medical diagnosis that can surprise Him. I have no suffering that He can not redeem, God doesn't waste time, or pain. More importantly, He doesn't waste the lives of His children. I was created for a purpose, and I am loved, known, seen, cared for, and don't need to fear. I am resting in the arms of my Father, who loves me.

Why Men Hate Going to Church

The basic premise of this book is that men hate going to church, unless they are particularly effeminate to begin with. He argues that men don't talk, think or act this way under normal circumstances. He paints a clear picture of what it means to be male, with very broad sweeping strokes. I have a few books on manhood that I would LOVE to recommend to the author, Mr. David Murrow.

While gang members and prison inmates may not relate to one another as we do in church, business men and corporate executives might. There is more to manhood than machismo. One can not say that compassion for one another is feminine or soft, for example. Our love for one another is how we are to be differentiated from the rest of the world. The analogy is made that Sunday morning church is like a prostate exam. It may save your life, but no one is looking forward to it. I suggest young men aren't in church because they don't want to be told what to do. Nothing offends a young mans fragile ego than being told he is not the ultimate authority. I think this accounts for why young men in their 20's are so under represented in the church. Real men don't whine and make excuses about what they don't like, they follow the example of Jesus and humbly serve those around them in love. That may not sound macho, but this isn't a locker room competition, this is real life. It's time for men to be man enough to unashamedly love their church.

*I was received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review*

Buy it here:

http://www.amazon.com/Why-Men-Hate-Going-Church/dp/078523215X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310582055&sr=1-1

Life, In Spite of Me

"Life, In Spite of Me" is the story of Kristen Jane Anderson. Everyone has a story. I particularly enjoy hearing those that have the theme of redemption written all over their lives. I firmly believe that God doesn't waste pain, even the most horrendous experiences shape and mold us into who God wants us to be. God redeems our suffering. Kristen's story is full of suffering, psychological suffering, deaths, emotional pain, and rape drive her to the breaking point. She tries to commit suicide, and yet her life is spared. In the process she loses both legs. How can this possibly be a story of redemption? Can anything ever make up for this kind of pain? Is there ever hope in this kind of agony? As you read this book, you would think that there is no way out of this situation, and no way to make it livable, and then God steps in. It begins to be clear where the hand of God has been on her life through it all, and how he has a good plan for her life, a plan to prosper her and not to harm her. She goes on to do beautiful things, and build a life, that she may have never had with her legs. I recommend you read the book if you want to know the rest! Enjoy!
*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review*

Life is More Than Striving and Work...Lessons in Cat-sitting

I'm not generally one to waste my resources on girlie pursuits. It's not that I don't like things to be pretty, or enjoy fashionable clothing; it just doesn't normally seem practical or fit with my lifestyle. My clothes are for covering my body. My make up routine consists of washing my face with warm water, and applying chapstick. I use a men's razor because it is the same as the women's razor, but not as frilly or pink, and is less expensive. My animals all have a purpose. Goats for milk. Outdoor cats for pest control. Chickens for eggs and meat. I have a pair of work boots, a pair of flip flops, and a pair of heels for wearing to church. I'm considering adding a pair of practical black flats, since the heels are open toed and winter is approaching. I don't understand why anyone needs more than one pair of any type of shoe. For example, why own two pairs of running shoes if you can only run in one pair at a time?

The other day, I did something completely out of character. I borrowed a cat. I have half grown cats already, kittens we got this spring. They eat the mice in the barn and they get in the house and keep the mice out, or kill any they find indoors, and we throw them back out again. This is a different sort of cat though. He is a pudgy, middle aged, fastidiously clean, fluffy companion animal. He hides while the kids are awake and only comes out to join me in the quiet hours of the evening and night, and early morning devotional time. He has no practical use. I put the kids to bed and he comes out of hiding. We each have a little dinner and go lounge in the bed. There is once again, the comforting sounds of someone snoring on the other side of the bed at night, that has been missing since Chris took a night job in June. There is someone to have my bedtime snack with, and to sit quietly with when the sun is coming up. I have become one of those people who have an animal in their house, though I let him outside to go potty.

It's kind of nice actually, after he goes home, I may have to let one of my cats be an indoor cat after all. I don't have to share him with anyone, and the only reason he is here is that I enjoy him. He's quite pretty. His ample pudge keeps my feet warm at night and my lap warm over morning coffee. Sometimes, I get so busy, doing all the things that need done, or learning all the things I want to read up on and learn, that I don't do or have anything for simple pleasure of enjoying them. It has me thinking and reflecting on how I used to destress. I can't recall my last painting, or when I stopped sketching. I think I'll slow down and do things just to enjoy them again. I've missed that. I've missed the ability to have something so frivolous as a pet, or to do things because I want to. It feels lazy almost, and I like it! So there! :) Life is more than striving and work.

Out Of A Far Country By: Christopher and Angela Yuan

Out of A Far Country chronicles the true story of Christopher Yuan, the son of two prosperous Chinese immigrants, who had, through their moral living and hard work, established a successful dentistry practice and raised two sons they hoped would join the family business. Christopher, the younger of the two, rebels when he goes away to school. Rejecting the traditional values of his upbringing, he lives a promiscuous lifestyle, begins dealing and using drugs, and spends less time on his studies. He flunks out of school, dishonors and deserts his family, and brings his mother to the breaking point. God intervenes in this family, and weaves a beautiful story of redemption of sinners, and reconciliation of a son to his parents, husbands to wives, and a family to himself. It is a touching testimony of the goodness of God, who makes beauty from ashes. One thing I feel readers should bear in mind when reading this story, is that Christopher's story is his story, he doesn't represent ALL Chinese people, or all men, or all gay men. In my circle of friends I have many who identify themselves with the LGBT community. Most of them have never touched methamphetamines or crack cocaine. I think the danger here is that people will read this story and assume that it is indicative of gay culture in general. I think it describes many things well about the party circuit, that both gays and straights involve themselves in. But, it is so often lauded as a book about a gay man turning from his lifestyle. However, it seems more about a partier gone sober, a rebel turned preacher, and a lost man found. He drops his drug addiction and chooses to identify himself as more than his sexuality. He embraces celibacy, which seems like a wise move for an HIV+ person anyway. This is not the story of a gay man turned straight. It is the story of a lost son found, a life turned around, and restoration. If you are looking for a happy story of a man who suppresses his feelings into non-existence and gets married to a woman and makes babies, this isn't it. If you are looking for an honest story of grace displayed to sinners, and restoration, this is your book.

*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.*

The Book of Man: Readings on the Path to Manhood, By William J. Bennett

Dr. Bennett has written a remarkable book of readings on manhood. It draws from the writings, profiles, letters, prayers, and so forth of great heroic men of history. Each reading in some way extols one or more of these key values of manhood: honor, duty, valor, and integrity. The readings are grouped together by category, based on what arena of life they address: war, work, leisure, the polis, relating to women and children, and prayer.

One thing I love about the book, is the richness that these historical heroes bring to the text. Boys need heroes, they need role models, that help them aspire to appropriate displays of manliness and to real manhood that our culture has abandoned today. I've begun reading aloud these stories to my sons, who seem hungry for another story as soon as I am done. To name just a few of the many men whose lives and wisdom and examples he draws from in this book, there is: Colin Powell, Winston Churchill, William the Conqueror, Alexander the Great, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Louis Stevenson, Theodore Roosevelt. I could go on and on, and that is just the first chapter. I can not say enough good things about this book. It is also a big book, there is simply a lot of content, keeping even a reader like me, happy for some time. Another plus is that is is very beautifully bound, with nice paper and a good feel to it in your hand, making it an excellent gift for a graduate or new father or husband.

For more information or to purchase, please follow this link:
http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=9781595552716

or on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Book-Man-Readings-Path-Manhood/dp/1595552715/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315946388&sr=1-1

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson in exchange for my honest review.

What Does The Earth Sound Like? By: Eva Everything

I had the pleasure of receiving an advance reading copy of The Brain Cafe's Eva Everything's latest book "What Does The Earth Sound Like?" Every page has a different random, ridiculous, and amazing science question on one side, with multiple choice possible answers below, the answers are just a turn of the page away, with a short paragraph of explanation. This little book is stuffed FULL of interesting science trivia tidbits. My kids and I love picking it up at random and quizzing ourselves and each other, and learning new facts. We use the book while waiting for snack time, or when Grandma had to leave after her visit and kids needed distracted. I know it'll be indispensable on road trips and long shopping trips. I think it'd be a great gift book for people recovering from illness or stuck in the hospital after surgery, or for use as an ice breaker in any small support group setting, or casual party game.

*I received a free copy of this book from ECW Press, in exchange for my honest opinion of the book*

Hope Bracelets

The hope bracelet is a light purple silicone band with a name on it, designed to connect the suffering with the prayerful. Every name is a specific woman that has come forward with her story of domestic violence and rape to www.notthisgirl.com (a local community of hope in Grand Rapids, MI)

Today, in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I have several of these bracelets to give away! If you'd like one, e-mail me (theotherwonch@gmail.com) or send me a fb message. They'll go to the first 9 people to claim one.