The Refuge by Marvelle Zollars

I received this book as a gift from Mrs. Zollars for helping her in a painting class she teaches.  When she gave it to me, I inwardly cringed.  What if I didn't like it?  I didn't want to hurt her feelings.  I decided to read on chapter and see how it went.  As it turns out, I was hooked from the beginning. 

The first thing I loved about this book is the great mix of characters and how the story shows God weaving them together to save the lives of babies at risk of abortion.  The characters range from a business executive to a has been musician to a rebellious socialite to a Native American journalist.  The way they are intertwined seems entirely natural and is wonderfully inspiring. 

The second thing that I really enjoyed was the way Mrs. Zollars tackled the tricky issues like mother's who risk their lives so that their babies can be born and babies born from rape instead of love.  She also looks at homelessness, abused women, and other difficult issues in a realistic and loving way. 

This glorious story is Mrs. Zollars debut novel.  I really hope that she is published again.  I recommend this book very highly.

Constitutional Size Box

I think few Americans have read the Constitution that our elected officials have sworn to uphold. Those of us that have read it rarely stop and think about what it doesn't say. I attended a lecture about overspending in Texas. The speaker, Joann Fleming, said something along the lines of, "We need to squeeze the government back into a Constitution size box." She was speaking of the Texas State Constitution, but it got me thinking about the U. S. Constitution. So I went through and looked at it again. What if we limited the federal government to a Constitution size box? What would that look like? A shockingly different federal government than we have today. Let's take a look.

These are the ONLY matters Congress would deal with. EVERYTHING ELSE would be left to the states as per the 10th Amendment.

National Defense- Congress has the constitutional authority to send Letters of Marque and Reprisal (basically telling foreign intities off), declare war, and punish piracy. Congress has the constitutional authority to maintain an army and a navy. (2011 proposed budget- $738 billion, veterans $112 billion)

Immigration- Congress has the authority to pass laws about who can come into this country from other countries and how aliens can become citizens.

Bankruptcy- Congress has the authority to pass bankruptcy laws for citizens and businesses.

Post offices and roads- Congress has the authority to make sure the mail can get from one place to another throughout the country. (Transportaion in 2011 proposed budget $88 billion)

Patents and copyrights- Congress has the authority to pass laws protecting the intellectual property of citizens and businesses.

Appoint courts- Congress has the authority to decide where courts will be (but they do not appoint judges).

Laws for federal areas- Congress has the authority to make laws for federal areas such as DC, forts, arsenals, and dockyards.

National currency- Congress has the constitutional authority to mint coins for use within the United States.

In order to fulfill these obligations, Congress may lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises. They may also borrow money. (Net interest in 2011 proposed budget- $251 billion)

If Congress concerned itself with only these things, it would shrink our national budget buy about two thirds (or two trillion dollars).

This book hit the spot!

I recently read Almost Amish by Kathryn Cushman.  I enjoyed this book so much because it dealt with an issue that I find challenging in a charming, non-preachy manner.  The heart of the book is about striving for excellence while not getting caught up having to do it all.  It is about using the gifts God gives us and being OK with saying no to other activities.  This book is about focusing your life on what God wants from you instead of focusing on what the PTA or the soccer club or the church benevolence committee wants from you. 

Not only are the lessons worth learning, but the story is engaging.  The setting is a reality TV show called Almost Amish.  Two sisters-in-law with very different goals and views spend the summer with their kids living a "simple" life in a country house amongst Amish neighbors.  The interactions between the women, kids, and TV show staff are really well done.  The author does a great job of helping you see all the points of view and leading you toward godly thought on some of these tough issues.

I really hope that you will give this book a shot!  It may just change your family for the better. 

Many thanks to the folks at Bethany House for giving me a copy of this book to review.

A Mystery with a Romantic Twist

I had a great time reading Love in Disguise by Carol Cox.  It is more a mystery book than a romance novel, but that made it a breath of fresh air in many ways.  The main character, Ellie, is a Pinkerton detective that must use disguises in order to be able to glean the information she needs to find out who has been stealing the silver from the miners in Pickford, AZ.  The mystery is interesting and fairly exciting, but the thing I like most is Ellie herself.  She is resourceful, spunky, and comes to realize that she has a lot to offer the world as just plain Ellie.

The romantic twist to the book is fun too.  I would enjoy reading a second book about Ellie and Steven (one of the miners).

So thanks Bethany House for giving me this book to review.  I really enjoyed it!

Can we really withstand any more "Hope and Change"?

http://youtu.be/5MoWJnvYFDg

How's that hope and change working out for you?  The Fox video above gives straight statistics about how it is not working for most Americans.  Yet I fear that the promise of more hope and change will people to vote for President Obama again.

The Duties of Church Leaders

Gary DeMar wrote a three volume set called God and Government.  I am reading through the first one now.  In the second chapter, I found the most clearly articulated summary of what elders' duties are.  This a paraphrase from p. 41.

Elders are to
1.  Guide the church away from sinful behavior.
2.  Guide the church to doctrinal purity.
3.  Guide people to repentance.
4.  Expel those unwilling to repent.
5.  Restore those who are truly repentant.
6.  Settle disputes among believers.

I would love to hear opinions on this list and whether you think that your elders, bishops, pastors, shepherds (or whatever you call them) spend most of their time doing these things.

Prize of My Heart

Prize of My Heart is a great read by Lisa Norato.  I enjoyed this story for three reasons.  It wasn't as predictable as many Christian historical romance novels are; there were plot turns that surprised me.  The setting (1815 near Boston) was not as familiar to me as the more typical frontier setting.  I enjoyed learning about the American privateer an aspect of history I'd not thought much about.  The last thing I enjoyed were the life lessons shown through the characters:  God can use any evil in your life to bring about good, God is always with you, and family is connected by love not blood.  I encourage others to give this book a try.  I do not think you will be disappointed.  I am grateful to Bethany House for letting me review this book.