The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

I picked up this book with great anticipation looking forward to turning each page. When I started reading I was frustrated with the style the author chose. I liked his other fiction stories and was expecting to find the same style amongst the pages. When I found a totally different style and was disappointed. But I decided to keep going and this story is so worth the effort.

The story follows Dor, Victor and Sarah. Dor lived during the early Bible times during the time of the tower of Babel being built. Dor has an obsessive desire to figure out how long it takes for things to happen and invents ways to count and determine time. He winds up in a cave as Father Time where he spends eternity having to listen to people pray for more time. Victor is a wealthy man who is dying from cancer. He faces it the way he does everything else; he wants to find a way to beat death. He doesn't care what his wife thinks and is determined to find a way to live longer. Sarah is a teenager experiencing love for the first time. Her love interest doesn't seem to be as interested in her and makes her live so intolerable that she wants to end it.

Dor arrives on the scene and shows them what comes after they have left this world. He shows them that there is reason God limits our days. To make each one precious. What a wonderful lesson to learn. It is amazing how much time we can waste wishing for more time. Time is precious and we need to take advantage of what we are given.

Death of a Red Heroine by Qui Xiaolong

I wasn't sure if I was going to like this, but I did. There are a few things that seem somewhat awkward, but over all very good.

A young woman is found wrapped in plastic and discarded in a channel. It was determined that the identity of the dead woman was the National Model Worker Guan Hongying. Parts of her name means red and hero which is where the title of the book cam from. Chief Inspector Chen is assigned the case. He is the head of the special case squad, and the political implications of this murder put this case on his desk. The thinking was that because of his status in the Party he would not examine the evidence to closely or not stir up the higher ups.

Chen discovers that the lead suspect is the son of one of the High Cadre. This is definitely not going to be an easy case to prove. His future and the future of Inspector Yu are on the line in this mystery set in China during the time right after Tienanmen Square. Trying to do their jobs both men wind up stepping on toes and get assigned to different special assignments until the higher ups decide whether to go after the main suspect or not. Chen won't give up and secretly sets about to find the evidence to prove his case.

It was well written and the political aspects where interesting.

Hello!?!

Many times during the past week or so I have wondered about many things.  I know that God has a purpose for me.  I just wish that sometimes that purpose was somewhat clearer to me.  I know that part of what is bothering me is my shoulder.  I don't understand many things, but pain and illness seem to boggle my mind the most.  I know when you can get past certain trials in life that things become clearer as to why they were put in our lives to begin with.  What bothers me the most is that the places that I like to serve at church are being affected.  I love taking care of the babies and little kids at church.  Working in the nursery has been apart of my life as long as I can remember.  The pain in my shoulder flares up at unexpected times and there have been several times that I have almost dropped things because of it.  Didn't think it would be a good idea to take a chance with a child.  Hurts my heart to step back from those ministries.  Hoping that I can return to them soon.  But then I see that God has brought other things into my life that are just as fulfilling and can be a ministry also.  It is hard to see a change in the path of your life but knowing that God's hand is in it makes it easier.  Help me to be patient Lord.  Help me to see what you want for me.  Use my gifts to serve you.

The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini

I loved this story. I almost decided not to read it. Why? I have no idea. It was a beautifully put together story of love, family and healing.

Sarah is happily married still in that wonderful newlywed stage of life. Matt works at the college helping to maintain the campus. Sarah is working in an accounting firm where she feels stuck. Matt loses his job at the college and is struggling to find a permanent full time job. He does find a job opportunity, but it means pulling up stakes and moving. The work Matt is doing is for a landscaping company. Sarah struggles to find another job in her field, even though she is not even sure she wants another accounting job.

Then Sarah meets Mrs. Compson, the owner of Elk Creek Manor. Matt is hired to spruce up the grounds so they can be ready for the new owner. Mrs. Compson hires Sarah to help her clean up the Manor and sort through the items that have begun to clutter in the many rooms. Sarah decides to take the job with one condition. Sarah wants Mrs. Compson to teach her how to quilt. She has always wanted to learn how and Mrs. Compson agrees.

What follows is shared memories from a painful past that lead to healing. While cleaning and stitching both women find the balance they are looking for. This story is beautifully woven together as carefully as you would piece together a beautiful quilt. You will grow to love the characters and will have a hard time waiting for the conclusion. Highly recommended.

Murder, She Wrote: Panning for Murder by Jessica Fletcher, Donald Bain

Jessica was just about to set off on a cruise to Alaska. She wanted to spend some time by herself enjoying nature and the wildlife of the area. Those plans for solitude quickly get pushed aside when long time friend Kathy Copeland asks to go along with her. Weeks before Kathy's sister went missing on the same cruise that Jessica was about to embark on. Kathy hopes that if she travels with Jessica that she would be able to enlist her help with the search for what happened to her sister.

Jessica and Kathy are on their way to the wilds of Alaska. Enjoying some sightseeing along with following in the footsteps of Wilimena "Willie" Copeland's journey. A suspicious looking man seems to be keeping a close eye on their movements and when he winds up overboard, Jessica becomes highly suspicious.

I love the Murder, She Wrote series on TV. In fact I am currently watching them on NetFlix. This series of stories are quick read and very entertaining. They included suspense, humor and of course intrigue and murder. They are light mysteries just like the TV show and are fun to pick up when you want a quick and easy read.

The Xibalba Murders by Lyn Hamilton

Lara receives a cryptic phone call from Dr. Hernan Castillo. Dr. Castillo is an expert in Mayan history. He requests Lara come visit to help him with something. So Lara heads to Merida, Mexico. When she arrives he doesn't show up for their meeting. Not unusual for the Dr. Castillo to disappear for a few days, but when no one hears from him, his friends become worried. What was he looking for? When the good doctor shows up dead, Lara is on the hunt for what he was searching for and for who killed him.

When I started reading this story I was skeptical as to whether I was going to like it. But I found myself engrossed in the story and waiting to turn every page. The characters were engaging and likeable. There was some history interspersed within the story, but it was done it a way that helped the story and didn't detract from it.

Consistency

I haven't really blogged for awhile about what God has been teaching me.  There is a good reason for that.  Lately I haven't really been seeking out God.  I belong to a group on FaceBook that consists of all women.  We share prayer requests and challenges that we are facing.  It is a secure place to share some of the deeper needs of your heart, there is not judging, just open hearts and minds. 

In the past several weeks I have noticed that the ladies in the group have been posting about wanting consistency in seeking out quiet time with the Lord.  Time to read the bible and to seek Him in prayer.  I have been nodding right along with them.  I want that too.  I have the time.  I am a housewife and spend the majority of my time at home puttering around doing the basics: laundry, cleaning and cooking.  So I don't have the excuse of a job or children schedules to keep me from what I seek.  So why can't I find the time to spend with my Savior.  I have no excuse!!  But yet I try to make them anyway.

About a week ago I went through a box in our spare room and took out all our books and wedged them somehow into our book shelves.  I found a couple of books by Charles Swindoll that I have had for years.  So I decided to pull one out and start to go through it.  The book I chose was Growing Strong In The Seasons of Life.  So with renewed ambition I took it downstairs and placed it on the kitchen table along with the bible study I had started on Jonah (actually barely started), and the book I had gotten to read for the summer book discussion group for church.  It has sat there for a week until today.  We are currently in a small financial crisis and the outlook at first glance was catastrophic.  I reached out to the ladies in my FaceBook group (some of whom I haven't personally met) and asked for prayer.  It was a relief to know that these wonder ladies would pray for us.  God would provide!  It is amazing how you can reach out and lay something before God with one hand and as soon as it is laid down your other hand is reaching out to grab it back.  I could here God telling me to calm down and look more clearly,  that things probably aren't as bad as I think.

I reached out is desperation to our church and some help was provided.  I examined our food supply and things aren't as dire as I thought.  There is still some need there, but not as bad as I thought.  There was a prescription need which might not be as imminent as I thought.  The cats are still a concern, but God showed me, through a reminder by a dear friend, that my needs were being met before I even knew we had it.  So in the midst of my turmoil I started cleaning hoping that I could expel some of this pent up frustration.  I began cleaning off the kitchen table and low and behold there was that Charles Swindoll book again.  Peaking out from under my bible.  A gentle reminder perhaps of what I had decided to start and didn't!!!  Probably!!  So I sat down and opened the cover and started turning the pages.

The first section is Winter A Season of Reverence (talk about timely).  The introduction talked about winter and how cold and barren things can be.  How shadowy and dark things appear.   At the end it asked this:  Is it winter right now in the season of your life?  Are you feeling depressed... alone... overlooked... spiritually on "hold"... cold... barren?  beginning to wonder if your sole will ever thaw?  Entertaining doubts that behind those thick, gray clouds there exists a personal, caring God?   This is a kind of smack me between the eyes moment.  I have been feeling like this to a degree.

The first entry for this Winter section had to do with Consistency and how important it is in our walk with God.    I especially liked how it was described.  Consistency: It's the jewel worth wearing...  It's the anchor worth weighing...  It's the thread worth weaving...  It's the battle worth winning.

My first thought was how strange that the first thing I read is about what I struggle with the most.  Really!!  Why am I surprised that God would have something I needed?  When will I learn.  The one thing I and others seem to be struggling with the most is the first thing I read about.  It is nice to know that I am not alone in striving to be consistent.  I want to be a stronger Christian, able to go with the flow when struggles and difficult times happen.  I want to never doubt that God will provide my needs.  It is so hard to be thankful during a difficult situation.  I think I needed a reminder of that.  Although I probably wouldn't have minded learning it in a different way.

Lord thank you for today and the difficulty I have experienced.  Thank you for the provisions you have already made and those you will continue to provide.  Help me to seek you first and foremost.  I want to be consistent in my walk with you, but sometimes it is so hard to be.  Thank you for the lesson you taught me today!

The Zero Hour by Joseph Finder

Sarah Cahill is asked to head a task force to capture an unknown person or persons who might or might not be a threat to a major bank in New York. Very well written and it keeps you on your toes from the first page. I found a slight predictability during one section, but it didn't detract from the story as a whole.

A prisoner in South Africa is helped to escape to conduct a special job. The prisoner is known as the Prince of Darkness and is supposed to be the best at his job. His job is whatever someone whats done at a good price. They are paying for his expertise and that he doesn't leave any clues that would lead back to the person/persons doing the hiring.

I have read another book by this author and found it just as intriguing. A very exciting read.

Christmas at Harrington's by Melody Carlson

Lena is on a bus heading to New Haven, MN. She is hoping for a fresh start in this new town. Lena was just released from prison, gaining an early release for good behavior. She meets Moria on the bus and they become fast friends. Moria senses there is more to Lena story, seeing the hurt underneath the tough outer shell that Lena portrays. Lena struggles to know whether to share her past with Moria, but when she does she realizes not everyone is going to let her down, like in the past.

This is a wonderful holiday tale. It is heartwarming and the spirit of Christmas is woven throughout its pages. The true meaning of the season is given without being overwhelming. Melody creates another hit with story of hope, renewal and love. Melody Carlson is an excellent story teller share the gospel without it being overpowering or a distraction. It is woven in with care and the true Spirit of God is on every page.

Radical by David Platt

I am reading this book for a book discussion group for our ladies group at church.  They normally do a bible study, but this summer they decided to tackle to books for discussion.  At the moment I am behind in what I need to read.  I think I am afraid of what God is going to show me through the pages of this book.  I am going to break down my review by chapters and what I learned from it.

Someone Worth Losing Everything For.  Strong statement to make isn't it.  Am I willing to put my life and well being on the line for God.  Would I meet in secret just so I could learn about God?  Here in American a Christian can worship in whatever way they want.  As I read this chapter it hit me that meeting in secret could happen here and if it did how would it affect me.  I would like to believe that I would do whatever it took to follow Christ, but would I?  I am hoping that as I continue on this journey I will become positive of what I would do.


When I started reading this book I am not really sure what my expectations were, but I never expected to I feel like my salvation wasn't real, and frankly I almost gave up.  But the Holy Spirit showed me what the author was trying to say.  It isn't just a matter of accepting God's gift of salvation, it is surrendering our entire being to seeking God.  To enveloping ourselves with striving after God's truth.  An overwhelming concept.

If you are not ready to be challenged and are safe and secure in the way your life and relationship with Christ is than don't pick up this book.  Radical is a great title because during the reading of this book you will be challenged to make a change in your life.  I see that I need to make some changes and God is challenging me to reach out to those around me more.  Not a book to take lightly.