Tuesday's Top Ten Plus Ten [Favorite Book Quotes]

Today Melany and I are sharing some of our favorite book quotes. My list was a difficult one to narrow down. Since Melany is a lot like me I know this list could be exhaustive, but I honestly can't speak for Melany so be sure to check out her blog today!

1. "I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library." - Jane Austen in Pride and Prejudice 

How perfectly fitting that quote is to my own life and I have an excellent, forever growing library.

2. "More and more the distinction between prayer and the rest of life seemed to be vanishing for Betsie." (Corrie Ten Boom, The Hiding Place, p. 197)

It was that quote that made me want to be like Betsie. I admire the way that woman handled adversity. This story is one worth reading, not just because Corrie related the story of what they faced in a Nazi Concentration Camp, but because of how they endured these horrors. Absolutely amazing.

3. 

Homer Hickam, October Sky, p.232 

Homer Hickman's science teacher, Miss Riley, gave him a book about rockets. It was this book that helped Homer and his friends reach an unprecedented level of understanding in rocketry, physics, mathematics, &etc. Every teacher yearns for that type of courage from every student in his/her classroom.

4.

I could have 1,000's of quotes from The Valley of Vision! So I simply opened the book and picked the first one I had highlighted. This is a must have prayer book for every Christian. 

5. "It does not matter how small the sins are, provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and into the Nothing. Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick. Indeed, the safest road to Hell is the gradual one - the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts." - C.S. Lewis in Screwtape Letters

Although fiction, it was this book that helped me understand the war against sin. It also gave me a different perspective on demons and Satan. I didn't find it scary. A tad creepy? Um, yes. But C.S. Lewis offers insight over and over again into the truth behind our sinful nature. This quote was one way he did that.

6. Another book where I could have 1,000's of quotes from is Milton Vincent's A Gospel Primer. This quote (which was one of thousands) blew.me.away.

7. "I don't know why, but the Bible always seems to come to me in my time of need, even with the exact words." - Rochunga Pudaite in The Dime that Lasted Forever

Rochunga's story of unwavering faith was inspiring. Everyone should read his story and come to the same place of trust in God's ability to provide in all circumstances, no matter what.

8. "Grown-ups are always thinking of uninteresting explanations," said Digory" in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Haha, this one just cracked me up, but also made me realize that I need to have more fun.

9. "I used to think that when people fell in love, they just landed where they landed, and they had no choice in the matter afterward. And maybe that's true of beginnings, but it's not true of this, now.I fell in love with him. But I don't just stay with him by default as if there's no one else available to me. I stay with him because I choose to, every day that I wake up, every day that we fight or lie to each other or disappoint each other. I choose him over and over again, and he chooses me." (Veronica Roth, Allegiant, p.372)

This is such an amazing description of love. (From a fictional, high school love story to boot!) Love is a choice. And you must make it multiple times in the course of a day, week, month, year, lifetime. 

10. "Because God is good, we have an infinite number of reasons to praise him in our homes." (Gloria Furman, Glimpses of Grace, p. 18)

Truth. We deserve nothing from Him. The fact that I have a cup overflowing is enough to praise Him. Heck, the fact that I have a cup at all is amazing! 

And one more just for the sake of sharing a perfect reading quote...

... besides, every favorite book quote list needs some Dr. Seuss! 

Recent Children's Book Finds [That Are a MUST READ!]

Every week my daughter enjoys story time at the local library. If we're getting ready to go "bye-bye" there's only two places she cares to go: church or the library. She loves it. I'm sure it helps that we come home with a bag full of new books. (I try to add a few of the ones we enjoy to my Goodreads profile and also to my Reading and Writing page, but I'm a tad behind these days, hence this post.) Some of them I toss aside with an "eh, it was okay" kind of feedback but these, these are worth sharing and reading over and over again. Definitely check them out. 

 I grew up pretending to be Mother Goose (I went all out with a costume even!) and then I'd go around reading everyone nursery rhymes. Perhaps that's why I'm a big fan of any twist on an old favorite. Murray uses the rhyme Hickory Dickory Dock to present the story of the day a dog followed this boy to school. 

Jennifer Ward and Kenneth Spengler have done an excellent job introducing animals in the arctic with this book written as a song! There's so much to love about this book - music, counting, animals, the discovery of a new place - what's not to love? Apparently this isn't the first this team has written; I think it's time to check the others out as well. In fact, Jennifer Ward has a whole host of books that are now on my wish list. 

 This book is one was my 2 year old's absolute favorites! She laughed hysterically at this monkey's predicament and because of her enthusiasm, it also became a favorite of mine. Amazon has this lovely "Customers who bought this item also bought..." link showcasing other books by the author or similar books to the one purchased, well due to that particular link I added The Monkey and the Bee by C.P. Bloom to our wish list (which is becoming quite extensive).

 This is most definitely an all time favorite! Judy Sierra and Marc Brown worked together to create such an adorable rhyming story inspiring children of all ages to read and write. I recommend this book for teachers, mothers, and readers - no matter the age!

 The llustrations by Paul Ratz de Tagyos are absolutely hilarious and make this story come alive! Each time I read it I giggle as the animals "help" Farmer Ted with his chores.

 There are six books in this Bear and Friends collection, but so far Bear Snores On is my favorite. I still want the set, there's not a bad one in the bunch.  

 This book is a perfect illustration of my life right now with Bean and stands as a wonderful reminder that although my to-do list is important, it's not nearly as important as time with her. Such a sweet book filled with love and fun.

 What a fun story from the perspective of a little boy who wants to keep the mouse he found. Another story worth reading with your littles (that you might actually enjoy as well).

I realized after proofing this post that most of the books we pick revolve around animals. That's what my little girl is into right now so I immediately nab titles with anything bear, monkey, elephant, dog, or cock-a-doodle doo's (that's what she calls a rooster). It keeps her entertained and her love for books alive; not to mention the fact that I actually enjoy reading these books as well. 

Tuesday's Top Ten Plus Ten [Favorite Bible Stories]

Last week Melany and I wrote about what we believed about the Bible and this week is all about our favorite Bible stories! The Bible is one amazing book...

1. The woman who washed Jesus' feet with her hair. (Luke 7:36-50) I wrote about this story nearly two years ago and every time I read it, it has the same effect on me. (Read my post titled Canceled Debt.) I can relate to this woman and Jesus' statement, "Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven - for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." (vs.47) That's me. My sins are many and so I kneel before God in thanksgiving and praise for the work He has done and is doing in my life.

2. When Jesus claims authority over the Sabbath. (Mark 2:23-3:6) This story shows up again in Matthew 12:1-14, Luke 6:1-11, and John 5:15. It's basically written the same four different times and here's the gist: "One Sabbath [Jesus] was going through the grain fields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. And the Pharisees were saying to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" Jesus response to this question blows.me.away. "Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and at the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to this who were with him? The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." (vs. 25-28) Basically, the needs of David's men took precedence over ceremonial bread and Sabbath rules! Jesus is telling them that HE IS GREATER THAN DAVID AND THE TEMPLE! He made the Sabbath, He owns it, He made the rules and Jesus was telling them, "IT IS MINE!" The best part of this story is the continuation into chapter 3 of Mark where Jesus intentionally provokes controversy when He entered the synagogue and told a man with a withered hand to "Come here." (vs.3) and proceeded to ask this amazing question, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?" And no one had an answer for him. After He healed the man's hand the Pharisees sought ways to destroy Him. And this is why this story is so extremely powerful: Jesus put the issue of the Sabbath on a new plane: the Sabbath is for expressing Jesus' rule and authority - not Moses' - it is for worshipping CHRIST. It is for relieving man, not burdening him. And for showing mercy and doing good - just like CHRIST. Jesus is telling them to REST IN ME. WORSHIP ME. EVERY DAY. I AM YOUR SABBATH.

3. The story of Job. Although it has a sad beginning, I LOVE this story. Job loses every thing: his wealth, his children, his health and then every one turns against him - including his wife (2:9). His three "friends" give horrible advice, telling him he deserves what happened to him because of his sin. Here's the thing, Job was a righteous man and it had nothing to do with Job's sin. God gave Satan permission to touch all that belonged to Job to see if Job would continue to follow Him or turn away from Him. Instead of blaming Job for all his tribulations his friends should've taken Elihu's advice in 37:14, "... stop and consider the wondrous works of God." (which I believe is the entire purpose of this book). No matter what you're going through, stop and consider the wondrous works of God! Even if you lose everything... praise God! Do not be like Job who started out doing just that, but then turned to complaining and begging God for an answer to his "why me?!" Instead of praising God, he begins to conflict with God (see 3:26, 6:8-9, 7:11, 9:15, 10:1-2, 13:3, 13:15, 21:15, 23:1, 23:4, 23:17, 31:35, 31:37). And God's answer to Job is awesome, "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements - surely you know!" (I'm sensing God's wrath and perhaps a bit of sarcasm?) God continues to lay out his mighty works in chapters 38 - 41 and after this AMAZING discourse, Job promises silence in 40:4-5 (which I believe is the climax of the book) and repents in chapter 42! Read it to find the happy ending, but learn from Job: no matter what - praise God! And if you need reason to praise Him read what He says about Himself in 38 - 41 (My favorite is when He tells Job that He can put Leviathan on a leash... wow... or when he simply states, "Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine." (41:11) Even what was taken from Job and even what was given to him at the end. Amazing.)

4. The Lord freeing Israel from bondage in Egypt. (Exodus 1-15) If you want to read a perfect example about God's Sovereignty - read this story. Every time I came across something that pointed to God's sovereign hand - I highlighted it. God was in control from the beginning starting with why the Israelites were there (see #9) to the very end when the Israelites were freed from slavery. In this story you learn God's name (3:14) and you learn the reason this event is about to take place, "So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it;" (3:20). God's sovereignty is on display with Pharaoh when He hardens his heart again and again, "I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go." (4:21) Why did he do that? Well each of the plagues pointed to each of the god's the Egyptians worshipped. In other words, God is sending sign after sign after sign stating, "I AM THE ONLY LIVING AND TRUE GOD!" Need proof? Read 7:5, "The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them." or "By this you shall know that I am the Lord..." (7:17) or "...so that you may know that there is no one like the Lord our God." (8:20) or in 9:14-16 (my favorite), "For this time I will send all my plagues on you yourself, and on your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is none like me in all the earth. For by now I could have put out my hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth. But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth." (bolded mine) or 9:29 or 10:3 or 11:9 or 13:8-9 or 14:4 (another favorite) "I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord." He states that again in 14:17-18. He is in control! This story makes His sovereign hand evident from beginning to end. They were in bondage because God wanted His Name glorified in all the earth! They were freed from bondage because God wanted His Name glorified in all the earth! Praise God for His sovereignty!

5. The story of Onesimus, the slave of Philemon. There's this itty-bitty book that's less than one page in length, sitting in the New Testament, that shares an amazing story of forgiveness and grace. Paul is asking Philemon to forgive his slave (Onesimus) who ran away from him and probably wronged him in more ways than that. Paul is asking Philemon to welcome Onesimus in his home, not as a slave, but as fellow follower of Jesus Christ. The key verse is in 18 where Paul is giving a wonderful example of what God did through Jesus Christ, "If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account." In other words, just like Christ, Paul was willing to pay this man's debt, but Paul, knowing Philemon's faith in Christ, would forgive and welcome Onesimus (just like Jesus). Beautiful.

6. The widow's offering. (Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4) This woman had little, but she gave all she had. Jesus praised her for her sacrifice. I need to be more like this woman.

7. The plot to kill Jesus. (John 11:45-57) Ahhhh! Another amazing example of God's sovereignty. This event happened just after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and as a result of that miracle many people were following Jesus. This of course upset the Pharisees and the chief priests so they gathered together and plotted how to kill him. What the high priest says is this, "You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish." (vs.50) What John wrote about this one statement is incredible, "He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad." (vs.51-52) Get this: "These words spoken by the high priest sealed Jesus' fate. These words were his death warrant. Caiaphas, the high priest, wanted Jesus dead and out of the way so he spoke these words. God wanted Jesus dead and risen and reigning forever, so he spoke these words." (- John Piper) Isn't that amazing?! God parodied this high priests words into truth! God himself issued the death warrant for Jesus knowing that Jesus would prevail! Jesus would be victorious! The only reason the high priest spoke these words (remember, "he prophesied") is because GOD BROUGHT THESE WORDS TO MIND. God is the author of HIS story; this story makes that evident. *Mind.Boggling.*

8. Abraham's faith in God when he was asked to sacrifice his only son Isaac. (Genesis 22:1-19) Abraham had an unwavering faith in God and His Word. God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac, even after God had promised that a mighty nation would come of his son, Abraham followed through. His statement to his son when he asked, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Abraham's response, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." (vs. 7-8) What faith! Just as he was lifting the knife God called out to him saying, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." Abraham knew the Lord would provide because Abraham knew God would keep His Word. Do I have faith like that?

9. When Joseph makes himself known to his brothers that sold him into slavery. (Genesis 45:1-28) This part of the story is awesome because of Joseph's response to the brothers who wronged him: "... do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life." He again points to God's Sovereignty in the midst of heartache in verse 7, "God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here but God." God is in control of this whole story. Which leads into the future where God displays his mighty Name through Pharaoh and the plagues (see #4)!

10. The Gospel. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8) There is no better story than that of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is through His work that we are righteous. And because He is our High Priest, our Mediator, our Savior we have reason to praise His Name - now and for all eternity.

My goodness. Writing a brief summary of all my favorite stories makes me want to jump up and sing praises to an amazing, almighty, sovereign GOD! 

Tuesday's Top Ten [What I Believe about the Bible]

I am beyond thankful for today's topic. It renewed my faith in the fact that Scripture is the only source of truth in this world (see #2). If there's ever something I want my children to write down it is this: their belief on God's Word and who God is according to what He's written in it. His Name and His Word will be exalted in our home. Writing on this topic renewed that passion in me. I hope that passion has been evident in nearly everything I publish; because my mission is to know Him and make Him known and I believe that is accomplished through Scripture.

Which leads me to #1:

1. I believe that Scripture was given to us so that we may know Jesus Christ (John 5:39). The more time I spend reading and studying God's Word the more I learn about Him. The more I learn about Him the closer I am to Him. The closer I draw to Him the more I grow and change in miraculous ways. So, the Bible is the most important thing I own and I never leave the house without it. 

I challenge you to think about what you believe about the Bible because what you believe about the Bible will affect how you read it. How you read it determines what you believe about Jesus Christ and what you believe about Jesus Christ is the most important thing you'll ever believe. 

2. I believe Scripture is absolute truth. In fact, I believe that it is the only true source of truth in this world. "The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever." (Psalm 119:160)

3. God exalts His Word above all else. There are actually two things He exalts above all things: His Name and His Word, "... you have exalted about all things your name and your word." (Psalm 138:2).

4. God's Word reveals God's character. God's Word is perfect and holy, just like Him, because His Word reveals who HE is. (See John 5:39, or simply keep reading.) 

5. The Bible is GOD centered. Not man centered. If the first question asked while reading it is: How does this apply to me? you are missing the entire purpose of this book, "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me," (Jesus Christ's words in John 5:39). Scripture reveals Jesus Christ, who is the only source of life. My purpose in studying HIS WORD is so that I know THE WORD (aka, Jesus Christ, read John 1:1-18). If you don't read it from a GOD CENTERED perspective, you're reading it with the wrong intentions. And be wary of handling it with the wrong intentions, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene." (2 Timothy 2:15-17) 

6. I believe God had a purpose in each book from Genesis to Revelation. When I read I try to find the author's reason for writing it to whom he wrote it, what I learn grows astronomically. That means I must understand the author, the audience, the history, the original meaning of each word, the sentence structure, and how it all relates to the purpose. By doing so, I'm learning why the Holy Spirit revealed His Word to His prophets, His disciples, His apostles... so that we may know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Jesus is who He says He is! I believe that understanding the purpose in each book helps me to rightly handle it (2 Timothy 2:15-17) and know the truth about who God is according to Scripture.

7. I believe the Holy Spirit opens my eyes to the meaning and brings it to mind when I need it. I believe what God's Word states about the Holy Spirit, and I believe He is here to help me. I also believe that I cannot understand God's Word without Him. HE ALONE opens my eyes to HIS WORD, it is nothing that I do on my own. No matter how much studying I accomplish, if I do not rely on this one fact, I will not understand it fully. And if I never make an effort to study, memorize, and meditate on God's Word correctly, how can the Holy Spirit use it to change me and give me growth? I believe that in order for the Holy Spirit to work effectively in the lives of those who believe in Him, we must spend time in His Word - daily. 

8. Scripture is the very breath of God.  With His Word He created the heavens and the earth, with His Word all of creation came to be. If he is capable of producing all of that with His Word, I have no doubt in my mind -at all- that He created Scripture to reveal Himself and can accomplish His purpose in His believers. "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16)

9. "Everything will unfold, not as 66 separate documents, or even 2 separate Testaments - but 1 book, by 1 divine Author, who wrote it all with 1 overarching theme: the redemption of sinners for the glory of God." - John MacArthur (Could not have said it better myself.)

10. I believe God revealed what He revealed for one divine purpose: HIS GLORY. Why do we live? For His glory. Why did God harden Pharaoh's heart? For His glory. (Exodus 6:7, 7:5, 8:10, 8:22, 9:14, 9:16 "... for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.", 9:29, 10:1-2, 11:9 and finally 14:4, "And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord.", bolded and underline mine) Why did Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead? For His glory. (John 11:4, "This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.") There are many, many examples to prove that God exalts His Name and His Word above all else; and I will continue to study what He has given me to know Him better and will continue to make Him known. His glory is revealed throughout Scripture and I will do my best to learn all that He has revealed. How do I know there's more to be revealed? The book of John ends with this miraculous, thought provoking statement, "Now there are also many other rings that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written." (John 21:25) Why wasn't everything about God written down? Well, I don't really know, but perhaps our finite brains couldn't handle such information. Still, I do believe all will be revealed in eternity; and I.can't.wait.

As an added bonus: I believe history is HIS STORY unfolded. After all, He created the world, He made the rules, and since He created the beginning; He also created the end. Just because the Bible is written, does not mean HIS STORY is over. Day after day, Scripture is being fulfilled right before our eyes. To continually see God's hand at work - changing lives, revealing Scripture, fulfilling Scripture - well, that gives me incredible peace that He is sovereign and faithful to His Word.

Believing in God's Word and trusting in it entirely has changed my life. Charles Spurgen understood the Bible's effect on people when he said, "A Bible falling apart usually belongs to a person who isn't," and I can honestly tell you that since diving into God's Word a few years ago, my faith is stronger, I am more grounded, more hopeful, more thankful... all because God has revealed Himself to me in more ways than I can count. And because of what Scripture has revealed about Jesus Christ, I am at rest.

Trust me, Alistair Begg had it right in stating that...

Melany and I share a love for scripture and I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God's Word plays a vital role in this 16 year old's life as well. Don't forget to read what she believes about the Bible.

"The Help" by Kathryn Stocket [Book Review]

The Help by Kathryn Stockett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have a love/hate relationship with reading any book or story on African-American history. I become emotionally involved, whether or not the characters are real, and I'm ready to fight - shoulder to shoulder. I feel books like this should be part of every woman's "must read" list; by doing so we may prevent history from repeating itself. Although this book is fiction it does give insight into the lives of women who endured nonsensical treatment by other women. I say nonsensical because Hilly is silly in the most ridiculous, irrational, crazy way possible. If Hilly represents even a fraction of the women who hired help and treated them as such, I'm ashamed.

I couldn't put this book down and I couldn't stop thinking about it even days after I read the last word. I couldn't stop thinking about the unreasonable lies on how the color of one's skin makes you so much different, or how the help was required to raise children and teach them manners - but were thought to lack such things themselves, or the frustration of segregation as a whole. Mostly, my heart ached for the babies unloved by their mama's who were raised and loved by the help, and then grew up to be just like their mama's. I felt that Kathryn took a sensitive subject and wrote, with honest experience, what it must've been like for these women working for privileged, spoiled white families with the daily fear of how they could ruin their life. To hear Kathryn talk about the sneaky, manipulative, underhanded way the white women ruined the lives of the help that "wronged" them was unbelievable.

Still, it was encouraging to read stories (like the author's tid bit titled, "Too Little, Too Late") where relations between the hired help and the employer were friendly and developed into lasting friendship. "What is the point of this book? For women to realize, we are just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as I'd thought." (p.418) I walked away with an understanding that not all stories of "The Help" are heartbreaking, but those that are stick out like a sore thumb. Kathryn wrote an incredible story that will leave you with an inability to stop shaking, crying, laughing, and seething with frustration and anger.

Oh and as a side note, like the editor Missus Stein, I too adore Minny (aka Gertrude) because she is in fact "... every Southern white woman's nightmare. I adore her." (p.386)

View all my reviews

Divergent, Insurgent, Allegiant Book Review

Allegiant by Veronica Roth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Veronica Roth, if you ever read this review (ha) take what I say next as a compliment, if I ever meet you I'd pull a Dauntless and punch you in the face.

Seriously.

Reason being? I LOVED these books and highly recommend them to any and all readers. However, take the advice of two of my former students, "Prepare for severe emotional trauma." (Hence the reason for wanting to "punch her in the face" for getting me emotionally involved in a fictional story... ugh...) If you're anything like me, you fall in love with the characters authors introduce you to, or you hate them. In my case I have a serious dislike for Tris and I LOVE the character Tobias. I think the traits I most admire in people and in characters (based on my original top ten character list) is loyalty, devotion, sensibility, and selflessness and all those traits describe Tobias.

PLUS, Veronica Roth is a Christian. In each book her first acknowledgement goes to God and His promises. Also, she inserts Biblical truth throughout this story: depravity, life after death, devotion, God's sovereignty and our inferiority.

Depravity? 
Depravity is the abandonment of all things good. Because of our sin, things will not get better. It's a fact of life. There is no good in people except from God. (That's Romans 1-3.) It's evident Roth understands this Biblical truth in her writing,

"One of the lines I remember from the Dauntless manifesto is, 'We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another.'"Will sighs.He doesn't need to say anything else. I know what he means. Maybe Dauntless was formed with good intentions, with the right ideals and the right goals. But it has strayed far from them. And the same is true of Erudite, I realize. A long time ago, Erudite pursued knowledge and ingenuity for the sake of doing good. Now they pursue knowledge and ingenuity with greedy hearts. I wonder of the other factions suffer from the same problem. I have not thought about it before.Despite the depravity I see in Dauntless, though, I could not leave it. It isn't only because the thought of living faction less, in complete isolation, sounds like a fate worse than death. It is because, in the brief moments that I have loved it here, I saw a faction worth saving. Maybe we can become brave and honorable again." (p. 140-141, Divergent)

When Tris receives peace serum, which makes her loopy, Tobias states to the Amity leader that she must give all Amity members the serum in order to keep peace because...

"I'm not an idiot. Every member of your community has trouble keeping the peace, because their all human...." (p.63, Insurgent)

We are such dirty, rotten sinners that we want nothing to do with God. (Again, that's Romans ch.3.) In fact, Paul quotes Scripture that states, "No one seeks for God. No one understands." Scripture states that our "throats are open graves" and we seek destruction. There is nothing good in us because we are sinners. As a result we deserve death. BUT while we were still sinners, Christ died for us, and our faith in Him is our ONE AND ONLY ticket to heaven. (Romans 5:8) Isn't that an amazing gift?

Life After Death? 
Tris' (Beatrice) thoughts on life after death:

"I don't believe that what comes after depends on anything I do at all." (p. 379, Insurgent) 

Nope, it doesn't. Salvation is a free gift of God through faith in Jesus Christ alone. By believing in the gospel (that Jesus lived, died, rose again, and is seated at the right hand of God all according to Scripture) is our gift of salvation. That's it. By confessing and believing that Jesus is Lord, that He is who He said He was, we are saved from an eternity in hell. It doesn't have anything to do with us, so that no one can boast. We boast in Jesus and His work. Not ours.

A conversation had an an Amity religious ceremony:

"May the peace of God be with you," she says, her voice low, "even in the midst of trouble.""Why would it?" I say softly, so one one else can hear. "After all I've done...""It isn't about you," she says. "It is a gift. You cannot earn it, or it ceases to be a gift." (p.440, Insurgent) 

She's absolutely right in that the hope we have in God as a result of the gift of Jesus Christ (aka the peace of God) has absolutely nothing to do with what we can or cannot do. It is purely the work of God. Salvation is a gift!

Devotion? 

"I used to think that when people fell in love, they just landed where they landed, and they had no choice in the matter afterward. And maybe that's true of beginnings, but it's not true of this, now.I fell in love with him. But I don't just stay with him by default as if there's no one else available to me. I stay with him because I choose to, every day that I wake up, every day that we fight or lie to each other or disappoint each other. I choose him over and over again, and he chooses me." (p. 372, Allegiant)

How beautiful is that? Love is a choice we make over and over and over again. It isn't an emotional experience. It is a choice. Perfect.

Our Inferiority? God's Sovereignty? 

"How big is it compared to the rest of the world?" Peter says from across the plane. He sounds like he's choking on each word. "Our city, I mean. In terms of land area. What percentage?" "Chicago takes up about two hundred twenty-seven square miles," says Zoe. "The land area of the planet is a little less than two hundred million square miles. The percentage is...so small as to be negligible." She delivers the facts calmly, as if they mean nothing to her. But they hit me square in the stomach, and I feel squeezed, like something is crushing me into myself. So much space. I wonder what it's like in the places beyond ours; I wonder how people live there.I look out the window again, taking slow, deep breaths into a body too tense to move. And as I stare out at the land, I think that this, if nothing else, is compelling evidence for my parents' God, that our world is so massive that it is completely out of our control, that we cannot possibly be as large as we feel. So small as to be negligible. It's strange but there's something in that thought that makes me feel almost... free." (p. 186-187, Allegiant) 

We are small. Teeny. Tiny. In comparison to a God who holds the universe in His hand! He is in fact, in control of it all, and she's right, it's worry-free!

Despite Veronica's obvious attempt to transplant Biblical truth into her story, I would not consider this a "Christian" series. I highly recommend it because it is very well written! She has a knack for planting seeds while telling an excellent story. Prepare yourself, however, for a not-so-happy ending BUT also concluding with an ounce of unexpected hope.

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"Redeeming Love" Book Review

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I recommended this book to two of my friends they both rolled into church sleepy eyed and cursing me. Don't let the length intimidate you, you will finish it in a few days. You may lose sleep and your house may suffer a tad, but this book, OH this book, is worth every forgotten chore or lost pillow time.

The first time I read this book I read it after studying Hosea. Francine made the book of Hosea take life! How undeserving we are as a human race to receive God's unconditional and all-consuming love, and how thankful we ought to be for giving us the gift of salvation. Even while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. The most beautiful part of this story is when Sarah finally realizes there is a God who loves you in spite of yourself, who seeks you time and time again, even when you betray Him on the deepest level. Beautiful.

The second time I read this book I realized it was worthy of my top ten list. It is a life-changing book, one that I'm tempted to buy in bulk for all my girlfriends to read!

From a literary stand point Francine nails the omniscient point of view. When this point of view is used I often find it jolting, but Francine gave us insight into Michael, Paul, Miriam and a few other character's heart. The clever writing gave the story an unprecedented amount of depth. It made you want to scream at Paul, help Sarah understand, cry with Michael, and embrace Miriam as your own friend. Thank you Francine for making each of these characters come to life!

And when you're done, be sure to read a snippet of Francine's testimony at the end. I skipped it the first time around and was reprimanded by one of my friends for doing so. ;) I'm beyond thankful I did not skip it this time. Francine's own description of this book made the entire story worth every minute of my time, "Writing 'Redeeming Love' was a form of worship for me. Through it, I was able to thank God for loving me when I was defiant, rebellious, contemptuous of what I thought being a Christian meant, and afraid to give my heart away. I had wanted to be my own god and have control of my life the way Eve did in the Garden of Eden. Now I know to be loved by Christ is the ultimate joy and fulfillment. Everything in 'Redeeming Love' was a gift from the Lord: plot, characters, theme. None of it is mine to claim."

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