"Killing Jesus" by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard
I didn't know what to expect when I began this book. I know that Bill O'Reilly is an active Catholic so I figured it would be a positive view of Jesus Christ's life. There were a few things he mentioned that had me raising an eyebrow but for the most part, I enjoyed his history based account of our Savior.
I've always had a hard time figuring out where Jesus fell in history. In school we would learn of the Romans and their rule but I never did put two and two together. In a way, I feel cheated from my history classes. If we were allowed to learn about the Romans and other civilizations, not only in history class but in english class as well, how were we not allowed to learn of Jesus? He was the most influential historical figure and yet, he was never brought up in history class. As Mr. O'Reilly and Mr. Dugard have proven, you don't need to talk about Jesus in the Biblical/spiritual sense. You can talk about him in the historical sense. And why not? I think we should all have the oppurtunity to learn where all religions got their start. It's a vital part of our history as humans I feel. Let's embrace it instead of running from it or trying to hide it.
I went on a rant....I apologize!
When I read the Bible, it can be hard for me to bring things together and to really understand what was happening at the time that Jesus lived. What this book does is bring in the history surrounding Christ's death to life. What was the significance of crucifixion at that time? What were the politics going on? It really brings a new light to what Jesus went through and the hoops the Jewish high priests were jumping through, trying to have Jesus convicted with no true crime committed.
The life of Romans in this age remind me a lot of what is going on today. This explains why I can see so much being taught in the Bible relates to our society as it is now. It doesn't matter if it was 2,000 years ago, the same crap is still going on. It really is annoying that we have learned so little. One part that stuck out to me was the description of how Roman rulers would distract their people with pop culture such as plays or fights to the death in the arena, to avoid uprisings towards the government and how they rule. Sounds a bit too famiiar to me.
I enjoyed how Mr. O'Reilly and Mr. Dugard gave the background on other key prophets of that time such as John the Baptist and Judas of Gamala. I know John the Baptist from the Bible but didn't know about Judas of Gamala.
The main focus, obviously, is Jesus. Everytime I read what he went through, I become so emotional. Hearing of the last week of his life and how much agony he was feeling, asking God to spare his life, yet making sure it was by God's will and not his own. Jesus shows us true obedience to the Lord and knowing what he went through as someone without sin so that we, who have sinned countless times, may be saved. One part that made me realize the humily and obediance of Christ was when he sent two of his disciples to find a donkey. By Jesus riding a donkey into Jerusalen, not just walking in, fullfills the prophecy of him being the true Christ. The mindset that Jesus had to have at that time, to tell himself, "this is surely my death sentence", I had to put the book down. Hearing of the "death squad" and their forms of torture brought upon by criminals prior to being executed made it even more heart-breaking to know what Jesus did for us.
Yes, I know this all can be found in the Bible. And yes, I have read through this part of the Bible many times but I think it's easy to get distracted and not realize the true meaning of what is happening until someone explains it to you. As a human being, I want to focus on the good that comes out of Jesus's life and not reflect too much on the pain he suffered. Which is ridiculous because suffering is a part of life and to know his suffering creates more yearning from myself to follow him.
This book is yet another awakening of the sacrifice God made for us. Another reminder of how far I personnally have to go to live my Christian life the way He intended.
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Saturday, April 22, 2017
Week 16: April 17
"Is It Night or Day?" by Fern Schumer Chapman
WWII will forever fascinate me and this book introduced me to another aspect of the war that I had never given much thought to. This is the true story of a 12 year-old girl whose family chose to send her to America, alone, in 1938 as part of the "One Thousand Children" mission started by Christian groups in America. The sad realization is that only 1200 children were accepted into the country over a decade because there were people appalled by taking in refugees so organizers kept to only ten children per month to avoid resistance. Sound familiar?
When I read a book, especially a true story, I feel such empathy for the story teller. I could not imagine, as a parent, making the decision to send my child halfway around the world as their only choice for survival. In this story, Edith talks of other children aboard the ship that brought them to America. One child was only six, also on his own. Six. That's my son's age. It broke my heart.
Hearing the story of events that brought her parents to this decision are also heart-wrenching. Neighbors, friends that had always been close to Edith's family suddenly saw them as "dirty" and "worthless". How powerful Hitler's words had to be to turn friends against each other is inconceivable to me. The devil was truly working through that man.
This book also made me realize the horror that our brothers and sisters in Christ must be going through in the Middle East. How long will we sit back and allow this to happen? I feel a WWIII is coming and none of us should be surprised when it does. The choices families have been forced to make, what would I do to protect my own family if it hits us here?
This is a great book and I strongly urge you to read it, if only to recognize the true pain of war through the eyes of the refugee. Through the eyes of a 12 year-old girl. Enjoy!
WWII will forever fascinate me and this book introduced me to another aspect of the war that I had never given much thought to. This is the true story of a 12 year-old girl whose family chose to send her to America, alone, in 1938 as part of the "One Thousand Children" mission started by Christian groups in America. The sad realization is that only 1200 children were accepted into the country over a decade because there were people appalled by taking in refugees so organizers kept to only ten children per month to avoid resistance. Sound familiar?
When I read a book, especially a true story, I feel such empathy for the story teller. I could not imagine, as a parent, making the decision to send my child halfway around the world as their only choice for survival. In this story, Edith talks of other children aboard the ship that brought them to America. One child was only six, also on his own. Six. That's my son's age. It broke my heart.
Hearing the story of events that brought her parents to this decision are also heart-wrenching. Neighbors, friends that had always been close to Edith's family suddenly saw them as "dirty" and "worthless". How powerful Hitler's words had to be to turn friends against each other is inconceivable to me. The devil was truly working through that man.
This book also made me realize the horror that our brothers and sisters in Christ must be going through in the Middle East. How long will we sit back and allow this to happen? I feel a WWIII is coming and none of us should be surprised when it does. The choices families have been forced to make, what would I do to protect my own family if it hits us here?
This is a great book and I strongly urge you to read it, if only to recognize the true pain of war through the eyes of the refugee. Through the eyes of a 12 year-old girl. Enjoy!
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Week 15: April 10
"The Kept Woman" by Karin Slaughter
Slaughter is the perfect name for the author of this book because it opens up with a slaughter that sets in motion the tone of the book. Karin Slaughter holds nothing back in the description of that gruesome scene she is unfolding for her audience and there were times I had to put the book down because I felt I was going to faint picturing the scene in my head. But I'm kind of a weak-ling in that regard!
This book kept me turning the page to figure out the "who-dun-it". Usually I'm not a fan when the auther goes back and forth between character stories but I did not feel lost and she timed the transitions so well that her story was easy to follow.
Reading through this book I went through emotions of pity, anger, frustration....every emotion to keep you in the book. The twists weren't too out of left-field and I felt like I was becoming the detective with trying to figure out what the next twist would be.
This book was very entertaining and I would recommend it if you're looking for a good suspense.
Slaughter is the perfect name for the author of this book because it opens up with a slaughter that sets in motion the tone of the book. Karin Slaughter holds nothing back in the description of that gruesome scene she is unfolding for her audience and there were times I had to put the book down because I felt I was going to faint picturing the scene in my head. But I'm kind of a weak-ling in that regard!
This book kept me turning the page to figure out the "who-dun-it". Usually I'm not a fan when the auther goes back and forth between character stories but I did not feel lost and she timed the transitions so well that her story was easy to follow.
Reading through this book I went through emotions of pity, anger, frustration....every emotion to keep you in the book. The twists weren't too out of left-field and I felt like I was becoming the detective with trying to figure out what the next twist would be.
This book was very entertaining and I would recommend it if you're looking for a good suspense.
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Week 14: April 3
"Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls" by Lynn Weingarten
I could NOT put this book down! It's about a teenager, June, and her deep friendship with Delia. These two teens are more than best friends. They have a connection unlike any other and when June allows the friendhip to phase out, let's just say it gets interesting.
Lies, suicide, drugs, alcohol. It's crazy. And I do mean, crazy good. Makes me even more worried to have teenagers!
I could NOT put this book down! It's about a teenager, June, and her deep friendship with Delia. These two teens are more than best friends. They have a connection unlike any other and when June allows the friendhip to phase out, let's just say it gets interesting.
Lies, suicide, drugs, alcohol. It's crazy. And I do mean, crazy good. Makes me even more worried to have teenagers!
Monday, April 3, 2017
Week 13: March 27
"Choosing to SEE" by Mary Beth Chapman
I journeyed back to the non-fiction variety this last week. I was hesitant to read this book because it focused on the loss of a child. Something that I most fear. But is was also a great testimony to how God works in such mysterious ways and how we become closer to Him through our struggles more than through our perfection.
I often am reminded on how God wants us as we are. He doesn't want us to be perfect, he knows we're going to be messy which is why He sent the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus Christ.
It was hard for me to read this book because I think it reminded me a lot of myself and of the things I yearn to do but continually talk myself out of. Mary Beth suffered through depression and anxiety as I feel all do at some point and unfortunately, she struggled to get out of her funk. It reminded me of my "dark days" after Nora was born and how the only way I survived it (and my family survived it) was through prayer.
Mary Beth's story of how she trusts God, and how this can be difficult at times but so worth it in the end is very inspiring. Her 5-year-old daughter was hit by her 17-year-old son and killed. It was a horrible accident and was the main focus of the book. I was amazed with the reality of the situation that her husband made sure to tell thier son that he loved him as he was obviously distraught over what he had done.
The Chapman family while getting though their grief, no "over it", were able to expand their ministries and testimonies for Christ. We all need reminding that God doesn't intend for our lives to be perfect. We are going to mess up, tragedies are going to happen, and all the while, God is there for us. Ready to embrace us and guide us through our healing. Our God is such a good God.
I recommend this book, if anything, to realize the beauty of healing. Of how to turn a tragedy into an opportunity for good. To quote the book, "to take what Satan intended for evil and turn it into what God intended for good".
I journeyed back to the non-fiction variety this last week. I was hesitant to read this book because it focused on the loss of a child. Something that I most fear. But is was also a great testimony to how God works in such mysterious ways and how we become closer to Him through our struggles more than through our perfection.
I often am reminded on how God wants us as we are. He doesn't want us to be perfect, he knows we're going to be messy which is why He sent the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus Christ.
It was hard for me to read this book because I think it reminded me a lot of myself and of the things I yearn to do but continually talk myself out of. Mary Beth suffered through depression and anxiety as I feel all do at some point and unfortunately, she struggled to get out of her funk. It reminded me of my "dark days" after Nora was born and how the only way I survived it (and my family survived it) was through prayer.
Mary Beth's story of how she trusts God, and how this can be difficult at times but so worth it in the end is very inspiring. Her 5-year-old daughter was hit by her 17-year-old son and killed. It was a horrible accident and was the main focus of the book. I was amazed with the reality of the situation that her husband made sure to tell thier son that he loved him as he was obviously distraught over what he had done.
The Chapman family while getting though their grief, no "over it", were able to expand their ministries and testimonies for Christ. We all need reminding that God doesn't intend for our lives to be perfect. We are going to mess up, tragedies are going to happen, and all the while, God is there for us. Ready to embrace us and guide us through our healing. Our God is such a good God.
I recommend this book, if anything, to realize the beauty of healing. Of how to turn a tragedy into an opportunity for good. To quote the book, "to take what Satan intended for evil and turn it into what God intended for good".
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