Smart Faith: Loving the Lord Your God with all Your Mind by J.P. Moreland and Mark Matlock

Have you ever wondered why you aren't taken seriously as a Christian? Or why Christian's are not given more respect in world? Then this is the book for you: Smart Faith by Moreland and Matlock. Moreland and Matlock explain not only the decline of Christianity in the public arena but why we withdrew to the detriment of Christianity in particular and to society as a whole. In Smart Faith, Moreland and Matlock challenge Christians of today to engage their minds when thinking and talking about matters of Faith. The Bible clearly teaches that you are to "study to yourself approved."

In order to do this effectively, we need to diligently study the scriptures, study the world around us, and be aware of the shortcomings in modern Christian thought and argument to intelligently make a case for Christ in the workplace, school, neighborhood, and home. Moreland and Matlock walk you through the steps: Finding Complete Faith, Thinking Will Take Us Far, Minding Our Source for Transformation, Melting our Mental Icebergs, Using Logic to Persuade, Evangelizing With Brains, Reasoning Like Scholars, Waking Up Our Personal Study and Devotion, Refocusing Our Worship, and Applying Our Minds to Home, School, Work, and Play.

Smart Faith puts into words what I have thought for years. The well-thought, articulate book underscores the imperative call to know that you know that you know the Lord Jesus Christ and can intelligently argue for faith in Jesus Christ. Use the brains God gave you. Ithink this book should be required reading for all believers, but especially teens and young adults. I hope this someday comes out in a curriculum format.

I am a blogger reviewer for NavPress.

Just another thought from the tub.




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen

Secrets abound in Julie Klassen's novel The Silent Governess.

Olivia Keene is on the run and stumbles from one bad situation to the next until it seems her fortunes have turned around or have they. Olivia doesn't know whether to stay put and ride out one storm while hiding from another or to run...again.

Julie Klassen beautifully leads the reader from chapter to chapter with wonderful quotes from early servants manuals describing in brief language the expected behavior of a person in the position of governess. Along with a bookful of quirky characters, Klassen captivates the reader with an intricate plot that keeps one guessing throughout the book.

I loved this book. While not the shocking suspense I normally read, The Silent Governess pulled me in from the very first page. Olivia's sweet personality coupled with her fervent tenacity made her instantly likeable and I just had to know what happened next. The discussion questions included at the back of the book make this a great read for your next book club selection.

I am a blogger reviewer for Bethany House Publishers.

Writing is Rewriting

"I'm not a very good writer, but I'm an excellent rewriter." ~James Michener

Finally, I have started the rewriting process on the novel Casey and I are working on. It has taken me a while to process the criticism. A while to pick a course and run with it. A while to know which direction was the right direction and set forth in that direction.


Rewriting is not my forte. In high school and college, I almost always turned in my rough draft as my final draft and got an A. Occasionally, I reworked a piece, but more often then not, I simply finished the work and turned it in.


In the defense of my teachers, whom you are currently thinking did me a disservice, I simply learned to write to their style. Every teacher has a particular style or bent. They have parts of speech that are important to them and certain creative phrasing not to mention buzz words they want to see. Once a student figures out the important elements for any given teacher, they can write successfully for that teacher whether it be a short story, research paper, essay, or poem.

I was a writing chameleon of sorts. I could adapt my writing style to the professor. The problem with writing a novel is the writing is to be mine--unique, crisp, poignant, truth-filled, timely, and fresh. My ideas have to be original but marketable.

While there are a bazillion, and I do mean lots, of books on writing, the actual process is much more sweat than brains and much more subjective than objective.

All this to say that I have spent a good deal of time thinking about rewriting, but have only just begun the actual process. We are basically starting all over. Casey has rewritten her first chapter...she did it quite a while ago, but I held up the process. Dragging my feet. Asking questions. Dithering about this decision or that.

The process, while taxing, provided plenty of talking points. We discussed point of view. Should we keep it in 1st person from 4 points of view or change it to 3rd person or 1st person from one point of view. We know we need more conflict, but do we just add more conflict for one character or for all four main characters...which led us back to the POV discussion. Round and round we went with ideas--some useable, some strong possibilities, some outright outlandish. What to use? What to discard? Why write? Maybe I can't write?

Finally...today...I sat down at my computer and wrote the 1st 500 words of my rewriting. Which to me is starting over as I can't use any of the words from the original as the whole idea has changed. So is it really rewriting if you scrap it all...or is just writing more?

Continuing the thought process from the tub.

Dwelling in His Presence: 30 Days of Intimacy with God by Cynthia Heald

Cynthia Heald's newest book, Dwelling in the Presence: 30 Days of Intimacy with God, is a devotional for women. Heald encourages women to walk faithfully with God by delving into His presence on a daily basis. Her principle verse Psalm 91:1, "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty" calls women to intimate fellowship with God Most High--the Creator of the universe, the Possessor of Heaven and Earth. Each day focuses on a particular aspect of our relationship with God. Heald shares a personal story and scripture and then offers challenging questions at the end of each days devotion.

I loved this devotional. I enjoyed the personal stories included in each devotional--telling me other women have similar situations, feelings, and issues as myself. What thrilled me most was the fact that the God of all wants to have a relationship with me. How awesome. Yet how often am I too busy to simply "dwell in His presence." Thank you Cynthia for a devotional that calls women back to relationship with God the Father. If you are looking for a daily devotional that will encourage you in your walk with God, Cynthia Heald's Dwelling in His Presence, is an excellent choice.

For more information on Cynthia and her ministry click on her picture.

I am a blogger reviewer for NavPress.

Just another thought from the tub.

Is Selplnig Relaly Ipmrotnat?

"Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Olny 55% of plepoe can read this."

While people may still be able to read misspelled words, misspelled words can change the entire meaning of a sentence as shown in the Hardee's sign to the right. Do you want to eat there now?

Misspelling street/road signs could prove dangerous! I know I about died laughing when I read these.

And I think it is especially important to spell words correctly if you are going to make a public issue of the English language. Don't you?

Jsut smoe osebrviatnos form the tub!