Book Review: Same Kind of Different as Me

This is the true story of an unlikely friendship that developed between an illiterate homeless black man and a wealthy art dealer and his wife when their paths crossed at the Union Gospel Mission, Fort Worth, Texas. It’s a saga of forgiveness, mercy and grace that changed their lives forever. Hard to describe without telling the story, and I don’t want to spoil it for you. But this is one of the most inspirational books you’ll ever read.

Ron and Debbie Hall and Denver Moore lived in different worlds. And Moore was more than a little leery of the Halls’ motives in serving at the mission. Moore had been beaten down in life from the time he tried to help a white woman fix a flat tire and three teenagers came along, roped him and dragged him behind their horses. But the Halls proved their friendship, and three lives were forever changed. Yours will be too.

The back of the book offers thought-provoking questions for reflection along with “A Conversation with the Authors.”

Chapters are written in the voices of either Ron Hall or Denver Moore, and only the first two chapters are titled with their names. From then on, you have to figure it out from their voice, which is not hard, since Moore speaks in a typical southern dialect. While Hall is the educated one, Moore offers down-to-earth homespun advice—both practical and spiritual—that can’t be beat.

A great choice for book discussion groups. This is a book every Christian needs to read—and apply.

Book Review: Judah's Wife

The Maccabees lived in the silent years between the Old and New Testaments. Not much is known about them except for commentary in the Apocrapha, which is not part of the canon of Scripture. They were faithful Jews who tried to protect the tenets of their faith in the years leading up to the birth of Christ.

Angela Hunt has done a masterful job of making this time in history come alive. She bases her story on real people—the family of the Maccabees. But she adds supporting figures to develop the struggles these people surely faced. I loved learning more about this important time in history and its impact on a dedicated community of faith.

The back of the book, published by Bethany House in 2018, includes an Epilogue, which explains the true ending of the story. In her Author’s Notes, Angela Hunt explains her approach to writing the novel. There is also a set of Discussion Questions for those leading book clubs.

I appreciated this novel because I knew about the Maccabees but knew little about their day-to-day activities and the thoughts behind their actions. Hunt also does a good job of subtly bringing in the issue of abuse and its surprising long-term impact on families. A good read. And more good news is, this is part of a series.

A Confession and a Lesson

Dear Friends,

I am a farm girl who does not like animals or chickens. Never have. Don’t suppose I ever will. I just don’t relate well to things that bark and bite, purr, moo and lick. I’m not sure when it all began.

Baby chicks were cute. I loved stroking their fuzzy coats, watching them scramble to eat feed sprinkled on newspapers, watching them drink as bubbles gurgled up through water jars. But then they turned into hens—that pecked my hands when I gathered eggs. No longer cute!

My father bought a dog, Gypsy, when I was maybe five. I was afraid of Gypsy, but we might have gotten better acquainted had she not met a premature end.

Steers were another matter. They broke out of fences, and I had to help my brother round them up and herd them home. Horns. Wild eyes. Hated it.

In more recent times, a son’s family got a dog—Molly, a miniature Schnausser. And we were designated babysitters whenever the family vacationed. That did break the pet ice for me. Molly was cute, although she did bark way too much. One day I found our candy dish lying on its side on an end table—Hershey kisses gone. A pile of crumbled wrappers told the story. I agonized. What if Molly got sick from the chocolate? What if a wrapper lodged in her tummy? Fortunately, Molly—and I—survived.

When Molly passed to doggie heaven, we held a funeral for her, and I wrote parts for the grandchildren to read—a poem, a prayer, a tribute. I kept her picture on my refrigerator for years. Maybe it's still there.

Her place has been taken by Sadie, a soft-haired Wheaton terrier. Sadie is sweet. I do like when she cuddles next to me. They haven’t asked us to babysit. Was it the Hershey kisses? It’s OK, because I’m not sure I’m up to handling dogs in my home anymore.

So that’s my confession. My point is, sometimes people have surprising attitudes. Why would a farm girl be scared of animals? I don’t know. But I appreciate people who respect me and don’t expect me to cuddle their pets—especially if they weigh more than I do. I can see the value of pets. They are companions that offer unconditional love to their owners. I have Bill.

We tend to want others to be as we are. If we’re sports fanatics, we may not understand how someone sits quietly through football games. If we’re cooking fanatics, we can’t understand how someone opens a can of soup and boils a hot dog for supper. If we love the outdoors, we can’t understand when someone begs off a hike.

But how dull the world would be if we were all alike. I enjoy people who are different from me. I like fun-loving friends, outgoing, adventuresome, pet-loving people. God made us all. We’re in this together. And what a fun ride life is—if we respect differences and reject judgments.

“And the most important clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14 (NLT)

If you receive this by email, click down below and leave your confession in the comment box.

Enjoy the journey.

Shirley

Upcoming Engagements:

March 2-3 - Friends of the Heart with Dixonville Wesleyan Church at Mahaffey Camp and Conference Center, "Just Say Yes--to God!"

March 20, 6:30 p.m. - Friends of the Heart for Women to Women at Grace Community Church, Herndon, "Just Say Yes--to God!"

March 24, 12 noon - Shirley at Guardian Angel Bookstore Tea, Richfield, PA.

                                                                                                      

Book Review: Giving It All Away

In this book, David Green, founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby, shares his philosophy of generosity and the results it has had in his family and his business. He writes, “At the core of any meaningful life and legacy has to be a vision for generosity, an understanding of what it means to be a blessing to others.”

According to Green, it starts with a decision to steward your resources with a heavenly mindset. That was his reaction when Hobby Lobby was taken to court for refusing to pay for birth control medications that induced what he considered abortions. Green and his family, who runs the business with him, agreed that their business belonged to God, whatever the outcome. They won the legal battle.

While it’s not a biography, the book includes interesting tidbits about Green’s background. His father, a pastor, was disappointed when Green did not enter ministry of some type. But Green followed his passion to enter retail sales, and now Hobby Lobby gives away half its profits.

Green stresses the book is not about riches, but about leaving a legacy. His parents were poor, yet they left a legacy of generosity. He suggests setting goals and if you own a business, developing mission and vision statements.

A Reader’s Guide closes out the eleven chapters of this short book, making it a good prospect for small group study.

Six Pieces of Advice to my Younger Self

Dear Friends,

I wish I could go back and talk to my younger self, take her by the hand and tell her things I’ve learned along the way. This is what I would say:

1. Think positively about yourself. Maybe it was because I was born way on behind my siblings (as they say in Pennsylvania Dutch country) but I never felt like I did things “right.” I felt like I was in the way. I still feel that way to some extent. When a driver rides my bumper, I feel I need to get out of the way. I have to tell myself, I have as much right to the road as any other driver.

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

2. Accept your body as is. I towered over boys my age for most of my school days. I envied cute little gals who attracted admirers like flowers attract bees. I always wanted to be of “normal” height. But as I’ve aged, I’ve learned that being tall is not a handicap. In fact, I now feel good about standing tall. For one thing, everyone thinks I’m slender. Actually, it’s an optical illusion; I’m just tall.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)

3. Laugh more. My family did not joke around. Our Pennsylvania Dutch heritage patterned communication: We said what we meant and meant what we said. So I at times think someone is being sarcastic when they’re only joking. If I had it to do over, I would lighten up, learn how to give and take, poke fun at myself.

A cheerful heart is good medicine. (Proverbs 17:22)

4. Savor the moment. I always anticipated something or other. I wanted to grow up. To graduate. To get a job. To get married. To have children. I’m still a bit like that. I can’t wait for a family get-together, for a speaking engagement, for a cold to clear. But the joy of living is in walking through life hand-in-hand with God, enjoying the journey. When you’re not feeling well, you can at least savor the warmth of a cup of tea. Rushing on only makes the journey end sooner, or at least it will seem to because you miss small blessings.

Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)

5. Don’t expect perfection. Your cake will not look like the one in the cookbook. Your talk will not solve all the problems in the world. Your spouse will not always say the right thing. Your kids or your in-laws will not always make you happy. You will make mistakes. But it will not be the end of the world. Do the best you can, and let it go. Learn what you can from every experience and move on.

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

6. Don’t think of yourself too highly. Realize that you are dispensable. The world can go on without you. Quite well. So don’t feel that you must do this or that, be here or there, because it all depends on you. Rather, concentrate on being a blessing to others—to your family, your friends, your colleagues. Be generous.  Be compassionate. You will better enjoy the journey and those around you will better enjoy being on the journey with you.

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment. (Romans 12:3)

If, as a young person, I had known these things, I would have worshiped more and worried less. I would have been more fun loving and less frustrated. As the Pennsylvania Dutch say: “We get too soon old and too late schmart.” But God is faithful in spite of it all, and I praise Him for walking with me on the journey--even when I’ve stumbled.

Enjoy your journey. And leave a comment telling us what you would say to your younger self. If you receive this by email, just scroll down and click on the link to comment.

Shirley

Upcoming Engagements:

February 1, 6 p.m. – Friends of the Heart at David’s Community Bible Church for “Tea with Friends.”

February 3, 11 a.m. – Friends of the Heart at Thompsontown U. M. for “Tea and Chocolate with Mary, Martha and their Psychologist.”