"TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST", by Phil Callaway

Could you be honest for one year? Now be honest in answering that question. Could you be COMPLETELY honest for just 365 days? How about 182 days? 30? Phil Callaway, a humorist, embarked on such a year-long endeavor. Any question. Any situation. Nothing was off limits. His answers and interactions with his wife, friends, neighbors, and church were intended to be completely honest whenever confronted with a situation where he -- or any other red-blooded person -- would normally be less than honest.

"To Be Perfectly Honest" was written like a documentary for the ADHD-afflicted. It was like a journal with typically brief entries where each and every day contained at least one entry. Some were longer han others, but each entry wasn't merely about truth-telling. Callaway documented the several facets of his life, including the death of his mother.

What I liked: Callaway is funny.  He's entertaining.  The idea was great.  He's a fantastic writer and he speaks very bluntly and truthfully.  What I didn't like: the scattered thoughts within the plot-less book.  It wasn't boring, but I just had a difficult time mustering up the energy to read it.  It's simply the case that I wasn't all that interested in the format.  However, I completely understand why it was written the way it was...which is why, I presume, the editor chose Callaway for this project rather someone who is more of a bore.

Sidenote: Just two days after finishing this book, I was inspired to be more honest...even in the little mundane things.  But it didn't last long.  I shop at a particular grocery store on a regular basis, and in the evenings whenever this one older gal is working, I buy her her favorite candy.  One evening, I wasn't much in the friendly mood.  I wanted to get my stuff and get out.  I saw her at her register when I entered, but I just kindof made my way by without us making eye-contact with each other.  When I finished shopping, she approached me in the line I occupied and issued a freindly hello.  I said, "Oh, Hi Patty, I didn't see you."  YES I DID!  Why did I do that?  Similar instances are documented in "To Be Perfectly Honest".

The epilogue to the book wrapped all the funny bits neatly together. There, Callaway answers what he learned most during this trial. First, he briefly mentions how exhausting it was. I think we become so comfortable with simple lies that we must fight for truth...and that is a real battle. Interestingly, Callaway notes that in his efforts to be completely honest with PEOPLE, he grew in complete honesty with GOD. How does one lie to, or try to impress, the very Creator of the cosmos? Callaway also mentions how, due to his honesty, he grew to care less about others' thoughts of him. When one grows more aware of his own flaws and weaknesses, then what does it really matter what others think anyway?

Overall, I give "To Be Perfectly Honest" 3 1/2 stars out of 5. It was a great concept, and the humor was clean and inviting. It could make for a good leisure or bathroom reader for the jokester in your family.  There are also some potent lessons to be taught/learned.


I received this book free of charge from Waterbrook Multnomah publishers (Book Review Bloggers) in exchange for my unbiased review. I was not promised reward, coerced, or threatened in any way to provide a positive review. All opinions are mine.

WHAT HAPPENED?

I wonder how that conversation went.  You know, the one found in Genesis between Jacob and Rachel; the one we're never told about.

Here's the deal: Jacob, who was quite the fraud himself, got tricked by his father-in-law into marrying his fat, ugly, eldest daugter Leah before being allowed to marry the hottie, Rachel.  In exchange for the women, Jacob works the father-in-law's sheep pasture and mates them so that the father-in-law would inherit all the weaklings while Jacob inherited all the strong.  (By the way, it is often said in Christian circles that this was simply a testament to Jacob's intelligence in breeding animals.  I say it's bad business practice.  But I digress.)

When the time was complete, Jacob took his wives and children and left secretly.  Jacob didn't know it, but Rachel stole her father's household idols.  Why?  Don't know.  Maybe out of spite; maybe because she cherished them.  Never-the-less, she stole them.

So, dad pursues them for two reasons: (1)why did you leave so soon without me being able to say goodbye? and, more importantly on his mind, I think, was (2)where are my idols? 

Jacob answers Rachel's dad, saying, "I didn't take your stuff!  We are innocent!"

So dad searches, but when he gets to his own daughter's tent, he finds her sitting down (hiding the idols under her dress), lying about menstruating at the time.  Soon thereafter, dad aborts his search and Jacob unleashes a profound speech: "How dare you come in here blaming us for taking your stuff.  May the Lord judge between you and me!"

That's where the story ends, but I'm curious about what happened 15 minutes later when Jacob ACTUALLY discovered his wife lied and really had stolen her dad's idols?  What lofty speech did he have for her?  I guess we'll never know.

Did he do the honorable thing and return to his father-in-law with the idols, profusely apologizing for his wife? 

Did he at least tell Rachel he would take her back to her father and give her the opportunity to set the record straight?

I honestly wonder why we're never told about that scenario. 

Now, lest you think you're better than them, consider your own life.  Be honest.
We have liars, murderers, adulterers, theives, con-artists, swindlers, idolaters in our churches.  Not only the world, but our CHURCHES!  The places are filled with them.  I wonder what we'd think of each other if we all carried bubble signs over our heads that told the truth of who we really are.

What would this bible story say about YOU in the end?

"BABYLON'S FALLING", by William G. Collins

"Babylon's Falling" is a fictionalized novel based on the biblical account and history of the life of Daniel. Its pace is extremely rapid, and covers several years, beginning with the capture of Israel by Babylon, to the overthrow of Babylon by Persia, to Daniel's return to Jerusalem. Based on believed time lines, the story ranges from approximately 598 BC to 520.

That said, there are many details absent from several scenes. One of the opening scenes presents the assassination of a soldier, and Daniel arrives at the conclusion that HE was the assassin's intended target;  Battle scenes were not very thrilling and the ransacking of Babylon was not at all heart-pounding.  While  more detail would have made the read a less predictable and easier to suspend disbelief, they also would have rendered it much, much longer.  So, I guess I would have liked to see this novel in a couple installments: "Jerusalem's Falling", and "Babylon's Falling".

In this novel, Daniel is the all-wise and main character of the 4 main characters: himself, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Daniel is the highly favored one, having served as a nobleman in the Babylonian court, as well as in the Persian. The overthrows of Jerusalem and Babylon, and the treatment of the war prisoners seemed friendlier in the novel than I ever imagined them to be. You will not finish the book and think, "Wow, that was really Braveheart-esque!" or feel encouraged to be a brave warrior circa "300". It won't thrill you, but sections will intrigue and inspire you.

There are some good bits of knowledge to file into the "that's interesting" category, such as the significance of the Babylonian names given to Daniel and his 3 comrades, and the meaning of Nebuchadnezzar's name.  Another area of special interest is that Collins fills the gaps in the biblical account with very plausible possibilities.  For example, why wasn't Daniel thrown into the furnace with his three friends?  Collins suggests in the plot that Daniel was sent on assignment to Persia to learn from their wise men and sages, which is where Daniel grew in favor with King Cyrus of Persia.  According to the plot Daniel was invited into Cyrus's royal court once Persia overthrew Babylon...and then he was set up by jealous noblemen of Cyrus's royal court and was thrown into the den of lions.

There were only a few spelling/grammatical errors, and that was due to spell checker not catching correct word usage. While the words in question were technically spelled correctly, their use was incorrect. These errors didn't interfere much with readability.

Here's what I took from the book: I honestly found myself a bit (ok, a LOT) envious of Daniel. I look at his resolve to remain steadfast in his devotion to God and wonder if I could be that strong in devotion. He made up his mind to remain holy -- at all costs! I look at my life in disappointment when compared to the great holiness of this main character and his friends.  I am forced to ask myself, "Do I live the kind of life that causes God to smile on me?"  "Is God pleased with my behavior and responses to adversity?" 

While I doubt this one will hit the best seller list, I don't consider it a waste of my time for having read it.  It is quite suitable for a teen or adult.  I give "Babylon's Falling" 3 1/2 stars.


I received this book free of charge through Internet download from WestBow Press, a division of Thomas Nelson Publishers, and made available through Booksneeze, in exchange for my unbiased review. I was not promised rewards or threatened to provide a positive review. All opinions are mine.

ECONOMICS AND THE BIBLE:

Last week I posted the following on my facebook page:

"I love what the Gideons do. But, hey guys, can you PLEASE put some bibles that are more recent than the 1969 King James in our Academy? Even the cover looks like the paneling on my parents' old '79 van."

A conversation among three of us boiled down to the issue of financial stewardship and distribution of bibles.  One of the commenters (who is a Gideon) said he'd rather spend $0.05 for a KJV and be able to distribute it to 100 people, than spend $0.25 for another translation and only distribute it to 50 people.

The argument from the other side was this: What good is a cheap, unattractive bible that goes unread?  Do we have an obligation to use our money effecitvely so more people will read a bible, rather than just economically?  An attractive cover with appeal is just as important as distribution, some would suggest. 

Which led to another issue: Good financial stewardship not only means being economics-minded, but also effectiveness-minded.

One side said, "I would rather feed day old white bread to 50 needy than fresh whole grain to 25."

The rebuttal was, "Why settle for day old white bread, when we have the fresh whole grain?"

What's your take: 

Economics, or Effectiveness?

WOULDN'T IT BE EASIER TO QUIT?

How many times do you think the Marines in this photo got it wrong before they finally got it right?

Lose weight.
Attempt (again) to lose weight.
Read the Bible through in a year.
Attempt (again) to read it through this time.
Find a new job.
Re-commit to my spouse.
Commit to the job I already have.
Quit smoking.
Quit smoking...again.
Quit smoking...again again.
Quit drinking...for real this time.

On Veteran's Day, I completed a 30-day pull-up challenge given to me by a friend.  The goal was to do 50 pull-ups (any variation) for each of 10 days straight, then 75 pull-ups for the next 10 straight days, and then 100 pull-ups for the final 10 straight days. 
NO REST DAYS! 
None. 
If accomplished, the total pull-ups completed would be 2,250.

I completed it, but I wanted to quit at about day 18. 
My elbows were sore with minor tendonitis. 
My hands were calloused and tender. 
My biceps were screaming at me. 
Everything told me to quit. 
I was enduring pain. 
Not the kind of pain that the voice of reason says, "C'mon, stop what you're doing before this really gets worse", but the kind of pain that suggests, "Wouldn't it be easier to just quit?" 

It's ALWAYS easy to quit. 
Quitters quit;
not warriors.

My father is in his mid 60's and was a smoking since he was a young teen-ager.  He's a VietNam veteran.  A warrior.  He must have quit smoking two thousand times.  But on his two thousand and first try, it stuck.  He's been smoke free for almost three years now!  I'm so proud of him.  He's a true quitter!  Way to go, Pops!

May I suggest a simple solution before you make that New Year's resolution in about a month and a half.  Pick a realistic goal.  Maybe you're 100 pounds over weight.  Don't approach 100 pounds of weight loss head-on. 
Instead, commit to losing just 25 pounds...and KEEPING it off. 
Maybe you'll commit to that for the first quarter of the year. 
Maybe it will be 6 months. 
Never-the-less, make it an attainable goal. 
Once you reach your goal, set another small goal in the direction of the big goal. 
Lose another 25, and then another...

Otherwise, you'll have to go face-to-face with the daunting task of losing 100 pounds.  And when you have a minor setback and regain about 3 of those lost pounds, you run the risk of quitting. 
Again. 
Imagine if you had kept with it 4 years ago when you tried. 
Where would you be today? 
But don't let that stop you. 
TRY AGAIN.

AND AGAIN, if necessary.

Whatever it is, try again. 
DON'T EVER GIVE UP! 

ENJOY YOUR ETERNAL REWARD, JOEL:

This morning at 6:30, our good friend Joel passed away due to complications of pneumonia and cancer.  Just about 2 years ago, Joel complained of lump on his tongue.  The horrible disease spread rapidly toward its finsl goal of stealing away Joel's life. 

Joel was a pitcher on our Cornerstone Community Church softball team.  Here, Joel is seen throwing out the "first pitch" of our title game.  It was a great memory having the men of the other team supporting our friend and surrounding us as we all prayed together.

Joel was always upbeat, comical, and positive during his battle.  I visited him in the hospital just 2 days before he would die.  As I entered his room in my uniform, Joel, unable to talk, mustered up the strength to slowly raise his right hand and salute me, then raised both hands and bumped his wrists together, as if being handcuffed.  That was his personality until he drew his final breath.  He was truly an inspiration.

The picture above was taken this summer at the Relay for Life in Jackson, MI.  We invited Joel to walk with our team, and he did a phenomenal job.  I read from one of his daughters on facebook that Joel hadn't walked any considerable distance in quite some time....until walking about 1/2 mile that day.

Enjoy your eternal reward, Joel, as you dance and sing in complete health in the presence of your Savior!  I'll see you soon, my friend!  We love you.

"WHY MEN HATE GOING TO CHURCH", by David Murrow

It seems men are trending further away from church these days; not so much from God, but from the organized institution called "church". Who makes up the Church is an entirely different issue, and not the issue addressed in this book.  David Murrow, in "Why Men Hate Going to Church" does not address a theological issue here, but a statistical one.  While it appears more and more men are absent from church, women are staying.

What factors are driving this trend?  Here are some of Murrow's ideas:
- Feminization of our churches: Pretty curtains, knitted doilies on the quilt-topped communion table, etc;
- Jesus-as-Lion replaced by Jesus-as-Lamb;
- Awkward man-love wording in our music: "Jesus I am so in love with you", etc. What man has ever said that to another man?
- An overly sensitive environment: hugging, holding hands with complete strangers (read, "other men");
- The lack of manly service needs within churches;
- The propensity of men to be less studious and academic than women, yet being harangued into bible studies and talking-head events.

The list goes on, but you get the idea. You may not fit any one of these scenarios, but a large (and growing) number of men do. And many of them fit into several!  Murrow uses the bible as his foundation for the book, but does not cite it for simple proof texts to support his argument. Instead, his position and reasoning are backed by research, studies, and statistics...and they are many! 

The book is divided into three parts: (1)"Where are the Men?" (2)"Church Culture vs. man Culture" and (3)"Calling the Church Back to Men".  I found myself in agreement from the beginning, and somewhere in the midst of part two I began asking, "So how do we fix this problem?"  While Murrow doesn't give the magic genie-in-a-bottle solution, he does provide some tips and techniques churches may consider in reaching out to men. No doubt, many readers will disagree with Murrow's strong support of mega-church approaches, but convincing churches to mimic their style is not his goal.  His point is simply this: Mega-churches are doing something right in attracting men.  Maybe mainline churches may want to consider some of their ideas.

I laughed a lot -- a LOT -- throughout this book. I found myself encouraged by Murrow's words that manly Christianity does not have to be sissified. So my only dislike is that I wondered, "Would I be considered a wuss because I am studious, because I enjoy dancing and raising my hands in worship of my Savior?  Because I share my thoughts and feelings?"  The point of the book is not to say who is manly and who isn't, but I think some men may walk away from it with wrong impressions.

Overall, I give "Why Men Hate Going to Church" 4 stars. I enjoyed the book; I was inspired by the book; I was encouraged by the book. I rarely wanted to stop reading. Most chapters are relatively brief, simple, and straightforward. I would recommend this book for church leaders who may be afraid to tip over those much-cherished "sacred cows".


I received this book free of charge from Booksneeze in exchange for my unbiased review. I was not threatened or offered reward to provide a positive review. All opinions are mine.