The Return

Review: Yawning at Tigers: You Can’t Tame God So Stop Trying Drew Dyck Nelson Books 2014 OK.   I admit I chose this book because of the title.   I had to find out how this author would pull off mixing tigers, yawning, and God.   I am here to say that he succeeded and succeeded well.   Part 1: Tiger Territory and Part 2: Divine Embrace work together to balance our perspectives of God.   I really thought my own balance was fine, but discovered it needed a bit of tweaking.   And that is what this book is about and does.   Gently and without needing a dictionary.  The discussion guide is one of the best I’ve seen lately.   It is light enough to work for a group, but deep enough to provide some place to start serious considerations.   Well done there, and combined with the reading a book can change perspectives or rebalance them for nearly anyone.   Mature believer or the new believer. I obviously recommend this bo...

Review: Beautiful on the Mountain Jeannie Light Tyndale Momentum 2014 Looking for some encouragement?   This little book might be that boost you need.   The author tells her reluctant (at first) involvement with a little inactive church in Graves Mill, Virginia, that the folks who had been members wanted to see re-opened.   It was indeed an odd pair, but makes for an interesting read.   As life unfolds for the author she grows to accept her role in the work that is the subject of this book.   Little by little the community and the author work to make the dream of re-opening the church happen.   It’s not always sweet and nice, but it does portray the realities of working with people. Besides the story itself and all the folks mentioned, there’s a sense of satisfaction in watching the author’s growth as she works toward the goal that she recognizes as one set for her by God.   She does not omit the times of disappointment, sorrow, stru...

Review: Out of the Depths: An Unforgettable WWII Story of the Survival, Courage, and the Sinking of the USS Indianapolis Edgar Harrell, USMC with David Harrell Bethany House Publishers 2005, 2014 I was a little hesitant about this book at first, but after the first few pages I could not put it down.   It is the story of the USS Indianapolis as told by one of the survivors of its sinking.   Harrell relates his experiences in simple, convincing detail.   His description of training and life on the ship revealed the same experiences found in several other firsthand accounts lending authenticity early on to this story. As he continues certain questions arise as to the conduct of the war and the level of secrecy that was maintained by the leadership at the highest levels.   And finally as the Indianapolis is sent out without escort or knowledge of the danger they could and did encounter the reader begins to understand the repercussions of policies in pl...