pacific northwest association of church...

Volume 44, Issue 1

The Lamplighter

Paci f i c Northwest Association o f Church Libraries

Chapter Presidents’

Annual Reports

Capital City

Metro-Portland

Mid-Columbia

North Puget Sound

Seattle

Tacoma Area

Treasure Valley

Willamette

Yakima Valley

Conference Responses 1

President’s Report 1

Annual Reports 3-5

New Chapter Reps. 3&4

Hints from Helen 5

Lending Library 6&7

Non-Fiction Recommend. 7&8

Fiction & Other Rec.. 8&9

Their Other Life 10

Book Reviews 10-21

Review Index 21

Chapter Chatter 21&2

Editorial Info 22

Association Board 23

Inside this issue:

The 2011 annual confer-

ence is now BEEhind us,

and we are BEEholden to

the Tacoma Chapter for

hosting this very success-

ful conference. The theme

BEE Thankful was car-

ried out in so many ways

(think bowling ball bees –

garden art), that it made

the conference not only

very informative, but also

fun. The speakers, au-

thors, workshop present-

ers and vendors combined

helped us all grow as

church librarians. Friday

night’s presentation on

the art of stained glass

windows gave us wonder-

ful insight and stretched

us to appreciate not only

the beauty, but the in-

credible genius involved

in making these master-

pieces.

Following are a few

“echoes” from the confer-

ence: “Stimulating new

ideas.” “The high points

of the conferences are

always the authors. I so

enjoy hearing their sto-

ries.” “This time I really

enjoyed the e-book

presentations. Current

topics are always of inter-

est.” “Thanks for expand-

ing our horizons with the

stained glass presenta-

tion.” “Everything felt

very positive and upbeat.”

“Table decorations were

great – Where did you

find so many bee ideas?”

“I like that you started

the conference a little

earlier with workshops

Fri. afternoon. It made

the conference more spa-

cious feeling.”

Those of us that attended

the conference will al-

ways BEE thankful for

this wonderful experi-

ence.

Echoes of the Conference—Doris Howard

August 2012

New Board Officers installed at closing ceremony

President’s Report—Iva Sutherland

Outgoing President Iva Sutherland described her year at the helm as “Staying the

Course” which can be considered accomplished. She went on to thank her fellow board

members and describe what each one’s responsibilities were. She plans to continue as

Bylaws Chair, but looking toward retirement, she is hopeful of finding a successor.

Chapter Chatter

North Puget Sound

Willamette

Jane Dudley was announced as the newest Honorary

Life Member at the conference. She was unable to attend

for health reasons and Dee Ann Hoff from her chapter

(Tacoma Area) accepted for her. The plaque will be deliv-

ered to her at a chapter meeting later in the summer.

97086; [email protected]

Ch. Rep: Bea Severson; 3822 SW

Idaho Terr. Portland, OR 97221;

[email protected]

Membership: 2 life, 30 individual.

Average attendance was 16.

Programs and activities this year:

9/17/11—St. Luke Lutheran

Church, hostess Bea Severson. Pas-

tor Dave Wilder gave a presenta-

tion: “Don’t Write My Obituary Just

Yet: Resources for Aging Successful-

ly and Serving Faithfully.”

11/19/11— Rolling Hills Community

Church, hostess Shauna Moon.

Presentation “Motivating Teens to

Read” by Julie Reed. Book ex-

change with excess to Multnomah

University Library.

1/21/12— Multnomah County Cen-

tral Library tour, hosted by Marga-

ret Wiltschko, Reference Librarian.

3/17/12— Title Waves Bookstore

tour, hosted by Rodney Richards,

manager. Guest author was Mesu

Andrews.

5/19/12— Beaverton Christian

Church, hostess Ruth Njust. Small

group discussions, member book

reviews, and book exchange.

Co-Pres: Mary Steinbrenner; 16104

NW Telshire Beaverton, OR 97006;

[email protected]

Co-Pres: Sylvia Bardsley; 12182 SE

William Otty Rd. Happy Valley, OR


VP: Vacant

Sec: Becky Hartsfield 11244 NE

Thompson St. Portland, OR 97220;

[email protected]

Treas: Shauna Moon; 14374 NW

Tripton Ct. Beaverton, OR 97006;

[email protected]

Ch. Rep: Karen Hicks; 11660 SE

Valley View Terr. Happy Valley, OR

Pres: Betty Charnholm; 1323

Chemeketa St. NE Salem, OR


VP: Vacant

Sec: Bonnie Brough; 985 Kumler SE

Salem, OR 97301;

[email protected]

Treas: Rodney Stent; 294 W. Ellen-

dale Ave. Dallas, OR 97338;

[email protected]

Ch. Rep: Rosalee Stent; 294 W El-

lendale Ave. Dallas, OR 97338;

[email protected]

Membership: 6 individual and 12

institutional.



10/15/11— Faith Baptist Church in

Salem, hostess Grace West. Donnel

Wilson presented ideas about how

to integrate our church library min-

istry with other ministries of the

church. We shared ideas we learned

at the conference that we desired to

put into practice this year.

3/3/12— Trinity Covenant Church

in Salem, hostess Nancy Young.

Speaker Doris Howard presented

“How to Start and Operate a Book

Club.” We each read a Beverly Lew-

is book in advance and Doris mod-

eled how to run a meeting.

4/14/12— Trinity Lutheran Church

in Dallas, hostess Arline Smith.

Lynn Bonife was speaker. Lynn

adopted the baby who is the subject

of the book Baby in a Box by LeRoy

and Jane Ramsey. Her adopted

daughter, Kali, also spoke about her

perspective.

Membership: 3 life, 4 individual and

1 institutional.



1/27/12—Met with someone inter-

ested in PNACL, and had a busi-

ness meeting.

Pres, Treas. & Chap. Rep.: Diana

Redetzke; 2465 Marina Ct. Rich-

land, WA 99354;

[email protected]

VP: Vacant

Sec: Gwen Rawlings; 7 S. Reed

Kennewick, WA 99336;

[email protected]

Due to low membership, we only

met once, but have corresponded by

email and phone trying to gain in-

terest in holding another “Meet &

Greet” workshop in hopes of reach-

ing other churches in the area with

the importance of library ministry

and the advantages of joining

PNACL.

Annual Report—Metro-Portland—Becky Hartsfield

Annual Report—Capital City—Betty Charnholm

Annual Report—Mid-Columbia—Diana Redetzke

PAGE 2 THE LAMPLIGHTER VOLUME 44, ISSUE 1

Pres: Sue Eloph; 1906 Olympia Way

Oak Harbor, WA 98277;

[email protected]

VP: Nancy Hodges; 975 N Shawn

Oak Harbor, WA 98277;

[email protected]

Sec: Carol Assink; 707 N 8th St.

Lynden, WA 98264; 360-354-5449

Treas & Ch. Rep: Stephanie Bel-

anger; 2504 Crescent St. Ferndale,

WA 98248; sfbel-

[email protected]

Membership: 11 individual.

Average attendance: 11


Sept— Book Clubs and sharing

from conference.

Nov— Books with a Christmas

theme.

Feb— Looking over chapter bylaws;

books with an Easter theme. Nomi-

nation of officers.

May— Election of officers;

“Collection Development” by Iva

Sutherland.

ents frequently took the whole fami-

ly of 5 kids to the large downtown

library. They were readers!

She attended Texas Woman's Uni-

versity in Denton, TX and nursing

(BSN) program in Houston Medical

Center with great libraries. She had

lots of experience in Dewey and the

stacks. Carolyn worked for years in

her daughter and son's elementary

school as a library volunteer and

coordinator.

In 1984 she became Southminster

Presbyterian Church librarian and

with committee help relocated the

library and reevaluated the collec-

tion. Carolyn joined the Seattle

Liz Ulloa and Carolyn Winiecki

Carolyn grew up in Houston, TX

with a public library a block away

and a great church library. Her par-

chapter of PNACL sometime after

that. She has held various positions

over the years in the chapter and cur-

rently is serving as president and

chapter representative.

Now an empty nester, she renewed

her RN license in 2011 with a re-

fresher course through WSU and will

pursue part time employment. Car-

olyn loves camping, hiking, garden-

ing, cooking, crafts and being active

at church in the library, choir, Chris-

tian education, and short-term mis-

sions. She reads a lot of natural medi-

cine and nutrition as well as myster-

ies and historical fiction and non-

fiction. (See p.4 for bio of Liz)

Annual Report—Seattle—Carolyn Winiecki

Annual Report—North Puget Sound—Carol Assink

Two New Representatives

for Seattle Chapter

Ave. N Seattle, WA 98103; Lizzieul-

[email protected]

Ch. Rep: Carolyn Winiecki; 607 SW

175th Pl. Normandy Park, WA


Membership: 1 life, 20 individual

and 15 institutional



10/8/11— Publicity & displays to

promote library use led by Arlen

Nelson & Marcia Hogan. Reports on

the conference. Harvest Logos

Bookstore.

11/12/11— Cokesbury Bookstore

hosted curriculum author John In-

demark.

1/14/12— Richard LeMieux, author

of Breakfast at Sally's spoke about

his time of homelessness, and his

ongoing work with the homeless.

2/11/12— Cokesbury hosted manag-

er and aspiring author, Lee Palo.

3/10/12— “Seeking Solace and

Strength for the Grieving” - bibliog-

raphy provided. Annual potluck,

with a salad buffet.

4/14/12— “Time & Technology Wait

for No Library; panel discussion on

library management, iPad and

apps, LibraryThing.com, and book

blurbs for reviews.

5/12/12— Author Joyce Jones shar-

ing on Deceptive Cadence and Im-

perfect Cadence.

Co-Pres: Carolyn Winiecki; 607 SW

175th Pl. Normandy Park, WA


1st VP: Shirley Solberg; 2609 21st

St. Everett, WA 98201; arsol-

[email protected]

2nd VP: Marcia Hogan; 232 W Lake

Sammamish NE Bellevue, WA


Sec: Diane Beason; 16024A Village

Green Dr. Mill Creek, WA 98012;

[email protected]

Treas: Marcia Lalonde; 206 217th

Pl. SW Bothell, WA 98021;

[email protected]

Ch. Rep: Liz Ulloa; 8528 Ashworth


Ch. Rep: Nicki Tompkins; 2520 N

Capecod Way Meridian, ID 83646;

[email protected]

Membership: 2 life, 14 individual,

and 8 institutional



Sept— We talked about what we

learned at conference, distributed

handouts and discussed what we

should do when we host the confer-

ence in 2013.

Oct— We did a make & take project

featuring bulletin boards and book

displays.

Mar— Jackie and Dawn presented

a panel on elibraries and ereaders.

April—We had a salad luncheon

and speaker Ann Heilman from the

Learning Lab on the topic of the

computer assisted learning center,

plus speakers on home schooling

with a Christian emphasis.

Pres: Dawn Cronk; 1091 Pennwood

St. Meridian, ID 83642;

[email protected]

VP: Mary Lorah; 8093 W Galileo St.

Boise, ID 83709; [email protected]

Sec: Judy Gillam; PO Box 1514 Ea-

gle, ID 83616; [email protected]

Treas: Jo Reed; PO Box 274 Meridi-

an, ID 83680;

[email protected]

Ch. Rep: Lois McDonald; PO Box

1075 Meridian, ID 83680

Co-Pres: Roberta Larson; 4236

North Vassault Tacoma, WA 98407;

[email protected]

Co-Pres: Loraine Anderson; 8109

51st St. Ct. W University Place,

WA98467;

[email protected]

VP: Vacant

Sec: Dee Ann Hoff; 2748 Cambridge

Dr. Steilacoom, WA 98388; dee-

[email protected]

Treas. & Ch. Rep: Sue Boggs; 6122

North 16th St. #1-105 Tacoma, WA


Membership: 12 individual, 5 insti-

tutional, and 2 life.


Program and activities this year:

Jul— Summer Gathering: Potluck

and program planning.

Sept— Speaker Peggy Barton, au-

thor of historical fiction.

Oct— Conference planning.

Nov— Breakfast meeting, tour of

Lakewood Christian Gifts and

Books, with opportunity to shop.

Feb— Presentation of bulletin

board and promotion ideas by Dee

Ann Hoff.

Mar— Speaker Shirley Zurfluh who

discussed books by Harry Kapeikis.

Loraine Anderson explained an

adult education program featuring

authors.

May—Annual meeting with re-

election of representative, Book Re-

views by all members, and book

exchange table. Conference mailing.

Conference planning was a big part

of meetings this year.

Each meeting featured a devotion

and book review by individual mem-

bers. A question was asked at each

meeting as part of the introduction

of members and guests.

Wisconsin, and then to Seattle in

1997. She works full time and is

married. Hobbies include hiking

and backpacking and doing trail

work.

Liz was born in Chicago and

raised in Maine. After high school,

she gradually headed west: college

at Purdue University in Indiana,

a year of teaching English and

studying Chinese in Taiwan, a

few years of selling real estate in

Annual Report—Treasure Valley—Dawn Cronk

Annual Report—Tacoma Area—Roberta Larson

Liz Ulloa—New Seattle Chapter Representative


Books fall open, we fall in

Pres: Jan Barton; 2952 Angelica

Place Corvallis, OR 97330;

[email protected]

VP: Vacant

Sec/Treas: Elaine Fuchigami; 8252

NW Oxbow Dr. Corvallis, OR


Ch. Rep: Lauri Blumenstein; 38032

Sledge Rd. Scio, OR 97374 rus-

[email protected]

Membership: 8 institutional



We had four general meetings dur-

ing the year, two of them at the

churches of individual members. In

each case we toured the library of

the hosting church and had the op-

portunity to ask questions or make

comments.

Oct— Jan Barton gave a demon-

stration on book repair.

Jan— We held a work party at

Grace Lutheran to help librarian,

Cindy Lee, in her task of revitaliz-

ing the library and getting it opera-

tional.

Mar— We started at the Corvallis

Public Library where we had a

presentation by staff member Car-

rie Ottow about e-books and the

development of the loan system for

them. We adjourned to nearby 1st

Presbyterian Church for our busi-

ness meeting, social time, and re-

freshments.

May— We took a field trip to the

Brigattine Monastery followed by a

stop at Wings and a Prayer Alpaca

Farm in Amity. We ended up with

dinner and our business meeting at

a local restaurant.

At each regular meeting we also

included a book exchange and

“’round the table” time where each

attendee had an opportunity to ask

a question, raise an issue, or make

a comment.

choose about five books from the collection that address-

es the needs of the subject. Include the Dewey

Decimal number of each book and/or directions for find-

ing it in the library. The list could be given to the pastor

who is mentoring that particular group in the congrega-

tion. It is personal, to the point, and I have dreams that

it could increase circulation by leaps and bounds.

Helpful Helen

We have just returned from another inspiring confer-

ence so all of our questions have been satisfactorily an-

swered(?!) Interacting with other librarians always

seems to inspire some idea of my own—how about this

one?

Design a form letter to individuals or couples with spe-

cific needs within the congregation. For example: cou-

ples scheduled to marry; new teachers of young chil-

dren; graduating students; new parents; those being

treated for cancer; the list is endless. For each letter

Annual Report—Yakima Valley—Marilyn Milton

Annual Report—Willamette—Edith Orner

Helpful Hints from Helen

Membership: 1 life and 9 individual.



Sept— Open House to promote

PNACL to local church librarians.

Doris Howard presented “Library

101,” an introduction to church li-

braries.

Oct— Members described books

they’ve read and would recommend.

Feb— Members shared processing,

circulation and promotion practices.

Mar— Rev. Mark Swanson of Wiley

Heights Covenant Church discussed

several books that have been mean-

ingful to him in his faith journey.

Apr— Susan Richmond of Inklings

Bookshop recommended fiction and

non-fiction books that would be ap-

propriate additions to our libraries.

Pres: Vacant

VP: Vacant

Sec: Rondi Downs; 1213 McKinley

Ave., Yakima, WA 98902;

[email protected]

Treas: Marcia Van Dyke; 516 N

25th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902;

[email protected]

Ch. Rep: Marilyn Milton; 11605 Oc-

cidental Rd., Yakima, WA 98903;

[email protected]


Fun Fall Reading

The PNACL Lending Library is your continuing education resource available just for the asking. All CSLA guides are

in the current edition available from CSLA (Church and Synagogue Library Association). To borrow an item, simply

contact the Education Chair (Helen Taylor). Item(s) will be mailed to you, you pay return postage.

Books & Booklets

A Classification System for Church Libraries, Rev. 2004, Lifeway ISBN (10): 0633199702, ISBN (13):

97806633199708. Church libraries can classify media using only one resource. This easy-to-use volume contains the

Dewey Decimal Classification System number most used in church libraries for classifying resources in collections.

A Handbook for Church Librarians, by Linda Beck, 2006 2nd rev. ed. Everything you need to know to create, organize,

and manage a successful church library.

How to Read a Christian Book, by David L. McKenna, c2001, Baker ISBN: 0801063590. Reading what is best, not just

reading more.

Copyright Condensed rev. ed. 2003. 18 pp. Heartland (Area Education Agency #11)

CSLA Publications

Archives in the Church or Synagogue Library. Evelyn Ling. 2nd rev. ed. 1998. 24 p. This is a great reference book on

processing, preserving, and storing archives and how to exhibit them. It offers tips on what to include in archives and

discusses their importance to the congregation.

Beyond the Book: Enhancing Your Congregational Library with Audio-Visual Resources. Rusty Tyron. 2008. 21 p. This

publication is designed to assist congregational librarians in making audio-visual resources an integral part of their

library collections.

Cataloging and Classification. Susan E. Snyder. 2004. The guide covers physical processing encouraging the use of

the catalog and creating bibliographic records, classification, and classification schedules. This guide goes through all

the steps in cataloging.

Developing an Effective Library: Ways to Promote Your Congregational Library. Lois H. Ward. 2004. 48 p. Past CSLA

President discusses all aspects of promoting the congregational library and publicity ideas for inside and outside the

congregation. This guide covers planning and budgeting, creating ownership, programs that will get members in the

door, how to use all the publicity tools available, and promoting the library outside the doors of the congregation.

Disaster Management in the Church and Synagogue Library. Nadia J. Martin. 2000. 14 p. The information in this

guide can help prepare for natural and “unnatural” disasters. It provides the tools needed to create a customized dis-

aster plan for the church or synagogue library and help minimize the costs and loss of value of the collection due to

disaster.

Fundamentals of Financing Your Congregational Library. Craig Kubic. 2008. This guide will assist the congregational

librarian in developing a realistic plan for the careful acquisition and management of the financial resources that li-

braries need to become a vital part of the congregation.

Organizing a Library or Resource Center: Creating a Policy and Procedure Manual. Revised and compiled from three

previous publications, this new publication provides a simple method of developing a working manual which is valua-

ble for all aspects of organizing and operating a congregational library.

Promotion Planning All Year ‘Round. Claudia Hannaford/Ruth Smith, 3rd rev. ed. 1996. This 64-page publication pro-

vides suggestions on what to publicize for the library, including periodic and special items, to encourage participation

in the use of your library. Promotion Planning includes a 12-month calendar outlining significant historic events for

the congregation. It also offers a wealth of ideas for getting children involved and interested in reading.

Providing Reference Service in Church and Synagogue Libraries. Jennifer Pritchett. 1987. 60 p. How to build a refer-

ence collection with suggestions on what to have and what is needed in the library. Includes 2001 five-page adden-

dum.

Recruiting and Training Volunteers for Church and Synagogue Libraries. Lorraine E. Burson. 2nd rev. ed. 1999. 24 p.

How to recruit and train volunteers, orient new workers, delegate responsibility, and motivate and support workers.

Simple Steps to a Successful Workshop, Dorothy G. Lewis. 2003. Guide to planning programs for church librarians.

Subject Headings in the Library Catalog. Dorothy G. Lewis. 2007. 32 p. This guide will help the beginning or experi-

enced librarian identify the subject of a book and choose the most useful subject heading.

PNACL LENDING LIBRARY


CSLA Bibliographies

Church and Synagogue Library Resources. Dorothy Rodda. 6th rev. ed. 2003. This invaluable guide to selecting a vari-

ety of book and non-book resources for the congregational library includes manuals, periodicals, equipment and sup-

plies, technical aids, computer and Internet resources, promotion and publicity, church and synagogue library associa-

tions, and other helps and sources. The new bibliography also includes a directory of publishers.

A Basic Booklist for Church Libraries. Bernard Deitrich. 6th rev. ed. 2002. A selection of annotated books which will

help determine the right mix of books for the library collection. Just a few of the topics are library resources, Bible

versions, Christian education, Christian ethics, religious psychology, holidays, and children's books. Author and title

index is included.

Classic Religious Books for Children. Carol Campbell. 2001. A graded (infant-sixth grade) and annotated subject list-

ing (with suggested Dewey classification) dealing with religion and containing religious themes.

Helping Children through Books: A Selected Book List. Patricia Dole. 2001.

DVD

Bind Us Together PNACL Treasure Valley Chapter, 2011.

Non-Fiction Recommendations

At the Summer Conference we had a roundtable discussion of books read and recommended. As promised, following is

a list of non-fiction items recommended.

Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality by Donald Miller. Thomas Nelson, 2003

Bold Spirit: Helga Estby’s Forgotten Walk Across Victorian America by Linda Hunt. Anchor, 2005

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas. Thomas Nelson, 2010

Breakfast at Sally’s: One Homeless Man’s Inspirational Journey by Richard LeMieux. Skyhorse Pub. 2009

Broken on the Back Row: A Journey through Grace and Forgiveness by Sandy Patti. Howard Books, 2006

Creating Moments of Joy: A Journal for Caregivers by Jolene Brackey. Purdue University Press, 4th ed. 2008

Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron. Grand Central Pub., 2010

Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations by Alex Harris. Multnomah, 2008

Excavating Jesus: Beneath the Stones, Behind the Texts by John Crossan & Jonathan Reed. HarperCollins, 2002

Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott. Riverhead, 2007

The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery that Holds the Secret of America’s Future by Jonathan Cahn. Frontline Pub.,

2012

Have a Little Faith: A True Story by Mitch Ablom. Hyperion, 2011

The Heavenly Man: The Remarkable True Story of Chinese Christina Brother Yun by Brother Yun & Paul Hattaway.

Monarch Books, 2002

Implosion: Can America Recover from Its Economic and Spiritual Challenges in Time? Joel Rosenberg. Tyndale

House, 2012

Information Architecture for the World Wide Web: Designing Large-Scale Web Sites by Peter Morville & Louis Rosen-

feld. O’Reilly Media, 3rd ed. 2006

Jesus Christ and the Life of the Mind by Mark A. Noll. Eerdmans, 2011

The Jesus Discovery: The Resurrection Tomb that Reveals the Birth of Christianity by James Tabor & Simcha Jaobo-

vici. Simon & Schuster, 2012

A Journey of Grace: The Formation of a Leader and a Church by Herbert Chilstrom. Kirk House, 2011

Layers: Uncovering and Celebrating God’s Original Idea of Me by Sandy Patti. Thomas Nelson, 2008

Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculee Ilibigiza. Hay House, 2007

Kick off good reading


Life among the Lutherans by Garrison Keillor. Augsburg, 2010

Lists to Live By: The Third Collection: For Everything That Really Matters by Alice Gray. Multnomah, 2004

Open the Door: A Journey to the True Self by Joyce Rupp. Ave Maria Press, 2008

Paul Was Not a Christian: The Origianl Message of a Misunderstood Apostle by Pamela Eisenbaum. HarperOne,

2009

The Principle of the Path: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Andy Stanley. Thomas Nel-

son, 2011

Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt. Multnomah, 2010

Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate by Jerry Bridges. NavPress, 2007

Ruthless Trust: The Ragamuffins Path to God Brennan Manning. HarperCollins, 2002

Sacred Attention: A Spiritual Practice for Finding God in the Moment by Margaret McGee. Skylight Paths, 2010

She Who Laughs Lasts: Laugh-out-loud Stories from Today’s Best-known Women of Faith compiled by Ann Spangler.

2009

Sister Wife by Natalie Collins. CreateSpace, 2011

Social Justice4 handbook: Small Steps for a Better World Mae Cannon. IVP Books, 2009

Son of Hamas: A Gripping Account of Terror, Betrayal, Political Intrigue, and Unthinkable Choices bt Mosab Hassan

Yousef. SaltRiver, 2011

Stubborn Twig: Three Generations in the Life of a Japanese American Family by Lauren Kessler. Oregon State Uni-

versity Press, 2008

Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You by

John MacArthur. Thomas Nelson, 2006

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand. Random House, 2010

Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith by Rob Bell. Zondervan, 2006

We Brake for Joy by Patsy Clairmont, et. al. Zondervan, 1998

The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Timothy Egan.

Mariner Books, 2006

The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible by A.J. Jacobs.

Simon & Schuster, 2008

Fiction Recommendations

Non-Fiction Recommendations, continued

At the Summer Conference we had a roundtable discussion of books read and recommended. As promised, following is

a list of fiction items recommended.

An Amish Wedding by Ruth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, and Kelly Long. WaterBrook, 2012

And the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers. Tyndale House, 2004

Blood of Heaven by Bill Myers. Zondervan, 2003

The Blue Bottle Club by Penelope Stokes. 2000

The Book of Hours by T. Davis Bunn. Thomas Nelson, 2009 (Recommended author)

Buried in the Snow by Franz Hoffman. Lamplighter Pub. 1879 ed. 2006

Chasing Fireflies: a Novel of Discovery by Charles Martin. Thomas Nelson, 2008

Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt by Anne Rice. Knopf, 2005

The Daughter’s Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick. WaterBrook, 2011 (Recommended author)


Divine by Karen Kingsbury. Tyndale House, 2007

Dominion by Randy Alcorn. Multnomah, 2006 (Deadline was 1st in Ollie Chandler series)

The History of Love by Nicole Krauss. W.W. Norton, 2006

Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon. Viking, 2007

The Homecoming by Dan Walsh. Revell, 2010

Honolulu by Alan Brennert. St. Martin’s Griffin, sp. ed. 2011

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. Ballantine, 2009

Love Amid the Ashes by Mesu Andrews (Washington author). Revell, 2011

Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington by Tricia Goyer & Ocieanna Fleiss. Summerside, 2010

Love’s Sacred Song by Mesu Andrews. Revell, 2012

Mercy Come Morning by Lisa Bergren. WaterBrook, 2011

The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin. Broadway, 2011

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. Anchor, 2002 (1st of series, now at #13)

Out of the Web by Ken Smith.

Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar. Moody, 2010

Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas. St. Martin’s, 2009

The Quilt by T. Davis Bunn. Bethany House, gift ed. 2004

Rare Earth by Davis Bunn. Bethany House, 2012

Riven by Jerry B. Jenkins. Tyndale House, 2009

Safely Home by Randy Alcorn. Tyndale House, 10th anniv. ed. 2011

The Shack William Young. Windblown Media, 2011

Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson. Vintage, 1995

Touching the Clouds by Bonnie Leon. Revell, 2010 (Followed by Wings of Promise, 2011 & Joy Takes Flight, 2012

The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck. Thomas Nelson, 2012

Where Lilacs Still Bloom by Jane Kirkpatrick. WaterBrook, 2012

Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin. Bethany House, 2011 (Christy Award) (Recommended author)

The groups recommending materials felt they wished to share other materials in addition to books for adults.

The Big Red Tractor and the Little Village by Francis Chan. David C. Cook, 2010 (and others in series)

Big Topics for Little Kids: Tell Me About Eternity by Joel Anderson. Thomas Nelson, 2005 (E)

The Cay & Timothy of the Cay by Theodore Taylor. Laurel Leaf, 2003 & Sandpiper, 2007 (J)

Liberator (#4), by Bryan Davis. Zondervan, 2012 (Dragons of Starlight series: Diviner (#1), Warrior (#2), & Starlighter

(#3)) (J)

A Girl after God’s Own Heart: A Tween Adventure with Jesus by Elizabeth George. Harvest House, 2010 (J)

Louie Giglio: Symphony (I Lift My Hands) Passion Talk Series, 2012 (DVD)

Paper Clips, Arts Alliance Amer, 2006 (DVD)

Seeds of Faith Seeds Family Worship. Good Seeds, 2004 (CD)

Seeds of Praise Seeds Family Worship. Good Seeds, 2007 (CD)

The Star of Bethlehem Stephan Vidano Films, Mpower Pictures, 2009 (DVD)

“To catch the reader's attention, place an interesting sentence or quote from the story here.”

Fiction Recommendations, continued

Junior, Children’s & A/V Recommendations


I will shelve this book in our children’s section anyway.

The book is well written, with fun illustrations, and will

be enjoyed by our kids.

Using Your God-Given Gifts

Chuck Swindoll

Reviewed by Judy Bisonett

TYNDALE HOUSE PUBLISHERS 2012

DVD 50 MIN. $9.99

ISBN: 978-1-4143-4112-5

The DVD has two cartoons “The Gift” and “Grow Your

Gifts” and two music videos that last 50 minutes. You may

select either English or Spanish. Children ages 3 to 10 will

enjoy this DVD which is part of a series Paws & Tales that

present Biblical concepts. The cartoons are not High Defi-

nition quality. The characters are cartoon animals in the

town of Wildwood that wear clothes and walk and talk like

people.

In the first episode CJ has one blue eye and one brown eye

and he feels bad about it because the bully calls him Cy-

clops. CJ prays about his problem and discovers a gift he

has and how to use it. He is given discernment that he can

use to encourage his friends and correct the bully. In the

second episode Gooz finds she has a gift and doesn’t work

on it to develop skills in painting. We learn along with her

that God wants us to use and practice our gifts wisely.

Both songs feature clips from the stories and the lyrics

with a bouncing ball so you can sing along. Non-readers

will not find this helpful. One song is “A Plan for Me” and

CHILDREN

God Listens When I Pray

Max Lucado

Reviewed by Rachel Wheeler

TOMMY NELSON 2012

UNPAGED $9.00

ISBN: 978-1-4003-1748-6

Hermie the Caterpillar is rushing over

to his grandmother’s because she is

making lemonade. On the way he

finds that his friend Antonio Ant has

his foot caught under a huge rock. When Hermie can’t

get him free he starts across the garden looking for help

but everyone is busy. No one cares. Just then Hermie

hears a familiar and gentle voice. “It’s Me. God.”

Hermie tells God no one will listen to him when he tries

to get help. God says, “I am listening. You have been

running around asking for help, but you did not ask

Me.” Hermie and Antonio promptly fall on their knees

to pray to God for help. God sends a rain storm which

loosens the soil so Antonio can free his foot. All the bugs

in the garden cheer and Hermie says, “God always lis-

tens when we pray.”

I would have liked this book better if Hermie had told

an adult his problem, who might have suggested prayer.

If the kids think they are going to hear God’s voice

when they have a problem, and their difficulties will be

solved immediately, they’re going to be disappointed.

Judy Bisonett lives in a rural area

southeast of Hillsboro, Oregon. Her

home church is Laurel Community

Church where she serves as librari-

an in the wake of a previous

PNACL member, the late Helen

Meeker. Judy has been associated

with the Laurel Church library for

more than twelve years.

Judy has been teaching Sunday

School since 1995. An archive

search of Lamplighter Book Re-

views might disclose that Judy is

one of those favored with children’s

titles.

As a hobby Judy creates greeting

cards. Currently she is involved in

making cards for Golden Anniver-

saries and birthdays as a ministry.

As is often the case with volunteer

church librarians her degree in

Chemical Engineering (CHE) is a

far stretch from the church library.

Judy is married and has a son and a

daughter, both of whom are married

and her daughter is the mother of

her two granddaughters. In the past

Judy’s book reviews reflected that

she often tested the books by read-

ing to these grandchildren.

You may meet her from time to time

when the Portland Metro Chapter

meetings are held on the west side.

Book Reviews Written for The Lamplighter

Their Other Life—Judy Bisonett—June Ruyle


Books Get Our Vote

the other is “Make Your Gift Grow.” There are activity

pages for kids and downloadable parent sheets are avail-

able with the DVD disc.

I liked the stories. They will hold the interest of kids of

the right age. Subtitles are available though again they

will not be helpful to non-readers. I know our kids will

enjoy these cartoons and songs in the church library.

Heroes of the Year

Frances Watts


EERDMANS BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS 2012

86 PP. $6.00

ISBN: 978-0-802-5412-4

This is the fourth book in the series

about Ernie and Maud. It is intended

for children 7 to 10. I enjoyed the story

and the plot is interesting to adults also. This is a chap-

ter book with fun pen and ink drawings to illustrate the

story. In the previous episode we have met Ernie, a

grade-school boy who is a superhero trainee part-time

after school. His sidekick is Maud the sheep. Some

mischief maker or wrong doer is drawing mustaches all

over town on posters and billboards. The Baxter Super

Hero Society is warned that Pencil Pete is on the loose.

At the same time the Society is going to award the He-

roes of the Year Award. They will be chosen from the

trainees. A gold trophy will be awarded to the winning

branch. Ernie and Maud really want to win. Ernie has

the idea that the superheroes should disguise them-

selves with mustaches. Ernie and Maud again save the

town of Baxter from Pencil Pete.

While this book does not mention God, some good les-

sons can be learned from it such as friendship, working

together, and fighting evil. I know the kids in our church

will enjoy Heroes of the Year.

CHRISTIAN LIVING

Disciplines of a Godly Young

Man

R. Kent Hughes and Carey Hughes

Reviewed by Rodney Stent

CROSSWAY 2012

189 PP. $13.00

ISBN: 978-1-4335-2602-2

In chapter 1 we are introduced to disci-

pline in the lives of star performers. In chapter 2 we are

reminded of how much in today’s culture is antithetic to

disciplined living by young men. In chapters 3 to 15 we

are taken through 12 disciplines, namely the disciplines

of purity, friendship, the mind, devotion, prayer, the

tongue, work, perseverance, church, giving, witness and

ministry. The final chapter gives ideas of how to start

dealing with indiscipline in our lives without becoming

overwhelmed, all the time reminding us that we live

under grace.

I have purposefully said “we” in the first paragraph be-

cause living a disciplined Christian life is a challenge for

all of us, whatever our age or gender. But this book is

geared to young men, and it certainly deals with the

above topics in a realistic and most helpful way for

them. The authors are careful to avoid a legalistic em-

phasis while in no way minimizing the sweat, toil, and

tears involved in leading a disciplined life for the Mas-

ter, who lived such a disciplined life for us.

Each chapter ends with some food-for-thought questions.

Though these are primarily designed for personal reflec-

tion, the authors acknowledge that the book and these

questions could be used in a one-on-one or group study.

I thoroughly recommend it. The church library should

purchase and promote it. It should get into the hands

and hearts of every professing Christian young man.

Glorious Mess: Encountering

God’s Relentless Grace for

Imperfect People

Mike Howerton

Reviewed by Betty Waller

BAKER BOOKS 2012

202 PP. $15.00

ISBN: 978-0-8010-1391-17

This book provides encouragement to

anyone finding themselves in a complicated or distress-

ing situation...in other words, in a “mess.” The author

asserts that no situation is too trivial for God’s attention

and that God will act and offer guidance if we will listen.

Full of sage advice, this is a book that deserves more

than one reading. It is suitable for a librarian to offer to

the discouraged Christian.

The Call to Wonder: Loving

God like a Child

R.C. Sproul, Jr.

Reviewed by Jan Arkills

TYNDALE 2012

173 PP. PB. $15.00

ISBN: 978-1414359946

Book Reviews—Continued


This fine book, which you will probably shelve in Chris-

tian Life/Spiritual growth section, is calling you back to

recapture your childlike spirit and faith in God. RC

Sproul, Jr. uses Matthew 18:3 (NKJV) “Unless you are

converted and become as little children, you will by no

means enter the kingdom of heaven.” The author lives

with his wife and their eight children in Orlando Florida

where he is a teaching fellow at Ligonier Ministries.

This book is the result of raising the 8 children and his

becoming attuned to God through living with them. I

particularly like the chapter headings as I always knew

where he was heading. They are:

1. Surprised by God

2. Marks of Innocence

3. Call to Trust

4. Call to Wonder

5. Call to Please

6. Call to Our Father

7. Call to Maturity

8. Call to Joy

9. Call to God's Presence.

He uses examples of his early education, like God having

a strong right arm to show how the Bible uses anthropo-

morphic language to describe God in human terms to

show he is omnipresent. He suggests that when we come

across people doing really stupid things in the Bible, we

ask ourselves, “Am I as stupid as they are?”

He starts each chapter with a well chosen Bible verse

and then weaves in personal stories about his children,

who have no doubts, show no skepticism and seem to

have no disbelief. He illustrates the wonder of family

stories, Biblical and in his own family to show how much

we should trust God to keep his promises.

He talks of difficult family illnesses, making transitions

as they moved to be closer to his father to help in his

pastorate ministries, and how we are called to honor our

elders. Many of the lessons he learned as a son of a fa-

mous pastor and the father in turn to inspire his chil-

dren were very simple stories but drove the examples

home.

This is not a heavy book, but one that will make you

want to live better and be childlike in your trust and

honor, without worrying what others think of you. His

third child has severe developmental problems, but he

shows that she is the child Jesus took into his arms to

serve as an example of simple happiness and total trust.

I think it will be a wonderful addition to your library.

The photo on the cover and beginning of each chapter is

of a small child tenderly holding a wonderful butterfly, it

will still your soul and cause you to remember and re-

turn to the childlike love of God.

Loving the Way Jesus Loves

Phillip Ryken

Reviewed by Betty Waller

CROSSWAY 2012

220 PP. $15.00

ISBN: 1-4335-2602-2

This book, which includes a bibliog-

raphy and study guides is mainly an

exposition and application of I Corinthians 13. This pas-

sage is famously read at weddings.

The author states, “No one can hear the gospel from the

life of a loveless Christian.” He adds, “If I network for

the gospel, but have not love, I am only a noisy blog, or a

meaningless tweet.”

This writer has a gift for clarifying Scripture. We would

recommend it for any church library.

EVANGELISM

Viral: How Social Networking

Is Poised to Ignite Revival

Leonard Sweet Reviewed by Jan Arkills WATERBROOK PRESS 2012

229 PP. PB. $15.00

ISBN: 9780307459152

Leonard Sweet, PhD, is one of the lead-

ing cultural observers, and has written

many wise and provocative books challenging the think-

ing of Christians across the world. If you have tried to

figure out why our iPhone generation is so tied to its

iPhones, Facebook, and texting, you have to read this

book. It won't supply the answers to how they think but

it will help explain how you might be able to get the

Christian message to them.

Are you a Googler or Gutenberger? I find I am half and

half. I have used a postage stamp, written a handwrit-

ten note and written a check, but I also am far more de-

pendent on my cell phone for restaurant reviews, GPS,

games, car repair information, YouTube, and reading

than I would ever have dreamed possible 10 years ago. I

imagine most churches are still thinking of communica-

tion through newspapers, library books, the printed

word in general, rather than searching the Web for Bible

verses, thoughts of major thinkers, and friendships. Gu-

tenbergers have maintained control by putting the Gos-

pels on radio and television and in movies, we have built

our mega churches to make flip flop ragged jean folks



comfortable but still they have not come and stayed, es-

pecially since the era of cell phones. We have raised a

new generation of people who can't read music, and can

only repeat short phrases over and over.

If you think TGIF means Thank God it's Friday, you are

wrong! It means the Googler culture; Twitter, Google,

iPhone and Facebook. Where did we miss the point that

communication in TGIF culture is largely virtual? Leon-

ard suggests a few contrasts:

Jesus is message more than manuscript

He is story more than instruction manual

He is a personal letter, not the envelope it comes in

He is a launching pad, not a storage locker

He is self-defining, not an entry in a Bible dictionary

He is mystery, not equation

He is a personal experience and direct reality, not a

syllabus or lesson plan.

This book will help you see the direction that we need to

go to attract the young people; they are the future of our

churches and they do want an explanation of life, a rela-

tionship with many others unlike themselves. Give it a

try. Go Viral. It stretched me and I think it will do the

same for you.

THE CHURCH

How the Church Fails Business

People (And What Can Be

Done About It)

John C. Knapp

Reviewed by Rodney Stent

EERDMANS 2012

178 PP. $15.00

ISBN: 978-0-8028-6369-0

The thesis is this: Church says little

about work and its issues. Work tends to keep religious

concerns outside the door. There is a sacred-secular di-

vide. Theological training says very about the relation-

ship between Christianity and the work-a-day world,

and business training centers on the profit motive ra-

ther than the welfare of people. The first four chapters

elaborate on this, including an interesting chapter dis-

cussing how money and the church have been uneasy

bedfellows over the centuries. The next four chapters

call for a rethinking of our theology of work and vocation

and suggest some ways forward.

The book touches on what I feel is the core issue in an

interesting way but neglects to develop it fully. The final

chapter relates how Pastor Charles Sheldon, author of

In His Steps, spent 12 weeks in various workplaces and

other unfamiliar situations. He acquainted himself with

some of the challenges that folk face at work. This in

turn enabled him to relate to people and preach his ser-

mons with relevancy. This is the challenge facing all

pastors, Sunday school teachers, et al. Good biblical

preaching and teaching will inevitably deal with the

temptations and challenges that people face in all as-

pects of their lives, including at work. The penultimate

chapter speaks of a workplace awakening. By this

Knapp means that in recent years various specific ef-

forts have been made to include religion and religious

concerns in the workplace. There are not only “Christian

companies,” but in many others there are chaplaincies

or lay-led initiatives, and there are para-church groups

geared to specific kinds of businesses or occupations. It

seems however that Knapp thinks the church (churches)

should be more directly involved and should take more

initiative in this sort of thing. He does talk about the

church being a community of moral discernment, dis-

course, influence, encouragement, and example for all

its members. But I feel he does not make a strong case

for the church developing specific programs.

I also feel the title is restrictive. Many who are in so-

called secular employment would not consider them-

selves to be business people, but most of what the book

says deals with the wider context of the secular work-

place.

While I nodded my head in agreement many times, I did

not find the book very inspiring. In the end I wondered

whether the best use might be as a basis for a weekly

discussion in the church board.

The Next Christians: Seven

Ways You Can Live the Gospel

and Restore the World

Gabe Lyons

Reviewed by Rosalee Stent

MULTNOMAH BOOKS 2010

249 PP. $15.00

ISBN: 978-0-385-52985-3

I have never felt so conflicted about writing a book re-

view as I have about this one. Not only did I have to re-

read often and struggle to understand the author’s

points; I also had to research some of the many people

and ministries he cites. His point seems to be that we

have failed to adequately demonstrate true Christianity

to our world, but that the next generation of Christians

is uniquely prepared to do just that. Fortunately the

back of the book contains some more reference sugges-

tions that can be studied to further illuminate these ide-

as. You can go to Qideas.org for further help. In this re-



gard I would point you to the World Magazine, July 14,

2012 issue, pp.9-11, article about Q ideas.

Gabe Lyons is hard on the church of this and past gener-

ations. He has the nerve to insinuate we might be easily

offended, critical, tied to a work ethic, distracted by

thought of our future home, alone and solitary, uncon-

nected to community, divisive and irrelevant. Mr. Lyons

calls the Church of Jesus Christ a fading reality and an

embarrassment, especially in the light of Jesus’ call to

be loving, engaged, sacrificial, unselfish, and compas-

sionate contributors to culture. So he tries to lead us to

become future looking for this world and make the label

Christian to mean something good, intelligent, authen-

tic, true, and beautiful, thus to re-envision our faith, but

along with that, to re-envision its practical outward ap-

pearance.

Now as a 60+ someone (the passing generation) I had

mostly thought those positive words describe my fellow

Christians, my fellow pilgrims and disciples. And as far

as my faith is concerned: my understanding of Christ

and His body expands daily. But NO – we are to take

our definitions and adjectives from our cultures’ percep-

tions of us, not the Scriptures. Our culture’s perceptions

and definitions somehow equate what God thinks of us

and the mission of His Body in this world. I hesitate but

must include here the observation that perceptions in

our culture are basically inherited from TV and Holly-

wood. Be that as it may, I dare you to take the plunge

and see what people outside the church seem to think of

us, and what we must do about it.

Mr. Lyons is a good writer, a futuristic thinker, a leader

of his peers, and he quotes many Christian leaders who

were/are exactly of the same description. But I humbly

suggest that many of them would not subscribe happily

to some of his ideas. The main goal of the visible Church

is to be a restorer of the culture. He wants us to be

planted firmly in the here and now, restoring what he

deems to be the best, but the best of what? Is it the best

from the Church’s past? Of the cultural west? Of each

religion? The best humanity has to offer?

But I can tell you this. I came to realize quite quickly

that I fit into the category of “this passing generation,”

and that was bad! And I probably could never fit into the

“restorers,” the next generation of Christians who must

surely do a much better job of getting it right. They will

make the Gospel more acceptable to society as a whole

and to each of us as individuals. Certainly as a by-

product some will repent, obey the Good News and meet

us in heaven.

Do you agree? Is so, you will thoroughly enjoy this book

and the challenges contained therein. If you disagree

you will find it hard to leave this book unfinished but

will keep picking it up, learning new things and enjoying

great illustrations from almost every page. It will leave

you with unanswered questions and feeling a bit out of

your depth. But if I had a few moments with the author

I would ask him one thing: “What did Jesus mean when

He asked the question, ‘What does it profit a man to

gain the whole world and lose his own soul?’”

Work Matters: Connecting

Sunday Worship to Monday

Work

Tom Nelson

Reviewed by Dawn Cronk CROSSWAY BOOKS 2011

209 PP. $16.00

ISBN: 978-1-4335-2667

This is an interesting book as it goes

into depth on how to take worship on Sunday to work on

Monday. The author uses biblical stories and passages

to accentuate the principles in each chapter. His mes-

sage is simple, in that we were made to work, and uses

Jesus as his example. Jesus was a carpenter, and

worked at making furniture and tools the best he knew

how; he did not go into full-time ministry until the last 3

years of his life.

We are not to be idle, but to be useful, to work at what

not only pleases God, but is a joy for us to do. We also

learn that ordinary work can be extraordinary when we

allow God to transform our hearts and minds.

In each chapter a different dimension on work is ex-

plained. At the end of each chapter there are questions,

a prayer and a short story about how the principle has

been put to use by a believer. There are notes and a

scripture index for quick references.

I do think this book has merit, and can help those who

struggle to take Christ to work to be better armed with

the tools they need to succeed.

Relentless: The Power You

Need to Never Give Up

John Bevere


WATERBROOK 2011

230 PP. $20.00

ISBN: 978-0-307-45775-2


PAGE 14 THE LAMPLIGHTER HTER VOLUME 44, ISSUE 1

As I read Mr. John Bevere’s book, Relentless, I became

more unsettled and less and less appreciative, but the

doubts were shadowy and difficult to pinpoint. Not being

of a charismatic persuasion I was unfamiliar with his

former books, Extraordinary, Bait of Satan, et al. I know

now that some who really enjoyed and benefitted from

those are not very happy with Relentless. I was im-

pressed with some things I read: gaining a more vigor-

ous appetite for God’s Word, learning more of the fear of

the Lord, etc. and noted especially that “prayer builds

our inner strength to override the desire of the flesh.”

Then came chapter 2, “Ruling in Life,” and I wondered

how to align this with knowing that Christ followers are

often called in this life to endure persecution, suffering

and defamation. We do not generally expect great power

and significance in this life. I cannot accept the current

teachings of many that we are to ‘take over, take back’

cities, geographical areas, even countries-before Christ

returns to bring total Redemption.

Chapter 3, “The Power Source” begins with the sentenc-

es, “As we have discovered, we know we are to rule in

life as kings and queens. Life on this earth is not to rule

us; we are to rule it.” And he goes on with a terrific illus-

tration of a Chihuahua or grizzly bear meeting a foe and

how they deal with that foe. It seems that the author

believes that every time grace is used in Scripture it is

mistranslated and should be power. And that not just

spiritual power but power to rule.

I will not critique each chapter. But after some research

I understand that many who enjoyed Mr. Bevere’s teach-

ings formerly now feel a bit wary and perhaps betrayed

by learning more. In this book he commends people like

Kenneth Hagin and Oral Roberts and has included prin-

ciples of such movements as Dominionism, Latter Rain,

and Third Wave, to mention a few well known groups.

It is instructive that he excoriates those of the majority

who do not feel he correctly interprets his proof texts.

And to make the point of each teaching he had obviously

searched for the correct modern paraphrase or transla-

tion that helps fit the passage into his interpretation

and application. In this regard in chapter 6, “See or En-

ter” he quotes TEV of Romans 5:17, “All who receive

God’s abundant grace and are freely put right with him

will rule in life through Christ.” Thus we are to be

“exemplary kingdom influencers who bring God’s way of

life to this earth.”

But a 2009 national survey reveals that 98 percent of

American believers are unaware of God’s grace being

His empowerment. Can 98 percent be wrong in such a

basic Christian belief? And are they therefore unable to

live as God intends? To enlighten the majority he goes

into the doctrine of the kingdom of God. Has he really

found something in Scripture that everyone else has

missed and is still missing? Would God allow most of

His sheep to be deceived?

I will leave it at that and not use pages to bore you. If

you are impressed with his group, Messengers Interna-

tional, which claims to be teaching 25,000 churches and

all ages, please do not be offended. However, I know that

this book will not be shelved in our church library.

MISCELLANEOUS

Strength for the Moment:

Inspiration for Caregivers

Lori Hogan

Reviewed by Rachel Wheeler

IMAGE 2012

275 PP. $18.00

ISBN: 978-0-307-88700-9

The author is the cofounder, with her

husband, of Home Instead Senior

Care which provides services to clients through a net-

work of franchise offices in the U.S. and seventeen other

countries.

Each chapter in the book is introduced by the author,

followed by a story written by a person who is a caregiv-

er, a Bible verse and a prayer. The stories describe many

circumstances of care giving. Patients have problems

which include Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, handi-

capped children and Parkinson’s disease, and others.

The stories are interesting and it is an inspiration to

read of difficulties people have dealt with. While the

reader may choose to read the book cover to cover, it is

also possible to choose the stories of interest.

We have a group of caregivers meeting at our church

and I am sure this will be of interest to them.

All God’s Children & Blue

Suede Shoes

Ken Myers and Marvin Olasky

Reviewed by Lisa Carlier

CROSSWAY BOOKS 1973, 78, 84 AND 2011

178 PP. $18.00

ISBN: 978-1-4335-2822-4 & 1-4335-2822-3

Ken Myers begins with a new forward

written for this latest edition. The

forward is very interesting and drew me into the subject

of the book. Christians being thrown in with lions was a



very huge threat to our faith at one time. The threats to

our faith from popular culture are everywhere and so

much smaller that we often don’t take notice.

The content of the book itself was written for people

much more intellectual than I am. There are very fun

subject headings followed by paragraphs full of four and

five syllable words that I can’t comprehend. This book

could very well be enjoyed by college professors as they

debate the subject over a cognac and cheroot. “There is

no question that Modernism produced a great wave of

creativity. But, as Daniel Bell has remarked, the cost

was extremely high, including the loss of coherence in

culture, particularly in the spread of an antinomian*

attitude to moral norms and even to the idea of cultural

judgment itself.’”

For further reading nine pages of bibliography are in-

cluded, nine pages of notes and a five page index; but no

photos or sketches. Sorry.

*Antinomian: 1: one who holds that under the gospel dispensation

of grace the moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone

is necessary to salvation.

2: One who rejects a socially established morality.

Getting Here from There

Margaret R. Miles and Hiroko

Sakamura

Reviewed by Claire Widener

CASCADE BOOKS 2011

128 PP. $18.00

ISBN: 978-1-61097-053-2

Getting Here from There is the con-

versations between two women from

different countries, different up-

bringing and religions, who have in common a successful

struggle to establish careers for themselves far different

from what was expected of them. Margaret R. Miles is

Emerita Professor at Graduate Theological Union in

Berkley, California, having taught at Harvard Divinity

School for eighteen years. All this was attained by com-

munity college attendance, and teaching on staff, while

raising her young children.

Hiroko Sakomura, a “young girl from a small Japanese

town, became the owner of her own company and a

much sought-after producer of exhibitions and cultural

events in Europe, North and South America and Asia.”

Her professional activities, marriage, and raising four

children kept her busy. The two met and worked togeth-

er when Hiroko was producing an international exhibi-

tion of Buddhist art, and their conversations on varied

subjects thus began.

The two compare insights and experiences on many top-

ics: their upbringing in American or Japanese cultures;

family expectations; opportunities for education for

women; the role of religion; working in mostly male-

dominated careers. In the Epilogue, they conclude that

“...we recognize that we would not have been successful

in creating professional lives outside the home if our

societies had not already been changing. Because we

were born as feminist movements were mainstreamed,

our efforts to design and administer our own lives were

more-or-less, and increasingly accepted.”

This book would be a good addition to an “Encouraging

Words for Women” section.

The Art of Mentoring: Embracing the Great

Generational Transition

Darlene Zschech


BETHANY HOUSE 2009, 2011

160 PP. $20.00

ISBN: 978-0-7642-0934-5

Mrs. Zschech is certainly a very gifted

woman in many areas of ministry and

is even co-pastor with her husband of

a church in Sydney. She writes this book as an experi-

enced and worldwide communicator about worship arts

and bringing the younger generation alongside so its

members will be able to take the leadership in this area

of church ministry. She has many excellent points about

mentoring and does this with examples from her work in

the church and her speaking engagements.

However, I found myself at a distinct disadvantage for

two reasons. One, the title of the book is misleading for

one not up to date with all that is happening in the

world of worship arts, or the leading personalities. I did

not recognize the author’s name and so mistakenly

thought this book would be about the ministry of men-

toring in a general way. Also I admit I am more drawn

to simple acts of worship within the congregation, not

those produced by professionals. Sometimes I even feel

the old-fashioned song leader’s motions a distraction and

intrusion.

So, how then can I evaluate a book dealing mainly with

professional worship direction, and how to teach others

these skills? I will ignore both problems and evaluate

the book itself with the insertion of two questions: When

did change become the primary value in our society and

within the cause of Christ? What makes this generation

of worship leaders think future generations will auto-

matically adopt their values, methods, and fashions?

Mankind in general and especially in the contemporary



era seem to demand the new and the different for each

generation – often deciding there is nothing right or

good about the old and traditional.

In twelve sections called values, the author allows us to

follow her story of helping in transition, and enabling

others to find their full potential so they can know, ap-

preciate and use the great heritage of the faith available

in Christ. She feels that older leaders lack revelation

about raising the next generation to serve Christ. She is

convinced that this generation of worshippers and lead-

ers want to be involved with a message that moves peo-

ple to the core of their being and that they are uninter-

ested in giving their lives to passive, plastic melodies or

mundane methods of worship. They don’t want to pre-

tend to know God, they want the real thing! Therefore

she takes on the role of an apologist, i.e. one who argues

in defense or justification of another person or cause

(according to my Webster's dictionary). This is my take

on the book.

So in a very inferior nutshell I will try to summarize

some of her values: Mentoring is an act of obedience, a

gift of quality and quantity of time, of giving sacrificial

ongoing encouragement toward fulfillment and finding

your personal dreams, and vision; enabling someone to

realize their personal value to God and others and

providing a culture of life and hope, a culture of great

faith and expectancy; helping others find a chance to

become extraordinary, especially by providing flexibility.

This was only half of the shell. For the other half you

will need to read and study the book which I do recom-

mend for the passing generation of leadership in the

Church. You may need to give a bit of an introduction to

it so offenses and misunderstandings do not obscure the

good stuff!

The Debt Bomb: A Bold Plan

to Stop Washington from

Bankrupting America

Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. with

John Hart

Reviewed by June Ruyle

THOMAS NELSON, 2012

338 PP. $25.00

ISBN: 978-1-5955-5467-3

First, I have to say that my late father always said that

debt would be our undoing. With him I followed politics

with great interest from a very early age. In this politi-

cal science exposé one can learn a lot about how the US

government works and why it isn’t working as the

founding fathers intended it should.

Part 1: Each chapter deals with a set of situations and

ends with a summary of The Problems.

Part 2: Each chapter ends with a summary of The Solu-

tions.

Senator Coburn, a strong advocate for conservative gov-

ernment, also served on the Simpson-Bowles Commis-

sion and later was one of The Gang of Six, both biparti-

san committees. In each case the body of the Senate did

not follow through to stop the tidal wave stemming from

our national debt.

In 1994 Dr. Coburn was elected to the House of Repre-

sentatives. After his self imposed two term limit he went

back to his medical practice. He returned to Washington

in 2005 as a Senator and again promises to leave in

2016 after two terms.

Of course the content of this book is dated. Should

church libraries buy it? I believe the answer is yes. We

have seen churches lose their buildings because of in-

debtedness, most noticeable the famous Chrystal Cathe-

dral in California. As with most books it is most econom-

ical for the library to serve all the members of the con-

gregation. That is the underpinnings of circulation li-

braries anywhere.

BIOGRAPHY

Growing Up Amish: A Memoir

Ira Wagler

Reviewed by June Ruyle

TYNDALE HOUSE PUBLISHERS 2011

270 PP. PB. $15.00

ISBN: 978-1-4143-3936-8

Amish novels have become very popular

in recent years. For me this non-love

story is much more interesting because this memoir is

broader than just one Amish community. In rebellion of

his father’s particular ilk of Amish heritage he visited

other communities and thus the reader is exposed to a

wider view of the Amish religion.

His father and other preachers had hammered their doc-

trine into his soul and mind so that it was most difficult

to strike out for personal independence. They warned

that leaving their religion was commensurate with pur-

posefully going to hell. Their Elders are as authoritative

as the Pharisees of Jesus time and with as many rules

going far beyond the Ten Commandments. As Ira tells it



the Elders’ grasp of scripture is very weak. The God they

preach is one of judgment and doom. The church ser-

vices are several hours long and the Elders, believing

themselves to be oracles of God, use every opportunity to

hammer home their rules. These rules are extended to

practice in the home, in courtship and marriage, in rear-

ing their children, as well as their outdated horse-

powered farming.

Besides their backward way of living, there seems to be

little in the realm of loving-kindness expressed especial-

ly from the fathers. Ira left home four times and re-

turned to the fold three times for another try. He broke

away two times after going as far as baptism and joining

the church which was his desperate attempt to make it

work. He also left a broken engagement in his wake

which he greatly regretted for her sake.

After Ira’s fourth departure he met a man who had

freely joined the Amish from the outside. This man

showed the way of obtaining eternal life through

Christ’s atonement since no one can work their way to

God by works. Later in his new found Christian free-

dom Ira became a member of a Mennonite congregation.

I learned a lot about the Amish style of living. I have

empathy for those who struggle in leaving a faith that

is not a good fit for them. However, being a Christ fol-

lower and keeping the Word of God foremost is a re-

warding life on earth and leads to eternal life.

Ira read a lot and inherited his father’s gift for writing

as illustrated in this book. I recommend this book for

church libraries as an antidote to the Amish romance

stories.

FICTION

Where Lilacs Still Bloom

Jane Kirkpatrick


WATERBROOK PRESS 2012

341PP. $15.00

ISBN: 978-1-4000-7430-3

Where Lilacs Still Bloom is a histori-

cal fiction account of the life of Hulda

Klager, a German immigrant and

farm wife. Her hobby was to create an easy-to-peel ap-

ple. She lived in Woodland, Washington in the 1900s.

She planted a beautiful garden around her home. She

learned to hybridize plants and she specialized in lilacs.

She developed 250 varieties of lilacs. Flooding from the

Lewis River and the Columbia River took out her garden

more than once. Family tragedies caused her to question

her purpose.

The Hulda Klager Lilac Society now maintains the gar-

dens. The garden has a National Historic Designation.

Twenty-five thousand visitors come each year to visit

lilacs from mid-April to Mother’s Day and other flowers

during the rest of the year.

There are 10 discussion questions for groups at the end

of the book. This is a very good book and would be a good

addition to your church library. It is fun to learn about a

local woman who was an early hybridizer in a time when

women’s options were limited to teaching, nursing, or

being a housewife and mother.

Sarai: A Novel (Wives of the

Patriarchs) Jill Eileen Smith

Reviewed by Claire Widener

REVELL 2012

317 PP. $15.00

ISBN: 978-0-8007-3429-9

Sarai is good biblical fiction, staying

as close as possible to scripture. The

author portrays Sarai and Abram in a long and love-

filled marriage in a culture which often included multi-

ple wives. But Abram promises never to take another

wife, and Sarai promises Abram a son. To her sorrow no

children come, but Abram remains faithful to his prom-

ise, clinging to the promise from El Shaddai that

through a son born to them their descendents would be

as many as the stars in the sky.

The contrast in the story is supplied by Lot’s wife. The

two families live close by for many years until Lot choos-

es to settle near the city of Sodom. Lot’s wife worships

the local gods, encouraging Sarai to make an offering in

order to obtain the god’s help in conceiving a child. Sarai

refuses, clinging to the one God her husband worships.

Lot’s wife’s trust in other gods in the end brings disaster

upon herself and her family.

However, as her body grows old, Sarai panics and insists

that Abram take Hagar, her Egyptian maid, to bear

them a child. Unhappiness, turmoil and jealousy follow.

As the last chapters draw to a close, the Lord has re-

peated his promise, and the “son of promise” is forthcom-

ing, bringing laughter and joy.

Customs and culture portrayed are instructive. Abram’s

relationship and devotion to El Shaddai is the mainstay

of the story.

To this reader, it was a reminder that when we attempt

to provide God’s promises in our own strength, we only



get second best. When we rely on His timing and ways,

we enjoy the “royal way!!”

Love’s Sacred Song

Mesu Andrews

Reviewed by Dawn Cronk

REVELL 2012

443 PP. $15.00

ISBN: 978-0-8007-3408-4

Mesu Andrews writes a wonderful

biblical story from the Song of Solo-

mon. It captures the time when King

David dies and King Solomon begins his reign. There is

much strife, deception, intrigue, and unrest during this

time in history. Arielah is promised to King Solomon as

a treaty bride to sooth tensions among the tribes. All is

not easy for Arielah and King Solomon, as choices that

are made have consequences, even to a king. But God is

faithful as we see in Arielah’s life, even when the answer

is “wait.”

I found this novel fascinating, as it takes a small portion

of the Bible and brings it to brilliant light. I adored the

descriptions of how life was then, and how decisions

made can have a ripple effect on others for generations

to come.

Anyone who likes biblical fiction will enjoy the detail

and research that went into this book. I suspect this

book won’t be seeing much shelf life!

When the Smoke Clears

Lynette Eason

Reviewed by Lisa Carlier

REVELL 2012

340 PP. $15.00

ISBN: 9780800720070

When the Smoke Clears is the first

book in the Deadly Reunion series by

Lynette Eason. The action starts on

page one. The prologue tells us about a scary incident

involving three high school graduates in 2002. Now our

heroine is Alexia, a fire fighter with a sabotaged air

hose. She survives that incident but is put on leave for

further investigation. Alexia has an ugly past full of

child abuse, a deadly fire and a ten year estrangement

from all her family members. She decides to go back

home to visit her mother in the hospital. But the danger

follows her to Columbia. Every day, at every turn there

is another attempt on Alexia's life, but why? We get

glimpses into the perpetrators' minds. Alexia is sur-

rounded by helpful police, including two brothers and

others who are willing to tell her of God's love. At one

point she says, "Not you, too; there are God people eve-

rywhere!"

Of course there is a love story mixed in, and part of the

mystery is solved, but the most elusive bad guy is still

on the loose. Stay tuned for further installments con-

cerning Alexia's friends Jillian and Serena in the Deadly

Reunion series.

This book would be interesting to adults who like excite-

ment along with their romance. Along with the intrigue

you will find: a family reunion, understanding, for-

giveness, and shared Bible verses. It kept me interested

till the last page.

The Scent of Cherry Blossoms

Cindy Woodsmall

Reviewed by Diana Redetzke

WATERBROOK 2012

208 PP. $15.00

ISBN: 978-0-307-44655-8

Sub titled “A Romance from the Heart

of Amish Country,” the main charac-

ters are Annie, a Mennonite, and Aden

who is Amish. This love story gives some historical back-

ground to the different beliefs of these to sects, in partic-

ular that they should not marry. While they were taught

that marriage between the two is a sin, Annie and Aden

question whether this is what God is really calling a sin,

especially since they feel they were meant to be together

forever.

Annie helps out Aden’s family with a restaurant they

run where Aden is the cook. Roman, Aden’s twin broth-

er, who is paralyzed due to an accident, has depended on

his brother to get him in and out of his wheelchair. He

resents the relationship developing between Aden and

Annie and is dealing with his own self esteem. All the

characters are of an age to consider marriage and this is

mainly what the story is about.

The Hour Before Dawn

Penelope Wilcox

Reviewed by Diana Redetzke

CROSSWAY BOOKS 2011

242 PP. $15.00

ISBN: 1-4335-2479-0

This is book four from the Hawk and



Dove Series. Although fiction, the setting is based on

historical background and is quite interesting to read.

This story takes place in England probably between

1500 and 1700. The main characters are Abbott John

and Father William. Although Father William is the

cellarer’s assistant he has taken on the responsibility of

helping the Abbott come to grips with the recent tragedy

to his family, the horrific death of his mother and attack

on his sister. Some people thought they were witches.

They lived on their own a distance from the monastery

where the Abbott was. When the Abbott is told of the

ordeal he goes into shock and blames himself that he

wasn’t there to protect them. This is where Father Wil-

liam, himself an outcast from a monastery, interacts and

helps the Abbott. He reminded the Abbott that God was

in charge and that God does not want him to keep blam-

ing himself, but to ask for forgiveness and move on to

help his sister and others.

I enjoyed the interaction between these two men, about

their faith, asking for forgiveness, and helping others as

they travelled the countryside.

The Pursuit of Lucy Banning

Olivia Newport

Reviewed by Staff of Christian Family

Library, Boise, ID

REVELL 2012

297 PP. $15.00

ISBN: 428-0-8007-2038-4

This is a historical novel set in Chicago in 1897 at the

time of the first Chicago World’s Fair. Lucy Banning,

daughter of a rich, socially prominent family, is expected

to follow this lifestyle and marry into another prominent

family. Lucy, however, is more interested in getting a

college education and helping in an orphan’s institution.

She gives up her desires and becomes engaged to Daniel

Jules. She is uneasy about this, especially after meeting

a talented architect, Will Edwards.

The historical details are interesting. Our staff was di-

vided about the plot, some finding it absorbing to follow,

others describing it as “too predictable and plastic.”

This is the first book of the Avenue of

Dreams series.

Words Spoken True

Ann H. Gabhart


Library, Boise, ID

REVELL 2012

368 PP. $15.00

ISBN: 978-0-8007-20450

A historical novel set in Louisville, Kentucky in 1855.

Two competing newspapers strive to attract readers by

reporting on political unrest, acceptance of German and

Irish immigration and worry over an at-large murderer

called “the river slasher.” Adrienne Darey, who helps

her father in publishing the Tribune, resists his insist-

ence on her engagement to the son of his major investor.

Instead she finds herself attracted to the editor of rival

newspaper The Herald.

The plot holds the reader’s attention revolving around

the political views, world events and a young woman’s

loyalty to her father.

The main theme is God’s truth and light illuminating

darkness and overcoming evil. We would recommend

this book to any library.

Heart’s Safe Passage

Laurie Alice Eakes


Library, Boise, ID

REVELL 2012

324 PP. $15.00

ISBN: 978-0-8007-19852

This is Book 2 of the Midwives Series,

a historical novel.

Widow Phoebe Lee, a practicing midwife, finds herself

an unwilling passenger on a ship bound for England late

in the War of 1812. She accompanies her sister-in-law

Belinda, whose presence in England, she believes, will

help release her husband, an English prisoner of war.

A combination of conflict and attraction to Phoebe com-

plicate the situation for ship’s captain Rafe Docherty. He

needs information that Belinda’s husband George Chap-

man can provide. Rafe has a personal vendetta against

James Brock, whom he is convinced is responsible for

the death of his wife and parents. He abandons his med-

ical practice to avenge his family and regain his fortune.

Rafe’s life is changed through his relationship with

Phoebe. He finds salvation, abandons his life at sea and

resumes his medical practice.

The book is full of tedious detail and the plot is slow-

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