"The Last Confederate"

I'm kind of slow on my reading this week, I have been pretty busy.  I was kind of glad about him quoting Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."  Thad was asking Pet what it means to be saved.  She never really came out and told him how to be saved though. 
A few pages later he said "d... yankee", and I was very upset about that.  He has never included a bad word before, so why start now? 
There is a lot of conflict about a yankee living in the south. 
I'll tell you more on Mon.  I shouldahave finished the book by then.

"The Last Confederate" by Gilbert Morris

I am now reading book 8 in "The House of Winslow Series".  This is a very funny book.  I read to go to sleep, but last night there was such a funny scene that I couldn't stop laughing!  My poor husband had to get up early to go to work.  Morris has finally stepped out of his mold and is writing with a different plot.  I'm still not sure what is going to happen.  I'm almost halfway through with this book.
I'm gonna start writing about every other day, unless I come across something that has to be shared now!  I need to take the weekends off though because my husband is home then and hogs the computer.
When I get done with this book I am going to read a book I got from the library:  "Sunday Clothes" by Thom Lemmons.  I'll probably start reading it in a couple of days, so if you are reading along with me be sure to go to your library or bookstore and pick it up.

"The Reluctant Bridegroom" by Gilbert Winslow

"The Reluctant Bridegroom is book 7 int "The House of Winslow Series" by Gilbert Morris.  It was one of his better books I think.  It still had the two girls, but not the same as last time.  This book is about Sky Winslow, the 1/4 Indian son of Chris and Dove Winslow.  He had a bad first marriage, I believe from what the book says he did not look for a Godly wife but a pretty, popular wife.  He and his son both were victims of her infedility and it scarred them for a long time.  This was a very good book and has the typical ending but I would still recommend reading it.

Busy, busy

Just wanted to let everyone know that I won't have time to blog this weekend.  I have three cake orders I need to get out.  I'll be back on Monday.  Right now I am reading "The Reluctant Bridegroom" by Gilbert Morris, number seven in The House of Winslow Series.  If you are reading along, I want you to think about a few things.  Why did Sky marry his first wife?  Do you think he prayed first for a Godly woman? How should a man choose a Godly wife?  Would you be a Godly wife for someone?  What could you do to become a Godly wife?  Do you think he should have left his son in someone else's care for almost a year?  What kind of repercussions do you think there will be?  I'll talk to you on Monday!

The Great Awakening's influence on the Winslows.

The last two books #four, five and six all talk about the Great Awakening and Whitfield, Edwards, and later Peter Cartwright.  One thing that I have found intersting is when he is talking about the Methodist style of preaching and the "fanaticism" that went on during the preaching.  People would start shaking, screaming, and sometimes just faint while there.  People would, shout, bark and run when they were converted.  They said the the Spirit was fighting for their souls.  Many had true conversions this way.  The Winslows (from the books) were divided about how they felt about it.  I can understand why.  I know that I have been to many revivals which have had people, laughing softly because they were so happy to find Jesus, crying because they were so convicted and even lifting up their hands in worship of our Lord, but I have never seen these kind of reactions.  Were those extreme reactions from God or Satan?  We just happened to have a sermon last Sunday on these kind of behaviours.
"But these speak evil of those things which they know not:  but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves."  Jude 1:10  Definiton of brute:  "brutus, irrational, senseless"
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord..."  Isaiah 1:18  How can you "reason togehter" if you are barking like a dog or in a faint?
Charles Parham and William J. Seymour started the Pentecostal movement.  Pentecostals have a lot of irrational behaviour like this. Here is a qoute from Frank Bartleman How Pentecost came to Los Angeles, 1925.  "Brother Seymour usually...kept his head inside the (shoebox) during the meeting...Men would fall all over the house...I was truly sealed in the forehead, ceasing from the works of my own natural mind fully...My mind had always been very active...Nothing hinders faith and the operation of the Spirit so much as..the wisdom, strength and self-sufficiency of the human mind...This phenomena violates human reason..."
Here is another article from the Saint Paul Pioneer Press, Jan. 10, 2004  "Toronto-Ten years ago this month, worshippers at a small church a stone's throw from this city's airport began laughing uncontrollably.  They also made animal noises - braying, barking, howling and roaring.  They collapsed to the floor, staggered about as if drunk, shook and jerked; wept, wailed and yelped.  Faces contorted with tics.  Groans and guffaws hung in the air.  Bodies lay prone on the carpet.  To the unitiated, this was eerie stuff..."  This was obviously from Satan.
2 Peter 2:1  "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you...
2:2....the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
2:3  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you...
2:12  But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not...
2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption...."
Isn't it scary how similar these circumstances are?  We all know the great Awakening had severall revivals that brought people to the Lord, but where did these strange behaviours come from?  Definitely something to think about!!
If you would like to hear the sermon, here is a link:

http://kingdombaptist.org/videoplayer/Video-player.cfm?media=http://sermon.kingdombaptist.org.s3.amazonaws.com/The-War-On-Reason-01102009.mov&videoID=821

If this link does not work, go to kingdombaptist.org and look under the videos, all videos, you want "The War On Reason! Part 1"  date 01/10/10

"Holy Warrior" Finished

I finished Holy Warrior today.  The book talked about the first missionaries to the Indians.  Can you imagine how scary that would have been?  As usual the main character has two women he needs to decide between.  However Morris changed it up a bit this time.  It is a quick read.  More to come later.

"The Holy Warrior" by Gilbert Morris

"The Holy Warrior" is book # six in "The House of Winslow Series.  Gilbert Morris is does a good job of interconnecting the books together through the different family members, yet you don't have to read the books in order.  "The Holy Warrior" is about Christmas (Chris) Winslow, the son of Nathan and Julie.  I have read about halfway through the book.   He is running from God, but God is chasing him to bring him into God's family.  Through the books Morris mentions "bad blood" that runs in the Winslow family and pops up in the men to make them wild.  I disagree with this concept because the Bible clearly states: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."  However it does make a good story line!  Is anyone reading along with me?

Questions for "Though Waters Roar"

There are a few things you might want to think about if you are also reading this book.  A lot of feminist issues are raised.  Do you think women should be equal with men?  I say yes and no.  God created us differently.  He made man, and he made woman.  He created woman to be a helpMEET.  Not a doormat.  He made us equal but different.  It is really hard for a man to step into a woman's role as a homemaker, just as it is really hard for a woman to step into a man's role as the bread maker.  Can the roles be switched?  Yes, but it is extra hard for that person because that is not how God made us.  Women are emotional which is why we have such great mothering instincts - but it is really hard for us to fire someone in the work place because we feel sorry for them.  Men are great decision makers but they usually don't understand why the child is crying or why we have pretty curtains that have to match the rug. I help supplement the income by decorating cakes from home, which allows me to keep my home in working order without being frazzled and tired all the time.   Men have a hard time in life without a wife and a woman has a hard time in life without a husband.  Sure, I could support myself and make it in the world without my husband, but why would I want to give up his love, security, and leadership for loneliness?  "To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."  Titus 2:5

Lynn Austin

Here are some of the books that Lynn Austin has written, I have read most of them.
All She Ever Wanted
Eve's Daughters
Hidden Places
A Proper Pursuit
Though Waters Roar
Until We Reach Home
Wings Of Refuge
A Woman's Place
The Refiners Fire Series
The Chronicles of the Kings Series
I finished "Though Waters Roar" today.  It is an excellent book.  It brings up a lot of good questions and answers about a lot of stuff that affects us today even though it is set from the civil war to the roaring twenties.  I would definitely recommend reading it.
My next book I will be getting back to reading "The House of Winslow Series", and I will read book six "The Holy Warrior".  Please be sure to join my blog and become a follower.  I'll put up some questions tomorrow for "Though Waters Roar" for you to think about as you read the book.

"Though Waters Roar" quotes

I absolutely LOVE this book.  Lynn Austin is very good at weaving characters, God, and history together.  The temperance movement was such an important part of our history, and the different reasons people became involved are varied.  Grandma Bebe had a hard life, and it did not get easier for her.  She had to learn to put her whole trust in God and she learned that her parents' faith was enough to sustain her.  She needed her own faith.  I'm only halfway through with this book, but it is a definite must read.
Here are some quotes:  Talking about the suffrage movement:  One lady had a very good point:  "But if the government does grant us equality with men, might we also be required to take up arms and fight in the event of another war?"  Hasn't this already happened?  Of course we need the right to vote, but us women have fought so hard to be "equal" with men, that we are not treated as something "special" by men anymore.  It used to be that when a woman walked into the room all the men would stand, they would open doors for us, let us go first, etc.  I sure do miss those days even though they were pretty much gone by the time I was an adult.  This what Bebe's mom had to say:  "It's not a question of who is superior; it's a question of who is head  of the household.  Someone has to assume leadership in the home, and God decreed that it should be the husband. ... We can't change what is written in the Bible"  Have you noticed how many divorces there are out there because both the man and woman struggle to be the head of the home?  It doesn't work.
Tomorrow is Sunday, so I'll talk to you again on Mon.  Have a great weekend!

"Though Waters Roar" by Lynn Austin

I love Lynn Austin's books!I have only read three chapters so far, it was really hard to put the book down last night to go to sleep!  The main character  is recounting the history of the ladies in her life to explain how she got where is.  I have learned about her great-grandmother Hannah so far.  She was an amazing lady who put her faith in God to help with the underground rail road.  Did you know if you got caught harboring slaves you could get a $1,000 fine(which was probably almost a million back then!)and six months in jail!  You had to have total trust in God to be able to help out those poor people.  I think I would have done it too, We are all created equal in God's eyes, and no body has the right to own another person.  Some countries still have a form of slavery when fathers sell their daughters to men for wives.  It is despicable!  But I digress.  :)
Like I said I read 3 chapters last night before bed it is such a good book!  I would definitely recommend getting this book and read along with me.  If you are one of my local friends, let me know if you want to borrow this book!

"The Journey of Yung Lee" by Judith McCoy-Miller

Judith Miller is one of my favorite authors.  I found this book on paperbackswap.com and did not know until I received it that it was a kid's book.  I figured I would go ahead and read it so that I would know wether or not to recommend it.  "The Journey of Yung Lee" is part of a series called "The Immigrants' Chronicles".  The book is recommended for ages 8-12, but I think young teens would like it also.  It is about a young chinses girl who learns about Jesus from missionaries in China.  Her brother, who is not a believer, decides they need to move to America to look for gold.  He is the only family she has.  The book talks about how hard it is for children to move, and the struggles chinese women have with bound feet.  There is some very good facts about China woven in also.  I have only read half the book so far, but I would recommend it.  I'll tell you the rest tomorrow!

Conclusion "Watch Over Me"

I finished "Watch Over Me".  It really was a good book, after all I did read it in four days.  :)  It spoke to me because it talked about how heart-breaking the foster care system can be, getting a baby, getting attached and not knowing if you would have to give "your" baby back that you have become a family with.  The book is about a soldier, a vegan hippie, and a genius deaf teen finding a family together through God.  It talks about coming back to God and how only he can heal your hurts, and how hard it is to just live happily without making Christ the center of your life.  The book definitely makes you cry in parts.  I really wish she would take out the marital references so that I can read her other book because she is a very good author. 
Next I am going to read a book I ordered, I didn't realize it was a kid's book but it still looks good and I'll see if it is one I want to pass around to the kids at church.   It is "The Journey of Yung Lee" by Judith McCoy-Miller.  I love her books, it will probably only take me day. 
Then I am going to read a new book by another favorite author, Lynn Austin.  That book is "Though Waters Roar"
Have a blessed day everyone!!!

Is this stuff really needed?

Okay seriously, when I read a Christian fiction book it is because I want to read stories about other Christians and their struggles and adventures.  I want to read a "clean" book.  So why would a "Christian" author write references about marital relations?  Christa Parrish does not go into details or anything, but when she mentions that Abbi's husband "checked" her out (she was very descriptive) it put those images in my mind.  She also talks about when they have relations(not descriptive). I don't want those images in my mind.  Parrish is an excellent author, but I won't read another one of her books.
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of a good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Phil. 4:8

Quotes from "Watch Over Me"

I am about half way through the book.  It is very hard to put down!  Here are a couple of quotes that I liked.
Abbi was helping pass out stuff at a retiremnet home and she had free cabbage for whoever wanted it and offered it to an old lady and this was the old ladies response  "What do I want that for?  I don't buy cabbage 'cause I don't like it, so why would I take it now it's free?".  It made me think of my pack rat-itis (made up word) that I have.  If it's free I need it, actually no I don't.  I was accumulating free junk from people and I have since learned that just because it is free does not mean I need it.  That old lady hit it on the nail!
Here is another quote from the beginning of the book:  "Startled by the light and the rush of air against its body, the newborn scrunched up its face and wailed, fists flailing like a prizefighter's, knuckles bluish-gray and filmy.  The umbilical cord hung from its-her-belly, a dirty shoelcae knotted near the frayed end."
Parrish is very good at descriptions and capturing your attention.  When I read that I felt like I was the with the deputy when he found her.  Made me want to cry!

Recipe for Gharge (Sweet Pumpkin Puris)

Here is one of Benjamin's favorite recipes from "Watch Over Me".  The authour sent this recipe to me with the book.  I can't wait to try it!
Ingredients:
1 cup grated/minced pumpkin (canned pumpkin can be used)
1/2 cup rice flour (white flour can be substituted)
1/2 cup cream of wheat
1/3 cup of whole wheat flour
1 cup unrefined sugar or brown sugar
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp warmed vegetable oil (I wonder if I can substitute a mild EVOO or grapeseed oil?)
Oil for frying.
1.  Combine pumpkin and sugar in a saucepan and cook together on med. heat until pumpkin is cooked and the mixture is a thick sticky mass.
2.  To the warm mixture, add the warmed oil, cardamom powder, salt and flour and cream of wheat.  Knead well.
3.  Make small golf-ball sized balls of this mixture.  Flatten each ball into a circle about the thickness of a pancake.  This can be done easily between wax paper.
4.  Deep fry the gharges until golden brown in about 1 in. of oil.
5.  Drain on paper towels.  When gharges are cool, store them in an airtight container.
As soon as my two weeks of my raw food fast is up I am definitely going to try this!

"Watch Over Mae" Christa Parrish

I started reading "Watch Over Me" by Christa Parrish yesterday.  She is a new author for me.  Her writing style is a lot like Jodi Picoult.  She is very skillful at drawing her readers into the characters lives.  It is about a man of Indian (from India) blood who is married to a hippie.  He was raised in an Indian home with Indian culture here in America.  He changed after serving in hte military in Afghanistan.  She reminds me some of me in the way she likes to dress (broomstick skirts, and t-shirts - which I love to wear when the mood strikes), she's a healthnut (probably a vegetarian?), she's not used to having a family and rules.  They are both Christians, very liberal though - she has a nose ring.  They are trying to build a relationship back together after he comes home but do not know how to.
I don't agree with how they choose their church.  She wants to go to the catholic church because it is more "fun", he wants to go to the Baptist church because it reminds him of his church bnack home, so they compromise and go to an ssembly God of church if I remember correctly.  Whatever happened to choosing a church because you agree with their doctrine?  The sad part is that is how a lot of people choose their church.  When my husband and I chose our church we looked for a church that believed salvation by grace, water baptism, and other things.  Of course we are not sheep led by the nose, but you should go to a church that preaches the bible 100% (KJV - because it has never been changed and is the inspired Word of God).
But back to the book - The wife, Abbi, cannot have kids and Benjamin, the husband, has always wanted to have kids.  He is a policeman and finds a baby just a few hours old in an abandoned field and they take her in as foster parents.  Will the baby draw them together?  Or farther apart?

The House of Winslow Series by Gilbert Winslow

Right now I am reading the Winslow Series by Gilbert Morris.  I just finished book five "The Saintly Buccaneer".  I really like this series.  It is about the lineage of a family, the Winslows.  The first book starts with Gilbert Winslow and how he ends up on the Mayflower and comes to America from England.  He was not a puritan.  It describes his struggles with God and personal relationaships.  Morris includes a lot of historical facts (do you ever wonder how accurate some of these authors are?).  I love reading historical fiction and learning about history.  Book four and five are about two of his grandsons during the Revolutionary war, one is a Loyalist and one is a Patriot.   They are full of action and romance.    He talks about salvation, but he is not very clear on how to get saved.  Have you read any of these books?  What did you think about them?  I am taking a break from the series to read "Watch Over Me" by Christa Parrish.  I have not read her before, I'll let you know how it is.