Joe's #8: Real Church By Larry Crabb

It’s not that this book is bad, it’s just isn’t what it could be. It leaves a bitter taste in the mouth through much of the book—and that might be the genius. I resonated with much of what the author had to say early on in the book. I loved how he talked about his former “Catholic phobia.” I stood up and clapped (literally) when he stated, “I’m not persuaded that experiencing God sensually and knowing God compellingly are the same thing.” But then he went and did it again. He complains about churches that don’t equip their people to “experience God” (whatever that means) and he then complains about the churches that do. As others who have reviewed the book have noted, he seems almost schizophrenic.

But maybe that’s the magic in this book. Or maybe it’s the danger. I love Crabb’s writings. I have almost all of his books. Many are marked up and highlighted but even I have to admit that Crabb has always been writing on the edge of his formed thought. One year, we need counseling, the next we just need to find the safest place on earth (ironically he insinuates in that book that it is the church).

For a while, I put this book down and walked away for a long time. Those issues were my own. This book sat on my shelf like a spurned friend’s advice. Ultimately, when I came back to it chapter 23 was there waiting for me. It has five thoughts that brought it all around for me, along with the postscript.

Crabb’s writing is raw, and honest. Maybe that should be enough.

Joe's #7: The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work

I have a man crush on John Gottman and I actually have no idea what he looks like. Hold on, I’m going to go and google his image. John Gottman’s research and writings have changed the way I counsel, they’ve changed the way I am a husband to my wife. Having said that, a lot of his writings are dry. This book is no exception. His seven principles are not earth shattering, although I’d encourage to google his 5:1 ratio or use it in all of your relationships.

Gottman’s seven principles in this book are fairly straightforward (my thoughts are in parenthesis:

1. Enhance your love maps 2. Nurture your fondness and admiration 3. Turn toward each other instead of Away 4. Let your partner influence you

-The two kinds of marital conflict (this isn’t actually a principle but understanding this is important

5. Solve your solvable problems (does that mean there are unsolvable problems?) 6. Overcome gridlock 7. Create shared meaning

All in all, I think everyone will find this book to be a satisfying read and for almost everyone there will be at least one “ah-ha” moment where it speaks directly to something going on in their relationship. Even if you are thinking that your relationship is on solid footing I encourage you to read this book.

Marriages are something we do and something we have. As something we have, they are fragile and need constant attention and care.

Joe's #6: Unprotected by Miriam Grossman

Unprotected is a book Dr. Miriam Grossman. I highly recommend it to everyone. I don't agree with everything that Dr. Grossman states in the book, but the general tenor of the book cannot be ignored.Sex has been made political in America. It is wrong to offend anyone except the religious and the fat. The psychological field is filled with left leaning and anti-religion sentiments. In short Political Correctness is causing doctors and counselors to not be able to give total treatment. To be sure, Grossman is more right leaning than I am but this book was a quick, easy read that brings into focus some necessary questions about the field of mental health and the direction it is taking. In the world of APA the holy mantra is citation of sources and this book is full of them. Books, journals, peer-reviewed articles--they're all there and most of them can be easily accessed for the lay reader to examine and check for accuracy. My fear is that too many will dismiss this book because the author is on the right in the political arena. That would not only be unfortunate, it would be a tragedy because at the very least this book should begin a dialogue about how parties are treated, from the most left atheist to the most right fundamental.

Joe's #5 Private by James Patterson

This book isn't destined to be one that our grandchildren's grandchildren talk about some day in school. But it is a fun book that has a believable plot. The characters are good. You can see them, and feel what they are feeling. They are complicated enough to be believable. The plot twists a little and yet has a somewhat predictable finish. I'll be looking forward to more books in this series. They may not be old school James Patterson but they're good enough to be read in two days.

Joe's #4 Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

I wanted to like this book. I really did. All of my friends love this author and I want to be on the inside. I want to be able to have conversations where we talk lovingly of characters and my lips creep up into a sneer when a bad guy is mentioned. I saw this book on a Bargain rack and figured that it would be a good segue into the Picoult’s world. The premise of the book is something I can get behind. I’m not a big fan of the Death Penalty as it currently stands in America. I already know that she tells the story from different perspectives of the different characters in her book. Some of my favorite author’s do that so I figure we’re good to go. She and I will get along like Peanut Butter and Jelly at the very worst and at the best we’ll be more like Peanut Butter and Chocolate.

But the book never did it for me. She never was able to scratch me where I itched. The only character I remotely cared about was the little girl. Her characters never seemed fully committed to me. They just didn’t seem real or all that sympathetic.

Her “surprise, twist ending” can be seen a mile off.

Contrived is the best word for the plot. Did the convict actually do the killing or was he protecting the child as he claims 11 years later from an abusive stepfather? I came to the point where I just didn’t care. A lot of reviews I have read say that this isn’t the author’s best work. Many of my friends say I need to give her another opportunity. I probably will but this book has brought me to the point where the next Picoult book I read will be a library one so that my investment is minimal.

Joe's #3: Scarlet (the King Raven, Book 2)

I bought the first book in this series with a touch of apprehension. I love the Robin Hood tale and enjoy fresh takes on old ideas. I loved the first book. Stephen Lawhead is at his best when he is telling a rip roaring story of love, adventure, battles and human issues. He achieves that in the first book. In Scarlet though he reminded me why I didn't like his King Arthur series. This book was a chore to finish for me. The plot itself is intriguing but the delivery lacks. The story is told from the first person POV of Will Scatlocke (Scarlet). Occasionally the book will drop back into a third person POV and actually move forward but when "Ole Will" is telling the story it's slow and painful. I just didn't like it. Love, battles, human intrigue; they're all in there, they're just buried under a mountain of unnessary words and terrible tempo.

It does end with a cliffhanger and I know that people are raving about the third book so I'm hoping Lawhead will right the ship with that one.

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