2018 - book 26

What’s the Difference
(Manhood and womanhood defined according to the Bible)
John Piper
Pages: 82

A short little book on the role of men and women in the church for single or married people. It would be interesting to discuss this in a group setting with others, to encourage each other to follow the Bible’s commands and challenge each other where we fall short.

A quote:
My earnest prayer and challenge for you is...
13. That you developed a wartime mentality and lifestyle; that you never forget that life is short , that billions of people hang in the balance of heaven and hell every day, that love of money is spiritual suicide, that the goals of upward mobility (nicer clothes, cars, houses, vacations, food, and hobbies) are a poor and dangerous substitute for the goals of living for Christ with all of your might and maximizing your joy in ministry to people’s needs.

2018 - Book 25

Pages: 150

This is the best Martha Peace book I have read this year (of 4). Each devotional is two to four pages long and is followed by a list of questions on the topic.  There are about 10-15 questions for each chapter.  It is a good conversation starter. My favorite part of the book is the two to three books that are suggested as resources on each topic.  I like that you could go do further research on them if you wanted.  I haven't seen that in many books and I always appreciate book suggestions.

2018 - Book 24

Pages: 190

I read this to the boys. It is cute, but kind of silly. 

2018 - Book 23

Pages: 230

I heard the author interviewed on Fresh Air last year and knew I wanted to read this book. He was discussing all these housing policies that I had never heard. Crazy stuff. Information that we should all know and struggle with. How could former generations have treated people so badly? And how do we do the same thing these days?   It is an excellent book (a bit dry - it is written by a lawyer after all). My children will be reading this book for school when they get older.

The book discusses how many administrations (since slavery was outlawed) have continued practices that have discriminated against people of color.  FDR was one of the worst.  The housing part is so interesting.
* Did you know that returning WWII veterans were denied housing loans by the VA if they were black?
* Did you know that many neighborhoods created covenants that banned the sale of a home to a black person in that neighborhood (and that many of these were sponsored by churches and colleges)?
* Did you know that the FHA would only loan money to developers that would build all white communities and promised to not sell to black people?
* Did you know that when FDR built many of the interstates in the country that they went through black communities and that the government did nothing to help them find alternative housing after they demolished their houses? This forced them to double and triple up in the areas that they were allowed to buy houses in.
* Did you know that projects used to be for middle-income people?
* Did you know that governments would either evict blacks that moved into a white community or allow people to harass them until they moved?

I didn't know. I put it on the list of books that every one should read. It is in my top 5 for this year (I think I have more then 5 in my top 5 by now...)

Here is the author's webpage to read even more of his writing.
I found this article especially fascinating: Five Social Disadvantages That Depress Student Performance (Why Schools Alone Can't Close Achievement Gaps). 
The part about lead poisoning is interesting.

And again I am left with wondering what I can do about this...

2018 - Book 22

Pages: 190

Jared read this to me while I was working on various projects around the house. I read it for the first time two years ago. It is excellent! The Devil character is so creepy. The book always makes me think.

Sunrises and Sunsets

Sometimes I dream of owning a house that overlooks a field and where I can watch sunrises and sunsets from a porch, in my rocking chair or hammock. I probably won’t and I am okay with that. I’m okay with seeing the occasional sunrise or sunset at a friends house or on vacation or on a walk. Because sunrises aren’t the ultimate thing they simply point us to a greater beauty. And what is coming is going to be so much better.

So often when I find myself longing for something it is because it is pointing to something greater. And if I never get to experience the reflections and small glimmers of the ultimate beauty in this life it doesn’t matter because some day I will be able to experience in full. Thinking about these things puts my priorities in order. I don’t have to chase after fleeting pleasures of this world. I don’t need to have it all now. I don’t need to see every sunrise and every sunset.

Now I see but dimly.
Then I shall see face to face.
Now I know in part.
Then I shall know fully.
(Paraphrase) 1 Cor 13