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Movie & Book Recommendations
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Greetings devoted readers and ardent followers of NSC's "book of the month selection". How is your new year going? For awhile now it has been our habitual habit and monthly practice to choose a literary work to inspire, encourage, and diligently point you in the right direction of continued recovery. Well...we hope you're ready for something a little different, cause this year we've decided to make a small change. Instead of a book of the month, each month, here in the newsletter you will find a "movie of the month" - I can already hear squeals of delight! Tune in each month to find the pick. These movies will be chosen, most obviously as they pertain to recovery, family dynamics and other significant relationships, meeting challenges, recognizing opportunities, facing disappointments - falling down and getting back up again...and again - and all the things in between as we continue to find our way back to God and grow sturdy, grown-up lives.
These flicks may be viewed alone, with family, or with your small group of choice - the possibilities are endless! The rating will be posted with each movie and not all will be suitable for children. As with real life and recovery, some topics and situations depicted in these stories are for adults only.
Having said all that, we hope you will all watch, think, question, and talk, talk, talk about each movie that you see each month. Jesus told stories. We most often see ourselves in others stories and the telling of a tale. Let's strap on our God-vision goggles...and don't forget the popcorn!
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The Emperor's Club
Kevin Kline stars as a teacher in a boy's prep school. Mr. Hundert is dedicated to his profession and is intent on instructing the boys in much more than the academics - he is interested in character. Sedgewick Bell arrives on campus, with a smart-aleck-smart-mouth, and an arrogant attitude to match. He is the stereotypically spoiled, indulged son of a ruthless politician Father, who never had quite enough time for his boy. Mr. Hundert sees beyond Sedgewick's facade and brings out the very best in him. This is a story about strengths and weaknesses - about seeing and knowing them. It's about community, and the outcomes and consequences of how we handle truth - what we do with it. It is beautiful and heart-breaking...and somewhere in between all that - a great movie to watch with your kids and NOT teach a lesson. Sit quietly with this one and let them deliver their own take. The Emperor's Club offers great wisdom. August 2011 Movie of the Month |
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The Freedom Writers (Rated PG13)
In 1992 there were riots in L.A. and in 1994, Erin Gruwell left the safety of her hometown of Newport Beach, California to teach in Long Beach at Woodrow Wilson High School. Once an accomplished school, preparing students for college, she finds that all of her kids are considered at-risk and unteachable. As she attempts to instruct and reach them, it becomes clear that the danger they meet outside the classroom leaves little time for education. She assigns the book, The Diary of Anne Frank and asks them to keep journals about their troubled lives, and apply the lessons they see in history to break the cycle of violence and hopelessness that threatens their own futures. Their writing is compiled in book form and entitled - The Freedom Writers. Hillary Swank stars in this true story of a young educator who took the risk to teach those labeled at-risk. As her class is transformed they raise the money to have Miep Gies, the woman who sheltered Anne Frank from the German soldiers come to speak to them. An amazing movie about reading, writing, and learning - all in the context of story and relationship. It's July's pick - let freedom ring.
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All That is Bitter and Sweet by Ashley Judd
Ashley Judd is known to the world as an actress. She is daughter to Naomi and sister to Wynonna - the famous singing duo, "The Judds". She is married to a race car driver. But did you know that she is also a global ambassador for YouthAIDS, a prevention program operating under the organization of Population Services International? She is a humanitarian and advocate in places such as Cambodia, Kenya, and Rwanda, for a balanced and integrated approach to empower human rights and global health, and to prevent social atrocities. All to know and tell the stories of "the least of these". Pretty gritty and serious stuff...Ashley attributes the ability to visit and enter these places of deepest darkest pain and touch lives that most would turn away from... to her recovery. This book is her memoir. She sets down on these pages the course of her life - past and present. She offers us, her readers, a glimpse of real recovery, true transformation, and the acknowledgment she has for the essential importance it holds in her life. She values her recovery. It makes all things possible. She walks her own walk with active intention, making her own the life, the very blessing she has received. June 2011 Book of the Month
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An Education (Rated PG-13) "The life I want - there's no shortcut."
Can it be June already? We're halfway through this year and according to my calculations...what - not a single chick-flick to date? It's time to remedy that! And not just any will do. June holds the very special dates set aside for the celebratory moments of graduation. Yes, June is the "Ta-Daaaaaaaa" time on the calendar to cross one finish line and prepare for another. With the flip of a tassel, life changes and the next chapter presents itself. So, before caps are tossed and forgotten, let's take a look at - An Education. Our star is Jenny Mellor - pretty, young, smart, and talented to boot. She is the whole package. She has goals and dreams worthy of a life worth living by most any standards. And then a chance encounter - or so it would seem, occurs. Enter David, the older man - charming and decidedly likeable by the afore-mentioned traits. His clean-cut, courteous, whatever-could-you-mean-I only-have-your-best-interests-at-heart-and -I-find-you-mutually-irresistable-personality-of-a-person...whew - sweeps our heroine right off her firmly-planted-pretty-young-smart-and-talented-to-boot...feet. and while he's at it - all of this charisma works quite nicely on her parents too. This movie takes place in the sixties, when the world was a kinder, gentler, less- aware -of -what- might- lurk-out-there culture (school drills of hiding under our desks in case "the bomb" just happened to be dropped, aside). Girls became women and sought education - though the opportunities as to what to do with such pursuits was somewhat limited. Still, Jenny has plans for Oxford - "to read English". What happens in the place between the dream and the acquisition is the story this movie tells. If you were ever young and remember that all of life seemed to exist as a hurry up and wait state - you will completely already know and love this movie - a bitter sweet tale of being smitten and naive, of taking shortcuts that can't deliver. Carey Mulligan shines in a stand-out performance. An intelligent tale that I am tickled pink to name as our flick for chicks this month. But make no mistake...girly and manly men - if they dare - will love it too! June 2011 Movie of the Month
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The King's Speech (Rated PG-13)
It's the year of the royal wedding. As we watch the Brits from the sidelines and admire their history, hierarchy, and hats...er, well, some of them...it is only fitting and proper that May's choice for movie of the month is The King's Speech. Here's the tale. Prince Albert Duke of York had an older brother who was heir to the throne. But of course, there was one problem - he took up with an American woman who just happened to be a divorcee...pause and gasp. Now this might make for a great Lifetime movie, but it did not please the English Royal etiquette of the day - it simply was NOT done. No problem. The Duke of York - Bertie, was a man of good character and able to step up to the occasion. But there was a problem - his speech. He stammered. And so the plot thickens. Bertie now becomes King George VI. Enter Lionel, a quirky yet plain-spoken chap - the Australian speech therapist. What happens then? Well, it's the stuff good stories are made of. The Duke who became a King needed speech therapy, the people needed a King who could speak with confidence and lead as any good leader should. Bertie, needed a friend and confidante to reveal his story to. Ahhh...I can smell an Oscar...and when you think it can't possibly get any better - I'll let you in on a little known fact - wait for it...David Seidler, the screenwriter overcame his own stammer during his youth and discovered this story, researched it, and well, the rest as they say is - history. A movie about men and relationship. Who would have ever thunk it? Those British and their stiff upper lips...May 2011 Movie of the Month
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Moments of Clarity by Christopher Kennedy Lawford
Remember "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous"? I can still hear Robin Leach enticing us to watch with his captivating British accent...anyway, this too is a book about the rich and/or famous, mostly. Christopher Kennedy Lawford's mother's brother was John F. Kennedy. His father was British actor, Peter Lawford. Chris is an actor, activist, and an author, and he has been in recovery for 24 years. Moments of Clarity is a collection of stories. A collection of stories from folks struggling to find their way back from addiction. Their narratives are touching and truthful. It is a work of great beauty and depth, of relatable perspective. Moments of honesty, grace, and humility - these are the gifts of Moments of Clarity. May 2011 Book of the Month
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Get Low (Rated PG-13)
"Forgiveness is free, but you do have to ask for it."
Set during the great depression and based on a true tall tale, this movie is about Felix Bush, a self-imposed hermit, who plans his own funeral/party. There is a certain secret that he's been keeping in his self-imposed life of isolation and he needs some help in bringing himself and the truth out into the light of day. You see, his shame has kept him alone for 40 years - he jokes, "the first 38 were the hardest." Robert Duvall, Bill Murray, and Sissy Spacek are the big names in this small film. Themes of community, forgiveness, and redemption take the front row and decency writes the story. As for special effects, watch and listen closely for the kind that work only on the heart. April 2011 Movie of the Month
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Crazy Heart (Rate R)
There are many reasons to see this movie. There's Jeff Bridges in an Oscar-winning role - he's so good, you will forgive him for King Kong (1976). Then there is Robert Duvall who is just a joy to watch...period. Colin Farrell sings his own songs - and you thought he was just a pretty face. The story, the music, and the characters are organic. Watching this movie is like shopping and eating from the fresh produce section at Whole Foods - satisfying and filling, with just enough grit to keep it real. Crazy Heart tells an authentic tale of one man's addiction and recovery - and gets it right. March 2011 Movie of the Month
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Groundhog Day
"Happiness Takes Practice" - I saw this painted with great flourish today on the side of Happy the Artist's van. Happy, decked out in super-hero pants complete with top hat, rolled into the Jiffy Lube for an oil change, accompanied by his canine companion who donned a festively faded red pom-pom collar. I chatted with him a bit about his prolific pondering and how I thought this sentiment expressed very simply the meaning of the movie, Groundhog Day. "It's our movie of the month at NorthStar Community, you see," I said. "I was thinking about Bill Murray reliving that day over and over again until he finally found happiness." We talked awhile more, in between the crew trying to find Happy in their system. "What's your last name again?" they asked. "That's Happy the Artist?" Then they asked him, "How much air would you like in your tires?" "Enough," he replied. He told me that Punxsutawney Phil recently died, but not to worry, there were many Lassies, as well.
This month's movie pick is Groundhog Day. You can watch with the whole family. You may have seen it before, but remember - this stuff takes practice. February 2011 Movie of the Month
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Sacred Companions
"If the church is to be restored to its rightful place of relevance to and preeminence in supporting the care and cure of souls, we must equip and encourage people to offer themselves to others in relationships of soul friendship and spiritual companionship." David Benner has me spellbound from the preface! But how do we become sacred companions ourselves, much less equip and encourage others Sacred Companions to do the same? Benner's book invites us explore the meaning of sacred companionship without mincing words about the work required to become this kind of friend to others. It is our February book of the month AND will be our home study group study guide in the fall of 2011. It's a four star must read for folks interested in considering the "how to's" of laying one's life down for a friend without going codependent. I recommend getting it in March and reading it a couple of times before using it in our small group study. It is that good. And that meaty. Enjoy! February 2011 Book of the Month
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Rachel Getting Married (Rated R for all the right reasons)
January's movie of the month starts off with a bang. Rachel Getting Married stars the darling Anne Hathaway, in an intense portrayal that is a departure from her usual girl- next- door roles. Her character's name is Kym and she has come home to attend her sister's wedding - did I mention that she's been in and out of rehab for 10 years? Her estranged mother is played by Debra Winger. From the moment this movie begins chaos ensues. As the family gathers for Rachel's nuptials, unresolved issues over a tragic loss are exposed. Themes of recovery and relapse, denial, powerlessness, guilt, shame, and questions concerning responsibility are all present in this riveting story. Most definitely off limits for little ones. Suggested viewing and sharing in small groups. January 2011 Movie of the Month |
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Recovery comes to us in many ways...as varied as the ways God finds to reach out and draw us ever closer to Him. And so it is with God's written word. Dallas Willard says, "It may come through sermons, through art, through casual conversation, through dramatic performances, literature or song. All of these are important." The books recommended here are carefully considered and offered in great expectation of the ways God may reach out to you, as you find your way back to Him in your recovery. - Princess Bookworm
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From Binge to Blackout by Chris and Toren Volkmann
ALCOHOL: The number one drug of choice for America's youth. Throughout his college years, Toren Volkmann partied like there was no tomorrow. And like so many parents, his mother, Chris, overlooked Toren's growing alcohol problem. But when he graduated, Toren realized that he had become a full-blown alcoholic with a college diploma. Written from the viewpoints of both mother and son, this is a riveting, enlightening, and heartbreakingly true story of a family that was able to confront the fear, pain, and denial that threatened to destroy them-and survive the epidemic of teenage drinking that is putting America's future at risk. August 2010 Book of the Month
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A Thorn in My Pocket by Eustacia Cutler
"First of all, what is autism? Autism is a developmental disorder. A defect in the systems which process incoming sensory information causes the child to over-react to some stimuli and under-react to others. The autistic child often withdraws from her environment and people in it to block out an onslaught of incoming stimulation. Autism is a childhood anomaly that separates the child from interpersonal relationships. She does not reach out and explore the world around her, but instead stays in her own inner world." (Emergence by Temple Grandin, PhD and Margaret M. Scariano)
In 2010 in the United States, one child in 110 will be diagnosed with autism. You may know someone or you may be a someone these numbers speak to. A statistic of this proportion makes this diagnosis one that is hard to hold at arm's length - for many, it is personal. Temple Grandin was born in 1947, a time when being labeled "autistic" seemed dire. A Thorn In My Pocket is the story of Temple, her family, and her mother's experience of navigating life, when little was known or understood and few resources existed for those seeking to help those on the spectrum.
Their experience is a portrait of lives, attempting to make sense of it all. Temple's mother, Eustacia chronicles how "the making sense of it all" colored the world they moved in. Her account educates and gives hope to so many striving to relate and guide - to reach a child - that seems to live in a separate realm. She also acknowledges and validates the hard reality of the everyday challenges that confront and confound parent and child - the frustrating and bewildering ongoing task of finding their place in the world. It is a work of great strength and value - a certain affirmation of acceptance and coming to terms with conditions a parent does not forsee or make plans for. As Eustacia so simply states, "There was no magic, there was just doing the best I could. That's the point." This is a lesson in courage.
Additional recommended reading: "Thinking In Pictures" by Temple Grandin tells the amazing story of autism through the window of her mind's eye. In August, the movie based on this book will be released on DVD. And to hear Temple speak, you can find her on www.youtube.com. July 2010 Book of the Month
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Dear Reader,
Can we talk? Every month, as regular as Metamucil, a book of the month is chosen. Each book that makes the cut is carefully considered for all the right reasons. This month's selection is an account of what life is like when one is obsessed with real estate. This is not sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll. This is the story of a woman with wander lust, who once employed movers four times in six months - she moved a lot...and I was moved by her experience...no, not that kind of moved...I was moved to write her a letter. The following serves as this month's synopsis.
Dear Meghan Daum,
I grew up in the deep South - the real South - where real men never ate quiche and females in polite company were called ladies. Cotton is no longer king, but big hair and blue eye-shadow still rule, and a close companion of these two is "The Beauty Pageant". A friend who traversed the circuit once told me the story of a woman who traveled to Atlantic City to see the Miss America Pageant. While stepping into the ladies room she happened to run into the reigning queen herself from the year past. Tiara tazed, the woman proceeded to adore and gush over her most profusely. Finally, Miss America excused herself to do what most ladies come to the ladies room to do. As America's royal highness of "Our Ideal" began to tinkle on the toilet, her biggest fan, the woman who had just shamelessly gagad over her, shrieked, "I have to leave now! I just can't bear to think of you ("there she goes, Miss America") that way!"
It made me think of your book and the unflinching honesty you gave all your readers. Every time I almost said - I can't believe this - I quickly replaced it with - wow, this sounds just like me. I do not share the same affection for real estate that is yours, but I must admit - where you seem to have only one affliction, alas, mine are too varied and multiple to name. As I read, I related and couldn't help thinking it was like holding up a mirror in front of moi. Oh, yes - back to the Miss America story. There are parts of myself that are my least favorite, and parts that I sort of like. I don't mind bringing my good qualities out for a view, but the least desirable still give me a little cringe, at times. I was thinking about how entertaining your book was to me, how it gave me a certain sense of comfort and assurance, that you were okay in revealing these...may I gently suggest...more neurotic parts of yourself. Your book simply wouldn't have been the same if you had written it in any other fashion. It made you entirely human and real to me in an endearing way. And then, I thought, if I can feel that way simply by reading another person's memoir of foolishness and mayhem . . . perhaps I could be more accepting of myself. If Meg - may I call you Meg - can bear to think of herself this way and admit it to thousands, maybe even millions of people, so can I (well, maybe not millions...)
I am part of a recovery ministry for...well, you name it, we have it. We chose your book, Life Would Be Perfect If I Lived In That House, for our book of the month selection. We are a diverse community of spiritually minded people who gather each week to try and love God, ourselves, and others. We seek the truth - and to tell the truth about ourselves in a safe place. We rely on grace. Thank you for graciously writing such a funny, warm, candid, and poignant book - for "baring it" and "bearing it " all, as we say in the South - whole hog or none! If you're ever in our neck of the woods, feel free to drop by...you'll fit right in... June 2010 Book of the Month
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Nurture Shock - New Thinking About Children by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman
Oh the shock and awe that is parenthood! We know the jingle - first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby carriage. Babies pop out all pink and wrinkly - simply irresistible in every way. We feed them when they're hungry, change them when they've peed and pooped, and shower them with goo-goo-ga-ga and loads of kisses. And then...we wonder about the rest - we give it our best...and at some point panic! What were we thinking? Are our instincts reliable when it comes to this most daunting of tasks? Forget about whatever happened to Baby Jane, for crying out loud - whatever happened to Dr. Spock? Where or where can we turn for the latest facts about raising our offspring? In addition to properly potty training our kids, most of us would also like to see them grow up to be healthy and happy and perhaps honest, empathetic, fair, and grateful...would this really be asking too much? Let's face it - we've come a long way, baby, since father knew best. Exactly what are the experts currently saying about training up a child in the way he or she should go, we wonder? Well, wonder no more, because it's all here in
May's book selection! Until babies come with Super Nannies and teenagers can be placed in holding tanks - strictly for scientific observation, only...settle in with Nurture Shock. This insightful new thinking about children, could change our way of thinking, and that could change a generation. May 2010 Book of the Month
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A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller
"We live in a world where bad stories are told, stories that teach us life doesn't mean anything and that humanity has no great purpose. It's a good calling then, to speak a better story. How brightly a better story shines. How easily the world looks to it in wonder. How grateful we are to hear these stories, and how happy it makes us to repeat them."
Once upon a time Donald Miller wrote a book. Maybe you read it - Blue Like Jazz? Maybe you liked it. Some other people liked it too - so much that plans were made to make it into a movie. That's when the trouble, or as Donald likes to call it - the "conflict" began. You see, the makers of his movie felt the need to make up some stuff about his life - because...well...his stuff wasn't the stuff good stories are made of... his character was...boring. All this made Don wonder... what are the elements of a meaningful life? So, he investigated and took a class - a thirty-six hour seminar all about "Story", to be specific. And then he began to wonder whether a person could plan a story for his life and live it intentionally. And, so, he wrote another book - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. It's about the things in life worth pursuing and the other things that are not, so much. Donald Miller has always written good stories, but with this book he begins to live better stories. So, you might wonder...does Don live happily ever after? This is where the tale really takes off, the adventure begins, and this synopsis ends...because, as someone once wisely said...that is the rest of the story. . . April 2010 Book of the Month
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Step Out On Nothing by Byron Pitts
At first glance, this story of one man's life, might appear remarkable...and it is. It might appear to be about a herculean effort to overcome illiteracy and stuttering and a difficult childhood... it's that, too. But a closer look reveals something more - a story of faith and the God who filled in insurmountable gaps on the way to a dream. A plan for a life that many believed down-right impossible. Read it - and believe all that is possible. "As an individual, there is nothing remarkable about my abilities or my intellect. I was simply blessed to be born in the greatest country on earth and blessed to have been surrounded by wonderful people who stood in the gap at every vital moment in my life. They, too, are ordinary people, and most readily admit they serve an extraordinary God. I'm not smart enough or wise enough to advocate a religion to anyone, but I know what's worked for me. I know that in all the darkest, loneliest moments of my life, when I felt the world was against me and the winds of conventional wisdom were in my face, in those moments, God held me in the palm of His hand. His Son, Jesus Christ, died so that I might live.
His sacrifice set the stage for every success I've been blessed to achieve thus far. When to the outside world it appeared I was stepping out on nothing, I was standing in the center of God's hands. He's got big hands. There's plenty of room." March 2010 Book of the Month
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Bo's Cafe by John Lynch, Bill Thrall, and Bruce McNicol
"Until we believe what Jesus says He did," Andy says, "It's hard to accept the lies we tell ourselves and replace them with the real identity God's handing us. He offers this new life, the life we were trying to fake our way to with our self-stories. And it comes without any condemnation. He's smiling with His arm around us, looking at our messed-up lives together with us and saying He's crazy about us. Nothing surprises Him or makes Him want to run. He's known about our problems from before the world began, and He knows where we're headed now. And that flat-out trounces shame."
The authors of TrueFaced, February 2009's book of the month, have returned with the story of Steven and Lindsey Kenner - lives in crisis. All the principles that these guys taught in TrueFaced now take shape in the form of story. In Steven and Lindsey's crises we see our own. And as we follow their story we find hope for our own. If you liked TrueFaced you'll like Bo's Cafe - a place that serves up more than a mean shrimp cocktail. It's a place where everybody wants to know much more than your name - this is a community that dares to know your pain. And through these interactions, the freedom of being known emerges. Healing relationships form. At Bo's no reservations are needed, and grace is the house specialty...see you there. February 2010 Book of the month.
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snark⋅y [snahr-kee]
–adjective, snark⋅i⋅er, snark⋅i⋅est. Chiefly British Slang.
testy or irritable; short.
Snarky...there's a word you don't hear too often - at least not when it comes to spiritual memoirs. So here's the story of a woman, Susan Isaacs, who wanted to "play her note". When she was young she knew that God was good and Jesus loved her. She had amazing conversations with God... then life got complicated - heartbreaks, heartaches, and general mayhem ensued...and it may come as no great surprise - relationship with God began to tank. And as tragic as heartbreaks and heartaches can be, greater still became the tragedy of God's silence in it all. Wow - this is really beginning to sound depressing...what happened to snarky? Oh yeah, well, you see Susan decided the best thing to do, would be to take God to counseling - couples counseling, that is, because she and God really weren't getting along. So, with the help of her therapist, Rudy, the sessions begin and guess what? God shows up, Jesus too. As spiritual memoirs go, this one is decidedly snarky - though endearingly authentically so. Okay, there is some whining in this book - but what great book doesn't have a little whining? Susan Isaacs set out to vent her frustrations with the God she loved...she did...and He surprised her... January 2010 Book of the month.
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Every Star down in NorthStar needed a book
And not just the usual Christmas "commercial" hook
They needed to pause and remember the season
Now please don't obsess, just know there's a reason
It could be a generational circumstance
A frenzied and harried holiday dance
Maybe the mothers and fathers carried on in such a way
That many of their children were confused about the day
Whatever the reason, inherited or not
They needed a story - every grown-up and tot
So, the Princess Bookworm paced in her hut
Wondering, what book could possibly make the cut
"They're putting up wreaths and trimming their trees."
"They're using their credit cards - they're trying to please!"
Then the Princess had a marvelous thought...
That the book about the Grinch and Whoville,
could be the book that she sought
"They'll love it, she said, they'll curl up in bed."
"By young and by old, the tale will be read."
So it came to pass, in the month of December
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" - became the book to remember
And the Stars down in NorthStar, the tall and the small
Discovered Christmas really isn't found in the mall
And joining together they began to sing,
"What do you know - Christmas is a God Thing!"
And what happened then, well...in NorthStar they say
Their hearts all quadrupled in size that day!
But don't take my word for it - just read it and see
How blessed Christmas truly can be!
- the Princess Bookworm
(who was completely inspired by the clever and timeless,
but never rhyme-less...Dr. Seuss) December 2009 Book of the month
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unChristian, What A New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity...And Why It Matters by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons
What's your view of Christianity these days? Are you inside or outside the church? Does this affect your perception? The writers of unChristian took on the task of studying such questions as these, specifically, the candid opinions of outsiders, ages sixteen to twenty-nine. Their findings may surprise you. One consistent insight is that Christians are primarily perceived for what they stand against. "We have become famous for what we oppose, rather than who we are for." While not all reactions to the study are negative, one thing seems to be clear - the message of Jesus seems to have been misplaced along the way. David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons invite us to take a look, and consider the message that Christians may be giving the world through actions and attitudes. They write,"The church desperately needs more people who facilitate a deeper, more authentic vision of the Christian faith in our pluralistic, sophisticated culture. Let's imagine together what could happen and then commit to being the change we want to create." An informative and timely wake-up call for all Christians - well worth a look and a consideration. November 2009 Book of the Month
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"Every day is a leap of faith." - a quote from Liz Wright, musician, published on the side of a cup of a Short Americano
You know those rags to riches stories - well, this isn't one of them. This is more of a riches to rags tale. Michael Gates Gill was a child of privilege. He grew up, married, had children, and led an accomplished and very successful professional life. Then a series of events and choices took away many of the things that made his world go round. This is his story. How Starbucks Saved My Life is the surprising account of a life re-invented in an unexpected way. It is irresistible - a fascinating, inspiring, don't-talk-to-me-right-now, can't-wait-to-turn-the-next-page kind of a book, that stays with you long after the last page is turned. Mike was an "old white man" at the end of his rope. As self-pity and entitlement moved out of his world; his emotions, thoughts, and attitudes began to change. He began to take responsibility for his life and his family. He discovered the ever-increasing glory of others, as well as his own God-created identity. He found his redemption in the diversity of his workplace and the relationships he formed there. His experience will leave you longing to "have what he is having" - and it's good to the last drop. October 2009 Book of the Month
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Soul Repair by Jeff VanVonderen, Dale Ryan and Juanita Ryan
Do you fear that God is angry with you? Do you wonder if God is really for you? if God really loves you? Deep down many of us Soul Repair believe that we are not good enough, and never will be good enough, to have a meaningful relationship with God. This is because we have been spiritually trained in ways that have left us with distorted and inadequate spiritualities of four different kinds: * abusive * anorexic * addictive * codependent
And we are left with a toxic combination of fear and shame. We may try to get it right. We may try to control ourselves and others. We may try to please God and to earn God's love. After a while we find ourselves exhausted and discouraged, and we may feel even more alienated from God.
Jeff VanVonderen, Dale Ryan and Juanita Ryan understand this problem because they have been there both personally and professionally. And they are prepared to help you rebuild your spiritual life. If you find yourself living out a burdensome and unfulfilling spirituality, this book is for you. If you are longing to have a relationship with God that works, this book can show you the way. September 2009 Book of the Month
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Do you have good boundaries? "A boundary is a personal property line that marks those things
for which we are responsible." Boundaries may be physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual, and just as fences make good neighbors - good boundaries are necessary for healthy relationships and lives. The dynamic duo of Cloud and Townsend join forces to write all that you ever wanted to know about when to say yes and when to say no, but were afraid to ask. From what boundaries look like and how they develop, to the laws and myths that surround them - it's all right here. Boundary conflicts affect your family, friends, spouse, children, work - even your self and God. Study and learn the beauty, value, and ultimate freedom of living within healthy boundaries. Check out the resources at www.cloudtownsend.com. August 2009 Book of the Month
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The Sugar Addict's Total Recovery Program by Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D.
Ever had a sugar feeling? According to Kathleen DesMaisons, "Sugar feelings distort the natural reactions we have. Sugar feelings make things seem bigger, more dramatic, more exciting - even scarier." Many of us have inherited a condition that makes us sugar sensitive and that makes us more reactive to imbalances in our bodies and brains - and this is true before even a spoonful of sugar goes down! What does all this mean? We crave and our moods swing. We experience depression, compulsiv-ity, and weight issues. Studies show that there is a connection between alcoholism and sugar - and possibly a correlation between nutrition and the ability to stay sober. Dr DesMaisons, an expert in addictive nutrition and a sugar addict herself, has gathered the facts and created a plan for recovery. It is, in her words, "simple, fun, to the point, and easy to follow - a well-tested path to success." So, trade in your twinkie for the truth - and for additional sweet information go to www.radiantrecovery.com. July 2009 Book of the Month
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At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon
Once in awhile a book comes along that beckons you. It calls you - to turn off all distractions, curl up in your favorite chair, and take a trip...to Mitford. Mitford, with a population of a little less than a thousand, is home to Father Tim and his dog, Barnabas. Mitford is a place where people give serious contemplation to their flower beds. Folks know their neighbors - the common and the quirky - and call them community. Cell phones and fax machines are non-existent, blackberries are found in pies, and only the birds twitter here. The pace is a little slower in this town, but things are never boring. Good happens here. This is the first book in the Father Tim series written by Jan Karon. Breathe deeply - the front porch is waiting, and there is a rocking chair reserved just for you...you are At Home in Mitford. July 2009 Book of the Month
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Everyone has a God-given desire for complete and unconditional love in all relationships. The Five Love Languages can revolutionize relationships. The Five Love Languages discusses the different languages -- words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service and physical touch. Check out the resources at www.fivelovelanguages.com. June 2009 Book of the Month
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Healing the Pain and Rebuilding Trust When a Partner Has Been Unfaithful
After the unthinkable happens in a marriage - where do you turn? After the Affair is a safe book "for any two people who want to rebuild their relationship after one of them has been unfaithful." It's about equal consideration for both partners - the one who has been hurt and the one who has been unfaithful. Rather than assigning blame, Dr. Spring thoughtfully explores the healing path of "reacting to the affair, reviewing your options, and recovering from the affair." The non-judgmental process she suggests examines why the infidelity happened and how both people are affected by it - suggestions for self-help exercises are included. To everything there is a season... for all that may be broken, the hope of healing and renewal are possible, because "sometimes you have to take something apart to rebuild it in a stronger, more lasting way." May 2009 Book of the Month
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"You cannot be anything you want to be - but you can be a lot more of who you already are."
Behold, a great little reference book for people who want to "invest energy in developing their strengths instead of correcting their deficiencies" - yes! You've got talent, but it might be hidden and you probably could use some assistance uncovering it and then deciding what to do with it. Here's your chance - a tool to "help you find the areas where you have the greatest potential to develop strengths." Instead of continuing to take the path of most resistance, imagine rediscovering what makes you stand out...only this time, in a good way. April 2009 Book of the Month
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The Secrets and Science That Could Save Your Life
"The first rule of this book is that everyone is destined to become a survivor. For our purposes survivor is defined as anyone who faces and overcomes adversity, hardship, illness, or physical or emotional trauma. Survivors keep going despite opposition and setbacks. They may want to quit but they still persevere. Some even manage to excel under the worst circumstances. They make the most of misfortune. They grow in ways they could never have imagined. They don't just exist or subsist. They live fully...they thrive. Whether they survive six months or sixty years, they make the most of their time. Survivors quite literally are super livers."
Welcome to The Survivors Club. Membership is not exclusive, and you may not know it - but you already have what it takes to become a member. Ben Sherwood shares the stories and wisdom of regular people who faced physical danger and probable death and lived to tell the tale - survivors. After studying the personalities and patterns of these folks, he identified five "Survivor Types" and twelve "Survivor Tools." The book jacket contains an access code to use on-line to assess your own personal "Survivor Profile" - how cool is that! Life is turbulent and crisis happens, but "survival is an outlook that anyone can learn, practice, and apply", no matter the adversity. April 2009 Book of the Month
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Nathan Coulter was born in 1924 near the fictional town of Port William, Kentucky - a world away from our present one. This is the first work in a series Wendell Berry wrote about the region and covers a few years in Nathan's life - years of loss and change. Family, community, the land, hard work, with the occasional diversions of fishing and coon hunting - all these marked the passing of his days. He lived in a place and time where folks were connected to the land by necessity for their very existence. Berry's characters are honorable and flawed, tough and tender - simple people with complicated, unresolved relationships...much the same as human beings nowadays. It seems that all generations wrestle with the inconvenience of their emotions and the ties that bind, making this quiet, heart-felt book a timeless treasure. March 2009 Book of the Month
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TrueFaced by Bill Thrall, Brian Nichol, and John Lynch
"Why do so many people say the right thing, but then live the wrong life?" The authors of "TrueFaced" call this "The Great Disconnect" - far too many of us don't walk the talk. Agreed - we get that, but...what's behind this disconnect? "TrueFaced" examines life after salvation - the motives behind our values that drive our actions, and presents a fascinating and revealing look at the differences in living to please God, rather than trust Him. Grace, love, repentance, and forgiveness take on new meaning in the context of healing and maturity, moving us beyond the facade of performance-based faith and sin management. Trusting God and others with who we really are is an intriguing idea, full of life-changing possibilities and God-shaped dreams. February 2009 Book of the Month
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Come Back A Mother and Daughter's Journey Back Through Hell and Back by Claire and Mia Fontaine
"Sometimes, we have to give birth to our children twice." Step into the love story of Claire and Mia Fontaine, the before and after of lives lived unconsciously and consciously, and everything that happened in between. Mother and daughter share par allel accounts of abuse, addiction, and recovery, woven together seamlessly in a tender, riveting memoir. Come Back walks and talks, lives and breathes a grueling battle for survival and recovery...then soars on the wings of life-altering transformation. This is a story of harm done, of unhealthy relationships and family dysfunction - of betrayal at the deepest level - a love story that was rewritten by digging deep, by a dogged commitment to a process of self-examination by both authors. The power of their narrative is great - it illuminates the dark night of addiction and all that lies beneath...and inspires us to reach for that light, as well. January 2009 Book of the Month
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Addiction and Grace Gerald May says that we are all addicts and idolaters in every sense of the word, addictions to alcohol and other drugs are simply more obvious and tragic than others. He writes, “To be alive is to be addicted and to be alive and addicted is to stand in need of grace.” A good read for those who have justified or rationalized “less risky dependencies and a rare educational and spiritual guide for all addicts in need of God’s grace-which is everyone.
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Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller Authentic. Profound. Funny. Moving. Deeply spiritual. Thought-Provoking. Quirky. Searching. Revealing. Smart. Original. Relevant. Honest. Beautiful. Remarkable. Just a few of the reasons you must read "Blue Like Jazz". June 2008 Book of the Month
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Captivating by John and Stacy Eldredge...begins….”Sometimes it’s hard to be a woman”-Tammy Wynette. Amen to that sister, you have our attention. Either we are too much of one thing or not enough of another. And oh my-the endless trying to get our acts together-to get “it “ right. This time both of the Eldredges join forces to help us consider the heart of a woman and the longings God has placed deep within. A wonderfully affirming book written for women that men will also appreciate.
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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime by Mark Haddon
Meet Christopher John Francis Boone. He is 15 years 3 months and 2 days old. He is good at "maths", favors the color red, abhors yellow and brown, is autistic...and a boy sleuth. A life has been taken and the victim is large with pale yellow skin and black curly fur - Wellington, the neighbor's poodle. This book is a "murder mystery novel" about imperfect lives and Christopher Boone is an unlikely hero. Earnest and persistent, with a prevailing courage, he tells a story from unique perspective and engages the reader to enter his world, walk in his shoes, and see with his eyes the circumstances of his life and his family's. Mark Haddon has written intelligent fiction that is neither neat nor tidy - it's better than that - it's hopefully messy and entirely believable. November 2008 Book of the Month
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To Own a Dragon by Donald Miller "One day you wake up under a pizza box, the television blaring in your bedroom, the laundry piled up over what might be a bedside table, and ask yourself, How did my life get like this? Why don't people like me? Didn't I gave a cat and what is that smell?"
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Donald Miller strikes again, this time with a memoir of sorts about growing up without a father and what it means to a boy and the man he becomes. Poignant, incredibly inspiring, and at times hilarious, Miller manages to make us all think of our own personal passages into adulthood - reminding us of God's role of perfectly fathering us toward true maturity. Drawing on the wisdom of John MacMurray, his mentor, Donald Miller has much to say about how he learned to live life as a grown-up, and he does it with great honesty, humility, and grace. To Own a Dragon is really the story of a boy who grew up to be a wounded healer...it is an astonishing true tale and a read to savor. October 2008 Book of the Month
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Epic by John Eldredge Things are not what they seem, we are at war, and you have a crucial role to play-did you know this? If you really believed it how would your life be different? Would it give meaning to the mundane in your daily life? There is an amazing epic adventure-it is bigger than our own dramas and yet, we are invited to be a part of it. Epic is a little book of profound truth-for all who long to know the rest of the story.
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Everybody’s Normal Till You Get to Know Them by John Ortberg
Did you know…It is better to eat Twinkies with good friends than to eat broccoli alone…and people with strong emotional connections produce less mucous than those who live in isolation-unfriendly people are therefore snottier than friendly people! Imagine that-being in meaningful relationships is that important. We were created for community and it is God’s desire for our lives. There’s just one problem, none of us is really normal and that complicates matters just a bit. What are the secrets of strong relationships? How do we get close without getting hurt? John Ortberg has written a humorous yet practical guide for believers intent on living with “unveiled faces” and growing together in Christ.
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How to Act Right When Your Spouse Acts Wrong by Leslie Vernick
Some title-huh?. Some book! Don’t expect any quick or easy fixes for your marriage here. Leslie Vernick asks us to look at our marriages from the big picture perspective-God’s eternal purposes. She reminds us that marriage isn’t about finding the right person but becoming the right person for those willing to take a less “all about me” approach. New hope and perspective await.
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Journey of Desire by John Eldredge
Desire-it is pleasure and it is pain. John eldredge writes, “We cannot live without the yearning and yet the yearning sets us up for disappointment-sometimes deep and devastating.” The Journey of Desire is a trip worth taking to discover our true God-given desires and to learn to recognize the imposters. Eldredge has written a beautiful book for recovery of the heart, the soul, and desire.
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Messy Spirituality by Michael Yaconelli
Finally, a book for the distracted, erratic, far from perfect, having way too many bad hair days believer-listen up! Michael Yaconelli tells us that spirituality is not about being fixed; it is about God being present in the mess of our unfixedness. So slow down, embrace your oddness, and explore a new perspective on what is true and yes, messy spirituality.
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Michael Yaconelli writes,"Jesus is not repelled by us, no matter how messy we are, regardless of how incomplete we are. When we recognize that Jesus is not discouraged by our humanity, is not turned off by our messiness, and simply doggedly pursues us in the face of it all, what else can we do but give in to His outrageous, indiscriminate love?" July 2008 Book of the Month
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Reframe Your Life by Stephen Arterburn
Got hope? Hope keeps us pressing forward in life. Some people manage to live with healthy perspectives while others are "living in a present pain due to a past hurt". What if we could accurately name the obstacles that steal our hope and begin to see life beyond the context of our own pain? "Reframe Your Life" identifies these roadblocks so that we may change our unhealthy patterns of believing and begin to choose to live with discernment, developing the courage to know the real truth about ourselves and about the story of our lives. Reframe... refocus... resolve... recover... find hope. January 2008 Book of the Month
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Running In Circles by Kim Engelmann
Running in circles and going nowhere fast-trapped in a cycle of pain-sound familiar? Suffering can produce growth or bring destruction. Based on her own life experiences, Kim Engelmann offers hope with practical solutions for exiting the hamster wheel of cyclical suffering. She encourages us to look at our lives honestly-choosing instead the redemptive suffering of the potter's wheel, seeking the healing power of God's presence and "a future with a hope." February 2008 Book of the Month
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Shattered Dreams by Larry Crabb
Pain, brokenness, suffering, emptiness, fear, despair, tragdy-these terms don’t apply to believers, right? How could a shattered dream possibly lead to really knowing God? “The search to discover God requires that we abandon ourselves, that we give up control of what matters most, and that we place our confidence in Someone we cannot manage.” Could we all learn to fly? Read and discover outside-the-box thinking for inside-the-box believing.
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The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout
"About one in twenty-five individuals are sociopathic, meaning essentially, that they do not have a conscience. It is not that this group fails to grasp the difference between good and bad; it is that the distinction fails to limit their behavior. The intellectual difference between right and wrong does not bring on the emotional sirens and flashing blue lights, or fear of God, that it does for the rest us. Without the slightest blip of guilt or remorse, one in twenty-five people can do anything at all." A book recommended for "the rest of us" - those finding themselves in the destructive fall-out of the sociopath, "The Sociopath Next Door" attempts to define, recognize, and help us deal with those operating under the influence of a missing conscience. Not for the faint of heart - but essential reading for those wishing to guard their hearts... and lives. April 2008 Book of the Month
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Soul Cravings by Erwin McManus
Cravings stronger than our addictions...hmmm...it's difficult to conceive of such a thing, and yet, Erwin McManus writes,"God calls us out of the life we have known and calls us to a life we have never imagined." Now that's exciting to ponder! McManus invites us to join him on a soul-searching endeavor and explore three quests - "a quest for intimacy, a quest for destiny, and a quest for meaning." Still haven't found what you're looking for? You might start here with "Soul Cravings" - real and compelling chicken soup for the soul. March 2008 Book of the Month
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The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch with Jeffrey Zaslow
"It's not about how to achieve your dreams. It's about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself. The dreams will come to you." Randy Pausch spoke these words to an audience assembled for "The Last Lecture." The man who was all about dreams and adventures faced a grim diagnosis of certain death, and yet his story is about living and the integrity that shaped it all. Self described as "geeky", he was an ordinary person who made extraordinary choices and some might say, that made all the difference. What he left behind is a priceless legacy for his family and the world - a modern classic is born. August 2008 Book of the Month
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The Shack by William P. Young
Sometimes a book grabs hold of you and won't let go. The Shack is a healing work of imagination-a journey from " the Great Sadness" into the welcoming heart of God. Haunting questions are gently exposed and tenderly answered here. Faith is rewritten and strengthened in this story of relationship, forgiveness, and hope. May 2008 Book of the Month
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To Be Told by Dan Allender
Each of us has a story or two to tell-you know life as we’ve known it. Now making sense of it all, well that’s another matter. “To Be Told” helps us examine the chapters of our lives so that we may be able to live with intention and discover our calling in the greatest of all stories-God’s.
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Waking the Dead by John Eldredge
A battle is raging. And it is a battle for your heart. We have forgotten the heart is central. And we have forgotten that we are at war. The bible tells us, “Therefore do not lose heart”-so what’s up with that-because we are losing heart. If we are to fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen, the eyes of our heart better be enlightened! There’s more going on than we ever imagined. Waking the Dead is an amazing revelation to encourage and empower all believers to stir our sleeping hearts to become fully alive to all that God has created us to be.
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What's Eating Gilbert Grape? by Peter Hedges
The Grapes of Endora, Iowa are not producing good fruit. Something is eating the crop right off the vine. Gilbert Grape is in a rut - he sees life as unfair, and the facts that surround him appear to support what he sees. And yet...a mysterious stranger has come to town, and she sees life differently than Gilbert. Yep, the girl that everyone wants...to know more about, has a way of looking beyond the obvious and contending with the heart of the matter. Meanwhile, a drought hangs over the parched farmland and citizens of Endora, but storm clouds are gathering - can the Grapes be saved? Will the blight of one family's grief and shame take out future branches of the family tree? Peter Hedges serves up a bittersweet slice of small-town America and invites us to the table. This is a story that would make the Waltons collectively blush (see Wikipedia for that one, young folks), and the angels weep. But take heart, it will also make you smile. Pull up a chair and devour it. December 2008 Book of the Month
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Who Switched off My Brain?: Controlling Toxic Thoughts and Emotions by Carolyn Leaf
Amygdala and Dendrites and Glial Cells-Oh My! Is this code language for Trekkies? Are you out of your Vulcan mind? No - it's lingo for your brain - or rather, it's lingo about your brain. It's about that final frontier - you know, space - that is, the space between your ears. And you can read all about it in "Who Switched Off My Brain". Dr. Caroline Leaf is very interested in how we handle our emotions and stress, which you might find interesting as well. It seems our thoughts can be healthy or toxic and this can have great impact on our minds and bodies. So, put down that remote control - while this is not about the voyage of the Starship Enterprise, it is about something even bolder, the journey of our thought lives. Beam us up, Dr. Leaf... September 2008 Book of the Month
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Wild at Heart by John Eldredge A battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue-no it’s not Bruce Willis’s latest action flick-it is the longing deep in the heart of every man. The concept of being a nice guy was never intended to steal a man’s dreams John Eldredge believes. A revealing look into the heart and soul of a man, Wild at Heart redefines masculinity as God intended.
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