Reading, Writing & Pondering

The Reason, a debut novel, by William Sirls made me smile. . .and it made me weep in my Kleenex. I requested this book because I am wrestling with some questions about my own faith right now. I have faced several challenges these past few years and many times of waiting. . .I was interested in seeing how Sirls' characters addressed those issues and what they had to teach me, if anything. This first novel by Sirls is a fascinating tale of some strange happenings in a small Michigan town. James Lindy is the blind pastor of St. Thomas Church. In the opening pages of the story, a storm rolls in to the area and lightning strikes the large wooden cross at the church. . .living it splintered in two. To the local people who look at the cross, it looks like it is beyond repair. . .until a young carpenter named Kenneth comes along. Kenneth does what seems impossible and the locals see how "all things are possible." Along with the pastor, we meet Alex and his single mom, Brook...

Fully Alive: A Journey That Will Change Your Life by Ken Davis is one of the best books I've read this year. How do I know? As I read Fully Alive, I laughed, I cried and I reflected, all while being entertained. I've enjoyed Ken Davis for years as an entertainer, although I have never had the pleasure of seeing him live, but this is the first book of his that I have read. If possible, I think this printed work touched me even more than his performances have. This is a book that, if you take his words to heart, will help you to do just what the title says and live your life more fully alive in just about every area of your life--in your family life with your children, your marriage, your job, your spiritual life, life with friends, and improving your physical and emotional health. Ken Davis touches on all of those things with a mix of his humorous stories, encouraging words, advice from a few experts and Scripture. While the book is written by someone who is a Baby Boomer, ...