by Jason Joyner | Aug 29, 2007 | Biblical worldview, Blog, fantasy football, fiction, heroes, ministry, writing craft
Gah. Sometimes I am not inspired with a brilliant thought for this here place. Like…oh say the last two days. Like Dory from Finding Nemo‘s trailer – “Nope, nothin’ in my noggin'”. Bleh. Yet here I am, attempting to say something intelligent (this would be a perfect place to link to something regarding Miss Teen South Carolina’s now famous “map answer” and drive traffic to my site…yeah, I’m shameless – here’s a link to the YouTube posting).
Now for something completely different:
Becky Miller is again having an interesting discussion regarding what should make up a Christian hero. It is related to last week’s blog tour over The Legend of the Firefish. Bryan Polivka blogged about the repeated comments that viewed Packer as a potentially weak hero. Several times in the book he steps back and lets things happen according to God’s will, whether it ends up in his death, disaster for all around him, or deliverance. Bryan has a great point to make, and Becky gives her take on it. Make sure to check the comments of Becky’s post for more of the discussion.
My thoughts: I didn’t have a problem with what Packer did, because it is truly a great Christian response – one that I would have a problem duplicating in real life. I would suggest that perhaps the way it was written is more of the contention (which I admitted in my post last week was a minor contention).
The discussion made me think of the book Germ, which is quite a different book than Firefish. In it, the Christian character has regret for past violence, and sacrifices himself in the end to allow others to survive – a very Christian act and imagery for the book. The points being made in Becky’s discussion are very valid, but I think that examples like this are in other places in CBA fiction right now as well.
There’s a lot that could be said, and I don’t have the inspiration to work it out at the moment. I’ve got a heaping plate ahead of me for the next 6 weeks. Mainly my wife and I are in charge of bringing in and promoting Noel Richards for a worship seminar and concert at our church on September 22. Then I have to take a major recertification test for my physican assistant license on October 5, so I have to be studying through this time. Of course, it doesn’t help that I sign up for things like fantasy football.
Don’t worry, I’ll be around. Hopefully I’ll have more to offer in a day or two.
by Jason Joyner | Aug 29, 2007 | Biblical worldview, Blog, fantasy football, fiction, heroes, ministry, writing craft
Gah. Sometimes I am not inspired with a brilliant thought for this here place. Like…oh say the last two days. Like Dory from Finding Nemo‘s trailer – “Nope, nothin’ in my noggin'”. Bleh. Yet here I am, attempting to say something intelligent (this would be a perfect place to link to something regarding Miss Teen South Carolina’s now famous “map answer” and drive traffic to my site…yeah, I’m shameless – here’s a link to the YouTube posting).
Now for something completely different:
Becky Miller is again having an interesting discussion regarding what should make up a Christian hero. It is related to last week’s blog tour over The Legend of the Firefish. Bryan Polivka blogged about the repeated comments that viewed Packer as a potentially weak hero. Several times in the book he steps back and lets things happen according to God’s will, whether it ends up in his death, disaster for all around him, or deliverance. Bryan has a great point to make, and Becky gives her take on it. Make sure to check the comments of Becky’s post for more of the discussion.
My thoughts: I didn’t have a problem with what Packer did, because it is truly a great Christian response – one that I would have a problem duplicating in real life. I would suggest that perhaps the way it was written is more of the contention (which I admitted in my post last week was a minor contention).
The discussion made me think of the book Germ, which is quite a different book than Firefish. In it, the Christian character has regret for past violence, and sacrifices himself in the end to allow others to survive – a very Christian act and imagery for the book. The points being made in Becky’s discussion are very valid, but I think that examples like this are in other places in CBA fiction right now as well.
There’s a lot that could be said, and I don’t have the inspiration to work it out at the moment. I’ve got a heaping plate ahead of me for the next 6 weeks. Mainly my wife and I are in charge of bringing in and promoting Noel Richards for a worship seminar and concert at our church on September 22. Then I have to take a major recertification test for my physican assistant license on October 5, so I have to be studying through this time. Of course, it doesn’t help that I sign up for things like fantasy football.
Don’t worry, I’ll be around. Hopefully I’ll have more to offer in a day or two.
by Jason Joyner | Aug 6, 2007 | Biblical worldview, Blog, books, non-fiction, parenting, reviews
Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture
by Mary E. DeMuth
Harvest House, July 1, 2007
This blog has specialized in fiction, and it will remain that way overall. However, when I heard that Mary was having a blog tour to support her new parenting book, Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture, I had no hesitation in signing up. I’ve frequented places on the web where I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the real faith of Mary DeMuth. For someone to move their family to France in order to help pioneer a church, it takes a lot of faith and guts.
There are plenty of parenting books out there. You may wonder if another one is needed, but this book definitely has a fresh perspective that helps us apply God’s grace with our children. I’ve already had the book in mind while dealing with my boys in different circumstances this last week.
The title may throw a few people. It seems that the word “postmodern” has taken on some baggage, which is unfortunate. Let me state up front that Mary stresses that her book is not about making your child a postmodern. It is parenting in a postmodern culture, which like it or not, we are living this culture currently. Please don’t overlook a good book over a word.
Mary’s book is very readable, with lots of stories from personal struggle in working these principles out in her own family. She is not afraid to share negative examples where they haven’t done things perfectly.
No parenting book can be exhaustive, and Authentic doesn’t pretend to be THE book. You won’t find tips or strategies in dealing with disobedience, discipline, etc. The focus on the book is advice in walking out the parenting life as examples. There are other books to deal with discipline issues, but if that’s what you’re looking for, this may not be the book for you. If you are seeking some inspiration on how to be a better parent, then this should be a book you explore.
I could get into a long post here, but I think I’ll wrap up this as a “highlight” and give some specifics next post. In the meantime, meet Mary and read her
crazy blog here. Or visit Mary’s
helpful and fun website here. Finally, you could read an excerpt from the book,
click here.
by Jason Joyner | Aug 6, 2007 | Biblical worldview, Blog, books, non-fiction, parenting, reviews
Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture
by Mary E. DeMuth
Harvest House, July 1, 2007
This blog has specialized in fiction, and it will remain that way overall. However, when I heard that Mary was having a blog tour to support her new parenting book, Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture, I had no hesitation in signing up. I’ve frequented places on the web where I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the real faith of Mary DeMuth. For someone to move their family to France in order to help pioneer a church, it takes a lot of faith and guts.
There are plenty of parenting books out there. You may wonder if another one is needed, but this book definitely has a fresh perspective that helps us apply God’s grace with our children. I’ve already had the book in mind while dealing with my boys in different circumstances this last week.
The title may throw a few people. It seems that the word “postmodern” has taken on some baggage, which is unfortunate. Let me state up front that Mary stresses that her book is not about making your child a postmodern. It is parenting in a postmodern culture, which like it or not, we are living this culture currently. Please don’t overlook a good book over a word.
Mary’s book is very readable, with lots of stories from personal struggle in working these principles out in her own family. She is not afraid to share negative examples where they haven’t done things perfectly.
No parenting book can be exhaustive, and Authentic doesn’t pretend to be THE book. You won’t find tips or strategies in dealing with disobedience, discipline, etc. The focus on the book is advice in walking out the parenting life as examples. There are other books to deal with discipline issues, but if that’s what you’re looking for, this may not be the book for you. If you are seeking some inspiration on how to be a better parent, then this should be a book you explore.
I could get into a long post here, but I think I’ll wrap up this as a “highlight” and give some specifics next post. In the meantime, meet Mary and read her
crazy blog here. Or visit Mary’s
helpful and fun website here. Finally, you could read an excerpt from the book,
click here.
by Jason Joyner | Aug 6, 2007 | arts, Biblical worldview, Blog
This article from the Washington Post, “Evangelicals Start Push in the Arts,” is encouraging. If they can notice, it must mean something is going on.
Hat tip to Mir, via Mick Silva.
by Jason Joyner | Aug 6, 2007 | arts, Biblical worldview, Blog
This article from the Washington Post, “Evangelicals Start Push in the Arts,” is encouraging. If they can notice, it must mean something is going on.
Hat tip to Mir, via Mick Silva.
