by Jason Joyner | Aug 7, 2007 | Blog, non-fiction, parenting, reviews
Yesterday I introduced Mary DeMuth’s new book, Authentic Parenting for a Postmodern Culture. It was an easy book to read quickly, but it deserves a deeper wrestling with the issues that Mary raises. It deals a lot with heart attitudes, both with our kids and our relationship with God.
She brings out several areas or themes that are important areas to consider in our parenting:
1. Conversation. She encourages parents to keep the doors open in communication with our kids, because it will lead to unexpected opportunities for blessings (both for our kids and us!). She also discusses the power of the tongue, which can be a terrible thing used by impatient, harried parents (read: all of us) at times that hurts our kids instead of building them up. This is an issue I am just developing into since my kids are all younger than Mary’s. Initially kids need more directives – they need to be taught to listen and given concrete direction in what to do. However, this conversational parenting becomes a blessing as they grow older, because it keeps the relationship avenues open and flowing both ways.
2. Haven. We need to protect our children’s innocence and provide safety and security for them. Again, when they are young they need more protection. The ideal I get from Authentic is building a haven that gives them peace and security, without keeping them locked in a fortress. The world seems to be getting worse with debauchery and cruelty all the time. It is tempting to hide our children in a Christian safe house, avoiding any taint of culture. Now, I don’t want my kids to sin, but they are going to have to face the world and walk out in it someday. In a haven we can train our kids in how to understand and walk in wisdom and purity without being fully sequestered.
Mary’s family lived this out when they went to France to help pioneer a church. They could have cloistered their family from the secular education system in France (actively hostile to faith). By God’s leading they did put their kids in public school. They had several trials, but it led to opportunities for character growth.
3. Art/Creativity. She placed a premium on encouraging kids in their creativity as an avenue of worship to the Lord. Some of this chapter could sound a little weird to some people I suppose, but as a creative individual myself I thought it was a wonderful reminder of using everything we’ve been given to help our kids experience God. (This from the boy who got in trouble in 1st grade for coloring George Washington’s hair purple – Mom stood up for me though. Go Mom!) Our Lord is amazingly creative, and whether you like art, music, outdoors, or whatever, may it all be used to show our kids the glory of Jesus.
4. Authenticity. This can be a “buzz-word” in a postmodern discussion, but it is an important topic that is more than a tag-line. Mary speaks of being real in our faith, as opposed to Christians who put on a good outward show. She related families she’s seen who do the right things on the outside, but at home scream, belittle, and live a superficial life. We know the words Jesus had for the Pharisees that only lived religiously without having a proper heart. I’ve learned some of the things Mary discusses in this section. Like her husband, I have a temper, and I’ve had to go back to my kids after blowing my top and confess that Daddy just sinned and should not have acted that way. I don’t think my kids are my equals and require a justification for everything I do, but if I model humility when I’ve made a mistake, then hopefully they learn a lesson in how to walk out things when they make their own errors.
There’s a lot more I could draw out of this book, but I don’t want to re-write it here. Again, it is a book that helps us see heart issues in parenting. There are a lot of examples that are suggested, but it is not a “this is how you do it point-by-point” book. Authentic Parenting is a well-crafted resource for parents in considering their parenting skills and how to raise our kids to deal with the new world that is still in process of developing. Like any book, there are going to be points you may not fully agree with Mary on – so eat the meat and spit out the bones. Don’t choke on them, because you’ll miss good nourishment for your parenting life.
Thank you Mary, for your heart to share this. It was a valuable investment of time, and I hope it can be a blessing to many, many parents out there.
If you’d like to 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 | 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 | Jul 31, 2007 | Blog, CFBA, fiction, reviews
To Dance in the Desert
I’m a little late to the party for last week’s blog tour, but better late than never.
It is funny how you can “meet” people on the internet. It is an informal gathering of words and pictures, without the natural setting of relationships, yet people can still come across in their personality.
I used to hang out at the forum for Faith in Fiction. Unfortunately blogging has taken priority, so I don’t go there much any more. However, there are some really cool people there with hearts of gold. There always seemed to be people who took it upon themselves to keep the community spirit up over there.
So I “met” Kathleen Popa there. We heard with excitement when her book, To Dance in the Desert, was picked up by a publisher and rejoiced with her. It is pretty awesome to see the journey people make to publication.
I am looking forward to reading this book. I admit, I don’t usually read the romance or women’s fiction books offered through CFBA. There’s enough books to go around that I keep busy enough. This is one that I’m going to sit down and enjoy though. I wish I could’ve read it for this tour, but I was swamped with other commitments reading wise. However, I do have an original review for you, as my darling wife just finished it up and offers her thoughts below. She’s not used to reviewing, but she gave me a good impression of what she liked in the book.
By the way, doesn’t this book have the best cover? Wow.
Beccy’s impressions:
The main character, Dara, has been hurt all of her life. To Dance in the Desert takes you through the emotional path of healing in her life. Though she’s survived horrible tragedy, she wants to hide in the desert and stay where no one will find her. It is only when Jane Cameron is dancing in the desert, free from her burdens, that Dara starts to see a way out.
Beccy said that the book is very gripping at the start, drawing the reader in an emotional way by setting up your understanding of the character’s hurts. The characters are very true to life, and you feel what they are going through, and you care and invest in who they are. This is a great strength of this book. She kept going back to this point, so I could tell she was impressed by this aspect of the book.
She said the ending was a little crammed with so much happening at once. It worked, but it was a little thick in her opinion, pulling her out of the story a little bit in wondering what was going on. This wasn’t a major criticism, and overall she really enjoyed the book – she was up late one night reading, so I know she did.
For another glowing review (not to only highlight the good, but to explain how well Kathleen did on her debut), please check out Becky Miller’s review as well. Kathleen has more reviews listed on her blog also. Way to go Kathleen!
by Jason Joyner | Jul 31, 2007 | Blog, CFBA, fiction, reviews
To Dance in the Desert
I’m a little late to the party for last week’s blog tour, but better late than never.
It is funny how you can “meet” people on the internet. It is an informal gathering of words and pictures, without the natural setting of relationships, yet people can still come across in their personality.
I used to hang out at the forum for Faith in Fiction. Unfortunately blogging has taken priority, so I don’t go there much any more. However, there are some really cool people there with hearts of gold. There always seemed to be people who took it upon themselves to keep the community spirit up over there.
So I “met” Kathleen Popa there. We heard with excitement when her book, To Dance in the Desert, was picked up by a publisher and rejoiced with her. It is pretty awesome to see the journey people make to publication.
I am looking forward to reading this book. I admit, I don’t usually read the romance or women’s fiction books offered through CFBA. There’s enough books to go around that I keep busy enough. This is one that I’m going to sit down and enjoy though. I wish I could’ve read it for this tour, but I was swamped with other commitments reading wise. However, I do have an original review for you, as my darling wife just finished it up and offers her thoughts below. She’s not used to reviewing, but she gave me a good impression of what she liked in the book.
By the way, doesn’t this book have the best cover? Wow.
Beccy’s impressions:
The main character, Dara, has been hurt all of her life. To Dance in the Desert takes you through the emotional path of healing in her life. Though she’s survived horrible tragedy, she wants to hide in the desert and stay where no one will find her. It is only when Jane Cameron is dancing in the desert, free from her burdens, that Dara starts to see a way out.
Beccy said that the book is very gripping at the start, drawing the reader in an emotional way by setting up your understanding of the character’s hurts. The characters are very true to life, and you feel what they are going through, and you care and invest in who they are. This is a great strength of this book. She kept going back to this point, so I could tell she was impressed by this aspect of the book.
She said the ending was a little crammed with so much happening at once. It worked, but it was a little thick in her opinion, pulling her out of the story a little bit in wondering what was going on. This wasn’t a major criticism, and overall she really enjoyed the book – she was up late one night reading, so I know she did.
For another glowing review (not to only highlight the good, but to explain how well Kathleen did on her debut), please check out Becky Miller’s review as well. Kathleen has more reviews listed on her blog also. Way to go Kathleen!
by Jason Joyner | Jul 16, 2007 | Blog, non-fiction, parenting, reviews
Today I am supposed to be part of a blog tour for Mary DeMuth, aka relevantgirl. She is a visionary author who is living in France to live out a life for Jesus in that country. She is the author of several books, both fiction and non-fiction. Currently she has a new book called Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture.
I mainly focus on fiction at this blog. I have been invited to participate in other blog book tours for non-fiction books, but I haven’t chosen to accept. No slight to those other authors, but this time I felt a leading to be a part of Mary’s tour.
Unfortunately, I haven’t received my copy to read yet. So if you are following a link to this blog regarding Authentic, I will have to disappoint you for the time being. I will be participating at a later date, and look forward to reading this book and giving you an honest review. As a father of boys aged 7, 5, and 3, I can use all the authenticity I can lay my hands on!
So please check back in a couple of weeks. Check out some of the other fine posts here while you’re at it, and go to Mary’s relevant blog for a list of those on the tour this week.
