A while ago I read the book Same kind of different as me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. I loved the book, albeit some um descriptions of heavenly visitations. I wasn't sure what to think about that. It is very easy to read and I loved the story. Here are a couple of quotes that I enjoyed from the book.
"I'm just messin with you. Even though I am seventy years old, I got a lot to learn too. I used to spend a lot of time worryin that I was different from other people, even from other homeless folks. Then, after I met Miss Debbie and Mr. Ron, I worried that I was so different from them that we wadn't ever gon' have no kind a' future. But I found out everybody's different-the same kind of different as me. We're all just regular folks walkin' down the road God done set in front of us."
"The truth about it is, whether we is rich or poor or somethin' in between, this earth ain't no final restin place. So in a way, we is all homeless-just workin our way toward home."
Go read the book.
Showing posts with label Reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reading. Show all posts
Friday, February 20, 2009
Monday, December 15, 2008
Two Income Trap - Part 2
See Part 1 here
In this long-awaited (yeah, right!) post, I will address the argument about Mom being the safety net that was put forward by the authors in Two Income Trap. The basic premise is that when there is only one income, couples buy house based on that, and since mom is a safety net, if dad loses the job, mom can go into the work force until that time dad gets another job.
There are three (broadly) reasons why moms stay at home while dad goes to work.
1. Religious reasons
2. Lack of education, so no good job choices
3. Educated, but prefer to be home with the kids
I think choices 1 and 2 are self explanatory and so I am just going to focus on the 3rd choice. There is an argument that is commonly put forward for moms staying home which is that if they go out to work, the family have to pay for child care, gas and maintenance on the second car, clothes, and all the trappings that come with a second job. I recently read somewhere that the mom needs to make at least $50,000 annually to make a contribution to the family finance. It sounds reasonable since many jobs do require all of the above. So many of the families who keep Mommy home do think of this. The cost benefit analysis show that it is better financially that a Mom remains home since for some jobs it takes money for her to be in the workplace.
So let us consider such a family. Jane is reasonably well educated, has 2 kids, never worked. John has a good job which brings in $50,000. They manage the home with that. She is frugal, watches the pennies, they don't eat out, do not go for vacations. She sends Junior 1 to public school and Junior 2 who is a toddler stays home with her. Now the economy turns bad (not hard to imagine now, is it?) and dad loses the job. Now, according to the book, this is when mom steps into the work force and rescues the family until Dad finds a job. Maybe I am being naive here, but I don't think there are a lot of employers out there offering anyone a $50,000 job with no experience, is going to be there only until the husband finds a job. (which could be one month to 6 months or maybe even more) A good job is not something you walk in and out of. And it is not rocket science what happens when putting an inexperienced mom suddenly into a work situation. In majority of the cases, she cannot hack it.
So John's and Jane's situation has changed. Jane is working at store X as a a clerk. The economy which cost John his job is not kind to Jane either. That is all she got since she has no experience and is not there for the long haul. She needs new formal clothes, she can't get home until late evening, so they need child care. John has interviews to attend and jobs to apply, so he cannot look after the kids while Jane is at work. Jane is tired coming from work, and looking after children, so she has no energy to cook, clean or pinch pennies. Expenses are more, and she brings in nowhere close to what John used to bring. I don't really think there is any hyperbole in the situation that I presented. It is a very possible outcome of such a situation.
Another problem I had with the book was that it does not give really good solutions as to how to get out of the Two Income Trap, a lot of families find themselves in. The book is good reading to understand how people get into saddening life situations, but I feel it doesn't do much good for a family already there. The overwhelming feeling I got after reading the statistics that the book provided was sadness. The answer to a crisis such as Dad losing the job is not to send a Mom who has never worked before into the workplace. I don't think it will work in real life for the reasons stated above.I am not saying I have the answers. But there are some things which I believe are good tips for a couple starting out in life.
1. If both husband and wife work, buy a house with a mortgage+utilities which you can afford to pay with one income. If you cannot afford to do that, you are not financially ready to buy a house. The book touches on this about keeping your fixed expenses below 50%.
2. Live WAY below your means. It means different things to different people. But you know where you are. Save well.
3. Don't worry about what other people are making or not making or emulate their lifestyles. Look at successful people and learn what they are doing right. Take control of your OWN finances.
4. Learn about investing. E.g. A car is a depreciating asset and is not a wise investment choice.
5. Above all, don't forget the source of every blessing.
Since I cannot say it any better, I leave you with Amy's words. If you are poor, let it be becasue the Lord wills so, and not becasue of your foolish choices.
In this long-awaited (yeah, right!) post, I will address the argument about Mom being the safety net that was put forward by the authors in Two Income Trap. The basic premise is that when there is only one income, couples buy house based on that, and since mom is a safety net, if dad loses the job, mom can go into the work force until that time dad gets another job.
There are three (broadly) reasons why moms stay at home while dad goes to work.
1. Religious reasons
2. Lack of education, so no good job choices
3. Educated, but prefer to be home with the kids
I think choices 1 and 2 are self explanatory and so I am just going to focus on the 3rd choice. There is an argument that is commonly put forward for moms staying home which is that if they go out to work, the family have to pay for child care, gas and maintenance on the second car, clothes, and all the trappings that come with a second job. I recently read somewhere that the mom needs to make at least $50,000 annually to make a contribution to the family finance. It sounds reasonable since many jobs do require all of the above. So many of the families who keep Mommy home do think of this. The cost benefit analysis show that it is better financially that a Mom remains home since for some jobs it takes money for her to be in the workplace.
So let us consider such a family. Jane is reasonably well educated, has 2 kids, never worked. John has a good job which brings in $50,000. They manage the home with that. She is frugal, watches the pennies, they don't eat out, do not go for vacations. She sends Junior 1 to public school and Junior 2 who is a toddler stays home with her. Now the economy turns bad (not hard to imagine now, is it?) and dad loses the job. Now, according to the book, this is when mom steps into the work force and rescues the family until Dad finds a job. Maybe I am being naive here, but I don't think there are a lot of employers out there offering anyone a $50,000 job with no experience, is going to be there only until the husband finds a job. (which could be one month to 6 months or maybe even more) A good job is not something you walk in and out of. And it is not rocket science what happens when putting an inexperienced mom suddenly into a work situation. In majority of the cases, she cannot hack it.
So John's and Jane's situation has changed. Jane is working at store X as a a clerk. The economy which cost John his job is not kind to Jane either. That is all she got since she has no experience and is not there for the long haul. She needs new formal clothes, she can't get home until late evening, so they need child care. John has interviews to attend and jobs to apply, so he cannot look after the kids while Jane is at work. Jane is tired coming from work, and looking after children, so she has no energy to cook, clean or pinch pennies. Expenses are more, and she brings in nowhere close to what John used to bring. I don't really think there is any hyperbole in the situation that I presented. It is a very possible outcome of such a situation.
Another problem I had with the book was that it does not give really good solutions as to how to get out of the Two Income Trap, a lot of families find themselves in. The book is good reading to understand how people get into saddening life situations, but I feel it doesn't do much good for a family already there. The overwhelming feeling I got after reading the statistics that the book provided was sadness. The answer to a crisis such as Dad losing the job is not to send a Mom who has never worked before into the workplace. I don't think it will work in real life for the reasons stated above.I am not saying I have the answers. But there are some things which I believe are good tips for a couple starting out in life.
1. If both husband and wife work, buy a house with a mortgage+utilities which you can afford to pay with one income. If you cannot afford to do that, you are not financially ready to buy a house. The book touches on this about keeping your fixed expenses below 50%.
2. Live WAY below your means. It means different things to different people. But you know where you are. Save well.
3. Don't worry about what other people are making or not making or emulate their lifestyles. Look at successful people and learn what they are doing right. Take control of your OWN finances.
4. Learn about investing. E.g. A car is a depreciating asset and is not a wise investment choice.
5. Above all, don't forget the source of every blessing.
Since I cannot say it any better, I leave you with Amy's words. If you are poor, let it be becasue the Lord wills so, and not becasue of your foolish choices.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Two Income Trap- Part 1
I recently read the review of Two Income Trap by Amelia and Elizabeth Warren at Elizabeth's blog and started asking so many questions that she encouraged me to read it for myself. Hubby and I make mostly sensible financial decisions, so I figured there wasn't much the book could offer. I was right and wrong. Right that the book does not offer anything much new in terms of personal finances, wrong that there wasn't much that I could learn. I learned quite a bit and received a fresh perspective on issues affecting two income middle class families.
Now here is where I have to admit my ignorance. I haven't been in the US for that long and there are some things that I don't understand. One is electoral college and the other is school districts. Why is there a rule that only people who live in certain areas can go to certain schools etc.? I was aware that was the case since my niece and nephew are in public schools, but I never understood why. Can someone explain me that? The book explains very well the problems arising from that. People go for better schools for their children, max out their mortgage for buying a ridiculously high priced house in that school district. But why should that be allowed to happen? Why is there a rule prohibiting kids to go to their school of choice? Logically, without knowing anything about the issue, I would think that kids leaving for a better school (if there were no restrictions) would inspire sub standard schools to get their act together. Maybe I am missing something. I would love to know. Also another thing is, the authors keep comparing a current couple with a 70's (I think) couple to show why families are more in danger now. Was there no school district delineation for education then?
Another aspect she talks about is regulating predatory lending. A big hearty Amen to that. It would be great if there are more rules in place so that credit card companies can stop lending to people who are incapable of paying them back. The whole sub-prime crisis is becasue the companies wanted to make money and gave money to people whom they could charge high amounts of interest. "No discrimination for home buying based on money". (Don't even get me started on this screwed up statement) Started interestingly by Jimmy Carter. Followed through by Clinton and Bush administration. Anyone with half a brain could see that, the way the real estate market was going, it was not sustainable.
A third aspect the books talks about is Mom as a safety net. This is what started me on this book. It sounds great in theory. Dad works, couple buys a home based on Dad's income, mom stays home, takes care of children, crisis happen, mom goes to work until dad finds job, mom comes back home to former SAHM life, hunky dory dosy. What is the reality? Why do I disagree? What is the fallacy of the argument? I will explore that in part 2.
Now here is where I have to admit my ignorance. I haven't been in the US for that long and there are some things that I don't understand. One is electoral college and the other is school districts. Why is there a rule that only people who live in certain areas can go to certain schools etc.? I was aware that was the case since my niece and nephew are in public schools, but I never understood why. Can someone explain me that? The book explains very well the problems arising from that. People go for better schools for their children, max out their mortgage for buying a ridiculously high priced house in that school district. But why should that be allowed to happen? Why is there a rule prohibiting kids to go to their school of choice? Logically, without knowing anything about the issue, I would think that kids leaving for a better school (if there were no restrictions) would inspire sub standard schools to get their act together. Maybe I am missing something. I would love to know. Also another thing is, the authors keep comparing a current couple with a 70's (I think) couple to show why families are more in danger now. Was there no school district delineation for education then?
Another aspect she talks about is regulating predatory lending. A big hearty Amen to that. It would be great if there are more rules in place so that credit card companies can stop lending to people who are incapable of paying them back. The whole sub-prime crisis is becasue the companies wanted to make money and gave money to people whom they could charge high amounts of interest. "No discrimination for home buying based on money". (Don't even get me started on this screwed up statement) Started interestingly by Jimmy Carter. Followed through by Clinton and Bush administration. Anyone with half a brain could see that, the way the real estate market was going, it was not sustainable.
A third aspect the books talks about is Mom as a safety net. This is what started me on this book. It sounds great in theory. Dad works, couple buys a home based on Dad's income, mom stays home, takes care of children, crisis happen, mom goes to work until dad finds job, mom comes back home to former SAHM life, hunky dory dosy. What is the reality? Why do I disagree? What is the fallacy of the argument? I will explore that in part 2.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Review Part 2
To continue on the review of TMM, I will touch on another aspect of his book. The fixation on credit cards.
That is where he and I part ways. According to him, we should not have credit cards, even if we are fully capable of paying off the card before they charge you anything. I got my first credit card when I was in college. I learned about and used it very well. With some help from him. I managed to make some $200 from the company before I graduated. Plus I had no debts. Although I disagree with Dave on that point, I understand where he is coming from. Most people do not know how to manage credit cards. But to those who have purposed to live way under their means and know what a credit card means, it can be a great tool.
If we don't have the money, we don't buy it. I didn't buy a car for the first two years I was here. I walked or took the bus. I didn't buy any new clothes until I graduated. In those two years, with an average income of $500, I graduated with $1000 in savings. That being said, now we ALWAYS take advantage of 0% interest. We bought our bed, sofa, and appliances that way. Not becasue we didn't have the money to pay upfront. We just earmark the money and put it in a cd with a particular bank. 1 month before we have to pay up, the cd matures and we pay it off. And we get to keep the interest from the cd. If there is an unexpected difficult situation, like a job loss or something, we are not scrambling to get the money to pay off the cards. It is already there, and it is not part of our savings.
We must have gotten at least $300 back in gift cards. (I know that means we spent a lot, but majority of those were home related and medical expenses which we had to do). I got $60 each when I moved (3 times) and many other incentives. I have never so far paid interest on a credit card loan. Credit card is not the evil he portrays in the book. Most of the time, the problem is greed. Buying things we cannot afford. Sometimes it is just unwise choices. But we can do something about that. And the book gives good encouragement to work hard and pay it off. And that is sound advice.
I would reccommend the book mainly becasue it is sound, sensible advice. Even if you are not wallowing in debt, it can help you to shape up financially. The couple issues I have with it, I already addressed. Above everything, live simply, give liberally. Becasue that is true religion.
That is where he and I part ways. According to him, we should not have credit cards, even if we are fully capable of paying off the card before they charge you anything. I got my first credit card when I was in college. I learned about and used it very well. With some help from him. I managed to make some $200 from the company before I graduated. Plus I had no debts. Although I disagree with Dave on that point, I understand where he is coming from. Most people do not know how to manage credit cards. But to those who have purposed to live way under their means and know what a credit card means, it can be a great tool.
If we don't have the money, we don't buy it. I didn't buy a car for the first two years I was here. I walked or took the bus. I didn't buy any new clothes until I graduated. In those two years, with an average income of $500, I graduated with $1000 in savings. That being said, now we ALWAYS take advantage of 0% interest. We bought our bed, sofa, and appliances that way. Not becasue we didn't have the money to pay upfront. We just earmark the money and put it in a cd with a particular bank. 1 month before we have to pay up, the cd matures and we pay it off. And we get to keep the interest from the cd. If there is an unexpected difficult situation, like a job loss or something, we are not scrambling to get the money to pay off the cards. It is already there, and it is not part of our savings.
We must have gotten at least $300 back in gift cards. (I know that means we spent a lot, but majority of those were home related and medical expenses which we had to do). I got $60 each when I moved (3 times) and many other incentives. I have never so far paid interest on a credit card loan. Credit card is not the evil he portrays in the book. Most of the time, the problem is greed. Buying things we cannot afford. Sometimes it is just unwise choices. But we can do something about that. And the book gives good encouragement to work hard and pay it off. And that is sound advice.
I would reccommend the book mainly becasue it is sound, sensible advice. Even if you are not wallowing in debt, it can help you to shape up financially. The couple issues I have with it, I already addressed. Above everything, live simply, give liberally. Becasue that is true religion.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Total Money Makeover - Review Part 1
One of the books that I read this year was Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover. Generally, I don't read a lot of self help books. But I had heard a lot about this one and decided to give it a try. Our financial strategy is very much like how Amy describes in her How we did it series. If you are not currently reading it, I would strongly encourage you to read it.
I should start reviewing books with a disclaimer. I am not very good at remembering stuff, so if the review is not immediately after, I pretty much forget key points. But I will try and list a couple of things that stood out to me. One is the aspect of paying off debts and saving and the other is Credit cards.
This book approaches finances from an agressive get out of debt, help yourself before you help others perspective. I have mixed feelings about it. I believe that Bible teaches the New Testament believers to give, not tithe. It is not a 10% for God, 90% for you deal. We are asked to give cheerfully. Anyway, it all belongs to God and he can give and take as he pleases. So if we believe that we should not give until we have financial stability, when do we decide that we have achieved that stability? When we have food, shelter, and clothing? When we have that million dollar house paid for? And then there is the undeniable fact that the more we have, the harder it is to give. We can save and save until it comes out of our nose, but we will still be looking for savings.
On the other hand, there are people who use giving as a crutch, not to be financially responsible and making unwise choices. I know people like that in real life. I know pragmatism seems a whole less spiritual than saying "The Lord will provide for our needs." Yes, the Lord will provide, but he also gave us a brain to make wise choices.
I cannot say what should the best scenario for every family should be. That is between you and the Lord. For a practical example, let us say, I am in debt and am already supporting a ministry. What I would do is honor the commitment, but cut back in personal areas. Maybe I won't take additional commitments until the high interest debts are paid off. Becasue loans on which you have to pay interest (other than house) do not make sense. For example, if you buy a car for 20,000 and pay $400 monthly for 8 years, then you pay enough to buy 2 cars. It does not make sense. It is math. If we are unable to support with finances, we can support ministries and the local church with our time and effort, prayer etc. Giving should be joyfully from the heart, not a bill to be struck off from the list.
Next: Credit Cards and Dave
I should start reviewing books with a disclaimer. I am not very good at remembering stuff, so if the review is not immediately after, I pretty much forget key points. But I will try and list a couple of things that stood out to me. One is the aspect of paying off debts and saving and the other is Credit cards.
This book approaches finances from an agressive get out of debt, help yourself before you help others perspective. I have mixed feelings about it. I believe that Bible teaches the New Testament believers to give, not tithe. It is not a 10% for God, 90% for you deal. We are asked to give cheerfully. Anyway, it all belongs to God and he can give and take as he pleases. So if we believe that we should not give until we have financial stability, when do we decide that we have achieved that stability? When we have food, shelter, and clothing? When we have that million dollar house paid for? And then there is the undeniable fact that the more we have, the harder it is to give. We can save and save until it comes out of our nose, but we will still be looking for savings.
On the other hand, there are people who use giving as a crutch, not to be financially responsible and making unwise choices. I know people like that in real life. I know pragmatism seems a whole less spiritual than saying "The Lord will provide for our needs." Yes, the Lord will provide, but he also gave us a brain to make wise choices.
I cannot say what should the best scenario for every family should be. That is between you and the Lord. For a practical example, let us say, I am in debt and am already supporting a ministry. What I would do is honor the commitment, but cut back in personal areas. Maybe I won't take additional commitments until the high interest debts are paid off. Becasue loans on which you have to pay interest (other than house) do not make sense. For example, if you buy a car for 20,000 and pay $400 monthly for 8 years, then you pay enough to buy 2 cars. It does not make sense. It is math. If we are unable to support with finances, we can support ministries and the local church with our time and effort, prayer etc. Giving should be joyfully from the heart, not a bill to be struck off from the list.
Next: Credit Cards and Dave
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Book Review 2 (Updated)
Update: I think it will be helpful if I actually say which book I am talking about. It is Serve God, Save the Planet by Matthew J Sleeth
I think it is an appropriate review for today, this being celebrated as Earth Day and all. One can hardly escape it. In the bus, on TV, in the paper, in my company website, in the EPA site, in google.
I think this book gets the distinction of being one non-fiction book that I read the fastest. It is a small book, and it is divided into small chapters. It is definitely an easy read. There are some aspects that I disagree with the author, but the thing that really got me is how he advocates a turn away from materialism. His emphasis is on how we can save the environment. Whether or not you believe in the larger question of saving the environment because of our longing for a new heaven and earth, this book is well worth your time.
There were two points he presents which really struck a chord with me. One is his emphasis about the continuous cycle of buying more. The more we buy, the more we cling to the things we buy. Dusting, cleaning, maintaining. And don't I know it well? Especially since owning a house. The other point he makes is to ask yourself if God would have you buy it. I am not saying that after I read the book, I sold my house and lived in a cave. But it did open my eyes and really helped my perspective. How even our tiny actions has such an impact on the environment and not just on others here in America, but all over the world.
We are making some lifestyle changes, but it is not very easy. I feel having lived in India for 23 years, it should come easy to me. But the truth is it is not. Having used a clothesline for 23 years, and a dryer for 5 years, one would think I can easily shift to air drying clothes. A dryer, dishwasher, car are all luxuries that I got used to which is now very difficult to unlearn.
One example he gives is great. We use a power mower for mowing grass which releases all these emissions to the atmosphere and then we pay money to go to a gym in a car which releases more emissions and then use machines (which use electricity, hence more energy usage) to exercise.
A wonderful read albeit some points which gave me a slight pause. I got to warn you that if you are QF lifestyle family/individual you will not like the chapter on population fallout. Just a friendly warning.
I give the book a 9.0/10
Coming Later- The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
I think it is an appropriate review for today, this being celebrated as Earth Day and all. One can hardly escape it. In the bus, on TV, in the paper, in my company website, in the EPA site, in google.
I think this book gets the distinction of being one non-fiction book that I read the fastest. It is a small book, and it is divided into small chapters. It is definitely an easy read. There are some aspects that I disagree with the author, but the thing that really got me is how he advocates a turn away from materialism. His emphasis is on how we can save the environment. Whether or not you believe in the larger question of saving the environment because of our longing for a new heaven and earth, this book is well worth your time.
There were two points he presents which really struck a chord with me. One is his emphasis about the continuous cycle of buying more. The more we buy, the more we cling to the things we buy. Dusting, cleaning, maintaining. And don't I know it well? Especially since owning a house. The other point he makes is to ask yourself if God would have you buy it. I am not saying that after I read the book, I sold my house and lived in a cave. But it did open my eyes and really helped my perspective. How even our tiny actions has such an impact on the environment and not just on others here in America, but all over the world.
We are making some lifestyle changes, but it is not very easy. I feel having lived in India for 23 years, it should come easy to me. But the truth is it is not. Having used a clothesline for 23 years, and a dryer for 5 years, one would think I can easily shift to air drying clothes. A dryer, dishwasher, car are all luxuries that I got used to which is now very difficult to unlearn.
One example he gives is great. We use a power mower for mowing grass which releases all these emissions to the atmosphere and then we pay money to go to a gym in a car which releases more emissions and then use machines (which use electricity, hence more energy usage) to exercise.
A wonderful read albeit some points which gave me a slight pause. I got to warn you that if you are QF lifestyle family/individual you will not like the chapter on population fallout. Just a friendly warning.
I give the book a 9.0/10
Coming Later- The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
Monday, April 14, 2008
Book Review
It is time for another book review. Well, I say that like I do tons of book reviews here on my li'l ole' blog. Don't let the fact that I have never done one before scare you off. I didn't do too bad as far as reading goes. 13 books in 3.5 months. I want to do a review of 3 of them which I really loved.
When Life and Beliefs Collide- Carolyn Custis James
It is a book which talks about how knowing God makes a difference. It is not your usual bedtime book for sure. I wanted to write on the sides, make notes and generally say Amen. She talks about of how theology is not only just knowing words like eschatology and doctrine and orthopraxy and exegesis but knowing who God is. The characteristics and attributes of God. I am teaching Sunday School and we are learning (as opposed to I am teaching becasue it is never just that) about eternal, unchanging and sovereign God. It is one thing knowing about God, but it makes no difference as long as you don't know God. She talks about how knowing God intimately is essential to our daily life. The book is aimed at women who shy away from theology thinking that it is only for man and has three parts based on the encounters of Mary and Martha with Jesus. The book does have a slight light liberal tinge towards the end with regards to women and church (though in some ways I am a closet sympathizer-Pssst don't tell the elders), but is overall excellent. Some of the points she raised are stuff that I had always pondered-like the cultural application of Christianity and her thoughts on predestination.
In the beginning I found it to be a little repetitive or maybe it was just that I was trying to read fast as I usually do. This is one of those books you want to spend some time reading. Many times I found myself stopping and reading aloud to hubby or if he was not around, just to myself.
My Rating 9.5/10 An excellent read for a thinking woman
Coming later Serve God, Save the Planet- Dr. Matthew J Sleeth
When Life and Beliefs Collide- Carolyn Custis James
It is a book which talks about how knowing God makes a difference. It is not your usual bedtime book for sure. I wanted to write on the sides, make notes and generally say Amen. She talks about of how theology is not only just knowing words like eschatology and doctrine and orthopraxy and exegesis but knowing who God is. The characteristics and attributes of God. I am teaching Sunday School and we are learning (as opposed to I am teaching becasue it is never just that) about eternal, unchanging and sovereign God. It is one thing knowing about God, but it makes no difference as long as you don't know God. She talks about how knowing God intimately is essential to our daily life. The book is aimed at women who shy away from theology thinking that it is only for man and has three parts based on the encounters of Mary and Martha with Jesus. The book does have a slight light liberal tinge towards the end with regards to women and church (though in some ways I am a closet sympathizer-Pssst don't tell the elders), but is overall excellent. Some of the points she raised are stuff that I had always pondered-like the cultural application of Christianity and her thoughts on predestination.
In the beginning I found it to be a little repetitive or maybe it was just that I was trying to read fast as I usually do. This is one of those books you want to spend some time reading. Many times I found myself stopping and reading aloud to hubby or if he was not around, just to myself.
My Rating 9.5/10 An excellent read for a thinking woman
Coming later Serve God, Save the Planet- Dr. Matthew J Sleeth
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Bookspeak
I am reading When Life and Beliefs Collide by Carolyn Custis James. I have been reading it for the past week or so, but that is only because I only have like a precious half hour (or less) a day to read. Sometimes not even that. I am only on Chapter 6 of the book now and so far I have really enjoyed the book. After I complete it, I will post a review. This book definitely deserves it. But today, I wanted to leave you with an excerpt from the book. It spoke to me on so many levels. I was amazed at God's faithfulness that he would lead me to read it on a day when I really needed to hear that message.
Each Christian is on a personal journey with God. Those who believe that God has a plan for them sometimes encounter another problem-the conviction that they have lost God's best plan for them. We know the feeling. Somewhere along the line, we zigged when we should have zagged, and now we are hopelessly stuck with Plan B. It only takes a foolish youthful decision, a missed opportunity, interference of someone else in our lives, or our sin, and Plan A is gone forever.
But if God is sovereign, then Plan B is a myth. No matter how dark things look to us, or how big the mess we are in, we are in Plan A. God's plan for us is intact, proceeding exactly as he intended, neither behind, nor ahead, but right on schedule. Nothing, not our sins, failures, disappointments, bad decisions, sins of others against us can deter a sovereign God from accomplishing his purposes.
If the realities of a sinful world and the failings of sinful hearts can deter his progress, then there is littel hope for any of us.
But if God is sovereign, then Plan B is a myth. No matter how dark things look to us, or how big the mess we are in, we are in Plan A. God's plan for us is intact, proceeding exactly as he intended, neither behind, nor ahead, but right on schedule. Nothing, not our sins, failures, disappointments, bad decisions, sins of others against us can deter a sovereign God from accomplishing his purposes.
If the realities of a sinful world and the failings of sinful hearts can deter his progress, then there is littel hope for any of us.
Our obedience is always flawed, our best efforts are never enough.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Book List for 2008
This is the book list I have for 2008. As per my resolution I was planning to read 50 books. But since I am also doing the 90-day Bible reading, I am reducing the goal to 36 for 2008, an average of 3 per month. The books listed below are a mix of every thing. From recommendations from other bloggers, IRL friends, then there are some in there which I have read many times but still like to read over and over again. Please add your recommendations too in there. I would love to give those a try as well.
Here goes my list. Those which I already read, I struck off.
The Bible
Eats Shoots and Leaves (Lynne Truss)
Wise Blood (Flannery O Connor)
When Life and Beliefs Collide (Carolyn Custis James)
When the Morning Comes (Cindy Woodsmall)
Peace Like a River (Leif Enger)
Odd Thomas (Dean Koontz)
Love in the Time of Cholera (Gabriel Marquez)
My Utmost for His Highest (Oswald Chambers) currently reading
Where Is God When It Hurts (Philip Yancey)
Road to Yesterday (L.M. Montgomery)
Gods Unfinished Symphony (Dr. Tom Oommen)
Inheritance of Loss (Kiran Desai)
The Hiding Place
I am
The Quotable Lewis
God's Smuggler (John and Elizabeth Sherrill)
Till We Have Faces (C.S. Lewis)
The Red Tent (Anita Diamant)
Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)
Jo's Boys (Louisa May Alcott)
Belcanto (Ann Patchett)
There is no me without you (Melissa Greene)
Between two loves (Nancy Kennedy)
Hero’s walk (Anita Rau Badami)
Crunchy Cons (Rod Dreher)
Serve God, Save the Planet (Matthew Sleeth) Love's Enduring Promise (Janette Oke)Love Comes Softly (Janette Oke)Taking Charge of Your Fertility (Toni Weschler)The $64 tomato (William Alexander)Little Men (Louisa May Alccott)The Little House in the Big Woods (Laura Ingalls)Farmer Boy (Laura Ingalls)Little House in the Priarie (Laura Ingalls)On the banks of Plum Creek (Laura Ingalls)By the shores of Silver Lake (Laura Ingalls)The Long Winter (Laura Ingalss)Little Town in the Prairie (laura Ingalls)These Happy Golden Years (Laura Ingalls)
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