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Book Reviews

Twenty Five Books That Influenced My Life – #22

It was January of 1981. I was a senior at Westmont and found myself in the Sierra Nevada Mountains for a Sierra Trek program that taught about caring for God’s creation. D’Aun, my fiance at the time, was also on the trip.

We would spend days orienteering, cross-country skiing, and rock climbing. The evenings were spent in group discussions about creation care, led by Dave Willis. Dave, a fascinating man with multiple talents, would guide us through an ever changing array of topics and exercises. It was a great way to learn for me and I loved the interaction.

Our …

Book Reviews, Family,

Shhh…Quiet…Introverts Writing

It was a couples small group study when I first found my voice about being an introvert. Of the twelve or so people in the study, nine or ten were extroverts. Not surprising given that you need to be a bit of an extrovert to join a weekly small group.

We were going through a study on marriage and the author (an extrovert) had written about conflicts with his introverted wife. It led to an interesting conversation in our group, but one spouse in particular was upset at her husband because he was an introvert. “Just get over it” seemed …

Book Reviews,

Birth of the Living Library

If you liked the video I posted with the choreographed books, you’ll probably enjoy the earliest version of the idea from the same creators. It’s fun!

As always, email subscribers can see it here.…

Book Reviews,

Twenty Five Books That Influenced My Life – #23

There may be no job more difficult than raising a child. I was certainly unprepared that day when D’Aun looked at me and said, “Guess what!?!” Finding out that we were about to be parents was wonderful. Of course, the overwhelming joy was mixed with a touch of fear!

As with most young parents, the news made me pause and reflect on the amazing responsibility of having a child. But to be honest, I didn’t do much to prepare myself for that responsibility. Rachel was a great kid growing up and it felt like all those parenting books were for …

Book Reviews,

The Living Library

We’re moving into a new home soon and we are creating an office layout that allows for most of our books. I say “we” loosely, since D’Aun is doing most of the work. And since she is, don’t you think she should create bookshelves that do this?

By the way, if you are an email subscriber to my blog and can’t watch this video in the email, click here to see it.…

Book Reviews,

Lost Kingdom, by Julia Flynn Siler

Over a decade ago I got off a plane in Maui and stepped into a different world. Not the world of palm trees, vast beaches, gentle waves and tropical beauty, but a political, historical and cultural world of frustration and remorse. I was walking into the world of the Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement.

Dennis “Bumpy” Kanahele met me at the airport. He was, and still is, a big man who stood with pride; the way only people to whom respect is paramount can stand. He looked me in the eye, extended his giant hand to shake mine, and offered me a …

Book Reviews,

Twenty Five Books That Influenced My Life – #24

My parents, both born in the early 1920’s, struggled through the Great Depression. Their families were poor even before the stock market collapse of 1929. My mother was born in an Oklahoma coal mining community. My father and his siblings were moved by my Grandfather from Oklahoma to California during the Dust Bowl. Both of my parents were regarded as “Okies” when that term was an insulting taunt of the poor.

Thus I was raised in a family that had experienced poverty and understood the prejudice that came with that label. Though I was fortunate enough to always have enough …

Book Reviews,

Twenty Five Books That Influenced My Life – #25

One of the wisest things my Mom did when I was growing up was to make reading a treat. It all started when I’d go shopping with her and, like most kids, pester her for my favorite things. She seldom gave in, whether I was asking for a new Hot Wheels car or a favorite cereal.

But she found a clever way to direct my attention elsewhere. She’d say to me, “Tell you what…I’m not going to buy you that GI Joe you want, but I will buy you any book you want. And if you read the whole book, …