2017 Reading Quest 25: The Weekly Hodgepodge



Join the fun! 

Come on over to 

From This Side of the Pond 

for the Hodgepodge link-up!

NOTE:  If you're here just for the book review, scroll to the bottom to the "random thought."  Thanks.

 

Can you believe we're rolling in to the Labor Day weekend? What's a project you'll labor over this fall?

Several things:  Finding a job, moving into and furnishing my own place, then, hopefully, upgrading the Auntie mobile.  In between all that, I'll keep up my crafting, reading, and health endeavors.  It's going to be a fun, busy fall.

Tell us about the best perks you ever had in a job?

Having a free membership to the YMCA when I worked there.  It gave me extra incentive to work out since the oppotunity was staring me in the face every day.

August 31st is National South Carolina Day. Have you ever been to SC? Any desire to go? According to Southern Living, these are the top ten things to do in South Carolina...Explore Charleston, bike, golf or relax on Hilton Head Island, see the beach and the boardwalk at Myrtle Beach, visit the state museum in the capital city Columbia, observe the wildlife and natural beauty of the Ace Basin, take a walk or hop on a trolley and check out Greenville's charming main street, visit Fort Sumter where the Civil War began, stroll through Pearl Fryar's Topiary Garden in Bishopville leaving time to check out The Button Museum, also in Bishopville, see Morgan Island (also known as Monkey Island)-home to nearly 4000 Rhesus monkeys.  Which is most appealing to you today? If you're a SC native, resident, or frequent visitor what would you add to the list?

I've yet to visit South Carolina, so all of these choices sound  fabulous, but biking on Hilton Head Island appeals to me most.  

Beef, pork, country-style, barbecued, baby back, spare or short...your favorite kind of rib? What's a dish you enjoy that really 'sticks to your ribs'?

Childhood summers were spent eating barbequed ribs.  Yum!  You really want me to pick ONE dish that "sticks to my ribs"?  Well, since we're on the subject, pulled pork. Whether it's in a sandwich or a salad, it really hits the spot.  Oh man, makes me want to order some mail-in Dreamland barbeque (only because The Rocket in Jacksonville doesn't do mail order).

What's one important skill you think every person should have? Why?

Out of my preliminary list of thirteen, I'd say learn to agree to disagree like a mature adult.  I'm not sure what in world has turned our society into a bunch of fragile whiners, but it's grating my nerves and needs to stop.  Does Auntie need to establish a "no whining zone" around herself again?  I haven't had to break that out since I taught preschool!

Insert your own random thought here.

Before I get to this, let me get this off my chest.  I started not to post this review when I finished the book three weeks ago since some people so stridently loath the author.  However, I'm sure that there are other such disliked authors of whom I've reviewed their books.  Now that I'm ready to go ahead with it,  all these conflicting stories about the author's church started during the Texas hurricane coverage.  Again, I almost didn't post the review.  HOWEVER, my job isn't to defend the author, his church, or anything else concerning him; he's not my Pastor, I don't attend his church, and he isn't my Savior.  My goal is to review a book I chose to read.  If you don't like the author, that's fine.  I don't personally know the man to decide whether I like him or not.  If you've read the book and didn't like it, fine.  I congratulate you for being an adult who's used his own mind.  I chose to do the same.

I find it a crying shame I didn't have to present a caveat before reviewing Charles Barkley's book, but I had to for this one.  Ok, here goes.

 

Book:  Your Best Life Now.

Author: Joel Osteen

Info: Copyright 2004: New York:  Warner Faith

Rating (on a scale of 1-4 stars):  ✮✭✭ 1/2

Where Acquired:  Thrift store purchase.

Category:   This one fits two categories:  Everyone's Reading It: because when the book premiered, everybody and their grandma read and recommended this book,  but I opted out of the frenzy.  Nobody Admits to Reading It:  Some Christians were saying to avoid the book either because they didn't like the author, or simply because of the title--though they'd never read the book.  I'm more acquainted with Osteen's father, John Osteen, and his teaching.  I figured if he was anything like his father, this book should be a safe enough read.

What it's about:  Osteen presents seven keys to a greater life in God:

1.   Enlarge your vision.
2.   Develop a healthy self-image.
3.   Discover the power of your thoughts and words.
4.   Let go of the past.
5.   Find strength in adversity.
6.   Live to give.
7.   Choose to be happy.

Through scripture passages and examples from Osteen, his family, friends, and church members, the author presents the results of living out these seven steps.

What I liked:

• The author didn't just say "do this."  He showed how he applied the keys in his own life.
• Osteen never presents a message that problems will not be a part of the life of a Christian.  He presents biblical solutions to conquering problems.
• I enjoyed the encouraging tone of the text.

What I didn’t like: 

• The book was a bit repetitive.
• I was hoping the book would go a little deeper into the "how to's" of each key.

Takeaway:

After I finished this book, my first thought was, What was all the hubbub about?  If you look at the seven steps, can you tell me exactly what's controversial about them?  These are primary keys to living a victorious Christian life.  These are steps I've heard or read since I became a Christian more than 30 years ago.  In fact, secular authors who think they've come up with some new thing repeat these same steps in their own "leave out God" way.

You know, if the author had written heresy--things contrary to Scripture, I would have understood, and agreed, with those who cautioned against and criticized the book.  However, though I don't agree with everything Osteen wrote, this book doesn't deny the inerrancy of Scripture, the deity of the Trinity, nor does he even hint that Jesus isn't the true way to salvation.  So what's the problem?

Yes, the book is "spiritual milk."  However, for the brand-new believer, this book would be a huge dose of encouragement.  In fact, it's a huge dose of encouragement for someone who may be very mature in his faith, but is going through a hard time. No, it's not deep commentary, but I believe the book was written to inspire the reader to seek and study the scriptures himself.

When I'm feeling discouraged, I'll definitely pull this one off the shelf to peruse through again.