Let Them Eat Cake!!

Let Them Eat Cake by Sandra Byrd is the first book in a series called the French Twist series. It will delight your tongue as well as tickle your sense of humor. You definitely have to read it with a eclair, tiramisu, or other french inspired pastry and your favorite coffee drink. Its protagonist Lexi Stuart is in the position many young people find themselves in today searching for God's will and a living wage. There are also some great recipes to try, including my favorite, "let them eat simply divine coconut cake".
Have a good read, Nina

Whatever is true...

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

Although I like suspense, action, and books about war I have read a few "Christian" books recently that I feel have too much violence in them such as The Pawn, by Steven James. He opens the book with a gruesome murder which I felt could have been described in far less detail. I know there is evil in the world but an intimate understanding of it is not necessary especially, in "Christian" fiction. For once we get it into our minds it is something that one cannot remove.

When reading a book or watching a movie I think one needs to determine if things such as violence are not gratuitous but only what is necessary to get the point across. I much prefer Agatha Christie and many her contemporary authors way of dealing with evil. The focus of the story would be on solving the crime and not how it was committed. I believe that we do have to be able to recognize evil but we do not have to experience it ourselves. Just like Adam and Eve in the garden where the devil tempted them to eat of the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil. Choosing to allow evil in our mind shows that we do not trust God to know what is good for us. We believe that we should have choice to decide.

On a much lighter note I would recommend The Matchmaker series by Kaye Dacus. It is cute chick-lit that focus's three friends and their grandparents search for their perfect match. There is one interesting note in the second book in the series The Art of Romance which has one of the main characters wondering about how the Roman Catholic Church would allow nudity in the paintings of artists such as Titian. I guess they are not familiar with Theology of the Body

Have a good read, Nina

Serendipity: "An aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident"

Serendipity: "An aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/serendipity

With Valentine's Day still a recent memory I thought it would be a good time to talk about what a real relationship requires. In Cathy Marie Hake's book, Serendipity, its two main characters, Todd and Maggie who marry a short time after meeting, learn through various troubles and scrapes the meaning of a God centered marriage. Their troubles range from personality quirks to cultural differences and a difficult mother-in-law. It also puts a different meaning to the word, serendipity, because with God, there is no accidents.

I also, saw The Vow yesterday alongside lots of couples holding hands and sharing popcorn. It was an interesting movie, it could have been better if it stayed true to the actual events that inspired it. There was also a lot of focus on the more physical aspects of their relationship and with any movies these days several scenes that could have gotten rid of. The positive aspects of the movie were embodied in Leo Collin's treatment of his wife after their accident. His focus on her well being and happiness is sharply juxtaposed by her parents and former fiance's relationship with Paige Collin's. If you want to get the story behind the movie read The Vow, by Kim and Krickitt Carpenter with Dana Wilkerson. The actual story shows how their faith played a vital part in their story.

Have a good read, Nina