book giveaway #8 winner!

Sorry about the delay on getting this posted ... The winner of Life, In Spite of Me is Wendy (comment #5)! Wendy, I'll be contacting you for your address so I can get this shipped out to you next week.

"the last christian" by david gregory

In 2088 AD, Abby Caldwell emerges from the Papua New Guinea jungle where she was raised as the daughter of missionaries after her entire tribe dies of a mysterious illness. She moves in with her cousin Lauren, a US congresswoman, and soon discovers that Christianity has all but disappeared in America. Abby quickly decides two things: 1) She needs to spread the Gospel in America, and 2) she needs to learn more about her grandfather Ray's death and the cryptic message he sent just days before he died. With the help of Sabin, Lauren's "life partner," and Creighton, a history professor, Abby delves into the mystery while trying to preach the Gospel--and finds herself hunted by a dangerous man.

I really enjoyed The Last Christian ... probably because it was largely science fiction! The America Abby returns to is one where people spend large amounts of time in virtual reality, where cars drive themselves, where disease is nearly eradicated, and where even brain transplants are becoming available. One of the aspects I enjoyed most was the challenge Abby faced when presenting the gospel to people who have no concept of sin or of their need for a Savior. While Gregory's world is fictional, many things he describes could very well be in our future ... and with this book, he challenges us to take another look and the Gospel and reexamine our own beliefs.

As for the plot, while I enjoyed it, I felt that parts were lacking. The "resolution" was fairly unaffecting, and I wasn't emotionally involved with the characters. Still, this was an engaging read that I would recommend. You can purchase it or read an excerpt here.

Should you read it? Yes, unless you can't stand science fiction.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

book club

I've always liked the idea of book clubs, but I've never been in one. Until now. My sisters, a friend, and I decided to start a book club this summer. We're still a bit fuzzy on the particulars, but we met at Tommy's Family Restaurant for supper yesterday to choose our first book. The winner? Forgotten God by Francis Chan. I'm very excited to read this book--I've had it for several months but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. Since Val, Jamie, and Blendy don't have the book yet, we're meeting for our first discussion in two weeks. I'm looking forward to it!

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

excellent questions!

I promise, the Lost posts will stop someday. Probably very soon. But for now, here's a great video about the unanswered questions of Lost.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

the end

Well, friends, Lost is over. So many questions were left unresolved, but at this point, less than a day after viewing the finale, I find that I don't care so much about the questions because the finale was so emotionally satisfying. (If you watch Lost but for some insane reason haven't watched the finale yet, you might want to stop reading now. And then go to abc.com and watch the finale!)

The show went full circle, beginning with Jack's eye snapping open in the jungle and ending with Jack's eye closing in the jungle. (Yes, my sister did fairly accurately predict the last image.) Over the next few days, just about every Lost fan with a blog will be writing about the finale, and I want to get my two cents worth in, as well.

What worked:

• Watching the characters "wake up" and remember their island lives in the Sideways world. Sawyer and Juliet's meeting was the best for me ... and they paid off Juliet's dying words to Sawyer in the season premiere. I also loved that Charlie and Claire got to be together again.
• Hurley's grin when he saw Charlie (who, ironically, didn't actually "wake up" until he touched Claire, even though he set the chain in motion by "waking up" Desmond), followed closely by Jin's expression when he saw Sawyer.
• Kate and Jack professing their love for each other and their final kiss. 
• The Smoke Monster/NotLocke's comment to Jack about being the chosen one, which perfectly reflected what I thought last week when Jack volunteered to take Jacob's place: "I expected to be more surprised. You're kind of the obvious choice, don't you think?" That made the Hurley twist at the end even sweeter. 
• Hurley invites Ben to help him take care of the island. And then Ben apologizes to Locke for killing him. Ah, Ben ... you really did become a good guy, didn't you?

What didn't work:

• Titanic? Seriously??? I hated Titanic thirteen years ago, and I hate it today. (I'm actually okay with what the Sideways world ended up being ... I think ... but when I made the Titanic connection, I just about lost it. Just ask Blendy!)
• Shannon is Sayid's true love? I don't buy that for an instant.
• Where were Michael and Walt?

All in all, great show, satisfying finale. At least that's what I think today ...

book giveaway #8!

This is the last book giveaway for a while, as WaterBrook Multnomah is retooling their Blogging for Books program. The book I'm giving away is ... drum roll, please ... Life, In Spite of Me! That's right, I'm giving away a book I've already reviewed--because I forgot to post this earlier this week! So, check out my review, and if you're interested, get your comments in by Tuesday, May 25.

"life, in spite of me" by kristen jane anderson

When Kristen Anderson was seventeen, she attempted suicide by lying down on the train tracks near her home. Miraculously, she survived, but she lost both of her legs. Life, In Spite of Me is her story.

Anderson traces the events and emotions that brought her to the point where she felt suicide was her best option. But the main focus of the book is her life after the suicide attempt. She is honest about the struggles she has faced, but the book overflows with the peace and joy she has found in Christ.

I really enjoyed this book. It's a very easy read, and though anyone could enjoy it, I think it would be especially good for teen girls. I know I would have benefited from reading a story like Anderson's when I was a teen. Though I never struggled with depression myself, I had friends who did, and I think learning about someone else's struggles would have helped me understand theirs. Anderson understands the pressures that surround teens in high school, and after some chapters, she writes letters directly to those who face depression, heartache, or suicidal thoughts.

Should you read it? Yes, especially if you've been depressed or you know someone who has.

Below is a video of Anderson telling her story:

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”