Voices Behind the Veil

Yet again, I've slipped into posting way too many video clips recently.  The autumn months tend to be the busiest for me- not just because of all the holiday preparations approaching- but because of the continuously-expanding list of reports and service plans at work.  So while I apologize for my lack of creativity (not that my posts are particularly creative in the first place) in recent days, I'm not offering any promises of it improving any time soon.  But for now, I have an actual book review-not a video- for you.

Voices Behind the Veil claims to explain women's experience with the religion of Islam.  The book is edited by one of the authors of a book I finished a few months ago: Unveiling Islam.  Each of the chapters is written by a different woman; some chapters discuss the history of Islam while other chapters deal with more practical and daily living for women of the Islamic faith.

Honestly, the book was not all that helpful.  Most of the information found in the book is not new information to most people, and it's definitely not worth purchasing the book just for that.  In addition, I felt the same way as I did about Unveiling Islam; the tone throughout the book was pretty negative and derogatory.  I've read and heard more details about Ergun Mehmet Caner (the editor of this particular book and one of the authors of Unveiling Islam), and I don't think that I will be reading any other books which he authors.  While I don't recommend this book on the whole, there were some parts that were wonderfully written and expressed.  My favourite few lines:

"Until we stop being casual Christians, Muslim women will never know Jesus.  Until we are broken for the lost, Muslim women will continue to die in their sins.  Until we grieve as Jesus did for His lost children, we are ignoring the greatest opportunity God has ever afforded us- to share Jesus's love with a world that is listening.  Until we can look into our Savior's eyes and realize that He died for Muslim women as well as for us, we will never see the depth of his love."

The Poet of Baghdad

I picked up this book when I was searching for potential reading material to assign my students- not my refugees studying US citizenship, that is, but my undergrad students from Mizzou- but obviously I never assigned them anything from this book since I haven't even been teaching any classes at Mizzou for almost two years now and I'm just now getting around to the book myself.

It's a great biography of a famous Iraqi poet from the 60s and 70s; when Saddam Hussein was at the height of his power, Nabeel Yasin was publishing poems about the reality of life in Iraq under Saddam's regime.  In 1979, after being branded an enemy of the state, Yasin fled his country with his wife and son, eventually seeking refuge in London after traveling and living briefly in various countries.

The Poet of Baghdad, formerly titled Nabeel's Song, is wonderfully written and immediately draws the reader into the lives of its players.  What I liked about this book was that it did not take for granted the reader's background knowledge of Iraq, it's history, culture, and people, and did an excellent job giving good background information in order for the reader to better understand the lives of Nabeel and his family and friends.  I think this book would be especially helpful for most Americans to read so that they can get a brief history and cultural lesson concerning Iraq.  Interestingly enough however, I asked my coworker and his wife (who are both from Iraq) if they had ever heard of Nabeel Yasin and neither of them had; they chalked it up to the fact that Nabeel fled Iraq when they were both very young and they the grew up under Saddam's government, and it wasn't likely they would get to hear about Yasin from official sources.  Either way, the book is still a good read and one which you can whip through rather quickly since the story is quite engaging.

Bleak House

That's right.  I finished Bleak House.  It only took me a few months...but in my defense, I'm not a slow reader; I just got distracted by other reading while in the midst of Bleak House.  However, my distraction should not imply Bleak House wasn't a good novel because it was excellent.

I should admit the book was a bit intimidating at first; most books a few inches thick usually are (why is that, anyway?  I think one of my goals as a parent is to make sure my children don't miss out on great literature just because the length scares them away).  And as usual with Dickens, the first chapter or so left me yawning a bit and urging good ole' Charles to just get on with it and head straight to the meat of the book.  But once I actually allowed myself to simply read instead of rushing through the novel, I thoroughly enjoyed the story.

Bleak House constructed around three themes: that of the murkiness and almost unethical institutions in England in the nineteenth century (namely, the court system), misplaced children, and mystery.  Each theme is developed fully with different stories intertwining to address them as they unfold the surrounding story.

Jarndyce and Jarndyce- one of the oldest cases in endless litigation in English law- is where the novel begins, and in a sense, where the novel ends.  Two wards- Richard and Ada- have some stake in the case, which follows the dispute of a will of a very wealthy man, but after Richard and Ada's custody is transferred to a kind relation after both sets of their parents die, their guardian urges them to flee from involvement in legal case as it seems nothing is ever resolved, procuring bitterness for all parties involved.  Their ward is Mr. Jarndyce, who determined after watching his father battle through the courts in hope that he might obtain some of the inheritance from the Jarndyce and Jarndyce case, hires Esther to be Ada's companion when Richard and Ada move to Bleak House to live with their guardian.

Esther, a kind and gentle young woman, had been raised as an orphan by her aunt but was never told of her parental lineage.  Throughout the novel, Esther wonders at just who her parents might have been, and in a most unexpected moment, the truth is revealed to her.  She can have no cause for celebration, however, as her newly-found knowledge must remain a secret.  And when a a high-profile murder occurs, it is difficult not to assume that Esther's mother is indeed the murderess, and her mother's involvement with the victim could lead to the downfall of one of the greatest English families.

Bleak House is often touted as Dicken's most beloved masterpiece (although, really, I'm sure most of his works are referred to in the same manner), and indeed, Bleak House is now probably higher on my list than Great Expectations.  The character development, the integration of each an every one of the characters, the plot and subplots, the little intricacies throughout the novel- all of those aspects make the book a delightful read.  Several parts of the novel read more like a suspense-thriller while other points feel as though the entire novel is a stately romance.  Honestly, my thought at several times throughout my Bleak House experience: "Dickens is a genius".  My thought at the end of my Bleak House experience: "Dickens is a bloody genius".  Seriously, I'm pretty sure I said that aloud to Isaac as I put down the book for a final time.  So, do yourself a favor, go check out Bleak House from the library, refuse to be intimidated by its thickness and small font, and jump right in.  Trust me, you'll thank me for it...and so will that soddingly brilliant genius Dickens.

And oh yes, the BBC adaptation was fairly accurate and very well-played.

Unveiling Islam

There are tons of books out there on the subject of understanding Islam, but I'm always a little leery to trust an author's explanation of the religion; I found this book a few years ago and decided I could put a little more stock in the authors' authority since they were both former Muslims.  The authors are actually brothers; their mother was Swedish and their father Turkish, and their parents raised them in the Islamic faith.  In middle school and high school, however, the boys met friends at school who taught them about Jesus, and eventually, both of them (as well as their other brother) converted to Christianity.  Both of the authors are now professors in Theology and Church History.

The concept of this particular book had been swirling around in both of their heads for some time, but it wasn't until the events of September 11, 2001 that the demand and need for the book became so abundantly clear to the authors.  Most of America knew so little about Islam and the issue was now shoved into the spotlight.  The authors began to write this book as a basic introduction to Islam so that individuals with no exposure to the Muslim faith could begin to understand this faith of millions of people around the world.

Caner and Caner systematically explain the Muslim faith, quoting the Qu'ran a great deal in order to explain certain aspects and principles.  They also give an excellent historical background, which is needed for a general understanding of the religion.  Because most students in the United States don't receive very in-depth history lessons (or any at all, for that matter) on the Arabian Peninsula, this brief history lesson by the authors is one of great importance (and one of my favorite parts of the book).  The authors discuss the basic tenants of Islam, the calendar and holy days, the religious books, and some of the more difficult concepts.  They also provide an excellent chapter on cultural competency and reaching out to Muslim friends and neighbors.  In one small section called 'Accepting Hospitality', the authors explain the importance of hospitality and then write, "Middle Eastern food is delicious and will not harm you."  All I have to say to that is a-stinkin-men.  Mmm....couscous and saaj...

The book is also extremely well-written and very easy to understand; the authors do an excellent job of taking an often very intimidating subject and making it accessible to the reader.  The only thing that truly surprised me was that in particular spots, the tone seemed to lose its neutrality and seemed a bit harsh.  There are also some recent developments and controversies regarding Ergun Caner and some contradictory statements he has made in the past.  Last month, Liberty University stated they would not renew his contract as dean of their seminary.  So, be aware when reading this book that you also may want to research other sources as well.  However, I still recommend the book, at least as a starting point for those wanting to learn about the Muslim faith.

George Mueller: Delighted in God

I chose to add George Mueller: Delighted in God to my 2010 Reading List because Isaac (and every other first year seminarian, it seems) read it in one of his required courses his first semester.  Isaac mentioned several times that he thought it was an excellent biography and very inspiring, especially in the area of prayer.  In case you've never been to a church where the pastor quotes George Mueller on a regular basis (yes, I'm talking about the one and only Pastor Burt), you should definitely get to know this man's story.  Mueller was born in Prussia, but eventually made his way to England where he is credited with caring for over 10,000 orphans in his lifetime.  If that number itself doesn't speak sheer volumes as to the kind of man Mueller was, I'm not sure what else could!

This particular biography was a great read; it's not too long, but it packs a powerful punch- not just of biographical information, but also a good deal of conviction.  Steer focuses on Mueller's decision to refrain from asking anyone to fund either his salary at the church or any needs at the orphanages.  Rather, he determines he will pray, and pray fervently, that the Lord would provide.  And what is so amazing is what happened.  People- both friends and strangers alike- would send Mueller money without his requesting any funds or assistance from them.  Their letters always conveyed that they were simply led to give, and so they did.  This conviction to pray and wait for provision was not simply some experiment Mueller conducted for a specified period of time.  No, he did this for years; in fact, he never stopped doing it.  The George Mueller Foundation does not fund raise in any way, and they do not declare their financial needs to anyone except God in prayer.  It seemed that so many times, Mueller would literally be on his knees asking how he was going to feed all of the orphans that day when someone would bring him either money or break or milk or just what was needed.  Talk about the Lord providing!

This book is an excellent read; it's well-written and is incredibly convicting.  It's also incredibly encouraging as well.  As I sit here on my comfy couch in my comfortable cool apartment (I am praising God every day for central air conditioning right now because of this merciless heat), I admit that it's hard for me to be content with what the Lord has blessed me.  It seems we're always wanting more, even though we already have bounds and bounds beyond what we really and truly need.  And even though I have more material possessions that the vast majority of the world, I still worry about the Lord's provision.  Reading this book helped put things into perspective for me (again) and gave me a good dose of much-needed conviction; I highly recommend it (the conviction and the book, that is).

Schindler's List

One of my favorite movies is Schindler's List.  It is a film I believe everyone should see at some point in their life.  The acting is spot-on, the music is beautiful, and the cinematography is haunting.  It is a rather difficult film to watch, but it deals with a rather difficult issue; I think Spielberg made the decision to keep the film slightly (and more than slightly in certain points) uncomfortable throughout its duration.  It is so easy for Hollywood (and authors) to glorify stories into dramatic movies about World War II and the Holocaust; it's harder to deal with the grit and grime of what actually happened.

Schindler's List is based on a book of the same title by Thomas Keneally.  Though it is advertised as a novel, it is the result of Keneally's research on the life of one of history's most unlikely heroes: Oskar Schindler.  Having seen the film multiple times already, I produced a clear mental image of the scenes in my head as I read the words.  Keneally does an excellent job of providing detailed background information about Oskar's family and childhood, as well as the development of his character as he relates the story of how one man saved hundreds of lives during one of man's most brutal regimes.  Keneally thoroughly researched his book, speaking with many of the Schindler survivors; the book was originally published in the early 80s and so many of the Jewish individuals who worked for Schindler were still alive. 

If you are unfamiliar with the life of Schindler, I highly suggest you read the book or watch the movie (or both).  The story of Oskar Schindler should be an example for all of humanity in that if there is something so clearly wrong in the world, we must fight however we can.  Schindler was not an overly moral man, but he did not fail to act in the face of evil; let us not fail to do the same.

Adopted for Life

We've had Adopted for Life on our bookshelf for a while now, and I am so pleased I finally sat down to read it.  Dr. Moore is actually one of Isaac's professors, and I can assume just from the way Isaac talks about his classes with Dr. Moore that the man is one of his favorite professors.  Last semester, Dr. Moore's lovely wife Maria, was my leader for my Discipleship class for SWI.  Love her.  Love him.  Want to steal their boys from them.  They are simply a wonderful family living their lives with Gospel-intentionality.

It's fitting Dr. Moore wrote Adopted for Life at this time; there seems to be more of a focus in the Christian community on adoption and orphan care than ever before.  I know so many couples and families who are adopting domestically, adopting internationally, adopting through the foster system, providing orphan care...the list of ways in which people are involved in orphan care goes on and on.  In short, it's a pretty highly-publicized topic now.

This book is simply wonderful.  Dr. Moore not only discusses the logistics of adoption, but begins by focusing on how believers are truly adopted into the family of God and what that realization should mean for us as we contemplate our role in adoption.  He discusses some of the more sticky ethical dilemmas as well.  On the whole, the book is remarkably well done and presents a unique perspective- one that is thoroughly research and yet thorough person.  Truly, I have at least half of the book dog-eared.  Even if you have never thought about adoption in any specific way, I would recommend this book.  You won't necessarily finish the book and feel the call to adopt because not everyone is called to adopt.  There may be many people who do have this experience, but the book is more about growing closer to the Lord as we realize we are His family- adopted as His sons and daughters.

Wuthering Heights

Good Golly, Ms. Molly! How in heavens I made it through four years of intense English classes at good 'ole Booker T. and never read Emily Bronte's classic, I will never know. Seriously. I have half a mind to call up those teachers (uh...I still keep in contact with some of my high school teachers...yes, I am quite a dork) and chew them out about this...or rather not. They did a wonderful job of introducing me to some of the finest literature ever penned, and I am very grateful for them. Truly, I had awesome English teachers, and I can freely say that now without others assuming I'm just looking for brownie points.

And how in the world it has taken me this long to read this novel, I will never know either. Man, what is wrong with me? Seriously, Wuthering Heights is true literature. Before I began this classic, my friend Jess mentioned that the obsessive love between Cathy and Heathcliff may very well have been the basis for the relationship between Bella and Edward in the Twilight saga. You can read all those Twilight books all you want, but characters like Heathcliff never fade.

Set in the brooding moors of Yorkshire (that's in the north of England, for those of you who don't wish you were born a Brit, like Jess and I do), Bronte tells the story of a young orphan boy found on the streets and brought home by a wealthy father of two children, Hindley and Cathy. Cathy and Heathcliff form an unbreakable bond, while Hindley tortures Heathcliff at every opportunity. As Cathy and Heathcliff face the expectations of society, they find themselves being torn apart. As the events unfold, Heathcliff plans his revenge on the world, and the innocent are involved at their own price.

Interestingly enough, apparently the Bronte sisters did not enjoy Jane Austen's works (they both published after her). Their styles are very different from one another, but I do appreciate both. Authors don't seem to produce works like these anymore, so it's important to appreciate them to their fullest extent.  There are also several film adaptations of the book. I watched this one a few weeks ago; it's pretty well done, although the screenplay does not follow the novel precisely.

When Broken Glass Floats

Yet again, I have a slew of book reviews to post. So prepare yourself to read nothing except my thoughts on a variety of books over the next few days...

As I just mentioned, I like to read a variety of books throughout the year, but I always end up reading at least a few about issues pertaining to refugees and international policy. Many refugees have written memoirs about their experience, including individuals who survived the horrors of World War II to individuals who fled their homeland simply because they were of a different ethnicity or religion than the people in power in their country. Even though I make it a point to read at least a few of these books every year, I also have the chance to talk with my clients and learn about their often-harrowing experiences. It can be a bit overwhelming at times, but it is important to be aware of the suffering around us so that we can be called to appropriate action.  The International Rescue Committee prepared a list of films and books concerning the refugee issue.  Check it out here.

You may remember that earlier this year, I read a book about the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. Admittedly, this particular bit of history is not often the focus in the typical high school classroom- at least, it wasn't in any of my high school history classes- and I was never very much interested in the people of Cambodia anyway. Yet when I look back, I find it quite sad that I know so little about certain areas of the world. It is good that I read the book earlier this year so that I can understand a little more about the genocide in Cambodia. If you need a little bit of background as to the actual events, read my post about First They Killed My Father.

When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge is a similar memoir. Chanrithy Him's father was an educated man, and when the Khmer Rouge took over, they were forced to flee their home. Him's memoir echoes much of what I read by Luong Ung. Those individuals who worked for the government were not spared; people who were "city dwellers" were forced to move into rural areas and to work on farms or sent to labor camps. Food was scarce and conditions were harsh. By the time the Khmer Rouge fell in 1979, half of Chanrithy's family was dead, the children left as orphans. This memoir conveys the completely desperate situation in which millions of Cambodians lived for years, but Chanrithy's story ends with hope and reminds us that we must do the same.

The Portrait of a Lady

Wow, folks. I never thought it would happen. I never thought I would actually finish this book. I probably started this novel way back in 2007. And then put it down for a few months. Eventually, I would pick it up, read for a while, and put it down again for another four or five months. But after officially placing it on my 2010 Reading List, I was determined to finish it before the year's end.

The Portrait of a Lady follows the story of Isabel Archer as she travels from America to Europe, courtesy of her eccentric aunt who wishes Isabel to fulfill her potential. During her time abroad, she captures the heart of her invalid cousin Ralph, as well as a brash American and a British aristocrat. But it is Isabel's innocence and vulnerability that lead her not to love, but to an entrapment of deception and betrayal.

In all honesty, it was not my favorite Henry James book. The plot sounds exciting and adventuresome, but the dialogue reads rather slowly in many parts. I could never quite make out Isabel's character either. However, James does achieve a rather significant goal in that the reader is able to identify with the characters and often finds herself "rooting" for her certain suitors while scolding Isabel for her choices. One of my friends saw I was reading the book a while back and commented, "Ugh, that girl was so stupid. I was actually yelling at the book and telling her not to be an idiot and to choose a different man than the jerk she was falling for. I mean, really how unrealistic can you be?" But in reality, James portrays a very real storyline in that his characters are not charming and perfect on all levels; they are real beings. They each have perfectly amiable qualities, but each suffers from their own particular imperfections...how more true to life can an author be?

I am glad I read the novel, and it did seem to pick up a good deal toward the latter half, but I much prefer Daisy Miller or Washington Square to Isabel's story.

What is the What

Holy Moses.  This book was incredibly difficult to read.  It was amazing, but incredibly difficult.  I like reading books dealing with refugee issues (as if you couldn't tell by the steady slew of reviews of such books); while the stories told by such books are heart-wrenching, there is usually a silver lining toward the end (i.e. the refugee is resettled or the situation improves in their home country so they are able to be repatriated).  Those books usually end there; they don't go in details about their resettlement experience.  What is the What however, does an excellent job of not only discussing Achak's experience in Sudan but also his experience as a refugee in the United States.  And wow, does it give me motivation and encouragement to do my job and do it well.

What is the What is technically classified as a novel, although everything in the book is historically accurate.  Ahack (the narrator) explains that since many specific events in Sudan happened when he was such a young boy, he and the author (the friggin' amazing Dave Eggers) determined to simply call the book a novel.  Achak opens his story not with his boyhood in Sudan, but as an adult living in Atlanta as a refugee- as one of the famous "Lost Boys", in fact.  The tone of the book is determined from the beginning; he is not triumphant and successful after coming to America.  He is struggling with school, work, and acceptance by the American people.  Achak's story flows smoothly between his experiences in the United States and his trek across Sudan into Ethiopia and back again as a young boy.  Both stories are amazing examples of the resiliency of the human spirit and the courage to not only survive, but to do something far more difficult: to hope.

I encourage you to read this book.  You will not only glean more understanding about the situation in Sudan (including Darfur), but you will also get a glimpse of the refugee perspective of America.  And while Achak is grateful for his chance to live in America, his experience here is not always the fairy tale ending to a painful and difficult childhood.  After one incident, he writes, "We refugees can be celebrated one day, helped and lifted up, and then utterly ignored by all when we prove to be a nuisance.  When we find trouble here, it is invariably our own fault."  Friends, let us not ignore those around us- and not just only the refugee- who are hurting and in end of help.  Let us refrain from judging those who are different or new to our country and culture.  Let us not heap burning coals upon their scarred heads and battered hearts.  Instead, let us offer healing hands and hope.  Practically speaking, this offering of hope will look different from community to community and person to person.  On the whole however, simply look for ways you can help the marginalized and the down-trodden.  Sometimes all it takes is the time to simply listen to their story, to understand their situation, and to be their friend.  The smallest of things can bring the greatest of hopes.

Don't forget to enter the SpendYourself giveaway!  Blog about SpendYourself to get two entries and to inspire hope!

Big Truths for Young Hearts

Big Truths for Young Hearts is a phenomenal book by Dr. Bruce Ware, a professor at Southern (he is actually one of Isaac's professors this semester). The concept of the book was developed when Ware's daughters, both now adults, approached him about formally writing out the many theological discussions they had as a family. Ware made it a point to openly discuss doctrine and theology with his little girls as they grew throughout the years. As a result of his 'lessons', his children grew in the knowledge of the Lord and entered adulthood with a firm foundation of their spiritual heritage and faith. Would that every believer had the same experience!

The book is written in such a way as to appeal to more than one audience. Parents can use it as a guide to lead their children to discussions concerning key points of theology; individuals can read it to attain a basic theological education. I think many people are intimidated by the word "theology". It sounds so...serious and mature. But really, theology is simply the study of God (from the Greek theos meaning 'God' and logy meaning 'the study of' and no, I didn't pull that out of nowhere; I took Greek, kids!), and it is something we should make a priority to teach to our children. Far too often, parents provide abundantly for their children's physical, emotional, and intellectual needs, but neglect their spiritual needs. I pray that when Isaac and I are parents, we would take seriously our responsibility to teach our children about the Gospel of Jesus the Christ. I think this book will help provide a road map to lead our children to discuss the things of God; I plan on revisiting the book numerous times throughout the next several years for sure!

The book is divided into ten chapters, and each chapter has several sections within it which determine natural breaking points. At the end of each section, there are a few questions for further thought and discussion, as well as pertinent Scripture for memorization. I read a chapter a day; any more than that and you won't be able to fully absorb and process the material. If I were going through the book with a child, I would slow the pace down even more and work diligently at the memorization. Topics covered include creation, the Trinity, sin, the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and the Church. Ware does an excellent job of presenting some common errors and misconceptions about basic doctrines as well.

I highly recommend this book, especially if you have children. Even if you don't have children, the theological foundations discussed in this book are irreplaceable for believers.

First They Killed My Father

I kid you not, I started this book approximately twenty-eight minutes after I finished Pascal Khoo Twe's From the Land of Green Ghosts. First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers is on my reading list for this year, and since I was able to get it from the library very quickly, I decided to go ahead and begin reading it, even though my emotions were already tenuous at best after finishing one book about genocide. For some reason, I couldn't bring myself to pick up Harry Potter instead, and my hands gravitated toward the book with the little refugee girl on the cover.

First They Killed My Father recounts the experience of Luong Ung, a refugee who lived through the Khmer Rouge takeover of Phnom Penh and its subsequent systematic killing of over two million Cambodians- almost a fourth of the country's entire population. Ung was one of seven children in an upper middle-class family; her father worked for the government as a high-ranking official, and the family led a relatively privileged life.

In April of 1975, Khmer Rouge soldiers entered the city and forced thousands of people to flee their homes and begin an arduous journey into the countryside. The Khmer Rouge ('Red Khmer' in French- Khmer is Cambodia's largest ethnic group) was a totalitarian regime that ruled Cambodia from 1975-1979. Its attempt at agricultural reform led to famine, and with its resolute stance on self-sufficiency in all aspects, thousands upon thousands of people suffered from starvation and treatable diseases during the Khmer Rouge reign. The regime would kill those individuals and families who were suspected of being capitalists, employees of the former democratic government, professionals (anyone with virtually any amount of education), and the ethnic and religious minorities. Though perhaps not one of the more famous cases of genocide, that which was committed by the Khmer Rouge was one of the most lethal regimes of the century; nearly one fourth of the country's population was murdered in the space of less than five years.

Because Ung's father had been a government official, the family fled Phnom Penh with others the day the Khmer Rouge took control of the city. The family relocated to live with their extended family, who lived in a small village, and the Khmer Rouge therefore saw them as 'unpolluted'. Eventually, Ung's family is forced to move from their family's village for fear others would realize they are from the city. Ung goes on to tell her harrowing story of survival, even in the midst of great pain and fear.

Despite the acknowledgement of the immense pain throughout the entire book, one of the hardest parts to read was one of the very last chapters, in which Ung is describing life in the refugee camp in Thailand. Here is a brief excerpt:

"Eldest brother!" I call, running up to him. "Did you also get dunked in the water by the Father?"
"Yes, he has made me a Christian." Meng chuckles with his friends.
"Why? I thought we were Buddhists."
"We are, but being a Christian will help us get sponsors faster. Many refugees are sponsored by church groups. Christians like to help other Christians."

Ouch. 'Christians like to help other Christians.' Does that punch you in the gut as it did to me? Yes, as Christians, we are to help our brothers and sisters. But I pray that no one would ever say of me that I refused to help someone because they are of a different faith; that is not love, friends! We are called to love our neighbor- not just those who sit beside us on the pew each week. I pray that the world would know we are Christians by our love- not just our love for other believers, but our love for all the nations.

The 2010 Reading List

I don't normally make a reading list, but I thought it might be a fun to try it this year and see how it plays out.  There are several books I've been waiting to read for quite a while, but somehow, I always end up picking up something different; perhaps if I compiled a reading list and put it out there for the world to see, I would be more diligent in reading those books I've had on my shelf for far too long now.

Each year, I try to read a good variety of books, including fiction, classic literature, historical, biography/memoirs, children's and young adult lit, as well as other non-fiction.  Though I'm not always consistent and successful in this endeavor to read and to read widely, I do try to do so, and I'm always open to suggestions, so if you have any books you'd like to see added to my reading list, let me know and I'll be sure to see what I can do.  I'm especially lacking in some young adult literature books for the year because adding the entire American Girls collection to my list is way too tempting.

For now, here's what I've got.  I usually read more than the number I've listed (I know, I'm a complete nerd), but I wanted to be rather flexible and to leave room for Thomas Nelson review books, required reading for class, and any new releases I just can't resist.

Fiction (most of the following are found on the list of 100 or the BBC Big Read; I am shocked I haven't already read some of these)
The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
Bleak House by Charles Dickens
Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres
A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving
What is the What by Dave Eggers

Biographies/Memoirs
The Poet of Baghdad by Jo Tatchell
George Mueller: Delighted in God by Roger Steer
Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally
First They Killed My Father by Luong Ung
To The Golden Shore: The Life of Adoniram Judson by Courtney Anderson
When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge by Chanrithy Him

Non-fiction
The Fate of Africa by Martin Meredith
Unveiling Islam by Ergun Mehmet Caner and Emir Fethi Caner
A Problem From Hell: America and the Age of Genocide by Samantha Power
Righteous Gentiles of the Holocaust by David Gushee
Voices Behind the Veil by Ergun Mehmet Caner, ed.

Children/Youth Lit.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince  by JK Rowling
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling

Spiritual
Big Truths for Young Hearts by Bruce Ware
Humility by C.J. Mahaney
Adopted for Life by Russell Moore
The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith
Death by Love by Mark Driscoll

So, there you have it, folks.  I hope I will be able to read all of them; since I've never made an official reading list for the year, I am a bit intimidated.  Of course, I am hoping for some additional suggestions from you, faithful readers, and I plan to continue the Thomas Nelson book blogging review program as well.  And since I'm still working off of the list of 100 and the top 100 from the BBC's Big Read, I should never be in want for a book to read!

What's on your reading list for 2010?