Book Review: Voices of the Faithful

I have never felt so connected to a devotional book than with this one.  Not only is this a yearly devotional, but it’s a yearly devotional written by missionaries serving all over the world.  Each day is a new verse and a short story written by a missionary from their “neck of the woods”. The stories come from ALL over the world and give a glimpse into the area in which they serve.  Its a year focus on missions, the passion of my heart.

Now you understand why I relate so easily to the stories and devotionals. There’s something that comes with the connection of other missionaries on the field.  Though we live in different areas of the world, and our stories vary with region, we seem to have SO many experiences in common (as all my other missionary friends can attest to).

Another wonderful addition to this devotional is the forward each month, written by Beth Moore (and if you know me well, you know I love her).  She has a flavor of writing that I adore!

To all my friends living on the field, I KNOW you will love this book!  The stories will make you laugh and cry, and believe me when I say that we can relate to each one of them.  I am dedicating this review to all of you that I have worked with in various countries, and all of you who I have gotten to know over time, who are also diligently serving to the ends of the world….

In hopes that you will find a way to add this wonderful devotional to your collections.

Fearless: by Max Lucado

Once again, Max does not disappoint with his new book, Fearless.  He is able to take many current-day situations that cause many of us fear, and break them down in a way that only Max could.  There were so many “I can relate to that” moments“, which is what I absolutely adore about his writing.

I thought I would try something a little different with this review, so I picked out some of my favorite “nuggets” placed throughout the pages….

• Prayer is the practice of sitting calmly in God’s lap and placing our hands on his steering wheel.  He handles the speed and hard curves and ensures safe arrival.  And we offer our requests; we ask God to “take this cup away.” This cup of disease, betrayal, financial collapse, joblessness, conflict, or senility. Prayer is this simple.
• Courage is fear that has said its prayers.
• Everything will work out in the end.  If it’s not working out, it’s not the end.
• Fear loves a good stampede.  Fear’s payday is blind panic, unfounded disquiet, and sleepless nights.  Fear’s been making a good living lately.
• Acknowledge threats but refuse to be defined by them.

And, probably my favorite part is when he writes about us putting Christ in a box. I loved how he looked back, and examined this trend from the very time he walked on this earth.

His Palestinian contemporaries tried, mind you.  They designed an assortment of boxes.  But he never fit one.  They called him a revolutionary; then he paid his taxes.  They labeled him a country carpenter, but he confounded scholars.  They came to see his miracles, but he refused to cater.  He defied easy definitions.  He was a Jew who attracted Gentiles.  A rabbi who gave up on synagogues.  A holy man who hung out with streetwalkers and turncoats.  In a male-dominated society, he recruited females.  In an anti-Roman culture, he opted not to denounce Rome.  He talked like a king yet lived like a pilgrim.  People tried to designate him.  They couldn’t.  We still try.

Read this book!  You’ll be glad you did…

Literary Lunatics

Today instead of my Ottoman Empire class, we had a tour of the Research/Grad Library at the University.  I can honestly say that I haven’t been in a school library since back in the 90’s, and even then I never was one to hang out there.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE TO READ, but for some reason libraries freak me out.

Its too quiet…

There’s soooo many serious people…

You’re not allowed to bring in food or drink…

And its always really cold in there.

I also need distraction.

Music…

Internet…

or Noise.

Its the only way I can get things accomplished.  Therefore, this library tour wasn’t on the top of my list of things to look forward to today.  BUT…. I must admit, I was mildly impressed.  They have special archives there that no where else in the world has.

Israeli/CIA documentations… (within limits, of course)

Every article/journal written in the Arabic world dating back years and years…

And anything regarding Middle East Conflicts and Policies (and you know that could be its own library in itself!)

SO, after the little tour of this not-so-library-feeling-library, I’m actually thinking of MAYBE going there once in a while, if necessary.  After all, I don’t want to commit to anything that would give me reason to actually LIKE a library. That would make me one of those Literary Lunatics!!! 🙂

Blogger Book Review: Reflections of God’s Holy Land

Some time ago I became a Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger (it was actually over a year ago).  The problem was this: I moved to Israel right after I joined.  The book that I was supposed to review came to my stateside address, but I was on the other side of the ocean.

A year later I was able to read this book and now here I am finally writing my review. The book is all about Israel (a topic I know quite well now), so I was actually anxious to read it with a perspective of someone who lives in the Holy Land.

I must admit that when I read Christian material on Israel I am often disappointed and frustrated….it isn’t always portrayed as how it truly is over here, but how it looks good for Christian fundraising efforts.  This book was different though!

Each section was broken down into three sections:

• Did You Know?:  Facts and pictures about the area
• Reflections: The authors personal reflections and journals regarding to times she was visiting that area
• Verses and Biblical References to the Areas: This was just another little added feature that I personally enjoyed

Overall, I really enjoyed reading through the book, being able to personally relate to all the areas mentioned.  The pictures were great, and the reflections were wonderful.  This book would make  lovely coffee-table material!

(book written in collaboration by Eva Marie Everson and Miriam Feinberg Vamosh)

Some light reading… UPDATED!

While most of you will be enjoying your summer vacations over yonder in the US of A, I will be here preparing for what will be a HUGE challenge in my life.  Many of you are aware of the visa issues I have been facing, and the numerous prayers I have been asking for.  I am announcing now that I have been accepted to study in order to acquire a student visa (YEAH!!!)  

This means much change for me and A LOT of hard work!  I will still be doing my mission work with the homeless and the Sudanese refugees, as well as taking classes, learning Arabic, and improving my Hebrew.  Its all for the greater purpose!

As the title of this blog mentions, I have some light reading to put in this summer before my courses actually begin:

• Iran Between Two Revolutions, E. Abrahamian
• The Old Social Classes and the Revolutionary Movements of Iraq, H. Batatu
• G State and the Conflict in the Middle East, Ben-Dor
• King Hussein and the Challenge of Arab Radicalism: Jordan, U. Dann
• The Middle East: An Anthropological Approach, Dale Eickelman
• A Peace to End All Peace, David Fromkin
• The Interpretation of Cultures: Selected Essays, Clifford Geertz  Thanks 2 Judy Allen!!!!
• Muslim Society, Ernest Gelner
• A Mediterranean Society. 5 vols, S.D. Goitein
• Arabic thought in the Liberal Age, Albert Hourani
• An Economic History of the Middle East and North Africa, Charles Issawi  Thanks 2: The Betts Family!!!
• The Arab Cold War 1958-1970, Malcolm H. Kerr
• Syria and the French Mandate: The Politics of Arab Nationalism, 1920-1945, Philip S. Khoury
• The Emergence of Modern Turkey, B. Lewis
• Orientalism, Edward W. Said   Thanks 2: @jcdulaney!!!!!
• The Modern History of Lebanon, K.S. Salibi
• The Struggle for Syria: A Study of Post-War Arab Politics, 1945-1958, Patrick Seale
• The History of Egypt: From Muhammad Ali to Sadat, P.J. Vatikiotis  Thanks 2 Judy Allen!!!!
• The Making of the Modern Near East, 1792-1923. London, 1987. -The Near East Since the First World War London, 1991, M.E. Yapp  Thx to a Used Book Store in TA!
• The Formation of Modern Lebanon, Meir Zamir

I’m sure that many of these titles are just sitting around on your bookshelves collecting dust, as they are best sellers throughout all the world. 😉

But seriously, if any of you feel compelled to help me out: you can choose a title and find it used on Amazon.com or a used bookstore etc…you would be helping me out tremendously!!! I’m praying to get them all donated and sent over within this month so I can begin trudging forward.  You’re not only helping me, you’re helping all those who I am helping (not to mention the huge blessing, as my support doesn’t exactly cover these types of things).  And if someone actually has one of these titles, I would not only be impressed….I would have to send some sort of prize or something for owning such a jewel of a book! 🙂 

Update: I have put the books on Amazon Wishlist, as to the request of a couple people.  You can either click on the link in this blog, or the Amazon Wishlist icon on the right-bar.  Thanks everyone!!!

Shipping Address:  

Maureen Milham

Hamavdil 8

Apt. #39

Ramat Gan

Israel

52562

Book Review: The Gabriel Allon Series

 I have found a new series of books that I absolutely LOVE!!! Daniel Silva is the author of a series of books about a former Israeli Secret Service Officer, who now poses as an art restorer.  Ok, I say former  Secret Service Officer, but all the books are about him getting sucked back in that world to work again for the Israeli’s.

I read the first one, The English Assassin, my first day in Rhodes while it was rainy/stormy, and I read the entire book that day.  I couldn’t put it down.  I just finished A Death in Vienna the other day, and can’t wait for the next one.  I only have 3 of the books in the series, but I will be on the lookout for more.  

If you understand my passion for all things spy and espionage, you will get my obsession with these books.  Not to mention, he is a fantastic writer and the books take you all over the world to solve the crime.  I love how he incorporates past events (aka Holocaust or the bombing of the Olympic Israeli team) into the present day dilemma.  And what I really love is when parts of the book take place right here in Israel, 2 streets down from where I live, shops and cafe’s I frequent.  Thats just the best!

If any of you are like me, and love spy books, thrillers, and world-wide suspense, you must pick up one of his books.  I am telling you, you won’t be able to put it down!  I am starting on the next one I have, Prince of Fire, and I see that he now has a brand new one coming out in July! Awesome!!!

Shameless Plug…

My grandma’s new book has just come out.  I say new cuz this is not the first book she has written, but it is the first one that has been available on big sites like Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  We didn’t even know until my mom googled it and up popped all these sites where you can buy the book.

As I haven’t read it as of yet, I cannot properly give a book review…but I can say this: It’s my Grandma’s Book!  That’s all the review I need to give 🙂 Nevertheless, I will read it when a copy makes its way over the sea…

Here’s the cool thing.  My grandma sent my parents a bunch of copies to sell, and she said that ALL the proceeds will go to my mission. How amazing is that!!!  So, here’s the deal:  anyone who gives a donation of $20 or more to my mission will receive a copy of my grandma’s book!  OR if you just want to buy the book, the proceeds will go to my mission as well….its a win/win situation!

All the information to support me is under the Support Tab on my blog.  If you are interested in buying a book, let me know and I will put you in touch with my mom, who is handling all the orders Stateside.  

So, one last thing… I have to give a huge SHOUT-OUT to my Grandma!!!! Love you very much!!!

ps. now go out and get her book 🙂

Book Review: The Broker

Another John Grisham book…another success!  I believe I have reviewed a Grisham book before, but I will repeat this anyways…. I love John Grisham books! This one was no exception.

Its about a shady ex-lawyer/lobbyist in Washington who got mixed up in some illegal dealings and went to prison. He was pardoned by the president on his last day in office, only to be put back out into the world in order to be killed by the opposition.  He was re-located to Italy, where it all begins.

What I loved about this book, mostly, was that of all the groups of governments after him, the Israeli’s were the front-runners.  There are snipets which took place right here in Tel Aviv, and streets/places are mentioned that I happen to live right next to.  That was too cool! 

I don’t want to give away the book, in case you want to read it. (And I do recommend that you do!)  If you’re a Grisham fan, as I am, you won’t be disappointed in this quick-read… even if the ending is a bit abrupt and leaves you questioning the future; but then again, most of them do.

Mediterranean Monday: Ulpan

 

My Ulpan Book

You might have heard me mention going to Ulpan in other segments, so today I am going to explain what it is.  Ulpan is the educational center where you go to learn Hebrew.  Just like in regular schools, there are levels in which you learn. Since I was a total beginner, I started of in kita aleph (like a Kindergarten class).  I didn’t know how to read, write, speak, or even recognize the letters so we started off at the very beginning.  My class is Monday-Wednesdays, 8:am-1:pm…5 hours of intensity and brain drainage.

Ulpans are pretty unique to Israel in that they are the only institutions that offer Hebrew lessons.  It is the hub of foreigners, especially new immigrants just making citizenship.  The government actually pays for new immigrants to take Ulpan classes, in promoting the Hebrew language. In my class alone we are represented by many different countries: Russia, Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary, Japan, Italy, France, The US, Brazil, and I’m sure I’m missing a couple (but you get the point.)

One things I’ve loved about learning at Ulpan, along with the actual Hebrew language, has been the cultural aspects.  My teacher is so awesome in making sure we learn about every Jewish holiday that comes along, and Jewish traditions as well. She incorporates the history of the Jewish people (from the Torah) to the history of Israel.  We learn about different places within Israel and where to go and what to see.  We have learned songs that Jewish children learn growing up, and even had computer lessons to learn the keyboard. Overall, its been such a great tool for me.

I say this because this week is my last week of Ulpan!  I debated on whether to go on to the next level or not, but in the end I realized that I have all the tools I need….I just have to go out and start using them (aka: speaking in Hebrew)  I will miss going to Ulpan and especially my teacher (the best Ulpan teacher in the world!!!).  I have met some great people in my class and it will be weird not seeing them every week.  I owe a lot to my experience at Ulpan, and now I can officially say that I can read, write, and speak in Hebrew….and it can only get better!

Book Review: Schindler’s List

Pushing through nights of tears and heartache, I finally finished reading Schindler’s List. Crying while reading books is not new to me; I often cry during a good book, but these tears were a bit different. The book gives a life account of Oskar Schindler, who saved thousands of Jews during the Holocaust of WWII.  While the account shows that he was definitely no saint, what he did for the Jewish people was above and beyond any question.  

The book starts out a bit slow, talking about pre-war issues and giving a background into Schindler’s up-growing. Some of it was hard to follow, but as this was a story about him, I understood why it was necessary.

Once the war began, and his antics were unveiled, it was evident to see how he un-selfishly gave all he had to save as many as he could.  Oskar was an extremely wealthy man, and used all his material wealth for the good of mankind.  What I found interesting was that after the war, he lost everything: job, factories, money, etc. and was basically poor from that time on.  He moved to Argentina for a brief stint, but returned to Germany to live out his last days.  

There were a couple moments in the book that I was so overwhelmed… where the tears were flowing and I just sat to take a moment in order to grasp the realness of it all. One time was during the very end of the war, when Schindler had just found out the Germans had surrendered and he was making the speech to all his Jewish survivors. He told them he had to now flee Germany in order to escape being killed by the Russians (he was still German, after all).  The Jewish men got together and made him a gift, to repay him for all he had done to save them.  They had nothing to make the gift out of so one of the men, Mr. Jereth, opened his mouth and insisted they take out the gold fillings.  With it, they melted down the gold and made a ring for him…engraving in Hebrew a Talmudic verse, which was quoted to Schindler at the beginning of the war by his Jewish friend/manager.

“He who saves a single life saves the world entire.”

It is said that when they presented it to Oskar, he put the ring on and could not even speak as he was so filled with emotion.

The other moment was at the end of the book, when it tells of Oskar’s post-war days.  He was so poor and had nothing, and by this time many of his Jews had gone on to become successful and wealthy. Many of them came together and ended up supporting him, financially, until his death.  He had paid for them and kept them alive during the war, and now they believed it was their turn to do so.

The book is very graphic and definitely not for the weak of heart.  It is written to tell the truth about what really happened, and at that time, the truth was extremely hard to swallow.  For me, it was so important to read it in order to have a tiny, sliver of a glimpse into the history of the lives I am now living alongside.  But, even if you do not live in Israel, or are not Jewish, I would still recommend you to read this book.  It is after all, a part of our world history!

I’m back in Kindergarten…

I was so excited yesterday when I came across a book store selling all its books for 15 shekels (about $3.50 US).  I decided to get a couple to start practicing my Hebrew reading, and at this stage the best way to do that is with children’s books. There were so many good ones, but I had to choose only 2 (I am on a budget!)  

When I found a Curious George book with a collection of stories inside, I knew that would have to be one of them. Then I found an African story about a group of children who go out into the bush to count animals….that was choice number 2.  

Last night I (slowly) read through the African Safari book, with help from Dudu.  It was a bit painful at times, sometimes having to sound out words letter by letter like a child, but I managed to read it and understand it all!  This is a huge accomplishment for me, considering just a few months ago I didn’t even know any Hebrew letters.  I am so proud of my new books, that I must also share them with you as well.  Take a look….

Everyone has a story

I am currently reading the book, Schindler’s List.  I saw the movie years ago, but anyone who loves to read knows that the book is always much better…so I’m finally diving in.

Reading it over here has such a different impact on me, its incredible.  It’s one thing to read a story or event from the past and be touched by it, but its another thing completely to be living in the midst of a remnant of that event.  I am serious when I say that everyone I meet either has family, friends, relatives, or even they themselves were involved in some sort of way with this time in history.  Reading this book (and others like it) gives me a more thorough understanding of why hearts are hard, why minds are closed, and why many are suspicious.

It’s true that everyone has a story, but the story of Oskar Schindler is one that has made international headlines (mainly due to Steven Spielberg), but nonetheless is definitely worth reading about.  I’m only on the 2nd chapter, but I’m already finding myself wanting to read it during any spare time I have.  Review to come when I finish…..

Bleachers

Yesterday I finished the book, Bleachers, by John Grisham.  I have read all his previous books, mostly being law-related; but this one is totally different.  It’s actually about football (American Football) in a small town where high school football is everything.

It reminded me so much of Marysville, my high school town, that it was scary.  The story literally could have been about lots of the guys I grew up with and the people in our city.  The similarities were uncanny.  I’m sure its the same with most football towns, but it freaked me out a bit.

I enjoy Grisham’s writing style, so the book was an easy read for me.  I probably enjoyed it more because I could relate to it.  

One image I loved was that of the bleachers.  It foreshadowed life in many different ways.  We can be content to sit in the bleachers, and watch others live life to its fullest; or we can get up and begin living life ourselves.  Even if your “glory” days in the spotlight seem to be over, start making new glory day memories. Don’t continue to live in the past.  Let it go and live for today and tomorrow.  

4 out of 5 stars

I am not but I know I AM

I picked up this book the other day because it was small.  I was already in the middle of reading something else, but I needed a bit of a break; this looked like a good distraction.

Louie Giglio (you might know him as The Passion guy) wrote the book, so I’m thinking it must be good. Ok, excuse me for a moment while I take on the personification of Randy Jackson: Well, it started out a bit slow…kinda pitchy in some areas, but toward the middle it picked up and by the end it was bangin. Overall, it was good.  (end of Randy)

It took me a while to get into it, but I really enjoyed some of the end chapters and took some “nuggets” from the book.  The summarized version is this:  We are small, God is big. The world does not revolve around us, so let’s realise that and join God’s story already in progress from the beginning.

I guess I’ll have to give it 3 out of 5 stars.  

The Shack

I recently finished reading the book, The Shack, by William P. Young.  A friend of mine had met William and wrote about it, and then, coincidentally, my mom read it and sent the book to me.  

Let me start out by saying, WOW!  I don’t even know where to begin in describing how this book impacted me.  I think I cried through much of it, and highlighted the rest.  Living in a world that is anything but simple, it made me re-visit my idealistic views about Christianity and took me back to the “roots.”

Without going into too much details and ruining the plot of the story, I will mention a few nuggets I gleamed from the book (even though I got lots of them)

1.” As well-intended as it might be, religious machineries can chew up people, and spit them out.”

2. “Instead of trying to begin revolutions that will overthrow anything, why don’t we try the quiet daily powers of dying and serving and loving and laughing, of simple tenderness and unseen kindness, because if anything matters, then everything matters.“

3.  “What God wants from us is to trust Him with what we can, and grow in loving people around us with the same love He shares with us.  It’s not our job to change them, or convince them…just to love them.”

4. “God’s purposes are always and only an expression of love.”

5. “God is not a noun, He is a verb.  He is alive, active, moving, and doing.”  Why do we put Him in a box as a noun then?

Ok, so I could go on and on, but I will stop with those 5 things.  I am reminded by this book that we must go back to the basics.  We must love and serve others…simply put!  All the rules, systems, institutions etc. are put in place to tell us how to do it, but through our human perspective.  Its a way for us to justify our actions by “playing God.”  Life is about relationships, not “religion.”

I will end by encouraging you to read this book.  It will totally change the way you look at God, or maybe just encourage you to continue looking at Him in that way.  I give it 5 out of 5 stars!

For more information on the book or author check out:

www.theshackbook.com