Book Review - Understanding World Religions in 15 minutes a Day

 

A Concise, Easy-to-Understand Overview of the World's Religions

What religions are represented in your neighborhood, your workplace, and your children's school? Things seem to be changing every day, and it can be hard to keep up. You may know a little about some of these religions. Others are new to you. You'd like to learn about them and how they differ from your beliefs, but who has time to do all the research?

In Understanding World Religions in 15 Minutes a Day, cross-cultural expert and professor Garry Morgan explains the key beliefs, histories, and practices of more than twenty religions, including the familiar--Christianity, Judaism, Mormonism--and some of the lesser known--Baha'i, Sikhism, and New Age religions. Broken into forty short readings, each chapter is engaging and easy to understand. In just minutes a day you'll soon have a better understanding of the world's beliefs.  

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I chose to review this book because I feel it is important to learn and understand others religions.  When we do this, it shows respect to the other person and also helps in areas of tolerance.  

I found this book very easy to read and filled with many religions.  I always felt I knew most but I was wrong.  Not only what I introduced to new religious beliefs but also gained a better understanding of others.  Of course I use this as a guide and as an introduction.  I understand that misinformation has a way of getting into nonfiction.  Being Mormon I am aware that there are ideas out there that have been repeated so many times that the public at large accepts them as truth.                                                                                   

Overall I would recommend this book to anyone interested in how or what others believe in.  Also a great resource to educate our children so some common prejudices can be corrected in society.

 

Book Review: Inescapacble by Nancy Mehl

 
   


Page-Turning Romantic Suspense Set Against the Backdrop of a Small Mennonite Town

Lizzie Engel is used to running away. At eighteen, she left her Mennonite hometown, her family, and her faith with plans never to return. Five years later, Lizzie finds she'll have to run again. False accusations at her job, a stalker, and a string of anonymous threatening letters have left her with no other options. This time, however, her escape is back to Kingdom, her hometown.

As Lizzie becomes reacquainted with Kingdom, she realizes she may not have left her Mennonite roots and her faith as firmly in the past as she thought. She draws on the support of Noah Housler, an old friend, as she hides out and attempts to plan her next steps.

When it becomes painfully clear that the danger has followed Lizzie to Kingdom, suspicions and tensions run high, and she no longer knows who to trust. With her life and the lives of those she loves at risk, Lizzie will have to run one last time--to a Father whose love is inescapable.
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 Warning:  My review contains a few points, "spoilers" that the description did not cover.  I do not however tell you the ending or how situations turn out.  
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This book grabbed my attention from the beginning.  Part of the reason is that the main character, Lizzie, has a 6 year old daughter like I do.   The book begins with Lizzie getting her final check from work and packing to leave town.  She has been framed for stealing money at work and even though innocent she feels the need to just leave.  A big reason is that at the same time this is going on she is also being stalked and receiving threatening letters.  Letters that threaten not only her but also her child. As hard as it is for her she decides to return to her Mennonite hometown.  She believes no one will be able to find her there and she and her daughter will finally be safe. 

As she approaches the town she realizes that the ultra strict ways of the Mennonite community has changed.  Some buildings and dresses the women are wearing are now colorful.  Still afraid however she goes to her mother and fathers home.  Her father is not home and she is relived to find her mother so happy for her return. 

As the book progresses we find out her Father is very strict and old fashioned.  Growing up Lizzie didn't feel love from her father only his disappointment.  Lizzie took that everyone felt that way about her due to getting pregnant as an unmarried teenager.  However, the community has a new pastor that teaches Gods love and forgiveness and many folks agree. 

In the story of course we have an old friend, Noah appear.  Feels start up between them but Lizzie doesn't feel like he could love someone like her, that it is all in her head, etc.  Especially since Noah is now an Elder in the church like her Father had been as she grew up.  It's as if Lizzie is self sabotaging the hope for love.

Just when you may start to wonder about the stalker and notes, the man she had been seeing outside her previous home finds her.  How he found her in this little known town she can not figure out.  Then the notes start again.  She now must decide is she should run again because the notes now mention innocent people can get hurt.  She was just starting to feel accepted by most and like she had a place in town and now must choose her next move.  

Having a book with a stalker, threatening notes, a love triangle, father/ daughter issues, and a woman being looked for in connection to stealing money at work may seem a bit too much.  Ms. Mehl, the author, works it so well that it easily flows.  She also kept me guessing and second guessing the outcome of all these situations. 

This book is the first of a series though from what I can tell none of the characters continue. 

*I received this copy from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.  My opinions are all my own.*

September's Habit

Yes, I know I missed last month.  Things were just hectic and exhausting.  Sorry. 

Our new habit this month though is: 15 Minutes.  As FlyLady says you can do anything for 15 minutes except whining.  It can be anything really.  Set a timer, watch, or have someone tell you when time is up but 15 minutes is it.  Once time is up on what you are doing, it is up.  No continuing on because this is what gets us overwhelmed.  How many times do you start to clean out a closet, toy box, desk, etc and an hour later have a bigger mess than you started with? 

During your 15 minutes make piles of keep, trash, or donate.  When the time is up put the things you are keeping away, throw out the trash, and take the donations to the car so they are ready for drop off.  I use this method when cleaning the stove.  It can become a hated task if I try to clean it all at one time.  SO I start at the range, wash the grills, wipe/scrub the burners, etc.  When time is up even if I only have half done I put it back together and walk away until later. 

This really is a great habit.  You will be amazed at what you can do in these 15 minute intervals and still have time for things you like.  If you starting out cleaning and really hate it this is perfect for you.  Do 15 minutes of cleaning, stop and do 15 minutes of what you like (read part of a book, write a letter, play a game or just relax) then go back to working.  You will be able to get your home in order over time with this method and not feel like all you ever get to do is clean. 

So lace up those shoes and set your timers.  Good luck!