Book review: Always We Begin Again by Leanna Tankersley

I have now read the book, listened (first) and I re-listened to parts of the book as well.  In my reading on the kindle, I highlighted aspects and copied quotes into a notebook to review again and again. 

Leanna Tankersley teaches us about ourselves by sharing her own introspection and process over her adult lifetime.  She speaks therapeutically when she reminds us that it is our job (especially as women) to dialogue with ourselves as you would a friend, not an enemy.  She shares that often our response to shame or to self is to treat yourself negatively, critically, but it really is important that we learn and remember how to treat me- and recognize we aren't failing, things are hard because things are hard,...  So she shares how she searches for herself, in a move it forward manner, including looking at the source, her deeper belief, knowing she's made for more, to be well, and to follow God's voice.  And to recognize that we often put ourselves in a cyclical pattern, instead of stepping forward in the next step of our journey. 

Her approach to receiving rest- is one I wholeheartedly agree with- she quotes St. Augustine "Our heart is restless until we find rest in Thee."  Then St. Benedictine- "Always we begin again." She sees this as the holiness of repetition.  The *practice* of beginning again is a gift you give yourself. 

This book uses terms and language that are counseling or therapy oriented, some religious and benedictine, and widely used, but can have different meanings, and one of the reasons I was drawn to this book.  Phrases such as:  "always begin again", "the practice", "listening" as a practice, being "centered", "be present", "hold space for myself"  terms that I've not been raised with to have the same priority as they seem to have today, but she also uses key theology phrases (I think in the same way I learned them) to share what seems to be a biblical world or self view- like "seal", "rooted", "breathed new life", "love', "God's grace", "mercy",... so this is part of my process- knowing that I am understanding the concepts. 

The author is sharing how she has learned that in life- it is necessary to 'begin again' often, but it's not as simple as saying 'redo' like we might do with our children on a morning when everything has been off.  For adults who are growing, communing with our Great Creator and God,  it's a bit more introspective than that.  She combines the liturgy, spiritual practices, and then creates her own terms from her life experiences that she uses from that point on. 

Not only must we 'begin again' but we must be willing to make sure we know we are 'held', 'sit in the truth', "eliminate the dead trees" that our blocking our view- we may need to "burn away" some raw edges, and put our big girl pants on (my term she has a more poetic way of discussing her inner 9 year old self) and face who we are, who we want to be, and how we may need to see ourselves differently with grace as we would a friend, so that we can move ahead, grow, and truly find rest in the Lord and in living this life.  She speaks poetically (similar to Ann Voskamp at times, but her own flair for words.) Mixed with words or concepts from "prophets, monks, and mystics" like "choosing the opening up," 'held-ness", "sit in this truth", "feel centered and rooted and you will feel connected to God and to your own soul,"  words that could be concerning or viewed as new age, but I am learning that we are in an era, where we find language that researchers will use, that people before our time used, that are religious or soul terms, and it seems we are mixing this language into our faith based practices because perhaps this language can articulate clearer, that which is hard to express and is within us.  So I admit, that's part of my uncomfortableness in hearing and reading this book. I'm working through the meaning and implications of the concepts being explained or revealed.  But I'm recognizing that it is a strength as I'm making this my own process and thoughts, and taking what perhaps on my own, I would never have found words to share. 

 My review is between I really liked it and it was amazing- because it's a book that draws you to think deeply (which makes it amazing in my thinking) but at times my own mind is too cluttered to really grasp all of the expressions and applications that the author used in her story telling, and I'm having to re-read and re-think as I internalize, and maybe that's an argument for marking it an 'amazing' book.  Perhaps I need my own scale! 

The book does whisper the Word throughout it, and the author shares how she comes to interpret and think about different people in the Old and New Testament and the process and message from the Lord as we have their examples to learn from in the Word.  I didn't overly examine them, but none of her connections gave me pause theologically or hermenutically. 

My first review a month ago, after only listening to it...

I'm still processing this book, and need to begin again-- as I listened to the book, and there are so many thoughts that if I were reading, I would re-read, take a note, process, etc.  I have paused as I read to internalize, but this book I will listen to several more times I imagine.  I was attracted to this book from the post on Ann Voskamp's blog, I was also interested as knowing that Shauna Niequist wrote the forward to it, and the title alone- it would have a language and feel that I've become familiar with through Brene Brown and Shauna Niequist books. The benedictine aspect intrigued me as I know that the liturgies and practices of old so often are still vital and essential. 

I found this book more intentional, more biblically oriented than I expected.  I sort of expected a level of cliche phrases that were pretty generic and undefined, and that is not what I got.  I was so pleased to have "begin again" explained, modeled, evaluated and as well connected to truth.  There are a few questions in my mind about some of Leanna's techniques to find herself, but that's real thinking and evaluating, so it is helpful. 

The author and I are close to the same age- and I can envision her life easily and her attempts to embrace rest as well as releasing hurt-- it takes being brave- vulnerable-authentic and real and that's what I appreciate most-- her unguarded sharing of her learning and processing how to be herself and be the best person she truly is- all the time.

Thanks to my public library for the audio version of this book and to netgalley for an e-version to review and share my thoughts.  

Book Review: Waterbrooks' Where the Fire Falls by Karen Barnett

Part of whispering the Word to our kids- is being sure we are in a mindset of faith, belief, and letting the Word transform us.  I choose to read mainly fiction and non-fiction books that will help me think at higher levels and evaluate, analyze or synthesize how I process and internalize the Word of God.  This book is a great example of that.  The characters thinking and processing of a few scriptures is shared throughout the storyline and is authentic, vulnerable, and realistic even in today's world.  So I'll recommend this fiction read to teens on up... and if you have a tween who loves historical fiction with a big of suspense I don't see any issues with letting them choose a 340ish page book to read.  It could easily be a literature circle book with 10 questions at the end of the book from the author, and you could analyze many great writing elements or character development reading this together and I expect you would ALL enjoy it thoroughly.... The authors style, depth, and writing would be a great model to mirror for developing writers.  

I read a lot of books. It's new for me to regularly be reading fiction again, and historical fiction especially with a little romance has always been something I enjoy. But Karen Barnett, a new author to me, has blown me away with her ability to make a national park come alive, with intriguing characters, and unpredictable page turning plot, as both Clark and Olivia search out their identity and ultimately their identity in Christ. 

This book releases June 5, if you pre-order and submit your receipts here, you can get her first park ranger book free!  

This book is well written, and the characters come to life, as they are so well developed, but not predictable. I like that faith is a theme of the story, but in authentic real ways. Scripture is shared when it fits a conversation or when it might be present in a character's mind, but it is not overly emphasized so that someone who may not believe in the Word of God would still enjoy the tale, and might be encouraged to wonder in similar ways. 

One of my favorite parts of their storyline is that both question what God is doing in their lives, is He even still present and guiding them, and what does He have in store for the next step. Without spoiling the content, I think Chapter 18 is a great representation of a real, alive and growing faith dialogue, that many don't think can be discussed out loud, but it is portrayed in a real and authentic way, and accurate to how I have had God work in my own life. 

I enjoy a lot of books. But I feel like after reading this book, my 5 star rating may over rate other books I've read previously. I am blessed to have an ARC from the publisher, I wanted to try a new author and I'm thrilled to share an honest, positive review... now time to see if my local library has her other books!

Book Review: The Lifegiving Parent by Clay and Sally Clarkson

The Lifegiving Parent:          Clay, with Sally's input, writes about "Giving Your Child a Life Worth Living for Christ." This book is, in many ways, a summary of the core parenting messages they have taught for over twenty years. Lifegiving parenting is about more than simply giving your children a "Christian life," but about giving them the life of Christ 

Clay and Sally Clarkson have their own ministry.  The online home is: https://wholeheart.org/

They are well known authors and trainers in christian ministry.  I've read only a few of Sally's books- my favorite being Different by Sally and Nathan Clarkson.   

I haven't read other books in the lifegiving series, and didn't even realize it is a series until I was into this book.  But the subtitle of giving your child a life worth living for Christ is definitely a goal in our home.   And Different is so inspiring and practical, I wanted to see if I loved this book as much.  

This book is more of a philosophical book to help parents process the foundation of their home based on who God is and how He is present in your home.  Clay seems to be the main author and boy, he is a solid biblical educator, who can explain what a word means in the greek and then explain why that concept is so relevant for today.  Sally in the foreward says this is a book that will give 'couples a book to read together to shape a philosophy of how to give your children the life of God in their homes."   Clay describes his goal as giving the "life of God" to parents which many parenting books overlook.    

I just assumed it would be a balance of philosophy and practical suggestions with stories that intrigued me and kept me reading.  I was incorrect.  This book is primarily the teaching from the Word of God about Who God is, and how to life not a christian life or create a christian home, but on how to center your life/home on the life of Christ and imitating Him.  

After the introductory chapter, the book shares 'heartbeats' to help you 'start living like a lifegiving parent.'   It follows a formula that is more than just the philosophy, but the meat of the book is primarily exegesis of the Word of God by Clay.  Each heartbeat starts with a story or cultural connection to explain the heartbeat, then shares passages from scripture that 'form a complete, holistic biblical idea.'  This is followed by some steps to implement this idea, then Sally's lifegiving Momoirs then Lifegiving ParenTips, and ends with a brief Startging the Heartbeat of Parenting Lifegiving.  

The book is systematic, linear, and does create a plan and strategies to life a Christ like life and replicate this in your home and in front of your children.  Many people will appreciate the style, the solid teaching, and the layout with little need to think for yourself about this principle.  I'm hoping that the companion guide written to go with the book will promote higher level thinking and more engagement. 

The heartbeats are great points and ideas for raising your children.  I found them to be sound and great ideas, and I learned about some greek words I did not know and grasped principals that I would not have been able to solidly support with biblical connections, if it weren't for the teaching in this book.  But I found the book itself to be very personality driven, and I suspect that many of the other Clarkson books are similarly developed, so if you love all the Clarkson books, this book will suit you well.  But if Different is your main connection to Clarkson's books, go into this purchase aware that it's not the story telling advice and connections as the main learning connection in the first 208 pages.  Then you get an update on where each child is today, and the book ends with appendixes of the 24 family ways, knowing your child's personality, and notes.  

The book did make me think about some of the teaching's and interpretations shared.  For instance there is a main point, that you need to know your child as good. At face value, I wasn't sure that I agreed with that statement. In our home, we often have discussed that we are all 'bad' because of the sin in our lives, but that Jesus makes all things new within us when we accept the free gift of eternal life by accepting his death, Resurrection, and substitution before God for our sins.  The author is making the point, that we need to recognize and acknowledge that our children are growing. learning, and deserve encouragement, recognition, and praise for the good that shows in your home and in their lives.  That I agree with.   But I did pause and think.  

I'm thankful for a life that has brought me under good teaching of the Word, for a Bible College one year education that had me think about family life and my role in a home where Christ is the center first of my marriage, and then of my home.  Teaching that had me recognize as a teen that I needed to live a Romans 12:1,2 life of transformation, and to know that it is my job to die to self, and live for Him.  My ultimate goal is to live for the glory of God and to grow to be more like Him, by renewing my mind, heart, and soul through the Word of God, prayer, worship, and christian fellowship.  So for me this book, was a good review in a very linear style of the foundation philosophical tenets of a Christ like life and how to transfer them through modeling this in the Shema (walk and talk) of life.  

It's not my favorite style of writing, or presentation format, but I know I am unique and many will be inspired and unable to put this book down.  In many ways I think my hesitance to wholeheartedly celebrate this book as a tool for all, is the direct teaching that sort of boxes parents in, or is suggesting a works based? (not sure if this is the right wording) approach to a faith based practice that parents could achieve these principles in much less formal techniques and I would have liked it more if those techniques were included in the author's perspective. 

Thank you Tyndale for the opportunity to review this book.  I love to share my views and to read ALL types of books.