Saturday, October 1, 2016
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
MESSY GRACE by Caleb Kaltenbach
How a pastor with gay parents learned to love others without sacrificing conviction
I loved this book. That said, it was one of the hardest for me to review. I want to encourage both members of the LGBT community and Christians to read it. Although the author writes mainly to Christians, I believe no matter who you are, you will find Messy Grace an enjoyable read. Caleb Kaltenbach knows what he's talking about.
Caleb's parents divorced when he was two years old. Shortly after that his mom met her lesbian partner. Caleb didn't find out that his dad was gay until he was right out of college. He lived with his moms and spent weekends with his dad.
The author mentions some of his encounters as a boy with "mean-spirited, hateful people" claiming to be Christians. Caleb was nine years old when his lesbian mother and her partner, Vera, took him to his first Gay Pride parade. People participating in the parade were yelled at, called names and harassed. Some of the harrassment was extremely cruel. Caleb says he thinks many Christians have some apologizing to do to the LGBT community for social media rants, inappropriate jokes, street signs, assumptions, and some for just being plain mean.
What I liked about Messy Grace is that Caleb's writing is not at all "preachy." In fact, it contains a lot of light humor. It's a very easy, compelling read. God has used this book to change my heart. Not my Christian beliefs or principles, but my opinions and my attitudes toward those involved in homosexuality. He has replaced not hate (I've never hated gay people), but ignorance, with love. Every human being is created in the image of God. To demean that image is to wound another human being in the worst way. Bigotry causes unfathomable sorrow.....to everyone.
I rate this book 5 stars!
**I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
Published by Waterbrook Press
www.waterbrookmultnomah.com
Monday, January 18, 2016
COLOR ME HAPPY
Are you an adult who likes to color? I am. But, I'm not too thrilled with coloring pictures of cars, spaceships, or superheroes--some favorites of one of my grandsons.
Maybe you've seen the hot trend of adult coloring books at the bookstore. The number and variety is overwhelming. VJ Schultz's book is somewhat different from most of the others. Her creations are based upon "positive affirmation words." Each picture includes one word of affirmation to color and apply to your life.
How would you color brave, sweet or thankful? Would you use bold colors, pastels, or metallics? How about love or joy? I actually chose joy and have included a picture of my finished work. (Please don't judge--I'm a writer not an artist) ;) As I colored, I did so with an attitude of joy. I couldn't help it. It just came automatically.
I recommend this coloring book to all adults. It is designed and illustrated by VJ Schultz and can be purchased at www.Amazon.com
More information about VJ and books she has authored can be found at http://vjschultz-author.me
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