11/14/2011

Book Review for "The Chair" by James Rubart - Kindle Edition

Corin Roscoe is a broken man. You can't tell by merely looking at him, but inside, he is scarred from the many tragedies and painful experiences of his life. His first marriage ended in disaster. Both of his parents are dead. His brother--easily the most important person to Corin--has completely shut him out of his life. His antiques business is failing.

Until a mysterious woman brings him a chair--but not just any chair. A chair that was supposedly made by Christ, with some of His healing powers within it. When two people are miraculously healed, the quest of Corin's life begins. Does the chair really possess Christ's healing powers? Or does healing really come from knowing the One who made it? Can his relationships be restored? Can he be made new? These are all questions he must find the answers to, all the while trying to figure out whom to trust---and who is really out to hurt him.

I've read all of Jim Rubart's novels, and this is without doubt my favorite. I truly believe that Jim has been blessed with the gift of writing. There are only a handful of authors that can truly make me care about the characters the way he can. But more important than an entertaining story is the message this book presents. There is healing in Jesus Christ. Only through a relationship with Him can our brokenness be healed. In Him, we are new creatures. Obviously, this is a Christian book. So if books about Jesus Christ turn you off, perhaps this is not for you. But if you're willing to be open-minded, there is definitely a message that needs to be heard.

11/01/2011

Built-in Alarms

Anyone with children, or anyone who has been around children, can tell you that they come with built-in alarms. And unfortunately, these alarms do not come with a snooze button. Or an "off" switch---although if I could figure out where it is, I'd be a popular woman!

Here's what their built-in alarm looks like. You've just stepped into the shower and lathered shampoo in your hair. Dreaming of enjoying the rest of your leisurely shower? Think again! The kids' built-in alarm has just alerted them to the fact that they must see you NOW. When it is LEAST convenient. Children that can ignore me all day suddenly find an urgent and pressing need to disrupt my shower. It's never as I'm finishing up. Never after I've applied the conditioner. It's always at the point-of-no return, when I know---and I believe THEY know---it will take the longest amount of time until I'm available. Which means one of two things. Either you listen to their whining, crying, and fighting all through your shower (say goodbye to any enjoyment you might've found), or you zip through it as if you are the super hero Flash.

Incidentally, this same built-in alarm is the same one used by infants to help them know when they are hungry. You're just sitting down to a delectable, toasty dinner (which you've miraculously managed to prepare with little ones in the house), and have been eagerly anticipating that first, delicious bite. Sorry! The baby's built-in alarm sounds, alerting the previously contented child that he or she is ravenously hungry and must eat. NOW. Bye-bye hot dinner.

I wish I knew how to disable these alarms. Until then, I guess I can always dream of what it might be like to finish a shower or enjoy 5 minutes in the bathroom uninterrupted.