Saturday, July 27, 2013

Why Are Christians Not in Unity? {a little bird told me}

On Saturdays I respond to questions from my readers. This week I received a great question about Jesus's Church. Without further ado - "a little bird told me"

photo credit:Steve McSwain


Dear Robyn,

If there is One Spirit leading us, why are there so many different denominations and beliefs among the Church?

Sincerely,
Why-Can't-We-All-Just-Get-Along



Dear Why-Can't-We,

What a great question! Thanks so much for asking. This is something I'm not quite sure about, and wonder (often in frustration) about too. It does seem that if we believe in the same God and read the same Bible that we should be more unified in our beliefs, practices, and treatment of one another, doesn't it? Oh how I wish it were so. 

So, why the digressions and divisions, then?

Here are a few theories:

1. Variety reaches more variety. God makes people very different. And this is to His glory - who would want an un-creative Creator?! People are so diverse in their personalities, so it is actually beneficial to have a variety of styles in churches in order to appeal to and reach more souls for Christ. I believe this is a modern manifestation of the Apostle Paul's words,
Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.  When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. -1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NLT)
So, the different styles and worship methods (for example liturgy vs. charismatic) are able to reach different preferences and styles. When a person moves into a new area, I recommend they check out all the churches in their town before they decide on one, and choose based on which matches their beliefs, stylistic preferences, personal mission, and ministry. As far as doctrine, you want a church that believes and preaches [all of] the Scripture. Clearly there will be differences in interpretation even there, however, and that is partially because people aren't Jesus and no one will ever preach the Truth like He did. I say look for a place where you feel God's presence and where you believe you will grow closer to Him. Then stay there, through thick and thin because once you've shopped, you don't want to have to hop. 

2. We can tend to make the big things small, and the small things big. My husband has a joke about Pre-Trib. vs. Post-Trib. Rapture theory being the basis of relational division between Christians. Now that's just sad on our part, if it is true (and sometimes it really is). Then there's the matter of entire church divisions on the matter of where to place the annual Christmas Tree. Seriously, people? Now we're just making everyone look bad. Again, I quote Paul:
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. - 1 Corinthians 2:2 (NIV)
Does that mean Paul was ignorant of the rest of Truth? Of course not. He realized there would be different interpretations of Jesus's Words, preaching, teaching, and references to the prophets. But His focus was on the big thing that mattered most: Jesus actually died to bring us peace with God, actually was raised to life, and actually instructed His witnesses to tell everyone He would be back to get those who believe it. Much of our present-day division and denominational arguing stems from us focusing our time and attention on matters we don't agree on, rather on this HUGE thing which we do. And that's a shame. Because people who don't yet know Him see that in us, and we put a bad [or worse] taste in their mouths about Jesus. So, it's our bad as His Church when this is the case. Yes, Christians do sin. [Shocker.] May we grow more in our obedience to His Prayer:
I am not asking solely for their benefit; this prayer is also for all the believers who will follow them and hear them speak.  Father, may they all be one as You are in Me and I am in You; may they be in Us, for by this unity the world will believe that You sent Me. All the glory You have given to Me, I pass on to them. May that glory unify them and make them one as We are one, I in them and You in Me, that they may be refined so that all will know that You sent Me, and You love them in the same way You love Me. -John 17:20-23 (Voice)

3. God is in the process of revealing His glory. Really, I believe this. I have an experiment for you: Put on a pair of imaginary glasses and never take them off. These lenses are the lenses of God's sovereignty in all things. When you see trials, pain, difficulty, goodness, blessing, strength, weakness, shame, ... ANYTHING - be sure you're wearing these glasses. God is in control and He is at work for His glory and our good. Church division doesn't surprise Him. He knew we would get to this, and maybe even in part He has allowed or brought us to some of this on purpose. Though we have free will, He still has sovereign power over His Church and our universe, and we don't have to doubt that He can and will redeem even all of this mess. He has a plan to use all of this for our good and for bringing more people to Him. Once again, I quote Paul:
We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.  From the distant past, His eternal love reached into the future. You see, He knew those who would be His one day, and He chose them beforehand to be conformed to the image of His Son so that Jesus would be the firstborn of a new family of believers, all brothers and sisters. As for those He chose beforehand, He called them to a different destiny so that they would experience what it means to be made right with God and share in His glory.  So what should we say about all of this? If God is on our side, then tell me: whom should we fear?  If He did not spare His own Son, but handed Him over on our account, then don’t you think that He will graciously give us all things with Him?  Can anyone be so bold as to level a charge against God’s chosen? Especially since God’s “not guilty”verdict is already declared.  Who has the authority to condemn? Jesus the Anointed who died, but more importantly, conquered death when He was raised to sit at the right hand of God where He pleads on our behalf.  So who can separate us? What can come between us and the love of God’s Anointed? Can troubles, hardships, persecution, hunger, poverty, danger, or even death? The answer is, absolutely nothing. - Romans 8:28-35 (Voice)
Nothing can separate us from Him. Not even each other. He will win our hearts, and we will each choose or reject Him. Those who choose Him will be rescued. And we'll be unified with Him and one another someday. Maybe that someday will be today. Are you ready?

Thank you for asking, My Precious Friend. I hope this helps!


Do you have a question too, Dear Heart? Please - don't be shy. I'll bet others are wondering too. All you have to do is reply in the comments section below, ask your question, and sign a creative signature.  Anonymity is encouraged. You can also email me at robynleelangdon@gmail.com - just put "a little bird told me" in the subject line and I'll keep you anonymous.  Ask me about God, the Bible, how people tick, anything really (okay, that last one is a little scary, but I'm trusting God for answers so I'll leave it).  I hope to hear from you soon, Dear Reader! And when it comes up in your conversation, you can always say, "Well, a little bird told me ..." *wink*

Love,

Robyn

Monday, July 22, 2013

Book Review Monday {I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings}

Why does the caged bird sing? Apparently Maya Angelou knows.



The poet/dancer/author/director/historian's famous masterpiece memoir weaves the story of her childhood into a fabric of timeless truth and heritage. Rich in cultural traditions and regional variances, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, is a book I recommend if you are looking for intrigue and insight into human character.

Raised for several years in Depression-Era Arkansas by her grandmother (Momma), and also in St. Louis and then California by her Mother (Mother Dear), Maya (Marguerite) and her brother Bailey share adventures, tragedy, books, and a love of life - through it all. Angelou's imagery and poetic prose describe African American perseverance from the fountain of deep wounds, bringing life to life for those of us who have never known. So why would a caged bird sing? Because her song, so composed and free, cannot be contained, though her wings might be ever-stayed.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

[on books:] “I have tried often to search behind the sophistication of years for the enchantment I so easily found in those gifts. The essence escapes but its aura remains. To be allowed, no invited, into the private lives of strangers, and to share their joys and fears, was a chance to exchange the Southern bitter wormwood for a cup of mead with Beowulf or a hot cup of tea and milk with Oliver Twist. “  

“I find it interesting that the meanest life, the poorest existence, is attributed to God’s will, but as human beings become more affluent, as their living standard and style begin to ascend the material scale, God descends the scare of responsibility at a commensurate speed.”  

“I could tell he meant to kill my brother. Neither of us had done anything to him. And then.
Then there was the pain. A breaking and entering when even the senses are torn apart. The act of rape on an eight-year-old body is a matter of the needle giving because the camel can’t. The child gives because the body can, and the mind of the violator cannot.
I thought I had died –
… Could I tell her now? The terrible pain assured me that I couldn’t. What he did to me, and what I allowed, must have been very bad if already God let me hurt so much. If Mr. Freeman was gone, did that mean Bailey was out of danger? And if so, if I told him, would he still love me?”  

“Under the tent of blanket, which was poled by my elbow and forearm, the baby slept touching my side.Mother whispered, ‘See, you don’t have to think about doing the right thing. If you’re for the right thing, then you do it without thinking.’She turned out the light and I patted my son’s body lightly and went back to sleep.” 


Happy reading, Friends!
What's on your nightstand this Summer?


Thursday, July 18, 2013

Thankful, Even for Scarring.

I'm not gonna lie. Gratitude isn't always an easy path to follow. Sometimes even in the counting of graces, the numbering and journaling become painful scratches when once they were rolling, fanciful scrawls. And herein lies the test of strength.

But strength is often greater where we've been hurt. Where we've got scars.

I was dancer in my younger years. A ballerina, I like to think, but probably just a wannabe. From the time I was old enough to ride a bike until the day I walked across the stage in a cap and gown, I donned tutus and slippers when other girls were kicking soccer balls and back flips. When I was old enough (maybe twelve?) my beloved teacher, who adored me so much she screamed at me to point my toes and straighten my arms, said I could get pointe shoes. Oh the greatly-anticipated day! 

They ruined my feet.

A dancer's bare feet are the only ugly thing about her. Her feet are always covered. On stage, anyway.





I knew it would happen. The bleeding, the callouses, the pain. To consistently put all of your weight on three square inches of toes when God made heels and balls to bear it -- well, something will pay. 



But oh, how the dance is glorious! Millions around the globe will flock to the awe of beauty contained in a ballerina. When my Guy took me to see The Nutcracker last Christmas, my jaw hung in amazement for suspended moments. You can have your Superman, your Spiderman, and your IronMan - Sugar Plum Fairy is my hero. 

Only a few of us in that audience knew of her scarred toes. Only those of us who have paid long hours of torture to stand suspended on a flimsy, satin-coated box. I've spent more years not dancing now than the years I did, and my feet still bear the marks of pointe shoes. My scars remain, though the pain does not. 

"For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving" -1 Timothy 4:4 (HCSB) {emphasis mine}

I wonder how to be thankful for all things, including scars.
Because scar tissue is made of fibers, not skin cells, it does not have hairs, sweat glands or blood vessels. Scar tissue is stronger than ordinary skin and it may look shiny. [ebody.com, Dermatology]
It takes great strength to dance en pointe, and I'm becoming more convinced that strength is equally required for everything worthy or beautiful. And if scars are one source of increased strength, might we even take joy in them? An even greater stretch - could we take joy in the trials that produce strong scars? 

Oh, eucharisteo, what if it made me more thankful to see even this hard joy?

Lord, let it be so.



Penning gratitude is not easy, but it is Simple. I thank Him for all things He makes and gives, knowing all things are gifts, even painful things. I thank Him that with His joyful strength - which often comes via scars, which often come via pain - I can do all things. (see Nehemiah 8:10, James 1:17, Ephesians 4:13) All these gifts, all this loveliness, all this grace, all things I have, He has given. Here are some of my recent gifts on this, Thankful Thursday.

  • for making me desperate for intercession, desperate for prayer, desperate for You
  • This Song (Brooke Fraser)
  • people who are kind
  • time to relax
  • the way You guard and protect us every day
  • painting little B's nails and toes, time with children is never wasted
  • a bird nest on Aunt B's porch, the parents flying to feed the babies tucked away, heard but not seen
  • a shared daydream with my Guy, and a reminder that You will always braid our futures into one
  • my son's tears over divorce of extended family
  • legacy of the Langdon family, and the privilege to be a part of it
  • PJ's sermon, and the inspiration from Your character to take life in stride
  • for the mornings when I can't understand You, and love you more because I can't
  • strength from You to keep loving the people who hurt me, and isn't that the measure of your followers? (John 13:35)
  • "I think it is right to stir you up by reminding you." -2 Peter 1:13
  • the privilege of breath for which to praise You
  • fireflies all alight under the trees, rising, blinking in the summer twilight
  • "My goal is God Himself, not joy nor peace, nor even blessing, but Himself, my God." -Oswald Chambers
  • a sweet letter and drawing from our lovely Pooja in India
  • for waking me up with reminders of my summer goals
  • the strength of scars, and gratitude for the pain they come by

Oh God, You know more wisdom and how to apply it than I ever could. You know what I need and You give it. Even when it is not what I ask for - You give me good and I'm thankful. This day is full of Your gifts and Your love, and I refuse to live any other way than thankful for all You give. It is a happy privilege to give You back this - the only thing I have, still the only thing You want ... my heart.


Tuesday, July 16, 2013

When you buy the lie ...

... what you've purchased fills your hands.  Like Eve, clutching dripping, sweet fruit with all ten fingers.  And what could God give her that way?




Today I cry tears of broken anger and sometimes that's all I have.  But tears are powerful prayers.  And prayer is powerful fighting.  So, once again - all I have left ... is all He wants.


Some Tuesdays I ask you to give.  Some I ask you to open your eyes.  Some days I ask you to go.


Today I'm asking you to pray.  With me.  Stand in prayer as three.  Because He's here too.


"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." -Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT)


Prayer is my only weapon today. I'm glad it's the only one I need.


What are we praying? Let's tackle this together.


Satan's biggest lie: You Can't
  • do anything different with your life
  • choose
  • find worth
  • escape your chains
  • hold hope
  • be rescued or restored
  • have another identity than the one given in pain
  • be loved
And he sells this lie.  His price: varies and is ever-increasing, until you own nothing, not even your own soul.  It might seem a trifle at first, and what you buy might even be fun and seem worth it.

But Jesus offers something else.  He stands in a safe, Self-drawn circle and invites you to enter. What He sells is Truth:  YOU CAN
  • take victory
  • have freedom
  • receive healing
  • find an identity for which you were created
  • hold hope
  • keep restoration
  • know true love
The cost: Already Paid.  His Blood. He holds His good wares out and offers them for free.

And what do we do?

Buy the lie. *scream*

"They exchange the truth about God for a lie; they worship and serve what God has created instead of the Creator himself..." -Romans 1:25 (GNT)

And our hands become so full of it, we can't even see over our chains to Jesus's offer.

This was my vision this morning.  The one that made me cry these powerful-prayer-tears.  Jesus offering His blood.  And us - choosing sin instead.  It's been me. I've broken His heart too.  It's been the guy addicted to p**nography, and the girl who chose to be in the video too.  

But not everyone has made the choice to reject Him.  Because they haven't even been given a choice.  Girls and boys, before they could discover His love have been stolen and sold.  They are helpless and hopeless and they are the victims, and they matter just as much as my own daughter and son.

This is why I fight. To free them long enough to offer them that choice.

Tuesdays we fight, and today it's all about prayer-war.  I'm girded up with my Armor, are you?  Here a weapon for you, powerful against every lie:

"I was chosen and sent to help the faith of God's chosen people and to lead them to the truth taught by our religion, which is based on the hope for eternal life. God, who does not lie, promised us this life before the beginning of time, and at the right time he revealed it in his message. This was entrusted to me, and  I proclaim it by order of God our Savior." -Titus 1:1-3 (GNT)

[partial re-post. I'm working on many projects today, including but not limited to anti-trafficking prayer and intercession. The above was first posted earlier this year, however the prayer below is from today. I'm so thankful truth and prayer don't expire]

Please answer us, Father whom we worship.
Agents of evil have risen to power over innocent boys, girls, and women.
They lie, steal, and rape, abusing without ration or cause.
Around their victim they carouse, spitting hatred and curses.
They even return violence for her affections and attempts at love.
Oh, Jesus, would You bring an agent of Justice to stand against these offenders and oppressors? 
Please remove this injustice and replace it with Your will of justice.
In Your holy courtroom, please convict these criminals with Your mighty Hand.
Please cut short their days of terror and rule over entire demographic groups.
Pay them back for the evil they have done against precious innocents. 
Introduce them to pain so they will cry out for Your mercy.
Give them a taste of their own horrific medicine and bring them to their knees in repentance.
Stop them in their evil tracks and end the evil influence before they pass it on to the next generation of terror-agents.
May their atrocities not be remembered in the minds of their victims, but bring Your ministry of Redemption to the minds of these precious souls.
Because of their lack of kindness or mercy, would you blot out the legacy of evil from their inheritance.
But You, Oh God - please deal with the victim - the sister, brother, friend - according to Your love and healing mercy.
Because You are good, would you work good on their behalf, oh Father, we beg.
They are poor and needy, they are struck with pain that will only be touched by Your Hand.
They have been shunned like shadows, brushed aside like roaches, and their knees are buckling, Lord.
Their bodies are starved, and their hearts too. Objects to be scorned, not souls to be treasured. 
This is how they have been treated, but it is not who they are.
People shake their heads in disgust - but You, oh God, You bend your neck to hear.
Please bring Your help, guidance, and wholeness to her, to him. 
Let everyone know it is You who restore, You who redeem.
Your hand that gives love.
Though oppressors will be put to shame, would you raise her up, Oh God.
Fill us with gladness for Your Name's sake, Jesus. Because You are so very very good.
With my mouth I will choose to faithfully thank you. I will praise You even through the worst all around.
Because You hold the hand of the needy one, and you save her from condemnation and shame.
You redeem her soul, his soul even to eternal life.
Oh, God You are worthy.

[Intercession adapted from Psalm 109]

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Search and Rescue {be a part of a team}

I don't really like waste. Not food or water, and especially not time. So I try to find simply what matters most and do that. Call me a walking triage. Only, it's not straightforward very often. Not in my life, and not right now. Not here.

It's not simple, though I haven't stopped pursing it. What matters most is a complicated, 10,000 piece puzzle, when all the pieces are scattered and lost. So far from simple; I think I've lost again.




Well - I do what I know, when I don't know what to do. I pray.

Evening, morning, and noon I will plead;
    I will grumble and moan before Him
    until He hears my voice.
18 And He will rescue my soul, untouched,
    plucked safely from the battle,
    despite the many who are warring against me." 

-Psalm 55:17-18 (VOICE)

Then I wait. Listen. Stop, slow, pause. It comes like a soft rain - again, like always. The next page.

But his answer was: “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.” - 2 Corinthians 12:9 (GNT)

The suffering of victims shoots pain into my soul like stuck thorns, thrice asked to be removed. But no - His grace is sufficient. How? I don't know. But I do know it is. He's never been anything but faithful to me. And He is much better at control than I am. So I surrender it to Him again, and do what I can. Encourage others to do the same. Let Him have the rest. Or maybe let Him have it all. Let go of the burden I wasn't meant to carry, and just bear the load He shares, bear it with Joy.  Because where else can I go? He holds the Truth. He is the One.

And I find seek hope, even through the pieces. Like this:

Tattoo artist helps trafficked victims

Sevenly's project this week: Help for rape victims


This week I'm reading I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. Hopefully I'll have a review for you next week. Her writing halts me. By far this is the best and worst thing I've read in years - this description of trauma she bore:
Then there was the pain. A breaking and entering when even the senses are torn apart. The act of rape on an eight-year old body is a matter of the needle giving because the camel can't. The child gives, because the body can, and the mind of the violator cannot.
And yes - that is the horror millions of girls experience every day - sold, bought, raped. 

So, if like me, you're ready to do something - give this a try: I got this from The Exodus Road, the coalition for whom I blog - and I'm hoping you'll join a team. I am!


The number one question we get as we talk about the work of investigations and rescues is a logical one. You’ve asked us time and again:
“How Can I Help? What Can I DO?”
And this is the question, I think, that haunts most of us. We long to make a difference in the world that is human trafficking, and we want to see sex slaves freed. Yet the obstacles loom large, and they primarily involve the reality that the majority of us physically can’t do the actual work of investigation and rescue– particularly in the areas of the world where sexual slavery is rampant. 
And we’ve racked our minds about this for six months, because we live the tension, too. And while we do our best to bring people to the front lines of the rescue efforts we’re involved in through social media and communications, we wanted to develop a program where people who couldn’t go physically could actually hire someone to kick down a door on their behalf.Enter the Search and Rescue Program.

Screen Shot 2013-06-24 at 10.33.12 PM

This week we are launching a program that we think will effectively answer the question of how you can personally fuel and empower literal rescue. Essentially, we’re inviting you onto a real-life investigative team. From our experience, it takes about $35 for a night for one of our investigators to engage in local surveillance. Since we already have teams on the ground and since most of our teams are volunteers, we are able to fund investigations with a fairly lean financial model. If you’d like to join a team, you will be “hiring” one of our investigators to go literally look for children and victims on your behalf in some of the darkest corners of the globe. Investigators will then take that intel to local police partners and will develop cases and raids from that initial intelligence.
The search fuels the rescue. And by investing in our teams, you would be putting boots on the ground, sending eyes to look for the enslaved
It’s the closest thing to the front lines we can get you. And it’s the most direct way we can find to give everyone the opportunity to fight for rescue.
Interested in Joining the Rescue Movement?
Stop by our new Search and Rescue Program landing page. You might want to check out our Search and Rescue FAQ page, as well. Read over the teams available for sponsorship and see which connects most to you. Follow the links to adopt your team, and we’ll be mailing you a welcome packet with information about your investigators and several small thank you items from our home office here in Colorado.
And then moving forward, every time you see a rescue shared or an update given from the field connected with your team name, you’ll know that you were a valuable part of that success.
We had a field investigator say to us the other day,

  “Tell me how many kids you want to rescue, and if I have the resources, I think our team could make that happen.” – Exodus Road Coalition Partner
And this statement from a team that has rescued 150 victims of sex slavery in the last month alone because of their commitment to justice and the funding we were able to provide them. (This is our Bravo Team, actually.) 
If you’ve been asking the question, “What Can I Do?” Perhaps this could be your answer. Check out the Search and Rescue program, please tell your friends, and consider joining the (literal) rescue movement. 

I'll leave you with prayer today.

Father, when nothing makes sense and everything is a mess all around and we can't triage what matters most, we remember it's You. You matter most so we seek Your face to find Your hand. We pray for direction and You show us how to love what You love and hate what You hate. You give us open doors to help those in need. Those who suffer and cry and groan for Your help. You've provided their answer. It's us.  So we say Yes to search and Yes to rescue. And we do what we can. Trusting it all back into Your Hands.  Thank You. We don't have to be afraid. May Your name be praised. Amen.

Monday, July 8, 2013

Book Review Monday {Not the End of the World}

I don't know what's gotten into me, but I'm jumping genres this week, and giving you a review of a Young Adult Fiction.

Please, pick your jaw up off the floor. That's not pretty. *wink*



Not the End of the World by Geraldine McCaughrean is the fictionalization of Noah and the Flood, and the winner of the Whitbread Children's Book Award .Though I'd not heard of that particular award before, probably because I'm not British. I drew it from the library shelf ... well ... well, because it has a pretty bird on the cover. *Blush*   I know, I know don't judge a book - but after reading the flap, it did sound pretty interesting, and besides, I wanted to figure out what was so great that it got an award. Sheesh. In addition to this, the author has written several other re-tellings of myths, fables, and older stories, including: The Bronze Cauldron, Greek Gods and Goddesses, The Canterbury Tales, The Hero Gilgamesh, One Thousand and One Arabian Nights, and The Odyssey.




First, what I loved. Her writing. Beautiful imagery, brilliant dialogue, excellent character development, spot-on pacing. Wow - I learned so much about writing from this (children's?!) book. Yes - I do see why she won the award. I couldn't put it down, even when I was on vacation!

Second, what I didn't love. Her theology. Though I could tell she put some time into cultural and Biblical research, her fictionalization of adding a daughter to Noah, insinuating he was serenely aloof, and his God as well - it was rather infuriating. I was offended at the lack of reverence, even going so far as to suggest God didn't think of everything when he started the flood. It was too much for this princess of the King. I think I just love Him too much to stomach that much nose-thumbing at God. I kept waiting for the redemption of Him, but it never happened.

So why did I finish it?

Because - third, what I liked well enough. Her plot. I have a friend who's also a writer, and she says she can't read Biblical Fiction because she doesn't like reading a story she already knows the end to. (Which doesn't bode well for my novel.) Oh well. Because I DO! It's great, because each page, you're wondering, "Wow, I wonder how she's going to work in that character, or get to the climax that way." It's exciting for me, and McCaughrean pulls it off beautifully. So much so that I wondered if we would even find a rainbow and a "land-ho."  [Don't worry - we do.]

Here are a few of my faves - maybe you'll like it enough to finish it too.

"Mother keeps me busy too. No shortage of jobs for any of us. The end of the world is a busy time if you mean to outlive it."

"The light of the hunt came into their eyes; half-disbelieving and yet excited by the thought of it. Ham's tongue poked out of the corner of his mouth in concentration. For months they had been preserving life. That's not a natural state of affairs for men. Once in a while they seem to need to kill things instead."
photo credit: yours truly


"'Wait, Shem,' says Father. 'I will try one last time to summon forth the demons out of her.'
But Shem has decided on a course of action, and words bounce off Him like raindrops. He heaves me to my feet, twisting my arm and thrusting me toward the hatch. My legs are so unsteady, I can't make my feet coincide with the rungs of the ladder. 
There is no demon, Shem. Unless it's you."


One of the reasons I read this book was to see if it would be a good one for my daughter. I'm going to have her pass.

Happy Reading, Friends. Tell me what you thought, and what you're reading, too!