Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 544

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Oct. 31, 1940: British land in Crete to help Greeks fight Italians. Sulfaguanidine introduced as cure for bacterial dysentery.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Oct. 30, 1940: Lt. Gen. Henry H. "Hap" Arnold named as Acting Deputy Chief of Staff for air (combat).
65 Years Ago—Oct. 30, 1945: US ends shoe rationing, effective at midnight.

Shoving off Shame - You're Covered

High morals? Ruth set a brisk pace down the pathway. Ten-Penny Doherty? High morals? Ruth wanted to scream, and for a moment she thought she had, until she raised her head and saw a squadron of squat-nosed fighter planes - P-47 Thunderbolts, Jack called them. She stretched one hand high as if she could grab hold and climb away from what she had done, from who she was. In my novel A Memory Between Us, the heroine, Lt. Ruth Doherty, struggles with shame over her past. This six-part blog series deals with shame that lingers after sin has been forgiven or there was no sin to begin with, as in abusive situations. Here's the first post: http://sarahsundin.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-blog-series-shoving-off-shame.html God doesn't want us to live under a heavy cloak of shame because: 1) Christ redeems us (http://sarahsundin.blogspot.com/2010/10/shoving-off-shame-christ-redeems-us.html 2) Christ covers us, and 3) Christ restores us. Christ Covers Us Shame is a heavy burden. The Bible often describes people as being clothed, covered, or cloaked in shame. Can you feel the heaviness of that imagery? But the imagery has a deeper meaning as well. In biblical times, many rituals were performed when people entered a covenant agreement. One of these rituals was the exchange of robes, such as when Jonathan gave his princely robe to David. This symbolized taking on the other person's identity, putting on the other person. When we accept Christ, we enter into a covenant relationship with Him. Jesus takes our robes of humanity, sin, and death. In exchange, He gives us His robe of righteousness. Galatians 3:27 says, "All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." Believers are clothed and covered in Christ's blood and righteousness. The word atonement refers to God's forgiveness. In Hebrew, the word is kaphar, which means "covering over, often with the blood of a sacrifice, in order to atone for some sin. This means that the covering over hides the sin from God" (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance). Psalm 32:1 says, "Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered." Do you see? While we feel the heavy cloak of shame, Jesus has already exchanged our tattered, filthy robes of sin for His glorious robe of righteousness. Several years ago, I was weighed down by shame. One day I cried out to God - I wasn't worthy to be a mother to my children, a wife to my husband, a Sunday school teacher, a writer - anything! A song began to play in my head: "Jesus, Lamb of God, worthy is Your name." And it hit me. No, I'm not worthy. But Jesus is worthy, and He took my place. When shame says, "You're not worthy. You're covered in shame," you say, "Go away, liar! I'm not worthy, but Jesus is. His blood covers me, so in God's eyes I'm righteous."

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Oct. 29, 1940: In nationally broadcast lottery, first 900 names are pulled for the US draft, including actor Jimmy Stewart. Secretary of War Henry Stimson pulls the first name.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Oct. 28, 1940: Italians invade Greece from Albania.

Book Club Beat - Watch over Me by Christa Parrish

Welcome to Book Club Beat, where book clubs share about their discussions.

Book club name and location: Bibliovores, northern California

Book: Watch over Me by Christa Parrish

What it's about: Deputy Benjamin Patil is the one to find the infant girl, hours old, abandoned in a field. As police work to identify the mother, Ben and his wife, Abbi, seem like the obvious couple to serve as foster parents. But the newborn's arrival opens old wounds for Abbi and shines a harsh light on how much Ben has changed since a devastating military tour. Their marriage teeters on the brink and now they must choose to reclaim what they once had or lose each other forever.

Were discussion questions available? None in the back of the book, and the hostess couldn't find any on the author's website. We would have liked some, but discussion never lagged.

What we liked about the book: We loved the diverse and well-drawn characters—from hippy vegan Abbi to wounded soldier Benjamin to sweet deaf math nerd Matthew. Each was so real—flawed yet sympathetic. We also liked the ending—not "tied up in a neat little bow," but satisfying and realistic.

Anything we would change about the book? Nope. None of us found this an easy read. The novel delves into difficult subjects which make you examine your own life—especially your marriage—but we liked it.

Fun connections (did the story inspire food, decorations, favors, etc.?): Although tempted, no one made any of Abbi's vegan creations. No soy, no bulgur—but we did have a variety of salads!

Deep connections (this story made us think about the following discussion topics): So many! We discussed post-traumatic stress disorder, whether Christians should focus on social issues or morality or a balance, and communication in marriage, but mostly we discussed the characters' interesting situations.

Do you recommend this book for other book clubs? Very much if you want a deep book that makes you think—but not if you want a light frothy read.

Thanks for joining me today! If you belong to a book club and would like your group to be featured here, let me know! Pictures of the book club can be included if you'd like. Christian or "clean secular" fiction/nonfiction only please. The questionnaire is short, and I'll obtain the book cover and story blurb.

If you're looking for a book club, check out the Book Club Network at http://www.bookfun.org/ , an on-line meeting place for Christian book club members and authors. Over 500 members and it's only a few months old! Join the fun!

Today in World War II History

65 Years Ago—Oct. 27, 1945: Navy Day: US Navy displays ships in American ports. New song in Top Ten: "It's Been a Long, Long Time."

Lessons from the 1940s - Watch out for Stereotypes

During World War II, stereotypes were used in posters, newsreels, and movies to demonize the enemy and motivate people to fight. It's much easier to fight an enemy you hate. Nowadays, these images make us wince. We're too enlightened to stereotype people.

Or are we? Most of us would be ashamed to admit we have stereotypes, but deep inside we classify people. Judge people. Treat people differently.

Skin color, body weight, age, style of clothing and hair, number of tattoos and piercings, educational level, political beliefs, religion, neighborhood of residence, national origin, profession, wealth or lack of wealth, what team they root for, musical preference and how loudly it's played—these are all areas in which we classify people. We can't help it.

But we can acknowledge it and refuse to let our internal stereotypes influence our external actions. In fact, we need to show extra mercy to people in our least favorite categories.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan often makes us uncomfortable, as it should. Jesus knows how our minds work—and how our hearts exclude. We need to search our hearts and love all people as God loves us.

[Jesus said,] "'Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man…?' The expert in the law replied, 'The one who had mercy on him.' Jesus told him, 'Go and do likewise'" (Luke 10:36-38).

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Oct. 25, 1940: Cabin in the Sky premieres on Broadway.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Oct. 24, 1940: RAF night raids on Berlin and Hamburg inflict serious civilian casualties for the first time. British Summer Time is extended year-round.
65 Years Ago—Oct. 24, 1945: United Nations officially comes into existence. Norwegian Nazi collaborator Vidkun Quisling is executed.