Lisa’s Comments (group member since Dec 03, 2015)

Lisa’s comments from the DSPC Book Group group.

Another awesome thing about this book is that there is a "Seek and Find" section after each novelette that includes scripture. Here is something to consider:

Judah had choices. What could he have done differently?

Proverbs 28:13 - "People who cover over their sins will not prosper. But if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy."

Ponder: Take a moment to ask God to search your heart. Be quiet before Him. Reflect on what He offers.

Look forward to your comments,
Lisa

We are starting a new book today--it is actually five novelettes in one book. Since we have 4 weeks, I thought I would post questions each week about a the first 4 novelettes and then we can discuss the 5th "Unafraid" at our meeting on February 23. This is just some structure, as it will be a lot to discuss in an hour.

If you haven't read any of Francine Rivers' books--she is amazing. I was a little hesitant the first time I was handed one to read; eh, Christian fiction? But she calls her books historical fiction and uses the Bible as a history book. I think her books are great because they give me a context for the scripture--when I read the Bible I don't really have a picture in my mind; yet when I read Rivers' I have a very detailed picture in my mind. Just remember, it is one person's interpretation. :)

Happy Reading!
Lisa

We are meeting tonight at the church from 6:30 - 7:30. Hope you can make it - all welcome, whether you have finished the book, started the book, or never heard of the book. :) Come discuss Ordinary Grace and get a sneak peek at February's book! Any volunteers to facilitate February's discussion?

I finished the book last night... I am not surprised at who committed the murder. I loved the end of the book--dad and two sons meeting. I would like to discuss awful grace and ordinary grace. Any thoughts?

Yes, I think you are correct--maybe different types of secrets, i.e. an alcoholic that keeps his drinking a secret is really lying to himself and others, right? But a child who is being sexually abused by her father is keeping a secret or lying to self? A spouse who is completely dissatisfied with a marriage but stays for the "good of the children" is keeping a secret or lying to self, spouse, and kids? A divorced mother who tries to protect her young daughter from the truth of a drug addicted father is keeping a secret or lying? This gets really blurry for me... I could use everyone's knowledge to clear this up for me. :)

I am on chapter 35 - only 40 pages to go. I didn't read last week but sat down yesterday afternoon to catch up. I will finish tonight - I would like to read right now, but have work I need to get done. :(

Without spoiling...this family has a lot of secrets. I'm not so good with secrets--sure I can keep to myself a special present or surprise, but not good at life damaging secrets. Maybe it is how I was raised: put it on the table, it may be ugly and we might not like it, but if we don't know about it, we can't deal with it! And secrets destroy a person inside. When I think about secrets; I equate that with lying. Can you have a secret and not lie?

Ruth and Nathan Drum--I can't imagine what it would be like to be married to someone who received a call from God to serve as a minister, after the relationship had started and this person changed completely. I know a couple where the husband was a businessman and the wife was a professional, and then the call came and they headed off to seminary. I have heard my friend say several times, "this is not the life I thought we would have." I have only read have of the book, and so far it seems that Ruth and Nathan love their children and want to be good parents; Ruth misses a life she "thinks" she was supposed to have and Nathan sacrifices his family for his "call".

I don't have a favorite character yet. I don't personally identify with any at this point.

I am about 1/2 way through the book also. I keep looking for deeper meaning--as it was one of the top Christian books in 2015. However, maybe that is a personal issue--always looking for deeper meaning, when God's grace is so ordinary. :)

We will be changing the monthly date of our in-person gathering so it will not conflict with Soul Sippers. I would really like to do it the last week of the month so people have 4 weeks to read the book of the month.

I just started book one today!! Glad you are joining in.

Perfect!

Sounds great. The idea is just to probe the minds of the group and keep everyone reading. :) No pressure.

Wow! Maybe you should moderate this book? I haven't read it yet.

Actually the book: Ordinary Grace is by William Kent Krueger.

We will meet at the church on Thursday, January 28, 2016 @ 6:30.

Happy New Year!

Lisa

It is almost 2016--I can't believe 2015 has flown by so quickly. I just ordered my book on Amazon. We are reading Ordinary Grace by William Kent for January. I will post a question and comment each week of January... just something to think about as you read. You can post any time. The idea is to have conversation about the book throughout the month and then visit in-person once a month on the 4th Thursday of the month!

Tell your friends and "pew" neighbors.

Lisa

Hi All! So glad to see there are 4 of us so far!! I volunteered to start this new book group, but I don't want to moderate every month. I will take January, but I hope others will volunteer for other months.

Moderator role: 1. each week post a couple questions or comments about the book in an effort to facilitate discussion online. 2. facilitate the in-person discussion. You can usually find discussion questions online for every book. If you see a book you are interested in moderating - please let me know and I will add your name to the book.

Additionally, I tried to choose books that would encourage our faith journeys, make us question things, and make us think. There are a couple easier books, but mostly these books will challenge us. The Bonhoeffer book is set up for 2 months because it is SUPER long. He was a theologian and so much more. I have had this book on my shelf for a couple years and never read it - now I hope to have friends to share it with.

Finally, this group was set up for online and in-person so we could be accessible to as many people as are interested and the whole year of books selected so you can decide which books you want to read - all of them, 1 of them, or somewhere in between.

Please invite your friends, neighbors, etc. I look forward to this journey with you all!

Lisa Holleran