DOMINION

I don't do a lot of book reviews but I feel compelled to share my thoughts on the book I most recently finished reading. For starters, let me say I came across Randy Alcorn quite by accident. I was searching our very limited church library for something, anything, that wasn't the Christian version of a Harlequin Romance when I stumbled upon a book titled, Safely Home. The back cover synopsis intrigued me so I took it home. I read that book in two days and found myself completely engrossed in the story and often in tears. I tried to read it in public once and found it too difficult because I couldn't keep my emotions in check. But I am getting off course since this isn't about that particular book. However, since reading that book I have purchased and read every fictional work published by Randy Alcorn. The last book I read, Dominion, is amazing and thought-provoking on so many different levels. Where do I begin?

Well, here's the basics of the story as written on the back cover:

A shocking murder drags black newspaper columnist Clarence Abernathy into the disorienting world of inner-city gangs and racial conflict. In a desperate hunt for answers to the violence (and to his own struggles with race and faith), Clarence forges an unlikely partnership with detective Ollie Chandler. Despite their differences, Clarence and Ollie soon find themselves sharing the same mission: victory over the forces of darkness vying for dominion. Filled with insight - and with characters so real you'll never forget them - Dominion is a dramatic story of spiritual searching, racial reconciliation, and hope.

All of Alcorn's novels have affected me in many ways. However, Safely Home and Dominion have had such profound affects on me that I find myself thinking in radically different ways than ever before. Dominion is a superbly written mystery/detective story containing lessons in racial relations in America, gang dynamics, Christian values, spiritual warfare and even angels. I see these issues in a new light and I will never see them the same way again. The story is written in a way that literally brought these characters into "being" for me. There are uncomfortable moments in this book, but they are real and thought-provoking. After all, sometimes it takes an uncomfortable moment in life for us to really "get it."

Alcorn's portrayals of heaven and hell are, in my opinion, biblically based but also use imagination and imagery to bring the ideas to life for the reader. Those are images I will not soon forget, nor do I want to. I must admit that I sometimes got bogged down during those times in the book when he broke away to the story that was playing out in heaven, but I think that is because I was so caught up in the story that was playing out in the Shadowlands. What can I say? I am still human and I have my faults.

My favorite character in this story was Obadiah Abernathy, Clarence's father. His character taught me that God's love is best and that forgiveness is not something any of us deserve but that we MUST extend to all regardless of the wrong that has been committed. His character is the epitome of what it means to be a true follower of Christ.

There was also a subtle but very important lesson about angels. The book's surprise ending clearly shows that a fascination with angels without a belief in Christ has the potential to be spiritually deadly. Had Alcorn's characters simply talked about the danger of angelic preoccupation, his words would have lacked force. But here, using action rather than words, albeit very little action, Alcorn gave us an unforgettable lesson.

This book is long - over 600 pages - but worth the time it takes to read it. I found myself not wanting to put it down no matter how late it was or how early I needed to get up in the morning. I highly recommend this book to everyone. In fact, I almost think it should be required reading in our high schools simply for the understanding it could bring about race relations and gang dynamics.

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER! a/k/a WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?

Another school year has officially come to an end and I sit here amazed. Amazed at how quickly time literally flies by. I hate to sound like my parents but the truth is, I find myself saying to my children, "Don't wish your life away. The older you get the faster time goes." I hate saying it, partly because it's what my parents used to say to me, but mostly because it's so stinkin' true. It seems like just yesterday (here I go with another one of my parents' cliches) that Caitlyn was starting kindergarten. This fall she will be a freshman in high school. Claire will be in 4th grade and Garrett will begin his last year of preschool. When did that happen? I don't feel like we've even HAD him all that long and already he is 4-and-a-half. And when did I get so darn close to 40? Forty used to seem pretty old to me and well, now, I think it's the new thirty!

In all honesty though, my own age hasn't been an issue for me. It's still just a number. But when I think about my parents turning 60 well, that hits me kind of hard. I guess I never really thought of my parents being in their 60's. That just sounds wrong.

But what makes me sad is the realization that my oldest daughter is more than 2/3 of the way through the time she will spend under our roof. Each day I look at her and I no longer see a little girl, let alone that sweet baby we once had. I see a young girl who is teetering on the edge of becoming a woman. She is certainly beautiful on the outside, but what I have been noticing more and more lately is how mature her thoughts are and how she is maturing spiritually. I am pleased because it means she will be a good and kind woman; a woman who turns to the Lord for strength and comfort. I just wish it wasn't happening so fast.

Claire and Garrett are also growing up and moving into new stages of their lives. Claire's teacher sent a handwritten note home with her today that says, "Claire is such a great girl! She has matured so much this year. I think she is very comfortable with who she is and I am proud of her!" Wow. That says a lot to me. The teacher she had this year isn't exactly known for her kind and nurturing ways. I'm not saying she is a horrible teacher or that she is mean. She just has a reputation for being the teacher who can handle the "difficult" children. We were concerned about Claire being placed in her class this year because Claire is very sensitive and she is a people pleaser. She thrives in a nurturing environment but gets her feelings hurt easily by those who are less nurturing. We even thought about having her moved to another class, but we were assured by the principal that she'd be fine. And she was. She made almost straight A's this year and never complained once about her teacher. The note from Mrs. Gray means a lot to me. But I'm still having a tough time with that fact that she's actually a 4th grader now.

Garrett will be going to Little School for his final year this fall. I remember how sad I was when Claire graduated from preschool. I cried for about a week afterward. But I have had Garrett there with me for the past three years and I'm happy to have him there for one more year. I love seeing his face light up when he sees me at school and tells the other kids, "There's my momma!" He always waves and smiles from ear to ear and I often get a big hug too. When he starts kindergarten I will miss seeing his sweet smile and getting those spontaneous hugs each day at school. It will be the first time in eight years that I will be "alone" at Little School. I'm not looking forward to that. Fortunately though I do have that one last year and I intend to enjoy every single day of it.

So that's it. Another school year gone in the blink of an eye. But tomorrow summer begins and I will have all three children here with me every day. I am going to try to slow down this summer and take advantage of those lazy summer days. But something tells me that with all the stuff around here that needs to be done, summer will be gone before I know it too. And in the fall the madness will begin again.

SHRIMP, SPINACH & TORTELLINI

One more entry for today so I can share a new favorite recipe with you. I am striving to be healthier. Notice I didn't say "thinner." Thinner would be fantastic, but whenever I try to go on a diet, I end up sabotaging any weight loss that might happen. It's a pyschological thing, you know. If I'm on a diet and I "can't" have something, well then, of course I want it for sure and I'm not happy until I devour it. So this summer we are eating HEALTHY. A few months ago I started gagging every time I would see meat so I haven't eaten much chicken, pork or beef at all lately. I thought I was on my way to becoming a vegetarian but I've done a little research on that and now realize that I am a "pescatarian." I am a pescatarian because I eat fish and seafood. I love fish and seafood so I don't see me giving that up any time soon which is good because we all need our protein, right? You can believe me when I say there is no way I'm eating beans and tofu for every meal. I actually like beans of any kind, but as you all know they aren't usually something we can eat 3 times a day, 7 days a week. It would be a gastronomic nightmare. And tofu... well, let's just say eating a rubbery piece of cardboard box isn't on my list of acceptable foods either. So I have been searching for delicious meatless and/or seafood dishes to serve for my family. They haven't missed meat apparently because I haven't fixed any since before Easter and no one's said anything.

So here's my seafood recipe of the week. My family loved it (even my 4-yr-old). It's low-fat, low-calorie, highly nutritious and oh-so-yummy! If you try it, post a comment and let me know what you thought of it. Enjoy!

SHRIMP, SPINCAH & TORTELLINI

1 (9 oz.) pkg cheese tortellini
1/4 c. fat free Italian salad dressing
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (14.5 oz.) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
3/4 lb. cleaned and cooked med. shrimp
1 (6 oz.) bag baby spinach leaves
1/4 c. fresh basil, chopped
2 T. grated Parmesan cheese

Cook tortellini in large (4 qt.) sauce pan according to pkg. directions. Drain in colander and set aside. Heat Italian dressing in same pan on med.-high heat. Add garlic; cook 1 min. Add tomatoes and shrimp; mix well. Bring just to a boil. Stir in spinach; cover. Simmer 1 to 2 mins. or until spinach is wilted, stirring occasionally. Stir in tortellini and basil; simmer uncovered 3 to 4 mins. or until sauce has thickened, stirring occasionally (over stirring will make the tortellini mushy so be careful). Top with grated parmesan cheese and serve. Serves 4 (pretty large helpings)

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

I have recently discovered Rob Bell and nooma. There are certain things that Rob believes that I don't completely agree with, but there are many that I do agree with. Regardless of whether I agree with his message or not, he always gets me thinking. "Rain" is one of my favorite Bell video messages. I hope you'll take a few minutes to view it and that it will cause you to do some thinking too. One of the most important messages I got from this video is that as christians we don't have to have it all together and that's okay. And a huge relief. What message did you receive?

THE CHALLENGE...

begins now. I have been challenged by my friend, Tiffany, over at sb.com to start blogging more. I had a blog here for a while but I wasn't good about updating it. Hopefully, I'll do better this time. Maybe. We'll see.

Life gets kind of hectic around here and I seem to get sidetracked a lot. You know what I mean, starting something with every intention of finishing it only to find myself doing something else and wondering what the heck happened. I hate that. But I seem to have perfected it to an art form. Take cleaning the house for instance. I will start picking up in the family room with the idea that I'll get all the stuff picked up and put away and then I'll begin the dusting and vacuuming. But it never fails, I'll leave the room to put something away and end up starting a load of laundry, washing up stray dishes, organizing a dresser drawer and by the time I realize it, I've spent 4 hours doing something in every room of the house BUT the family room. It drives me crazy! So lately I've been trying to stay on task when I start something. Like this blog. I am hoping to stay on task and write about this crazy, hectic, frustrating but blessing-filled life of mine. Wish me luck and check back often!