Litsy

Unveiled | Francine Rivers

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This was a great retelling of the Biblical story of Tamar.

Fourteen year old Tamar is betrothed to Ur, the son of Judah. She is terribly mistreated by her husband and mother in law.

Worst of all, she is left widowed and childless.

Tamar does what she feels is best to insure an heir for the family of Judah.

23 likes

BarbaraJean

Reading Genesis | Marilynne Robinson

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This is beautiful, thoughtful & reflective—just what I‘d expect from Marilynne Robinson! I read it slowly, and found myself referencing it frequently in conversations. I lead an Education for Ministry (EfM) group at my church, and year after year my first year participants have such a hard time with reading the Hebrew Bible—not only because it‘s long & often dry, but because there‘s so much that‘s hard to stomach: patriarchy, violence, legalism.⤵️

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) I found this to offer a refreshing perspective on Genesis—it doesn‘t gloss over the parts that are so difficult, but it brings forward the way God places a high value on human life and human thriving. She points out how Genesis acknowledges the complexity of the problem of evil, and wrestles with it seriously rather than reducing it to supposedly-easy answers. Especially meaningful for me were her thoughts on God‘s covenant with Abraham⤵️ 2mo

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) …and Jacob, and the way she characterizes God‘s relationship with humanity as unique among other ancient near eastern religions and cultures of the time. (This was my September #BookSpin, but I took my time and didn‘t finish reading it until November!) @TheAromaofBooks 2mo

TheAromaofBooks This sounds so interesting!!! 2mo

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks It really is! I don't agree with all of her interpretations, but overall, her approach is so thought-provoking. This really enriched my perspective on Genesis. 2mo

42 likes2 stack adds4 comments

Blueberry

Overcoming Life's Disappointments: Learning from Moses How to Cope with Frustration | Harold S. Kushner

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5 ⭐. Nonfiction, religious, self-help.

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BarbaraJean

Reading Genesis | Marilynne Robinson

It‘s shaping up to be a very nonfiction-y September, with these two #BookSpin picks!

I have five in-progress books going right now, and they‘re ALL nonfiction—highly unusual for me! Planning to finish up at least two of those five this week. And I simply must get some fiction on deck ASAP!

TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Enjoy!!! 6mo

30 likes1 comment

Ke633

Be Comforted (Isaiah) | Warren W. Wiersbe

Did I forget to take a picture of my comfort box before sending it? Yes. This picture is fake. Haha but I did try to recreate the vibes. #autumncomfortswap

15 likes

BarbaraJean

Reading Genesis | Marilynne Robinson

I feel oddly validated when a reading list from someone I respect intersects with my own reading. I felt that way looking at Obama's just-released summer reading list! James and The Ministry of Time? Standouts from my summer reading. The God of the Woods? Just started it last night. Reading Genesis? It's on the side table waiting for an opening in my nonfiction reading. 🙌
https://bookriot.com/barack-obama-releases-his-summer-reading-list-for-2024

Amiable I‘ve read 3 of these —must get busy with others! 6mo

Bookwormjillk Am I the only one picturing him saying “Not now Michelle. I need to find out what happens in The God Of The Woods.” (edited) 6mo

BarbaraJean @Bookwormjillk Well, NOW you‘re not the only one picturing that!! 😆 6mo

35 likes3 comments

LaurenAsh

The Book of Genesis | R. Crumb

so-so

14 likes

BarbaraJean

Reading Genesis | Marilynne Robinson

#5JoysFriday!
1. My husband‘s jazz combo on Sunday
2. My EfM (Education for Ministry) group‘s last meeting of the year—it‘s been such an incredible group this year + we had a delicious potluck dinner!
3. A big library haul brings me joy and stresses me out at the same time 😆
4. A panel from an MG comic my friend is writing—which she shared at our creative writing group this week
5. Book gift (tagged!) from a woman in my EfM group

DebinHawaii

julieclair Lovely joys! Do you lead your EfM group? I‘ve stacked the Genesis book. 👍 9mo

BarbaraJean @julieclair I do! It‘s my second year as a mentor. I‘m excited to read the Genesis book—I‘ve read and enjoyed some of Marilynne Robinson‘s fiction but had no idea she‘d written this one! 9mo

julieclair EfM is intriguing to me. A big commitment, but I imagine it is very powerful. 9mo

BarbaraJean @julieclair It is both for sure—a big commitment with the reading it requires, but it‘s definitely powerful as well. It has really opened up my view of God and the Bible, and I love the depth of discussions we have and the community that results from all of the above! (edited) 9mo

DebinHawaii A wonderful list of joys! 💛💛💛 A good group & a tasty potluck are joy bringers & that comic panel is so cute! Thanks for sharing & spreading the joy! 🤗 9mo

33 likes1 stack add5 comments

Floresj

Reading Genesis | Marilynne Robinson

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I didn‘t realize what this was, and if I did, I bet I would have passed. However, I‘m so glad I didn‘t- it was so enjoyable and unique. Robinson processes the meanings of the stories in Genesis in a manner that I rethought the message that i learned about the Old Testament God. Meandering and thoughtful.

10 likes