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It’s been a long week and I’m tired. The funeral is tomorrow. Needless to say, I won’t be working. As awful as it sounds (seeing how the day off is to go to a funeral), I’m glad for the respite from the office and the stress of it all. You know the movie Groundhog Day? That’s I feel at work sometimes; the problems just linger and when you get up in the morning to go to work, nothing has changed. It’s the same thing over and over again, rinse and repeat.
I need to stop talking about work. I spend so much time there these days, it tends to be the main topic in my head, especially since I’m currently trying not to think too much about other things, otherwise I just fall apart and cry again. And so I ramble on about quirky co-workers and kvetch about the latest development with problems and…yeah, I think I’ll stop for now. Subject change!
I have been reading bits and pieces of Elizabeth Elliot’s Passion and Purity. I think I have a slight hate/love relationship with that book. She says a lot of good things, but at the same time, rubs me entirely the wrong way. I’m still trying to pinpoint exactly why; perhaps it’s her black-and-white way of writing things. Perhaps it’s because she comes across as always so self-assured and certain in her journal entries. She talks about struggling with impatience and with trust, but at the same time, there never seems to be a wavering in a desire to trust. Plus, she and Jim just seem a little too…perfect.
Maybe I’ve just picked the wrong book of hers to start with. Any other suggestions? Or, if you aren’t an Elizabeth Elliot fan, do you have any non-fiction suggestions? Something that isn’t too heavy, as my brain is usually fried by the computer screen by the time I’ve gotten home for the day and have time to pick up a book!
Between the Stacks 
I have plenty! I will bring some over the next time I come around (in about three weekends)
Oh yay! 🙂 Any hints as to what they are? 😀
Huh. I feel the same way about Elliot’s writing. It almost came across as a little too inhuman for me. I did enjoy reading Passion and Purity while I was school because it helped me realize that physical desire (albeit unfulfilled) is a GOOD thing in a relationship-headed-for-marriage, while at the same time being surrounded by people saying, “Don’t even let him breath on you.” But sometimes it felt a little too cut and dried and I felt like a spiritual bump.
Non fiction, eh? I’m reading a lot of books about babies. You probably don’t need that, though.
Wow, I thought I was the only one who had that reaction to Elizabeth Elliot! Heh, I’m kind of glad that it’s not just me. As much as I want to like Passion and Purity, I just don’t.
I felt like a spiritual bump.
EX-actly. 😛
Someday I might need the books on babies, unfortunately not right now though! 😉 I have a couple other stages in life to go through first, hee! But can I just say, I’m so happy for you and Steve? And that I’m excited that you’re having a little Harriet?
I’m reading “Set-Apart Femininity” by Leslie Ludy, and it’s very good. I also loved “Captivated”, but Leslie Ludy pointed out some problems with that book, so now I’m not so sure…?
🙂 I don’t know if you’ve ever read any Ludy books or heard them speak, but I heard several of their talks at MassHOPE and thought they were VERY good.
I enjoyed Set-Apart Femininity, but again…I don’t know. Sometimes Leslie Ludy rubs me the wrong way, too! Maybe I’m just in a critical mood, but let me try to explain.
She has so much that is so good, but she writes in the way that you end up with the impression if you disregard part of what she says or don’t do things like she says to, you don’t have a strong relationship with God like she does.
And her comment about stay-at-home moms using their families as an excuse not to get involved in ministry opportunities bothered me a little. Moms of large families already have SO much on their plate, I don’t like that Lesle Ludy might make them feel guilty for making choices not to get involved in stuff outside the family because they just don’t have the time or energy after teaching and raising children 24/7.
I also liked Captivating, but do disagree with some of her theology in that one (I think I had similar conclusions to Lesle Ludy in some areas, some I didn’t). I disagree with the whole “woman is the pinnacle of creation because God created her last.” I just don’t think that’s true. I don’t think we’re extra-special because God created Eve last. Still, on the other hand, I think humans are made in the image of God and since He created us, we are…beautiful. He finds beauty in us. It isn’t something we get on our own, it’s how He created us. And I don’t see a problem in rejoicing in it and feeling beautiful because that’s how He sees us.
That being said, I like both books, just don’t agree with either of them 100%. I don’t think I know of any author that I agree with 100%, so that’s okay. I’ll take what I find to line up with God’s word and encourages me and disregard the rest. 🙂
Your comments on the books were interesting – thank-you! I didn’t remember that line from “Captivated”, about women being the pinnacle of creation. Wow! Yeah, I don’t agree with that statement either! And actually I haven’t gotten too far in the Leslie Ludy book yet to seriously recommend it or to see any problems with it, I just know that I enjoyed both of the Ludy’s as speakers.
One book that isn’t a devotional or anything, but it’s a true story, is “A Severe Mercy” by Sheldon Vanauken. I LOOOOVE that book!!!!! I don’t agree with everything in it that they believe, if I remember correctly, but it’s a GREAT story. I highly recommend it. (Just an idea for a non-fictional book)
I just read “Girls Gone Wise” and lo-o-oved it. It’s not super-conservative (if you know what I mean, I wouldn’t give it to a conservative home-schooled eighteen-yr-old), but it’s biblical and challenging and inspiring. I love how the author uses Bible verses to make her point. And I didn’t come away with the impression that if my convictions differ from her convictions, I’M wrong. I also found it easy to read after a long day. I haven’t read anything else recently – except “Persuasion”, which isn’t exactly non-fiction! 🙂
Sorry you’re struggling with Elisabeth Elliot. I’ve only read “Let Me Be a Woman”, which is kind of a more married ladies’ book I think. So I suppose I should say I’ve only read bits of it! 🙂 Her “voice” in that book is very warm and motherly – not prim and proper. I appreciate her sincerity, but I know a lot of people struggle with her … firmness.
Have you ever read “The Bravehearted Gospel” by Eric Ludy? That’s a great book!