Book Review: There Was Once a Slave

Reflection: Be Amazed

"When was the last time you allowed yourself to be astonished to the limit by Jesus—by his teaching, by his works, by the wonders of your life? I use the word allow intentionally, because I think some of us are so jaded that we need to consciously loosen the tight hold we have on our sophistication and be amazed sometimes."

Book Review: There Was Once a Slave

"If all history books were written in Graham’s style, no child would ever say, “I hate history.” With lyrical descriptions of time and place, she quickly drops the reader into her subject’s setting. The fear and despair of the opening scene are palpable. Graham doesn’t relate facts, she tells a story of real people with real feelings and motivations.  Graham doesn’t make Douglass a saint, but she takes us through his lifetime of dedication to the cause of freedom, not just for slaves but for anyone fighting oppression. We see what he suffered, what he gained, and what he lost."

Reflection: This Rule of Conduct

Restore, keep watch, bear, test, share, do not grow weary of doing good, do good to all. “As for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God” (Gal. 6:16).

Book Review: Dan Morgan, Rifleman

Dan Morgan survived many amazing exploits, and the action in this story is exciting and almost non-stop. But the story doesn’t read like an adrenaline-soaked superhero tale. Dan was a real man who learned how to work hard, and who was dedicated to honing his craft and serving his country. He had astounding success, but also suffered losses and severe injury. He served valiantly throughout the Revolutionary War, and later was sent to Congress from Virginia.  Tucker managed to write this story using language accessible to the youngest independent readers while also keeping it interesting and compelling for parents and grandparents.

Reflection: Plastic Words

Peter doesn’t want us to be passively aware of danger. He wants us to actively resist. All of his instructions involve some exertion on our part. “Make every effort to supplement your faith” by adding virtue on virtue. “Be all the more diligent,” “practice these qualities,” “take care,” and “pay attention.” Paying attention isn’t simply a matter of sitting up and looking around. The Greek word is a nautical term that means to keep a ship on a course toward a specific place. Stay the course!