What I’m Reading
Current Fiction:
Although Martin named this the “Murphy Shepherd Series,” I can’t help calling it the “Keeper Series” since all the books have the word in their titles. This is the fourth in the series, and I’m expecting it to have every bit as tough an impact as the others. Charles Martin truly knows how to cut you to the core.
At their core, the best authors are masters at manipulating their readers’ emotions. They make you laugh, cry, cringe, tremble. They can make your heart pound, make you nibble your nails to nubs. They can enlighten you, make you think.
Charles Martin is the best of the best. I’ve been expertly manipulated in his previous three books in this series, and I’ll willingly let him do it again.
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Current Nonfiction
My Wednesday study group, the Clay Pots, is reading this one. It isn’t one I’d choose for myself because–and I hate to admit this–I am the absolute worst at self-reflection. I tend to agree with St. Paul in 1 Cor. 4:3 that God’s judgment is the most important, so I don’t bother judging myself. When I do, I’m always so hard on myself that it’s difficult to remember God loves me.
But I do like the book. It has provided us with tons of fodder to chew on–some great discussions that help us get to know each other better, grow closer, understand how to pray for and support each other. And it’s a vital study for those who haven’t had blessed relationships in family, friends, marriage. The book emphasizes allowing us to see ourselves as God sees us–and that’s always a good thing.
Looking forward to finishing it with all my Clay Pots.
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This Year’s Study Bible:
I love this primarily because a Messianic Jew wrote it, but it’s difficult to read primarily because a Messianic Jew wrote it.
David H. Stern’s intent is to remind Christians of the Jewish roots of their faith. The notes he provides about Jewish law and traditions are always wonderful, often touching, and usually eye-opening. There are so many Aha! moments in which I reach new understanding of Jesus and His heritage. It’s an enrichening experience.
On the flip-side, his intent to keep all things Jewish means that the names of both the books of the Bible and many of the people in it are their transliterated Hebrew names. When reading the Old Testament, that can be a bit cumbersome. He uses many Hebrew words and phrases also, some I love and can remember, and some I love but still have to look up their meaning.
All that being said, this is my second year trying to finish this. I love it, and I’m not sorry, but it’s wreaked havoc on my “finish the Bible in a year” challenge!
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Kay Arthur Study
I love Kay Arthur’s precept studies. A group in my church meets every Tuesday morning during school season and tackles another one of the studies. This is our second semester studying Revelation. Last fall, we did Lesson 1, which covered Rev. 1-5. This second one is an overview of the entire book. The goal is to have us read and familiarize ourselves with Revelation before we dig in deeper next fall.
I understand reading it to familiarize myself, and I’m accustomed to Kay’s method of marking key words, but this time, she’s having us to draw pictures of the images the words portray. Not an easy feat for someone who can’t draw. Lots of stick figures. And aside from that, it’s not how I learn. I tend to spend too much time trying to perfect my “drawing” than concentrating on what’s said. I prefer outlining and diagramming sentences, but I can see some benefit to this. I am more aware of what’s going on in each chapter because I have to slow down my reading enough to determine what to draw.
That said, I’ll be glad to be out of this (necessary) lesson and on to Lesson 3.
Book Reviews
Charles Martin’s Murphy Shepherd series is addictive. I’m not sure how else to put it. Far different from anything I normally read.
Murphy is a brawny, door-bustin’, guns-a’blazin’ rescuer of human trafficking victims. He’s tough–often to the point of inhuman–but he has the traditional heart of gold and an amazingly philosophical mind. And, in a way, his philosophy on life and love, good and evil, makes up the bulk of the novels. Applying a Christian world view, Charles Martin has Murphy Shepherd tackle some of the hardest of life’s questions while he also tackles the worst of the worst in this evil world. His philosophy and the rescues make the series riveting.
The series is both deep and brutal and won’t appeal to everyone, but if you like some meat on the bones of the books you read, you’ll love this.
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My first nonfiction of the year wasn’t at all what I thought it would be. Judging by the title and the image on the cover, I expected Dr. Jeremiah to be sharing his wisdom about how Christians are to interact with this crazy world we’re living in with all its bizarre notions.
He didn’t. Which disappointed me to a certain extent.
I’m not sorry I read the book. It’s definitely a good one, and I recommend it to anyone going through a personal crisis.
I’m in a period of blessing in my life right now, a reprieve. I wish I’d had Dr. Jeremiah’s wisdom when times were the darkest from 2019-2023, but God took me under His own wing then and guided me through, offering His own strength. Which is how I know that everything Dr. Jeremiah discusses in this wonderful book is absolutely true. God is there for us during our hard times. Been there. Saw that with my own heart’s eyes. There is nothing greater than facing rough seas with Him at the ship’s helm. And Dr. Jeremiah helps us to recognize it.
Books read in 2025
A total of 21 books–not bad!