Martha by Diana Wallis Taylor

 Martha Loses Hope As She Looks For The Messiah…and A Miracle.

“Oh God Who Sees, take me also. If not together in life, let me join him in death. I don’t want to live without him.” She looked up at the night sky. Had the God Who Sees kept her from making a mistake? Would it have worked out the way she dreamed?

Author Diana Wallis Taylor creates a beautiful story set in the New Testament following the life of Martha of Bethany, sister of Mary and Lazarus in Martha (ISBN: 978-0-8007-3465-7, $14.99, 256 pages, June). The busyness of Martha is well-known, identified with, studied, and often misunderstood by people today. Often painted in the colors of reproach, Martha seems to be the poster child for how not to be a follower of Jesus. Taylor provides a well-researched touching portrayal of Martha.

When her mother dies leaving young Martha in charge of the household, her family is dependant upon her to oversee the home. Yet like other girls in her village, Martha longs to be married and begin her own family. Considered a fine cook and weaver, Martha is quick to help others within her community. She experiences the hope of love and love lost, trials, friendship, the death of her father, the overwhelming duty to her family, the discovery of the Messiah, the miracles witnessed at the Temple, and the hospitality she shows to her Lord with dignity and grace. However, when Lazarus becomes ill and Jesus is too late – Martha questions both her faith and the Lord. How could she know that one of the Lord’s greatest miracles was only moments away? Through the life of Martha, Taylor shows readers a new perspective and appreciation for this special woman of the New Testament.

My Review

Being a fan of Biblical fiction, I truly enjoyed this book. It is a great story. Diana Wallis Taylor did a wonderful job of bringing Martha to life. I think Martha is always used as a "what-not-to-do" example, and I'm so thrilled with the way the author told her story. She created a reason why Martha was so worried about getting things done.  It's so easy for us to excuse behavior today because we understand the "why" behind that behavior. Sadly... Martha doesn't get that same understanding. Until now.

It's nice to think of Bible characters as what they are. Human. This book will bring to life some of the most talked about people in the Bible... Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. To get an idea of what they were thinking and feeling as they walked with Jesus, and as Lazarus was raised from the dead made me see their story in a whole new light. It is very much in keeping with scripture, yet adds enough fiction to make a wonderful book that you'll be sure to enjoy.

*Revell Books and Baker Publishing Group have provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. ~ Thank you!

Diana Wallis Taylor enjoys speaking to women’s groups and teaching writing and poetry workshops. She is the author of Journey to the Well, has published many articles, and contributed stories to several books. Taylor lives in California. Find out more at www.dianawallistaylor.com.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday life. They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet.

God and Stephen Hawking by John C. Lennox

God and Stephen Hawking; Whose Design Is It Anyway? by John C. Lennox is a small book with a big message. It is written by John C. Lennox as a response to Stephen Hawking's The Grand Design, in which the claim is made that the universe created itself from nothing... that the laws of physics brought the universe into existence rather than being created by God.

John C. Lennox shares his views as a fellow scientist and points out that "not all statements by scientists are statements of science, and so do not carry the authority of authentic science even though such authority is often erroneously ascribed to them." And he adds that this applies to himself as well.

This is a very informative book and I enjoyed reading it. Although, I found myself having to re-read many parts of it as I it was a bit over my head. That being said... I will read it again as I am very interested in this subject. It is clearly laid out and I did find that I learned a great deal if I took it a bit slower to comprehend what I was reading. I may not retain all that I read, but I will certainly keep this handy for future conversations. I found it to be a valuable resource and I am happy to have had the chance to review it. I hope I did it justice.

I recommend this book for anyone interested in this popular debate, regardless of which side you are on.

*Litfuse Publicity Group has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review. ~Thanks!

Lord, Here's My Heart

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."

~Psalm 51:10

Do you know what my heart looks like on the inside?

It's beaten, tattered, torn.

It's worn out, used up...

Neglected.

It's been crushed, stepped on.

It's bruised from past hurts.

It's been betrayed, and it's betrayed in return.

It refuses to let anyone in for fear of injury.

It becomes defensive... quickly.

It harbors resentment.

Unforgiveness.

Bitterness, anger, jealousy.

It can be self-serving.

It's often disobedient.

Impatient. Rebellious.

It gets caught up in selfishness and greed.

Sometimes it doesn't want to give any more.

And sometimes... it just doesn't know how it can go on.

Not a pretty picture is it? Honestly... it's a mess! That's why my prayer is often...

"Lord, here's my heart. Take it, and make me new."

What more can I offer? He knows I come with dirty, empty hands. There is nothing I can do to 'sparkle' before my Lord. He knows this...He sees my heart. He knows ME. And yet He wants my heart anyway.

Why? Because HE can transform it!

There is so much to learn from King David in the Bible. He was called "a man after God's own heart"... yet he was as humanly flawed as the rest of us. And he KNEW IT! He didn't try to cover it up. He laid it all out before God, confessed it, repented, received forgiveness... and moved on with the Lord.

Listen to what David says in Psalm 51 (NIV): 

1Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.

2Wash away all my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin.

3For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.

4Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight,

so that you are proved right when you speak

and justified when you judge.

5Surely I was sinful at birth,

sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;

you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

7Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

9Hide your face from my sins

and blot out all my iniquity.
10Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

and sinners will turn back to you.

14Save me from bloodguilt, O God,

the God who saves me,

and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

15O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will declare your praise.

16You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart,

O God, you will not despise.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™

Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

You and I, like David, even though our hearts are full of sin... can come before the Lord and ask for mercy. He will restore us. He will wash us clean with the blood of Jesus.

We don't need to clean ourselves up before we come to God. We need to come to God to GET clean. We need to lay it all before Him, and allow Him to do the work in us. And He will. He is faithful!

Let your prayer be today... "Lord, here's my heart!"