3.5/5 stars

A formational book review by Megan

“No rabbit is safe. Between now and tonight we must persuade as many rabbits as possible to join us.”

A survival story, rabbits must strike out on their own and create their own home but to do so will require courage, hope and friendship.

*I must confess that I have not read the original story yet so I feel a little funny giving a review of the graphic novel but it was interesting enough and had some food for thought hence this short review.

Reading as a Disciple

“O Frith! Are you sending us to live among the clouds?”

Fiver is a rabbit that often has visions of the future, it is his vision in the beginning that motivates Hazel and others to leave their warren. It is often seen as a message from their god they call Frith. Some rabbits don’t believe in Fiver’s visions but some do, others just think he’s weird. It was a reminder to me of how we sometimes take hearing from God. It can be confusing at times and not make sense but we continue to step out in faith and trust what we hear.

Reading Communally

“You called me over to show me a piece of wood, Blackberry?”

“It drifted down the river. It floats. Don’t you see? We could put Pipkin and Fiver on it and make it float again.”

“First Bigwig’s anger and impatience, and now my cleverest rabbit has lost his mind.”

I enjoyed the beginning and reading how the different rabbits worked together. We see the strong and brave acting within their strengths and those who are clever and smart using their skills to help everyone. No one was made to be useless and extra baggage. Every rabbit and other animal lives were precious and cared for, every life had value. Hazel shows patience in teaching the other rabbits who have been used to lording over others that that is not how they should function in their new home. It is good to remember to be patient with others and to make sure everyone works within their giftings.

Final Thoughts

I really need to read the original to truly give a full review. It’s hard to know if the things that I didn’t like are unique to the graphic novel or to the actual story. It is definitely not a story for children, it is high school and up. There is plenty of animal violence and cruelty and the graphic novel helps you visualize that so I can’t recommend it for just anyone but it does give lots of conversation starters on how to treat people and how to respond to bullies, the value of life and respect for others.

Other books:

I haven’t read any other of Richard Adam’s books.

3/5 stars

A formational book review by Megan

“… God specializes in protection, yet God’s protection may still include pain.”

As a young newly-married couple, Debby and her husband went to live covertly behind the Iron Curtain as missionaries in Poland. They encounter the cold of communism and the Cold War while relying on God for big and small needs.

Reading as a Disciple

“Seasoned by time, reflection gives way to three realities: In difficult circumstances, sometimes it is difficult to ascertain what God is teaching us. In difficult circumstances, most often, it does not matter what God is teaching us; it only matters who God is. In difficult circumstances, a shoulder, not a question is needed.”

God does not change, he is constant. This was evident through out Pulling Back the Iron Curtain. God is good and he cares for his children was something seen in several of the stories Thompson told. I loved hearing how she had prayed for a specific tea set and a real turkey and God provided those things as simple and unexciting as those things were, God heard her prayer and answered. God showed his character, his faithfulness was apparent and that was what mattered more than what lesson was learned in the midst of any difficult situation. It can be easy to focus on what needs to be done or what should have been learned but in trying situations, it is best to reflect on who God is.

Reading Communally

“We learned that- admitting wrong, asking forgiveness- transcends all cultural settings, crosses all political and geographical barriers, and applies to all human beings.”

I loved this chapter, it was funny knowing my own experience of living in Ukraine and it was also miraculous and shocking knowing what I know of life in the Soviet Union. Asking forgiveness was not a common practice and is still not common in countries of the former Soviet Union so this story of forgiveness is beautiful and such a lovely reminder of the power of saying “sorry.” The humble act of saying sorry and asking for forgiveness is a powerful tool around the world. It is critical to learn how to ask forgiveness if you are to be in community with others, it is unavoidable. We will at some point in our lives hurt someone and we will need to apologize. It is uncomfortable and can be super awkward but no doubt it can strengthen your relationship and help you grow in your relationships.

Final Thoughts

There were some great individual stories that I really enjoyed and some I felt challenged by but there were also plenty of chapters that were nothing special. Some chapters were generic or lacking details which made it fall flat. While I am glad I read it, I think there are other better missionary biographies.

For Lent this year, we decided to try composing a family poem. This was an interesting and lively challenge. It mostly involved the boys coming up with words they thought we should incorporate as we discussed themes of hurt, sin, salvation, and redemption. Benaiah also practiced his rhyming skills and came up with some phrases that worked and Megan of course wanted to utilize the word game. Most of the hard labor was done by Lance though; he was the poetic architect.

Though it is after Easter, we hope you can still read it and remember.

There and Back Again

A Lenten Tale

We are all made from dust
And behind us, beauty made ashes
Driven by greed and lust
Our souls writhe, mine thrashes

In my chest, my heart crashes
To others, I cause agony, my own despair
Against the innocent, my tongue lashes
Eyes squint against holy glare

At darkness rather, the sunken stare
Brows casting dark shadows on desire
Love given, love received, ever rare
Eye and hand and stomach conspire

Picking need-filling fruit from the mire
The bite that only brings shame
Draws the flickering flame to burning fire
Wrong around me, others to blame

Erecting farcical thrones, my unholy game
All beneath, small within my keen gaze
Though my passion's violence I try to tame
Mind's eye, each one, I set them ablaze

No, not one can stand while being appraised
Deeds of others displayed on my lofty hill
My own, concealed with in a dense haze
Touch it and hear me loud, and shrill

I stand alone, fortifications set with skill
Ambition driven, my soul lets none in
Who will dare enter my bastille
At all ends, I shall surely win

I stand alone, fortifications set with skill
Bound tight writhing in this snake skin
In the end a slave by my own will
All my best ends, pathways to sin

No, not one can stand while being appraised
Deeds rung up, I've received my bill
Concealing fog burned away by truth's rays
Vanity stripped bare, my tongue stands still

Erecting farcical thrones, my unholy game
Judgement's keen view, others pained by my ways
Violence unbridled, deed's testimony proclaim
Through judging others, its the eye's mind that decays

Picking need-filling fruit from the mire
Taste's variated diversions causing regret all the same
Pleasure snuffed, revealed as a liar
Wrong around me points to my name

At darkness rather, the sunken stare
Dark shadows, they demand and inquire
Love given, love received, hearts prepare
Freely accepting what flesh can't acquire

In my chest, my heart crashes
Damage caused, recognition of error
A repeat of what I've done, my will now clashes
Towards the holy gaze, set to Christ in prayer

We are all made from dust
And behind us beauty from ashes
Growing seed from rust
Our souls alive, with holy adorned sashes

4.5/5 stars

A formational book review by Megan

“They weren’t just beholding rock formations; they were beholding handiwork. What he saw spoke to the nature of this world- a dangerous world, a world where we will have trouble. And it spoke to the nature of the one who made it- magnificent and dangerous, overwhelming and vast, beautiful and sublime.”

Russ Ramsey brings us a look into the lives of different artists and what was unique about their lives and what can be learned from their life and work. Perfect for those new to art appreciation as well as those experienced in art history. Ramsey is able to apply the lens of the Gospel and help the reader find hope through the stories of suffering and pain many artists experienced.

Reading as a Disciple

“Who I am to God is who I am. What comes out of this life is his business, but what I do will never be what makes me who I am. Because this is so, when suffering comes, it doesn’t have the power to unravel God’s design. Instead, the suffering becomes part of the fabric.”

Nothing is a surprise to God, no amount of trauma or difficulties are a shock to God but they can all be used by God. No amount of difficulties or even our reaction to difficulties will ever change how God sees us, we are his children and we are loved by God. So many of the stories have an element of suffering, hence the subtitle, What Art Teaches Us About the Wonder and Struggle of Being Alive, but it is beautiful to see how beauty continued in the suffering. Sometimes I think we like to have life be a nice packaged testimony, ‘life before Christ was hard and then I found Jesus and now I’m good.’ But in reality, Jesus did not promise an easy life, there will still be suffering but now we have hope to carry us through the suffering, hope that through redemption, there will be beauty.

Reading Communally

“To truly love someone is to move beyond first impressions into the heart of things; it is to take on the sacred work of stewarding another’s joys and sorrows. It is to show up for their celebrations and invite them to yours. It is to sit with them when they’re sick, nurse them until they are better, and lean on them when you’re the one who is hurting. Is there a more sacred calling? To really know a person is to know them by their sorrow. Our sorrows, failures, and afflictions are sacred, not shameful, because they tell the truth about our need for redeeming grace and mercy.”

What a beautiful idea, that those things in our life that we may see as shameful, should instead be seen as a reminder of our need for redeeming grace. And not only that but that other’s should be able to join us in this journey of faith. Ramsey calls it a sacred calling, to truly love people and be with them in their ups and downs. Earlier in the chapter he calls failures and limits sacred, they speak truth. Letting people see those sacred parts of our lives is scary but by allowing others to see the sacred parts of our lives, we can help them see God’s redeeming grace as well as let other’s remind us of God’s love and grace. It should be a mutual reminder, there is not simply one helping the other or teaching the other but suffering and failures points anyone toward God’s redemption.

Final Thoughts

Such a beautiful book full of inspiration. There were moments that I was in awe and challenged and other times simply inspired. So much beauty in art and so many reminders of God’s hand in our lives, weaving a complete and hope-filled story. Highly recommend it for everyone but I do think Rembrandt Is In the Wind is still my favorite of the two art books Ramsey has written.

Other books:

Rembrandt is in the Wind– personal favorite

There are other books Ramsey has written but you can look them up.

4.5/5 stars

A formational book review by Megan

“All of life is a battle against fear. We fight it on one front, and it sneaks around to our flank.” He paused, looked kindly at her. “Yes, Father. I understand.” “I regret many things I’ve done,” he said, “but most of all I regret those moments when I said to Fear, ‘You are my master.’”

The Green Ember follows Heather and Picket, simple rabbits, but their lives are turned upside down one day when they are suddenly thrown into a broader adventure. They must overcome prejudice, assumptions, fear, and hate. How will they navigate this uncertain time and will they be for the coming kingdom or against it?

Reading as a Disciple

“The king was asked during this time by a faithful subject, ‘What, Lord Jupiter, is the greatest joy in the peace you have won?’ He did not answer suddenly; that was not his way. He was a philosopher king, so he thought on it. Finally, after several moments in silence, he answered with a wide smile, ‘That I am my father’s true son.’”

Family background and history takes a prominent role in this story but we should all be aware of our own family history and backgrounds too. No matter our own family story, what is beautiful is that our story with God is simple and true, we are his children and are heirs in Christ. Heather and Picket must wrestle with their own family history and things they thought were true but perhaps are not. They face prejudice against them and deal with their own prejudice, both are difficult to overcome. Shame and doubt can make overcoming family history seem impossible but God continually pursues us.

Reading Communally

“Here we anticipate the Mended Wood, the Great Wood healed. Those painters are seeing what is not yet but we hope will be. They are really seeing, but it’s a different kind of sight. They anticipate the Mended Wood. So do all in this community, in our various ways. We sing about it. We paint it. We make crutches and soups and have gardens and weddings and babies. This is a place out of time. A window into the past and the future world. We are heralds, you see, my dear, saying what will surely come. And we prepare with all our might, to be ready when once again we are free.”

The Green Ember had a subtle theme of redemption woven throughout that reminded me of our desire to see God heal our broken world. This idea of being a herald is the same as being an image-bearer, we bear the image of God in us, though we are broken individually, together, in community, we gain a better picture of what is to come.

It was also lovely to see in the book the idea that everyone is preparing for the Mended Wood by doing a craft, learning a trade. Not everyone was a soldier, rabbits continued to chose a trade and by this they were still preparing for the Mended Wood. Nothing was considered unnecessary, all jobs were seen as important and as work toward the Mended Wood. Everyone was a herald and therefore their work was directed toward the hope of the wood being healed and made whole again. We should have the same attitude, that no matter what job we hold, we do it unto God knowing that it will bring glory to God now. All jobs can bring glory to God as we serve as a herald to point others to the hope to come.

Final Thoughts

A thoroughly enjoyable read, lots of action and suspense. I always appreciate kid stories that allow for great conversation and this one does not disappoint. Betrayal, loyalty, hope, friendship, legacy, truth, fear and gossip are all some of the topics that could be discussed. I look forward to finishing the series and seeing what will happen.

Other books by S.D. Smith:

The Green Ember series- I’ve read the second book as well and enjoyed it. Hopefully I’ll finish the third and fourth books sometime this year.

Mooses with Bazookas- Have not read

Jack Zulu series- Have not read