Bøker utgitt av Stephen Meiner

Not a disclaimer: The views expressed in the 'content' of this book are not solely mine, yet I carefully chose the many quotes listed ...as there is so much in those words, and I want to pass on to you that which was preserved for all of us to potentially read. Having read it, and now sharing it ...it could be said that I am content with the 'content'. I say, "Content ...content ...content!!" It's similar to when people speak of real estate, and say, "Location ...location ...location!!" And I feel that is important for eternal consideration also.

So many people today are questioning whether 'Creation' is a viable and acceptable explanation for why we exist. Evolution is still what is taught in schools ...as science advances the narrative, correcting where they feel Darwin was wrong, but still adhering to his general principles. This story tells of a school teacher who is taken to court by the ACLU for teaching about God in her classroom. Is it going to be the Scopes Monkey Trial all over again?? Not quite ...

How many times have you heard the Bible quote, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and he will not depart from it?? But, at times it seems that he does. Yet, there is a part that is often left out. Proverbs 22:6, says, " ...and when he is old, he will not depart from it."It doesn't depart from him ...it will be in the back of his mind, and that can be a good thing as well as a bad thing. Childhood impressions have more of an impact than we often think ...and sadly we don't even realize what impressions we are leaving. Don't make it so complex (as was done in this part of the story) that they miss what is needed most. Tell them that Jesus loves them ...and simply love them too. Pray to God that He will bless the children ...in spite of ourselves.

When the children were young, I recall traveling nearly 500 miles to my parents' home. They'd ask, "Are we there yet?" We'd stop for ice cream many times along the way, and they got used to those places ...so, the trip didn't seem so long. Never did they say, "We've had enough ice cream, can we go back now."Thanks for taking this long journey with me. Hopefully you were able to consume some ice cream while reading. And if you must ask, "Are we there yet?"Don't turn back ...we are almost there!

Listing this as fiction, or nonfiction ...actually, it is both. The first 5 chapters are about questions friends and family have brought up about the Bible. I also consider you a 'friend', so hopefully you can join others in the conversation too. Many people like to start a conversation, then they tell me they don't like to talk about those things. I respect that and usually just leave it at that, but I laugh to myself, thinking, "You just don't want 'me' to talk about it!" After all, I didn't start the conversation. But, I'm starting the conversation this time ... If you don't like the conversation, the first 5 chapters are not that long, and you can go to the fiction part of this book with 14 chapters of 'short stories'. Perhaps you don't like my sense of humor either ...but, at least I tried. Hopefully this is not a 'trying' experience ...and I won't accuse you of having no sense of humor, if you don't like the second section either. But, I'm guessing you probably will. I hope you enjoy ...both.

Often we lose faith ...or think we do. And we may ask ourself, "Where do I go from here?" Yet, perhaps this is the time we learn ...and become more committed with what we believe. Perhaps you've heard the saying, "Don't sweat the small stuff." What we are going through may not seem small, but the 'big picture' is His promise to us.

The Essence ... It often makes us feel uncomfortable when we don't know something ...particularly when we are pressured to accept what we feel is wrong. Yet, to prevent conflict, it is often easier not to challenge the experts ...and it feels satisfying at times to be aligned with the majority.Regardless where the majority stands ...it is not popularity nor acceptance I seek, but the truth. Yet again, there is a problem ...as truth is not always agreed upon, and it is often debated. And reality is close at hand, with the naysayers insisting that the truth is whatever we want it to be?? I don't think so ...

No two people have the same experiences, nor do they see their shared experiences the same. Each person is unique ...having their own personal perspective on how things should be. I cannot tell you what you need to know ...I can only tell you of Him whom you should know. I hope you experience the good in life. The bad in life is difficult to even read about, but perhaps reading about it may help ...and even help you avoid certain struggles. Or perhaps it may help you empathize with those you know who are hurting, and it may even encourage you to reach out to them. I admit I don't always do this, but when I do ...it also brings hope to my life.

Two curious questions: Whether? How? We don't know whether something will happen, but we can choose how we will respond. When they were young, I recall having struggled with the idea of whether it's healthier to shelter my own children, or to discuss some of the many controversial issues. Though my children may not be going through a particular problem personally, perhaps they know someone who is. Are some subjects too sensitive to discuss? Our children may be hiding their feelings, and silently begging for discussion ...sometimes not. Sometimes it is difficult to put into words how one feels. We certainly need to give others our understanding ...and sometimes that requires discussion, while others may only be seeking silent support. In either case, it's called 'love'. And what everyone needs foremost ...is love.

So Loved ... This is an emotional play that is essentially about love ...and how devastatingly powerful its effects can be when it is absent in young lives. Stephen and Ruth have a childhood friendship which causes two families to merge. Ruth's family moves away to the wonderful state of Michigan. It is often difficult to understand why things change, but when they change for Ruth, she is sent to a mental health facility ---then becomes a runaway. Yet it is difficult to run away from every problem. Ruth runs away from what she views as the source of her problems. And for a while things appear to get better. At times, doesn't it seem like trouble finds us wherever we go? And how do we deal with not knowing for sure what is true and what is not? Maybe it's just Ruth's imagination playing upon her fears, but it also feels so very real ...and it seems someone is following her.