1 Peter 1:12 and 1 Corinthians 11:10 both talk about angels watching us. 1 Peter even says "eagerly watching" and that the angels are very interested in the gospel.
Since I first heard this, maybe 13 years ago, I've been struck by the idea that angels watch us. It is interesting that angels are eagerly watching in matters of the gospel as the Bible indicates that fallen angels cannot be saved. I heard somewhere that they also watch us to know what a relationship with God is like, or what God is like, but I can't find a passage in the Bible that says that specifically.
But all this makes me wonder how they watch us.... do they come to earth and we just can't see them? Do they have some sort of super vision to watch from heaven? It also makes me wonder if they talk similarly to we do. We know that they sing praises to God and other related things, but is it from actual mouths? Some sort of mental communication? Do they even look like humans, just with wings? In describing the cherubim it talks about many sets of wings... how does that work? I often just wonder sometimes about what angels are really like. In some ways it is easier than to think about what God will look like or how he will present Himself to us when we see him. Perhaps because angels seem more... understandable, I guess, as the Bible does talk some about what angels look like, but not much about what God looks like as far as form. Mostly, it talks more about his "presence" or his character. By presence I mean: Holiness so blinding you can hardly look at him, shown on earth as fire on the burning bush, a pillar of fire and of cloud for the children of Israel to follow, a voice from heaven speaking. All this speaks to his majesty, greatness and transcendence, but it makes it a bit difficult to wrap your brain around and think of him in terms of a personal God (not that I disbelieve that he is a personal God, I'm just talking about the limitations of our understanding and lack of descriptors- purposely, I'm sure- about what God looks in the Bible).
Anyway, back to angels. Every few years I reread a series called Chronicles of the Host by D. Brian Shafer. It is a fictional series that tells the narrative told in the Bible from the angel's point of view, both heavenly and fallen. It was a bit eye opening to read the same events from the Bible from an angel's perspective, even though it's fiction. It helps me to see the same stories I've read for years from a different angle, not just skimming, skipping, or overlooking parts from familiarity. It actually starts before the world is made and kind of sets up the scene for the how and why of Lucifer's fall (from the author's perspective, of course, as well as biblical passages). Through the 4 books of the series, it runs from that beginning to shortly after Jesus' death and resurrection. It's interesting to see a potential scenario for how this played out from "behind the scenes", as well as motivations, and pictures of the... character, let's say... of both the heavenly and the fallen angels.
So, if you can, check it out. I wouldn't mind having a conversation or too afterward either. :)
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Monday, February 21, 2011
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Midnight's Daughter
If you are an avid fan of the Cassie Palmer series, you may remember the book of photos that Cassie found in Mircea's room and got jealous over. Well, in Midnight's Daughter we are thoroughly introduced to this lady in question: Dorina Basarab, a dhampir, meaning half human and half vampire. With the same humor in the CP series, and even more of the girl kick butt attitude, Dorina is a strong protagonist. She isn't afraid to get in the midst of danger. However, this latest request from her "dearest dad" is going to test her limits in every way, both with going up against her uncle Dracula and the handsome vampire her dad wants her to work with. I am loving the beginning of this series as much as Cassie Palmer, and will definitely be reading more when they come out!
Midnight's Daughter: ***1/2
Midnight's Daughter: ***1/2
Moon Called
I love these books! I've read thousands but these caught me by surprise. Mercy has fire and passion, but tempers it with stubbornness, determination and fierce loyalty to those she cares about and falls under her wing. She has compassion for others and isn't afraid to admit she is afraid. At least to herself. She is attracted to guys like most other women, and goes through some confusing times trying to figure out what her heart is telling her about two guys that make it clear they are just waiting for her go-ahead. Patricia Briggs does a terrific job making the characters ones you relate to, and Mercy's world real enough that you almost expect to meet them on the street in Tri-cities. This series is one of few that I go back to when I have nothing else to read and want something really good. I think I've read the series 4 or 5 times by now and love them every time. I can't wait for her next one!
Moon Called: ****1/2
Moon Called: ****1/2
Sebastian
As a bookseller and avid reader I have read thousands of books. Few have touched me as Sebastian and it's second book have. Sebastian's world is different from ours. In this world much of the world is shattered into landscapes, and each is taken care of by a Landscaper and a Bridge that connects the landscapes to each other. This is a beautiful world... and then someone frees the evil that was locked up for centuries. Now Sebastian is pulled into the war that began ages ago and only two people can save him: Belladonna, his rogue landscaper cousin and the most powerful of all of them, and the girl that is his newly found love. Filled with beauty, romance, wonder, mystery, magic, and a bit of humor, Sebastian is one that has kept it's hold on me long after I finished reading it.
Sebastian: *****
Sebastian: *****
The Stepsister Scheme
I loved this book, and I'm glad a second is on it's way! The Stepsister Scheme blends fairy tales and magic, with some of the attitude of urban fantasy and a quest reminiscent of classic fantasy. Do we really know the tale of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White, or was it just rumor? What happened after the wedding bells rang, the Beauty woke, and Snow White left the castle? Hines answers these questions and shows us more of fairy with the three girls in the lead. Their determination, humor and magical and athletic abilities kept me amused throughout the book!
The Stepsister Scheme: ***1/2
The Stepsister Scheme: ***1/2
Urban Shaman
I love female protagonists that are funny, quirky and aren't afraid to kick a little bad guy butt. Joanne Walker is definitely one of these! The part she is reluctant about is that, having died and given another chance at life as a shaman, she is now wondering what she has gotten herself into. Can't she give it back? Well, no, and now she has the Wild Hunt to deal with. Can her week get any worse? With a lot of humor, C.E. Murphy has a heroine I keep coming back to. I'm thrilled that her plan is a 9 book series. I can't wait for #4, the Walking Dead, to come out this fall!
Urban Shaman- ***1/2
Urban Shaman- ***1/2
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Die For You
I just finished Lisa Unger's newest book "Die For You", due out in June. I found the main concept of the idea intriguing from the first time I picked it up- How well do you know someone, particularly the person you love?
Lisa Unger paints a story of a successful author married to her husband of five years, happy and content with her life. Then her world comes crashing down the day her husband leaves for work and never comes home. Izabel starts inspecting the pieces of her life, coming to realize that the man she thought she knew and loved, she never really knew at all. Her quest becomes figuring out the puzzle of her husband and the life she thought she had, even if it means risking her life. Weaving through all this is the story of two sisters, Izabel and her sister Linda, and the paths they took as a result of the tragic death of their father. The meaning they made from that event and their inability to understand it defines them in such a way that it becomes intimately entwined with the current issues at stake.
Lisa Unger writes a story about longings, love, perspective, lust, betrayal, and abandonment. Ultimately, the story is about who a person is and what makes them that way. I found myself completely engrossed, captivated by thoughts, ideas and questions I'm still mulling over.
Die For You- ****1/2
Lisa Unger paints a story of a successful author married to her husband of five years, happy and content with her life. Then her world comes crashing down the day her husband leaves for work and never comes home. Izabel starts inspecting the pieces of her life, coming to realize that the man she thought she knew and loved, she never really knew at all. Her quest becomes figuring out the puzzle of her husband and the life she thought she had, even if it means risking her life. Weaving through all this is the story of two sisters, Izabel and her sister Linda, and the paths they took as a result of the tragic death of their father. The meaning they made from that event and their inability to understand it defines them in such a way that it becomes intimately entwined with the current issues at stake.
Lisa Unger writes a story about longings, love, perspective, lust, betrayal, and abandonment. Ultimately, the story is about who a person is and what makes them that way. I found myself completely engrossed, captivated by thoughts, ideas and questions I'm still mulling over.
Die For You- ****1/2
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Fire is on fire!!
My first on site book review!!
So, I have a new favorite author- Kristin Cashore. I loved reading her first book "Graceling." It was imaginative, creative, and one of those books I jealously wish I had written myself.
However, her second book (which sadly isn't out yet, but will be in October) is called "Fire." Fire is a loose prequel set about 30-40 years before Graceling, and encompasses the land to the east of the setting of Graceling. (Which is cool, because when I looked at the map in Graceling, I always wondered what was over in this area.)
This land contains not just people but monsters. These monsters are of all types and sizes, from raptors to mice. The unique things about them are their colors. They can be blue and silver, or purple and yellow, or any variety of colors. They are beautiful and sometimes lure animals and people through their beauty. They also can control people's minds if they choose and are typically smarter than other animals. There have been human monsters- in the shape of a human but also multi-colored and with the ability to sense and control people's minds. Fire is the last of the human monsters. (Which, when reading I often found weird when Fire is described that way because she isn't really monstrous- but that was just what they call them.)
Fire's hair is gorgeously multi-colored in all the colors of a sunset. She is beautiful as well and people can't help but admire her beauty. Of course, with that beauty comes all the jealous women, men that seem to have certain unattractive thoughts about her, and those that just want to touch and admire her. And, of course, those suspicious that she will control their minds. Oh, and did I mention that the other monsters want to attack her and gobble her right up when they see/smell her? Really. Her life is so easy. (Read: Not!)
Anyway, so Fire describes her journey from country recluse to having a unique and important place in the kingdom through a series of events that draws you into Fire's world and pulls Fire into your heart. At least that was my reaction. She meets people along the way that both strengthen and discourage her, causing her to come to terms with what it means to love, and what her abilities can be used for. Chief among these people are those in the royal family, particularly Prince Brigan who isn't slow to express his hatred when he meets her. Also, he's suspiciously resistant to her mind sensing ability. What's that all about? The tenuous friendship they develop as they work through these issues is wonderful to witness throughout the book.
A key relationship that is revealed throughout the story is Fire's relationship with her dead father, the repercussions her father has had on the kingdom and the people she encounters, and how to reconcile past actions so as to strengthen, rather than destroy oneself.
If you've read Graceling, a character we discover the origins of is Leck, who also plays a role in Fire's story. Can I tell you, this kid is rather creepy? He gives new meaning to the term "born evil".
You may not be all into the fantasy genre. Even so, Fire is a book about the characters, life, and learning how to accept oneself and be able to love freely, even through fear.
I found myself enjoying Fire even more than Graceling, though Graceling is awesome in it's own self and I highly recommend it! (i.e. Go read it now so you can read Fire in October!)
Fire - * * * * *
So, I have a new favorite author- Kristin Cashore. I loved reading her first book "Graceling." It was imaginative, creative, and one of those books I jealously wish I had written myself.
However, her second book (which sadly isn't out yet, but will be in October) is called "Fire." Fire is a loose prequel set about 30-40 years before Graceling, and encompasses the land to the east of the setting of Graceling. (Which is cool, because when I looked at the map in Graceling, I always wondered what was over in this area.)
This land contains not just people but monsters. These monsters are of all types and sizes, from raptors to mice. The unique things about them are their colors. They can be blue and silver, or purple and yellow, or any variety of colors. They are beautiful and sometimes lure animals and people through their beauty. They also can control people's minds if they choose and are typically smarter than other animals. There have been human monsters- in the shape of a human but also multi-colored and with the ability to sense and control people's minds. Fire is the last of the human monsters. (Which, when reading I often found weird when Fire is described that way because she isn't really monstrous- but that was just what they call them.)
Fire's hair is gorgeously multi-colored in all the colors of a sunset. She is beautiful as well and people can't help but admire her beauty. Of course, with that beauty comes all the jealous women, men that seem to have certain unattractive thoughts about her, and those that just want to touch and admire her. And, of course, those suspicious that she will control their minds. Oh, and did I mention that the other monsters want to attack her and gobble her right up when they see/smell her? Really. Her life is so easy. (Read: Not!)
Anyway, so Fire describes her journey from country recluse to having a unique and important place in the kingdom through a series of events that draws you into Fire's world and pulls Fire into your heart. At least that was my reaction. She meets people along the way that both strengthen and discourage her, causing her to come to terms with what it means to love, and what her abilities can be used for. Chief among these people are those in the royal family, particularly Prince Brigan who isn't slow to express his hatred when he meets her. Also, he's suspiciously resistant to her mind sensing ability. What's that all about? The tenuous friendship they develop as they work through these issues is wonderful to witness throughout the book.
A key relationship that is revealed throughout the story is Fire's relationship with her dead father, the repercussions her father has had on the kingdom and the people she encounters, and how to reconcile past actions so as to strengthen, rather than destroy oneself.
If you've read Graceling, a character we discover the origins of is Leck, who also plays a role in Fire's story. Can I tell you, this kid is rather creepy? He gives new meaning to the term "born evil".
You may not be all into the fantasy genre. Even so, Fire is a book about the characters, life, and learning how to accept oneself and be able to love freely, even through fear.
I found myself enjoying Fire even more than Graceling, though Graceling is awesome in it's own self and I highly recommend it! (i.e. Go read it now so you can read Fire in October!)
Fire - * * * * *
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