The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson

Absolutely loved this book.  Challenging and inspirational, this pastor tells the story of how God started and grew National Community Church in Washington DC ~~ through "prayer circles".  We can call it by lots of names, but his visual of walking the blocks of Capitol Hill, praying for God to open doors for a building (s) will stay with me.

Historically, the actual Circle Maker was Honi, a Jewish man who lived outside the city walls of Jerusalem in the generation before Jesus.  He outrageously and boldly called on God to provide rain to the drought ridden area which had seen no rain for a year.  Honi drew a circle in the dirt around himself, and said "Lord of the universe, I swear before your great name that I will not move from this circle until you have shown mercy upon your children"  (from the writings of Josephus, the historian).  Much like Elijah, Honi waited for the rain....and eventually the sprinkles became a downpour, which changed history for those people.  So Batterson begins this book.

Encouraged to lay out my "prayer circles" in this season, I have begun to visually pray for people and situations, drawing a circle with my hand to capture the spirit of this challenge.  I have physically circled my neighborhood and prayed, asking God to turn hearts toward Him.  This concept resonates with me, because it causes me to Pray Big, to Pray Hard and to Think Long.

At times I have wondered how God would call to my heart at 16, when there had not been much spiritual input in my formative years -- yet this book affirmed the conclusion that I had drawn, someone in my family in previous generations had prayed long and hard for fruit in the generations to come.  And that's my charge--to continually pray for my kids, my grandkids and great-grandkids; that God would raise them up to follow Him, that they would make a difference in this crazy, confused world  (Isaiah 59:21).

American Born Chinese by Gene Luch Yang

Very interesting!  Recommended to our Book Club by the Director of the Library, as a new genre....a graphic novel.  This was a new term to me!  But, it was a fun way to see how educators are encouraging young readers to get "into" books.  For those who may struggle with reading disabilities, this type of "comic"story is quicker, less wordy --but still gets across some great truths.

Intended for a middle school audience, I walked away with a great respect for this author's creativity and imagination.  He speaks to the hearts of insecure young people, addresses bullying and racial intolerance,  expresses the desires of kids who want to belong,  explores friendship...and then, brings it all back to accepting who you are meant to be.  You definitely have to pay close attention, then re-browse the pictures, to get all of the wisdom of what the author is relaying.  Exceeded my expectations.