Joseph F. Radosevich

     Summary This is a book about engaging with God's world with discernment. She uses Philippians 4:8 as the lens to look through. Her writing style is engaging and smooth. Why I read it I wanted an easy-to-read book after finishing a big theology book. I tend to read theology after my Bible reading before my family wakes up. I wanted something serious, but not 500 pages. I also have been trying to read books my wife enjoys and books written by women. This fit all of the requirements. Quotes Discernment helps us see the world for what it was made to be and believe that God is powerful enough to restore it to its intended purpose. 42-43   So too, with eyes of faith, we can look at the world around us and discern enough of its original beauty to know that it is good and worth our engagement. 43 But more than drawing us to themselves, beautiful things draw us beyond themselves to a reality greater than either of us. 128   Key Takeaways As good as the book was, it ...

This is the entry I wrote for my book list:  896. Portrait of an Unknown Woman , Daniel Silva. 8/13/22 * * * * (In some ways, this is the most fun Silva book in a while. It’s also the most sensual that I can remember--not explicit, just sensual. For that reason, I won’t be keeping it in the house with our kids around. One thing I really liked was that the fate of the world was not at stake. It was an art heist book, and the book was fun with those lower stakes. Silva says that these art heist-type books are where he plans to take the series, and I am glad for that.) *I'm updating my book list and plan to republish it soon.

    Summary I love this series. Gregor , book 2 in The Underland Chronicles, is an epic for young adults--probably the same audience as Narnia , Wingfeather , and Green Ember . It is a fast-paced, heart-tugging adventure story that takes place deep underground. This book has brains and heart. Like everything I’ve read by Collins, there isn’t a word in the wrong place. Nothing is wasted or confusing or missing. Why I read it I read and loved the first book in the series while we were on vacation. After reading several more serious books since then, I wanted a break to read a lighter book. I can't believe I waited so long to read this series since I loved Hunger Games . I've never heard anyone mention this book. f Quotes Gregor realized that the journey filled with squids and whirlpools and mites and serpents and loss, great loss, had change them. It had made the oath they had sworn in front of that furious crowd in Regalia real. 210   "Run like the River, Ripred," said...

   Summary This is my favorite Jane Austen novel. It feels like a modern situation and story. It is the story of a young woman who thinks she has the world figured out. Her attempts to craft people, relationships, and situations to her liking meet the chaos and complication of real life. When I finished it, the word that came to mind was “delightful.” It’s just a fun story. Why I read it I realized a year or so ago that my favorite books have tended to be literature, but I also realized that I don't read much literature. To correct that, I made a resolution this year to read all of Jane Austen's novels that I haven't read. This is the 5th of her 6 novels. Quotes If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more. 445   The affection which he had been asking to be allowed to create, if he could, was already his. 447   Key Takeaways This is my favorite Jane Austen novel. This is long (500 pages or so) and worth reading. I would just read it along with something...

  Summary I love these short reflections on life as a country vet. They are good for reading one or two per night before bed. This collection of columns is deeper and more thoughtful. They draw from history and they jump back and forth more than the first collection. This one also describes the transitions in life on farms in the early-mid 1900's. Why I read it We have really enjoyed the TV series based on Herriot's stories. I intended this to be my light reading before bed. Quotes And as the years passed I often wondered on the beneficent providence which had decreed that an animal which had spent his first twelve months abandoned and unwanted, staring uncomprehendingly into that unchanging, stinking darkness, should be whisked in a moment into an existence of light and movement and love. Because I don't think any dog had it quite so good as Roy from then on.  78       "You are quite proud of your little dog, aren't you Nellie," I said, and the gentle squi...

Summary It is a short summary of the non-communicable attributes of God like eternity and self-existence, an explanation of our limits in the face of God’s limitlessness, and applications of that gap between God and us. I appreciate how she applies doctrine and doesn’t just describe it. It is aimed at women, but I think it is a book everyone should read Why I read it I finished reading John Frame's The Doctrine of God and wanted something shorter than 500 pages to read in my mornings. I've been reading systematics, historical theology, and N.T. Wright for the last 4 years. This also came highly recommended by my wife. Quotes Just as my assurance of salvation rests in the fact that God cannot change, my hope of sanctification rests in the fact that I can.  87      The raging of the nations can be navigated only by keeping a fixed point in view: the Lord God , seated on his throne. 91     We eagerly await Unbound 2.0 and 3.0, wondering what new advance will ...

   Summary This is about the largest volcano eruption in recorded history. Winchester explores the causes, effects, and results of the explosion from many angles: history, culture, science, technology, religion, etc. Winchester's writing style is stiff and difficult (I've read two books by him this year), but if you are interested in Krakatoa or Indonesia, then it is readable. Why I read it I have heard interesting stories about Krakatoa, so I wanted to learn more. I also love Indonesia after spending two weeks there when I was in seminary. Quotes 13 percent of the earth's surface vibrated audibly, and millions who lived there heard it, and when told what it was were amazed. 264   To the outside world the eruption of 1883 may have spelled death and devastation. To the world of biology and botany, however, the subsequent energetic happenings on islands in the Sunda Strait represent nothing more nor less than a freeze-frame picture of the future of life itself--a demonstrat...

   Summary Gregor falls through a vent in his apartment building and is transported to a new world where he goes on a journey, fights battles, and learns about himself. It is kind of Alice in Wonderland meets The Odyssey . Why I read it I wanted a fun book to read on vacation that wasn't a slog. I enjoyed Collins' Hunger Games trilogy (as much as one can enjoy such a brutal series). I've been meaning to read this for years and finally picked up. I'm so glad that I did. Quotes "Fly you high!" (spoken throughout)    "Hope," said Vikus. "There are times it will be very hard to find. Times when it will be much easier to choose hate instead. But if you want to find peace, you must first be able to hope it is possible." 301   Key Takeaways This is super fun epic fantasy story for kids and young adults. I really enjoy Collins’ writing because everything works so well. I said years ago that Hunger Games is the most perfectly written series--also...

Summary This book is tremendous! It is an explanation of the Christian faith for today. Part one describes why common criticisms of Christianity undercut themselves. Keller makes the point that skeptics should doubt their doubts. Part two is an explanation of reasons to believe in Christ--Keller calls some of them clues that lead to God rather than proofs for God. Keller’s point is that Christianity is not simply an argument or a series of rational beliefs but a system that makes sense of the world and an invitation to a relationship of joy with the God of the universe. Why I read it I reread this after reading Andy Stanley’s Irresistible because I wanted to read a different way to engage skepticism than Stanley’s. This is much more satisfying to me. Stanley’s apologetic seems to be a combination of good hermeneutics with bold marketing as his apologetics. I think that leads to more confusion and skepticism rather than less. I prefer a careful and compelling invitation like The Reason ...

I surprised myself last Thursday when I finished the first draft of a book that I've worked on for over a year. I thought I had two days left, and then I realized I had just a bit more to go to finish that draft.  I started it over a year ago. I didn't have a job, so I thought I'd be able to finish it in 3 months. Life happens, but I kept plugging away at it. That is something I learned from Thomas Kidd--he writes a great newsletter on writing and publishing. His goal is 1000 words per day. I kept at it with a specific amount I had to do each day.  The moral of they story is to keep writing and you'll get finished.  I'll post later on the topic and when I think I may be finished later. 

Here are my entries from my reading in the first quarter of the year. One of my goals this year is to read 36 books. I'm well on my way because I have been reading 50-55 pages per day.       862. Smart Baseball, Keith Law. 1/1/22 * * * * (A book about baseball and analytics. He explains how old stats like RBI are unhelpful or wrong, He describes what new statistics are and how they work. This is awesome. He's a good writer. The emphasis on data and programming makes this a book about the modern world and how statistics and analysis are changing everything.)       863. Comfort the Grieving, Paul Tautges. 1/5/22 * * (I love this series, but this book was not very good. The book Visit the Sick was much more helpful on the grieving process and Conduct Gospel-Centered Funerals was much better. This was lot of tone-deaf pastoring advice along with a long checklist of work to do with those who grieve.)       864. The Disappea...

Social media has been a part of my life since my senior year of college in 2005. I was introduced to my wife on Facebook before a friend introduced us in-person.   Social media is normal now. It was in a state of flux for a long time as we all figured it out. Now it seems to have solidified.  I don't like where it has landed.  The worst part of social media is that it is now about hype or unwelcome opinions . I feel the temptation towards both of these, and I don't like them. Hype is the way everything we post is about how we and our lives are so great. It's not true, but it sure seems true.  Unwelcome opinions  are the way everyone constantly posts their own thoughts as commands or opinions that everyone else needs to know and agree with.  Neither of these things are the way that we talk with people in real life. I try not to boast of everything that I do in my conversations with friends or acquaintances, but I feel the temptation online to do that. I...

 I have a new podcast called " TL;DR: Preaching Edition ." This is a podcast with a pastor friend, Jeremy Byrd, where we explain our sermons that week in 5 minutes or less and have a discussion behind-the-scenes about preaching.  Jeremy is pastor of Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church in Jacksonville, IL. He's a really good preacher and studies and teaches preaching. It is a fun conversation for me. I learn a lot from our discussions. It was inspired because I struggle to listen to a recorded sermon. It can be hard to find 30-50 minutes to listen to a sermon during the week, but I love to hear a relaxed description of Jeremy's sermons and what his thinking on it was. We include details that we can't include in a normal sermon, so there is value to people listening to it even if they attended.  It is the conversation that I wish more pastors would have. I would love to learn both the text and what pastors are thinking as they prepare to preach.  We are halfway through Se...

I grew up in the 90's, but there is a lot that I didn't know was happening in the 90's. So lately, I've been keeping a list of groundbreaking changes, history-making moments, and world-changing inventions of the 1990's. I plan to update the list as I find things. Roundup Ready seeds are invented. 1996. If you don't live in corn country, you likely don't realize how big of a deal Roundup Ready seeds are. They are seeds that are/were resisteant to Roundup, so farmers could spray Roundup and keep their fields weed free. I didn't realize that it was introduced when I was in elementary school. The Balkan War. Read Zlata's Diary by Zlata Filipovic The end of The Troubles in Ireland Fall of the Soviet Union

 I see lists all the time about plants to grow, but they usually don't talk about flavor. That is the number one thing I grow tomatoes for. So when I go to learn about new varieties, I want to know how they taste.  Brad Gates says that 80-90% of heirloom tomatoes don't taste good. When I told her that, Emma commented recently that all the tomatoes we grow taste great. That is because now I look hard before buying new varieties. We've grown bad varieites before. Here are my favorite tomatoes (any of them could be a favorite if grown all by themselves). Cherry tomatoes are small and perfectly round. Grape tomatoes are smaller but not perfectly round. Slicing and beefsteak are bigger. Sungold (cherry)--The best there is. Green Zebra (medium sized)--Very Tangy. German Pink (huge)--Emma loves these. Chocolate Cherry (cherry)--These might be my favorite from this year. Sunrise Bumblebee (cherry)--An interesting surprise, these are fruity. Pink Bumblebee (cherry)--These taste like...