Saturday, April 27, 2024

New devotional from Kimberley Payne

                                       

Still Learning: Reflections from the Life of a Believer

Meeting Faith Devotional Series, book 5
Kimberley Payne
Self-improvement
Inspirational Living
April 27, 2024, 240 pp
$5.99 ebook
$12.99 Print
Buy on Amazon

About the Book
Do you want wisdom and encouragement in your spiritual journey? Discover these devotions that can bring you into a deeper understanding of living the Christian life.

Are you looking to deepen your understanding of the Bible? Do you have specific theological questions? Are you looking for encouragement and a boost in your faith? Kimberley Payne is a down-to-earth writer who is passionate and curious and offers a refreshing perspective to enhance your spiritual growth and devotion.

Still Learning is a collection of 100 devotions with questions about salvation, grace, suffering, and the very essence of God's nature, presented through the lens of everyday encounters and heartfelt contemplations. By reading these reflections you’ll be feeling encouraged and strengthened in your faith.

In Still Learning you’ll discover:

Theological questions in the Bible through the unique lens of a non-theologian

Personal insights, real-life experiences, and profound reflections with scriptural inquiry

Reminders of teachings from the Bible without being preachy

An accessible exploration of the Bible's theological questions

A diverse array of topics

Still Learning is an authentic and inspirational devotional that will resonate with both seasoned believers and those on the quest for spiritual understanding.

If you like stories that celebrate the beauty of faith and inquiry, then you’ll love this book as a supplement to theological studies.

My Review
In her new book, Payne sets out to expound with sincere simple kindness many of the questions and sometimes their answers regarding what makes the Bible so fascinating.

Often using examples of three, easy to remember, the author begins by sharing why and how to read the Bible, why it’s trustworthy, and why the Old and New Testaments work together.

Along the way the author uses examples from her own family about teaching and living the doubts we all have about faith, God, morality, and history. Why should we follow any of the Biblical “rules” if they no longer make sense? This is the topic of the segment “Should We Follow All the Laws in the Bible Today?”

Payne, a prolific author, shares in these lovely essays examples of how and life are deeply woven, no matter what you believe. The joy of finding lost ones; what about baptism, prayer—to whom, when, keeping a journal, what to do with your doubts, and even how to know if you’ve committed the unforgiveable sin of blasphemy. I appreciate the author’s candidness, the ways she shares how she came to understand what she believes, and even the learning curve. For example, learning about prophetic utterances had some unintended consequences. Payne took the time to learn more about her experience with a pastor she trusted, and realized there were better ways to share messages in faith.

Still Learning sets out to do what it promises: celebrate the beauty of faith and inquiry. Most topics include scriptural references, but are not set up in traditional devotional ways. Most of these 100 topics are a couple of pages long and easy to read and ponder. Recommended for inspirational readers teen and up who enjoy exploring matters of Christianity.

About the Author
Kimberley Payne is a Jesus follower, Oma, and an eclectic author. She combines her teaching experience and love of writing to create books for parents and children about family, fitness, science, and faith. Her books and teachings help you boost your belief, face difficult challenges, and draw closer to God. https://www.kimberleypayne.com

Monday, April 1, 2024

Jason Tanamor and Contemporary Filipino fiction

 


Love, Dance, and Egg Rolls
Jason Tanamor
YA Contemporary
288 pages, Paperback
Published May 10, 2022, Ooligan Press

Paper: $18
Ebook: $6.49

About the Book:

Filipino folk dancing is a huge part of Jamie's life, but so is high school and his two best friends. When these two worlds collide, Jamie must decide who he truly wants to be.

Jamie Santiago is just an ordinary high school teenager—he has a huge crush on a girl from school, he watches a ton of sitcoms, and he is constantly trying to keep his dad from feeding egg rolls to his white friends. Not to mention he also aspires to be the next Tinikling folk dance master. Okay, maybe he’s not so ordinary.
It's hard enough balancing the demands of high school, but when the last ever Asian Folk Festival falls on the same day as Homecoming, it feels like Jamie's world comes crashing down. He is forced to make an important decision between honoring his heritage and salvaging what's left of his social life. With a racist bully at school and rising protests in Portland, Jamie sometimes wonders if it would be easier to forget his Filipino side entirely instead of trying to embrace it.

[Play the catchy sitcom music]

[Cue the laugh track to numb the serious stuff]

If only life were so perfect.

Tensions will rise in Love, Dance & Egg Rolls as Jamie decides whether it's more important to remain hidden in plain sight or step directly into the spotlight. Jamie will not only come face-to-face with a bully, but also with this thing called cultural identity.

My Review:

This book is a gem on many levels.
America is an uneasy melting pot, stirred by influencers from the top up who chose divisive means to bully and harass. They don’t support a union, and the animosity has always trickled down to those who celebrate their heritage within the greater American society.
In Oregon, Filipinos are one segment of a varied group of Asian Americans who bond through celebrating their heritage in sharing food and traditions of dress and storytelling and dance. Our hero, Jamie, is a first-generation highschooler, caught between embracing and being embarrassed by his racial identity. He’s a typical young man, hanging out with friends, wondering who he is, enduring flagrant bullying while discovering the ups and downs of first love. He’s also very good at his cultural dances, practicing with his greater family for friendly competition at the community center. But just like so many organizations today, participation is dying out, and Jamie is facing the end of a very important part of his social life. Enter one special young woman facing ostracism in her own world. Jamie faces choices among friends and family, standing up for what he believes, and remaining true to himself.
The story features many elements that will resonate with readers, from comical asides and references to pop culture, in learning how to see between the lines and vibes and real dilemmas of teens in contemporary society. Highly recommended.

 About the author

Jason Tanamor (tan-uh-more) is a Filipino-American writer and author.
Named as one of the "5 Best Modern Filipino Writers" by Pinas Global Newspaper, Tanamor enjoys writing in different genres. He is the critically acclaimed author of the supernatural/folklore novel Vampires of Portlandia and the YA #ownvoices novel called Love, Dance & Egg Rolls.
Tanamor also spent a decade as an entertainment writer and interviewer, interviewing the likes of author Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club); comedians Demetri Martin, Jim Breuer (SNL, Half Baked), Aisha Tyler (Talk Soup, The Ghost Whisperer), Dane Cook, and Gabriel Iglesias; musicians Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins), Ann Wilson (Heart), Taylor Momsen (The Pretty Reckless and Gossip Girl), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction), and Henry Rollins (Black Flag); and baseball legend Pete Rose.
He has covered everyone from Steve Martin to Jerry Seinfeld and from Evanescence to President Obama.
Tanamor is married, has one son, and has a family of fur children. He currently lives and works in the Portland, Oregon area.