Events Calendar
In This Section
Church nurtures message in garden
Convention hopes to attract 20,000 people
Parishioners protest closing of Akron church
Byzantine eparchy to celebrate 40th
Reception planned for retiring pastor
St. Paul A.M.E. Church to celebrate 100 years of reaching out in love
Breakaway Catholic group to ordain 13 in Minnesota
Most Read Stories
Akron judge Linda Kersker dies
Akron police arrest murder suspect within an hour
DiLullo's closes doors after 63 years
Akron judge in serious condition at Cleveland Clinic
Man fit for trial in rape of girl, 2
Call center to cut 250 jobs in Akron
UPDATE: Deadly motorcycle crash closes I-76
Akron police investigating another homicide
Rib, White and Blue is festival of tastes
Blogs:
Pets:
Summit teams up with Rescue Waggin' to save dogs
The Heldenfiles:
I Hate "More To Love"
Patrick McManamon:
Ron Artest goes to the Lakers
Akron Zips:
Basketball schedule nearing completion
Browns Bulletin:
Single-game ticket sales begin July 11
Tribe Matters:
Tribe adds fourth new reliever
Cleveland Browns:
Stallworth test showed marijuana
Kent State Sports:
Men's Basketball Scheduling update
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Updated: Free Agency: Another Gone - Apparently
All Da King's Men:
IPCC Already Wrong About Global Warming
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Wow….Sarah Palin Resigns Governorship
Akron Law Café:
Abraham Lincoln and the Fourth of July
Varsity Letters:
Highland senior receives honor
See Jane Style:
Picnic Wear
Car Chase:
Where do We Go from Here?
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Hate Crime in Fort Worth Texas: "That F***t had it Coming"
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Linda asks-where is the Ohio Chautauqua?
Sound Check:
Rundgren fans rejoice!: Second night of AWATS at The Civic added
HRLite House:
Sport Psychology and Performance Consulting
Akron Gamer:
Hot link: Best of Nintendo at E3
Women are called to confront life's hardships and God is counting on them to do his work
Published on Saturday, Mar 29, 2008
THE GOSPEL OF RUTH
Carolyn Custis James
(Zondervan, $16.99, 220 pages)
Fans of Carolyn Custis James' first book, When Life and Beliefs Collide, have come to expect much from this fresh-thinking, push-the-''evangelical''-envelope author.
Even James' new title is provocative. She proposes that the Book of Ruth, often perceived as antiquated Sunday school flannel-graph fodder, teaches the same countercultural, rule-breaking gospel that Jesus offered, and that it has life-changing insight for today.
James unearths information on the historic and cultural setting as well as qualities of the two main characters, who pursue God's purposes with some of the most creatively bold obedience found in the Bible.
''Ruth emerges as a surprisingly gutsy risk taker; Naomi as a female Job,'' said the author, who believes that this brave twosome calls women to greater honesty in confronting life's hardships with a willingness to pursue God instead of running from him.
In her usual straightforwardness, James asks readers, ''Is God good for women?''
She then lays out a map to radical levels of thinking conveying a message that God is not only good for women, but also counting on them to do his work.
HELLO
After Edmund
(Slanted Records)
Produced by Scotty Wilbanks (Decembe-Radio, Third Day), After Edmund's debut album Hello brings a wonderfully original and surprisingly mature sound to the scene.
The diverse background of each musician forms a modern indie rock sound with British rock influences which fans of bands like Muse will appreciate.
The vocals are solid and melodious, with influences from modern pop-rock bands such as Fall Out Boy and Falling Up.
The band also demonstrates its classical training in several well-composed sections of piano and strings.
The album includes a good balance of upbeat, driving songs and mellow, more laid-back ballads.
The lyrics vary from worshipful to introspective in nature, and as a result are fit for a broad range of listeners. Expect to hear more about this new band out of Georgia in the near future; the refreshingly unique sound they bring to Christian music will not go unnoticed.
Web site to try
http://www.positivelyfeminine.org
Mike and Brenda King lead the nonprofit Positively Feminine and its site ''to encourage respect for femininity, and provide practical as well as spiritual encouragement and support for Christian women.''
The site features hundreds of essays on topics familiar to anyone who has read a women's advice magazine decorating on a budget, how to avoid sunburn, tips on how to balance work and family life.
What sets most of the content apart is its foundation in Scripture, tying Bible verses to advice on avoiding gossip in the office, keeping your kitchen pantry well-stocked and making friends.
Regular columnists contribute devotionals and inspirational anecdotes about their lives as mothers, wives, grandmothers and friends.
THE GOSPEL OF RUTH
Carolyn Custis James
(Zondervan, $16.99, 220 pages)
Fans of Carolyn Custis James' first book, When Life and Beliefs Collide, have come to expect much from this fresh-thinking, push-the-''evangelical''-envelope author.
Get the full article here.

