Lot's Wife: lessons and themes from her story

This month’s study is on Lot’s Wife. She is mentioned briefly in Genesis, but her story still resonates with people today. From Genesis, we learn that she was married to Lot, Abraham’s nephew and together, they had amassed a fortune in land and livestock. They settled in Sodom, a city so wicked that God would later send angels to investigate. Her life in Sodom, she was a prosperous woman who may have been more attached to the good life than what was good for her. There is no indication that she participated in the sin of Sodom, but her story implies she had tolerated it. Her heart was possibly divided. She hated the sin but loved the comfortable life she had in Sodom. What is the significance of salt in the story? What does her story tell us about God’s mercy?

The story of Lot’s wife opens as Lot encounters God’s angels at the city gates. He implored them to stay at his house for the night. Later that night, angry voices came to the house as an ugly clamor of men tried to push their way into the house. They demanded the guest to be released to them. The Bible does not reveal what Lot’s wife was doing, feeling or thinking at the situation. But I think we can safely assume she was terrified. After Lot tried to bargain and reason with the mob, the angels pulled him back in the house and told Lot, his wife and daughters, to leave Sodom immediately as God’s judgment was coming to Sodom. The angels warned the family not to look back on the city as it was being destroyed. Genesis 19:26 says “But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.” Why did she turn despite the angels’ warning? We don’t know but something caused her to stop, pause, turn and take one look.

As Lot’s wife is remembered less for who she was: a wife and mother, and more for what she became: a pillar of salt, there must be significance to her story. Salt is one of the world’s most common and most used chemicals. Salt is used to season, cleanse and purify. The Hebrews saw the value in salt and used it in many areas of life. They used it to season their food (Job 6:6). They also rubbed their babies with it (Ezekiel 16:4). Salt was also a required supplement to Old Testament grain sacrifices (Leviticus 2:13). Salt is also used six times in the New Testament. Believers are called the salt of the earth by Jesus in Matthew 5:13, Mark 9:50, and Luke 14:34. In Luke 17:32, Jesus calls us to remember Lot’s wife. In verse 33, he says, “Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.”  It is a warning against false security. Lot’s wife turned back because she wanted one last look at all she lost. The comfortable house and all the trappings she had in the city. Despite the danger to her life, she still wanted the physical things she left behind.

The tragedy of her story is she ultimately refused God’s mercy and attempts her save her. God’s mercy was available to her as Genesis 19:16 says “for the Lord was merciful to them” and his mercy is always available to all of us. Even during difficult times, like now as the world deals with the COVID-19 outbreak and resulting quarantine, even in the worst times, the most difficult situation and the hardest circumstances, he is there stretching out his hand to lead us to safety. We have become creatures of comfort. In our society, it is rare to find someone who isn’t attached to certain comforts. They may even be thought of as weird. Although, in my experience, when someone says they have no attachment to physical items or comforts, it is usually a lie as no one is completely with some form of attachment, whether it be to something or someone Test your level of attachment. By carving out time away from work, TV, the phone, the internet, anything that can distract you from God. Set aside time and a place in your home, even if its for a few minutes, for silent prayer.

In conclusion, Lot’s wife turned back to look at the smoldering city. Clinging to the past, she was unwilling to turn completely away and accept her new future. Are you looking back longingly at an old life while trying to move toward God? Is there anything in your past that God is urging you to let go? I know I do. It is a daily struggle and a daily prayer for the strength to finally let go. Sometimes I can and sometimes memories of good times pull me to that desire again. I know like a father with his child, God will continue to help me with this lesson. You can’t make progress with God and in your future, if you are holding onto pieces of your old life. Seek out God and his mercy. He will help you turn away from your old life and find a new life in him.

The Secrets Mothers Keep: a gripping tale of family, secrets and coming to terms with the past

The Secrets Mothers Keep by Jacquie Underdown is the story of three generations of women as deep secrets from the past are revealed and alter their futures. The story opens with the oldest sister, Mary Rivers, who lives in her late husband’s ancestral home, Viewtree House, in Tasmania, Australia. The house is in desperate need of repair. She calls on her sisters, June, who lives with her, and Grace, as well as her daughter, Lily Rose, and granddaughter, Pia, to come together, pool their resources and save the house. The request comes at a time when all the women need a break or escape from their lives. Grace is dealing with the aftermath of her husband’s death and discovers he had been hiding a terrible secret. Lily-Rose, a famous actress, is on the verge of divorce after an affair was exposed by the media. Pia, who broke up with her boyfriend, sees the request to put some distance between them. Told from the different perspectives of the five women, the story follows them as renovations on the house threatens to reveal deep secrets Mary and her sisters hold. Will their plans for the house bring them together or finally tear them part?

The Secrets Mothers Keep was a gripping story as the secrets are revealed, the women must decide who they are and who they will become as a family. At the heart of the story is a quote from June as she says, “Mothers in difficult circumstances, have had to life since forever in order to protect their child or themselves.” At the heart of the secrets is the desire to protect their family from scandal, pain and being torn apart. Another character reminds readers that “We can’t make judgments about decision made at different times and under conditions we don’t understand.” The Secrets Mothers Keep is a good story of family, secrets, and coming terms with the past. I enjoyed reading a story set in a different part of the world than is normally written about. I recommend The Secrets Mothers Keep.

The Secrets Mothers Keep

is available in paperback and eBook

Onward: a brother adventure in a magical land

Onward is the newest Pixar film directed by Dan Scanlon, written by Scanlon with Jason Headley and Keith Bunn. The film stars Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Octavia Spencer. Set in a suburban fantasy world, the film follows two elf brothers who set out on a quest to find a rare artifact that well bring back their deceased father for one day. Released on March 6, 2020 in the US, the film received generally positive reviews and grossed $104 million worldwide before the coronavirus pandemic shut down theaters. It was released on Disney+ and other screaming services on April 3.

In a world of mythical creatures, magic was once commonplace. After technological advances over the years, magic became obsolete and was largely discarded. It is now modern day, Ian Lightfoot (voiced by Tom Holland), an elf socially awkward high schooler who lacks self-confidence. His older brother, Barley (voiced by Chris Pratt), is a history and role-playing game fanatic. They live with their widowed mother, Laurel (voiced by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) in New Mushroomton. Their father, Wilden Lightfoot, died shortly before Ian born. As the story opens, it is Ian’s 16^th birthday and Laurel gives the brothers a gift from Wilden: a magical staff, a rare gem, and a letter describing a visitation spell so the boys can resurrect their father for one day. When Ian accidently only resurrects their father’s lower half, the brothers are now in a race against time to fully resurrect their father. 

Onward is a funny and heartwarming adventure that audiences have come to expect from Pixar. Although, a few reviewers have pointed out that it has become a bit too cliched. For me, it was an emotional as it deals with death, loss and trying to capture experiences one never had a chance to have as Ian never had the memories of his father that Barley did. I also liked the musical score. I especially liked the song that Barley played plays in his van. It suggests Vikings and great battles. The end credit song, “Carried Me With You,” performed by Brandi Carlile, is an emotionally charged song about not taking love for granted and accepting love even when you don’t feel its deserved. One of my favorite lyrics is “To the darkness of the blue/I was just too blind to see/Like a lighthouse in a storm/You were always guiding me.” I like the lesson Ian learns along way as he gains confidence in himself, although it is a theme used quite often.

As no movie is without faults, there are a few things about the film I did not like. While I did enjoy the film, it felt like a Frozen II film for boys. A sibling adventure story for brothers rather than sisters. Also, the use of mythical creatures didn’t really add to the story. The filmmakers could have used human characters and the movie would have been just as good. It is also a film that I wasn’t overly excited to watch for the story concept didn’t grab my attention. I only watched it because my eight-year-old daughter wanted to when it was released on Disney+. She thoroughly enjoyed it and watched again the next day and watched it a third time with her dad. The animation is as expected from Pixar; however, it does not have the stunning beauty of Coco or the heart of Toy Story or Finding Nemo.

Overall, Onward is a good movie with magic, mythical creatures and a theme that we all could relate to. It may be hard to watch for individuals have lost a parent, especially early in life, as it may be too relatable. However, I wouldn’t say it was a reason not to see this film. While it had a few flaws and may be the adventure story we’ve all seen before, it is still an entertaining movie that I think families will enjoy. I recommend watching Onward as the heartwarming and funny adventure story that is expected from Disney and Pixar. 

Finding Jesus at the Border: a look at immigration and Christians

Finding Jesus at the Border: Opening Our Hearts to the Stories of Our Immigrants Neighbors by Julia Lambert Fogg, a pastor and New Testament scholar, is a personal observation of the immigrant situation in the United States. It is a book which seeks to show American Christians what they can do to help our immigrant neighbors. According to Fogg, it is not a book to explain the complicated US immigration law and policy but to help readers to understand how the experience of migration and border crossers reveals God’s work in exciting and transformative ways. Using real immigration stories, Fogg attempts to draw parallels with Jesus’s life and teachings and the immigrant’s stories and attempts to put a human face on the immigration stories and debate. Fogg argues that Christians need to step out of their comfort zones and learn to cross the social, ethnic, and religious borders and encourages them to become advocates in their own communities and be an example of Christ to the DACA dreamers, asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants.

Finding Jesus at the Border is not the book I was expecting. I am a little disappointed. I was excited and intrigued to read it, but it quickly faded to disappointment with each chapter. I excited to read stories from immigrants and while there were stories from a few immigrants, it felt very flat. Fogg quickly focuses on the immigration issues and her biblical interpretations are inconsistent, and at times, a stretch. Overall, this book did not add anything new and basically calls for Christians to care for the immigrants as individuals not just a number on the news. While she provides names of organizations to get involved with, Fogg does not provide any contact information for these groups such as websites. I appreciate Ms. Fogg’s passion and concern for the immigrants who are coming to the US simply for a better life and I agree that Christians need to be more involved because children of God are involved; however, I feel she fells short in her goals. I do not recommend Finding Jesus at the Border.

Finding Jesus at the Border:

Opening Our Hearts to the Stories of Our Immigrants Neighbors

is available hardcover, paperback, and eBook

Little Secrets: a great psychological thriller

Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier is a story of heartache, revenge, and betrayal. Marin Machado has a great life. A loving husband, a beautiful son, and a successful business, she could not ask for more. Until one dark December day, her son is taken from her side and her whole world shatters. Fast forward 18 months and there has been no sign of her son and Marin is barely living as she tries to find herself in her new world. Her life consists now of work, therapy sessions and a support group. She and her husband, Derek, seem to be hanging on by a thread. Her world is about to shatter again as a private investigator, she hired to find her, finds some startling news. As Marin fills with rage and seeks to find her revenge, she learns who she can trust and who has truly betrayed her. Will she find her revenge? Will Marin ever find out what happened with her son?

What a story! Little Secrets starts with every parent’s worst nightmare and launches the reader into the aftermath as Marin tries to find answers and closure. Throughout the book, I was not sure if I liked Marin or any of the characters as they all had their own secrets and ulterior motives behind their actions. However, Ms. Hillier takes the reader on a roller coaster of a journey as the twists and turns keeps one guessing. The characters feel very relatable with real emotions and flaws. This is the type of story that the reader will not figure out, so do not even try. Just go along for the ride and watch as little clues reveal big secrets. I highly recommend Little Secrets!

Little Secrets

is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

A Million Little Things: a real to life drama show that takes an honest look at suicide, grief, and cancer

A Million Little Things is an American drama series which premiered on September 26, 2018 and currently finished its second season on Thursday nights on ABC. It has not been officially renewed for a third season, although it’s creator, DJ Nash, has hinted that an official renewal is coming. The show’s premise is “It has been said that friendship isn’t one big thing, it’s a million little things.” It has an ensemble cast: David Giuntoli (Eddie Saville), Grace Park (Katherine, Eddie’s wife), Romany Malco (Rome Howard), Christina Moses (Regina, Rome’s wife), Allison Miller (Maggie Bloom), James Roday (Gary Mendez) and Stephanie Szostak (Delilah Dixon). The show deals with suicide, depression, cancer, the grief process and the struggle to move on in a new light.

The show starts as just another day with this tight knit friends/family. Gary is at his doctor’s office, waiting on important test results. Rome is at home writing a suicide note before preparing to take a handful of pills. Eddie and Delilah are together on their weekly rendezvous. All seems normal until they all get the call. Jon Dixon (played by Ron Livingston), Delilah’s husband has just jumped off his office balcony to his death. His suicide is so out of the blue that the group of friends are left wondering what they didn’t see and so many questions that can never be answered. The four men, who became friends after getting stuck together in an elevator, bonded together by their love for the Boston Bruins and Jon, their de facto leader, their champion and cheerleader. Without him, the group struggles to find their center again. As they grieve and cope with the aftermath, secrets and drama are revealed as life goes on.

I started to watch the show because James Roday was in it. I love him in the USA show Psych (2006-2014) and I was curious to see him take on a dramatic role. From the beginning I enjoyed the show’s ability to tackle hard topics with honesty and heart. First, I appreciate the honest and openness about cancer especially male breast cancer. While rare, male breast cancer occurs in an estimated one in a thousand men will be diagnosed. I also appreciate the writers’ ability to show the truth about depression in men. Men are taught to be tough, to hide their emotions, and not to talk about their feelings. Depression occurs in about 9% of men while only 1 in 4 will seek profession help (American Psychological Association, 2015). I also liked the realistic portrayal of the grief process. The initial shock, the sadness and anger, especially the anger. The show is raw, it is real, and it is sometimes hard to watch.

There are a few things I don’t care for. At first, I didn’t care for Katherine, the high-powered attorney, and felt bad for Eddie, the hen-pecked stay at home dad. However, as season 2 opened, I started to like her take-no-prisoners approach and I saw how hurt and devasted she was by the situations. Actress Grace Park plays Katherine beautifully and I have enjoyed seeing her character evolve since episode 1. Second, I really don’t care for Katherine’s and Eddie’s son, Theo. I’m not sure if it how he is written or the young actor’s acting, but Theo comes off as annoying and sometimes a tad unbelievable as an 8-year-old. In season 2, Delilah gave birth to a daughter, Charlie, and every time the child is on screen, the baby is wearing a beanie. I understand that the show takes place in Boston so its cold, but a child doesn’t need her head covered all the time especially when inside.

In conclusion, I recommend A Million Little Things as a dramatic show which takes an honest look at grief, depression, cancer and the human ability or inability to deal with it all. It takes an honest look at suicide, its aftermath and its prevention. For fans of Psych, if you haven’t already, I recommend checking out the show to see James Roday in a dramatic role. He is just as talented in this role as he was in a comedic role. Every actor in this show fits his or her role perfectly and as you watch, you will grow to love the characters as you watch them in grief, struggle with unanswerable questions and find a way to move forward. If A Million Little Things open the conversation which saves lives from suicide, then it’s worth watching.

References

American Psychological Association (December 2015). By the Numbers. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2015/12/numbers. Retrieved March 7, 2020. 

The New Husband: a thrilling psychological roller coaster!

The New Husband by DJ Palmer is a psychological thriller which leads the reader on road of twists and turns as the story unravels to reveal the truth. Seventeen months prior, Nina Garrity’s husband, Glen, mysteriously disappeared while fishing. Presuming her husband to be dead, Nina has moved on. A new house and a new “husband.” Although she and Simon Fitch are married, they aren’t even engaged yet, they seemed to be on that path. While her 16-year-old son, Connor, welcomes the new relationship and the new changes, her 13-year-old daughter, Maggie, doesn’t. Still believing her father is alive, Maggie fights Simon’s intrusion at every turn and tries to get Nina to see what she sees but Nina just thinks Maggie is being a dramatic teenager. But soon things begin to happen that leads Nina to question everything she thought she knew about her husband’s disappearance and Simon’s past. What really happened to Glen? Was Simon involved? Will Nina find out the truth before it’s too late?

The New Husband is an exciting book which will keep you guessing. At first, I didn’t like the fact that the narrator would occasionally change as a new chapter begins; however, it soon became apparent why the author doesn’t give a warning. My suggestion is when you read the book, as a chapter opens, pay close attention to who is speaking. It is a very suspenseful and fast-moving book. Despite having 63 chapters, I was able to finish the book in a day. It held my attention that I did not want to put it down unless I absolutely had to! I didn’t care for Nina, first, because I felt she was moving on too quickly into a new relationship despite what she thought she knew about her husband’s disappearance. She should have waited a bit more before moving in with Simon. As I read, I wanted Nina to open her eyes and really listen to Maggie. I enjoyed Maggie’s side of the story more. Maggie was more than just a teenager who didn’t like the man who replaced her father in her mother’s life, he was a man she didn’t trust. I really enjoyed The New Husband and I recommend it to everyone who enjoys a thriller that will keep you guessing and on your toes until the end.

The New Husband

is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook