White Flag Moments

by

Jo Rae Johnson

SURRENDER ALL
Your Answer To Living With Peace
By Joni Lamb
199 pp. WaterBrook Press $19.99

Defeat, lose, quit—these are the words that come to mind when we think of surrender. Total surrender is not easily accomplished, nor is it a natural response to becoming a follower of Christ. It is, however, possible. Jesus modeled submission perfectly for us in the garden the night before his crucifixion. We are called to follow His lead.

Surrender All begins with Joni Lamb in a garden of sorts, a neighbor’s yard. Joni, age six, pushes her friend off a swing and soon discovers that confession is indeed good for the soul. As Joni’s story moves us through her dating years, she shares her first major white flag moment. Her choice to surrender to God’s will, and not her own, led her to new horizons and this white flag became a white wedding dress.

I enjoyed reading how Joni and her husband began Daystar, their Christian television ministry. God’s hand was evident and their growth and success has been miraculous. I was encouraged by Joni’s statement, “You may feel like you’re spinning your wheels, but let me assure you that God will use every one of your life experiences in preparation for what he has for you.”

Woven throughout the book are stories of fellow Christians who overcame serious obstacles. These stories bridged the gap between Joni’s Christian upbringing and those who didn’t grow up in a Christian environment. Through their struggles to overcome addictions, sexual promiscuity, and criminal activity, their ultimate surrender to Jesus Christ provides hope for everyone, no matter their past or upbringing.

While reading this book I realized I needed to redefine my idea of surrender. Waving the white flag is an internationally recognized protective sign. Persons carrying a white flag are not to be fired upon by the enemy. In effect, their surrender saves their life.

Coming to Christ and surrendering all to Him works the same way. Our relationship with Him gives us His protection and saves our life eternally. Sounds like a win to me.

DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE?

BOOK REVIEW

BY

JO RAE JOHNSON

From a distance you may think that Jones is a homeless man, alone with no family, and only a small suitcase of belongings. Move closer and Jones would tell you he’s a man with a wealth of places to stay, friends who love him like family, and possessions meant to be shared. Jones would say you might need to change your perspective.

Andy Andrews introduces us to Jones in his latest book, The Noticer. Andy is living under a pier and has no job, vehicle or family. Surprisingly, Jones doesn’t offer Andy quick solutions to his circumstances. He helps him find something far more valuable—hope. Andy’s first assignment is an unusual one, read three biographies. Jones explains to Andy, “Other people’s experience is the best teacher. By reading about the lives of great people, you can unlock the secrets to what made them great.”

Andy is the first of many people Jones will touch. A couple filing for divorce is taught the dialects of love. A depressed, divorced man learns “that a person could lose everything, chasing nothing.” A group of teenagers are taught to read life “leaves” to gain the vision necessary to pick a life partner. Jones meets a plethora of people at every age and circumstance in need of a change of attitude.

Willow, an older, widowed woman who believes her life is over will learn through Jones “the most important part of your life has not yet been lived.” A young, entrepreneur who sees dollar signs in lieu of people is instructed, “Life is like a game of Monopoly. You may own hotels on Boardwalk or you may be renting on Baltic Avenue. But in the end, it all goes back in the box.”

Have you ever met someone like Jones? Are you a Jones to others? This book opens the door to such questions and many others. How important are the circumstances in your life or is your perspective your greatest obstacle?

I once saw a toddler discover his hand. He moved his palm close to his face, eyes wide, and mouth open, intent on his flexing fingers. As I watched him, I felt envious of his ability to find delight in something I rarely notice. This book reminded me of that child and encourages me to look for new perspectives on everyday situations.

Remember the song, “Be careful little eyes what you see?” Today, with the doom and gloom of the news media, I find myself needing vision correction in order to keep a positive focus. While reading this book, I realized Jones had a message for me too. “Whatever you focus upon, increases.” I’m putting on my rose colored glasses; it’s going to be a beautiful day and good things are coming my way!

WHAT'S AGE GOT TO DO WITH IT BOOK REVIEW

BABE OR BANSHEE?

BOOK REVIEW BY JO RAE JOHNSON

Much like the introductions in an AA meeting, Robin McGraw—wife of the ubiquitous Dr. Phil—is fifty-five and refreshingly honest about it. In her newest book, What's Age Got To Do With It, readers are rewarded with a total body makeover via Robin’s experience and field of experts’ advice.

You can't help but like McGraw, her sincerity seeps through the pores of the pages. After losing her mother to a massive heart attack, McGraw stepped onto her vanity stool to share the message we needed to hear—taking care of yourself should be your first priority. Not doing so can (as in the case of her mother) be the death of you.

Professionals in nutrition, skin care, compound pharmaceuticals, gynecology, alternative internal medicine, psychology, makeup, fashion, and hair color are quoted in this beauty bible. Chapters include Robin’s recipes for better health and beauty, called Robin’s Rx, as well as a question- and-answer section from her collection of experts.

Although I found this book entertaining, I felt it lacked depth. The book's chapter on hormones fell short in providing information for a major sector of women, women in surgical menopause. McGraw’s endorsement of bio-identical hormone replacement, however, was a timely one and falls on the high heels of the national media’s attention to the subject. She combats the notion that the change from babe to banshee is an inevitable one. Robin asserts natural hormone replacement, and sleeping naked, can leave the pharmaceutical companies sweating alone.

The chapter on Faith, at just 4 ½ pages, read like an afterthought. I would have enjoyed reading how McGraw’s relationship with Christ was shared with those in her makeover chair. After all, a life with Him is truly age defying, it’s eternal.

What’s Age Got To Do With It blows out the myth that the number of candles on your cake could mean you’re old. But don’t eat the cake. Robin says sugar causes wrinkles.

THINK AND MAKE IT HAPPEN BOOK REVIEW

Dr. Cury's book, Think and Make It Happen, provides twelve principles for "developing your extraordinary mind" to "gain the happiness you seek, and achieve maximum impact in the world around you." Jesus is given as our model--a uniquely qualified mentor and the ultimate author of His own life (Principle #1).

I was immediately attracted to Dr. Cury's emphasis on the people skills of Jesus. No one dealt with difficult people better than He. Recognizing Jesus' use of silence, the pregnant pause, and questions, (often in a hostile environment), Cury applauds Jesus' wisdom and mastery of self control.

Dr. Cury's wish to separate Jesus the man from Jesus as God is unsettling. It is impossible, in this writer's view, to separate the deity of Christ from His humanity. Cury appears to try to diminish Jesus in order to appease those with "any form of belief, including atheism." Most Christians attempt to emulate Jesus, and His character, with the full knowledge that He, as God, was sinless, and we are not. Jesus did not leave us discouraged in that knowledge. His Word provides us with ample examples of men and women who sought to live as Christ lived, and fell short of the mark. His outstreached arms and loving heart were much like a parent assisting a child in taking their first steps. There is no doubt the child will fall. The child has no doubt that the parent will help them up.

Contemplate Beauty, Unleash Creativity, and Turn Life into a Celebration (Principles 7, 8 and 12) are worthy and notable pursuits. Although not new concepts, Cury encourages the rediscovery of the senses to experience beauty and the element of surprise to set up creative moments. Cury recommends turning life into a celebration by rescuing lost dreams and establishing strategies to celebrate life.

Overall, I felt Dr. Cury's book would have been more effective if there had been less psychiatric "jargon." This book could have been a more enlightening and entertaining read if he had expanded his coverage of the character of Jesus, and the relationship skills He demonstrated. Jesus is the only role model needed when looking for the perfect man to handle imperfect situations. It would also have been an advantage to further compare the disparity of our interactions with man versus humanity's interactions with the Son of Man.