Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

Non-fiction

Like sitting at the table with a friend: Review of Love Letters to Writers by Andi Cumbo-Floyd

This book review is for the writers, and other creative types, so I won’t take offense if that doesn’t apply to you and you decide to skip this post.

Writing can be such solitary work. I didn’t realize until after I had left newsrooms how lucky I was to go to work every day with people like me–writers–and how lonely and difficult it can be to find those same people one by one out in the rest of the world. (We’re kind of a unique bunch and not everyone “gets” us. That’s not arrogant. It’s just true.)

While I have found fellow writer friends in real life, online writing communities have been a lifesaver as well. If you are a writer looking for your people, I can recommend this Facebook group, which is most valuable if you show up and participate. I’ve set goals weekly (and met them) for months because of this group.

The group is led by Andi Cumbo-Floyd, an experienced author, editor, writer, publisher, farm girl and all-around delightful human being. (If you can get to Virginia in June for the writing retreat she hosts, do it. It is magical in its simplicity.)

Andi has been writing letters to writers for years, sharing tips and encouragement from her own life and experiences. Now, she’s put more than 50 of those letters in a book that is officially out in the world. (Is that cover not gorgeous and inviting?)

Love Letters to Writers is an encouraging book to keep on hand for the days when you doubt yourself, your writing, or your path as a creator. Andi urges writers both to “keep going” and “wait,” to lean in to the changing seasons of a creative life. This grace-filled book is full of me-too moments.

I had the chance to read an advance digital copy of the book, and I can assure you that I’m getting a paperback copy to set next to me while I write so I can refer to its wisdom often.

If your writing life seems a bit lonely, or if you are wrestling with doubts, or if you just want to hear from someone else who understands how this creative brain of yours works, then don’t hesitate to get a copy of Love Letters to Writers.

Find out how you can get connected with Andi and the other writers in the group here.

And check out these links to order the book. (As of this writing, Barnes and Noble had the paperback for $10!)

For a digital copy of the book, all formats, click here.

Barnes and Noble for that paperback deal is here.

And, of course, Amazon has it as well here.

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Seeing God anew: Review of Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God by Brian Zahnd

I don’t remember reading Jonathan Edwards’ famous sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” although my high school English teacher assures me I did. I have, however, been living with that image of God in my mind for most of my Christian life. Only recently have I begun to consider and embrace the idea of God being more loving than I could imagine.

Reading Brian Zahnd’s book Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God: The Scandalous Truth of the Very Good News is the “yes and amen” to what I’ve been sensing about the heart of God. In it, Zahnd recounts his own obsession with the Edwards sermon and how he used it in his preaching and early ministry years, and the turn he made toward the God of love. He addresses such controversial and convoluted themes as vengeance, hell and the book of Revelation. Zahnd asks challenging questions and makes startling statements that are meant to draw people closer to the God of love.

I will admit that this is a hard read, especially if you have a fundamental/conservative church background or experience. Many of the things I read in this book I would have dismissed if I had read this book years ago. Now, though, they are encouraging in this place of my faith journey.

Some examples:

We must constantly resist the temptation to cast ourselves in the role of those who deserve mercy while casting those outside our circle in the role of those who deserve vengeance. Jesus will have no part of that kind of ugly tribalism and triumphalism. Clinging to our lust for vengeance, we lose Jesus. But if we can say amen to Jesus closing the book on vengeance, then Jesus will remain with us to teach us the more excellent way of love. (p. 45)

Jesus taught that the Golden Rule is the narrow gate that leads to life. The narrow gate is not a sinner’s prayer but a life of love and mercy. The way of self-interest that exploits the weak is the wide road to destruction; the way of co-suffering love that cares for the weak is the narrow road that leads to life. (p. 129)

I’m going to be thinking about this stuff for a while, and I’m grateful for a vision of God and his mercy that rings true to the life of Jesus.

(Disclosure: I received a copy of the book from the publisher through the Blogging For Books program. Review reflects my personal opinion.)