Lucinda J. Miller

Anything But Simple chronicles the life of Lucinda J. Miller. This story of her life explores how a Mennonite girl embraces her faith in God and Jesus Christ while balancing a desire to be a writer in addition to teaching.

I loved reading about her family’s life and how she reconciled her faith and her desires. Perhaps my experiences with being part of the Primitive Baptist church where our preachers experience a call from God and do not receive a salary. I loved seeing the Mennonite faith from someone inside.

So if you enjoy real perspectives from someone who walks in two worlds, check out this book for yoursel

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.… (mer)

There are some books you read for the story and the information they can give you. Other books are just for fun, but this one was one I’ve been wanting to read for years because I had “met” the author through her blog, and I was intrigued by her story. Some people lead wildly adventurous lives, and that’s always interesting to read about because their lives are so different from our own. But most people lead fairly normal lives, and I’m always intrigued when someone can take their “normal” life (that often feels quite ABNORMAL to most of us!) and share it in a way that is both interesting and inspiring.

Somehow, through sharing her life story here, Lucinda does just that. She takes what was her normal and shares it as it was, but in a way that drew me in and made me want to keep reading—to understand more clearly WHO she was as a person and WHY she did things the way she did. From growing up in her large, loving family to her struggles with her faith, she paints a picture of a woman any of us could call a friend.

Hearing her story—and seeing her honesty in sharing some of her and her family’s struggles over the years—was a great encouragement to me. I came away from this book with a lot to mull over, and a greater appreciation for Christians in many different parts of the world and their different ways of seeking to follow the Lord wholeheartedly.

I was given a review copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.… (mer)

It is well known that many of us are curious about Mennonites. We have this perception that they are very strict in their beliefs, dress very plain and live close to each other in communities. An interesting topic I didn’t know about the Mennonite was that they don’t agree with the Amish about shunning. The Amish are very strict in shunning whether it be against modern technology or someone who has sinned against their standards. Mennonite people don’t practice shunning and I was stunned to learn this. I thought I knew enough about them that I considered them different and not very friendly. As I read this book, I wanted to have an open mind and see where I have misjudged them and what I could learn from the author.

The first few pages of the book took me by surprise. I couldn’t believe what her father had stood in front of the congregation and shared. I never picture Mennonite people disobeying or even doing violence. Then I saw inside this man the pain of fighting against two worlds. I liked how he talked about respecting the church leaders even if we don’t agree with them. Oh what a lesson we can all learn from that statement. It is okay to disagree with our spiritual leaders, but God wants us to honor them. After all He placed them as authority over us.

The author allows us a peek inside her life growing up and shares details that I was intrigued by. Her parents story about marrying and starting their lives together are interesting to read about. They shaped their children in a home filled with love for others and God. The Mennonite choose their bishop in a way that makes sense but still seems different for me.

I enjoyed reading the book and becoming more acquainted with someone who may live a life different than me but still have big dreams . Her desire to be an author was a hard journey at times but I appreciate her honesty and willingness to share her thoughts with us.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.… (mer)