Blog Tour and Review: Why God Matters
1:14 AM
About Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life
Hardcover: 114 pagesPublisher: Tribute Books (May 3, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0982256531
ISBN-13: 978-0982256534
Many times one sees Roman Catholicism explained using either closely reasoned theology or an appeal to ancient writers of the Church. While both are legitimate approaches, the average reader looking to explore the faith is often left cold. In their collaboration, Why God Matters, Deacon Steven Lumbert and his daughter, Karina Lumbert Fabian, delineate the Catholic Faith as experienced by a pair of average, everyday people like the great majority who make up the 24% of Americans who share this religion.
In the stories of this pair, one see both ways people come to Catholicism, by birth (“cradle Catholics”) and by conversion. Their descriptions of their separate paths thankfully lack the religiosity of the all too common ‘and then a miracle takes place’ school of religious experience. Rather than blasts of light, fiery swords, spiritual fistfights, and angelic choirs, theirs is the long religious slog of the everyday. The effort that one must put out each day in the long trek to Heaven.
What is Catholicism really like? One would be hard-put to find a better verbal painting of the faith so many call their own.”
Read the Excerpt!
Love in a Pot of Rice
Karina You know well enough that our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, nor even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them
–St. Therese of Lisieux
One meal that always connects me to my heritage is arroz con pollo—chicken and rice. For me, this meal doesn’t so much represent an ethnic identity, it symbolizes the love and generosity of my family.
My mother is the seventh child of ten, born to a very poor family in Puerto Rico. They bought shoes only for the winter, shared two toys at Christmas (a game and a ball), and meat for dinner was a rare treat. Yet my grandfather, a schoolteacher, regularly brought home the students who lived too far away to walk home from school during the week, and they shared the family meal. My grandmother would say, “If I can feed ten, I can feed twelve.” When I cook arroz con pollo, I imagine her adding a cup of rice to stretch their meal, giving of their need rather than their wealth.
Many of my grandparents’ children escaped poverty, becoming doctors and social workers, businesspeople and spouses. However, they never lost their legacy of charity. When one is in need, the others are there. I remember when a hurricane took the roof off my grandparent’s house, where several grown children still lived. In Colorado, my mother combed the garage sales for linens and clothes to replace those ruined by the storm, and all contributed what funds they could to repair the roof. Years later, my grandmother died in that home, cared for by her children and grandchildren.
My own parents carried on that legacy, which, like my grandparents’, spread beyond family. Our friends were welcome in our homes, sometimes more than in their own homes. My parents called them their “love daughters” and supported them in their extra-curriculars, and on occasion, took them into our home. Several still call them “Mom and Dad.” When we did not have treasure, my parents gave of their time and talent. My dad made costumes for the school play; my mother was always crafting for someone. Mostly, though, they gave of their love.
When I’d given birth to my daughter, my mom came to visit for several weeks, and she met a pregnant friend who said she had only one craving: arroz con pollo. The next time we saw her, Mom had it ready.
As a mother myself, I must now carry on this legacy by setting an example for my children. Far wealthier than my parents or grandparents ever were, we do our best to give to the Church and to charities—and we involve our children in that. We also do our best to be available to their friends as well as to them. This year, I pack an extra lunch each day for Amber’s best friend. It’s a little thing, yet it connects me to my grandmother somehow.
Last night, I made arroz con pollo. It’s a different recipe, because I’m not the cook my mother is, yet it brought me back to my past, and my mother’s past, and to roots deeply embedded in charitable love.
Life Lesson
God calls us to be the first teachers to our children in living a life of faith, hope, and charity.
How did your parents teach you this? How are you teaching your own children? Spend some time in reflection and prayer today, then find something that ties you to that heritage—or inspires you to build a new heritage for your children.
Karina You know well enough that our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, nor even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them
–St. Therese of Lisieux
One meal that always connects me to my heritage is arroz con pollo—chicken and rice. For me, this meal doesn’t so much represent an ethnic identity, it symbolizes the love and generosity of my family.
My mother is the seventh child of ten, born to a very poor family in Puerto Rico. They bought shoes only for the winter, shared two toys at Christmas (a game and a ball), and meat for dinner was a rare treat. Yet my grandfather, a schoolteacher, regularly brought home the students who lived too far away to walk home from school during the week, and they shared the family meal. My grandmother would say, “If I can feed ten, I can feed twelve.” When I cook arroz con pollo, I imagine her adding a cup of rice to stretch their meal, giving of their need rather than their wealth.
Many of my grandparents’ children escaped poverty, becoming doctors and social workers, businesspeople and spouses. However, they never lost their legacy of charity. When one is in need, the others are there. I remember when a hurricane took the roof off my grandparent’s house, where several grown children still lived. In Colorado, my mother combed the garage sales for linens and clothes to replace those ruined by the storm, and all contributed what funds they could to repair the roof. Years later, my grandmother died in that home, cared for by her children and grandchildren.
My own parents carried on that legacy, which, like my grandparents’, spread beyond family. Our friends were welcome in our homes, sometimes more than in their own homes. My parents called them their “love daughters” and supported them in their extra-curriculars, and on occasion, took them into our home. Several still call them “Mom and Dad.” When we did not have treasure, my parents gave of their time and talent. My dad made costumes for the school play; my mother was always crafting for someone. Mostly, though, they gave of their love.
When I’d given birth to my daughter, my mom came to visit for several weeks, and she met a pregnant friend who said she had only one craving: arroz con pollo. The next time we saw her, Mom had it ready.
As a mother myself, I must now carry on this legacy by setting an example for my children. Far wealthier than my parents or grandparents ever were, we do our best to give to the Church and to charities—and we involve our children in that. We also do our best to be available to their friends as well as to them. This year, I pack an extra lunch each day for Amber’s best friend. It’s a little thing, yet it connects me to my grandmother somehow.
Last night, I made arroz con pollo. It’s a different recipe, because I’m not the cook my mother is, yet it brought me back to my past, and my mother’s past, and to roots deeply embedded in charitable love.
Life Lesson
God calls us to be the first teachers to our children in living a life of faith, hope, and charity.
How did your parents teach you this? How are you teaching your own children? Spend some time in reflection and prayer today, then find something that ties you to that heritage—or inspires you to build a new heritage for your children.
About The Authors
Karina Fabian
Karina (Lumbert) Fabian was born into the Catholic faith, but truly grew to love it as an adult. As a busy mother of four, she finds some of her strongest encounters with God’s love happen in the ordinary events of the day-to-day. Karina started her writing career with diocesan newspapers but ahs settled into writing fun-filled fantasy and science fiction that nonetheless incorporates the principles of faith-filled living. Her web site is http://www.karinafabian.com/ and her blog is at http://fabianspace.blogspot.com.Deacon Steven Lumbert
Deacon Steven Lumbert officially converted to Catholicism in 1988, but had been a “practicing” Catholic long before that. He met his lovely and loving wife, Socorro, while serving in Roosevelt Roads Naval Base in Puerto Rico in 1966. They raised their daughters, Karina and Regina, in the faith. Steve spent 30 years as a Colorado State Trooper, but retired when God called him to the diaconate. Currently, he serves the Diocese of Pueblo as Associate Director of Deacon Formation.
My Review
This was an interesting look at the Catholic faith for me. As someone who married into a Catholic family, even I saw a side that I had not previously experienced. Whatever your faith background, I think in this book you can find common ground and a little understanding as well. While I didn't agree with everything, for me I thought the book explained the passion behind the faith. I grew up in an area of 'every Saturday night' Catholics where I saw more of the 'going because it's a habit' type of faith. This is a very interesting read and will probably open up your eyes to something you didn't know about this interesting and historic faith.
Read the Reviews!
“Reflective, relevant and enjoyable,
especially for those who find God absent.
It reminds you how God is at work in all
aspects of your life.”
FATHER MICHAEL LOUIS GELFANT
Brooklyn, New York
“Real life stories point out how and where
we can find God working in our lives.
There is a lot to meditate on and each
page leaves something with you. I could
not put it down.”
SISTER MONICA ANNE BLAZUK, CSSF
Livonia, Michigan
“The entries in this devotional are special
because they are not grandiose,
overblown or ‘Charlton Heston-esque,’
but rather, they are small, personal,
normal – yet significant.”
NICK ALEXANDER
Catholic comedian, keynote speaker
& worship leader
Why God Matters Tour Schedule
Tuesday, June 1
Interviewed at Book Marketing Buzz
Book reviewed at Spiritual Woman
Wednesday, June 2
Guest blogging at As the Pages Turn
Thursday, June 3
Book spotlighted at Examiner
Friday, June 4
Book reviewed at The NY Book Journal
Monday, June 7
Interviewed at Personovelty
Guest blogging at Fabianspace
Tuesday, June 8
Interviewed at Pump Up Your Book
Interviewed at Divine Caroline
Wednesday, June 9
Guest blogging & book giveaway at Catholic Chicks
Thursday, June 10
Interviewed at Gloria’s Corner
Friday, June 11
Book reviewed at Putting Words on Paper
Guest blogging at Writing Daze
Monday, June 14
Interviewed at Putting Words on Paper
Guest blogging at Cafe of Dreams
Interview at Greta Writes
Guest blogging at Fabianspace
Tuesday, June 15
Guest blogging at Literarily Speaking
Wednesday, June 16
Interviewed at Beyond the Books
Interviewed at Blogcritics
Guest blogging at You Can Write a Novel
Thursday, June 17
Book reviewed at Lynn’s Corner
Friday, June 18
Guest blogging at Lynn’s Corner
Monday, June 21
Interviewed at The Hot Author Report
Book reviewed at Marta’s Meanderings
Guest blogging at Fabianspace
Tuesday, June 22
Book reviewed at Reading at the Beach
Wednesday, June 23
Guest blogging at The Book Boost
Thursday, June 24
Book reviewed at The Book Connection
Interviewed on Introducing Writers Radio Show
Friday, June 25
Interviewed at The Writer’s Life
Thanks to Pump Up Your Book Tours
for providing me with a copy of this book to review!
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