A DOUBTER'S GUIDE TO THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Saturday, July 23, 2016

A DOUBTER'S GUIDED TO THE
TEN COMMANDMENTS
How, For Better Or Worse, Our Ideas About
The Good Life Come From Moses And Jesus
By John Dickson

OVERVIEW: In A Doubter's Guide to the Ten Commandments, bestselling author John Dickson explores how these ten ancient instructions have not only changed our world but show us what the Good Life looks like as well. Whether or not one believes in the Bible, these instructions open up a window to the Western world and on our own souls.

AUTHOR: John Dickson (PhD, Ancient History) is an Honorary Fellow of the Department of Ancient History at Macquarie University, Founding Director of the Centre for Public Christianity, and Senior Minister of  St. Andrew's Roseville. The author of more than a dozen books, he is the host of two major historical documentaries for Australian television, and is a busy public speaker, university lecturer, and media commentator.

MY REVIEW: This is a good book about an important subject. It is well written but not an "easy" read. It is practical but scholarly and therefore needs to be read slowly and meditated upon. "Skeptics and believers alike will find fresh insights and new topics of discussion, and, quite possibly, renewed bones of contention as they take a deeper look at the Ten Commandments that have helped shape our world."

Dickson explains each of the Ten Commandments in their original Hebrew context. And then he also explains how Mose's commandments were "transposed" by Jesus into a melody being sung even today. We still turn to them to discuss what constitutes the Good. This book should be of value to your whether you are a believer or a doubter. It is an interesting account of the influence of the Ten Commandments in moral decisions. The book offers inspiration for the Good life itself. Dickson wrote the book hoping to show that this most ancient of Western traditions is as current as Google and Wikipedia—more so. I think he accomplished that. I recommend this book to all who are interested in morality and genuine ethical freedom.

(I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for a fair and honest review.)

BARONS OF THE BELTWAY

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

BARONS OF THE BELTWAY
Inside The Princely World Of Our
Washington Elite—And How To 
Overthrow Them
By Michelle Fields

OVERVIEW: In Barons of the Beltway, Michelle Fields exposes the hidden perks, the freebies, and the ego stroking that define life for a political class that is out of touch and out to lunch. Put under the spotlight are figures such as Congress woman Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, and Vice President Joe Biden, who continue to abuse their power, build their personal fortunes, and climb up the Washington ladder. And, while our Founding fathers started a revolution to break away from an entrenched aristocracy, it's clear that America is beginning to have one of its own. This book reveals how to overthrow our political class in order to return to the principles the Founding Fathers originally envisioned for America—a country of greater opportunity that we can pass on to the next generations.

AUTHOR: Michelle Fields is a political reporter who has held positions at Fox News, Breitbart, PJ Media, and the Daily Caller. In addition to her reporting work, Michelle has appeared on C-SPAN, CNBC, Sky News, and various programs on the Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network.

MY REVIEW: Barons of the Beltway is the story of a political class that has lost its way and lost touch with the people it is supposed to serve. I am very interested in that story and it's my opinion that you should be too. So I'm recommending this good book to all Americans interested in the waste and corruption in government politics. Fields doesn't just point out the waste and corruption. She tells how everyday Americans can take the country back from those who distort its values for personal gain.

Michelle Fields is an excellent story teller. She takes you behind the scenes. She takes you where not many have dared to go. You will laugh to keep from crying. Two of my favorite chapters are, Do as We Say, Not as We Do and Narcissism: "Extreme Selfishness, with a Grandiose View of One's Own talents and a Craving for Admiration."

Fields reveals that today our public servants are chauffeured to their Capitol Hill offices by town cars even when they live only two blocks away. They enjoy their own taxpayer-subsidized Senate Hair Care Services, vacation with their families in exotic locations for free, and exempt themselves and their friends from the laws that they create.

Again, the most important part of this book is that it gives a way to overthrow the Washington elite and get rid of the corruption.

(I received this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.)

GRIEVING THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE

Monday, June 27, 2016

GRIEVING THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE
A Devotional of Comfort as You Mourn
By Kathe Wunnenberg

OVERVIEW: As a fellow griever who has experienced the death of children, family members, and a close friend, Kathe Wunnenberg empathizes with your anguish. With Scriptures, prayers, and journaling space, her wise and tender devotions will validate your pain, comfort you and give you courage to press on.

AUTHOR: Kathe Wunnenberg is the author of Grieving the Loss of a Loved One, Grieving the Child I Never Knew, Longing for a Child, and Hopelifter: Creative Ways to Spread Hope When Life Hurts. She is the founder and president of Hopelifters Unlimited and lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband. They have three living sons and four children in heaven. To learn more, connect with Kathe at www.hopelifters.com, or follow her on Facebook at Hopelifters Unlimited or Twitter@hopelifters.

MY REVIEW: Splended! This is a book of wise and tender devotions. Kathe understands your pain and her book will comfort you and help you to move on through your grief.

Regardless of the circumstances the death of a loved one is one of the most painful things you can face in life. When faced with this kind of grief we all look for help and hope. This book provides that.
I feel that God has used Kathe and her losses to show us His heart. He book is filled with compassion that comes from Him. She helps those who are grieving to know that they are not alone in their grief. She points us all to God, who lost His only Son and who understands our worst pain.

This is a book you will want to read and then share with others. You will want to purchase copies to give to your friends.

(I received this book From BookLook Bloggers in exchange for a fair and honest review.)

HABITS OF THE HEART---I Have A Dream

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Alexis de Tocqueville saw clearly that it was the "goodness" of the American people that made America great

I have a dream that once again this truth will be recognized and lived out in our lives.

Tocqueville recognized that the secret to America;s freedom was American virtue.

The thing that once set us apart was our behavior. He, along with men like Franklin and Adams, believed that "Liberty cannot be established without morality." He referred to these fundamental morals as "habits of the heart."

I'm eighty-one. I have a dream. A dream to see a time WHEN:

All across America children will be allowed to play outside the home without fear.

Women will be able to be alone in the city, day or night, without fear.

 Judges, lawyers, government officials and all those in authority are treated with respect----and deserve it.

Teachers truly care for the ones they teach and teach only what is right and good.

We care for the less fortunate and do unto other as we would have others do unto us.

A person is free to start a business, hire whomever he wants, pay whatever they agree on. Sell or not sell to whomever he chooses.

All churches have Sunday School, starting with the youngest to the oldest where the Bible is taught with great respect and passion.

All people, regardless of race, color or creed are treated as equal.

Every American abides by the law and is FREE to live life as he/she sees fit.

I HAVE A DREAM THAT WE ONCE AGAIN REALIZE THAT LAWS CANNOT FORCE PEOPLE TO DO RIGHT. DOING RIGHT HAS TO BE "HABITS OF THE HEART."

"Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good she will cease to be great."

(A summation of Alexis de Tocqueville.) 

UNLEASHING THE MIRACULOUS IN YOUR EVERYDAY WORLD

Thursday, June 16, 2016

THE SPIRIT CONTEMPORARY LIFE
Unleashing the Miraculous in your Everyday World
By Leon Fontaine

OVERVIEW: The Spirit Contemporary way of life involves communicating with others as Jesus would, using their language, stories, and settings. Leon draws on biblical truth and personal stories to reveal how this dynamic first-century faith can be yours when you live so in tune with God that you're guided in ways that are both natural and supernatural.

AUTHOR: LEON FONTAINE is senior pastor of Springs Church, one of the largest inter-denominational churches in Canada, with six campuses across two provinces. He is CEO of Miracle Channel, Canada's only twenty-four hour Christian family network, and host of The Leon Show, a daily interview program that airs in 150 countries. Leon and his wife, Sally, have five children who are all passionately serving in ministry.

MY REVIEW: Leon Fontaine paraphrases John 10:10 to read: "Jesus came so we could get a life." That's good. We can all understand that and I think that is what He came for. Fontaine's book will help you get that life.

The Spirit Contemporary Life points out many problems facing the church and then a solution is offered. Fontaine says that since we know the message about Jesus and the Holy Spirit's power to influence our lives is incredible, the problem has to lie with the messengers. It has to be us. We are the problem. He then says there is a simple solution. We need to learn to communicate Jesus' message in the context of our normal, everyday lives so that what we say and the way we say it doesn't send people running.

Fontaine tells many stories and that is good. Do I agree that everything he thinks was a miracle, really was a miracle? I don't know. I know he thinks they were. They may have been. I don't know. I do believe in miracles. I just don't believe everything called a miracle is a miracle of God. That's all. You will have to decide.

One problem I have with Fontaine's thinking is the title for his book and the way he thinks we should refer to the Holy Spirit. He wants Christians to stop using words like "glory," "hallelujah," and "amen in our everyday speech. I don't have a problem with that. But why use a title like The Spirit Contemporary Life? Maybe it's just me but I don't understand that title. And I am going to continue to say "The Holy Spirit" not just "Holy Spirit." I disagree with his reasoning for doing so. Most translations of the Bible read, The Holy Spirit.

(I received this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.)

I DON'T WAIT ANYMORE

Thursday, June 09, 2016

I DON'T WAIT ANYMORE
Letting Go of Expectations and Grasping
God's Adventure for You
By Grace Thornton

OVERVIEW: In I Don’t Wait Anymore, Grace Thornton challenges readers to find their calling and purpose from God and go after it with completely committed hearts. Have you been waiting for life to turn out the way you expected? 

You’re not alone.

There are lots of us out there who feel that way. Grace Thornton is one. She had dreams, plans, and ideas for what life should look like. For one, she thought she’d be married. She thought she’d have kids. She thought God would bring her the life she’d been waiting for because she knew He was good and she tried to be obedient.

But that’s not what happened. Not at all.

So she found herself wrestling with God. Who is He if He doesn’t bring along the life, husband, and 2.5 kids she thought He was supposed to? And where should she go from there?

When she got brutally honest with herself and asked the hard question, “Why do I think the world has more to offer than God does?” the answer was stunning. Her honesty led to the path God had for her. One that would write a story for her life that was even better than the one she had dreamed for herself.

This positive and encouraging book offers inspiration to anyone who wants to live a fulfilling life right now. Grace decided to let go of her expectations of the way life “should be” and grasp God’s hand for the adventure He had for her. You can too.

AUTHOR: Grace Thornton loves a good story. She believes that God writes the best stories, even when our lives may not look anything like what we imagined. As a storyteller and blogger, Grace has found her narrative taking her all over the world. She’s passionate about knowing God through His Word and encouraging others to discover Him and let Him write the story of their lives too. Her blog, gracefortheroad.com, received more than 2 million visits after her post “I Don’t Wait Anymore,” on living fully as a single person, went viral in 2012.

MY REVIEW: It seems like I have been waiting all my life for life to be as it "should be." This positive and encouraging book has helped me to start living a fulfilling life right now and stop waiting for something else. Grace Thornton has inspired me to grasp the adventure God has for me. I think her book will help you too.

I agree with Matt Matson, Senior Pastor of The Church at Brook Hills who said: "There's something about a story that helps truth to sink in. Grace invites us into an intimate journey of faith. Page by page, she leads the reader to the greatness and beauty of the God who is near and sovereign and satisfying. Read and let your roots sink deep into realities that will not only hold you fast when life hurts but will equip you to live for the glory of God."

I like that on the opening page she quotes Jeremiah 29:13 "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." As a result of reading Grace's book and a recommendation found on her blog, I am now reading ten chapters of the Bible every day. I'm on an adventure with God.

(I received this book from BookLook Bloggers A Division of Thomas Nelson Publishing in exchange for a fair and honest review.)