Andy Andrews is without doubt a masterful story-teller. His Heart Mender was an inspiring tale of an individual driven by humanity in a land gripped by fear. I couldn’t put if down, once begun.
This tale (The Final Summit)was different-I had to read it straight through though intuitively troubled in each chapter.
The cast of characters (travelers from throughout history who made significant contributions to civilization’s advance) are assembled in a final summit to discover the one thing necessary to save civilization.
Each character and the contribution selected was designed to drive home the story’s final solution.
Ignored is the fact some contributions of some of the characters directly contributed to the problem the council was assembled to correct, which contributions were themselves an application of what is determined to be the “final solution”.
Somewhere there has to be irony in this story. The Final Summit producing the final solution is awfully reminiscent of another final solution in which the “one principle” was implemented.
The summit’s process and the suggestions offered were in themselves motivating; but, the “one principle” was to me chilling.
Strange as it seems, I watch this principle being implemented even today in the Middle East and now, North Africa.
Chilling.
Received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Pearcey Report
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Challenge and Intrigue
Project Azorian is another example of US ingenuity and “can do spirit”, alongside an unfettered government agency’s power.
Because the American populace was brainwashed by its own government as to the Soviet threat, it was easy for agencies to justify their actions toward raising this Soviet submarine without the knowledge of the Soviet government or the American public which was footing the bill.
The feat was an unbelievable achievement on all counts.
Personally, as I read the account my mind was drawn to a statement made by God and recorded in Genesis 11:6, “…and now, nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do…”.
In my lifetime, I have seen this evidenced in our space accomplishments along with some many other feats! If we can imagine it, given time, we will do it.
But, the costs associated with the achievements are quite often too high.
This achievement came to pass while the erosion of our republican form of government was accelerating. Prior to this, with the passage of the National Security Act of 1947 an agency was created which since, has grown to an extent unimagined and currently unrestrained.
This agency controlled this feat…and unbelievable feat, to be sure, but one which ultimately contributed to the demise of the republic alongside that of The Bay of Pigs and other covert ops far too numerous to catalogue.
Still, let me reiterate, this feat is a commendation to the ingenuity, creativity, labor and sacrifice of all those involved. Those involved on all levels, save for the governmental, are to be commended.
The authors have made this bit of history a fascinating read…I couldn’t put it down til finished!
Because the American populace was brainwashed by its own government as to the Soviet threat, it was easy for agencies to justify their actions toward raising this Soviet submarine without the knowledge of the Soviet government or the American public which was footing the bill.
The feat was an unbelievable achievement on all counts.
Personally, as I read the account my mind was drawn to a statement made by God and recorded in Genesis 11:6, “…and now, nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do…”.
In my lifetime, I have seen this evidenced in our space accomplishments along with some many other feats! If we can imagine it, given time, we will do it.
But, the costs associated with the achievements are quite often too high.
This achievement came to pass while the erosion of our republican form of government was accelerating. Prior to this, with the passage of the National Security Act of 1947 an agency was created which since, has grown to an extent unimagined and currently unrestrained.
This agency controlled this feat…and unbelievable feat, to be sure, but one which ultimately contributed to the demise of the republic alongside that of The Bay of Pigs and other covert ops far too numerous to catalogue.
Still, let me reiterate, this feat is a commendation to the ingenuity, creativity, labor and sacrifice of all those involved. Those involved on all levels, save for the governmental, are to be commended.
The authors have made this bit of history a fascinating read…I couldn’t put it down til finished!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Provocative Read
The Fight Of Our Lives, Bennett & Leibsohn
To me, the authors sounded as “court historians”. I could not see where they acknowledged any errors on our part, nationally, in terms of Foreign policy.
Mercy: one might suggest we “turned right at third base” in terms of foreign policy in the late 1800s when we “enocuntererd” Spain and began our imperialistic advance, bringing democracy at the point of the gun. (Does Mao come to mind?)
From that time til today “nationalism” has been cloaked in the garb of “patriotism” such that when the national Anthem begins, the flag starts to wave, and the mantra “support our troops" is voiced rational thinking ends.
The authors are correct: Islam is a threat, be it radical or moderate.
Islam is a potent threat, in my opinion, for two chief erasons: 1) Ignorance of Islam as advanced in the Koran and the Hadiths and, 2) our Imperialistic policies masked under the Rubric of advancing democracy.
Islam is not simply a religious system.
It is a religious/political system, inseparably. As such, it cannot logically co-exist with any other religious system.
It is a different kind of “leaven”. That is, it is not a leaven of persuasion, but a leaven of force. Its tool of persuasion is the “sword”, making it philosophically incompatible with the American ethic.
Just as in the 1800s Mormonism had to bow to the American ethic in terms of polygamy, so too must Islam be “forced” to bow to the historical American commitment to religious tolerance exemplified by William Penn and others.
Bottom line: in my opinion Islam cannot agree to this.
Where does this leave us, in my opinion? In the Fight of our Lives.
As with our exclusion of religions given to Cannabalism, Polygamy, Human Sacrifice, etc. from our body politic it may be time to include Islam as a general category and those immigrants who religiously adhere to the teachings of Islam.
Radical?
The authors suggest we are in “The Fight of our Lives”
Received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
To me, the authors sounded as “court historians”. I could not see where they acknowledged any errors on our part, nationally, in terms of Foreign policy.
Mercy: one might suggest we “turned right at third base” in terms of foreign policy in the late 1800s when we “enocuntererd” Spain and began our imperialistic advance, bringing democracy at the point of the gun. (Does Mao come to mind?)
From that time til today “nationalism” has been cloaked in the garb of “patriotism” such that when the national Anthem begins, the flag starts to wave, and the mantra “support our troops" is voiced rational thinking ends.
The authors are correct: Islam is a threat, be it radical or moderate.
Islam is a potent threat, in my opinion, for two chief erasons: 1) Ignorance of Islam as advanced in the Koran and the Hadiths and, 2) our Imperialistic policies masked under the Rubric of advancing democracy.
Islam is not simply a religious system.
It is a religious/political system, inseparably. As such, it cannot logically co-exist with any other religious system.
It is a different kind of “leaven”. That is, it is not a leaven of persuasion, but a leaven of force. Its tool of persuasion is the “sword”, making it philosophically incompatible with the American ethic.
Just as in the 1800s Mormonism had to bow to the American ethic in terms of polygamy, so too must Islam be “forced” to bow to the historical American commitment to religious tolerance exemplified by William Penn and others.
Bottom line: in my opinion Islam cannot agree to this.
Where does this leave us, in my opinion? In the Fight of our Lives.
As with our exclusion of religions given to Cannabalism, Polygamy, Human Sacrifice, etc. from our body politic it may be time to include Islam as a general category and those immigrants who religiously adhere to the teachings of Islam.
Radical?
The authors suggest we are in “The Fight of our Lives”
Received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Soul Food For The Journey
90 Days of God’s Goodness
The opening page of day one says it all: Conflict with a Purpose.
Our lives are not purposeless, but purposeful from God’s perspective and he is engineering every aspect.
The author has the gift of developing the right passage, and apt illustration, and a personal prayer relative to a suggested life experience.
Bottom line: the 90 Day journey suggests God knows what He is doing.
Our part is to recognize His hand, submit, and revel in the experience, difficult though it may be.
My suggestion: use this tool for 90 days, focusing on God’s sovereignty and providence and see if your confidence and personal security is not significantly enhanced.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
The opening page of day one says it all: Conflict with a Purpose.
Our lives are not purposeless, but purposeful from God’s perspective and he is engineering every aspect.
The author has the gift of developing the right passage, and apt illustration, and a personal prayer relative to a suggested life experience.
Bottom line: the 90 Day journey suggests God knows what He is doing.
Our part is to recognize His hand, submit, and revel in the experience, difficult though it may be.
My suggestion: use this tool for 90 days, focusing on God’s sovereignty and providence and see if your confidence and personal security is not significantly enhanced.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
Wow!
Bonhoeffer, Eric Metaxas
Having read Cost of Discipleship and other Bonhoeffer works, I thought I had a handle on the man.
Was I ever mistaken!
Metaxas’ work has opened my eyes and motivated me to re-visit and re-consider what I have read. (Do I hear the resonance of “too soon old, and too late smart”?)
For those who know me intimately and my struggles in the mid 80s, Bonhoeffer’s struggles, in terms of ethics, really resonates. How I identify with him and wonder why God, in His sovereignty kept this awareness from me during that time frame?
Read the book…as I intend a re-read in the days ahead.
Applicability of his message?
That is for you to determine
Having read Cost of Discipleship and other Bonhoeffer works, I thought I had a handle on the man.
Was I ever mistaken!
Metaxas’ work has opened my eyes and motivated me to re-visit and re-consider what I have read. (Do I hear the resonance of “too soon old, and too late smart”?)
For those who know me intimately and my struggles in the mid 80s, Bonhoeffer’s struggles, in terms of ethics, really resonates. How I identify with him and wonder why God, in His sovereignty kept this awareness from me during that time frame?
Read the book…as I intend a re-read in the days ahead.
Applicability of his message?
That is for you to determine
Saturday, March 5, 2011
The Old, Old Story Freshly Told
Randy Alcorn’s Chasm is a nicely woven presentation of the gospel in an allegorical format. It read rapidly at one short sitting and held my attention throughout.
As I read, I kept thinking of John Bunyan and Bedford jail! Having read something of the author’s background, I thought, “Now, there’s a connection!”
I especially appreciated the manner in which the author weaved The Spirit’s calling, the doctrine of sanctification and progress while in Charis and the relationship between the Woodsman’s felling of the tree and the ministry of the Lord Jesus prior to the crucifixion. Awesome.
Not having read The Edge of Eternity, my appetite has been whetted.
I received this book free from Multnomah Books as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
As I read, I kept thinking of John Bunyan and Bedford jail! Having read something of the author’s background, I thought, “Now, there’s a connection!”
I especially appreciated the manner in which the author weaved The Spirit’s calling, the doctrine of sanctification and progress while in Charis and the relationship between the Woodsman’s felling of the tree and the ministry of the Lord Jesus prior to the crucifixion. Awesome.
Not having read The Edge of Eternity, my appetite has been whetted.
I received this book free from Multnomah Books as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
What About…..? For Starters
Entitled A Conversation with God, the title is a bit mis-leading. It is really more like What Does (blank) Say About (blank).
The book was an easy read and an apt tool for new believers. Obviously, it flows from a particular theological perspective affording one the opportunity to suggest additional considerations.
The topics addressed are:
God.
The Bible.
The Future.
Pain and Suffering.
Jesus.
The Kingdom of God.Heaven and Hell.
Humanity.
Christian Living.
Today's World.
I would recommend the book, having found it helpful.
Received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
The book was an easy read and an apt tool for new believers. Obviously, it flows from a particular theological perspective affording one the opportunity to suggest additional considerations.
The topics addressed are:
God.
The Bible.
The Future.
Pain and Suffering.
Jesus.
The Kingdom of God.Heaven and Hell.
Humanity.
Christian Living.
Today's World.
I would recommend the book, having found it helpful.
Received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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