Apathy and Controversy

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Mar 292011
 

Apathy: the absence of expression of passion/emotion/expression

Controversy: dispute, argument, or debate, esp one concerning a matter about which there is strong disagreement and esp one carried on in public or in the press

(definitions thanks to www.dictionary.com, I love that site…)

Ten years ago now, on a lovely fall day, I was at work for the local Health Department as the Recycling Assistant.  I was out in the field and I get a phone call to return to the department, something big had happened.  That even was of course the tragedy of 9/11.  I remember the shock, fear and disgust of that day.  Fast forward now ten years.  What has happened?  During those first days, we were crying out that the people responsible needed to be found and taken care of. Now, we want to quit and give up hunting down those who have blatantly stated that America should perish. What went wrong or changed?

The Fight of Our Lives by William J. Bennett and Seth Leibsohn looks into that issue.  Bennett and Leibsohn look at what has happened politically and culturally to our collective mindset towards those who threaten the United States and why we no longer think we should stand up and fight.  This book isn’t an emotional plea, it isn’t in your face, it just looks at the events of 9/11 and other terrorist attacks on this country (yes, I use that word) and who perpetrated them and asks us to reconsider our national malaise, use of several terms (like why we can no longer use the term Radical Islam, War on Terror, Terrorism etc.) and how we need to return to the fervor of self-protection like in the days just prior to 9/11.

The future of our nation is at stake on many fronts (economical, the threat of Radical Islam etc.). I’m sure most of us, no matter what our beliefs are about the future of our nation can agree that we do have many threats to overcome.  I highly recommend reading this book, no matter what your thoughts are on terrorism, Radical Islam, the future of our nation.  This book was written to expose the issues surrounding this very controversial topic and to make you think.  Please, think and stand up for our country. That’s all that is being asked. Then go and do something about it.

I received a copy of the book The Fight of Our Lives by William J. Bennett and Seth Leibsohn from Thomas Nelson as part of their BookSneeze program for bloggers.  All opinions are mine and mine alone and no other compensation was received.

Putting Words in God’s Mouth

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Mar 062011
 

I don’t know what I was thinking when I requested this book to review. I was intrigued by the title A Conversation with God for Women, I thought the cover was very lovely (white with cherry blossoms, I love cherry blossoms) and it looked like it could be promising. I am ultra conservative, just to warn you, so I was a mite bit concerned that this book would be a bit more liberal and would state things about women’s roles and such that I could not agree with.

I opened the book and was interested to see the first scripture quoted was out of the Message version.  Then, a few pages later was a quote from the CEV and several other versions.  That always sends up flags when the author is trying to make a point and to back it up using scripture uses different translations (or paraphrases as in the case with the Message) to prove it.  You can say anything with scriptural support using multiple translations.  Proof texting as the practice is called is bending scripture to fit your views. Then, reading the introduction the format was explained.  A question is asked, then God, Jesus and sometimes some other Biblical figure answers it in a conversational tone.  Um, that was beyond a bit uncomfortable seeing God “speaking.” It was like words were being put into His mouth.  God has spoken, in the Bible, where all the answers to the questions presented in this book are truly answered (while I’m on the subject, why look up the answer to a question in a book that references the original when you can go straight to the Bible and see for yourself exactly what God had to say. If you need help, there are a lot of great commentaries out there for help).

Theologically, the author took the very common, middle of the road, let’s not step on any toes and offend anyone stance.  The answer to the question about women in ministry really was circular.  “God” answered at first by talking about churches permitting and not permitting women in the pulpit and the worry and division it causes.  Then illustrated that women can minister by bringing up the prophetess Huldah (special situation, and prophetesses are not preachers all the time.)

Also, in the question about if all sins are the equal, “Jesus” says they aren’t basically.  That sins of the heart (lust, evil thoughts) are lesser sins and aren’t being committed against anyone and really for the sake of the book not hurting anyone.  Um, please, look it up in the Bible.  A sin is a sin is a sin, no matter what kind.  And it is sin that separates us from God.  Little sins don’t separate us a little bit, they separate us totally.

I can not in good conscience recommend this book to others.  Please, if you have questions, get yourself a Bible, a good commentary and a concordance.  Go straight to the source, not a book about the true source and answer for your questions.

I received a copy of Conversations With God for Women by Marcia Ford from Thomas Nelson as a part of their Book Sneeze program.  All opinions are mine and mine alone and no other compensation was received.

One of BEST Books on Marriage Ever

 Book Reviews, Book Sneeze, Books, family, Marriage  No Responses »
Feb 112011
 

I have read a lot of books on marriage from when Hubbs and I were courting and then engaged and since getting married.  We truly wish to have the best marriage possible.  Especially in our current society of easy and fast divorce for any reason.

I recently got to review the book Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs courtesy of Book Sneeze.  I was very pleased with this book.

Love and Respect is written on the premise that the best marriages are a two way street.  That a woman needs to give her husband respect, no matter what, and that a man needs to love his wife no matter what.  It totally goes against popular culture and self-serving beliefs about marriage. Marriage isn’t about making yourself feel good, or about meeting your needs exclusively.  It is about caring for and giving your all for another person, your spouse.  There are several books out there that won’t admit that, and this one does.

As a woman, I have to remember, and this book does an excellent job of reminding me that, that men don’t necessarily want to be the recipients of ooey gooey love and romance (don’t get me wrong, but going all out and getting a sitter and surprising your husband with a lovely date night is still appreciated), but most men want to know that their wives respect them.  That their wives think they are great, they take pains to not talk bad about them to their friends and that they will stick up for them, especially when the going gets tough (and in life, there are lots of tough times).  This isn’t to be chauvinistic or misogynistic, but it is the way men are wired. So buck the trend of feminism and respect your husband ladies, you will reap a great reward.  Become a student of your husband and learn how he best receives respect.  Is it telling him to his face? Writing him a note? Talking good about him to the family, bragging on him in public? You’ll come up with ideas that are custom tailored to him, just pray and think over it.

Husbands are to love their wives. Women typically enjoy the ooey gooey romance things.  Flowers, chocolates, back rubs.  Even doing a chore for her as a surprise.  Men, become a student of your wife, figure out how she sees love best and do it.  We really aren’t that hard to figure out ;)

Marriage patterned after what our contemporary society says is right (in it for yourself, you need to look out for yourself first, etc) will probably be miserable.  This book’s Biblical pattern of marriage works.  I’ve seen others in good Biblical marriages and they look a lot like how this book describes.  Give it a shot, it may take a few months, but things will start to improve.  Even if you have an already good marriage, it will become phenomenal.

I received a copy of Love and Respect from Thomas Nelson Publishers as a part of their Book Sneeze program.  All opinions are mine and mine alone and no other compensation was received.

Totally Transformed My Thoughts on the Sabbath

 Book Reviews, Book Sneeze, Reviews  No Responses »
Jan 072011
 

What does the word Sabbath conjure up in your mind? For me, the word reminds me of reading books when I was younger (Little House, things about the Puritans) and I cringe. I think of forced boredom. Of days where all you could do was sit and read and memorize the catechism. Of not being allowed to do anything.

This was until I read Sabbath by Dan B. Allender, edited and forward by Phyllis Tickle. It is a book in The Ancient Practices Series put out by Thomas Nelson. In it, he discusses that a true Sabbath isn’t a day of rest, reflection and repose, let alone boredom. He says that spending the Sabbath like that is wrong.

According to Sabbath, the day (one day out of every seven, it wasn’t suggested or implied anywhere in the book that the only day to celebrate the Sabbath is to be on Saturday or even Sunday) should be spent living in the glory of our God and basking in and responding to His goodness. That it is a a day of celebration. Sabbath is when eternity meets time and we get a glimpse of the joy of heaven. Of how our Sabbath celebrations are in a way practice for the real celebration going on when we reach those pearly gates.

Honestly, this goes against everything I have ever read or been exposed to about the Sabbath before now. I wasn’t raised in an adherent home to the principles of a Sabbath so I can only draw on what I know culturally from reading vast amounts. I don’t know any Hebrew, nor have I had the time to really dig into this idea yet in the scriptures. But it is intriguing. It makes sense in my mind that our wonderful Heavenly Father wouldn’t sentence us to a life of drudgery, expect us to honor a very boring Sabbath and then plop us in heaven with Him to party without practice of any sort.

I had been wanting to have a Shabbat meal with my family for ages (blame it on my favorite musical, Fiddler on the Roof, and from reading tons about this family and traditions). I’ve been craving more beauty and fun in our lives. This book answers what seems to be an innate need within me. Our God is a creative and wonderfully good God (not to minimize His other attributes). Why can’t our lives have creativity, joy and fun also? And especially why not on a Sabbath day? Whenever we take a day as a family to play (me, Hubbs and the girls), we come back tired, but exuberant. We enjoy our time together, and the next day or two we are still riding the wave from it.

I read this book after New Year’s, and while I don’t like resolutions (I prefer goal setting) I think this is something we need to incorporate into our lives. We need the day to revel in the glory of God and wonder at His creation and goodness. I hope it will add a richness and new dimensions to our lives.

Do I recommend this book? Yes. It will challenge your thinking in regards to the Sabbath and in how we spend our time.

I received a copy of Sabbath by Dan B. Allender as a part of BookSneeze by Thomas Nelson. All opinions are mine and mine alone and no other compensation was received.

Are You Truly a Slave?

 Book Reviews, Book Sneeze, Books, Christ, Reviews  No Responses »
Dec 182010
 

I recently received a copy of Slave by John MacArthur to review. I requested this book because it intrigued me in regards to the thought that Bible translators through the years have totally mistranslated a key word, mainly used in the New Testament. The word that is mistranslated, according to John MacArthur is the Greek word doulos which translated means slave.  Most translators end up using the word servant instead (this includes the KJV and even the Geneva Bible).

I know a few words in Greek.  I actually do know the word doulos as I aspire to one day become a doula, which means slave in the Greek from my reading (BTW, a doula is a woman who supports another woman in labor and postpartum with teaching in preperation for a birth, coaching during a birth and then afterwards in instructing in newborn care, and making sure the mother is getting the care and rest she needs to properly recover) about it.  However, I do not know enough Greek to read the New Testament in it’s original language. Perhaps someday I will.

MacArthur takes the premise that the the word has been mistranslated all these years due to a large part of our perception of the word slave.  Which, if you ask the average person on the street what they thought of slavery, I’m sure they would conjure up images of our country’s sordid history of brutality based upon race. However, back in the time of Christ, slavery was totally different.  You couldn’t tell who was or wasn’t a slave by sight.  In fact, slaves could even be professionals such as teachers and doctors.  The context of using the word slave in the New Testament was accepted by the contemporaries of the authors of it.  They understood the Roman slave culture because they were a part of it.

As a slave, you live to do the bidding and will of your master.  As a Christian, you are to live and do the bidding and will of our Father in heaven.  He is our master, and we are to submit totally to His authority. We are to live totally and completely for Him and Him alone. We are His slaves.

MacArthur did an excellent job in explaining what slavery was like in ancient Rome and comparing it to the evils our culture associates with it.  He also had plenty of outside sources discussing total submission to Christ through church history.  This book is a must read for anyone serious about having Christ be the absolute Lord and Master over their life.

I was given a copy of Slave by John MacArthur from Thomas Nelson Publishing as a part of their BookSneeze Program.  All opinions are mine and mine alone and no other compensation was received.

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