Book Review

The Jesus You Can't Ignore by John MacArthur

The goal of this book was to dispel the myth that some Christians have about Jesus. Many people seem to think Jesus was a nice guy. While they are right in saying He is a nice guy, that doesn't mean He didn't say things that might offend people. He spoke the truth out of love.

MacArthur reviews several key confrontations that Jesus had with religious leaders of His day. From these confrontations we see that Jesus was not the happy-go-lucky many people envision Him as.

Overall, I was not too interested in this book.

When I first got the book I thought MacArthur would have some valuable insight into these confrontations. Most of what MacArthur wrote can be easily understood from Scripture itself.

Although, I guess if people did understand the Scripture there would have been no need for MacArthur to write this book. That is his intended audience for this book, not me.

This book also seems as thought the editor, Phil Johnson, spent many days and nights flipping through a thesaurus. I had to look up several words in almost every chapter.

Here are some examples from one chapter of words that I wasn't sure of the meaning:
pedantic
polemic
satiety
jeremiad
casuistry
sophistry
tawdry
diatribe

So my question is, if people can't understand the confrontations of Christ from Scripture, how are they going to understand if from this book when the author uses words that the average person probably doesn't know?!

If you think Jesus was a nice guy and never said or did things to offend others then read this book. Otherwise you can probably skip this one.




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I Won!

As most of you are aware Kiplinger was trying to charge me, a loyal customer, to renew my subscription more than what they would charge a new subscriber. You can read about it here and here.

I have yet to hear back from the editor of the magazine, but I did receive in the mail the other day a Financial Advisor's Discount Rate. Get this. Only $5 plus $3.97 shipping and handling for a one year subscription!

So to recap. They were going to charge me $14.97 to renew my subscription while new subscribers could get a subscription for $10. Then, because I am a professional, they will give me the exclusive rate of only $8.97!

So I mailed back the form with my check for $8.97! We'll see what happens now.



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Letter to the Editor of Kiplinger's Magazine

So I decided to send a letter to the editor regarding the pricing scam they are running for their loyal customers. Below is the message I sent.

I think it is wrong of Kiplinger's to charge your loyal customers more for the magazine than a new subscriber can get from Amazon, Magazineline, or your own website.

I will let my subscription expire then order a new subscription for the lower price, IF I am still interested in your magazine. Money and SmartMoney only charge $10 per year (new or existing customers) and their magazines are just as good as yours.

Shame on you for treating your faithful readers like this.

I'll see what the response is, if any, and post it here for all to see.

Still thinking and righting the wrongs of the world, here at Doe Valley.



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Kiplinger Magazine

I have been a subscriber of Kiplinger Magazine for several years now. The last time I renewed the subscription I paid $20 for two years. My subscription is set to expire in January of 2010.

I received my last issue the other day. Throughout the issue there were several postcard advertisements to order a gift subscription to the magazine for $12 per year.

My limit for any magazine is $12 per year, so I decided to call and renew my subscription. I asked the customer service representative on the phone to give me the best deal.

She said you me it was $14.97 for one year, $26.97 for two years, or $37.97 for three years.

I explained to her that that was not the best deal going. She told me that was the best deal for me! So which one did I want.

I simply said, thank you, but I'll let my subscription expire. She said Ok and have a nice afternoon. I then explained it was evening were I was at. But thanked her for her time and hung up.

She had no interest in trying to deal or anything.

So this is how Kiplinger's is going to play it! They charge their loyal customers more than the new subscriber.

I am not sure if I will give myself a gift subscription for $12 or not. The other option I have is to renew the magazine for $12 per year through MagazineLine.com. Even Amazon has the subscriptions for $12.

I am not sure what I will do, it's not like I love the magazine or anything. It just gives me something to read at lunch. I might have to wait for the price to drop to $10 per year again. Who knows.

The more I think about it, I may write to the editor of Kiplinger to get their side of the story.

Always thinking about something here at Doe Valley.




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Book Review

The Power of Integrity by John MacArthur

This is a good book that biblically describes a life of integrity - a life without compromise regarding biblical principles.

Integrity is consistent obedience to God and demonstrating the character of Christ throughout your life while living in a fallen world.

MacArthur starts by describing the essential elements of integrity. Then he moves on to providing biblical examples of people of integrity. Finally, he finishes the book by looking at practical ways to apply integrity in everyday life.

There is a study guide at the back of the book for each chapter. The study guide briefly summarizes the chapter and provides a few questions to answer regarding the information presented in the chapter. Finally, there are a couple of suggestions for prayer and ways to apply the truth examined in the chapter.

Overall, this is a good book to read about the biblical standard for integrity. Integrity is probably needed today more than ever.




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