Life Lessons with Max Lucado
Books of Ruth & Esther
This is a 12 lesson bible study on the books of Ruth & Esther (4 lessons on Ruth and 8 lessons on Esther).
Each lesson has a particular theme based upon the bible reading. The lessons start with a reflection question then the Scripture is read. The Scripture is included in the book. Both the New Century Version and the New King James Version are included for comparison.
The lessons do not usually include the entire chapter of Scripture, only the relevant portions needed for the particular theme of the lesson.
There are some basic discovery questions and response questions which encourage you to think about the Scripture. There are also additional questions which get you thinking about how you can apply the Scripture in your life.
The author also included an inspirational writing in each lesson as well as a prayer and additional bible readings demonstrating the theme of the lesson.
There is room in the book to answer the questions as well as some journaling and additional thoughts.
Overall, I would highly recommend this study book series for an individual, group, or even a sermon preparation guide.
Each lesson takes about 1 hour to complete in a small group setting.
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November 30, 2009
November 16, 2009
Book Review
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
The author presents a total money makeover in a few "simple" steps.
Overall, I agree with the author. There is no better plan for personal finances. However, that doesn't mean there aren't other plans that are equally as good. I do believe that if you follow his steps, you will eventually be debt free and living a healthy financial life.
One thing I didn't like about the book was the number of times the author said he was a millionaire, lost if all and is now a millionaire again! Seems a little egotistical to me.
I also found the customer testimonies annoying. They all seemed to praise the author, how great he is and how much they love him. Blah Blah Blah. I realize some testimonies are good and necessary, but I think most of them simply feed the author's ego and fill his book!
Overall, I would recommend this book and this plan for anyone wishing to get in shape financially.
The author presents a total money makeover in a few "simple" steps.
- Save $1000 for emergencies
- Create a debt snowball plan - make minimum payments on all debts and focus on paying off the smallest debt first.
- Save a 3 to 6 month emergency fund (based upon monthly expenses)
- Invest 15% of gross income
- Save for college (ESA plan first, then 529 - $2000 per year)
- Payoff Mortgage
- Have fun - invest - give
Overall, I agree with the author. There is no better plan for personal finances. However, that doesn't mean there aren't other plans that are equally as good. I do believe that if you follow his steps, you will eventually be debt free and living a healthy financial life.
One thing I didn't like about the book was the number of times the author said he was a millionaire, lost if all and is now a millionaire again! Seems a little egotistical to me.
I also found the customer testimonies annoying. They all seemed to praise the author, how great he is and how much they love him. Blah Blah Blah. I realize some testimonies are good and necessary, but I think most of them simply feed the author's ego and fill his book!
Overall, I would recommend this book and this plan for anyone wishing to get in shape financially.
November 13, 2009
Book Review
In the Footsteps of Faith by John MacArthur
In the Footsteps of Faith exams the lives of several men and women of the bible. In particular MacArthur looks at:
If anyone is looking for ways to increase their faith and find ways to live faithful, then this is a good book to read.
There is a study guide for each chapter at the end of the book.
The study guide briefly summarizes the main point of the chapter then provides a few questions to think about or discuss. Finally, there are a couple of thoughts to pray about and some ways to apply the truths of the chapter.
In the Footsteps of Faith exams the lives of several men and women of the bible. In particular MacArthur looks at:
- Noah
- Abraham
- Moses
- Rahab
- Hannah
- Jonah
- Mary
- John the Baptist
- Peter
- Paul
- Lydia
- Timothy
- Epaphroditus
- Jesus
If anyone is looking for ways to increase their faith and find ways to live faithful, then this is a good book to read.
There is a study guide for each chapter at the end of the book.
The study guide briefly summarizes the main point of the chapter then provides a few questions to think about or discuss. Finally, there are a couple of thoughts to pray about and some ways to apply the truths of the chapter.
October 22, 2009
Book Review
A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel
This is a classic investment book. It gives a brief introduction to the major investing styles/theories and explains why the best bet for most people is to buy and hold (mostly index funds).
The book is separated into 4 parts:
The fact remains that buying and holding good companies over the long run works. The question is, what are the good companies? Why not just buy them all with an index fund!
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This is a classic investment book. It gives a brief introduction to the major investing styles/theories and explains why the best bet for most people is to buy and hold (mostly index funds).
The book is separated into 4 parts:
- Stocks and their value
- How the Professionals operate
- New Investment Methods
- A Practical Guide
The fact remains that buying and holding good companies over the long run works. The question is, what are the good companies? Why not just buy them all with an index fund!
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October 06, 2009
Questionable Practices
I received a phone call the other evening. The lady on the phone identified herself as "so in so" from the American Cancer Society. She wanted to thank me for donating money to them last year.
I responded that I wasn't aware of donating money to them, but it could have been my wife.
She asked if it would be ok to send me a pledge card for this year.
I replied, "Sure, send me some information."
This weekend I received an envelope from the American Cancer Society. Inside it there was a return envelope, a blue slip of paper thanking me for my donation this year, and a return "invoice" for my donation this year.
The blue slip of paper also had in big bold print across the top of the page, "Your prompt reply will save us the expense of a reminder mailing."
This is unreal! I simply agreed to receive their information, not be invoiced for a donation I don't plan on making!
Also, I looked at the postage on the envelope and it had $0.61 on it! Even more unreal. I weighed the contents of the envelope and it was 0.4 ounces which would require the standard postage rate not $0.61!
What a waste of money. If this is the kind of marketing scheme or tactic that the American Cancer Society is using, then it should be SHUT down immediately. Let them live off the money the tobacco companies give them each year.
I wonder how much money the American Cancer Society could have saved if they would have charged the correct about on postage.
Let's see, 0.61-0.44=.17 times 10,000 letters equals $1,700! They could have saved this money if someone was just doing their job correctly.
Also, I don't watch football much, but I noticed this past weekend it was some type of breast cancer awareness day or something, everything was pink. I wonder how much they spent on the advertisement of that, the cost of the shoes, the banners, etc. What a waste.
I believe charitable organizations play an important role in our society, but they also need to be good stewards of their money. Needless to say the American Cancer Society won't be getting my money.
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I responded that I wasn't aware of donating money to them, but it could have been my wife.
She asked if it would be ok to send me a pledge card for this year.
I replied, "Sure, send me some information."
This weekend I received an envelope from the American Cancer Society. Inside it there was a return envelope, a blue slip of paper thanking me for my donation this year, and a return "invoice" for my donation this year.
The blue slip of paper also had in big bold print across the top of the page, "Your prompt reply will save us the expense of a reminder mailing."
This is unreal! I simply agreed to receive their information, not be invoiced for a donation I don't plan on making!
Also, I looked at the postage on the envelope and it had $0.61 on it! Even more unreal. I weighed the contents of the envelope and it was 0.4 ounces which would require the standard postage rate not $0.61!
What a waste of money. If this is the kind of marketing scheme or tactic that the American Cancer Society is using, then it should be SHUT down immediately. Let them live off the money the tobacco companies give them each year.
I wonder how much money the American Cancer Society could have saved if they would have charged the correct about on postage.
Let's see, 0.61-0.44=.17 times 10,000 letters equals $1,700! They could have saved this money if someone was just doing their job correctly.
Also, I don't watch football much, but I noticed this past weekend it was some type of breast cancer awareness day or something, everything was pink. I wonder how much they spent on the advertisement of that, the cost of the shoes, the banners, etc. What a waste.
I believe charitable organizations play an important role in our society, but they also need to be good stewards of their money. Needless to say the American Cancer Society won't be getting my money.
.
October 02, 2009
Book Review
The Gospel According to Jesus by John MacArthur
This is probably the best book I have read which clearly and easily explains the Gospel as Jesus did. A true Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, receives Him both as Lord and Savior.
The Book is separated into six parts:
The appendixes contain brief information about what the Apostles did and said regarding the Gospel as well as the teaching from church history.
MacArthur ends the book with some answers to common questions people have about the Gospel.
Overall, this is a great book to read for anyone wanting a better understanding of what it means to truly follow Jesus Christ. It is good for the new Christian and the mature Christian.
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This is probably the best book I have read which clearly and easily explains the Gospel as Jesus did. A true Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, receives Him both as Lord and Savior.
The Book is separated into six parts:
- Today's Gospel: Good News or Bad
- Jesus Heralds His Gospel
- Jesus Illustrates His Gospel
- Jesus Explains His Gospel
- Jesus Fulfills His Gospel
- Appendixes
The appendixes contain brief information about what the Apostles did and said regarding the Gospel as well as the teaching from church history.
MacArthur ends the book with some answers to common questions people have about the Gospel.
Overall, this is a great book to read for anyone wanting a better understanding of what it means to truly follow Jesus Christ. It is good for the new Christian and the mature Christian.
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August 26, 2009
Book Review
A Tale of Two Sons by John MacArthur
This book is really an in depth study/commentary on Luke 15:11-32, the parable of the prodigal son.
MacArthur separates the book into five parts:
Overall, I believe MacArthur writes the truth in depth. Maybe a little too deep, in this case, for the average person. I found the book to kind of drag on in spots with too much detail for me to follow.
MacArthur correctly states in the Appendix that Jesus used parables as a tool to teach and defend the truth. However, I do think MacArthur gets a little excessive in his explanation of this parable.
In fact, several times I had to stop reading and get a dictionary out to look up words MacArthur used. After figuring out the meaning of the word, I could think of several other more common and understandable words to use instead.
I wonder how much of this book was MacArthur's writing versus Phil Johnson's editing. It seems to me that Johnson likes to use those "big" words.
At any rate I do not recommend this book to the average reader. While I believe MacArthur is correct in his description of the parable, the book seems to be geared more to the academic world rather than the common Christian.
Jesus used about 26 sentences in the parable. MacArthur used 210 pages to explain it!
This book is really an in depth study/commentary on Luke 15:11-32, the parable of the prodigal son.
MacArthur separates the book into five parts:
- The Parable
- The Prodigal
- The Father
- The Elder Brother
- The Epilogue
Overall, I believe MacArthur writes the truth in depth. Maybe a little too deep, in this case, for the average person. I found the book to kind of drag on in spots with too much detail for me to follow.
MacArthur correctly states in the Appendix that Jesus used parables as a tool to teach and defend the truth. However, I do think MacArthur gets a little excessive in his explanation of this parable.
In fact, several times I had to stop reading and get a dictionary out to look up words MacArthur used. After figuring out the meaning of the word, I could think of several other more common and understandable words to use instead.
I wonder how much of this book was MacArthur's writing versus Phil Johnson's editing. It seems to me that Johnson likes to use those "big" words.
At any rate I do not recommend this book to the average reader. While I believe MacArthur is correct in his description of the parable, the book seems to be geared more to the academic world rather than the common Christian.
Jesus used about 26 sentences in the parable. MacArthur used 210 pages to explain it!
August 12, 2009
FICO Score again!
As my regular readers know, I have made some comments on here about the FICO scoring process. My comments were even published in last months Kiplinger's magazine.
This month I get my FICO score update and it dropped 22 points to its lowest level since I started monitoring it!
Amazingly enough, my actual credit has changed any! There is definitely something fishy with FICO!
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This month I get my FICO score update and it dropped 22 points to its lowest level since I started monitoring it!
Amazingly enough, my actual credit has changed any! There is definitely something fishy with FICO!
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August 06, 2009
Published Again!
My letter to the editor of Kiplinger's magazine was published in the September 2009 issue.
This letter was in regards to credit scores and the closing of credit card accounts. I had several credit cards closed by the company and was expected a drop in my credit score. My credit score actually went up.
As it turns out, inactive cards don't hurt your score. Hmm.. Sounds like something fishy with FICO!
You can pick up your own copy of Kiplinger's to keep as a souvenir.
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This letter was in regards to credit scores and the closing of credit card accounts. I had several credit cards closed by the company and was expected a drop in my credit score. My credit score actually went up.
As it turns out, inactive cards don't hurt your score. Hmm.. Sounds like something fishy with FICO!
You can pick up your own copy of Kiplinger's to keep as a souvenir.
.
August 03, 2009
Book Review
"The Contemporaries Meet the Classics on Prayer" compiled by Leonard Allen.
This book contains many authors' thoughts on prayer. The oldest writings are from Martin Luther and John Calvin during the 1500's. Some of the contemporary, more familiar names are Max Lucado and Jim Cymbala.
The book is divided into 10 chapters, each dealing with a particular topic of prayer.
Personally, I thought several of the authors wrote a lot of words, but didn't really say anything of any value.
I would recommend this book only if you are looking specifically for a wide variety of writings on the topic of prayer to determine which authors you want to study more thoroughly.
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This book contains many authors' thoughts on prayer. The oldest writings are from Martin Luther and John Calvin during the 1500's. Some of the contemporary, more familiar names are Max Lucado and Jim Cymbala.
The book is divided into 10 chapters, each dealing with a particular topic of prayer.
- the purpose of prayer
- the Psalms as prayer
- patterns for prayer
- a passion for prayer
- the posture of prayer
- problems with prayer
- powerlessness and prayer
- public and private prayer
- pastoral prayer
- the power of prayer
Personally, I thought several of the authors wrote a lot of words, but didn't really say anything of any value.
I would recommend this book only if you are looking specifically for a wide variety of writings on the topic of prayer to determine which authors you want to study more thoroughly.
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