The Greatest Story Ever Told by Fulton Oursler
This book is a narrative of the life of Christ. The author fills in the parts of the story that are left out of the Biblical record of the life of Christ. The account starts with Joseph and Mary and ends with a discussion about Christ’s resurrection.
Let me first say that I do not enjoy reading fiction and that is what this book is. I prefer reading books that are factual or tell me something, not just a story for entertainment. That being said, the author had some interesting and creative ideas about the unknown parts of Christ’s life.
I can’t say I agreed with how the author portrayed some of the characters. For example, the author seems to make Judas Iscariot look like he was almost tricked into giving up Jesus. Even the end where Annas and Caiphas are sitting around talking, wondering if they had made a mistake seemed a little strange. But it is possible.
Overall, I can’t say I would recommend this book for everyone to read. I think it serves a good purpose to broaden the traditional thinking of mature Christians. On the other hand, I can see how it might confuse those that are new to the faith.
But I can also see the value of this book if it gets someone interested enough to study the life of Christ more closely and deeply with Scripture.
That is just my opinion. Billy Graham wrote an introduction in this edition and J. Edger Hoover also wrote a brief statement about the book as well. They seemed to think it is a good book. So I guess you'll have to just read it yourself and come to your own conclusion.
February 28, 2011
February 07, 2011
Letter to the Editor Of Kiplingers
I think Mary Beth Franklin needs to clarify something in her article "Capitalize on the New Tax Law." A person making $50,000 a year will NOT have $1,000 "extra" in their pay this year. The FIT tables increased as well. So the $1,000 turns into around $700 for a single person and $450 for a married person! The magic of government.
January 31, 2011
Mach 3 Turbo
The last razor in my current arsenal is the MACH 3 razor by Gillette. I had the handle and several turbo cartridges from a previous purchase some time ago. Note: these cartridges were at least a year old.
I was impressed with the closeness of this shave. After about a week though the vitamin E strip was wore out. By the end of each month I would have a few cuts here and there.
I believe the razor to be better than the Bic Comfort 3 disposable razor, but not quite as good as the Fusion Proglide 5 blade. The Mach 3 blades are about $2.00 a piece which ranks about half way between the Bic disposable and the Fusion Proglide 5 blade.
I am give this razor a 90%. It does a great job for the price.
Since, I have several more of these cartridges available I will be using these blades for the next few months. However, I am interested in the Wilkenson-Sword Tech 3 razor at Walmart. I know it is simply a relabeled Schick, but the price seems right. Of course, if any manufacture wants to give me a couple razors to sample I will be glad to run them through my testing cycle.
I was impressed with the closeness of this shave. After about a week though the vitamin E strip was wore out. By the end of each month I would have a few cuts here and there.
I believe the razor to be better than the Bic Comfort 3 disposable razor, but not quite as good as the Fusion Proglide 5 blade. The Mach 3 blades are about $2.00 a piece which ranks about half way between the Bic disposable and the Fusion Proglide 5 blade.
I am give this razor a 90%. It does a great job for the price.
Since, I have several more of these cartridges available I will be using these blades for the next few months. However, I am interested in the Wilkenson-Sword Tech 3 razor at Walmart. I know it is simply a relabeled Schick, but the price seems right. Of course, if any manufacture wants to give me a couple razors to sample I will be glad to run them through my testing cycle.
January 24, 2011
Book Review
Grace for Today: Daily Readings from the Life of Christ - Volume 1 by John MacArthur
This is an excellent daily devotional reading from John MacArthur. This is volume 1 of 3. This volume focuses on the life of Christ mainly from the Gospel of Matthew.
MacArthur may spend several days on a particular passage of scripture. Each devotion ends with some thought provoking questions.
I highly recommend this series of daily devotionals to anyone looking to get a deeper look at the life of Christ.
This is an excellent daily devotional reading from John MacArthur. This is volume 1 of 3. This volume focuses on the life of Christ mainly from the Gospel of Matthew.
MacArthur may spend several days on a particular passage of scripture. Each devotion ends with some thought provoking questions.
I highly recommend this series of daily devotionals to anyone looking to get a deeper look at the life of Christ.
January 11, 2011
Cut in Social Security Rate
As most people are aware by now the government decided to cut the employee portion of social security by 2%. This sounds like good news for employees (although long term this will be disastrous for Social Security). More money in our paychecks right?
Here is an example:
A paycheck of $1500 would have about $93 taken out for Social Security (FICA) in 2010. For 2011 the amount is reduced to $63, a savings of $30. Thank you Mr. President and Congressmen.
But wait. That isn't how much of a savings you'll have because the tax tables have changed. So let's look at that scenario.
Same $1500 paycheck (assume withholding of Married - 1 exemption). In 2010, about $5 would be withheld from your paycheck. For 2011 the tax tables show a withholding of $53 or a difference of $48.
So to recap. The government lowered your taxes by $30 then raised your taxes by $48 for a difference of a tax raise of $18!
Again, I say thank you for the wonderful tax cut Mr. President and Congressmen! I can't wait to not spend the $18 I won't have!
It is true what they say, the Republicans come up with some bad ideas and the Democrats somehow make them worse!
Here is an example:
A paycheck of $1500 would have about $93 taken out for Social Security (FICA) in 2010. For 2011 the amount is reduced to $63, a savings of $30. Thank you Mr. President and Congressmen.
But wait. That isn't how much of a savings you'll have because the tax tables have changed. So let's look at that scenario.
Same $1500 paycheck (assume withholding of Married - 1 exemption). In 2010, about $5 would be withheld from your paycheck. For 2011 the tax tables show a withholding of $53 or a difference of $48.
So to recap. The government lowered your taxes by $30 then raised your taxes by $48 for a difference of a tax raise of $18!
Again, I say thank you for the wonderful tax cut Mr. President and Congressmen! I can't wait to not spend the $18 I won't have!
It is true what they say, the Republicans come up with some bad ideas and the Democrats somehow make them worse!
December 14, 2010
Book Review
Putting God Back in the Holidays by Bill and Penny Thrasher
This is a very good book about ways to celebrate pretty much every major holiday in the United States with a God centered focus.
Most chapters are laid out in a similar manner. Bill writes about the historical and theological aspects of the holiday, then Penny adds her thoughts as a wife and mother. Finally, most chapters offer practical suggestions to help you celebrate or at least stimulate your thinking about the holiday.
Overall, the book is an excellent source for valuable and practical ways to put God back into your holiday celebrations. This is a book that I will be keeping at hand on my "reference" shelf.
This is a very good book about ways to celebrate pretty much every major holiday in the United States with a God centered focus.
Most chapters are laid out in a similar manner. Bill writes about the historical and theological aspects of the holiday, then Penny adds her thoughts as a wife and mother. Finally, most chapters offer practical suggestions to help you celebrate or at least stimulate your thinking about the holiday.
Overall, the book is an excellent source for valuable and practical ways to put God back into your holiday celebrations. This is a book that I will be keeping at hand on my "reference" shelf.
December 02, 2010
Book Review
True Faced by Bill Thrall, Bruce McNicol, John Lynch
The theme of this book is the idea of living your life as yourself, just as God made you. Many people put on a mask to try and look good and try to please God with their behavior. In reality, God simply wants us to be what He made us to be and to trust Him with our lives.
One of the interesting ideas I picked up was about the way we view other Christians. Instead of looking at others and criticizing them for their (sinful) ways, look at them as an imperfect believer just like yourself.
Overall, this is a good book. However, I found myself loosing interest in some of the detailed areas. At the end of each chapter is a "Did you discover" section, which summarizes the main points of the chapter. I believe most people can simply read the summary and get the main idea of the chapter.
The theme of this book is the idea of living your life as yourself, just as God made you. Many people put on a mask to try and look good and try to please God with their behavior. In reality, God simply wants us to be what He made us to be and to trust Him with our lives.
One of the interesting ideas I picked up was about the way we view other Christians. Instead of looking at others and criticizing them for their (sinful) ways, look at them as an imperfect believer just like yourself.
Overall, this is a good book. However, I found myself loosing interest in some of the detailed areas. At the end of each chapter is a "Did you discover" section, which summarizes the main points of the chapter. I believe most people can simply read the summary and get the main idea of the chapter.
December 01, 2010
Schick Hydro 5
My next adventure in shaving involved a Schick Hydro 5 razor. I purchased this razor which included two blades on sale for about $1.00. I was eager to compare this razor with Gillette's 5 blade system.
After the first shave I knew right away that this razor was not as good as Gillette's. The shave was close in most areas. However, I found the head of the razor to be too large to get close in some places. After about 2 weeks the razor was no longer cutting close and it did indeed cut me a few times. There is also this clicking noise that the head makes when it is lifted from your face. I found it to be very annoying after a while.
For the second month of testing I decided to shave every other day after the initial two week period. I found that the razor did a little better with the longer stubble, but it didn't pass my test.
The price of the replacement blades is about $2.75 a piece. This is slightly cheaper than Gillette's blades, but not as good either.
Because of the price and the inability to comfortably shave for a month I will give this razor a 60% rating.
The last razor system I currently have is the Mach 3 by Gillette.
After the first shave I knew right away that this razor was not as good as Gillette's. The shave was close in most areas. However, I found the head of the razor to be too large to get close in some places. After about 2 weeks the razor was no longer cutting close and it did indeed cut me a few times. There is also this clicking noise that the head makes when it is lifted from your face. I found it to be very annoying after a while.
For the second month of testing I decided to shave every other day after the initial two week period. I found that the razor did a little better with the longer stubble, but it didn't pass my test.
The price of the replacement blades is about $2.75 a piece. This is slightly cheaper than Gillette's blades, but not as good either.
Because of the price and the inability to comfortably shave for a month I will give this razor a 60% rating.
The last razor system I currently have is the Mach 3 by Gillette.
November 26, 2010
Book Review
Reinventing Paul by John Gager
The author's goal of this books is to challenge the assumption of the traditional view of Paul and present a new view(s). There are 5 chapters in this book:
Second, the author focuses on and compares Galatians and Romans. When trying to understand the meaning of a particular portion of Scripture you must compare it with all other Scripture of the same topic. The author does not do this, rather limits his use of Scripture to attempt to prove what he thinks and wants to accomplish with his book.
It seemed to me the real purpose of this book was to simply publish something. Often times academic institutions strongly encourage the faculty to produce something. It looks as though this book is an example of that mentality.
Much of the book is simply quoting what other people have already wrote. In fact, there are over 400 footnotes that take up over thirty pages in the back.
Overall, in my opinion, this book is totally worthless and filled with nonsensical ideas. To give an example, Gager says of himself on page 151 that he is "a non-believing 'Christian'". I am not sure what that means, but I am certain he will figure out what it means someday.
Skip this book!
The author's goal of this books is to challenge the assumption of the traditional view of Paul and present a new view(s). There are 5 chapters in this book:
- The Traditional View of Paul
- New Views of Paul
- The Letter to the Galatians
- The Letter to the Romans
- Loose Ends
Second, the author focuses on and compares Galatians and Romans. When trying to understand the meaning of a particular portion of Scripture you must compare it with all other Scripture of the same topic. The author does not do this, rather limits his use of Scripture to attempt to prove what he thinks and wants to accomplish with his book.
It seemed to me the real purpose of this book was to simply publish something. Often times academic institutions strongly encourage the faculty to produce something. It looks as though this book is an example of that mentality.
Much of the book is simply quoting what other people have already wrote. In fact, there are over 400 footnotes that take up over thirty pages in the back.
Overall, in my opinion, this book is totally worthless and filled with nonsensical ideas. To give an example, Gager says of himself on page 151 that he is "a non-believing 'Christian'". I am not sure what that means, but I am certain he will figure out what it means someday.
Skip this book!
November 23, 2010
Book Review
Can America Survive? by John Hagee
This book is separated into 4 parts:
In part two, the author looks at several problems with America. He believes a bomb will be used to wipe out our electrical system for months or years. He then talks about the world rejecting the dollar and the United States rejecting Israel's plea for help. Finally, he believes Christianity will become a crime in the United States.
The last two parts of the book are a little more focused on what the bible has to say about the return of Christ and the end of life as we know it on earth.
I am not sure of the purpose of this book. I would guess that it was wrote to simply get people (Americans) thinking about these topics. The author goes into a lot of detail about Iran, which I do question his "expertise" on Iran. However, he also goes into a lot of financial and economic detail about the United States, which I believe he has his facts correct for the most part.
I also question the title of the book, Can America Survive?. The ultimate answer of course is no, but as far as Christians are concerned it won't really matter since they will all be taken to be with Christ right before the tribulation.
The subtitle is also a little misleading, maybe it is just a marketing gimmick, 10 prophetic signs that we are the terminal generation. The 10 signs are given only in chapter 9 and are things like: oil, knowledge, television, and deception.
Overall, this book was interesting and easy to read but was otherwise unimpressive. Like I wrote earlier, I am not sure what the point of the book really is. What is the motive of the author: to get people thinking, to lead people to Christ, or to simply get his name out there and sell books about a provocative hot button issue?
While there is nothing really wrong with this book, if you have read the bible and are familiar with Revelation then you can probably skip this book. If you are not familiar with the bible then go read it first.
This book is separated into 4 parts:
- A Nuclear Iran
- The Fall of America
- The Beginning of the End
- The Final Days
In part two, the author looks at several problems with America. He believes a bomb will be used to wipe out our electrical system for months or years. He then talks about the world rejecting the dollar and the United States rejecting Israel's plea for help. Finally, he believes Christianity will become a crime in the United States.
The last two parts of the book are a little more focused on what the bible has to say about the return of Christ and the end of life as we know it on earth.
I am not sure of the purpose of this book. I would guess that it was wrote to simply get people (Americans) thinking about these topics. The author goes into a lot of detail about Iran, which I do question his "expertise" on Iran. However, he also goes into a lot of financial and economic detail about the United States, which I believe he has his facts correct for the most part.
I also question the title of the book, Can America Survive?. The ultimate answer of course is no, but as far as Christians are concerned it won't really matter since they will all be taken to be with Christ right before the tribulation.
The subtitle is also a little misleading, maybe it is just a marketing gimmick, 10 prophetic signs that we are the terminal generation. The 10 signs are given only in chapter 9 and are things like: oil, knowledge, television, and deception.
Overall, this book was interesting and easy to read but was otherwise unimpressive. Like I wrote earlier, I am not sure what the point of the book really is. What is the motive of the author: to get people thinking, to lead people to Christ, or to simply get his name out there and sell books about a provocative hot button issue?
While there is nothing really wrong with this book, if you have read the bible and are familiar with Revelation then you can probably skip this book. If you are not familiar with the bible then go read it first.
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