Book Review

He Still Moves Stones bu Max Lucado

This is an inspirational book by Max Lucado that includes about 20 different life events that people typically have to deal with. Some of the topics are: shame, discouragement, growing old, wondering if prayer matters, wondering if God cares, and understanding death.

Each chapter is devoted to a particular topic. Lucado uses Scripture and personal antidotes to demonstrate his points and lessons.

This is the type of book you read to know what in it. Then you put it on your shelf and refer to it throughout your life as you encounter the particular situations.

Overall, I recommend this book not only to read, but to make it a permanent part of your library to refer to when the situation arises.

Anonymous Comments

Years ago I had open comments on this blog. However, I started to receive some nonsensical comments so I felt I had to approve each comment before posting to the website. I have always posted comments if they are related to the topical discussion.

I frequently get nonsense comments or comments that seem legit, but are really just advertising their website.

For example, here is the comment I received yesterday on my Amish Miracle Heater post.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Amish Miracle Heater!": 

Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it 
seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.
You obviously know what youre talking about, why throw away 
your intelligence on just posting videos to your site 
when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?
my site - find out more 




The poster likes my writing? I am wasting my intelligence with videos on my site.... wait a minute I don't have any videos on my site! Then the poster adds a link to his site (which I removed).

I followed the link to his site and it is just selling strollers. No place for me to add my comment, so I thought I would send them my interest in a stroller.

Here is my message to them:


I am interested in a stroller that I can connect to the back of my tractor, so I when I have to baby sit I can always cut the grass at the same time or in the winter plow snow.

I also like to ride 4wheelers so the stroller would also need to attach to the 4wheeler hitch. I would prefer the stroller to have large wheels since I often need to drive through deep mud. A camouflage design would also be nice for hunting season. It would also be nice to have the ability to store a cooler that holds a six pack of beer.

Do you know where I can get a stroller like this?
Thanks

Book review

John MacArthur: Servant of the Word and Flock by Iain H. Murray

This was a good attempt at summarizing John MacArthur's life. It touched on the major events, episodes, successes, and controversies during his life and ministry. However, it wasn't enough for me. Each topic, each chapter left me wanting more details about the events. Murray even writes in the forward that his book is "little more than a 'sketch'" of MacArthur's life.

The most reoccurring theme throughout the book is the fact that MacArthur tries to live what he preaches and teaches.

I believe this to be true and have enjoyed reading and listening to MacArthur for many years and I have definitely benefited from his ministry. However, it would have been nice to see a picture of his home, or car, or how much he really makes. To me, this shows what a person is really like.

I have heard MacArthur state that he makes no money from Grace to You (GTY), yet on GTY's IRS form 990, he is listed as making over $200,000 for the fiscal year 2011. GTY also pays for his first class or business class airfare. Digging further into the form 990 you find that MacArthur's son in law has a sizable contract with GTY. And, of course, MacArthur's sons are members of the GTY board.

I am not saying that MacArthur doesn't deserve these things or is even abusing his position,  I am just curious about the reconciliation of the Gospel preaching and teaching to the Gospel living on a daily basis.

Overall, a good read for anyone interested in the life and teaching of John MacArthur.

Book Review

Glock: The Rise of America's Gun by Paul Barrett

This book gives a nice overview of the history of the Glock gun and company, focusing mainly on it's popularity and controversy in the United States of America. To be honest, I expected the book to be an anti-gun, Glock bashing, liberal written book.

I was surprised to find out it wasn't quite as bad as I thought. Sure, the author bashes the NRA, Republicans, and even pokes fun at Sarah Palin if you can believe that, but overall the author did an okay job at describing the rise of Gaston Glock and his gun in America.

I was unaware of the history of Glock and this book really put it into perspective. Glock was sneaky and ruthless, but made some prudent moves to capitalize the market. At times, I think he just happened to be in the right place and the right time as well.

By the end of the book you can clearly see the authors left-winged approach. It is strange though, that several presidents were mentioned in detail about their attitude and actions toward guns, either pro or anti. However, only one sentence in the book mentioned President Obama. It simply alluded to the fact that Obama didn't seem to be interested in jumping on the anti-gun agenda. Hmmm.

Overall, I recommend this book for anyone interested in learning about how the Glock came to be.

Book Review

6 Rules Every Man Must Break by Bill Perkins

After reading another book by Perkins, (Six Battles Every Man Must Win) I wasn't too excited to read this book. While I disagreed with much of the material and conclusions of the Six Battles book, I found myself agreeing with most of what Perkins wrote about breaking these six rules.

The six rules are:
Passivity - never get into a fight
Playing it safe - never risk it all
Perseverance - never give up
Independence - never ask for help
Restraint - never lose your cool
Impress others - never look stupid

These are indeed many rules or ideas that people, especially men, try to live by. However, these are "rules" that people should break and the author uses Scripture to demonstrate his point.

Overall, this was a good book and is a quick read at only around 130 pages. I especially recommend it to those people who try to live by the six rules.

Gillette Sensor 3 Sensitive

Continuing my quest for the perfect shave, I picked up a pack of 4 Gillette Sensor 3 Sensitive disposable razors from Wal*Mart. I had a $2 off coupon so the razors were about $1 a piece, without a coupon they would be around $1.50 a piece.

For the past two months I have been running it through my rigorous testing methods. I know many people are not fans of Gillette. They think the razors are over priced and don't cut well. I must say, however, that I find Gillette to make some of the best razors that I have come across. The Sensor 3 Sensitive compliments the product line.

The shave was very close and smooth. I didn't cut myself with the razor at all. It wasn't painful when applying aftershave either. The sensitive strip was still going strong at the end of each month. The shave was very similar to the Mach 3. However, the Sensor 3 was able to get closer to the nose on my upper lip. I have always found that to be a problem with the Mach 3.

Another nice feature of the Sensor 3 is the fact that you can pop off the blade and install it on the Sensor handle if you don't like the lighter weight plastic handle of the disposable razor.

I find it interesting that these razors cost about $1.50 a piece for the blade attached to a cheap handle. If you purchase the Sensor 3 cartridges for the Sensor handle they cost about $2.50 a piece. When you buy the cartridges you are actually paying MORE for LESS!

I will give this razor my highest rating yet, a 95%. It shaves as well as the Mach 3 but at a lower cost. Plus if you don't like the handle you can place the blade on your Sensor handle.

I have a few more Mach 3 and BIC Flex 4 razors to use at home, but once those are gone I will be purchasing the Sensor 3 disposables for regular usage. They seem to be the best shave for the buck for me so far, but I am always looking for new options to try out.

Next month I will use the razor attached to my Sensor handle to see if it makes any difference.

Family Radio Letter #2

As my regular readers here are aware, I recently sent Family Radio a letter recommending the removal of Harold Camping from the organization. While I didn't receive a response to that letter, I did receive another letter from Harold Camping.

Apparently, Camping felt the need to send another letter out to further clarify that they (he) was only wrong in his teaching about the exact date of Christ's return and the end of the world. Of course, he is still right about everything else he teaches.

In particular, Camping teaches that Christians are not to belong, attend, or associate with a Church. He has proven that the church age is over and God no longer uses the Church for his purposes and if fact the Church is actually under the judgment of God.

Here is a quote from his most recent letter.
"From evidence we have learned from the Bible, we remain convicted that God has finished using the churches as the earthly representatives of the Kingdom of God, and they remain under His judgment. Therefore, we do not encourage anyone to become part of a local congregation."

Once again, Family Radio sent a postage paid envelope along with a support card to return with your check or credit card number. No thanks Mr. Camping. I think I'll keep my money going to the local Church!

2008 Suzuki SX4 Cabin Air Filter

I have never changed a cabin air filter on any vehicle I have owned. I figured it was just a gimmick and waste of money. However, while I was ordering the spark plugs from amazon, I decided to throw in the cabin air filter as well.

Materials Needed:

Cabin Filter (FRAM CF10559) $15

The cabin filter is located behind the glove box. Remove the connector on the right side of the glove box. Squeeze in the sides of the glove box so the glove box will hang down, giving you access to the cabin filter.

Remove the old filter and install the new filter. Press the glove box back into place. Reattach the connector on the right side of the glove box.

DONE!

Here is a picture of the old cabin air filter!

2008 Suzuki SX4 Change Transfer Case Oil

Change Transfer Case Oil

This operation was a little more challenging to do, only because of the location of the transfer case.

Tools needed:

Socket Wrench

80w90 Oil - 1 Qt

Rags

Empty container

Jack

Hand pump for gear oil

The transfer case is located at the back of the engine. Picture your radio but only underneath the car and that is where the drain/fill plugs are at.

The easiest way to get at the drain/fill plugs is to jack up the front of the car. Use the socket wrench (just the wrench, no socket is needed) to loosen the fill plug (top plug). It is at an awkward angle, so you need to make sure you can loosen it before you drain it.

Once the fill plug is loose, remove the drain plug (bottom plug). While the oil is draining into your empty container, clean the drain plug and prepare the new oil to be pumped or squirted into the fill plug. When the oil is done draining, reinstall the drain plug.

I have found using a hand pump to squirt the gear oil into the transfer case was the easiest method. Keep adding gear oil until it drips out of the fill plug. Reinstall the fill plug. Remove the jacks from the car and clean up. Done!

2008 Suzuki SX4 Spark Plugs

Changing the Spark plugs on this car was the easiest I have ever done!

Materials Needed:

4 Spark Plugs (NGK (7418) IFR5J11 Laser Iridium Spark Plug) about $10 a piece

Socket set with Spark Plug Socket and extension (a deep well socket may be needed)

Unclip the air filter canister. Remove the front two screws holding the air cover that sits on top of the engine. The back simply pulls out of a slot, but it does take some force. Remove the air hoses as needed. I was able to simply remove the front one that just slides on without a hose clamp.

Remove the Spark plug ignition coil with the socket set. You don't need to disconnect the wiring, just remove it from the spark plug. Remove the spark plug with a spark plug socket. Carefully, insert the new spark plug. You made need to tighten the spark plug a few turns with the spark plug socket, then switch to a deep well socket.

Reinstall the spark plug ignition coil. Reinstall the air cover and air filter canister.

Start up the car and if no problems, then you are good for another 60,000 miles!