The One Year Book of Christian History by E. Michael and Sharon Rusten
This is a one year daily devotional book that is focused on people or events that God has used throughout history to spread the gospel and advance His Kingdom.
Each day the devotion describes someone or something God used for His purposes. There is a brief reflection and scripture passage that ties into the person or event of the day. The time frame of the events is a solar eclipse on June 15, 763 B.C. to James Montgomery Boyce announcing his cancer diagnosis on May 7, 2000 A.D.
There are the usual figures you would expect to find in a book such as this: Billy Graham, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, A.W. Tozer, D. L. Moody, etc. However, there are also other people that you may not expect like: Susan Atkins (a member of the Manson family), Kurt Warner (Super Bowl MVP), Muhammad (founder of Islam).
Overall, this was an interesting daily reading about people and events that God has used over the years. I recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about Christian history.
December 31, 2019
November 26, 2019
Book Review: He Fights for You by Max and Andrea Lucado
He Fights for You by Max and Andrea Lucado
The premise of this “booklet” is to provide the reader with
encouragement to face life’s challenges. The book starts with a rather
confusing story about the walls of Jericho and then launches into 40 meditations.
Each meditation consists of words of worship, scripture, and a prayer.
Overall, I didn’t get much from this booklet. The words of
worship, scripture, and prayer didn’t always seem to match up with each other.
I usually enjoy reading Max Lucado’s works and recommend
them to others. This booklet, however, can be skipped.
November 14, 2019
Comment Regarding Article in Dec 19 Kiplinger Magazine
There is an article in the December 2019 issue of Kiplinger's magazine that describes the small cost of living increase that Social Security recipients will receive in 2020. Below is my comment to the editor of the magazine.
As I read “A Stingy Raise For Social Security Recipients” by Sandra Block in the December 2019 issue, I thought of my own raises for the past few years. They have been 1.42% for 2018, 1.21% for 2019, and will be 1.2% for 2020. Social Security for the same time frame has been 2%, 2.8%, and 1.6% respectively. I guess stinginess is everywhere these days.
Always thinking at Doe Valley.
Wes
As I read “A Stingy Raise For Social Security Recipients” by Sandra Block in the December 2019 issue, I thought of my own raises for the past few years. They have been 1.42% for 2018, 1.21% for 2019, and will be 1.2% for 2020. Social Security for the same time frame has been 2%, 2.8%, and 1.6% respectively. I guess stinginess is everywhere these days.
Always thinking at Doe Valley.
Wes
November 11, 2019
Book Review: My PreSchool WorkBook
My Preschool Workbook
This book contains 101 pages of activities to prepare your child for school. The topics covered include:
Note: this book was sent to me as a review copy from the publisher prior to its release date.
This book contains 101 pages of activities to prepare your child for school. The topics covered include:
- Colors
- Letters
- Shapes and Patterns
- Numbers
- Words
Each page challenges the child to help them develop the skills and knowledge they will need in school.
Overall, I recommend this book to help your child learn and practice their skills.
Note: this book was sent to me as a review copy from the publisher prior to its release date.
November 04, 2019
Book Review: Super Cool Space Facts
Super Cool Space Facts by Bruce Betts
This is a book about space for kids. It is separated into five chapters:
The author writes about space in a way that is easy for children to understand and keep them engaged in the topic. The book is good for learning more about space and a great resource for a project, paper, poster that a child may have to complete for school.
The author also provides a resources section to learn more about space. There is also an index in the back to make it easier to find the information you are looking for in the book.
Overall, I recommend this book to be added to the kids collection / library for a pre-k to maybe 3rd grade student.
Note: this book was sent to me as a review copy from the publisher prior to its release date.
This is a book about space for kids. It is separated into five chapters:
- The Universe
- Stars and Constellations
- The Solar System
- Comets, Meteors, and the Sky Shows
- Rockets, Satellites, Astronauts, and more
The author writes about space in a way that is easy for children to understand and keep them engaged in the topic. The book is good for learning more about space and a great resource for a project, paper, poster that a child may have to complete for school.
The author also provides a resources section to learn more about space. There is also an index in the back to make it easier to find the information you are looking for in the book.
Overall, I recommend this book to be added to the kids collection / library for a pre-k to maybe 3rd grade student.
Note: this book was sent to me as a review copy from the publisher prior to its release date.
October 20, 2019
Book Review: None Other by John MacArthur
None Other: Discovering the God of the Bible by John MacArthur
This book briefly explores six of God’s attributes:
Most of MacArthur’s works go into great detail about the particular subject of the book or message. This time, however, MacArthur attempts to briefly cover several of God’s attributes to help the reader understand more about God. True to MacArthur’s style he takes Scripture and explains it without twisting it to fit our society today.
Personally, I found that this book did not hold my interest. To me, it was too much, too fast. I know MacArthur has written books about all of these attributes of God and I would rather read an entire book that thoroughly explains that attribute rather than just touching the surface.
I also think that a new believer might lose interest in this book as well. Again, to me, MacArthur moves too fast in this book without giving the reader enough time to really understand that characteristic of God. This book is only 123 pages and MacArthur could easily write that much about a small portion of Scripture.
Overall, this is certainly not MacArthur’s best work and I think most people can safely skip it and instead read some of his other books.
This book briefly explores six of God’s attributes:
- God’s Graciousness
- God’s Sovereignty
- God’s Goodness and Power
- God’s Holiness
- God’s Love
- God’s Salvation
Most of MacArthur’s works go into great detail about the particular subject of the book or message. This time, however, MacArthur attempts to briefly cover several of God’s attributes to help the reader understand more about God. True to MacArthur’s style he takes Scripture and explains it without twisting it to fit our society today.
Personally, I found that this book did not hold my interest. To me, it was too much, too fast. I know MacArthur has written books about all of these attributes of God and I would rather read an entire book that thoroughly explains that attribute rather than just touching the surface.
I also think that a new believer might lose interest in this book as well. Again, to me, MacArthur moves too fast in this book without giving the reader enough time to really understand that characteristic of God. This book is only 123 pages and MacArthur could easily write that much about a small portion of Scripture.
Overall, this is certainly not MacArthur’s best work and I think most people can safely skip it and instead read some of his other books.
September 06, 2019
Puzzle Solved
b.dazzle, inc Scramble Squares: Planets
A few weeks ago we got a a Planets Scramble Squares puzzle by b.dazzle, inc. The goal is to arrange the 9 squares into a 12" x 12" puzzle. There is some combination of four possible planets on each card: Earth, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars. They are arranged differently on each card. The object is to position each card to match the cards next to it to solve the puzzle.
After about 15 to 20 minutes of trying different combinations, I solved the puzzle. Below is a picture of the completed puzzle.
A few weeks ago we got a a Planets Scramble Squares puzzle by b.dazzle, inc. The goal is to arrange the 9 squares into a 12" x 12" puzzle. There is some combination of four possible planets on each card: Earth, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars. They are arranged differently on each card. The object is to position each card to match the cards next to it to solve the puzzle.
After about 15 to 20 minutes of trying different combinations, I solved the puzzle. Below is a picture of the completed puzzle.
September 01, 2019
Book Review: The Master's Plan for the Church
The Master's Plan for the Church by John F. MacArthur, Jr.
The premise of the book is to describe how God wants His Church to function and its role in the world. Ultimately, the church must follow God's biblical principles. MacArthur goes into detail explaining what those principles are as recorded in Scripture.
The first four chapters delve into the anatomy of the church. MacArthur relates this to the human body: the skeleton, internal systems, muscles, and the head. The next six chapters look at the dynamics of the church including: the early church, the members, the qualities of effectiveness, the calling of the church, and doing the Lord's work in the Lord's way. The final three chapters of the book review the qualities of the excellent servant. Finally, there are 7 appendixes that expound even more detail regarding the function of the church and its members.
This book is derived from MacArthur's sermons at Grace Community Church.
Overall, I would recommend this book to everyone who wants to learn about God's design for His Church and help their local church grow.
The premise of the book is to describe how God wants His Church to function and its role in the world. Ultimately, the church must follow God's biblical principles. MacArthur goes into detail explaining what those principles are as recorded in Scripture.
The first four chapters delve into the anatomy of the church. MacArthur relates this to the human body: the skeleton, internal systems, muscles, and the head. The next six chapters look at the dynamics of the church including: the early church, the members, the qualities of effectiveness, the calling of the church, and doing the Lord's work in the Lord's way. The final three chapters of the book review the qualities of the excellent servant. Finally, there are 7 appendixes that expound even more detail regarding the function of the church and its members.
This book is derived from MacArthur's sermons at Grace Community Church.
Overall, I would recommend this book to everyone who wants to learn about God's design for His Church and help their local church grow.
August 31, 2019
Book Review: A Is For Animals!
A Is for Animals! Preschool Coloring Book by Rachael Smith
This is a nice preschool coloring book. There is a page to color for every capital letter of the alphabet with an animal name that starts with that particular letter. On the next page is a picture of the animal to color along with a fact about that animal.
The pages are high quality and should help your child learn while practicing coloring. Overall, I would recommend this book to entertain and educate your preschooler.
Note: this book was sent to me as a review copy from the publisher prior to its release date.
This is a nice preschool coloring book. There is a page to color for every capital letter of the alphabet with an animal name that starts with that particular letter. On the next page is a picture of the animal to color along with a fact about that animal.
The pages are high quality and should help your child learn while practicing coloring. Overall, I would recommend this book to entertain and educate your preschooler.
Note: this book was sent to me as a review copy from the publisher prior to its release date.
June 18, 2019
Book Review: Real Simplicity by Rozanne & Randy Frazee
Book Review: Real Simplicity by Rozanne & Randy Frazee
The ideal behind this book is to present a way to simplify your life. The main theme is to follow the Hebrew day of 6 to 6, meaning from 6AM to 6PM you get all of your work done (6 days a week) and then from 6PM to 6AM is your relational and rest time. In order to do this, the authors present a way to restructure your life so it revolves around your home/neighborhood and minimize commuting time and activities thereby maximizing time spent with family and friends in a relaxed environment.
I was looking forward to reading this book and getting some ideas to simplify things, however, I was disappointed. In theory, this sounds like an interesting concept, but I don’t believe I can implement much of what they write about simply because it doesn’t apply to me. I live in a rural northern part of the United States. I believe this type of schedule could work in a southern city in the United States. Not surprisingly, the authors live in Texas.
Overall, if you are interested in a radical change in your life, then read this book and implement the topics discussed. Otherwise, you can safely skip it.
Just my thoughts.
The ideal behind this book is to present a way to simplify your life. The main theme is to follow the Hebrew day of 6 to 6, meaning from 6AM to 6PM you get all of your work done (6 days a week) and then from 6PM to 6AM is your relational and rest time. In order to do this, the authors present a way to restructure your life so it revolves around your home/neighborhood and minimize commuting time and activities thereby maximizing time spent with family and friends in a relaxed environment.
I was looking forward to reading this book and getting some ideas to simplify things, however, I was disappointed. In theory, this sounds like an interesting concept, but I don’t believe I can implement much of what they write about simply because it doesn’t apply to me. I live in a rural northern part of the United States. I believe this type of schedule could work in a southern city in the United States. Not surprisingly, the authors live in Texas.
Overall, if you are interested in a radical change in your life, then read this book and implement the topics discussed. Otherwise, you can safely skip it.
Just my thoughts.
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