How to Fight Presidents: Defending Yourself Against the Badasses Who Ran This Country by Daniel O'Brien

4 out of 5 stars  ****

A fun, funny read that teaches bits of historical facts about each president as the author prepares the reader to fight each one of them. The list of presidents ranges from Washington to Reagan with an extra chapter devoted to Theodore, "Teddy," Roosevelt, Daniel O'Brien's favorite "badass," as he refers to him. This book is an easy read that I pick up on occasion while I devote most of my time to current events and a group study. It does not matter where I leave off or how long I am away from this book because each short chapter is an outrageous story in and of itself.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

5 of 5 stars *****

Once again, Donna Tartt creates an engaging story which brings life to words with her unique descriptions and common phrasings that magically transport the reader into the contemporary existence of an adolescent, Theo Decker, who experiences the death of his mother. This tragedy creates a longing for his mother that haunts him through an exquisite painting of a captive pet bird, a Goldfinch. This mysterious attraction, that lives deep in Theo, accompanies him through his schooldays, living in his best friend's household, and into adulthood that includes drugs and crimes of deceit in the art world. Theo's lifestyle gets in the way of his happiness with love and ultimately hardens his view of life as rather difficult and tedious. It's not until the end when he contemplates the masterpiece painting, the Goldfinch, that he sees, up close, the creator's brushstroke, his painstaking attention to an admirer's vision of an undercoating that gives the Goldfinch depth and fluff to its breast; but more significant to Theo is the distance required from the painting that blends the physical reality with the magical intention of the artist to captivate an onlooker into falling in love with his creation. This is the place where Theo sees a softer realm of beauty that he ascribes to the love of his life, Pippa, rather than the harsh realism of his deep secretive life that he is reluctant to share. It takes the Goldfinch to bring this revelation into Theo's consciousness.

Explore the Bible: Adult Personal Study Guide HCSB: (Hebrews, Fall 2014) by David Jeremiah (General Editor), Argile Smith

5 of 5 stars  *****

Hebrews is the Gospel that addresses the wavering believers 30 years after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Christians are ready to avoid the condescension and persecution by the Jews and Romans to lead a more peaceful life. However, returning to the old covenant of Moses law, whereby the path to heaven is paved by good behavior and obedience to the that law, the new covenant, brought by Jesus as prophesied in the old testament, promises life everlasting by believing that Jesus is the Christ, who, by sacrificing his perfect life for mankind's sins, believers are assured a place in heaven with their Father. For the Christians who lean toward reverting back to the old ways, they tend to follow the herd who find comfort in habit, even though the behavior requires extra sacrifices. The people who do turn their backs on Jesus decide to live for temporary moments of happiness rather than a joyous eternal existence with Jesus in heaven. Without Hebrews Christianity may not be the major religion it is today. The most likely author of this gospel is the Apostle, Paul

Bible Promises for You: From the New International Version by Inspirio (Creator)

5 of 5 stars  *****

This is the little book I shall carry with me so that I may refer to the wisdom it offers. The book is about as big as a large-screen phone so it isn't convenient to carry in my pants pocket. I shall carry this book with me along with my phone, which has a downloaded version of the NIV Bible. The advantage of having access to the written word is immediate accessibility to the Word of God without searching through the Old and New Testaments. Two pages are dedicated to every condition and quality that scripture lists in alphabetical order from Accomplishment to Work. Choose the appropriate subject; say, Children, and turn to page 24 to discover what the Old Testament (written in italics) and the New Testament teach on the subject. I read a few entries and put the book down in deep thought. I am amazed at the significance the words have for me at any particular time I open this little gem of wisdom. Bible Promises for You is a book which talks to me in a divine way; therefore, it walks with me so that I may walk the talk.

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, Fenella Woolgar (Narrator)

4 out of 5 stars ****

A beautifully written story by Kate Atkinson and an exquisite, expressive narration by Fenella Woolgar make this Audiobook a recommended choice for anyone's bookshelf. The subject of life and death never grows old in this genre of historical fiction. Life enters the world and passes through for brief moments only to reemerge in another window by chance to experience what the times offer for the innocent and vulnerable. View life in the last century through Ursula Todd, the traveler in this adventure.

Sometimes God Has a Kid's Face by Mary Rose McGeady

5 out of 5 stars  *****

A pleasant surprise that breaks one's heart once the homeless children accounts are read in Sister Mary Rose McGready's book, Sometimes God Has A Kid's Face. The author includes the writings of the Covenant House's temporary residents, wayward children and teenagers in America, who find themselves abused at home and then in the streets. This small book is an educational tool for those who are unaware of the tragedy growing in cities in Latin and North America, homelessness of a most vulnerable population who need love and kindness to have a chance at simply coping in today's world. Not every story has a happy ending but every youngster taken in by the Covenant House is privy to hear the Word of God, the Gospel, and have their basic needs met. Each resident leaves with a healthier, cleaner body and a rejuvenated soul. The Covenant House does depend on donations to survive and asks for the public's generosity so they can continue on their mission of caring for these dependent, fearful, and rejected young individuals. This mission extends into the source of the problem, the family; therefore, the last chapter of the book is a Family Survival Guide which teaches morality, coping mechanisms with children and teenagers, and what signs point to needing professional intervention. Every story is unique in the details but similar in basic human needs lacking in the lives of these poor and innocent.

Heaven by Randy Alcorn (Goodreads Author)

4 out of 5 stars  ****

The least discussed subject in the Bible is adroitly presented by Randy Alcorn, an accomplished bestselling Christian author of 40 books. What separates Randy's book from other books about Heaven is the discipline he uses throughout the book keeping to scripture. The diverse opinions and perspectives of Heaven exist in the clergy as well as the general population. Without application of his personal imagination, Alcorn transcribes ancient writings that span thousands of years describing the same place. Then, to broaden the vision of Heaven, Alcorn asks a variety of questions about what it is like in Heaven. This portion of the book is interesting, as the author draws the most probable explanations from Bible verses in both Old and New Testaments, but it becomes a bit tedious, too. 

The influence of C.S. Lewis on Alcorn is apparent by his frequent reference to his writings. Narnia quotes enlighten this reader to the deeper symbolism Lewis uses about the Biblical message. Narnia is replaced by a new, brighter Narnia once the old Narnia dies. Narnia represents Earth as understood by Lewis and shared by Alcorn. 

The end of the book, Heaven, is particularly uplifting. The author describes how to explain death to children who are about to die before their parents, and how to comfort those who are older and afraid to leave this world. The dualism of Plato and the resurrection perspective by Christians are explained in an Appendix because there exists a prevalent combination of the two throughout the world. 

Heaven is a valuable addition to any believer's bookshelf, one that belongs next to their Bible. A change in the reader is promised once its contents are read, its context understood, so that the Great Commission can be shared by educated, searchers of the Way, the Truth, and the Life.