Peace with God by Billy Graham, Jack Garrett (Narrator)

5 out of 5 stars  *****

An outstanding comprehensive book about peace with God and that peace within when one prepares oneself to be a worthy vessel for His Holy Spirit. Billy Graham is a master, dare one say, "Prophet," in sharing the Word of God.

This book is first published in 1953 and updated only to address the current times but not to change the ancient message left for humanity. Peace with God teaches the novice Christian God's will and jogs the memory of the diluted Christian into reality so that they may be at peace in this world of chaos. Such attainment is having the peace of God within which surpasses all understanding.

Graham elaborates why peace with God is vital for salvation on the Day of Judgment. In a time of self-absorption, sin is prevalent in a sin-laden people. In a time when the devil rules this world, Satan's deceptive ways fool many into becoming his servant by drawing them further away from God's will. When success in the world places man's pride above God and people seek their own desires, especially of the flesh, Evil wins the battle for the souls of everyone the Father loves. Peace with God is the voice God uses through his humble servant, Dr. Billy Graham, to remind the world that He, Elohim, Abba, I Am is the only power in all existence and His will must be done through Christ Jesus to achieve eternal peace, joy, and bliss in heaven. 

Plunder and Deceit by Mark R. Levin

5 our of 5 stars  *****

Mark Levin does not write for Eighth-graders; he explains with expert logic the politics and history of our great nation in cogent, concise sentences filled with a vocabulary that explains so much in a word. The reader must pay attention to pick up his astute comprehension of the subject matter in Plunder and Deceit. 

This book targets the arising generation but directs all who enjoy this number one best-seller to appreciate the huge tasks and hurdles already in place for this generation as a result of greed and intentional misguidance in leadership and teaching by many Progressive professors in colleges and Universities. For example, a study of college students who begin their studies in 1980 have a worldview that Americans are responsible for so much of the strife in the world today. This present administration reflects this in its domestic and foreign policies. 

This book turns to Conservative solutions and backs up its claims citing the success of administrations such as Ronald Reagan's. It also points to Ayn Rand's Return of the Primitive: The Anti-industrial Revolution which says Collectivism, which restricts an individual's mind, promises universal abundance while denouncing Capitalism, which, they say, leads to poverty. Now, when Capitalism causes abundance and people feel comfortable and secure, Collectivism denounces people for being comfortable and secure. 

Part of the problem is an indifferent population that prefers to leave politics to the poly-sci majors. Such people reap the rewards of the politician they complain about but feel powerless to evoke change. They discover Progressives plunder their hard earned money to redistribute it in the name of equality, even though such a system has only led to massive poverty, inequality, despair, and oppression.

Levin accuses the Obama administration of promoting the "Degrowth" movement which deceives. This movement uses alarmist claims to scare the population into believing the government must come to their rescue to save the world. For example, Man-made global cooling, man-made global warming, and now, man-made climate change all have the same solution; which is, control peoples lives with regulations, increase taxation, and more restrictions for industries including control of new technology. The result is less freedom and liberty and more tyrannical power for a centralized government. This describes the very situation our forefathers revolted against in the first place. Mark Levin also suggests that with such a stranglehold on America's freedom and liberty, the unemployment rate and the number of dependents on social welfare programs explode. 

This book also reveals the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) deceives consistent with the "Degrowth" movement. Each one of the EPA's major regulations cause increase taxation of growth and production. This has an annual effect costing greater than $100 million, a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, and a significant adverse effect on competition, employment, and investment. This self-imposed adversity on America's economy and growth is the result of just one major regulation. There are 65 major regulations written for many industries; such as, Energy, Automotive, and Farming. The EPA also cripples use of affordable carbon based sources of energy making us dependent on foreign sources for energy. 

Mark Levin concludes Plunder and Deceit with hope; a biblical worldview to infiltrate society's politics, entertainment, and culture to change and save the Republic. He believes a peaceful rebellion can displace the tyranny that accuses Americans as being terrorists for disagreeing with the powers that be. The people are the sovereign power in a Republic, the greatest form of government demonstrated by America when it operates with a Judeo-Christian compass. 

The rising generation must become the strongest leading activists America has seen since its inception to restore its heritage. They must be ready to meet adversity, frustration, and the threat of jail and even death; but before an all-out physical revolution, there is a Convention of States, a peaceful way to approach the fight.

This reader loves the quote Mark uses in his epilogue of Plunder and Deceit from Frederic Bastiat (1801-1850) in his book, The Law, "Liberty is an acknowledgement of faith in God and his works."

Explore the Bible: Adult Personal Study Guide - Summer 2015 by Jim Shaddix (Editor), Morris Baker, Andy Chambers

5 of 5 stars  *****

The discussion in my Life Group about this Bible Study book was most interesting and focused on what was written rather than subjective scenarios. I had a lot of misunderstanding cleared up after my reading and weekly class participation about the last book of the Bible, Revelation. The author, John the Apostle, did not offer his own interpretation of that which he was asked, by God, to write. John described what he saw and wrote it down with as much detail as he could. His writings completed the prophesies made much earlier by prophets, such as, Isaiah and Daniel. 

The doom and gloom that preceded my outlook of Revelation was replaced with joy and peace knowing that abiding in God's word meant God's Holy Spirit was abiding in me. By faith, only one death was promised to those who repented for their sins regularly. By refusal to repent, two deaths awaited those opposed to recognize their sinfulness. That second death accompanied the devil in the abyss, the river of fire.

Revelation was written about the times from the Resurrection of Christ, the descent of the Holy Spirit, included the first Resurrection of Saints, the Rapture; then the days of war, famine, pestilence, death, etc., the days of doom and gloom which were represented by The Seven Seals, The Seven Trumpets, The Seven Personages, the Seven Vials, and The Seven Dooms. Was it any wonder I had such a negative view of this holy chapter in God's word. Revelation concluded with The Seven New Things: New Heaven, New Earth, New City, New Nations, New River, New Tree, and New Throne. The choice became clear to either fear God and obey his commands, which instructed me to love and praise Him by loving others without covetousness, or live life serving another master, whether it be the devil, an inanimate object, or a prideful self. 

I had the pleasure of reading and discussing this edition of Explore the Bible: Adult Personal Study Guide - 2015, with others. It made me choose wisely. I chose one death by living in His word so that His Spirit lives in me. In the meantime, upon any transgressions, my sins and iniquities, I pray for God's forgiveness as I repented before in this ongoing process.

The Witness by Nora Roberts (Goodreads Author), Julia Whelan (Narrator)

5 of 5 stars *****

This Audiobook had me staying up late listening to an intriguing thriller with its fascinating characters. Julia Whelan narrated this murder mystery brilliantly. 

I loved the main character who was introduced as a teenager but was close to 30 at the story's end. Her life was headed in a safe but undesirable direction when one night of independence shaped her future; one that freed her from her mother's unloving grip but deprived her from a normal life with others. Elizabeth became "Liz" in her moment of emancipation; then "Abigail" when her tale resumed years later in a quiet town where she lived alone. The in-between years were slowly revealed once Abigail interacted with the community. She was very wary but felt obligated by the friendly nature of the town folk in this rural environment. 

Abigail was such a refreshing character who made me feel for her as a father and I enjoyed her as an exceptional human being. These characters that entered her life became the impetus to resolving the main issue stemming from that one night of emancipation which, in turn, led to her skill at isolation. One character, in particular, became the psychological bridge that started Abigail on the road to normalcy.

This was my first Nora Roberts book but it will not be my last.

Hillary Rodham Clinton: A History of Scandal, Corruption and Cronyism

5 of 5 stars

One appreciates truth through documentation of evil's sway over those who commit dastardly deeds. Such accounts must present facts that demonstrate strong implications, if not convictions, from damning evidence. Damning is a most appropriate choice word for Hillary Rodham Clinton, according to Bob Barr, who points out that she is a star pupil of Saul Alinsky, author of Rules for Radicals, which has a dedication in the front of his book to Lucifer, the first rebel who winds up with his own kingdom. This booklet is a quick synopsis of the Clintons', Bill and Hillary's, political history. The purpose of the booklet is to educate voters as to the integrity of Hillary because she is a presidential candidate for 2016. Patterns of greed, scandal, corruption and cronyism follow Hillary from the time she started her political career until the present day.

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed (Goodreads Author), Bernadette Dunne (Narrator)

5 out of 5 stars  *****

I gave the movie 4 out of 5 stars and this Audiobook 5 out of 5 stars for the entertaining introspection of Cheryl Strayed as she found herself, in more ways than one, on the Pacific Crest Trail. Cheryl Strayed's thoughts were a self-analysis penned in a cogent flow of great writing. Her story was coupled with a superb narration by Bernadette Dunne; thus, the additional star.

I particularly enjoyed her honesty when she discovered the male side of her being. Cheryl always knew her power over men growing up as a female; but she coped with her nagging problems, created by making bad decisions in a time of duress, by insisting on hiking alone. She watched the male hikers walk out of sight and felt the security of her own world that used to be a place of loneliness, a space she filled with regrettable behavior. The opportunity to be alone in her own world I liken to the man cave; not the social spot of fantasy football, beer, and hot wings but the place men go for solitude to work things out.

In herself, Cheryl found the strength she identified in her mother. Her growth came with much pain and required a fortitude she never knew she had. Cheryl Strayed's courage inspired the male hikers who crossed paths with her. She became the best she could be and overcame her demons that could have haunted her for the rest of her life had she not challenged herself in this personal quest. 

The Crisis by Winston Churchill

5 of 5 stars  *****

Review This is one of the best books I have read this year. I put the book in the bathroom so I would only read a chapter at a time once halfway through - it is one of those books I did not want to end too soon. I love the style, vocabulary, plot, history, characters, and charm of the era when and where the story takes place as well as the author's talent when he writes The Crisis at the turn of the twentieth century.

The language of that time in this fictional history maintains the story's integrity and is not intended to offend, at all. Winston Churchill,  himself, a native of St. Louis, incorporates the feelings, beliefs, and mores through the characters' interactions. These characters include both strong-willed, admirable men and women along with the self-important, deprived, and greedy.

The story begins before the Civil War in the considered American West, St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois. St. Louis is a blend of Southerners and Northerners with the protagonist, a new arrival from Boston, and a flavor of immigrants from Germany. The community's distinguishing elders from both sides are congenial with one another but each have fervent opinions and loyalties when it comes to Union or Confederate. A much reviled and loved character emerges from Illinois; one who sees both sides of the inevitable calamity, who decisively follows his heart in burdensome times evidenced by his love of God and country. This man is Abraham Lincoln.

The story's palpable love interest piques the imagination with the reserved manner of the courting etiquette appropriate for these times. One woman, Virginia, a major character, is the desire of most men who lay eyes upon her but she dictates who is worthy. Her emotional fluctuations poignantly intertwine with the theme of the book, thus, both sides, North and South, unfold in the telling of her suitors' escapades. The best of the human spirit, the noblest qualities of men and women under the duress of war fill the bulk of the plot. The story ends after the Civil War but the story's memory lingers. The Crisis is written in an elegance that captures moments seen through Churchill's vision for every reader's pleasure.