5 out of 5 stars *****
This bible study of 1, 2 Timothy; Titus explains the letters written by Paul to his disciple, Timothy, when the Christian church experiences growing pains at its inception. It is important that consistency exist when teaching that salvation is only through faith in Jesus Christ, accountability is to the church and God, and that believers exhibit God's grace with mercy towards others. Paul also imparts to Timothy that believers should treat each other as family caring for the isolated, lonely members and supporting the pastoral leadership. Paul wants Timothy to convey to believers that blessing others and pursuing godliness produces joy in knowing there is an eternal life that awaits.
It is a tall task to expect churches in distant lands to share the same practices based on the same teachings. Paul encourages members to gain strength spiritually through the Holy Spirit and boldly spread the gospel knowing Christ as the resurrected Messiah. Believers also know that persecution lies in front of them so Paul reinforces their focus be the gospel during such times. By studying the gospel and living a righteous life, Paul asserts that church members, especially leaders, avoid being led astray. Paul compels them to do everything in love and with kindness and instructs them to always be able to present the gospel and scripture as the word of God.
Titus, an uncircumcised disciple of Paul, receives a letter from the "Gentiles' Apostle" in Crete. Like 1 Timothy, Paul warns Titus about false teachers. Some opportunists spin the gospel for personal gain. Titus picks men of impeccable character and develops sound doctrine based on the qualifications of church leaders as per Paul. Titus reminds believers to pursue truth and good works to receive the grace of God; then they can confront and expose false teachers as they establish local churches and inspire their leaders. Paul also tells Titus to be bold as he represents the authority of Jesus Christ.
Paul's letters to these two disciples reinforces the solid foundation of the infant church of Jesus Christ. He points to the consistent lessons that salvation is through faith in Jesus and honoring God through good works and loving kindness. These principles are essential for the church to be true to the teachings of Christ and to assure its existence over time.
4 out of 5 stars ****
John C. Houbolt, a mid-level engineer at NASA, gets the brass to accept his idea for a Lunar Orbit Rendezvous instead of all other suggestions to put a man on the moon within a distinct timeframe. Werner Von Braun, the ex Nazi rocket designer and ultimate voice on the issue, is in favor of using one rocket ship to land on the moon.
The Man Who Knew The Way to the Moon is a story about man's adventure into space, a time when computers are people, not machines. President John F. Kennedy gives NASA a deadline for the project to pull ahead of the Russians in the space race. John Houbolt is not taken seriously, at first, but a few top engineers look over his figures and see the possibilities.
Houbolt leaves NASA after his ideas succeed and credit for the accomplishments is spread to some of those who, at first, did not believe in him. He finally gets the recognition he deserves from Von Braun as the only one who perseveres under pressure, believing in himself and his figures instead of ignoring what he knows to be right for the sake of agreeing with those who outrank him in status.
It is a book like this that brings to light unsung heroes who would otherwise be forgotten in the pages of recorded history. Thank you, Todd Zwillich, for writing this historical enlightenment.
5 out of 5 stars *****
Caroline Kepnes captures the reader with an interesting slice of life that reels into an engaging love story ripe with twisting storylines and psychological curves. Seen through the eyes of an attractive, intelligent young man, Joe, a rare bookstore owner whose focus is on a beautiful, vulnerable young female writer, Beck, who becomes the object of his obsession.
This story is full of well developed characters who play a role in Joe's life to create chapters of suspense and thrills leaving the audience hanging in fascination. Kepnes has the ability to take the reader on an emotional vacillation of humanity with horror. This terrific story about love and imperfection leaves one guessing right up to the startling conclusion which, of course, shocks one wanting more.
4 out of 5 stars ****
This book enhances knowledge of oneself by becoming familiar with spiritual gifts God bestows on people to glorify Himself and His church. This is not to bolster one's ego; rather, the book explains that such gifts can make one a better disciple of Christ who benefits others in the church body.
The author, Thomas R. Schreiner, refers to scripture to present whether certain spiritual gifts are active as before the church's existence (continuationism) or that some no longer feed the purpose of establishing a consistent church body of Christ and so no longer exist (cessationism). The two major gifts in question are Prophecy and the Gift of Tongues. Interpretation of Tongues and Healing present differently today than they once did, also, when the conversation refers to healing miracles by the apostles and the sudden ability to translate foreign languages.
Schreiner makes a strong case for cessationism in this book. He concludes that all gifts will cease with the second coming of Jesus Christ, a time no one knows but anticipates. He admits that his charitable opinion for cessationism may not be convincing to those who see more clearly but he cannot imagine apostles and prophets in today's world being necessary for the church to exist.
3 out of 5 stars *****
A short story about Babe Ruth's life as a teenager and how he gets to baseball's major leagues. It is a humorous tale about his friendship with a minor league coach's son that turns bitter when he makes the roster but his friend does not. Babe, who gets that nickname from his minor league coach, admires his friend's qualities as a person but is naive to his friend's jealousy that develops as their friendship fades. This naivete carries over to Babe's start of his historic career as he learns from the players around him who know that he is something very special. It is a rags to riches story with humble beginnings exposing the frailties of mankind that sour even the best intentions of a sports hero and fan favorite.
5 out of 5 stars *****
Ben Shapiro writes and narrates an intelligent, logical book on Western Civilization, in particular, America, and expounds why it offers the best human experience, to date. He astutely refers to its origins stemming from Jerusalem and Greece, moral philosophy and scientific reasoning.
The world and its societies weather the tyranny of barbarous tribes, brutal conquests from foreign foes, and cultures ruled by classes who dictate lifetime status. Order by control achieves privilege for the elite few but freedom and liberty are not in the majority of such systems. A society that impedes growth for its citizens exists to service those who work hard to maintain their self-absorbed lives and distort their view of themselves against the rest of humanity. Pride corrupts as cruelty becomes a norm.
Shapiro explains without the morality taught in early writings, scriptures from the Jews and the Gospels from the Christians, people would not know their unalienable, God-given rights that include freedom and liberty. Right and wrong have a clear distinction in such societies but it takes time to change, slavery being a prime example.
The author also points to the logical, scientific reasoning of the Greek culture as fundamental and necessary in the Western Civilization formula. Laws, governments, trade, prosperity skyrocket within a framework of freedom and liberty. Obstacles to fair and just societies are the inherent flaws in mankind's nature. Greed, jealousy, pride, power, and wealth drive people to pursue selfish goals, not ones taught by Judeo-Christian principles.
Great societies thrive with logical, fair and just laws, considerate of all people, that a moral compass guides. This is the foundation upon which America rests. It is why America is the greatest society to ever exist, thus far, but it is tenuous considering the evil in the world and the sinful nature of mankind.
5 out of 5 stars *****
This book is full of engaging characters; one really feels for the protagonist. The descriptive writing is superb; it puts one right in the Carolina marshes where the novel unfolds into emotional adventures of discovery and hardship but uplifts by a human spirit that is rare and wonderful. Where the Crawdads Sing is one of the best books of the year.
