5 out of 5 stars *****
2020 ends with positive encouragement from scripture in Dr. Charles Stanley's In Touch devotional series. I never loose sight of the whole scheme of matters when reminded that God is always in control and never does anything that is not for our good and His praise.
5 out of 5 stars *****
The author writes Be Confident: Live by Faith, Not by Sight utilizing the Book of Hebrews, chiefly, and various other biblical scriptures throughout the text. Hebrews is written by Christians for Christians as the New Testament struggles to retain believers who are prone to slip back into Judaism.
Moses compares to Christ in a few significant ways. Wiersbe elaborates that this teaching needs to convince followers that the the New Covenant brought by Jesus is a truer path to perfection because of Christ's divinity whereby the Old Covenant requires repeated sacrifices that do not save anyone once and for all.
The wise words of Hebrews and the excellent prose of Wiersbe succeed in relating the power of faith in Jesus Christ that leads to a more confident life with an intimate relationship with God.
5 out of 5 stars *****
| October's 2020 devotional reading from Dr. Charles Stanley's In Touch: Readings for Devoted Living touches my soul every morning. The pages inform my intellect, awaken my sense of morality, and stir my passions. Deep introspection and calm guidance from scripture settles my heart and mind during these poignant times. |
5 out of 5 stars *****
There isn't a single day that goes by without my communion with God. Studying His word keeps me in tune with His plan, His will, and His love. I can never take anything for granted. Life is a blessed gift and it is easy to love the gift and forget the Giver.
Bible study reveals how God communicates with mankind across time through His prophets in the Old Testament. Isaiah is one of the most prolific of these chosen men. This study shows Isaiah to be a man who feels deeply for his people. He suffers as God passes judgment on them for their worship of false gods, their disrespect for the temple, and their falling further away from the Law of Moses. Isaiah prays for their redemption. He also sees that God must rebuke sin but not without mercy. Hope is given through a promise that a remnant of his people will remain, course corrected by a penance of captivity for their sins, and a humbling before the One and only God.
5 out of 5 stars *****
A great lecture on Dante's Divine Comedy. Ronald B. Herzman and William R. Cook discuss this classic work in context as well as art in poetry. Dante's guided trek through Purgatory and Hell provides ample opportunity to describe the people who are too attached to the world and the flesh to enjoy an eternity of bliss in Heaven when mortality summons.
The professors give this lecture to several groups who identify with the protagonist but when he is in different realms. Prisoners see themselves in Purgatory atoning for their sins and students see themselves in Hell coping with the everyday stress of life. It is suggested by the author to reread this poem in order to grasp its full meaning and appreciate Dante's genius.
4 out of 5 stars ****
Thought-provoking and informative are two adjectives suitable for this Great Courses lecture series. The great philosophical thinkers share their thoughts and beliefs through the narration of Robert Solomon who also adds context to content by giving his audience a little background of each philosopher. These widely known, deep abstract thinkers include Albert Camus, Soren Kierkegaard and his worldview of Christianity; Friedrich Nietzsche on Nihilism and the death of God, among other topics, such as, morality; Husserl, Heidegger on Phenomenology, consciousness and one's interaction with their environment; and Jean-Paul Sartre on emotions and responsibility.
No study of Philosophy is complete without the inclusion of religion. Science takes man to understanding and possible belief. Kierkegaard postulates that since God is spiritual and separate from creation, being the Creator, belief requires a qualitative leap of faith. Solomon's closing lecture covers Existentialism, a philosophy about the control over one's life, to Postmodernism and its general distrust of any ideologies or worldviews.
5 out of 5 stars *****
Many a day this devotional expresses exactly what I need to nourish my soul. Dr. Charles Stanley writes his explanation of Scripture citing book, chapter, verse from the Bible. His knowledge and open Christian heart apply the principles of each devotional to daily life. My desire to do God's will rather than my own makes such a work of communication, the devotional, necessary to mature as a Christian.
4 out of 5 stars ****
| This concept is interesting, an audio production of Amazon Reviews; so I listen. My preconceived misconceptions prove bias an unjust filter to reality. I laugh aloud as professional actors and comedians dramatize the script that writes itself. Online shopping creates a new genre of literature, The Review. Reviews can be amusing and informative. A collection of reviews draws from an endless source of worldwide authors. I wonder if any of them receive royalties from this endeavor. |
4 out of 5 stars ****
A Rare Book of Cunning Device, by Ben Aaronovitch, is a short, well-written and narrated, interesting storyline. The author leaves his audience wanting more. This Audiobook allows escape into fantasy.
5 out of 5 stars *****
The Book of Romans is text worth studying often. This study by Warren W. Wiersbe discusses the context in which the words are transcribed, words ascribed to the Apostle, Paul, and counted as the sacred word of God.
Paul starts many Christian churches throughout vast regions. They require tending as others try to falsely preach the gospel, one that benefits themselves and does not serve others. Paul sends letters with disciples to guide those straying from God's word. These instructions are tenets for Christians to live a life according to the Will of God and not a life of self pleasure and pride.
Wiersbe's study on Romans explores the fundamentals of Christianity with thought-provoking questions at the back of each chapter. Study groups discuss this biblical masterpiece for its many lessons that apply today.
Ever start reading or listening to a book and find yourself grabbing pen and paper to jot down meaningful insights. Well, Atomic Habits is one. The thoughtful attention James Clear, author and narrator, brings to his proven process for improvement of an individual, team, or business demonstrates that he lives what he teaches. In his wisdom he applies logical analysis to his identification of components that lead to successful habits responsible for improvement in any aspect of life.
An important ingredient in success is setting goals, one's aim and direction toward a specific target or level of excellence. Clear points out that there are so many who do not set goals after reaching an acceptable comfort level of existence. Greatness comes when realistic goals from a system of small routines are enhanced and maintained by positive habits.
The outcome relies on the soundness of the system, not the goal. Honest introspection identifies habits as procrastinating, obstructive, or beneficial. Examples of improved personality habits are: supplant smoking with practice on a musical instrument, overeating with exercise and meditation, watching TV with reading or journal writing. Identity-based habits should improve confidence and self-esteem. They develop qualities of a desirable person in reaching that goal. To achieve a goal that advances good to great, a system of outcome-based habits must also apply.
Change is not always easy and James Clear addresses that pitfall in the system. Once a goal is set, specific changes may pose difficulty. The author notes that changing "want" into "is" requires four factors to make the changed behavior habit: 1) Make it obvious 2) Make it attractive 3) Make it easy 4) Make it satisfying. The elaboration of each of these four steps is very useful in creating the environment necessary for goal attainment, success. Improved life has a set of small habits, a system that affects the entire person, to unclutter visual cues in an environment that maintains and promotes clarity.
| An excellent story with superb writing and narration. Alexander X, book 1 of heroic struggles between genetically rare people who live for centuries and those who have a normal life expectancy. The protagonist is a teenager who blends in American society as a High School student. His recall of history is slightly different than taught but he cannot let on about how he knows the truth. What he discovers about his own family covers the rest of the story. Will Wheaton embodies the different characters, male and female, dramatizing their significance to the plot. Anticipation of Alexander X's sequel is how this book closes having no closure. |
| Many a day starts peacefully as I read July's In Touch devotionals. A good start does not mean a consistency of peace throughout the day but, at least, I have a reference to visit and a goal for which to strive. This daily wisdom sets my frame of mind right. Dr. Charles Stanley grasps God's word, which speaks to all of us. His inspired eloquence plainly explains biblical meaning. His ministry is to spread the Good Word, the Gospel. In Touch devotionals do exactly this with practical application for daily living regardless of circumstances. |
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| Very good. The narration by Simon Prebble is excellent. The protagonist, Winston, is aware of the injustice that occurs every day but he cannot say anything about it or even look like he is thinking about it. There are "thought crimes" and "facial crimes" when one is guilty of looking guilty. Anything the government, "Big Brother," does cannot be wrong so when "Big Brother" is wrong, history is rewritten to favor the actions of the government. The goal of the government is world domination, prevention of independent thinking by the masses, and massive genocide without being caught, to cull the herd. The epilogue explains Newspeak, a carefully developed vocabulary that actually diminishes over time. Generalized terms replace undesirable words that promote independent thinking and daydreaming. All communication by the masses is to bolster the function of the collective or else it is a disease to the system. |
| This recent Audible Audio narration is by Ishmael Reed, himself, who accounts his own path that brings him to meet the man who shares this biography's title. The author meets Malcolm X as a man before he becomes the dynamic speaker and charismatic figure in black culture. Reed's assessments are honest and fair when recalling his time with Malcolm X. I find this story well written, well spoken, and interesting. |
| Historical Fiction about WW II and a young female war correspondent, Annabella March, Annie, who studies the famous Martha Gelhorn while in France, 1944. Annie becomes a great photographer preferring pictures to words. She meets two Harvard bred officers, one, a truly courageous soldier and the other, an officer who does not see the front line action his Harvard buddy does. It is Gelhorn's influence and notoriety that permits Annie access to these officers and planners of war tactics. She discovers the politics and ego-driven decisions in wartime that unnecessarily result in the deaths of so many men. Her association with Martha also grants her an insult from Martha's estranged husband, Earnest Hemmingway. Annie desires to share herself with the courageous soldier but the timing is rotten. Germany is about to launch the Battle of the Bulge and all allied troops must direct their attention to this famous, historical event. Pont Neuf , French for New Bridge, crosses the Seine River in Paris. This is the location of the last scene for this story. What precedes this scene is the heroic victory of the allies over their enemy and the terrible cost it exacts on Annie's soldier. A decision to follow orders or follow one's heart creates the suspenseful tension in the epilogue leaving listeners with a tearful reminder that war destroys the conquered and devastates victors. It affects all who participate. |
| The Israelites, led by Moses, head toward the Promised Land. Numbers tells of the great trials and tribulations of a saved and consecrated people, at Mt Sinai; who, two generations, wander in the desert for 40 years because the first rebelled against Moses and God so often. The second generation prepares for war having their faith in the One true God and the Ark of the Covenant to protect them. Moses passes away before the tribe enters the Promised Land but he makes Joshua Judge and leader. Deuteronomy tells of the teachings by Moses to the second generation who must learn the Israelite history so that they know Abraham, whom God makes a Covenant, is their ancestral father and they are about to fulfill that covenant with their actions in the Holy Land. Moses stresses the need to follow the law of God, the Ten Commandments, and to obey God's will in their enormous endeavor or suffer being scattered throughout the world. The Israelites fail to obey and suffer the fate of this warning. The stories and messages from these two books are sources from which Jesus refers approximately 1600 years later. In Deuteronomy Peter identifies Jesus as the one prophesied to rise up in the future and lead his people like Moses. When Satan tempts Jesus in the desert, where he fasts for 40 days, Jesus refers to Deuteronomy with His immediate responses telling Satan that man does not live by bread alone (Deuteronomy 8:3), not to test God but have faith in Him (Deuteronomy 6:16) and to worship no one but God, alone (Deuteronomy 6:13 and 10:20). When a scholar of the law asks Jesus what is the greatest commandment, Jesus responds with Deuteronomy 6:5 which states that obedience follows supreme love of God. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 is known as the "Shema" in Judaism, the most famous Old Testament passage. Explore the Bible: Numbers; Deuteronomy is a study that confirms prophesy that Jesus Christ is essential as the one perfect, obedient son of man and God worthy of sacrifice for mankind's sins. He did not come to this world to teach obedience of God's law; rather, to sacrifice His life out of the great love of God, our Father, so that people may follow Him and receive salvation through Him who knew no sin. Faith saves through the grace of God. Good works are a result of great love but not sufficient, alone, for salvation. |
