4 of 5 stars ****
The first of five beautifully illustrated comic books about Starfleet Academy in the Star Trek series. This quick, easy read story sets the stage for a multi-species academy of cadets who interact in games that shape their character and expertise in their specialties. A young female Vulcan has a decision to make after the games, stay with Starfleet or return to her people to assist in rebuilding her Vulcan species.
5 of 5 stars *****
A thrilling detective, court room mystery that is such a pleasant diversion from non-fiction, biographies, and biblical studies. I find it rejuvenating to interject fiction and audible book renditions on my course of wonder and entertainment. The Crossing, by Michael Connelly, holds my attention so that I listen to it every moment available. This audiobook allows me to follow a retired LAPD detective who decides to tie up noticeable loose ends in a murder case that is an apparent open-and-shut case for the Prosecution. Harry Bosch becomes a Private Investigator for the young Defense Attorney, Mickey Haller, representing the framed victim held in jail. The history between detective and lawyer is a twist in the story because Harry is forced to retire and uses Mickey to sue the department. The bad blood relations with the LAPD makes Harry's investigation much more interesting as he calls upon his skill and experience to exact the truth from an already investigated crime scene.Michael Connelly, the author, showcases his knowledge of police work and courtroom proceedings in this stirring story. His characters are well developed with emotional frailties and practiced perseverance. The Crossing is book number 20 in a series of Harry Bosch tales, an indication of Connelly's prolific writing habit. This book is my first Michael Connelly experience. I know that it will not be my last.
5 of 5 stars *****
How many times can one read similar historical accounts of the same events and be entertained. Well, the answer is an unlimited number of times as long as there is great research penned by great writers. In Bill O'Reilly's Legends and Lies: The Patriots, one can add great editing and storytelling to that list. The author of the companion book to the television series, narrated by Bill O'Reilly, is David Fisher. The editor is Bill O'Reilly. Reading is as effortless and compelling as the series is entertaining and educational. The book offers more information, as books usually do, but the most pertinent new information is still played out on television by a cast of excellent actors attired in costumes appropriate for the American colonies in late 1700. The book also illustrates so beautifully renditions of the hero portraits by celebrated artists as well as maps and sketches used during the Revolutionary War for strategies and espionage. One can read about the escapades of the American patriots, English loyalists, British commanders, and foreign ally contributors to America's fight for freedom and liberty in a wide assortment of History books. Different information adds to or debunks legends , or at least makes them suspect, while it piques the hungry mind for truth in these matters. Superb writing makes the return to the familiar events a pleasure to revisit as the research of one group validates others. Bill O'Reilly's Legends and Lies: The Patriots fits into this category of excellence as an historical account that educates, validates, entertains, and inspires readers to the truth about the people and circumstances in the birth of freedom and liberty in the United States of America.
5 of 5 stars *****
Even though the study of 1 Samuel is full of great men and great deeds, the theme of this study reveals God's greatness. The last judge, Samuel, anoints a king, Saul, for the clamoring Israelites who want a king to fight their battles for them like all other nations. Samuel warns the people what God tells him about a king taking their best crops and goods and dividing them among his close subjects but the people are stubborn and get their desire.
The story of David's life unfolds fraught with the best and worst qualities of man. The writings tell as great a story as can be told with the giant, Goliath, the politics of power in a palace full of princes, and the beauty of women; all trying to follow the rules and laws of man while ignoring, too often, the laws of God. God sheds His grace on those who sin but genuinely repent no matter how often this scenario occurs; David. God delivers His wrath on those who act pious but are proud and self-centered in their hearts; Saul.
This book is discussed weekly in a classroom setting known as a Lifegroup, a Bible study group. The questions about the events in 1 Samuel raise more questions about people today and their practice of faith in God. Similarities are sobering and a consensus is obvious how necessary reading God's word, applying His lessons, and maintaining open communication with Him is. In His greatness, God forgives and rewards those who love Him so much as to repent when they stray from His will.
4 of 5 stars ****
This book is part of a study about faith that also involves weekly videos and discussions after their viewing. The group with whom I participate in this endeavor is a Christian Men's Ministry. The growth in understanding Biblical scriptures and their application is the value of taking such a class. The author and teacher on the video, Dr. Bruce H. Wilkinson, conveys God's message in a clear and powerful style that resonates deeply. Passages which are known and read previously become new and fresh with the input given by all participants. I come away with a serenity, although short-lived, that only exists in the peace of God. When that peace goes awry, I am aware of my unwelcome change, even though I cannot comprehend why. One of the lessons that help me cope with my fluctuating states of being is accepting that everything that happens happens for my good as long as I do not turn away from God because of His testing.
5 of 5 stars *****
This reader is thankful for the gift that is The President's Club: Inside the World's Most Exclusive Fraternity. Nancy Gibbs, along with Michael Duffy, compile information about past and present Presidents not known by the average citizen. Starting with Truman and Hoover and ending with Obama and Bush, W., the President's club explores its significance during modern times utilizing all living Presidents. This select population are the only ones capable of understanding what the existing President is going through, even though they are not privy to confidential circumstances unique to every term. The club is in existence from the inception of the United States' birth. Washington has the sole characteristic of being the lone member, at first, but he has future Presidents with whom to confer, confide, and console in John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Strong personalities usually give way to the need of sound advice when in that most high executive office. Democrats enlist Republicans and vice-a-versa to resolve issues not faced by the ordinary human being. The office becomes greater than the person.A respect for those whom one knows little but from historical accounts and media headlines, inculcates itself into those who pick up this book and delve into its refreshing and astonishing pages. This reader is in a state of amazement after finishing this revealing non-fiction of a subject most interesting, the politics and human nature of those who accept the daunting task, President of the United States.
4 of 5 stars ****
This audiobook synchronizes with my other studies well. You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit influences my daily activities, including prayers. I examine how much time I spend on pursuing my own personal desires during any given day as well as any daily rituals that become my habit. I evaluate whether or not my habits serve my efforts in achieving those desires. More importantly, James K. A. Smith's book makes me question the righteousness of my goals. The truth is, my habits are more self-serving than I am comfortable admitting. This excerpt from the book illustrates the lesson I use in my introspection, "Be careful what you worship; it will shape what you want and, therefore, what you make and how you work." The worship aspect of my life truly shapes who I am in that it reveals what and who I love. Smith refers to Proverbs 4:23 to eloquently express this, "Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it." This idea encompasses my total being, not just my intelligence. The author further explains why worship is natural drawing upon 1 John 4:19, "We love because He first loved us." Then Smith uses Aristotle's probing thoughts on this subject explaining that he who is pushed into the Universe out of love has a yearning to seek the source of that love. God is love. 1 John 4:8 asserts, "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." God is always pulling us back toward Him.Intelligence seems to obscure the way, at times, on that path back to the Creator. Following Christ Jesus assures me of remaining on the proper course. Christ says in the Gospel of John, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life." Jesus, the second person in the Trinity and, therefore, God, simply states that He is the way to eternal life by sincerely accepting Him as the one who first loved us. His dying on the cross for our sins demonstrates that love. The next sentence of John 14:6 is more explicit, "No one comes to the Father except through me."Another valuable lesson from this book is the power of habit. Since we are much more than thinking machines, we need to engage our feelings and inspiration in healthy, desirable behaviors that keep us on track toward our goals. If that goal is to ultimately return to that source of love for all eternity, habits that keep us on the enlightened path are necessary. Knowledge, itself, cannot change our behavior. Our goal should be to do what God desires of us.You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit continues with the subjects of teaching how to love and discipleship. A lesson absorbs into the mind but application of that lesson must be put through the body. The desire to carry out the behavior is not instantaneous. In fact, thinking counters the culture of impulse, according to Smith. Correct repetition of a behavior can make it an action that requires little thought. A habit is born. Analysis of my habits and my goals tells me if these two important life lessons are aligned or not. It also tells me if I am unconsciously undermining myself. If so, I am frustrated and anxious. If not, I am in a state of peace. St. Augustine expresses this relationship in his Confessions, "You have made us for yourself and our heart is restless until it rests in you."
