tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85799720393138666492024-02-20T12:36:52.665-06:00Book 'em Benj-OI love to read. I do it for business and for pleasure. Here you will be able to enjoy my views about the books I read. You are welcome to read and comment on the books or the comments that I make about the books.Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.comBlogger326125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-87235697485286562822019-10-10T20:29:00.000-06:002019-10-10T20:32:44.262-06:00Something Needs to Change – David Platt<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8fnAQ_m7xmIV3gB1ofiC2QiO3K0m0pDkVj2-df6E8Co4TDM8-ls92JPCiyzq54hxeOsGe1SkNW7wMBx9e37jYahCj-2v7pHBbiOtW2ruukIt9wctIC0ozKMbdH0JvNZc4_FzOAg_6eI/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8fnAQ_m7xmIV3gB1ofiC2QiO3K0m0pDkVj2-df6E8Co4TDM8-ls92JPCiyzq54hxeOsGe1SkNW7wMBx9e37jYahCj-2v7pHBbiOtW2ruukIt9wctIC0ozKMbdH0JvNZc4_FzOAg_6eI/s1600/index.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
©2019<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Multnomah, Colorado
Springs</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 2010, David Platt stormed the Christian publishing world
with a radical book with radical ideas about how average Christians and the
typical church could move beyond mediocrity and into, well, radical living for
Jesus. The book was called <i>Radical</i> (I reviewed it <a href="https://benjobooks.blogspot.com/2010/12/radical-david-platt.html">here</a>)
and called for us to step up our faith to include looking outside ourselves—and
even to the world—in order to live more like Jesus. It was Platt’s leadership through
the ideas in Radical and starting a movement known as “Secret Church” that led
the Southern Baptist Convention to call him to serve as president of the
International Mission Board (a position he held for a couple of years before moving
on to be Lead Pastor of McLean Bible Church in the Washington D.C. metro area.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Something Needs to Change</i> is the logical progression for
this pastor who likes to challenge us into the uncomfortable places in life. On
the surface, this book is an invitation for the reader to virtually join the
author and a group of others as they spend a week hiking in the mountainous region
of the Himalayas. Along the way readers encounter starvation, disease, sex trafficking,
and abuse all resulting from abject poverty. Then we are faced with the deep
questions of our faith—what is God doing when He allows me to live in relative
comfort and ease, while atrocities occur in this other part of the world? Is it
right for me to feel faithful in the comfort of my weekly visit to a multi-million-dollar,
air conditioned, audio-visual spectacular of a worship service, when people are
living entire lives without ever having heard of the Savior that I follow? Is
my attempt at living faith really living faith if I am only willing to “sacrifice”
as long as the sacrifice costs me only a little?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the midst of this journey, Platt throws in some pretty
heavy Bible study from the book of Luke that spurred him on along the way. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The good news is that you can join in this visioning trip
without leaving the comfort of your own home. The more difficult news is that,
like any encounter with Jesus, you will meet with some serious soul-searching along
the way. The subtitle tells much about the intent of the book: “A Call to Make
Your Life Count in a World of Urgent Need.” </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Can you read this book and walk away as if nothing has transpired?
Certainly. And many readers will. Will you feel called out to do something more
with your faith-walk? Of course, if you read with a heart for Christ’s best in
the world that He created.</div>
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The book itself is a fairly easy read—which one might expect
from a talented communicator such as Platt—and at the same time one that
requires much chewing before you try to digest it. I do not recommend this book
for the satisfied Christian (although it would be worth their time because it
is among the satisfied community that something most needs to change). I
suspect that those who are thirsty for a more meaningful life this side of Glory
will gravitate toward this book. As for me, I was challenged to be more
meaningful in my living out of the faith that I claim and that my daily
devotional reading leads me into. If you read this book, I pray that you will
be as well. I give Platt four reading glasses for this book: it is well worth
your time.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
—Benjamin Potter October 10, 2019</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_Q0TTpScXWxXjdgVcZnDO2Ypz4Ib1Xp5WAgbvF4lA9ViSG67HjIWZZDBMaIXITxNo8DpKTKtkTSI535SFsW0Xjw_ny8RlV4PXGUOs9_DRRiOc8SmHnIqmMfMSepEwImjlL10Bdx-HrI/s1600/glasses1+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="298" height="63" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_Q0TTpScXWxXjdgVcZnDO2Ypz4Ib1Xp5WAgbvF4lA9ViSG67HjIWZZDBMaIXITxNo8DpKTKtkTSI535SFsW0Xjw_ny8RlV4PXGUOs9_DRRiOc8SmHnIqmMfMSepEwImjlL10Bdx-HrI/s200/glasses1+4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #3d281b; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">[Disclaimer: I received this book
for free from <a href="http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/">WaterBrook Multnomah
Publishing Group</a> for this review.]</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-34980506991728044142019-01-14T21:21:00.000-06:002019-01-14T21:21:50.876-06:00Christmas Days – Joseph C. Lincoln<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbmVp6Y9VRuT-dk7U9v-6erI6HvbF4aHfxE_zuQxLV2s76lJ9WPMVbgdsyQ0fmLkVw1cQe6RI98477hyl5VuIgom8-vOEPq5lWHL3ZZLDSx4hz2GPjpIF3KDPQSB1Zkizol53xOUXrFQ/s1600/61dEhpa8PJL._SX363_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbmVp6Y9VRuT-dk7U9v-6erI6HvbF4aHfxE_zuQxLV2s76lJ9WPMVbgdsyQ0fmLkVw1cQe6RI98477hyl5VuIgom8-vOEPq5lWHL3ZZLDSx4hz2GPjpIF3KDPQSB1Zkizol53xOUXrFQ/s320/61dEhpa8PJL._SX363_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
©1938<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coward-McCann,
New York</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am a sucker for a good Christmas book. I would probably go
so far as to say that the book doesn’t have to really be that good if it has a
solid Christmas setting and it may win me over. The Blushing Bride is aware of my
affection for Christmas literature, so in the most recent Christmas season
(when times had been tough) she found a well-worn and inexpensive ex-library
copy of this little gem entitled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Christmas
Days</i>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A cursory glance tells the prospective reader that the book
covers three Christmases—one in the ‘50s, the next in the ‘60s, and finally in
the ‘70s. Having noted the copyright date of 1938, it didn’t take long for me
to decide that the Decembers covered were in the middle 1800s. And I must add
that I really did enjoy my excursion into the Cape Cod community filled with
sailors and ship-masters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A selling point for the gift-giver (aside from the Christmas
setting) was the claim from the fly-leaf (pasted into the end papers in the
habit of libraries) that the book promised “shortly to take its place in that
select and enduring little group of Christmas classics which began with Dickens’
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Christmas Carol</i>.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The title is more than just about days during the Christmas
season, but follows the lives of two brothers, Rogers and David Day, who come
from a line of seafaring captains. During the three important Christmases
promised we see the boys grow into men and become ship-masters in their own
right. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The writing has an easy pace with a plot line that is easy
to follow if not flat out broadcasting intent to the reader. The author’s use
of dialect and mid-19<sup>th</sup> century shipping jargon brings the characters
to life although he does have the habit of chopping dialog which forces both
character and reader to finish the thoughts of a speaker. I invariably hoped that
my conclusion to a statement was the same as that of the character speaking.
Whether Lincoln assumes too much of his reader, or just has difficulty
smoothing out dialog may be a question better answered by someone who has read
more than one of the author’s books.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for the claim of a seat among the greats of Christmas
literature: it’s a good selling point, but maybe more wishful thinking than
anything else. I don’t expect to be hearing as much about Rogers Day in future
as I already hear about Ebenezer Scrooge, but it is a fair tale. There is more
of the Jacob and Esau in the story than the Scrooge and Marley, though I can’t
say more without running up the spoiler alert. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The bottom line is this: if you enjoy a nice Christmas story—one
with lots of feeling, nostalgia, and miracle—this little tale will provide a
few good hours of holiday escape for you. If you like to read about the sea and
shipping, Christmas Days has a smattering of it for your taste. If you are looking
for a gut-wrenching, plot-twisting, soul-changing, last-for-centuries Christmas
classic, you would do well to pick up Dickens’ <i>A Christmas Carol</i>, or Evans’ <i>The
Christmas Box</i>, Christmas Days leaves too much detail of the changing in the
heart of Rogers Day to fit the bill.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For our rating, I’d give the book three and one-half reading
glasses. I’ll probably read it again some Christmas to come, but I won’t give
it berth with some of my annual re-reads. Would I be willing to read any more
of Lincoln’s “Cape Cod Stories?” The writing is plain enough and certainly free
enough of the curse and caper that requires a 24/7 censor to be engaged in the
reader’s mind that I would have no problem picking up one of Joseph Lincoln’s
books—although he hasn’t won my heart like my good friend Bill Crider did with
his mystery stories.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For those who want to hang their hat on a phrase or two to
decide whether to give this unfamiliar voice a try, I give you: snow, sailing,
and romantic tangles.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrzZUer_B0kqTSnSyIjQhsrB2FXAHrTXGTJdQHkqoZqNAGRVJtVAyUp_JDuFCxkj-U4tG2BUjEx_l3oZKdFT9n5g1NKE4T8r3mPJd_8vYZcaOAfh9BI5Pr9NTIa_UMHCEWPPsJ1Vaflg/s1600/glasses1+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsE58q8EWZ5zwWYNyndDpDp6bXWx8f6buZplM5WzPm8mrjhcO5L3esjMqxX9CBwLq-XUjbgmBmx3TP_kux_DLPYAX-eIcArdqAzeZzgCtGwQcvLnRRbSBsK5pLLZBtcmK-8FLmva-SLI/s1600/glasses1+half.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="39" data-original-width="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsE58q8EWZ5zwWYNyndDpDp6bXWx8f6buZplM5WzPm8mrjhcO5L3esjMqxX9CBwLq-XUjbgmBmx3TP_kux_DLPYAX-eIcArdqAzeZzgCtGwQcvLnRRbSBsK5pLLZBtcmK-8FLmva-SLI/s1600/glasses1+half.jpg" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="143" data-original-width="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrzZUer_B0kqTSnSyIjQhsrB2FXAHrTXGTJdQHkqoZqNAGRVJtVAyUp_JDuFCxkj-U4tG2BUjEx_l3oZKdFT9n5g1NKE4T8r3mPJd_8vYZcaOAfh9BI5Pr9NTIa_UMHCEWPPsJ1Vaflg/s1600/glasses1+3.jpg" /> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
—Benjamin Potter January 14, 2019</div>
Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-70092244517223336752017-11-04T10:40:00.000-06:002017-11-04T10:40:18.015-06:00I Will – Thom S. Rainer
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQ6cqkculucyXxH9nZMWIpqq983BSIomfUzvl_c0IGQCwLwBEc2M0OM3lImjGsAjAChXI5CJ473fEpvgeHUvcK3b0BV51-Bv-PEEc_qiJuHVHPununwdRVDWWlKf8cx2gkOj_oRCHuDI/s1600/51DXADZsaDL._SX354_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="356" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQ6cqkculucyXxH9nZMWIpqq983BSIomfUzvl_c0IGQCwLwBEc2M0OM3lImjGsAjAChXI5CJ473fEpvgeHUvcK3b0BV51-Bv-PEEc_qiJuHVHPununwdRVDWWlKf8cx2gkOj_oRCHuDI/s400/51DXADZsaDL._SX354_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
©2015<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>B&H
Publishing Group, Nashville</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Thom Rainer is the president and CEO of LifeWay Christian
Resources. Since taking that position, Rainer has made a point of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_5_11?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=thom+rainer+books&sprefix=Thom+Rainer%2Caps%2C245&crid=3G8E41W58WBYN"><span style="color: blue;">developing
books that are helpful to the local church leader and the local church member</span></a>
be better at church. Books like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Simple
Church </i>(co-written with Eric Geiger), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
Am a Church Member</i>, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Autopsy of a
Deceased Church </i>[all published by B & H]. This book is no exception.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
In the same vein of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Church
Member</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Autopsy</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Will</i> is a small volume that reads well
and gives sound advice on how church members can be the best church members
they can be. Whereas <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Am a Church Member</i>
deals with the actions of a church member who makes a difference, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Will</i> addresses the attitudes that lead
church members into joyous church membership. Within its pages, Rainer
dispenses advice on removing selfish “I want” attitudes and replacing them with
outward focused “I will” ones.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Rainer takes a page from his son’s book on financial
decisions (Art Rainer, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Money
Challenge</i>, reviewed <a href="http://benjobooks.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-money-challenge-art-rainer.html"><span style="color: blue;">here</span></a>)
by introducing his topic with a fictional story that could be anybody’s story—it
could be your story if you are finding yourself burdened by church. Perhaps the
answer is not jumping ship on the church where you are, but adjusting your
attitude. Here are the nine traits that the author identifies in an “outwardly
focused Christian”:</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px;">Moving from an “I Am” to
an “I Will” attitude – finding biblical solutions to attitudinal issues.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px;">Worshiping with others –
stop trying to go it alone.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px;">Growing with others – get into
a small group where people know, love, and encourage spiritual growth.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px;">Serving – instead of
expecting others to serve me.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px;">Going – taking the love of
God with me everywhere.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px;">Generous giving –
everything belongs to God anyway.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px;">Perseverance – don’t drop
out of church because it gets difficult or I don’t get my way.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px;">Avoiding “Churchianity” –
playing at church instead of being the church.</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px;">Making a difference – look
for ways to advance the Kingdom of God.</li>
</ol>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
In a culture where cafeteria-style Christianity and church
attendance has become the norm, it is time for church members (and all
Christians) to develop an attitude adjustment that leads us to looking outside
our own shell of contentment in order to strengthen the church and obey her
Master.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
This little volume may not have the impact of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Am a Church Member</i>, but it certainly
hits the mark as a genuine partner work. I give Rainer four out of five reading
glasses here.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
—Benjamin Potter, November 4, 2017</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuO4pTJyfvrkDwckGaDJm8b6xZafhnC9z6JBZVjIVM1s-G7JcwU2QjSP03tYdNSZ2QdxtgFpYhq0B3DD5Hh0L7W95dm3MgNmcO07f69Ym_w21WOo5jxLH6WwlP0wO8uaybtnMiCzS3UU/s1600/glasses1+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="298" height="63" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuO4pTJyfvrkDwckGaDJm8b6xZafhnC9z6JBZVjIVM1s-G7JcwU2QjSP03tYdNSZ2QdxtgFpYhq0B3DD5Hh0L7W95dm3MgNmcO07f69Ym_w21WOo5jxLH6WwlP0wO8uaybtnMiCzS3UU/s200/glasses1+4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-56596735254632271362017-10-24T09:12:00.000-06:002017-10-24T09:12:11.323-06:00Leading Through Change – Barney Wells, Martin Giese, Ron Klassen<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgce49eeEgHvbVgBsSpH0BMy3DbWZNkoiq6gaoFuv1I7rsC0DWEZbaeKABBkljPx-KmeuX04bBRYYLguZ-lF32RAEccwzDFi3KbA77VYdRpEV9-_ZzZKwikMej4T-svURHiNo00wV6jerw/s1600/51hQj1ondaL._SX333_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="335" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgce49eeEgHvbVgBsSpH0BMy3DbWZNkoiq6gaoFuv1I7rsC0DWEZbaeKABBkljPx-KmeuX04bBRYYLguZ-lF32RAEccwzDFi3KbA77VYdRpEV9-_ZzZKwikMej4T-svURHiNo00wV6jerw/s400/51hQj1ondaL._SX333_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
©2005<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>ChurchSmart
Resources, St. Charles, IL</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Some wag once said that the only person who wants change is
a baby with a dirty diaper. And I once heard a comedian indicate that that
person may have questions about wanting change with the statement, “Leave it
alone. It’s my mess. I made it; and I want to keep it.” However, change is
inevitable if we want to exhibit life.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
We see how change shows life if we watch the rose bush we
planted last spring. We want to see growth, buds, flowers, and even the falling
of the flowers. We want to see the plant go dormant for a season so that it can
come back to growth, buds, and flowers again in the spring. </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
In church life, change must happen if the church is to exist
to see the next generation become a part of our congregation. The principle is
that the church must change or die. This is true not only for the church in the
urban or suburban setting where the community is changing around them, but it
also applies to the rural or small town church where the community itself seems
to be drying up. If we are to exist—to continue to be effective in our
communities—we must see where change is necessary, and make change.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
With this in mind, I would like to recommend the book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Leading through Change</i> to pastors and
leaders in country, rural, and small town setings. With shelves of books on
leadership, church growth, and change for the good of the church in bookstores
today it is difficulty to choose the one that fits for you. This book addresses
the need for change, but more importantly it gives advice (not cookie-cutter
process) on how to approach change that will remove lifelessness and add life
to the local Town and Country church.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Section one of the book sets the foundation explaining the
need for change, indicating the difference between change that works in the
suburbs (which is addressed by most of the volumes on change available) and
what will be helpful to bring about necessary changes in a rural setting.
Section two develops some of the key ideas about change that will help the
leader of a small-town our country church breathe new life into a church that
needs to reach new people.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
The authors, representing over 100 years of ministry (most
if not all of which is in the small town or rural setting), develop nine steps
(some “spiritual” some “cultural”) to approaching change in the church. A basic
idea is not to force change, but to “lead <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">through</i>
change” (as implied by the book’s title) by adapting to the change that is
going on around you in your community. </div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
This is an invaluable book for the pastor of the rural
church. It includes encouragement (reminding the pastor/reader that just
because some statisticians are bemoaning the decline in membership of churches
as a sign of death without taking into account that some specifically rural
communities are experiencing decline in population), and some practical helps
about having a vibrant ministry in a culture that once was but is no longer the
“preferred” culture of our society. Country living is still a viable option.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Here are some of the plusses about the book: It is short.
Pastors (many who are bi-vocational) don’t have as much time to read the
300-400 page textbooks available on church growth and health. It is written by
men who are part of the culture to whom they are writing, including real-life
examples of what worked (and did not work) in their own ministries. And it is
practically biblically based. We can see the Bible foundation for the actions
taken as a church ministers in the midst of change, and the practical
application of that Scripture.</div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
One more bit of advice concerning leading through change. If
you get a copy, start by reading page 77. This will give a good picture of
leading change and leading through change in the small town and country church.
It will also give you a good snapshot of what is to come as you return to page
one and read the entire book. </div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
For the small church, country church, rural church pastor,
this is a must read and will be a positive resource throughout the years of his
ministry in such a setting. I give this resource 5 out of 5 reading glasses.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewi9Lx-ULnN9c83K55EeygDUBf3agmoFnzLyLkC3Oo_2BDLzsFDwDOO7tunVMc7UQp5TAe18JH95foF8PmTN45xGCiCpxEub542IZ0zqZJQKYYqtfR3vs-qjJtbwmlK6ok1v9con6-DM/s1600/glasses1+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="154" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewi9Lx-ULnN9c83K55EeygDUBf3agmoFnzLyLkC3Oo_2BDLzsFDwDOO7tunVMc7UQp5TAe18JH95foF8PmTN45xGCiCpxEub542IZ0zqZJQKYYqtfR3vs-qjJtbwmlK6ok1v9con6-DM/s200/glasses1+5.jpg" width="137" /></a></div>
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—Benjamin Potter, October 24, 2017</div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-13631390069444699482017-09-20T17:28:00.000-06:002017-09-20T17:28:30.435-06:00Convicted – Jameel McGee & Andrew Collins (with Mark Tabb)
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
©2017<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Waterbrook
Press, New York</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lZknTPlYTbBEP6SOliAOpx8jgCOdNrNs0U4uyv0wKKSzDUujD5LL6ebg7-XzNsNdWY7r1XzHKan-Uevo5V16UIh3o6wEeKdxrLxD4gywUEjAbMzlHjnV0DjJ8f9U6ztcoJRxoeodLyk/s1600/51as6sGNLQL._SX327_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lZknTPlYTbBEP6SOliAOpx8jgCOdNrNs0U4uyv0wKKSzDUujD5LL6ebg7-XzNsNdWY7r1XzHKan-Uevo5V16UIh3o6wEeKdxrLxD4gywUEjAbMzlHjnV0DjJ8f9U6ztcoJRxoeodLyk/s1600/51as6sGNLQL._SX327_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="329" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lZknTPlYTbBEP6SOliAOpx8jgCOdNrNs0U4uyv0wKKSzDUujD5LL6ebg7-XzNsNdWY7r1XzHKan-Uevo5V16UIh3o6wEeKdxrLxD4gywUEjAbMzlHjnV0DjJ8f9U6ztcoJRxoeodLyk/s400/51as6sGNLQL._SX327_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="262" /></a>The caveat on the cover of this book reads: “A Crooked Cop,
an Innocent Man, and an Unlikely Journey of Forgiveness and Friendship.” When I
saw the title and the cover of the book, I was intrigued. Since I usually turn
to mysteries or suspense novels (with a western thrown in for good measure) for
my leisure reading, and concentrate on mostly ministerial books as a general
rule for work, I find that the “True Crime” genre rarely catches my attention.
But this one looked like it might be worth a minute or two.</div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
I received the book in the mail about two days before
leaving the country on a personal trip that wouldn’t allow time to read (even
on the plane—which I don’t read well on planes anyway). So, I socked it away
with the hope of getting into it upon my return. I was pleasantly surprised by
my reaction to the book. From the first page of the prologue (don’t skip the
opening “Author’s Note” for background, but the story doesn’t start until the
prologue) I was hooked. I almost wished that I hadn’t read the descriptor on
the cover, though, because from the very outset my reader’s mind was set
against the cop (one of the book’s voices). </div>
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The story is exactly as advertised: an innocent man gets
caught in the cross-hairs of a policeman doing whatever he can to put criminals
away—which includes fudging with the truth to a certain extent. After all, in
the neighborhood where he works, most of these people are drug users or dealers
anyway, right? Within these pages you will read the sad state of corruption
that plagues police departments (and is, one must say the exception rather than
the rule). The outcome of the story is that once the cop (Collins) was caught
in his web of deception, he had to come clean with details of all the arrests
he had made that had been compromised by corrupt practices. All of which were
overturned. Meaning that a lot of guilty criminals went free because one dirty
cop wanted to cut a corner or two—in the service of justice.</div>
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At the same time the story is about a man just about to
embark on a promising future (especially coming from the neighborhood in which
he lived), who gets caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, by the wrong
policeman, with the wrong friend. It is a case of mistaken identity, misused
power, and misplaced trust. And the result is a three-year federal
incarceration for an innocent man.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
The final outcome of the story is not such a depressing
thing though. With all of the ill-will, all of the bad blood, and all of the
system abuse, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Convicted</i> is the story
of how God uses unusual circumstances to bring sinners into relationship with
Him. Even more, it is the story of how two men who start out as mortal enemies—and
according to all conventional wisdom should remain so until they reach the
grave (maybe at each other’s hand)—become friends through forgiveness only
available through Christ and knowing Him.</div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
I heartily recommend this book to anyone and everyone. It
has action, suspense, and an unusually unexpected happy ending. It’s in stores
or online today. And read this 5-reading glass treasure about forgiveness.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuHIWpjQoNsRJpU8E-yUqyVDpr_yjB7UaTaQogiDXHNrLg4pYwHU6AkstM3DsZkiB93CCIrlZDYHkfm1OymVnPMl7iZ5B6wkGB6JTg8rEvnbB7AdSvPT6U4YVPeXBjkKvMJ4-4qvJ808/s1600/glasses1+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="154" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuHIWpjQoNsRJpU8E-yUqyVDpr_yjB7UaTaQogiDXHNrLg4pYwHU6AkstM3DsZkiB93CCIrlZDYHkfm1OymVnPMl7iZ5B6wkGB6JTg8rEvnbB7AdSvPT6U4YVPeXBjkKvMJ4-4qvJ808/s200/glasses1+5.jpg" width="137" /></a>—Benjamin Potter September 20, 2017</div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #3d281b; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;">[Disclaimer: I received this book
for free from <a href="http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/"><span style="color: blue;">WaterBrook Multnomah
Publishing Group</span></a> for this review.]</span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-75993073274974818552017-09-12T11:34:00.000-06:002017-09-12T11:34:59.285-06:00Choosing to SEE – Mary Beth Chapman with Ellen Vaughn
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEaVDWRK6aP6DNT4EGLWhHT3FF0ftmiv6bwUptWoAlKoBGajt0ZBKOuMjTjBQPlL3-jAEu0pmBhTWcVEQDFiOYwHb_48zml1w2DUnG2dJroU3CtwotybKcAWe7J2cB9wV-owcPFmveLM/s1600/51kY-KZ%252Bh6L._SX331_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEaVDWRK6aP6DNT4EGLWhHT3FF0ftmiv6bwUptWoAlKoBGajt0ZBKOuMjTjBQPlL3-jAEu0pmBhTWcVEQDFiOYwHb_48zml1w2DUnG2dJroU3CtwotybKcAWe7J2cB9wV-owcPFmveLM/s400/51kY-KZ%252Bh6L._SX331_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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©2010 Revell, Grand Rapids</div>
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Maybe you haven’t heard of Mary Beth Chapman, but if you
have listened to music (especially that with a Christian message) you may well
be acquainted with her husband, <a href="http://stevencurtischapman.com/" target="_blank">Steven</a>. She is the one who wrote this story. He
states in the Foreward to the book, “For many years I’ve been known as ‘the
writer’ of the Steven Curtis/Mary Beth Chapman duo. And while I’ve been known
to pen a song or two, and maybe even a book (with a whole lot of help, believe
me!), here’s the real, honest to goodness truth: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mary Beth Chapman is a way better writer than Steven Curtis</i> . . .”
Whether you agree with the famous husband or not, the book is well worth your
read on a variety of levels.</div>
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Several years ago (shortly after it was published), my wife
picked up this book with the intention to read. It was written and subsequently
published not too many months after the tragedy that spurred the writing
invaded the Chapman household, so we knew it would contain some heart-breaking,
tear-producing passages (note: you will want to bring a case or two of facial
tissue with you when you embark on this reading—you have been warned). So, the
book sat unread on our shelves. </div>
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Fast forward to 2017. We decided to clear out our
bookshelves for the purpose of selling off some of the books (we have a
mountain) to help fund, of all things, our adoption process. While clearing the
shelves, I came across, and dusted off this book. I decided to keep and read it—a
decision that I both love and regret. I love because it is book that speaks to
the very core of your being, challenging and healing you at the same time.
Regret because it is a book that touches you to the core of your being, coaxing
even the hard-heartest of us to weep tears (don’t tell your manly side).</div>
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Here’s the low-down on this book: in the very opening pages
the author recounts a tragedy of loss that no one should ever go through. I’ll
not repeat the story, although many who are reading this review would remember
the horrifying accident that has colored the lives of the Chapman family from
that day to this (and onward).</div>
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The book is not about tragedy and grief though. It is a book
about hope. Within the pages the author gives some biographical background that
gives insight into her life and her life with Steven Curtis Chapman,
award-winning musical artist. Her writing is engaging, funny, real, and touching.
You won’t want to put the book down, even though you have to get another box of
tissues.</div>
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I picked up the book, because I wanted to read it as we
raised money and waited for the call to travel to Vietnam to meet and bring
home our little girl. That call came in the midst of the reading and (because
of the amount of crying I was doing) I decided to put it down until after the journey
ended. The tears I shed during the reading were not sympathy or even empathy
tears for what happened in the Chapmans’ lives. No, reading of their struggles in
the journey of life and their hope found at the end of long, dark tunnels
brought to the surface of my own heart struggles, pain, as well as laughter and
joy that had been a part of my own story. My story is not her story, but her
story evokes mine. I don’t know whether that means she’s the great writer Steven
claims her to be, her emotional roller-coaster is one that all of us can relate
to on some sort of level, or I am just a sentimental sap. What I do know is
that you will want to read this book for the stories of triumph, the stories of
forgiveness, the stories of adoption, and the stories of heartbreak. Bring
those tissues with you, but cry away, the tears will be cleansing. I know they
were for me.</div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
BTW, if you stop reading before the end (for adoption
travel, or life-happening, or whatever reason) you will still be glad that you
picked up this book. It has the full complement of 5 reading glasses from this
reader.</div>
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—Benjamin Potter, September 12, 2017</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3I5vhZTZpvYjYsjitET5OZJUiXiabfv_s8ViGWWfiiLpMSU_3l1BC6d5LJWXDdVnjAR5nj0QLDnDfI0v54fSUlxpfOhrCU0OFuxaiW8BOjP7W0LNjOp6DqAMen_KP8MmhxOOrw34XjAQ/s1600/glasses1+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="154" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3I5vhZTZpvYjYsjitET5OZJUiXiabfv_s8ViGWWfiiLpMSU_3l1BC6d5LJWXDdVnjAR5nj0QLDnDfI0v54fSUlxpfOhrCU0OFuxaiW8BOjP7W0LNjOp6DqAMen_KP8MmhxOOrw34XjAQ/s200/glasses1+5.jpg" width="137" /></a></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-81126196414149430732017-07-26T16:34:00.002-06:002017-07-26T16:34:52.270-06:00The Hum of Angels – Scot McKnight
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvdRBMpe975WC7WexxRMHEBvu8aguMkZqENHO1cy67aN4LGZ3LlXsTOL7XLTGCZdJNKt7d2KjI2YMw_QdvgkjvGAt-gWP_UE5p6wKQWU1RKoL6iBvLg9phG3-qSRw0T9u1GdLKZ4A3hM/s1600/51TZZan1-tL._SX331_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvdRBMpe975WC7WexxRMHEBvu8aguMkZqENHO1cy67aN4LGZ3LlXsTOL7XLTGCZdJNKt7d2KjI2YMw_QdvgkjvGAt-gWP_UE5p6wKQWU1RKoL6iBvLg9phG3-qSRw0T9u1GdLKZ4A3hM/s400/51TZZan1-tL._SX331_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
©2017<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Waterbrook
Press, New York</div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
I had heard of McKnight. He blogs at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/jesuscreed/" target="_blank">Jesus Creed</a></i>. And he is a well-respected author, speaker, and
professor at Northern Seminary near Chicago. It had been suggested to me that I
might do well to read some of his work. So when he authored a book on such a
fascinating topic as angels, I decided to give him a try.</div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
I must be perfectly honest, beyond the fact that both
McKnight and I believe that angels exist and are active agents in the world, I
really struggled with this book. Throughout the pages, I couldn’t decide
whether he was advocating an argument that angels were creatures and the agents
of God, or that they were (as God’s agents) God Himself.</div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
Perhaps it is that McKnight writes on a headier level than I
comprehend, or maybe I’m actually onto the fact that the writing just isn’t
compelling. At any rate, I found this (though a truly fascinating topic) to be
an utterly put-down-able book. Sometimes I found, as I was trying to detect the
“hum of angels” (an analogy touched off by the author’s fascination with
humming birds), that the buzz was just putting me to sleep.</div>
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I’d like to give the book a positive rating, but then I’d be
forced to read it again—and stay awake. Just two reading glasses for this book.</div>
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—Benjamin Potter July 26, 2017</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0wt9thtgXDIDR5t0XtDBRugxrB1pjS_9cplUn4RoZsxwyxeFyRUBHOfHu2vBKznNJCS8prVEGjStBez7YPgsWeN2RCOv02uxK-z61SYWsjFNwvKvY_duA5N5eqqvHK-Z8tEs8UNQthk/s1600/glasses1+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="48" data-original-width="298" height="32" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0wt9thtgXDIDR5t0XtDBRugxrB1pjS_9cplUn4RoZsxwyxeFyRUBHOfHu2vBKznNJCS8prVEGjStBez7YPgsWeN2RCOv02uxK-z61SYWsjFNwvKvY_duA5N5eqqvHK-Z8tEs8UNQthk/s200/glasses1+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #3d281b; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;">[Disclaimer: I received this book
for free from <a href="http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/"><span style="color: blue;">WaterBrook Multnomah
Publishing Group</span></a> for this review.]</span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-72112615995979827362017-06-27T15:26:00.000-06:002017-06-27T15:26:26.183-06:00NIV Kids’ Visual Study Bible
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6s2OrCBYTg8Ytm-PLKHcF5t7wnQFTPZw6dRL_ZULte71FCRZVGurayrgEw2Uh-lIlRf5KKRbit-4EsXbLbNojvhyuW1aUxDxJ4pTQZwdIQYZyg1__48HvnvpUtKLOegv-SbZvAFdnp0/s1600/51HaEJ%252BgNZL._SX313_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="315" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6s2OrCBYTg8Ytm-PLKHcF5t7wnQFTPZw6dRL_ZULte71FCRZVGurayrgEw2Uh-lIlRf5KKRbit-4EsXbLbNojvhyuW1aUxDxJ4pTQZwdIQYZyg1__48HvnvpUtKLOegv-SbZvAFdnp0/s400/51HaEJ%252BgNZL._SX313_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
©2017 Zondervan, Grand Rapids</div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
A Study Bible. For Kids. What a neat idea! I know that my
children, raised in a Christian home, coming to know Christ as Savior at an
early age, and now growing up in a society that no longer values the Bible as
much as it did, say 40 years ago when I was a kid, and I have been looking for
something that might be a good study tool for them as they come to a place
where learning more about the Bible, its lives and times. Perhaps this new
offering from the Zondervan publishing group might fit the ticket.</div>
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As a book for reference and study use, I would give the
publishers fairly high marks for the physical construction of this Bible. It is
a hardcover with pretty sturdy binding that includes a built-in place ribbon
for marking one’s place when he/she puts the volume down. I can also say that
the cover and the contents (“over 700 images inside!” boasts a colorful sticker
on the front cover) are vibrant and eye-catching. While the pages aren’t the
delicate and precious onion-skin type pages you might find in a high-end,
leather-bound copy of the Scriptures, they are thin enough to keep the nearly
2000-page book from being unwieldy. </div>
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I think that it would be good to look at what this Bible
claims about itself to help in assessing its usability for kids.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
First of all as a Bible for kids. The question that comes to
mind is, what age and reading level constitutes a “kid”? I would want to settle
into the 9 – 12 age range (give or take a year or two), which would place the
reader in the 4<sup>th</sup> – 6<sup>th</sup> grade reading level. Going with
the NIV for the text of the book could be argued as a less than stellar
decision because of the eighth-grade (estimate) reading level of that version.
When you want to reach kids with a study resource, it might be better to use a
more readable translation (although going with the third-grade level NIrV might
be going a bit too shallow) when Americans often tend to top-out at the
sixth-grade level. </div>
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The book also says right up front that it is “visual” and
announces (albeit with a sticker) the presence of “over 700 images”. I did not
take the time to count the images, but the book is packed with them. Some are
photographs that illustrate the portion of the Scripture that they accompany.
Other images are artists’ renderings. All of these are okay, and seem to be of
really good quality, but the images that caught my eye are the charts, graphs,
and visuals that give a thumbprint explanation of such things as the difference
between the Jewish months/calendar and our modern understanding of the year.
From time to time a margin will be dedicated to the “Life Line” of one of the
biblical characters (such as Jacob, Moses, or Herod the Great). </div>
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Apart from the pictures scattered throughout the pages, what
makes this a “study Bible”? Nearly every margin contains some quick and simple
commentary on the Scriptures of that page. These comments are rarely more than
a simple paragraph, but help in the understanding of the ways and words of the
Bible. Also, each book of the Bible is preceded by a full-page background of
the book: Who wrote it? Why was it written? What are the major themes? And so
on, to help the reader get a better understanding of the book they are reading.
At the back of this volume are a table of weights and measures to aid in
comparing biblical amounts to modern equivalents, some obligatory maps (the
Exodus, Paul’s missionary journeys, and the like), and a couple of indices to
help find the “infographics” and maps scattered throughout the text. What’s missing
is even a simple concordance to aid the reader in finding the passage(s) he/she
wants to study.</div>
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Overall, I think this is an excellent effort to put “dig
deeper” Scriptures into the hands of boys and girls. I would recommend it for
children ages 10-13 (around 4<sup>th</sup> – 6<sup>th</sup> grade). At a cover
price of $32.99 (US) it would be a good investment in the Christian growth of
your child or grandchild. I would give the book 4 out of 5 reading glasses for
doing a good job of achieving the publisher’s goals.</div>
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—Benjamin Potter June 27, 2017</div>
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[This book was provided free of charge by the publisher for
purposes of this review. The opinions are my own.]</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-84474731857628636312017-06-22T09:26:00.000-06:002017-06-22T09:26:11.902-06:00Hello Stars – Alena Pitts (with Wynter Pitts)
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBw4aGhDOxrCUqibrbFHH4x18v0oUZg8PapYMj7c8IP5zbb1oJWnkUJncLExbIsNmKx8skRxVOeGl_NrbLQB2TC-vWdP-SnB9_8651eFKd-CqVesR68L02VHLaSamRE9AgO10RIn0rY4/s1600/51K0S88ab-L._SX325_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="327" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBw4aGhDOxrCUqibrbFHH4x18v0oUZg8PapYMj7c8IP5zbb1oJWnkUJncLExbIsNmKx8skRxVOeGl_NrbLQB2TC-vWdP-SnB9_8651eFKd-CqVesR68L02VHLaSamRE9AgO10RIn0rY4/s400/51K0S88ab-L._SX325_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
©2017<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Zonderkids, Grand
Rapids</div>
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The author of this book is a young (very young)
actress/model who got her start in the recent film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">War Room</i>. She teams up with her mother to pen this book about a
young girl who literally falls into an acting role. </div>
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In some respects, Hello Stars is fairly easy to categorize—it’s
a book by a twelve-year-old girl writing about an eleven-year-old girl and what
can happen if life takes a turn. Choosing to abide by the writer’s motto, “write
what you know,” Alena tells a story that could be very similar to her own. Is
it any wonder that the book is targeted to preteen girls? It is a book that
brings faith to the forefront in both family and workplace settings. Even with
all of this right up front, the book itself categorizes itself in a laundry
list of titles: it is part of the “faithGirlz” books developed by Zondervan’s
Zonderkids division; it proclaims on the cover that it is the first in the “Lena
in the Spotlight” series (which advertises book 2, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Day Dreams and Movie Screens</i>, is available in bookstores and
online). So, choose a category and settle in for a nice story.</div>
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The story, told from the voice of 11-year-old Lena Daniels,
brings the reader into the heart and mind of a preteen girl. She has her
special friends at school, she loves her family, and she would just die to meet
her favorite singer, Mallory. When she prays that her video greeting to Mallory
will win her an opportunity to spend time with the singer, she is convinced
that it’s a flop. And then the call comes that Lena has been chosen to star
opposite Mallory in an upcoming movie based on faith.</div>
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The book is a good read and will appeal to its target
audience for a variety of reasons. It speaks in a voice that is familiar to them,
it addresses topics and dreams that most (if not every) preteen girl is
concerned with, and it bears a positive message about faith and God.</div>
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As with any book of this nature, and especially first
outings for an author, the story does have some drawbacks. It will have limited
appeal even among young female readers because it has a tendency to “preach” a
lot. Not that the sermons are bad, but it may find its way only into the hands
of girls of faith. The tone and message of the book will help this limited
audience to grow in faith (just as the main character does), but if the desire
is to reach an audience outside the Christian community, the authors and the
publisher will find an uphill battle.</div>
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All in all, I’d have to give the book 4 out of 5 reading
glasses for a really fun summer adventure offered by a first-time author. I did
find myself enjoying the family I met in the pages of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hello Stars</i> (almost to the point of checking out book 2) even if I’m
not a preteen girl (I am the father of one, though).</div>
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—Benjamin Potter, June 22, 2017</div>
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(I received this book from the publisher for the express purposes of this review.)</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-37869391356474468142017-06-13T13:22:00.003-06:002017-06-13T13:22:50.749-06:00Not All Roads Lead to Heaven – Robert Jeffress
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
©2016 Baker Books, Grand Rapids</div>
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When I was a high school student I was part of the team. I
did not play football, basketball, or baseball, but I was on the team—the speech
and debate team. I will readily admit that I was neither exceptionally nor
remotely gifted in the art of debate. In fact, at tournaments, I begged our
debate coach to let me just participate in the speech events that I enjoyed.
But alas, she always made me partner up with my buddy and lug our cases of
cases and evidence into the debate room where we would participate in two to
three rounds of debates usually being eliminated early. </div>
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As you can see, dear reader, I have not decided to make
apologetics my life ambition. I’m just not going to go out of my way to get
into a theological debate with someone. Even so, there are times when I find
myself in a situation that requires me to bring an answer for my faith—and often
the questions are difficult. What is a Christian to do when it comes time to
stand up for faith? That’s where it helps to familiarize oneself with people
who have a gift for defending the faith.</div>
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That is where Robert Jeffress, senior pastor of <a href="http://www.firstdallas.org/" target="_blank">FirstBaptist Church in Dallas, Texas</a>, and his recent book come in handy. Dr.
Jeffress is no stranger to defending Christianity. He has been interviewed on
countless occasions where faith matters arise. He has found himself on the
debate stage with noted opponents to the Christian faith and shown well. And so he has written <i>Not All Roads Lead to Heaven</i> to help
the average Christian understand and defend the doctrine of exclusivity (that
Jesus Christ is the one and only doorway into eternal life).</div>
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Jeffress address some of the most often voiced objections to
and questions about the claim of Christianity that Christ is the only answer to
questions about salvation. He bases his answers to these tough questions in
Scripture (both Old and New Testaments) and weaves his way through the maze of
logic that has tripped many a Christ-follower. Some of the loudest objections
[exclusivity is intolerant; what about someone who’s never heard about Jesus? What
about little children?] with care, understanding, and a better response than
the typical defensive sarcasm that touches the lips of many Christians. The
author reminds the reader of a couple of important notes that should be
remembered whenever we encounter someone who wants to question our faith: We
are dealing with God and His ways, and God’s desire is to see as many people
come to salvation as possible. If we are to find salvation, we must do it on
the terms of the Author of salvation, though, and not what seems like a good
idea at the time.</div>
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This book is a short, readable guide to answering questions
that a Christian might have about how inclusive the gospel message is; a resource
to approaching non-believers (both friends and acquaintances) who might take
issue with the exclusive claims of Christianity; and a study to acquaint the
believer with a stronger foundation as to how to approach the doctrine of
salvation—after all, it is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (and only
Jesus Christ).</div>
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I give this book 4.5 out of 5 reading glasses as at times it
gets a little weighty, although Dr. Jeffress does an excellent job of keeping
the complexity of the issue simple most of the time.</div>
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—Benjamin Potter, June 13, 2017</div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-82043425261929939632017-06-10T17:44:00.000-06:002017-06-10T17:44:37.516-06:00The Money Challenge – Art Rainer
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
©2017<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>B&H
Publishing Group, Nashville</div>
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According to the blurb on the back of the book, Art Rainer
is the “vice president for Institutional Advancement at Southeastern Baptist
Theological Seminary. He holds a Doctor of Business Administration from Nova
Southeastern University and an MBA from the University of Kentucky.” What makes
me want to read what Art has to write is more that he is the son of Thom
Rainer, and I expect that what he has to say will be well-thought out and
succinct. In relation to his degrees and position, I think that perhaps his
subject matter is right down the alley of his education. That subject matter:
money.</div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
More than money, though this little 150-page book is about
applying God’s design to your money in order to help you become a stronger
follower of Jesus. It’s a book about the Christian’s use of the resources
entrusted to him/her by the Maker and Master of his/her life. If you think that
this is just another in a room full of already written, tried, and tested tomes
about the subject of money management (or even stewardship) you’d miss the
mark. Rainer seems to be more interested in helping Christians be better
Christians than simply help Christians be richer Christians. </div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
If you are interested in simply a stewardship or
money-handling, pick up a book from Ron Blue or Dave Ramsey or the late Larry
Burkett (all good Christian money management experts). Some of the money
management principles they espouse are either used or expanded on here. So,
what is it that Rainer is offering? I would personally label it discipleship.
The springboard he uses to launch into Bible-based, full-out discipleship is
one that is dearest to the heart of many Americans—the pocketbook.</div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
The thirty days of discovery (part of the book’s subtitle)
are woven into the three aspects of living the Christian life that turn money
woes into money management and general living into genuine Christianity: give
generously, save wisely, live appropriately. People, Rainer states, are designed
to be generous. And through our generosity we find happiness. The reason we
save is to be generous. The reason we get out of debt is to be generous. The
reason we buy a house is to be generous (in the long run). Rainer also asserts
that “living appropriately” is based in the idea of living within one’s
means—not trying to keep up with the Joneses (whoever they may be) nor having
the latest gadget.</div>
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What might draw the reader to this book as opposed to other
money management books? Its brevity is a big plus. Rainer says as much in 150
pages as many gurus take 300 to disseminate. I also enjoyed the fictional
example woven throughout the book, bringing a personality to both the person
needing help and the mentor who presented her with the challenges (it never
hurts to have an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It’s a Wonderful Life</i>
allusion).</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
I would recommend this little book to Christians (both new
and old), especially those who are struggling with financial matters. As with
many books, producers may be interested in churches and small groups using this
as a curriculum for small group study. I think it will have its best
application as a one-to-one discipleship tool. In fact, I am making plans to
use it to disciple my children as they reach the age of 14-17, as a tool for
both discipleship and money management learning. It will be an invaluable tool
for Christians desiring to find God’s design for them (and their money).</div>
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Five out of five reading glasses from me. For more
information about the book, <a href="http://thomrainer.com/2017/06/money-challenge-featuring-art-rainer-rainer-leadership-335/" target="_blank">listen to this interview between Thom and Art Rainer</a> (the publisher and author of the book). <span style="font-size: x-small;">[</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">#TheMoneyChallenge from
@artrainer and @bhpub is available NOW at your favorite bookselling outlet.]</span></span></div>
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—Benjamin Potter June 10, 2017</div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #3d281b; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;">[Disclaimer: I received this book
for free from <a href="http://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/" target="_blank">B&H Publishing Group</a> for this review.]</span></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-59205014779578817062017-06-02T18:28:00.000-06:002017-06-02T18:29:36.082-06:00Life After – Katie Ganshert<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLN7_PyZzZeg7rTgJv4UubDy3KtWCFgr10ee5OKjW_Hk_qDe-J1TC_XIffZba49AxOrTBu5N3wQ2bxE-OBsGfpVulg1SqRmVMoK8G5EHeeHH2t4MvNfrZEVNdO5ZwnBEQHtTRunvXNOWk/s1600/LIFEAFTERcover.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="196" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLN7_PyZzZeg7rTgJv4UubDy3KtWCFgr10ee5OKjW_Hk_qDe-J1TC_XIffZba49AxOrTBu5N3wQ2bxE-OBsGfpVulg1SqRmVMoK8G5EHeeHH2t4MvNfrZEVNdO5ZwnBEQHtTRunvXNOWk/s400/LIFEAFTERcover.png" width="267" /></a></div>
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©2017<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Waterbrook
Press, New York</div>
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Life happens. That is the thread running through this
fast-paced romance by Christy Award-Winning Katie Ganshert. I can attest to the
fact that life happens as I sit down to write this review (three months late).
May I whine just a bit? I started reading the book and was well on my way to
finishing it when I slipped on the ice and broke my dominant wrist. So much for
typing up the review when I finished reading the book. Then, as does for all ministry
types like me, life happened some more. Things got busy at church, things got
busy with the busy family, and then a major funeral happened. And so, here I
am, three months later, and I have a little more thought into the book than I
normally do. (Excuses over, now on to the review.)</div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Not being familiar
with Ganshert’s work, and desirous to see how my review would turn out, I
checked out a copy of an Amish Christmas romance that was written with the
contribution of Ganshert and others (Amish Christmas North Star, WaterBrook,
2015). What I found there (in Katie’s story from the book) was a moving story
with well-developed, likable characters to push the story along. Consequently,
I began to look forward with a little less trepidation to examining the latest
book from this author unknown to me, in a genre normally not read by me.</div>
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Set in Chicago, the story starts off with a BANG when, well,
life happens. On an icy, snowy day, a commuter train derails destroying lives
and homes all over the city. Only one passenger survived. The book follows her
story, as Autumn Manning comes to grips with her role in the “Tragedy on the
Tracks” as the event is labeled in the media. While all her friends and family
are trying to figure out why she is not happy, does not feel fortunate, that
she didn’t die in the accident, Autumn is filled with regret, remorse, and
guilt spurred on by the continually lingering question <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Why? </i>All the while struggling with a lingering amnesia that her
doctors and psychiatrists are hoping to help her move past.</div>
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In ensuing pages, Autumn finds her life entangled with the
lives of the families of those who died in the tragedy, including Paul Elliot
and his daughters. Originally thinking that his wife is the lone survivor,
Elliot arrives at the hospital to find a stranger in his wife’s bed.</div>
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</div>
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Ganshert develops the main characters well, but some of the
supporting parts are played by people we just don’t want to like, even when we
want to like them. Perhaps it is the role they play (Autumn’s former boyfriend
who shows back up to help with a memorial that Autumn finds herself not only
entangled in but in charge of, for instance—you’ll need to read the book to get
the whole story, otherwise I’d have to spoiler alert you).</div>
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The story has everything that a romance reader is looking
for: likable characters, plot twists, semi-steamy love scenes, emotional
conflict, and perfect resolution (the right guy gets the right girl and all is
well in the end). For someone who rarely reads romances, I was pleasantly surprised.
I’ll give <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Life After </i>4 out of 5
reading glasses.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vNNBMIf6uNboEKEreYbUPX13cy02cMbRBb6AbW9uJ9oc_n1i4IZiaGLcCDd6W9imjFG0yO_VP4LQ7LSl41gy3WV3jKDTW9ZkqEcUTxj8eSU9CyN9aWXK2dBEHXNq6E0Zsf1gGbGo6Ws/s1600/glasses1+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="298" height="63" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vNNBMIf6uNboEKEreYbUPX13cy02cMbRBb6AbW9uJ9oc_n1i4IZiaGLcCDd6W9imjFG0yO_VP4LQ7LSl41gy3WV3jKDTW9ZkqEcUTxj8eSU9CyN9aWXK2dBEHXNq6E0Zsf1gGbGo6Ws/s200/glasses1+4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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—Benjamin Potter August 31, 2012</div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #3d281b; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;">[Disclaimer: I received this book
for free from <a href="http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/"><span style="color: blue;">WaterBrook Multnomah
Publishing Group</span></a> for this review.]</span></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-13736821921279911502017-01-17T21:12:00.000-06:002017-01-17T21:12:20.049-06:00Coming Soon from Katie GanshertAuthor Katie Ganshert has a new book coming soon. If you're a fan, or interested in exploring exciting new authors, take a gander at the spectacular pre-release package below. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim67uVo3NvWn9y63I3NnrYHNK-HjCr6xDMsXI7sHLV58wpMMjCgkwIDtB0d0Ba4Uqj-AYopqb39j9d18iBBOMHcshXvpK9xBkzVi2AtE9JFfCrpfYF1VQpZ7UcgOf9b5Ej_WRqphNrjXk/s1600/Life-After_Preorder_Square_900x900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim67uVo3NvWn9y63I3NnrYHNK-HjCr6xDMsXI7sHLV58wpMMjCgkwIDtB0d0Ba4Uqj-AYopqb39j9d18iBBOMHcshXvpK9xBkzVi2AtE9JFfCrpfYF1VQpZ7UcgOf9b5Ej_WRqphNrjXk/s400/Life-After_Preorder_Square_900x900.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And stay tuned here for more news about <i>Life After</i>.</div>
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<br />Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-33009144247940507752017-01-11T14:24:00.001-06:002017-01-11T14:24:38.352-06:00A Call to Mercy: Hearts to Love, Hands to Serve – Mother Teresa (ed. By Brian Kolodiejchuk, MC)
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi864O02z91AWiJOt02seq9cHy_dHlij9bqX6JPIbcTxxoSilV2F3ovY5qOAaVEBg7vHSOjc_6BKyvj0sKOuOfQCB9N68FnWTEBDp81HjIFcyJHHNiVq_-dfKAKHq-k7xYH-8Qv82B6AX4/s1600/41%252BQd39YczL._SX335_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi864O02z91AWiJOt02seq9cHy_dHlij9bqX6JPIbcTxxoSilV2F3ovY5qOAaVEBg7vHSOjc_6BKyvj0sKOuOfQCB9N68FnWTEBDp81HjIFcyJHHNiVq_-dfKAKHq-k7xYH-8Qv82B6AX4/s320/41%252BQd39YczL._SX335_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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©2016 Image, New York</div>
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On the occasion of her canonization in the Catholic Church,
this collection of sayings, instructions, and speech excerpts from the late
founder of the Order of Missionaries of Charity is both inspiring and
challenging. The volume was designed and released to coincide with her
canonization.</div>
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Few people would deny the inspiration that Mother Teresa was
(and is) to people of faith, even some of us who are not Catholic. The
collection of her wisdom and her instruction to the Order is a beaming snapshot
of who this revered nun was. Included with the collection are sisters’
recollections of Mother Teresa in not only her teaching but in her living out
of that teaching personally.</div>
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I must say that tackling this book is a mammoth task because
it is a collection rather than a memoir. It is not a biography, but at the same
time it is. Collected here are teachings that amount to the things by which
this saintly woman would want to be remembered. The lessons that she taught are
collected and edited into categories that explain the demonstrative faith that
made her the leader that she was and allow people of faith to remember her for
the saint that she is. The editor begins with sayings, instruction, and
memories on the teaching “Feed the Hungry” and includes chapters on visiting
the sick and imprisoned and bearing wrongs patiently.</div>
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I would not advise reading the book like an essay or even a
textbook. However, it is an excellent reference to keep handy when needing an
example of living faith in real time, which is what Mother Teresa did and
encouraged others to do.</div>
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My recommendation of this book is for those who would like
to see more into the life and work of this newly canonized saint, for those who
are looking for some inspiring examples of faith in daily living, and for those
who want to know more about what one who is the hands and feet of Jesus Christ
looks like. I do not recommend this volume for those looking for an escape, a
little light reading, or even a pat on the spiritual back for being good.
Because of the limited audience appeal of this book and the heavy content
within I rate this book at an even 3 reading glasses (for the faith community,
it’s a 4.5, and for the Roman Catholic readers out there, I’d raise it up to a
5 and proclaim it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">required</i> reading).</div>
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—Benjamin Potter January 11, 2017</div>
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[This book was provided free of charge by the publisher for
purposes of this review. The opinions are my own.]</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-92219876328844582362017-01-11T11:25:00.000-06:002017-01-11T11:25:16.861-06:00NIV Holy Bible for Girls, Journal Edition<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCpZVRzY0wQnjjoLDqMEFJRYSqtSmSmxsdFIcBDFZeWArE6g0ZHbLjV58Gi6EFxo9GdZz0_J71Sodi6jWa66hboEIIuxVbZoGEgunVHJmnYDBL5m__sq_x4U0DPwAMfgUln4ynS0Vef4/s1600/9541b5383c20f6e71a6fe24a34315e9e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCpZVRzY0wQnjjoLDqMEFJRYSqtSmSmxsdFIcBDFZeWArE6g0ZHbLjV58Gi6EFxo9GdZz0_J71Sodi6jWa66hboEIIuxVbZoGEgunVHJmnYDBL5m__sq_x4U0DPwAMfgUln4ynS0Vef4/s400/9541b5383c20f6e71a6fe24a34315e9e.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
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©2015 Zondervan, Grand Rapids</div>
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This is the first opportunity that I have had to review a
new edition of a Bible. While I will not be reviewing the text of the
Scripture, I would like to make a few observations about this special edition
of the NIV Translation. </div>
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I personally like the New International Version for reading
and preaching because of its smooth flow of the English language. I was
disappointed a few years ago when publishers re-vamped the text with a version
that was a bit more politically savvy than the original NIV. That being said, I
would like to turn my attention to the characteristics that make this edition
unique among Bibles.</div>
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This particular edition is designed with two goals in mind:
(1) to appeal to an audience of girls in the pre-teen years and throughout the
teenage years, and (2) to provide journaling space so that readers can “make
this beautiful book [their] own.” </div>
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Aesthetically, the vibrant colors of the cover with pastels
and pinks would seem to appeal to a number of girls in the target age group. The
cover itself is sturdy cardboard that should last for several years and abide
daily use since the Bible is designed to be a tool worthwhile for a girl’s
daily devotion time. And it comes equipped with an attached silk place marker
as well as a handy elastic strap to keep the book closed when not in use.</div>
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The text of the scripture is printed on about 2/3 of the
page leaving ample space for notes, ideas, and responses that grab the heart of
the reader while they are engaging with the Bible. The other third of the page
is lined to aid in the reader’s response. I asked my 15- and 10-year-old
daughters to examine the Bible and give me their thoughts, after all they are
both in the target group for this edition. Both of them were impressed by the journaling
margins designed into the book suggesting that this would make the Bible a good
tool to use in daily devotions.</div>
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One drawback with the journaling design in my opinion is the
paper used for the pages. While the publisher did not use the delicate
onion-skin paper that is found in many gift Bibles and high-end, leather-bound
editions, the paper is relatively thin to be used for the purpose of
note-taking and high-lighting. I fear a great deal of bleed-through might occur
for readers with a heavy writing hand like myself. I will grant that the weight
of the paper is good to keep the volume from having to be divided into two or three
books in order to include the entire text of the Scriptures.</div>
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One other exception that my older daughter noted as a
disappointment was the lack of study helps such as a short, general concordance
and maps, although there is a “Weights & Measures” conversion chart
included in the rear end papers. </div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
Overall this is a useful, attractive copy of the Bible that
would be a fine gift Bible for the pre-teen or teenaged girl in your life. I give
it four out of five reading glasses.</div>
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—Benjamin Potter January 11, 2017</div>
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[This book was provided free of charge by the publisher for
purposes of this review. The opinions are my own.]</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-1490482117773938612016-10-03T21:20:00.000-06:002016-10-03T21:26:23.092-06:00Survivors Will Be Shot Again by Bill Crider<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">©2016
Minotaur Books, New York</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRHATjcXohUunHp9E1FFRQMtpQj8_hto2ZWvUW4rIwACXsuYZ7hqoE9oYCNWAic1TfOD9RDEqNNQqLdSBiBvviV7w5gY6uJ0P9CQEFuthBp4_M1XWNsschk_1AVe0kvZHtT0dA8Sl9Mc/s1600/518L8XeCcXL._SX331_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRHATjcXohUunHp9E1FFRQMtpQj8_hto2ZWvUW4rIwACXsuYZ7hqoE9oYCNWAic1TfOD9RDEqNNQqLdSBiBvviV7w5gY6uJ0P9CQEFuthBp4_M1XWNsschk_1AVe0kvZHtT0dA8Sl9Mc/s320/518L8XeCcXL._SX331_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Blacklin
County Texas is finally settling in to the quiet Mayberry-like existence that
it should enjoy, so Sheriff Dan Rhodes has decided to take a long overdue day
off. But when a would-be thief descends on the same convenience store Rhodes
has entered to end his hiatus from drinking Dr Pepper, days off vanish from his
mind.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">It's
just as well, because a crime ring has been operating on the outskirts of the
county. Billy Bacon, who’s been the victim of thieves on his property over and
over again, has called in another incident on his place. This time, the sheriff
finds not only an empty space where Billy’s heirloom saddle should be, but also
the body of Bacon’s neighbor, Melvin Hunt.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">As
usual, readers are treated to the squad-room banter of Hack and Lawton, even though
Hack is convinced that the high sheriff intentionally keeps his dispatcher “out
of the loop.” There is also high adventure as Rhodes heroically wrestles a
“prehistoric turtle” and rids Clearview of the scourge of illegal marijuana
patches.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLb5xS7R8L-cvbkx5GsauXg0wkGjUZwhz_vihmkzN6vL0gHTuk3ue0cWQ-8Pb0tCdP-Lnr8VJYd7bVNejpn_T72k1dGaS4eWBm4b7j4gNT6cvP28_8Yg0GRH0-0z-yJV5-ZaVuB1JvTg/s1600/glasses1+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLb5xS7R8L-cvbkx5GsauXg0wkGjUZwhz_vihmkzN6vL0gHTuk3ue0cWQ-8Pb0tCdP-Lnr8VJYd7bVNejpn_T72k1dGaS4eWBm4b7j4gNT6cvP28_8Yg0GRH0-0z-yJV5-ZaVuB1JvTg/s1600/glasses1+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We
have another fast and fun story played out on the stage of Blacklin County
Texas. Rhodes and his cohorts earn another 5 reading glasses for their efforts.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLb5xS7R8L-cvbkx5GsauXg0wkGjUZwhz_vihmkzN6vL0gHTuk3ue0cWQ-8Pb0tCdP-Lnr8VJYd7bVNejpn_T72k1dGaS4eWBm4b7j4gNT6cvP28_8Yg0GRH0-0z-yJV5-ZaVuB1JvTg/s1600/glasses1+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLb5xS7R8L-cvbkx5GsauXg0wkGjUZwhz_vihmkzN6vL0gHTuk3ue0cWQ-8Pb0tCdP-Lnr8VJYd7bVNejpn_T72k1dGaS4eWBm4b7j4gNT6cvP28_8Yg0GRH0-0z-yJV5-ZaVuB1JvTg/s200/glasses1+5.jpg" width="137" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">--Benjamin
Potter, October 3, 2016</span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-69711720762965931342016-10-03T20:52:00.000-06:002016-10-03T20:52:13.711-06:00Between the Living and the Dead by Bill Crider<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwi9JRL6pELbsEX3FWJJ3NRBWRGg_LoP4KZQ2FDPn4H6zALA_ZuM5FDpB6NhOm49jU-y2OHNQDem7wjOvDJlmdLRe1eZb1B3IAQWIysqWtHkQ9_IPenVGaEjw3-Gl_HcYhfUrk9wV_lc/s1600/51EpfhRuMXL._SX328_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwi9JRL6pELbsEX3FWJJ3NRBWRGg_LoP4KZQ2FDPn4H6zALA_ZuM5FDpB6NhOm49jU-y2OHNQDem7wjOvDJlmdLRe1eZb1B3IAQWIysqWtHkQ9_IPenVGaEjw3-Gl_HcYhfUrk9wV_lc/s320/51EpfhRuMXL._SX328_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">©2015
Minotaur Books, New York</span></div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">[Note
to the reader: I received and read this book several months ago, and now that I
have finished the next in the series, I thought I should go ahead and post a
quick note about this good Dan Rhodes story.]</span></div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Seepy
Benton, professor at Clearview College, trained member of Blacklin County’s “Citizen’s
Patrol”, and part-time live music for a local restaurant has a new job interest—he’s
a ghost hunter. And so is born another headache for county sheriff Dan Rhodes. </span></div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">As
is his fashion, award-winning author Bill Crider, weaves a story filled with
ghosts, guns, and intrigue. Throw in some trademark comic relief and mystery
lovers have another good evening’s read. Crider is known for his wit and
attachment to clichéd phrases, and constantly files them away to surface in one
of his mystery novels. As I read the description of Dan Rhodes subduing a
run-away bull in the Walmart parking lot, I fairly laughed out loud to see that
the good sheriff “took the bull by the horns.” And I wondered how long Crider
had been waiting to fit that one into a story.</span></div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Again
filled with our favorite characters, Sheriff Dan Rhodes fans will not want to
miss this edition of crime and punishment in Blacklin County Texas. This one
will be fun at Halloween time with its haunted house, reference to ghosts and
hat tips to the Ghostbuster movie franchise. Dan Rhodes gets another 5 reading
glasses, if for no other reason than he “ain’t afraid of no ghosts.”</span></div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">—Benjamin
Potter, October 3, 2016</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLb5xS7R8L-cvbkx5GsauXg0wkGjUZwhz_vihmkzN6vL0gHTuk3ue0cWQ-8Pb0tCdP-Lnr8VJYd7bVNejpn_T72k1dGaS4eWBm4b7j4gNT6cvP28_8Yg0GRH0-0z-yJV5-ZaVuB1JvTg/s1600/glasses1+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLb5xS7R8L-cvbkx5GsauXg0wkGjUZwhz_vihmkzN6vL0gHTuk3ue0cWQ-8Pb0tCdP-Lnr8VJYd7bVNejpn_T72k1dGaS4eWBm4b7j4gNT6cvP28_8Yg0GRH0-0z-yJV5-ZaVuB1JvTg/s200/glasses1+5.jpg" width="137" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-90057535477788436762016-09-24T10:55:00.002-06:002016-09-24T10:55:56.470-06:00Win a GalleyActually, I'm just posting this to increase my chances. If you don't enter, I have a greater chance to win.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://bit.ly/2ds0Pky">http://bit.ly/2ds0Pky</a>Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-40326564539817513392016-09-13T09:14:00.000-06:002016-09-13T09:18:40.999-06:00Saffire – Sigmund Brouwer<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1Cz8FpO_wi9_-OI-h1CDQ8FsUyLnB6yBihqu_dzdEpWSjVD1nk8o4sxJt43t2Hi2DyeMONPUetei1nKaXmkMy0sfgrzOZqzMZrwRvk8WAe8oSnQWbEBOYeagJF9gKWdoF7vYjWZ8i7c/s1600/51Brwo0c%252BYL._SX332_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1Cz8FpO_wi9_-OI-h1CDQ8FsUyLnB6yBihqu_dzdEpWSjVD1nk8o4sxJt43t2Hi2DyeMONPUetei1nKaXmkMy0sfgrzOZqzMZrwRvk8WAe8oSnQWbEBOYeagJF9gKWdoF7vYjWZ8i7c/s320/51Brwo0c%252BYL._SX332_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
©2016<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>WaterBrook
Press, Colorado Springs</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
“A Novel.” That is the descriptor listed beneath the title
on the cover of this fascinating book. I <a href="http://benjobooks.blogspot.com/search/label/Sigmund%20Brouwer" target="_blank">have been reading</a> selected <a href="http://sigmundbrouwer.com/" target="_blank">Sigmund Brouwer</a> books for a couple of decades now. Most of them fall into the category
of “novel” which indicates that they are fictional stories, and that the main
thrust of the story is to, well, tell a good story. I think that’s why I enjoy
reading Brouwer’s fiction. He writes for audiences at a variety of stages in
their reading, and goes out of his way to inspire young people to both read and
write, often focusing his seminars on school-aged boys who find it difficult to
“get into reading.” May his tribe increase.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Yes, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saffire</i> is a
work of fiction. Yes, it is a good story, well-told. But it is so much more
than a good story. Like all good historical fiction, this book becomes a time portal
through which the reader can be transported to anywhere in history and become a
part of the events described.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saffire</i> actually
defies genre-fication—it is hard-pressed to be squeezed into a mold created by
the publishing companies for marketing purposes. A surface glance at this novel
could very easily place it in the category of romance because of the
attraction-tension that runs throughout the story. The back-story of lost love
for the hero that finds its replacement in the beauty and fire of one of the
developing characters (Rachel Sandoval). There is a tip of the hat to the
western story moseying through the pages as Jim Holt constantly remembers his
days with the Buffalo Bill Wild West show, and concerns himself greatly with
the location and condition of his cowboy hat. Mystery and intrigue lace the
pages as Holt constantly asks questions on behalf of the orphaned child for
whom the book is named.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Ultimately, though, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saffire</i>
finds a comfortable resting place in the seat occupied by historical fiction.
The narrative intertwined with the historical setting and events that are the
construction of the Panama Canal will hold the reader’s attention. Brouwer, as
is his custom, is able to take a moment in history that is simply a mundane
paragraph to most, and turn it into the exotic, exquisite exploration that
fascinated those who lived there or watched from the window of newspapers
around the world when it was happening.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLb5xS7R8L-cvbkx5GsauXg0wkGjUZwhz_vihmkzN6vL0gHTuk3ue0cWQ-8Pb0tCdP-Lnr8VJYd7bVNejpn_T72k1dGaS4eWBm4b7j4gNT6cvP28_8Yg0GRH0-0z-yJV5-ZaVuB1JvTg/s1600/glasses1+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
This is a most enjoyable read which draws a portrait of the
politics, mechanics, and theatrics of the Panama Canal Zone as a perfect
setting for the story. I highly recommend this book to people interested in the
building of the Canal, in the art of intrigue, in the history of the Canal Zone
and the country of Panama, or even in the orchestration of bull fighting. I
give Christy-winning <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLb5xS7R8L-cvbkx5GsauXg0wkGjUZwhz_vihmkzN6vL0gHTuk3ue0cWQ-8Pb0tCdP-Lnr8VJYd7bVNejpn_T72k1dGaS4eWBm4b7j4gNT6cvP28_8Yg0GRH0-0z-yJV5-ZaVuB1JvTg/s1600/glasses1+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLb5xS7R8L-cvbkx5GsauXg0wkGjUZwhz_vihmkzN6vL0gHTuk3ue0cWQ-8Pb0tCdP-Lnr8VJYd7bVNejpn_T72k1dGaS4eWBm4b7j4gNT6cvP28_8Yg0GRH0-0z-yJV5-ZaVuB1JvTg/s200/glasses1+5.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="137" /></a>author Brouwer five reading glasses for this latest novel.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
—Benjamin Potter, September 13, 2016</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #3d281b; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;">[Disclaimer: I received this book
for free from <a href="http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/"><span style="color: blue;">WaterBrook Multnomah
Publishing Group</span></a> for this review.]</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-11588458954877922242016-08-06T15:18:00.000-06:002016-08-06T15:22:55.485-06:00Prince Noah and the School Pirates – Silke Schnee<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTssy-v9ncxjqdf0m0txTEJYBXR6cfZU4vzf3fsY0yFiMzoMEtTy5C1KYEDuSb_SA6AHbHjGpxS6PDvvM_7oaQ0PCmQv4tV2v0NNr56Tcaq1wnJvqSaJlja6_wtj9VA2PWw_Qhuc1S244/s1600/51OzUi5kEJL._SX387_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTssy-v9ncxjqdf0m0txTEJYBXR6cfZU4vzf3fsY0yFiMzoMEtTy5C1KYEDuSb_SA6AHbHjGpxS6PDvvM_7oaQ0PCmQv4tV2v0NNr56Tcaq1wnJvqSaJlja6_wtj9VA2PWw_Qhuc1S244/s320/51OzUi5kEJL._SX387_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
© 2016 The Plough Publishing House, Walden, New York</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
You may recall when we were introduced to Prince Noah in the
story <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://benjobooks.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-prince-who-was-just-himself-silke.html" target="_blank">The Prince Who Was Just Himself</a></i>.
He is back—along with his brothers (princes Luke and Jonah) and this time the
boys are off to school.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In the fairy tale kingdom where they live, school is
different than the school that we know. School is on a ship—the boys on one,
the girls on another, the children with eye patches went to school on another
ship, those with only one leg on another, and there was even a special ship for
the children who didn’t learn so fast.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Adventure begins when all the ships are blown into pirate
waters by a terrible storm. All the children are captured and taken to an
island where they are imprisoned in a tower. The children all work together
using the things they have learned on their separate ships to escape and return
home to their families.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This endearing story encourages us to work together to solve
problems and remember that everyone is important, even those of us who may be
just a little different.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The author has teamed up again with illustrator Heike Sistig
to give us another book that highlights the wonder of children who are “just themselves.”
Having a child with Coffin-Lowry Syndrome, I find Schnee’s treatment of her own
son with Down Syndrome delightful. Especially endearing is her description of
her own Prince Noah as “blessed with an extra chromosome.”</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Families with special needs children should get a copy of
this book. And every school library should invest in a copy of this delightful
tale—even if they are in a building and not on sailing ship. (5 reading
glasses)</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
—<st1:personname w:st="on">Benjamin Potter</st1:personname>,
August 6, 2016<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcyfAIppFPThM8yi_fIgaRXCTk07-32pNRtLt95peFennwqoTBJ-yME41xWWBMGLmAQldb__wZJC7m7D6Qr-DSzktRP_jS7enNbyVNfvqulu7b82DUvErCzAeMIVqyhjwuenJ9_Dw4dM/s1600/glasses1+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcyfAIppFPThM8yi_fIgaRXCTk07-32pNRtLt95peFennwqoTBJ-yME41xWWBMGLmAQldb__wZJC7m7D6Qr-DSzktRP_jS7enNbyVNfvqulu7b82DUvErCzAeMIVqyhjwuenJ9_Dw4dM/s200/glasses1+5.jpg" width="137" /></a></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #3d281b; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">[Disclaimer: I received this book
for free for the purposes of this review.]</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-39082775298915098422016-08-06T14:21:00.001-06:002016-08-06T14:23:46.451-06:00Renovate: Changing Who You Are By Loving Where You Are – Léonce B. Crump, Jr.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50z_ZLxMg2CaaYmdKrwLROLm-j-V5Ob1cGURKG-y4wKgDKA41RscoSsRNSPI5oQ3IpS6LX7_dKQ0LrNmarAYyCKwDDYVgeVVP7ApTVIX_NojYRKJl3s8s_2XE_oHDL7yd8s3PzyO48Qo/s1600/511Jqwot-5L._SX322_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50z_ZLxMg2CaaYmdKrwLROLm-j-V5Ob1cGURKG-y4wKgDKA41RscoSsRNSPI5oQ3IpS6LX7_dKQ0LrNmarAYyCKwDDYVgeVVP7ApTVIX_NojYRKJl3s8s_2XE_oHDL7yd8s3PzyO48Qo/s320/511Jqwot-5L._SX322_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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©2016<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Multnomah Books, Colorado Springs<br />
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I like recommendations, sometimes. I especially like it when
people take the time to notice where I’ve enjoyed something and make recommendations
based on that. (Note of warning: on-line sites like Facebook and Amazon.com
don’t really take the time to note your preferences, they just make
recommendations based on volume activity.) Anyway, someone noticed that I gave
a positive (maybe even glowing) <a href="https://benjobooks.blogspot.com/2010/12/radical-david-platt.html" target="_blank">review</a> of David Platt’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Taking-Faith-American-Dream/dp/1601422210/ref=sr_1_1_title_2_p?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1292945069&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Radical</a></i>, and so this book was recommended to me.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The author, lead pastor of <a href="http://www.renovationchurch.com/" target="_blank">Renovation Church</a> in Atlanta, is
a former professional athlete who loves his town and his calling.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Like any book that approaches the norm from an angle, this
book is liable to challenge your traditions as well as get your feathers
ruffled because Crump forces us to ask the questions that no one wants to
ask—or be asked. </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The book has some drawbacks. The author’s love for Atlanta
because of first a calling to that great city and followed by his intentional
planting of himself there is evident in the amount of time spent in the first half
of the book describing the history (good and bad) of the city of Atlanta. It is
laudable for the church planter whose calling is to plant in Atlanta to love
Atlanta. The take away for others is to fall in love with your place of
calling. However, the first chapters, in the guise of supporting a sense of
call to place, become an effort to convince all readers that Atlanta is the
place (and the only place to serve). With a bent toward overselling his city,
Crump almost loses his audience from his actual message—God not only calls to
vocation, he calls to place as well.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Another distraction in the book is the intermission included
in the middle of the manuscript. The record of the interview between the author
and several of his colleagues who are part of his church planting effort does
not flow with the rest of the book. If its inclusion was mandatory (on either
the part of the author, the editor, or the publisher) for the book to see the
printing press, it would be better served as an appendix located at the end of
the book. Perhaps the production team felt that (even though it distracted from
the message of the book) it might have missed a few readers’ eyes as an
appendix, and centrally placing this section would earn it more readers, it
still seemed to be less a part of the book and more a piece of the research for
the book, and draws a giant question mark as to its inclusion (especially as an
interruption).</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I am disinclined to totally pan the book though. In a day
and a vocational path that trends toward itinerance, Crump calls for longevity.
He suggests that perhaps when the minister is answering the call from God to be
part of church leadership, that the minister should consider not only the what
but the where of that call. According to Thom Rainer, the average tenure of a
pastor in a local church still hovers at just under three years (up from when I
began my ministry when preachers were staying an average of 18 months). With
research also claiming that most effective ministry is done after the 5-year
mark, it would behoove ministers to actually plant themselves. The challenge is
for those called to vocational ministry to stop looking for their next position
the moment the moving truck drives away from the parsonage of their current
place of service. Instead, study your place and the people there. Learn how to
become one of them, and make your life about your place of calling. (Again this
is addressing a God-calling that is often short-circuited by short-sighted men
and women.)</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The book reads a little slowly because of some of the
distractions included in it, but it does have value if only to challenge both
ministerial types and church members in general to start looking at their
church place as a place to be planted, a place to serve, and a place to become.
Christians are to be about the building up of the community—not necessarily
changing it to the American dream, but changing it from the heart outward with
the love of Christ. Therefore, I rate this book with three and one-half reading
glasses. Don’t rush out and buy a copy (unless you want to plant a church in
Atlanta), but go ahead and read it if a copy falls into your hands.</div>
<br />
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—Benjamin Potter, August 6, 2016</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIHvalaap6clX0Hyu_ZaR5W9j5bBZCrMWbvJN4YNilXTUsS9ORUzAPbG0V0H9kSolj5HeAK3qX_g3VFf67fEbHx98ZOWQuR8beCYe-6yJufaCu19tos4V16V5zW4Ke_6qdL7D6JMK6MM/s1600/glasses1+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIHvalaap6clX0Hyu_ZaR5W9j5bBZCrMWbvJN4YNilXTUsS9ORUzAPbG0V0H9kSolj5HeAK3qX_g3VFf67fEbHx98ZOWQuR8beCYe-6yJufaCu19tos4V16V5zW4Ke_6qdL7D6JMK6MM/s1600/glasses1+3.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ56GxSu963vi-tCpo58ZwzSpOxIqfX5D8fa-IFjkEClbK5nAxVoxACG4qOo6Lc5i_WEfwiElCb7JpECg32MQ6dGq6QNEId5A6nriS4H2nKR03hJDHdl4S3AN1p0rpjsiFzz6cD7rImqI/s1600/glasses1+half.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ56GxSu963vi-tCpo58ZwzSpOxIqfX5D8fa-IFjkEClbK5nAxVoxACG4qOo6Lc5i_WEfwiElCb7JpECg32MQ6dGq6QNEId5A6nriS4H2nKR03hJDHdl4S3AN1p0rpjsiFzz6cD7rImqI/s1600/glasses1+half.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #3d281b; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">[Disclaimer: I received this book
for free from <a href="http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/"><span style="color: blue;">WaterBrook Multnomah
Publishing Group</span></a> for this review.]</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-71061902329832721512016-07-25T08:02:00.001-06:002016-07-25T08:02:12.743-06:00Don't Wait for the Obit<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxGh4IQvjiyk_ujcwQYpnlZlCTrQ9OOE-tngDvBlMSi9y9rFP08pqGhqzbVV_R2LjXiJKSpabyjH2rgZMI4pgO9DfR7oHd_gN5eJuFfxu34KaNztIxyhyphenhyphenrWy-70PNMeUp60PiqiHAQJQ/s1600/P1000896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxGh4IQvjiyk_ujcwQYpnlZlCTrQ9OOE-tngDvBlMSi9y9rFP08pqGhqzbVV_R2LjXiJKSpabyjH2rgZMI4pgO9DfR7oHd_gN5eJuFfxu34KaNztIxyhyphenhyphenrWy-70PNMeUp60PiqiHAQJQ/s320/P1000896.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
Bill & Judy Crider</div>
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</tbody></table>
<br />
For some reason we always seem to wait until obituary time to write the glowing report of our friends. This time, I don't think I'll wait for the obit to say the good.<br />
<br />
I first met Bill Crider when he was Dr. Crider teaching American Lit. at Howard Payne University. I enjoyed his teaching style so much that I took him for a J-term version of English 201 (I think it was 5 papers in 3 weeks - the one year there was snow on the ground in Brownwood, TX). During the American Lit class I stopped by and asked if he as my English professor would look over a short story I'd written. He took it and a couple of days later he gave it back with some advice about the characters and a fairly generous assessment of the story itself. He was right about the need for character adjustment, but I think he was over-generous with the story itself--I still haven't re-worked it into anything worth sharing.<br />
<br />
Fast forward about 15 years and I found a book with Bill Crider as the author. On a hunch, I bought the book, looked up his addressed, and inquired if he had been my English teacher. He was, and our friendship became more than student/teacher. He has become a friend, mentor, and all-around encourager. He's read a couple of my stories since and has always been more than friendly in his critique.<br />
<br />
I've become attached to his writing (I've even indulged in some of the darker stuff that appeared under the name Jack Maclane) and always enjoy looking for the newest Sheriff Dan Rhodes mystery.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcpz60CfSfgNYTH3F3JmaTJBVuC1uaCCbkNS2gqwjn3UW8IjhIO4Lc-jgxKySD2NStoNW9eH6VyGntrV_Mc1vpn6iKT84LMu6Ju3TenVtflqubxlN7tvWAaWKZLRfR2LNT1aeHr3Nrxc/s1600/P1000896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><br /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
<br /></div>
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This mild-mannered friend of all has a talent not only for writing, but for music (especially if you like barbershop) and for being a great encourager. Thanks for being my friend, Dr. Crider.<br />
<br />
I'm saying all this, and trying to join the cloud of voices bringing laud to a man who deserves it, because Bill has recently run up against a dire diagnosis of aggressive carcinoma. So while I'm not going to wait for the obit to tell what a powerful encouragement, influence, and friend Bill has been to me, I am going to take this moment to send thoughts and prayers out for him and this battle he's found himself in. Godspeed, Dr. Crider, and beat this thing. I know you've got another story (or 10) to tell.Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-25070088369578838872015-09-02T07:59:00.000-06:002015-09-02T07:59:57.621-06:00The Prince Who Was Just Himself – Silke Schnee<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdVVs7FiJZPET7geHI9OUz9msXhXZiIeNJY9iAsnJpGb116Fk3ID7RlUeSL_wEnPWuiRRfD6RTlhjIjW410OJwSkBj6BbKZZLChBzq9HfIwHGasaUvY2oZAr0GYGbB5NggbUtNj-UFZU/s1600/51Y9Z%252BFUPQL__SX387_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdVVs7FiJZPET7geHI9OUz9msXhXZiIeNJY9iAsnJpGb116Fk3ID7RlUeSL_wEnPWuiRRfD6RTlhjIjW410OJwSkBj6BbKZZLChBzq9HfIwHGasaUvY2oZAr0GYGbB5NggbUtNj-UFZU/s320/51Y9Z%252BFUPQL__SX387_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
© 2015 The Plough Publishing House, Walden, New York<o:p></o:p></div>
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Children’s books sometimes seem to be a dime a dozen. Often
authors of children’s books rise up out of almost every corner of the market.
Celebrities are the newest joiners into the competitive market of Children’s
reading material—often gaining sales for their celebrity instead the quality of
the book. So when I receive a book designed for children I look for several
indicators that the book will be appropriate for and appealing to children, as
well as enjoyable for parents to read to and with their children.</div>
<br />
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A big factor in children’s literature appeal is the
accompanying artwork. In this selection, illustrator Heike Sistig uses vibrant
colors, simple shapes, and touching scenery to convey the story being told by
the author. If one must find a drawback or flaw with the illustrations it would
be in the occasional overpowering backgrounds of the full-page illustrations.
But they don’t distract from the pictorial re-telling of the story for the
child-reader to associate with the tale.</div>
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Another major concern in children’s writing is the story
itself. Is it appropriate for young minds? Does it appeal to the child’s
senses? Are the sentences short and concise enough to engage the child in the
story? Schnee does it all. This story—the story of a third prince born into a
royal family (the new prince being noticeably different from the other people
of the kingdom)—has lots of adventure and appeal. For an added bonus, the story
is a lesson for everyone in the family as well as the kingdom. Without giving
too much away, this book gives parents of all types of children an opportunity
to talk about how one child can be different, but that can be okay. The author’s
personal experience (making the tale almost autobiographical) brings the story
to life. She surely was able to use the story to help her sons adjust to their
new brother. And now the world (thanks in part to excellent translation by Erna
Albertz) can do so as well.</div>
<br />
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If you, or someone you know has a child who is “a little
different” you will want to make this delightful book a part of your library.
Read it with your child. Let your child read it with you. Let the world know
that your child can be happy “just being himself.” (5 reading glasses)</div>
<br />
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—<st1:personname w:st="on">Benjamin Potter</st1:personname>,
September 2, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #3d281b; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">[Disclaimer: I received this book
for free for the purposes of this review.]</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVomtOVkD6eBqP_PnRzgXS-f8AqpD2mlTSJ4IibxUZjU93c5y6hzSmMN1hIvdd557tTuKlGhgqtPA0LD7yY2UU9SCbmaDYQVn7R1C7eI9CMmT2Ls70mOPqYuRIHXJtw0AvuxNg4HDj9VI/s1600/glasses1+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVomtOVkD6eBqP_PnRzgXS-f8AqpD2mlTSJ4IibxUZjU93c5y6hzSmMN1hIvdd557tTuKlGhgqtPA0LD7yY2UU9SCbmaDYQVn7R1C7eI9CMmT2Ls70mOPqYuRIHXJtw0AvuxNg4HDj9VI/s200/glasses1+5.jpg" width="137" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br /></div>
Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-33411303218310871762015-04-17T21:15:00.000-06:002015-04-17T21:19:02.748-06:00Memories, Musings, and Mischief – Jo Ann M. Cross<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSR-hqnCvcPnHCD2QYm9qU8rhAsP-Z1w7bMLtcKdWEQKkOOhyphenhyphenobVM2Png3s8W6OXaiNWN6UHe2ZmwBVIY1EhrJ8OcPQD9zuOvKpu_AafOO7E7DF7eT2u082_03XhvmAN4W6fQDWxj9aQA/s1600/JACross.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSR-hqnCvcPnHCD2QYm9qU8rhAsP-Z1w7bMLtcKdWEQKkOOhyphenhyphenobVM2Png3s8W6OXaiNWN6UHe2ZmwBVIY1EhrJ8OcPQD9zuOvKpu_AafOO7E7DF7eT2u082_03XhvmAN4W6fQDWxj9aQA/s1600/JACross.png" height="320" width="221" /></a><br />
©2015<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>48HrBooks
(www.48HrBooks.com)<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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When one is well into his fifties, it is often difficult to
remember those long past days spent day-dreaming on the third row of Mrs. Cross’
Trigonometry and Analytical Geometry (Trig’n’Analyt) class—yes when he should
be listening and learning all about tangents, sines, and cosines. The same must
be true for Mrs. Cross when she retires. Who would ever expect the purveyor of
all knowledge mathematical would be a great story-teller, too? But here you
have it. Jo Ann Cross has penned in her retirement the book that all retirees
plan to write. Her subject matter? Not math, but her stories—the stories she
heard from parents and grandparents as she grew up in a rural east Texas
community, the stories about her own experience, stories that span the funny to
the tragic. And she does so quite successfully, too.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In an attempt to preserve some of the stories of her
ancestry that have been passed down orally from generation to generation, and
to offer a glimpse of community life from east Texas for a larger audience,
Cross has developed what she calls “short stories” but is mostly a collection
of memoir-type essays that bring all aspects of life into crisp focus.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The author’s talent is evident in superb moments of
personification. Many of the stories hinging on her own experience rely heavily
on her dry, but ever present sense of humor. The one story that deals with math
and her father’s ability to teach the difficult concepts so that the smallest
child can understand brought me back to that third row seat in Mrs. Cross’ Trig’n’Analyt
class. I recall plainly the day when I kept asking “why” and “how” and Mrs.
Cross smiled at the whole class and said, “Don’t try to understand it, just
know that it works, and do it.” That advice saved my bacon in the only upper
level math I would ever take.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Included in the smiles and jests are a couple of very
touching stories. Of particular interest are “Pa-Pa’s Funeral” which deals more
with race relations in early 20<sup>th</sup> century east Texas than the
funeral itself, and “Samuel and Sarah” chronicling the author’s ancestral move
from the deep South to deep east Texas in the mid-19<sup>th</sup> century. The
latter of these two stories bearing a heavy L’Amour-esque flavor in relating
the history of the move.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This little collection will have appeal to a variety of
audiences—friends and family of the author will certainly enjoy the book, Mrs.
Cross’ former colleagues and students (yes, I am one) will find the peek into
the real-ness of Jo Ann Cross very fun and refreshing, readers who like the historical
and the hysterical will both be extremely entertained, and like me, people with
roots in places like Brinker, Texas (mine would be Cason) will be transported
to those thrilling days of yesteryear to relive their own amusing moments.
Thanks for the trip down several memories’ lanes Mrs. Cross. And thanks also
for being real during all those years you took your place at the front of a
Mesquite High School classroom. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Well-written and entertaining, Jo Ann Cross’ “Collection of
Short Stories” deserves every bit of the five reading glasses that this
reviewer awards it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8GO6ZNESNHOmh-JYknHg8_0iszJgZHKjLjNSTmALbSwEB9F-3buym82aMhxQ5nNBqaSP4W-g7iRcCaA7pdMt1V42vREWcDuQFKdTZHivVQY-LR_x_uz5xTwISnto1iEv2kDkCkeJRgo/s1600/glasses1+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8GO6ZNESNHOmh-JYknHg8_0iszJgZHKjLjNSTmALbSwEB9F-3buym82aMhxQ5nNBqaSP4W-g7iRcCaA7pdMt1V42vREWcDuQFKdTZHivVQY-LR_x_uz5xTwISnto1iEv2kDkCkeJRgo/s1600/glasses1+5.jpg" height="200" width="137" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
—Benjamin Potter April 17, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579972039313866649.post-18322621942073833352015-03-27T19:20:00.000-06:002015-03-27T19:20:10.323-06:00Easter Stories – Miriam LeBlanc, compiler
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpS-PInXC4WXa2aMvc4quFn0hYjLZFkk0cyuQFcZIt-FMBS2qkbCoZREEtrFJFRZTcA4_bdtsn5feggQJgflEZ2K51DxUmQ_-OyNf2AWC4Wn_-Qc7hx-0EMNYMBCGOQkvXqy57GO7olfo/s1600/Easter.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpS-PInXC4WXa2aMvc4quFn0hYjLZFkk0cyuQFcZIt-FMBS2qkbCoZREEtrFJFRZTcA4_bdtsn5feggQJgflEZ2K51DxUmQ_-OyNf2AWC4Wn_-Qc7hx-0EMNYMBCGOQkvXqy57GO7olfo/s1600/Easter.png" height="320" width="208" /></a></div>
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© 2015 The Plough Publishing House, Walden, New York</div>
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With Easter just around the corner, I welcomed the chance to
read a collection of inspirational stories set in, on, or around Easter for
review. Thanks to the publishers at Plough for providing one. You can visit
them here<span style="color: #484848; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">: <a href="http://www.plough.com/en/ebooks/e/easter-stories"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.plough.com/en/ebooks/e/easter-stories</span></a>.</span></div>
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This collection of stories, with a couple of poems thrown in
for good measure, is designed to be inspiring for those who follow the Christ
of Easter. The selections included here are often inspirational as promised.
Specifically heartfelt is the legend of Russian martyr, Vasily Osipovich Rakhov
(born ca. 1861) as creatively told in “The Case of Rachoff”, making this reader
want to dig a little deeper into the life of this wanderer who lived a life
dedicated to Jesus and Jesus alone.</div>
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Included are both old and new stories. Some of the classics
include selections by Leo Tolstoy (“Two Old Men”), C.S. Lewis (“The Death of
the Lizard” from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Great Divorce</i>),
and Anton Chekhov (“The Student”). These tales are inspiring if not actually
familiar. Newer selections, such as “The King and Death” by Ger Koopman seem to
be written specifically for this collection. This latter story was an excellent
one with a bit of a slowdown for an ending.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I chose to read this book as part of my morning devotions as
there are only about thirty selections (reading one entry per day). This worked
well for me, but I found some of the selections to be longer than my 15-20
minute devotional time would allow. Other readers may prefer to read the
anthology like any other that they would pick up, selecting only one or two
selections a year at Easter time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This book is filled with stories from distant lands like
Germany and Russia, that center on the miraculous nature of the Easter season,
and is worth your time to read. Included are brand new wood-cutting artworks by
artist Lisa Toth which expertly introduce each story. I would recommend it for
anyone who wants to add a new element to their Easter celebration. (four out of
five reading glasses)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0QcGM6i0e-y2uLtuSp3ZJJ-9H6T9sK4OGcWqBrlM3au-6P8TyKR091NoWwkjd5LsySgKBqlXZjpea54GbsXtfVLn0MxdMfZ5sLrCf2qWmyj-4uzoT0CWJ4XaP_SLBTWUUGhsynBfHlo/s1600/glasses1+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0QcGM6i0e-y2uLtuSp3ZJJ-9H6T9sK4OGcWqBrlM3au-6P8TyKR091NoWwkjd5LsySgKBqlXZjpea54GbsXtfVLn0MxdMfZ5sLrCf2qWmyj-4uzoT0CWJ4XaP_SLBTWUUGhsynBfHlo/s1600/glasses1+4.jpg" height="63" width="200" /></a></div>
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—<st1:personname w:st="on">Benjamin Potter</st1:personname>,
March 27, 2015<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #3d281b; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">[Disclaimer: I received this book
for free for the purposes of this review.]</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Benjiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155472883124774755noreply@blogger.com0