"Heart Failure" book review

The book " Heart Failure" by Richard Mabry didn't stop my heart but had it pounding. first my heart was pounding in anticipation of reading this book. It did not disappoint. My heart was racing throughout.
Richard Mabry has become one of my favorite authors. In this thriller Carrie and her fiancé Adam (is that his real name?) are in trouble. Somebody is out to kill them. Is it because of Adam's past or is it one of Carrie's patients or their family members? Carrie is a medical doctor. Adam had been a lawyer who put his powerful father-in-law in prison for life. There are a few suspects even though the outcome is somewhat predictable.
I recommend this book as a fun read if you like thrillers and mystery. There is plenty of action and intrigue.
I was given this book by BookSneeze as part of their blogger program. I was not required to give a positive review of this book.

The Living Room by Robert Whitlow Book Review

First, let me say, that I have very much enjoyed Robert Whitlow as an author of Legal Thrillers.  "The Living Room" was different from his other books and I did not like it very much.  I was bored from the start and could never really get into the story.  It was slow going. It was not about legal matters per say.  It just centered around a legal secretary by the name of Amy who had dreams.  In her dreams she traveled to a special place she called the Living Room. It was there that she would receive inspiration for her novels. But then, her dreams took on a life of their own.  They begin to happen in real life. They affect the people around her. She wanted to stay home and only be a writer but finances forced her to go back to work.

When Amy takes a major case at her firm she has a hard time juggling her family, career, and that desire to be a full time author of fiction books. I suppose that women who do this all the time...juggle family and careers would be able to relate very well. Each area of her life has its own challenges. Eventually this various worlds collide and she learns some to trust and hear God.  There are spiritual principles we can all learn from in the book.

I do believe that God speaks through dreams but not all dreams are from God.

Even so, I was just not drawn into this book like the author's other books.  I just can't quite put my finger of what it is, but I will read the next book he puts out.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze book review bloggers program.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.

"Men Of Sunday" Book Review

This book was written by Curtis Eichelberger who goes behind the scenes and on and off the field to give us a window into the spirtual journey of many football players, coaches. and their wives.  The book is subtitled, "How Faith Guides The Players. Coaches, and Wives Of The NFL".

Topics include:
1. How they give glory to the Lord.
2. How the players deal with the violent nature of the game as Christians who are called to love one another,
3. The sacrifices that are made especially by the wives.
4. How they overcome adversity like injuries and family concerns.
5. How they deal with temptation.
6. How they deal with transitions like life after football.
7. What it means to lead.

I would like to read through the book again and take notes even though I am not a professional athlete because the lessons of life are universal.  There is lots of wisdom these players, coaches, and wives have to offer.  Some of the people interviewed include: Tony Dungy, Ray Lewis, Aaron Rogers (very little), and Trend Dilfer and Matt Hasselback. The author also quotes many others including Tim Tebow and Joe Gibbs.  I learned a lot about some of the men that I didn't know.  I have always appreciated the faith of Tim Tebow and Tony Dungy.  I have read their books, "The Eyes of Faith" and "Quiet Strenth" respecively. Still, I learned more about these men of faith.

One important lesson that I took away from reading the book is that we must be willing to fail if we will ever accomplish anything,  A football quarterback comples am average of 62% of his passes.  That means he fails to complete 38%.  A NBA players makes 46% of his shoots and a MLB players is considered great if he fails to get a hit 70% of the time.

The other important lesson was a reminder that no matter what we go through our faith will sustain us and God is faithful to see us through even if we don't have complete understanding.

"7 Men And The Secret Of Their Greatness" Book Review

"7 Men And The Secret Of Their Greatness" was written by Eric Metaxas.  The author is a best selling author who has written several biographies incliding "Bonhoeffer". The author has chosen 7 men to serve as role models for men and those becoming men. We all need role models to inspire us and young people today certainly need men of great character and purpose to look up to.  Many of the roles models today; athletes and movie stars don't cut it.  Many of them don't even want to be role models.

I learned much about the seven men who were chosen as the role models for this book.  For instance I didn't know that Eric Little became a missionary. It was very a very interesting read. 

The 7 men written about are:

1.George Washington
2.William Wilberforce
3. Eric Liddell
4. Dietrich Bonhoeffer
5. Jackie Robinson
6. Pope John Paul II
7. Charles W. Colson

While the choosing of the 7 men are the author's prerogative, not all of them would have been mine. I would not have chosen Pope John Paul II, but I am an evangelical Christian.  I also would not have chosen Chuck Colson, although he was a great man. I can think of others I would place ahead of him. But again, this is personal opinion.  The reader would have his own ideas and I think this debate makes it even more interesting.

I recommend this book to any man and think it would be very helpful for those approaching manhood to read.  Character is the need of the hour and the secret to greatness.

The Other Side Of The River Book Review

This is the story of Stonewall Jackson, written by Robert Helpert MD.  It is a historical novel.  I enjoy this kind of novel that is historically accurate with an engaging story line. It kept me turning the pages quickly. This book takes us through the Civil War, the darkest time in our nation where people had to chose between state and nation, staying home with family or leave to fight for a cause.  There were also moral struggles over decions like slavery. Some thought the war was necessary to end slavery, but some from the south thought that slavery would end soon anyway without the war. This book helped me understand both sides better.

Stonewall Jackson is the major character in the book although there are some other interesting characters also. Not only does it show the genius of Stonewall Jackson as as military leader, but it also gives insight into Stonewall Jackson the Christ follower. He was a man of deep faith and conviction.  He lived it out and and didn't lose it even as he crossed the other side of the river. He also had his inner battles. He struggled honestly with pride and what to him was wrong ambition. I can see why he became a legand and was held in such high regard by both the North and the South.

I received this book from Booksneeze as part of their blogger program.  The opinions are mine and I was not asked to write a favorable review.

The Whisper Theory Book Review

I was looking for a book to read for my booksneeze book review.  I saw "Whisper Theory" by Amber Albee Swenson.  I thought it sounded good even though there were no reviews for it on the booksneeze website.

The book wasn't what I thought it would be but I read in fairly quickly and it kept my attention so much so that I wanted to skip every other chapter.  Let me explain: The layout of the book is chapter of the novel and then a chapter of Bible Study concerning the topics just covered in the fictional chapter of that book.I wanted to skip the Bible Study.  But the Bible studies were real good.  They absolutely need to be read with the book especially for those who struggle with some of the things the characters in the book did.

I am not use to reading about some of the things these young people did, but I realize there is a struggle for young people in these areas: For example drinking, obedience and honoring parents (even for college students), and sexual drives.

I reccommend the book highly for college students and even those in high school.  I recommend the book for parents who want to be able to talk to their teens and young adults about these issues.  They will be able to clearly relate biblical principles to them.

The book is about a girl named Meghan.  She moves in with two nonChristians. One is a man and one is a woman.  She finds herself breaking her rules more than she is keeping them.  She falls in love with her roomate Jeff.  Then the is a murder in their apartment building which brings in an element of suspense.  Another murder takes place and Meghan discovers what true love and friendship is all about.  Most importanly she decides if she is going to follow God or not.

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Stress Test Book Review

Richard Mabry just keeps getting better and better.  This is a fast moving book that grabbed my attention right off and never let go. I wish that I could have read the whole book right through but alas I had to put it down to eat and sleep. I have read all of Richard Mabry's fictional medical mystery books.

Stress Test is the story of Dr. Matt Newman. Dr. Newman just about has his life on track with a quieter professional position and a love interest that is headed in the direction of marriage. That is until he is kidnapped in a parking garage in the middle of the night. Suddenly he finds himself in ICU and is being charged for murder. He is later accused of another murder and is kitnapped again.

Can his beautiful red-headed attorney prove his innocence? Will they figure out who is trying to frame Matt? Will he ever get his life back?

This book contains all the elements I have come to enjoy: medical, legal, and mystery. I am not an expert on medicine or law, but did not have to be to enjoy this book without getting bogged down in medicine or law that was over my head.

The only negative in the book as far as I was concerned was that I thought the author was against law abiding citizens owning guns.  This is a hot topic right now and I stand very strongly on our Second Amendment right to bear arms.  In the way the story in the book played out it was good to get rid of the handgun he acquired, but I don't think that is always a good thing to do.

Anyway, Dr. Matt Newman survived his stress test, can you survive the stress of reading this thriller? You will have to read it to see.

Darkness Rising Book Review

"Darkness Rising"  is the second book in the East Salem series and the sequel to "Waking Hours". It is supernatural thriller that has a Frank Peretti ring to it.  There are angels and there are demons and people carrying out their plans.

I always like to read books that are in a series in order and in this case I highly recommend reading book one first.

In this book, forensic psychiatrist Dani Harris and private investigator Tommy Gunderson continue in the quest to find the truth of what is happening at St. Adrian's Academy.  As they delve even deeper into the mysteries that surround the school, they discover that the truth is far more encompassing than they thought.  Supernatural influences have had a stronghold for generations. Dani and Tommy are wondering who they can trust and battle with demons in a showdown of good verses evil.

The thing that I didn't like about the book is that it goes too deep into medicine and psychology for me. Someone with more understanding in those fields would enjoy it much more.

This is the second book of a trilogy.  The last book, "Final Tide" is due out in September of 2013.

I do recommend this book. It is skillfully written, engaging and absorbing.  Even though the subject is heavy there are moments that made me laugh.  And yes there is romance as the relationship between Danny and former classmate, professional football player, and now Private I Tommy Gunndersonwho Dani hires for $1.00 per year, is growing.

"The Second Amendment" Book Review

"The Second Amendment:Preserving The Inalienable Right Of Self Protection by David Barton.

This is sure a hot topic right now and David Barton makes clear what the orignial intent of the Second Amendment was.  David Barton's book is an excellent read.  It is a short book that I read  casually over a couple of days.  He documents better than anyone the oringal quotes of the Founding Fathers.  So many modern authors quote each other...other modern authors.  David Barton goes right the the original souces.

David Barton is the founder of WallBuilders, an organization dedicated to presenting America's forgotten history and heroes, with an emphasis on our moral, religious, and constitutional heritage. David is author of numerous best-selling works and a national award-winning historian who brings a fresh perspective to history.

David Barton begins his informative little booklet, by giving the reader a few excerpts from recent articles printed by mainstream American publications and statements made by prominent sources which display the reinterpretation of the U.S. Constitution's Second Amendment by the anti-firearm crowd. He then proceeds to blow their position out of the water.

I highly recommend this book as a must read for any citizen who wishes to know the truth in the midst of the current "American Gun War". It is an easy read and one I thought would be a little techincal and boring but it was just the opposite.  I didn't want to put it down.

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God's Sovereignty Over Time And History

I read a story one time about a person who went to a psychic, but there was a sign on the door that read, "Closed due to unforseen circumstances."  There are no unseen circumstances with God. He rules sovereignly over this world. The God of the Bible knows everything (omnniscient), is present everywhere (omnipresent), and possess all power (omnipotent).  Because He knows all things and is present at all time in all places, He has the power to fulfill all of His predictions.

Isaiah 42:9 (KJV) Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

Isaiah 44:6-8 (KJV) ⁶ Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. ⁷ And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them. ⁸ Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.
 

Isaiah 46:8-11 (KJV) ⁸ Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors. ⁹ Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, ¹⁰ Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: ¹¹ Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

 

In the book of Revelation, the word ALMIGHTY is used to describe God eight times. The Greek word translated Almighty is pan-tokrator.  It is made up of two Gree words - pantos, meaning "all" or "everything," and kratein, meaning "to hold."This compound word describes a God who holds everything in His hands. God hands His hands on everything.  He is the Almighty.

 

Bible prophecy proves beyond a shadow of doubt that God is the true God who alone rules over time and history!  He not only rules the ages, but He also controls the events in the life of every person.  What a comfort and encouragement to know that God has His hands on every area of your life.

Seeing The Invisible God

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:20). Wait a minute! How can something that is invisible be clearly seen? Oh, by creation. We can understand the Godhead by studying His creation.

Well when we think of creation, we think of Genesis 1, right?  "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1).  How does this help us to understand the Godhead?  Well first of all the Godhead is made up of three persons: God the Father; God the Son; and God the Holy Spirit. These three are one.  "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Shost: and these three are one" (1 John 5:7).

Genesis 1:1 (KJV) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

God created the universe.  What is the Universe made of?  Three things...time, space, and matter.

"In the beginning..."  What is that?  It is time.  One thing.  But time is made up of three parts: past, present, and future.

"In the beginning God..." The word for God here in the Hebrew is Elohim, the plural name for God.  God is Trinity...One in Three...Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 

"In beginning God created the heavens..."  What is that?  Space.  What is space?  Width, depth, height.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."  What is that?  Matter. What is matter?  Solid, liquid, and gas.

What are you?  Body, soul, and spirit.

What are atoms made of?  Proton, nuetron, and electron.

How do you see God?  You see Him through His creation.

THE BIBLICAL DEFENSE OF BEARING ARMS

It is necessary to define the Biblical defense of bearing arms since today many politicians only quote the Bible to talk about peace, and often quote verses that only have to do with the millennium as if they were dealing with their political office. One such misuse of Scripture is quoting Isaiah 2:4 as if it were dealing with today, and as if the politician quoting it is the Messiah:

And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

 

Everyone that looks forward to the glorious reign of Messiah treasures this verse, but he also knows that many tyrants in history have tried to use this verse for their own benefit. We must be careful that we properly interpret the Scriptures, and not just try to make the Bible fit into our already preconceived ideas.

Some of our greatest Bible heroes were men and women who resisted government edicts. Certainly Amram and Jochebed are tremendous examples of people who were denied their right to defense, and still obeyed God.

And Amram took him Jochebed his father's sister to wife; and she bare him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were an hundred and thirty and seven years (Exodus 6:20).

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment (Hebrews 11:23).

We could further observe that in these cases their civil disobedience was obedience to God's mandates. The real persecution was not against their rights, but against God since He was the One Who had commanded them.

An illustration that is probably more apropos to the question at hand is found in the book of Esther. Mordecai was Queen Esther's uncle. Haman was a mortal enemy of Mordecai and wanted him dead, along with every other Jew whose worship so antagonized him. He had Artaxerxes, the emperor, sign a decree putting every Jew in the kingdom to death. When the emperor was informed by Esther that this evil plot would cost her and her people their lives, the emperor signed another decree.

Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey, Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies (Esther 8:11-13).

Not only did the decree allow them to defend themselves, but to band together in a militia for their own self-defense. They were to arm themselves and protect their own lives and that of their families. They were to take a pre-emptive strike against those that were known to persecute them.

What kind of personal self-defense was permitted, or mandated in the Scriptures? There are actually too many passages in the Bible to properly treat all of them here. This will not prevent us from getting a proper definition from the Bible about personal self-defense, even though we treat only a representative number of verses.

The Bible talks about the use of an armed citizenry to defend the country. The size of the standing army was really rather small in Israel, but every able-bodied man was expected to be armed, and to defend his country in time of need. The major reason for the ill-advised national census that King David ordered was to find out exactly how many armed men there were in the country that could be counted on in the case of war or invasion.

And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men (II Samuel 24:9).

And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David. And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men that drew sword: and Judah was four hundred threescore and ten thousand men that drew sword (I Chronicles 21:5).

The first thing that we see in these two passages is that David's sin consisted of not trusting God to protect Israel. David wanted to know how many people he could call on to make up his army in the time of need. A census in and of itself could have a good purpose, but David's census was disobedience to God.

Some people get so tied up on the seeming contradictions of the verses that they fail to see the clear teaching. The verses counted the men who were able to defend the country in the time of an emergency. That is the primary focus.

There were one million, one hundred thousand men in the northern tribes that could be counted on in the time of war. They were the right age, being neither too young nor too old. Women, children, handicapped, and those too young or too old to fight were not counted. Those who were left were the able-bodied men. But of the million, one hundred thousand, how many of these were trained in warfare? There were eight hundred thousand valiant men. The Hebrew word which is translated "valiant" is the word chayil. The most frequent translation of chayil is "army."

David's army was a citizen army. They were men who knew that their country needed to be defended by all male citizens.

Even though David's census showed a lack of trust in God for their protection, David was right in believing that male citizens were expected to defend their country. How was a small country like Israel, with no large paid, professional, standing army going to protect itself against enemy countries which were all better equipped and greater numbers than Israel? Even this large citizen militia was unable to adequately protect the nation against the overwhelming odds that it had to face. That is why Israel needed to trust God. The country was to be like a hive of angry bees who could band together in a moment's notice to defend their hive. Their attack could rout a much greater size army of armed men. Moses wrote of that when he said:

And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword (Leviticus 26:6-8).

During the time of the Judges, God raised up men who would be the leaders of the citizen militia. During the interval of time between Joshua and King Saul, God named twelve men. Their job was to defend Israel.

And after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim (Judges 10:1).

We must be careful to note that when a man defended his country, in Bible times, he was also defending his family and his own life. Nehemiah wrote of the danger to the nation. He said that the walls of Jerusalem needed to be rebuilt so that Israel could be a safer place to live. But the safety of the workers who were rebuilding the wall, as well as all the inhabitants of the city demanded that something be done immediately. In Nehemiah 4:17-21 he wrote:

They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me. And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another. In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us. So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.

Every man was expected to defend himself and defend his fellow workers. They were to work with one hand, and have their weapons in the other hand. They were to remain ever vigilant so they could remain ever free. The idea that a man was to always be prepared to defend his country, his family, his property and his life was further extended in that he was to defend his faith. Can you imagine how people would react today if you told people that while their mouths were filled with praise to God, their hands should be filled with weapons? Yet that is exactly what David wrote in Psalm 149:1-7

Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people.

The right to carry a weapon was considered a necessity at all times. There could be an attack on an individual at any time, but his attacker was more likely to come at night when there was no one around to help, or when visibility was reduced. Therefore Solomon wrote:

They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night (Song of Solomon 3:8).

Even the Levites and the Priests in Israel carried weapons in their worship of God. There was nothing considered incongruous about worshipping God and having weapons at the same time.

The Lord Jesus Christ told the apostles to buy arms. In Luke 22:36-38 He said:

Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

Jesus Christ not only recommended that the apostles have a right to bear arms, but further commanded them to buy arms. God stated very clearly that a man had a responsibility to defend his country, his family, his life, his faith, and his property. Since the beginning of time tyrants have first sought to control or rule a free man's country, family, life, faith or property by disarming him. Once disarmed, all of these things could be easily taken. Jesus warned of that in Luke 11:21-23 (KJV) ²¹ When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: ²² But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. ²³ He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

Mark 3:27 (KJV) No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

Matthew 12:29 (KJV) Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

In the Matthew passage, it clearly links together a man's property and his right to bear arms.

In order for a government to take away a man's rights to life, liberty, property, speech, religion, or the sovereignty of his nation, it must first undermine his ability to defend these things. The "strong man" was an "armed" man who kept his home. If government was allowed to be "stronger than he" then it could come and "take from him all his" arms. This enemy could then "spoil his goods" and "bind the strong man." This man would then face that this stronger than he would "spoil his house." This mans life was in danger. He was bound. His wife could be raped. His children could be taken as slaves -- even sex slaves. These were considered the spoils of the house. His property could be confiscated. The only protection that Jesus said a man had for any of these other rights was his right to bear arms. Jesus considered that there would always be a "stronger" one who wanted to remove our rights and freedom from us. The existence of this today should not surprise us. It should not surprise us either that they have formed together into groups and associations, even political parties.

Can a Christian go to war?  If your government calls you, you are obligated to obey.  1 Peter 2:13-14 (KJV) ¹³ Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; ¹⁴ Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

The Constitution is the United States of America's ordinance!

In Romans 13, God gave the government the right to bear the sword,  so if the government is asking an individual to go to War for their country, Christians should bear arms.  Christians are to obey the government unless the government asks  them to do something that God strictly forbids.

There is little difference between an armed police force which is necessary and an armed military which is also necessary.