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.