A Fascinating True Murder Story

In Paul Collin’s book,  Duel with the Devil: The True Story of How Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr Teamed Up to Take on America's First Sensational Murder Mystery, I was fascinated at his writing style which helped move me into the drama of the first major murder mystery in the United States. 

The story takes place in 1799-1800; and moves beyond that as Collins shares the fate of those involved in this case.  It’s the story of a young Quaker woman, Elma Sands, who is found dead in the bottom of a well.  The story takes place in lower Manhatten and Collins, helps us to understand the cities dynamics as it was in that era.

Elma, was unmarried, and was living in a boarding house for the past 3 years.  The story focuses at first on muffs she borrowed and hadn’t returned and escalates into a murder mystery.  Another tenant, a young carpenter named Levi Weeks, was accused of the murder.

The well in which Elma's body was found belonged to a new municipal enterprise named the Manhattan Company, which had been chartered by the state legislature to provide the city with clean drinking water.  Aaron Burr was the chairman of the company and was going to defend Levi Weeks.  Assisting him was Alexander Hamilton, who was an arch rival of Burr.  Collins gives us insight into the progression of the trial, slowly unveiling different facts from the story.  Collins notes that all quotes in parentheses are literal quotes as recorded from the trial.

He has so many pages at the end of the book of notes and comments, which helps bring him authenticity.  He used stories from 9 newspapers and actual transcripts of the court case, as well as diaries and journals.

He concludes the book by discussing the duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton, the death of Hamilton and the effect this duel had on the political career of Burr.

This was a fascinating book.  If you enjoy history and murder mysteries this is an excellent choice.

I received this book free of charge from "Blogging for Books" in return for an honest review.

Excellent Choice ~ New Spirit Filled Life Bible

I jumped at the chance to review this Bible, the New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, because I had thought about buying it about 10 years ago.  I appreciate the ministry of Jack Hayford and he is the Executive Editor.  So, it was a great opportunity to review this Bible.  While I prefer the ESV, the NIV is a Bible I still refer to so this was a good opportunity to review the Bible and see what makes this edition unique.

The NIV is not a literal translation and is called a ‘dynamic equivalence.’  This means the authors are not as worried with the literal translation as they are with the reader understanding what the Bible states.  As a Study Bible, there are notes on the bottom of every page explaining some of the more difficult passages, as well as highlighting words which help the passage come more alive. 

What makes this Bible unique is the fact that they have added the following sections ~

Word Wealth
Kingdom Dynamics
Truth in Action
Each are explained more fully immediately prior to the first book of the Bible, Genesis. 

Kingdom Dynamics are the sections that are probably what most makes this Bible unique, because they are study notes from a large number of speakers and authors, and helps the reader better see and understand how the Holy Spirit is leading in specific areas.  There are 41 of these.  They are easy to spot, as there is a box with the words in bold.

Word Wealth explains more than 550 important words and terms.  These words are listed alphabetically, including their Greek or Hebrew transliteration and scripture reference.  Then on the page where the word is referenced, there is a box with a further explanation of the word, along with a reference to Strong’s Concordance. 

Truth in Action sections are charts at the end of each book of the Bible.  The purpose is to show how the Holy Spirit can impact your life.  What is very helpful is that this section is practical.  The left side shows ‘truth’, while the right side of the chart shows ‘action,’ that is what we are to do on a more practical basis.  That’s a great help.

There is also a very nice introduction before each book of the Bible.  There is a limited concordance in the book of the Bible, as well as some selected color maps.

Overall, this is a very good Bible.  It is excellent for studying and going deeper in becoming the person God is calling you to become.

I was provided with a free copy of this Bible through Booklook.  All opinions are my own.

A Great Journey!

In his book A Life of Miracles: What One Ordinary Family Gained When They Gave Up Everything to Follow God, Don Schulze has written a book that may resemble Chicken Soup for the Soul.  This was an easy to read, quick chapters about the chapters in his life.

He takes you on a journey from his time in Vietnam to returning home and living the wild life, to his marriage, family, trials, tribulations; but also his joys and triumphs as he and his wife, Leia met Jesus on the same day.

This is a true story about their adventures, told in a humorous, yet engaging manner.  There are 27 chapters in the book, with each chapter having a short meditation at the end of the chapter.

If you are looking for a fun summer book that will challenge your faith to be more than an occasional Christian, a book that shows the journey of one family to different parts of the world and their passion for Christ and God's power made real, then this is a book to read.

I received this book for free from Tyndale Press in exchange for an honest review. 

Gritty Futuristic Novel

I am not sure what I was expecting from this novel by Adam Sternbergh.  In Shovel Ready, he gives us a glimpse into a futuristic New York City, which has been decimated by terrorist bombs and a future in which people enter a new reality through injections and find themselves in a new world.

The story revolves around a man called Mr. Spademan, a garbage man -- turned hit man.  A man with no conscience, well, he does have one.  He will not kill a minor or anyone who is pregnant.  Thus, we enter into the drama as he is asked to kill the daughter of an evangelist, who may be the father.

It's written in a bare bones method, that takes awhile getting used to reading.  But I liked the style, it made the book move at a faster pace.  I'm still not sure of how I felt about the book, other than to say, I was grabbed into it very quickly, which I really, really like in a book.  Although, I felt the book ended abruptly, but I see he is writing a second Spademan book, which may be the reason.

The biggest negative for me was the language, and it was only one word, but it was repeated more times than I felt necessary, it was the f-word.  Count me prudish, but I didn't need it.  It didn't impress me or make the villains more like villains.

Otherwise, I was captured by the book.  It was a quick and easy read, not for the faint of heart.

"I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this honest review."

Is it really All Right Here?!

In some ways this book is all about the normal dysfunctions of life, yet it's a hard to put down book.  In her book, All Right Here: A Darling Family Novel, by Carre Armstrong Gardner has written an easy to read book about a family in turmoil.

Ivy Darling is married to Nick Mason, but still uses her maiden name which infuriates her mother in law.  Her sister in laws don't like her and seek to hurt her at every chance.  Ivy and Nick want children but can't, and it is the cause of tension in their lives.  Nick is very regimented in his life, which is the opposite of Ivy.  Then one day three children enter their lives.  The children are African American who have not had real parenting.

Ivy is excited, Nick is not.  Yet, the children stay and stay.  But their marriage is crumbling.  Ultimately, they have some real decisions which need to be made.  What will they choose? 

This was an easy to read book, and a good book.

The author, Carre Armstrong Gardner has worked in Russia for 3 years working with at risk children.  Which highlights some of her passion for writing this book.

I received this book at no cost from Tyndale House Publishers, in exchange for an honest review.

Solomon Style: Seduction and Temptation

Solomon was supposed to be the wisest man in the world.  Really?  Maybe for a moment he was, but he ended with hundreds of wives and hundreds more concubines.  Now, that’s not a comment on women, it’s a comment on all the enticements this brings and the slow dissolving of our own beliefs.  But Solomon had more downfalls than just his women.  In his book, The Solomon Seduction: What you can learn from the Wisest Fool, Mark Atterberry, has written an easy to read book for men about the pitfalls of being seduced.

Atterberry takes us through 10 Wake Up Calls (Chapters) that grab a man, seducing him and leading him away from who is really called to be. 

Chapter titles include ~
1. Sin seems like a good idea
2. God's commands seem out of touch
3. Your glory is more important than God's glory
4. You're more influenced by enticements than warnings
5. Sin management seems like a better choice than repentance
6. Your faithful friends are troubled by your behavior
7. Your drinking glasses cost more than some people's houses
8. There are a thousand women lined up outside your bathroom
9. The throne of your heart goes from being a chair to a sofa to a sectional
10. God draws a bull's-eye on your chest.

Atterberry gives a number of examples about the ways we fall into these seductions / temptations.  He discusses the pitfalls and ways we can battle back.  The book is written from a Christian point of view, although he does not use a great deal of scripture to prove his points or to beat you up over a legalistic point of view.  Basically, it’s a call for men to turn away from sin and turn back to God.

This is a good book, which also has a study guide, which asks 5 questions about each chapter.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review program.

New Sermon Series at Alexandria First Baptist Church

Hope to see you on Sunday at 10:30 am, when we Crash the Chatterbox which tells us all the negatives!

Couldn't Stop Reading!

I didn't expect to get hooked on this book.  But I was hooked, virtually from the first pages.  and life comes back: A Wif'es Story of Love, Loss and Hope Reclaimed, by Tricia Lott Williford is an outstanding memoir of the most difficult time of her life. 

Tricia gives us a personal picture of what it was like to be with her husband when he suddenly died.  The comments she makes and the questions she asked were so moving and so personal.  She helped me to feel like I was part of the book. 

She chronicles her journey from the days before her husband's death to her struggle to move forward to her foundation of faith and ultimately to her hope for the future.

You will cry and you will laugh.  This is personal and moving.  If you want to read a book that will move you, then this is a book you should definitely read.  This is an exceptional and extraordinary book by Tricia. 

Below is a picture of Tricia, her husband, Robb, and their two sons.

"I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review."

Wishing for the Impossible and Expecting the Possbile

What happens when you have a wish for your child?  It’s not about a career, it’s about some of the simple things in life, like playing catch.  It doesn’t sound like it should be difficult, and that’s all James McConnell wanted.  It was his Wish to play catch with his son, Aaron in their backyard. 

In the book, Wish: An Impossible Dream.  An Extraordinary Journey, Jake Smith has written a book which will grab you and pull you along from beginning to end.  Aaron has struggled with cancer, James gave up a baseball career to start a family, and now coaches baseball.  He wants to play catch with his son, but Aaron’s cancer has returned and Smith pulls us along on the journey. 

As a sports dad, who has coached my own sons and other boys in various sports, I could sense the anguish and decisions which needed to be made by Aaron’s parents.  Choices had to be made, yet, the parents were considering their dreams, as well as Aaron’s dreams.

This was an very good book, easy to read and if you like sports, having your heart tugged a little here and there.  And enjoy reading a wholesome book, then I would highly recommend Wish.

I received this book for free from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Climbing High with your Attitude

Sometimes it’s difficult to read long academic books.  One of the reasons I liked this book is that it was an easy read, filled with little nuggets I can easily apply in my life. 

In his book, How High Will You Climb? Determine Your Success by Cultivating the Right Attitude, John Maxwell leads us on a journey to help us have the right attitude so we can be healthy leaders.

 
The book is broken into 4 sections ~

The Consideration of Your Attitude
The Construction of Your Attitude
The Crashing of Your Attitude
The Changing of Your Attitude

Early in the book he discusses flying lessons he received regarding attitude and pitch of an airplane and at times comes back to these illustrations.  As always, Maxwell gives numerous examples, funny and inspirational about how to become a better leader.

This was a good book, which also includes a study guide in the back to help you dig a little deeper.  This book may be good for a group study as well.

I received a preview copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

A Touching Memoir

Addie Zierman has written a type of memoir about her life growing up in the legalism of the Evangelical Church.  Her book is entitled, When We Were on Fire: A Memoir of Consuming Faith, Tangled Love and Starting Over.

Her book is broken into four sections,
Obsession
Disillusion
Rebellion
Redemption

It's the story about Addie's early love and the control he had over her and the wounds she encountered as she did everything she thought she was supposed to do as a young Christian.  She thought she was supposed to do and act in a certain way and if she didn't, for example, her first love made her do 10 push ups every time she was sarcastic, because Jesus was not sarcastic.

If I had to do push ups when I was sarcastic, nobody would be stronger than me.  Her story leads her to push the organized church away, to use alcohol and a coffee house to find what she thinks is community.  Ultimately, this is a story about a young woman with intuition.  She knows something is wrong, but doesn't believe she can act on what she believes is wrong.  There is power in her story, and we see glimmers of grace and hope as she appears to be moving forward in her faith, spirit, and heart. 

In some ways, it's also the story of what many Christians think they should be doing, following rules as opposed to living a life in which we stand out for Christ and make a real and tangible difference in the world.  Overall, this is a good book, an easy read, which many people, especially women, who grew up in the 1990's very well may relate to.

"I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review."

Being Intentional!!

Robert Crosby quotes J. Oswald Sanders, “We are as close to God as we choose to be.”  That’s a telling and true statement that sets the tone for this book.  In The ONE Jesus Loves: Grace is Unconditionally Given, Intimacy Must be Relentlessly Pursued, he offers a theme which is present in the New Testament regarding the people around Jesus.

The book is broken into 3 Sections, with 2 Chapters in each Section ~
Part 1 ~ Approaching Christ, the Man
1.  The Crowds: Observing the Words and Works of Christ
2.  The Five Thousand: Enjoying the Gifts of Grace of Christ

Part 2 ~ Enountering Christ, the Lord
3.  The Seventy: Serving the Purposes of Christ
4.  The Twelve: Following the Call of Christ

Part 3 ~ Knowing Christ, the Friend
5.  The Three: Knowing the Depths of Christ
6.  The One: Experiencing the Death and Life of Christ

Crosby’s aim is to lead us on a journey as we intentionally choose to have a more intimate relationship with Christ.  He describes this with 6 circles or rings, as we move more and more into a deeper understanding and experience of Christ. 

As you move further in your relationship with Christ, your level of intimacy with Him also increases.  While all the sections within each chapter are 3-5 pages, this is not necessarily a quick read.  Instead, it’s a book which should cause us to take pause and consider the message of Christ. 

It’s not a deep theological book, yet is scriptural and not difficult to understand.  It can be read more like a devotion, since there are 40 short chapters to read.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Discovering Who You Are!

I was not sure what to expect from this book.  I was surprised as I enjoyed and was moved as I read PROTOTYPE by Jonathon Martin.  The book is filled with theological truth, yet written in a conversational manner which made the book feel more personal, like it was written for me, and a conversation, albeit, a one way conversation was underway.

The book is broken into 9 chapters ~ 

• identity
• beloved
• obscurity
• calling
• wounds
• resurrection
• sacraments
• community
• witness
•  

The basic point of the book is one we seem to miss way too often.  God's loves us.  We are His children.  We are His beloved.  There are discussion questions in the back of the book to help the reader or group move through the book.

There is also a DVD series which would help facilitate a small group who meets and reads the book.  
Overall, this was a very good book, which caused me and should cause others to examine who they are in Christ.  

His question early in the book is a haunting question for most people, "Who are you?"  Not, where are you from, or what do you do, etc. but, "Who are you?"  For many that's the big question. 

I received this book from Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was received and all opinions are my own.

A Real Solution in the Middle East!

I should be better versed on this topic, but it is so complicated with so many points of view, that it becomes confusing, so I think we stay away from really examining what Caroline Glick is proposing. 

In her book, The Israeli Solution: A One State Plan for Peace in the Middle East, she has examined the difficulties surrounding Israel literally being one single state.  She has introduced the plan, looked at the positives and negatives; and the negatives include the fallout of the Palestinians, Europeans and those who would dissent from this type of epic decision.

Glick is willing to make statements which most people are not willing to make.  What she is proposing is not the popular idea, but she believes the concept is the right one.  She put aside any fear she might have of retribution and negative feedback regarding this book.  I found that very refreshing.

Her belief is to create a one state plan for Israel which would incorporate the Palestinian Arabs.  This would give them a home and rights which they really do not have at the present time.  The goal is to have peace in the Middle East, which is not present.

If you are interested in learning more about this topic, then I would encourage you to read this book.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group through the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest appraisal.

The Greatest Words is a Great Resource

The Greatest WORDS Ever Spoken is a wonderful resource book.  It can be used by any person who wants to see what Jesus said about a particular topic.   Of course, one must understand that the topics are arranged by the editor, Steven Scott.  You can check out his website here.

You get to read what Jesus has to say about everyday life situations.  Having a book like this makes it easier to understand the fact that Jesus wanted us to live the abundant life.  In some ways this can be a "how to manual." 

 

For those who do Christian counseling and want to incorporate God's Word into their counseling this would be a great resource. 

Again, this is really more of a reference book.  But for some, they may just read from start to finish.  That would actually be a new way to read through the Words of Jesus. 
 

This could be a great book to give to someone for a gift.  When you just can't remember where you read something Jesus said, but you remember the topic, this book will come in so handy.  It would also be great for Sunday School teachers.  

 

I received a free copy of The Greatest Words Ever Spoken from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for an honest review.

 

PRIDE a Poem by Beth Moore

MY NAME IS PRIDE

By BETH MOORE

 

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.

I cheat you of your God-given destiny...

because you demand your own way. 

 

I cheat you of contentment...

because you “deserve better than this.”

 

I cheat you of knowledge...

because you already know it all.

 

I cheat you of healing...

because you are too full of you to forgive.

 

I cheat you of holiness...

because you refuse to admit when you are wrong.

 

I cheat you of vision...

because you’d rather look in the mirror than out a window.

 

I cheat you of genuine friendship...

because nobody’s going to know the real you.

 

I cheat you of love...

because real romance demands sacrifice.

 

I cheat you of greatness in heaven...

because you refuse to wash another’s feet on earth.

 

I cheat you of God’s glory...

because I convinced you to seek your own.

 

My name is Pride. I am a cheater. 

 

You like me because you think I’m always looking out for you.

 

Untrue.

 

I’m looking to make a fool of you.

God has so much for you, I admit, but don’t worry...

If you stick with me you’ll never know.

Enjoying the power of Giving!

Most people have a very difficult time giving away their money and possessions.  We want to receive money and possessions, but freely giving away our "stuff" is so difficult.  Brad Formsma has written a book in which he focuses on the act of giving.  He has entitled the book, "I Like Giving: The Transforming Power of a Generous Life."

As Formsma writes,

There is something incredible about giving when it's our idea.  Opening our eyes and ears to the people around us and asking "How can we give?" is a profoundly life-giving and satisfying way to life.  One of Jesus's ideas was that it is more blessed to give than to receive.  I have found that to be true.  The generous life is the only life worth living.

Formsma has many illustrations which help the reader learn more about the nature of giving and what happens to us when we freely give.  There are times when reading the book that I felt he was being redundant.  At times I was not certain what his point ultimately was.  Yet, in the end, I believe Formsma makes his point about the joy and transforming power we can receive when we joyfully and freely give to others.  

Chapters include ~ 

1. The Power of One Gift
2. Beginnings
3. Try
4. What Happens When We Give
5. The Science of Giving
6. Giving Filters
7. Tactics
8. Family
9. Community
10. Receiving
11. Becoming a Gift
12. A Generous World

You can watch a short video by Brad Formsma, which describes the reasons for the book, HERE.

 Overall, this is a book which can energize people to begin the process of giving.

Heaven or Hell? Fact or Fiction?

It's not often you want to read a book about Heaven and Hell, but I actually enjoyed reading this book by Christopher Hudson, aptly entitled, Heaven & Hell: Are they Real?

The book is broken down into two sections, Part 1 - Heaven; Part 2 - Hell.  Within each part are sections.  As such the book is organized as follows - 

Part 1

1. The Moments After Death
2. Life in Heaven
3. Descriptions of Heaven
4. Residents of Heaven
5. Looking forward to Heaven

Part 2

1. The Reality of Hell
2. Hell as a Choice
3. Descriptions of Hell
4. Hell and the Final Judgement
5. Challenges to the Belief in Hell
6. How Can the Truth about Hell Affect our Choices Today? 

Overall, Hudson seeks to answer 61 different questions concerning heaven and hell.  Since this is not a long book, his answers usually are no longer than 3-4 pages.  He looks at many different topics.  If you are looking for a deep theology, then this is not the book for you.  But if you are looking for some basic answers and hints at some starting points, then this book may be good for you.

The end of the book contains an appendix in which he seeks to give all scripture references pertaining to heaven and hell.  He also speaks about how to know Jesus Christ and avoid the pain of hell.  He comes from a conservative theological understanding.

Other features include

• 30 days of reading on heaven
• 30 days of reading on hell
• Additional content from contemporary and ancient scholars

Overall, this was a nice book, and easy to read.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Olympics -- Good and Bad

Hey Folks - 

Now that the Olympics are over, what stands out for you?

What images are in your mind and heart?  

They can be good or bad, what jumps out first?

Let me know.

Send me an email at mishana826@yahoo.com

To Judge or Not to Judge . . .

I saw this and really loved the picture and what it depicts.  Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:1-5?  

Check it our or read below ~ 

¹ "Judge not, that you be not judged. ² For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. ³ Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Have you ever wondered why we often experience such great joy in judging others?

If we were to be honest, we don't like to admit that.  And we try not to judge others.  Yet how many times are we making those small, even subtle judgments about others – what they’re doing or not doing, what they’ve said or what they’re wearing, how they’re driving or acting – and each time we do, for some perverse reason it makes us feel better about ourselves.

I this we do this because we are not comfortable in our own skin.  We are insecure and we think we will feel better if we find fault in others -- if we can look into their heart and cast our 'divine' judgement.  

Of course, this gets us to the center of what Jesus is talking about.  He's interpreting the law for us.  Remember, when Jesus talks about judging, He's talking about looking into one's heart and knowing the condition and motivation of the heart.  Friends, we don't have that ability.  That's for God and God alone to do.  When we do this, we find ourselves subject to God's judgment.

We also struggle with this because when someone does something obviously wrong, we exclaim, "I'm not to judge!!"  But, we have misuderstood what judging is versus holding another accountable.  Accountability is about looking at another's actions, not their heart.

We are to hold one another accountable.  We view the outward actions and help our brother or sister to find redemption through Christ, knowing that we are no better, for we have our own sin issues which we struggle with as well.

Just a thought on a Friday afternoon.

Blessings!