Musings of a Snickerdoodle

This book is being released in a paperback edition on September 10th, so I figured I'd re-post this review (I've been wanting to read it again and am planning on doing that with one of my sisters who I think will enjoy it as well):  I don't know that I would have EVER thought that a book about the Kings of Saudi Arabia and an oil company would have been interesting. But this book is! I don't just mean that the book is well written (it is) but Wald actually seems very enthusiastic about the topic and that carries over to the reader.  Or at least it did to me. I almost want to laugh at myself for how interesting and intriguing I found this book, " SAUDI, INC. The Arabian Kingdom's Pursuit of Profit and Power"  by Ellen R. Wald . Abdul Aziz, or ibn Saud, the founder of Saudi Arabia (never realized where the name came from, sort of a 'duh' moment when I found that out: SAUD-i Arabia) was quite an interesting guy.  He started out by conqueri...

I have noticed, recently, that there is some sort of proposition going around (particularly in relation to man/woman husband/wife relationships) that the Trinity does not have any authoritative order, especially, that there is no subordination among the Persons of the Trinity.   When I received a notice that I could get a review copy of this book of collected essays by many people: Trinity Without Hierarchy: Reclaiming Nicene Orthodoxy in Evangelical Theology edited by Michael F. Bird and Scott Harrower , my dad wanted me to get it and look into the topic. I did not know that there was controversy over this particular topic, and I don't believe I've ever really considered it before.   I unconsciously have always assumed that God the Son does the will of God the Father, and that that is something that has always been the case, as that is what a basic reading of the Scriptures teaching on the Godhead seems to indicate.     After going through this...

Rediscovering Scripture's Vision For Women: Fresh Perspectives on Disputed Texts by Lucy Peppiatt is a book that, as the title indicates, attempts to look at Scriptures teachings of God's plan for women.  As you may have guessed, these "fresh" perspectives ultimately attempt to lead the reader to think that Christian women do not need to keep silent in the church, can pastor churches, don't need to submit to their husbands…etc.   I have read some of it outloud to many of my sisters (I have seven sisters) and they were all joining me in criticizing the claims of this book. Let me deal with some of her claims.   First, her view of 1 Corinthians 11.   I find part of her introduction to her interpretation ironic:   "My own research has led me to study these verses in detail and to discover that the more obvious meaning of the text causes consternation and embarrassment among many, and even causes others to question Paul's understanding here....

Christian Mission: A Concise  Global History by Edward Smither is a book gives the history of the spread of the Gospel by professing Christians.  It follows it spreading down through the years through various continents.  Each chapter deals with different time periods of its spreading: "Mission in the Early Church", "Mission in the Medieval church", "Mission in the Early Modern Church"…etc.  It was quite interesting to learn about various people God used in its spread it.  I also loved the maps, they were very interesting in and of themselves, Maps showing the Roman Empire, Territories and Voyages of the Vikings, and one showing the colonization of Africa after the "Berlin Conference of 1884"" I didn't realize that European countries had control of pretty much the whole of Africa as one map showed the colonization of Africa by Europe, France, Belguim..etc. I found it very interesting that some   of the early missionaries were...

(On Ephesians 1:15) There is also gratefulness expressed in his prayer to God for their love expressed 'to all the saints'.  This gratefulness is not just for 'love' being shown and demonstrated, but that it is non-discriminatory among the 'saints' - there is not preferring one above another (Just as a parent is heartened to see their children loving each other equally and not neglecting some)  Knowing what we already know (of what God has done on our behalf) and the uniting us together into one purpose as family (and as a 'team', our understanding of this will draw us toward each other as fellow beneficiaries of God's grace, called to a special purpose together. It is not our distinctions that unite us,but our common likeness (in Christ) and our unified calling - we have the same purpose and so find our love for one another understandable. - Don Lambert From his  Ephesians sermon series:   http://www.dansvillebaptist.org/ephesians.html See mor...

This book is the first of a trilogy of the American Revolution.   I am reading it aloud with my sister, we haven't finished it yet (are halfway through), but I want to write a review now as I know the book is just being released and I want to recommend it.   We are really enjoying it.     The book takes you chapter by chapter through the war, each usually focusing on a different place either in America or other countries (Canada and Britain).   The book takes you, in a detailed way, through the war.   Focusing on various battles, moving you around the scope of the war so that you can observe the various conflicts, battles and political discussions and decisions in various places and on both sides of the conflict. The author introduces you to various people involved, Including Franklin, Washington, Adams, and men on the other side, like King George III, Generals Gage, Howe, Carleton and Burgoyne. And you don't just get acquainted with the fam...

This book, Church, by A. W.Tozer is a collection of his insights on the topic. He deals with, The Organization of the church, the character of the church, communion of the church, witness of the church…etc.  There isn't a lot of, how shall I put it? Detailed information.    It may have interest for some people, but I didn't find it very intriguing.   I guess it just seemed like more of a devotional type of work.   It didn't seem particularly expository in any given part. And I had trouble with several things, He made statements that kind of confused me, like: "…would you reach out your hand by faith and pull the Holy Spirit in unto you?   It would make a great and wonderful difference in your life. I've seen it happen and there's no reason why it can't happen for you if you fully obey." So…faith is not a gift from God/The Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit waits for me to produce faith and good works and then just enters into my life ...