CALLED TO CONTROVERSY by Ruth Rosen

                                         

 The following review is given through my high expectations of this subject, prior to my reading this book.  Messianic Jewish Christianity has interested me immensely, thus when the opportunity to review this book arose, I was excited.  I expected greatness!  I was met with a book of mediocrity instead and would rate it as 2.5 stars of a possible 5 stars.
The book follows the life of Moishe Rosen, from his early years through death at an elderly age.  I did appreciate understanding how the Spirit of God used an obedient person to accomplish his will and further build the kingdom.  It provides hope for any of us, as we follow Christ.  However, I found the book moved very slow and labored through the first five chapters.  Much of the writing added nothing to the substance of the story and I found myself drifting off, as I read it.  The first five chapters could have been as relevant in one tenth the space and words.  Ruth Rosen did a nice job of presenting the Jews For Jesus ministry as a work of God and credited many others in her fathers' life, as contributors to the establishment and administration of the ministry.  I discovered Moishe Rosen to be a humble, obedient, and persistent man, in love with Jesus and the Jewish people.  For that, I am grateful, even as I found this book to be an average read.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

THE SUM OF NUMBERS
            Authored by Carole J. Greene



What a fun book, that is if you enjoy thinking, enjoy math, and the thrill of solving a problem.  This book provides eighty word problems, in which you much utilize some basic algebraic functions to solve.  Upon getting this book, I immediately delved right in, and easily "conquered" the first few problems.  Feeling pretty confident and even smug, I started working some of the more challenging problems, and quickly realized that there are some very challenging, thought provoking problems here. I worked through them and must say that they take many twists and turns, requiring creative problem solving skills.  I found the book very interesting and challenged my level of math skills.  Successfully solving these problems resulted in satisfaction and increased my ability to think, I am sure of it!  As is stated in the book itself, some knowledge of algebra and equations is needed, so if you possess those skills, I would highly recommend this book and all of the challenges it holds.  Answer's are provided in the back of the book  It will not disappoint, as you will be busy with it for hours!  I teach a Financial Principles course and plan to incorporate this type of word problems into the class.
Rated: 4.5 stars of 5.

ISBN-10: 1434909751

ISBN-13: 978-1434909756

This book is Published by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc. and may be purchased at this website, http://dorrance.stores.yahoo.net/sumofnumbers.html.


 

JOHN LOCKE Philosopher of American Liberty
         Why Our Founders Fought for "Life, Liberty, an Property"


WOW!  I must have been asleep in all of the American History and Philosophy courses during my lifetime, because I missed the impact of John Locke upon the formation of our country's basic philosophy and upon other political/governmental development throughout the world.  This book presents Lockes argument for a biblical based foundation on which Liberty, freedom, and property ownership are given rights to human beings.  It is a very easy and understandable read, but to contemplate and fully glean the encompassing relationship between Locke, the scriptures, and political/governmental systems, it takes a bit of time. I recommend this book to all high school level and above.  The author, Mary-Elaine Swanson, specifically wrote about John Locke to counteract the oft misstated ideas of his philosophy being based upon a godless rationalism and secularism.  Facts are stated clearly and pointedly, based on verifiable evidence, which support Locke's positions.  He was a believing and practicing Christian and formed his philosophy of government based on his Christian worldview.  This is an excellent read, extremely informative, and for this sleeper during class, extremely enlightening.  Since my completion of this book, hardly a day has passed in which I haven't thought about something in it!  Purchase it at www..BookCrash.com.  Rated: 5 of 5 stars.

ISBN-10: 0983195730

ISBN-13: 978-0983195733

Disclosure of Material: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookCrash.com book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. 

Founding Dutch/American Memories

Dutch Esopus/Wiltwyck/Kingston Memories

The above book title refers to early Hudson Valley New York settlements, which were among the earliest settlements in what would become New York, America.  This book is a collection of "short memories"regarding these settlements and the people who inhabited them  It is a very easy read and is chocked full of information.  The research is presented in such a manner, that amateur and professional genealogist's or history buffs will find very fruitful.  It is more than just a book of cold facts, as it incorporates the mindsets, motives , and daily living of these early and influential dutch setters. Specific family and individuals are identified by name and actually become living, real people, not just numbers on a census sheet.  The impact of this early culture upon the American cultural identity, even to this day, is developed to an extent which is discernable by the reader.  Personally, as an amateur genealogist, I found this book an excellent source of historic information and extremely enjoyable to read.  An excellent combination!  It would well serve any reader who is interested in the early settlements of Hudson Valley New York or the development of the American culture. 
RATING - 4.5 stars out of 5 and it is published by Dorrance Publishing Co. Inc., www.dorrancebookstore.com

Take the Journey.

ONE GOD...ONE MESSAGE by P.D. Bramsen




   One of the reasons that I attended and graduated Covenant Theological Seminary (PCA), was to gain a better foundation and understanding of the Bible.  The time spent there was a constant state of illumination and worship, as the truths of the Bible were revealed to me.

    As I read through this book, I returned to my seminary experience.  I found this book to be a very readable, biblically based, and applicable explanation/study of the Bible.  The author, P.D. Bramsen has included in this book, the depths of scripture, how it reveals the nature of God and man, and is in a format that MAKES SENSE!  It provides the story in a progressive, continuous format, which is very useful in teaching a Bible survey type class.  Bramsen offers evidence for the validity and truthfulness of the scriptures, both historical and geographical, and then in detail, explains Genesis to Revelation.  Very importantly, he also explains how the passages & books all relate together.  Often in sermons, Sunday Schools, or small groups, the Bible is explored in small parts.  This book takes the small parts and successfully weaves them together into an understandable presentation of the big picture.  I personally found tremendous new insight's revealed in many passages, with which I was already familiar and had studied. 

   I would reccommend this book to all people, believers or not!  Bramsen even speaks about his interactions with nonbelivers throughout the book.  It is an excellent resource for teaching the flock.  Included at the end of the book is a discussion guide for each of the chapters, in which penetrating questions are posed about the text, the scriptures, God, and ourselves.
This is an excellent book and I suggest that you take the journey.

Disclosure of Material: I received this book free from the publisher through the bookcrash.com book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

GLOBEQUAKE by Wallace Henley

   As is often and easily practiced in our culture, people are often instructed to do certain things, perform certain behaviors, and believe certain things, without understanding the principles or the "why", which provides the foundation for our doing, performing, and believing.

   I found Globequake to provide instruction for engaging and even enjoying the "globequakes" which occur in the various spheres of our experiences, those spheres being; our person, the church, the family, education, the government, and the sphere of business.  These "globequakes" are the turmoil,destabilization, and confusion which comes into the lives of every person.  With the speed and verosity of these events in the world increasing, this author provides us with the truths and biblical principles, needed to be the anchor and foundation to thrive in these changing times.
Henley speaks of many contemporary globequakes and historic/biblical examples and then provides specific and practical insights, as to how people may experience a "high quality life", while the world collapses upon itself.  This book helps us to identify the issues, presents the solutions to it, and then explains the "why" of believing in it.

   There is much to ponder in this book, but yet there is even more which we can apply in our life immediately.  A biblically based book, which projects the world as it really is and also projects the saving grace of God, through Jesus Christ.

   If you find the worldly changes overwhelming and upsetting, this book is for you!  It will aid you in adjusting your worldview for the here & now, as well as for eternity.

A reccommended read for any person who lives in a culture!

Disclosure of Material: I received this book free from the publisher through the BOOKSNEEZE.com book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Globequake review!

Coming soon will be a review of the book, Globequake by Wallace Henley.  I would be interested in anyone's opinion/discussion of the book.  Thanks.