Books at the Beach

Have you ever been in a church and felt that the experience was a little too consumer-driven?  Sometimes I long for the "good ole days," when going to church was merely a time to experience and worship God.  Franchising McChurch reminds us all what church should be.  My review is enclosed - I hope you enjoy it. Feel free to leave comments.  If you are receiving email notification, please make sure you visit my blog at http://booksatthebeach.blogspot.com and subscribe via email so you don't miss reviews. - Steve -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Available at Amazon Franchising McChurch: Feeding Our Obsession with Easy Christianity . [Soft cover] by Thomas White & John M. Yeats 240 pages, $14.99 ISBN-10: 1434700046 Nonfiction Review by Steven King, MBA, MEd Many years ago, Christianity’s greatest apostle wrote an amazing letter to a church in a thriving metropolis. To the ...

I have to admit - it's hard to wrap my mind around the concept that God loves me - in spite of myself. My wife bought me a painting a few years ago that meant quite a bit to me. It hangs prominently in our home and every time I walk by it, I am reminded that God loves me, in spite of myself. While this snapshot does not convey the actual painting (in it, the guy held by Jesus is holding a nail and a hammer...)...I am really needing this truth in my life. Just remember: Jesus loves you and desires a relationship with you even more than you wish to have a relationship with him.

Today started at roughly 5:25 AM... Instead of tossing and turning, I decided to get up and catch up on some reading.  When one reviews books, it's quite easy to get the coffer too full and then forget to allocate enough time to actually do the reading. I am finishing a work of fiction, which admittedly does not find its way into my life very often.   From Scorn to Respect by George J. Mardo (and yes...a review will be forthcoming...). Otherwise, I am trying to re-think SQL commands for my new post, as I am also reading through Head First SQL . The tutorial format is precisely engineered for my learning style and if you need technical help, I commend the Head First series to you. See a variety of Head First books here . In a little while, my best friend and I will journey to our new gym and do some aerobics to help keep the 'ol ticker' in working condition. Working out is cool...working out with my best friend is even better.  And, I hope you realize tha...

A disclaimer is in order: I did not vote for President Barack Obama. To me it is very sad that race became the prevailing reason to vote for an inexperienced candidate for one of the most powerful political positions in the world. It has been my experience that religion and politics bring out the truest nature of people. To that end, I have opinions about the political landscape but will encapsulate them in the phrase, "I am a conservative Republican." This does not mean that I endorse everything the Republican party does, or says. It does not mean that I vote Republican straight across the board. I try to examine the issues, research the candidates or policies, and then vote my conscience in light of what I feel is best for America. I maintain that all Americans have an obligation to utilize the political process to keep the government "of the people, by the people, and for the people." Kevin McCullough's book, No He Can't found its way into my life an...

One day, after we had secured our new house, I was out running in the morning. As I ran through an unfamiliar neighborhood, a small older lady said something to me as I ran by. To be polite, I pulled out my earphones and turned down the music booming through my Droid X. She offered to walk back in the direction I was headed and she let her small Yorkshire Terrier amble about at her feet.  As we walked, I noticed that she spoke in religious terms and asked her about her faith.  She seized the opportunity and told me that she was a spiritually intuitive Jew. Such a comment really spiked my interest and we made small talk until I was able to introduce her to my wife. She told me of a book that I should read. I told her I enjoyed reading and she promised to deliver same to me.  Little did I know that she would produce the book within the selfsame hour. The Jew in the Lotus was quite interesting. My review is enclosed below. I hope you enjoy. Feel free to leave comments...

I am happy to be a dad.  I hope all dad's had a great day today.  I was pleased to receive well wishes from the kids and heard a great sermon at church.  Excellent Sushi lunch with my wife...my partner and best friend. Earlier, on my personal FaceBook feed, someone shared a hilarious video about dads.  I have to end the night sharing this...

Yesterday, I was having a pity party of sorts.  Have you ever had a day where you just didn't feel "right?" I was feeling down in the dumps.  I should be happier, particularly since my wife and I are relocating this Saturday - much, much closer to the beach. Around 2:00 AM, I awoke with a start and walked around the house.   Usually, I do not check my phone but noticed a text message from one of my daughters.  It said: Hey dad, you were on my heart tonight. Just wanted to tell you I love you. I've been thinking a lot about fatherhood since Father's Day is coming up. I have spoken to my dad in the last few days and told him how much I love him and how sorry I was for being a goofy, headstrong teenager. On the other side of that equation, I have thought about the kids God gave me and how I could have done so much more and been a much better dad. If your dad is still here - do yourself a favor...call him before Father's Day and let him know, "I love you...

Is biblical satire worth reading? It can be... Frequently, writers of this ilk make us think about the Bible just a little differently - or encourage us to contemplate what we believe about Scripture.  My review is enclosed to stimulate your mind about the Bible.  Please feel free to comment below. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Available at Amazon Good Book: The Bizarre, Hilarious, Disturbing, Marvelous, and Inspiring Things I Learned When I Read Every Single Word of the Bible. [Soft cover] by David Plotz 352 pages, $14.99 ISBN-13: 978-0061374258 Nonfiction Review by Steven King, MBA, MEd In a world that is awash with religious literature weekly, it seems that some authors go out of their way to make readers angry. Such is the case when David Plotz, a self-styled agnostic Jew, sits down with the Hebrew Bible and reads it with introspection. His original intention is sound: what happens...

This is an excellent read, particularly for those who may be asking, "Just what is the big deal about Jesus, anyway?" Although I haven't always lived it as I should, I firmly believe that Jesus is a very big deal.  Fortunately, I believe that Jesus is the epitome of grace and loves me, in spite of myself. *Small editorial note, I am quite excited that a new chapter begins in my life this week - relocation, closer to the beach.  My wife and I are hopeful for the future. I hope you enjoy the review, please feel free to post comments on my blog. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Available at Amazon What’s the Big Deal about Jesus? [ Soft Cover] by John Ankerberg & Dillon Burroughs 240 p a g e s ISBN-13: 978-0736921206 N on fi c t i on R e view b y S tev e n Ki n g , M B A, MEd In their book,   What’s the Big Deal about Jesus, authors John Ankerberg and Dillon Burroughs attempt to answer “why”...

Have you ever honestly struggled with your faith?  From time to time, and in various places, I have had heartfelt communication with friends and colleagues where they have revealed deep struggles with Christianity.  Each of us, however, have always returned, maintaining the "rightness" of our faith allegiance. I share this book review for those who feel it's appropriate to question things - you just might find balance and a renewal of your faith. Enjoy everything related to Friday!  [I am trying to spread the word about my blog through technorati - my claim token is  2VBAAM5F4VDE.] -Steve -------------------- Available at Amazon What Bothers Me Most about Christianity: Honest Reflections From an Open-Minded Christ Follower . [ Soft c ov e r] by Ed Gungor 256 p a g e s, $15.99 ISBN-10: 1416592555 N on fi c t i on R e view b y S tev e n Ki n g , M B A, MEd Although scripture clearly states that a “double minded man is unstable in all his ways,” open-mind...

Do you always recall your dreams? This author has penned an interesting and thought provoking book about chronicling her dreams for 40 years.  Here is my review... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Available at Amazon.com Journey of Dreams: 40 Years of Dream Keeping [ Paperback] by Joan Bridgeman 352 p a g e s, $12.95 ISBN-13: 978-1456514761 Nonfiction R e view b y S tev e n Ki n g , M B A, MEd Since dreaming is a common occurrence for us all, one would think we would have discovered a purpose for dreaming by now. Sadly, no consensus exists to answer the question of “why” humans dream.  Theories abound insinuating that dreams are necessary for our development and others maintain that dreams are merely the underpinnings of the dreamer’s subconscious. Into this fray comes Joan Bridgeman, who has written a captivating treatise covering forty years of her dream experiences. From the outse...

Anyone who knows me understands that I have had a lifelong fascination with the Dark Knight.  Recently, I read Dr. E. Paul Zehr's amazing work - Becoming Batman: The Possibility of a Superhero .  I have enclosed my review for your consideration - I hope you like it. -Steve ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Available at Amazon Every child who has donned a cape and ran around the backyard has been asking the question, “Could I be a superhero?” Dr. Zehr answers this question with his detailed analysis of the possibility of becoming a superhero in Becoming Batman . One of my earliest memories involving Batman occurred when I transformed into the Dark Knight for a kindergarten Halloween party. As I ran around in that “Adam West” style costume, one of the teachers remarked that my eyes were “perfect” for the mask.  That level of authentication began a lifelong fascination with everything rel...