Category Archives: Not quite a review

Just Too Busy

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Just Too Busy: Taking Your Family on a Radical Sabbatical
Joanne Kraft
Product Details
  1. Paperback: 192 pages
  1. Publisher: Beacon Hill Press
  1. Language: English
  1. Date of reading: May 2, 2012
Point: Joanne Kraft shows how detrimental overly-busy lives can be, and what her family did to be pro-active in that area.
Path:  Kraft explains what most of our lives look like. Busy, overworked, etc. She uses her own life and family as an example of where she was and what they did to change their situation. As a family, they had a whole year that they did not participate in extracurricular activities and they had one family field trip every month. She goes on to explain what her family members thought and even some roadblocks along the way.
Agreement: This book is a very accurate representation of our society and culture as a whole. I liked the idea of stepping back and evaluating all of our areas of involvement. I appreciated her dealing with the fact that many of the activities or possessions in life are not a “right” or a “need” but a desire. I also appreciated her emphasis on not living our lives based upon what other people think, but doing what you need to do in your life for God’s glory.
Disagreement: I would have liked to see more of a Gospel-centered focus in the book. Christ was mentioned, but it seems as though the main reasons given to slow life down and not attend all of the nonessential events were to enjoy your children before they move away rather than the glorification of Christ. I also would have appreciated a section in which the book really dealt with the heart of busyness. There were a couple of brief references to things that sounded slightly like psychology, but as always we need to read with discernment.
Personal App: I need to ask myself if I am too busy doing a lot of things that do not have eternal value. Also, what are my motivations for being involved in the areas in which I am?
Stars: 4 out of 5
I would recommend it.

Henry V by William Shakespeare

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Henry V
by William Shakespeare
Product Details
Audio Book
Date written: ca 1600

Point: King Henry of England braves the French in the battle of Agincourt to successful conquer the land and take Katharine as his bride. 
Path: Shakespeare carefully inserts major and minor characters throughout his play, bringing both comic relief, and truthful contemplation to the reader’s attention.
Sources: From my understanding, Shakespeare based much of the play upon Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles. Holinshed was one of the contemporary historians, and available to Shakespeare. He also uses his understanding of the English spirit, and the disagreements common among the Welsh, Irish, French and English.
Agreement: Well written, exciting, and stirring presentation of this moment in history. One cannot help but be stirred by the famous St. Crispin’s Day Speech, and also the speech given At the siege of Harfleur. 
Favorite Quote: The greatest sound comes from the hollow jar.
Stars: 4.5 out of 5
It would be worth another read and I would recommend it.
The St. Crispin’s Day Speech is a famous motivational speech from the play, delivered by Henry V before the Battle of Agincourt (act IV scene iii). It is so called because 25 October is the feast day of Saints Crispin and Crispinian.
This day is call’d the feast of Crispian.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, Will stand a tip-toe when this day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say, “To-morrow is Saint Crispian.”
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars, And say, “These wounds I had on Crispin’s day.”
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he’ll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names, Familiar in his mouth as household words,
Harry the King, Bedford, and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester, Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb’red. This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.”

The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic

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The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic
Product Details
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Puffin
Date Published: 2011

Point: Living in the face of fear is not the same as living in fear.
Path: The reader follows 10 year old Persimmony Smudge through a rolling adventure filled with jumping tortoises, short kings, secret passages, and one giant surprise.
Sources: An active imagination and a thoughtful style.
Agreement: This would be a great book to read to your child. With short chapters, catchy titles, funny characters, and good lessons this could provide excellent talking points.
Personal App: I appreciated the ending of the book.
Favorite Quote:
Stars: 4 out of 5
It would be worth another read and I would recommend it.

Grace before Meat in The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb, Vol. 2

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Grace before Meat in The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb, Vol. 2
by Charles Lamb
Product Details
Kindle book

Point: Perhaps our habit of saying grace before a meal is not appropriate. It fails to be appropriate not because the Maker does not deserve thanks, but because the Eater is not truly thankful.
Path: Lamb humorously demonstrates the disjunction made between the man’s prayer and the man’s manners at the dinner table.
Sources: Lamb relies on his many hours spent before a table, in the company of both children, gentlemen, and gluttons.
Agreement: Lamb makes the comparison of the belly to a god. I think he is exactly right. Our appetites rule over us. Whether one gorges, or starves themselves, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame.
Personal App: When I sit down to pray before a meal, do I thank God for his provision at every occasion, or merely at feasts? And do I take this thankful spirit with me as I open my mouth again to eat?
Some Favorite Quotes:
“The form then of the benediction before eating has its beauty at a poor man’s table, or at the simple and unprovocative repasts of children. It is here that the grace becomes exceedingly graceful.”
“It is a confusion of purpose to mutter out praises from a mouth that waters.”
“The giver is veiled by his gifts.”
“I would have them postpone their benediction to a fitter season, when appetite is laid; when the still small voice can be heard, and the reason of the grace returns–with temperate diet and restricted dishes. Gluttony and surfeiting are no proper occasions for thanksgiving.”
“but the proper object of the grace is sustenance, not relishes; daily bread, not delicacies; the means of life, and not the means of pampering the carcass.
Stars: 5 out of 5
It would be worth another read and I would recommend it.

Guide to Biblical Manhood

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A Guide To Biblical Manhood: How to Serve your Wife, How to Mold Men through Baseball, How to Make Men in the Church & More
by Randy Stintson & Dan Dumas
Product Details
Paperback: 110 pages
Publisher: Southern Baptist Theological Seminar
Date Published: 2011
Point: Genuine manhood is found in Christ. It is tough, demanding, scarce, and possible through the Gospel.
Path: This short book is divided into four key sections. The authors first highlight genuine manhood through studies of biblical figures such as Adam, Job, David, Solomon, Paul, and Jesus Christ. The second section focuses on a man and his marriage followed by a section focused on a man and his children. The final section is an encouragement to pastors to model and teach biblical manhood.  
Sources: The authors fill their short chapters with biblical references, helpful quotes, and funny illustrations.
Agreement: I appreciate this short plug for biblical and genuine manhood. This is a book that I plan on buying for guys going on our bi-annual man-a-thons. I plan on placing this book in the hands of my brothers. It is not meant to be a definitive guide on manhood, but a signpost to the comprehensive work – God’s Word.
Disagreement: There were a few slips and typographical errors (ascribing the book of Jude to Paul, etc.). One could complain about generalizations or shallow treatments, but this is meant to be a booklet, not a treatise.
Personal App: I need to love God, love my wife, love others and lead well. Genuine biblical manhood is not natural nor easy – but it is what God expects of me and can produce in my through the Gospel.
Favorite Quote: “Yes, children need to clean their room, to share with their brother and to stop hitting, but more importantly, they need the Gospel” (98).
Stars: 4.5 out of 5
It would be worth another read and I would recommend it.

Judaism And Hellenism In Antiquity: Conflict or Confluence? by Lee I. Levine

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Judaism And Hellenism In Antiquity: Conflict or Confluence?
by Lee I. Levine
Product Details
Hardcover: 184 pages
Publisher: Hendrickson Publishers
Date Published: 1998

Point: Hellenization involved much more than merely the dominance of the West over the East. It included the influence of religion, literature, philosophy, economy, social interactions, politics, and the whole of culture. Dominance can be clearly defined, whereas influence cannot. The influence of Greek thought varied from city to city, village to village, depending upon the location, size, and social make up of the community. Levine shows that the Jews had a diverse reaction to Hellenization.
Path: The author works through the general similarities between Jewish thought and Greek thought during the Second Temple era (536 b.c. to 70 a.d.), and then shows the stark contrasts.
Sources: Scholarly works primarily from the 1950’s – 1990’s
Agreement: The influence varied. One cannot say – “This is how it looked everywhere.” Also, the Greeks were influenced by the East (Alexander marrying Persian wives).
Disagreement: Levine final chapter before his conclusion deals with the synagogue. There he states “Hand in hand with this concept of the church as a heavenly, other-worldly edifice is the status of the bishop, who was considered the focus of the community, the representative of God, the mediator, high priest, and earthly father of his flock. No comparable distinctions are known to have existed within the synagogue. No hierarchy governed its proceedings, no set of divinely inspired individuals officiated, whether it be during the Torah and haftarah readings, the targumim, sermons, prayers, piyyutim, or even the priestly blessings; an ordinary Jew had the opportunity to actively participate in almost every aspect of the synagogue ritual. From its often modest size to its sometimes broadhouse dimensions and usually multifocal liturgy, the Byzantine synagogue, in contradistinction to its Christian counterpart, articulated a message of inclusion and involvement. In this sense, the Christian church more closely approximates the hierarchical stratification of the holy that once existed in the Jerusalem Temple. The Jews seemed to have generally shied away from such identification; the Temple was the house of god, the synagogue a communal framework with a modicum of sanctity.” (177-78)
It seems as though there was more structure than Levine allows.
Stars – 3.5 out of 5
Informative, but not exhaustive.

Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson and the Opening of the American West by Stephen E. Ambrose

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Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson and the Opening of the American West
by Stephen E. Ambrose
Product Details
Paperback: 502 pages
Publisher: Touchstone
Date Published: 1996

Point: The life of Meriwether Lewis was filled with the most fascinating adventures, highest of achievements, and the most bitter of sorrow. A man in himself can never fully recover from his past, no matter how illustrious or infamous.
Path: Ambrose tracks the life of Meriwether Lewis from beginning to end, while focusing primarily on the incredible journey from Coast to Coast during the years of 1803-1806.
Sources: Ambrose thoroughly does his homework and acquaints the reader with the journals, letters, articles and accounts surrounding this amazing life.
Agreement: This was a fascinating book for two reasons. First, the endeavor was one of the most daunting and challenging ever faced. Second, the author was thorough and interesting. Some of the greatest tales ever told are not over exaggerations, but under exaggerations! What Lewis and Clark saw and experienced can never be fully imagined. It was also revealing in regard to what those from the Enlightenment would call the “noble savage.” Neither the “civilized explorers” nor “primitive Indians” acted in noble ways when faced with immoral opportunities.
Disagreement: Lewis’ final depression which brought upon his suicide was given many names, but it appears to me that he was haunted by his failures and turned to his own sources of comfort – alcohol, drugs, and finally death.
Personal App: This tale pushes me to reach for the unknown – wherever it may hide.
Favorite Quote: “Finally the party returned, with Cruzatte, who absolutely denied having shot the captain and swore he had never heard Lewis call to him.” (after Lewis was shot in the backside by one of his own men! No wonder he never admitted to it.)
Stars: 5 out of 5
It would be worth another read and I would recommend it.

Great Book on Fear and Anxiety

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Running Scared: fear, worry, and the God of rest

Edward T. Welch

Product Details

  1. Paperback: 317 pages
  1. Publisher: New Growth Press
  1. Date of reading: February 22, 2012

Point: Welch takes an in-depth look at fear, worry, and anxiety in his book. God is bigger than our fears, and we can trust in Him.

Path: Welch has written this in the form of meditations. He recommends reading one chapter a day and talking with someone about the chapter before moving on to the next one.

Welch shows that all people fear. It is something that we do not have to learn. We fear and worry about things which we value and cherish. Through a discussion of manna in the Old Testament and many passages about fearing in the New Testament, Welch shows the root of fear and how that can be dealt with in our lives.

Agreement: I enjoyed many of the thoughtful chapters on fear itself. One of his main points is: “We are fearful when something we value is in jeopardy” (page 80). This is apparent in all of our lives.

Disagreement: I agree with the majority of what Welch says, but there are just a few times where the reader may become confused if they do not know from where Welch is coming. For example, Welch states on page 47, “After you listen to your own heart, listen to God.” If taken out of context at all, one might think that Welch is condoning listening to our own hearts before we listen to God. I believe he is actually pointing out that we check our hearts to see if we are living in fear, and then we need to listen to what God’s Word has to say about that fear.

Stars: 4.5 out of 5

It would be worth another read and I would recommend it.

From Synagogue To Church: Public Services and Offices in the Earliest Christian Communities by James Tunstead Burtchaell

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From Synagogue To Church: Public Services and Offices in the Earliest Christian Communities
by James Tunstead Burtchaell
Product Details
Hardcover: 357 pages
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date Published: 1992
Point: Because the Church was birthed in the context of the synagogue, the leadership structure and happenings of the synagogue were incorporated into the Church. Although there was a set structure, the charismatics lead while the officials presided.
Path:  The author begins with four chapters of historical interpretation. The ideas of leaders from the Reformation, the 19th century, the early 20th century, and the last 50 years are all evaluated. The last four chapters discuss the need for a new hypothesis, one which reads history forwards instead of backwards. The final chapter gives his conclusions on the matter: the early church looked like the synagogue, but the Spirit led men were the leaders, no necessarily the officers.
Sources: Helpful footnotes and sources. Excellent source of background material for the history of the debate back to the time of Wycliff.
Agreement: I appreciate his desire to see a continuity between the two organizations. Helpful material. Seemingly thorough.
Disagreement: He questions the authorship of James (but places the pastorals early). 
Stars: 4.5 out of 5
It would be worth another read and I would recommend it.

Pilgrim’s Progress I & II by John Bunyan

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Pilgrim’s Progress I & II

by John Bunyan
Product Details
Audiobook: 12 hours
Publisher: Librivox
Date Published: 1678, 1684

Point: The life of Christian is full of dangers and temptations, but the Prince of Pilgrims steadies the fainting heart and the Celestial City calls those almost gone.


Path: The author follows the life of Christian from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. On his journey he meets trying setbacks, tempting snares, and awful giants. The second book records the travels of his family.


Sources: Written while in prison in Bedford County Gaol, this work relies on an understanding of the human nature, allures of the world, and the Word of God.


Agreement: There is a reason why men such as Charles Spurgeon praised this work, children read it, and it continues to be published.


Disagreement: His interpretations and applications of Scripture are some times pressed.


Personal App: There is so much applicable material here. Pilgrim’s time in the Doubting Castle is always a reminder of the key given.


Favorite Quote: “Some things are of that nature as to make One’s fancy chuckle, while his heart doth ache.”


Stars: 5 out of 5
It would be worth another read and I would recommend it.


I was reminded of this hymn by Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, translated by Kane Borthwick
1 Jesus, still lead on till our rest be won,
and although the way be cheerless,
we will follow, calm and fearless;
guide us by your hand to our promised land.
2 If the way be drear, if the foe be near,
let no faithless fears o’ertake us,
let not faith and hope forsake us;
safely past the foe to our home we go.
3 When we seek relief from a longfelt grief,
when temptation come alluring,
make us patient and enduring;
show us that bright shore where we weep no more.
4 Jesus, still lead on till our rest be won;
heav’nly Leader, still direct us,
still support, console, protect us,
till we safely stand in our promised land.