I was not able to sleep tonight and started thinking, which is always disastrous for me. I remembered attending a funeral of a friend some time back and the minister at the service told of his love for the 23rd Psalm. However, he said that for it to have greater meaning he said it in the first person - as though God was speaking directly to him.
I thought about that a lot, so I re-wrote the Psalm as he suggested, putting emphasis on the first person wording - and it truly did have for me, greater meaning.
See what you think.
Psalm 23
[God speaking directly to me]
“I am your shepherd,
and I will not let you be in want.
I will make you to lie down in green pastures,
I will lead you beside the still waters.
I will restore your soul,
and I will lead you in the paths of righteousness for My
Name’s sake.
Yea, though you will walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
you need fear no evil;
for I will be with you,
My rod and My staff will comfort you.
I will prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies;
I will anoint your head with oil;
and make your cup to run over.
And My goodness and My mercy shall follow you all the days of your life,
and you shall dwell in My house for ever.”
Monday, February 22, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Book Reviews
This is something a little new to me, writing reviews of some of the books I have read. I was asked to do so, by someone who knew how much I liked to read - and my enjoyment of good books. I hope my comments are not too boring or offensive.
Review of the book: Life of Washington by Anna C. Reed
This book was originally published in 1842 and is now being re-printed by the New Leaf Publishing Group for Attic Books.
The British spellings and formatting of the text have been retained in their original form in the re-publishing in order to maintain the historical content of that writing.
It is a somewhat small book in physical size with very good paper texture allowing for an easy reading of the printed material. The feel of the book, given the original spellings and formatting, is as though one is reading the original 168 year old copy.
The book is very well written, with the author obviously having access to a great deal of factual material dealing with not only the life of George Washington, but the military battles of the Revolutionary War, and the Continental Congress. The author was a niece of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, so it is only logical that through that source her material would be available.
The book reads very fast. It is some 290 pages long, and I completed it in 4 nights of reading.
Totally fascinating, it gives an insight into not only the life of our first President, but his view of life itself. A man given to great moral and religious thoughts - all of which guided his life from his earliest days until his death.
This book should be a required reading for all school age children. It should a required reading for any one qualifying for elected political office - up to and including the President of the United States.
It speaks clearly of the arrogance of power of some in high positions - giving those individuals a lesson in how prepare and conduct oneself in life and office.
It is a primer for life - and for public service. The examples set by George Washington - his faith and character are truly an example for all to try and emulate.
Today our faith and the practice of religion are for most - hidden. In Washington's time both were expressed freely and honestly. It is what carried both them and this country through a terrible ordeal to emerge as free men and an independent nation.
The book dealt with all aspects of Washington's life - his view of life, the offices he held, his trials in battle, his approach to a religious life and sustained him at the point of death itself. He talked to God in secret and his God led him safely through all of his life.
With a life clearly depicted in the book - Washington was elected unanimously to the office of President, and then re-elected unanimously - a feat that will never occur in the history of this nation again. He was offered a title of "king" and rejected it out of hand - something in today's world others might not do.
This is truly an amazing book, worthy of being read by young and old alike, a true primer for life - a life depicted by moral character and an expression of one's faith in God. It is a statement of what should be our nation's motto: "In God We Trust".
I rate this a 5 star book.
***************
Deadly Disclosures, a truly suspense filled mystery, written exceedingly well by Julie Cave.
Intrigue, suspense, multiple plots; all interwoven very well within a powerful story about the extreme efforts of a secret group espousing evolution over creationism.
The author skillfully developed the primary mystery plot with that of the leading character, Dinah Harris, an agent of the FBI who was investigating the crimes committed while at the same time suffering from deep depression in her own life resulting from a family tragedy and involving an abuse of alcohol culminating in her struggles to find and free herself..
The story line is well developed moving quickly along until the climax at the very end providing the reader with an unusual twist.
A book well worth reading, it flows quickly and well.
Truly a 5 star book – the first in a trilogy of stories presenting the reader with the excitement of anticipating the ones to follow.
Review of the book: Life of Washington by Anna C. Reed
This book was originally published in 1842 and is now being re-printed by the New Leaf Publishing Group for Attic Books.
The British spellings and formatting of the text have been retained in their original form in the re-publishing in order to maintain the historical content of that writing.
It is a somewhat small book in physical size with very good paper texture allowing for an easy reading of the printed material. The feel of the book, given the original spellings and formatting, is as though one is reading the original 168 year old copy.
The book is very well written, with the author obviously having access to a great deal of factual material dealing with not only the life of George Washington, but the military battles of the Revolutionary War, and the Continental Congress. The author was a niece of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, so it is only logical that through that source her material would be available.
The book reads very fast. It is some 290 pages long, and I completed it in 4 nights of reading.
Totally fascinating, it gives an insight into not only the life of our first President, but his view of life itself. A man given to great moral and religious thoughts - all of which guided his life from his earliest days until his death.
This book should be a required reading for all school age children. It should a required reading for any one qualifying for elected political office - up to and including the President of the United States.
It speaks clearly of the arrogance of power of some in high positions - giving those individuals a lesson in how prepare and conduct oneself in life and office.
It is a primer for life - and for public service. The examples set by George Washington - his faith and character are truly an example for all to try and emulate.
Today our faith and the practice of religion are for most - hidden. In Washington's time both were expressed freely and honestly. It is what carried both them and this country through a terrible ordeal to emerge as free men and an independent nation.
The book dealt with all aspects of Washington's life - his view of life, the offices he held, his trials in battle, his approach to a religious life and sustained him at the point of death itself. He talked to God in secret and his God led him safely through all of his life.
With a life clearly depicted in the book - Washington was elected unanimously to the office of President, and then re-elected unanimously - a feat that will never occur in the history of this nation again. He was offered a title of "king" and rejected it out of hand - something in today's world others might not do.
This is truly an amazing book, worthy of being read by young and old alike, a true primer for life - a life depicted by moral character and an expression of one's faith in God. It is a statement of what should be our nation's motto: "In God We Trust".
I rate this a 5 star book.
***************
Deadly Disclosures, a truly suspense filled mystery, written exceedingly well by Julie Cave.
Intrigue, suspense, multiple plots; all interwoven very well within a powerful story about the extreme efforts of a secret group espousing evolution over creationism.
The author skillfully developed the primary mystery plot with that of the leading character, Dinah Harris, an agent of the FBI who was investigating the crimes committed while at the same time suffering from deep depression in her own life resulting from a family tragedy and involving an abuse of alcohol culminating in her struggles to find and free herself..
The story line is well developed moving quickly along until the climax at the very end providing the reader with an unusual twist.
A book well worth reading, it flows quickly and well.
Truly a 5 star book – the first in a trilogy of stories presenting the reader with the excitement of anticipating the ones to follow.
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