More on my weakness

October 10, 2008 · Posted in Macro, Photography, Reviews · Comment 

I have mentioned that I collect things? I have a hard time getting rid of things that should go? Well, here is one of the things I collect, mugs. This particular one is my current favorite since red is my favorite M&M.

red

red

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(Book Review)Reasons We Believe

September 15, 2008 · Posted in Books, Reviews · Comment 



Title: Reasons We Believe (50 lines of evidence that confirm the Christian faith)
Author: Nathan Busenitz
Publisher: Crossway Books
Pages: 24
Ah yes, now this is more like it. I admit I was a tad afraid after my last attempt at an apologetics book review but after reading the description I just had to read this one!

One of the first things some may notice is that this book will get you nowhere with most “new” atheists; as they generally will not accept the Bible as a legitimate historical document. Then again, most atheists won’t accept anything that doesn’t fit into their narrow world view. The book has 50 lines of evidence that confirm the Christian faith; which, oddly enough, is the subtitle of the book. Most of these lines are references to the Bible; some delve into other texts and may be useful to you when dealing with someone who insists that you are using circular reasoning when you quote from the Bible. (which by the way kills me since they want to quote all their favorite authors but do not want me to use mine)

There are 5 reasons we believe sections; broken down as follows: Reasons we believe in God, Reasons we believe in the Bible (part 1), Reasons we believe in the Bible (part 2), Reasons we believe in Jesus (part 1), and Reasons we believe in Jesus (part 2). They are logically laid out and you can skip around as you please to read the ones that catch your fancy first. As I have mentioned previously, I really like it when authors use Bible references, even more so when they make me work for it, as the author does here. I am inclined towards research so I tend to enjoy it when I am required to look things up for myself. That and I imagine it cuts down on printing costs as well so it is a good thing for both sides!

The book is well written and eloquent, and no big words to stumble on thankfully. There are lot’s of footnotes with reference to more books to add to your reading list. This text was written with the layman in mind and is successful in not going over your head or confusing the reader with philosophical references that make your brain hurt (thank you Nathan).

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has questions about the Christian faith and Christians who want to better defend their beliefs. Yes it’s definitely a 5 star book.
Rating: ★★★★★

The book, Reasons We Believe, was provided to me at no cost by Active Christian Media and Crossway Books for review purposes. To become a reviewer for ACM you may click here.

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Might as well make myself useful.

August 20, 2008 · Posted in Food, Life · 8 Comments 

Since I have been on medical leave I have had a lot of time on my hands. When I am not feeling ill I have been doing something that I used to love, cooking! I have worked in several restaurants over the years and have always loved to cook. Sometimes I like to experiment or just make new(to me) things.

I have always loved Baklava but had never made it before, so I had to try. It came out pretty well but I must say it is a bit of a pain to make. When they say to put a damp cloth over the dough you better believe it. At first I didn’t, but I only lost a couple sheets of the very thin dough.

Did everyone like it?
The adults did.

Was it easy to make?
Yes and no.

Will I ever make it again?
Probably not!

Did I take a picture of it?
Yes and here is a single serving of it.

Yummo

Yummo


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(Book review) Reasonable Faith

August 17, 2008 · Posted in Books, Reviews · 1 Comment 

First I would like to apologize to Crossway books and the author, William Lane Craig. I took way too long on this review, I got in way over my head on this one. I should have realized that since it was described as a seminary level text on apologetics. I love apologetics, but once you start getting into philosophy, you tend to lose me. I tried to be fair in this so whenever I got too lost I would look something up and not go on until I understood what was being said. Hence the extra time on the review.

 

That said, this is an awesome book with great arguments for the Christian faith. If you have a background in philosophy then you will have no trouble with this book whatsoever. If you are like me and easily confused by complex theory, then it may take awhile to get through it. Do not let that stop you from reading this book. This book is great for Christians who want to be able to have an answer for their faith. It would be equally good for giving to a non-Christian friend that needs to have some of his doubts answered.

The book’s lay out is easy to work with, giving the arguments first, then practical application, followed by a literature cited or recommended section. The chapters, eight in all, are lengthy, but considering the amount of information he is giving you, that is understandable. The book has 415 pages, all chock full of information.

One of my favorite quotes occurs close to the beginning of the book.

“In a world without a divine lawgiver , there can be no objective right or wrong, only our culturally and personally relative, subjective judgments. This means that it is impossible to condemn war, oppression, or crime as evil. Nor can one praise brotherhood, equality, and love as good. For in a universe without God, good and evil do not exist–there is only the bare valueless fact of existence, and there is no one to say that you are right and I am wrong.”

I think I latched onto this quote partly for the great truth it imparts but also for the fact that it was the first one that I didn’t have to look anything up to understand.

I am giving this book 5 stars, while I had some difficulty with it, it forced me to learn a lot and that is never a bad thing!
Rating: ★★★★★

The book, Reasonable Faith, was provided to me at no cost by Active Christian Media and Crossway Books for review purposes. To become a reviewer for ACM you may click here.

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Day two was much better

June 28, 2008 · Posted in Blog, Movies, Reviews · 3 Comments 

I went out Friday and took photos, lots and lots of photos. I would love to share them with you, but:
1) They are still on the camera
2) I am very tired
3) I am lazy
4) There is no 4 really but I like to end on an even number when possible!

Becky doesn’t have to work this weekend so I probably won’t have them up till Monday. I rarely get to see her much on Saturdays so I am going to take advantage of it.

Oh yeah, we went to see Wall-E Friday night, it is quite good. A little something for everyone. It’s silly and animated for the kids, has some good slapstick humor for the dads and a girl movie subplot for mom! What are you waiting for, go see it. Oh and enjoy the short film at the beginning, it is hilarious!

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or maybe not!

June 18, 2008 · Posted in Music · 1 Comment 

Thanks to M+, you are getting another video post. This one is of the band Eowyn. M+ blogged about them the other day and I checked them out and became enamored with her music. No matter what I say it will not do it justice so here is a video. (Warning this is Christian Rock with a capital R be prepared!)
Read more

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