Jesus The Christ

Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage




It is a most thought-provoking and humbling book of our Saviour and the magnificent time He spent here on earth and His encouragement to 'Come, follow Me'. It is a book I would continue to read again and again

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Some of my thoughts

Lately, with all the reading I have been doing, and the writing of Dad's Story, I have wondered if the Lord is happy with my time usage. But then, I have managed a trip to the Temple on Wednesday, my most favourite place, and I have managed to attend to my calling, to my home and visit with my family. The visit resulted in further historical work to be done on Shane's file. He has heaps of photos here in my home in a file that needed to be organised, and it was getting the date for them. Shane is an ex-XLH, or Tenth Light Horsemen as written out. He was in the army for nearly seven years as a reservist and tank driver. Here is a future man of the Lord who is strong in the belief of a good government running Australia, strong in the belief of families, and kn ows and believes in the Lord our Saviour. I am so blessed to have my four sons and their families, and my lovely grandchildren

Star Trek again

Q-In-Law by Peter David




A unwelcome visitor from the past can be frightening but Captain Picard is not easily frightened, but fascinated by Q. Reading such as this can be done quickly by me, in between everything else, for I have a liking for stories of 'beyond space'

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Redemption of Jonah

This was taken from Braden Bell's blog and looks like a good book to read

I just finished a fascinating book that I have been thinking about ever since I finished it. Redemption, by Susan Dayley is a historical novel about Jonah. You know, the one who got swallowed by the great fish. (Note: I would have said “whale” before reading this book. However, Dayley’s notes at the end of the book give some interesting insight that have led me to change my terminology).

To begin with, let me tell you to read this book. It was interesting, thought-provoking, and uplifting. The author has woven together a compelling story from the scriptural record, historical sources, rabbinic tradition, and her own imagination. These additional sources were important since the scriptural record about Jonah is fairly sparse, and one of Dayley’s great achievements with this book is her skillful blending of scriptural narrative with these other elements.

For example, I didn’t know that the Jewish Midrash identifies Jonah as the son of the Widow of Zarephath, the one for whom the prophet Elijah performed the miracle of the barrel of meal and cruse of oil (1 Kings 17: 9-16). That was just one of the fascinating nuggets I picked up from this book.

Ultimately, Dayley’s imagination had to fill in most of the blanks in this story and again, she did an admirable job. Jonah’s rise to his prophetic status and his journey to Nineveh seemed absolutely credible to me. Dayley used enough details to create a rich and textured backdrop for the story. The combined effect of these details was to add a layer of credibility (I should add that I’m not a historian, so I’m not situated to discuss authenticity—just how I reacted).

I was particularly intrigued by the way Dayley handled one of the inherent challenges of telling Jonah’s story: why he ran from the Lord. This is a vexing question as one would assume anyone with the spiritual maturity to be called as a prophet must also know that he can’t run away from God—and wouldn’t try.

Over the years I’ve heard various rationales and explanations for Jonah’s behavior suggested. Dayley’s motivation for Jonah’s behavior really intrigued me. I’m not going to say what it is, because I don’t want to spoil anything and I do hope you’ll read this book. However, I thought Dayley’s idea came closer than anything I’ve heard to explaining it. It’s a difficult circle to square, but she did so in a way that at least satisfies the motivational problem for this character.

Dayley is a very proficient in developing the book’s thematic elements. The title of the book expresses what this story is about: redemption. Jonah’s, as well as the people of Nineveh, and several others along the way. This theme provides a unifying structure for the book and provides a welcome interpretation of God’s love for His children—even in Old Testament times.

One other thing I enjoyed about Dayley’s book was it’s leisurely pace. It is interesting, but pays the reader the compliment of assuming that the reader does not need to be pulled in with a gimmick at the beginning. Rather, Dayley’s story unfolds with direction and motion, in a stately and unhurried pace but with growing urgency—perhaps like the aged Jonah himself would have walked on his travels.

Although this was written by a Mormon author, there is nothing that seemed inherently Mormon about this book. I would think it would be interesting to anyone who believes in the Old Testament.

The story is marred occasionally by some mistakes that probably happened in the typesetting process. I wish that an editor had looked over the final proof more carefully. That is a minor quibble, though—and one out of Dayley’s control.

This is a lovely book about a fascinating story and I hope you will read it. I am very glad I did!

Braden Bell Mormon extraordinaire

BRADEN BELL
Purchase "The Road Show"Braden's BlogAbout The Road Show: FAQsEndorsementsReviewsThe Road Show Book TrailerSample Chapters"He Healeth Me" (song)Glossary of Mormon TermsContactAbout BradenPhotos New Reviews and Book Club Question
07/14/20101 Comment(s) I am getting behind lately! It's summertime but the livin' is not easy. Or at least not mellow.

There have been two more reviews of The Road Show. Cami Checketts and Patty Ann Pitterle were both kind enough review it. You can read Cami's review here and Patty Ann's here.

So, here's a question: would anyone be interested in being part of online book club? Or, or you all already comfortably ensconced in your own book clubs in your neighborhoods and church groups?

No pressure--but if you are, why don't you drop me a line here. I thought it might be kind of fun since an online format would open it up to a. Let me know if you are interested and enough people are, we'll work out the details.





Comments
Serene
Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:49:09 am
I would do it! I think it would be fun!






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He Healeth Me is now available to download on mp3! Inspired by Braden Bell's new book The Road Show, the hauntingly beautiful melody, and deeply moving lyric will stir your soul. Music by Sherrie Shepherd, lyrics by Braden Bell, violin obligato by DeNae Handy. Performed by Sherrie Shepherd on piano, featuring vocalist Veronica Johnson, and violinist Mason Jensen.

(After payment confirmation, an email will be sent containing an mp3 file for you to download)
Road Show Blog Tour: Join the Fun!

I'll be visiting some fantastic blogs this summer for my blog tour. Come over and visit. You'll seriously love these bloggers. If you want to be a stop on the tour, I'd love to come by. Drop me a line here.

May 27 Sue's New, Views...
May 28 Sherrie Shepherd
June 3 Dunhaven Place
June 5 Regarding Annie
June 7 Serene is My Name Not My Life
June 9 Overstuffed With Blessings
June 10 Cranberry Corner
June 11 My Real Life Was Backordered
June 13 Inksplasher
June 16 Anne Bradshaw's Place
June 17 Mommy Snark
June 18 One Cluttered Brain
June 19 Making the Moments Count
June 21 Momza's House
June 22 Michele Ashman Bell


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Anne Bradshaw's Place: The Columbia South Carolina Temple (HD) - Mormon Temples

Anne Bradshaw's Place: The Columbia South Carolina Temple (HD) - Mormon Temples
Friday, July 9, 2010The Columbia South Carolina Temple (HD) - Mormon Temples
Another beautiful and uplifting video from Seth Adam Smith. I quote his words below:



Emmanual Masters Murphy, baptized in Tennessee, is believed to be the first member of the Church in South Carolina. When the first missionary arrived in November 1839, he was surprised to find people already prepared for baptism, having been fellow-shipped by the Murphys. Reportedly, Murphy later visited Joseph Smith in Carthage Jail shortly before the martyrdom. The Prophet recounted his prophecy that war that would soon commence in South Carolina and urged Murphy to return to warn the citizens there.

The temple is located in a beautifully wooded neighborhood in southeastern Columbia, South Carolina's capital. The lovely residential area is scattered with well-kept homes and churches. Native lob lolly pine and oak surround the temple, which is landscaped with crape myrtle, large holly, mums, and dogwood trees, reflecting the area's natural flora.

At the temple open house, Deputy Chief of Staff Michael LeFever attended in place of Governor James Hodges, who was busy assessing damage caused by Hurricane Floyd. The deputy chief, whose daughter took piano lessons from a Church member, said he would look at a picture of the temple in the home while waiting for his daughter. He noted the family's growing excitement and never dreamed he would eventually get a VIP tour of the building. The governor wrote a personal letter, which the deputy chief read, commending Church members for their hard work in making the temple a reality.

The morning of their scheduled dedication session, Mark and Judy Wilcox of the Hendersonville Ward, Asheville North Carolina Stake, learned that their son, Brad, had been killed the previous evening in a car accident. Sister Wilcox, who was to sing at the dedication that day, chose to sing as planned after she and her husband received priesthood blessings. The Wilcoxes found a great deal of comfort in the words directed to them by President Gordon B. Hinckley about the Plan of Salvation and the teachings of the temple.


To learn more about Mormons and Temples, please visit:www.Mormon.org

By The Sword

By the Sword: A Repairman Jack Novel by F. Paul Wilson




that Wilson writes an interesting yet spooky yarn and okay for one of those quick reads

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