Book Review: Let there be light

Let There Be Light, written by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and illustrated by Nancy Tillman, is a beautiful book showing the 7 days of God's creation described in Genesis 1 and 2.   This book has beautiful pictures and describing each step.

As soon as I got this, I read it to my kids.  They (and I) really liked it.  The pictures are bright and fun to look at and the writing is simple but elegant.  The kids loved looking at the pictures on each pages.  There are hidden images on each page within the drawings.

One of the very special things about this book is the letter written by Desmond Tutu in the beginning of the book.  His message of God creating each child and making them special is beautiful.  I wish he would have written a few more pages about the same thing at the end of the book. 

All in all we will enjoy having this book on our shelf to read over and over again.  I hope to find a few more of these to give away as gifts to my nieces and nephews.

Note: I was given a copy of this book for free to read and review.  The opinions above are my own and I was not compensated for a positive review. 

Book Review: The Adam Quest

The Adam Quest; Eleven Scientists Who Held on to a Strong Faith While Wrestling with the Mystery of Human Origins by Tim Stafford is a collection of arguments from eleven scientists discussing their views on Creation.  There are scientists who are committed to scientifically proving young earth creation, day age creation, and evolutionary creation. 

I enjoyed this book.  I first believe the publication date around the Bill Nye vs David Ham creation debate was very good.  I found the stances of these 11 scientists very personal and without scientific evidence interpreted to prove their case.  I also enjoyed a single book highlighting each while letting the author decide.  The author and scientist did a great job at describing their position on creation without belittling or being condescending towards the other groups.  The scientists also do a wonderful job at putting the evidence in terms a nonscientist can understand.

Overall this book would be a great for someone who is first looking into the different forms of creation to determine what they believe.  This book could easily let them preliminarily chose what stance they want to research and learn more about.

 

Note: I was given a copy of this book to read and review. The opinions above are my own and I was not compensated for a positive review.

Book Review: Rich in Years

Rich in Years by Johann Christoph Arnold is a collection of stories on becoming older.  The author discusses the Joys and Discouragements of getting older.  He challenges the reader to look at aging as a joy and not becoming too discouraged in all the loss of family, friends, energy, their body, and their mind.  He reminds them the one thing it can’t take is your soul. 

This book is a wonderful collection stories of how many people have handled aging, sickness, and death in the lives.  So many people have learned how to end life with joy and grace instead of clinging to regret, independence, and grudges.

I, being an early thirties adult, was not the target audience for this book.  In spite of that I really enjoyed it.  It made me realize the other side of age.  I now look at me parents, grandparents, older members of my church, and strangers in a whole new light.  I want to be the support they need so they can age (and yes, eventually die) with as much peace and joy in the life. 

Note: I did receive a copy of this book for free to read and review.  The opinions above are my own and I was not compensated for a positive review.

Book Review: How to be Rich

How to be Rich by Andy Stanley is a book about the correct way rich people should view their money.  Andy Stanley challenges Americans to consider what Rich means and how the world defines the way we view money and spend it.

If you make more than $48,000 a year as a family, you are in the top 1% of wage earners in the world.  This fact is staggering to me.  Another mind blowing fact is that as American I can work 5 days a week (for 8-10 hours per day) and provide for my family of five for seven days.  Five days of work is sufficient to house, feed, clothe, and entertain my family of five for seven days a week.  In most nations working 6 days is normal but for many working seven days a week is connected to survival, let alone letting other family members not work and still survive.

We live in a great time where we are all considered rich.  There will always be richer, but we are rich and should act like it.  In this book and (possibly) accompanying DVD Andy Stanley discusses how Paul instructs Timothy to teach rich people to live.

…to be Rich in good deeds, and be generous and willing to Share   1Timothy 6:18

I really enjoyed this book.  I found it uplifting and convicting.  This really has changed the way I view our financial situation and our obligation to the world and to God.  I look forward to applying some of these principles to our budget and all areas of life.

I will say I have one gripe with this and it’s only with the DVD.  In some of the sessions he seems very wishy-washy on God and Jesus.  Its little comments like “if we ignore all other theology and only focus on generosity that we would attract the world.”  I agree that generosity is not as present in Christian life as it should be but I do think believing Jesus as your personal savior and surrendering your life to him is a little more important that being generous.  I don’t think that’s what he meant to imply but it kind of came off that way.

Note: I received a free copy of this book and DVD to read and review.  The opinions above are my own and I was not compensated for a positive review.