Learn to Program for Free

Want a site that is free, fun, and teaches valuable skills?  Go to Codecademy and choose one of their free courses.  I am currently studying javascript and html/css so I can make my blogs, webpages, and commercial writing look better and do more.  I have a programming background (FORTRAN in the eighties), but no previous experience is necessary for these introductory courses.

There are glitches in a few of the lessons on occasion, but nothing insurmountable.  Anyone from young teens through senior adults could enjoy these courses.  Many topics are covered, including Ruby, Python, Javascript and HTML.

Important Questions in Life: Am I Really Saved?

A review of Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart by J.D. Greear

When I was asked to review this book, I jumped right on board.  I had seen many teens and young adults struggling with the question of whether they had really been saved.  I had also seen adults living as they pleased, feeling secure in the “fire insurance” they had acquired years earlier.  Pastor Greear addresses both these issues by turning to the Scriptures.

Rather than emphasizing a sinner’s prayer said at a particular point in time, Greear points to the scriptural examples of people asking what they must do to be saved.  Rather than an emphasis on the right words, scripture points to the right posture or attitude, i.e. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Acts 16:31) and Jesus’ admonition to “…repent and believe…” in Mark 1:15.  When Greear struggled with his own assurance, a friend pointed him to John 3:36:

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the son shall not see life…”

There are only two kinds of people: those who believe and those who do not.  Thus the real question is “Do you believe?”  Greear devotes the rest of the book to exploring how to establish that you have repented and believed, trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ and not on works.

You can know you are saved.  Stop struggling and let J.D. Greear show you from the Scriptures how to be saved and know it.

I received a free review copy of this book from B&H Publishing Group.

The Conviction to Lead by Albert Mohler

Albert Mohler, youngest president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, presents his insights on successful leadership in this excellent book.  Short chapters each address one key topic, making it easy to find what you are looking for.

Mohler draws from the wisdom of past leaders, including the apostles, Luther, Augustine, and Thomas More.  He also addresses contemporary issues in chapters such as “The Digital Leader” and “The Leader and the Media.”  My favorite chapters, however, were eight and twelve.

In chapter eight, “Leaders are Teachers” Mohler introduced me to Augustine’s thoughts on teaching:  A teacher loves his pupils, loves his subject matter, and teaches because he loves Jesus.  It should be an encouragement to teachers to know that their love will really make a difference as they lead in the school, church, or office.

As a librarian, I must also praise chapter twelve, “Leaders are Readers.”  This title is not a cliché—it is the honest truth.  Mohler suggests a simple reading plan.  Make three lists: must read, should read, and want to read.  Be sure to choose a balanced reading program that includes books from all three lists.

This book is an easy read, is packed with useful information, and would make an excellent gift for anyone who leads.  Since nobody follows all the time, I can’t think of anyone who would not benefit from reading this. 

 I received a free review copy of A Conviction to Lead from the publisher, Bethany House.

Medicines That Kill: The Truth About the Hidden Epidemic

Dr. James Marcum, an experienced cardiologist, has concluded from his experience and personal research that drugs are the number one killer in the United States.  Many deaths from various causes could possibly be traced back to a medication taken incorrectly, a side-effect of a drug, or a chain reaction in which drugs are taken to counteract a side-effect of another drug.

This is a practical book.  It made me more aware of just how powerful drugs and herbal supplements can be.  His accounts of elderly patients and the innocent mistakes they make (such as faithfully taking their diuretics as prescribed even when dehydrated from an acute illness) should make us all more vigilant as we look in on our parents or grandparents.  "Natural" medicine also gets scrutiny, since many things we consider safe and natural can be deadly if combined with certain prescriptions or taken in excess.

Dr. Marcum is not against modern medicine.  He does want us to respect their power, take them only as prescribed, and make every effort to identify the root causes of illness rather than using drugs to simply mask symptoms.  As a Christian, the doctor also mentions the power of loving relationships and trusting that the Creator has given us what we need to stay healthy in many cases: fresh vegetables, abundant water, and plan for regular rest and sleep.

This book should be read by anyone who ever takes prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal substances.  I received a free review copy from Tyndale House publishers.

Learn to Make Better Decisions

A Review of "The Best Question Ever" by Andy Stanley

Can one question really help you make the right decisions in every area of your life?  Andy Stanley says, "Yes!"  Whether a decision involves your love life, employment options, or everyday activities, one simple question can inform your decision.  If you are tired of regrets, tired of making apologies, and tired of fixing your mistakes, learn to make better choices the first time.

Stanley brings a pastor's perspective and experiences to this book.  Many of the problems he saw/sees in his office could have been avoided if the party/parties had asked a simple question.  While it is a bit annoying that he does not reveal the actual question until several chapters have elapsed, it is well worth the wait.

One quote from the book really sums up the problems in most of our lives: "…while nobody plans to mess up his life, the problem is that few of us plan not to."  Ouch!  He's talking to me.  I recommend this book for inclusion in every church library, pastor's study, and counselor's resource collection.  It is also a useful read for everyone else.  Consider giving it to a high school or college student facing many decisions.

I received a free review copy of this book from Waterbrook-Multonomah publishers.

Great Stories Relate to the Greatest Story

A Book Review of  "Finding God in The Hobbit" by Jim Ware

Though "The Hobbit" is not an allegory, it is a great story.  Great stories are great because they reflect in some ways our own stories.  "The Hobbit" is about journeys, friendships, and the struggle against evil.  We love or despise the characters because they tell us things about our own souls.

In "Finding God in 'The Hobbit'" Jim Ware brings his knowledge of theology and literature together in an exploration of Tolkein's classic children's tale: a tale that came to be beloved by readers of all ages.  In each chapterhe shares a story from the book and relates it to our own life journeys.  As Ware says, "God meets us…in that miraculous place where the Word becomes Flesh; the place where we…find ourselves swept up into the plot of the greatest Story of all." (p.166)

This quality hardcover book would make a thoughtful gift for anyone who loves English literature or Tolkein's work in particular.  Its small size (about 8 x 5 inches) makes for convenient reading, too.

I received a free review copy of this book from Tyndale Publishers.

The World Needs Fearless Women

Book Review: "Fearless Daughters of the Bible" by J. Lee Grady

This beautiful and engaging book has 15 chapters, each about women from the Bible who courageously followed God's call even when it went against tradition.  These women were willing to be misunderstood, to endure danger, and to walk by faith, not by sight. 

After profiling each biblical woman, Grady gives modern examples of women who displayed the same character traits as the biblical example.  For instance, in Chapter Two we meet the daughters of Zelophehad.  They appealed to Moses because of the unfairness of inheritance laws that would cause their father's name to disappear from their tribe because he had no sons.  Almighty God told Moses these women were right.  The law was changed to conform to God's ruling.  The modern example for this chapter was Rosa Parks, who also faced obstacles and challenged the unjust practices of her day.

Each chapter ends with "A Message from your Heavenly Father" in which Grady describes a blessing or affirmation God offers his daughters.  The author is father to four daughters and has an obvious passion for encouraging women to become all God made them to be.  This would be an excellent book for a Bible study class or as a graduation gift for a young woman.

I received a free review copy of this book from Chosen Books, a division of Baker Publishing Company.