Billy Graham

Last night, before watching a great movie on Hallmark channel, I just finished "Billy Graham" by David Aikman, which covers this famous evangelist's life. There were so many things I did not realize about Billy Graham, and this biography gave me more insight into his life and influence. The biography takes a deeper look at how Graham impacted the nation spiritually and the also how he related to national affairs and the presidents. I learned a great deal about this man than I already knew, and as each page turned I was even more impressed with him. I didn't realize how his evangelism and personality had also impacted other national events such as communism or preventing our nation from going to war. Aikman did well in researching Graham's life and he answered any questions I may have had plus some. He did well in dividing up each chapter and showing each aspect of Graham's life in an organized fashion. I also enjoyed the details on Ruth Graham and how she impacted Billy's life. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone else interested in either Graham's life or history. I received this book from booksneeze.com.

I Am Hutterite by May-Ann Kirkby

I wasn't sure what to expect when I ordered "I Am Hutterite" by Mary-Ann Kirkby. I've read biographies and nonfiction before, but never anything about someone running away from a community like this. When it arrived, I was excited to get started and I wasn't disappointed. It only took be a couple of days to finish reading it because I couldn't put it down. Kirkby is an excellent storyteller, making everything come alive. She fills the pages with stories of her past and who she is. There wasn't a dull moment. She really did her research on her parent's history and brought the thoughts and opinions of the other characters of her past to life. The various stories of the communitity and then after life there, added layers to her characters and the history. Kirkby did well telling about her childhood, and the research on her parents gave more meaning to the book. Overall, I enjoyed reading the book, even though it took such a short time to read it. I would recommend it to any body who would like to read an account of a girl who's entire world and mindset had to be changed to adjust to her settings.

Slow runs

Something I've learned about myself recently: when I run somewhere new, I always run way slower than my normal pace. I just returned from running in a neighbourhood near my gma's house. I think it's supposed to be 1.5 miles. I know I didn't run it in 15 minutes. At least, I didn't time myself, but by looking at the clock... (I did feel good when I got back from it. This morning it rained and cooled everything down outside.) The same thing happened the other day when I added an extra .5 miles to my run. I'm going to have to learn to actually pace myself and keep my speed up. I have less than a month before the 5Ks start by the monkey park. I plan to run them with or without the rest of my family. I'm starting to think I'll be able to. It'll just be slow and embarrassing. At least for me. When I'm running I think about a couple of stories I've read in magazines of ladies in their 60s beginning to run and now they're doing marathons. I'm hoping in a few years I'll be running in marathons, but I'd also like to have a little speed on me. Maybe one day even win something. It would be nice to enter something I can win. I'm starting to think I'm never going to start barrel racing. I guess I can start on that when I'm 60.

Another Day

Last week I had a really amazing ride! I was riding Bullseye with no one else around on the doctor's trails, which doesn't seem to happen to often lately. Brittany was riding with me for a little while and I keep inviting other people over to ride. Anyway, we went out and I rode around the trials. The ground has finally dried completely out so I don't to worry about Bullseye sinking in. I got into the pasture and ran him back anf forth and practiced turning at faster gaits. He does well at turning. It's the brakes that don't work too well. After riding to the part I like to call the clover patch, I rode him back to the big pasture. I worked on his 'brakes' the whole way over there. I think he finally started to understand the concept of STOP when I pull back. I was having to spin him in circles to get him stopped. Anyway. This one section I always open Star up. It's about a tenth or more long. You can't get her to stop going down it. I took him to the top of it and opened him up. And he flew. Except for one time when he tried to jump on Ruby. I can't tell who's faster, him or Star. I really want to race them one day. They run different. He's short lengthwise, but he has a lot of power. Star is longer, half-Throughbred, a barrel racer and just like to run. Bullseye's ADD kicks in sometimes. I'm going to have to get Brittany out there with me and see.

Everyone Communicates, Few Connect by John C. Maxwell Review

This morning, after a quick breakfast and a stroll with the Chihuahua, I finished the last chapter of Everyone Communicates, Few Connect by John C. Maxwell. I have to admit, it is my favorite book I have reviewed for booksneeze.com. I picked it out based on the cover and because I had heard good things about Maxwell. At the same time, I have always been cautious when it comes to motivation books concerning leadership. There is no way a person can pick up a 400-page book and become a leader. Maxwell's book surprised me and I found great respect for him. He didn't make out like its an instantaneous experience becoming a leader or to even communicate with other people. He used many quotes, lots of ideas and a few good jokes to make his point. Through the whole book, he was very open about both his strengths in weaknesses and used his own experiences to help you relate. At first, I felt this was a little arrogant. When I realized he was using it to help the reader, I appreciated his personal experiences. This book can help a person, not only with large audiences or in corporations, but also as a spouse, parent or friend. There are several skills in the book that, although can't be applied instaneously, will help in the long run.

Atheist holy day

I don't know if this is real or not, but I fould it quite humorous. I got it in a forward.

FLORIDA COURT SETS ATHEIST HOLY DAY In Florida , an atheist created a case against the upcoming Easter and Passover Holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians and Jews and observances of their holy days... The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized days. The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, "Case dismissed!" The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, "You honor, How can you possibly dismiss this case?
The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others. The Jews have Passover,
Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays..". The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do.
Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant." The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists." The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is April Fools Day. Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that, if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned." You gotta love a Judge that knows his scripture!

The Vertical Self by Mark Sayer

The Vertical Self takes a good look at the identity of people today, Chrisitian and nonChristian alike. At first I had problems getting into the book and some of the early examples seemed too simple and made up. As I got into it, though, I found insight on the identity, or lack of, our culture seems to be facing. For the most part, I liked the book. The author is very insightful into the culture and observant of the many people he passes on the street. His observance of the people, knowledge of their behaviors and responses to their actions give him the credibility to write such a novel. Some of the examples he uses, such "Jim is yada yada yada" I am unsure whether I like them or not. Although they do provide excellent insight and connection to readers, I could have enjoyed a simple explanation instead. His use of popular images as examples of today's culture and identity add depth to the novel. The difference between vertical and horizontal is laid out in plain sight in this book, and does provide a good history of cultural self and relations to identity. I enjoyed the book and am glad I received it from booksneeze.com and would recommend it to any reader interested in learning more about the identity of today's people.