Kevin Stilley

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July 19, 2009 by kevinstilley

Eight Summer Reading “Mini” Book Reviews

Over the last few weeks I have been engaged in leisure reading, or what might be considered “summer reading.”  I have read a handful of books for which I do not feel like writing full-fledged reviews. However, here are some quick glimpses at what I thought of them;

Book Cover

90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death & Life

I was skeptical when I picked up the book, but several friends and family members had read it and been moved by it so I read it to be able to compare notes. After having read the book I am even more skeptical than previously. Don Piper’s Heaven manages to fit every stereotypical rendering (complete with the brush of angel’s wings) without adding anything new. However, his Heaven is not that of the apostle Paul where to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Piper’s Heaven is more like being part of the Verizon network — to be absent from the body is to be present with Friends and Family. His account is similar to the accounts of many others who have had near death experiences. Doesn’t that contribute to the credibility of his account? Not when you consider that many of those account givers are atheists or adherents of some pretty bizarre belief systems. Would we expect Christians and non-Christians to have the same experience of Heaven? Perhaps my biggest disappointment was that in all 208 pages I never did find a clear presentation of the gospel. If a Baptist Preacher is going to talk about Heaven don’t you think he ought to clearly tell people how to get there? – – NOT RECOMMENDED

Book Cover

The Summer of the Great-Grandmother

This book is Madeleine L’Engle’s story of her mother’s last year on Earth. I found it to be a vivid and moving account of the joys and hardships experienced by families as they let go of their most senior members and adjust to new realities and new family roles. My appreciation for the book may in part be due to the fact that it resonates with my own experience. In the last nine months our joy over the birth of a new child was tempered by my mother dying after a long illness, my brother being killed in a car accident, and my father moving into an assisted living environment. As we have made the many associated adjustments it was helpful to read this book and have L’Engle walk alongside for awhile. — RECOMMENDED

Book Cover

God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics

I have read this book on numerous occasions. But, as Lewis says within its pages, if a book is not worth reading twice it is not worth reading even once. I consider Lewis to be one of the great essayists of the twentieth century. I appreciate his ability to shine light in dark places. We are in need of many more like Lewis who not only see the light but see “along the light” (drawing upon a metaphor from the book). Razor sharp wit and wisdom – you’ve got to love that. This book is actually a collection of essays brought together from a variety of venues. As a result it is a bit redundant is a bit redundant. Every time I have read this book I have wished that its editor would have taken a more active role in tailoring it for the reader. I will probably share a full review at some point in the future when I have read it again, but for now let me simply say that it is … — STRONGLY RECOMMENDED

Book Cover

Basic Christianity

This is another book which I have read numerous times. With each reading of the text I come to appreciate it more and more. I think it is probably the best book I know of for introducing the seeker or new believer to Christian theology.  If God ever grants me the privilege of pastoring a church again it is my intent to preach a series on the topics found in this book’s eleven chapters and utilize the book as curriculum for simultaneous small group studies. While not agreeing with everything John Stott says in this book (for instance, his equation of the Lord’s Day with the Sabbath), I still believe this is an excellent book and that it provides an antidote to many of the errors being endorsed in churches today. — STRONGLY RECOMMENDED

Book Cover

Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands

I am familiar with the work of Paul Tripp and very much appreciate his understanding of discipleship and Biblical counseling. So, when this book was placed in my hands by a co-worker I was pleased to dip into its pages. And, I was not disappointed. Before I tell you how great this book is, let me preface my comments by saying that I typically don’t care for most books on discipleship and spiritual growth. I find their cookie cutter approaches, “to do” lists, and reflections of the latest Christian trends to be more irritating than edifying. Not so with this book. I think I can say without hyperbole that Tripp’s approach to discipleship, spiritual growth, and personal change is the most Biblical approach I have seen in a book like this. I will re-read this book and probably review it at a later time, but for now let me say that it is . . .  — STRONGLY RECOMMENDED

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Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You

In the introduction to this book John MacArthur explains that among the many sermon series he has preached at Grace Community Church, two of the most commented upon and for which recordings are requested are the two series he preached on the twelve apostles. Phil Johnson, editor extraordinaire, and an excellent author himself, has taken that material and shaped it into this book. The calling and training of the twelve makes great source material for self reflection and understanding the nature of God’s calling. God can do anything that He desires, but he has chosen to use individuals to bring about His purposes. This book is beneficial in fleshing out what it means for us individuals to participate in God’s work. — RECOMMENDED

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Giving Wisely: Killing with Kindness or Empowering Lasting Transformation?

Jonathan Martin has seen what can happen when Christians give with the right heart but without using their heads. Not pretty. Many times Christian giving can have results that are diametrically opposed to what is intended. As Goethe said, “Nothing is worse than active ignorance.” This book outlines an approach to Christian giving, particularly in terms of the missionary enterprise, that is consistent with the instruction of Scripture and will result in greater impact on people’s lives. This book will have limited appeal to the average reader, but is must reading for those who have responsibility for administering church budgets and missions funds.  — RECOMMENDED.

Book Cover

By Jove! Brush Up Your Mythology

I enjoyed this book on ancient western mythology; but the very reasons I like it will diminish desireability for many readers. (1) I like it because it is broken into very short chunks (1 or 2 pages). I like having a book around that I can pick up to fill those little five minute periods of life between activities (stop lights, waiting for a meeting, soaking in the bathtub, etc.) This isn’t the kind of book that you pick up and read for an hour. (2) I like it because the author compares the accounts of Homer and Hesiod, and he contrasts the mythology of Rome and Greece. I know that most people could care less how Hesiod differs from Homer, but such knowledge sends chills down my spine (that was hyperbole). (3) I like it because the author, Macrone, has managed to show the relevance of the material to modern language and thought. The book isn’t comprehensive enough to serve as a primer for younglings and newbies, and it isn’t the kind of book that you will find intellectually challenging or that will stimulate vicarious emotional response. However, it has nuggets of useful information for those with inquiring minds and I personally found it to be interesting. — RECOMMENDED

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Filed Under: Blog, Books, Family Circus, Front Page Tagged With: Book Recommendations, book review, book reviews, Summer Reading

June 11, 2009 by kevinstilley

Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston; Quotes & Observations

Their Eyes Were Watching God. Zora Neale Hurston. (NY: HarperCollins, [2000 reprint]). 231 pages.

My first exposure to Zora Neale Hurston’s writing was her book Dust Tracks On A Road which I read as part of a PhD course on self-referential anthropology. I immediately fell in love with the unique and vivid way that Hurston uses language.

So along the way I acquired two more of Hurston’s books, Mules and Men and Their Eyes Were Watching God, neither of which I ever got around to reading. Maggie’s Southern Reading Challenge was just the prompting I needed to move Their Eyes Were Watching God to the top of my “books-to-be-read” stack.

I loved the book and highly recommend it to you. If you already own it, move it to the top of your “books-to-be-read” stack. If you don’t own it I recommend that you check it out of your local public library or spend the $10 to purchase it.

Tolle lege!

I share below some quotes from the book:

* * *

Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board. For some they come in with the tide. For others they sail forever on the horizon, never out of sight, never landing until the Watcher turns his eyes away in resignation, his dreams mocked to death by Time. That is the life of men.

Now, women forget all those things they don’t want to remember, and remember everything they don’t want to forget. The dream is the truth. Then they act and do things accordingly. (page 1)

* * *

“You know if you pass some people and don’t speak tuh suit ’em dey got tuh go way back in yo’ life and see whut you ever done. They know mo’ ’bout yuh than you do yo’ self. An envious heart makes a treacherous ear. They done ‘heard’ ’bout you just what they hope done happened.”

“If God don’t think no mo’ ’bout ’em then Ah do, they’s a lost ball in de high grass.”

“Ah hears what they say ’cause they just will collect round mah porch ’cause it’s on de big road. Mah husband git so sick of ’em sometime he makes ’em all git for home.”

“Sam is right too. They just wearin’ out yo’ sittin’ chairs.”

“Yeah, Sam say most of ’em goes to church so they’ll be sure to rise in Judgment. Dat’s de day dat every secret is s’posed to be made known. They wants to be there and hear it all.”

“Sam is too crazy! You can’t stop laughin’ when youse around him.”

“Uuh hunh. He says he aims to be there hisself so he can find out who stole his corn-cob pipe.” (pages 6-7)

* * *

They sat there in the fresh young darkness close together. Pheoby eager to feel and do through Janie, but hating to show her zest for fear it might be thought mere curiosity, Janie full of that oldest human longing–self-revelation. (page 8 )

* * *

The wife of the Mayor was not just another woman as she had supposed. She slept with authority and so she was part of it in the town mind. She couldn’t get but so close to most of them in spirit. (page 55)

* * *

There was no doubt that the town respected him and even admired him in a way. But any man who walks in the way of power and property is bound to meet hate. So when speakers stood up when the occasion demanded and said “Our beloved Mayor,” it was one of those statements that everybody says but nobody actually believes like “God is everywhere.” It was just a handle to wind up the tongue with. (page 57)

* * *

When the people sat around on the porch and passed around the pictures of their thoughts for the others to look at and see, it was nice. The fact that the thought pictures were always crayon enlargements of life made if even nicer to listen to. (page 60)

* * *

“Somebody got to think for women and chillun and chickens and cows. i god, they sho don’t think none theirselves.”

“Ah knows uh few things, and womenfolks thinks sometimes too!”

“Aw naw they don’t. They just think they’s thinkin’. When Ah see one thing Ah understands ten. You see ten things and don’t understand one.” (pages 83-84)

* * *

“He wanted her submission and he’d keep on fighting until he felt he had it….So gradually, she pressed her teeth together and learned to hush. The spirit of the marriage left the bedroom and took to living in the parlor. It was there to shake hands whenever company came to visit, but it never went back inside the bedroom again. So she put something in there to represent the spirit like a Virgin Mary image in a church. The bed was no longer a daisy-field for her and Joe to play in. It was a place where she went and laid down when she was sleepy and tired. (page 84)

* * *

She got so she received all things with the stolidness of the earth which soaks up urine and perfume with the same indifference. (page 91)

____________

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Filed Under: Blog, Books, Quotes Tagged With: book reviews, literature, quotations, Quotes, Zora Neale Hurston

July 29, 2008 by kevinstilley

My Husband’s Moods

My husband recently published his thoughts on the book My Pursuit of a Good Mood. I am anxious to read the book and compare my own reflections on it with his. Check out his YouTube review below and then order in FREE COPY of the book for yourself.

For more of my husband’s book reviews go to KevinStilley.com.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: book reviews, Free Books, mental illness, psychology, self help

July 5, 2008 by kevinstilley

Semicolon’s Saturday Review of Books

If you love books and aren’t familiar with Semicolon’s Saturday Review of Books be sure to check it out. I have posted below the heading from this week’s Review which explains how it works. Just follow the links over to Semicolon and join the fun.

* * *

Semicolon

Saturday Review of Books: July 5, 2008


“A great novel is a kind of conversion experience. We come away from it changed.”
Katherine Paterson

Welcome to this week’s Saturday Review of Books. Here’s how it works. Find a review on your blog posted sometime this week of a book you’re reading or a book you’ve read. The review doesn’t have to be a formal sort of thing. You can just write your thoughts on a particular book, a few ideas inspired by reading the book, your evaluation, quotations, whatever.

Now post a link here to the specific post where you’ve written your book review. Don’t link to your main blog page because this kind of link makes it hard to find the book review, especially when people drop in later after you’ve added new content to your blog. In parentheses after your name, add the title of the book you’re reviewing. This addition will help people to find the reviews they’re most interested in reading.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: book reviews

July 2, 2008 by kevinstilley

Review of The Existential Pleasures of Engineering

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: book reviews, engineering

May 10, 2008 by kevinstilley

Reviews of Monster Blood 1, 2 & 3

R.L. Stine, Monster Blood (Goosebumps). NY: Scholastic, 1992. 144 pages.

“Now you know why I love these books so much.”

That is what my son said to me as we drew near the climax of this book. It thrilled my soul to hear my eight-year old talk about loving books.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Blog, book reviews, Books, chapter book, childrens, goosebumps, literature, monster, spooky, Stine

April 21, 2008 by kevinstilley

Revolution

Don’t waste your time on Revolution. I ordered it in for our library based upon the recommendation of a friend, but now regret that we spent money on this book.

Briefly, here are my problems with it. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Barna, Blog, book reviews, Books, church, contemporary, Ecclesiology, Emerging Church, Jesus, mosaic, postmodern, revolution

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