Norman Grubb
From the publisher: “How did the faith and prayers of a humble coal miner affect the course of World War II? This biography tells the story of one man who progressed in faith until his prayers even altered world events. Written with humanity and humor, this book uncovers the rich truths of the Holy Spirit.”
From me: I was given this book by a friend and gladly read this amazing story. Rees Howells certainly lived a life of faith in, and obedience to, the direct leading of God. I admit there’s a lot of can’t find-this-in-the-Bible rules and practices that Mr. Howells placed himself under because “God told him”, and I’m a little wary of that, but I’m also a little jealous of his keen sense of being lead by God...and his practices and sense of being led certainly produced amazing results.
Page 56/Sentence 5: As Rees told him of the blessing and price - a complete surrender of the will with no reserve - his uncle recognized it as the word of the Lord and the truth of the Scriptures.
Robert J. Randisi
“Vegas, 1960. Gamblin’, drinkin’, and everybody’s misbehavin’. Six months ago, while they were filming Ocean’s 11, the Rat Pack needed Eddie Gianelli to track down the mug who was sending threatening letters to Dino. Now they’re back for the premiere and it’s Frank who needs Eddie’s help. Seems a babe he was planning to meet in Sin City took a powder - leaving behind her luggage and a stiff in the bathtub. She’s on the lam, and it’s up to Eddie to find her and figure out if she’s a victim or a killer.”
This is the 2nd of four Rat Pack Mysteries, but the 3rd one I’ve read...and the library doesn’t have any copies of the last one. So I’m stuck ending my experience of the series with the weakest one. There’s no real solution to the mystery. Imagine that the plans to the Death Star that had been placed into R2D2 didn’t reveal any design flaw. Would have been a very disappointing movie, right?
56/5: I thought he meant some of the “boys” but when I looked over my shoulder I saw he was referring to Buddy Lester and Norman Fell, who had been joined now by Henry Silva.
Sandi Patty
“Sandi Patty’s tumultuous journey from devastating sin through healing forgiveness and into God’s incredible grace began on the back row of a church balcony. This book is the heart-touching narrative of her happy childhood, her stellar career, her fall from public acclaim, and the steps she worked through with her church to find forgiveness and peace.”
This has been sitting on Beloved’s bookshelf for a few years. She told me it was very good, and I finally picked it up. I’m glad I did. It was engaging reading, even though her commitment to not dishonor her first husband in front of her children kept her from being very descriptive about the way her first marriage disintegrated. And even that is probably a good thing for those wanting her to make no excuses and just fully own her own sin. She certainly does that, but also praises God for His tenderness in the midst of her turmoil.
56/5: Just as they do today, they instantly brought laughter and love with them wherever they went.
Mary Tyler Moore
“Audiences have long adored Mary Tyler Moore for her television persona as the quintessential girl-next-door.... But not until now have they been able to witness the poignant doubts and inner strength that drive this versatile and courageous actress. After All is the candid autobiography of the girl America fell in love with and the woman she has come to be.”
This is consistently interesting enough to keep a person turning pages, though a little disappointing at how large swaths of time (say, like, the years spent working on The Dick Van Dyke Show and mary tyler moore) were skimmed over with just a few anecdotes. The biggest surprise for me was how insecure MTM was throughout her career...and really...her whole life.
56/5: I think they could see where the path would lead me.
C. S. Lewis
“The adventures of the remarkable Dr. Ransom begin in [this book] first published in 1943. As the novel opens, Ransom is abducted by a megalomaniacal physicist and his accomplice and taken via spaceship to the red planet of Malacandra. The men plan to use Ransom as a human sacrifice, but he escapes and must fight for his life, and the chance to return to Earth, while exploring a world that is enchanting in its differences from Earth and startling in its similarity.”
This is the first book in Lewis’ Space Trilogy (hence the “adventures begin” remark, above). I read these books decades ago, but had very little memory of what happens in this one. I think the reason for that is that very little DOES happen. The description I stole from the back cover makes it sound far more action-packed than it really is. And yet, the ruminations about a planet where the inhabitants never “ate the apple in the Garden” is interesting. [Side note: the cover illustration I’ve posted here doesn’t match the one on my copy of the book, but it’s way cooler.]
56/5: The creature, which was still steaming and shaking itself on the back and had obviously not seen him, opened its mouth and began to make noises.
Andreas J. Kostenberger & Justin Taylor
“Nearly 2,000 years later, the events that took place during Jesus’ last days still reverberate through the ages.... Combining a chronological arrangement of the Gospel accounts with insightful commentary, charts, and maps, this book will help you better understand what actually happened all those years ago - and why it matters today.”
A nice tool that walked me through what is popularly called “Holy Week”. No big ah-ha moments except the footnote that pointed out that Barabbas’ name means “son of the father,” which puts an ironic twist on the crowd’s calling for Barabbas to be released and Jesus to be crucified.
56/5: And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it.
Gregory Alan Thornbury
“Billboard called Norman ‘the most important songwriter since Paul Simon,’ and his music would go on to inspire members of bands as diverse as U2, Pixies, and Guns N’ Roses. To a young generation of Christians who wanted a way to be different in the American cultural scene, Norman was a godsend....Paul McCartney himself once told Norman, ‘You could be famous if you’d just drop the God stuff.’...In [this book], [the author] draws on unparalleled access to Norman’s personal papers and archives to narrate the conflicts that defined the singer’s life, as he crisscrossed the developing fault lines between evangelicals and mainstream American culture.”
Except for a few enigmatic comments/rumors, I’ve really only known Larry Norman through his music. This book changed all that, and I’m pretty sure I’m grateful for the more well-rounded picture of him I’ve got now.
56/5: I thought it gave the overall impression of being a children’s record.
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