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Life is pretty busy at the present and getting time to write for the blog is suffering, I have a couple of partially written things waiting to be finished off, but they will have to wait for another day, as the weeks and books march on. If I get behind in this then it ends up with shorter reviews than normal, which we don't want.
I have read most of Robert Goddard's books and this one did not disappoint. In fact even though I was busy I was reading it for the odd minute or two near the end as it was very exciting. It is said that Dickens wrote his novels in such a way that there is a cliff hanger of some kind at the end of every chapter. Well there is one here and in addition every couple of chapters a twist in the plot line comes along, that hits the poor reader for six, desperate to know how the story is going to progress. The cover says it is “electrifying”, and I cannot agree more. So what is the book about – It follows the twists and turns of the main character Edward Hammond, who is a surgeon, about to go on holiday meeting up with some friends. Not giving too much away, but he does not meet up with them but meets up with his past, and actions he did thirteen years ago. The plot is brilliant, and the book is well worth reading. I will have to read something rather different next otherwise will be let down. So this is book 35 week 28 – novels 24, poetry 1 study 2, audio 8
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This is book four in the series, (actually book five as book three was split into two), consisting of over 750 pages. Sadly if this had been the first book that I had read in the series, then I would not have bothered reading any others. George seemed to largely exclude from the story all the characters that he has spent over 2000 pages previously building up and getting us acquainted with.
I found it very hard to have any sort of affinity with any of the main characters portrayed in the book. I suppose the title should have been a clue as to what it was about. I did read it hoping that the characters I had already met would come back, but sadly they did not . Finally at the end there is an Authors note about this – maybe it should have been at the start. Also it was probably a shame that I read this so soon after the book on The Reivers By Alistair Moffat. He is describing an historical period that has lots of death and destruction but does so in a way that is described in a lighter vain. Lets just hope book five is more enjoyable than this one, as I would have only given this book one star out of five if I was awarding stars.. So this is book 34 week 27 – novel 23, poetry 1, study 2 audio 8 This was the second book that I used to help with our Studies on 1 Peter and was a very helpful readable book bringing the letter to life. He uses generally non technical language making it relatively easy to read.
I have noticed that it has been suggested that the book is based on some of his sermons on 1 Peter, as it is divided into neat little sections that can be read, looked at and taken in over the time it takes to drink a cup of tea or coffee making it very readable. This being said it is not a book that lacks technical expertise, or depth of biblical theology. If one want to learn more about 1 Peter then I can thoroughly recommend this book. So this is book 33 week 27 – novel 22, poetry 1, study 2 audio 8 This is something slightly different for my book list, though I have read several similar books over the past 6 months, this is the first time that I have mentioned one like this here. I just had not thought about doing it until challenged by a friend as to why I had not done so. No specific reason just did not think about it.
Anyway this is a commentary on 1 Peter that I used to help with the Studies we have done on 1 Peter over the past few weeks. Wayne evidently has a great depth of knowledge on the book, and provides an insight to the text on how readers are encouraged to grow in their trust in God and their obedience to him throughout their lives, but especially when they suffer. Archbishop Robert Leighton says in the introduction "Here is a brief and very clear summary both of the consolations and instructions needful for the encouragement and direction of a Christian in his journey to Heaven, elevating his thoughts and desires to that happiness, and strengthening him against all opposition in the way, both that of corruption within, and temptations and afflictions from without," As a non biblical scholar it was a tad heavy going in places but very useful in helping prepare the studies. So this is book 32 week 27 – novel 22, poetry 1, study 1 audio 8 Alistair brings the history of the border area to life for the last 300 plus years of an active political and military frontier between England and Scotland. The book not only explains how the Revier way of life came about but has lovely, fascinating asides all the way through the text that keep one reverted to the story. The level of detail and research that must have gone into this is very evident, and brings to life the - deceit, ingenuity, treachery, stealth and survival that the Reviers carried out as they lived out their often long lives. All the more so as I live in the area that he describes, so can relate to the areas mentioned.
This is the first time I have read one of Alistair's books and I will now be searching out other ones in the hope that they are just as interesting A book that can be thoroughly recommended – book 31, week 26 – written book 23, audio book 8 This is a very simple recipe that can be cooking whilst the rest of the meal is being prepared.
Ingredients (enough for 2) 2 Skinned Chicken Breasts (or could be turkey) 8 Chopped & stoned plums 12 Chopped grapes 1 Small finely chopped onion 1 teaspoon of Italian herb mix (or mixed herbs) 1 teaspoon of curry powder 1 drizzle of olive oil 2 teaspoon of marmalade 1 sliced lemon Method
A book that starts with the body of a man that has had his face blown off with a shot gun has to go forward in a simalar pace otherwise it will seem a let down. Well this book does not disapoint. New information appears, as if peeled back slowly revealing the core - The truth. The twist is obvious once known, but I did not see it coming until a few pages from the end, so all in all a good read. This will give me a delimina as to when to read the next book as it was two Peter Robinson books for the price of one. Wait for a short time yet I think. So this is book 30, week 25 made up as written books 22, audio books 8. Well we come to 1 Peter 2 in our studies at the Kielder Bible Study Group, and this has parts in it that are very difficult passages, to get ones head round. In fact one of the commentaries I read said that this is one of the hardest passages in the Bible. Not that it is hard to understand but hard to carry out, as there is an apparent conflict between what Peter says here and what is said elsewhere in the New Testament. For example
Peter says there 13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right ...and in verse 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. I am aware that there is around 100 pages in the two concordances I am using on these few verses - one calls them the most difficult verses in the bible. There is the conflict between these verses and the apparent moral justification that we should "stand up for what is right" and obey Gods higher Authority. Especially if one then considers the next couple of verses taking the words slaves and masters to mean anyone under authority of a master be it the civil authorities or an employer.. 18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. I have turned to a friend for his take on this and he says “The question of Civil Authority in the NT is always a difficult one! The passages you quote are absolutely correct. I always turn to John Zeisler’s commentary on Romans,(SCM 1990), where he points out:- 1. Paul was opposed to anarchy, yes. 2. The Roman state at this stage was permitting Christians the freedom to preach. 3. Paul was trying to distance Christianity from the Jewish terrorists in Palestine. The Jewish Revolt was not far into the future, and seeds of unrest were sown already. 4. When the Emperor was persecuting Christians, as was the background in Revelation, the attitude of Christian writers has changed. 5. Paul expected Jesus to return any time soon, so resisting the state was not necessary; it would soon disappear anyway. Peter Brooks points out neither Jesus, Paul or Peter advocated submissiveness. All three of them suffered (Crucifixion/imprisonment) because they would not obey the order to keep silent (Luke 19:40; Acts 4:18ff – CRUCIAL VERSES??) Acts 4 -v18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” I think the key thing to remember is Matthew 22:35-38 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment. And then everything else is in relation to this. This is the fourth and final part of my blog on how to loose over 50lbs of weight. This will cover my typical menu for the week. Part one covered incentive, portion size, and meal frequency. Part two covered exercise, hydration, and setting realistic targets. Part three covered the foods that I am allowed to eat and those I do not eat. I am not a medical doctor or dietician, but due to health reasons was told last year that I needed to loose a significant amount of weight. I have had advice from a number of medical professionals as how to do this, and from their advice I came up with this plan and so far I have now lost over 60 lbs, that is more than 27 kilos, so it does seem to be successful. I have just a few more pounds to go to get to my target weight. - (The lower end of the green band in the doctors BMI chart.). Having successfully lost all this weight, a medical friend said I should share how I did it with others, hence these series of blogs. So we come to a weeks menu and the aim is to try and make it as least boring as possible. The ultimate as far as to maximise weight loose would be fruit, vegetables, porridge and bran. Nothing else but after a month or so it does become rather boring, so my a typical weeks menu may be as follows
 Having typed this out it does make me so look forward to the day when I can just enjoy a normal meal, without having to worry about the consequences, or even a drink or two...
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Tim Fuller
Dyslexic doodles on photography, food (growing, cooking & of course eating), faith and other fascinating things. This is a personal blog expressing my views. Archives
November 2015
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