Books as of December 2009
| Brief on the Book |
Writings and Words on the Book |
|
| Books, books and more books - sweet manna from heaven |
 InAWord_Books_2005.pdf; |
|
| Read for crying out loud...it does the body good! |
InAWord_READING_2005.pdf |
|
 |
The Great Santini by Pat Conroy. I first read the book in 1980; and now, nearly 30 years later, am reading again. Oh, and the movie; well I've seen it a few times and respect the role of Robert Duval. Beyond the apparent subject of military life is the heartfelt story of an abusive family and how the greatest challenge for The Great Santini is allowing his family to love him.... |
GreatSatani_Conroy_2009.pdf |
 |
This book is said to be the most comprehensive expose on the depredations (attack) of the divorce industry: the truth about the destruction of families, violations of the Constitution, disregard for due process and its voracious appetite for children, parents and families. In exposing the civil rights abuse, Baskerville describes this industry as "the most repressive government machine |
TakenIntoCustody_Baskerville_2007.pdf |
 |
Hitler's Cross by Erwin Lutzer; The revealing story of how the Cross of Christ was used as a symbol of the Nazi Agenda..."The cross reminds us that the battle is not so much between church and state as it is within our own hearts. The infamous swastika replaced the Christian cross - as did the Nazi party and Third Reich replace the theology of Christianity. What we wrong; and how can we learn from... |
Books_HitlersCross_01-15-09.pdf
|
 |
Why Good People do Bad Things by Erwin Lutzer; The title should draw your curiosity: why do supposedly good people do apparent, bad things? Erwin Lutzer takes us through another journey that helps examine the cause & effect among other aspects of sin that begins within us. |
WhyGoodDoBad_Lutzer_2009.pdf
|
 |
Inside Out by Dr. Larry Crabb; Real changes is only possible when we "face the realities of your internal life and let God mold you into a person that is free to be honest, courageous, and loving." For me, this book has been a blessing enabling some guidance on what he calls the crucial needs of our life - and the only source that can supply or address those needs... |
Books_InsideOut_01-25-09.pdf
|
 |
Bold Love by Dan B. Allender; Most certainly the most profound man-made book that I've read on love and forgiveness teaches us about the "normal sinner", the fool and the wicked. Are we to love and forgive? Of course we are and - while it is a process - it is also a condition of the heart that occurs through our own surrender of the sin committed by us and against us... |
BoldLove_Allender_2002.pdf
|
 |
Embracing Brokenness by Alen E. Nelson; What, embrace brokenness? That's right, we must embrace brokenness or "refinement" such that we may be more like Christ. In the content of this read, I have found a better understanding of the discipline and circumstances that God allows in our lives - from which "goodness" can be rendered. Painful? Yes, and then some; but can we cease being hopeful in a God of hope? | |
 |
Freedom From Fear by Neil T. Anderson & Rich Miller; The authors of this text cover the subject and symptoms of fear from a spiritual perspective. Fear can be serious; it can cause us to do desperate things and control our lives. Anxiety, phobias, and the balance of possibilities are addressed in the context of a Christian's experience and understanding. Yes, there are spiritual forces at work in our lives too.... |
FreedomFromFear_AndersonMilller_2009.pdf
|
 |
The Drug of the New Millennium by Mark Kastleman; Imagine a drug so powerful that it knows no limits on the destruction and addictive nature; and the industry that produces the drug is carving-up the carnage of its devastation. This "addiction" of pandemic proportions is how Mark describes it: years ago (1990's) he feared the coming drug and, after a thorough examination of the drug's affects, has published his findings in the book - along with some tools to help parents and children in prevention and recovery. |
DrugOfMillemium_Kastleman_04-06-09.pdf
|
 |
Home Alone America: Why today's kids are overmedicated, overweight, and more troubled than ever before by Mary Eberstadt. A review of modern parenting finds that children and parents are separated (physically) now more than ever. The outcome or result of this separation is child and adolescent problems that prior were largely limited to adults... the general cause for alarms stems from parents being physically or emotionally detached from their children...caused by... | |
 |
When You've Been Wronged by Erwin Lutzer; Once again, I turn to the wisdom and insight of a profound person of God. In this book, Erwin addresses the crucial circumstance of "wrong" - whether you (the reader) are the doer or the receiver. His abstract addresses the matter as "These wounds cry out or justice! But what if justice isn't possible this side of heaven?...What if the damage cannot be undone?...What then?" | |
 |
Our Endangered Values by Jimmy Carter; Dedication of his book is to "our children and grandchildren for whom America's basic moral values must be preserved". How fitting that a book of culture would be dedicated to the future generations. Yet, my belief is that such uncertain and concerning times brings out the best in those who have a hope greater than the present or predicted future. The difference may lie in the fact of a future and eternal government versus a present and uncertain one. |
|
 |
Father and Child Reunion by Warren Farrell; has produced a book that, though not necessarily is popular, is realistic in portraying the bias and maltreatment of men in the matters of divorce and parental rights. What's most troubling in this book is the grim realty that, when the scales of justice are so imbalanced, the children (and innocent) generally pay the prices. |
|
 |
Life without Father by David Popenoe; before turning to the featured text, I would like to introduce some other key sources for this subject; the first, is David Popenoe and his book Life without Father (1996). More to follow on the background and credentials of the author as one of several contributors to my work, A Once and Always Father. |
|
 |
Fatherless America by David Blankenhorn; Another features writer and research, David Blankenhorn offers a historical perspective on the role of fathers in light of the threats now posed through divorce and its consequences - among other causes for the dismantling of the family. The greatest threat to America is not terrorism; but is the demise of conventional family or, more specifically, marriage; at the root of this crisis is the what David call's the "diminishing" father of our land. Somewhat like the American Indian, this role of men is being driven into distinction |
|
 |
The Assault on Parenthood by Dana Mack (2000); begins in the preface with the purpose: "I wrote (the book) with the intention of expanding the debate on the malaise of American youth." Having written on the heels of Columbine, she reminds the reader of the off-the-cuff response of critics (of youth violence) that removing access to guns is not the complete answer...but only a easy one. The much deeper and decided answer lies in the possibilities the young people are being "subjected to adult pressure and temptations... |
In process... |
 |
Beyond Culture Wars by Michael Horton; Clearly defining his position as that as evangelical, Horton is addressing like readers in hope to reawaken some to the mission of the church - not to change the world through a self-righteous life, but to offer hope to the world as one (or many) made righteous through Christ. What remains questionable is whether the church (or churches) will pursue the high-calling of Christ's bride or, to use this metaphor, to prostitute itself by living to the shifting standards of society - rather than the veritable values of the Christ. |
In process... |
 |
Cloning of the American Mind by Bev Eakman (1998); the following comments come from a the Web site, www.eagleforum.org and the title of "EDUCATION REPORTER", March 1999. The premise of her study (or book) is that a new field call psychographics (which includes demographic and marketing research) along with assessment standards is altering the values and beliefs or our children while undermining their academic skills. She continues with specific reference to Outcome-Based Education with what she deems... | In process... |
 |
GET OUTTA MY FACE by Mark Horne; comes a book on dealing with Teen anger. Get Outta My Face is a recent publication and great resource for understanding the causes for anger as well as methods to connect... The book is divided into three sections that instruct on how to connect, how to care and how to create lasting changes. |
Anger_Face_Horne_08-15-09.pdf
|
 |
Liberation's Child by Kay Hymowitz; has published a collection of essays on Parent and Kids in this modern age; calling them "Liberation's Children, she claims that they.... When a child is unjustifiable denied their right to their parent, than abuse has occurred; and when a child is deceived - and even threatened - by a parent, than abuse has been magnified to the degree that the child will not and cannot forget it. | In process... |
 |
The Tyranny of Good Intentions by Paul Craig Roberts, Lawrence M. Stratton (2000); The authors warn that the U.S. is becoming the image of its totalitarian former enemies in its prosecution of justice -- or rather injustice. How is the so-called System of Justice antithetical to the truism of justice? Well, to respond to this question.... |
Tyranny_RobertsStratton_08-15-09.pdf
|
 |
Who are you to be the Judge? by Erwin Lutzer; another read from one of my favorite theologians, this book addresses the notion that we should not judge the lifestyle or beliefs of others - as well as discernment in evaluating and assessing truth from falsehoods. Believers are called to discern the Gospel and biblical truth from false doctrine and the cultural values of our day... |
Postponed... |
 |
THE WAR AGAINST MEN by Dr. Richard Hise (2004); the author is a marketing professor at Texas A&M; why then a book about men - and the provocative title of the so-called "war against..."? To begin, he approaches the subject as an academic style...or the kind of analytical and scholarly style that givens credence to the idea that when men lose, children lose too. From cited sources (www.mensdefense.org) comes the posting (above) on the book. Dr. Hise believes that an imbalance in the courts and legislatures has put society out-of-balance, |
In process... |
 |
The Measure of a Man by Gene A. Getz (2004); Pastor and author at Fellowship Bible Church, Gene is taking us on a journey intended to teach and equip the man for what it means to be a man of God. As a tribute, Bill McCartney (former football coach and founder of Promise Keepers) writes: "this book will allow you to become open and vulnerable in the context of scriptural truth." |
In process... |
"Books stretch
our minds. They let us dream. They help us to see over the rooftops
of our neighborhoods to the world of thought that lies behind." 
Each Month or so, I intend to read at least one book and, with that, to try to summarize or condense the book into a few writings and words. I have been known to miss the mark so I cannot guarantee that my summary will be representative of the content and message; hence, it might be a good idea to read the book yourself to draw your own conclusions, etc.
The books will most likely be Christian-based - but I will not omit or exclude other possibilities or subject matter. The real intent is to motivate me to keep up my reading, to try to get much out of the material, and to share some of my own interpretations and impressions with you.
As
a frequent flyer of the local public library, I can't help notice the
posters of celebrities intended to encourage the patrons (like me) to
read; it
may be a very old practice but it is tried and true that reading does the
mind good. How can anyone argue differently unless they're just
looking for an excuse not to read? Not just any material will do, but
what you read is important too. Regrettably, I did not do enough
reading when I was younger...but maybe there is still
time. 
For more information, read a book and contact me if possible at: hey@hkirkrainer.org
Last Edited: 12/13/2009
