PaleoJudaica.com: Byron, Herodotus, and Sennacherib

PaleoJudaica.com: Byron, Herodotus, and Sennacherib: HISTORY: Of mice and men: How archaeology confirms a Bible story (Mark Woods, Christian Today ). The headline exaggerates a little, since t...

BOOK REVIEW: Curio by Evangeline Denmark

When perusing the books to review popped up, I chose this one, Curio by Evangeline Denmark.  I chose it for several reasons. I wanted something fanciful, as I have been doing too much serious reading lately. The title caught me, as it brought back memories of something that my wife and I once thought of doing. Finally, the description of this book as "steam-punk" was curious to me.

My first impression of the book after reading its entirety, is intriguing. Even with the things stated above, I wasn't quite prepared for this type of novel. I was not used to things described in early 1900's industry terms, mixed with Chemists and a bizarre heroine theme to boot. This was a good read for someone looking for fanciful and outside the norms. I got involved in the book, and found myself wanting to go back to it to read and finish it. This is unusual, as with most I'm ready to put it down after the first several chapters. Ms.Denmark has a unique imagination and a talent for getting her thoughts down on paper. I hope that she writes more. 

I admit that the "steam-punk" was a little different, and there were places that I found things choppy and hard to piece together. But, that may be because I am not used to reading this style of book.  This should not detract you (the reader) from getting the book and reading it yourself.  It is an excellent themed book for younger audiences (and some of us older ones too), it has a good flow, a good plot and is able to engage the reader without all of the extraneous "stuff" that many of its counter-parts in the world have.  As regards personal tastes, for my part I would have wished a little bit more background as to why the characters are in the positions that they are in, and why the worlds mentioned exist. I believe Ms.Denmark will only get better with time.

My overall rating of the book is good and I recommend that you get it if you are looking for a fanciful read, or if you are into "steam-punkish" style reading.  Even if you aren't, read it anyway, it will help get your mind off of daily stuff. Ms.Denmark - write more...I would be interested to see what else is out there.

BOOK REVIEW: H3 Leadership: Be Humble. Stay Hungry. Always Hustle by Brad Lomenick

H3 Leadership: Be Humble. Stay Hungry. Always Hustle by Brad Lomenick 

I have been a motivational follower for some time, and have had the opportunity to sit and hear some of the top speakers of this industry. While there has always been a slightly spiritual element to the speakers, and some have cited Bible references, I have found only two books in my 30+ years that have dealt with the subject using the scripture as the base of the discussion. This is the second. I'm not saying that there aren't more out there, but this is only the second in my encounters that I felt worthy even to pick up and read. 

At first, the book has the typical motivational book read about knowing who you are and where you are going in life and I wondered, "Where are the scriptures?" Then, I went back and re-read the preface and understood that we already know the scripture (or should) - so what we need to do is implement the principles. So, I began reading the book in a new light. I saw the habits that he refers to about developing, the goals seeking were already things Jesus taught in the sermon on the Mount and throughout the gospels. It intrigued me that the author brought these principles to play in the ever changing world of today's workforce. Where jobs aren't certain and life is ahead, these principles are good on any resume'.  I also found it enlightening that the author also appeals to other authors and sources to refer the reader to to further equip themselves in the endeavors that he promotes. I also liked the tips that he gives you in each chapter, that act as a personal application of the principles taught in the chapter. He also includes tips from other authors and those considered experts in the field which I thought was a unique twist.

This book gets a high mark from me. I found myself getting involved in the book and wanting to apply what it taught. However, it is not for everyone. If you are wanting to learn how to improve yourself motivationally, and wanting to be a better leader - then this book is a good one to have in your library. It will be one that you go back and re-read and refer to often. In some circles, it could even be used if accompanied by a workbook as a Bible Class on Leadership.  Even if you are not "Biblical" inclined, don't shy away from this book just because it is.  There are good principles taught here that you will find useful and that will make you a better person.

SOUL and SPIRIT - Huh???

In recent discussion in class regarding the keeping of the SOUL, we have gone in depth to discuss WHAT the soul is. In general and brief description, it is the eternal part of us that God put into us at the point of creation. Yet, in the process of this discussion, arose the question - Is there a difference between the soul and the spirit?

Essentially, there are three terms in the scripture that are used when referring to what God has placed into man. 

• Hebrew - Nephesh (SOUL) means a breathing creature, that is, animal or (abstractly) vitality;
• Greek Pneuma (SPIRIT) a current of air, that is, breath (as a blast) or a breeze; by analogy andfiguratively a spirit, that is the rational soul,or vital principle, mental disposition, etc.,
• Greek Pseuche (SOUL)  breath, that is, (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely - the sentient principle of vitality; thus distinguished from Pneuma which is the rational and immortal. This word is more akin to the original Hebrew word used in Genesis, where man became a living animated being.

This can be confusing, especially when you have three words that are used for what is to us the same thing. What is best to understand at this point, is that we are trying to put into words and define something that is what Job describes, "Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. (Job 42:3)." It is like John in writing the Revelation, trying to put into words scenes that were beyond human description. These same words are used of the creative power of God in Genesis when the

world was made. When God "breathes" into man, it is the variation of the same word used for what he breathes into man and makes man a soul. When the essence of God creates in Genesis 1 and the "Spirit" of God moves, it is the word RUACH which is literally translated breath or wind, but in this instance this word is used because of the force of the wind. Yet, it is described as the creative essence of God. How do we describe something too wonderful, too powerful for us to even imagine? How do we describe in words the force that it would take to make a sun, a universe, life? Therein, is the difficulty and the fault of human language.

But, what about the human soul? 

Are the soul and spirit different? 

How do you describe that integral part of us that God put in us, yet, has no substance and we cannot see?  This is not to say that man has not been inventive. In 1907, Duncan McDougall undertook experiments of dying people to determine if the soul had weight or mass. His findings were published in the New York Times, March 11, 1907. Even then, the "soul" defied description. When appearing to Thomas after the resurrection, Jesus tells us that, "a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.(Lk.24:39)" This is why the term "breath" is used. It is not a tangible thing, but to describe it, we can only describe it as wind, breath, air.  We know it exists, but we cannot define it. There are other variations and adjectives that can be used to "type" it. The scriptures use the term "evil" spirit, a "new" spirit., etc. But, it all boils down to two particular things regarding the human "soul." One seems more descriptive of what is inside of us, the other used to manifest what comes forth from us. Soul, seems to be used to describe what God breathed into us and what we became. The word Spirit seems to be used more indicatively of describing what is being projected out of us from that source.  This seems implied of Lk.9:55 when Jesus rebukes James and John for their demeanor in wanting to call fire down from heaven upon people. 

Soul and spirit are not different parts of what God breathed into us, they are simply two

words trying to describe the same thing in a different way. Is it hard to understand? Yes. Can you touch it? No Is it flesh and blood? No. But - it is who we are. It is our strength, might, heart existence all rolled up into one thing, that when this body dies, it will live on. 

Now the question is...what will live on. What is there in me, living in my heart?  If we accept the Bible's terms for godliness, then is what is within us clean or unclean as the Bible would describe? 

From this, there are three things that are apparent from the scripture:

1. God sent his Son to die, so that what God has given me, I might give back to God clean, pure, and whole (Jn.3:16; 2 Pet.3:14)
2. The Soul of man has a destiny, and how I use the Spirit God breathed into me, is my choice. We just have to understand that choices have consequences (Mt..25:31-46; Heb.6:1-8; 10:26-30). Sin fragments the soul. When God created us, he states, "It is good." When sin is in and is left in the soul, the soul is no longer "Good." That is why the soul needs a redeemer (1 Cor.6:20) and while living life, it needs a Shepherd (Psa.23).
3. Don't misunderstand. God's word can cut through hypocrisy (Heb.4:12). It is able to pierce and cleave between the soul and the spirit. In Mt.23:7 Jesus criticized the Scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy - appearing on the outside to be one thing, yet inside another.  God's word can do that with us too! Don't think you can change your destiny by pretending. Even our innermost thoughts can be discerned by God.

So, what does your SOUL - your SPIRIT say about you?

Jim