BOOK REVIEW: A FAITH OF OUR OWN by Jonathan Merritt

I grew up in a politically active Democratic household therefore when I registered to vote I became a Democrat.  At some point I changed political parties and became an Independent but for the past fifteen years or more I have been a registered Republican.  The one constant in my life has been my faith, I have always been a Christian thus in the last few years I have, without changing party affiliation, informed people that I am a Christian Conservative.  What, you might ask, has that to do with reviewing “A Faith of Our Own” by Jonathan Merritt? Everything.

As did the author I grew up believing Democrats were tolerant and Republicans were extreme bible thumping fanatics, at least until I became one. As a Democrat faith had its’ placed but not in politics. Jonathan Merritt begins his book by presenting a simple bit of information: Christians can be both Democrat and Republican. From there he proceeds to present a particular ideology in regards to faith and political opinions. The book gradually instructs the reader on the development of partisanship, in terms of Christianity, from his perspective as a person who was raised in the heart of Evangelical Christiandom.

As I read the “A Faith of Our Own” it confirmed my own observations as to how believers have divided themselves not by biblical doctrine but political ideology. Merritt writes:

“Christianity has a major problem.  Yes, it is an image problem. But more importantly it’s a problem of corrupting the gospel with petty politics and partisan ideology” (Kindle location 49-51)

“A Faith of Our Own” by Jonathan Merritt is an important read particularly for those of you who consider yourselves political junkies.  It is a necessary read for all believers particularly with the rhetoric that will be presented between now and November. By provoking the reader to consider his or her beliefs when it comes to political philosophy and faith hopefully it will aid the individual to use common sense and not common ideology when voting. The book is not meant to make you a Democrat if you are a Republican or a Republican if you are a Democrat hopefully it will stop some of the foolishness I see in terms of political bashing on both sides of the aisle.

I recommend you read your bible and read “A Faith of Our Own” by Jonathan Merritt.

I received a complimentary ebook in exchange for an honest book review, this I have done.

BOOK REVIEW: IT IS DANGEROUS TO BE RIGHT by Judge Andrew P. Napolitano

IT IS DANGEROUS TO BE RIGHT

 WHEN THE

GOVERNMENT IS WRONG

     In his latest book “It Is Dangerous To Be Right When The Government Is Wrong” Judge Andrew P. Napolitano continues his crusade of presenting “the case for personal freedom”.  If you have ever watched the judge on FOX business then you will quickly realize that he writes as passionately as he speaks.  The book goes into greater detail of the discussions he has on television.

    It is important to understand who you are as an individual and the role government should and
should not play in your life or the lives of others.  If you are not familiar with The Judge then
the Introduction will be a much needed read; there he defines a few key concepts such as: “Natural Rights” and “Human Law”.   The book exams areas in which the government has in the past and continues to impose in such as: property (including slavery), speech, travel, gun ownership and money. These issues are contrasted with what is in the constitution revealing
how far the nation has deviated from its foundation. As he himself states “It Is Dangerous To Be Right When The Government Is Wrong” is not a happy book but it is a necessary read particularly in a time when citizens are losing more of their rights in the name of “national security.

I recommend this book.   Marsha L. Randolph

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

BOOK REVIEW: NO HE CAN’T

When political truths hurt often it is because of years of not facing the truth. Many former Democrats will share the moment he or she decided to switch parties. Facts and common sense
should go hand in hand with   a person’sideology yet form many this is not the case. More often than not party loyalist, on both sides of the political aisle, ignore facts and defend their candidate
with nothing more than media talking points. The information found in the book “NO HE CAN’T” by Kevin McCullough should not be ignored..

In “NO HE CAN’T:  How Barak Obama is Dismantling Hope and Change” we are given factual information that should allow the reader to see the President for what and who he is. Aware of the President prior to him becoming a Senator, Mr. McCullough reveals not only his first impression but the reasons why he has come to his current conclusions. Divided into four parts with subchapters four areas of importance are covered: the economy, security, the constitution and credibility.

Without a doubt if you consider yourself a conservative you are going to love this book. Already it has drawn the ire of many liberals. The facts found in this book will stand the test of time. I am recommending this book to  everyone, I strongly advise it be read before the 2012 election. If you voted for President Obama but are not sure if you should vote for him again, read this first. If you voted for President Obama and want to vote for him again PLEASE read this book with an open mind. If you have no intentions of voting for President Obama read this book.

In fairness I must share that I am a Conservative which would sway my opinion in favor of presenting a positive view point.  However I would not and do not give positive reviews to books that are written from a spiteful or offensive way. The book is excellently written in organization, justification and content.

This book was given to me free of charge by BookSneeze in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

IT’S TIME TO CONTROL OUR TONGUES!

We sing “God bless America” yet we mean “God make those people behave the way I think they should behave.”  The more I see of the mindsets of people the more I thank God that Jesus did not come yesterday. 

“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. “ Matthew 9:37

I don’t think it matters much if you think the end times is near or we have plenty of time my question to you is: What are you doing to discourage people from believing? We have to take our words and deeds seriously.  We must begin self evaluation, be sure you are not part of the problem.

 I am a Black Conservative Christian this fact offends many liberals who call themselves Christian. I speak the Word of God as I understand it, though I have no problem with people explaining to me why I am wrong, if I am wrong, based on the word of God.  So far no one has been able to correct me via the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16) When I come across people who reject me because of my politics then I adjust my words.  I believe those who have a problem with me because I believe the bible is the Truth are the ones with the problem yet I want them to be able to hear the truth if not from me then from someone else.

When we sing “God bless America” we have to be able to step aside and let Him.

 ^1-2Don’t be in any rush to become a teacher, my friends. Teaching is highly responsible work. Teachers are held to the strictest standards. And none of us is perfectly qualified. We get it wrong nearly every time we open our mouths. If you could find someone whose speech was perfectly true, you’d have a perfect person, in perfect control of life.

 ^3-5A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it!

 ^5-6It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.

 ^7-10This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue—it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth!

 ^10-12My friends, this can’t go on. A spring doesn’t gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it? Apple trees don’t bear strawberries, do they? Raspberry bushes don’t bear apples, do they? You’re not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you?  James 3:1-12 The Message