Wednesday, August 30, 2017

The Power of Prayer

25047129  A good read.
The examples and thoughts were simple yet held a lot of meaning and power for me.
We all know the simple steps to prayer and the whys, hows and whats of it, but this book helped me make some of my ideas more solid.
It also helped me to reaffirm that I need to do better in this area of my life.
A must read in my opinion 

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Accomplishing the Impossible

27178639


Not really about accomplishing the impossible but good advice all the same.
Pres Nelson has a easy reading style, partly due to this being some of his talks reprinted here.
Enjoyable easy read but I wanted more on the subject of the title.

Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks

6559188

Well, this was a bit of travel down memory lane.
Not a page turner but some of what he went through as he grew was familiar
Finding D&D wanting to escape all ring familiar.
I had hoped he would have covered more about gaming happening now.

Friday, December 16, 2016

Divine Signatures, The Confirming Hand of God

9712487
From Goodreads.com:As Latter-day Saints, we know God exists, but sometimes we may wonder, "Heavenly Father, are you really there for me?"

When trials seem beyond our ability to bear, some people lose their spiritual bearings, while others are made even stronger. How can we strengthen our faith and deepen our testimony to the point that we can endure whatever life holds in store for us and emerge stronger than before?

In this unique book, Gerald N. Lund shows how having a correct idea of God's character, perfections, and attributes is essential to our ability to strengthen our faith and develop our testimony.

He also reminds us of how much God loves His children and that He "delights" to bless us, especially when we are striving to do His will. As and example, Elder Lund introduces the idea of a "divine signature": "Sometimes blessings come in such an unusual manner and with such precise timing that they accomplish something in addition to blessing us. They so clearly confirm the reality of God's existence that they buoy us up in times of trials."

Throughout the book, Elder Lund relates story after story - some from Church history, some from his own life, and some from acquaintances - that illustrate the inspiring and life-changing insights he shares.

This book is a powerful blend of personal reflection and deep doctrine that will help us identify the tender mercies and "divine signatures" that abound in our own lives and which will lead us closer to God

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Short Story From first draft to final product

18713473From Goodreads.com:SHORT STORY is not a typical "how to" guide. I spent time looking for a book which would show me how a "raw" story was developed through drafts, with comments received and the changes made. Struggling to find such a work, I decided to create my own, being transparent and honest in the details.

Using the story that gained me an offer of a place on a Master's in Creative Writing, SHORT STORY will take you through three drafts of the work.

The book details not only the major revisions, feedback given by a professional novelist and an academic, but also has a bunch of tips from my writers toolbox condensed between the drafts.

I hope that the process provides something useful for you, be it a tip from the writing toolbox, a look at the editing process, or motivation in knowing that you can do better than I did!
  


My Thoughts: It took a bit to get through but I enjoyed the items he brings up about writing. Nothing really new but good points just the same.

Moving in His Majesty and Power

336836From Goodreads.com:My father finished working  on the manuscript of this book just ten days before he passed away. By that time he had little energy, but in the last weeks of his life, he was focused intently on two almost-consuming priorities: spending time with his family, including giving blessings to grandchildren who had not yet received one, and finishing his last manuscript.
As these priorities exemplify, Neal A. Maxwell was a teacher. He loved the word of the Lord. He believed with the psalmist that the word of the Lord "is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105). He observed, "When one sees life and people through the lens of His gospel, then one can see forever" ( Ensign,  May 1974, 112). That perspective guided his life's work.
Dad often said the gospel was inexhaustible, and his actions underscored that belief. The gospel was for him an endless source of truth and joy; he found the study of it invigorating. He taught it in his daily walk and talk and through his sermons and books. His desire to capture in words the insights and connections his perceptive mind noted stayed with him throughout his mortal life.
At my father's funeral, President Gordon B. Hinckley noted: "I know of no other who spoke in such a distinctive and interesting way. When he opened his mouth we all listened. We came alive with expectation of something unusual, and we were never disappointed. . . . Each talk was a masterpiece, each book a work of art, worthy of repeated reading. I think we shall not see one like him again" ( Church News,  31 July 2004, 3).
Moving in His Majesty and Power  is the last installment in Elder Maxwell's printed legacy. It includes, in revised form, three talks he gave in the last two years of his life and which he felt were worthy of publication. It also includes a section of succinct, penetrating gospel insights on a wide variety of topics, similar in format to that of his previous work, W hom the Lord Loveth.
I hope you will enjoy this book. More importantly, though, I hope my father's objective in writing it will be achieved, namely, to help us resolve to become more committed disciples and to deepen our gratitude for the inexhaustible gospel he loved so deeply and proclaimed so tirelessly.
Cory H. Maxwell


My Thoughts: I love reading Elder Maxwell. I enjoyed listening to him more but this was close.
This was a great collection of final thoughts from a great man who had gone through so much, yet stayed so humble and close to the Lord.

A must read for any who enjoy Elder Maxwell
 

Temples Sacred Symbolism, Eternal Blessings

21948189From Goodreads.com:Modern temples aren't just pretty white buildings—they are Heavenly Father's classrooms. When we enter His holy house, the Lord teaches us through symbols so we can understand and retain more of the sacred instruction provided there. In this book, David J. Ridges not only helps us find these symbols within temple walls, but he brings to light profound symbolism as found in ancient Israel’s tabernacle worship and elsewhere in scripture. As you understand the symbols explained in this book, your experience will be redefined with deeper meaning.

My thoughts:At first glance of the title I had high hopes of something a little more "deep" but in reading it I could see how the author could not go there.
I still found this book to be a great read and helpful in confirming my thoughts on symbolism and also where it can be applied in the scriptures.

A sort of quick read but one you let sit in your brain and ponder on it afterwards