Review: "Truth for Life: 365 Devotions, Volume 1 & 2"

 

I used Alistair Begg’s Truth for Life: 365 Daily Devotions, Volume 1 as one of my devotional readings over the past year. I also have Volume 2. I largely found it a helpful work.

Each devotion takes up one page.  The date is at the top, and underneath the date is a title for the devotion, and under that, there is a text from the Bible on which the devotion is based. At the end of the devotion there are three symbols:  a head, a heart, and a hand up in the stop position.  This is followed by a text for further reading.

The symbols are there to remind the reader to ask – in order, “how is God calling me to thank differently, how is God reordering my heart’s affections – what I love, [and] what is God calling me to do as I go about my day today?” (8).

I said I found this a largely helpful work. There were a few times that I differed with Begg’s interpretation – but that is neither here nor there, since I have only found one writer that I haven’t read anything that I disagreed with.  My issues are mostly with the format of the devotions.

First, under the date, there is a title for the devotion.  I think the title is unnecessary and takes up room that could be better used. (More on that in a moment.)  If one thinks the title is necessary or worthwhile – at least decrease the font.

Second, increase the font of the Scripture.  The Scripture is barely readable the font is so small. It is in the smallest font of everything on the page.

Thirdly, the three symbols are explained in the introduction.  It would seem best to flesh that out a bit in the introduction and drop the symbols from each page which I found confusing and takes up room that could be better used.

Finally – and this is what the decrease of the title font size and the elimination of the symbolize makes room for – end each devotion with a prayer.  The reader can use it or be guided by it, rather than just facing the symbols.

The devotions are biblical and written for all ages.  I would recommend these devotionals.  I just think they could be better with the changes noted above.

Review: "Abandoned in New Jersey"

 

Abandoned New Jersey:  Forgotten Spaces in the Garden State by Joe Nadler is a fascinating full-color book of photographs illustrating several abandoned properties in the categories of home, entertainment, hospitals, schools, and churches.

Each section begins with an essay on the type of property to be explored.

In looking at the spaces, one is amazed at the beauty of these spaces, even as they crumble, and one is inspired not only to take in their beauty in decay, but to look to restoring sites to their original glory and to consider what is being built now – whether today’s spaces have beauty and care in their very being – and if not, how one might return to building speaces that speak out and not just function.

Stunning and thought-provoking.

Review: "Night at the Vulcan"

 

Martyn Tarne makes her way to the Vulcan hoping to become and actress in Ngaio Marsh’s Night at the Vulcan.  She is hired, but as one of the dressers.  From this vantage point, Martyn give the reader insight into the six actors in rehearsal – the six types of actors one might encounter in a theatre production.

When the husband of the leading lady is found dead, Martyn finally gets the chance to act, and Inspector Alleyn is called in to solve the case.

This is not one of my favorite Marsh books, but it is still a good mystery.