Walking with the Master, by Stan Lemke

I personally know the author of this study book. I had both of his daughters in my College Bible Study for years. They were well taught in regards to the Bible and other subjects as well. So when they told me their dad had written a study book I thought I would take a look at it.

I think the writing is good, the theology is fine and the practical applications that you will make from your study are going to be ones that you treasure for a long time.

This is not a quick read book. You must take it slowly, savor the writing and contemplate all that you read, learn and need to apply.

I think Stan hit a solid triple with this book. I'm looking forward to his next text so that I can see if he hit a home run.

From Maccabees to the Mishnah, Third Edition by Shaye J. D. Cohen

For a history book written by a Professor from Harvard I found that this text was completely readable and easy to follow. It is scholarly but written for even the layman to understand.

This is the third edition of the book, for some great reviews go back to the first and second editions and you will find very lengthly well written reviews. For a third edition you expect to find some new material. Chapter 8 is the best section of "new" material as it takes you from the Jewish culture and history to that of Christianity. The first two editions lacked this section, but that was not an oversight it was intentional as the book is about the culture and history of Israel before the advent of Christianity.

For most Christians we have not read the history of the Jews that is found most commonly in the Apocrypha. This was included in Catholic Bibles but is absent in Protestant Bibles. But more than the history of the Apocrypha Professor Cohen takes us through the history of Israel from the time of minor prophets through the 400 years of silence leading up to the New Testament. It is a great textbook for us on learning much more about the nation of Israel and what happened to them and brought them to the place that they are today.

I found that material highly interesting and found myself asking, why hadn't I heard about the first two editions? I'm grateful that I heard about this third edition and grateful to the publisher for making a review copy available to me.

For students of the Bible and Christianity I think that this textbook is a must read as it will bring together many aspects of the nation of Israel that answer underlying questions that you might have as to why they rejected the Messiah, why they act the way they do and the frustration they must have felt with the subjugation they underwent by being over run and ruled by foreign kings and dictators forever.

I won't go into the technical side of the book, I think that this is done by reviews of volume two. The first two reviews by David Blair and Bruce Marold are excellent and well worth your read.

Consider this as your next technical read or a gift to the one you know who loves history, theology, or anything Jewish

Trading Secrets by Melody Carlson

Melody Carlson writes Amish novels, but they are a bit different than most of those that you will read from someone like Beverly Lewis. Melody's novels give us a bit different look at the culture and the struggles and the desires of those involved in the Amish life.

In this story, Micah Knight became the pen pal of Zach Miller. That doesn't sound to daunting or troublesome, until you realize that Micah is a girl and that Zach is a boy. For the Amish it was difficult enough to allow their children to have an English pen pal, but if it came out that a boy and girl were corresponding that would be almost unforgivable. It wasn't that Micah was being deceitful, it's just that she didn't know that and well, Zach thought Micah was a boy.

When Micah realized that a girl and boy shouldn't correspond she didn't correct the issue, she continued to let Zach believe she was a boy. But when she is invited to visit the Miller farm in her late teenage years she realizes that the truth is going to have to come out.

Of course the Miller family is not excited to learn that Micah is a girl. Zach is angry. But Micah really wants to seek his forgiveness and spend time with him and the family. You see, Zach has been a very good sounding board for Micah as she grew up. He was there for her, via letters, when her mother died.

The story is well written and enjoyable. The characters take on a good quality and you feel as though you get to know them well. The surprising thing is that Melody doesn't write Amish characters that are all sweet, smily and accepting. She writes true feelings and some of the characters, such as Zach's mother, don't come off as kind, loving and hospitable. That is a bit of a shock to those who read Amish novels for fun.

Further, Zach really wants out of the Amish life. He was hoping that Micah would be helpful in getting him out, but to discover that Micah is a girl throws a wrench in his plans.

Will Zach ever forgive Micah? Will they ever re-build their relationship? Will Zach's parents ever accept Micah? Will Zach leave the Amish life?

Those are interesting questions and the story is well developed. I enjoyed every minute of it and believe you will as well.