Resources Books

page 187 - God's Master Builders

Paul abruptly changes the metaphor from God's field to God's building (I Cor. 3:9). Paul's ministry and ours is to be God's master builders. The word Paul uses is 'architecton'. A 'tekton' is a carpenter, but an 'architecton' is the craftsman who serves as the architect, contractor and engineer.

Great nuggets of information. Buy it!!

I am a student at Moody Bible Institute in their Pastoral Studies program. I stumbled upon this book while doing research into "What is a pastor?" I found Fisher's cander refreshing and myself identifying with many of his experiences...and applauding his solutions. He writes from a conservative viewpoint with the Bible as his authority. This book was helpful to encourage me in the difficult task ahead of pastoring a church in this pluralistic, postmodern, and pagan society, and would recommend it to any aspiring Christian shepherd!

Pastor Fisher's book is no doubt of great assistance to new pastors, who need a more practical and comprehensive preparation for the ministry than provided in seminary.

However, it is also of great assistance to the laity who want to better understand and support their pastor. The pastor's job can be a lonely one. It is in the interest of the entire congregation for their pastor to succeed.

David Fisher is the ideal person to write such a book. He has many years of experience, pastoring churches throughout the United States. (I was honored to have him as my senior pastor many years ago in New Hope, Minnesota.) He brings to the job a refreshing mix of friendliness and intellectual curiosity.

Though this book is now 10 years old, its timeless principles may well assist churches for another 90 years ... when God willing devout pastors and congregations throughout the world will be preparing for the 22nd century.

I had four important and definitive books in my life. First of all the Bible. In my conversion "Christian Counter culture"by John Stott. During my growth "Authentic Life", by Ray stedman. And during my bigest crisis in ministry this book of Pastor Fisher

I am a middle school teacher who was looking for a way to get my English students to even DO a book report. This book was an answer to whatever prayer I had. The diifferent genres helps them figure out WHAT genre of book they are reading and choose accordingly. The rubrics are easy for them to follow and understand and make my grading a breeze.

This book is a wonderful resource, and full of great book report ideas. I like the pages that can be photocopied and distributed to the students. I have already used four of the projects, and found they are really well done.

This is a wonderful book. It is a great resource for teachers and offers a variety of reproducibles for use in the classroom. I would recommend this book to anyone who actively works in the classroom.

This book is a timesaver in every way: the ideas are great, the pages to photocopy are well thought out, and the scoring rubrics are very helpful! I'll use this book alot in my fourth grade classroom this year!

Where in ONE resource can one find such a multitude of self-help and wellness SITES? The author did a fantastic job in including "meaty" sites! Using this book, one can surf sites FROM empowering one's self in health issues, nurturing and lifting one's spirits and learning ways to recover from addictive patterns, TO dealing with issues especially for men or women only, children/family concerns and interpersonal relationships. Since I am of the baby boomer generation, my favorite chapters of the book are the ones that address life threatening illnesses, aging, grief, and death. These are issue I'm having to deal with more and more! Anyone looking for ways to destress and empower one's self will find this book a great tool for gaining knowledge, coping, and self-improvement. Keeping it by MY computer and will surf daily!

Talk about helpful internet sites--this book is amazing! I've only had this self-help and wellness guide for a few days, and already I feel like a new person. I've found sites that offer a wealth of information on total-body wellness, how to find true prosperity (without money), inspirational quotes of great thinkers on personal development and even an online course to help develop miraculous relationships. What more could you need--and it's all here in one book! Thanks to the authors!

Your book is crucial for every member of the family. The sites included in this easy-to-follow source are beyond comparison. The chapters zero in on every aspect of self-help and wellness imaginable, and the best thing about it is that your book can do something for everyone!

Where in ONE resource can one find such a multitude of self-help and wellness SITES? The author did a fantastic job in including "meaty" sites! Using this book, one can surf sites FROM empowering one's self in health issues, nurturing and lifting one's spirits and learning ways to recover from addictive patterns, TO dealing with issues especially for men or women only, children/family concerns and interpersonal relationships. Since I am of the baby boomer generation, my favorite chapters of the book are the ones that address life threatening illnesses, aging, grief, and death. These are issue I'm having to deal with more and more! Anyone looking for ways to destress and empower one's self will find this book a great tool for gaining knowledge, coping, and self-improvement. Keeping it by MY computer and will surf daily!

40 Days & 40 Bytes is an excellent resource for congregations who may be in the beginning stages of electronic fortification or who may be looking to streamline their electronic efficiency. While not focused heavily on websites and e-evangelism, the book offers a thorough review of all considerations when buying CMS (congregational management software), computers, and setting up a network. It offers several helpful appendices that serve as checklists, including: "Congregational Culture Questions" and a "Technology Assessment Form."

The book is set up in such a way that you can skip irrelevant sections (some chapters are devoted to the general basics, like defining a CPU, for example). Infused with good humor and an ecumenical spirit, 40 Days & 40 Bytes is one of the best resources I have seen for the non-techie layperson interested in helping move their congregation into the 21st century.

Upon first receiving this book, I was skeptical that it would be another over the top book written about networks, servers, and hardware that did not make a connection to the intended audience. BOY WAS I WRONG! Aaron and team have done a tremendous job of breaking a difficult language down to simplicity! I work with thousands of churches in my ministry and I highly recommend this book to each of them. It does not matter if you are a novice or savvy user of technology, everyone will benefit from 40 Days and 40 Bytes. I would wish you enjoyment in your reading, but that is a given!

What a delightful book! "40 days and 40 bytes" was a reading assignment in a course I was taking. I was not looking forward to reading about networks, software, hardware, and gigabytes. But this book is written so clearly and with such humor that I read it in one sitting - and completely enjoyed it.

40 days and 40 bytes very logically goes through the steps necessary to design and implement a plan to introduce, or update the technology needs of a congregation. It is the perfect book for the novice and expert alike. The book covers the very basics including techno vocabulary without `talking down.' At the same time, it addresses the concerns of those with expertise in the technology field. The resources from books, companies, software, and internet sources are extremely helpful.

The information from the Center of Congregations based on real experience, and trial and error is invaluable. The book goes from the beginning planning stages, through implementation, training, support, and starting again. It gives valuable information on where churches need to put their money to insure that the technology put in place continues to function smoothly. In addition, the recommendation for continuing support and updating of equipment shifts the mindset of congregations from looking at computers and technology as large one time expenses. The fact that this information comes from a group that works with congregations and actually knows how they function validates their recommendations. The emphasis on beginning first with a team to discern the unique needs of the congregation makes so much sense. I personally identified at least 4 pitfalls that my congregation has already fallen into, which might have been avoided if we had read this book. I'm hopeful it will give the congregation a whole new way to approach the technological needs of the church.

This is the best book available on technology and congregations. The authors write in a practical, whimsical manner and the result is all kinds of useful information about computers and ministry. This book would be great for a technology team in a congregation. Or better yet, a governing board might use the book to enhance strategic mission by becoming more savvy about technology. The book includes chapters about worship and education software, congregational management software, and helps related to creating a technology plan. More and more congregations use technology as an instrument for important work. Read this book and learn how technology can strengthen the congregation you serve.

I am a training consultant and have a whole bookshelf of books like this. I find i come back to this one and "quick Teambuilding Activities for busy managers" over and over again. This one has GREAT activities that are so effective and relatively easy to use. All have a specific learning objective. Descriptions are easy to follow. But most importantly, the activities are truly wonderful. Puzzel, especially...if I had to give the author royalties everytime i used that activity, he'd be rich!

I have placed this book on the desks of all my managers and instructed them to follow it to the letter.

It has been instrumental in motivating under compensated employees into thinking they have a chance of achieving the American Dream. The "team" concept is brilliant!
This book is great for the high technology company trying to compete with low wage Asian labor.
The "team" concept of Rose & Buckley with show you how to motivate "team members" while paying them subsistence wages.

OUTSTANDING!

This book is outstanding. I have now facilitated several offsites company-wide and gained my popularity in doing so from Ed Rose's book! Sincerely, honestly. The interactive exercises he shares with you as a reader are excellent. I have received nothing but commendable feedback after each of my offsites when using his ideas. I highly recommend this book to those of you who facilitate annual offsites for your work teams. There is something in this book for every group and all team dynamics. This book will show you how to have a great time (lots of laughs and smiles and bonding) while really engraving a strong, memorable message in each and every persons head! My copy is lent out to people company-wide all the time. Trust me, this book is a keeper! Thank you Ed for writing such a valueable resource for us team-leaders!!! I truly appreciate your quality book.

Another great training resource from Ed Rose working with Steve Buckley. Practical exercises, well described, well illustrated, and full of additional trainer insights.

Dr. Brickey has done it again! "52 baby steps to Grow Young" has marvelous, easy-to-remember exercises to change your outlook on life, one for each week. I highly recommend this book to anyone needing to raise their spirits, put spring into their steps, and plan for a long future.

Reviewed by Mary Greenwood for Reader Views (7/06)

"52 Baby Steps to Grow Young", by Dr. Michael Brickey, is a 52-week program that gives a baby step of improvement for each week of the year. "52 Baby Steps To Grow Young" is a modern day sequel to the Tortoise and the Hare story.

Dr. Michael Brickey is a Board Certified psychologist who has written another book called "Defy Aging". He has studied Reverse Aging and has attempted to distill his knowledge into 52 lessons. His format is to list the step and ask "Why?" Then he gives a quote or two and then lists something humorous related to the topic. The reader goes on to the next step so that by the end of the year, the reader's life has improved dramatically. He uses the analogy of losing weight. Those who keep the weight off are the ones who lose it slowly because they developed good eating habits. As a reviewer, I did not have the luxury of taking a full year to read the book. I read it all in one sitting and my head is swimming with lots of good ideas. Since I am of a certain age, I gravitated toward those lessons concerning retiring.

Step 11 is Never Retire: He applies Winston Churchill's statement about never surrendering to retiring. Dr. Brickey says that if you cannot agree with that statement, then you must not be doing something you love.

Number 29 is Fear of Gray: Notice friends, politicians, and celebrities who have gray hair and look attractive, distinguished, handsome and/or beautiful. I have a lot of gray hair and am in a constant debate as to whether to let it stay gray. Most recently I saw Meryl Streep with a white hair-do in the movie, The Devil Wears Prada. She definitely looked attractive and beautiful. Maybe I will keep it gray.

Number 30- Longevity Icons: Pick an icon that represents vital longevity and choose it for your personal longevity icon. He suggests the Phoenix or the Energizer Bunny. I picked the Energizer Bunny. It exemplified my Mom (90) and Dad (91) who keep on going and going despite life's obstacles.

What I liked about the book was that it was humorous and provocative. It is easy to understand each step and dig into the topic of the week. This book is targeted to Baby Boomers who are rethinking how we age and retire. "52 Baby Steps to Grow Young" is an easy way to think about making small positive changes. Dr. Brickey talks about vitamins, exercise, humor, resiliency, happiness, and death. There is definitely something for everyone. The Tortoise wins every time!

Dr. Michael Brickey gives excellent advice in his "52 baby steps to Grow Young". By taking a baby step each week, many will grow in self discipline, gain a new attitude and enjoy a
better life. Dr. Brickey's clear instructions will definitely help those who truly want to change old habits.

Lura Zerick, author of Getting Older and Enjoying It!

I really enjoyed reading this book. Not only is it easy to read and understand, but as we start living longer, it is very important to keep your mind and body in shape. This book gives usefull information on how to do this.

Our body system is nature's most perfect creation, balanced by intricate systems of feedback and communication. Our personal lives and organizational lives are often devoid of feedback; somehow we have lost these essential skills. This book teaches us how to become Aware of our Behavior and its Consequences through an eloquent description of how healthy feedback can change us personally and corporately. As a Family Physician and teacher of Family Physicians, I am certain that the ability to give and receive feedback promotes more healthy relationships. This is the essence of sustainable growth and change. We all have the power to change ourselves and this book is a good way to start that process!

The authors summarize their vast experience teaching executives how to give feedback to others...whether they be subordinates or equals. What needs to be fed back? How to "package" that feedback? What barriers keep us from trying? Why do we all think we are good at this basic function, when most of us are miserable and uncomfortable at it? This guidebook tells us how to do it and more importantly, tell us why we must. It stimulates and challenges and ends up inspiring us. It makes it fun. Our professional life is like our personal life. We have a duty to make others better and more productive. We need to invite others to help us to improve. Without feedback, there is no learning. Without constant learning, we stagnate. If we stagnate, our life was not worth living. So this book helps us to be better human beings. Read this book, then reread it. It's like a fine wine, getting richer with age.

As a consultant and trainer, I found "The ABC's of Effective Feedback" to be so very useful to all my work in Career Development. I have advised all 35 trainers who work with me to read it so they can use its gems of wisdom in their delivery as well.

This book could easily have been retitled: what I really should have learned in medical school about effective communication...but never did. The authors present an effective framework for not only learning basic communication skills, but for understanding the more fundamental behaviors which drive our language and communications. Always balancing their message with a caring, sensitive clinical perspective, (including several "right on target" examples) their message should hit home with every physician and caring professional who chose the healing arts as a labor of love, passion, caring and commitment. All too often, in today's healthcare environment financial pressures seem to take us further away than ever from the patient...changing us from patient advocate to adversary. The frustration is further heightened by the sense that "nobody really listens to us anymore." This book lays out a coherent, comprehensive, and compassionate approach to communication which, at its best, should enable and empower us to hear and be heard more effectively - not only with our patients, but with our colleagues, other healthcare industry leaders, and our families. I heartily recommend this book!!!

Great tool! The cards really work to help people talk about inclusivity and the issues that people don't want to say out loud in a group. I was surprised how fast people really got into it. The book has a very simple process to follow. Later, I used it myself and almost had fun figuring out what is wrong with our business environment.

You don't need more meetings or brainstorming sessions to identify what needs to be done and what the issues are. Leaders of the future need to enable themselves and their teams to work successfully among people with differences. Debbe Kennedy has heard it all, collected the best ideas and solutions, and has prepared this easy to use and understand tool kit. It allows you to get to work, start talking and build a deeper understanding of people. Most managers and human resource professionals do not know how to tackle the subject of diversity and inclusion and let their own sensitivities and lack of knowledge and experience get in the way. The Action Dialogues will more than get you started and keep you talking and thinking and doing.

Debbe Kennedy's newly released "Action Dialogues" is a BREAKTHROUGH in and of itself. I say this because I feel that Debbe has broken new ground and is helping to shape the future of how we will use books as tools, not just as repositories of ideas. It is so much more than a book. It is a Tool, Reference, a source of Inspiration and a Catalyst for change in organizations, not to mention that the process laid out is customizable, flexible, accessible, fun and action-oriented. The cards themselves are amazing - they convey the spirit of diversity and inclusion through their simple design and powerful use of graphics and quotes. The categories(leadership, culture, involvement, staffing & development, strategies & measures and business) listed on the bottom corner of each card let you perform a quick assessment of where the balance of your issues reside. My initial use of the tool confirmed my gut-feel --- and helped me craft the key message that I wanted to share with our leadership team. I was able to communicate what was working, what wasn't working and what we could do about it!

When I first opened the box and began working with the book and the companion card deck, I instantly felt empowered to take action. I have now used "Action Dialogues" to prepare for and execute a dialogue with a small group of leaders focused on a key culture change project. In addition to testing this powerful new tool in the corporate setting, I have also found it to be a great way to open conversations in both non-profit and public sector environments. In one instance, a particular card and the associated issu and quote really hit a nerve with a collegue who works for a city in Northern California. We used that one issue to build around it a focused dialogue session. There are no complex theories that need to be grasped or detailed preparation. If you have a issue that needs to be discussed and you have been putting it off because you don't feel comfortable facilitating the necessary dialogue - don't wait. Buy this book. It will take you by the hand and show you step by step how to be successful and get busy changing the world!

I found this tool -- not just a book -- to be useful far beyond bringing diversity and leadership to the workplace. The structure is straightforward. The knowledge and process to unlock talent in my company got my interest. The results made me a believer. Leadership is demonstrated from a diversity of perspectives. Thank God for authors and leaders like Debbe Kennedy, Joel Barker and Francis Husselbein for cutting through the rhetoric and giving us real help.

In a vicious attack, mercenary Dorik Harbin destroys a major human habitat, then turns his weapons on an ore hauler, sending its captain in one direction and his family on a long elliptical orbit through space. Captain Victor Zacharias is soon rescued, but his efforts to track his family down are stopped--no one believes they could have survived. Meanwhile, his wife and two children attempt to survive a multiyear journey through the asteroid belt and even into Jupiter's orbit.

An alien artifact wakes mercenary Harbin to what he's done and he attempts a form of restitution, becoming a priest and scouring the asteroid belt for the bodies of mercenaries killed in the war. Accompanying him is sculptor Elverda Apacheta, who's also been transformed by the artifact. Unfortunately for the two of them, space tycoon Martin Humphries has decided that all evidence of the alien artifact, most especially Harbin (who now goes as Dorn) and Elverda must be eliminated. Which brings in mercenary Kao Yuan--in charge of a small fleet tracking Dorn and Elverda. Finally, the end of the asteroid wars has created a business salvaging the many ships destroyed during the conflict. Some of the ships conducting salvage operations aren't too concerned about whether the ships they find really are unoccupied--they're happy to take care of that, by force if necessary.

Author Ben Bova weaves together these plot elements into a story that spans the asteroid belt and multiple years, as well as tying up story lines created in the earlier novels in this series. By picking Theo Zacharias (teenage son of Victor) as one of his protagonists, Bova creates a story line that will remind SF fans of some of the early Heinlein space opera novels, although Bova also links in more adult issues (including rape and murder).

Bova's near-future apocalyptic view of human life on earth serves as a warning to readers who'll heed it, but in this novel, he appropriately relegates social issues to the background. Bova's strong point has never been his characterization, but in THE AFTERMATH, he does develop several interesting characters--characters with a bit of complexity to them. I especially liked Dorn/Harbin.

THE AFTERMATH is the fourth book in THE ASTEROID WARS series but the earlier novels really aren't necessary for an appreciation of this superior work. For me, this is the best book in the series.

Ben Bova has written a thrilling conclusion to his Asteroid Wars Series.

Dorik Harbin, a mercenary hired by Martin Humphries to kill Lars Fuchs, has just destroyed the Chrysallis habitat orbiting Ceres. Over 1100 rock rats were killed in Harbin's merciless attack. After the attack, Harbin noticed that another ship, the Syracuse, had witnessed everything. Syracuse is inhabited by Victor Zacharias, his wife Pauline, and two children, Theo and Angela. Victor makes his living hauling ore from the belt back to Ceres. Still in a killing rage, Harbin accuses Victor and his family of hiding Lars Fuchs. Despite their pleas to the contrary, Harbin is convinced and attacks Syracuse. Realizing what is happening, Victor escapes from the ship in the escape pod, trying to draw Harbin away from Syracuse, but leaving his family to fend for themselves. Fortunately, they survive, but at what cost? The ship is badly damaged and Victor has left. Now, Theo, Angela, and Pauline must fend for themselves.

After drifting through space for several months, Victor is rescued by a very seductive woman named Cheena Madagascar. Victor is taken back to Ceres aboard Cheena's ship, where he gets a job working on building the new habitat, but he longs to find his family. Soon, he comes up with a plan.

In the intervening time, Harbin and sculptress Elverda Apacheta have jointly discovered an artifact with mythical powers to change and transform people. Harbin, who tried unsuccessfully to kill himself, has now become a half-human, half-machine cyborg. When he sees the artifact, he is transformed from the murderer he once was into a sympathetic priest. He calls himself Dorn, and has vowed to find every body floating in the solar system left for dead after battles and give them proper burials. Elverda has decided to accompany him.

However, Martin Humphries wants to make sure no one finds out about how his encounter with the artifact affected him, so he's sent out Kao Yuan, another mercinary, to find and eliminate Dorn and Elverda. Also aboard Kao's ship is Tamara Vishinsky and in the end, it is her that seems to wield the real power.

Back aboard Syracuse, after many long months alone, it appears Theo has devised a plan to get him and his family back to Ceres before their supplies run out. But, they are visited by Valker and his crew. They are scavengers who overtake supposedly deserted ships and sell them for profit at Ceres. Unfortunately for Pauline and Angie, it appears that Valker and his men have more on their mind than salvage. Will Victor somehow manage to find his family before its too late? What will become of Dorn and Elverda?

I've read each book in the Asteroid Wars series, and I rate this one as the best. The last 75-100 pages fly by as the action is fast-paced and exciting. Bova has done his best work with this book.

I give this book my highest recommendation. The Asteroid Wars series is loaded with action and characters that the reader grows to like (or hate). Read this exciting book and series and experience science fiction at its very best.

Bova once again shines with this book. It is a great read and puts into place many pieces of the puzzle created by the various books of the grand tour of the solar system that Bova has been writing in recent years.

Bova's ability to weave together science fact and science fiction comes across strongly as events set in motion play out over a period of years to bring the key characters together in the conclusion of the novel and the series.

I can't add much to the enthusiastic review by Harriet Klausner except to make a correction - Dorn is not a 'ruthless cyborg' but is in fact reformed in mind and (literally) body. He is trying to atone for the grievous sins committed as his former persona of Dorik Harbin and tries desperately to avoid violence.

The Asteroid Wars (see THE PRECIPICE, THE ROCK RATS, and THE SILENT WAR) are for now over as a fragile cessation of hostility has occurred. In this tentative solar system peace, Victor Zacharius ekes out a living by carrying ore between planets on his vessel the Syracuse. His family travels with him.

However, misfortune hammers at the Zacharis brood when he inadvertently steers the Syracuse towards Chrysalis during a military assault led by former merciless commander Dorik Harbin now a ruthless cyborg Dorn; who is tied by the ancient artifact to sculptor great Elverda Apacheta. They search for the dead to bury them while the Viking with Martin Humphries, also under the artifact's power, seeks to destroy them. Meanwhile Cheena Madagascar rescues Victor, but at what cost as the various ships converge with the ancient artifact seemingly in control of everyone.

The fourth Asteroid War tale continues the saga although a tentative peace has ended the hostilities. The story line is fast-paced as the ships begin an encounter that will change much more than just those on board. Although the ending seems off kilter for this action-packed outer space thriller, fans will appreciate Ben Bova's Grand Tour of the solar system.

Harriet Klausner

Wow, all my Internet research seems to be right here in one book!
Thanks!

This book has something for everyone about the world of chocolate. If you want to know more about chocolate history or how chocolate is made, it's here. If you want to know where to find the best chocolate in the world, it's also here. This book makes a great travel guide for chocolate afficionados. You can find where to learn more about chocolate and where the nearest chocolate festival or museum is. This book makes a great gift for your chocolate-loving friends and family, as well as a great gift for yourself. All the information and fun facts about chocolate are located in an easy-to-manage paperback book at a great price.

I read my friend's copy of this book. Covers history of chocolate, chocolate around the world, locations of chocolate festivals and events in the USA, explains the different kinds of chocolate, chocolate terms (like bloom, tempering, etc...), chocolate recipes, and even shows listings on the web of where you can find chocolate information. I think it's an interesting book for this sort of general information

Carole Bloom knows all about chocolate and is willing to share it. A compendium of fact and highly educated opinion about the world of chocolate. Dependable and indispensable. It even includes a chapter on other books about chocolate, including fiction, which is the only thing this book is not. In that realm, Bloom and I recommend BITTERSWEET JOURNEY, A Modestly Erotic Novel of Love, Longing & Chocolate.