Clouds Books

As a former Southern Baptist, I can thank Brother Cloud for his accurate and timely report. There are "pockets of resistance" to the liberalism in the SBC, but all too few. What drove me from the SBC was its weak stand on many issues that Brother Cloud brings out in his book. Is this a salvation issue, NO! Is this a seperation issue, YES! Keep exposing liberalism.

Regardless of those who personally attack others for standing for the truth at all costs, David Cloud has done an excellent job in bringing the truth about the SBC (Southern Baptist Convention) to the surface.

What is at stake? Many claim that they are following Christ, but yet deny him by their lifestyle. Believers like Paul, Peter, John and others today, including David Cloud love others so much, that they speak the truth. The fact is, there are deceivers among us, and loving others is sharing with them about who the deceivers are so that others will not be lead astray. (Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.) People purchase smoke detectors, alarms, and other protection devices, but yet, don't consider a protection device for their soul. Deceivers are among us believers, but do you know if you are being deceived? By definition, to be deceived you have no idea you are deceived, you believe you are in truth and correct. But, when those expose error and compromisers, people hate them.

The fact is, the redeemed children of Israel in the wilderness praised Abraham and persecuted Moses. The people of God in the days of the kings praised Moses and persecuted the prophets. The court of Caiphas, the high priest, praised the prophets and persecuted Jesus. The church of the popes praised the Saviour and persecuted the saints; and multitudes now, both in the church and the world, applaud the courage and fortitude of the patriarchs and prophets, the apostles and martyrs, but condemn as stubbornness or foolishness the same faithfulness in standing for truth today.

Read this book and others by David W. Cloud and you will be blessed. Most importantly, read the Word of God; and if you love God. (1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.)

David Cloud is a [...] leader in the "KJV-Only" movement. I have read this work and many others by Cloud (their contents are all available for free on the web), and they are all deceptive. They use the best techniques of pseudo-science: selective use of quotations, outdated studies, etc. The methodology of this and other works by Cloud is similar to Holocaust Denial, Flat Earthism, UFOlogy, and every other wacky piece of "documented evidence" out there.

Cloud is threatened by the SBC because he fears that many independent Baptists - a group he preys upon with his KJV-Only doctrine - will join the SBC. Once they do that, they won't be open to be manipulated by him, Peter Ruckman, D.A. Waite, and all his other doctrinally-aberrant, sub-Christian cohorts. They'll stop buying his books, and stop sending him money.

Here's the crux of his argument - a study in the 1960s showed that seminary students were being led to doubt their faith by liberals in the SBC's seminaries. These same seminary students must have become SBC pastors, and are still out there, preaching liberalism in the SBC.

Nonsense. The SBC definitively rejected any form of liberalism; their 2000 Baptist Faith and Message is so conversative that it's better labeled "Fundamentalist" than "Evangelical." Liberals have opted out - they're in the CBF. Of course, Mr. Cloud does not distinguish between the CBF and the SBC, and he's more than happy to harp on the CBF as if that proves the SBC is liberal.

The Independent Baptist movement was a failure. It led to nothing but the degeneration and doctrinal decay of northern Baptists. With folks like Brad Phelps of God Hates Fags and Greg Dixon of the Indianapolis Baptist Temple now claiming the spotlight for independent Baptists, it's time for all northern Baptists to re-evaluate their polity and re-join our brothers in partnership, mission, and the Great Commission. That doesn't mean we should join the SBC - it's too Southern. But there are the Baptist General Conference, the North American Baptist Conference, Conservative Baptists, the GARB, and literally dozens of conservative, evangelical denominations that can be excellent homes for our congregations, and help keep us all safe from WOLVES like David Cloud, Gail Riplinger, Sam Gipp, et. al.

In doing research for a book about Biblical Community Life, I purchased this tome as a reference in regard to a group dynamic that would keep believers focused on a discipleship model of becoming accountable. After all, the title led me to believe that the authors would convince me I'm personally responsible for my behavior. I should have known better. As a recovering psychiatric professional, I had become "burned out" over the unremitting emphasis in psychiatric and psychological circles about only one truth -- me, me, me. I expected that a "Christian" book about personal responsibility (about which I wrongly thought this thesis was directed) would help redirect any inertia in a self-centered plane in a new direction. Sigh... I'm sad to say that the good psychologists were very short on Biblical foundations, and big on personal opinion that waxed on and on the in the usual patient-centered narcissism found in most psychobabble related writings. For instance, on page 139 the authors claim that my financial goals should be directed at first paying myself each month, whereas a Biblical approach would first have me paying the Creator his 10%+ out of my gross earnings. And on it goes with the worn-out, TV evangelist-like themes of reaching my goals, making my dreams real, and other shop-worn mottos bandied over the airwaves of the so-called "name and claim it" faith crowd.

True Biblical counseling, as taught by Jay Adams and others who are faithful to their roots in Holy Writ, never stops beating on the G-dly themes of loving G-d and loving my neighbor...first. Even after years of revolution in Christian publishing with the production of untold essays teaching the Biblical priorities of G-d first, family second, and all others third, Townsend and Cloud have failed to even remind us how our families are involved in reaching for our dreams.

"It's Not My Fault" is incorrectly classified under the Christian label on the bookstore shelf. It would be better marketed as a manager's tool for reaching financial success and one's personal objectives in the climb up the corporate ladder. This book is about self and selfishness. The accountability to one's mentors is not taught as one tool of sanctification to help me reach higher in levels of holiness. This is a pop psychology thesis wholly (not "holy") directed toward the usual overriding theme of what I want for me, now.

Very sad.

I don't think I realized I was making excuses. After all, I had many VALID REASONS for my poor performance in many areas. But this book helped me immensely to understand that even when I have valid reasons (and sometimes invalid ones) there is still only one way to solve the problem, and that is to tackle it head on. This book gave me lots of useful, easy to understand tools for overcoming long-standing difficulties. Since I read the book last February, I've lost 25 pounds, improved my career, my parenting, and have begun making progress in many other areas which have proven difficult for me for years. I love this book and actually, I've already read it three times!

I was a little hesitant about this book when I was first told about it. I mean really "It's Not My Fault" was not my motto in life, but a good friend had read it and shared that it would be good read for me. After reading just the first few chapters I realized that many of the things I blamed (not realizing I was blaming) on my childhood, teachers, even my pastors were things that I could change now for myself and stop this blaming game. I really think everyone should read this book, be it for yourself or to better understand those around you it is a win-win read.

Loving Peruvian textiles and having visited many exhibits in museums, I was very disappointed at the extensive use of blue and blue-green in the clothing. The Inkas used only natural dyes including indigo but not mostly the textiles were reds, golds, oranges and browns. I wouldn't use this book with students. An excellent book on Peru's textiles - though not a child's book - is "Hidden Threads of Peru" Rowe and Cohen. These are not ancient textiles, but they do show a Peruvian choice of color.

This book is a delight. The vivid colors and imagination are what separate this book from your typical, dry non-fiction children's book. Obviously, the Inkas had access to all of the colors of nature(not just earthy colors as some might think) and no piece of faded cloth can tell the true story. Just like the Sistine Chapel, the Inka garments were once vibrating with color. The building of Machu Picchu speaks volumes - they had supreme skills in the area of art and design. Highly recommended to students and adults alike.

I received this book as a gift and it is simply beautiful!If you want to know about the Incas read this book,or just look at the pictures...exquisite!

For the last 10 years, I have been using the tarot as a tool in my life. Although I have read many books about the Tarot (ranging from the history of Tarot to its use and interpretation), Toni Gilbert's Messages From the Archtypes is the first book to give me clear insight into how the archetypal imagery impacts my own psycological, emotional, and spiritual growth. Now I understand why the Tarot, its images and symbolism first intigued me and I am consciously using this new found awareness to deepen my own readings into lasting healing experiences. I recomend this book to anyone who has a connection with the Tarot and wishes to deepen their relationship with this form of divination. In fact, I have already given the book to several friends.

The term 'Tarot' most often raises an image--for those of us who have had little or no experience with the ancient technique of interpreting archetypal art on cards--of gypsy fortune tellers dressed in gaudy clothes and primitive jewelry.

But I was pleasantly surprised by Toni Gilbert's book, Messages from the Archetypes: Using Tarot for Healing and Spiritual Growth: A Guidebook for Personal and Professional Use. She illustrates how a modern, educated and 'regular' person can benefit from the symbolic art of Tarot.

I found it enlightening that Tarot can be used by professional healers and counselors to help people articulate deeply personal issues that may not have been previously evident. Gilbert's book helped me understand the value of Archetypes in the human experience, how they relate to me as an individual, and more important, how to use the information to access my own personal issues.

Toni Gilbert seems quite intuitive and really devoted to helping clients. She has been able to amplify her professional skills through the use of tarot and this is commendable. Tarot is an excellent tool for empowerment and personal transformation. However, Messages from the Archetypes fails to give us a real view on how her technique can be transferred to the client. Her examples are quite limited and there is no real follow up.
The Dream Work chapter has the old example used by so many dream analysts about Daniel and Nabuchadnezar and doesn't even elaborate on the excellent use of tarot to clarify or amplify dreams. Dream incubation is not mentioned at all, except in a brief appendix and she sticks to traditional meanings of the cards as described by so many tarotists before her. She, therefore, doesn't really add anything new in this book. She never tells us how the clients eventually empower themselves after their session(s)or how they can work on their own to tap into the wisdom of the "archetypes." In fact, she never really gives the clients enough archetypes to work with. She suggests, but really there is no convincing follow up. The examples that she includes in the readings she does with clients are from either Osho Zen or The Voyager decks, but she continually applies the "traditional" meanings to the cards, using definitions from the Rider Waite deck instead of allowing the archetypes to speak for themselves. This is very irritating and takes too much from the intention of the book. Then, the last chapters are just rehashed meanings of what she calls Upper and Lower Levels for each card, trying to fit all these archetypes into loose transpersonal psychology definitions. She tells us that she doesn't "give much credence to reverse cards," but doesn't tell us how just by drawing one card she can determine if she should apply the "primitive" or the "refined" interpretation and guess what, she uses, of course, the Rider Waite tarot deck pictures and meanings. Also, the book could use some editing. Too many typos. It's a shame.

You are better off buying the Seventy Eight Degrees of Wisdom by Rachel Pollack or the Forest of Souls, or any book by Mary Greer.

I liked this book a lot. I really enjoyed "Shelter From the Storm" too and was glad to get the story on that mysterious man who shows up with Angelina at the end of that book. Now Angie has her own story and I enjoyed reading it! Good intrigue and storyline along with character development. I keep looking for Cheryl to write about the other two guys who work with Angie and Josh so, Cheryl, if you're reading this... hint, hint, wink, wink!

Wow, this was a fun one to write. I don't quite know how to post my own comments about it! LOL! So I have to post as a reader!

I have to say I had a lot of help from friends in Australia. But it still sounds, I'd bet, a bit crazy. I was informed that really, Shiela wasn't a term to use anymore refering to a girl. Oh dear! Isn't it funny when you research and research how it works. There is always something that one says yeah, and another says no! LOL!

I want to thank my Aussie friends for their help. It meant a lot. This was more of a suspense than a romance, as you will find out in it. I have to say it's up for an RT Reviewer Choice award, which pleased me.

Some books just earn awards. Best Christmas, Shelter From the Storm, and this one are the main ones. ALmost all of my Texas series were finalists.

But, I am exploring suspense with this line and would love feedback on the book from anyone who'd like to comment!

I am thinking of taking a turn into the mystery, back to my original silly slapstick books (This Side of Paradise), but this book is definitely supposed to be suspense.

The ideas I had came from some online reports I'd read in a paper that I found interesting about current technology and soon to be technology.

God bless. Enjoy

The first love inspired novel I read was by Cheryl, and after that she quickly became my favorite author of all the writers for steeple hill, but I have to say that this isn't one of her best. The action happens way too fast, as does the romance, though I can't really fault her for the romance part, as I've found all romances of this type happen like that--which is why I don't read many romance novels any more! The story just feels rushed to me.

Another problem I have is that her main character surrendered to God way too easily and quickly, and forgave her brother too easily. Someone with that much independence, self-reliance, stubbornness, and anger and bitterness would take a lot more than that!

I just couldn't really get into the character's heads in this one--they felt flat and distant, and I just couldnt' get drawn into the story, couldn't really see what was going on, and this is all criteria that I use to judge a good book. If you like the love inspired stories and Cheryl, then go ahead and read this, but I'd really recommend her Hill Creek stories or her first novel (and still my favorite!) A Matter of Trust--these stories have a much better build up in suspense and action, and much better written characters.

The book could be subtitled "Look at Me, I'm a Zen Rebel". It's annoying and tedious. Not suprising when someone who's job it is to make you believe you need stuff you don't tries to sell you on his enlightenment. Better to try "Triumph of the Sparrow: Zen Poems of Shinkichi Takahashi".

This book is for every person who seeks balance amidst the hectic chaos of life. The author provides a humorous and dynamic example of how one can live life boldly and lustfully in this rush-hour world and still seek enlightenment and calmness of mind. Ken Taub's ability to find humor and humility in the telling of his own journey will resonate with anyone who has ever been a rebel at heart, yet wishes to find the middle path.

This book is really great. Ken's writing style is alive, vibrant, exciting, and engaging. I enjoyed it from cover to cover. It really struck a chord for me, and I think it will for millions of other spritual seekers., as Ken has brilliantly integrated ancient wisdom into modern day America. Awesome book!

I would simply like to point out that the 5 star review that Ernest Coose provided is totally biased. The fact that he is the father of the author completely INVALIDATES the merit of his comments. As someone who knows the author, albeit not well, I can say that this book, if anything like the author herself, will be too ridiculous to read. My advice...take your money and buy something else.

This a story about love, deception, greed, lust and...unbridled enthusiasm. The way I see it, the main character (Erika) is a simple country boy. You might say a cockeyed optimist, who got mixed up in the high stakes game of world diplomacy and international intrigue.

What follows next is a breathless rollercoaster of a ride that leads to boffo ending of the highest order. I found myself unable to pry the word pictures out of my mind. A fun time was had by all.

It's an amazing story of life, love, and adventure as three young girls take a trip to places that they would have never imagined. They defeat an arsonist, and take on corruption in the highest level of the government. It's really is stunning. Try it for yourself.

The Loeb Classical Library features the original Greek texts that remain for both of these comedies by Aristophanes and is obviously of great benefit to those who actually read Greek and are interested in playing with the translation in the hopes of arriving at a better understanding of these plays, their author and the time in which they were performed. The "Acharnians" is one of the earliest extant plays of Aristophanes, the winner of first prize at the festival when it was produced in 425 B.C. Dicaeopolis, a farmer tired of a war he considers to be stupid, decides to make an individual peace with the Spartans. However, before he can celebrate his private treaty, which allows him to trade for goods lacked by those in Athens, he is attacked by a chorus of Acharnian charcoal burners who support the war. The centerpiece of the comedy is Dicaeopolis's speech arguing the causes of the war are pretty stupid. This seriocomic speech, which is a parody of "Telephus" by Euripides, wins over half the chorus. Of course the other half immediately attacks them in a violent agon. The general Lamachus is called in to help, but Dicaeopolis destroys him with cutting arguments as well, and the chorus is united at the end to delivery Aristophanes's parabasis. Meanwhile, Discaeopolis has a drinking contest to attend, while Lamachus is sent back to the war. Pacificism and the folly of war are two recurring themes in the comedies of Aristophanes and both are explicit in the "Acharnians." It is also a good example of the standard format of a Greek comedy, at least as represented by the works of Aristophanes, including the giant party at the end.

The Knights," produced in 424 B.C., is clearly an all-out attack on Cleon, the leader of Athens after the death of Pericles. As related by Thucydides, earlier that year Cleon had induced the Spartans to propose peace. Consequently, Aristophanes opens the comedy with two slaves of the crotchety old Demos ("the people of Athens") dressed up to resemble the generals Demosthenes and Nicias. The two slaves complain about how everyone is picking on Paphlagon, a leather seller who is the favorite of Demos and clearly intended to be Cleon. The oracles tell that Paphlagon is going to be replaced by a sausage seller named Agoracritus. "The Knights" is a second-tier comedy by Aristophanes because it is devoted entirely to making fun of Cleon. Consequently, Aristophanes makes his point early on and by the time Agoracritus the sausage seller beats Cleon at this own game, the comic dramatist is beating a dead horse all the way into the ground. This comedy always struck me as being like a SNL skit that lasts the entire show. In the end Demos, rejuvenated by being stewed in a plot by Agoracritus, takes control and declares he will abolish all innovations and restore the old traditions.

This review is for the Focus Classical Library version of three Aristophanes plays: Acharnians, Lysistrata and Clouds. The good news is that they are not bowdlerized. The bad news is that the translator, Jeffrey Henderson, got way too funky and hip (ie, dated) with his translation. Characters say "man" and use words like "gimme", "wanna" and "a__hole". Some of this kind of thing is appropriate, especially in "Clouds", but the translator is trying so hard to be wacky that it becomes a major distraction. A large sum of money is refered to as "a million bucks" and so on. A good example of one way in which a translation can go awry.

Gus Ivy is retired and bored. He seems too young to be wasting away in Arizona just playing golf. When someone known to him is murdered he's suddenly dragged into a bizarre adventure centering around a unique book that has hidden clues that could lead to a fortune the likes of which he's never dreamed of. Throw in more murder and a mysterious girl and Gus shows us he's not afraid to get his hands dirty. Great characters and action packed.

Gus Ivy is seeking nothing more than a haircut from an old barber, but when the barber mentions an obscure Western novel that he has, Gus the book collector is interested, especially since the book is by one of Gus's favorite authors. No sooner does Gus obtain the book than the barber is murdered. It turns out that the book was a gift to a select group of soldiers from a wealthy man much of whose wealth appears to have been hidden to avoid allowing the government to take more than what he considered a fair share. The book, it seems, may be a cryptic treasure map, leading to an unspecified treasure. Gus is soon joined by Cassidy, a deaf woman who claims to be the granddaughter of the late creator of the puzzle. With the barber's killers chasing--and frequently finding--him, Gus may have to rely on Cassidy and she on him, but the salient question is whether he can trust her. She is definitely keeping secrets. Enter another woman who tries to seduce Gus at a casino and seems to show up rather too frequently, and Gus is not alone as he pursues the treasure, whatever it might be.

The idea of a book that hides the clues to a treasure map seems a natural for the mystery genre, many of whose books naturally challenge the reader to join along with the protagonist to solve the mystery. Certainly, that element is a draw in this novel, but it is, alas, one without a payoff since "Buried Lies" does not contain enough of the actual puzzle (or much at all) to allow the reader a chance of solving it. Indeed, once the characters begin to solve the puzzle, the reader has, quite literally, no chance to play along. In addition, it seems that the puzzle, once parts of it start to unravel, reveals itself too quickly.

Puzzle aside, the novel is fun, especially trying to figure out the relationship between Gus and Cassidy. (And here, the reader does indeed have a chance to guess along with the characters.) And once the trip begins in earnest, it really takes off, covering nearly half the width of a continent. From an old man's barbershop to a casino to the house of a Navajo elder, Gus is on a wild ride, one that includes a large dose of woo-woo (supernatural elements) that the characters rely on to solve the mystery, lots and lots of danger, and a Dean Koontz-size portion of companion dogs.

** spoilers **

Whilst the notion of a space cloud threatening life as we know it is far from an original one (as with the previous reviewer, I too was reminded of several Star Trek plots), Hammond builds the sense of anticipation skillfully enough to maintain the reader's interest. The change in humankind's perception of what was initially seen as a benign message from another civilisation into a threat of unparalelled magnitude was cleverly handled and reflects the complexity of the whole SETI business; whether we are alone in the universe or not, either way the concept is mind-boggling (and terrifying!).

So far so good!

Perhaps I'm being over picky here but my enjoyment of this yarn was somewhat compromised by a series of silly mistakes in the text. Claims made about the velocity of the cloud on its approach to Earth and of the plans to launch a nuclear assault upon it whilst it is still well beyond the solar system, simply don't add up! Furthermore, Hammond seems to be very inconsistent about the Earth's population; on page 288 he claims that 10% of the world's population equates to ten million people (!), whereas some 60 pages later 95% of the Earth's population has become the more realistic "billions".

You may also find that the politics grate a bit - cyberluddites triumphing over the big bad military wolf, whilst you play spot the similarity to other sci-fi novels (a clue: 2001 figures largely!).

The Cloud is worth finishing though. I've certainly read worse than this.

Ray Hammond puts his skills of future prognostication to work in his latest science-fiction novel The Cloud. The story is set in 2031 when SETI (The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) finally succeeds in detecting intelligent radio signals from space. The rest of the story takes place several decades later after earth broadcasts a response to the alien signal. At its most basic level, The Cloud is a moral lesson of what happens to the curious cat and poses the question: If there is intelligent life in the universe, is it such a good idea to announce our presence?

My criterion for judging a book is quite simple: Was I entertained? The short answer for this book is: YES. Mr. Hammond displays solid chops in styling and pacing. The storyline is underscored by a sense of urgency as a huge destructive space cloud closes in on earth. The urgency in the story becomes in essence, a central character in the story as it takes on the form of New York Times Articles chronicling the approach of the space cloud.

There is the derivative factor that is difficult to overlook. It's hard to find a work of science fiction that is not colored by the past works of other writers and the Cloud is no exception. From the first chapter to the last, I could not help but be reminded of either movies or books that I've read in the past. Deadly space cloud approaching earth: Star Trek the movie. Super intelligent computer personality that rebels against its creator: 2001 Space Odyssey. Even the ending brings to mind Douglas Adams. But where such implication might have rendered other books unreadable, Ray Hammond utilizes not-so-unique plot elements to string together a compelling and thought-provoking narrative.

At times I felt that the story was rushed, important events glossed over in a few sentences, and pivotal questions regarding the nature of the space cloud were answered far to late in the story. There are other points to the story which I would have liked seen elaborated on, but its impossible to discuss them without giving away details of the book. Overall, I really enjoyed The Cloud and recommend it to Amazon readers.