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With my free time getting more and more limited as I get older, I really enjoy reading short stories. Hill's previous "Debut Tour" was perfect for me due to it's mixture of heavy metal and sci-fi. Here he goes for the vampire/detective genre and it too is written in the first person. I like this one also because he we can really feel what the character feels. He gives enough details so that my imagination can paint a picture without having it painted for me. I recommend any of Gary Hill's short stories (even if you have enough time for a novel).

"Your Red Scarf Matches Your Eyes, You Close Your Cover Before Striking, and Loving You Has Made Me Bananas...." For the graphic artist or just fans of the visually arresting, there are some supurb images in this publication. Chronicle Books put out a book two or three years later called MATCHBOOK ART by Yosh Kashiwabara which is a nice compliment to this Abbeville Book. The Steel/Heimann book was published at a time when Abbeville was putting out a fun, funky series on American Pop culture - John Margolies MINATURE GOLF book, and the Dyer/Spark book FIT TO BE TIED: VINTAGE TIES OF THE FORTIES & EARLY FIFTIES, all of which are useful references for those in the (or into) arts/applied arts field/popular culture/or mid-century americana. The breakdown of categories in CLOSE COVER BEFORE STRIKING works well, the text (which is sparse) is very readable, and the page layout is attractive. I'd say that it would be a fine addtion to any bookshelf.

Near unto God written by Abraham Kuyper paraphrased by James C. Schaap.

This is a devotional originally written by the Dutch theologian and politician Abraham Kuyper. I first heard of Kuyper when reading the October 2002 issue of Tabletalk. In an article written by R.C. Sproul he describes Kuyper's theology as being only bound by God: "all thought must be brought into subjection of the sovereignty of God", "All of culture was to be under God's sovereignty", "One's knowledge is related to God or it ignores Him". This devotional is not full of inspirational stories or tidbits of cleverness. The author does attempt to sell self improvement or spiritual health. Yes the book deals with the Christian walk; obedience to God's Will, proper Christian prayer, perspective on being part of the Christian body, and true godly worship. Yes it is about God and you, but the emphasis is on the plural you; the Christian as part of the body of Christ or the invisible church. He is talking about the communal part of the corporate church, true believers, and God. God is the focal point, I as the individual or the church as a whole clearly is not the priority. My relationship with God only comes into focus when I remember who God is. A great portion of the devotion quotes from the psalms. This work deals with sin, heaven, hell, God's creation, and the characteristics of God. A god centered devotional.

This particular edition of Near unto God is a paraphrased edition. John Devries translated an edition in 1918. John Devries translated several works written by Abraham Kuyper. James C. Schaap wrote Kuyper's work into today's English. Names of some of the historic figures have been changed. I know this because these people came into fame after Devries originally translated the work. Some innovations also postdate the original work. James C. Schaap is a devotional writer. Dr. Hans Boersma a theologian who is a professor at Trinity Western University, who has been appointed to the J.I. Packer chair at Regent college and an author of many theological subjects; published his 680 translation titled to Near unto God in 2005. This abridged edition contains 234 pages long. Below are the endorsements for the book on the book cover.

Abraham Kuyper's meditations - so simple and musical - heal the soul. They are songs in the night, and James Schaap has pitched them perfectly for a contemporary audience."
- CORNELIUS PLANTINGA,JR.
author of Not the Way It's Supposed to Be

''Abraham Kuyper's spiritual classic has long been a beloved guide into the presence of the Lord of the universe. Now James Schaap has blessed us all by deftly transposing it into the modern world. What a splendid gift!"
- LE\VIS B. SMEDES
author of The Art of Forgiving

"Theologian, statesman, dynamo founder of schools and churches, tireless newspaper editor - for Abraham Kuyper himself, however, something else was most important, namely the sinner's relationship to a loving God. These profound meditations, expertly modernized by James C. Schaap, allow Kuyper's own first things the priority they deserve." -MARKNOLL
author of The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind

With a sure hand and a passion for preserving the essential Kuyper,.-James C. Schaap has pared away the complex language of a century-old translation to reveal the heart of Kuyper's meditations in fresh, vivid words . . James C. Schaap is a professor of literature at Dordt College in Sioux center. Iowa, and the author of many novels, short stories, and devotional :books for young people.

I love this Audiobook and I find it very interresting to listen to. The author seems to have done his homework and seems unbiased in his search for answers on the U.F.O. and Alien Abduction phenomena. I would recomend this book to any one who is interrested in doing research into the U.F.O. phenomena who is open to any possibilities.

The novelisation of the movie, as people dream and are fascinated by an image of a geographical formation, and end up there for a first contact
situation. Music ends up playing an important role.

Libby Corbett is a high-powered attorney and she is now facing the case of her life. Her father David has been charged with contaminating the water at the Hopechest ranch. Libby knows that her dad is innocent, but she has a long way to go to prove it. It seems that Libby is alone in her fight until Rafe James enters the picture.

Rafe's brother River was in the first Colton series book (Beloved Wolf) and his sister Cheyenne was in yet another book (Wed to the Witness). Rafe lives on the Crooked Arrow Indian Reservation and is a private investigator. Rafe knows that David is a good man who has done many good things for the people living on the reservation. Rafe will do whatever he can to help Libby prove that her father is innocent. Rafe realizes that this case is more dangerous than he first thought. Rafe knows that he will protect Libby at all costs, but what he did not count on were his feelings for her. Rafe has had a very troubled childhood and does not feel that he can have a future with Libby. Unfortunately, it may take him almost losing Libby before he realizes what he is throwing away.

Many characters from the previous books in the Colton series show up again in this story. I look forward to Blake Fallon's story next (A Hasty Wedding).

I thought this was a very good book. The characters were well thought out and so was the plot. The only thing that I thought was missing was that the rape case happened in the past and was not discussed in great depth in the book. I felt that Stroud should have written more about it, as I feel it is a major part of the story, lending depth and emotions to the characters of the story.

Carsten Stroud really followed around NYPD cops and it shows. The main detective, (I cannot for the life of me remember the detective's name, I think it was Kennedy, so that's what I'll use) Kennedy, used [prostitutes] and undercover cops to help him with his cases, unlike most other novels where the main detective uses his oh-so wonderful investigative talents to solve cases within 2 days.

I ramble sometimes and become incoherent so I'll just reitterate here and try to be clear. I liked this book. It had realistic characters, and a good story....

Want to save some time in reviewing the literature for how to prevent church members from slipping out the back door? Read the project thesis which Alan Harre did for his Doctor of Ministry degree. He has done an excellent job of reviewing the literature.

Harre also lives up to his title in suggesting a way to close the back door of a local congregation. He has some significant steps to take which will change the paradigm of how the congregation cares for its members, especially those likely to leave.

Though the book is now out of print, it is worth finding and implementing. Harre does an unusual job of dealing with issues that are not symptomatic and surface matters. He addresses the need to change the way the congregation as a system deals with helping hurting people heal.

At the close of the book, Harre offers a training module to implement the strategies and tactics discussed earlier in the book. While the module may have to be adapted to fit the needs of the particular congregation, the sessions are more than worth the price of the book.

It is available in used book stores and can be found through various libraries. It should be republished.

A landowner with his head squarely on his shoulders, Byford writes beautifully of what responsible land management and conservation means in this day and age. Recommended.

This story will appeal to Holocaust survivors, to liberal religious thinkers, to local community and international activists, and yes, to ordinary thoughtful world citizens trying to order their lives according to their principles. In this "random walk" which is life, I was fascinated to read that while experiencing a long list of seemingly unrelated careers, Salinger always managed to stay true his vision of a world in which different people with different beliefs, skins, religions, and politics can be brought together to and communicate it to others. His quest is both a spiritual and political one, intensely personal in one sense, yet offering a viable model to many of us who struggle to figure out "what's it all about." We come to understand that living "close to the wind" is a fine metaphor for all who truly want to live deliberate lives dedicated in many small ways to the twin causes of peace and social justice.