Things checked out Sat 8 Aug 2009
1. The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich
2. Training the Samurai Mind edited by Thomas Cleary
3. The Wikipedia Revolution
4. Born to Run by James Grippando
5. Newton and the Counterfeiter by Thomas Levenson
6. Absolute Rage by Robert K. Tanenbaum
7. Seven Pounds DVD - Will Smith
8. First Do No Harm DVD - Meryl Streep
9. Idiots Guide to Renewable Energy
10. A couple of books on numbers that did not like
Took a while to watch both DVDs but they were well done. The Ketogenic diet in "First Do No Harm" comes up again - this time to cure epilepsy in some children - more or less true story - see Charlie Foundation.
The Accidental Billionaires is the history of facebook pioneers Eduardo Saverin and Mark Zuckerberg. Well written, but depressing in that the whole reason it got started was because two socially inept Harvaard nerds could not get dates. Zuckerberg screws all his friends and has no moral standards but ends up the richest billionaire in history by the time he is 25. Sums it up for me what the book said about his business card :
CEO --- Bitch!
The Wikipedia Revolution was fun and a good read and got me wiki-wiki interested!
Returned The Samurai Mind without reading - glance through it and was not attracted to it.
Born To Run - read about 147 Pages but could NOT get into it.
Newton and the Counterfeiter - looks good but did not read - returned but may get later
Any book that begins with Idiot's Guide to anything should be left to those it is addressed to!
Rechecked Absolute Rage. Another lawyer (Robert K. Tannebaum) who writes. Good writer, (not an Idiot's guide to anything!) good story, good color, and more words to collect. Karp the tall jewish all-american ex-basketball player loves the law and justice in that order. His beautiful - one eyed - with a mafioso mindset - loves justice and law in that order. Two precocios identical twins 10 yr old boys are brilliant but totally unlike each other - Zig and Zag. The older college age daughter, Lucy who speaks 57 languages is having her mind studied by Carnegie Mellon and MIT. She is the only Christian in the bunch as a practicing Catholic and somehow keeps her virginity inspite of great temptations! Well written and I have read some of his other stuff and may start reading all of his stuff soon.
Two books that I had on hold came in:
Medusa by Clive Cussler (with Paul Kemprecos) I imagine Paul Kemprecos is doing most of the writing but who knows. I has a great list of the Clive Cussler books borken into various series with his various co-authors. I have read most of the Dirk Pitt novesl but want to preview all the books and see what I may have missed or what is new to me. If you like adventure - you will like Cusslerr.
The Doomsday Key - by James Rollins. I have become a fan of this young writer. Born 1962 in Poland. An ex-Catholic. Really like his Authors' Note to the Readers: Truth or Fiction in his afterwords in which he explains some of the reasearch into his books and what things have a grain of truth and what is made up. Usually lists other books to back-up some of his research. A good story write who out Dan Brown's Dan Brown as far as I am concerned. Fairly prolific. I plan reading all his stuff.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
SPY by Ted Bell
OK. I started it last night - 27 May 2009. On page 14 of 483 pages. Most notable thing so far is a guy from Belize wearing a shirt that says: You Better Belize It!
More to come....
More to come....
What I have been reading
I have NOT been writing on my blog. I have been reading quite a bit. Mainly fiction. I like to escape from the "real world" I finally finished reading all of Robert B. Parker's Spenser series.
For a little review of 2008 fiction wise:
1. Nov - The Last Oracle - James Rollins
2. Dec - Sandstorm - James Rollins
For 2009: So far - as of 28 May 2009 (roughly in this order)
1. Naked Prey - John Sanford - a bit gritty even for me!
2. Now & then - Robert B. Parker
3. King Solomon's Mines
4. Pale King & Princes - Parker
5. Walking Shadow - Parker
6. The Widening Gyre - Parker
7. Catskill Eagle - Parker
8. Zero Option - P.T. Deutermann
9. Spider Mountain - P.T. Deutermann
10. Bright Futures - Suart M. Kaminsky - Lew Fonesca is back!
11. Plague Ship - Clive Cussler (and Jack DuBrul - maybe all him?)
12. Spook - Bill Ponzinni (The nameless detective - named Bill ?)
13. Blood Relatives - Ed McBain
14. Genesis Code - John Case
15. Promise Me - Harlan Coben
Gave up on McNally's Dilemma by Lawrence Saunders - too cute for me!
Also Non-fiction wise, I have looked at:
Robert B. Parker Companion - Dean James & Elizabeth Foxwell
(a few good things and a lot of filler, good resource list in back)
Pain Free - Pete Egoscue
I keep trying to read a little on:
1. Reasons for Faith - by Kyle Oliphint
2. Christ Centered Preaching - Bryan Chappel
Have lost my momentum on Oliphint - wish he would just get to the point!
In danger of loosing it on Chappel's book
It appears I found a few new authors I want to read more of:
1: James Collins - already had read a few - out Dan Brown's Dan Brown
2. P.T. Deutermann
3. Harlan Coben
4. John Case - pseudonym for husband / wife team
I buy a few books, but library books take priority. So I am reading James Collins's
Amazonia on the side because I bought it for a dollar and am half way through. I like it, but like I said Library books take priority. Why can't I quit checking them out for a while!!!
Also Geraldine Branom of Commerce (96) gave me a copy of her favorite mystery writers and loaned me a sleuth book where the detective is a Rabbi and solves his crimes using logic of the Talmud. Have NOT tried it yet...
My masseuse asked me how many books I read a year. My estimate is around 50, but I really don't know. I just know I want to be reading something most every day. I am a slow reader.
I am going to quit making promises or predictions, but I think it would be cool if I would start documenting each book as I read it and note when I started and finished and make note of some of the things I write down from each book.
For example I learned the following from my reading this year:
POSH = Port Out, Starboard Home - Comes from the days when the well-to-do on their trips on ships between Britian and India would request cabins on the side shaded from the sun. So that is how we got POSH.
BOLO = Be On Look Out - you hear it NCIS a lot too.
Movies - really disliked: No Country For Old Men
Really highlights existentialism of todays culture - especially the ending
The villian did have a unique faithfulness to his philosophy
But overall = YUK, YUK, YUK
For a little review of 2008 fiction wise:
1. Nov - The Last Oracle - James Rollins
2. Dec - Sandstorm - James Rollins
For 2009: So far - as of 28 May 2009 (roughly in this order)
1. Naked Prey - John Sanford - a bit gritty even for me!
2. Now & then - Robert B. Parker
3. King Solomon's Mines
4. Pale King & Princes - Parker
5. Walking Shadow - Parker
6. The Widening Gyre - Parker
7. Catskill Eagle - Parker
8. Zero Option - P.T. Deutermann
9. Spider Mountain - P.T. Deutermann
10. Bright Futures - Suart M. Kaminsky - Lew Fonesca is back!
11. Plague Ship - Clive Cussler (and Jack DuBrul - maybe all him?)
12. Spook - Bill Ponzinni (The nameless detective - named Bill ?)
13. Blood Relatives - Ed McBain
14. Genesis Code - John Case
15. Promise Me - Harlan Coben
Gave up on McNally's Dilemma by Lawrence Saunders - too cute for me!
Also Non-fiction wise, I have looked at:
Robert B. Parker Companion - Dean James & Elizabeth Foxwell
(a few good things and a lot of filler, good resource list in back)
Pain Free - Pete Egoscue
I keep trying to read a little on:
1. Reasons for Faith - by Kyle Oliphint
2. Christ Centered Preaching - Bryan Chappel
Have lost my momentum on Oliphint - wish he would just get to the point!
In danger of loosing it on Chappel's book
It appears I found a few new authors I want to read more of:
1: James Collins - already had read a few - out Dan Brown's Dan Brown
2. P.T. Deutermann
3. Harlan Coben
4. John Case - pseudonym for husband / wife team
I buy a few books, but library books take priority. So I am reading James Collins's
Amazonia on the side because I bought it for a dollar and am half way through. I like it, but like I said Library books take priority. Why can't I quit checking them out for a while!!!
Also Geraldine Branom of Commerce (96) gave me a copy of her favorite mystery writers and loaned me a sleuth book where the detective is a Rabbi and solves his crimes using logic of the Talmud. Have NOT tried it yet...
My masseuse asked me how many books I read a year. My estimate is around 50, but I really don't know. I just know I want to be reading something most every day. I am a slow reader.
I am going to quit making promises or predictions, but I think it would be cool if I would start documenting each book as I read it and note when I started and finished and make note of some of the things I write down from each book.
For example I learned the following from my reading this year:
POSH = Port Out, Starboard Home - Comes from the days when the well-to-do on their trips on ships between Britian and India would request cabins on the side shaded from the sun. So that is how we got POSH.
BOLO = Be On Look Out - you hear it NCIS a lot too.
Movies - really disliked: No Country For Old Men
Really highlights existentialism of todays culture - especially the ending
The villian did have a unique faithfulness to his philosophy
But overall = YUK, YUK, YUK
I know I really have trouble expressing my opinion - but there you go!
Confess your sins and repent. Then Love God and do whatever you want!
The key is your understanding of the AND connective!
Confess your sins and repent. Then Love God and do whatever you want!
The key is your understanding of the AND connective!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Commencement Address from Father to Son
A Commencement for Keli & Richey Goodrich
by Richey's dad – Monday 25 May 2009
You have not totally escaped a commencement ceremony. It is perhaps fortunate that I am not an official commencement speaker. Such persons are like a corpse at a funeral. You can't have a funeral without the corpse but you really do not expect the corpse to say much. Since I am unofficial I will try to break that stereotype. Commencement actually marks a beginning more then it does an end.
I want to tell Keli and Richey something that Albert Mohler often tells his graduates. It is a good news - bad news story and something you all ready know. The bad news is that after all this time, effort and education you are still fundamentally unqualified for gospel ministry. The good news is so are all your professors and indeed all men. The good news is that the Holy Spirit will equip you and allow you to use that education to glorify God. More good news is he has given you a godly Proverbs 31 wife that has made possible that education and is bearing us godly covenant children. She is to be honored and blessed as much as you Richey in this commencement in your life and ministry.
My one piece of practical advice – also something I gleaned from listening to Albert Mohler and my own life experiences is: Remember who your friends are and keep up with them especially those of your church and seminary family. That old adage; that it is not what you know but who you know is certainly true. It is the penultimate truth for any one who finds that fulfillment in Christ.
Both of you are in the process of fulfilling the following Proverb in the life of both your parents:
Proverb 23:22-25
Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!
Now as both your earthly father and an elder in the Presbyterian Church In America, I call all three of you up here to lay my hands on you and give you this blessing from Numbers 6 (24-26). (to be followed by a Holy Kiss that Presbyterians have a hard time applying!)
The Lord Bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face to shine upon you
And be gracious to you;
The Lord turn His face toward you
And give you peace.
Love, Dad
by Richey's dad – Monday 25 May 2009
You have not totally escaped a commencement ceremony. It is perhaps fortunate that I am not an official commencement speaker. Such persons are like a corpse at a funeral. You can't have a funeral without the corpse but you really do not expect the corpse to say much. Since I am unofficial I will try to break that stereotype. Commencement actually marks a beginning more then it does an end.
I want to tell Keli and Richey something that Albert Mohler often tells his graduates. It is a good news - bad news story and something you all ready know. The bad news is that after all this time, effort and education you are still fundamentally unqualified for gospel ministry. The good news is so are all your professors and indeed all men. The good news is that the Holy Spirit will equip you and allow you to use that education to glorify God. More good news is he has given you a godly Proverbs 31 wife that has made possible that education and is bearing us godly covenant children. She is to be honored and blessed as much as you Richey in this commencement in your life and ministry.
My one piece of practical advice – also something I gleaned from listening to Albert Mohler and my own life experiences is: Remember who your friends are and keep up with them especially those of your church and seminary family. That old adage; that it is not what you know but who you know is certainly true. It is the penultimate truth for any one who finds that fulfillment in Christ.
Both of you are in the process of fulfilling the following Proverb in the life of both your parents:
Proverb 23:22-25
Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!
Now as both your earthly father and an elder in the Presbyterian Church In America, I call all three of you up here to lay my hands on you and give you this blessing from Numbers 6 (24-26). (to be followed by a Holy Kiss that Presbyterians have a hard time applying!)
The Lord Bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face to shine upon you
And be gracious to you;
The Lord turn His face toward you
And give you peace.
Love, Dad
Monday, February 16, 2009
Bless
Patrick Lafferty taught us that Bless is perhaps the 2nd "highest" word in biblical vocabulary. Right next to Glory! Bless means seeking the highest good of another.
When we bless God we mean that we are regarding Him highly! No less than He deserves!
It is easy to say and hard to mean. It is not meant to be used lightly. The hardest thing and the thing that only Christ can do through us is to Bless our enemies.
When we forget...
Our brethren Bless us when they point us back to the Cross.
"Stare at the Cross". The "church must live with a humble mind" so that our "heart can be aligned with that of God"
So let it "start with prayer" So that we can rise up and truly Bless others - even our enemies!
When we bless God we mean that we are regarding Him highly! No less than He deserves!
It is easy to say and hard to mean. It is not meant to be used lightly. The hardest thing and the thing that only Christ can do through us is to Bless our enemies.
When we forget...
Our brethren Bless us when they point us back to the Cross.
"Stare at the Cross". The "church must live with a humble mind" so that our "heart can be aligned with that of God"
So let it "start with prayer" So that we can rise up and truly Bless others - even our enemies!
"It is a journey not an event"
Lord Bless You!
Lord Bless You!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Ode to Mom at 79
This was actually done for her birthday 31 Jan 2009 (1930 was the first!)
Ode to Mom at 79
I hope this does NOT bomb;
This is an Ode to my Mom
Today she will be 79
Aging like fine wine
In her all her family Delight
Yes, we Know that is right!
She is really not getting old
She is just turning into Gold
Really Mom it is NOT that weighty
After all you could be turning 80!
unlike
The poor benighted Hindu.
who does the best he kin do.
who sticks to his cast from first to last,
And for pants makes his skin do.
She is clothed in God's Righteousness
My blessed Mom is one who
Trusts in God Who really can do
She is a child of God from first to last
Jesus is much better than a Hindu
Mom be blessed and have Fun
says your oldest son!
Love, Richard
I hope this does NOT bomb;
This is an Ode to my Mom
Today she will be 79
Aging like fine wine
In her all her family Delight
Yes, we Know that is right!
She is really not getting old
She is just turning into Gold
Really Mom it is NOT that weighty
After all you could be turning 80!
unlike
The poor benighted Hindu.
who does the best he kin do.
who sticks to his cast from first to last,
And for pants makes his skin do.
She is clothed in God's Righteousness
My blessed Mom is one who
Trusts in God Who really can do
She is a child of God from first to last
Jesus is much better than a Hindu
Mom be blessed and have Fun
says your oldest son!
Love, Richard
Thursday, February 5, 2009
A Good Wife is from the Lord
I feel sorry for most of you guys because you do NOT have a wife like mine! We have been married 33 years. She is 5+ years older then me. The plan is - statistically speaking anyway - that we die at the same time.
I thought I was here to take care of her. Mostly it works the other way. I earn the money - just barely. It seems she does most of the rest. I don't now how much money we have or where it is. I would be lost if I had to shop or cook or do the taxes. In other words I am basically helpless.
Lately I have been visiting a lady who is in a nursing home. For the first time. Her husband - a preacher of 59 years - broke his hip and had a heart attack and we did NOT know if he was going to make it. There has been lots of prayers. She got to hear her husband voice today after a successful partial hip replacement. She may actually get to lay in that bed next to him again in a few days. Here I am trying to minister to her to tell her of the Lord's comfort.
And yet if my wife is away for more than a few hours I start to cry. I have to feed myself. I can't find anything in this house I built for us about 25 years ago.
Man I can't even put on my own shoes in the morning because when I wake up my back hurts so much. So while she is fixing me breakfast she puts on my socks and shoes and then asks what else can I do for you honey!
So I am really sorry for you other guys!
If she goes before me - I know I am going to need some suicide counselling!
You may have all that life can offer, but I would not trade...
Because a Good Wife comes from the Lord.
(maybe someday I will tell you about my son!)
I thought I was here to take care of her. Mostly it works the other way. I earn the money - just barely. It seems she does most of the rest. I don't now how much money we have or where it is. I would be lost if I had to shop or cook or do the taxes. In other words I am basically helpless.
Lately I have been visiting a lady who is in a nursing home. For the first time. Her husband - a preacher of 59 years - broke his hip and had a heart attack and we did NOT know if he was going to make it. There has been lots of prayers. She got to hear her husband voice today after a successful partial hip replacement. She may actually get to lay in that bed next to him again in a few days. Here I am trying to minister to her to tell her of the Lord's comfort.
And yet if my wife is away for more than a few hours I start to cry. I have to feed myself. I can't find anything in this house I built for us about 25 years ago.
Man I can't even put on my own shoes in the morning because when I wake up my back hurts so much. So while she is fixing me breakfast she puts on my socks and shoes and then asks what else can I do for you honey!
So I am really sorry for you other guys!
If she goes before me - I know I am going to need some suicide counselling!
You may have all that life can offer, but I would not trade...
Because a Good Wife comes from the Lord.
(maybe someday I will tell you about my son!)
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