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Archive for August, 2010

I, like many evangelical believers, have always (unknowingly) viewed Abraham through Christian-colored glasses. This book expanded my vision, opening me up to views of Abraham that go beyond the simple biblical text. The depiction of Abraham in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), for example, was modified, shaped, and re-interpreted by Christians, Muslims, and even later Jews, often depending upon the situation at the time. The pivotal event of the Abraham story is the near-sacrifice of his favored son to God. Interestingly, to Jews and Christians, the favored son was Isaac, while Muslims hold Ishmael to be the favored son. Christians, of course, regard this event as a foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrifice. Interestingly, Jewish rabbis after the time of Jesus interpreted the text to say that Abraham actually did slay Isaac, who later would return from the dead.

The different interpretations of the Abraham story lead the author to conclude that there are actually a multitude of “Abrahams” to fit different historical, political, and social situations. Indeed, Fieler makes a little too much of the fact that there is no archaeological evidence that Abraham ever existed. He doesn’t take a hard-line position on Abraham’s existence or non-existence, so I guess one could call him an “Abraham agnostic”. His ultimate goal, to find common ground and possible reconciliation among the monotheistic religions on the basis of Abraham would have a very shaky foundation indeed if it was based on a mythical character.

This book is much more than a study of Abraham. It documents a personal journey by the author to the crucible where these great religions lead a frighteningly non-peaceful co-existence: the land of Israel. After reading of his encounters with various Jewish, Christian, and Muslim clerics, one sadly sees little hope for a full reconciliation. Of course, that should come as no surprise. But this little book can go a long way in cracking open the doors of understanding.
Abraham A Journey to

Love this, I didn’t want the windshield mount and thought I would try this. I am so glad I did!
Albert Bridge London by

I purchased another bran of pedometer. It was very difficult to get it all set up, and it didn’t seem very accurate.

This Omron HJ-112 digital pedometer is EASY and accurate, once you set it to your natural walking pace (mine is 2 feet). I wear it to work or wherever I am all day. It give me a good feel for how much activity I need to do to reach 10,000 steps per day, which I haven’t done yet. So I’d better get my butt up off this couch and do more walking.

Enjoy!
Data Charging Cable for

For the price this is great for nap times…similar to ones @ day care just not as $$.
Regalo My Cot Portable

From the moment I read about little Mae Mobley, I knew I was going to love this book. Her name is so Southern…and so bygone era Southern. This story took place when I was on the cusp of adolescence and brought back many memories of the hot, sweltering South in the days before air conditioning and desegregation.

Eugenia Phelan (a.k.a. Miss Skeeter) has recently graduated from college and is now living back home with her parents on their cotton farm in Jackson, Mississippi. Shortly after her return, Miss Skeeter awakens to the unfairness and inequality of the people around her. There are Miss Leefolt and Miss Hilly who expect their “help” to cook their meals, clean their homes, and raise their children, and yet they can’t see the irony of not even allowing their maids use the bathrooms they clean. Minnie, Abilene, and the other maids are banished to the garage when heeding the call of nature.

As Miss Skeeter begins to see the injustices of the era, she decides that there is a part she can play to bring these wrongs to light. She can write a book about the help on whom all of her friends rely so heavily and yet treat so dismissively. Right away she encounters obstacles because the maids are all afraid of repercussions. This is the dawn of the Civil Rights movement, not the middle of it. Furthermore, although there are marches and speeches taking place all over the South, the white residents of Jackson seem not to be aware of the brewing changes.

Eugenia fiercely believes in the need for the book, and she eventually convinces the help to tell their stories. It takes courage on everyone’s part. Eugenia loses her friends and fiancé, and the various maids risk even more: their livelihood and their very lives.

THE Eliminator 26 Downhill

I am not a runner. When I am outdoors I am usually hiking or walking. When I do run, it is usually on a treadmill. I was looking for something that would help me stay in my target heart rate no matter what activity I was doing. But this item is built for runners/bikers. There isn’t even an option to walk. And it won’t track calories indoors.

I am returning the item for these reasons. I will go back to polar.
Garmin Nuvi 270 Accessory

With a 5 pound weight it’s usually off .5-1 pound. While weighing myself I usually get varying results. Aesthetically it’s pleasing, though it does get dirty fairly easily.

All in all, you could do worse.
Heart Healthy Home Cooking

This steam cleaner is easy to use and easy to clean, has good suction to pick up water in carpet, definitely reccommended
Bloodhounds On My Trail

This brush really works. Amazing to see the amount of fur that comes off during the first use.
Using it a few times a week lowers the amount a fur you have to clean up elsewhere in the housse.
Fujifilm WLFXE01 E Series

I bought this one for a friend because she admired mine so much. Its a great little GPS mount that I can just grab and throw up on the dashboard. My only issue is that it doesn’t fit into the glove box very well and leaving it out on the dash board is like putting out a sign that says there is a GPS in the car, come steal it. The black color is good, because I can put it down on the floor and its difficult to see from outside the car.
Space White Cap