Esther Great Lives Series: Volume 2

Book Description

Everyone loves a transforming story. Rags to riches. Plain to beautiful. Weak to strong. Esther's story is that, and much more. It is a thought-provoking study of God's invisible hand, writing silently across the pages of human history. Perhaps most of all, it is an account of a godly woman with the courage, wisdom, and strength to block an evil plot, overthrow an arrogant killer, and replace with joy in thousands of Jewish homes. Through Esther's courageous struggle to help her people, Swindoll explains the power of divine providence in volume 2 of the best-selling "Great Lives" series.

Customer Reviews:

wonderful service.......2007-10-17

Just what I was looking for was found in this book for our Bible study

Ordinary girl to Queen.......2007-02-27

Chuck Swindoll takes what is seemingly a fairytale story and opens one's heart and mind to see how God is in control of all. What valuable life lessons he teaches us through this inspiring Bible book. I highly recommend using this book as a study reference along with your Bible. I appreciated the way he brought the story to life and made it's messages relate to my life as it is today.

"For Such A Time As This".......2007-02-11

This second book in the 'Great Lives' series is excellent! As a Pastor, I used this book for a small group Bible study. We studied one chapter a week. What strength we all can receive from studing the life of Esther! Here was a woman who had to make a decision to be silent and let her people die, or to stand up and do whats right. It's extremely interesting that God is never mentioned anywhere in the Book of Esther, but as Charles Swindoll points out, He is working "behind the scenes" in all of the lives involved in this powerful book. Use this book as a study guide with the Book of Esther.

Another Good Title From The "Great Lives From God's Word" Series by Swindoll.......2007-01-17

Swindoll continues his legacy of writing great books with "Esther: A Woman of Strength and Dignity". This is the second volume of the biographical series he has written on various Bible characters. In Esther, he describes the life of Esther and the Book of Esther which indicidentally, is the only book in the Bible that never mentions God by name. However, when you read the Book of Esther, you can defintitely see God working behind the scenes as the drama plays out.

Among the important points covered in the book are:

1. Be quiet and know that God is God and be convinced that He is at work.
2. God is not in a hurry and is not a slave to the human clock (I particularly struggle with this one).
3. Some things are important enough for us to stand alone on. One person can indeed make a difference.
4. Stand alone and be courageous no matter what the cost!
5. God notices us when no one else does. God is impressed with a humble heart that comes to Him on His terms.
6. 2 things to consider when discovering how God works.
7. 3 principles for being sensitive to God's interventions.
8. God can break down any wall. No one, no matter how stubborn or strong-willed, can resist God and win.
9. 3 principles from the Book of Esther that we can learn for our lives.
10. 4 things that happen when we wait on God.

Read, enjoy, and be encouraged to know that God loves you and knows what you're going through even when others do not!

Recommended.

Esther the Ideal Woman.......2003-11-05

Recently I read this with a group over a period of 8 weeks.
It found it quite insightful and encouraging to the group and believe that there were many good principles that Chuck had to say. You do feel very encouraged after reading this book. It's main focus is on God's providence and soveriegnity over our lives. Esther is the ultimate example of that.
However, I do have a few critisms that would benefit anyone who plans to get the book. First, Chuck does tend to derive alot of principles from the text that you may not necessarily have looked for when you read the book of Esther. I understand why he does this, to allow the reader to sympathize with Esther's character. Second, at times it seems Chuck is making Esther an ideal that we all should follow, that's okey to a certain extent. Third, he really didn't spend much time on the historical background of Esther's time, which I think would allow the reader to understand where she was coming from. (We supplimented that information in our meeting.) Fourth, he did not need 12 chapters to write about principles from Esther. The last two were good, but not too necessary.
With that said, I think this book is a great read for Christians who want to learn about applying God's word personally to their lives, and as a good read for those times when you can't get into a heavy study in the Bible. Esther is a refreshing book that offers much hope and encouragement to those who read it.

Book Description

For millions of people who are diagnosed with cancer, their first reaction is that they just received their death sentence. That reaction leads to a life of isolation, dependence and, often, misery for the cancer patient. One man refused to let that happen. He had a job he loved as a newspaper editor, a house to take care of, and, at 41 years old, a lot more years of life to live. So on the same night he was diagnosed with what would become a constant battle with cancer, he resolved to maintain a positive attitude. He would use that attitude to guide him through thirteen months of surgeries, as well as the physical torture of chemotherapy and radiation, and the emotional torture of MRIs and body scans. This editor was a busy guy in April 2002 when he was diagnosed with lung cancer and, quite frankly, he didn't have time for the disease. In one of the most inspiring books about living with cancer, author Tom Canavan opens the doors to his life and takes readers on the journey through his darkest period. "I Don't Have Time for This: My Battle with Cancer" is the story of a man who refused to surrender any part of his life while waging war against his illness. It is the story of a man who turns to his younger brother, an oncologist, who guides him along the road to remission. "I Don't Have Time for This" is a book every cancer patient should want to read to assure themselves that life can be just as happy and fulfilling even after the diagnosis. The book also is recommended reading for families of cancer patients who can find understanding in what their loved ones are enduring following surgery and during radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Finally, it is the story of one man's strength, courage and heroism in the face of so many obstacles that the readers of his newspapers have labeled him an inspiration to so many people.

Customer Reviews:

Very Inspirational.......2004-10-30

Thomas Canavan, book on his battle with cancer is an excellent read. My father is dealing with cancer and Mr. Canavan's book has allowed me to see some of the trials a cancer patient is going through. I found it a wonderful book, especially for someone who is caring or has someone close to them with cancer. It gave me hope that my father can beat this and have more good years ahead. It also helped me to understand what my father is feeling since he does not verbalize his thoughts.
This is definatly a book worth reading.

Anticipate miracles.......2004-10-09

"I Don't Have Time for This" is an inspirational chronicle of one man's courage and perserverance through a life-threatening experience. The author, Tom Canavan, Jr., offers a unique, personal persepective into the cancerous beast to which we all are prey. His ability to acknowledge and accept the help and love of his family and friends shines through what would otherwise be a dark journey. I recommend this book to all who need encouragement and hope.

Amazon.com

Until Backstory burst on the scene in 1986, not much had been written about the early days of Hollywood screenwriting. But as Patrick McGilligan states in his fine introduction, those days were quite different from the ones that followed. The whole craft of the screenplay didn't develop until the end of the silent era, and after it had developed, writers tended to be isolated from one another. Screenwriting was seen as hack work, something a legitimate playwright, novelist, or even a journalist did to raise money. Backstory 1 features interviews with 15 of the finest Hollywood scenarists from the 1920s and '30s, including Charles Burnett, James M. Cain, Lenore Coffee, Philip Dunne, Julius J. Epstein, Albert Hackett, Norman Krasna, Richard Maibaum, Casey Robinson, and Donald Ogden Stewart. These writers may not be familiar, but their movies surely are. This anthology of interviews is invaluable for its insights into a budding craft and into artists whose work has been obscured by critics and audiences who preferred to propel actors, directors, and producers into stardom.

Book Description

The illustrious line-up in this volume includes Hitchcock collaborator Charles Bennett, the sophisticated husband-and-wife team of Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, the Astaire-Rogers writer Allan Scott, and many more.

Customer Reviews:

A must-have resource.......2005-01-21

I own a library of approximately 1,000 titles relating to film-as well as having worked for several years in a film-specific bookshop. That said-this particular volume, a collection of interviews with some of the most important names in the history of screenwriting, is one I'd rank among the top ten must-have titles for anyone seriously interested in movies. It's that good.

First off, in my opinion there's no better source for history than first-person statements of professionals, and that's what these interviews are all about. It's great when a talented author produces an interesting biography or history of the Hollywood studios' "golden age"-but how much better to read the raw, (virtually, presumably) uncensored memories! From this book, with its several dozen subjects, you'll get a taste of just about everything to do with filmmaking: the dealings with the front office, studio politics, actors, directors, censorship, the blacklist(BOTH sides of that terrible period-from SEVERAL perspectives-fascinating and unusual), life in general during the depression and oh, yes--the peculiar job of screenwriting.
I can't think how often I've pulled this one down off the shelf to refresh my memory, and also-it's tremendously entertaining reading--some of it is laugh-out-loud hilarious. These were talented men and women, folks-witty, often brilliant, with a unique perspective on the art of film. Patrick McGilligan does a masterful job of editing; reading his cogent and sensitive introductions to each interview is a great added bonus. My hat's off to him as to all too few other writers on this subject(Kevin Brownlow among them). Really, if you're the least bit interested in the history of Hollywood OR in screenwriting, you've got to have this.

Book Description

Entertaining how-to book by a professional magician, simply written, with easy to follow instructions and diagrams for mastering such intriguing effects as passing coins through tables, cutting and restoring rope, card tricks featuring the "magnetic touch" and much more. Includes valuable advice for misdirecting audience's attention, handling props and equipment, more.

Customer Reviews:

Magic and Showmanship for Kids.......2000-06-07

I think every professional magician should read this book. It is the journal/story of a magic student. I was amazed that it focused so much on showmanship. It teaches the lesson "why" instead of just teaching how tricks are done. I have been a professional magician for over 25 years, and I still use one of the tricks I learned in this book, in my show. It is a book for kids. I can think of no better book for a beginning magician than this one. And the best thing about it, is that because it is a kid book, it's a secret! Not many magicians even know it exists!

Book Description

IFRS / US GAAP Comparison is unique. It remains the only work that enables the reader to review the main differences between IFRS and US GAAP on a detailed side-by-side, topic by topic basis. Written by the Financial Reporting Group of Ernst and Young, and published in association with the IASB, IFRS / US GAAP Comparison is an indispensable tool for investors, analysts and regulators.

Here is an essential reference for any finance or accounting professional working in the global market place. International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) have been widely adopted throughout the world, and many firms are required to use both IFRS and US GAAP for all financial reporting.

* The only authoritative comparison available
* Unique facing page layout for instant comparison of complex issues
* By Ernst & Young and approved by the IASB the Official IFRS standard setters

Prayer and the Art of Volkswagen Maintenance
Average customer rating:

Don't Read the Review Below This One

Not Worth The Time Or The Effort

This is the SAME book as "Through Painted Deserts" by Donald Miller

Great Christian travel book

Just what I needed

Prayer and the Art of Volkswagen Maintenance
Donald Miller
Manufacturer: Harvest House Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Religious | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | Christian Living | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Church History | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Searching for God Knows What

Through Painted Deserts: Light, God, and Beauty on the Open Road

To Own a Dragon: Reflections On Growing Up Without A Father

Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality

Reinventing American Protestantism: Christianity in the New Millennium

ASIN: 0736901604

Book Description

Fueled by the belief that something deeper exists that the casual Christianity by which they've lived, Don and Paul are two free spirits who set off on an adventure-filled road trop in search of a deeper meaning for their lives. As they travel from Texas to Oregon in their cantankerous Volkswagen van, the two friends encounter fascinating people, witness unexpected beauty, attempt to solfe life's most perplexing puzzles, and discover anew the amazing God who created them.

Customer Reviews:

Don't Read the Review Below This One.......2007-02-08

I'm not sure what crawled up the backside of the guy who wrote the previous review, but don't let it sway you. I bought this book back in it's first "failed release" and have loved it since the first time I read it through.

In my opinion, this book is far less pretentious than subsequent books by Don Miller. This was him when he was just writing what was on his heart and mind, just writing because he didn't want to forget what happened. Is it deep and theological? Probably not. Are there parts that will make you think? Sure.

Like I said, I bought this book back in the day because the binding looked cool as I skimmed the shelves at my local Borders and I've never regreted the purchase. I have, in fact, since bought additional copies (both while it was still in print, and from the "used" option here on Amazon once it went out) for countless friends who have all likewise enjoyed reading this glimpse of a (mostly) true story about two guys on the road in a VW Bus.

If you're looking for brain food, read Nietzsche. If you're looking for a book that's fun to read, read this.

Not Worth The Time Or The Effort.......2006-07-13

Through Painted Deserts
AKA Prayer and the Art of Volkswagen Maintenance

Some books that failed the first time should stay OOP (Out Of Print), and this is definitely one of them. It should have stayed way on the shelves collecting dust.

Back in 2003 Donald Miller published a book called Blue Like Jazz and that book went gangbusters - constantly selling out at bookstores and going through a few printings. It appeared, at the time, that every time you turned around someone was recommending the book. It was a collection of penses, thoughts, and meandering recollections of a man who grew up to doubt religion but could not give up on faith. It was marketed as `Nonreligious thoughts on Christian Spirituality'. It was so popular it was even turned into a one-man stage show in Toronto, (jasonhildebrand.com/trailer(dot)htm) and has toured the country.

Then some genius at the publishing company decided to resurrect his first book that had failed. That person is responsible for the unwarranted destruction of thousands and thousands of trees.

This book is a classic road trip journey, in the vein of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig. Yet unlike that classic book, this one does not live up to all the hype. This book is a shameless money grab by the publisher and the author. This greediness is seen time and time again once an author has a successful endeavor. Everything they have written, or will write, is considered gold. That was not the case with this book. Not only is the publishing of this book shameless marketing and abuse of success, it also has a shameful plug for a band that the author listened to while `rewriting' the book. Miller states: `Robbie's CD Better Days is to me the soundtrack for the revised edition of this book. I am pleased to introduce it to you.'

Miller's prose is weak, and his reflections are pedantic. He states: "We are one day out, and home seems an ocean away. My watch ticks inside my boot. I don't need it. I'm not late for anything. There is no disgruntled friend waiting for me at a coffee shop or office.' Are we are all suppose to be enthralled with the story of two guys traveling from Texas to Oregon? It was a chore to get through the book and I would not even recommend it for fans of Miller's writings. Another example is "But because we were born as babies and had to be taught to speak and to pee in a toilet, we think all of this is normal. Well, it isn't normal. Nothing is normal. It is all rather odd, isn't it, our eyes in our heads, our hands with five fingers, the capacity to understand beauty, to feel love, to feel pain." Ok so what do we do with Miller's thoughts? In my opinion, not much!

It was just pretentious to republish this book and milk the readers of Blue Like Jazz for money better spent elsewhere.

(First Published in Imprint 2006-07-14 as 'Hate It' in the 'Love It Hate it book Review section.)

This is the SAME book as "Through Painted Deserts" by Donald Miller.......2005-09-16

Okay, after reading the amazing book titled Blue Like Jazz, I wanted to buy all of Don Miller's other books. Prayer and the Art of Volkswagen Maintenance was his very first book (written well before Blue Like Jazz) and has been out of print for some time. For a while there, you could not find it for under $40-50. But, I have good news! After I purchased Through Painted Deserts by Donald Miller, I quickly discovered that it is in fact "Prayer and the Art of Volkswagen Maintenance" that has been reprinted with a new title under Don's current publisher! He explains it on the front dedication page to his mother. Hooray! Now you know, and you can get his first book for much less then the out of print version.

Great Christian travel book.......2003-06-26

There's something about the idea of "finding oneself" on the open road that really gets me going. I'm a sucker for any book along those lines, whether it's about a spontaneous summer road-trip across the States, or the tale of an epic backpacking journey around the world. There's a special place in my heart for the somewhat rare Christian-themed story of this nature, and that's where this excellent book comes in.

Adventures like this tend to be lived out by the younger crowd - those in their late teens or early twenties, anxious to see what's "out there" in the world and learn something about themselves in the process. In "Prayer and the Art of Volkswagon Maintenance," the two protagonists fit this description to a tee. Donald and Paul are young twentysomething Christian men, and they have a desire to know God in a deeper sense. Their solution - a road trip! Starting from Texas, they decide to head off to Oregon in Paul's beat-up VW van. Along the way, they discuss the usual questions that young men wrestle with - relationships with women, their future, and so on. They also meet a number of interesting characters on the road, usually when struggling with their somewhat unreliable vehicle.

However, since this book has a Christian slant, there is spiritual depth as well. Both of these guys really do want to go deeper with God, and they end up digging into some serious meat along those lines. Donald, driven by intellect and facts, repeatedly explores the book of Ecclesiastes during the trip in an attempt to make sense of the time we are given upon this world. Paul is more in tune with his feelings and emotions, and goes to a deeper level with God via prayer during some tense moments. Together they make the perfect team for this type of excursion, and both come to know more about themselves and their God. All of this is expertly chronicled by Donald's outstanding writing - he made me feel that I was right along with them every step of the way.

The neatest thing about this book for me was their detour through my hometown, and the awesome consequence of that seemingly insignificant decision (SPOILER HINT: it has to do with marriage). How cool is that?! Absolutely recommended!

Just what I needed.......2002-10-28

This book was given to me by a friend a couple of years ago and I've read it about 5 times now. It was given to me at a time when I was searching for a closer relationship with God. No, this book didn't give me any divine revelation, but it did help me realize that all I had to do was be honest and humble before God. Stop trying to control my life and turn it all over to God. One reviewer said that Donald Miller will never be the next C.S. Lewis and all I have to say to that is thank God. Yes, C.S. Lewis was a skilled man, but this is a book that most anyone can read and get something out of. I think christianity has too many puffed up wanna be intellectuals as it is. I'm glad that this book will also appeal to non-Christians and hopefully help lead them to Christ, which is what we're all here to do right, and not scare them away or make their heads hurt so bad their nose bleeds. Well, my point is that this is a great book..

Book Description

Ecosystems are--or can be--the wealth of the poor. For many of the 1.1 billion people living in severe poverty, nature is a daily lifeline—an asset for those with few other material means. This is especially true for the rural poor, who comprise three-quarters of all poor households worldwide. Harvests from forests, fisheries and farm fields are a primary source of rural income, and a fall-back when other sources of employment falter. But programs to reduce poverty often fail to account for the important link between environment and the livelihoods of the rural poor—not just a survival mechanism—has yet to be effectively tapped.

The thesis of World Resources 2005 is that income from ecosystems--what we call environmental income--can act as a fundamental stepping stone in the economic empowerment of the rural poor. This requires that the poor manage ecosystems so that they support stable productivity over time. Productive ecosystems are the basis of a sustainable income stream from nature.

But for the poor to tap that income, they must be able to reap the benefits of their good stewardship. Unfortunately, the poor are rarely in such a position of power over natural resources. An array of governance failures typically intervene: lack of legal ownership and access to ecosystems, political marginalization, and exclusion from the decisions that affect how these ecosystems are managed. Without addressing these failures, there is little chance of using the economic potential of ecosystems to reduce rural poverty.

World Resources 2005 details the steps necessary to empower the poor to use ecosystems both wisely and for wealth of statistics on current environmental, social, and economic trends in more than 150 countries.

Customer Reviews:

A useful source of information on the global environment.......2006-10-21

This is a useful source of information on the future of the global environment. It would best be read in conjunction with the World Resources Institute's web site. The prose is definitely not easy reading but a lot of relevant facts are here.

More details on the world's future can be found if you go to my profile and check my Listamania list on Future Studies Reading List.

A Guide to World Resources 2005: The Wealth of the Poor Managing Ecosystems to Fight Poverty

Average customer rating:

A Guide to World Resources 2005: The Wealth of the Poor Managing Ecosystems to Fight Poverty

Manufacturer: World Resources Inst
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Economic Conditions | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

A sea otter pup lies curled up in a kelp frond, bobbing in gentle swells while its mother dives for food. Without its mother, this pup would not survive. The compelling photos and compassioante stories that fill these pages will show how the staff of the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sea Otter Research and Conservation program pioneer effective ways to rear sea otters for life in the wild.

Customer Reviews:

Very strong factual depictions.......2001-02-08

I enjoyed this book for its factual & positive content regarding sea otters. If you are a lover of sea otter, Saving Sea Otters is probably a must. It's not fiction. It's not a compelling story per say, in terms of pure storytelling, but I found it very compelling to understand otters and the people who care for them. The photos are excellent. I'm glad I bought it but then again, I am an otter nut.

Saving Sea Otters.......2000-05-21

"Saving Sea Otters" by Elin kelsey is a book dealing mainly with the plight of the southern sea otter and its dwindling population. The cover shows a furry little sea otter wrapped in a kelp bed.The book shows the behind-the-scenes work that researchers, scientists, veterinarians, volunteers and friends of the sea otter do. There are wonderful,clear pictures throughout the book showing the interaction between the sea otters and the people who care for them. Many times the sea otters are hurt, injured or unable to care for themselves and that's when the caretakers step in to nurse them back to health. Most of the book takes place in the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium and the waters of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary. If one is interested in sea otters, I would definitely recommend this book. Thank you...Don Bieber

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