Book Review: "A Conversation with God" by Alton Gansky

The subtitle to this book is "If You Could Ask God Any Question.  What Would It Be?"  I think this subtitle really gives a good idea of what the book is like inside.  It is a question and answer session with God, Jesus, & other prominent people from the Bible.

The questions included in the book are broken into ten sections.  The sections are God, Bible, The Future, Pain & Suffering, Jesus, Kingdom of God, Heaven and Hell, Humanity, Christian Living, & Today's World.  As you can see, they are very good topics of discussion.  I feel like they hit upon all of the most common questions people have about Christianity.

The questions are answered in a conversational tone.  I've read some complaints that they don't quote scripture in the answers.  I didn't think that was a problem.  All of the scriptures used for reference are noted and then listed in the back of the book.  I think that if someone has a question it is best to answer in "real words" first and then back it up with scripture.  Sometimes it makes it more understandable that way.

I really enjoyed this book.  I like that I can just flip it open to any one question and read the response quickly.  They are short, one or two pages, and to the point.  I also like how they give more than one persons answer to a lot of the questions.  You may have it answered by God, Jesus, and Paul or some other combination.  It gives the answers more of an authentic feel.  Of course, these are fictionalized answers based on scripture.  After reading the responses, it is always good to follow-up with prayer, scripture reading, and contemplation.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Oil Pulling

I was at work the other day when a patient asked me about an oil that was used for gum health.  After looking at her like she was a wee bit crazy, I told her that I had never heard of anything like an oil to promote gum health.  She said that her dental hygienist mentioned something about sesame oil to her.  She said it was some sort of Indian (I was thinking Native American) treatment. 

Being the ever patient and caring pharmacist that I am, (stop laughing) I went to the Internet and googled sesame oil and gum health.  Low and behold, there were tons on hits.  It turns out that oil pulling is a common Ayurvedic practice.  I shared what I quickly scanned with the lady and she went on her merry way.

After she left, I continued to read on oil pulling.  The basic idea of swishing the oil made some sense to me.  I've been washing my face with olive oil for some time and I've seen how well it removes oils and dirt.  So, it made perfect sense that it would do the same for your mouth & teeth. 

Now don't get me wrong, I don't believe that oil pulling will cure a multitude of illness or pull all toxins from your body.  I did think that it could decrease tarter build up, remove some cell/germ accumulation, & dissolve some stains on the teeth. So, I thought I would give it a try and see what would happen.

I've swished & spit a tablespoonful of olive oil every morning for about 15 minutes for a week now.  I think that it has whitened my teeth better than the expensive peroxide gel I bought from the dentist.  It also seems to have decreased the circles under my eyes.  I wasn't expecting that result but even my dear husband thinks he notices a difference.  My mouth doesn't really "feel" any cleaner if it is possible to "feel" so.  I don't think I had a problem with chronic halitosis, so I haven't noticed any difference there either.

I guess, over all, oil pulling seems to have been a success.  I admit that I'm a bit surprised by the results.  I thought this would be another one of those silly ideas I got into my head to try.  If you decide to give it a go, let me know your results.

Review: Learning Language Arts Through Literature

I've had several people ask me about what curriculum we use for our home school.  Since we use a hodge-podge of different manufactures, it makes it a bit tough to explain in a short answer.  I thought I'd take some time to give a review of the current books we use.

The English curriculum that we are using is Learning Language Arts Through Literature by Common Sense Press.  It is a comprehensive language arts curriculum.  They have a book for each grade, starting with first grade and ending at the eighth grade.  They do have two high school level books available, also.

How did I choose this curriculum?  I knew I wanted a literature based program.  I'm lucky in the fact that both of my kids are good at English fundamentals, so I didn't need something super in-depth on the basics.  My son had received very good English scores on the ACT after his seventh-grade year, so I thought we would concentrate on literature evaluation and writing.  After reading several reviews and looking at the items to be read, I chose to purchase the Gold Book, one of the two high school level books. 

The Gold Book covers American literature.  It has in-depth discussion over the chapters and several writing assignments over each lesson.  There are 36 weekly lessons per book which makes lesson planning very simple.  I was so pleased with this product that I bought my daughter the Purple Book (5th grade) for this year, along with the Silver Book (English Lit.) for my son.

The younger grade books are structured differently than the high school.  Like the high school books, they are broken up into 36 lessons, and the lessons are based on classic stories.  That is where the similarities end.  The younger versions of the LLATL books cover grammar, dictation, spelling, and writing while studying a book, poem or story. 

I love the dictation part of the program.  At the beginning of the lesson, we read a paragraph.  Then, the student tells you, the teacher, what the paragraph is about.  Lastly, the teacher reads a preselected portion of the paragraph to read out loud while the student tries to write what is being said.  This is something that has really stretched my daughters’ abilities.  I think this practice will be very helpful when she goes to college and has to take notes while a professor is lecturing.

Since we didn't start this program until the fifth grade, I'm not sure if the younger books go into more detail on the grammar.  I feel that by the fifth grade most of the rules are into the review phase.  The purple book does a good job of reviewing the grammar, but I wouldn't want to use this program if my child wasn't pretty solid on it already.

I'm pretty sure we will be sticking with this program for my daughter through high school.  The lessons are interesting and just about perfect on length.  We have enjoyed all of the books and stories that have been  studied so far.  So, if you are looking at a good Language Arts program that is heavy on reading while reviewing grammar, this is a good pick for you.

Book Review: "The Sacred Meal" by Nora Gallagher

     I've struggled with writing this review.  I really enjoyed reading the book.  I felt like it gave some interesting insights on the Christian path.  Where I struggled was that it seemed to only have a tenuous link back to Communion.  Ms. Gallagher would write a chapter, a good chapter, on a topic such as receiving unearned gifts and then tie it back to Communion.

     I think I was expecting a detailed history about the practice of Communion.  Thinking I was getting a step-by-step instruction booklet on the hows and whys of the act.  Upon reading this book, I find, perhaps, the reason that she didn't write a book like that.  Ms. Gallagher paints a picture of a practice that is very personal and very unique to each person participating.  While the outward symbols may be the same, how we approach the act and how we recieve the gifts are personal.

     This book is a good book for those people seeking a fresh, open look at the Eucharist.  It doesn't  approach the Lord's table in a preachy or supierior way.  It would be a helpful book  for those raised with the idea that participating in Communion is only for those "churchy" or chosen few.  It makes sharing, even a "normal" meal seem more meaningful.

     I would reccomend this book for those people who enjoy a thought provoking read. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”