Religious

How to Think Like a Roman Emperor

Background

Published in April of 2020, How to Think Like a Roman Emperor is a study on the meditations of Marcus Aurelius and stoicism in general. The book guides you through the history of stoicism and through some of it’s main tenets.

How to Think Like a Roman Emperor
How to Think Like a Roman Emperor

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book and it was a compelling read. I felt the author did a great job of going through the histories and linking them to the present day. I also enjoyed that the author had come to my University and one of my employees had filmed him talking about the book. So I got a little bonus.

Recommendation

Great read and worth the time

Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets

Background

Published in October of 2020, “Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets” is a self-help book written by Andy Stanley, a renowned author and pastor. The book offers practical advice and guidance on decision-making, drawing on insights from psychology, neuroscience, and the author’s own experiences. Stanley argues that many people struggle with decision-making because they lack a clear framework for making choices and often base their decisions on emotion rather than reason. He offers a simple but powerful approach to decision-making that involves clarifying one’s core values, gathering relevant information, and considering the potential consequences of different options. The book also provides tips on overcoming common obstacles to good decision-making, such as indecision, fear, and a reluctance to admit mistakes.

Better Decisions Fewer Regrets
Better Decisions Fewer Regrets

My Thoughts

I liked the style of writing as he was self deprecating and approachable. There was a lot of wisdom packed in there and a lot of experience as he works with people as a pastor. One of the things that stuck out to me was the advise on waiting a year before any kind of dating after a divorce. I wonder where I would be now if I had followed that advice…

Recommendation

Great book to help you evaluate where you are, where you want to be, and how to get there.

You are Never Alone

Background

Published in September of 2020, You Are Never Alone: Trust in the Miracle of God’s Presence and Power was started before the COVID-19 lock down but was heavily influenced by it. The central message is that God specifically cares for you and your needs.

You are Never Alone
You are Never Alone

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book as the author made specific mention that God is watching and cares for you where you are now. I have found this is the case in my life and it was comforting (confirmations bias) to hear it echoed through his words and through the scripture he quoted.

Recommendation

This is a good book if you are Christian and want a pick me up.

Norse Mythology

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Background

Released in 2017, Norse Mythology is a collection of exactly what you might think it would be. This is the mythology of Thor, Odin, Loki and all the others. Gaiman pens several of the legends and myths which have largely been forgotten in our day to day society.

Norse Mythology
Norse Mythology

My Thoughts

I was pleasantly surprised at this book. I really enjoyed it largely because I hadn’t heard these stories before. I did a little bit of searching and found his book has been well received by the mythology community so I feel like it is fairly authentic.

My introduction to the topic was back in grade school where we heard where we found the names of the days of the week. I remember that lesson really grabbed my attention. (Thanks Mrs. Sanders!) Still, it took 36 years to actually hear a real myth… Sad really. Like many American’s, I am familiar with Marvel’s version of the Norse Gods but it turns out, they are a little different.

Thor is not the brightest and Loki seems to be in the center of everything. Loki’s children bring about Ragnarok. Loki is the reason Mjolnir was made and why the handle is so short. Loki seems to be the reason just about everything happened.

Recommendation

A great read! Everyone should read it.

Ezra

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Background

Ezra is found in the Old Testament of King James Bible. Originally Ezra was combined with Nehemiah and is the last book(s) of the Hebrew Bible. Cyrus and later Darius (kings of Persia) allow the Jews to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. Ezra prays and gets the people back on track…

Ezra
Ezra

My Thoughts

As this is the first time I’ve included scripture in this blog, I wanted to give a quick reference as to why. I read scripture daily though it is only a chapter or 2. There are times I jump around but I’ve been plowing through the Old Testament recently. My current intent is to finish it but I’ve been known to be distracted…

The book of Ezra is hard to keep straight because it isn’t in chronological order. Lots of genealogy is listed (“Of the sons of…”) and it really doesn’t flow. This is definitely a book that it was helpful to do a little background reading while I was reading.

Recommendations

Find yourself a good Bible study guide and have fun!

Books that Matter: The City of God

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Background

Yet another of the Great Courses lectures. This one was by Charles Mathewes, Ph.D. from the University of Virginia.

To steal from the Great Courses page “Augustine of Hippo’s magnum opus The City of God is one of the greatest works of the Western intellectual tradition—so powerful, in fact, that one could argue all of Christian theology has been a series of footnotes to Augustine. Written during the transition from antiquity to the rise of Christianity, it is one of the key texts in defining our ethical framework into the 21st century. Yet even serious readers can be intimidated by a book that spans over 1,000 pages.”

Books that Matter: The City of God
Books that Matter: The City of God

My Thoughts

This was a pretty time consuming listen though I feel it was worth it. Pretty much most of the “ah hah” moments I’d had were discussed by Augustine of Hippo or “Saint Augustine” as we’ve likely heard of him. This lecture points out that not much is “new under the sun”. The ancients were pretty bright and most of the drama that we take on a daily basis had all been done before.

Recommendations

This work left my mind reeling a few times. If you can understand it all then you should start your own church. (You won’t be alone out there…)