BOOK THOUGHTS: TURNING POINTS Decisive Moment s in the History of Christianiyt

 

TURNING POINTS Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity (2nd Edition / 3rd Edition) by Mark A. Noll

I admit reading non-fiction books are a challenge for me, even the ones I like. Unlike a novel, I need to retain the important details  a which requires my undivided attention. I retain more information  if I take notes if I read, using the audio version I do not remember as much, depending on what I am doing at the time, but I have the basic information. My choice was take months to read the book or a few weeks listening to the audio, I chose listening to the book with the option of rereading it, if I choose to do so, at a later time.  

TURNING POINTS Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity chronologically discusses pivotal points in Christianity. It is an easy read /or listen but for me it was also tedious. If you are a history buff this book will be a peace of cake, I know history in generally, but I can never recall dates; ask me how many times I have had to look up when slavery ended, more than 10. There was so much I did not know or I knew of but not in context  associated with Scripture.The more you know, biblically and historically,  the easier things you will be able to receive the information presented.

 Each chapter discusses a period of time, the years: 70, 451, 530, 800, 1054, 1521, 1540, 1789, 1910 and then the twentieth century. It is necessary to be familiar with these times particularly because today we have so many ideologies regarding what Christianity is and is not.  As a Believer if you understand how Christianity evolved, developed, over the centuries,  you will be able to discern the God’s truths verses man’s opinions.

I have other books more detailed than this 315 page book, I have yet to read them cover to cover but can use them for references. I have on numerous occasions started a History of Christianity course but did not completed any.  I recommend this book because it presents a significant overview of Christian history that it can serve as a foundation for further study. 

TURNING POINTS Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity includes: Bible verses at the beginning of each chapter and prayers at the end both relate to the particular chapter; numerous images; a necessary index; Box Notes, chapter by chapter bibliography; and a Study Guide that includes Application notes on how each chapter can be applied to today’s church.I believe this book is a great Bible Study tool for small groups and an excellent purchase for your collection of Christian reference books. 

I think it is worth the read.

WRITTEN by Marsha Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

BOOK THOUGHTS: THE HALF-STITCHED AMISH QUILTING CLUB

 

I enjoyed this book despite my not having time to read it. THE HALF-STITCHED AMISH QUILTING CLUB by Wanda E Brunster, is a wonderful story of an Amish widow who decides to teach quilting  and invites non-Amish individuals  to her home. She discovers the joys of meeting new people and the realities of life outside of a religious community. TI confess, though I have the print version my schedule prevented me form reading thus I changed to an audiobook. 

The book centers around the life struggles of: an angry young female, a widow, a biker who lost his drivers license, a grieving widower, a couple in marital distress and a frustrated Pastor’s wife, each with their own reasons for wanting to learn how to quilt.o The Amish woman thought it would be a class in which she taught a group of women in a pleasant atmosphere this was not the case. 

 THE HALF-STITCHED AMISH QUILTING CLUB  is a book that is 312 pages,  9 hours 2 minutes in audio, I was not a fan of the narrated and will probably read the next book, unless there is a different narrator. 

I am glad that I do have the print because, I am a quilter and there was a bonus for those who did. Included in the book were pictures a pattern and a recipe.

7 QUILT PICTURES 1) One Patch 2)Weaver Fever 3)Double Wedding Ring 4)Lone Star 5)The Log Cabin 6) The Dahlia 7)the 

  Tumbling Block

1 QUILT PATTERN 

There was also a RECIPE: Emma Yoder’s Angel Cram Pie
     I am not making the pie but I love the quilt pattern with instrucions as well as the pictures 

In addition there are discussion questions for a book club

I did enjoy the book which is one in a series of 4, I will complete the series; I do not think this book is for everyone. I suspect the target audience is for a younger audience, unless it was just the way the narrator interpreted it. I like clean novels no: sex, violence, or profanity  and appreciate the infusion of faith in the story. Of course their is faith in the book,  “Amish” is in the title and a pastor’s wife is one of the charachters. It is an enjoyable story. 

WRITTEN by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

ON MY LIST TO BE READ (or heard)

THE LOST QUILTER by Jennifer ChIAVERINI (14  of 24 in the series)

A FITTING END by SHERI RICHEY (3 of 4 in the sereies)

THE TATTERED QUILT by Wanda E Brunstetter (2 of 4 in the series)

A THREAD OF TRUTH by Marie Bostwick (2 OF 7 in the series)

NON-FICTION  I have a hard copy but I am listening to audio! 

SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY by Watchman Nee  (

TURNING POINTS -Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity 

Of course I may find a crafting book that I just have to have! 

BOOK THOUGHTS: TEACH YOURSELF CLOTH DOLLMAKING

 

TEACH YOURSELF CLOTH DOLLMAKING- Simple Techniques and patterns for dolls and doll clothes by Jodie Davis and Photography by Bill Milne is another book find that I purchased used. It was published in 1995, maybe someday I will find a book published in 2026 that does not cost a lot but has similar content. 

I make ragdolls using a basic pattern I found on Pinterest years ago. N After making about 10 dolls, if not more, I have been wanting to tweek my pattern a bit. I was not disappointed in the book and I do believe it is worth the investment. 

The book contains 5 cloth doll / ragdoll patterns, one that I did not like. And I do like the clothing patterns included, with my ragdolls I have been creating my own. 

The dolls that I make I have been having trouble with the neck and the arms. This book will help me add more definition to the hands and feet.  The book also gave excellent guidance to facial features: eyes, eyelashes and mouth. This is an excellent learning manual an excellent add to my reference books

Written by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

A BOOK REVIEWER I DISCOVERED AND AM RECOMMENDING

This was my first time viewing this YouTuber and I  never heard of G.A. HENTY. I decided to share the video for you to review this individuals thoughts on the author and his writings. 

If you watch the video PLEASE: LIKE, SHARE  and COMMENT, it does help.

-According to the comments I  read; women read and appreciated this author's writings.

- FREE downloads are available  Project Gutenberg for one.

 I also discovered ROBINSON BOOKS which list his books in chroological order

George Alfred Henty was born  December 8, 1832 – November 16 1902 with between 122-144 published works. According to Wikipedia he was a war correspondent. 
I am looking forward to reading his works but it may be a while, it seems my reading list gets longer daily!

WRITTEN by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

BOOK THOUGHTS: HAND QUILTING with Alex Anderson

 

Alex Anderson is an American quilter known for her numerous books and to some a television series. I share this information with you because when my copy of HAND QUILTING with Alex Anderson arrived, I was beyond excited, this is my kind of instruction manual! I found her teaching is more understandable than the other quilt books that I have. Her videos can be viewed via YouTube, I haven’t checked them out yet. I suspect I will add “Simply Quilting” with Alex Anderson to Esther Miller’s videos on hand quilting as my reference resource.

HAND QUILTING with Alex Anderson was a whim purchase; it was less than $3 used so I bought it, list price for a new copy $11.50 on Amazon. The book is a total of 40 pages with the last 5 the templates for the six projects. The projects are: 1- pillow and 5- different wall hangings; each appears to be beginner friendly projects. 

As I researched the author I discovered she has 30 quilting books published in 4 languages with over one million copies sold. The one book I could not find by this author: The double wedding ring quilt. 

WRITTEN by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

HAVE YOU SUBSCRIBED? Thank you! 

BOOK THOUGHTS: MAKING RAGDOLLS

 I ordered MAKING RAG DOLLS by Juanita Clarke because I don’t like the newer crafting books that are being published. This has an original copyright date ofin 1994 and reprinted in 199. What that means to you- Don’t order from Amazon there are quite a few onone- used book places you might be able to get a copy from.

There are 20 rag doll patterns in this book which includes: Mr and Mrs Santa Clause and an elf!  There are both female and male dolls. The book includes: how to make instructions, patterns for the faces, instructions on how to hand embroider the face, and the actual pattern (actual size) for each doll. 

My plan, what I do with all of my hard to find patterns, is to take the book to my printer so he can do his magic in printing the patterns.  Yes, I have a printer and can print them myself but I do not want to take the patterns out of the book and I do not want to spend the time printing them page by page. I will pay for the privilege. Once I get the patterns printed, I will make copies to use. Yes, the clothing patterns are included.

I have made rag dolls before and they really are not that complicated to make. I unusually make them by hand so I can sew and watch television. 

WRITTEN by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 

BOOK THOUGHTS: THE QUILTERS KITCHEN

 

The 14th book in the Elm Street Quilt book series was the quickest read, technically, of the series I have read. Why? Because, THE QUILTERS KITCHEN by Jennifer Chiaverini, is a total of 214 pages filled with mouth watering recipes as well as a short story. I don’t know if it is a recipe book with a story or a novelette with recipes woven in it.  Should I  put this book on the shelf with all of my cookbooks or keep it with my collection of books by Mrs. Chiaverini; of course it will go with the others.

Recipes aside this was an enjoyable book, a bit retrospective. There are only two characters presented in this book the most recent, Anna, and Sylvia. The story takes place in the kitchen of Elm Street Manor which is being remodeled. Anna and Sylvia are boxing up everything so that the carpenters and such can come in are upgrade the vintage area. The contents of the cabinets and draws take the reader along with Sylvia down memory lane. Which is why, again I say, you have to read these books in order. 

Because I have read the other books in chronological order, I could remember as Sylvia revealed to the newest team member a story about the objects. Many of the recipes discussed were recipes prepared in a previous book; I don;t remember all of them (bonus recipes perhaps)  I do remember the cornucopia incident between Sylvia and Claudia. 

The recipes: OMM! (Oh my my) I saw a few that I want to investigate and I am happy to share that the reader will find a directory of all recipes mentioned in the back of the book. NOTE: The recipes are presented in a logical fashion not taking away from the story.

Of course I am going to recommend the book but not because of the quilt made, though there was discussion of making one, but because of the recipes and  like Book 13 THE WINDING WAYS QUILT it is like a refresher course of where we have been.  Not only do we have 2, 3 if you count the husband, new characters but it looks like there may be a problem in the next book: THE LOST QUILTER.

It will be a while before I read another Jennifer Chiaverini book because I have at least 2 novels in the cure and, one non-fiction book and 2 crafting books to read and review plus Tax season is over for me and I am going back to work early! I AM NOT A FAST READER.

WRITTEN by Marsha L Floyd

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED