Summer reading

As summer arrives in Oakmont I find myself sitting outside more and more to enjoy one of my favorite pass times, that being reading a book. I wish I was a better reader, that is faster, but I'm still plodding along trying for my objective of reading at least one book a month. After I achieve that my next goal will be to read a book a week. I have found that like any other physical activity the more you practice it the better you get so I may yet achieve my ambition. That would be a good thing as my “to be read” stack is growing at a far greater rate than the completed one! Let me tell you about some of the books that have recently made it into the completed pile.

I enjoy thrillers that combine technology, action and adventure of the type that Tom Clancy is famous for. I also love mysteries that are intertwined with computers. So when a recommendation came up on Amazon for a book called “Code Breaker” by Katherine Myers I read the synopsis and decided to add it to my shopping cart. The story revolves around a young woman who was recruited right out of collage for cryptography work at the National Security Agency. An odd set of circumstances takes her out from behind a desk and has her doing field work at a software company. Latter in the book it wanders into the area of what I consider science fiction which was a surprise twist. The book was published in 1999 and the computer technology is slightly dated but not enough to distract from the story. At slightly under three hundred pages it was a quick read and very enjoyable none the less.

Last year CBS premiered a new weekly television show called “The Unit” which deals with secret counter terrorist force that answers only to the president. I liked the pilot so much that I set my TiVo to record it each week to be watched at my leisure. With TiVo I can watch an hour long show in about forty minutes. I noticed from the first episode that the show was based on a book written by one of the founding members of the Delta Force, Command Sergeant Major Eric L. Haney, retired. Titled “Inside Delta Force” this book tells the story of the creation of Delta Force and describes the recruiting of men to serve in it and the selection process that decides if they are qualified for this elite group of warriors. This is not a work of fiction but rather a first hand account from one of the teams first members. This is one of those situations where real life surpasses what the novel writers create from imagination. I think everyone should read this book and learn what the volunteers of this unit do in service to our country. A great read.

Other non fiction that I have been reading includes “Winning The Future” by Newt Gingrich. The former speaker of the House of Representatives and collage history professor has a keen sense for technology and what its abilities are to improve not only government but human kind. He is best known for the “Contract With America” launched during the mid term elections in 1994 that brought control of the government into Republican hands for the first time in decades. Mr. Newt is now proposing a “21st Century Contract With America” through this book in which he lays out a plan for dealing with the world that we live in today. The book offers ideas on fighting the war on terror, how to deal with the economic challenges from China and India, how to reestablish God in America public life, reforms for social security, health care and much more. Like “Inside Delta Force” this is a book that I wish all Americans would read particularly young people. Newt Gingrich is a leader in the truest sense of the word and I believe that he is planning a run for the presidency in 2008 which I also believe would be good for the country and the world. I highly recommend this book no matter what your political affiliation is. The power if its ideas could help change America for the better.

My stack of books currently being read include “The Fair Tax Book” authored by talk show host Neal Boortz and congressman John Linder. I'm actually reading the new paper back version which has additional material that has been added since the release of the original hardback. This is an idea that I am very excited about and intend to make that fact known to my elected representatives.

“Captured By Grace” written by Dr. David Jeremiah is an inspirational volume telling stories from John Newton, the author of one of my favorite hymns, through the Apostle Paul and everyday people in our time who have come to understand the grace of God and use that understanding in their daily lives. A very interesting books indeed.

I will be spending most of my daily reading time though with my latest acquisition from Amazon which is "What would the Founder Do?”. I'm still in the introduction chapter and already I can tell you that I am going to enjoy this book immensely. Written by Richard Brookhiser who has penned a number of books about our founding fathers and who also has a deep understanding of American history. It looks at present day politics and subjects that our country is currently addressing through the lens of history and what the men who founded our country and wrote its “owner manual” would do about these matters. I will write a better account after I have completed it and let you know if it meets my expectations.

For right now I'm going to leave this computer have some lunch then take the aforementioned book and take up residence in the sun shine. I hope you have a great day in the Lord.

Food, fun, good conversation and friends. What more could you ask!

Redeemer Lutheran Church & School will be holding their annual Strawberry Festival this Friday evening, June 9th 2006, from 06:00 PM to 8:00 PM and as a member of the congregation I'm inviting you to join us. We do this event every year on the front lawn of the church, weather permitting, and indoors should it be raining.

There will be hot dogs, baked beans, hot sausages and all of the typical summer cook out fair. Oh, and don't forget desert! Strawberry short cake with or without ice cream although my lovely wife Linda can't imagine why you would want it without the ice cream. Even better than the food will be a chance to relax and chat about whatever comes to mind with a really nice bunch of folks. You don't need to be a member of the church or even a resident of Oakmont to join us. Everyone is welcome! If you read this and do attend I plan to be there so be sure to see my picture on the blog and make sure you introduce yourself and say hello.

There is a small charge for the food and I apologize for not having the figures as I write this if I get that information I will edit the post and add it later. The money collected goes to support our missions and will be put to good use doing God's work. So come and join us if you can, I look forward to meeting you. Should I not be there when you arrive just introduce yourself to any of our members and you will be welcomed to the gathering.