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Depth, Honesty, and Context
Through the Lens of an Ancient Yisra’elite Bible Study walks readers through the history, language, culture, and theology of the ancient Yisra’elites. What inspired you to write this theological guide?
Writing a book was never my original intention. My goal at first was simply to research, gather data, and develop a study I could teach in local churches or through online platforms. Over time, people who attended those studies offered thoughtful feedback and repeatedly encouraged me to publish the material in book form.
What ultimately inspired me was a growing concern that much of modern teaching approaches Scripture through a Western lens that ignores the linguistic, cultural, and historical world of ancient Yisra’el. I saw pastors avoiding difficult topics and doctrines being taught without a solid scriptural foundation, often because that ancient context was missing. The more I studied, the more I realized how much meaning is lost without it.
After prayer and reflection, it became clear that transforming the study into a book was the right choice. My intention is not to argue for novelty, but to help readers engage Scripture as its earliest communities would have understood it—with depth, honesty, and context.
Did you learn anything that surprised you during your research for this book?”
Absolutely. The research process was full of surprises. One of the most eye-opening discoveries for me was realizing how differently ancient Yisra’elites understood concepts we often take for granted—things like covenant, identity, honor and shame, communal responsibility, ritual purity, and even time itself. These ideas do not translate neatly into our modern Western categories, and I was often surprised by how much meaning is lost when we try to fit them into our own frameworks.
I also encountered linguistic surprises. Hebrew names, idioms, and expressions that modern translations flatten—sometimes for readability—carry layers of meaning that change the tone of a passage entirely. For example, understanding terms tied to covenant language, marriage imagery, or the “appointed times” of Yahweh revealed connections I had never been shown in church settings. Even the way ancient Yisra’el measured days and months reshaped familiar timelines, such as the biblical festivals or the crucifixion and resurrection accounts.
Another area that surprised me was how much clarity emerges when we consult non-canonical literature—not as Scripture, but as cultural context. Works like Ḥanok (Enoch), Jubilees, or Jasher reflect the worldview, vocabulary, and assumptions of Second Temple Judaism. These writings don’t replace the Bible, but they help us understand how ancient communities thought about angels, the afterlife, judgment, marriage customs, and cosmic order. When you combine that with linguistic study and the biblical text itself, the result is a fuller and more coherent picture of the ancient world.
All of this taught me how much beauty and continuity live beneath the surface when Scripture is allowed to speak from within its original cultural world. Passages that once seemed disconnected suddenly fit together with remarkable clarity. That realization humbled me and reminded me that the Bible was written within a real historical context, to real people who shared a worldview very different from ours. Honoring that world not only deepens our understanding but also brings us closer to the heart of the text itself.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
If there is one thing I hope readers take away from this book, it is a deeper appreciation for how transformative Scripture becomes when we honor its original context. The Bible did not emerge in a vacuum, and when we approach it through the language, culture, and worldview of ancient Yisra’el, we begin to see truths that modern traditions often overlook or soften. That awareness can bring both clarity and curiosity—clarity in understanding what the text is actually saying, and curiosity to keep asking hard questions without fear.
At the same time, I hope it renews a sense of awe for the God who reveals Himself within that context. My prayer is that readers walk away not only with stronger historical and linguistic insight, but with a deeper faith—one rooted in truth, not assumption. If this book encourages believers to read with fresh eyes, greater humility, and a sincere hunger for the heart of Scripture, then it has accomplished its purpose.
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More than a devotional guide and more grounded than a theological essay, this book functions as a lens-cleaner for students of Scripture who want to see the biblical text on its own terms. With clarity and accessibility, it explores how concepts such as honor and shame, communal identity, covenantal relationships, Hebraic idioms, and ancient Near Eastern worldview shaped the original meaning and intent of biblical passages.
Written from within a Hebraic worldview, and with a commitment to both historical integrity and discipleship, the study reframes familiar themes through the eyes of the ancient Yisra’elite community. The result is not speculation or novelty, but restoration—helping modern readers hear the biblical message as its first audience would have understood it.
In this study you will explore:
How the ancient Yisra’elite worldview differs from modern Western assumptions
Why concepts like honor, shame, covenant, kinship, and communal ethics are essential for understanding Scripture
The impact of Hebraic language and idioms on meaning and interpretation
How the Bible communicates through patterns, cycles, and narrative structures rather than abstract doctrines
The difference between covenantal relationships and modern contract-thinking
What happens when Scripture is read within its own cultural soil rather than through later philosophical frameworks
Ideal for readers who:
Want to understand the Bible in its historical and cultural context
Sense a disconnect between ancient Scripture and modern Western interpretation
Teach or lead Bible studies, small groups, or discipleship courses
Are exploring the Hebraic roots of the faith
Desire a deeper, more grounded approach beyond commentary-driven theology
Are curious how honor-shame culture shapes biblical narratives and ethics
Briefly Speaking
Briefly Speaking, by Deborah Shames and David Booth, is an insightful collection of tips designed to help readers prepare and deliver compelling content to an audience. Drawing from psychology, cognitive science, and theater, the book teaches readers how to communicate effectively and persuasively. The book is structured into three comprehensive sections. The first section focuses on speaking with authenticity, developing creative habits, opening and closing conversations, preparing presentations, and storytelling. The second section emphasizes being memorable, delivering confidently, networking, voice and diction, and other key presentation skills. In the third section, readers learn about impactful communication, delivering acceptance speeches, leaving lasting impressions, reading an audience, and examples of influential women in history.
From the outset, it is evident that Shames and Booth practice what they preach. Their intelligent writing is complemented by smart examples and vivid descriptions. For instance, they liken the use of too much detail to overpowering a dish with salt: “Too much detail, like salt, can overpower the palate.” The book is enriched with references to various intriguing sources, such as Paul Ekman’s insights on hand gestures in “Telling Lies” and advice from the movie “The Man Who Would Be King,” making the content relatable and engaging. The non-chronological structure allows readers to navigate the book easily using the table of contents, choosing topics of immediate interest. Additionally, each section ends with a glossary of terms, providing useful definitions that enhance understanding of the lessons presented.
Briefly Speaking offers a wealth of valuable information for professionals, especially those in business. For instance, as someone heavily involved in social events, I learned the importance of eliminating wind-ups and polite introductory phrases to captivate my audience from the start. The book is packed with practical, concise advice and eye-opening examples that are applicable in various scenarios, whether giving a speech at a dinner party, narrating a story, or pitching a business idea.
Deborah Shames and David Booth have crafted a comprehensive guide that is both educational and engaging. Briefly Speaking is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their speaking and presentation skills. The tips are practical, insightful, and sure to help readers convey their messages more effectively. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to enhance your communication skills.
Three Books – 694 Pages | ISBN : 979-8-9897773-4-1
The Music Therapy Profession: Inspiring Health, Wellness, and Joy
The Music Therapy Profession: Inspiring Health, Wellness & Joy is an informative book that describes the many professional aspects the musical therapy profession has. This book is great for current musicians who want to enter the music therapy profession, but it’s also broken down simply enough that even students or novice musicians can easily grasp the ideas within this book. This is a great starting point for anyone interested in a career in musical therapy as it deftly answers some fundamental questions about this valuable field.
Christine Korb’s enlightening book consists mostly of essays from students and graduates in the field of musical therapy. This gives readers an informed view of the profession and how it can impact the lives of practitioners as well as patients. While the novel does delve into the motivational and emotional aspects of the profession it focuses on relaying the technical details one needs in order to participate in the practice effectively. I’m not a musician so I certainly appreciated how easy this book was to pickup and dive into. The language is simple which makes it easy to digest and makes things seem more manageable. Anyone looking to break into the musical therapy field, or professionals looking to take their knowledge to the next level, will find Christine Korb’s book both illuminating and fascinating.
For me The Music Therapy Profession: Inspiring Health, Wellness & Joy was a rewarding experience. Christine Korb gives readers the tools they will need to participate in the musical therapy field, but does not show you (to quote direct) “how to use music to heal”. This is not a book about how to use music to heal, this is a book about the profession that uses music to heal, how one can step into it, and how one can educate themselves further. With this mission, I think, Christine Korb succeeds.
Pages: 134 | ASIN: B0793SKBYM
In Darkness, There is Still Light
![In Darkness, There is Still Light (Wheeler Book 2) by [Zalesky, Sara Butler]](https://i0.wp.com/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51iBATikc1L.jpg?w=604&ssl=1)
In Darkness, There is Still Light rolls in hot, picking up immediately where its predecessor Wheeler abruptly ended and engrossing readers from the very first pages. The Wheeler series centers on the life of professional cyclist Loren MacKenzie, an American living in the United Kingdom, and the physical and emotional challenges that she faces. Darkness resumes where Wheeler left off, right after Loren has won a world championship title in cycling and kissed her movie star boyfriend, Graham Atherton, farewell for three weeks apart as he flies off to film his next blockbuster. As in her first novel, Zalesky is able to squeeze an incredible amount of action into just a few short months of Loren’s life, though perhaps even more impressive is her ability to fit all the thrills in a short 250 page novel that will fly by for readers.
In Darkness should be read after completing the first Wheeler, as Zalesky does not spend much time reintroducing characters or explaining past events. Readers will recognize familiar faces in Darkness, including Loren’s sassy cycling teammates and loyal friends, but Zalesky also introduces new and exciting characters to the mix. While the first Wheeler was a fairly even mix of romance, thriller, and women’s cycling novels, Darkness focuses more on the romance and emotional challenges of Loren’s life, spending more time developing her relationship with Graham and another key character (whose identify I will not reveal!), and spending far less time on the bike. While I missed the road race episodes that Zalesky created in Wheeler, Darkness takes place during the cycling off-season when competitions are infrequent.
Though In Darkness lacks the nail-biting cycling races and triumphant finish line scenes, it is just as thrilling as Wheeler for other reasons. Zalesky further develops Loren as a complex and sympathetic character as she delves into Loren’s troubled past and fractured emotional psyche. One of Zalesky’s greatest strengths is her ability to develop Loren as such a complex but also relatable star. Though hopefully readers have not personally experienced the abuses thrown at Loren, they can relate to the conflicting emotions she feels as her relationship deepens with Graham and the rollercoaster of ups and downs she experiences after traumatic events. But far from a damsel in distress, Loren remains a strong protagonist that readers will find themselves rooting for wholeheartedly. Where Loren shines, though, her knight in shining armor, Graham Atherton, appears rather dull. Even as their relationship deepens, Graham remains a bit one-dimensional as the Shakespeare-quoting, jaw-dropping handsome actor. But, trusting our protagonist Loren’s judgment, I will give Graham the benefit of the doubt and hope that Zalesky continues to develop him in Wheeler’s third installment.
A solid four-star novel, In Darkness, There is Still Light again offers a unique delight for readers with its combination of romance, thriller, and sports. As the name suggests, Darkness tackles challenging and sensitive issues, especially physical and emotional abuse, but Zalesky successfully handles these with depth, grace, and realism. There is never a dull page with Loren, and the few months of Loren’s life covered in Darkness fly by, ending abruptly once more and leaving readers ready for the next race, which is certain to be just as exciting as those in Wheeler and In Darkness, There is Still Light.
Pages: 295 | ASIN: B07BT52785
The Better Practices Guide to Change
![The Better Practices Guide to Change by [Borysowich, Craig]](https://i0.wp.com/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31LmiY%2B%2BAPL.jpg?resize=276%2C423&ssl=1)
Change is important for progress. Change ensures that the business environment stays fresh. It puts the organization on a viable path to success. It breaks monotony.
Craig Borysowich covers a variety of business processes that are required to introduce and manage change. This book will arm the reader with the necessary skills to ensure they can effectively and successfully effect change in the organization. This book covers a range of business related issues and factors that lead to the ease and improvement of performance in the business environment.
Whether one is instrumental in the introduction of change or merely a supporter, they need to understand the unintended consequences of change. There is need to understand how to handle situations that could arise from the change and how to deal with the aftermath. Utilizing the tools found within this book will raise the chances of success for a change agent.
The Better Practices Guide to Change is filled with useful samples, examples, and templates that are directly applicable to the business environment.
The author does a good job of delivering the content in an understandable manner. The outline encourages better perusing of the material. The format is efficient and does not distract the reader from the subject at hand. The worst thing about books in this genre is where the author gets braggy and condescending. The author does not commit that faux pas. He gives advice in a manner that leaves the reader feeling knowledgeable, smarter, and not stupid for not having known prior to reading.
Everything from the format to the material is deeply researched. One can tell that there is experience. The author does not try to aggressively force his ideas onto the reader but rather imparts knowledge for the taking at the reader’s discretion.
The subject has been exhaustively explained. All six sections cover different aspects of change in a way that leaves all questions answered. This book is like an elderly mentor. The author holds the reader’s hand through the sections, explaining each point and frequently pausing to check that they have understood. After reading this book, one will feel like they have just encountered their mentor through real world training.
This book takes on a very serious tone. It may at times feel more like a textbook than a guide. However, this is not a deterrent to the delivery. One will still get the message.
Craig has created a great reference guide. Often people who are responsible for the change process might have doubts about the change itself or doubt which route taken to achieve it. This book will help them review and revise if possible. It will affirm which plan is the correct one and therefore refresh one’s faith in the change. Change does not have to be a big scary ogre, and Craig ensures it is not.
Pages: 390 | ASIN: B078T1GW89
Despicable Ruthless Bosses
Muriel Ellis Pritchett Author Interview
Like Peaches and Pickles follows Georgia as she fights to maintain her position in a work place that is quickly changing. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Throughout my long career in journalism and communication, I never worked anywhere that did not have politics. I never understood politics or learned to play the game. I was always horrified to see workers caught up in politics and crushed alive. I always thought that if I did the best job I could do, if I always tried to exceed my boss’s expectations, and if I stayed as far away from office politics as I could, then I would be fine. However, I soon learned that was not true. I wrote this book for all women who have ever been caught up in office politics, but especially for those women whose lives were forever scarred by despicable, ruthless bosses.
What I liked about Georgia’s character was that she continued to develop throughout the story. What was your inspiration for her character?
I was inspired by the strong women I met over the years whose lives became ensnared in office politics. Women who fought back against wage discrimination and sexual harassment. Women who were vilified for trying to bring about positive changes in the work place.
I really liked how I could relate to the office politics in the story. What experiences from your own life did you bring into the story?
Like all authors, I draw from my own experiences. It was my naivety when it came to back-stabbing office politics that often got me into trouble. I worked 10 years at a major Southern research university, so I definitely had experiences of my own to weave into LIKE PEACHES AND PICKLES, like political hires, wage discrimination, sexual harassment, fraternity hazing, arrested athletes, and campus scandals. I mixed my personal experiences with stories I heard from faculty and staff members at universities and colleges across the United States and Canada.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am currently working on the third book in my “fruity” series–tentatively titled ROTTEN BANANAS. It is about a recently retired university professor who moves to a retirement complex for a safe, no-stress life full of Bridge games, yoga, water aerobics, music concerts, art classes, afternoon tea, and shopping trips to the Mall and Walmart. But one morning as she looks at her Bridge partner and counts up 40 points in her hand, she decides she wants more than that. So she signs up for a Caribbean cruise on the Emerald Dream, where she meets a stowaway, tangles with drug smugglers, gets kidnapped, and becomes involved with a “hottie” secret agent. What could be better than this?
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
![Like Peaches and Pickles by [Pritchett, Muriel Ellis]](https://i0.wp.com/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/512feuD%2BNAL.jpg?w=604&ssl=1)
The university’s selection committee nominates Georgia Davis to become their first woman vice president — a job she’s coveted for more than a quarter century. But the university’s new president, Paul Van Horne, sours her plans by ignoring the committee and hiring Carl Overstreet, his old college buddy instead. In spite of her outrage and better judgment, Georgia begins having romantic feelings for the despicable scoundrel who is now her boss — at least until he fires her. But Van Horne and Overstreet soon learn that a Southern peach like Georgia does not go quietly into the compost bin. And Georgia discovers that revenge can taste as sweet as romance. Like Peaches and Pickles — a deliciously wicked story — will make you laugh, love and cheer for one Southern peach with a pit of steel.
A-C-T Like a Kid and T-H-I-N-K Like a Parent
A-C-T Like a Kid and T-H-I-N-K Like a Parent, by C.S. Whitehurst and Katharine Shears, is a guide for preteens and teens as they enter the most difficult stages of their young lives. The authors present numerous challenging situations, looming questions, and advice for readers. Teen readers are given thorough explanations regarding basic life skills and the necessity in learning early to practice and demonstrate responsibility, showing and earning respect, and getting what they want through appropriate measures.
As a parent and teacher, I appreciate the authors’ detailed advice regarding parents’ feelings about their children. They take a close look at the way parents feel about others hurting their children and the difficulty we have in trusting others not to hurt our children. I was especially touched by the authors’ emphasis on the fact that we, as parents, do not want anyone to hurt our children and that includes the child himself. This is something I find, as a mother, very difficult to express at times.
Children, especially teens, struggle with their feelings toward their parents and question whether they truly understand them or not. Whitehurst and Shears stress that a parent, whether or not he or she has sought professional parenting advice, operates based on what he or she knows from past experiences. Helping children and teens realize that we, as parents, bring our own childhood into the parenting realm allows them to see the significance of the decisions we make–bad or good. The authors are open and informative as they explain parents’ varying strategies.
I realize that the focus of the book was effectively the parent and child relationship and the importance of understanding a parent’s point of view, but I would have liked a little more extensive explanation of the parent’s view of bullying. This is such a difficult aspect to drive home as a mother and a teacher. When children hear someone else explain the same information we have tried ad nauseum to explain, it is often more effective coming from another source. The authors have an excellent opportunity to further address this extremely relevant social issue.
The authors recognize that teens are more likely than not to encounter feelings of dishonesty, and be hit with the desire to hide their feelings and actions from parents. Part Three, Chapter 9 deals quite frankly with these feelings and helps the young reader understand the importance of growing into a trustworthy adult. In addition, the reader receives a thorough explanation of the directness appreciated by parents. In fact, the authors dedicate a great amount of their time to the concept of trust, which I appreciated greatly.
I am giving A-C-T Like a Kid and T-H-I-N-K Like a Parent is a wonderfully persuasive piece which is bound to hit home with teen readers. The authors have been careful not to write above the teen reader’s head, and they effectively touch on a variety of issues within one handy self-help manual.
Pages: 192| ASIN: B076GJLLQ4
Why Do We Quote
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why exactly it’s so natural to quote another person, Why Do We Quote by Ruth Finnegan is a great place to start. This book is laid out much like a textbook and goes over the history behind quoting in a comprehensive timeline. The text is easy to read and peppered with anecdotes which is a far cry from many traditional textbooks. It proves itself to be a wonderful companion piece to any student who may be researching this area as well as informational for an average person to learn more. It’s a look at the subconscious process of quoting and how we are influenced by those around us and what we are exposed to. Quoting itself is something many take for granted and is a process that is so ingrained in our society that we barely realize what we’re doing most of the time. Finnegan will take us on a journey to find out why.
The professional layout of this book would have readers believing that they picked up something from a university or college course. Indeed, this book would be a welcomed companion in a variety of studies from English to the Social Sciences. While the content is dense, it is not too heavy a read. The rationalization that Finnegan provides allows readers to identify more with the subject matter, therefore absorbing and learning from it easier. The illustrations match the content well and there are proper citations for what is being used. This is very important for a book about quoting others. Improper citation would ruin any academic or professional credibility.
Although this is a study disguised as reading material it may indeed be too heavy for a non-academic to enjoy. This is not the kind of book you pick up just for fun: you need to be genuinely interested in the contents or else it will be a book you never finish. To that end, this book may not grab the casual reader. As long as you go into this book with the expectation to learn, you will not be disappointed. Finnegan carefully guides her readers on the history of quotation and gently teaches along the way.
If you are looking for education and a better understanding of how language works, this is a great piece to add to your collection. This comprehensive history of quoting complete with illustrations is a great piece to add to any student or academic’s library. It’s a fascinating study that is sure to grab the interest of those who enjoy this type of reading. Be wary of its length and don’t be afraid to pause while reading it. Finnegan writes in a way that is easy to put down and pick up. Her personal anecdotes also add flavor to something that might otherwise be dry and boring.
Pages: 348 | ISBN: 1906924333
