Reb Rev's Blog

The Legend of the Monk and the Merchant: Principles for Successful Living by Terry Felber is a great read.

However, in the interest of full disclosure, the study guide at the end of the book is a Dave Ramsey product. There is much good material in that section as well, it is just not advertised to be such.

The first part of the book, the actual “legend” portion, contains a story with twelve “principles” based on Biblical truths. These truths are taught through the perspective of an aging grandfather as he reveals his life story to his grandson.

The principles deal with everything from realizing we are all called to ministry whether vocational or in the marketplace, taking responsibility for our actions – and the outcome, taking care of our family, how to best help those in need and tithing.

The study guide is thought provoking and, while I agree with much of Mr. Ramsey’s material, I must personally take issue with some of his points of view – “Don’t keep pets” being just one of those.

I would recommend this book on the condition the reader understand the study guide is what it is, and whether you use that portion of the book or not, the “legend” is both entertaining and instructional.

Thomas Nelson provides a free copy of these books for review through their “Booksneeze” Program www.booksneeze.com ; however, I am not required to give a positive review of the book.

We’ve all heard and seen the stories of folks seeing an image of Christ in various objects.

There was the corn flake, the tortilla, and who knows what else. I understand a couple of those things sold on e-bay for quite a sum of money.

Last year a town in Connecticut was in the news for an elm tree which the locals proclaimed sported an image of Christ from a certain angle. Tourism went up in the town apparently as folks traveled from far and wide to see the image on the tree.

One of the most recent reports is a depiction of Jesus on a Wal-Mart receipt. In answer to the question, “What would Jesus do?” I somehow don’t think the answer is show up on a Wal-Mart receipt!

While these apparitions may be interesting, the Bible doesn’t teach us to look for the image of Christ in the material world around us. It does teach those of us who are Christians that WE are to bear the image of our Lord and Savior.

We are to do that by demonstrating the fruit of His Spirit listed on Galatians 5 – love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control