Three Simple Rules That Will Change the World

Three Simple Rules That Will Change the World is a book written by Rueben P. Job and is based on the teachings of John Wesley. This little book speaks volumes in that if each of us followed its three basic tenets, the world would be a very different place.  As the back cover of the book states:  "There is no one secret to life. But there are three simple rules that have the power to change your life and your world.  John Wesley first taught and practiced these rules many years ago. Now it is up to us to practice this way of living.  Not only can these rules change your life, they can change the world.  This insightful work calls us to mutual respect, unity, and a deeper daily relationship with God."  A very worthwhile read.

Holiday Reading

For our patrons who celebrate things other than Christmas this time of year, here are a few titles that might be of interest to you:

Eight Tales for Eight Nights: stories for Chanukah by Peninnah Schram offers eight traditional tales from around the world that introduce the customs and meanings of Chanukah.


Andrea Carneiro's Jewish Cooking Boot Camp: the modern girl's guide to cooking like a Jewish grandmother, includes over 50 easy-to-follow recipes for such classic dishes as Honey Cake, Rugelach, and Matzo Balls, background on Jewish holidays putting food and tradition into context, interviews with rabbis about creating modern traditions, and tips from Jewish bartenders and party planners.


Inviting God: celebrating the soul meaning of the Jewish holidays, by David Aaron, provides insight into the reasons why we celebrate.

Kwanzaa from holiday to everyday: a complete guide for making Kwanzaa a part of your life, by Maitefa Angaza is a guide to how Kwanzaa, a winter celebration of family, friends, and the African American community, can be part of life all year round. It provides information on the seven principles and offers ideas for planning Kwanzaa gatherings.

Eric Copage's, Kwanzaa: An African-American Celebration of Culture and Cooking, is a complete guide to the history and foods of Kwanzaa. In addition to 125 recipes, it also includes folktales that illustrate each of the seven principles of the celebration.

Happy holidays, and happy reading!

New books about science and religion

Decoding the Language of God: can a scientist really be a believer?: a geneticist responds to Francis Collins by George C. Cunningham. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books, 2010. (Library location is 215 CUN.)


Written by a scientist but easily read by nonscientists, this title is a response to another geneticist's book, The Language of God by Francis Collins (2007). In Cunningham's book, the author refutes the findings Collins made in his book about science and religion. In Decoding the Language of God Cunningham argues that there is no scientific evidence to argue the belief in a personal God, and he argues that much scientific evidence debunks this belief.


Belief: readings on the reason for faith by Francis Collins. New York: HarperOne, 2010. (Library call number is 202.2 COL.)

Here Collins brings together a collection of writings about faith and God from numerous faiths and religious thinkers, scholars and believers around the world. Collins is defending the basis for a belief in God that he states is the most profound question humankind continually asks. This is a good collection of some of the world's profound thinkers and spiritual leaders, such as Augustine and C.S. Lewis to Annie Dillard and Elie Wiesel.


The Language God Talks: on science and religion by Herman Wouk. New York: Little, Brown and Co., 2010. (Library call number is 201.65 WOU.)
In this book, Wouk frequently looks back on his friendship with physicist and atomic bomb scientist, Richard Feynman. Feynman was a humanist, and he and Wouk had many discussions about faith and science. Wouk writes about his life of belief as an Orthodox Jew while also relating his scientific discussions and research for many of his great works of fiction. This is an interesting read about one man's journey through a life of faith.

Pet Loss

Many people have dear pets, and regard them as members of the family. When one dies there is a substantial need to grieve, and the way to find books isn't always clear.

In day to day speech, we say pet loss. But a book may not be using these exact words so, as long as catalogs aren't like google, you need a little help with good keywords to use.

Here are some sample searches
with keywords pets death psychological aspects

grief pets

bereavement pets

Recent Christian Nonfiction Titles

50 Ways To Help Save the Earth: How You and Your Church Can Help Make a Difference by Rebecca Barnes-Davies, 2009. (261.88 BAR)

This book includes 50 good suggestions for putting one’s faith into action while being responsible stewards of God’s creation.





Living Gently in a Violent World by Stanley Hauerwas and Jean Vanier, 2008. (261.8324 HAU)


Theologian Hauerwas works in collaboration with Vanier, founder of the L’Arche communities, to write a book for the Christian Church about living with and learning from the frequently overlooked community of those with disabilities. It is a book about living more peaceably, faithfully and gently in our world.

Recent Christian Nonfiction Titles

The Names of God by Ann Spangler, 2009. (231 SPA)

This book helps both the individual or groups learn how to know and pray by using the many names of God and Jesus as a focal point for prayer and study. It is a 52-week study that includes additional questions for further research.

The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller, 2008. (226.8 KEL)

This book takes a more intellectual approach to understanding Christianity by looking at one of the most common biblical parables in new and creative ways.