The Heart of the Matter: Style vs. Life-Saving Stats

Withings Scanwatch on my wrist

This is my Withings ScanWatch, a hybrid “smart” fitness watch. I’ve been wearing the 42mm black version (the original model, not the ScanWatch 2) for a long time now, paired with the metal oyster band, and it’s become part of my everyday routine.

What I love most is the balance it strikes: classic analog style with just enough smart features. The tiny digital display scrolls messages, calls, and notifications, and while you can’t reply from the watch, it’s great for deciding whether something needs immediate attention. The battery life is phenomenal—measured in weeks, not days—and it tracks steps, heart rate, sleep, and offers on‑demand ECG and SpO2 readings. It even does occasional automated SpO2 checks during sleep.

The ECG feature has been genuinely useful. It once captured an episode of afib when I felt palpitations and ran a recording. I sent the PDF to my cardiologist, which led to a follow‑up evaluation. So this watch has absolutely earned its place on my wrist.

But there’s one thing it doesn’t do: continuous heart‑rate monitoring. It only tracks continuously during a manually started workout session. And that’s where my dilemma begins.

Review of "How to Reach Your Full Potential for God" by Charles Stanley

I was very excited to read this book, based on the title of the book and the author.  I've not read anything by Charles Stanley myself before, but have been in various settings where his works were used (for example, my Sunday School teacher uses some of his works at times for our class).  However, I was very disappointed by the book.  It seemed to me too forced and not naturally flowing, and did not provide the type of insights that I was expecting.  Essentially, I found it to be a self-help style book with a spiritual slant, but not as well written as what I've heard in other works by Stanley.

The book itself was choppy and difficult to read, not a flowing work that grabbed my attention and encouraged me to read more.  Some of the other books I've read in this vein are difficult to put down, making you want to get on to the next chapter before taking a break; not so with this one.  I found little desire to continue reading, and had to force myself through the book (primarily for the sake of the review).  I presume this is not typical of Stanley's work, as (previously mentioned) I've been impressed by what I've heard from other of his writings, but this one failed to impress.  I'm sorry to say that I don't recommend this book, as I'm sure his other works are certainly worth reading.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review of Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl

The book “Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl” (by N. D. Wilson) is one of the best I have read recently. This book characterizes God's creation in imaginative ways that may elude those of us stuck in the doldrums of daily life. Wilson's perspective on life, from ants to giant oaks, is refreshing and reminds the reader of the creativity and awesomeness of the creator. Further, Wilson expresses some concepts that are very intriguing, yet simple, but may easily be overlooked in either a casual or a deep study of creation.

Wilson's creative, often humorous look at things made me stop to appreciate just how wonderful the world is, and how often I fail to appreciate the wonder and the beauty of the world around me. Initially near comical, the book slowly turns into a more serious side, exploring the concept of an overarching creator from a mere worldly perspective while never abandoning its lighter side. This approach lends itself well to offering this book to an unbelieving friend with potential for more in-depth discussions of creation and, more importantly, the creator. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and have already encouraged others to read it.

Review: The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns

26,500 children died yesterday. 26,500 died today. 26,500 will die tomorrow, and the next day, and the next, all due to poverty-related causes (lack of food, lack of clean water, lack of medical care, etc.). And yet each one of these deaths is preventable, provided that those with means – you, for instance – each do a part to combat the poverty and hunger that is rampant in many parts of the world. This is the message that Richard Stearns is trying to bring to our attention, a wakeup call to Christians everywhere. Something’s missing in our modern vision of the Gospel, the “Good News” that we (the church) are supposed to spread to a lost and dying (in more ways than one) world. Somewhere over the last 2000 years we’ve lost sight of true religion, God’s religion: “to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world,” (James 1:27b, NKJV*) and “to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17, NKJV*)

“The Hole in Our Gospel” is not a book about statistics, it’s about people, individuals; but the statistics in the book are quite astonishing and eye-opening. However, the numbers presented are justly used to show the quantity of suffering, while the supporting text shows the effectiveness that a single individual’s contributions have. Through his own personal experiences, Stearns shows how the Gospel, in its entirety, can truly change the world. That “whole Gospel” includes not just the telling of the good news, but the providing and caring for those in need.

Having just finished “The Hole in Our Gospel,” I can confidently say that this is a book that should not be read by the average Christian. That is, it should not be read by the average Christian who wants to remain average.

It is very difficult to write a review of this book without going in-depth into its content; suffice it to say that it is very engaging and very personally challenging at the same time. This book serves as a call to action and a reminder that we were saved for good works (see Ephesians 2:8-10), not just for our own personal gain. Richard Stearns does a phenomenal job of portraying our modern world and our modern church. Time after time I was personally convicted by the words in this book. From tears to anger, shame to sorrow, emotions are stirred by the portrait of those suffering in parts of the world that are not necessarily next door to my house, but are reachable through a variety of methods easily at my disposal.

* New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Bible text from the New King James Version® is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions, P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214-1000.

Review of Think and Make It Happen: Good even for psychiatry skeptics

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In short, I think that most people would be well served to read Think and Make It Happen (by Dr. Augusto Cury).  Its techniques have the potential to improve quality of life and to help people understand some of the reasons why they may be having particular mental-related issues and how to overcome them.

I was very interested in reading this book based on its description and, in particular, Max Lucado’s comment regarding its psychological analysis of Jesus of Nazareth.  I’m not sure I’ve ever really considered a “psychological” look at Jesus.  As Lucado says, “It sheds new light” on Him.  It also shows how to apply His ways of thinking to our own particular situations.

However, I also approached the book with skepticism.  I’ve never put much stock in psychology.  After reading this book, though, I have a new appreciation for the science of psychology and the lack of preparation that we (the human race) give our children during their schooling and upbringing.  With the increasing number of psychotic episodes experienced in modern times, I think the ideas described in this book are definitely worth exploring.

As stated in the introduction, “we humans are collectively becoming more mentally and emotionally ill.”  The premise behind the book’s chapters is looking at “thinking correctly” and what that encompasses.  Through a series of twelve chapters, the author looks at twelve principles aimed at transforming the reader’s thinking into a more positive, healthy mental atmosphere.  Throughout the book he considers the psychological aspects of Jesus’ life and ministry as well as current applications (examples) from his years of practice as a psychiatrist.  He offers practical ways to integrate the principles into your own thinking as well as exercises aimed at a small-group type setting (in fact, the book can be used as a textbook for a small group and provides assistance for the leader of the group, including suggested time frames and hints for separate stages of the group meetings).

The book is well written with a minimum of typographical or grammatical errors (things that I tend to notice).  There are some places where acronyms are used in ways that they may have been forgotten or not clearly defined, but the index provides a quick reference of the acronyms in use in the book (look there if you’re reading and you forget what something like “AMR” means).

I highly recommend this book – even if you don’t agree with everything in it (I don’t), there is enough present to help explain some of the ways that we think and to provide assistance in overcoming common pitfalls of thinking that can lead to diminished quality of life.  It’s not a “quick cure” kind of thing, but putting the principles the book outlines into practice can help improve your thinking – and your life.