Monday, February 12, 2018

Book Review: "Romanesque Art" by Andreas Petzold

posting by Dr. James R. Brooks

Living in an era where social media, digital communication and algorithms dominant the landscape, it is refreshing to delve into a period when more enduring and creativity ventures transmitted value and vision.  Andreas Petzold has captured and shared the world of Romanesque Art well.  From geo-political influences to the way artists share knowledge to the influence of women to the impact of various religions, Petzold carefully addresses the topic.
My thanks to Christine Knose Herring for recommending this book.  I will be walking the Camino de Santiago in May / June.  This book has given me a deeper appreciation of the art I will encounter along the way.  Petzold has covered a multitude of art forms from sculpture to painting to architecture to mosaics and more.  

I highly recommend this delightful and insightful read.  In fewer than 200 pages, Petzold has included amazing pictures of the art that is so aptly described.  This book is a true treasure.

Wednesday, January 03, 2018

MidWeek Musings

by Dr. James R. Brooks (fccedwardsville.org)

Happy New Year!  Better than it being mid-week, it is the beginning of 2018!  A new year with resolutions, dreams … and … an opportunity to think about retirement planning.  (love a twist and who saw that topic coming)  If a fantastic retirement is one of your dreams, what are you doing to prepare for it?

This great collection of apps is suggested by the Pension Fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  [shout out to Dr. Todd Adams and his staff]  They provide retirement services for church employees and others in our denomination.  I give them 5 s!

Maybe you like a different app better than these.  My point is … are you thinking about your retirement?  What do you want out of retirement?  Here is a cool quote from page 11 of The Bridge magazine … “If your money is not voting for your #1 life priority, you will never see your #1 priority.”  Want to read this issue of The Bridge?  https://pensionfund.org/resources/publications

God calls us to be good stewards.  An important piece of being a good steward is being generous.  Giving back to God and God’s ministry.  Another important piece of being a good steward is planning ahead and being prepared.   These apps (and others) can help you do so.  Check them out.  



I would really like to hear your feedback on these and other retirement / savings apps.  jrbrooks@fccedwardsville.org