A Higher Court - John L. Betcher, Author
3:55 PM Posted by MAC
Kensey's Cucumber Salvation
Category: Appetizer/Hors d'oeuvre
Ingredients:
1 loaf cocktail rye bread (approx. 2" x 2")
8 oz. cream cheese (may substitute light cream cheese)
2 medium cucumbers
Garlic salt
Paprika
Peel cucumbers and slice into 1/4" thick segments. Spread cream cheese on cocktail bread slices. Place one cucumber slice in the center of each bread slice. Sprinkle with garlic salt and paprika to taste. Arrange on platter or plate. Keep refrigerated until serving. Eat with fingers.
Thanks,
John
A Higher Court – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat
"God vs. Science at it's Best"
“Thank you for coming today. My first announcement may be a surprise to some of you who are familiar with typical jury selection procedures. But there will be no voir dire – no questioning of Jurors for today’s trial.” The Judge seemed to be looking directly at me as he continued to speak. “All of you have been chosen to serve as Jurors in this matter. There will be no further selection process. There will be no alternates. No one will be excused. To be perfectly clear…every one of you will serve.” So much for my day of contemplation and reflection. But what in the hell was this Judge thinking? Maybe he was a more pitiable specimen than I had first surmised. There were more than thirty of us prospective jurors here. The Judge’s statement was absurd. The court couldn’t empanel more than twelve jurors, plus a couple alternates. The law didn’t allow for it. Before I had finished considering the Judge’s bizarre statement, he interrupted my thoughts with another declaration…a statement I could never have anticipated…and words I will never forget. “Today you will determine if God exists.”
William Kensey has been summoned for jury duty. Being an attorney himself, he knows what goes on during a trial. He knows what questions and answers are important, needing to be listened to carefully and which are fluff. He is expecting to spend the “fluff” time thinking about his lack of feelings after the passing of his father. But nothing could have prepared him for the trial he will be acting as a juror for.
As the trial proceeds the Counsel for Repudiation and the Counsel for Existence will both present witnesses who deliver rather strong testimonies to their beliefs. As I read each argument, I found them to be a test for my own faith. I read about the Big Bang Theory presented by the professor dealing in the area of cosmology. What he said could make sense when he explained that earth was a lot older than the Bible tells us. My personal answer to this is “how long was a day in God’s time?” The question arose that man couldn’t have been made from “dirt.” “What was God’s dirt?”
“From the beginning, when the Almighty first gave man a soul, man has been stubborn and disobedient. Man has never been satisfied being man. He lusts to be God – an aspiration he can never achieve. So for the most part, man has chosen to separate himself from God…to make his own way in the world.” Looking at the world both past and present, I find this statement to be 100% true. Another statement made that I feel is so true with the world and man was the Author’s conclusion that there are five obstacles that prevent mankind from attaining faith. They are – Anger, Fear, Ego, Idolatry and Comfort. Again, as I read the reasons behind these five obstacles I have to say that I agree.
After reading The Shack, many asked what I thought and should they read it. My answer to them was that I felt it should be read with an open mind. If read with an open mind, I feel you will receive the message intended for you. That is exactly how I feel about A Higher Court. By reading with an open mind, you become one of the jurors and will be able to make up your own mind as to whether God does or doesn’t exist.
I could spend all day expressing my feelings for A Higher Court but will leave it at this. While reading A Higher Court, I actually emailed, called and talked to several friends with my recommendations for the book. And this was done before I had even finished.
In my opinion, A Higher Court is right up there with The Shack. A must read no matter what you believe.
225 pages
2010
ISBN# 1453833250
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com
Labels: A Higher Court, Biblical, Book Reviews, creations, God, John L. Betcher, Martha A Cheves, religious, science, Stir Laugh Repeat
"This book is made up of 3 individual stories. All three are short reads and other than the setting, which is Mexico, all three are completely different."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"You'll follow Logan as she tramples through kudzu, goes to her first Testicle Festival, rents a room from a woman who runs around at night in the nude and connects with a wolf. You will also follow her as she gets her man, or should I say men."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"Will the people of Hollow Gap pull together and defend themselves from the Indian up-rise or will they fall apart. Find the answers to these questions and more when you read this book of taming the West through love."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"I would NEVER have guessed the turn of events that make up the last 20 pages of Fresh Frozen. The hiring of the spy will surprise you and the murder will surprise you even more. So if you love a good mystery, this book is definitely for you."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"As I read I felt as if I was a witness watching this evil man do the things he did to these young women. As I read through the trial I felt like one of those ready to convict him. As I listened to the comments by his wife, I could feel her pain and confusion."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"After reading Breaking My Silence I saw Jane as a strong person who was determined to do whatever was needed to get her children back into her life and to do whatever it took to make her life as complete as possible without the prostitution. This was one of the most informative books I've ever read about a subject that is normally kept behind closed doors."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"
While reading Genesis Beach I found myself not wanting to put it down. Each page had a piece of evidence that would help me solve the mystery before Logan. I really thought I had pin-pointed the murderer. Boy was I in for a shock."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"I've enjoyed reading this book. It's a cross between a "fiction" and a "true crime." So if you enjoy either genre you will enjoy A Study in Red. Do keep in mind that this book is very descriptive."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"The story captured me from the beginning, the evil of Rovella never ceased to amaze me, and the love that was always there but didn't surface due to guilt made me feel the pain that I'm sure she felt. The ending was perfect."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"This has been a really enjoyable book.
I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery. Beth, don't change your way of writing! I've really enjoyed reading Basket Case and will be reading more of Beth's books."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"I feel this is a wonderfully written book that would be helpful not just for young people who are overweight but also for those who look at a person, no matter the age, call them names, shun them and refuse to accept them as they are."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"Bertha Speaks Out is a very enjoyable book to read. Bertha finds herself in positions that will make you laugh and cry. You will feel her pain but also feel her pride when she stands up for what is right. It’s a must read for children as well as adults.
"
(Martha A. Cheves)
"Read Thicker than Water and ask yourself these questions. Did the wife make the right choice? Was her decision worth 15 years of her family’s life? Would you have made the same decision?
I highly recommend Thicker than Water. As I said, it was a joy to read."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"As I read I kept asking myself “Who would put out a hit on David and why?” “Who are The Chosen Few and what do they have to do with David?” “Will Max get to David before it’s too late?” You will have to read The Chosen Few yourself to find the answers to these questions."
(Martha A. Cheves)
"This book has taught me that life is like a chain. Everyone we meet becomes a link in our chain. Some links may be weak, but the strong ones keep the chain from breaking. And as memories and secrets are shared with those strong links, they become even stronger."
(Martha A. Cheves)
I'm from Georgia, moved to North Carolina by way of Florida. I've been in Charlotte for 14 years and love it. The recipes in my book Stir, Laugh, Repeat are all tested by "Food Testers" of which I now have 24. They try a dish and rate it from 1-10 with only those scoring at least an 8 making the book. My website is a holding place for my 2nd book Stir, Laugh, Repeat... Again. Please visit my site to find new recipes and tips. All recipes are easy, using common ingredients and according to my testers, great!
January 18, 2011 6:03 AM
A HIGHER COURT
The best book I read in 2010 by far. Don't miss it...no what your beliefs are.
WRP