DEI

Install Essentials 507M Tilt Sensor
$79.99
This little add-on is a great buy if you dont want to set your shock sensor too sensitive and still have great protection for your wheels!

Agnus Dei: Music of Inner Harmony: The Choir of New College Oxford
$16.99
It's funny how over the years you find something special. This is one of those special music moments.

I do think that every person will have one track they like better than others but for me there is one track that just chills you to the bone.

It's worth the money for the whole CD just for the one track.

I just wish this was a 7.1 surround sound recording. I guess one day it will be :o)

Opus Dei: An Objective Look Behind the Myths and Reality of the Most Controversial Force in the Catholic Church
$15.95
The novel "The Da Vinci Code" helped fuel interest in this misunderstood organization. Opus Dei means "work of God". It is mostly made up of layman; 85,000 members----small in comparison to other groups. I guess it could be said to be an off-shoot of Roman Catholicism; considered a vocation, not a religious order per say, but a contract. Found in Spain in 1928 by Saint Josemari'a Escriva'. The Opus Dei has expanded quickly since its inception, but its member growth is stagnant. The secrecy that surrounds this organization is what brings the controversy.

Allen's interest in Catholicism is as an investigator. He found the Opus Dei less secretive than believed, and does not claim them neither to be right nor wrong. This is a well researched, fair investigation, and not a commentary. There are even moments that will help in our spiritual walk. But it is a little dry and overwritten----much could be glossed over. And at times he deviates from the subject. It almost reads as an inadvertent apology. There is no bibliography or references.

Allen interviews members, former members, clergy and superiors. In general they say they are not a religious organization and there is no indoctrination. They are very disciplined----the bar is set high for its members. And woman can be found at all levels of leadership roles. Fellowship is what they call "unity of life": where God and works becomes one without thought----with perfection. The Opus Dei is made up of numeraries and supernumeraries: the numeraries are more strict in practice and donate a large part of their earnings to Opus Dei; they make up about 25%. The Catholic Church has been supportive. The Opus Dei is considered more conservative in all areas compared to Catholics. No fraud or red flags have been found with their capital or other moneys.

We have a tendency to judge too quickly without investigating. But let us look at the dangers and questions brought up in this book: 1. The Opus Dei still has the stereotype of being secretive, 2. corporal mortification (self induced pain) by the numeraries is a barbaric practice, 3. they have failed to publish their "statutes", 4. the recruiting practices are questionable, 5. the loyalty to the church?, 6. the salvation by works?, 7. the controversies surrounding Escriva'; none seam condemning, although his creation of the society came through a vision from God, 8. they practice Catholic cultic rituals, 9. there are contradictions between members and former members and, 10. influences on the Catholic Church? We will have to leave it to debate. The Opus Dei has performed a multitude of good works, but there are also dangerous warnings.

Wish you well
Scott

Directed Electronics 520T Back-Up Battery System
$69.99
This product is quality. I have been using it with my civic alarm for over 3 months now. I have had no issues thus far. Easy to hook up, quality product. The only confusing part is the power. When hooking up the wires your your alarm, you use the power wire from the battery. You do not join it with a separate power wire from the car. The alarm is powered by the car through the battery during normal operation. When the car power is lost, the battery continues to power the alarm module.