Leitourgia

The Christian Church has a rich history of prayer. From the days of the earliest believers, Christians have devoted time to communicate with their God. Now, in Jeanie and David Gushee's A Morning and Evening Prayerbook  (Thomas Nelson, 2018), there is a rich source from which to join in the prayers of the ages. The Gushees have searched the prayers of saints—from the early Church Fathers to modern theologians—and compiled them into an attractive prayerbook. Each day contains a morning and evening prayer. The prayers are aligned to the Christian calendar. This is a fantastic resource. Families, individuals, pastors, and believers from all walks of life would benefit from the rich spirituality mined by the Gushees. The prayers are probing, insightful, and succinct. The book itself is portable, attractive, and durable. Apart from a short introduction, there are no commentaries—just raw prayers. The collection spans time and tradition. Rather than letting these replace spontaneous

Worship and theology are inextricably linked; some even say that worship is “lived theology.” The ancient formula lex orandi, lex credendi insists that the goal of theology is to make better worshippers. Yet for many years, there has been a gap in introducing worship as a way of doing theology. To be sure, there is an abundance of works on systematic, historical, and constructive theology, and many on worship theory and practice; however, their intersection is given little attention in current literature. Dennis Okholm observed this problem and offers his Learning Theology through the Church’s Worship: An Introduction to Christian Belief (Baker Academic, 2018) to fill this gap, providing a systematic theology textbook arranged as an order of worship. The book is structured as a worship service, designed to bring readers through the typical movements of a service, stopping along the way to uncover the theology behind the Church’s worship. He opens with an impassioned argument for w

The biblical drama was situated among a highly complex sociological, political, and geographic backdrop. In particular, the world of the Old Testament was a critical time for human civilization—yet most readers of the Bible tend to imagine that Israel alone was the sole nation on the scene. While most OT surveys identify cultural issues within particular sections of the text, or provide a cursory introduction to the ancient Near East in an opening chapter, Behind the Scenes of the Old Testament: Cultural, Social, and Historical Contexts (Baker Academic, 2018) provides a comprehensive entry point into the ancient world in the time of the OT. This authoritative tome brings together contributions from the world’s leading biblical and archaeological scholars to offer a variety of articles on OT background issues. It is divided into three parts. The first, “Elements of the Drama,” includes the stage (historical geography), the set and props (archaeology), the scripts (extra-biblical li

It is no surprise that the locus of the Christian Church is moving outward, from the West to beyond. The missional impulse of recent movements has expanded the meaning of the Church and made John the Seer’s vision increasingly clearer, “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9). In light of the coming of global Christianity, the Western church has become more pressed to establish a global theology. Langham Global Library’s growing Majority World Theology series has provided exposure to Christian thinkers in the majority world on various doctrines. In its most recent addition, The Church from Every Tribe and Tongue: Ecclesiology in the Majority World (2018), a variety of global voices investigate the doctrine of the Church, offering insights into how non-Western lenses on the Church can shape Western theology and practice.  Nine respected theologians and biblical schola

A revised version of the previously published NIV Zondervan Study Bible,  the NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible  (Zondervan, 2018) represents the best of biblical scholarship in a compact study Bible. It introduces Biblical Theology (BT), a discipline that is intended for readers to weave individual books and stories into a larger metanarrative that reveals God's redemptive plan through the entire Bible. To that end, this study Bible includes articles introducing BT and articles on theological matters. While the emphasis of this Bible may appeal to a more Reformed/covenantal audience, the contributors span a variety of theological traditions and are respected authorities within their discipline. The verse-by-verse notes—over 20,000—are insightful and suitable for determining the historical, literary, and cultural background of the text with a view to responsible interpretation of Scripture. There are in-text cross references, a concordance, maps, and useful charts. Each book co

Our Bibles may contain words, but its message evokes grand imagery that can often be lost through an all-text document. Graphic designer Karen Sawrey's Infographic Bible  (Zondervan, 2018) is an attempt to bring the text of the Bible to life through the visual arts. In a large collection of infographics that cover key biblical characters, events, themes, topics, and other events in church history relating to the Bible, Sawrey has created a captivating book that allows readers to visually engage with the story of the Bible. The 84 infographics are divided according to the "big picture" themes of Scripture's grand story—from creation to re-creation—and are varied in their purpose and layout. Some are type-driven; others are illustration-driven. Topics range from biblical names and attributes for God to the profiles of the kings of Israel and Judah. Scripture references are provided throughout. Overall, this is a superb book. To be sure, calling it a "Bible&qu

Paul Scott Wilson's celebrated preaching text, The Four Pages of the Sermon  (Abingdon, 2018) is now available in a revised and updated edition, with additions that reflect advancements in homiletical scholarship and cultural dynamics. First published in 1999, Wilson challenged the New Homiletic movement to emphasize God's gracious activity within the text and to let it saturate the entirety of the sermon—not to use the Gospel as a tantalizing treat at the end of a well-crafted plot. Today, this text stands as one of the most respected and accessible works for preachers at all stages in their ministry. Wilson argues that there are four main moves, or "pages," in a sermon: the problem in the text, the problem in the world, the grace in the text, and the grace in the world. Like Eugene Lowry's "homiletical plot," Wilson's sermon upsets the listener by exposing a human need and then moves toward resolution through the power of the Gospel. These page

The Bible was meant to be read, interpreted, and applied in community. This community of faith does not simply exist with the present church but with saints throughout the ages who have a shared experience with Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, the insights of believers past can become lost in the dusty books of academia, inaccessible to armchair readers. Thus, the NKJV Ancient-Modern Bible  (Thomas Nelson, 2018) was written to fill this gap. It is a unique study Bible—but its study notes are writings and sermons gleamed from the greatest theologians of the Church. The commentary covers theologians from all sides of the spectrum, from John Calvin to Billy Graham, from John Chrysostom to N.T. Wright. This is a spectacular resource, for readers are able to read the Bible alongside some of the Church's most profound thinkers. It would be especially helpful for preachers or students attempting to find insights on a tricky passage. The design of this Bible is flawless; it is simple and e

What do the laws of Leviticus have to do with Jesus? The ESV Story of Redemption Bible  (Crossway, 2018) is the first of its kind—a narrative Bible. With a running commentary that is designed to imitate a conversation, this Bible attempts to tell the entire Story of God without cumbersome footnotes or sidebars. Instead, a brief note from Greg Gilbert occurs throughout the text to provide a "rest stop" to explain how the passage fits into the larger narrative of Scripture. Standing between devotional and critical commentaries, this Bible helps those who are meditating on Scripture to find its place in a greater, especially in parts of the Bible in which it may be difficult to identify where the Story is going. The notes are not distracting and carefully placed within the text. They are short yet insightful. Moreover, critical readers will be pleased with an assortment of illustrations, maps, and timelines. In particular, the Bible features a large fold-out timeline giving

Religious Affections Ministries, 2017 "Why another hymnal?" ask the editors of Hymns to the Living God,  a new hymnal published by Religious Affections Ministries. Is another hymnal necessary or relevant, given the large numbers of print hymnals published and the advent of digital resources? According to the hymnal editors, there is no greater time of need for a hymnal to return to one of its most basic functions: a compact library of the church's canon in a given time. Hymns to the Living God  does not seek to be the new, flashy hymnal with the latest songs. Instead, it is a thoughtful compilation of the church's greatest songs through its heritage. The editors have deemed these 294 hymns to be the best of congregational singing and span across the centuries and continents. With a total of 350 items, this hymnal is thin and, to some, too light. But Religious Affections intentionally chose this smaller number due to the number of songs a congregation is able to

IVP, 2017. 180 pp. Summary We live in a world that has lost its wonder. Or so argues Mike Cosper in his celebrated book Recapturing the Wonder: Transcendent Faith in a Disenchanted World   (IVP Press, 2017). This book has a two-fold purpose: 1) to identify the deficiencies and symptoms of a disenchanted spirituality, and 2) to provide remedies for re-enchanting our worlds. In essence, this book packs a double punch, serving as a spiritual disciplines handbook and a devotional text. He addresses disciplines such as prayer, Scripture meditation, solitude, secrecy, and fasting. By reaching to the Church's historic practices, Cosper maintains, we can restore an enchanted spiritual life. My ordinary life felt strangely irreligious. Evaluation Cosper's book is a fantastic text for Christians who feel skeptical toward acts of wonder in the world. His writing is candid, free, and humorous—yet perceptive and insightful. He draws on an array of relevant examples of our dis

IVP Formatio, 2018. 224 pp. Today’s worship leaders are, to use one of their favorite words, reckless. Many crave the culture and all its flash—from high-tech productions to laser shows to Nashville-quality music. Yet that is not the core of worship; if the extravagance is stripped away from a Sunday morning service, then what is left? Worship leader Manuel Luz, in his new book Honest Worship: From False Self to True Praise (IVP Formatio, 2018), pushes us toward a vision of worship that detaches itself from performance and personal praise, instead seeking a God-honoring experience. At its core, this is a spiritual formation resource targeted especially (although not exclusively) toward worship pastors. Luz lays some of the foundational concepts for a theology of worship, and then applies it to the identity of the worship leader. Instead of becoming absorbed in a postmodern culture, Luz argues, the worship leader must submit to the grand vision of worship—a reenactment of the Sto

Kregel Academic, 2018. 366 pp. For many Christians, the issue of reconciling God’s sovereignty and human responsibility is in tension. In other words, how do Christians justify the biblical evidence that God controls the entire world, yet he has given humans free will? Various theological models have arisen, including Calvinism, Arminianism, Process Theism, and Open Theism, with each tipping the scale heavier toward either sovereignty or responsibility. Instead, theologian John Laing, in his new book Middle Knowledge: Human Freedom in Divine Sovereignty (Kregel Academic, 2018), suggests that the sixteenth-century doctrine of middle knowledge ( scientia media ) best explains this dichotomy. Laing provides an introduction to the doctrine of middle knowledge, also referred to as Molinism (after its pioneer, Luis de Molina). He first surveys the prevailing theories of providence and argues for the superiority of Molinism and its centrism. Laing then addresses common objections to Mo

Kregel Ministry, 2018. The realities of mental illness are not excluded from the life of the Church, and, unfortunately, discussion of mental illness is often a taboo subject in many churches. Moreover, many ministers are unsure of how to minister to the mentally ill within their own congregation, with such education taking little priority in seminary curriculum. Thus, Steve Bloem's The Pastoral Handbook of Mental Illness  (Kregel Ministry, 2018) is a fantastic resource for the basics on mental illness and its implications for the Church. There are not many books quite like this one. Designed for pastors and other church leaders, The Pastoral Handbook of Mental Illness  first makes a biblical case for mental illness, dispelling its common myths and arguing for its placement within the canon of pastoral care. Bloem then surveys the major mental illnesses and suicide. Each illness is given a psychological/scientific background, treatment options, tips for the pastor, and referr

Abingdon Press, 2017. "There is nothing new about contemporary worship." I've heard this phrase repeatedly by worship scholars and professors, and so it follows that something with an established history deserves a written record. Thus, liturgical historians Swee Hong Lim and Lester Ruth have written Lovin' on Jesus: A Concise History of Contemporary Worship   (Abingdon Press, 2017). It seems somewhat oxymoronic that there is a history of contemporary worship, yet Lim and Ruth (a dynamic duo of worship musician and worship historian) offer a well-needed filling to the history of the church's praise. Following the lead of worship historian James White, Lim and Ruth follow the model outlined in White's celebrated A Brief History of Christian Worship,  suggesting its ability to be read either supplementally or independently of this classic text. After summarizing the origins of contemporary worship which, perhaps surprisingly, date back as early as the nine

Os Guinness' spiritual classic The Call (Thomas Nelson, 2018) has been reprinted in a new edition which features expanded chapters and a personal study guide. The book answers one of the most pressing and central questions to human existence: What is my life calling? Guinness approaches the subject from a Christian perspective and asserts that God has made each individual for a specific purpose. As we seek to know God's will and call for our lives, we submit to follow him in faith and obedience. This book is 30 chapters which are designed to read as individual devotionals each day. They are short, warm, and insightful. Guinness is a master with words, clearly making his point with resounding truth. He draws on the wisdom of philosophers like Kierkegaard, Lewis, Kuyper, Luther, and Einstein and also interacts with his personal experiences and biblical accounts to craft a robust theology of calling. Guinness writes for both seekers and believers, realizing that everyone in li

There are (perhaps unsurprisingly) very few books on the history of the Hebrew language. Angel Sanez-Badillo's A History of the Hebrew Language  was a seminal work in this area, but there remains little scholarship in Hebraic linguistics. But now, Lewis Gilnert's  The Story of Hebrew  (Princeton, 2017) fills this void and provides an accessible yet rich history of Hebrew. He probes a sweeping account of the language, from its origins in Genesis (in which he claims the first Hebrew words were spoken) to its revival in modern Israel. From Aleph to Tav Yet this book is more than a dry history of one language; rather, it examines the significance of the language to the people who spoke it. Gilnert, a respected Jewish scholar, traces its usage in Judaism and Christianity, how it served as a scholarly language in the Middle Ages, and how it was preserved carefully only to be revived by Zionists in the modern age. He explains how Hebrew was used in ancient prayer, and how it conn

Formerly known as the Everyman's Bible Commentary,  Alan F. Johnson's perceptive commentary on the New Testament book of Romans has been republished as Everyday Bible Commentary: Romans  (Moody, 2018). This is a full-length commentary on Romans but is written for a popular audience. Nevertheless, Johnson provides a wealth of scholarly insights that are accessible to those without a seminary education! The mission of this commentary series suggests that Bible study should not be for the scholarly elite; if the Bible was written for the people, then all people should be able to understand it. Johnson fulfills this mission in his commentary. The book is divided by the book's major divisions, just as a normal single-volume commentary would be. Especially useful are Johnson's charts and diagrams. Romans is a notoriously complex work, and Johnson does an excellent job untangling it for laypeople. Johnson treats theological issues fairly and does not dive too far into doct

Dr. Jerry Vines, a veteran pastor and Bible scholar, has combined his decades of insights from studying and teaching the Bible to create The Vines Expository Bible.  There are four main features in this text: Presenting the Message,  outlines from Vines' personal teaching archive that can be used in preaching. Living the Message,  short stories that can be used as sermon illustrations. Applying the Message,  suggestions to make the text come alive in one's personal life. Discerning the Meaning,  brief word studies on key terms in a passage. This is not necessarily a study Bible; it is more of a devotional Bible. To be sure, pastors and teachers will find much utility in Vines' trove of insights; however, it should not be a substitute for personal study. Vines' teaching is valuable and presented in a friendly, pastoral manner. As a Baptist preacher, Vines may not theologically align with all in the Christian tradition. This Bible also features an extensive ind

William Carey Press, 2013. 608 pp. In his seminal book Worship is a Verb, the late Robert Webber established a radical principle for worship: All creation joins in worship. But what does that look like? It can be difficult to recognize that the rest of the world worships differently than us—so how can this gap be reconciled? Krabill’s Worship and Mission for the Global Church: An Ethnodoxology Handbook is a one-of-a-kind resource, serving as an introduction to ethnodoxology. This tome is essentially a textbook on this emerging field in worship studies, a subject on which there has previously been little scholarship. Featuring a collection of essays from leading worship scholars from around the globe (including diverse voices such as John Witvliet, Jaewoo Kim, Harold Best, and John Piper), Worship and Mission was written by ICE (the International Council of Ethnodoxologists) in order to fill a much-needed gap in understanding the principles of multiethnic worship. Krabill and cont

Crossway, 2017 Crossway's recent ESV Archaeology Study Bible  (2018) is a fantastic resource for those interested in engaging deeper with the Word of God while understanding its historical context. Editors John Currid and David Chapman have carefully constructed a study Bible which contains scholarly insights for spiritual application. With contributions from leading biblical scholars and archaeologists, the ESV Archaeology Study Bible  contains thousands of study notes, full-color maps and illustrations of archaeological finds, book introductions, and sidebars. The purpose of this study Bible is to envelop the reader in the biblical world. Understanding the historical-cultural context of Scripture is a valuable asset in hermeneutics, understanding that God chose to speak to a specific people in a specific time through specific means. While his theological message remains, the cultural nuances vary—this is why study of archaeology becomes important. This study Bible allows re

The Christian Church is becoming increasingly diverse. Particularly in the United States, multiethnic encounters are forcing a monoethnic culture into better representing the diversity of its people. This can be an arduous challenge for worship leaders not trained in ethnodoxology, a relatively nascent area in the field of worship studies. In Worship Together in Your Church as in Heaven, Josh Davis and Nikki Lerner assert the necessity for diverse worship and offer practical suggestions for letting a church’s service reflect the richness of all God’s people. The first section of the book is an argument for multiethnic worship. Davis and Lerner maintain that the biblical precedent of worship makes room for ethnic diversity. The second section of the book discusses how diverse worshipping communities operate, including their benefits and challenges. The third and fourth sections address the process of implementing a multiethnic worship experience, and the fifth section defends the b

The Holy Land is one of the most disputed areas in the modern world. Three major religions—Christianity, Judaism, and Islam—all claim Jerusalem as a place of spiritual significance. For those traveling to the Holy Land and uneducated on the Israel-Palestine conflict, it may seem overwhelming or daunting to travel to such a contested area. Popular travel guides may be colorful and useful, but they often neglect significant context. Jerome Murphy-O’Connor’s The Holy Land: An Oxford Archaeological Guide provides a travel guide to Jerusalem and nearby sites which combines both scholarly research and practical tourist advice. The book is divided into two parts: 1) the city of Jerusalem (divided into its major separations) and 2) major sites in the Holy Land. Each site contains a detailed explanation of its history and offers suggestions on travel (i.e. hours of operation, best times to visit, nearby attractions). The book also contains a detailed index, over 150 maps, diagrams, and photog

Baker Academic, 2016. 288 pp. Once more, the Rev. Dr. Constance M. Cherry has written an excellent, robust guide for worship leaders, this time providing the foundations for congregational song. The third installment in the celebrated Worship Architect series (other publications include The Worship Architect: A Blueprint for Designing Culturally Relevant and Biblically Faithful Services, 2010, and The Special Service Worship Architect: Blueprints for Weddings, Funerals, Baptisms, Holy Communion, and Other Occasions, 2013), The Music Architect: Blueprints for Engaging Worshipers in Song is an introduction to music in worship. Cherry stays away from the typical equivalence of music and worship and instead sees music as a vehicle for propelling corporate worship. To that end, Cherry writes this book with the intention of teaching worship leaders how to use music properly and in a way that is fitting to the service of worship. A lifelong worship leader, pastor, and professor at I

Overview I am what you might call an “average adventurer.” I’m not on the trails every day, but I do enjoy the occasional escapade. With the warmer weather approaching, I was looking for a shoe that was able to accommodate my summertime adventures, something that could be worn casually and actively—from the streets to the beach to the classroom. I found what I was looking for in the Chaco Z/2 Classic Sandals. Chacos have been popular among adventurers and non-adventurers alike for many years. They seem to be growing in popularity among young adult/college-aged students, but they were originally designed for rafters. The Z/2 Classic is an improvement on the Z/1. Most notably, the Z/2 features a toe loop. Its simple design features adjustable straps, a textured footbed, a durable midsole, and a gripped rubber sole. Clearly, my Chacos have enjoyed their share of outdoor adventures! Specifications Upper: [straps] polyester jacquard webbing, [heel risers] high-tensile webbing  M

Polity Press, 2017. 328 pp. To many, the Israel/Palestine conflict is hairy and complicated, yet it often appears in modern news. Explanations can often be complex and biased, especially with such a charged political situation. The solution is found in Middle Eastern scholar Alan Dowty's Israel/Palestine  (Polity Press, 2017). Now in its fourth edition, Israel/Palestine is an excellent primer to the conflict. Dowty begins by dispelling myths of the issue, including that it is centuries-old or based on religious differences. Dowty insists that the roots of the Israel/Palestine conflict are recent and are geopolitical in nature, a conflict over land. After providing a background to both the Jewish and Arab perspectives (a brief "story" on how they came to their current mindsets), Dowty chronologically moves through the significant events in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and notes its effects on Jews, Arabs, and the narrative as a whole. By placing the conflict within

The Church may be comfortable with a relaxed Christology, claiming that Jesus died and rose—but what more are we missing? In High King of Heaven: Theological and Practical Perspectives on the Person and Work of Jesus  (Moody, 2018), biblical scholars and theologians unite to craft a fully-orbed portrait of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is divided into four sections: the Person, Word, Work, and Witness of Christ, and respected authorities within theological and biblical studies each commentate on a fragment of Christology. Together, this book is a well-crafted, robust introduction to the doctrine of Christ. It is written at a somewhat higher level of reading, so this book is suited for students and church leaders or laypersons interested in diving deeper into matters of theology. The bite-sized chapters, each devoting careful exegesis and application to a particular area, such as the kenosis or the ascension, also make this a valuable reference tool in study and sermon preparation. I

Overview When adventure strikes, the right bag makes all the difference. Too often, however, luggage bags are either large, ponderous suitcases or small, flimsy duffle bags. I have traveled to Central and South America multiple times with terribly large suitcases. It added extra complication to my trip—especially lugging the bag up the steps! This is the problem which LL Bean seeks to rectify in the LL Bean Extra-Large Rolling Adventure Duffle. With a 137-liter capacity, this duffel is able to hold the items of the biggest pack-rat while being easy to transport. It features a telescoping handle, smooth-gliding wheels, and cinch straps. Specifications Capacity: Approx. 8,350 cu. in., 137 L.  Weight: 9 lb. 3 oz.  Dimensions: 17"H x 34"W x 15"D.  Highlights This bag is sturdy. Not only is it capable of holding many items, but it is incredibly durable. It has a reinforced nylon bottom and a thick plastic frame so that the bag does not sag or become weak. 

Now in its second edition, Nelson Searcy and Kerrick Thomas' acclaimed book Activate: An Entirely New Approach to Small Groups  is available with revised and expanded notes. This model for small group ministry claims to create groups with 100% participation by changing the mindset of both church leaders and parishioners and embarking on the Activate system of Focus, Form, Fill, and Facilitate. This book is question-driven, seeking to answer concerns such as, "How do I recruit people for a small group?" and "How long should a small group last?" The book is methodical and able to be read through a process of implementing a modified discipleship program. Overall, this book is very helpful. It provides practical advice in a readable format, offering real examples with biblical support. It may also serve well as a reference text for churches already ahead in the process. For those seeking to activate their congregants, look no further than this text. (My thanks

Beginning biblical students often find it difficult to navigate a sea of technical terms. Such vocabulary can inhibit them from fully understanding the world of biblical scholarship. However, with Tremper Longman III and Mark L. Strauss' The Baker Compact Dictionary of Biblical Studies  (Baker Books, 2018), this issue can be remedied. Containing the essential terms necessary for understanding the language of biblical study, this reference tool should be sufficient to equip beginning scholars in furthering their study of the Bible. This book is compact yet full, with definitions that cover a range of topics while remaining accessible. It contains significant locations, persons, events, scholars, artifacts, and documents relevant to understanding the literary and historical context and study of the Bible. (My thanks is given to Baker for providing a complimentary review copy in exchange for an honest review.)

Baker Books, 2018. 285 pp. It should be no surprise that the world in which the Bible was written is drastically divergent from the world in which we live today. Scholars note a gap between these "two horizons," and, if we are able to understand how to bridge it through understanding the theological, cultural, and literary context of the original culture, we can fully understand how the Bible speaks to us today. This is an issue that Lois Tverberg seeks to address in Reading the Bible with Rabbi Jesus: How a Jewish Perspective Can Transform Your Understanding  (Baker Books, 2018). After being intrigued by Jesus' usage of the Old Testament and the hidden cultural nuances lost through language translation, Tverberg seeks to expose readers toward understanding how Jesus read the Bible. To this end, she describes the mechanics of Hebrew and Greek, the first-century world, and applies specifically to various OT books. Tverberg presents a refreshing and much-needed appr

Overview Those who own laptops know that you are carrying an expensive investment. Considering the price of the laptop, software, and insurance, many laptops can be worth well over $1,000. Therefore, it is imperative to protect one’s investment with a case. Many cases are designed for purely aesthetic purposes—it makes the laptop look good, but it offers little to no protection. Others do an excellent job protecting the laptop but add unnecessary bulkiness, and—let’s be frank—they don’t often look that attractive. This is where MAX Cases’ Extreme Shell comes into play. Albeit a lesser-known company, MAX specializes in creating cases for educational and business settings. In other words, these cases are designed to survive in high-impact areas. The MAX Extreme Shell, offered for Mac and Windows laptops alike (here we will review the Macbook case), is a lightweight yet durable laptop case. It protects against impacts, scratches, and other wear and tear. I have owned th