Spirituality Books

I've been reading Celtic Daily Prayers for five years now, and
love to re-read some prayers with their Celtic rhythm and images.
And there's much to explore. There are two series of daily
readings for the year with Biblical references for each day.
I find inspiration from this treasure of a book.

I have used the Celtic Daily Prayer every day for about 5 months. I read the Scriptures for the day, the meditation for the day of the year, and the meditation for the day of the month (repeats). It is consistently outstanding. I have distributed about 10 copies to our church ministers and leaders, and their response has been very positive.

The Celtic Daily prayer book has been a tool I have used for many years.
It has proven to be a source of inspiration, reflection, teaching, refreshment, and I could list many more.

I hope more western Christians will try this tool to draw nearer to the Lord and become more aware of traditions and tools that have developed Disciples for hundreds of years.

For many years, liturgy and formal prayers have been out of favor in Protestant Churches. Many of us are realizing that this rich tradition guarded by our (mostly) Catholic brothers and sisters has a very vibrant place in modern Christian spirituality. The wealth of tradition and unity offered by liturgical worship may be the next "in thing" for Protestants. We've already made hymns cool.
This books serves as a wonderful introduction to some of those practices. There are three sections of set prayers, two with scripture readings and meditations, plus a compline for each day. The CD, which I can't find on Amazon, makes for easier memorization of the prayers and blessings. The book also includes blessings and liturgies for baptisms, communion, marriage, and the like.

Celtic Daily Prayer is a great resource for someone new to the Daily Office, or as an alternative source of liturgies for those already accustomed to this form of worship.

For those interested in an overview of Traditional Christianity, Marcia Ford's Traditions of the Ancients: Vintage Faith Practices for the 21st Century might be a good place to start.

This Prayer Book is a great volume for those who have little free time for extended formal prayer. Not only is it used by the Northumbria Community in Great Britain, it is also used by Anamchara Fellowship, as our main community prayer book. The suggestion for Scripture lessons is a little thin, so we suppliment our daily readings with the lectionary of the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. It works well for us.

Jeff Roche
Communication Arts 610
March 6, 2008
Critical Analysis of The Church of 80% Sincerity
In reading David Roche's The Church of 80% Sincerity, I thought that I would be able to "kill two birds with one stone," simultaneously satisfying my curiosity/interest and sense of obligation as the author's nephew, as well finding an autobiographical text that I could examine with a critical lens. However, while I satisfied one part of the equation, I complicated the other; it's not easy to be critical of family.
But I digress. Roche's book is not truly an autobiography. This work is a testimonio, as it "represents an affirmation of the individual subject, even of individual growth and transformation, but in connection with a group or class situation marked by marginalization," (Couser 88). Still, this description is not entirely accurate, as Roche hardly mentions his connection to and development with a community of performers with disabilities (Roche 6). Yet, to quote Steven Winn off of davidroche.com, "what's most striking, and finally moving, is the way he both draws attention to his disfigurement and makes the audience see beyond it as well," fitting nicely with the first part of the testimonio definition. Thus, The Church of 80% Sincerity is more of a semi-autobiographical, non-linear novel that draws attention to Roche's poignant life stories/events that fit into his overall themes.
One might then ask, what are these overall themes? "It is the story of accepting yourself, despite all of your flaws," (Roche 5). By recounting various life experiences, Roche tells his tale of finding self-identity as a person with a congenital facial disfigurement and the setbacks that occurred at various stages. However, for Roche, humor is a key element in the telling of his story. According to Krefting, the use of humor affords her "the catharsis of laughing at myself and my insecurities, as well as allowing me a modality to criticize/satirize," (Krefting 110). I feel the same can be said of Roche. Humor is one part of Roche's identity, but his is an expansive identity that is inherently tied to his ability to "find my voice...I continue to find it onstage, in the pages of this book," (Roche, 56). In many ways, Roche's path of self-discovery aligns itself perfectly with Gill's description of the four types of integration.
The first type involves one's "assertion of a right to inclusion in society," (Gill 42). Roche has several examples related to such assertions. Whether it was his right to be politically active by voicing his concerns on city buses (Roche 64), or preferences for what he wants in a companion (Roche 101), Roche asserts his right to not be excluded on account of his disability.
The second type of integration relates to "finding a place" within the disability community (Gill 42). Roche's initial avoidance of disability culture can be explained by the factors that made him shameful of his own disability, desiring to be "normal". At home, the issue was not discussed; thus, Roche "never learned to explain myself. Instead I learned the safety of standing to the side," (Roche 34). This, combined with feeling rejected by the god that he was raised to love, led to Roche's (unsuccessful) attempts at passing, avoidance, and later substance abuse (Roche 38). Eventually, by finding "community, the feeling of mutual support and being in it together," (Roche 69), Roche felt empowered to challenge his shame and the oppression of others and stop "pretending to be normal and began to accept myself the way I was," (Roche 6).
Now, in a way this seems good because Roche finds strength in a supportive community. What is disconcerting is the lack of a challenge towards the concept of "normal." According to Lennard Davis, the "the idea of a norm is less a condition of human nature than it is a feature of a certain kind of society," (Davis, 24). Roche never directly questions the very notion of "normal," but rather, he continues to make several "normative" remarks throughout the book, leaving the societal construction of the norm untouched. The closest attempts came by asserting how everyone is unique and that Roche's experiences are "wholly human," (Roche 11). By using the word "normal" in this context, it implies that there is a poorly connoted "other," and there is something fundamentally wrong with a society that requires one to assert their humanity because they are viewed as "other."
"Coming together" is the third type of integration, where one recognizes their sameness and differences (Gill 43). The Church of 80% Sincerity does an excellent job of portraying this stage's classical struggle of self-acceptance. There is no need to repeat the why of the matter, for the same mental/physical barriers that prevented Roche from finding a place within the disability community, also prevented him from accepting himself. Though I criticized this quote in relation to the concept of "normal," it accurately shows the integration of sameness and differences: "My face is unique but my experiences are wholly human," (Roche 11).
"I thought...that my face was an impediment...Amazingly, that fear turned out not only to be unfounded, but also to be the opposite of the truth," (Roche 69). A statement such as this demonstrates that Roche was able to reach the fourth type of integration, "coming out," (Gill 45). Not only does Roche see and accept himself as whole, he takes pride in his appearance while using it for his advantage (performances, keynote speeches, charming himself).
The Church of 80% Sincerity extensively covers Roche's personal development in relation to disability, but he downplays any notion of "overcoming". Rather than stating that he overcame ill-formed patterns of thinking about himself and the world around, Roche discusses several self-transforming "moments of grace." While the lessons to be learned from these moments of grace are well-intended and not overlooked, one cannot help but to be distracted by the fact that self-transformations are "a matter of individual will and determination rather than of social and cultural accommodation," (Couser 80). The fact that Roche discusses matters with more of an introspective focus may cause one to overlook the larger sociocultural factors that helped create the ill-formed patterns of thinking in the first place. For example, a sociocultural model of disability might examine societal conceptions of beauty and the assumptions that are tied to it. However, by examining the "random acts of cruelty" that Roche encounters, such as the man who spit in his face, The Church of 80% Sincerity points out the inherent flaws in all of us (Roche 40). Although this does not directly challenge sociocultural factors, it is a step beyond the phenomenological level.
And yet it is difficult to be overly critical of these "moments of grace," because all of these individual, phenomenological experiences have led Roche to form the backbone of his "Church of 80% Sincerity." Although no physical church actually exists, the "Church of 80% Sincerity" can effectively be classified as a lifestyle choice/ way of thinking about the world. The Church is an abstraction "for recovering perfectionists, You can be 80% sincere 100% of the time, or you can be 100% sincere 80% of the time," (Roche 7). Many tenets of the Church are mentioned throughout the book, but the primary tenet would have to be one that calls for self-acceptance, despite one's flaws. One could argue that "The Church of 80% Sincerity" is a sub-set of disability culture, one could even go so far as to say the Church is disability culture. If one takes a look at Gill's work on the eight core values of disability culture (Gill 2-3), one would quickly see that the Church embraces the majority of these core values throughout the book, with a few additions of its own.
On a final note, Roche is very modest about being seen as an inspiration by others. Yet, it is in this modesty that Roche fails to acknowledge the fact that his high level of intelligence and incredible sense of humor assisted him in his identity development and ability to work though challenges; perhaps Roche is modest because of the fact that he was not always looked at as an inspiration, either by himself or others. Roche's work does a good job of challenging the notions of the theoretical gaze and stare, as well as the diagnostic gaze (Millet 26) by reiterating his own experiences with the Western model of medicine. Roche relates his early medical encounters, "One by one they came forward to examine me...If our eyes ever met, it was only a nanosecond before theirs turned away with easy, practiced avoidance," (Roche 53), "You never talk about feelings...or anything!" (Roche 54). This breakdown of the medical experience into feeling like a subject to be examined and gazed upon was a powerful one; stirring up emotions in the reader, as well as inciting Roche to action, as he later became an expert on the physician-patient relationship.
Ultimately, Roche and the "Church of 80% Sincerity" seem to align themselves with many of the core values of Disability Culture. Although one might choose to criticize Roche for his lack of social resolution, political agenda, or inherent call for change, one must realize that that is not what The Church of 80% Sincerity set out to do. This was a story of "courage, faith, inspiration, and laughter...to understand that you and I are very much alike, with our gifts and our flaws woven together," (Roche 11). The majority of the criticisms presented here were merely a means of expanding upon Roche's already solid foundation of self-love, tolerance, and an appreciation for the uniqueness of the human spirit.


Works Cited

Couser, Thomas G. "Conflicting Paradigms: The Rhetorics of Disability Memoir." Embodied Rhetorics Disability in Language and Culture. Ed. James C. Wilson and Cynthia Lewiecki-Wilson. Southern Illinois University Press, 2001. 78-91.

Davis, Lennard. Enforcing Normalcy: Disability, Deafness, and the Body. London: Verso, 1995. 1-49

Gill, Carol J. "A Psychological View of Disability Culture." First published in Disability Studies Quarterly, Fall 1995. www.independentliving.org/docs3/gill1995


Gill, Carol J. "Four Types of Integration in Disability Identity Development." Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation 9 (1997): 39-46.
Krefting, Rebecca. "'The Taming of the Sun': Finding the Joke in the Cancer Narrative of a Pedagogue." Disability and the Teaching of Writing A Critical Sourcebook. Ed. Cynthia Lewiecki-Wilson and Brenda Jo Brueggemann. Bedford/ St. Martin's: Boston, 2008. 109-116.

Millet, Ann. "Disarming Venus: Disability and the Re-Vision of Art History." FemTAP (Summer 2006): 21-39.

Roche, David. The Church of 80% Sincerity. New York: Perigee, 2008.

If David Roche did not exist we would have to invent him. He is one of those people (and I'm beginning to think there may be more of them around than we imagine) who make this tired planet a better place to incarnate. David is a truth teller, hope giver, path finder, holy clown and, as we now discover, a hell of a good writer. I read the book in one sitting weeks ago and have been letting its stories and images percolate in my mind, heart and soul ever since. David is not a new-age pollyanna. He reminds me of Barack Obama -- whose memior I"m now reading -- in the way he has earned the authority of the one who has gone through the dark night of the soul and has come back to tell the tale. His compassion, optimism and salvific humor come from his willingness to work with his wounded parts. He takes the alchemical path, transforming the "base material" his life has given him into spiritual gold. In modeling, especially as a man in this society, this willingness to look unflinchingly into his own soul he performs an act of service. And love.

My wife, Wilene, and I saw David Roche perform THE CHURCH OF 80% SINCERITY on stage in 1996. It had rocked us with laughter and moved us to silence. When we finally spoke, I said to her, "He should write a book!" Now that didn't qualify me to be a prophet in his church, but it did make me a proud parishioner, because now that his message is out in print, everyone has access to Reverend Dave's gospel. And, that is a blessing!

David was born facially disfigured and I will say no more about that, because whatever I could possibly write, it would pale before David's words as he chronicles his life in this magnificent little book. I have known David for about fifteen years and what I love about the CHURCH OF 80% SINCERITY is the very thing that I love about him. It is about the place where he lives, the intersection of pathos wisdom and humor. When reading it, one is never a sentence or two away from the integration of these three forces.

Another potent and enchanting aspect of his writing lies in his ability to pilot the reader down the same road he is travelling. As David allows us to examine the grief,anger,love,and joy of his life, we are simultaneously compelled to examine and reexperience our own. Ultimately, what the book reveals is that David's journey has been been an alchemical one. We become very clear that he turns lead into gold, and there in lies the gospel; the good news that we can do the same. -- at least eighty percent of the time! -- I can't recommend it enough!

Who can resist a reluctant spiritual leader who promises you only have to be "good" 80 percent of the time -- and that you are totally accepted just as you are, warts and all?

David Roche is not a spiritual leader, per se -- he is, however, the founder of a tongue-in-cheek group called the Church of 80% Sincerity. The premise? Perfection is imposssible, so let's not even go there.

Roche should know about the inability to achieve perfection in this lifetime. Born with an extreme facial disfigurement, Roche has dealt with more pain, heartbreak, and rejection than most of us will ever come near. And he's come out the other side with humor, a heart full of love, and strength.

I love the message behind Roche's work, but something was missing in this book. Roche could take any element of his life -- his childhood, his rejection from seminary because of his face, his young adult life in a commune, his first or second marriage, his emergence as an inspirational speaker -- and focus on it. Instead, the book jumps from topic to topic, never fully exploring any of them.

As a result, I was left feeling like I knew a little bit about David Roche, but not enough to take his lessons and apply them to my own life. I'd love to see future books by him that take one period or experience of his life and really delve into it, getting into the nitty-gritty.

The Church of 80% Sincerity shares the moving, laugh out loud funny, and sometimes heartbreaking stories of motivational speaker David Roche's life. Told through antidotes and life lessons you see his life from shame to self-acceptance. Born with a severe facial deformity, David has traveled through life with grace, humor and ok, a wee bit of sarcasm. Over time and with the love of his life, he has learned to accept his gifts as well as his flaws.

Being unable to live up to the rules of the Catholic Church that he was raised in David decided to make up a church that is quite real to him. In the Church of 80% Sincerity, 80% is as good as it gets. You can be 80% Sincere 100% of the time or 100% Sincere 80% of the time. It's in the 20% area that you can get some slack and be yourself. There are no ideals. You do not try to change people by having them conform. Try to accept people as they are and adjust beliefs and practices to conform to the reality of being human.

I rarely call a book a gem, but this truly, to me, is one. There are so many wonderful lines and stories that each time you go back and reread it you get something different. Very much a keeper.

The Concordia book of Concord provides great resource material for working out your faith. It is however, a book for those looking for greater insight into doctrines and passages of scripture, but not a book initially for those unfamiliar with what the Bible says.

Sometimes it is difficult to use this version in a Bible study where other's have previous versions because page numbers do not match up.

Absolutely amazing, wonderful book. Concordia is an absolute must read, whether Catholic, Lutheran, or other protestant Christians. Please read and enjoy.

It's been said that when the philosophers and scientists climb their mountains of knowledge, they find the theologians at the top waiting for them. If this is true then the reformation period represents the pinnacle of human intellectual endeavor, and this book stands at the top of any collection of reformation writings.

I'm not a theologian, I consider myself more of a historian. I don't read that many books on theology, but this is clearly one of the best. Some of it is over my (and I suspect most laymen's) heads. Yes, it can bog down in theological tedium for the average reader, but purely from an historical perspective, the book is invaluable in putting the events and characters of the 16th Century German Reformation in place.

The book is organized chronologically, starting with the Augsburg Confession. This simple statement of belief is a must read for any Christian, layman or clergy alike and frames the questions raised by the Reformation in easy to understand terms. It then goes into Melanchthon's Apology (defense) of the Augsburg Confession. Here it starts to bog down and is meant more for serious students of Theology.

Fortunately, it moves quickly back into laymen's territory with the Luther's Small and Large Catechisms. With no offense to my beloved Presbyterian brethren, the organization of the Small and Large Catechisms is superior to the Westminster Catechism, if not as broad in scope.

At this point I should mention one of this book's real hidden gems. Being simple minded, I like a book with lots of pictures. Most theology books are lacking in the graphics department. This one, however, is loaded with color plates of important people of the reformation, although it lacks color portraits of the opponents of the reformation. The black and white wood cuts and color allegorical paintings are fantastic, full of hidden symbols and nuances of 16th century life (remember - historian at heart). I spent hours just looking at the pictures, never mind the text.

Finally the book concludes with the Smalcald Articles and the post Martin Luther Formula of Concord written to delineate Lutheran as opposed to the "Phillipists" Lutheran/Calvinistic hybrid.

A big book - not easy reading. I bought it intending to keep it as a reference, not thinking to read it cover to cover as I did. But having done so, I recommend it to any Christian wanting to really think about their faith on a deeper, more intellectual level than is common in the 21st Century.

If you are a Christian and you want to read a book that explains the Holy Scriptures in great detail look no further than Concordia Reader's Edition. In this reader friendly book you have laid out before you a concise understanding of God's Holy Word - The Bible. In Concordia you will read about the Law and Gospel language that God uses in His Word to convey both the sinfulness of man and his salvation through the Messiah - Jesus Christ. But unlike many theological books, this one brings our heavenly Father's message of sin and salvation to light in layman's terms. In other words, you don't have to be a pastor to understand it. In fact, I have been giving this book to my God-children at their confirmation.

So if you are looking for a good book that explains the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, truly the Christian faith, in terms that are easily understood, look no further than Concordia Reader's Edition.

Rev. Raymond A. Smith
"Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
John 1:29

From the Overview on page xxx, you know this book is going to be helpful. There you'll find an easy to read chart showing the various sections of the Lutheran Confessions, the dates they were written, the authors, and a brief summary of their content.

Then there's a Reader's Guide with suggested readings for each weekday over 52 weeks that takes you through the entire book.

That's followed by a Reformation Timeline that covers 200 years of key events in a few, short pages.

Other useful information is packed into the first pages as well. Thirty-eight pages of very easy to access and useful information before you even get to the beginning of the text! I think that the first section is worth at least half the price.

Then you'll find the section introductions, timelines, and outlines throughout the book. I particularly appreciate the introduction to The Formula of Concord, Epitome.

All of that is followed by appendixes and indexes.

So, while the translation is very helpful and readable, the ancillary material alone is well worth getting the book.

This is a book that deserves space on the shelf of every Bible student. Anyone in the Reformation tradition will most especially appreciate having it for regular reading and study.

J. D. Lowitzer
Collierville, TN

I am a clinical therapist and use this book to inspire adolescent and young adult women in their journey! This entire trilogy is priceless for anyone who is interested in being blessed by watching another soul "unfold" and take flight! I love hearing about Oriah's metamorphasis... i can see her "grow up" throughout her trilogy! Watching her go full circle in her discoveries touches my heart and inspires my soul. She is human and she is courageous enough to share her story. I recommend you read all three... The Invitation, The Dance and The Call. Thank you Oriah!

Within the pages of this beautiful little book, the reader finds magic, truth, beauty and healing.

As an author, Chinese Medicine & Healthy Weight Management, and healer, I recommend this book highly to my patients and friends, as well as to you.

Words themselves can become acts of beauty that awaken and strengthen our commitment to living our soul's desires. ~Oriah Mountain Dreamer

Oriah Mountain Dreamer blends daily existence with spiritual insight. She survived a violent marriage, chronic fatigue and living almost next door to her ex husband when he remarried. Her life is a study in patience, emotional turmoil resolved and survival of the most open heart.

The start of the book contains a poem and then each chapter is an expanded vision of the elements contained in a part of the poem. After the poem, Oriah dives right into a retelling of her life, the conflicts she has experienced and how as a spiritual teacher, she too struggles to maintain emotional equilibrium. There is a subtle comfort in knowing that if Oriah can survive her life, then we can too.

This is the beauty mingled with the various stunning insights Oriah has while trying to unburden her heart and pull us out on the dance floor of life. She loves to read and a number of the books she mentioned where books I had just recently read. She quotes Rainer Maria Rilke and Rumi. She discusses Daniel Ladinsky's translations of Hafiz. Her "headed for home" comments made me think of Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet.

Throughout this work Oriah focuses on connecting, serenity, joy, an authentic lifestyle, living with passion, retaining energy and focus, being honest and finding happiness within the complex. She also provides meditations on worthiness, surrender, slowing down and letting go.

This is not a five-step or a ten-step program, it is more an unfolding of experience through an exploration of Oriah's life experience. She has struggled, she has survived. She also knows there are no quick fixes and that many self-help programs are no match for real-life situations. Sometimes there is no easy way out of the pain and you have to endure heartache to learn your greatest lessons.

"Take me to the places on the earth that teach you how to dance,
the places where you can risk letting the world break your heart,
and I will take you to the places where the earth beneath my feet
and the stars overhead make my heart whole again and again."
~ Oriah Mountain Dreamer

What did I love most about this book? The section where she talks about her ultimate fantasy of reading in bed with the man she loves. Yes, this book is mostly about Oriah, or the people she has met throughout her life, but the way she draws on her inner wisdom is by experiencing life and dancing with difficulty.

~The Rebecca Review
Author of Seasoned with Love: A collection of
best-loved recipes inspired by over 40 cultures

The Dance is a great book. I enjoyed it from the first page to the last. Oriah is not just a writer; she is an artist, with a new perspective on life, and on events. Her thoughts flow smoothly, as if you were reading something you wrote, or something you already knew to be true. I am going to say it again, she is an artist.

Some parts of the book, you won't help but read out loud to someone you care for. I did that with my mother, and some other times with a friend of mine. Both of them want to borrow the book.

This book will help you dream, and here I will quote something from the author, as she wrote "To dream is to create the stories of how we live our lives, and these are the stories our children's children will remember. I write with as much honesty and frankness as I can, because I want to offer stories of being present with what is. I recite poetry when I speak, because I want offer beauty and the power of art to remind us of who and what we are. I share personal stories, because I want to cocreate a story of intimacy and cultivate our capacity for compassion in dealing with out human failings. I tell love stories because I want to learn how to love well." (p151)

I will buy The Call, and I know it will be as good as the Invitation and The Dance. And hopefully one day in the future I will make it to one of Oriah's retreats.

Several years ago I listened to the audio version of this book and I thought at the time that it was a nice diversion, but just typical New-Age feel-good stuff. Now in my 50s, when I listened to it again recently I was stunned by how powerfully honest the author is and how her poetic honesty brought strength and character to her message. This is not a "how to . . ." book. It is more likely to impact the reader who is a mature spiritual seeker (Christian or otherwise) who feels bogged down by mundane daily living and, like many spiritual seekers, tripped up by trying to DO before really knowing how to BE. That is no small distinction. This book addresses real issues like chronic illness, divorce, raising children, mid-life love, finances and regret all from a practical perspective that helps the reader assess where she is and where she hopes, someday, to be. Mountain Dreamer doesn't give formulas or pat answers--she even amusingly describes hearing a motivational speaker who's message sounds good, but doesn't ring true in any lasting, practical sense. The book is about both inner and outer balance, cutting yourself some slack while still holding yourself to standards of character that have meaning for you personally, and about offering the reader an opportunity to stop for a time and check his own spiritual development against his dreams. Her passage describing meeting a "significant other" thirty years after a teenage crush, and the clarity he was able to bring to her regarding how essentially true to her young self she had remained is priceless. The reader can find peace and hope merely by acknowledging having faced the issues discussed, and being willing to ask how they mattered.

This book is an excellent way to introduce the LOA to your kids. It's a sweet story for any age -young and old- and reinforces the idea that we do have the ability to change our circumstances at any given moment. I enjoyed the story so much and feel the message is so important that I have given the book to my daughter's teacher. I am hoping it will become a message that she agrees is vital to share with everyone.

After years of reading "Notes from the Universe" and dozens of other spiritual philosophies, I found Dandelion to be a little oversimplified. It struck me as the perfect read for a pre-teen or teen who is struggling with life's meaning for the first time, or perhaps an adult who has never explored spirituality before. With the right audience, this book would be very enjoyable and insightful, but if you have strong experience in spirituality, buy it for a teen in your life instead.

Every child and every Adult should read this book. It is a beautiful story, wonderfully told of a little horse growing up. Just like little anyone growing up she is subjected to the pressures of life. Parental, peer, job/school pressure and it shows the reader beautifully how to cope with that pressure. Dandelion, goes from being a misfit. She starts of in the eyes of those around her, a weedy little Dandelion. But, along with her struggles she emerges as a wondrous flower in full bloom.
Every age group will benefit from reading this book...those of us who have forgotten the wonders of childhood, those still in childhood or adolescence it's a must for those going through it and finding it tough. A wonderful gift for Grandparents to give to their Grandchild. A Real GIFT!

Amazingly simple yet so deep, well written, fun yet moving story, with incredibly powerful, inspiring reminder of this truth so many of us had forgotten. Well worth the short time to read it! I have purchased 15 books to present to loved ones- the message is that profound, life changing, and yet simple once we begin to consciously think about it. Horse lovers will love the picture the story paints in their minds, yet non-animal people will still be able to identify to the characters and appreciate and comprehend the message just as much, too. Cannot say enough good about this book!!!!

Dandelion is a book for all ages. I think this is a wonderful book for those that have children to encourage them to follow their own path in life. I highly recommend this easy and quick read for the kid in you, regardless of age.

This book achieves the dual purpose of showing the ideal traits of a human father while also, through them, exhibiting the many facets of God's love for each of us. The author has done an amazing job of eliciting from others, both famous and relatively unknown, glimpses of a very wide variety of characteristics of a good father/Father. Each story is unique, and each is short and readable, tempting the reader continually to move on to just one more chapter.

This book makes a great gift for Father's Day, or for a new father, or for many other occasions. It could also give a young woman some characteristics to look for while dating and considering a father for her future children.

What Holmes has masterfully done is collect true stories of fathers who have made a difference in the lives of their children by who they were (their character) and what they did (their behavior).

It includes the stories from famous people like James Dobson, Bruce Wilkinson and Rick Warren, along with many who will be unfamiliar to readers, but whose stories are touching.

Life lessons are shared in categories like: A Father's Wisdom, Discipline, Forgiveness, Embrace, Fellowship, and Comfort. The stories are not always ones of victory. Dobson's for example is one where he was humbled on a mountain slope. After facing a day of trying to teach his two young children to climb, he was confronted by a young woman who was mentally retarded. Her behavior on the ride up the mountain on a flatbed truck drew sly smiles and looks of disdain. But her father put his arms around her, held her close, and demonstrated unconditional love.

Dobson's point: how many families would be healed if we simply demonstrated unconditional love for one another?

The reader will find 50 stories that will teach, encourage, inspire, and sometimes convict.More importantly, the reader will gain specific examples of how we can change our thinking and behavior to be a more positive influence on our children and grandchildren.

Armchair Interviews says: This would be great Christmas gift book for any father or grandfather.

Following up on his successful series, The Heart of a Mother, The Heart of a Father, and The Heart of a Teacher, Holmes has become a master at compiling stories that encourage and inspire.

Our generation has become almost fanatical about reality TV, memoirs, and blogs--we enjoy seeing REAL people live out their dreams and walk by faith. In this book of 53 treasured narratives, you'll laugh, cry, and be reminded of how powerful and important a father is to his family.

Holmes has blended a skillful mix of writers, including many well-known favorites, such as James Dobson, Rick Warren, Bruce Wilkerson, Phillip Yancy, and Kevin Leman.

For busy men who don't think they can take the time to read a whole book, these bite-sized slices of human drama will captivate them and remind them of their significant roles.

What better gift could you give your man than to remind him he's making a difference in the lives of those around him?

-- Christian Women Online Book Buzz

Special gift book, useful resource volume for speakers and teachers, engaging devotional, all these things and more, everyone will enjoy The Embrace of a Father. Herein you'll find more than fifty accounts about all types of Christian fathers - equitable, just judges; dads who manage to love no matter what; the poor, inventive, reticent fathers capable of making dreams come true; proud, kind, and desperately determined ones; godly, teaching fathers; and everyday heroes. Some of the authors are well known, for example, James Dobson, Philip Yancey, Gary Smalley, Dr. Debra Peppers, and Helen Polaski. Most of the writers are like you and me: parents, missionaries, youth pastors, teachers, Scout leaders, and retirees. A deep belief in the rightness of Christian fathering forms the theme binding all these stories and writers together. For further reading, a closing chapter lists the authors' bios and other writings, if any.

It's hard waiting for the next volume in this series to be published. Pastor, author, and speaker, Wayne Holmes selects widely varying, interesting, and significant stories. Other titles in this series include The Heart of a Father, The Heart of a Mother, and The Heart of a Teacher. All of them make enjoyable, instructive reading. - Donna Eggett, Christian Book Previews.com

Wayne Holmes has done it again. Where does this guy find these stories? He has an unfailing feel for the tale that warms, charms, touches, and uplifts. I don't think you could read all the way through the collection without your eyes misting up occasionally, coupled with smiles and chuckles. This is a book to savor!

A well written review and composite of 7 Doctors of the Church with their spiritual journey advice.

Ralph Martin shows the reader the path to a rich prayer life through the eyes of the saints and modern day saints to be. Having read about the lives of some of the saints mentioned, Martin does a good job of choosing the key parts of their lives and experiences that create the best picture of a deepening relationship with God. There is much here for consideration and contemplation for those who seek to move closer to the Lord.

Martin brings together scripture and the writings of the major doctors of the church in a guidebook for the soul. I highly recommended this book whether you are new to or veteran reader of books on Catholic spirituality. Life changing - your relationship with God can not help but to evolve as you read this book. Thank you Mr. Martin for this beautifully written book, 15 years in the making by his own admission.

Ralph Martin took 10 years to write this book and it was intended to help him in his Christian walk. The effort has certainly paid off! I am currently on the chapter concerning prayer which is full of insight, wisdom and with practical steps to increase one's prayer life in effectiveness and depth. This is not to say that the preceeding chapters were not helpful; they have their contribution and corroborated much of what I have come to understand about the Christian walk, however each reader will find his or her own particular section which speaks to a special need or supplies insight. This is an owner's manual in operational Christianity which will be of great value in anyone's library.

This by far breaks down for the common person Spirituality of some of the
great Church Doctors .I feel that ths book is a must have for those of us trying to deepen our spirituality. Ralph Martin put much work and Thought in The Fulfillment of all Desire,and it really shows.
Rich

Now here's a book to have fun with! Angelica Danton has a fabulous method of finding your Goddess Sign by using the Chinese zodiac. She lists associations with Tarot, lunar phases and Numerology and describes the attributes of each Sign. Discover your own Goddess for 2005 in this immensely pleasing book. Just gorgeous !

I am a chinese astrologer trained in the field for over 15 years and I can say that this book contains lovely and true insights into the field.I have added it to my collection on the subject.A lot of western people think they understand this field but actually,you need to really practise in it to have an informed understanding.From my perspective,Goddess Signs delivers,you get to find out your nature,your strengths etc.I would like the author to do a western astrology sign/goddess book too.Spot on!

I recently received this book as a gift,and was very impressed by the interpretations of the Chinese zodiac.I like Janet Boyer and Susanna Duffy found myself in this book,and that is enough of a recommendation for me!The author who is an experienced astrologer of over 20 years looks at the chinese zodiac from the perspective of divine energy and then looks at all your characteristics and your special powers that are flowing from your chinese sign.All my friends loved this book and the lovely artwork- a must for all women!

Awesome,original and inspiring book!

I did not believe that when I picked this up from my local Borders store that I would find so much in here to love!

The cover is so cute but it is really a wise and womanly book full of such great insights,I find the whole concept just right we are all Goddesses not just if we are rock stars!Highly recommended!!

I really enjoyed this book,as it posits some really new points of view about astrology and how to see yourself.Chapter one shows you how to get your sign worked out.

I really liked the compatibility parts too.Is not it so accurate about Brad and Jen hmm,I like Hugh Grant too!

Get this and read it,and keep it!

I have used Graceful Passages in many ways. It is an excellent education tool to address the "Elepahnt in the Room" for those who have not dealt with end of life issues. It is an excellent support tool for those who grieve. Graceful passages embraces diversity of different faith practices in the messages that it uses to teach.

You can listen to the powerful words and beautiful music over and over and over....May God bless You..always

Graceful Passages is a book and CD with wonderfully spiritual passages from many different cultures and beliefs. Men and Women, each on their own differnt journey help me understand the different paths we are all on and that as birth is the beginning, death is the end - but of only this life as we now know it. And that is OK. It is not to be feared as in western society. It is normal and natural and being prepared, and understanding it, guides us to making decisions about our death that are thoughtful, purposeful and with meaning. I have given this gift with love to friends who are in their dying process and it has been received well. I highly recommend listening to the words quietly and and allow the compassion to come through to your heart.

While I think this would benefit anyone, it is most meaningful at the end of life. I brought it to my grandmother when she finally admitted she was dying - she fought off leukemia and pnemonia for years. She lay on the couch and I on the love seat as we listened and tears streamed down our faces. I will never forget that day. This CD helps create a ritual of death, a significant send off. It is the variety of perspectives that is so appealing as well as the poignant manner in which they are presented.

Love the music on the cds and the words and picutes in the book. Highly recommend for anyone at any time!

"The Hidden Words" were penned by Baha'u'llah in the early years of His Ministry. These wonderful gem-like verses condense the experience of Divine Revelation to its spiritual essence. Few people are unaffected by the clarity and beauty of this small book.

Of "The Hidden Words", Baha'u'llah said:
"This is that which hath descended from the realm of glory, uttered by the tongue of power and might, and revealed unto the prophets of old. We have taken the inner essence thereof and clothed it in the garment of brevity."

It has been said that "The Hidden Words" is a love-song, a romance of the age-old Love of God for Man. Full of short verses, an underlying theme is the Divine Being's faithfulness and the inevitable unfaithfulness of His Creation, Man. "The Hidden Words" tells of a Beloved Who separates Himself from His creatures so that "spirit" may be breathed into those same creatures in mutually desired Reunion.

Due to its brevity, "The Hidden Words" is a take-everywhere volume of slim proportion and vast resource both within the Baha'i Community and the greater community of believers. Highly recommended to those of contemplative bent.

The words of the Hidden Words contain life's purpose, goals, and meaning. Each read brings new understanding. Wonderful!The Hidden Words

I have had a long curiosity about the Baha'i Faith and its teachings of the universal nature of religion, the unity of human beings, and the imperative of tolerating and respecting beliefs different from one's own. I have always been intrigued by how these teachings of universalism and the essential unity of all religions can fit within the confines of an individual, independent religion, the Baha'i Faith, with its own teachings and texts. Thus, I was pleased to have the opportunity to read this short book "The Hidden Words of Bahaullah" composed by the founder of the Baha'i Faith, Baha'u'llah (1817 -- 1892) while in prison. The book was written in part in Arabic and in part in Persian and was translated by Baha'u'llah's disciple, Shogi Effendi. This book was my first experience with Baha'i scripture.

"The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah" consists of about 153 short paragraphs in two parts. It is cast in the form of short revelations to Bahaullah each of which is prefaced by a short exortation such as "To the Son of Man" characterizing the person or persons to whom the revelation is addressed. There is a brief introductory paragraph to the collection, indicating that the aim of the text is to distill, in short form, teachings that are universal to the spiritual life. This goal of the collection is reflected in some of the comments on this site. These teachings have, and were intended to have, many parallels in the teachings of the other great world religions.

The teachings speak of the need for a pure heart, of the need of detachment from everyday life, and of the importance of not envying,critcizing or condemning others. I was struck by the other-worldiness of many of the teachings, as they exhort the follower to turn away from materialism and desire and turn one's attention and heart to the divine. To me, some of the teachings seem directed to mankind, while others, if I am not mistaken, appear primarily directed towards Baha'u'llah himself. In this latter regard, there are several of the teachings which speak of the value of imprisonment, suffering and martyrdom as they advance the cause of God. These teachings seem to be directed to the founder of the faith or to those in danger of persecution on account of their beliefs. While most of the short sayings are readily intelligible to readers of many backgrounds, some sections, particularly near the end of the book, allude to figures that have some specific meaning for the Baha'i faith.

This book is known within the Baha'i community but will appeal to those who have an interest in exploring a variety of spiritual traditions. I am in this latter group. It is an inspiring text. The work here is presented without an introduction, notes, or commentary. Thus, I was unable to learn the place of this specific text within the Baha'i teachings as a whole. An introduction to the book with an overview of the Baha'i Faith and of how this book fits within it would have been invaluable. Also, notes in the way of a commentary on the organization and substance of the text would have been helpful. There is always a great deal more to understanding a short spiritual work than reading the words of the text. Context and discussion would be useful.

This is an important religious text, and it is good to have it widely accessible. It will appeal to those readers interested in the Baha'i Faith, to those interested in comparative religion, and to those interested in spiritual growth.

Robin Friedman

Bahaullah wrote these short verses of wisdom at a time of great need for spiritual understanding for all mankind. They are inspiring and universal remedys for all beliefs. The best gift you could give yourself or a friend.

Everyone should read this book at least twice.