Spirituality Books

When I was a young girl, I wanted to be a missionary to Africa. Now I find myself in the interesting position of having these wonderful African teachers - Sobonfu Some & husband, Malidoma Patrice Some - being missionaries TO ME.

I have wanted the kind of intimacy Mrs. Some describes in her inspired little book, my whole life. It is my earnest hope and prayer that the western world will learn from the West African culture, and find the true happiness we have declared the right to pursue.

I couldn't possibly recommend the book more highly.

Such a well balanced sharing of spirit.

Also check out:

Living Deliberately: The Discovery and Development of Avatar
Resurfacing: Techniques for Exploring Consciousness
Love Precious Humanity: The Collected Wisdom Of Harry Palmer

This is a wonderful book that offers many little gems that encourage and facilitate the willingness to be open to intimacy in relationship. I think for many people who have struggled in relationship the author offers very useful, practical and enriching ways to let ones' relationship grow and develop. I love that the book is from an African perspective and though it's not geared only to Africans shows that African people have a workable approach to relationships that is spritually centered and life affirming.
I especially liked the authors' discussion on the use of rituals in African culture. The author made them come alive for me and helped me recognize that ritual is something we do anyway though we do not call it that and why. Her discussion on it's value and power in African culture was very empowering because she shows how we can open ourselves up on many levels to healing ourselves and our relationships by consciously utilizing rituals in our lives.
I also liked the author's emphasis on the importance of community, in helping build intimacy and supporting healthy relationships which is especially important for African people.
I would have liked more information on how some of the rituals or concepts used in ancient ways could better translated or modified for the present time.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like a spiritual, african centered approach to building healthy relationships.

This book reminds us what a real intimate relationship between a man and a woman should be, the pratical and spiritual dimensions of it. Thank you Sobonfu Some for writing this lovely and useful book.

Sometimes the words you're looking for come from the most unlikely places. Sobonfu Some's contribution is absolutely crucial if we are to find a counterbalance to our consumer culture. Singles, couples, adults and teenagers alike will find rewarding activities in this book which warm the heart more than going shopping can, and it's a gasp of fresh air. I hadn't realised the import of how we connect to other people until I read this book.

Wonderful! You are offered step by step tools that helps to bring peace of mind,joy and fulfillment.

Who knew? We have these ten gifts if we choose to use them. What a place we could have if only we would. Clear writing. Find your gifts and use them.

Was laying in bed in the early fall of 2000, and was flipping the stations on my radio when I came upon a cool radio show out of New York City, called the Joey Reynolds Show, where he had this wonderful lady on who had authored this book The Ten Gifts. She was joyful , funny, but not stuffy. Let me also note that I am non religious.

The book grew out of a tragic situation that sadly few Americans even remember. The Red River flooding of Grand Forks, North Dakota, and its sister city, East Grand Forks, Minnesota.60,000 plus people were effected and many areas are still recovering.

The Ten Gifts she writes indepth about are: The gift of Faith, The gift of Love, The gift of Dreams, The gift of Courage, The gift of Unity, The gift of Joy, The gift of Trust, The gift of Character, The gift of Thanks, The gift of Intention.

This is not a get quick happiness book, where you wake up one morning and discover all your challenges have gone "poof". What she does do is teach you lessons with ideas that you can use, one day at a time, who over weeks and months can help your life become happier or at least more at peace.

After the flood of her citie's river, Robin Silverman took the time and effort to re-build her life from scratch. Learning thoughout the way what we take for granted and how not to. The most prominent of things we take for granted are Faith, Love, Trust, Thanks, Joy, Dreams, Intention, Courage, Unity and Character. These ten things, are also known as The Ten Gifts. Some of them take time to aquire, but most you have the ability to use from childhood.

We so often take the things we're comfortable with for granted. We're programmed to be propelled by the avoidance of pain, and the pursuit of pleasure. But there is much pleasure in what you have already. Look around. Look at the people who lovingly support your every move and look and the gifts they've graciously given to you. Reading this book re-opens your mind with the ability to look at everything anew. And also, not take it for granted, because it can just as easily be taken away.

At the end of each chapter, Robin lets you exercise your gifts with questions, suggestions and advice. Her down-to-earth writing style makes it seem like you're sitting with her, listening to her story one-on-one. This is a wonderful book and I recommend it to everyone. Even you!

It's a refreshing reminder of the important things in life and how easy it is to incorporate them in day-to-day living. I love many things about the book. The stories are heartwarming and the exercises included help to bring the gifts to reality.

It makes a perfect "gift" for family and friends as well as being a necessary item in every library. Read it and you'll see why!

Very easy to read - clear and understandable. A great gift to give to your pastor who dabbles in modern evangelistic techniques.

WHY don't pastors get it? This book, in it's tiny, afternoon-reading size, hits the nail on the head. Every Christian in churches with Purpose Driven or program-embracing pastors needs to read this little volume.

If you have ever had any doubts about where you stand with God, or if you think that you can "slip" into heaven on your own standards, READ THIS BOOK! Using the account of Jesus and the rich young ruler, the author diminishes any questions about what it takes to become a true child of God.

This work by Walter Chantry ought to be read by anyone who is interested in seeing people come to saving faith in Jesus Christ. In our technique addicted society this book is a breath of fresh air. Chantry carefully walks the reader through how Jesus shared the gospel with the rich young ruler in Mark 10 and compares it to how we do evangelism today. If you are involved in sharing the gospel, are training others in evangelism or lead a Bible study or Sunday school class this book ought to be seriously considered as part of your teaching materials. Thought provoking, insightful and readable, this book will get others talking about how Christ shared the gospel

Pastor Chantry writes with a concern that addresses many of the the shallow and careless evangelistic methodologies that are still widely prevalent today. While evangelistic zeal for the lost is essential,zeal which is according to knowledge is equally important. The book highlights in places the great danger and harm that can be caused by misplaced zeal. He uses the Lord Jesus' personal evangelism with the rich young ruler because that contains all the essential elements for gospel preaching and evangelistic witnessing that should be present if our zeal is to be united with Biblical knowledge. Who better to instruct us on how to evangelize than the Lord Jesus Himself. A few of the essential elements are: preaching the law of God,preaching the character of God and preaching the necesstiy of true repentance. When preaching on the character of God the preacher is seeking to make known the attributes of God,and thereby exalt His character. Pastor Chantry thus exposes one of the great weaknesses in so much preaching and evangelism today,that being, that it is man centered when it should and must be God centered. Why is modern day evangelism and missionary labours so impotent? Walter Chantry asks in the introduction: Where is the power of Edwards and Whitfield in today's preaching? The author thinks that it is in the content of the Gospel message. Mr.Chantry writes on p.36 "The absence of God's Holy law from modern preaching is perhaps as responsible as any other factor for the evangelistic impotence of our Churches and missions." Men,women and children must know that they are lost before they can truly be saved and the preaching of God's Holy law is the means that God has ordained to bring about conviction of sin. Romans 3:20b ...for by the law is the knoledge of sin.'Today's Gospel...' will help to expose much of what is lacking in so many pulpits and many evangelistic endeavours,may the Lord be pleased to use it to that end for many years to come.

I saw Kali speak at a church function and just couldn't wait to get my hands on her book! What a motivation, she makes you laugh and cry all in the same sentence! You will walk away from this book with a good feeling in your heart, ready to pass it on to the next woman in need of a pick-me-up.

What an inspiration this book has been to me. I often begin my quite times using it as a devotional to get my mind focused. The words brought encouragement, hope, tears and laughter!

Like a box of gourmet truffles, find a comfey chair and savor the delight of each individual chapter as Kali shares her own stories of encouragement. Guaranteed to touch the heart of women, this special little book makes a great gift for women of all ages. Truffles from Heaven is a blessing you don't want to miss!

Kali Schnieders' book, Truffles from Heaven, proves to be a one-sitting read. From cover to cover, Schnieders keeps the reader laughing one moment, crying the next, and nodding in agreement throughout. With real-life experiences that many people can identify with, the author shows how God has a hand in every aspect of one's life, truly working all things to His good! Her refreshing, open style makes the reader think she's sitting by your side chatting with you. I look forward to more work from Kali Schnieders!

Dear potential reader,

Sorry for the rating. They wouldn't let me send this note without one--so I just went with the average reader rating.

I would like to invite you to taste a sample chapter from my book by visiting my website. By going on line you can determine if my recipe of encouragement, blended with humor is the right gift for your friend. Yes, your friend who is hurting and in need a morsel of inspiration--the one grieving the loss of a spouse, a parent, a job, a pet or a dream. Your friend who is getting married--or wish they were. We all know someone in need of a truffle from Heaven, don't we?

The question is, "What EXACTLY is a truffle from Heaven, anyway?"

As any true chocolate lover knows, truffles are delicious, handmade, morself of chocolate--often a gift between lovers. Truffles From Heaven are gifts...from the lover of your soul. God's truffles are lovingly laid into the palms of our lives; they're exactly what we need, given in the moment we need them most and expect them least.

My stories are true, they are personal, and they are meant to encourage all readers to search for the evidence of such sweet gifts in their own daily lives. My prayer is that you (and your friend) will do just that.

Blessings, Kali Schnieders

Oscar Romero was the archbishop of San Salvador, assassinated while saying Mass in 1980 by death squads, tacitly backed by the United Sates under the Reagan administration. These ideological political forces that executed him were challenged by his public voice against poverty, social injustice, political killings, and torture in El Salvador. Romero was an incredibly eloquent speaker and writer. Here is an excerpt from one of his sermons that appears in "The Violence of Love":

"There is no dichotomy between man and God's image.
Whoever tortures a human being,
whoever abuses a human being,
whoever outrages a human being,
abuses God's image."

Here is another excerpt:

"A preaching that does not point out sin is not the preaching of the gospel A preaching that makes sinners feel good, so that they are secured in their sinful state, betrays the gospel's call. A preaching that does not discomfit sinners but lulls them in their sin leaves Zebulun and Naphtali in the shadow of death.

A preaching that awakens, a preaching that enlightens as when a light turned on awakens and, of course, annoys, the sleeper that is the preaching of Christ, calling "Wake up... Be converted!..." Naturally, such preaching must meet conflict, must spoil what is called prestige, must disturb, must be persecuted. It cannot get along with the powers of darkness and sin..."

Oscar Romero, martyr, spoke the words in this second excerpt Jan. 22, 1978 - roughly 2 months before his assassination.

It is probably worth noting that I am not a Catholic. However, I do consider Oscar Romero to have been a brother in Christ and a fine example for religious people everyewhere. This book, "The Violence of Love", has been invaluable to me in my own studies and spiritual walk. The sermons Romero preached those decades ago ring every bit as true and pertinent in today's world of war, hatred and violence as they did when he spoke them. They are timeless. As an "American Indian" and Christian I found the liberation theology that Romero so eloquently articulates to be a theology that is imperative for the salvation of my people and/or anyone that wishes to explore more deeply the true message of the Gospels. This book has my highest reccomendation.

The words of Bishop Romero are very inspirational. This book contains a collection of short quotes from homilies given by Romero to people in need of liberation. The topics of the quotes vary and are applicable to all walks of life. I would recommend reading a biography of Romero or the history of El Salvador before reading this book to give his words a better historical context. I would recommend this book to anyone seeking direction in life or anyone seeking the inspiration of a hero for humanity.

A voice of a martyr and prophet. Explains what it means to be a Christian.

Dear Reader, Do yourself a favor. Take this book to daily prayer. Let the love embrace you.

On this day a near quarter century ago Archbishop Oscar A. Romero got shot during the Offertory of the Mass in his small but beautiful Teminal Hospital Chapel in San Salvador. I visited there a few years later, seeing where the military shooter crouched as the Archbishop raised the chalice and Host in offering, offering his own body and life to the ultimate sacrifice of martyrdom, having spent years preaching and striving courageously and prophetically for Peace and Justice in Jesus Christ, for the most vulnerable and impoverished people amongst us, and the Gospel "preferential option for the Poor" declared in Medellin by the CELAM.

This book, published in reprint a few years back by the great Catholic publishing house Orbis Books, presents for our strengthening and meditation golden spiritual ore mined from the sermons of Archbishop Romero, mainly from the late seventies, collected acording to theme by the Jesuit scholar, journalist and priest, the late Rev. James Brockman, SJ, editor of the well-known and long published Catholic magazine America.

The themes around which Fr. Brockman gathers these fairly brief citations from Archbishop Romero's sermons include: Pilgrim Church, History of Salvation, Idol of Self, God's Justice, Bright Light of Christ, Option for the Poor and Good News to the Poor, etc. As a great editor, Fr. Brockman leaves us what is most permanent and prophetic from the Archbishop's sermons, in sizes we can easily meditate and digest, as well as more lengthy selections.

The introduction by the great theologian and writer Father Henri Nouwen beautifully and brilliantly places these readings in the context of salvation history and prophetically as a call to conversion and to action for each one of us. Father Nouwen personalizes our dazzling encounter with the spirituality of this saintly martyr in a way that we are not overwhelmed nor confused but made able to receive his Words, based continually in the words of Our Lord Jesus Christ. For once an introduction truly serves to introduce us to the main body of a work, making us capable of comprehending and of conversion through the great homilies of the Archbishop.

If you have time for only one work regarding Archbishop Romero, whose canonization is in process in the Vatican, this is an excellent place to begin, and to dwell.

This is a fabulous book, like everything Erik Davis writes. The photography just takes it to a new level. This book will be a standard reference for us in future journeys on the North American west coast. We intend to visit all the sites, or as many as we can, documented in the book.

But it is much more than a travel book. Davis brings his masterful knowledge of American gnosticism and materializes it in his historical, rich narrative about the numerous temples, religions, and cults of California. I strongly recommend "Techgnosis" for a much deeper treatment of the same topic. Let's hope he keeps bringing his skill as a writer to craft more beautiful essays about the rich and fragmented American life, and the strange worlds emerging as the American imperial reign draws to a close.

Davis is probably the most talented of the current psychedelic authors, and has a talent at keeping an open and critical eye on both the dark and light aspects of emerging subcultures.

I love his wordcraft and eclectic reach. Every time I read one of his books, I come back with at least twenty new words and a few new concepts.

It's thick and lucius and keeps rewarding me every time i sit down with it. Having grown up in California, I've heard bits and pieces about many of these places and it's great to learn more about them.

Coffee table books are usually visually beautiful (such as Southwestern landscapes, the National Parks, cuisines of the world, ancient civilizations) while shallow in terms of information. Not so with "Visionary State",a stunning book that is as visually delightful as it is educational.

Author Erik Davis is insightful about California's syncretistic, Gnostic spirituality. He shows how Goddess spirituality, Western Buddhism, yoga, and queer spirituality have deep roots in Californian soil-from the Self Realization Fellowship's temple in Encinitas (not far from where I used to live) to the labyrinth at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco (surprisingly, Davis doesn't mention St.Gregory of Nyssa,famous for its icon of dancing saints,and its dance-centered liturgy)

Davis shows the selective "openness" of Californian spirituality. He explores Zen, Tantra, and Wicca, while dismissing the growth of non-denominational and evangelical churches. It's no wonder he doesn't choose the beautiful white clapboard St. Stephen's Anglican Church in Oakville or the Institute for Creation Research in El Cajon (but he does show El Cajon's Unarius Academy,devoted to UFO and the Space Brothers)

It is pleasant to see places I've been--such as the sylvan sojourn of Harbin Hot Springs in Middletown, the Egyptian temples of the Isis Oasis in Geyserville,the Stanford Memorial Chapel in Palo Alto, the San Diego Mission,and the Self-Realization Fellowship Temple in Encinitas. It also inspired me to go to the spectacular City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in Ukiah-famous for being the largest Buddhist center in the US and its vegetarian restaurant.

"Visionary State" is a look at the kaleidoscope of Californian spirituality. In these pages, you'll learn that Sam Brannan,founder of Calistoga,wanted California to be the capital of the Mormon Church (Brigham Young disagreed),and that the round barn in Santa Rosa was part of the Fountaingrove commune in the 19th century. You'll learn about Lonnie Frisbee, the co-founder of the Calvary Chapel movement whose name has been erased from official histories because he died from AIDS,as well as the Gnosticism of Philip K.Dick,the author of "Blade Runner." "Visionary State" not only looks great,but makes a great read too!

I bought for the photography but I read cover to cover with great interest. Fascinating historical detail. Beautiful photography.

The photography and commentary captures the awe of California's spiritual past. There has been plenty of coffee table books on Yosemite, Big Sur and the California coast but never has there been a book describing the vast inner landscape of Californian's themselves. This book is a fine addition to the Cali history enthusiast.

Walking With Grandfather: The Wisdom of Lakota Elders
This is a very special book, in my opinion.It sets out to address the myths that have been propagated because of fear and predudice surrounding the history of the white incursion into what was the territory and traditional way of life of the nomadic and deeply spiritual peoples of the plains of North America.It is a gentle reminder of the imperialsm and arrogance that still pervades in people in the mainstream western society today ,who in the main believe the spiritual life of the native peoples is inferior to that of the white traditions.The indian peoples of the plains are extremely family minded , and have a rich culture of traditional beliefs and are commited ,even in this age, to encourage their children to learn the ethical and moral way of life that encompasses the belief that all inhabitants of the earth should be treated with respect and honour.Joseph Marshall is particularly advocating respect for older people who have gained wisdom and insight purely by living life with all its challenges and also its joys.

Brilliant author with another fascinating piece of work! "Walking with Grandfather" is another example of how the dominant Euro-American culture is lacking its appreciation for the 'study of our ghosts.' Marshall provides a wonderful example of how we must reconnect to our history, our culture and our heritage. He is to be commended for a great book.

In this book, Mr. Marshall takes the reader into a world of wisdom and insight, a world in which he passes along the lessons learned from Lakota elders, including his own grandparents. These stories and lessons are especially important in today's society, where "honor" and "respect" are becoming words with no meaning, and things are considered better just because they are new. Mr. Marshall writes in a way that makes you feel like he's talking to you, maybe around a campfire at the end of a summer day, and the stories he is telling should be taken to heart by every thinking person.

Joseph Marshall speakes to a part of us that lies buried under the workings of modern society. I love his stories and wisdom teachings. They make me feel human.

I have now become a great fan of Joseph M. Marshall recently ordering other books as well as cd's. Even his written word, you can almost hear him speaking to you. A very easy way to learn about the Lakota traditions, its a pleasant journey.

Nothing personal against Scott Cunningham; I'm just not a big fan of his writing style--I got through three of his books in just under twenty minutes; there was nothing to hold my attention or call for deeper reading. I liked this one mch better--well enough, in fact, to loan it to friends. The writing is clear, concise, and informative; this is the best beginners' book I've picked up on the Craft thus far.

I was at first skeptical about this book, only because nobody that I knew ever heard of it. BUT, this one is, in my opinion, the best book on beginners of wicca out there. Its an easy read, understandable and personal. Tea has great exercises and after reading it, everything started making sense to me.
Highly recommended.

This is an excellent book! Very easy to understand, well written and explains the concepts the wiccan beliefs. I would recommend this book for anyone that is interested in learning wicca, this is a good place to start.

This book is fantastic. Very explanatory. The book is written in simple, easy to read and understand language. It contains information I had never heard before and erased all of the stereo-types I was brought up with. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will continue.

As a new Wiccan with my only pagan friend hundreds of miles away, I was searching for something to help answer many questions I had. Was I on the right path? Did I truly understand where I was going?

Something made me click the link to this book and I'm glad I did. I bought the book based on the previous good reviews, and it paid off for me.

Thea Sabin starts the book with a wonderful introduction into the history of Wicca. Bits of humor are littered among the facts, keeping it from being too dry (hey, history is boring to me). From there she goes into a full chapter on the principles and ethics...topped off with a great section of "What Wicca is NOT".

I appreciated the first two chapters and the scope of what they covered. She made sure to point out that everyone's path is unique and that while you may not practice everything mentioned, it is important to know about it.

By the end of the second chapter so many of my questions were answered I was eager to read on. The exercises she gives to help you along are fun and challenging, working your magical muscles in an effective way.

For me this book was a great start, and a wonderful accompaniment to the aide of friendship I have in my pagan friend so far away.

THIS BOOK RECEIVED THE PEN/OAKLAND JOSEPHINE MILES AWARD FOR BEST BOOK OF POETRY.

ALSO, PACIFIC RIM REVIEW OF BOOKS, SUMMER 2007 WROTE:

"In this beautifully written book, Leza Lowitz seeks to share the inner landscape of her yoga journey and to inspire others to take this same journey from individuation to unity...She accomplishes this by capturing the spirit of yoga with strong images and simple free verse firmly grounded in the experience of practice in mind, body, and spirit...This is not the yoga of the hip and trendy, but the yoga of a true seeker--an ordinary woman who has discovered her Self through movement, and has found acceptance and grace through allowing her body and soul to unfold with yoga. Named after yoga postures and breath work, Lowitz's poems capture the spirit of yoga again and again. In "Sutra Hasta Majoriasana (Threading the Needle)," simple yet powerful metaphor reveals the essence of the pose in body, mind and consciousness.

...untangling a knot
that is my life
the knot becomes my teacher...

the needle that is sharp
at dawn
might be broken by dusk...

The thread that is straight today
doesn't know
it will be knotted tomorrow.

The knot
that is tangled today
could be woven into gold
ten years from now.

That is why
I thread the needle,
honoring the odds
steadying my arms
softening my breath
working the knot,
trusting.

Any reader will recognize the moment when challenges are viewed as an opportunity to learn and grow. A yoga practitioner will recall the pose and know that each moment on the yoga mat is a metaphor for life. Lowitz's words inspire us to embrace each posture as an opportunity to remain mindful of each moment, to learn and grow, and to cultivate faith."

--Christine Morita Clancy, PRR Issue Six, Summer 2007

Yoga Poems- Lines to Unfold By... is a glorious collection.
These poems bring a beautiful perspective to each asana.
At the end of a practice, I select a poem of an asana of focus for the day. I quietly share this with the class during relaxation, as the mind is open and the body calm. It is truely heartening to me to see the soulful, connection it often brings to the receiver.

This book is ideal to sell in your studio as well as a simple and delightful gift for anyone in your spiritual community...

laughter, love and light in Colorado

As someone who came to Yoga after 60, I have found Yoga Poems:Lines to Unfold By from author Leza Lowitz inspiring! Not only has she given a beautiful voice to the asanas but she has given me the desire to go even deeper into the heart of Yoga practice. I can visualize the poses in her poetic imagery. The poems are as serene as Yoga is meant to be. I loved the illustrations and only wish that each pose had its own rather than just those introducing the various sections.
Donna Mendelsohn

This is a delightful, delicious, exquisite book. I could nibble on it all day long! Leza's Yoga Poems are lovely to read while sitting in Upavistha Konasana (Seated Wide Angle Pose) or while eating an icecream sandwich after class. It is wonderful company if you are eating dinner alone. This books structure beautifully reflects the eight "limbs" or stages of yoga. Each inspired poem is named after an asana, (the Sanskrit term for a yoga posture), or a breathing practice. Like the other reviewers who practice yoga, I was amazed by how well Leza Lowitz captured the spirit of each asana. She has successfully united her passion for yoga with her love of poetry. The illustrations by yoga teacher and artist Anja Borgstrom are perfect. This is a magical book that also makes a most romantic present. If you are looking for a gift for the special Yogi or Yogini in your Life, or a perfect present for your teacher, I promise, this book will please them!

Suza Francina, author, "Yoga and the Wisdom of Menopause" and "The New Yoga for People Over 50."

Yoga Poems: lines to unfold by
tell the truth about more
than the poses they limn;
they tell about we
who unfold in the poses,
our moods
our aspirations
our whims;
lines to unfold by
are lines to live by;
as we learn to unfold the lines
as we learn to unfold the poses
we unfold ourselves.

If you are looking for a way to do the Daily Office and want the convience of having only one book to use, then this one is the way to go. You have in one handy volume the complete text to the Book of Common Prayer and the NRSV Bible. I have looked for while for just such a book to do my daily devotionals. Not only will you have the two year lectionary, but all the collects and others prayers to enhance your prayer life.

If you are looking for a good prayer book, this is the one.

Anxiously awaiting publication of this fine Bible/BCP. I have nothing but rave reviews! Oxford Publishing is sure slow to re-publish it though. I've had it on order now for over a month. I certainly hope the leather binding is up to standard.

If you are Episcopalian or of some other church that may use the 1979 Prayer book, you will find this very useful for public worship. I have personally found it very nice for devotional use. If you want to use the Prayer Book's daily office lectionary to read a LOT of scripture every day, now you have them both in one place - along with all the prayers of the Prayer Book. I also would imagine that lots of ministers may find this useful when doing visits and going to hospitals and such. My only complaint is that it is a bit bulky - maybe they could release a 'slimmed down version' without the concordance or the Apocrypha. This is a very nice "all-in-one" volume. The leather edition looks pretty good and I was really surprised how well mine lays open even on pages near the beginning or the end.

The Book of Common Prayer (1979) is the latest, complete BCP used by the American branch of the Anglicans, the Episcopal church. There have been many books that have had the title 'Book of Common Prayer' since the first one appeared in 1549; it has been used continuously in one edition or another in the Anglican tradition since 1559; the 'main' edition remains the 1662 edition. The American church modified the Book of Common Prayer for its own use beginning shortly after the Revolutionary War -- this book is the successor of a long and worthy tradition.

A bishop in the Episcopal church once said to me, 'We don't have a theology that we have to believe -- what we have is the prayerbook.' Please forgive the absence of context for this phrase -- while he would say that this statement in isolation is an exaggeration, and I would agree, nonetheless his statement serves to highlight both the importance of and the strength of the Book of Common Prayer.

To be an Anglican (in the United States, read Episcopalian for the same in the context of this article), one does not have to subscribe to any particular systematic theological framework. One does not have to practice a particular brand of liturgical style. One does not have to have an approved politico-theological viewpoint. One can be a conservative, liberal or moderate; one can be high church, low church, or broad; one can be charismatic, evangelical, or mainline traditional -- one can be any number of things in a rich diversity of choices, and the Book of Common Prayer can still be the book upon which spirituality and worship is centred.

From his first edition, Cranmer distinguished in his terminology the words minister and priest, and the two should not be viewed as interchangeable. A priest is a minister, but a minister need not be a priest. This become part of the early development of the idea of all people being ministers to each other, which is also a concept that has varying acceptance and fulfillment in actual practice over the history of Anglicanism.

One of my favourite prayers derives from this book, part of the English prayer book from the very first one in 1549:

Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication unto thee, and hast promised through thy well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his name, thou wilt be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be best for us, granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come, life everlasting. Amen.

This prayer, like many things in the BCP, has moved to a new location from the first edition, but nonetheless the spirit of the BCP shows a circuitous but continuous development from this first English Prayer Book to the current varieties. Likewise, other denominations have gleaned insights, prayers and structures from this and other versions of the BCP.

The current Book of Common Prayer is not copyrighted material. The purpose for leaving the BCP out of copyright is to permit free and easy duplication and incorporation into worship materials; however, it also serves the purpose (deliberately intended) of permitting people, Anglicans or not, to use portions of the BCP as inspiration and material for their own worship. The Book of Common Prayer is an Anglican gift to the world.

In this edition, the BCP is coupled with the Holy Bible, the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), which is one of the latest authoritative translations, a fairly standard and accessible one at use in the Episcopal church (as well as other churches) today; it bears the imprimatur of the Roman Catholic Church as well as the acceptance of the National Council of Churches, who holds the copyright. The text includes the Old Testament, New Testament and Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical books.

This is a very thick book - with nearly a thousand pages in the BCP, another thousand in the Old Testament, almost three hundred pages in the New Testament, and a brief concordance to teh NRSV comprising another hundred pages, even with the thinnest of onion-skin paper, the book is large and somewhat ungainly. However, for those who like all-in-one versions, this is a worthwhile text. The pagination for the BCP and NRSV are consistent with other versions of these same documents, so reference is made easier.

This is an unbeatable combination. I have throughly enjoyed mine. A companion for life that will draw you closer to the creator and redeemer of that life.