Passion The Books

Lent is the best time to read "THE POWER of the CROSS.

Christ is the only way to live and this book will lead you
back to him.

Worth reading anytime of the year!

When I was in my twenties I encountered another woman, also in her twenties who was dying of cancer. Over the course of a summer she taught me the lesson of the power of the cross...that no matter what life deals us there is a way for those who believe in Christ to approach every event in a way that differs from the rest of humanity. We are not crushed by adversity, in fact we learn not to even judge anything as adversity so has the cross changed the way we look at our lives.

This book is filled with the ways in which the power of the cross can be experienced in our daily lives no matter what happens--illustrated by the stories of people that I have known who have experienced the power of Christ's cross firsthand. It is arranged especially for the season of Lent and will match the readings found in the Catholic lectionary for that season.

Since the book has been available it has been used in a parish group study. A leader of a group that used it wrote me to say:

"We just finished your bible study: The Power of the Cross' - ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!!!!!!!. It was soooo Catholic and thank you for speaking the truth. We have a lot of Catholics out there (including myself) who missed these lessons over the last 20 years. We have made Catholicism what we wanted it to be. Not how is really is. I believe it opened the eyes of a lot of the ladies in the group."

I hope others will find this book an aid to enriching their spiritual lives.

With the liturgical season of Lent quickly approaching, I am convinced that The Power of the Cross is one of the best resources I've seen lately for enhancing our commitment to spirituality. Whether you choose to implement this book as a "kick start" to your New Year's devotional rituals, or as a supplement to your Lenten devotional aids you will find this book to be an exceptional resource.

I was present at Ed's rookie sermon, described in Chapter 8. I was amazed each of the following weeks as his sermons got better and better. My wife and I considered him to be one of the best preachers we ever had the privelage of hearing. Now I am pastoring and his words are helping me to find ways to preach with the spiritual passion that is so needed in today's churches.

Chris D Madsen
Pastor Edgerton KS So Baptist Church

This book is not about how to preach a sermon. Rather, it is about the emotions and thoughts arising from his role that a preacher has to face. The author describes it as "mostly about the amalgam of sacred and selfish motives that compel people to preach and be passionate about preaching."
Rowell compares the feelings of being in the moment of truth when adrenaline is charging to that of a bull ride. Minus the physical dangers, all the other elements are nevertheless the same; especially the emotions. Rowell said that preaching does not start with our strengths. Rather, God works through our weaknesses to minister to people and at the same time strengthens us from within.
Rowell then went on to describe the cynicism that preachers have concerning whether their sermons are actually serving any purpose. This is where preachers need to identify with the apostle Paul and have faith that the Word of the Lord will not return to Him void.
All preachers face the temptation to use their pulpits for purposes other than delivering God's message to the people. In all human interactions, there will be conflicts whether we like it or not. Pastors will feel the pains of negative actions or words from some of their congregational members. During such moments it is easy to use the pulpit to hit back at these people. The call to die to self cannot be truer than in moments such as these. Preachers can demonstrate true godliness in loving all the people publicly no matter how they are feeling.
Rowell then speaks about the reality of weariness. We drive ourselves to physical and emotional weariness because of the way that we size up our responsibilities. Often we would just have to sit back and take things easy.
Preachers in preparation of their messages should struggle through some pertinent questions in the week leading up to the preaching of the sermon. Questions such as the relevancy of the message to the congregation should be thought through. At the end of it, when the sermon is preached the congregation must see the spiritual passion of the preacher for the topic being dealt with.
There are also the inevitable spiritual drought that preachers would face from time to time. These are moments when the passion to preach seems to have dissipated. Using the slogan of Nike, Rowell said "just do it." The passion to know Christ which the apostle Paul expounded on must be the motivating factor for us all in moments such as these.
Prayers is the key to all successful ministries. Rowell said that it is an activity that we must be engaged in all the time and through all the processes of the sermon preparation till its delivery.
Preachers have also to be watchful that they maintain the right motives all the time. It is easy for us to be prideful especially when we are very well received as a preacher. However, the applause of people must never be the motivator for our ministry.
The real test whether a pastor is fulfilling his role is whether the congregation feels loved by him. Rowell said that when they do, you can preach and readily be accepted. In fact, they will feel that you preach than you personally do.
The need to feel in control of oneself and our situation is common to all men. That need sometimes is a motivating factor for people. Rowell said that we need to be like Jacob and allow God to take control not only of us but our ministries.
Edward Rowell has been very candid in this book. He wrote what he feels. Principles are interjected with stories of his experiences. He is also frank about what he feels. I wonder how some of the people mentioned by him would feel about his candidness.
This is a book which is worth the while for all preachers to take note of. All of us have gone through the same situations as what Rowell has mentioned. We made the same mistakes. Either we learn through our own mistakes or we learn from a book such as this. For me it has been a combination of both. Sometimes we are blinded to ourselves and we do need someone to share their own experiences before we can learn the truths about our own situations. Preaching is an awesome responsibility and we must indeed handle it with all the spiritual passion that we can tap from the Lord.

This small book is one of my library treasures. There are times when I feel spiritually dry and need reminded of where to seek "Living Waters." At least twice a year I turn to this book to renew the fire in my belly for preaching God's Word. Somehow, I simply relate to the author and find reassurance in knowing that I am not alone on this sometimes lonely pathway.

This book is inspiring!
It is one of those rare books that you feel you must re-read at least once every year.
The author uses her own life experinces to provoke the reader to reflect and gain perspective on their life.
It is such an easy read and pulls you in right from the beginning.

This is a book that will touch everyone that reads it! The author uses experiences from her own life that all can relate to and skillfully points us toward a way to live more fully. Her examples are great reminders that we all experience loss and it's OK to grieve our losses. The more important question becomes how are we truly going to live? A quick read that will bring smiles and tears and will refocus you on the things in life that really matter.

Knowing the author personally has only given me a greater appreciation for the book that she wrote. Jana took over a teaching position at a time that the special education students and teachers (myself included) were at the final stages of losing a dearly loved friend and fellow teacher to breast cancer. Her warm spirit and deep insights into this experience helped us to see it as a time to remember our love for Judy and what she helped to accomplish in the time she was with us.
Jana gave me a copy of the book while I was in the depths of grieving and as I read it (all in one night) so many things about how I was feeling became clear. I was not alone in my journey through this grief. Others had felt the same way. I cannot recommend this book more highly for everyone, even if you have not experienced the death of a loved one. This is more than a manual for coping with death. It is about the celebration of life.

AW Tozer was a godly man. I have never read one of his books without being convicted and that is a good thing. I fear that we have very few uncompromised preachers like him today which is sad.

Be forewarned: After reading this book, you will be held accountable for its contents!

This book is NOT for those who are satisfied with their walk with God. I know this sounds "harsh," and "negative," but one can only say what is on one's heart.

Aiden W. Tozer did not play with God, and his writings enjoin us not to either. To him, the Christian walk was serious business and in no where else was this seriousness made more manifest than on Mount Calvary. There on that Mount, the greatest sacrifice that would ever be made, was made when the Just and Holy One gave His Life a ransom for many, that He might purify a people, zealous of good works, unto Himself.

This book needed no introduction, yet it has two which I feel are a distraction from what Rev. Tozer was trying to show us. This work did not need anyone to speek for it; the Holy Spirit Himself would bear witness. Nevertheless, this prophet of old's voice rang out against the "cross-less" Christianity he saw in his day, and which has gained in popularity in our day. Throught his simple words you can sense the Holy Spirit pleading with the professing Christian not to be satisfied with dead works, ceremony, sacramentalism, and form, but rather to lay one's life down, take up your/my cross, and follow Him daily; that we would partake of the greatness of the spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus by dying to self.

This book, along with The Pursuit of God, make great resources for one's own devotional life. I promise you as a sinner saved/kept by grace, that your walk with the LORD of ALL will not be the same if you take Tozer's words in these two books seriously.

This is simply a Great book by a Great author about a Great subject. This book is written for Christians that either want to be inspired or be reminded of the Christian Cross to stir up the passions within one's soul.

A concern was that the writing may be stilted, dated or out of style and therefore a drudgery to read but that was the furtherest from the truth. This book will certainly cause you to view the Cross with a passion that you may never have experienced and I write as a minister with over 30 years experience.

There are 7 sections each with 4 or 5 chapters that stand alone and therefore could be read as a devotional that is dedicated to the Radical Cross.

Chapter titles such as: The Cross is a Radical Thing; No One Wants to Die on a Cross; Coddled or Crucified; Dead in Christ and What Easter is About.

I challenge ANY believer to read this book that would like to have a new fire in their faith because it will be impossible not to be affected with this author's writing and understanding.

This is not a theological book, though there is theology, this is an inspirational book.

Read it and be inspired!!!

That kind of sarcastic response does not do the book justice. Gordon Macdonald is a thoughtful Christian with a difficult job--get off his back!

After reading this book I'm back on track, and think I can get by with 1 intern a year from here on out.

Could tell he was writing this at no small cost.

I count it a privilege he'd share this with me -- at any price.

(P.S. Amazon's spell-check is the only thing "borken". That's not the real title.)

I first met Robert when he tracked me down on the web several years ago. I felt very special to have previewed many of the poems that appear in his new book. He has a beautiful way of expressing his feelings on life, love and the state of the human soul. I find that holding his words more powerful than just reading them on a screen. I look forward to the next book!

The skill of Robert's writing can be seen by studying the easy manner of his poems. They seem to float from the page like a feather upon the wind until settling in your heart like pudding in an ornate bowl. He has struck that wonderful balance above the abyss of intensity and deep emotion without a sacrifice of passion. Thus, his words ring clear - void of pomposity or heaviness as they string a simple cord with the wondrous pearls of life's pleasures.

David Leeson Field and Forest Company

I ran into Mr Kogan's poetry for the firt time a year ago or so on the web. His newest work, "Rhymes of Romance; Poems of Passion" establishes him as one of America's more astute poets if not yet one of her more well known. Obviously if he continues to create along the same levels of quality that he has with this effort he will soon become an even more sought after poet. It is difficult, if not impossible, as a writer of prose to describe the beauty of his work. Suffice it to say that, his poetry strikes the soul like a sharp clear musical note. His conversation with Emily is simply brilliant. In the love poem "If I should Die Tomorrow" his heart sings for the kind of love that all of us spend life times to find and rarely do. It is with considered admiration, as a fellow yet far less author, that I recommend this totally wonderful book to any who might be interested in spending an evening, a weekend, a special momemt in time with love and passion. Well done Mr. Kogan. Can't wait to read this again and again and again.

Michael J. Vines Author "Theophany" .

Having thoroughly enjoyed Brooks' biography of Donna Gracia Nasi (THE WOMAN WHO DEFIED KINGS), I was looking forward to her new book very much. I was not disappointed - this is a terrific read, full of historical details, romance, suspense, irony, real tragedy, and all carried off by Brooks with intelligence, wit and style.
I cannot recommend this book too highly!!!!

Andree Brooks has created a fascinating book. Her observations about people and human nature are alarmingly astute. She teaches about a little-known, but important, period in history, but she does not lecture the reader who is far too engrossed in the tragic relationship of Marc and Bluett to realize that he/she has learned something along the way. This is a book that you will gobble up in one sitting (not often said about a book drenched with history) -- and will linger with you for days to come.

Author Andree Aelion Brooks renders the story of Bluet Rabinoff and Marc Cheftel so compellingly that one is tempted to read the book in one sitting -- not only to find out what happens next in this story of a great love, but also to appreciate the meticulously researched details of a turbulent era in world history. Whether the setting is the opulent world of the arts that Bluet inhabits in New York City in the late 1920s, or the day-to-day bleak subsistence and terror of Stalinist Moscow in 1931, Brooks creates a sense of immediacy and urgency -- a true "you are there" quality.

In addition to chronicling the joys and perils of a great passion between two unique people, the book also serves as a cautionary tale about the unintended consequences of idealogy and nation-building. Moreover, it makes clear how historical events affect the most personal of issues: love, friendship, parenthood, loyalty. In sum, an excellent book, well worth reading.

Though Amazon has listed Mother Teresa of Calcutta as the author of this book, it is actually by Teresa of Avila, who lived in the sixteenth century. Great stuff, but not by Mother Teresa

This is an excellent book. It is good for instruction or meditation. And it is short and very easy to read. I highly recommend the series of the Upper Room Spiritual Classics.

This book is well-named, as it is evident right from the start that Teresa of Avila was indeed passionate about her God. Though the reader must obviously adjust for historical setting, Teresa's experience and relation of deeply spiritual prayer is powerful enough to make one examine one's own prayer life. Such an examination is both exhilirating and intimidating, but Teresa's writings are encouraging to Christians regardless of where they find themselves in their pilgrimage. The shortness of this book make it the perfect companion for daily devotions, or personal retreats.

A grand passion is not necessarily a fun thing to live with. Or through. Oh, to be sure, there are occasional moments of pure bliss, but on the whole-it so confuses your mind that you end up doing unbelievable things you'd never thought of doing while totally ignoring the very basics of life that you should be doing. But then, you see the object of your obsession, and away you go-there's no immediate relief.

This wonderful double volume of two more classics from the marvelous Elizabeth Mansfield (sadly no longer with us) tells of not one-but two-such grand passions; one in each of the two stories.

The first of these-A Splendid Indiscretion-demonstrates just how well opposites attract. When the very organized Ivor Griffith, Viscount Mullineaux, first tangles with the hopelessly muddle-headed Ada Surringham, she inadvertently saves him from a supreme disaster. Having been followed to a roadside inn on the way to Wales by a wandering wife (not his own) and then by the lady's husband, Ivor flees the ensuing scene, right into Ada's room. Ivor and Ada know that he left the room immediately after the confrontation with the suspicious husband, but had no way of knowing that they would soon be residing under the same roof-in London.

The farcical un-masking that takes place in chapter nineteen could not be improved upon-for sheer joie d'vivre, good humor and vivid astonishment. Ms. Mansfield, consummate writer that she is, never puts a foot wrong while thoroughly engaging the reader's interest and juggling several plot lines all at once.

Fortunately, Ivor realizes that Ada is essential to his well-being, but it does take a while. Enjoy!

The Grand Passion tells an entirely different tale of mistaken identity, revenge and, yes-passion. It's an excellent explanation of just how muddle-headed a seemingly sensible and intelligent person can become while in the throes of such an emotion.

Tess Brownlow thinks she should know a grand passion when she encounters one, and so she chooses to marry her neighbor and friend Jeremy Beringer. It is his grand passion for her that puts her in this position, even though she cannot return his love in the same way. When a coaching accident takes the life of Jeremy even while he's on his way to the wedding, Tess feels such remorse she determines to avenge him.

But first she has to discover the person responsible for the accident, and after a search, learns of one name-Lotherwood. With the aid of a cousin, Tess heads for London to achieve her goal. Even when she learns that he is betrothed, still she sets her plan in motion. When he is sufficiently in love with her, she'll leave him, desolate. Indeed Matt is desolate, but so is she, as she's fallen into her own trap. And then she discovers, quite by accident, that she's sprung her trap on the wrong man.

It takes time, but finally, Tess and Matt find each other and are happily united in their Grand Passion.

This is an extraordinary pairing of two classics-unhappily for us, we'll not see their like again anytime soon.

I'm rather glad that Signet is reprinting some of the earlier works of a few of the more noteworthy Regency-era romance writers. And that they're actually issuing them in form of two-for-one packages, is just the icing on top of the cake. This time around, Signet has reissued "A Splendid Indiscretion" (one of my favourite Regencies) & "The Grand Passion."

In "A Splendid Indiscretion," pretty and good hearted Ada Suurringham is everything that a doting uncle could wish for in a niece -- if only she didn't have this propensity to be constantly woolgathering, and for forever falling into one muddle or the other because of her daydreaming. Always the foil for her more beautiful and self-abosrbed cousin, Cordelia, Ada had thought that she had gotten rather used to remaining in the background and being the subject of a lot of eye rolling. But when Ada's godmother, Viscountess Millineaux, issues an invitation for either Ada or Cordelia, to visit her and be launched into London Society, Ada's uncle is determined that Ada should be the one to go. What follows is a wonderfully humorous romp as Ada stoically makes for London, only to end up working in her godmother's house as a librarian's assistant instead of staying on as an hounoured guest. But that would be nothing if it were not for the fact that Ada has managed to fall in love with her godmother's son, the sophisticated and urbane, Ivor. Is it too much to hope that Ivor would look past her muddle-headedness and fall in love with her instead of the prefect Cornelia? (5 stars)

In "The Grand Passion," Tess Brownlow has decided to marry her childhood playmate, Jeremy Beringer, even though she's not passionately in love with him. But when Jeremy dies in a coaching accident, all Tess can do thirst to avenge his death. And when she discovers the identity of the "gentleman" who so thoughtlessly caused Jeremy's death, she meticulously sets out to make the man pay. What Tess never counted on, however, was how Matthew Lotherwood, the Marquis of Bradbourne would awaken in her the passionate feelings that Jeremy never did. Should Tess go on with her plan of revenge, or embrace this chance to have a grand passion... (4 1/2 stars)

I feel in love with "A Splendid Indiscretion" the first time I read it, and even now, almost 20 years later, it is still one of my favourite novels and still brings a smile to my face. It is one of those charming and well written humourous tales that one can read and reread over the years without fearing that it will become stale or boring. On the other hand, my feelings about "The Grand Passion" have changed quite dramatically over the years. I didn't really like it all that much the first time I read it, and stayed away from rereading it over the years. But when I reread it a few days ago, I must say that I changed my outlook quite a bit. It is a very well written novel, and the manner in which Elizabeth Mansfield handles the whole thorny issue of revenge is one of the best I've ever read. I'm still not all that enamoured with the book, but I will note that it is, like "A Splendid Indiscretion" and a host of other Mansfield gems, a very well written and highly polished novel. The only reservation I have with "The Grand Passion" is that I still don't buy Matthew Lotherwood's sudden capitulation at the end of the novel. It just felt too rushed. He goes from cold fury, disillusionment and pain at how Tess has schemed to hurt him to completely giving in and forgiving her after just one impassioned speech from her. And while I know that Matthew would have forgiven her eventually and acknowledged that he still did love the totally single-minded, passionate and high-handed Tess, I didn't think that Mansfield made a good enough case for why it happened so very quickly one page from the end of the novel. On the whole, though, both these books are gems. And if you've found lately that the more recently published Regency-era romances have not quite come up to par, and that they lack the polish, wit and effervesce that one expects from a Regency, I'd recommend you check out some of these wonderful reprints.

Both stories in this reprint are an exemplary example of what one should expect to
find from one of the best Regency-era romance novelists of our time. If you are even thinking of reading regency A SPLENDID INDISCRETION, should be on the top of your list to truly give you an enchanting taste of this marvelous genre. Ada Surringham is surely one of the most muddleheaded females you might ever discover who is sure to give absent-mindedness a new meaning. If she weren't so innocently charming in her day-dreaming and forgetfulness one would truly want to wring her neck. For Ivor Griffith, Viscount Mullineaux, the last thing this well set up Corinthian needed was a bubbleheaded wife, yet, with Ada, and her ethereal presence - she was a vision that he was sure he always to find, in his life, and in his bed. Presented with a marvelous set of secondary characters, along with the very engaging lead couple the reader should totally enjoy this offering. - In this first story of this double volume, you will find a smile on your face from beginning to end in this totally delightful and fun read. Overall Rating - 5

The second story in this volume, THE GRAND PASSION while still showcasing the superb writing and feelings of regency era, will give the reader another emotional high, but rather than sweet, I found it to be rather a sadder tone dealing more with the complexities of human emotion than the lighter versions one generally associates with a traditional regency.

After several proposals Tess Brownlow finally accepted the suit of her childhood best friend who had always loved her. Jeremy Beringer might not have been what she anticipated as her `grand passion' but she'd always cared and loved him so that when she was delivered the heartbreaking news on the morning of her wedding day, that Jeremy had been tragically killed as a result of a coaching accident, she was devastated. Later when she found that the driver had been replaced by a drunken `sportsmen' of the famous Four-In-Hand club - Tess vowed revenge. Fortunately, Tess's scheme for retribution would work very well, unfortunately, Tess would discover that revenge was not at all sweet. - While finding this an extremely clever plot, I often felt very sad reading it as a vengeance theme is not uplifting, but when the writing is as polished as Mansfield presents in this regency realm, you still have to love it! In spite of Tess' intent to exact retribution on Matthew Lotherwood, they were totally engaging together and both extremely likable as they managed to seek forgiveness in one another. Couple this with engaging secondary characters and you are in for a rare double-dipped treat! Overall Rating - 4

In this book, you will find coffee's fascinating history and lore. Yes, there are recipes, but you will enjoy the illustrations and as you page through the book, you will swear there is a pot of coffee brewing!

If you are looking for more recipes to use up mascarpone cheese, there is an interesting recipe for Baked Apples. There is not a drop of coffee in the recipe, but how it would taste with a great Italian roast.

Do you love Biscotti, but hate to pay the high price. Well, there is a recipe for Chocolate-Hazelnut Biscotti. Orange-Pecan Pound Cake and Rhubarb Crumble are just a few of the delicious desserts you will find to accompany your coffee.

If you are new to making your own coffee, you will appreciate the page after page of brewing options. Do you want to use a press, a drip filter, a cold water brewer, a vacuum pot (as I have only seen once before in The Graham Kerr Cookbook on page 267.) There is also a picture of the coffee cherries which might surprise you as I had never thought about how coffee actually grew.

There is also a poem by Peter Altenberg from All About Coffee, 1922. I was also delighted to find a recipe for Panettone on page 51! How often do you find that recipe.

So many ways to enjoy coffee, morning, afternoon and night.

The Rebecca Review

Nothing piques the morbid fascination of a dinner guest quite like a platter of veal frappuccino. Top it off with a decaffeinated stock reduction and you're a host whose meals will be recounted for decades. This book has afforded us years of excellent in-home dining, as well as cheap laughter. My wife also once used it to great effect in ridding us of an in-law babysitter that she considered too sultry and promiscuous for duty. She merely left Carmen (her young cousin, who served briefly as our sitter to my unbounded delight) with a tray of Chicken Satay Latte that she had secretly made with thrice the active ingredient. Carmen dutifully served it to the twins at dinnertime, and by the time we returned she had permanently sworn off of babysitting - as well as motherhood, marriage, and quite possibly the male gender, which she rightly surmised was in large part to blame for the scourge of children.

Okay, being the quintesential lefty feminist, I theoretically had better keep a distance from major multinational corporations, but I just can't abstain from Starbucks! Even if they are part of the "corporatization" of America, I proudly declare my love for them.

Since it first came to my hometown (to somehow tie in with the "Alterna-rock" facination with all things pacific NW) I fell in love with their coffee--and related concoctions. Following a stressful (but adventurous day) there is nothing more relaxing than drinking one of their numerous creations and feeling the world melt away.

The recipies in this book continue the romance by providing easy to follow recipies to satisfy the coffee lover in everybody. Little to no previous cooking experience is required, as the point of this cookbook is to help everybody wind down in a deliciously rich way.