Authors Books

"Hell's Bottom, Colorado" benefits from sharp, focused writing and real-life details, which make the stories ring true. Though each story stands alone, there is the connectedness of family saga as we are introduced to distinct, evocative members of this modern-day ranch family. A truly pleasant read.

Pritchett evokes the vivid images of landscape, ranching and families in the West. Set along Rocky Mountains, these stories show the beauty and sometimes messy reality of farming, ranching, and living. When writing in her clear-eyed prose, Pritchett has perfect pitch: all of her charcters and stories ring true. Highly Recommended.

This is an outstanding book! Pritchett' interconnected stories are a matter-of-fact and essential portrayal of the contemporary American West. Pritchett's characters are vivid in spite of (or beause of) her simple prose. Through the characters you get a feel for the beauty and stark reality of raising cattle, and families, in the Intermountain West. A refreshing read among the usual clutter of literature today.

Hell's Bottom is a poignant collection of short stories that chronicles some of the watershed events in the lives of a Colorado ranch family. It's quite enjoyable on several levels.

I especially appreciated the attention to detail about life in modern rural America. This book chronicles ranching activities in an accurate manner- one can tell the author is familiar with this way of life. I don't believe that an outsider could have presented such an honest portrait. This realistic backdrop helped the already interesting characters become even more alive for me.

Hell's Bottom is an excellent read. I look forward to more by this author.

Pritchett's short stories are psychologically insightful into life's sometimes painful details and hidden triumphs -- expressed within the framework of everyday existence. Hard to find writing like this -- definitely worth your time.

Every single story has a link between the eastern U.S. coast and the western U.S. coast. Ingenious. And superb writing.

As all of Domini's work, this is a rolicking good read. He is the master of character, and he captures with a great ear and deft hand, the mood of our time and place. I recommend him highly for anybody who is alive and kicking.

Domini has done it once again. This time, Domini spills more than the usual fanfare of guts and glory as he winds us down the road toward fantastic character development and edge-of-your-seat tales. This wonderful opus is a must for any reader who enjoys escape into fantasies that unlock imagination and emotions. Truly a joyous read!

THis is a great book to escape into. Losers and unsettled types lead the reader to self evaluation. Through their struggles with the tribulations and the moral implications of the decisions they make, we face our own issues.

Lots of short stories with a lot of great imagery - enjoyed the rea

Excellent service and speedy delivery. My mistake was that I have the book already! Never mind, it will make a good present for someone. For some reason I thought I had ordered a book I did not have.

From this author's background comes the wisdom to write profound truths wrapped inside simple stories that delight one's mental appetite and creates a savoring for more!

Barbara Brown Taylor is one of the most thoughtful and creative of writers. I would highly recommend this and any of her other books to anyone looking to help understand, deepen, or explore their faith in God.

Not long ago I confessed to a dear friend. I reminded Milly that I review some sermon books without reading every sermon! After she had gasped, uttering words of disbelief, I explained that few books of even short sermons contain equally good sermons. On first hearing Barbara Brown, attending the Lectionary Homiletics Conference I remember how I was stirred emotionally, mentally, and spiritually with her dramatic imagination. I was seized by her creative images from the stories in whatever passage of scripture she had chosen.

On hearing her lectures about Job, I definitely looked forward to reading "Home By Another Way." Here I found one earlier excerpts, entitled, "Out of the Whirlwind." This is one of a few sermons in which she quotes from two sources, in those early lectures. I was impressed by friend, John Claypool's tributes to her "rare constellation of gifts: intellectual carefulness and depth," all coupled with an artistic sense of image-making. That alone speaks volumes!

With my usual skipping over a few sermons, I was most attracted to: "God's Beloved Thief, Home by Another Way, God's Ferris Wheel, Lenten Disciples, A Tale of Two Heretics, Life Giving Fear(from time in CPE) "It Is Finished, Out of Whirlwind, Bothering God." Most were notable for looking up-close at her perspective with intimate viewpoints by using tough disclaimers! They often appeared in beginings, mid-way or near her ending. There is one unique hitch in her re-telling the basic story: she often adds a touch of creative imagination to develop the problem with clever resolution relating to basic forgivness of weakness, judgement, or justice,

Placed within all ten books, I designate this one in being near the top of her Lectures and Sermons. From a semi-retired admirer and retired Chaplain, Fred W Hood

If you enjoy Barbara Brown Taylor's style of down-home wisdom and exposition on biblical texts, this is another worthy volume to add to your personal library. This book is a compilation of sermons that takes one through the various seasons unique to the Church. It is refreshing to reflect upon the texts that she has chosen-to hear anew the good news.

The poems, short stories, and particularly the photos in this book are so touching. I encourage women who are interested in self-discovery to read this book, because the passages inspired me to reflect on myself, my life, and my relationships with those I love. This is a good book for any woman who is going through changes in her life. (It would be a good graduation gift, a good gift for a woman getting married or having a baby, and a wonderful birthday present.) The book celebrates strong women, fragile women, mothers, daughters, growing up, growing old, just growing. I really enjoyed reading it.

A friend of mine frequently quotes Jenny Joseph's "Warning". In searching for this for her birthday, I was instantly hooked on the poems and stories in this book and "When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple". I will be giving these and recommending these to others!

This book flows with wisdom about the stages of a woman's life. There is arm pumping joy, tears of compassion and sadness and the affirmation of the person within over the external skin.

"..if by wearing silk, my value mounts
what happens when I'm bare?"

There are pieces that apply to whatever stage of life a woman is passing through. There are pieces that bring the smiles of remembering past stages. There are pieces that point to possible routes for the journeys to come.

Read and enjoy this passage from "Combustion"
"When I have a hot flash....I watch, astounded, as an invisible hand tosses water on the stones of my body, and I ignite. How can flesh not melt? Then, of necessity, I give up the watch and close my eyes and float on the water, and then the fire expends itself, and I pick up my little fan and create a breeze something like the ones that frequsent northern lakes at night. Then I just sit in the quiet puddle of my flesh. If it is the middle of the night I sleep the good sleep of a person cleansed."

This book should have an entire galaxy of stars! The poetry, photographs, and stories are all by and of real women. Thank God there are no movie stars in this awesome, down-to-earth book. If you love becoming a wise, older woman, then you must have this book. It affirms our womanhood as no other book I've ever read.

This is the third book of the series and it is the most sensitive and powerful! Poems celebrating womanhood and femininity, stories full of strength and emotions...

I read this book before and I just finished it again.. so overwhelming with different experience in every page .. the boundless limits of a woman's endurance .. the feeling of satisfaction that gratifies a female giving her pride and strength..

This is a book that you can read over and over.. a poem one day ..a short story on another.. enjoy!

Charles Stanley is a true man of God in which he is gifted in teaching. This is highly recommended. In this study tool you will discover true relationship with Jesus. The study guide helps you coast along with the Word.

No, I assure you, I'm not cursing with that review title; I mean it in the literal sense: One cannot be LISTENING TO GOD and simultaneously hearing the hellish voice of "this world." [John 14:30]

Several years ago, a friend in Alabama sent me a number of VHS tapes on which she had recorded Sunday sermons by CHARLES STANLEY that were broadcasted on TV. I was unfamiliar with him at the time, but he was her favorite man of God. Now, I'll admit, I'm not the biggest fan of TV evangelists - I'd sooner take my chances with a used car salesman or a politician. (OK, not the politician; I just tossed that in for effect.) And though I'm not what one would call a "proper" Christian, I was impressed with Dr. Stanley - theological disagreements notwithstanding. No, he isn't funny like Jesse Duplantis, he doesn't have the powerful oratory talent of John Hagee, he doesn't possess the charismatic presence of the legendary priest from the Russian Orthodox Church, Yoey O'Dogherty. But what Charles Stanley DOES have going for him is a thorough understanding of the deepest spiritual principles; he is grounded in The Word Of God (a.k.a., The Holy Bible).

I recently purchased LISTENING TO GOD by Charles Stanley because 2006 has been - spiritually speaking - my worst year since accepting the Atonement of Jesus Christ a dozen years ago. (Every year ending in the number six for the last three decades has been bad for me. My personal 666? Just joking.) I even stopped meditating after more than eleven years of daily practice. Yeah, it's been a rotten year! I thought that this book might reignite my passion for meditation (or "sitting before the Lord" as Dr. Stanley likes to call it). And it did. I'm now "shutting the hell up" for a period each day and listening for my Creator's "still small Voice" again. [See 1 Kings 19:11-13]

It surprised me to find that Stanley had written many things that I have so often said in counseling others over the years. For instance:

"If you are going to develop a relationship with another person, you have to converse with that person in some manner. That means both talking and listening." [pg. iv] (*When a person has learned to hear God, I call it having a "REaLATIONSHIP" with Him!)

"I believe God dearly loves to see Bibles that are marked with oil from our fingers...and noted with dates and insights." [pg. 1] (*My Bible is loaded with margin notes. If you want God to clarify some Biblical passage for you, write a "?" next to it in the margin and then wait, watch, and listen.)

"We may be trying to understand the Bible solely with our minds, which is always futile. The Bible is a spiritual book. It speaks to and is applied to the spirit." [pg. 10]

"It is not enough that we comprehend the truth. We must be conformed to the truth." [pg. 13]

"God works from the inside out." [pg. 109] (*C.S. is correct, but do you know why? Because "the Kingdom of God is within you." See Luke 17:21.)

A Catholic friend of mine at work does not believe God actually speaks to us. He is wrong! My own transformation began on January 14, 1992, when I clearly heard God speak in my mind. He gently but effectively admonished me by merely asking me two questions, and my own answers were the rod of correction. Only an unfathomable, creative God could have pulled that off! Years later, He urged me to sobriety by saying with crystal clarity in my head, regarding alcohol, "It's a false God. It's a false God."

And that brings up another point. Stanley mentions the fact that often, God will send us a message and then confirm it. [See Genesis 41:32] Note that God repeated Himself in calling alcohol my false god. Although God usually communicates with us in subtle but unmistakable ways, (the "still small Voice"), C.S. is right: "We must never limit God in the methods that He uses to speak to us." Because occasionally He can even use the sledgehammer approach...

Once, I woke up to find that in the night, my truck had been moved nearly horizontally in its parking spot. I had to track down a fellow and ask him to move his vehicle so I could back mine out. My faith had weakened and I had been depressed recently and the message seemed to be, "You're out of alignment." I pondered the bizarre event all day - it was unexplainable - and pulling back into my parking space that night after work, I thought, Well, if that's REALLY a message from God, He will send a confirmation soon. In this case, soon meant 45 seconds later when I found myself locked out of my apartment by the internal chain on the door. When I finally managed to wake my Brother, who let me in, he insisted that he had not chained the door (we lived alone), and I believe him because he'd never done it before, and it never occurred again. It seemed my depression and lack of faith was "locking me out of my REaLATIONSHIP with The Lord." I got the message.

I also believe that on three occasions, God has sent angels to me with words of encouragement (an old woman, a young woman, and a little girl). But this sort of REaLATIONSHIP with The Creator is really built in silence, LISTENING TO GOD. There is nothing like Bible study - not reading, but studying - and meditation to make us conscious of God's Love and Presence in our lives. (A great Bible companion is the book, LEARN THE BIBLE IN 24 HOURS by Chuck Missler.)

LISTENING TO GOD by Charles Stanley is 5-Star material in a 4-Star presentation. His writing, while brimming with profound insights, is a tad bland - similar to some of his sermons. And while he does illustrate some points using personal experiences, it is always in the vaguest of terms - not detailed enough to make them truly compelling. Still, this book is too important to downgrade from five stars.

I have found it best to begin every meditation session with a prayer for someone else, especially an "enemy" [see Matthew 5:23,24], and also a slow, thoughtful recitation of The Lord's Prayer [Matthew 6:9-13] And once you've initiated a daily meditation program, never stop (unlike that maroon, Stephen T. McCarthy). Well look, I'm gonna shut the hell up now and go listen for The Voice of Heaven, so...SHHHhhhh........

Are you struggling in your faith? Are you having trouble listening to God's voice? Did you know that there are several ways for God to communicate with you? Did you know that most of the time we hear two voices (Satan and God)? Want to know how to tell them apart and how to ultimately listen to God? Then you should check out Charles Stanley's book Listening to God. Two years ago I received this book as a gift and I just put it on the shelf. When I finally read the book I realized that if I would have read it the first time I would not have been faced with the issues that I am struggling with today.

In this book Charles Stanley not only teaches the reader how to listen to God, but he also tells the reader how to take that new knowledge and apply it in real life situations. He uses examples and stories from his own life, which helps the reader relate to the new concepts and issues. Each point is backed with scripture and is followed by questions that will make the reader take a closer look at his or her walk with God.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is stumbling in their walk with God or anyone who is trying to strengthen their relationship with the Lord. This book, although it is apart of a Bible Study series, does not necessarily have to be read in the correct order. Just pick it up, read it and don't give up because the Lord will use it to show you the way!

I really enjoyed reading this book and thought it was excellent. Not only did it focus on the "why do I feel this way" aspects of emotions, but it also offered great suggestions on how to deal with our emotions. The book focuses on emotions in general, but then gradually confronts specific emotions such as anger, fear, anxiety in later chapters. It gives great examples on what to do when you feel a certain emotion and how to deal with it. What I liked even more is that the text was backed up with great biblical verses and it also made you think. I've already started putting the book to use and I can already see a change in the way I think and react to my emotions! The only problem with this book is I wish it were longer! :) Highly recommended!

As with all Dr. Stanley's works, this one is excellent! It is more of a study guide than a self-help book. Nevertheless, the book is grounded in scripture and replete with examples! Right up there with 'Mizraim Principles' on what we can all learn through God's discipline!

Also recommended: 'The Mizraim Principles', 'With Joseph in the University of Adversity'

Anthology, Christian SF,dited by Karen and Robert Fabian. Especially fond of Karen and Robert Fabian's writing. Have not read all the stories yet, but I highly recommend this anthology! It is particularly interesting to Catholics who might wonder how the Church might fare in the future; especially with other planets, space stations and what we consider to be alien life on those planets. A very enjoyable read for us science fiction aficionados!

I recently read Starlight 3 and it was terrible. "Science fiction" but mostly fantasy, the stories were mostly idea sketches rather than stories. E.g. "What if God is arbitrary and capricious and we are supposed to love him because he is the source of all pain, and what if the world were filled with the random visitations of angels" ... ok. Interesting idea, but not much story there (heck, not much of an idea either). Lots of that sort of sketch, a good reminder as to why I don't read many sf short story collections any more.

On the other hand, I have to compare Starlight 3 to Infinite Space, Infinite God which is moving. It is a collection of science fiction stories by Catholics, written with religion as a strong influence. But they are stories first. Some of them are very moving, some are very touching, but they are stories. The concept sketch gets out of the way on the title page and the rest of the volume is solid stories.

A good example is the one "furry" story. A long time ago there were hard SF stories about genespliced animal based sentients that examined themes such as race, freedom, hope and humanity. They were not excuses for porn or slash or mary sue incursions, but real stories that were intended to highlight the human condition and the reality of humanity. Infinite Space, Infinite God includes a "furry" story, but the story extrapolates current trends, blends them to address real human issues while telling a real story, in a believable setting, without being distracted by extraneous sexual or violent themes. Excellent work, clearly executed.

The same is true of the urban punk story. The story is strong and overwhelms the distopian setting, creating a real experience that is memorable.

I'd review the rest of the stories, they are pretty much just a strong, just as complete, just as moving. There isn't enough room to do them all justice, but this book deserves five stars.

Like any Christian Science Fiction, the idea of Catholic SF seems to be a contradiction in terms--perhaps more so given the infamous stands the Catholic Church has taken against against scientific theory all those centuries ago. But, Galileo's trial is ancient history and for the last 1000 years, Catholic scientists (including priest, monks and even some saints) have received encouragement and support from the church. It is no wonder, then, that writers have become fascinated with the concept of how the Catholic church will meet the challenges of the future--and SF is just the vehicle for this.

This 2007 EPPIE award-winning anthology includes SF concepts from time travel to transporter technology, genetic engineering to alien abduction, interstellarcolonization and uncontrolled inter-city violence told from a Catholic world view. All of the ISIG short stories are well-crafted and entertaining--the latter a real surprise for me considering that I do not number among the millions of sci-fi fans in this world. The range of intensity in this volume kept me reading because I couldn't predict what I'd discover when I turned another page.

We see the teenager Frankie off to evangelize to alien beings; we sit with Saint Francis of Assisi as he ministers to the needs of a mannaro; we make the pilgrimmage alongside an IRA 'terrorist' as he makes his way through the stations to enlightment. The three described above: "Interstellar Calling," "Canticle of the Wolf," and "A Cruel and Unusual Punishment" were my favourites.

And one more thing, it is pretty darn refreshing to read good fiction that does not haul out the fictional stereotypes of predatory priests or knuckle-rapping nuns.

I thoroughly enjoyed all of the stories included in Infinite Space Infinite God and liked the fact that they forced me to ponder and question.

The concept of Karina and Robert Fabian's Infinite Space, Infinite God, an anthology of Catholic sci-fi, was an intriguing one--Catholicism and science . . . and science fiction to boot? come on, everyone knows that the two are incompatible--remember Galileo, people? Was this a group of writer-heretics? Oh goodie--rebels--that was enough to gain my attention.

Of course, I am being facetious here. I write Biblical cyberpunk and receive a similar reaction whenever I mention it! And, so to my review . . .

The backbone of ISIG is the editorial commentary. The Fabians introduce ISIG with a commentary on science and the Catholic church. While there are those Christian legalists who would dissect the Fabian's argument, I found it interesting, however, unnecessary to apologize for writing sci-fi, whatever one's beliefs. It is fiction, fantasy, written by authors glorifying Him with their talents. But I digress. Within the book itself, the Fabians introduce each segment of stories with thought-provoking discussion: "The Catholic Church and Humanity," ". . . Evangelism," ". . . its Servants," etc. The result is a well-organized survey of well-crafted and entertaining Catholic sci-fi.


Some of my favorite stories in ISIG:

In Karina Fabian's "Interstellar Calling," Frankie, a sixteen-year-old is tired and disillusioned with her life--and like many folks in this position, blames God. The author lulls the reader seemingly into a romance story or at best, a growing-up story. But Fabian changes gears smoothly to provide the heroine a chance at a cool life-changing event.

Every anthology needs a good spy story and in "The Mask of the Ferret" (Ken Pick and Alan Loewen) we have an intergallactic version of secret agent (priest) on the trail of a fugitive smuggler. The ancient artifact the priest seeks is dangerous cargo for the interstellar craft and its unusual group of travelers and crew. The storyline is enjoyable and the characters a real kick (sorry real fans of intergallactic-ness) though I have to say my imagination isn't developed well enough to clearly envision the disparate group assembled on board!

"A Cruel and Unusual Punishment" (Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff) is the fascinating journey of a Sein Finn soldier, slated for death row, who gains redepemption through the Zagorsky experiment. A must read!

And finally, Simon Morden's "Little Madeleine." I was eager to read a sample of Dr. Morden's work. I'd recently read his essay Sex, Death and Christian Fiction and wanted to determine for myself where his fiction fit . . . in the 10% or the ninety (you'll have to read his essay to decipher this code) of Christian fiction. Like the rest of the stories contained in ISIG, "Little Madeleine" did not disappoint. The concept of the Joans, warrior-nuns who protect God's servants, is pretty darn cool. Morden is a talented writer who sends the CBA church-lady-protective filters flying, a la Little Maddeleine herself.


The Fabians have amassed a fine group of writers in ISIG. Besides being entertaining, these stories provoke thought, educate us non-Catholics, and give the reader a new take on commonly held suppositions about the the Catholic church. Pick up a copy of Infinite Space, Infinite God and see for yourself--but careful, this is hot stuff!

Religious-themed science fiction is not a new genre, from classics like A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter Miller Jr., to nearly anything from Gene Wolfe. One of the best known collections was edited by Fr. Andrew M. Greeley called Sacred Visions. Yet this new volume of 15 short stories in the genre of Catholic Science Fiction is a treat for the fan of either genres. The authors tackle themes of morality, science, and the role of religion in humanity's future in new and engaging ways.

The authors present a future where both the church and science play roles; both are integral to human development and human self -understanding. Yet occasionally the two do clash. Lori Z. Scott's The Harvest, about a colony on the moon, with a Doctor priest who tries to balance healing both the body and the soul is one example. But how do you minister to a soul in a cloned HuNome who was grown for organ transplant purposes? (HuNomes are sub-humans with animal gene splices to better prepare the organs for transplants and as labourers building our colonies in space.) Adrienne Ray's story Hopkins' Well about settlements on Mars, where the Military is trying to maintain control of the planet against crazy Catholics that are part of a larger group of Christians, is another example. The final selection is A Cruel and Unusual Punishment about the Sinn Fein, and a man who calls himself a soldier while most of the world considers him a terrorist. Written around the Stations of the Cross, it is a story of the death penalty and an alternative that may have been worse. It is one of the most powerful pieces. Each of the stations begins with a quote from famous authors: William Blake, Thomas Merton, Evelyn Waugh and others, tying this vision of the future to our past.

This collection is great for introducing a reader to a wide range of authors in a short breadth, some whose styles you will love, some you will not and some you will be undecided about. The advantage of such a collection is you can discover new authors whose writings you will wish to pursue in greater depth.

As such, this collection will be a treat to any fan of Science Fiction, a religious Catholic, or just someone interested in the questions of spirituality and our future as we move forward through the millennium.

This collection is among my favorites published in recent years. Janet McAdams lyrically links the personal with the political. Her work is engaging, memorable, passionate, yet not didactic--some poems will even keep you awake at night. Many poems reward multiple re-readings. I'm already looking forward to her next book.

As a poet myself, I can only stand in awe of the work in "Island of Lost Luggage." Janet Mc Adams is a major talent. I've turned my initial envy of her gift into a goad to write better and wider myself.

This Island of Lost Luggage is wonderful. Janet McAdams's poems are lyrical and gritty at the same time, swollen with life, drenched with place, and she never seems to take the easy way in or out. Highly recommended!

I used to write poetry, even studied with some of the greats, including C.K. Williams, Ellen Voight and Louise Gluck. But I found that in any workshop, I could rarely tell a great poem from a mediocre one. This made me feel less than smart about poetry. Janet McAdams has helped revive my love for the form, and my sense of poetic savvy. For with "Island of Lost Luggage" I Know I'm in the presence of Great poetry. That is clear from page one. How to say why this is Great isn't as easy, but I'll venture the following: Mc Adams is gifted with rich language, of course, but she is a more than a fine wordsmith. She takes on issues that have huge resonance, that go beyond any mere narcissim. Each time I enter one of her poetic worlds I find more layers within it, more associations building within me. So, Thanks Ms. McAdams for restoring my poetic sensitivity, and for this wonderful book, a gem, that's most highly recommended for all readers, lovers of poetry or not.

Even if poetry isn't your "thing" this book, given the quiet and serious attention it deserves, will unlock many mysteries. Highly Recommended.

This book is full of wisdom "Grandma" never taught you or me. It a good read just for the interesting wisdom and insight to the way it used to be.

I liked this book so much, I showed it to my mother and we bought three copies - one for her, one for me, and one for my brother! The book's title says it all - Jerry Baker really does present "Old-Time Gardening Wisdom". Specifically, he goes into many of the tricks and tips he learned from his grandmother.

The book is very well-organized, and is quite comprehensive (amazingly so!). Jerry Baker starts with simple information, such as how to evaluate your soil, where to put your garden and how large to make it, and he goes on to cover a range of topics including companion planting (a process by which plants are paired in beneficial relationships), fertilizers, pest control, and tips for growing herbs, berries, nuts and flowers. He also discusses the use of "electroculture" (a process of using metal objects to electrify the garden during storms and increase the amount of nitrogen in the soil), foraging for edible items in the wild and lawn care.

Really, I can't emphasize enough how useful this book is - it is absolutely one of the best books out there for gardening enthusiasts!

I originally checked this book out at the library. Some of the stories that he relates as a young boy learning from his Grandmother are both humorous and informative. After trying a few of jerry's concoctions I decided it was one of the books that would be handy to have on hand for future reference.

This book, along with the other books was very informative. It answered all my questions before I started my planting. Plus, being able to use products you have at home to take care of a problem, is a definite plus.

I have been looking for this book forever.....At least 12 years ago,when I became my mother's caregiver, the only thing that we
could pass time away together in the summer was gardening. I
watched every PBS show Mr.Baker appeared, wrote down everything
he advised and used it in the garden. Our garden was beautiful and MOM was in her wheel chair giving the instructions while I worked. When the ingredients called for beer, we mixed as called by his recipe, and (smile)drank the rest. Tobacco, fels naptha soap, all of it we tried out, all of it worked, and she and I had wonderful times before she passed.

Thanks Jerry Baker

P.S. The garden is still the best in the neighborhood. I now live in the Bahamas 7 months of the year, so I will be trying out exotic flowers with instructions from the book.

I was delighted to come across this book which speaks eloquently of the connection between God and his creation, and points to that connection as a model for all human relationships.

The Jesus Advantage offers an invitation to a spiritual life which is centered and practical, yet mysterious and deeply moving.

In "The Jesus Advantage", priest and psychologist Paul Donoghue suggests a new model for those seeking help and support to live into their full humanity - Jesus. Too often, it seems that Jesus is depicted either as judgmental, angry and punitive: or meek and mild beyond all reason. The Jesus as illustated Dr. Donoghue's Scriptural examples is a full, rich and complex human being, a person who gets angry, is sad, feels betrayed and hurt, and expresses his feelings fully. This Jesus is one that resonates with the words "fully human and fully divine."

This book is eminently readable, gentle and sane. Its one fault was that parts of it struck me as very mildly and unconsciously sexist, in that he tends to speak of women in terms of their relationships and appearance, but men in terms of their jobs. This could, however, be simply a function of the population he sees. Other than that very minor point, it is a wonderfully refreshing spiritual resource, one that should be widely read and enjoyed.

Dr. Donoghue's book is an extraordinary gift for anyone in need of a resource for teaching or studying scripture. It is written in an accessible style but is very thoughtful in its examination and reflection on Jesus's life and teachings.

As a parish priest I especially appreciate the down to earth applications of Dr. Donoghue's references to scripture, which make the familiar stories come alive with new meaning and depth.
The study guide which is available for facilitating discussion of the book, seems a perfect outline for any course in christian formation or Lenten series.

Dr. Donoghue is very honest in his sharing of his own experiences as a person of faith in a struggle to apply the words and actions of Jesus to our daily lives. It is even more enlightening to think that these words and actions can actually help us to be healthier and happier.

I can without hesitation recommend this book to anyone who would like to live a life that can be changed and enriched by the wisdom and love contained in the gospels and made so real by the profound reflections of Dr. Donoghue.

Each year I look for a book to read during Lent that will inspire me and assist me to live my Christian values. I have found the perfect source of inpiration in the Jesus Advantage. Paul Donoghue reveals a human Jesus Christ who is our model of emotional and spiritual maturity. Using scripture he shows us how Jesus Christ lived his loving and authentic life and how we we can look realistically to him as a model in every aspect of our lives. The author uses stories from his own life and the lives of others to demonstrate how we fail to live up to our model. Then he masterfully shows us the practical way of fulfilling our desire to live as Jesus Christ did. I recommend The Jesus Advantage wholeheartedly

In this book Jesus is brought beautifully to life, not only in the pure message of his words, but also in the way he felt and responded, the way he paid attention to and reached out to those he encountered. Here is a man who lived fully through his hurt and delight, his anger and warmth. The richness of this portrait is interwoven with scenes from the lives of those Paul Dononghue has encountered who have struggled to find an inner peace that comes from living authentically and in faith. What becomes wonderfully evident is the immediate relevance of Jesus as model for living a rich spiritual life that is also realistic and down to earth. Captivating and informative, I believe this book will aid and inspire anyone seeking such a life.

I purchased this book for my dear mother for Christmas. It arrived in the mail today - damaged - because nothing was put in box on top of the book to protect it. There are no phone numbers given by Amazon so that a person can call to complain. The Help pages on this website say that there is a "contact" line to click on the Help pages, but that is not true. Amazon does not want to hear anything negative..they just want our money. Do we really want to do business with people like this?

Mother Teresa did not write this as a book of daily reflections, rather it is a sharing by her, in speeches she has made, anecdotes she has related, of her life experiences. In other words, it is real, authentic and practical.
The readings take less than a minute a day, but the idea is one that can be chewed on all day long. I learned from Mother Teresa that the greatest poverty in the world in not want of food but want of love. I learned from her that love is unlimited, is diffusive of itself. When we give love we don't divide, we double. I learned from her not to give just from the tips of my fingers, but of my substance, and of myself.
What wisdom this great lady had, born of her love and her humilty. In summary, this book is a treasure.

Open this book anywhere . . . and your heart is flooded with light. Or, does it affect others as it affects me, I wonder? Is this just a personal phenomenon? After all, I met her on two occasions. Perhaps that has something to do with it? On her last (unannounced) visit to this city, --- she offered me her hand, and looked me in the eye - and hasn't my memory played tricks on me, about that precious moment?

I was one person among 12, waiting on the street, outside her home for indigent men (the first one she established in North America). She emerged from that humble, two-story dwelling on Pritchard Avenue, in Winnipeg's poor north end: My two young sons were the last ones she greeted -- placing her hands on their heads and smiling with love - then, looking beyond them, for the obvious parent or guardian of these youngsters, she spotted me; and she offered me her hand. And I took it - I remember it was warm and her grip was surprisingly firm and . . . well . . . the taste of the air around her was unlike anything I can ever put in mere words. Yet, there are some odd things about my memory of that moment.

I distinctly remember thinking she was beautiful. But how can that be? In photos, she isn't physically attractive at all -- is she? Yet that is my memory of her in the flesh -- radiantly beautiful!

Another odd thing: I remember her as being my height - six feet -- as she looked me in the eye and smiled warmly. Yet in photographs, she looks closer to four foot nine. (Princess Diana towers over her in the last photo taken of the two women together, shortly before they died, within a few days of each other.)

So is it just me? - this feeling that Mother Teresa is addressing me personally each day in the pages of this book? Or does she speak directly to your heart too?

Let's take just three of her thoughts - the ones for yesterday, today and tomorrow. Let this be the test! If they don't speak to you personally, don't buy this book! But if they do resonate within your being . . . then you may agree, this is the "best book of its kind."

----

27 January

The very fact that God has placed a certain soul in our way is a sign that God wants us to do something for him or her. It is not chance; it has been planned by God. We are bound by conscience to help him or her.

28 January

We have small `listening groups' of co-workers who go to the homes of old people and sit down with them and let them talk. Very old people love to have someone listen to them and let them talk, even if they have to tell the story of 30 years ago. To listen, when nobody else wants to listen, is a very beautiful thing.

29 January

It is easy to smile at people outside your own home. It is so easy to take care of the people you don't know well. It is difficult to be thoughtful and kind, and to smile and be loving to your own in the house day after day, especially when we are tired and in a bad temper or bad mood. We all have these moments and that is the time that Christ comes to us in a distressing disguise.

I love Mother Teresa's philosophy of life, and a daily dose of her thoughts and prayers do wonders for my perspective in life. I am remembering to smile, pray, love...very touching devotional.

Day by day, this book gives you a simple thought to carry around with you and put into practice for the rest of the day. It profoundly influenced me, shifting my focus from navel-gazing to other people. It gives perspective and improves the quality of life.