Hearts Books

This book was recommended by a friend. I didn't want to read it. I was OK. I didn't have any problems I couldn't handle. I read it anyways. This book opened my eyes to the emotional pain I had been living with. It gave me step to help walk out the healing. I may not be healed yet, but I am more healed than before. I am recommending it to everyone I know.

This book is as honest and insightful as it comes. Tom and Donna ingeniously used each of the Beatitudes to reveal an area of common soul-wounding. Then they skillfully interwove the teachings with their candid and poignant testimonies. If the lessons in each chapter don't give you hope for your future healing, Christ's victories in the lives of the authors will!

If you need inner healing I would give you this BOOK! It is a GREAT tool in helping to identify the places pain entered in and the ways to become free from that pain controlling our lives. Tom and Donna are sincere and REAL people who truly speak from the place of genuine pain and brokeness and then salvation and healing!! I HIGHLY recommend it!

I believe that the contents of this book M U S T reach the body of Christ. It contains the potential to completely revolutionize the heart... to bind up the broken-hearted and to loose the captives!

A MUST-READ!... read it slowly & prayerfully...

Bravo, Tom & Donna!

I've heard the Cole's speak these messages in person on several occasions. Their hearts are expressed wonderfully in the book and you will feel like you know them after you read their stories. This is hands on, practical stuff, for anyone that desires deeper restoration of the heart. It is ideal for both individual reading and small group study.

In a world benighted by multi-tasking and information overload, Kierkegaard shows us the importance of single-mindedness. Christ was single-minded; his unswerving desire to do only the will of God the Father defined his life completely. If we wish to follow Jesus faithfully - if we wish to be holy - we must understand the necessity of willing only one thing. To will only one thing, which one thing is the good, is to be pure of heart. Kierkegaard shows that to will anything other than the good ( i.e., the very will of God ) is actually to will more than one thing, and to be double-minded. One of Kierkegaard's most convincing and accessible arguments in the philosophy of religion.

In an age of popular books on self improvement that concentrate on listing habits and prescribing do's and dont's, here is a work that brings matters upstream into the inner landscape of human motivation and will. The existentialist Soren Kierkegaard has left us a challenging, provoking and truthful examination of the heart and mind, from which ensue all of the popular habits and prescriptions. What is double mindedness? How is it formed, and what does it look like? What is the ultimate goal and purpose of the countless habits and traits we read about? How are our deepest motivations and ambitions conflicted, and what duplicitous damage is caused by those inner conflicts? Thousands of books are transactional; this one is transformational. Though not an easy read, Purity of Heart draws the complexity of modern behavioral science into its single common denominator. This book can help to renew one's mind and change one's outlook on life.

Kiekegaard offers the "one thing" (see City Slickers).

Coming from a reformed Christian perspective with very little exposure to Kierkegaard, I was sometimes puzzled by this book but mostly challenged in my spiritual life, relentlessly so. This book made Puritan introspection seem comparatively shallow. If you are looking for extreme depth, you've got it here. He is exploring the idea of double-mindedness found in book of James to prepare the Christian for confession. This work asks questions you may have never thought to ask. Of course he is trying to get the individual to spiritually be laid bare before God in his double-mindedness. Is the work without hope since it should drive the honest person to despair in his own heart's purity? I don't believe the book is without hope. Christ is in there a few times in direct reference, but mostly assumed or implied..in the gaping hole created by our ties to the temporal and lack of eternal-mindedness and inability to truly will one thing. As spiritual shock-therapy, it works for me. It is my second read, the first being in college nearly 20 years ago. Had a similar effect then, but it is still the only Kierkegaard book I've ever read.

I'm dumbfounded that "rob" compared Kierkegaard with Woody Allen. Purity of Heart is all about the purpose and MEANING of existence. It's about reconciliation to the eternal. Woody Allen has no knowledge of the eternal. He's a silly little pundit using philosophy as a means to distract him from utter boredom and complacency. In his films he may drop references and allude to Sartre, Heidegger, Camu and the rest of the existentialists--but that's all he does. He's a geek for philosophy. He doesn't expound upon what they have said. He doesn't challenge them. He just collects their ideas and spreads them out on a table to gaze at. Kierkegaard is much different.

I agree with another reviewer that allowing the heart to express itself on paper can be a tremendous healing benefit. One of the most important tasks in life is to maintain a connection to our heart. Writing as a practice encourages the heart to speak and uses our right brain to create solutions. This is a beautiful practice from Henriette Ann Klauser along with her other book: Write it Down/Make it Happen.

This book is full of great ideas on communicating with the ones you love. It is a book not only about being heard but hearing what loved ones have to say to you.

I love being a Mailbox Aunt! In this world of techno, gotta-have-it-now, instant gratification world, writing is underestimated. This book gives you ideas on how fits into fits into and can enrich many areas of your life. My sister's kids have never known a world without the Internet, cell phones and e-mail; however, one of the biggest highlights of their week is receiving an envelope in the mail box (yes, snail mail) from Aunt Donna. Writing as a form of communication has become a lost art. I highly recommend Dr. Klauser's book by the same name of this book's Chapter 14, "Write It Down, Make It Happen." That is my favorite book by Dr. Klauser.

As a writer, I find this book of imformative and creative ways to get your thoughts on paper, fabulous. As a mother who has had a child die, I found the chapter, 'Easing The Pain of Death' to be of interest. While I don't like the term 'recovery' for I feel a mother never recovers from the loss of a child (losing a child is not like breaking a bone, the bone does heal completely and there is recovery. The pain from a child's death will always remain), I was encouraged to read the message that writing does bring healing. I have found this to be true in my own experience. As an advocate for 'writing it down!' I recommend H. A. Klauser's book. ------Alice J. Wisler, author "Slices of Sunlight, A Cookbook of Memories".

This book is a treasure trove of ideas, inspiration and many many reasons
to remember and ACT on "Putting Your Heart" on paper.

Klauser is an extremely engaging writer. I found myself smiling in
response to what I thought were personal inside jokes like a lyric
from "Sound of Silence" being weaved into a paragraph about the
impact of the vocalization of a baby upon a group of tired, unengaged
adults.

This is a book I find myself continuing to return to over time. I don't

think I ever read through it front to back. Instead, I go to the Table
of Contents to find what calls to my spirit and then I usually find
myself reading a couple chapters before and after that chapter.

I can't imagine any reader coming away with less than 49 ideas to
try out and implement, much beyond what Klauser calls "Now You"
when she specifically asks you to apply what is in the chapter.

Read this book, treasure this book. You will soon notice it is becoming
weathered which is an honor bestowed upon books which are truly loved.

This is a physically beautiful, deceptively simple book that makes you think deeply and take steps to clarify your life's path. Not only is this a wonderful book to share and discuss both at work as well as at home, you can visit the author's web site, www.eileenmcdargh.com, to access the unique Conversation Fire Starter Guides to keep you on your chosen trail. What a great concept!

If you have heard Eileen McDargh speak, you know that high energy, bouncy spirits, integrity, and experience somehow find a balance and produce wisdom of the heart that also speaks to the head. The Resiliant Spirit captures in words that same balance and makes it available in accessible language. There are a lot of self-help books out there but this one actually helps the self. I loved reading it and was frequently touched by McDargh's optimism which never surrenders realism or mature wisdom to be encouraging.

Short, sweet and to the point! The Resilient Spirit gives you a boost just when you need it most. Eileen McDargh captures the very idea of how to make life more enjoyable and fun. This light hearted self help book shows you how to relax and think things through with a logic you never knew you had. It's worth putting on your night stand and revisiting for a moment every morning before heading for the stressful work day.

This is an easy to read and powerful book that reminds us of who we are and who we can be. I keep a copy handy on the nightstand by my bed. It's makes a wonderful gift for coworkers and people you care about.

This is one of those little books with a powerful punch. I can open at any point and be reminded of that resilient part of me where there is strength,celebration and inspiration if I just tap it. Even the drawings are joyous. And it does it without being "gushy" or sentimental. I want to share it with my colleagues, friends and clients--we can all use some of this.

"Scripture Matters," by Scott Hahn is a collection of essays written on approaches and perspectives that can be used to study the Bible. I was a bit skeptical about the book, when I noted that one of the essays referred to the late founder of Opus Dei, because I have reservations about some of that organization's teaching. However, the essay, was not an exhortation of what one should find in terms of ideas in the Bible, but rather techniques that any one could apply in their Bible study to better reatin the wisdom that God speaks to any particular soul who studies the scripture.

The essay topics are not histories on when the books of the Bible may have been written. Nor do the essays, for the most part (the essay about fathers and the one about the forgiven prostitute do pull meaning from a story and are exceptions), concern themselves with telling people what instruction they should take from any part of the Bible.

Instead, the essays introduce vocabulary related to basic Biblical exegesis and predominantly have topics about techniques that any reader can employ in their personal study; such as typology, dividing the Bible into three time periods (age of patrirachs, age of law, age of spiritual law or Jesus Christ) for reference; and using four senses for discernment of scripture (one literal and three spiritual). None of the analytical frameworks proposed contradict teaching of the Cathechism, and the last device mentioned is straiht from the Cathechism. However, the essays in the book will enlghten any Bible scholar's approach to scripture, particulalry if they are beginning Biblical scholar, regardless if they consider themselves members of the Catholic faith.

Once again, Scott Hahn sets out to motivate Catholics to soak long and often in the Word of God. And once again, the popular Steubenville professor excites in his readers a heightened appreciation for the Bible's inextricable link to the Church. Hahn gives an insightful overview of the traditional ways Scripture can be understood, and argues that the Bible must be read with each sense in mind. In addition to the literal sense, the Bible should be read in the allegorical, moral and anagogical senses as well. Hahn insists the Bible is best understood only when one integrates all four of these senses.

In what is perhaps the book's most challenging chapter, Hahn explains what he believes to be a "key that unlocks the mysteries of faith... the family of God." He points out that "the whole of Scripture can be viewed as the story of how God, as Father, repeatedly strives... to draw his wayward children home." Hahn also includes two chapters about the central importance of Scripture in the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas. In another chapter, he provides a moving tribute to the recently canonized St. Josemaria Escriva and the preeminent place he gave to Scripture in the spiritual life. Elsewhere, Hahn explains the importance of Jesus' "hour" in John's Gospel, as the culmination of his saving work, as it is re-presented in the Mass. In another chapter that's particularly helpful in current debates about marriage, celibacy and the male priesthood, Hahn offers an insightful look at the priestly vocation of fatherhood and the fatherly vocation of the priesthood. He ends with a thoughtful critique of currents trends in biblical scholarship.

In each chapter, Hahn's style is accessible to a wide range of readers, yet even seasoned theologians can benefit from his clear and enthusiastic elucidation of the basics of Bible reading for Catholics. "Scripture Matters" is an invitation to penetrate the mysteries of God's Word more deeply, always within the Living Tradition of the Church. If it finds the wide readership it deserves, it will succeed in its aim to help Catholics become Bible Christians and Bible Christians to become Catholics. After all, God's Work is at the heart of the Church; just so, the Church should be at the heart of every Christian.

One does not have to agree with Dr. Hahn in all particulars of Scripture Matters to see that he succeeds admirably in stirring things up in the world of contemporary Catholic biblical scholarship. This book should prove to be a useful stimulus for getting all of us who love Scripture to come to terms with it in our lives.

In this new volume Professor Scott Hahn has gathered together twelve of his essays on the reading and study of Holy Scripture. The essays are put together in a logical order, even though they were written at different times and for different publications. Professor Hahn stresses the fact that there are many levels of meaning in Scripture. The literal meaning is basic to all the senses of the Bible, but that must not be emphasized to the exclusion of the spiritual and typological meaning that permeates the Scripture. The reason for this is that God is the author of the book.

During the past century many scripture scholars, including many Catholics, have so emphasized the literal sense that they have neglected the spiritual sense. This is especially true of those who rely exclusively on the historical critical methods of interpreting Scripture. Dr. Hahn grants that there is much value in the proper use of the historical critical methods, but at the same time he clearly points out the weaknesses and deficiencies. Professor Hahn reminds us in this fine book that the study of Scripture is the soul of theology. The Bible remains normative for Catholic theology. In short, Dr. Hahn spells out the basic principles for a Catholic interpretation of Scripture, and he also gives us some good examples of how to go about interpreting a few passages the sacred pages. "Scripture Matters," therefore, is a helpful book for those who want to learn how to interpret the Bible in a way that is in agreement with Catholic teaching and tradition. If you read Scott Hahn carefully, you will begin to have a deeper appreciation of the various levels of meaning in the divinely inspired Scriptures.

Scott Hahn has done it again! Through a collection of challenging and fascinating essays on biblical matters, he has prepared our minds and hearts to be open to the Holy Spirit at work in the life-giving Word of God. At Vatican II, the Council Fathers called for a greater access to Sacred Scripture for all the Christian faithful They exhorted all of us to learn "the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 3:8), through the study of Sacred Scripture. I can think of no better introduction to this study than Scott Hahn's Scripture Matters: Essays on Reading the Bible from the Heart of the Church.

Harvest Brings Love and Tears

This story captivated my mind and gave me a glimpse of a truly loving family. I thought this book, Spring's Gentle Promise by Janette Oke, was a very well done, realistic story. Janette Oke is known for her Historical Fiction books. This book will give you a picture of what it might have been like for some farming families, during the Depression.
I liked the way that Janette Oke gave a mood to the story line to show how the family was operating. When the rains weren't coming, it showed how Josh's family was torn in different ways. I also liked the way Janette Oke focused into Josh's thoughts. She really made Josh's character believable. For instance, when Josh was going back for the Christmas tree in the woods, Janette described how he felt, through first person point of view.
In this story, Josh just gets ownership of a farm that was passed down by Grandpa and Uncle Charlie. Along with the ownership of a farm, Josh finds someone he truly loves. He marries and has a family. The Depression hits Grandpa, Uncle Charlie, and Josh's little family. The family is emotionally broken and separated. The spring then brings the family their Gentle Promise.
If you are the kind of reader that likes books that take over your thoughts and emotions, then take a chance in taking this book home. You will really like this story that gets you sucked in and stuck. If this book sounds appealing to you, then pick it up, grab a blanket, and jump into Josh's world. It will take you through a part of his touching life of love and sorrow.

This was the first Janette Oke book I read. I was about 13. I adored it. My favorite part was when Josh was deciding which girl he was in love with. I got hooked on J.Oke after reading this one. It is good reading for both preteens and adults. Parents, if you can't get your girls to read, buy them a J.Oke book and watch them change.

If you are a fan of Janette Oke, then you need this book and the others in the series. I have only read this one of the 4 and it ruined it. :) This book is so very powerful, however about the need for family and God. I highly recommend this book.

I am 12 and totally in love with all of Janette Oke's books!As we speak I am reading "Spring's Gentle Promise" and I've cried for joy and sadness throughout this whole book! I can't do anything to make you read it but I would recommend it in a second!

Out of all the 4 books in the Seasons of the heart Series by Janette Oke, I can guarantee that Spring's Gentle Promise holds the PROMISE of an awesome book. I have traveled along with Joshua Jones, the main character of the story, throughout his whole life. Through tragedy and disappointment to happiness and joy. In this last book Josh goes through some really hard times. From the love of his life falling for his best friend, to the death of his best friend. But with the bad comes the good and Josh finds himself a beautiful wife, a loving family and a future as a prosperous farmer. I guess it is like they always say, life is never boring for some because just when his dreams are developing Josh and his new family are struck with a devastating blow, a drought that nearly puts them on the streets. All they can do is trust in God to get them through. In conclusion, I would just like to say that you must read this book! Heck! Read the whole series, they are all fantastic books! Get ready to laugh and cry and pick up this heart warming adventure!

I received this book from a dear cousin of mine during a time in my life when I was going through a rough patch. It was hard to read at first because of my fragile emotional state--that being said however, it also helped me to read some of the stories because they opened up a side of me that had stayed hidden for a long time. It took about 2 months, but I finally felt ready to read the whole book and it was truly wonderful. It was an emotional roller coaster--but an inspirational one that I needed.

I think this book was great cause it told stories that inspired me and some made me feel happy and some mad me cry. I just think the auther writes wonderful stories that touches other people's hearts. Great Job!

There are several books that enlighten you, and this is surely one of them. Then there are books that change you, books that you take with you for the rest of your life, and these you must share with fellow seekers. These are the books that have unconditionally inspired me to be a better person and that I recommend to anyone searching for inspiration. The first is "The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho" this book is all about a shepherd trying to find his treasure. In the end he realizes his treasure was the journey, the people he met, the souls that touched him(How beautiful!) The second is "Siddhartha by Herman Hesse" A brilliant tale of a man who gives up everything for a journey of enlightenment. On his journey he meets the Buddha, he meets ascetics, and he meets his...(I wont spoil it for you). The last one is for kids, but it is still beautiful. "The Butterfly by Jay Singh" is a tale about a caterpillar in search of her smile! One day this caterpillar realizes she can no longer smile anymore because she is living an inauthentic life. She musters the courage to leave the Silk Palace to find her smile and discovers a whole new world that was hidden from her. Buy them, read them, be inspired!

This collection of stories was an amazing celebration of womanhood, including stories of love, life, and tragedy. This compilation covers all the bases of a woman's life from poverty and love in the heart-wrenching story "Christmas in the Silver Egg" to the humorous "I'll Never Understand my Wife," which deals with marriage. A Second Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul is satisfying, refreshing, and warmhearted.

These stories are heartwarming and encouraging, and even better because they are true. They are all wonderful stories. Some of my favorites are "Safe-Keeping", "The Baby Blanket", "The Wallet", and "Truly Free".

Robin has written a very insightful and very helpful book for women. I could only hope that all women read this book. It makes for a great gift for the women in your life that enjoy reading and or are struggling with insecurity. This book helps women to be honest with themselves and others about insecurity. It is very helpful and an incredible read that you'll never want to put down.

Robin Weidner has broken down doors with this raw and honest, yet gentle and inspiring book. As a Women's Ministry leader, I have used it to bring groups of women together and spark lively discussion about the insecurities we all have. Some are different than others, we are all from different backgrounds & experiences, yet it touches us and brings out deep motivations for the things we do and who we are...even those of us with loving and secure upbringings. There is no hiding while going through this book. It has been an amazingly useful tool to help us all achieve new depth in our self-awareness and, subsequently, in our walk with our Father and love for His Son.

As a leader of a women's ministry, I use this book for a bible discussion group. Robin offers very practical advice and provides great thought-provoking questions. Many women were able to identify insecurities they previously weren't aware of. Secure in Heart is very biblically based with many scriptures and stories of godly women making inspiring changes.

Secure in Heart: Overcoming Insecurity in a Woman's Life
This is a must read for both woman and men. I read this saying oh yea and thats right. I have been a Christian for 27 years and this book brought out things that really brought my thinking together. It is a handbook to the bible for daily living. If you are going through trials you can't figure out, this book is for you. If you think you know it all and have all the answers, this book is for you. Read it and you'll know what I mean.

Wow!
This book was so great! A real answer to prayer. After being a Christian for 16 years, I was frustrated with the fact that I still felt so insecure. Robin's book was a breathe of fresh air and pulled me out of my pit. I'd like to purchase a copy for every woman I know. I'm very excited about starting a book club using her book. Every woman can benefit from this one.

Although this book is good, and I continue to read it (almost finished), I have underlined very little in it. Compare this to Love Without Conditions: Reflections of the Christ Mind, which I read with greater speed, more underlining and with a more profound sense of satisfaction and increased awareness.

I will be trying The Twelve Steps of Forgiveness next, another Paul Ferrini book. I expect that I will gain much from it, since being able to love without conditions does require forgiveness.

The Silence of the Heart is truly a classic book in the spiritual growth category. My copy has so many dog-eared pages that it almost appears as if the entire book is marked in this way! There really is incredible wisdom in this book, and I just love the "voice" that Ferrini uses to communicate his teachings. If I had read it prior to publishing my own book, I would have definitely included it in my "must read" list. Of the many books on my shelf, I refer back to this one more than just about any other that I own. If there was 6th star in the Amazon rating system this book would qualify for it.

The Silence of the heart is the place we find ourselves after we get out of the cycle of victimhood and commit to honoring ourselves. It is the place where we can embrace our feelings and experiences in the moment without judgment. It is a place of pure, non-judgmental awareness.

To reach this place, we must stop complaining and take responsibility for our own healing. We have the tools to extricate ourselves from our suffering, we just need to acknowledge them. We need to face the scared, unhappy, wounded, angry child inside who feels unfairly treated, and help him let go of his wounds.

The Silence of the Heart walks us through a recipe for spiritual healing: 1) accept and feel the pain, 2) admit your mistakes, 3) accept your feelings, 4) bring love to the self, 5) become aware of self-violation, 6) forgive yourself, 7) bring love to the wound, 8) prevent further abuse by always honoring your self (ask for what you want, do not accept what you do not want).
You must always hold onto compassion for yourself.

When we succeed at fully loving and honoring ourselves, then we can apply this to others in our relationships without judging or fixing. We cannot give to others until we first learn to give to ourselves. And by extension, when we learn to give to ourselves, our compassionate natures will cause us to give to others absent judgment.

This is a book that is so full of profound wisdom on such a plethora of relevant topics, you will wear your pencil out from underlining. You will refer back to it again and again, and you will find yourself sharing it and quoting it with friends. Like another reviewer said, it is not always a comfortable read in that it confronts you to take full responsibility for every aspect of your experience and shakes you free from your denial. But it is simultaneously comforting in its unending compassion for the work we all must do. If you are ready to take responsibility for your healing, growth, and ultimate happiness, you will embrace this book.

This is truly the best, most inspiritual book I have read in my life. I have read many similar books, but this one opened my eyes, and opened my heart. I felt that it spoke to me directly. The writing is so very clear. Read it and be awakened.

My advice about this book is: Read something from this book often and you will grow.

"When the breath is shallow, thinking is superficial. If you want to live a spiritual life, bring your awareness to your breath. Become aware of the times when you are breathing in a shallow way and bring your awareness to your thoughts. You will see that your mind is chattering." (-from the introduction to the book.)

I find the content of this book to be easy to understand and absorb. My copy is heavily underlined and marked up. For me, this is a good book to read through the first time. Then, thereafter, it will become a useful tool for guidance on specific subjects. -Or you may not even know what you need, and just open it and begin reading and find that something from the book speaks to you. There are 10 chapters full of spiritual advice/teachings throughout this book.

Paul Ferrini is one of my favorite authors in the spirituality realm. His words have an easy flow to them. You don't feel like you're being preached at, you feel as though you are sitting comfortably and conversing with. I think the tone is gentle but teaching.

Here are a few excerpts from the book, that I hope you will find helpful:

"There are no failures on this planet. Even the homeless, the prostitutes, the drug dealers, are molding the clay that was given to them.
Because you do not like a particular piece of artwork does not mean that it ceases to be a work of art."

"It is the moment in which you realize that everything outside you is merely a reflection of an attitude you have toward yourself."

"As long as you "need" something, you cannot have it. As soon as you no longer "need" it, it appears in front of you."

The way Linda wrote these books, the characters just came to life. Each book in the seies adds to the mystery about Gem, and the love triangle between Eithan and Jace for Coral. I loved everything about this story,there aren't a lot of books that have it all,romance, adventure, mystery...you name it. I would love to see this be made into a film. I think that it would be a great hit, because the story just comes to life, and the characters stay with you.This story makes you feel as if your one of the characters they way that is written!

These books are a most to get! I loved everyone of them in the series! I sure hope that they come out with a movie soon!

All three books were fabulous, but I liked the last one, Kingscote, the best. They just kept getting better! They'll keep you in suspense. I recommend these to anyone!

When I first started reading the first of the three books, I was in awe that one person could keep so much faith after such tragities. And the irony when Coral & Jace fall in love gives so much hope to all who read this series.

First of all, I've read the Heart of India series 4 times so I know that when I say that this is an amazing series you can trust me. If you have never read any of Linda Chaikin's books this is the one to start with. I give this book to my friends who are looking for a good read. The biggest complaint about this book that I've heard is that the beginning is kind of slow. Once I read the rest of Chaikin's books I agreed, but if you read this book first you won't even notice that it's a little slow because you'll be so wrapped up in the adventure, mystery, and intrigue. This book takes place in 18th century India. Chaikin did a remarkable job in describing the Hindu culture and the tension between them and the English who live in India, like the main characters, Coral Kendall and Jace Buckley. Chaikin also puts hisorical characters into her books, such as William Carey and John Newton (the man who wrote "Amazing Grace.")Please take my advice and read this book series. You won't regret it.