Christianity Books

This book has been very inspiring and influential in my life. It's challenged me to take seriously the commands and teachings of scripture regarding the poor. I highly recommend this book for all Christian believers and exhort them to take seriously what it says.

We live in a culture of superstars, heroes, and saints - that one charismatic person that "changed everything". True to John Hayes' heart for communities of faith and compassion to "get down from their donkey's" to attend to the poor by the side of the road, Submerge is really a mosaic of stories, masterfully told, of Christians who've taken that step of faith to love the poor and marginalized.

This book will rock your views on the poor and ministry to and among them. Do not take lightly! Be prepared to change your heart....if this is your heart, be encouraged that others have the same desires.

Everyone who writes a check to a charity needs to read this. Everyone who lives an insulated middle class life needs to read this. And everyone who claims a faith in a supreme being needs to read this. All of us can reassess where we are, what we have, and what we want with the measure described in this work. As we sleepwalk through our privileged lives, we suffer our tragedies, and enjoy our triumphs, but they seem so insipid when we compare them to the experiences of the workers of InnerChange. This is not a finger-pointing call for self-hatred, but a impassioned plea to step outside our comfort zones.

This is not just a book for someone considering urban ministry, or ministry to the poor. It is a book for any and every Christian.

At a minimum this is a perspective book -- a mirror to hold up to your face and show the ease in which most of us in the west follow Jesus (and rarely have anything to say about how he has "shown up" in miraculous ways) and then just listen to what the Holy Spirit might say to you. This book will inspire and challenge you to examine how faith in Jesus is to be lived out by all whom He calls to follow Him.

I finished Sub-merge and immediately gave it to a woman I was talking to at the Starbucks where I was reading it. I am now ordering another copy to replace it.

A great book that explains how as men we can be warriors that God intended us to be but at the same time being tender to what God wants us to do. This is on my list to re-read eventually again just because it's that good. I would recommend this book to anyone who is Christian and looking for a good book from a great author.

I got this for my husband because it was assigned reading for a Bible study. He is not an avid reader, but he jumped in with both feet and really enjoyed it. He did feel that he should take the time to go through it again, that his study meetings just scratched the surface. High praise from someone who usually reads only car magazines!

Stu is a man everyone could learn from. He redefines 'macho' and, as a woman reading it, makes you long for this tenderness from your own husband. The topics he touches on are supported biblically, statistically and scientifically. A man who can pull from this book and live his life as a 'tender warrior' is truly 'every woman's dream'. I have nothing but good to say about every area of this book. If your husband is at all interested in self and/or spiritual growth, this is a must read.

Stu Weber takes off the gloves and gives it to you straight. If you're a husband and/or father, God's word has some things you need to know. Avoid making the common mistakes and get prepared for the challenges.

Unlike the reviewer who cannot identify with Pastor Stu's military background, there are many who have served this country, that can identify with Pastor Stu's background and his major decision as a Captain in the 5th Special Forces/Ranger with service overseas, including Republic of South Vietnam. I believe his sacrifice to country and his previous role as a soldier (the values of Duty, Honor, Country) makes Pastor Stu more credible and a more powerful advocate of what it is to be a man, a GODLY man. I also believe that had Captain Weber not decided to choose the ministry over the military career, he would have been quite successful in the military and achieve a field grade ranking of General in the U.S. Army. As it turned out, the ministry gained an influential shepherd who has written a number of books that has and will continue to influence other men in their walk with GOD.

There are many worthy insights in this book and the others written by Pastor Stu. It has been some time since reading the book, but I recall that a key decision must be made by all men and that is, "Who is Your Authority?" This is a crossroad..."who will you follow?" With you continue to follow your own personal inclinations, the secular wisdoms of the day, or will you allow GOD to be the authority in your life, the guiding principles of your life, and obey the WORD? It is the most important question for all men to consider and then choose wisely. There are many other Biblically sound teachings that are covered. I will only touch upon one. As Christians who are walking in FAITH, there is a need to eschew being the "lone ranger", the Clint Eastwood-machismo solitary gunfighter that takes on an entire pack of vermin and wastes them all in glorious Hollywood images. Rather, a Christian man needs other GODLY men to stand with them, because the battle against the secular world value system and against evil spiritual principalities cannot be realistically defeated as in a Hollywood-Clint Eastwood shootout type scenario and a symbolic ride into the sunset....NO, Pastor Stu and the Bible identifies the need for comrades-in-arms, "Ranger buddies", other centurions, GOD-fearing warriors who will watch your back and your flank. You need others in this spiritual warfare. Otherwise, you will succumb. He tells it like it is. A strand of 3 cords is tough to break. A group/team of committed GODLY men cannot be defeated. Gideon had his 300. Joshua and Caleb had their forces, albeit invariably outnumbered in their battles, Joshua and Caleb's army prevailed. Obedient to GOD, go to Battle alongside other Christian brothers-in-arms. Put on the full armor of GOD and you will win EVERY Battle. Hope this review helps.

The author doesn't get into the real information until almost half way through the book.

He does, however, give excellent information on the ways of receiving the Holy Ghost and how people react once filled.

This book serves a multitude of purposes. It is not only a detailed description of the purposes and value of tongues, but also a look back to how Pentacostalism began in the U.S. I've been raised Baptist and brought up thinking more conservatively. However, when denominational walls are knocked down and the Holy Spirit guides, wonderful things happen! I recommend this book to all who are seeking to draw close to God in new ways.

This is an excellent book. It is written in a very scholarly manner and exhausts the subject from a biblical standpoint, and tells the wonderful true story of an educated man being drawn into a new spiritual experience.

This is a book I can highly recommend. I believe that whatever your beliefs on the issue of tongues you owe it to yourself to read this book.

I have been a Christian since 1975, and was taught against tongues in the first couple years of my Christian walk. I was well versed in, why tongues was not for today.

Then in 1977 through a chain of events I ended up going to an Assembly of God Church. I was somewhat cautious of them as I knew they were of the Pentecostal persuasion. But from the very first service I attended I noticed an excitement in worship and over God's word (Bible) from the pastor and the members, that I had not seen in the other churches I attended. I really liked the church, the people, and the powerful preaching from the Bible, but, I still didn't agree with this "tongues" thing.

Anyway, one Sunday evening before service, in August 1977, I went to the church altar alone and was on my knees in prayer, looking at the cross and thanking Jesus for dying for me. Then I asked the LORD to fill me 100% with His Holy Spirit (with or without tongues). So there alone at that altar I lifted that prayer up to God. Just me and Jesus at that altar. There was no expectation from me of speaking in tongues. I was NOT seeking tongues, but to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Almost immediately from the time I lifted that prayer to the LORD, to my surprise, I instantly started praying in tongues. As I did, I felt a release in my worship to the LORD and also such a fresh appreciation for the Cross (that Jesus would die for me). A river of tears of joy flowed from my eyes.

That being said, I believe from that day I had a fresh desire to see others come to Christ and to grow in their Christian walk.

So, do yourself a favor, and read this book. I believe God can use it to touch your life. It is well written, it shows the authors own battles with the "tongues issue" and gives a good scriptural basis for "speaking in tongues".

I first read "They Speak with Other Tongues" as a very young pastor, more than forty years ago. At the time I already believed in and practiced the gift of speaking in tongues. Still, I found this book to be a tremendous confirmation to my faith. It was especially interesting to me because the author was a non-Pentecostal and at that time the vast majority of people who spoke in tongues belonged to Classical Pentecostal churches. The Charismatic movement among mainline Protestant and Catholic churches was barely in its infancy. No doubt, this book served as a catalyst to arouse interest among non-Pentecostals in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and thus helped birth the Charismatic renewal. Today, more than half of the Christians who speak with other tongues belong to non-Pentecostal churches.

I have read "They Speak with Other Tongues" several times over the years; on each of those occasions it has been a continuing inspiration. I've also bought many extra copies to share with friends.

Anyone who wants to learn more about the experience of speaking in tongues will find much of interest here. The author presents his story in an honest manner which is both unassuming and convincing. Those who speak in other tongues and those who are only curious about the practice will both benefit from reading this classic. Although dozens of books on the same subject have been written since this one, I know of none that have had as great an impact.

J. Stephen Conn, Author: "Growing up Pentecostal"

Very rarely do you find a book that leaves you desiring more of God. However, this one provokes a yearning in you to give yourself more to God in prayer, worship and time in the Word. It pulls you into God. An easy read, short in length and well written, Matt Redman does a great job of pulling your attention away from whatever or whoever and pushing you to concentrate on the Lord. The book provides a healthy Godly perspective on worship, provides principles that one can easily understand and apply to their lives and mix a few of Redman's personal stories in to lift you to a higher place of worship. I highly recommend to anyone who needs another boost toward God! If you're struggling at this season in your life to keep God the main thing, this is for you. If you're at a place where you just want more of Him, this is for you! No matter where you are, this is for you! Enjoy~

This book was recommended to me by a fellow marathoner. It reads quickly, and you will want to read in a single sitting. It speaks well of the heart and relentless desire of the worshipper of Jesus, to give Him endless and countless praise and worship for His work on the cross. It's also penned by a dude with amazing musical gifts. I will probably re-read many times,as it validates one's desire to worship even in the midst of the storms of life..........

I'm a worship leader in NJ and I've require all our musicians and vocalists to read this book. My philosophy is that everyone doing worship during a service is leading the congregation in worship. Not just the one who may talk or sing the most. This book by Matt Redman is a valuable help to everyone involved with a worship team or seeking to understand what worship is all about in a deeper way. Do yourself a favor and read this wonderful devotional type book by a very experienced composer and worship leader. It will enhance your own time with the Lord and make you a better worship leader for your church.

Ever feel like no one else gets it? Like you sometimes can't connect with other people who although share your faith, seem to have a different taste for God than you do?

In my opinion this is the book for you. I found myself finishing this book in a short time because not only did I feel challenged, but I realized that I'm not a complete failure simply because I struggle in my focus on my God.

Matt lays out a very profound and understandable set of lessons that will help you understand what life long/ eternity long worship really is.

This isn't the gospel according to Matt or any book of vague ideas. It's a great devotional on intamacy and thirst for our God.

As a worship pastor/ youth pastor of a church I can't tell you what a blessing this reading really is.

We were taken back to the Heart of Worship!!!!

Breaks free of the conventional bonds of indoctrinated, cookie cutter, christianity. A refreshing view of spiritually and the relationship of God with humanity.

This book dissents from and defends religion in very different ways than most. It is a masterful treatise on the religion of love, the religion of inclusion, the religion of the goddess, and the religion many of us have lost to patriarchy and intellectual dominance. There is little pious prattle here, rather a statement of the value of all religions, human talents, and dispositions. All are needed to truly solve our problems.

The following summary was used in a discussion with Bob Thompson at Northwestern University's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, in Evanston, Illinois, on November 30, 2007. This was one session in a semester-long study group titled, "Why Religion Matters." These notes highlight many passages and concepts but are only a small reflection of the richness of the material and the personal vignettes which illuminate Bob's ideas. We hope that this summary whets readers' appetites to experience the entire book. (Note: references, e.g."p15," are to page numbers in from which passages are quoted)

The Introduction distinguishes religion of the head from religion of the heart. "Religion of the head involves thinking about life's questions in order to come up with answers. Religion of the heart is about seeing our innate and unalterable connection to all others as both the question and the answer" p15. "Religious orthodoxy is the inevitable result of thinking exclusively from the head. The heart is always a heretic, however, and its natural inclination is to upend the status quo...and see the human race as one" p16.

Chapter 1, "For a Good Time, Call God" Asked if he believes in God, Thompson usually responds that it depends on what is meant by God. He cannot agree that God is a separate being with an extreme ego who controls the world. Rather God is a voluptuous ultimate reality which "calls us to laughter, love and joy" p23. "It matters whether we worship a God of distance or a God of intimacy. An intimate God is at once transcendent and imminent , beyond and within. We live in the Divine and the Divine lives in us" p27.

Chapter 2, "What is the Soul?" Thompson also disagrees with the conventional Christian belief that the human soul is separate from God and corrupted by original sin. Rather, "The soul is a drop of consciousness in the ocean of God" p31.

Chapter 3, "Soul Liberty." A preliminary title for this book was "Soul liberty - Meditations of a Christian Heretic." "Soul liberty is the freedom to seek the truth in one's own way, according to one's own conscience" p41. In this Baptist belief, a person may choose any religion or none and is only responsible to God for the decision. The chapter ends with several paragraphs on the importance of meditation, i.e. "opening to the inner teacher" p43. "placing our attention within ourselves," and "recollecting the soul." This work of a lifetime takes "our attention from life's broken surface to an inner truth" p44.

Chapter 4, "Finding God by Subtraction" God is always present but lives in silence. God can be most easily found in meditation, prayer, or even in the awkward silences in conversations. Bob quotes Meister Eckhart who said that "God is not attained by a process of addition to anything in the soul, but by a process of subtraction" p 54.

Chapter 5, "Do you Believe in Divine Intervention?" Does God answer prayers? Is God an activist? Thompson does not believe in a personal God. Rather, "The God I've met is impersonal or transpersonal. A transpersonal God does not seek out individuals by bestowing favor on some while turning away from others" p58. "We need the experience of an enduring presence that lasts an eternity far more than an intervention that lasts a few moments" p59. This enduring, compassionate presence helps us to realize that we are never alone.

Chapter 6, "The Greening of God." The prevailing Western view has been one of patriarchy or the right to dominate the natural world. Now "we are beginning to wake up and see the earth as indigenous peoples have always seen it, as a living organism....Mother Earth, the Great Mother, the Goddess" p68. And God connects everything and is in everything that lives. "Water and air pollution, deforestation, and global warming are all symptoms of a deep brokenness...we must address" p72.

Chapters 7-13 are an invitation to "Be a Christ," but not some distant savior dressed as a king, rather as one who lives a compassionate life. "We live in an eternal now. This is it... Spiritual truth is about fully living the moment we are in" p89. "Ego is the illusion that we are ...separate from each other, and separate from God" p99. "It is more useful to see sin as a condition or state of being in which we see ourselves as literally separated from ourselves, others and the Divine" p103.
Thompson, as a heretic, says we should live beyond the belief system we've been handed. "Real spiritual strength comes...from our own inner authority, the authority of our own experience, the teacher within" p120. ."Christ is the Christian word for the divine energy that connects everything" p122. It is called by different names in Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism and other faiths. It is intoxicating, so "it's not unusual for great spiritual teachers to appear to be a little too happy, giggly or simply `lit up'...Other people seem to light up when in their presence" p 126. "All will be well, no matter what...In our inner-most heart, in the soul, we know there is nothing to fear. And what we all want is nothing to fear" p128.

Chapters 14, "God and Caesar - Religion and Politics." Introduces the concept of the politics of conscience, or the politics of the heart. It will take a massive act of conscience to bring peace to the Middle East or to mitigate the suffering in Africa. However, "conscience is always speaking, but often we turn a deaf ear" p139.

Chapter 15, "A Greater Patriotism" states that we are surrounded by violence. "When we swim in it all the time, we just don't notice it" p146. But we notice terrorism and wonder where it comes from. Following Ury, Thompson says it's like a virus "that lies sleeping, then wakens and spreads throughout the body and attacks, as if out of nowhere....Violence prevention requires creatively addressing conflicts in their earliest stages" p147.

Chapter 16, "The Hospitality of Heaven is a Queer Thing" addresses the issue of same sex relationships suggesting that LGBT people "need to be healed back into the larger community' p154. This is done thru agape love which, following M. L. King, is "an understanding, redemptive, creative good will toward all human beings...it is what Jesus meant when he said `love your enemies'" p155. This is not the same as to" like" your enemies. "Like," in any case, is a fairly superficial engagement.

Chapter 17, "Surrender Your Life to Something Greater" Dealing with the ego is not easy. "We can be important one day, and a mere drop in a very big bucket the next. And when we realize this, we can let go of the need to be important" p163. True greatness, however, comes from our connection to others. Gandhi, M.L. King, and Mother Theresa all surrendered self will and said yes "to serving the human race, no matter what" p165. "The greatness of the servant comes from helping others to discover their greatness" p 166.

Chapter 18, "The Devil is Not What You Think." Whether you believe in a devil or not, the most serious temptations are from those you believe to be allies. They appeal to altruism, ego, and power; persuade us that " life is a puzzle to be solved;"....and "reduce the meaning of life to a formula" p171...or "to getting life to go our own way" p173. Rather, "Life is amazing and astonishing....Every moment of life is remarkable. Every moment brings astonishment. Every moment is a mystery." P173

Chapter 19, "The Things We Carry Around." "...to get over our narcissism, our self absorption, our preoccupation with ourselves. This is the very heart of all spiritual practice and it takes a lifetime" p179. "We reduce our our own suffering by letting go of the poison we carry around" p 180.

Chapter 20, "The Spiritual Purpose of Our Relationships." "When I'm experiencing tension or discomfort in a relationship, I inevitably realize that I am struggling, not with the other person, but with myself" p187. A person is only fully developed through others. "We can't grow in isolation and exclusion" p188.

Chapter 21, "Life is But a Dream." We need to be aware that life is neither permanent nor predictable, just "a succession of images and experiences" p 198 . "We are awake when we know that life is nothing more than a passing show." P201.

Chapter 22, "Every Tomb is a Womb." "When we say goodbye to a person or a place we love, a part of us dies. We are then reborn to another way of life. When we go thru a divorce, lose a friendship, or fail to get the job we want, something in us dies while something else rises up." P 204.

Chapter 23, "From Religious Tribalism to the City of God." Thompson talks about the need to cultivate interfaith relationships. This "encourages us to explore our own tradition and assumptions more deeply" p211. We become more welcoming to strangers, more willing to help them with whatever burdens they have, and more understanding of "what it means to be religious" p215.

I was born and raised Jewish, attending an Orthodox synagogue as a child and a Conservative synagogue as an adult. I now live in the mostly Conservative Christian community of Colorado Springs, CO. I never really felt drawn to organized religion and for years I found myself unaffiliated and searching for a spiritual home. For six years, I found that home at Lake Street Church. Bob Thompson's words have shown me the difference between religion and spirituality. They have also helped me to accept Jesus Christ - not as a messiah or savior, but as a rabbi, teacher, and mystic. I have learned to experience God on a personal level rather than as an omnipotent, wrathful, punishing presence.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Voluptuous God, connecting with the essence of Bob Thompson's spirituality, and learning to relate to the concept of being a heretic. I have purchased extra copies to share with friends of like mind living here in Colorado Springs. I highly recommend this book to any and all spiritual seekers.

Being raised a Catholic was a spiritually alienating experience. I tried to live the Word but seeing others in my church being pious in the sanctuary and then being less than Christian in the outer world made no sense to me. So, for many, many years I veered away from Christianity. I never thought a spiritual book written by a Christian minister would help me change my attitude about religion. The chapter 'The Resurrection of Judas Iscariot' literally moved me to tears. I confess I have been in situations where I did not speak out or act upon a situation that required my attention. Several days after reading this particular chapter I came upon a homeless man. He was looking for shelter and food. While I could not give him shelter, I did take him to a restaurant for a meal. I don't think I would have done this had I not read this chapter on Judas. I am now trying to live the Word. Thank you for writing such a meaningful book.

Many years ago I abandoned the Christian faith believing it was obsolete. However, I always said if some new philosopher comes along who can articulate the faith in a way that reconciles it with reason and makes it relevant in the 21st Century, I will reconsider Christianity. Thompson does that in this excellent book.

Very insightful book. Basically Mr. Gire discusses situations, moments, windows that God opens in our lives that allow us to look thorugh them and see Him. These windows are opened, generally for a limited time, and we have the opportunity to look through them but are not forced or required to. Of course, in the failure - or refusal - to look through the window we also miss the opportunity to see God and what He is saying and/or doing at that moment. A common mistake is looking AT the window, and merely seeing the window (situation), rather than looking through it and beyond the situation before us. I will be re-reading this book as I think the thoughts are meatier than a single pass through and derserving of additional pondering. I would recommend the book.

In "Windows of the Soul" Mr. Gire Takes you to places where you have always known God was, but opens your eyes to realy "see" God. It is a poetic journey that touched my soul and allowed me to experience God in a whole new way. I would highly recommend this book to the new believer as well as the person who has walked with God many years, neither will be dissapointed.

I purchased this book off the shelf as its artistic references in the description attracted me to it. I soon discovered the value of Mr. Gire's wisdom, compassion, and his own personal knowledge of an intimate relationship with God that evolved through his own personal experiences. This book came at a time in my own life when, a few months earlier, I had suffered a sudden tragedy that resulted in the death of my husband of 11 years. This book, and its quiet reflective nature, brought me peace during many sleepless nights. I found the thoughtful wisdom inspiring, and appreciated his knowledge of literature and history. I have purchased several of his books since, and have been blessed by each one.

In 1998 I reveiwed this book by writing the following:
Ken Gire is one of the most expressive writers of our day. His words paint a picture of our soul. Words that are simple, yet profound. Gire shows us how we can experience God through different avenues that intersect our daily lives. Don't be surprised by the tears that come to your eyes, they are tears from God showing you an area of your life that may need to be explored, understood or enjoyed. This is a book that you will continually want to come back to again and again.

I continue to read this book and find it as refreshing as the first time.

I disagree with the review from Hooterville. Ken Gire is very sound theologically and his work reflects this. Ken encourages us to look for new ways in which we can discover God. There is nothing mystical about discovering new ways for one to grow in their love for God and in their love for people.

I think it's obvious there's nothing wrong with observing our world and the happenings within it and speculating what God's perspective might be. And there's nothing wrong with contemplating a piece of art, literature, music, or film and recognizing in it symbolic correspondence to transcendent truth as revealed in Scripture. And author Ken Gire does this well. If he had left it at that, I probably would be as enthusiastic about this book as the next reader.

However, in "Windows of the Soul," Gire goes a step further and teaches that such endeavors are actually communications from God, "moments of revelation." The book is Gire's attempt at giving Christians insight into how to perceive such "revelations." Gire goes as far as to imply that such "revelations" possess an importance equal to that of the Bible, even referring to them as "God's word." Gire implies that Biblical revelation sometimes fails to satisfy our spiritual longings because, through it, "we are fed the experience of others. But they are not OUR experiences. I can read a psalm about David crying out from a cave in the wilderness, and I should read that psalm, but it is not MY psalm. It is not my psalm because it is not my cave, not my wilderness, and not my tears." Thus, Gire feels a need for a new category of revelation.

I sense Gire is well intentioned, but I believe, in this respect, he's teaching a form of mysticism, not Christianity. [Webster: "mysticism - the belief that direct knowledge of God, spiritual truth, or ultimate reality can be attained through subjective experience (as intuition or insight)"] And while I recognize that the defense of these ideas isn't the primary intent of his book, the theological extrapolations Gire offers are tragically sloppy and at times involve the assignment of new, unorthodox meanings to Biblical accounts and terminology.

Some might suggest that Gire's paradigm is just an elaboration on the concept of "general revelation," the Biblically supported idea that the world implicitly communicates certain things about God and His nature. However, the variety of channels described in "Windows," as well as the content of the messages Gire speculates they deliver, far surpass the traditional understanding of the nature and role of general revelation. (And Gire writes as if he's aware that what he's proposing is unconventional.)

READER BEWARE : I believe it is accurate to say that Ken Gire is advocating a theology and discipline not taught in Scripture.

When it comes time to contemplate the "furniture" of life and apply Biblical teachings to what you observe and experience, "Windows of the Soul" does document some good exploration in that regard. However, when it comes time to hear God speak, don't let anyone convince you God's revealed Word in Scripture is insufficient for the task.

For my more thorough critique, see: HotFudgeSunday.com/WindowsOfTheSoul

I received this book as a gift and have since purchased 5 for family members and friends. It is my daily inspiration. No matter what we are facing, we can praise God that He is with us in and through it all. This book focuses your mind, heart and spirit on God in the most difficult of times and most blessed of times. It has changed the way I look at challenges and victories and I can praise God for both. I mostly highly recommend this book for everyone.

We used this book for our Bible Study for new Christians and have seen an immediate appreciation for God's character and authority over their lives.

Even though I viewed this product on line before ordering, it was not what I wanted. The 1994 edition I have of this book includes journaling space each day following the day's scriptures. I didn't realize this was not included until the books came. In giving this to members of my mission team, I wanted them to journal their praises to God for the 31 days. I think the journaling space makes the book so much more effective as a tool with which to praise God. The book is still very good . . . just not what I really wanted the way I wanted to use it.

This book was a gift from a friend. It is one of the best gifts I've ever received and I will read it over and over again through the years. Great spiritual insight. This is a good devotional for someone who is grieving the loss of a spouse too.

I have used this book for quiet times for years and I recently purchased another one to use because my old one wore out. It really helped me apply how important praise to God is to spiritual growth.

I had already read and very much enjoyed this book and wanted more to share. Thank you for carryiing a book I really liked and wanted to share.

We recently kicked off our Fall Bible study at church, using Alicia's series "Anonymous: Jesus' Hidden Years and Yours." Sixty women were left speechless, a feat by anyone's standards! Alicia can pack more depth and volume into one sentence then most of us can hope to write in three pages! The corresponding study guide adds tremendous depth and underscore to the teachings of "Anonymous", leading the reader into rich intimacy with God.

This teaching, via this book, has been one of the most transformational teachings I've ever received from Scripture. Alicia's capacity for pondering God and the sacred walk of a Christian therein, leaves me hungering to be a better mother, a better writer, a better human being, and most importantly, a better seeker of God.

Alicia Chole's "Anonymous" is a must-read for anyone who feels they are in a hidden or anonymous season. Her reflective style offers hope and healing with biblical and practical examples. It's a timeless piece of art on paper.

Jackie M. Johnson
"Power Prayers for Women" Author
POWER PRAYERS FOR WOMEN

Our culture works very hard to convince us that any moment we are not in gear and in the spotlight is a waisted moment. Alicia does a beautiful job of challenging this notion and giving meaning to those anonymous times in our life.

It is so comforting because when you are in one of those invisible times you need to be learning something important. That will never happen if we are focused entirely of getting "back into the game."

This book helped me be patient with who I am and what I am doing. Sometimes I like for things to go fast and God does not always work that way. I can choose to enjoy where I am and what I am doing as it is the only opportunity to do it, or waste it by being anxious for the future. It was suprising to see Jesus' hidden years from the Bible. I was skeptical to see if the material would be extra Biblical. It was not! She did great research.

This book is captivating with outstanding and gorgeous photography showing the supreme artistry of God in creation, to see God's majesty through what He has made. The book has a religious slant, of course (see title), with biblical verses connecting to the photographs. The main sections of the books are Introduction, Elements, Design, Environments,, and Ebb & Flow. It is an excellent Coffee Table book and I highly recommend it for yourself and as a gift to others. I gave it as a gift to an artist friend and he loved it.

We often do praise trips to places of special beauty, where we sing songs of praise and worship to the Creator, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!
We go to the Grand Canyon, one example, but also to the lakes and other canyons in Arizona. I have often been to Oregon and experienced the beauty of the water falls and to Colorado to enjoy the Rocky Mountains.
This book is a praise trip for the reader, each page is an experience of worship. How great is our God, who created such magnificent beauty for us to enjoy. How blessed I was to receive this book as a gift and I immediately bought copies for my family. May many enjoy the beauty of God's creation. We are to fill our hearts and minds with praise and this is a wonderful way to start!

The most visually beautiful book I know of, THE ART OF GOD is in appearance a nature photography book of the most glorious sort, but upon closer look it is so much more. Ergenbright pairs brilliant awe-inspiring photography with artfully presented text and scripture verses that precisely match each photo and combine to make the heart leap, the soul rejoice. Though written in the spirit of worship, whether intended or not, the beauty, range, selection, and presentation of the book end up also being an apologetic making a visual case for a Creator that's both an intelligent and artistic designer. The photos are arranged purposefully, with the story flowing seamlessly thru the categories Elements, Design, Environments, and Ebb & Flow. The adjective "stunning" often's used to mean just really beautiful, but with this book it's beauty really does stun or take a bit of breath away. THE ART OF GOD is wonderful for a gift or to put on one's own coffee table for visitors to enjoy. Truly an aesthetic and spiritual masterpiece (and a bargain too).

Former agnostic and nature photographer Ric Ergenbright spreads before us a stunning visual feast of God's glory, as reflected in creation. Travel through gorgeous views of air, water, fire, forests, stones, and more. Not just a coffee table book, The Art of God provides a theology of creation as part of a two-fold design (the second part being the story of Christ played out through history). We can even learn about the complexity of creation, as in Ergenbright's discussion of how freshwater rain needs undrinkable seawater to send it on its journey.

Eden may be lost, but Ergenbright's insightful eye for beauty proves that much of paradise is still to be found. Amazingly beautiful nature photographs of every element can be found in this book: skies, bodies of water, cliffs, and even lava flows present the viewer with beauty that only a Supreme God could create. Ergenbright's modest introduction in the beginning of the book and his Biblical passages leave no doubt in regards to his devotion to God as the true artist here, but Ergenbright's own artistic talents certainly cannot be overlooked! I'm a huge lover of beautiful art and Ergenbright's uplifting Christian messages greatly added to the peacefulness of his breathtaking images, luring me into a state of blissful lethargy. This book is truly a wonderful testament of nature's beauty and I recommend it even if you are not a Christian; everyone can appreciate the beauty here, no matter what faith they are.

AMAZING BOOK...MUST READ..AGAIN AND AGAIN AND FOLLOW HER TO A "T" AND IT WORKS...HOWEVER, REMEMBER...YOU MUST USE EVERYTHING TIME AND TIME AGAIN TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONE SAFE !

A friend loaned me her copy - after reading it, I had to have a copy for myself.

Thanks for your prompt service. Book arrived as promised in good time.

This teaching has given me a "spiritual backbone" like I have never experienced before and has revolutionized the way I pray, especially for my children and myself. Satan is defeated. Christians have been given the authority over Satan and he is "overcome by the word of God and the blood of Jesus" Rev 12:11 and all we have to do is use it.
This book is the most awesome teaching that I have read in many years. I have had the head knowledge of these truths, but had not accepted the spiritual knowledge into my spirit man and was not using these truths in my life.

Ms. Brim has an excellent way of putting very complex ideas in very simplistic terms. This book is absolutely necessary for every believer for the times we are living in today. My eyes have been opened in a new way and I have seen things in a clearer way than I ever thought I could. I highly recommend this book for the new believer as well as for the seasoned Christian.