Christianity Books

This book by Thomas Merton is a marvelous exploration of what it is to be human and the fundamental problems of disconnection from the depths of Being. More practically, it addresses the solution to our isolation in a direct, loving and compassionate way. Thomas Merton is clearly one who has traveled the path to his deepest self and has much to share about his journey.

Thomas Merton is a mystic who has spent a lot of time in silence and deep contemplation. He had a grasp of contemporary issues facing the modern person and he has a way of using language that is simple, but touches the heart.

Although Merton was a Catholic Christian mystic, his message is universal. He illuminates the mystic's path and shares the fruit of his explorations through writing in a way that is accessible and powerful. Somehow, between the lines it is obvious that his experience has been profound and he translates this into terms that help the reader to find meaning.

This book will be especially appealing to Catholics and Christians. The tone is understanding and gentle, although it is packaged in a way that is most digestible to fellow Catholics. On the other hand, there are so many gems that are applicable to the human condition that it will be a valuable read by people of any faith.

Thomas Merton wrote a lot of books and this is one of his best for lay people. New Seeds of Contemplation is also very thought provoking and could be considered a companion volume. It also goes a bit deeper into some of the more existential and metaphysical aspects of living, but not in an esoteric way.

If you have an interest in Christian Mysticism in general, I also highly recommend Practical Mysticism by Evelyn Underhill. This is a great short introduction to Western Mysticism delivered in a very poetical style and that is geared to the average person looking for meaning in their lives.

This book was an amazing read for me the first time through. I have since read again and it continues to reveal insights into my life and relationship with God and to others. Thomas Merton is amazingly timeless and contemporary throughout. These are not abstract views of spirituality, but real and meaningful looks at a life of faith in the world, our world, today. Merton looks truthflly at how we relate to God and to each other in a world that is filled with noise and distractions. I highly reccomend this book to anyone who is honestly seeking to deepen their own interior spiritual life. Merton is a man of our times, understanding the depths and treasures of faith as well as the pitfalls of our humanity. This book will help you to believe that goodness is very possible and that being a spiritual person is possible while living in the world. Merton shows that the religious life is not just for priests, monks and nuns, which is very compatible with the John Paul II vision that all lives lived in faith can be a vocation.

This hardcover is very nice as it is linen bound with a gold ribbon marker. Chapters are broken up into numbered segments, making it possible to read a little each day and to find favorite sections.

"No Man is an Island" is a spiritually moving set of essays--or meditations, rather--that address many issues but ultimately center on our relationship with God, with each other, and with ourselves. Having read only a little of Merton, I found this book somewhat more straightforward and prosaic compared to a later work of his, "The New Man", and he gets a tad dogmatic in spots (well, he is ordained, so he has a license to do so, fair enough)--I was reminded of some of the more trenchant passages in "The Seven Storey Mountain" before he'd mellowed out a bit. And yet Merton's characteristic mix of simplicity and profundity, his fine-tuned mystic's sense of paradox, and his ability to take Catholic teachings and breathe new life into them are all here in full; indeed, in many ways this book would serve very well as a Catholic Monastic statement of what life's all about, spoken in Merton's gentle conversational tones at once calm and serious, critical of the shallow aspects of modernity while articulated in a manner that speaks eloquently to modern people. I have no doubt that this book should appeal to readers who profess Christianity as their religion, but I also think that many non-Christians (such as myself) will find much here that is inspiring and spiritually enlightening.

Every adjective title used to describe this book in the reviews so far i have found to be true.

"The truth i must love in my brother is God Himself, living in Him."
excerpt from this book (Thomas Merton "No Man is an Island"

Reading just that line is enough to contemplate for some while.

I found i had to read small sectionsm and re read to gain fuller meaning
because some concepts are difficult to grapple with, but grapple with them.
I will re read this book many times over throughout my life. It strikes richly at the core of Catholic teaching, its value universal for everyone.
Its a celebration of God and his creatures, it affirms the truth of His love as His gift living in us, for us also to share, for it is not ours to keep selfishly.

While this is certainly not one of my favorite Thomas Merton works, I do find that its format and style facilitate a prayerful experience.

With its individual sections of thought, this book is great to read in parts. I found it wonderfully useful in sections read before community prayer in the chapel. It might be good for someone looking for spiritual reading but who does not have a lot of time to spare.

Not only does Michelle McKinney Hammond tell about and how to handle the feminine mystique, but how to use it glorify God and not for selfish gain. The Strength of Vulnerability is the best chapter to me. Learning how not to react to men but respond to God's voice. All women should read this book.

Michelle explains how to be effective while not conforming to the world as it is today and not using the old feminine whiles of manipulation. The book was a joy to read.

This book is wonderful. The author reinforces that we are not weird to want to be feminine. As expemplified in the Bible women have a tremendous power in their femininity and as someone that is happy to be a woman, I found this a very enjoyable read. I also strongly reccommend this book to those that ? the strenght of allowing the doors to be open & acting & being treated as a feminine being. This will give you a new outlook on that. Being feminine does not make you a mental weakling, but when used under God's wisdom it is a momumental force. I Highly reccommend for all females of all ages! I also recommend for men & women alike Ms Hammond's book Where are you God.

In this day and age of the feminist movement, this book is a refreshing breath of air. It reinstates the power we have as women IF we will operate in the role that God ordained us to walk in. As usual, Michelle's humor helps get her point across in such a way that it finds a lodging place in the heart. Once we as women realize just how "special" we are, look out! We are WOMEN, God's special creation, and we roar because of the power of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

This is definitely a must read for the Christian woman whether single or married. As a single woman in my twenties, this book has really opened my eyes to the power that I have. I especially loved that part of the book where Michelle wrote of the damage we can inflict to the devil's plans when we go down in prayer. I have a stronger desire more than ever to really seek God in prayer for changes not only in my life, but in the lives of my family and friends. Read it -- you'll be blest!

I have been using Dr. Ted Roberts book Pure Desire every since the first week we started sex addiction ministry. Dr. Roberts through his own experience and expertise wrote a book that explains exactly what is going on in a sex addicts life. I've heard remarks like: "It's like he is reading my mail when I read this book" or "this book has help me understand I'm not crazy or alone in my struggle". We require this book for all of our men who attend our recovery groups and I highly recommend it to everyone who thinks they may have a problem with sex addiction.

Much needed information to help men and women to get out from under the bondage of pornography. A real problem in the family, husband & wife relationship, in the community, and in the individuals own moral, character, and mental health issues. A must read for everyone. For those trapped and for those who can help the trapped. It is written well. Informative, funny, interesting, and easy to read. It's hard to put down. Ted's transparentcy is the center of the success of this book. His openness is healing to those who need it most.

I love it when an author addresses issues that are rarely talked about, especially issued that are rarely talked about in church.

The thought life is the most private and secret area in our entire being. Unless you decide to reveal all that is in your mind, no one is going to know what lies behind the curtain. Yet it is right behind that curtain where most of the pain and damage begins.

Roberts boldly reveals the struggles he has had with sexual immorality, laying the foundation of his connectedness with more than half of the rest world. He does a great job at introducing possible ways of dealing with the skeletons in our closests and help bring them to the light of God for deliverence and healing.

Also recommend: "I'm Bored with Christianity" by Derrick Engoy

This book is more than just about sex. It is very rich for men and women to read. It addresses issues of relationships with family and with God and how that relates to disfunction in sex and other addictions. We have read quite a few books like this and it is by far the best.

Ted's personal experiences both in his struggle with sex addiction and in his career as a pilot provide a compelling unity to this book. He has a passion for helping the many people who struggle with this problem, but who are not receiving the help where they should be receiving it -- from their churches, who have the truth of the Bible, but often don't focus it in this area.

The book has a dual-fold purpose. Foremost, to help the person caught in the bondage of sex addiction. Secondly, to sound a "wake-up call" to churches who are letting these persons slip through the cracks. It is effective on both counts, though I think Roberts sometimes tries to address both simultaneously, and would be better off focusing on the sex addicts as his primary audience, then addressing the churches in dedicated chapters toward the end.

It is an easy read -- he writes in a conversational and "story telling" manner. He uses humor frequently and in good taste to help break the tension of a tough subject. There are also some helpful chapters from his wife offering her perspective on what it's like to heal along with her husband.

I've read many books on the subject, starting with SLAA's big book, the SA white book, and Christian books such as Every Man's Battle (Arterburn and Stoecker), Faithful and Tree (Laaser), Not Even a Hint (Harris), and the Purity Principle (Alcorn). I found something helpful in all of them, but Roberts' is one of the best. It has the "empathy" of the secular 12-step "big book" literature on sex addiction, but goes beyond self-defined bottom lines and "God as I understand him" to a much more Biblically grounded faith and vision.

I got a hold of this book while feeling isolated. I spend a lot of with both Christian and non-Christian groups.

But sometimes it could still feel extremely lonely with your core beliefs and values. Many times i was on the way to give in to the girls who were more than willing to give themselves to me. I couldn't believe that I was falling for the proverbial, "everyone is doing it Ian, why can't you dummy?!"

This is where the book saved me.

It gave me the validation that:

1) I am not a special case. Years and years ago, there have already been the temptations I am facing now. They have the same red blood running through them. They did not give in.

2) It taught me how to love a woman. The real way. I thought i knew. I didn't. It gave me a higher standard.

3) We are a generation that has forgotten the Beautiful music that Delayed Gratification brings. Elizabeth Elliot and Jim Elliot showed us how it felt again. It is exhilarating reading their love. I am sure that is the case whether you're a Christian or not. A tree riped mango tastes good no matter whom's taste buds it's in.

I plan on reading this book cover to cover to my 2 yr old niece when she gets to 'that' point

If you're looking for a book about Elisabeth Elliot's personal quest for love, then this text is not what you are looking for. Quest for love is a compilation of stories and excerpts about those who are now in the Faith who have searched for love at some point in the breadth of their lives. Not all the stories end happily in a romantic sense, and not all of them are model relationships. They are all real however, and Elliot leaves us with a bit of observation and application at the end of every chapter.

If you've read my other review under the book Passion and Purity, then you know that I really do enjoy reading about other peoples' lives. I sincerely want to stress the fact that the examples given to us in this book are not all great examples of what a godly relationship ought to be. In my opinion, Elisabeth Elliot has done a great job in giving us glimpses in not-so-exemplary relationships so that we might learn from other peoples mistakes. What you see here is a lot of life testimony regarding the pain and personal anguish that results in a broken world through the means of human relationships.

Elisabeth Elliot puts forth challenging questions and the occasional quotation of scripture. She offers insightful observations of what may or may not have been done correctly in a relationship. She also offers insight into situations in life that may not result in relationships at all. It's a pretty well rounded book, and it doesn't glamourize Christian relationships, nor does it assume that all Christian relationships are okay. You see some very destructive and painful occurences in here, and it is absolutely worth the read.

I guess the only reason that I gave the book four stars is because I wish that there were more letters from those who God chose to remain single. Love doesn't always have to be relegated to human relationships as the triune God is a very lovable and relational person. I'd give this book a 4.5 if I could, but we live in a broken world, so nothing is ever perfect;-).

This book is great for helping you find real stories of encouragement with Letting God be your Guide. This will help you see that you should let your relationships into Gods hands and let him be the only one to guide you into the RIGHT relationship for you.

If you have read or are planning on reading "Passion and Purity" by Elizabeth Elliot, you NEED to purchse this book as well and read it with it. If you think that Elizabeth Elliot's standards are archaic and outdated (As she herself seems to imply people think they are), then read this book. "Quest for Love" will give clear examples of what it means to surrendur your love life to Christ. It is not about a strict set of "rules" and guidelines, but rather it is about a fluid relationship with Jesus Christ based upon the Bible.

One of my favorite stories was about the man who went to China as a missionary, but before he did he kept pursuing different women that he "felt" were the perfect match for him. It was wasn't until he was surrenduring his life to God and living in obedience by being a missionary to China, did he meet the woman who would become his wife. The other tale in here that I enjoyed was about God testing one man's patience and concept of God's timing. He was "ready" to get married when he was 22, but God kept saying no. He would date and try to find someone, but it didn't work. Finally he began handing it over to the Lord, and ten years later he met the woman who would be his wife, who was ten years younger than him!!! When he thought he was ready to get married, well, his wife wasn't!

I loved this book because through the stories and Elliot's narration, she teaches that singleness is a gift from God. We should not view it as a curse whether we are called to singleness for a life-time or for a season, but rather as an opportunity to grow in the Lord and into our God-given gifts. So, that we will not live to get married, but live in Christ. It is a beautiful thing to see a young or old man or woman surrenduring their life to Christ. Do not begrudge your state if you are single, marriage isn't a magic happiness pill, but harder work than you will ever bargain for. Enjoy your singleness and solitude while you have it. That is what this book is about, enjoying Christ in singleness so that if we marry, we can enjoy him in that too.

God Bless & *ENJOY* ~Amy

After reading "Passion and Purity" I couldn't wait to read her follow-up "Quest for Love." It was better than I expected. Her stories are touching and real. He advice is honest and straight forward. She approaches everything from a Biblical persepective, presenting undeniable truths. If you haven't read "Passion and Purity," I recommend that one first. "Quest for Love" is a fantastic book that you won't want to put down!

I've read all the reviews available for this Missal published by Angelus Press and all were very helpful in making me consider to buy this edition. The Missal was really handy and though it may be actually bigger in size from what a usual missal is I disagree with one reviewer that it is not easy to carry around; on the other hand it actually is very much comfortable to carry. Also I don't find it cheap to use a plastic like cover since it does look really fine with the Missal. Also I have no quips whatsoever to the imprimatur of the Missal given the imprimatur is that of the original edition since the Angelus edition copies the book in toto thus it doesn't loose its orthodoxy. I agree for the fact that it is the most complete missal available so far the laity. It has six of the Seven Sacraments plus a lot of blessings, prayers and devotions. The indexing of the Missal is also one thing to consider why this is the best edition so far. It was indexed in a way that it would really be easy for a laity find whatever he/she is looking for. The introduction and commentaries on the Mass and the liturgy and the abridgement of basics of the faith are not just extras which can be overlooked easily but an enriching part of the Missal that any laity could have. Truly this Missal can be a daily companion of every laity not just on the Mass.

This missal is a MUST for every Catholic who wants to learn about their faith and traditions. More than the mass, this book contains explanations of the mass, prayers of many saints, and prayers for baptism, death and so on.

I like reading of historical rules and guidelines and find the logic and common sense behind them. This book has the nine ways of being accessory to another's sin and then can be simplified to know why the religion is called Catholic. I think the traditions and prayers are great for english and latin. The only thing other I would have liked to own was the latin exorcism rites. But that maybe there best kept secret. Some prayers against evil and persecution are left unended with just ... I don't exactly know why that is but can only guess. Overall the book has many of the prayers of the church along with songs and all of the masses for each day of the year. It also explains the prayers and significance of easter tide, pentecost and so on.

The reissue of THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DAILY MISSAL (2007)is a milestone in the restoration of the Tridentine Mass. The Latin Missal is based in part on the Latin Missal produced in 1570 as a result of The Council of Trent (1545-1563). This Missal was used by millions of Catholics until the "reforms" of Vatican II (1963) and the issue of missals in English which largely replaced the Latin missals.

This Missal has good organization and clear explanations. The table of contents and index make location of Masses, Litanies,Novenas,Votive Masses,etc. easy to locate. The Liturgical Calendar of Movable Feasts is dated until the year 2050 which makes this Missal useful for at least another 42 years.

Another useful feature of this Missal is the Litanies to St. Mary, Christ, St. Joseph, etc. The Litany of the Saints is complete, and as much as possible this Missal has recently canonized saints listed on their feast days. Many readers probably know that that certain feast days include different saints which can conflict with the proper celebration of their feast days. There are explanations for this in this Missal.

The Ordinary of the Mass is highlighted in black and red print with Latin and accurate translations into English. Those who may remember when the Latin Mass was celebrated regularly may recall much of the Latin. Those studying Latin will find this Missal a handy guide to examine how good their Latin is. As an aside, this reviewer's Latin is not good, and he appreciates the clearly written translations.

The Proper of the Saints used in this Missal has a brief but informative history of both well known and lesser known men and women who have been canonized as saints. The concept that the Catholic Church was built on the Martyrdom of Her saints is made clear in the feast days and the number of martyrs in the first 300 to 400 years of the history of the Catholic Church. The blessings and readings of the Mass and special feast days are again in both Latin and English.

Those who like to contemplate the masses, prayers, etc. will find this Missal useful. There are special prayers and biblical readings for every day of the year. This Missal has the Mass for each day of the year with a listing of movable feasts. The index and table of contents offer convenient guides to help the faithful which needs to be reemphasized.

On page 1900, the chants (Gregorian Chant for example)of the Catholic Mass are available with the Latin and musical notations. The Latin Mass was orginally celebrated by chanting based mostly on Gregorian Chant. Readers should know that Gregorian Chant and the other chants used by monks and priests were the basis of Classical Music. Readers who have a love of Gregorian Chant and Classical music would appreciate this part of the Missal.

The ROMAN CATHOLIC DAILY MISSAL is based mostly on the Latin Missal sanctioned at the Council of Trent and was first issued in 1570. Those who argue that the Latin Missal is not that old have not studied history very closely. The Latin Missal sanctioned in 1570 was based on the Latin Missal(s)that were at least a thousand years old. The Trent Missal has a long history behind is publication.

This reviwer highly recommends the ROMAN CATHOLIC DAILY MISSAL. Traditional Catholics will enjoy and appreciate this Missal. Readers should know that Prof. Thomas Woods wrote a book titled SACRED THEN AND SACRED NOW which is a good companion volume to this Missal. Prof. Woods has an useful guide and listing of web sites that will enhance the enjoyment and use of the ROMAN CATHOLIC DAILY MISSAL.

I don't want to repeat what others already have said, let me just say that this beautiful and reverent Missal and the fortunate circumstance of having a local parish that celebrates the Tridentine Mass less than 2 miles from my home, were instrumental my actively returning to the Church after a forty five year absence.

Having being raised in the Church, I was one of those Roman Catholics who felt betrayed by the changes in the Mass even at the ripe old age of 15! The Latin Rite had not changed appreciably in over 1,400 years and overnight it altered to such a degree that it more resembled a Protestant service, lots of "preaching", superficial glad handing around, and little introspective or meditative atmosphere. In the Latin Mass you feel united through the silence and the focus and concentration of the congregation.

I had forgotten how the terseness and economy of Latin is such a perfect vehicle for the Liturgy; the mystical nature of the Mass is so much more meaningfully conveyed. And there is the added attribute that Latin, being a so-called "dead" language, is not subject to the gradual changes in connotative and denotative word meanings which occur in spoken languages with the passage of time.

Check out any of the various websites that list local churches which serve a Tridentine Mass. If you are an old timer like me, the memories will rush back and perhaps you will find the tears hard to resist. It is a weekly reminder at least for me, though its eternal beauty and form, that the old Roman Catholic Church is the most spiritually complete, intellectually satisfying, beautiful and meaningful religion of all.

For those of you who have never seen a Latin Rite Mass, there are several on youtube and you might want to get a copy of the reprint of KNOW YOUR MASS offered from various Catholic websites. It is a an excellent introduction to aspects of the Mass of which many of you are unaware.

Nate Larkin has offered a very helpful addition to the library of resources for Christian men. His writing style is very engaging, and he is an excellent story-teller with a wonderful (if somewhat irreverent) sense of humor. Especially as a first-time author, I was most impressed and look forward to reading more from him in the future.

The first part of "Samson and the Pirate Monks" details Larkin's biography, including a host of honest admissions and even shocking incidents. The second part of the book describes the establishment of the Samson Society, a collection of gatherings of men across the country based loosely on the principles of 12-step recovery programs but infused with a substantial dose of Christian language and biblical wisdom.

Larkin's brutal honesty is most helpful and unfortunately rare in the church. His willingness to bear his soul and unveil some very dirty laundry in such a public forum is commendable. This passion for candor propels many of the mandates of the Samson Societies. I also appreciated healthy doses of humility peppered throughout the book.

My critiques of this book are two-fold and relatively minor. On some level, it felt like some sort of subtle sales-pitch for the Samson Society, especially the second half of the book. Ironically, Samson Societies have no budgets and collect no fees, so the motivation clearly isn't monetary. But I am always uncomfortable when an author goes beyond sharing their successes and begins to prescribe the exact solution for everyone else's woes. My second criticism is the tendency of Larkin and other contributing authors to carelessly discredit the validity of any previous installments of the modern men's movement as utterly useless. Though I do believe that the Samson Society has captured some helpful elements of relating as men that have been sorely missing in many men's gatherings, this does not mean that these other gatherings have been devoid of value, which is never explicitly stated but frequently implied.

These critiques notwithstanding, I am glad to have read this book. Larkin shares struggles that many men have surely endured, and he offers many insightful suggestions to walk through these issues in the light of God's grace, in Christian community with other broken men who want to more fully experience the life that God planned for them. Though I'm not yet convinced that forming my own Samson Society is the only answer, I do hope to apply some of Larkin's ideas to my own life and pursue more meaningful relationships with other Christian men, confident that God has much more in store than so many of us are experiencing.

This is a five star book for guys in and out of recovery. A must read for all Christian men serious about their spiritual future.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3BWAKYMZ3VMJW It's great to share more words about this book, but the book is about translation from the head to the heard -- to the butt that gets hauled from isolated pain to shared healing, and that gets hauled by other people, real people. I'm one of those broken people, and I'm experiencing the joy of recovery in community. So here's the real me talking about it. ~ Pete Gall, author of My Beautiful Idol

I ordered this book after reading an article in Christianity Today. I expected a book about how men can deal with their personal struggles. What I didn't expect was how brutally honest Nate Larkin is in this book as to his own struggles, and how he found freedom. In this book you will laugh, you will identify, and finally find hope.

Read this book and could not put it down. Nate's got the gift of connecting with nearly everyone. The stories and the lessons will resonate with 90% of the men who read it.

Cannot recommend this higher

I've read my share of books on Mormonism over the years, having found myself living among the LDS for six years. Looking at their religion forces you to consider what it is about Christianity that makes it distinctly "Christian", and I found the historic Christian faith to be richer and more intensely beautiful than I had formerly known it to be. This book explains the differences.
I have several wonderful Mormon friends and they believe with their whole LIVES that Joseph Smith really was a prophet. They are neither stupid or particularly gullible. I do believe that they are LOST, something Christians should more readily keep in mind. So many books on Mormonism seem to center on efforts to belittle Mormons and their beliefs. This book does neither. It will help you to think of Mormonism as a kind of "spiritual Titanic"...looks like an unsinkable ocean liner...plush, comfortable, but it won't get you to other shore. This book gently reaches out with "rowboat"-style truth. Pay special attention to the portion about "defining terms". The LDS and Christians often share a surface vocabulary but you'll quickly find that certain terms like "grace" and "salvation" mean totally different things to each.
Buy this book, in fact, buy two copies. Give one to your public library.

This is an excellent book for anyone who may not fully understand or are curious about the fundamental Mormon beliefs. The author, then in turn, shows compassionate and thought provoking methods for sharing the truth of the gospel of Jesus with Mormons. Highly recommend!!

There are any number of books that cover the religion of Mormonism, but Cares' is one of the best. He deals with pertinent issues that don't fly over the average layperson's head. In addition he provides specific references that anyone can write into their Bibles (along with other LDS scriptures) in order to become efficient in sharing one's faith. Cares' attitude of "sharing in love" is also appreciated, as it is evident that he has no bone to pick or desires an "anti-Mormon" label. I have only two minor complaints. 1) There are a number of grammatical/ spelling/ layout errors that could easily be cleaned up with a good editor/ proofreader. 2) The book doesn't appear to be on a publisher's current list...this is a timeless piece that somebody ought to pick up. For Christians hoping to have a healthy dialogue with their LDS friends and neighbors, I suggest this as one of the books you purchase.

Over the past two years, my wife and I have read literally dozens of books about and from the LDS church. This is one of, if not the best I've read.

I appreciate Pastor Cares informative, yet sensitive approach-emphasizing both knowledge and compassion for friends, neighbors and even family members in the LDS church. While many Mormons are great, moral and upright people, they are in bondage to a religious system that demands perfection. Therefore, I also appreciate his caution not to argue theology, especially by "Majoring in the minors," but to share our witness as Christians in God's Law (those demands for perfection that can never be met) and Gospel (God's perfecting unconditional love-grace- in Jesus that has made us perfect by his life, death and resurrection).

I highly recommend this book to any one who either wants to know more about their neighbors' faith. I especially recommend this book to those who wish to go further and share the hope that is within them in the Good News of Jesus Christ.

This book was SO eye-opening. I've read about 10 other Mormonism analysis books and I've had discussions with Mormons for over six months. This one is definitely the best book on the subject.

This book changed everything for me. My eyes were suddenly opened to the idea that I was approaching witnessing entirely wrong. I was getting bogged down with logic and minutia and taking my focus away from Christ. Clearly, that's how our discussions should focus, as with any Christian witness. I still pray for those Mormon boys that I had discussions with, and wish I had it to do over again, knowing what I do now. This book was an emotional read for me.

Of course, it's good to be prepared by knowing how Mormons think. They have different different definitions of generally accepted Christian words, so right away we're speaking a different language. Simple words -- like salvation, sin, heaven, eternal life -- have very differnt meanings under Mormonism. This book will enlighten you on those, and others.

Other books have more information about Mormon beliefs and more details and more rebuttals to their arguments, but this one gives you the best ammunition. Don't tear down a Mormon and leave them with nothing to believe in. Focus on Christ, and him crucified.

Have read many books on leadership. This one tops them all. Useful at home as well as at work. Focuses on who's vision we are really following.

This is one of the best books on leadership today. It teaches leaders at every level how to get Christians from focusing on a personal agenda to getting on God's agenda. One of the best books on leadership ever written. I use it for small group leadership training.

Henry and Richard Blackaby (father and son) are leaders the Southern Baptist denomination, with leadership demonstrated in the business and academic realms respectively. "Spiritual Leadership" is an attempt to tempter the current crop of leadership books, which focus on the American concept of rugged individualism and creating vision. Blackaby and Blackaby, in "Spiritual Leadership" recognize the practical wisdom contained in such books, yet seek to ground their arguments in the foundational concepts of service to Christ and fervent prayer.

Indeed, prayer and submission to God are the central elements around with the rest of the book turns. The authors argue that "creating a vision" and reliance upon human wisdom are foreign concepts Biblical teachings on leadership. They argue that man does not determine his own paths, but rather God prepares activities for his servants, works through them to accomplish these tasks, and then follows up to produce the success (defined by God himself) of the endeavor. To determine what this pre-determined activity is, Blackaby and Blackaby argue that prayer is essential.

The message is simple--seek God's will in strengthening your faith, in your major life decisions, and even in your day-to-day activities through prayer, then (once God's will is determined) humble yourself and faithfully carry out that will. Yet, the message is not simplistic. The authors present the concept thoroughly, addressing growing prayer life and leadership style; showing what spiritual leadership is and is not; addressing short-term issues and long-term ones; showing how this style of leadership plays out in a variety of settings; and providing pastoral encouragement. Although the simple message is consistent, the book never becomes repetitive or boring; rather the prose is fresh and stimulating throughout.

Now, I must admit skepticism based on certain doctrinal and practical principles. On the doctrinal side, I confess my belief that God communicates and communes with man through means--Scripture and Sacraments. On the practical side, I fear that people will simply imagine that God is "telling" them what they want to hear anyway--that is, that people will ascribe to God their man-centered ideas.

Although I still believe both hold water, I decided to follow Blackaby and Blackaby's advice and pray more fervently in the way they recommend to see if any change comes about. Indeed it had. Consistently praying (both prayers common to the church like the Lord's Prayer, Luther's Morning Prayer, and the weekly collects as well as idiosyncratic prayers), I found that my perceived connection to God strengthened, stress reduced, major decisions made with a strong sense of peace as I acknowledged God's direction, and even new, exciting opportunities presented.

While I would have liked to see this book focus a little more on holistic spirituality (e.g. the role of worship, daily Bible reading, Sacraments, etc) in the thorough way they presented holistic leadership, the fact remains that "Spiritual Leadership" is a positive, paradigm-changing book. This is true on the intellectual level (faithful servant versus rugged individual paradigms) and the spirituality level (my spirituality has deepened as a result of following the advice of the book).

How the arguments of "Spiritual Leadership" will play out in my life beyond the month trial or how my opinion of the book will shift as I increase in my understanding of prayer remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the command of our Lord to pray fervently remains, and Blackaby and Blackaby do a great service in showing how this command can be practically lived in a variety of situations.

The Blackablys have done a thorough job in researching and summarizing today's secular leadership teaching then contrasting it with spiritual leadership. They point out that many of the principles of secular leadership are of value but the underlying principle of spiritual leadership that differs from secular leadership is that we are to seek God's agenda and not our own. To make their point, early in the book they discuss Jesus as the model for spiritual leadership. Jesus, the very Son of God, did not seek His own agenda, but rather spent hours in prayer to align himself with God's agenda.

The Blackabys also do a great job teaching that spritual leadership is not just for leaders in the church. Spiritual leadership is also required of Christians that are in secular leadership roles. They give us many examples of US Presidents as well as military and corporate leaders that have aligned themselves to God's agenda and have been effective.

We are living in a world that is growing in complexity and the demands on leadership are ever increasing. The Blackabys have shown what an advantage spiritual leaders have in being able to align ourselves to the agenda of a wise and loving God rather than attempting to create our own agenda.

I found this book very engaging and was able to read through it without multiple pickups. By this I mean, that I didn't put it down for a few weeks and then pick it up again. Instead, I read through it in about four days. Overall, the book was very good. The only area I would have liked to have seen greater depth was in the decision making process. This was one of the shorter chapters and I felt the authors could have gone a little deeper here.

From a Christian perspective on leadership, this book would definitely be in my top five choices along with The Revolutionary Communicator, The Book on Leadership, Lead Like Jesus, and Christian Reflections on the Leadership Challenge. These other four are fine reads as well.

The Weeping Chamber was one of my first Christian fiction reads. And it surprised me. This genre is very A-typical. But this book takes you on a historic journey with enough weight and mystery to keep you turning the pages. I liked everything about it, especially when the past becomes unraveled and we see the pain our character is hiding. I've loved this book for 10 years and still do.

THIS BOOK IS VERY WELL WRITTEN. I LIKE THE MAIN CHARACTER BECAUSE HE IS HUMBLE AND DOWN TO EARTH. JESUS IS VERY WELL DISPLAYED. YOU WANT TO STEP INTO THE BOOK AND MEET THESE CHARACTERS. SCRIPTURE IS PLAYED OUT PERFECTLY.

For years, I've enjoyed Brouwer's mysteries and thrillers. His prose is tight, and he creates memorable characters. I picked up "The Weeping Chamber" wondering if his style would be complimentary to a historical novel. I expected it to be a bit more religious in tone than his previous work, and worried that I might not enjoy it as much.

I should've known better.

As always, Brouwer refuses to fit into preachy boxes. Yes, this is a beautifully written and researched book. It never feels heavy-handed in its details, and yet it feels utterly believable, breathable. Even better, though, it deals with very human struggles. We meet a man named Simeon, who has faced personal grief and resulting guilt. He's lost a child, and his marriage is estranged. Cautious in nature, he's not sure what to think of this new "miracle worker" from Nazareth. Is this man insane, or is he truly God's Son? Soon, Simeon is caught up in the intrigues of those last days of Jesus' life, even intersecting in an unexpected way.

If you want a book that captures the feel of Israel in Jesus' day, and if you want a book that makes those days seem as humanly pregnant with emotion and struggle, then you owe it to yourself to pick up "The Weeping Chamber."

I keep a list of books that have made a strong and marked impact on my life, and this book is very near the top of the list. I found this book in a catalogue and started reading it without any expectations of greatness, but this book made a large impact on my life. Weaving the familiar story of Christ into a person's life, Brouwer threads the pages with truth about God and His love and power. It is not a fast-paced book, but an almost relaxing read. Of course, there are plots turns that will keep your attention, but the soothing way the words flow as you read of the struggles of Simeon is beautiful. I have read this book many times, and I still love it.

This is a great novel--and I'm not too much of a novel reader. I could tell you about the story, but you can read the comments provided by Amazon to get that. I don't have anything else to add to that part. I write the review not to tell you the story, but to tell you that it's a great novel.

I picked this up off a 2-dollar shelf or something--I assure you that this is not the kind of book I would look at and say "Mmmm...now THAT looks interesting." Rather, it is more likely that I would look at this book and think "Mmph...not for me." In retrospect, it is quite remarkable that I bought it at all--regardless of the low price.

So, since I now had the book, I might as well read it, right? So I did. In two days. I don't think I put it down when I had free time. The book is such an easy read, and very entertaining. I was truly impressed by the book. I guess it is one of those books I could call "heartwarming," or "precious." Believe me, coming from a guy, that's quite a compliment (winks). I think I even teared up at the end. Again--coming from a guy, that's kinda impressive, don't you think?

I'm sure the girls are ready to buy it now...just because it made a guy cry...

But guys--don't be turned off becuase I used patty-cake terminology like "precious" to describe this book. It's a great book. It's an entertaining read. It's captivating. It's interesting. It's good. It's not a long book, and I'm pretty sure that if you pick it up, you won't put it down...at least not until you finish it (or it makes you cry too).

Great book.

Rabbi Harold Kushner is best known for his book When Bad Things Happen to Good People, but this work is in my judgment his greatest contribution to the philosophy of the spiritual life, Kushner's pièce de résistance. Using my favorite Hebrew Bible text, Ecclesiastes, as a springboard, Rabbi Kushner writes about the "ultimate thirst of our souls": the need for "meaning," for "the sense that we have figured out how to live so that our lives matter." Rabbi Kushner offers readers his wisdom -- born out of years of study, struggle and life experience -- about how to live a life that matters.

READ this BOOK! Rabbi Kushner hits on so many relevant and pertinent topics that you will be amazed how you see yourself in the anedotes and examples used to illustrate Kushner's point. Rabbi Kushner uses the Old Testament story of Ecclesiastes to illustrate how man's search for happiness is eternal and not unique. I could not believe how similar Ecclesiaste's view on life and search for happiness are so similar to my own. I found myself stopping on many occasions and telling my wife "READ THIS!"
I have been on a self-help book crusade for the past several months. Reading a bunch of these books have helped in finding some understanding to the search for happiness I have been after. After each book, I can say one or two of the points explained in the book have made sense and have some good practical applications to dealing with everyday situations that arise in my life. Kushner's book is by the far the best. He gives you straightforward and understandable examples of the negative behavior that conflict in man's search for happiness.
From the opening pages Kushner had me! He hits the nail on the head when he says the lines "If you ask anybody what is more imporant - work or family? - without a doubt they answer family. But then ask them how much time they spend away from family by putting work ahead of family and making work more important than family obligations." (paraphrased) He has many of these observations that help the reader get some insight into how destructive these behaviors are towards our supposed goal of happiness. I highly, highly recommend this book - READ this BOOK!

A great book and one the everyone should read at some time in their lives!

Thanks again for getting me the book so fast and in such good condition!

Gary

A thoughtful, spiritual examination of why fame and fortune do not produce happiness, and why "average" and "successful" people often feel emptiness in their lives. Many brief anecdotes are used to illustrate the author's observations, which are linked to the book of Ecclesiastes.
Read by the author. You will read (or listen to) this more than once!

Kushner is a sage and this book is a classic. As always Kushner's knits together wonderful stories, quotes, and historical observations that are always on the mark and move his thoughts forward. The disease that plagues our age is overconsumption and Kushner invites the reader to step away from the table of materialism and instead search out the things that really matter.