Religion and Spirituality Books

Forget about the infamous volume presumptuously entitled "Catholicism" by Richard McBrien of Notre Dame that distorts the faith. Scott's book gives you a real guide to Catholicism. He doesn't get bogged down in polemics and argumentative apologetics. He presents the Catholic faith as a whole in its passionate urgency about our destiny and the destiny of the world. Scott accurately presents Catholic teaching. He is orthodox. In addition, Scott sprinkles the book with quotations from great Catholics and from the Scriptures so that you are exposed to the best. For non-Catholics, the book is a great overview of Catholicism. Catholics should not hesitate to give this book to non-Catholics and to those entering RCIA. Long-time Catholics will also do well to read it to remind themselves of what they may have forgotten or taken for granted.

No politics or triumphalism here, not even much that 'cradle Catholics' won't recognize, just essentials of our relationship with God, expressed with simplicity and great beauty. The author says right off that this will not be a rehash of technical catechism, and keeps his word. This is not a sterile legalistic text, and doesn't deal in negatives. This is a 100% positive living account, drawn from the lives of real people, from 1st-century martyrs to Eugene O'Neill and Dorothy Day. A work of love, of beauty and calm spirituality, it brought me peace. Highly recommended.

David Scott is interested in Catholicism as made vividly manifest by artists, poets, and saints. In "The Catholic Passion," he seeks to get to the romantic, dramatic, visionary, vibrant core of Catholicism, in all its cultural manifestations. It's a rewarding and rewarded effort.

This book takes as its starting point Chesterton's assertion that the most perilous and exciting path is not heresy but Christian orthodoxy. Scott is not interested in detailing doctrine and dogma, but in dramatizing and fleshing out the faith as it is embodied and lived out in the Church. Scott tells stories of people such as Blessed Charles de Foucauld, Dorothy Day, Francis Thompson, Eugene O'Neill, and St. Catherine of Genoa. Certainly not all are saints -- some are not even believers. But all stories lead the reader to an intimation of what it is that draws so many of us to the Church.

The "passion" of the title is a word that evokes romance, suffering, and engagement. Scott shows us how this passion is a part of life as lived, with a voice that is committed and honest. His words give us not a set of catechetical propositions, but a body, a corpus of Catholicism that is set before the eye of the reader. If you get a chance, pick it up -- it's an excellent, enjoyable, nourishing read.

David Scott has written a very capable introduction to the Catholic faith without, as he says, quoting dogmatic documents or church law. Instead, Scott writes practically and biblically (not to be understood in a "preachy" manner) in presenting the Catholic faith.

This books makes an excellent companion to Thomas Howard's *On Being Catholic* (Ignatius Press).

Roman Catholic or Byztanine (Eastern Rite) Catholic ... it is as true as the statement that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree ... anyone who has diverged from their original Catholic upbringing and perhaps seek to integrate early spiritual lessons with their adult selves ...would find this a very helpful guidance back into the fold. All roads do lead to Rome.

This is a great, thought-provoking book, as other reviewers have noted, and should be read by everyone who is trying to live the gospel. We read it as a family; even teens aren't too young to grasp and discuss the ideas especially if facilitated by parents or other adults. A good gift for a college student or young adult, or any (reading) Christian for that matter.

This book has been a blessing to read. Foster came through as simple, and yet profound in his writing style; there was ample references to scripture, and Foster brings modern times into perspective with long held biblical spirituality; I plan to reread this book over again.

I have read the Chinese translation of the book. In fact, the translation is sold in a set of three different books. I have read them at different times. It provides direct and biblical insights into how Christians should view money, sex and power. Richard's writing is succinct. If you want to dive further into a topic, a rather extensive bibliography is provided.

PLOT: Money, Sex, & Power, these are the three big temptations of church leadership. The early monks battled these with vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Protestants today are more likely to use the tools of simplicity, fidelity, and servanthood. Foster does an excellent job exploring these three dangerous areas.

POSITIVES: Foster draws from Scripture, other authors, and his own excellent understanding of theology. This is a book I find myself coming back to again and again.

PROBLEMS: Foster is given to strong statements. I didn't agree with all of them. I found myself highlighting certain passages and writing notes of praise. I found myself highlighting other passages and disagreeing with them. This is not a problem for me. I often interact with the books I read and sometimes go back years later and interact with my own notes as I wrestle with myself. But this could be a problem with some readers, who either feel they have a handle on theology or are threatened by ideas they disagree with. Let the buyer beware.

I think this is one of the best books on the difficulty of living in a society driven by money, power, consumerism, sex and continual change.

Foster has a compassionate, realistic view of what life is really like and how to deal with it. His opening chapter, Money, Sex and Power in Christian Perspective lays out the focus of the book - it is difficult to walk the walk. He isn't focusing on the external morality of ethical behavior, but on the social implications. He offers historical views of attitudes on money, sex and power, and divides the books into sections that focus on each issue.

In a small section titled "When Good Things Go Bad," he says, "There is, of course, a proper place in Christian life and experience for money, sex, and power. When properly placed and effectively functioning, they have the ability as nothing else does to enhance and bless life." He goes on to identify what the problem is in each area -the demon in money is greed; the demon in sex is lust; the demon in power is pride. And he tells us that these really are not matters we can be neutral about in hopes that they will disappear - if we ignore them, we will be dominated by them.

How do we avoid be controlled by our own desires, instead of controlling them to our own advantage? In the Power area, Foster suggests that we face the demons within, instead of projecting them on others. In addition, he suggests that we stop trying to manage and control others, and focus on our own spiritual powers.

Foster manages to be 'proper' without being unrealistically 'prim.' Whether read by fundamentalist Christians, small "c" christians, or Buddhists, this book gives food for thought. Agnostics, athiests and many free spirits will be turned off by references to the Bible and the focus on Jesus.

I used to think you had to agree with everything you read in a book, to find it of any use. There are parts of this book I don't agree with, but I took what was helpful, and left the rest. Those who keep an open mind will find that this is not a dogmatic, preaching book, but one that will make you think.

I am glad this book gives tribute to people who knew Christ.

In honour of unspoken mystics (persons in whom Christ has revealed mysteries above human understanding) throughout the ages,I would like to add that the world at the present time knows very little about millions of mystics who existed through the centuries and the ones that exist today. We will all be suprised when we find out the stories and beliefs of the millions upon millions who were touched by Christ in this world.

Technology offers the attraction for hot new inventions, and these can even seduce our nature into accepting change for changes's sake. And confronted with secular pretense and it is easy to miss the subtleness of mystical experience altogether. Ursula King's "The Christian Mystics" provides an account of this other activity that is possible to miss. But the alternative activity cannot be dismissed easily as King catalogues the life of numerous mystics, from early Christians (e.g., Clement of Alexandria, Origen) to those contemporary mystics (e.g., Simone Weil, Thomas Merton) .

King (page 15) writes: "All mysticism is characterized by a passion for unity. To the mystic, true Being and Ultimate Reality are One. This can be experienced as both impersonal and personal, as Ground of Being, Ultimate Source, Perfect Goodness, Eternal Wisdom, Devine Love, God, or the Godhead. This Reality contains, yet transcends, everything there is. It is the One whom all is lost and all is found." Mystics share the same experiences, and as these experiences are common they provide a level of validity that is not so easily ignored.

I must comment here. God is not found separate from God's creation, God is with us. The dualism that finds God apart from our world, either coming from theists or atheists, does not find support coming from mystical experience. I need only point to King. The situation is reversed from dualistic constraints, it is mysticism that is open to scientific investigation of a kind proposed by Wallace in "The Taboo of Subjectivity".

King (page 19) writes: "Of Great importance also is the concept of God who is not simply One, Ultimate Reality or the Absolute, but a personal Being who yet transcends all notions of personhood found among human beings by forming a community of persons with the mystery of the Trinity."

King (page 80) writes of Hildegard of Bingen: "She describes her visions in terms of light, speaks of mystical rapture and prophecies, and expresses her passionate desire for God with great intensity. Her visions are marked by brilliant colors, her descriptions by apophatic negations."

King (page 109) quotes Meister Eckhart: "The union of God with the soul is so great that it is scarcely to believe. And God is in himself so far above that no form of knowledge or desire can ever reach him... Desire is deep, immeasurably so. But nothing that the intellect can grasp and nothing that desire can desire is God. Where understanding and desire end, there is darkness and there God's radiance begins."

King (pages 152-153) writes on St. Teresa of Avila: "For Teresa, mental prayer was the beginning of the path to new ways of understanding, to the tasting of deep mysteries of faith, which included the indwelling presence of the Trinity and of Jesus Christ in his humanity and divinity, as well as insights into sin and grace, the Church and the sacraments. Her visions were both spiritual and physical, and she eventually experienced the grace of perfect union with Christ so that she became inseparable from him `as when a little stream enters the sea'."

King (page 235) writes on Pierre Teilhard de Chardin: "As a child he had experienced a deep sense of oneness with nature, later followed by mystical experiences linked to `vast open spaces' of sea and desert, to the riches of fossil life and the vibrant energy of cosmic evolution. All these made him ecstatically perceive `that through all of nature I was immersed in God.' For him Jesus `comes to us clothed in the glory of the world.' "

Trinity finds agreement with the Advaitic experience. King (page 241) writes: "Swami Abhishiktananda's experience included the belief that there is an Advaitic dimension, an experience of deep, underlying unity, in Christianity itself which must be recovered." On page (242): "He realized a profoundly personal synthesis of Hindu-Christian spirituality in his own life."

King (page 247) writes: "Reading the stories of past Christian mystics, it is remarkable how often mystical experiences of union and communion occur through intimate contact with nature, with the haunting beauty of its myriad forms of life. Hildegard of Bingen saw God's fiery essence in the beautiful meadows and waters, the blossoms, fruits and breeze, but also the sun, moon and starts, whereas Fracis of Assis spoke to the animals and praised Brother Sun."

King (page 248) writes on the basic message of all mystics: "Divine radiance, light and life suffuse all there is. It is for us to accept this, and just let be or, in the words of the Christian mystics, to conform our will to God's will."

Disclosure: My agenda is declared in my profile.

Writing a book on the history of Christian mysticism would be a daunting task for any historian, because everyone is looking for something different. This book delivers neat, concise and well written mini biographies of the famous and infamous mystics of ancient, Western, Eastern and modern Christianity. Each installment gives you enough information to get you interested to study further, but not too much to make you bored. I recommend this book for all levels of mature readers.

Ursula King is a professor of theology at the University of Bristol in England. She is the right person to tell the story of Christian mysticism. Ms. King writes with great clarity and the way she chooses to tell her tale is by giving us brief biographies of sixty mystics from the earliest centuries of Christianity down to the modern period.The list includes Origen, Hildegard of Bingen, St. Francis of Assisi,Theresa of Avila, Francis de Sales and Thomas Merton.

The biographies describe unique individuals who in most cases led extraordinary lives.Their experiences, however, can hardly be called uniform since there are so many different paths to mysticism.I recommend CHRISTIAN MYSTICS highly to anyone who enjoys inspirational reading.

A few months ago I became interested in the lives of the saints, and anyone else who shares a curiosity of them finds out fairly quickly that many of the more famous ones were mystics. I was pretty much an amateur in my knowledge of the topic and asked people who knew more about it than I did what *exactly* mysticism is, and very few people could give me a good definition---then I came across this book, and it did exactly that. But the great thing about Ursula King's "Christian Mystics" is that anyone could get use out of and learn from this book.

King starts by giving a foundation of how mysticism developed---starting at the very beginnings of Christianity as we know it, the political background of what caused the very first mystics to withdraw from society, and the proverbial "fathers" of mysticism. She follows in chronological order with the mystics of the early Christian church, then on into the medieval period, following a style of giving a concise and extremely informative biography of each specific mystic, and then smoothely making a connection to the next mystic, often a student or contemporary of the former. A lot of the most famous mystics are covered, as well as many of those of Protestantism and Eastern Orthodoxy. Although the title is "Christian Mysticism," you'll be getting much more out of the book than just that---a great basic history of Christianity and the world as it develops with each person, relevant devotional quotes and references to other works of the mystics that can further your studies into them and their writings, and a great and entertaining read all at the same time.

I've highlited the heck out of this book and come back to it for information on the people found inside it many times---it's an indispensable resource for the amateur and expert a like, you won't be disappointed having it in your library. The fun part is...finding out which of the many deserving categories you can put it under. Good luck.

Jim Kouzes en Barry Posner schreven in 2002 de bestseller The Leadership Challenge, 4th Edition , waarin ze 5 practices beschreven voor voorbeelding leiderschap:
1. model the way
2. inspire a shared vision
3. challenge the process
4. enable others to act
5. encourage the heart
In Christian Reflections on The Leadership Challenge graaft het duo, maar ook een aantal andere bekende christelijke schrijvers over leiderschap een spade dieper en reflecteren hun eigen geloof en observaties aan de practices. Het initiatief hiervoor kwam van John C. Maxwell (INJOY), gevolgd door Ken Blanchard (o.m. The One Minute Manager), Bill Bright, Kevin Myers, Nancy Ortberg en Andy Stanley. Na een introductie van de vijf practices door Kouzes en Posner pakken de anderen een practice bij de kop, diepen die uit met bijbelteksten, voorbeelden uit de christelijke praxis van kerk, gemeente, liefdadigheidsinstelling en bedrijfsleven. Vele mensen werden geïnterviewd, zodat een field guide for leaders ontstond. Christian Reflections ontnuchtert menig ingesleten paradigma van seculiere leiderschap-auteurs en brengt leiderschap terug naar haar joods/christelijke wortels.

I had to read this book for a class. I am glad that I did since it has been an amazing book. Great stories and a real easy read to help you understand the ways of being a leader.

Thanks for your great service. The book was delivered quickly and in excellent condition. I enjoyed doing business with you.

Having read and reread dozens of books on leadership, I've always found The Leadership Challenge to be among the best. I was certainly intrigued to see Christian Reflections on The Leadership Challenge and my curiosity paid off in a delightful read that contains both inspiring stories and introspective challenges.

As I read about the Willow Creek Axis group donating hundreds of pairs of shoes to the homeless in Chicago, I wept.

As I read about John Maxwell writing out his "I am what" so "I do what" which results in "what", I was challenged and did the same myself.

Having just read the book, 7 Triggers to Yes, I was inspired to read that, "Leaders keep hope alive... Hope is attitude in action." As 7 Triggers showed that inspiring hope is a powerful trigger used to influence and presuade and isn't that what leaders do.

The book is a quick read (one night for me), but I do believe that the reminders of the principles in The Leadership Challenge are excellent and the inspiration coming from these varied individuals is uplifting. I think you'll enjoy this book.

James Kouzes and Barry Posner are business professors at Santa Clara University, but are better known for authoring what has become a cornerstone in business and leadership theory: "The Leadership Challenge." The book has enjoyed numerous printings, leading to "Leadership Challenge" seminars, "Leadership Challenge" based consulting, and spin-off books on "the Leadership Challenge." "Christian Reflections on the Leadership Challenge" is a book that revisits the time-tested leadership paradigm, and features prominent practitioners of the Christian faith musing on what the five dimensions of leadership look like in a Christian context.

The book is divided into seven chapters. The first--and lengthiest--of the chapters is authored by Kouzes and Posner and is an introduction to "The Leadership Challenge" for those who have not read it. Yet, even thought the basics of the leadership paradigm are introduced, the faith component of leadership is heavily interwoven throughout this chapter. The examples of people who have successfully displayed a characteristic of successful leadership were all active in parish ministry, faith-based charities, or secular business-people whose faith influenced workplace decisions. This chapter was well-written and served as a valuable introduction to the remaining chapters.

Each of the following chapters is authored by a prominent Christian and gives his/her reflections on how a leadership skill and faith interplay. John Maxwell (former pastor and author of numerous leadership books) reflects on "Model the Way," the habit of (a) determining your own personal values and (b) aligning your actions to reflect those values. Maxwell provides a very well-structured chapter in which he demonstrates not only a thorough understanding of aligning values and action, but lays it out in such a way that it is clear that he has made the concept his own. Showing pastoral concern for the reader, Maxwell organizes his chapter around five objectives that will aid the reader in exploring his intrinsic values and how to allow these values to surface in the workplace.

The next chapter is authored by David McAllister-Wilson (president of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC) and concerns "Inspire a Shared Vision," the habit of (a) discovering your vision for the future and (b) communicating that vision in an inspiring way. For a well-respected academic, this reader was surprised at the abstract and emotional the chapter was written. Granted, the subject matter deals prominently with relationships and inspiration, but there was surprising little in the chapter that was concrete. Amidst musings on the personality of Jesus and anecdotes that went for the "you-had-me-at-hello-effect" were genuine gems of practical wisdom I wish McAllister-Wilson would've fleshed out more. Reading this chapter felt like a wasted opportunity to learn from one of the best; instead this reader felt "talked down to."

Next, Patrick Lencioni (businessman and author) illustrates what it means to "Challenge the Process," that is to (a) embrace changes to internal functioning and external opportunities and (b) experiment, risk failing, and learn from these events. Lencioni provides the best-written, most concise chapter of the book as he out-right challenges the reader to examine his motivations for leading, challenging processes, and intrinsic determination. He is not abusive toward the reader at all, but makes it clear that leadership is often sought out for the wrong reasons; the reader is advised to first see to it that pride is sufficiently restrained. Once it is, challenging the process is a natural by-product of passion and courage. Helpful illustrations of Lencioni's successes and failures in challenging the process illustrate larger points and make the author more relatable.

Following Lencioni, Nancy Ortberg (member of the pastoral staff at Willow Creek, suburban Chicago's most prominent mega-church) shows how "Enabling Others to Act" has played out in her life. This is the habit of (a) building coalitions and teams and (b) giving power away to trusted team-members. This reader felt it necessary to read Ortberg's chapter multiple times. At first, abstract emotion and pointless (yet heart-warming) anecdotes appeared to prevail; after several readings, the chapter proved to have more depth than originally thought. Like McAllister-Wilson, Ortberg provides helpful advice on leadership through team-building, but finding these gems requires a lot of digging.

Finally, Ken Blanchard (businessman and author) reflects on "Encouraging the Heart," that is, the habit of (a) showing genuine appreciation for good work and (b) strengthening bonds by celebrating achievements. While the subject matter lends itself well to emotional sentimentalism, Blanchard resists that temptation and provides a nice balance between inspiration and practicality. Structuring his chapter to argue that leadership is an "inside-out" art, Blanchard provides practical day-to-day tips while holding up Jesus as the ultimate "One-Minute Manager" (what would such a book be without a cheap plug?).

Finally, Kouzes and Posner close out the book recapping leadership and the importance of credibility. This final chapter whets the appetite for more wisdom and practical advice.

As with any anthology, "Christian Reflections on the Leadership Challenge" contains the good, the bad, and the ugly. Fortunately, the reader will find a great deal of the former and not so much of the latter two elements. This book is recommended for those who find themselves working in a church/faith-based not-for profit, but is also applicable for those who hold to the Christian faith and desire insights on how that faith can manifest itself in the secular workplace. Also, those who would like a taste of "The Leadership Challenge" in under 130 pages will also find this book beneficial. In all, recommended.

"Dwelling on oneself is the root cause of most personal problems. The more pre-occupied we are with our private fears, resentments, cravings - the more power they have over us."

This is quite an exceptional book. The core purpose of the book is to discover the art of training the mind how to respond to life's challenges. The mind can be changed and controlled through meditation. While the major focus on changing and controlling the mind is through meditation, there are many lessons to be learned even if you are not actively engaged in formal meditation.

If you are practicing meditation, Easwaran brings up a very valuable point - practice your meditation throughout the day. The concept is that you learn to control your mind at all times. This is excellent advice, but much easier said than done.

Training the mind or controlling the mind is a concept that is foreign to most westerners. We do not think of controlling our mind. Our natural inclination is to try to control things - we will never be successful in controlling things. But if we learn to control our desires, fears, resentments and cravings we can control our world.

Some of the major points of the book are:

We have become a nation of emotional drifters. We allow our feeling to wander at will. We lose total control over the directions our minds take.

The exercises for reducing the ego is simple, learn to put the welfare of others before our own.

We feel incomplete so we try to manipulate things and people to get what we want to fulfill our inner need. This will never work. In the long run, we have no control over people or things. So we will always have unmet needs.

Those who always try to satisfy their personal desires will never find peace in this life.

The book explains a lot of the problems in our society that is focused on constant acquisition of new and bigger things. Our society that is fixed on instant gratification will never truly be content. As soon as we accomplish one goal, one desire our minds are askng what is next.

The book is well written and easy to read. Even if you have no plans to begin meditation, you will gain some valuable insights into why we all feel so unfulfilled.

If you conquer your mind, you will control your life. It is that simple.

I accidently came across this book and from the page one, I started loving it. I was able to related and undoubtedly agree to most (or probably all) of the things which Eknath Eshwaran has written in the book. I just could not keep the book down. Very simple language, very easy read and very powerful message. I tried to implement the suggestions in the book and I am already noticing the positive difference it has made on me in very short time. I will recommend it to anyone and everyone, who is eagerly waiting for effecting training to keep the powerful mind calm and happy.

This has got be one of the top books written on the subject of understanding the mind, including anger and other mental ills. Eknath not only educates, but shows the way out. For the relativley balanced, it reviews thier understanding of the mind and shows the next critical levels of evolution. What a wonderful read.

Complete with amusing personal anecdotes to open each chapter, this book examines the joys and problems with meditation which the spiritual seeker will encounter. This is less an introduction of his complete program, like his book Meditation, and more a series of gentle talks he's giving students who have already progressed a little on the path and want to hear about the spiritual life. The author is Hindu, but doesn't emphasize any one religion to the exclusion of others. People of any, or no, faith can use this. Entertaining and a gentle, easy, thoughtful read.

I read this book after reading Easwaran's "Take Your Time", which had introduced me to the idea that controlling your mind was the key to getting your life into balance. Like that book, "Conquest of Mind" is deceptively easy to read, full of stories that lead you gently through a set of ideas until Easwaran suddenly presents you with a conclusion that makes unarguable sense. If you want a book that is really going to help you change the way you live your life for the better, then you should try this book.

Its a great book from a series of books , insteresting to read all of them.
Thanks

He comprendido que las palabras sobran cuando se habla de Amor, es por eso que no voy a extenderme en este review. Al leer la trilogía de Conversaciones con Dios, eso es precisamente lo que se aprende (entre muchas otras cosas): hablar (y pensar) con el corazón más que con la cabeza. Es un libro que se disfruta de principio a fin, y al terminar de leerlo, su vida tomará otro sentido, secillamente ya no será la misma.

Este libro me ayudo mucho, durante los momentos mas tristes de mi vida. Se justifica sacar tiempo para solo dedicarsen a esta lectura tan divina. Es un libro que nunca se debe botar y usar diaro. E leido el primer libro dos veces y todavia me contesta tantas preguntas que tengo de quien soy y que es lo que necisito para vivir felizmente.

Fue maravilloso descubrir en este libro dialogos tan profundos y ciertos. Fue realmente una experiencia sorprendente!

I KNOW THAT THIS A GENINUINE BOOK ABOUT GOD, THAT WILL HELP US TOUNDERSTAND HIS PURPOUSE BETTER, AND THEREFORE TO UNDERSTAND OUR OWNSELFS MUCH BETTER. CONGRATULATIONS MR WALSH !!! JC SELFS MUCH BETTER.

Okay, I'm not always ready to jump straight into the Bible at 6:30 a.m. But Michelle Medlock Adams eases me into my day. She starts each daily reading with one Bible verse, then tells a story about her own life. She doesn't make herself out to be a supermom or superChristian. She's real. I like that.

Lots of her devotionals offer great ideas that have improved my relationship with Jesus. She suggests keeping a prayer notebook, where you write down your prayer requests and then jot down the answers God gives. It's so cool to see how and when God answers our prayers.

Another thing I like about this book is its size -- you can easily slip it into your purse or laptop case and take it with you.

I have long been looking for a daily devotional for mothers. This book has a daily devotion that is applicable to every mother. The devotions are quick, easy to read, and contain a short prayer at the end. I highly recommend this book. I'll be buying it for every baby shower and for birthdays to come.

At my baby shower, I received this as a gift. It was perfect. And so I bought this for my sister-in-law, mother of three. Whom I know will enjoy this book very much.

I have this book in both Spanish and English and find it to be a great devotional for a busy mom. There is a bible reading and reflection everyday with a focus on mothering. Each month focuses on a different topic. Highly recommended!

As a busy mom with little free time, this devotional provides the perfect way to squeeze in some quiet time every day! The scriptures are applicable to every day life and there is a space to reflect your own thoughts on each page. It only takes a few minutes and if you miss a day it's so easy to catch up. Great gift for a new mom!

A wonderful book. After reading it, I felt humbled and determined that I could be better, the "struggle" the other reviewers refer to. The author manages to make this topic uplifting, rather than condemning, and when I was finished I felt reflective and rejuvenated.
I recommend (and have recommended it - today, in fact!) it heartily.

"Defeating Sin" is a bold proposition that many will consider either presumptuous or absurd. But those who venture past the guardian angel on the cover will find that it's all about the life-long process of metanoia (repentance). Fr. Huneycutt is an Orthodox priest who is also gifted at blogging and podcasts. This, his second book, is not intended to be a treatise on the subject, but a decent introduction to repentance (the means toward defeating sin). He starts with simple definitions and a mnemonic for the passions and virtues, and then relates them to both common and Biblical situations using illustrations, excerpts from various ancient and modern writers, and meditations. All of this then culminates in practical advice on how to begin the life-long process of transforming our passions into virtues (i.e., defeating sin).

To often I read spiritual books and fail to act on them. Fr. Joseph Huneycutt in "Defeating Sin" directly leads me toward the action that is so crucial- by God's grace and Divine energies to confess and forsake my vices and apply myself to the virtues.
Part I is deep- explaining our predicament in terms of Adam and Eve and the two trees and how that impacts us. The "Preparation section for confessing our passions, our sins" is also challenging, uncomfortably so.
Part II, the Meditations, are a great help in getting a handle on it all. The first one on St. Ephraim's prayer will speak not only to Orthodox Christians, but to all, in terms of the movements we must make to repent. And the other meditations approach the same goal from various angles so that surely one will bring home what needs to be done- especially the last one, concerning the two trees, which lead to death or life.
The book is an invaluable aid toward the action of conforming one's attitudes and actions to the likeness of Christ.

It is in my humble opinion that this book, that Fr. Joseph wrote, by the Grace of God, is life-changing to those who read it.

Fr. Joseph in the way he explains the origin of sin, the vices and virtues, is visual to the mind. Very easy to understand and remember.

Also, how he explains choice and exercising the free will that God has given us and how we are to choose virtue and how vice can not only deceive us yet even numb us and enslave us to addiction.

The truth that he speaks of, that God is love, Christ is the way, and for us, trust and obedience starting always with a good confession and repentance gives the reader a clear path to pursue and point of start.

Finally, the point he makes which is of course true, that struggle is good, what a relief, a welcome relief so that one does not fall into despair working out his salvation. This truth gives the reader courage and confidence to continue on, moving forward as he also states, always with the loving aid and Grace of God, especially when he falls.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is seriously considering or already trying to please and serve God. I truly feel they would benefit greatly and be blessed by reading it. Life-changing!

Having recently completed my second reading of this work by the Good Father Huneycutt, I must say (from a personal perspective) that this is a very worthwhile and interesting read. One could almost say that this should be the explanatory companion of St. John Climacus' "Ladder of Divine Ascent" for modern-day, English-speaking laity.

Though written for Orthodox Christians, this volume could also be helpful to the explorative members of the heterodox community as well. Despite the rejection of the "Seven Deadly Sins" by many of the protestant and baptist-rooted communities, this book explains them in detail as to who and what they are, and how they are truly the root passions inherent in the sinful nature of Man (plus, as a bonus, it was written originally in English, so it's not a terse translation into large words and pseudo-King James English, so it's a lot easier to understand right off the bat)

Natala Orobello's characters and style of writing grab you from beginning to end. The characters instantly became people I felt I knew and connected to. I re-read the book after the passing of my father and it had an even more profound impact on me. A good book is one you can't put down. A great book is one that changes you. Destined for Greatness is a great book. You can't help but be changed after reading it.

Destined for Greatness is a small book that packs a big punch! The concept of "you can go back" and create meaning in your life if given a second chance is the main premise of the book. It poses questions that are profound and touch your soul. I found myself reading parts of this book again and again, wondering how my own life's story would play out if by some random twist of fate, I had a second chance at getting it right. Natala Orobello poses questions about life that we have all asked ourselves at one time or another, but have not had the courage to examine. Three cheers for making us think! Margaret from Nahant, Mass.

This was such an enticing novel! The characters you created were believable and so spirited that it was actually like a movie reel going off in my head. This story made me reflect on my own life decisions. The message that you maintain throughout the story was remarkably uplifting!!!
looking forward to your next novel!!
-Millie C

Natala's characters are well developed, the settings are vivid, and the enthralling story of Eugene makes this book impossible to put down. The plot of this book was intriguing. Ms. Orobello puts scenarios together that are great for discussion and reflection. The question of who is God and where is God in our own lives is something this book doesn't answer, but points out the need to have thought out answers for ourselves.

It is a well-crafted great read! I am looking forward to reading her next novel.

The first night I started reading this book, I could not put it down. I eventually had to and could not wait to pick it back up again. The author brought the characters alive and I could not wait to see what would happen to them next. This book touched on so many issues: real-life problems confronting young people, our purpose in our world, how our actions, inactions, and relationships can create a domino effect and affect thousands of other people around us and generations to follow. And I especially liked the insight into the often-asked question "Why does God let bad things happen?" I will now look at many things going on in my life in a new light. And I felt very fulfilled at the end of the book. Oftentimes I feel left hanging at best and most often left empty. Thank you, Natala, for a beautiful book. I look forward to many more!

Fantastic! If you want to find out more about yourself and others then read this book and others by L.R. Hubbard. I assure you If your looking for answers you have come to the right place.

Hubbard wrote this book prior to the publication of his complete text entitled 'Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health'. It was an introduction to this brand new subject, and it gives a great overview of the basics of Dianetics. Here one can get a good understanding of how the mind works, and how it causes man so much unhappiness, and how this can be resolved quite easily. You can see Hubbard's early discoveries and how these led him to his brilliant research that brought into being an entirely new science. 'Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science' is a layman's text on how the mind is structured so that one can do something about it! This book is a very good preamble to 'Dianetics the Modern Science of Mental Health', and I highly recommend it. This is Hubbard's concise introduction to the subject. You will enjoy this book if you haven't read it.

This book covers the background of Dianeics - how it all began. It gives the basics of Dianetic therapy, the basics of how the mind works, a concise explanation of what occurs when people are injured, and how this negatively affects us. And what to DO about it!

I highly recommend this for anyone interested in the mind, and who is curious about Dianetics.

Hubbard wrote this book to create a better and clear understanding of the main subject of Dianetics for the public to learn how the research came about. He keeps it very simple and straight forward in a way that every one can get it. It is in fact a major breakthrough in the science of understanding how the mind works and how it can be cleaned of the clutters that inhibits us to have a full awareness of what are the causes of our stress, fears, anxieties and depression. It is unlike any other self help book ever written on the subject for the main purpose of reaching the common man to live a fuller and heppier life. Don't underestimate it by its simplicity. Read this book first and then read Dianetics, the modern science of mental health, and you will never be the same, nor will you ever agree with the falsehood that has saturated our environment regarding the sources of our troubles.

Hubbard wrote this book to create a better and clear understanding of the main subject of Dianetics for the public to learn how the research came about. He keeps it very simple and straight forward in a way that every one can get it. It is in fact a major breakthrough in the science of understanding how the mind works and how it can be cleaned of the clutters that inhibits us to have a full awareness of what are the causes of our stress, fears, anxieties and depression. It is unlike any other self help book ever written on the subject for the main purpose of reaching the common man to live a fuller and heppier life. Don't underestimate it by its simplicity. Read this book first and then read Dianetics, the modern science of mental health, and you will never be the same, nor will you ever agree with the falsehood that has saturated our environment regarding the sources of our troubles.