Publications Books

Giving Christ First Place is an excellent work book to focus the reader on how to make lifestyle changes for a balanced life - physical, spiritual and emotional. The enclosed CD is a bonus as it shares Scripture and music to reinforce the need for balance. MJR-Georgia

It is appropriate that the first book is "Surrender". In this time and age when one doesn't know the meaning of surrender, learning it is not from the good sense of being doggedly determined not to fail won't help. To "Surrender" one first must have an adversarial event to surrender to. If everything is handed to you all your life, to what are you surrendering?

The book is a daily study, and if you are not accustomed to daily studies, you have to surrender personal time, of which there is too little to go around already. That takes personal discipline, which most of us have yet to learn. You have to choose to do all that the book requires and find self motivation to keep going. Because this generation is not taught to endure, persevere, or even tough it out, many times the first thing that goes into the trash is our commitment to the one thing that would aid us most in succeeding. Surrendering to Christ.

The lessons are not long, they are not hard, but they get the point across if you choose to pay attention to the real purpose behind what you study and read. If you can surrender your whole life to the concept of surrendering to Christ, the burden of the entire exercise is taken care of. If there is any doubt, then each day the exercises will only get that much harder to complete, because personal pride is the first thing to go in surrender. If you can't do that, then surrendering to Christ will be a chore of fear, regret and guilt, which makes the entire exercise futile, for nothing is learned in an atmosphere of fear.

If you can't surrender the basics of who you are, what you do, what you believe to Christ, then this study is not for you. This is not dogged determination to complete a task. This is surrender, of everything you are to the only one who truly knows you and can heal you.

If you can do that - then the rest will come to you as your personal journey into surrendering to Christ and losing weight dictates. To some it will be easy, to others very difficult. Surrendering to Christ first and foremost will set up the tools needed to figure out the combination of things you need to do next to succeed in losing weight.

Knowing if you fail today, this meal, you can surrender it all to Christ right now, and start over.

These Bible study books are great for helping you focus on the REAL reason for being overweight...not putting the Lord first place in your life and making food an idol.

Carole Lewis is, without question an extraordinary teacher of living a true and deeper Christian life. The studies and messages in all of the First Places series will bring you closer and closer to an understanding of the freedom and faith you can have when you put God first in your life. If you want to truly grow in your relationship with God...make First Place studies a part of your life. It's so much more than a weight loss tool...it's a life tool!

My group has opted to do this book through the summer while other groups in our church take the summer off. Every book has been good but this one is great in taking away our excuses and in pointing out our responsibility for our actions and shows us that when we fall, fail, or fear, He will pick us up, wipe the dust off of us, and set us back on that right road if we will give in to Him.

I have been trying my best to follow Je Tsongkapa's advice for years now. These teachings are very special as they are the 'Lam Rim' or 'Stages of The Path' teachings originally formulated by Atisha for Tibetans. It is a very condensed yet essential presentation of all Buddha's teachings. In Geshe Kelsang Gyatso's Lam Rim texts, the number of meditations is 21. In other contemporary Lam Rim texts like that of Geshe Rabten, H.H. Dalai Lama, or Geshe Sopa, the number varies.

What is amazing is the Lam Rim's simplicity and clarity. Add to that Je Tsongkapa's stainless reasoning and vast scriptural knowledge and you have a spiritual masterpiece.

This is not to say other texts from other traditions aren't valid. I just relate to these teachings most powerfully.

If I have any complaints about the text it would be in the translation the word 'sin' is used instead of 'negativity' or something less charged. Also, there was not one Tibetan out of like 20 people on the translation committee for this book. That's why 4 stars.

This is a great book!! Karma, 6 perfections, spirit of enlightenment, wisdom and many other topics are explained perfectly. What each term means, what it doesn't, how to achieve it, how not to... I read it all and now use each topic in my meditation sessions.
I wouldn't recommend it as an introduction to Buddhism, but it is great if you are already familiar with Dharma.

To read the , by Tsong-kha-pa demands great patience and diligence for the average reader.

In particular, the difficulty is partly due to the excellent and faithful translation of the three volumes of the author's work from Tibetan to English. And since the original work was written scholaric language during Je Tsong Khapa's time six hundred years ago, I reckoned that I needed some help when I purchased all three volumes of the Great Treatise several months ago after reading the first few chapters.

Help has come in the form of an useful preliminary reading. A companion, compendium, discourse-commentary on Je Tsong Khapa's profound and scholarly work has long been translated and available in English and in print for decades before as < Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand: A Concise Discourse on the Path to Enlightenment >.

It is to my knowledge that some Tibetan Buddhist monks from the Gelug/Gelupa school are actually using as a course outline to teach Je Tsong Khapa's to members of the Sangha in 24 days.

is a document of a series lecture delivered by Pabongka Rinpoche over 24 days in Tibet the 1920s,the book is authored by Trijang Rinpoche and translated into English by Michael Richards.

Based on Je Tsong Khapa's work in The Lamrim Chenmo, delivers an "executive summary" of the three volumes of into 898 pages vis-a-vis three volumes of Je Tsong Khapa's detailed scholarly work.

This book is not a Great Treatise on the Path to Enlightenment for Dummies, it is a concise commentary on which readers of The Great Treatise may find as a useful companion to the three profound and wonderfully translated volumes of .

For readers who do not know what really to expect from three volumes of the , I would stongly recommend as a preliminary read. By itself, is already a classic, however, its next greatest value add is to serve as a pathfinder guide for the reader who would be learning the three volumes of the Lamrim Chenmo.

The books are a great help in doing essays on refuge and boddh. vows great learning tool for those that only get to see their teacher once a month

Many people are looking for the entire picture of Tibetan buddhism, and this English edition of the "Lam Rim Chen Mo" is one of the most suitable works to get this entire picture. All the stages of the path of liberation are covered in their natural, logical sequence.

It is wonderful that such a thing exists: that it is possible to have a general and complete understanding of the path.
Reading and hearing, studying the teachings allows us to then contemplate their true meaning, that is, come to a personal understanding and conviction that the topic at hand is indeed true, relevant and workable. That is what contemplation is all about: coming to such a workable conviction.
Contemplative understanding is then the basis for meditation, or applying the workable conviction in daily life, until it becomes second nature, thereby transforming our life.
In this way we progress, step by step, from understanding to natural conviction to application to effortless realization.

It is therefore very, very beneficial to acquire a taste for this type of literature - which is itself often a gradual process. It may seem very dry in the beginning, but once you acquire a taste for a certain aspect of the teachings, you will want to read the entire chapter, and then marvel at the profound logic. Once you have a few of such experiences you will understand that other chapters just "might" contain equally valuable treasures, and slowly acquire a taste for them as well, by reading the text and pondering its profound meaning. Drawing our attention to the parts that we tend to ignore then proves to be the quickest way to true understanding!

This is why it is taught that by these very teachings you come to understand how all of the scripture are instructions for actual practice, and that these teachings cover all stages of the path in their natural sequence. Marvelous! Your intelligence, no matter what your present level, will develop naturally, and soon you will encounter understandings not previously met.

I started out with some attractive chapters or topics, and only much later my curiosity for the other parts of the book developed. And even then it took a while to translate the "script" into recognition in daily life. But now I use it as a reference: when I want to have a more thorough understanding of a certain aspect, I study from this book, by looking at its various parts and looking how it fits into the total picture (or mandala of the teachings).

Once you learn how to acquire a taste for this basic, foundational literature of "lam-rim" (graded path) and "lojong" (mind training), you can soon continue into the wisdom literature of "prajnaparamita" (transcendent perfection of wisdom), "tathagatagarbha" (primordially enlightened disposition), "madyamika" (middle way of no dualistic extreme), "secret mantra" (path of swift accomplishment through deity meditation), "mahamudra" (great seal of ultimate bliss), "dzogchen" (great completion in total awareness), and so on.

This "Lam Rim Chen Mo" belongs to a category of literature that is a direct legacy of Atisha, the great Indian master of the early 11th century, whose student founded the Kadampa school, one of the earliest denominations of Tibetan buddism.
These Kadampa teachings still form the basis of training in all four Buddhist schools and their monastic colleges, each school having its own slight variation in interpretation. Most of these have now been translated in English, so you can choose from among the following:

* Geluk school: the "Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (Lam Rim Chen Mo)" (subject of the present review) is the classic that belongs to this school;
* Kagyu school: "The Jewel Ornament of Liberation" (ISBN 1559390921) is the famous classic by Gampopa, founder of the Kagyu school, by seamlessly integrating the Kadampa teachings of the gradual path with the Mahamudra teachings of the non-gradual path;
* Sakya school: "The Three Levels of Spiritual Perception" (ISBN 0861713680);
* Nyingma school": "Treasury of Precious Qualities" (ISBN 1570625980) by Jigme Lingpa.

Although each of these four works cover the same main subject, they are not necessarily exactly the same. Which work you choose for study will probably depend on your main spiritual teacher, if you have one.
What I particularly like about the "Lam Rim Chen Mo" in its present English edition, is that the subject is covered in full detail, separated by chapters with clear titles, for easy reference. So it is very suitable as a Western student's manual.

From the Editor's Preface: "The "Lam Rim Chen Mo" has the special feature of blending the three types of persons (those of small, medium, or great capacities) with the three principal aspects of the path (the determination to be free, the spirit of enlightenment, and correct view."

For those of higher capacity this means: travelling from the intent of acquiring a better life in the future; to the intent of liberation from samsara; to the mahayana intent of an open, compassionate heart with sacred outlook and pure vision, in order to liberate all sentient beings.

In this English edition, there are three volumes: the first volume covers the training of small and medium scope; volume two covers the mahayana training of superior scope; of which volume three covers the training in meditative serenity (shamatha) and wisdom insight (vipashyana).

From the Foreword: "Jey Tsongh-kha-pa's "Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment" is one of the greatest religious or secular works in the library of our human heritage. It presents a stunning vision (...) locating the precious jewel of an individual human embodiment at a critical moment of personal evolution. It provides this revelation in such a way that individual readers can be moved to achieve a fundamental paradigm shift in their vision of their lives: from having been a self-centered, this-life-oriented personal agent struggling with the currents and obstacles around them (...) to becoming a magnificent awakening being, soaring (...) in marvelous evolutionary flight toward an unimaginably beautiful destiny of wisdom, love, and bliss - buddhahood, or simply the supreme evolutionary glory attainable by any conscious being.

I like this literature tremendously, because it allows me to understand the foundation of the entire spiritual path, in the context of Tibetan buddhism in particular, but comparatively in the context of many other wisdom traditions and religions as well. Acquiring its taste has provided the condition, for me, for opening into endless study, imagination, reflection, meditation.

I read "I Dared to Call Him Father" first in 1980, and was thrilled at the recounting of Madame Sheikh's unique encounter with God. Then in 1981 I had the great honor of escorting her to a speaking engagement in Virginia. Enroute she reached for my hand. Her hand was like a warm cloud. "You are troubled about the whereabouts of your son." I was stunned. I had not mentioned a word about him. Our son had been killed in an accident a year earlier and had been in a teenage rebellious stage so we weren't sure about his relationship with the Lord. "You need not worry. Jesus has asked me to tell you that your son is with Him." I wept for joy. She is for real!

I sat down I read 75% of the book without putting it down. Excellent bio, well written, there is a lot to learn about walking and developing your relationship with God. The way she shares her struggles, doubts and growing dependence on God is wonderful. I only wish I could learn more about her life after the epilouge.

Bilquis Sheikh describes her journey, beginning with her initial interest in spirituality. She tells of her search for the truth, studying her Koran and the Bible she had requested, and struggling to know which book was God's. She humbled herself to visit a missionary to ask questions. She knew how to pray; prayer had been a ritual performed five times a day. However, she was startled by the new thought of praying to God as a father. In which of the two holy books was God a father? She decided to accept the Bible. She studied it, and began to spend time with the missionaries. She listened to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and became convicted about so many things: baptism, her temper, her responses to other people. Christ gave her the strength to defy her family when they insisted she have nothing to do with Christians, as well as the courage to live calmly when her life was threatened. It was such a hard decision, even after she knew in her heart that she believed, and had become a Christian. Her family was close, and she enjoyed so many tender relationships cut off by her choice to follow Jesus. Her family, who had shared such love with her, even tried to kill her for rejecting Islam.

In this book, she chronicles this process. It is precious to see the Lord at work in hard places, like South Asia. We see that He is not limited, only we are. She also gives us insights into her own culture, and values of family and community which are remote from the individualism of the West. It is enlightening to glimpse into a Muslim family, and how she continued to live among her relatives after her conversion. Most of all, it is encouraging to read of another sister's journey to live before God in communion with Him as He has called us all to do. It brings reflection on our own lives, and the depth and closeness of our own relationship with our heavenly Father.

Written in an easy manner, this book can be read in an afternoon. Bilquis was open and honest about matters of the heart, and I did not find her to by dry at all. Who should read it? Those interested in this kind of conversion and culture, those wanting to know how God can be a Father, and Christians who want to understand this sister and those like her, and Christians who want to deepen their own relationship with our heavenly Father.

As a self-professed non-reader, I stayed up to 3AM just so I could finish the book! How amazing God is! It is a story of a woman - a Muslim by birth, with connection to high ranking Afghanistan officials and of upper class family connections - who one day came upon Jesus Christ in a dream which began her lifelong journey to seek the true God. Bilquis Sheikh risked everything - even her life and her love for her grandson Mahmud - to follow Christ. What was so hard to put down were the words that intricately described her emotional connection to God - something which practing Muslim must deny - and to have a personal relationship with Him. Her knowledge of the Quran and the Bible gave her an immeasurable platform which God used her even in the midst of death threats and personal sanctification. To be set apart for Christ was what she desired! I read the updated version of this book which gave some historical context to her life after she came to United States and the tragic murder of her beloved grandson Mahmud, who was defending a person from an "honor killing" (a practice where Muslims kill a family member because they became 'traitors' to the Islamic faith). The book is truly God-inspired, words in which gave me an encouraging view of my faith in Christ and how NOTHING is for my own and glory but that ALL THINGS ARE FOR CHRIST'S GLORY. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me..." Philippians 4:13

It never ceases to amaze me how awesome God is and how mysteriously He works in the lives of people throughout the world. A woman like Bilquis Sheikh coming to Christ shows His absolute power in working in the lives of those who genuinely seek Him. I was given this book by a lady who was born a Muslim and lives in a Muslim land. It highly impacted her life for the good. Also, having known a number of Muslims who have converted to Christianity, I have seen the sad reality of how a Muslim family can totally reject and mistreat one of their own who converts. For a Muslim to follow Christ, much sacrifice takes place. The account of Bilquis Sheikh proves that this sacrifice is worth making. As you read this account of what happened in the life of one lady who "dared to call God Father," you will be swept up in the excitement and emotions of God's wonderful work. It is a book that Muslims and Christians alike should read and enjoy.

Trust me! I looked everywhere and couldn't find it til I read this book. Now I know that, "I Had It All the Time". Execllent book written by an excellent author. This is a fast read and easy to follow.

Another great read by Alan Cohen. Reinforces the notion that you already know how to live your life and just need to be reminded (or rather need to reach deep down through the denial).JUST DO IT!

After being a self help junky for the last 15 years Alan Cohen gives good advice and stop trying to fix your self and just enjoy life

"This book will not have a sequel; to the contrary, it heralds the end of a long and self-diminishing train of thought- the notion that you need to be something other than you are. It will not introduce you to a revolutionary technique; but it will introduce you to yourself. This book will not direct you to a mystical master or exotic gems- but it will assist you to unearth your own hidden treasures and awaken the master within you......The Spirit within you is greater than anything in the outer world. The power of your life is now redeemed to your own hands, where it has always been. You had it all along." (from the introduction)

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This book does everything it claims to. It was the one book that I gave all my coaching clients and everyone that has ever read it has raved about how much they loved it. With chapters like....

Let It BE Easy
There Ain't No Future In The Past
If You Can't FIx It, Feature It
First Class Flying
and
I'm Off To Be The Wizard

....You know you are obviously going to have FUN on this journey of rediscovery. With lighthearted wisdom and practical evidence of our internal greatness, Alan Cohen makes self-help a thing of the past and self-worth a household mainstay.

I can't recommend this book enough. I wish I could attach a picture to show you all the flags that adorn its pages. It looks like a rag quilt with all the frayed edges from hours and hours spent revisitng its wisdom. Treat yourself to yourself. Give yourself the gift of this book.

I found this book by Alan Cohen much better and different in style than anything written by Wayne Dyer (who is very good) if that helps put my review into perspective. Refreshing, insightful, and uplifting yet down to earth in a spiritual way (which is what are all doing of course).

Suffering is the proper word. Anthropology should be totally, completely fascinating -- it's the study of human cultures, for heaven's sake -- but it's often a dry-as-dust class for college students.

This book is not dry. In fact, it's probably the only anthropology book that can bring the reader to tears of laughter.

Which is not to say that the book is a comedy. It's not. The book is a sympathetic and interesting take on the writer's study of the Dowayo people. But the Dowayo people -- like any other ethnic group or people -- have quirks that the people themselves cannot see. Nigel Barley lives among the Dowayo and documents their lives, tells how he does anthropology, and manages to do so in a way that makes the book one I sometimes pick up, open at random, and enjoy.

Stumbling upon this book was total luck! The only motive I had to get this book was a desire to learn more about Anthro as informal as possible- yet have it be completely nonfiction.

I just want people to know that this is my first actual review. That being said, everyone who reads this review should understand that I liked this book SO much that I not only sent it from my house in Japan to a friend in the states, but I also came back here to write a short blurb on it.

I promise any future reviews won't be such a waste of everyone's time! Take a chance and get this book!

I borrowed this book in the early 90s from a British friend (thanks Mark!) and it fast became one of my favorites (a close second to Brave New World). Witty, touching, and hilarious - I would love to have Nigel Barley over for a dinner party! I just wish he had written more books like this one!

Nigel Barley is a social anthropologist and this is his account of his first fieldwork, a year living and studying the Dowayo people of Cameroon. Social and cultural anthropologists (also known as ethnographers) travel to exotic locales (sometimes in our own backyard) and live among a group of people for a year or more in order to come to know their way of life intimately and write about it. Most every Ph.D. student in the field will face this "rite de passage" in order to become "a real anthropologist," and is generally given precious little guidance in the matter, which seems cloaked in mystery and is therefore commonly a source of considerable anxiety. In recent years, the situation has been partially remedied with the publication of some texts on methods and techniques, as well as the development of courses on field research methods, but there is still little written on the human dimension - namely, what is life like "in the field"? This book joins a small club, which includes Malinowski's diary and Return to Laughter. What sets Barley's book apart is his wit. He faces some serious problems but - in retrospect at least - laughs at them. It is a very entertaining read. You will learn a lot about what to expect in the field. It will also be useful for anyone who will be living in Africa and possibly other developing regions, such as Peace Corps volunteers and missionaries. I was, however, uncomfortable throughout the book because the author seems to be very distant and detached from the people he lived with and studied. It is hard to find anything very positive about the Dowayo, and the book therefore serves to reinforce negative stereotypes about Africa and bolster Western superiority. I prefer the eloquence and wisdom of Return to Laughter.

This is a budding anthropologist's account of his experience with an obscure and previously unstudied people in the Cameroons. If you thought you might want to be an anthropologist, this will either inspire you or turn you to some more comfortable calling. The innocent Englishman describes in hilarious detail his dealings with bureaucrats, missionaries, village chiefs, and rainmakers, while trying to maintain anthropological distance. You learn a little bit of anthropology from the book; you learn much more about the anthropologist. He may have embellished his story in places, but he probably didn't need to. It would make a great film, but don't wait for that. It's one of the funniest books you'll ever read.

This book covers all the basics about Quantum Mechanics for Chemists. I highly recommend it for all Chemist Students.

Don't let anyone tell you quantum mechanics is easy because it isn't. It is the hardest subject anyone can even attempt to learn. In my experience most books are written by people who are too brilliant and use maths which is too advanced for the average non-brilliant person to understand. This book is one of the best simple introductions to quantum mechanics I have read. Yes there is a lot of hard maths but let me assure you it is one book you should have on your bookshelf when you get totally lost and need to start again.

John

This is the best ever text in quantum mechanics. Every one which intents start in this field should read this book. It contains all the elementary steps to understand this difficult field in a language and in such detail which is not found any more in the modern books.

As an alum holding both undergrad and graduate degrees in a related field, I figured I would pick this title up for some pretty heavy reading. I was right. Even thought the title says "an introduction", there are several pre-requisites to understanding Quantum Mechanics, and the style of Linus Pauling's writing in general. The book reads very much like a textbook, and I would suggest at least a pretty good understanding of physics, mathematics, and technical writing before diving in. It's a great book, and a classic text. It's just not a casual Sunday read.

I read it once and don't use it too often. It's still an excellent book, but I think there are newer texts that are based on this one that may "look better" even though they cover the same topics. I enjoyed it very much. Pauling knew how to take a complicated subject and simplify (but not too much) it for ease of teaching.

Great, great book.

My Annabelle Kitty was 6 years old and one amazing kitty. She came every time I called her name. She was very loving to me, always petting me and purring. She got sick and in less than 11 hours she was unexpectedly gone. The vet thinks it was a blot clot. She died New Years morning 2008. I have other pets, but none like my Annabelle. She always had a way of always being there and she was so comforting. My first step in truly healing was this tape program. I would go lie down, but on my earphones and just close my eyes and listen to the woman talk about her dog. It helped to have my feelings validated by someone who has been there. These tapes helped me not to feel so alone. I have the support of my husband and 10 year old daughter, but the woman on the tapes helped me to deal with my grief. I was not doing very well and was not being there for my daughter and husband like I needed to be because of the loss I felt. It took a few days of focusing on what the woman said on the tapes, but I did what she said and it helped more than anything else. I am very grateful for the tapes. (I am not sure if my tapes were the revised edition or not)
Blessings,
Stephanie

I recommend this book to anyone who needs help through the stages of grief. It is practical and insightful.

The author uses moving vignettes from the death of her own pet to help others review their own feelings of grief. After each topic, she encourages the listener to turn off the tape and reflect on his or her own memories and feelings.

She discusses pet memorials, stages of grief, euthanasia and hospice options. She emphasizes that each person has his or her own unique feelings. Different individuals might make different, equally valid choices for the beloved pet.

I liked the sections on complicated grief. Pet loss can often reactivate deeper feelings about past losses. The pet's death may be a chance to work through other life experiences.

Many of her general suggestions for dealing with pet loss could be useful for the entire family.

The section on children's reactions to pet loss could have been stronger. I had a sense that the author was more comfortable dealing with adults and their animals. However, she did bolster her section on children with quotes from other authors and gave useful references.

Carol E. Watkins, M.D.

Sometimes losing a dear animal friend can seem more overwhelming than the loss of a human in our lives. This is one of the many things that complicate the grieving process. The author explains that there are many bounds set by society and our own inner voice that attempt to dictate how long and how much we should mourn a beloved companion's passing. She explains why the loss of an animal can be a much more raw experience than the loss of a family member, friend or relative because of the mixed feelings and complicated relationships that we have with other humans. That simple, loving animal spirit that was so close to you is suddenly gone. There is no buffering element, no memories of a heated exchange that soured your relationship - nothing to blunt the pain. This can bring feelings of confusion and guilt, or painful memories of the loss of a child or spouse, and many other emotions. The author does an excellent job of explaining the reasons for these feelings, and suggests many different ways of working through them. She explains the phases of the grieving process and where to find help if serious emotional states are triggered. She also explains that we frequently project a part of our own psyche onto our pets, which can unleash unexpected effects on their passing.

Despite the fact that I might have made this sound rather technical, it is not. The author puts forth a very gentle and concerned effort to do what the title implies - help you through the journey of pet loss.

Journey Through Pet Loss...takes us in the steps of grieving for a loved family pet. Deborah's audio also seems more personal to the listener. It touches you--because she understands the loss."

Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD

I just finished reading Just as I am and I have to say that is is now one of my favorite books!! This is not a normal Christian story of the pretty girl who meets the handsome man and live happy ever after. Mayla goes through real problems in her life. She stands out with purple hair and a nose ring. I love the way Mrs. Smith shows that even if you are different you can still do great things for God. I cant wait to read the next book in this series, the last chapter of this story left so much in question. I think that everyone should read this story. I hope it blesses you like it has me.

I loved Just As I Am! This is a great book and I would recommend that you read it. I borrowed a copy from a friend and liked it so much that I bought a copy of my own. This book is a great example of how God loves you and wants a relationship with you no matter where you are in life: purple hair, nose ring, etc. It also helped me to look at people differently and not to judge them by what I see. "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). This book is a great example of that! I hope you enjoy it too!

Mayla has just become a new Christian. Everyone in her church is surprised because her dyed hair and piercings don't make her look like a normal Christian. However Mayla is eager to know more about God's word and to grow in her newfound faith. She has to battle grumpy church members who prejudge her because of her appearance and old friends who prejudge her because of her new faith. She is also becomes friends with a guy with AIDS and helps him to live out his last days with hopes of reconciling with his estranged family. Then there's finding her niche in church and her growing relationship with Pastor Paul. If you ever wanted to know what it's like to be a new Christian in today's world, read this book!

I really enjoyed reading this book. Mayla was such a refreshing, realistic character. I could really relate to her. She's my age, going through the same problems that I am. I loved the fact that she had piercings and dyed hair. Just by that alone I could relate to her because I used to have piercings in not typical places. This book showed how you really shouldn't judge people just by their appearances. Mayla had to face a lot of prejudice by the older Christians just because of how she looked. To me, if I had become a new Christian and keep facing this type of attitude, I would become very discouraged and eventually lose my faith. Mayla on the other hand, turns the other cheek and does not allow this to hinder her new thirst for more knowledge of Christ's love. The same can also be said of the non Christian who assumes about what Mayla will become now that she's become a Christian. Mayla's roommate judges her totally unfairly because of a bad experience. The treatment she receives from both sides is enough to make anyone go crazy but she handles it with such maturity and grace. The storyline involving Alex and his battle with AIDS was extremely well done. Virginia Smith is an excellent writer and this book really showcases her work. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book to find out what happens between Maya and Pastor Paul!

The question was compelling. Author Virginia Smith asked, "Can He (God) really use a purple-haired young woman with a pierced lip?" The question spoke to my own prejudices so I picked up Ginny's debut novel, and began to read. What I read changed me. It reminded me that no matter where we are in our own personal walk with the Lord, we can be reenergized in our faith. And it also reminded me how dangerous it is to judge someone's heart based on their outward appearance.

Ginny's story presents a solid example of the life-changing work of Jesus Christ. But it's also fun read with unexpected twists and turns. I highly recommend it!

When 22-year-old Mayla Strong --- with her purple hair and assorted facial piercings --- makes the walk down the aisle to publicly commit her life to Christ, the congregation gapes. But Mayla doesn't care. She's used to stares, rude comments and the like. Somehow, Mayla's choice of hair color, clothing and jewelry make her distinctive and noticeable, and that's the intent. So the long walk to the front of Salliesburg Independent Christian Church is a piece of cake for this independent, strong-minded young woman.

It isn't until the pastor mentions baptism that Mayla's heart jolts some. Before the next heartbeat Mayla agrees, and her mom, Angela, is leading her to a side door to get dressed for this special occasion. Not expecting to being up front and center with a baptismal gown clinging to her body, Mayla's hot pink panties would be pretty obvious (and distracting), so Angela pulls off her own slip and Mayla is set to go.

With such a morning as becoming a Christian and being dunked under water by a young and handsome preacher, Mayla wouldn't have been surprised by anything. Yet the afternoon's welcome to the church family picnic stirs in Mayla some interesting and thought-provoking questions. Should she get rid of the nose piercing and labret stud? What about her hair color of choice? Mayla also works as a server at the restaurant/bar, distributing liquor to customers. Does this matter? With some not-so-subtle remarks Mayla is immediately thrust into the world of Christian do's and don'ts, but she isn't taking anything lying down. In her own style, Mayla is determined to discover what God's Word says about such things.

During the following days and weeks, Mayla immerses herself in daily Bible reading, asking poignant, thoughtful questions of her mom and pastor, and tries to find her place in this church world community. Despite some setbacks, her non-believing friends thrust Mayla into Personal Evangelism 101 and her experiences are delightful, humorous and genuinely real. This new-to-the-faith young adult must overcome friends' disappointments and prejudices from Christians who hurt them. She meets and befriends a young man dying of AIDS, all while attempting to live a life alive to God and in service to others.

Throughout this lively and often comedic text, author Virginia Smith successfully bridges the gap between Christians and their failures in reaching a hurting world with a message of hope through kindness, love and transparent humility. Excellent reading!

--- Reviewed by Michele Howe

i've learned more from this calendar than from all the books i've read on the subject.

Not only does this calendar keep you organized, it also guides your choices through the year.

I have found this calandar to be so informative, that I use it as the first text for teaching basic Astrology. It has concise clear explanations, and all the basics a newby should be able to tolerate. Astrology, as complicated as it is, can be overwhelming and this simple introduction is perfect for allowing those interested to get a glimpse of how it works. This item is great for anyone, whether your just starting out or simply want to track the moon's location/void of course impication on a daily basis. There is ALWAYS a Llewellyn calendar somewhere in my house!

I absolutely love this calendar. Every year after January 1st, I rush to the local book store to get it half price. However, this year I did not make it and so I picked it up conveniently on Amazon.com. For anyone who can't shake that, "what if?" when it comes to Western astrology, this calendar certainly won't dissapoint. My favorite feature is the listing of challenging and rewarding days, it helps me to plan better. I have been a devoted user for five years! Oh Yeah, and the art work is real great too! enjoy!

I look forward to this calender every year and enjoy the zodiacal info I receive on a monthly basis for me and my family all year long.

I think this calendar is beautiful, and it is very handy for the moon phases and planetary alignments so that you can plan things out.

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Every year, I buy this calendar and I am never dissapointed.

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Wonderful! It has everything you want. Aside from the normal calendar contents it shows the color of the day and the moons. It also has a detailed monthly story informing you of various topics. This is a great calendar and I'll never buy anything else.

I've been buying Lewellyn's Witches' Calendar for three years now and I still keep the old ones. Every calendar has tons of insightful information for the curious and more experienced Wicca or occult student. I find it especially useful to have a color of the day featured as well as the planetary transit for every day.
The articles at the end of the calendar are another great reason to purchase it, and to top it all off, beautiful artwork. Great calendar!