Thomas Books

Can't put down the book. Every part is so wonderful. A lot of wisdom at the same time. Need time to chew it down.

I love Karla's style of writing - the color and emphasis of detail in her books. I've recently purchased some of her personal checks and have gotten many compliments from them.

I first picked up this book at a friends house. Our family stayed the night and forgot to pack books to read to our children. The hostess left this treasure on the night stand and I couldn't put it down. It is so beautifully worded and illustrated. I had to order it as soon as we got back. It seems as though many have forgotten that when we get back to the basics, life is much more simple. I found this book to be charming in every way.

I first saw these books (Love in Every Room, Down a Garden Path, and The Blessing of Friendship)in our church's bookstore several weeks ago. Every time I turned the pages it was like watching Anne of Green Gables or seeing pictures of Tasha Tudor's homestead--a treat for the eyes and the soul. The Scripture and symbolism contained within the pages creates, with the pictures and cute handwriting, some very beautiful and inspiring books.

For a birthday gift or even a Christmas gift--for ANY woman, young or old, single, married, whatever--Karla's books are a blessing. I'm a young single woman who just received the three books mentioned above as a Christmas gift. Talk about a surprise blessing!

I was just introduced to Karla's books this weekend and I'm hooked! The message she protrays is so needed in our day and age...she encourages us to focus on Jesus. Her illustrations are so beautiful, they take me away for the while I'm reading the book. The ideas that she uses,such as leaving room for the reader to pen her thoughts, the envelopes for notes to the reader, and the personal welcome from Karla, all make for a wonderful, uplifting experience! She is truly God inspired! Keep up the good work, Karla!

Not only do I rate "Making the Assist", but I rate Dr. Pitcher as well with five stars. Dr. Pitcher is the perfect example of what a health professional and a human being in today's society should be. I have always been the kind of person that takes the time to smell the roses and be thankful for all that I have been so furtunate to have, but Dr. Pitcher has influenced me and shown me that more could always been done. I am a health provider as well and I always try to be there for my patients unconditionally, but Dr. Pitcher has put me to shame. I truley inspire to give more because of him and the cancer that I am surviving. I am a cancer survivor because of Dr. Pitcher. "Making the Assist" is an excellent sourse for all people. Cancer or not, we all need to "Make the Assist"! - Thank you.

This is an excellent book tnat will help those who are in need of understanding and help caring cancer patients. It is also a good spiritual aid to those in need.

I am fortunate enough to personally know Dr. Pitcher. Not only is he an excellent doctor, he is an extraordinary person.

I feel his book has positively generated the message that we are never to give up and to always trust in God.

Thank you Dr. Pitcher!

Many books written come from the mind to the pen, we find Doctor J. David Pitcher's book "Making The assist " is written from the heart to the pen, typewriter or computer.
We are delighted to congratulate you Dr.Pitcher on your heartfelt, warm ,touching splended tribute to your ability and achievements in writing this fine book to help everyone who is experiencing this dreadful diesase.
We pray God our Father through his Blessed Son the Lord Jesus
that he continue to Bless you and yours in all endeavors.
The University Of Miami School of Medicine is fortunate and Blessed to have J.David Pitcher, Jr.,MD.

i am an OR nurse and have personally worked with Dr Pitcher. His book is just completely inspirational and should be read by anyone who has a loved one with cancer or any long term terminal illness or anyone involved in the care of patients with terminal illnesses. This book reminded me of why I became a nurse and how God chose this profession just for me all those years ago when my own father suffered with heart disease and then passed away six months later. That Dr Pitcher would be given the gift of mercy, as he was called to be a physician AND the gift of teaching through his writing and have the strength to do both is a testimony. Buy this book and read it and then share it with others, you won't regret it.

I pre-ordered this book because I was looking for a resource for better understanding my relationship with my mom. It was a great read - and it is a book that I know I will read again.

This book hit the mark for me because it provided incredible, well-researched, insight into the mother-daughter relationship. I enjoyed the fact that the interviews with mothers and daughters really brought the issues to life for the reader. The authors also had helpful, practical advice about how to bridge the generational gap which is where a lot of women and their mothers (or daughters) get hung up.

The last book that I learned this much from was Reviving Ophelia, by Mary Pipher. I plan to give this book as a gift to my mother (and my sister) for Mother's Day. This book has something for everyone.

I loved the book. I have often marveled at the difference between my mother's generational outlook and my own. Clearly we are at a turning point in history which can lead to different interpretations and reactions to similar events. Moms and Daughters share an eternal bond that need to grow, change and adapt to the times. A useful read for anyone interested in improving or just understanding maternal relationships. A perfect gift for mother's day and a great read for any book club.

For as long as I can remember, I have bickered with my mom about how long to cook pasta, moving far away from family for work, and most recently choosing to raise my daughter alone. I think this book definitely hits on so many relevant issues that eat away at relationships between women like me and my mother. Thank you for offering practical advice to put the boxing gloves down. My mom and I are ready to call an emotional truce. I've already recommended this book to friends and we've decided to discuss it at our next book club. Thanks.

An enjoyable, easy-to-read book filled with practical advice that fosters more effective communication. I appreciated the empathy the authors and professionals displayed for all of the women in a variety of circumstances. I read the book just before my mother visited and I know we enjoyed each other more partly as a result. I recommend the book to those with strong bonds with their mothers and those who struggle with their moms.

I loved this book. I am very close with my mother and have never reflected too deeply on the dynamics of our relationship--what works, what doesn't work, and why, but reading this book made me laugh in recognition at the accounts of some of the misunderstandings and inadvertently hurt feelings. While laughing and enjoying the book, it also made me reflect with new appreciation of and insignt into how my mother's and my different life circumstances and choices have shaped us and our relationship--insights I fully expect will also be important for me and my daughter (I am going to be sure to read this book again in 20 or so years when my daughter will be 26.) I couldn't put the book down and afterwards immediately sent my mother an email urging her to read it. Next, I'll recommend it to my sister and my best friend (who chafes constantly at how little her mother understands the demands of her life).

"Must-Win Battles" appeals to me as a book that gives readers (most typically managers) the tools to lead their teams through a journey that can save their very own jobs in the long run. With a style not too distant from Lencioni's, where the authors show a fictional case in action, the book presents the path in a journey to help teams win those battles they cannot afford to loose, what they call Must-Win Battles (MWB). While offering tactics to deal with the expected bumps along the road, the book remains very strategic all the way through, focused on the strategic goals of aligning steering teams around the same agenda and eventually getting the entire organization to buy it in and embrace it.

The book wraps up with lessons from won and lost MWB journeys and a real-life case from the Unilever Ice Cream Frozen Foods business group to illustrate the entire process in action. While the fictional case presented belongs to the executive team leading the entire European organization of a company, the learnings in it could easily be extrapolated to smaller settings: a production facility, a university, etc. Highly recommendable like all Wharton School Publishing books I've had a chance of reading.

Unilever's 19-page MWB journey described by Kees van der Graaf is a fantastic read. It not only illustrates the stages and steps aligned with the authors' belief of leadership principles, I find it most valuable is Kees van der Graaf sharing with us with his personal lessons learned from the processes such as "trust my gut more than ever before" and "We have great values; they come from the heart". This reminds me of another book titled "Head, Heart & Guts" by Dotlich/Cario & Rhinesmith. Indeed Kess van der Graaf brings these to life.

MWB stands for "Must Win Battles," which is the title and a common acronym throughout this this book. Authors Peter Killing, Thomas Malnight and Tracey Keys use "battle" to refer to competitors and "must-win" to mean these battles must be won. There are a lot of circumstances applicable to the concept of 'battle.' Examples and case studies cover management style, team work, planning, shortlisting, and executing, are noted. One example is Unilever in Africa, Nestle China, and a two-year case study of the CFF business groups from the words of an executive.

Three sections and nine chapters.

Section I: Preparing the Journey

Section II: Engaging the Team

Section III: Making it Happen

The different types of managers listed are the commander, diplomat, thinker, and motivator, who are defined and described. This is followed by the role of Emotional Intelligence in the workplace. EI is just as, and oft-times more vital than IQ. There are questions regarding this that the reader can answer for themselves so they can apply this concept to their own situations in life and in the work place. This book helps the manager and employees as individuals and allows them to reflect on others and themselves.

Different dynamics of MWB, which often may include change. While strategically planning and implementing Must-Win Battles there are Resisters, Bystanders, and Supporters. A time-line is almost always necessary and matrices and diagrams are presented, when planning and executing.

A good reality check is in chapter 4, which lists "Typical Company-Related Myths." Those who've worked in medium or large organizations can identity with the company values and slogans. But they're usually only slogans, because they aren't practiced. :)

At the end of the book there are:

A) The MWB Journey and Road map
B) The Denison Survey: Questions
C) Using the External Assistance

This is helpful for all people who manage and work in organizations of all types and sizes.

In any organization, at any time, there are probably three to five key battles that must be won to achieve important goals, write authors Killing and Malnight. As you read this, you are probably thinking of the battles that are ongoing right now, the ones you need to win to get to your own goals. The first step, then is identifying what the key battles actually are and eliminating the sideshows that distract from the real issues. The authors advise that these battles are NOT internal, instead they are:

Market-focused
Something that makes a difference
Creates excitement
Are specific and tangible
Are winnable (!)

The example provided is one of Unilever, a large multinational company, working to gain market in Africa. But despite Unilever as an example, the strategy to pick your fight and win it is equally applicable to small business--if not more so.

One point I really admire is that the authors recommend that emotion be considered along with reason in how to win those battles. In other words, instead of steamrolling over emotion, which is a statement of condition, like the weather, the authors recommend dealing with it and generating excitement by directing emotion. There is also good advice on "not shooting the messenger" or how to take bad news. As one top CEO remarked to the press on how he achieved success "First, you have to deal with reality."

Excellent book and a must-read for business managers of any organization.

Q: What must be managed effectively to improve an organization's performance?

A: "First, [managers must] identify and win the right battles....But to win the battles, many organizations need to create a more effective top team and build an organization that [is] .less silo-based and capable of focusing all of its energies and capabilities on the chosen battles."

Q: What is a "must-win battle" (MWB)?

A: "MWBs are the three to five key battles that your organization absolutely must win to achieve its key objectives."

Q: What are the characteristics of a well-chosen MWB?

A: It must "make a real difference, be market focused, create excitement, be specific and tangible [and measurable], and be winnable."

Q: What is an "MWB journey"?

A: It is simultaneously both an emotional and intellectual process which must be completed by everyone involved in order to transform their organization. Ultimate success will depend upon a "shared understanding of the challenges and options facing the organization, an agreed list of three to five MWBs, a committed [and competent] team for each MWB, a high-level action plan for each MWB, new [better] ways of working together, individual commitments, and an initiation assessment of the starting conditions for engaging the organization."

Granted, this is an unorthodox way by which to begin a review but I really could not think of a better one. (No doubt someone else has.) The authors of this volume share what they have learned about why some organizational transformation initiatives succeed while most others fail. What they propose is a three-phase process (a "journey") which begins with a rigorous and thorough assessment of the current situation, followed by an engagement of the Team and then of teams for the MWBs, and then an engagement of the given organization which involves embedding the Team agenda and aligning the organization while maintaining momentum of the MWB initiatives.

I especially appreciate the authors' provision of all manner of reader-friendly devices throughout their lively narrative. For example, check lists of key points, graphics (maps and figures) which illustrate step-by-step segments of the "journey," and - whenever appropriate - caveats and disclaimers which correctly remind the reader that no course of action (including the one which the authors recommend) "fits all."

In the final chapter, they share eight "Lessons" learned from their research: five from successful MWB "journeys" and three from those which failed. In Appendix A, readers are provided with a comprehensive "MWB Journey Roadmap" and then in Appendix B, the authors provide "The Denison Survey: Questions" (copyright © by Daniel R. Rosen), a culture survey which is discussed on pages 47-48.

Presumably the authors agree with me that it would be a fool's errand for anyone to read and re-read their book, then rush - or even stroll -- to implement everything in it. It would also be a fool's errand to cherry pick diverse (albeit sound) ideas from a variety of different sources and then attempt to consolidate them in a single plan of "attack." Rather, I urge each reader to read Must-Win Battles with great care and then, preferably in discussion with others, co-determine what would be most appropriate to the given organization. Killing, Malknight, and Keys can be very helpful to that process of aanalysis and, especially, to identifying the highest priorities and most important objectives. My guess is that, by following that procedure, the "must-win battles" will reveal themselves.

Those who share my high regard for this book are urged to check out Jason Jennings' THINK BIG, Act Small, Michael Hammer's The Agenda and Robert Mittelstaedt's Will Your Next Mistake Be Fatal?

I found this book to be perfect for what I was looking for. It has a lot of Bible reading in the devotional itself and the New Century Version which it uses is easy reading and in today's language. It makes the Bible reading a pleasure. I also really like the comments and how they are pertinent to the Bible passage.

This is a great daily devotional that leads you through the New Testament. Each day has a small piece of the Old Testament and a great commentary, then Questions for a thoughtful prayer. I also like the NCV (new century version).

We have been using this book as part of our daily devotionsfor several years, and LOVE it.It takes one throught the New Testament in one year and each day has great insights. I have given it as a gift to many and it has been well received. I would HIGHLY recommend it..a 5 star in my book.

i really like this translation of the New Testament. it is very easy to understand and reads like a novel. the division into these short "15 Minute" sections are a great incentive for me to read it every day. to have someone elses commentary along with the text, helps to inspire my own thoughts and insights. i also like the references to the old testament, and i frequently look up those scriptures to gain a better understanding. this little book makes a great gift. i can only recommend it.

My pastor introduced this book to our church. I find it a managable portion of scripture to read at the beginning of each day as I spend "My Time With God." It consists of just 2 pages of scripture reading, in the usual order, as you go through the entire New Testament in one year. There are old testament passages that accompany the New Testament reading for the day, helping to expand upon the truths for the day's reading. The discussion by well-known preachers, evangelists, writers, teachers, and also spiritual icons of days gone by, which follow each day's reading cause me to reflect upon and apply to my life what I have read.

I look forward to picking up this book each morning, knowing I have enough time to meet with the Lord before my hectic day begins. I have already given away 3 of these as gifts to others whom I know are pursuing a closer walk with God.

Best book that I've read regarding parenting teens. Chapters are not too long, the topics are relevant to teen behavior and there is good guidance for parents.

Dennis and Barbara Rainey are as engaging in the book "Parenting Today's Adolescent" as they are in person. The unforgettable Lessons, Charts and Conviction Building Plans are great tools for parents who are slightly challenged or just clueless on how to approach their teens with some tough topics. The book identifies various traps such as peer pressure, sex, dating, attitude, media, unresolved anger, appearance, false Gods and more. If you have ever heard Dennis Rainey on the radio or at a Family Life Conference then you know that he can tell a captivating story. This book is a wonderful what to do and how to do it guide for parents. I love the writing style and how they capture so much information in every chapter. This book is a great resource for parents of children any age.Biblical Perspectives on Tough Issues: Counseling in African-American CommunitiesHe is NOT Left Behind... He is With Me!

I am halfway through this book and have found it to be filled with great advice in helping me raise my five children. They aren't quite yet in the preadolescent age, but soon and I am preparing. This book is based on Christian values and refer to a lot of scriptures. Even if your family isn't Christian or really religious in your everyday living, this book will still make sense and give you some encouragement that you can make it through the teenage years with success. Sticking to convictions you set with yourself, your children can work.

If ANYONE ever felt the need for a parenting "How-To", this is it!! Not for the faint of heart though - as it pulls no punches and advocates a tell-all approach to upcoming obstacles and pitfalls in a teen's life vs. leaving up to chance or peer-information or just plain ignorance. Taboo topics such as masturbation are addressed with exact advice and timing suggested. The philosophy is "Don't leave anything to chance - inform your child BEFORE it happens while encouraging serious brainstorming and promoting action plans to head off destructive events that are ultimately inevitable." Another issue addressed is virginity and the distinction between being a virgin and actually being PURE. Empowerment is key - for the child as well as the parent - in the face of a permissive society which shapes our children's perceptions of values and morals. Of course, the foundation of this book is the ultimate Rule Book of all things in life - the HOLY BIBLE. But even non-Christians who want a guide on how to teach good morals and values to their teen who is trying to make sense of: 1)where they belong and 2)what they should do in this crazy world will find this book to be a true treasure. I have recommended to it countless parents and am thankful I didn't find it too late...

I was really concerned about how to deal with a lot of issues with our daughter and purchased this book and even though I have only read about 1/3 of the book it is GREAT! I like the way it is written, the scenarios and suggestions are down to earth and real and I intend to use the methods presented in the book when I am faced with adolescent challenges.

I love purchasing from Amazon it was very simple and straight-forward and the book quality was great!

Perfect for : Personal reading, Book Club reading (Note: the book does include discussion questions at the end)

In a nutshell: One thing I really appreciated is that the author provided a glossary of Amish words in the front of the book!! What a benefit as most of us wouldn't know that "boppli" means baby. Right away, the reader gets a glimpse of the importance of the choice Lilly is making to leave her boyfriend and visit her grandparents, who are Amish. I fell in love with them right away, with their kind remarks and realistic expectations. Through both ups and downs Lilly builds some remarkable relationships that help to shape the future of her life. I highly recommend this inspirational book.

My Review:
I absolutely loved this book! Lilly went to visit her grandparents for a great reason - she needed to re-evaluate her life and get back on the right track. Once there, she begins to learn a little more about the Amish lifestyle and beliefs. She meets some wonderful people and becomes a functioning family member. This is certainly a feel-good book by the end, and the reader gets to witness more than one person's transformation. The story explores joy as well as sorrow, forgiveness and new-starts. I really enjoyed this peak into relationships and Amish life.

Characters: Beautifully written, each character has a personality all their own. I loved them all . . . except Rickie - who was never meant to be a nice person. The subtle changes within the book were wonderful.

Story-Line: The story was great - Lilly chose to leave the "English" world to join her Amish grandparents as a result of a bad relationship and many disappointments. What she finds is even better than she expected. She finds real friends, family, contentment in a "Plain" lifestyle, and more than anything . . . faith.

Readability: A truely enjoyable read from start to finish. The book was made even easier with the inclusion of a glossary.

Overall: Another favorite book to be added to my "favorites" bookshelf. The story and wonderfully written characters help to make this story come to life. Lilly gets a chance to reconnect with family, and a chance at a new beginning in this gently inspirational story.

Plain Perfect is described on the cover as a "sweet journey of faith." I agree. I was unsure how I would feel about reading an "Amish" story. I wondered would it be like "Little House in the Prairie" with darker clothes and a lot of ya's thrown in for good measure. Either way I was planning on a reading adventure which is how I feel when I read something that is pretty new to me.

Lillian Miller is our heroine, and she has pretty much had it with the lifestyle she has grown up in. She wants a simpler life without complications. She has Amish grandparents, and decides to stay with them and basically be Amish for a while. This is really kind of cute and naive. Of course one cannot be Amish for a while and really be Amish. You can't be any sort of religion for a while. It isn't that she isn't sincere in her desire to have a different life. She just hasn't really latched on to the fact that God is pursuing her for a relationship with him.

Lillian stays with her grandparents Jonas and Irma Rose and slowly learns the Amish life. First it is really all about helping her grandmother, because she sees how hard her grandma works at home with helping her grandpa who has cancer. She offers the one talent she has...cooking. Soon though Lillian begins to learn so much more about life on this farm and life of an Amish woman. She still clings to some of her "Englisch" ways, but in time her desire to really know God and really make some changes in her life grows stronger and Lillian turns to Irma Rose for instruction in the "Ordnung" which is really almost all passed along to the young verbally.

Watching Lillian change and develop is sweet. Witnessing her relationship with her grandparents is heartwarming as is her friendship with neighbor Samuel and his son David. Lillian has a soft heart and a warm spirit. She is a character that you want to see happy. I am not going to give this story away, but let me tell you...it is good! I even found myself shedding a wee tear or two. I wish I could tell you when! I would and do highly recommend Plain Perfect. It is really great.

Here is a little bonus too: Beth Wiseman included some definitions of Amish words seen in the book, and there are also some recipes at the end. I have had Shoo Fly pie before, and I probably wouldn't want to make it (too sweet for my taste), but I am definitely interested in making the Rhubarb Pie!

Plain Perfect by Beth Wiseman is the first book in her Daughters of Promise series about the Amish of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Lillian Miller has returned to her grandparents' farm for the first time in twenty years. Visiting their Amish farm when she was seven felt like a dream come true with ice skating and delicious meals; it was a real change from the restless life she lived with her mother, Sarah Jane, who had left the Amish when she was eighteen. Lillian is hoping to find some peace of mind in escaping the complications of modern life, including an abusive boyfriend. She quickly wins over her grandfather, Jonas, and the young helper on the farm, David Stoltzfus. She has more trouble proving herself to her grandmother and David's father Samuel whose smile she can't quite get out of her head. Wiseman writes a intriguing fantasy with Lillian. She wants to leave behind all of her troubles and start over, but she has to face the past first, and to find true peace of mind, she needs to find the only one who can provide that: God. Wiseman captures all of the beauty of the Amish way of life while portraying the difficulties in following the Ordnung, the code of rules which can vary from region to region and isn't written down. Lillian faces some real trials, but her winning character rises above them making the reader fall in love with her. I really enjoyed Wiseman's style of writing, and I especially appreciated that when she interspersed Amish words into the dialogue, she didn't immediately have another character define them (that seriously slows down dialogue in many other Amish books I've read). Instead, she provides a glossary at the beginning of the book. There's also several delicious sounding recipes at the end. Definitely a must read.

My mother-in-law loves the series of books about the Amish by Wanda Brunstetter and Beverly Lewis - they are on her keeper shelf. I believe Beth Wiseman's Plain Perfect series will be joining them there. I love Beth's fresh take on the Amish story. Here we have young woman who's mother was raised Amish but left before being baptized and she decides to go stay with her grandparents, whom she has only met once or twice, and she if she can find peace in her life. She finds much more than she ever imagined as her past comes back to haunt her and her future stands before her. A beautiful story that had me bawling and my husband consoling me :-) If you love the Amish, then DO NOT miss this one!

Since Beth Wiseman's first novel far exceeds any expectations I had when I began reading it, I'm highly recommending it to friends and family. Lillian, her main female character, exudes a refreshingly humorous but realistic nature. While seeking to redeem the mess she has made of her life, Lillian arrives to live with her mother's parents, her grandparents, in their Amish community and experiences gentle acceptance and forgiveness as she learns the Amish beliefs and culture and seeks a relationship with God. Her Amish friends--Samuel, a widower, and his son--marvel at her kindness and cuteness while they grow to love her deeply. Unexpected events grip the reader emotionally. Plain Perfect is a refreshing read! Waiting for the second book of the trilogy will be difficult, but I will definitely pre-order it in order to receive it as soon as possible.

The Power of Creative Prayer has helped me in a number of different facets of my life. This book has aided me personally and professionally, and many dreams that I never deemed possible became reality.
The Power of Creative Prayer is way past due in its' ideology,
and is a relevant and fun way to seek answers through prayer.
From a writer's perspective, it has given me a newfound freedom in the creative process, and there are very few days that go by that I don't implement much of the author's exercises into my daily life.

This author writes from a unique level of spirit that few others can match.I have been on a path to manifesting my dreams for 10 years, but, have not been able to get to the issues that have kept me from real abundance.I immediately had real results upon discovering this book while looking for the blocks to my abundance & manifesting power. I was stuck while following many steps in the "laws of attraction, etc" that did not fully work & were producing the opposite results for me. Upon reading a few passages from this book, I began connecting dots to my failures in a way I could deeply understand. Mary Anne is a rare teacher that truly knows & shares the secret to many of our deepest blocks & dissapointents. I know the "Secret" is getting more publicity, but, they leave out all the "secrets" that Mary Anne teaches & shares to manifesting & living our greater possibilities & dreams! I highly recommend this book & tool. There is no other who offers these solutions & phenomenol guidance. I am still utilizing & benefiting by her method & wisdom!

The Power of Creative Prayer is an interesting story of a person finding happiness and success in spite of heartbreaking life experiences; but it is much more. Mary Ann Thomas has found a way for anyone to improve their life. Creative prayer gets answers, and the process you learn is actually fun. If everyone adopted this method of bringing dreams and desires into reality, our world would be an ideal place.

Mary Anne Thomas is a very insightful author. Her information, as usual, is well researched and explained. The dictionary words provided in the back of her book have made it convenient and easy to use the recommened dictionary game. This book is a must read and her personal coaching and correspondence has certainly helped in receiving answered prayers. Her new web-school is a good source of immediate information as well.
I look forward to any new books in the future written by Mary Anne. - D. Coley

As I expected, another enjoyable book written by Mary Anne Thomas! I'm always looking for a new ways to enlighten my life and to see things from a different perspective and this book helped me do that. The simple act of sitting down with your dictionary can transform your outlook and open your mind as you pray. Despite your level of religous beliefs or practice, I highly recommend this book to anyone who believes in the power of prayer and is looking for a creative way to approach it!

This is definitely a 5 star book. If you've been looking for a bit of sanity, feeling overwhelmed, read too many self-help books, then try this one. Although it is short and very readable, I don't think it should be read quickly. That is the author's entire point. Life is a process. Reaching a goal is about the journey, not the destination. Read a chapter, digest it, read the next chapter, digest it. I found great calmness in reading this book. I loved his analogy to sailing towards the horizon. Sometimes we become so focused on the goal that we forget that we have made progress, even though we keep moving our horizons. A small book with a great message to be read repeatedly.

Although I have bought and read literally hundreds of self help books in all categories through Amazon, the Practicing Mind by Thomas M. Sterner is by far the 1st book that has compelled me to write my very first Amazon review.

Their are many things that make this book stand out. It is very short, with absolutely, no-fluff or fillings, with the result that every word and every phrase really counts. Sterner's tone is also very down to earth and easy to understand without the use of any pretentious words. The book also has a few very good illustrations and stories to clarify the concepts presented in the book.

But what I think makes the book really practical is Sterner's realization and revelation that the key to success in any area of life is to acquire self-discipline through non-judgmental concentrated practice. Now, I know that this doesn't sound at all like a very profound or new revelation. But if you have been searching through hundreds of self help books - like I have been for the last few years - for the one key ( or system) that would enable me to become successful in improving my spirituality, my role as husband and father, time-management, health and exercise, writing, entrepreneurship and my other personal areas of interest that are of value to me - than the Practicing Mind will be of great value to you.

The Practicing Mind - is not a panacea to cure it all - but for me it turned out to be an amazingly simple and effective system to help me to systematically and measurably improve all the areas of interest in my life.

I highly recommend the Practicing Mind to anyone that has been searching for the key - no matter if you are just starting out or you already own hundreds or even thousands of self-help books - to order this book and put it into practice

I also highly recommend you to get to also get the audio version - as over the years I have realized that the best way to internalize the paradigms like the one presented in this book - is to listen to them over and over again preferably on a daily basis. The audio CD is read by Mr. Sterner himself and the author has a very calm and pleasant voice that helps transmits his ideas perfectly in the audio book version of this book.

Get The Practicing Mind. It might be the last personal self-help book that you ever order.....

Start with the best intention and commitment to accomplish a worthwhile goal only to see both wane in a short period of time. What causes this to occur and how to overcome it are the messages in Mr. Sterner's book.
In my opinion he is spot on in his assessment and advice. Accomplish much more with a marked improvement in peace of mind. If these results interest you, buy his book or his CD. Highly recommended.

Fantastic application of Zen meditation to everyday life. I am so much calmer after reading it.

How would you like to learn to let go of anxiety? To get twice as much done with half the stress? To find a way to handle intimidating, unpleasant, or even boring tasks without having them take a bite out of you?
What if I told you that this would involve your investing a little over $10 and reading a 98-page book?
I thought you'd be interested.
Here's the deal. Sterner, a musician, a piano technician, a golfer, and an all-around sage (who would probably be a really interesting person to get to know) mined what he he had learned about repetitive tasks, like practicing music and golf swings (and, I guess, piano tuning and adjusting) and put it into a little book. No frills, no fancy language, no huffing and puffing about how profound he is, his message is, or anything else. And, at least from my experience and that of the other contented reviewers here, he got it right.
Um, sorry, that really should have been Got It Right. What he presents here is not novel - it's been around in recorded human wisdom for thousands of years - but it is simple, direct, and easy to apply. His basic principles are: attach to process (which you can control) not to outcomes (which you can't); accept yourself as embodying perfectly whatever stage of development you happen to be at - don't postpone happiness until you reach/have/attain something - break big projects down into tiny tasks; open yourself to learning from those around you and to joy, which is everywhere. He lays them out in simple, functional prose that anyone can read and understand.
This little book is a giant weapon in The War Against Suffering. Read it. Do what it tells you to do. Read it again. Do more of what it tells you to do. Praise it so that others will read it. Give it to your friends.
I've bought books here based on the reviews of others and it was clear to me when I saw the sorry things that passed for books that someone had self-published and then gotten friends to game the process. I don't know Sterner (my loss) and have no interest in doing anything except sharing my pleasure in having discovered this book.

Truly an amazing book! I love this author and have read a couple of her books. As I read the book, it is like she is thinking the same things as I am. I use this book as my devotion time and love how I feel after reading it! I also recommend Prayers For New Mothers.

This is a precious collection of prayers that hit the heart. Every word will encourage you to "hang in there" and enjoy these months. You better get a box of kleenex though before you start reading!

Bless you Angela for letting the Lord use you to write this book. It is a blessing. Thank you.

Thank you for writing this book. I feel like you wrote it just for me! I'm having my fifth child and this book is making this the most special pregnancy ever.

I am just about to have my first child and this book has been a God send to me. Angela was able to put the thoughts and emotions that I was having into words of praise for the Lord. Many times I would open the book when I was feeling down or discouraged and she would have written about exactly what I was feeling. I am now buying a copy for a friend that is expecting.