Religion Books

This book has been a blessing to me. Andy has skillfully used the life of Nehemiah and has interwoven his own leadership experiences, while staying through to the Scriptures.

Every visionary needs to read this book. Every pastor needs to read this book. Everyone who is involved in ministry at some level needs to read this book. Buy and eat this volume, for you will find it sweet to the taste and satisfying to the stomach.

Most leadership books focus on a specific portion of leadership (i.e. competency or character, method or motive, personal or public, etc.) In so doing these books almost guarantee enthusiastic support from like minded persons and criticism from others.

VISIONEERING is more balanced than most. The book's subtitle is very accurate. "God's blueprint for developing and maintaining personal vision." This book is based on Scripture and attempts to follow God's definition of leadership. This book is extremely practical in offering advice on developing and maintaining vision. This book delves deeply into the personal character of the leader. This book offers concrete guides for a vision that yields public impact. In short, this book may not go as deeply as any one person may like, but everyone should accept it. More importantly, every Christian leader should be stretched by it.

SUGGESTION: Because of its balance and ability to stretch people this is the probably the next book I will take our entire church leadership team through. If you are looking for a book to offer to your leaders, this is a good one. I suggest that each pastor buy a copy of this book for board members and take them through it as a small group discussion guide. It will help the board members understand the pastor, support the pastor better, and will also make the board members better leaders in their own ministries.

If you have ever had a dream, a vision that God has placed in front of you and did not know what to do with it, you need this book. As I started reading, it felt that Andy Stanley was writing to me personally. God has place within my heart a vision but I was at a loss as to how to put steel and concrete on it. Andy took the story of Jeremiah and applied it so that it would fit whoever and whatever God has placed within you.
Fantastic book I refer to almost weekly.
I have to be honest and admit that I thought to myself, "What has this young preacher got to say that will help me, a veteran of 43 years of preaching?" I was blessed, he had much to say and kept it all Biblical!

In contrast to many books on leadership, even those written by Christian leaders, Andy Stanley manages to draw out over a dozen key principles from the story of Nehemiah's journey in leading the people of Israel to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. I have appreciated some of those more secular leadership books, including Stanley's "Next Generation Leader," as I have tried to development my own skills, but I found his biblical approach here to be refreshing.

I used the audiocassette version of this book, which was read by Andy Stanley and presumably significantly abridged. So, I cannot attest to the entire text of the book. However, even in bulleted form with the key points highlighted in the audio version, there was much wisdom to glean from Stanley's analysis of Nehemiah.

I highly recommend this leadership book, particularly for leaders within the church, and I look forward to listening to it again!!

Few authors have the skill of presenting biblical truth in such practical dress! Andy Stanley has hit a home run. I have read this book twice, a year apart, and have catalogued over 30 cross-referenced topics from its pages.

From the Old Testament Book of Nehemiah, Stanley propounds 20 building blocks for discovering, articulating, and growing vision in personal life. The book has 18 projects, one following each chapter, most of which were personally helpful.

While being a Bible based book, this work has direct practical application that will fit nearly any kind of vision in any field. It moves to that rare highest category in my library: a five star must read!

This book couldn't have come at a better time for me. It seems the Lord knew exactly what I needed when I visited my library 2 days before a mission trip, 2 days following the tragic death of our beloved pet Nadia. As I read the book, I kept my Bible close and it all made perfect sense. I received such peace from God through the teachings of Ms. Buddemeyer-Porter. I thank the Lord for this answer to my prayer.

A wonderful review not only of scripture, but also how well-known theologians down through history agree: You will see Fido in Heaven. I cannot rate this book high enough.

If you have ever lost a pet or know someone who has, then, aside from the Bible, this is the ONE book you really should read and share. Since it came to my attention on Amazon, I have gifted this book several times always with the same grateful result.

"Will I See Fido In Heaven" is an adult way of looking at the loss of a dear pet. This book is thoughtful, and somewhat comforting. Nothing would be more comforting than actually having the lost loved-one back by one's side. However, this book is as good as it gets.

There are many believers in Christ who do not believe that we will see our pets in heaven. I must admit that before reading Mary's book, "Will I See Fido in Heaven?", I felt this same way. As an animal lover and Christian, I was willing to accept whatever God's plan was for animals eternal destination, whether it be that life would just simply end, or that their souls would dwell along side those of us in Heaven who believe in Jesus Christ. Mary uses sound scripture to back up her beliefs. God's word is true and without error. If we choose not to believe His word, then we will miss out on the blessings He intends for us to have and enjoy. If you love animals and our Lord and Savior who created them, read Mary's book. You'll be glad that you did.

How refreshing to read the beautiful stories in this book about the men on this earth who take the place of Jesus - our Roman Catholic priests! Sadly, some of our priests have fallen away from grace and although it is important that this scandal be brought to the forefront, there are also many, many wonderful, kind, compassionate priests whose stories must be told. This book does just that. It tells story after story about these wonderful holy men and how seriously they take the souls that are entrusted to them. God Bless Them and we must remember to pray for them always!

Well written and edited descriptions of encounters with priests that has helped open eyes and minds and hearts to the readers. Articles are brief and descriptive and appeal to the reader. Each little story is a book in itself and makes it hard to put the book down. You read of one story and right away want to go to the next one. Thank you, Sr. Pat Proctor, for a well done work.

i bought several copies to give as gifts to other catholics. each story is different and filled with true heart warming
acts of love and encouragement.

It's long overdue, this book of tributes to the quiet, humble and unsung heros God has called to the Catholic priesthood. God knew what He was doing when He chose these men, sometimes surprising them in the process. One hundred and one stories that affirm what most of our priests truly are, another Christ. Pick any story, and the love of the Lord for His people shines through each of these 101 priests. A book of sheer joy.

With all the scandal in the church it's easy to forget that the few priests found guilty are NOT the majority! This book reminds you that the church has so many dedicated wonderful priests that are working for the Lord and Our Lady and doing HIS will! Just a wonderful inspiring book of wonderful dedicated priests! Be not afraid! should be the secondary title as Pope John Paul II has led the way and these wonderful priests have followed...

Although the paper is a bit thin and flimsy. . . .the books were delivered in excellent condition and totally effective.

This is the most helpful daily devotional book I have read, as I have been in recovery for 24 years and this has become my favorite.

While I read several meditation books, this is by far my favorite one! Each entry has another insight for beginning each day, and really helps give me something important to think about during my daily activities.

If you've read Emmett Fox's interpretation of "The Sermon on the Mount," you know that he sees the bible as a series metaphors and poetry, as well as an account of the life of Jesus Christ. No problem. But if you're in need of a daily spiritual word, this is not the book for you. His daily readings are very much geared toward the intellect and not the emotional or spiritual. I kept it on my bedside table and read the daily entry for about two weeks until I realized I was thinking too much. Try "God Calling" for daily, concise inspiration. This is more intellectual self-help with a slash of the Spirit.

This book has helped me so much over the past 10 years and I just purchased these for friends of mine who are just beginning their spiritual journeys. It is an easy to read daily meditation book with wonderful insights that will grow and stick with you through the years.

I wish someone had given me this book when I first felt called to ministry my senior year of high school. This book can help you get ready the right way for ministry. If we are to buy wisdom and not sell it, this book should be at the top of that shopping list. When I read it I feel like Oswald Chambers is mentoring me personally, drawing from his deep experience with God and shooting straight with me. Thank God for Oswald Chambers, and for my dad who gave this to me to read.

To think this man, Oswald Chambers, did most of his work as sermons and lessons which were then transcribed by his wife, and to think those works are shining with brilliance taken from personal truth and scriptural eternities, and to think he is largely overlooked by laymen and thinkers today is truly amazing. Delve into this book, it is a keepsake. It is an invaluable resource for those who believe God is love and that God makes an attempt to reach those who seek for his answers and help.

Oswald Chambers was an astounding individual with profound insight. And, undoubtedly, surrendered to the cause of Christ. If you have never read a book by Chambers -- you should. And, I could not recommend "The Complete Works" more highly.

This is an amazing book. Still relevant for today. I love his writing. He makes you think and takes you to the depths of your heart. A great "tag" for this book would be "living" not just "christian living". My Utmost for His Highest (my favorite devotional) and Biblical Psychology are absolutely priceless and life changing. I am working on the other books in the collection.

I highly recommend this collection. I suggest starting with Biblical Ethics and moving to The Psychology of Redemption. Next, I recommend OC's commentary on Isaiah and Jeremiah. If you are interested in Christian counseling move on to Biblical Psychology, keeping in mind the vision of this work, and when it was written and taught (1907-1917). In general, this is an exhaustive and wonderful collection of talks, teachings and sermons composed by an unusually gifted turn-of-the-century pastor/teacher/theologian. Chambers is strong, very strong. I suspect him to be as gifted as any of the major reformers. Chamber's greatest gift is a relentless and penetrating understanding of the atonement; and what the cross means in the fullest dimensions of the: practical, behavioral, psychological, moral and spiritual. I have read most of this collection, and it has profoundly deepend my faith, especially my understanding of the the Cross of Christ and the Epistles of Paul. This is evangelical preaching and teaching at its highest: unvarnished, piercing, profoundly illuminated and directly centered in the Cross and the Word of God. Read and grow.

I like the thoroughness of this devotional it really gives you the meal you crave when you seek to know gods word and develop a deeper understanding of his word.

This is an excellent book. Our Life Group of 12 people are going through the Bible in a year using this Bible. We are all enjoying reading it and discussing it. Thank you.

It is an awesome way to read the bible entirely through. My problem is you do not have any in stock and the backorder will not be available until the end of September. Everywhere I have checked does not have any available so it must be a good bible.

My husband has this same bible in a different version and purchased the NIV for me. Now I know why he loves it so much! It explains to you what you're going to read in big-picture views, then gives a devotional on how to relate it to your life, then gives you insight into one thing, then has a couple chapters to read. I was afraid it would be too much to read in one day but it's very easy to read and especially helpful with the big picture and devotional at the beginning -- really makes it more understandable. I had read the two-year bible which had you read a little old testament, a little new testament, a little psalms and proverbs each day. I found myself confused following so many different story lines. This one goes through the bible front to back which is much easier to follow. I highly recommend it.

I was given this book as a Christmas gift back in 1987. Somewhere down the line I lost it while traveling. I have been trying for years to obtain another copy and finally, because of Amazon, I have. This book is what really got me diligently studying the bible and sparked my growth in my walk with Christ. I like the structure of the book and the small commentaries before each day's lesson. The publisher should really consider publishing this book again.

Since I was given this book I have brought several one year bibles for people, they are great gifts. The value of such a gift is beyond measure.

Brother Joseph Schmidt presents an extraordinary life of the Little Flower. Brother Joseph says, "Theresa is our comtemporary" and so she is. By her image of God as living and merciful she pre-dated Vatican II. After reading Brother Schmidt's, "Everything is Grace," I re-read Theresa's "Story of a Soul. Thanks to Brother Schmidt, I got much more out of the second reading of Theresa's autobiography

This book really draws the reader into the mystery of sainthood. But, it does it in such a real and simple way. Therese was real and simple. It's actually possible to see oneself in her. This was an amazing experience for me.

In Everything Is Grace, Joe Schmidt elegantly helped me to fall in love
with Therese. Therese showed me how to walk in the heart of love. The
gifts of surrender and gratitude have become for me a daily offering.
Bearing serenely those behaviors that are displeasing to me has become
a daily challenge. Joe Schmidt helped convince me that Therese's "Little
Way" is the only way. Joe Schmidt's clarity, precision, and ease of reading were highlights for me in Everything is Grace. I continue to
highly recommend this book to others.

Review by Rita Schmitz, CSJ

I have read several books on the life of St. Therese and enjoyed them all. This one, however, is much more than the story of a sweet, young girl. This one makes real the grit and determination of a woman bent on knowing and loving Jesus within her world. She awakens my spirit to do the same. The author has shared not only the facts of Therese's life but has also shared deep insights into the life of this woman of faith.

Joseph Schmidt, FSC has written a new and refreshingly insightful book on Therese of Lisieux, using her original and unedited documents. She becomes more accessible to us little ones and that was the intention of her Little Way.
Steven Vesely, S.T.
Secretary General
Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity

In. My. Purse.

All. The. Time.

Seriously ---- This book is amazing. It has a permanent home in my purse... (it's not too small, not too big - just right) And I use it almost daily....or at least a few times per week. Sometimes I'm in a bad place and need a quick inspirational message, and sometimes I just feel like feeling better about something....Whatever the reason, you will LOVE THIS BOOK. I ordered 5 more after I got it to give to friends and family...that's how much I love it. I know when some open it they will think "ummm....ok..?" at first....but they end up thanking me later.

GET THIS BOOK you wont be sorry!

this book has been so helpful at valuable to me so many tough times like i'm going through now. the messages are short but powerful. this book will certainly help you restore your peace. like another poster said mine is getting worn out.

Each time my spirt is down, or I'm going through a situation, I turn to this book. I hold the book in my right hand by its spine, fan the pages with my left hand to stop at randum. The passages I've read, I have felt its deep spirtual feeling and I understand its meaning. Then I reflect on my situation and the passage fits. It helps me to understanding whats going on. It uplifts my spirit to deal with my situation. It give me insight to view my problem from a different angle. It also assures me that what I am currently going through will end. I will get through it. In my view, its a powerfull book. I have read several other books by Iyanla, even watched her talk show (sorry that went off the air), but like the bible, I keep Faith In The Valley near by.

This is my FAVORITE book by Iyanla Vanzant because of: It's size(small enough for your tiny purse), its lack of preach-i-ness and how the index is organized by subject. I feel its a synopsis of all the subjects covered in her other books. I also feel the book is applicable to women of ALL cultures. You can use it as a daily guide or you can use the index to find a subject for which you could use guidance.

I can not express how insightful and helpful this book is! It really makes you look deep into the reason(s) why you thought you needed a book of affirmations in the first place. This book is perfect for those "why me" and "I really can't take any more" moments when you feel like life, and everything in it, needs to give you a break. If you're a woman experiencing a lot of change in your life and it seems like you just can't handle another crisis (or is it a crisis afterall?), this is the book for you. I carry it in my purse!

Essays in Trintarian theology are seldom written in quite such a folksy style. Section headings include, â€~It’s the Economy’, â€~Soul Provider’, and â€~The Trinity from Infinity’. Not how I’d write, but, hey, I’m not as clear as Scott Hahn at getting my point across.

The strength of this book lies in the clarity of individual passages. Hahn’s demolition of the use of the â€~gender neutral’ use of â€~Creator, Redeemer, Sanctifier’ to replace Father, Son and Spirit is brief and lucid, â€~It’s good for us to tell our loved ones how much we appreciate what they do for us; but it’s far better to tell them how much we love them for who they are as persons.’ Another highlight is his extended discussion of the Fall.

Hahn restates a traditional understanding of both the Trinity and the Christian family, meeting both feminist and moral objections by starting with a study of relations. What is the pattern of familial relations implied by the statement that â€~It is not good for man to be alone’, and what is the pattern of divine relations implied by the creation of man, united as male and female in the likeness of God? How does the pattern of one relationship illuminate and explain the nature of the other? Suddenly our relations with one another are revealed as statements about God.

Hahn makes enlightening use of a concept of a â€~trustee family’ extended beyond the household or â€~domestic’ family, and demanding loyalty to and stewardship of its property, traditions and life. This is the antithesis of the â€~atomistic family’, the individual forging his or her destiny alone, in company with others only while they serve the individual’s wants.

Linked to this is an attempt to draw out the â€~maternal impulse’ in the Godhead by considering the Holy Spirit as indwelling Mother Church â€" the Bride of Christ. He is careful and challenging. Because of his Pneumatology, for Hahn the Church, like the family, is a reflection in her economy of the eternal Trinity, implications of which include a rejection of referring to God as Mother, and the exclusion of women from holy orders.

This book is penetrating, accessible and readable. It challenges us to more work. The questions that this book raises will repay study.

The remarkable thing about Scott Hahn's own brand of high-street theology is that it loses nothing in quality or depth. Since his conversation from hard-core Protestantism, Hahn has devoted himself to explaining the beauty and coherence of the Catholic faith to ordinary lay people. And with his infectious enthusiasm he certainly has a talent for uncovering richness of Church doctrine hidden in Scripture. But that's not all. Often, as in First Comes Love, he probes new depths, his obvious love of the Word of God leading him to insights that are, as Aidan Nichols observes in the foreword to this book, both wholly original and wholly orthodox.

The most revolutionary theory Hahn promulgates in First Comes Love is the idea that there was something left of the divine image for the man and woman to bring to completion themselves, a life-giving sacrifice. Sacrifice, Hahn argues, is the only way humans can imitate the interior life of the Trinity.

Hahn's ideas do not remain merely theoretical. In the second part of the book he brings his theology home, quite literally, with an honest discussion of how this self-giving love works practically in the family; it is a slow and gradually learned process. He includes a brief glance at the celibate vocation, as providing no less an opportunity for self-giving than married life, but this could perhaps be treated at greater length.

Hahn embarks on some bold but cautious explorations into the identity of the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity in a chapter devoted to the Holy Spirit. Leaning on the Scriptures and the writings of various saints and theologians, he incorporates Mary's maternity into this vision of the Spirit. This chapter demonstrates just how responsible Hahn is as a theologian. He openly and most willingly submits all his findings to the judgment of the Magisterium.

Hahn writes personally as always, with his trademark wordplay, painful or ingenious according to your taste. His theology is both profound and highly accessible, suited to those unused to reading academic works. All credit and indeed thanks to Hahn for cashing in on the fact that the Truth is simple.

Scott Hahn's "First Comes Love" is, overall, a very fine book. It is a Trinitarian treatment of biblical theology that focuses on sacrificial self-giving as the mode of divine life that is to be replicated in the life of the church and to transform family life. "Family" is the dominant idea, encompassing the divine Trinitarian family, nuclear and extended human families, and the church. Within this overall theme, Hahn makes a number of intriguing specific points:

1) He sets things up by pointing out that Adam was not to be alone but was called into family life. When Jesus comes, however, He calls people "away from their primal families, their tribes" toward participation in the divine family. (At some points, Hahn expresses this using the language of nature and supernature, which strikes my ear as a dissonance.)

2) He has some profound points on Sabbath, points that bear much more extensive meditation and study. The covenant name, Yahweh, he points out, does not appear in the creation account until after the Sabbath, and he uses this common observation to highlight the fact that the Sabbath is already at creation a sign of covenant. As he puts it, with the Sabbath, "something has changed in the relationship between God and creation. Most especially, something has changed in the relationship between God and His highest creation. . . . As a result of the seventh day, the day of the oath, God lives in covenant, a family bond, with humankind. God is not just our creator but our Father."

On the one hand, I want to say that a covenant relationship exists from the moment of the creation of Adam. Covenant is not something added to Adam's life as such. (Hahn, I think, disagrees; and I sense the presence of a nature/supernature framework intruding again.) On the other hand, the sudden use of the covenant name in 2:4 is striking, and perhaps suggests some kind of formalization of covenant relationship with the Sabbath day. Perhaps, though, the use of the covenant name serves to introduce the work of the sixth day (2:4 begins a new section in Genesis), a point that would support the notion that Adam is CREATED always already in covenant with God, rather than created and THEN brought into covenant with God.

3) Hahn points out that the serpent uses a plural verb in the temptation of Eve, confirming that he is addressing both Adam and Eve. Further, he suggests that the serpent's assurance that "You shall not die" if they eat the fruit implies the opposite as well: "You shall die if you do not." Pointing out that the Hebrew word for "serpent" describes a dragon, he describes the temptation scene this way: "if the serpent was indeed a monstrous beast, and if Adam did indeed dread death, then suddenly we can understand our forefather's silence. He feared his own death. Moreover, he feared physical death more than he feared offending God by sin. He stood by quietly while Eve continued in conversation with the beast. He stood in silence while the serpent issued his veiled threat."

4) And this very fine formulation of covenant: "Every covenant required a sacrifice symbolic of man's total self-giving. For a covenant is not a contract; it is not an exchange of goods. A covenant is an exchange of persons. One person gives up his former self, his former identity, to be accepted into a new family."

Not unexpectedly, there are some typically Roman Catholic turns in the argument that I object to. But to repeat, overall this is a stimulating and helpful book.

This is a very fine book. I think that Scott Hahn does an exemplary job in showing how a reflection of the Holy Trinity resonates in the construction of a family.

He has received some flack from those who take exception to some of the feminine characterizations of the Holy Spirit in his reflections on the Holy Trinity. What he says, of course, as his book illustrates, is supported by great theologians such as Cardinal Ratzinger and Matthias Scheeben. The explanations that he gives, both in the Endnotes as well as in the text, are more than adequate, in my view, to cover the objections which he has confronted.

Unfortunately, in our time, the devil is not only in the details, but also in the pronouns. Because of the onslaught of radical feminism, and other ideologies that are not compatible with the Catholic Faith, there is a great sensitivity to the kind of pronouns used for the Persons of the Most Blessed Trinity, and so, the sensitivity and contrary feelings that might be aroused from the beautiful speculation that this book contains, can perhaps, in the light of the circumstances of the present time, be understood, if not appreciated.

The only adjustment that I would suggest would be, in addition to what he already has in the text, to place some of the information he has in the Endnotes into the text so that the objections could more readily be refuted -- illustrating, as he says so well, that there is no intention to indicate any kind of gender or sexual differentiation in the Godhead. It might also have been helpful had there been an allusion to the pronouns used for the Holy Spirit in John 14-16.

That being said, I certainly salute the work that Hahn has done, and congratulate him for it. I assure you that in my view it is not only completely orthodox, but also exceptionally useful.

A practical guide to understanding the trinity. This book starts off by talking of the three types of families, then talks about how the family resembles the trinity. The process where the husband and wife become one in marriage and conceive a child is the embodiment of the trinity. The book goes on to talk about the covenants God has made with his people, and the New covenant Jesus made through the church, then it talks about the love of God and living a more Godly life. The last part of the book talks about the similarities of the family and the church. This is another excellent book by Scott Hahn and has given me a deeper understanding of God.

"Subito Santo!"(Make him a saint now!) was my first thought as I finished reading "The Gift of Peace: Personal Reflections by Joseph Cardinal Bernardin". This was a book I noted when it first was published, but I waited to read it until now. Perhaps I thought it would be sad or even depressing. How wrong I was! This is an uplifting book, recounting in his own words the major events of the last three years of Cardinal Bernardin's life. It is a book filled with moving stories of reconciliation, kindness,
care of others even in the face of his own debilitating illness, and love of the highest order. It is the truest expression of the saying "Let go and let God" I have ever encountered.

This is not a long book and I suggest reading its short chapters over several days or weeks. This will allow the "Gift of Peace" the book offers--which is Cardinal Bernardin's real legacy--to take root and grow in the reader. If this happens, the book has served its purpose and Cardinal Bernardin, now in the company of the saints in light (even if not an official saint yet) can, himself, rest in peace.

"Santo subito!" Make him a saint now!

I found this to be a wonderful piece of work and have lent it to several friends who were diagnosed with cancer. Monsignoir Velo's reading was very delightful and I give him a lot of credit for being able to read his good friend's memoires.

Beautifully written. As Cardinal Bernardin reflects on the last three years of his life, he shares the importance of embracing prayer, family, suffering, beauty, reconciliation, pain, and forgiveness in order to appreciate and completely enter into the fullness of peace.

For anyone who feels lost or alone in life or frustrated, angry, or scared at the thought of facing death, I recommend this book. Love and peace pour out of the pages as the author shares his life experiences, struggles, and genuine concern for others. He shared his love with countless people he encountered in his life, and his love continues to be shared after his death to any reader who has the opportunity to read this book.

The book is quite short (can easily be read in one sitting) and is incredibly focused and well organized. The book title, chapter titles, and introductory letter are handwritten by the author and really add genuineness to the book. Highly recommended.

Joseph Cardinal Bernardin made a very large impact on the City of Chicago. A simple, humble, very human being, he was greatly loved by all Chicagoans. At the end of his life, two huge events impacted his life, being falsely charged with sexual molestation by a young man, and learning that his life was soon to end as the victim of cancer. This book is a moving, eloquent statement of how he dealt with these and how his faith in God was tested and ultimately made rock solid. It is an inspiration to all who who are faced with burdens beyond their strength.

Those of us losing our eyesight and who love to read often turn to the audiobook. It is like having a wonderful text read to us at bedtime as we listen on levels spiritual and psychological unreached by silent reading. Please notice the audiobook of this present precious text of peace is read by a Monsignor, a close coworker of this blessed Cardinal.

The false accusations of abuse made against this great American Cardinal were quickly cleared up, and this slim volume insightfully and clearly records that process and the holy process of reconciliation with his false accuser, in a lesson for us of peace and reconciliation and of forgiveness of those who most completely destroy us. The Cardinal truly lives and demonstrates for us the promise we make each time we pray the Our Father. Forgive us in the same way that we forgive those who have trespassed against us. Forgive us with the same forgiveness we show others. Just as we must do unto others what we want others to do for us, JEsus also calls us actively to forgive others in the same way we want the Father to forgive us. This saintly and courageous Cardinal Forgave the disturbed young man who falsley accused him of abuse, and this book well displays the process, that we might also learn to forgive, in the Love of God, in our interpersonal relationships and national policies.

How many times must we forgive, o Lord. Not seven but seventy times seven.

We need in our national Catholic Church this voice now more than ever. Read this book and weep and become renewed in our Gospel mission to love and to forgive and to spread the good news to the poor and liberation to the captives. Sight to the Blind. In this time of unjust war and overwhelming violence, we need to hear this book.

Yet some Catholics for political reasons continue to condemn this saintly man (while silent on Cardinal Law), eagerly assuming the accusations true, or some association with others similarly accused, in order not to hear the exhortation by this great Cardinal that the right to life does not end at birth, but at a natural and God given death. The right to life must be supported at every point in our life and in every aspect of life. This great CArdinal elaborated for our edification the seamless garment explanation of the right to life.

Womb to tomb.

Please read this book.

I must rush to Mass now, and I bring this book with me to help my confused prayer. I thank God this great and holy and courageous Cardinal left us this Gift of Peace in the weeks before his untimely death. As head of the USCCB at the time of the crafting of the prophetic letter The Challenge of Peace, his courageous voice is needed now more than ever. Yet we have this, his abiding Gift of Peace, and that strong letter for peace. Take and read.

Pray for peace. Receive this Gift of Peace.