Religion Books

This book is captivating with outstanding and gorgeous photography showing the supreme artistry of God in creation, to see God's majesty through what He has made. The book has a religious slant, of course (see title), with biblical verses connecting to the photographs. The main sections of the books are Introduction, Elements, Design, Environments,, and Ebb & Flow. It is an excellent Coffee Table book and I highly recommend it for yourself and as a gift to others. I gave it as a gift to an artist friend and he loved it.

We often do praise trips to places of special beauty, where we sing songs of praise and worship to the Creator, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!
We go to the Grand Canyon, one example, but also to the lakes and other canyons in Arizona. I have often been to Oregon and experienced the beauty of the water falls and to Colorado to enjoy the Rocky Mountains.
This book is a praise trip for the reader, each page is an experience of worship. How great is our God, who created such magnificent beauty for us to enjoy. How blessed I was to receive this book as a gift and I immediately bought copies for my family. May many enjoy the beauty of God's creation. We are to fill our hearts and minds with praise and this is a wonderful way to start!

The most visually beautiful book I know of, THE ART OF GOD is in appearance a nature photography book of the most glorious sort, but upon closer look it is so much more. Ergenbright pairs brilliant awe-inspiring photography with artfully presented text and scripture verses that precisely match each photo and combine to make the heart leap, the soul rejoice. Though written in the spirit of worship, whether intended or not, the beauty, range, selection, and presentation of the book end up also being an apologetic making a visual case for a Creator that's both an intelligent and artistic designer. The photos are arranged purposefully, with the story flowing seamlessly thru the categories Elements, Design, Environments, and Ebb & Flow. The adjective "stunning" often's used to mean just really beautiful, but with this book it's beauty really does stun or take a bit of breath away. THE ART OF GOD is wonderful for a gift or to put on one's own coffee table for visitors to enjoy. Truly an aesthetic and spiritual masterpiece (and a bargain too).

Former agnostic and nature photographer Ric Ergenbright spreads before us a stunning visual feast of God's glory, as reflected in creation. Travel through gorgeous views of air, water, fire, forests, stones, and more. Not just a coffee table book, The Art of God provides a theology of creation as part of a two-fold design (the second part being the story of Christ played out through history). We can even learn about the complexity of creation, as in Ergenbright's discussion of how freshwater rain needs undrinkable seawater to send it on its journey.

Eden may be lost, but Ergenbright's insightful eye for beauty proves that much of paradise is still to be found. Amazingly beautiful nature photographs of every element can be found in this book: skies, bodies of water, cliffs, and even lava flows present the viewer with beauty that only a Supreme God could create. Ergenbright's modest introduction in the beginning of the book and his Biblical passages leave no doubt in regards to his devotion to God as the true artist here, but Ergenbright's own artistic talents certainly cannot be overlooked! I'm a huge lover of beautiful art and Ergenbright's uplifting Christian messages greatly added to the peacefulness of his breathtaking images, luring me into a state of blissful lethargy. This book is truly a wonderful testament of nature's beauty and I recommend it even if you are not a Christian; everyone can appreciate the beauty here, no matter what faith they are.

This book touched my heart. I related to the stories and enjoyed the unique lessons that Cheróne teaches with each one. She has a fantastic way of looking at things that really makes sense, plus makes you stop and think! The way she takes ordinary everyday happenings and makes them special by just listening to God talk to her is wonderful.

Like the first story, she tells about a trip to some caves near her home when she was only three years of age. (Just think of God speaking to someone that young!) She equated the fact that though she was scared, her Dad held her hand all the way through that dark cave and helped her over the rough places. Then she tells us that this was like our Heavenly Father! When we walk in the light of His love, He will keep us in the dark and hard times of our lives and keep us from falling into the pits of life. Jesus will help us through to the light if we just keep a hold of His hand. WOW!

I recommend this book to YOU!

Don't miss her other book, "Dancing Around the Throne" either. More deep stories from a master storyteller.

Buy one for yourself, then another for a friend that you care about. They will appreciate your loving kindness, believe me!

I read this book in one setting, and LOVED it! One can say God is with Cherone because of the way she writes and everything she has gone through. Amazing!! I met Cherone at a book signing, and then some time later I saw her in a restaurant. A more humble, loving, caring person you would never want to meet. She acted like I was doing her a favor by interrupting her meal! Both of her missives, this one and her other book, "Dancing Around the Throne", are real gems. Lead you DEEP into the Spirit of God and make you want more! If someone does not `get the point' of these two marvelous volumes, all I can say is they need to check their Spirituality, for they are going on empty! A person of either gender can get a BIG blessing if they are even mediocre, let alone striving for God with all of their hearts, like they should.

One word describes both Cherone and her works: Outstanding!

Don't miss this book!

I have read this book in the paperback edition, and have the hardback, because I like to have exceptional books in both so I can read them often. This book is so outstanding and marvelous that I can not say enough about it. I could not put it down once I picked it up! The stories are wonderful and full of sage advice, Bible verses, and I LOVE the drawings! This author has her finger on the pulse of all people everywhere and you would be hard pressed to find someone who can give you better advice, help or tell it like it is better than this book does. It is the best book I have read in a long, long time. Don't miss this wonderful work. I highly recommend "At San Jose Make a Left", and also her second book, 'Dancing Around the Throne'.

This book is so awesome, I can hardly find words to tell you how wonderful it is. My wife and I have read this book, and her second book, "Dancing Around the Throne" in our devotionals with our kids because of the magnificient lessons that Cherone teaches. She tells true stories about herself or someone she knows, then gives a spiritual lesson she learned from that happening, backs up her insighs with Bible verses, and gives a wonderful drawing to put it all together. Her style is unique, and makes you really stop and think. While her story telling skills are magnificent, the fact that she is an award winning author, a 2004 Who's Who in America, and published internationally, all combine to make you realize that these books are very special, written by someone who is knowledgeable.

I met Cherone when she walked into our television station WJEB-TV 59 in Jacksonville, Florida with her sparkling blue eyes and handed me a copy of "At San Jose Make a Left". I graciously accepted it, thinking this would be JUST another book. I took it home that night, picked it up to browse through it, and when I put it down I had read it all the way through, without even stopping to realize I was at the end. For it to hold MY attention after just wanting to browse, I am sure it will hold YOUR attention. Also to make the Father known to you in a most personal way. I truly recommend this book. And again recommend this book. "At San Jose" would be a book you would want to pull from your bookshelf just to encourage yourself and lend to a friend. Marsha Yarbrough, WJEB-TV 59, Jacksonville, Florida

This is a book which can easily change the way you see (observe) world. It is a book which requires meditation.
Krishnamurti's talks on various topic and his insight to know yourself is life changing.
While reading it, I used to go deep into thought and observed myself. During this period you realize and know a lot about yourself. One of the biggest thing which I learned was that you know the truth when you know what is not true. Making yourself aware of yourself (including anger, jealousy, prejudice) and not forcing it to go away is the the true observation. Just watch yourself as you watch the the sky and the birds without trying to do any change. This is just a small part of things which changed my life. It is not a book that will change your life but definitely one can change his own life after reading his book. At some points in the book you will be lost as there is nothing wrong or right but constant meditation on the topic will help one out.

If you are ready to challenge your believes and habits, this is a must read book.

One the MOST influential book I have ever read! It is very easy to follow, and I would recommend it to every one.

If you're interested in actually practicing Buddhism, not just reading or conceptualizing it, I feel like this book may help, because it's like having a teacher in your pocket. He guides you in a way that is productive, yet you have to truly see what he talks about for yourself in order to appreciate it. Otherwise, as JK would say, it's just more dead words.

What Krishnamurti offers the reader here are exercises for the mind that will help us re-wire our brains to think in a different way, that will allow us to obtain a new perception of who we are, and what our world is, and the harmony of both, leading to a freedom that can't quite be explained in words, but will be felt by those few who experience it. Have you stopped to think that it really makes no difference what car you drive, the clothes you wear, the place you live, because you still will at times feel sad, troubled, depressed, sick, and happiness is not guaranteed by these material objects?
What is our purpose in life? The author touches on these and other subjects, which we've being conditioned to believe as a universal truth, in today's modern "greed and riches are the only goal" society. He offers his ideas on how we free our minds from learned concepts, ideas, cultural traditions, and other thoughts that tie us into inflexible thinking, that doesn't allow us to understand new experiences, new ideas.

Krishanmurti, explains that in order for us to understand, we must say to ourselves "I don't know" so that we can have a clean slate with which to experience new ideas. Therefore not letting old, inflexible, sometimes narrow-minded, ideas or experiences, which we may have gathered through life, which are the sum of the culture, traditions, and experiences of thousands others who may, or may not be entirely correct in their interpretation either do to lack of knowledge, or a tunneled vision.

He describes how , by us depending on old ideas, acquired knowledge, and experiences,
We are pre conditioned, and bias, to new experiences, making it hard for us to obtain the full effect of any new experience. "Ah here we go again" is something all of us have said at times, and this is exactly what Krishnamurti is telling us not to do. When we think we opened our mental files, draw one from the bunch, and base our emotions, and reactions on that, which is wrong because in general terms, to grow as intelligent beings, we need to learn to clear our minds of the old (ideas, experiences, concepts) to make room for the new. He also says in this book that we should experience these things ourselves, not through gurus, religious leaders, or spiritual guides, as it is only you the one that can experience such a mental broadening, and someone else can't teach it.

His ideas could seem complicated, and hard to grasp in the beginning but if you read carefully, and maybe stop to think about it for a while, you'll find that they make sense.
The mind is like a warehouse where we store our ideas, and experiences, and once we
We have a certain amount of them, we base our behavior on them. Every time we encounter a new situation we draw from that warehouse, and if what's in storage is
In turn based on those ideas and experiences of others, we may not be experiencing life
fully. This is because we haven't really used our very own and personal thought process fully enough to see and understand way beyond those that came before us.
Krishnamurti advocates that we tear down the fences in our minds. He explains that all knowledge has been fragmented, in different areas, yet we as persons are one complete being. And we then behave and think fragmented as well. We talk about "my spirit", "my mind", "my body", as if they were separate from one another, yet they all reside in the same place: you.

If you have thought about the meaning of life, what your purpose in life is, what is this crazy place we call "world", then this book is for you. If you've ever thought about how is it that we follow established patterns of behavior like going to school, to work, getting married, paying bills, following goals, saving for retirement, among others, you should get thisbook. If you've realized that we're all right now living through one of the many stages of our lives (childhood, teenager, young adult, adult, middle age, golden years etc.) this book has many answers to those questions you've thought about but haven't been able to ask someone else.

"Some of you believe in the idea of reincarnation. You come and ask me what I believe, whether reincarnation is a fact or not, whether I remember my past lives, and so on. Now, why do you ask me? Why do you want to know what I think about it? You want a further confirmation of your own belief, which you call a fact, a law, because it gives you a hope, a purpose in life. Thus, belief becomes to you a fact, a law, and you go about seeking confirmation of your hope. Even though I may confirm it, it cannot be of vital importance to you. Whatever it may be to me, real or false, what is important for you is that you should discern for yourself these conceptions through action, through living, and not accept any assertions." - krishnamurti

I cannot recommend this book high enough. This book is one of the most comprehensive and accessible of Krishnamurti's work. It is a collection of talks given at various parts of the world. In each series of talk Krishnamurti leads the listener to look into serious topics like Operation of thought, conflict , The art of seeing, freedom, the energy needed for freedom, do we need a teacher, etc. There is a huge difference between looking into an issue and "thinking" about an issue. Thinking involves thought, and simply looking is mere observation. And krishnamurti says that if this observation, the seeing is done with total attention without the interference of thought, then the intelligence operates.

Many a times while reading this book, my mind will come to a complete stop and I would be taken to deep and spontaneous meditation. Krishnamurti is highly skillful in sparking our insights and allows us to see what he sees. He never says "This is right or this is wrong", he doesn't even want us to agree or disagree to what is being said, because he doesn't offer any theories. He just tells us to look without judment, prejudice or opinions. He asks us to listen "completely". He says that people ask questions for two reasons, one is to confirm what they already beleive in, and the other is to "really" find out the truth. The first way of asking will never lead to an answer, because we are unwilling to listen to the "truth"; We only want a confirmation for the false, and only the false needs confirmations. This book is for sincere seekers of truth who really want to know the truth. He says that when we look at the false as false, what remains is truth. Health is the absence of diseases, and so it truth the total negation of false. The ability to discern the true from the false is what intelligence is. I have observed that reading one talk per session in regular periods helps tremondously in awakening "intellingence", not "my" intelligence but just intelligence.

"As I was saying, the importance in asking a question is not to find the answer but to understand the problem because there is only the problem and not the answer. To ask a question is easy; but to go into the problem is extremely difficult because once you know what the problem is, the very seeing of the problem is the understanding of the problem. The moment I can state the problem very clearly, simply, the answer is there, I do not have to look beyond. But most of us do not know what the problem is. We are confused about the problem and so naturally we look, in our confusion, for answers; and that will only produce further confusion. " -krishnamurti

Jeremy Kingsley's Be Last is what is missing not only in our culture, but American church life. We are all so concerned about me, about being first. The way to up is down. This book is simple, practical and relevant. It is solid, Biblical and easy to read. Kingsley's Be Last will cut you open, then sew you back! A must read if you're willing to descend to greatness.

In this harsh world, everyone is seemingly out to protect their own hide, ignoring the needs of everyone else. "Be Last: Descending to Greatness" offers a fresh perspective and a contrary one: the idea that rushing to be number one is not always the best way to do things. Putting the needs of others before oneself can reap its own set of benefits, and can help one's own personal soul with the transformative power of giving charity. A book with a strong Christian message, "Be Last" is recommended reading to anyone interested in becoming a better human being.

Be Last is a convicting yet encouraging book. Convicting in that when you are finished you will certainly recognize an area of your life in which you can improve. Many books do this but few leave you encouraged. Instead of feeling overwhelmed and discouraged at embarking on a daunting task, you'll feel encouraged and motivated to pursue a life that brings glory to God. It's a great book for people of all ages and all stages of spiritual growth. The message is simple, yet profound. The stories are relevant and authentic to the point anyone can relate. Read this book and be directed toward a God-honoring, humility-driven, significant life.

I just finished this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was challenged by Kinglsey's clearly presented biblical picture of greatness (service+humility) and encouraged by the personal stories of his journey.

I've purchased many copies and have begun to give them out to eager recipients. I also plan to use them in my Bible class (high school) next year to supplement my New Testament course.

I have just finished reading Be Last, Descending to Greatness, written by Jeremy Kinglsey. I have never read a book quite like this one since I don't really enjoy books that quote scriptures. However, I was extremely interested in the author's basic premise.

Over the course of the last few years, I have noticed how we, as a society, have become self-centered and, at times, downright selfish people. I, myself, have realized that I automatically seem to always consider "my" needs and "my" wants above all else. How did we get to this point?

Kingsley tells us that we need to go back to a more basic place - we need to read and apply God's word to our everyday life and more importantly, we need to stop placing ourselves first and to start being of service to our fellow man - and put THEM first - just as Jesus did before us.

I believe that for most people, this is a tough concept to accept. Not because we are horrible people - but rather because it goes against what society and the "corporate world" is trying to tell us. Yet, there is something enticing about the way Kingsley describes the various situations he has had to live through and how he has applied his beliefs, regardless of what "the world" may be thinking of him.

I also like Kingsley's basic message - that service and humility go hand and hand. If you are available and present for someone else, you will feel the greatness inside. For anyone in a 12 step program, this will strike a cord - as we are told that one of the cornerstones of recovery is to do service - to be there always with a helping hand.

This book is relatively short (165 pages) and is written in a down to earth, easy to read manner and the author obviously lives what he believes. At times, I found it a little difficult to get through all of the quoted scriptures but I do see that they are the foundation of the book and therefore are a crucial part.

This book is a great read for those of us looking for answers.

AMAZING BOOK...MUST READ..AGAIN AND AGAIN AND FOLLOW HER TO A "T" AND IT WORKS...HOWEVER, REMEMBER...YOU MUST USE EVERYTHING TIME AND TIME AGAIN TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONE SAFE !

A friend loaned me her copy - after reading it, I had to have a copy for myself.

Thanks for your prompt service. Book arrived as promised in good time.

This teaching has given me a "spiritual backbone" like I have never experienced before and has revolutionized the way I pray, especially for my children and myself. Satan is defeated. Christians have been given the authority over Satan and he is "overcome by the word of God and the blood of Jesus" Rev 12:11 and all we have to do is use it.
This book is the most awesome teaching that I have read in many years. I have had the head knowledge of these truths, but had not accepted the spiritual knowledge into my spirit man and was not using these truths in my life.

Ms. Brim has an excellent way of putting very complex ideas in very simplistic terms. This book is absolutely necessary for every believer for the times we are living in today. My eyes have been opened in a new way and I have seen things in a clearer way than I ever thought I could. I highly recommend this book for the new believer as well as for the seasoned Christian.

There is also a paperback version of this book available for $24.95. Amazon sells it for $15.72 (37% off the cover price). You can find it by searching under the editor's name.

Wonderful Wonderful Edition!! I agree with the former missionary. This is a very user freindly edition of the BoM. The offical LDS Church Edition is very imposing and stark compared to this very inviting and easy on the eyes BoM format. Hand this edition to potential converts and they just might read the BoM. Why it took a secular university to put another Churche's Main Religious Text in a truly inspired format is beyond me. Maybe it is time the LDS Church puts out a new version of the "Standard Works". After all....it has been quite a while since 1978 when they redid all of the scriptures.

(From Paragraph 67) Christian faith cannot accept 'revelations' that claim to surpass or correct the Revelation of which Christ is the fulfilment, as is the case in certain non-Christian religions and also in certain recent sects which base themselves on such 'revelations'.

(Paragraph 73) God has revealed himself fully by sending his own Son, in whom he has established his covenant for ever. The Son is his Father's definitive Word; so there will be no further Revelation after him.

This edition of The Book of Mormon is absolutely delicious. "Come unto the Holy One of Israel, and FEAST upon that which perisheth not ... and LET YOUR SOUL DELIGHT IN FATNESS."

I read the Book of Mormon for the first time in mid-2002 at age 15. Since then, I have read it almost 9 times (as of this review). Moreover, I have read a heck of a lot of material critical of the text itself (e.g. The Tanners, Evans, Vogel, Metcalfe) Notwithstanding, most, if not all, the attacks are usually based on fraud and/or popular though errant assumptions about the Book of Mormon text that actually do not jive with the text itself. In additoin, what Hardy has done with the 1920 text is make it more accessible to those approaching the Book of Mormon, following modern editions of the Bible, by indenting, for example, prose, not too dissimilar to the NRSV rendition of Deuteronomy 32, and leaving introductions to chapters to a bare minimum, alongside adding a number of appendixes, such as one on poetry in the Book of Mormon (e.g, chiasmus).

I urge any one interested in the truth to read the Book of Mormon to discover for themselves that it is indeed another testament of Jesus Christ, and to learn of its truthfulness by study and by prayer to God, after "testing all things" (Acts 17:11).

Robert Alter has achieved well-earned fame for unpacking the Hebrew Bible as literature, with the same unsentimental eye we would dedicate to Thomas Hardy or Lady Murasaki. And this new translation of the book of Psalms is no exception. Whether you are interested in the Psalms as literary works or theological statements, Professor Alter's work will help you better understand the many levels at which these poems exist.

The translations build on the poetic principles Professor Alter expounded in his The Art Of Biblical Poetry, the highlights of which are covered in the introduction. To summarize: it's a mistake to look for English linguistic conventions in Hebrew poetry, which is built on different concepts. Hebrew is a very compact language, and the poetry is built around the rhythm of ideas rather than the rhythm of sounds.

This may lead to some confusion in certain translations. For instance, many scholars debate whether the term "valley of the shadow of death" is an accurate translation in Psalm 23:4. In a lengthy note, Dr. Alter explains that the solution to that debate is "maybe." The Hebrew term "begey tsalmawet" is so packed with ideas that English can only approximate its poetic beauty--though I'll leave it to Dr. Alter to tell you why.

To give you an idea of how this all works, consider one of the most widely quoted lines from the Psalms, 121:1. The King James (Authorised) Version renders it in this way:

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help."

This seems straightforward, until you consider the differences found in another popular translation, the New International Version:

"I lift up my eyes to the hills--
where does my help come from?"

The change in the first half, from future to present tense, appears subtle, but the issue of whether the second half is a statement or a question can have important ramifications for literary or religious study. And that's to say nothing of the issue of the poetic line division. Which is correct? Dr. Alter goes back to the original for the answer:

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains:
from where will my help come?"

The pleading tone is made all the more powerful by the inclusion of the explanatory note about the debate over whether these mountains are the highlands around Jerusalem. Professor Alter not only makes his translation useful and explanatory, he also restores the rough-hewn emotion of the poetry which is often smoothed over by more pious and lily-white exigetical translators.

Like Dr. Alter's other translations of the Hebrew Bible, his Psalms is not just for scholars; it is eminently readable, engaging, and educational. No matter the reason you have chosen to study the Psalms, this translation may very well be as close as you can get to the original without learning Hebrew on your own.

The Psalms, often described as the Prayer Book of the Bible,has been translated by a scholar of Biblical texts, to produce not only, probably, the most accurate translation of the Hebrew Text, with detailed notes, but more importantly from a layman's point of view, the most beautiful poetically up-lifting hebrew poetry, and indeed,truly prayerful at that. Highly recmmended.

Alter's translations and commentary are, not surprisingly, fascinating and artistically engaging. In this review, however, I just want to focus on the format of the Kindle edition.

The Kindle format is problematic. First, the (translated) texts of the psalms themselves are reproduced as images rather than type. What this means is that you can't use the Kindle's type-size option to make the texts of the psalms any larger or smaller (although I can't imagine anyone wanting to make them smaller, since they're quite small as it is). Second, the comments on each psalm break up the psalm itself, so that you'll have, say, four lines of a particular psalm, followed by several Kindle "pages" of comments, followed by four more lines of the same psalm, followed by more pages of comments, and so on. This probably reflects the fact that the comments (I imagine) appear as footnotes on the printed page. But it really doesn't work on the Kindle, unless you're using the book purely for study purposes and not with the goal of appreciating the psalms as poetry.

Third, the typeface used for the comments and introductory matter is not the standard blunt-serifed face used in Kindle books. Instead, they used a face that becomes so thin on the curves that it disappears in places, making a lot of letters (especially the lower-case "e") look like they were printed with broken type. Finally (and most bothersome, in my opinion), the free sample that is available for the Kindle doesn't contain any of the actual psalms; all it contains is the introductory essay. This is not good, since a primary benefit of getting samples is that you can see whether the book has any glaring formatting quirks before you order it.

That being said, this is a terrific work, and I'm glad that it's available as a Kindle ebook, however imperfect.

Executive summary: Going back to oldest available texts, Hebrew scholar Robert Alter has produced an unbiased and accurate translation, with copious explanation and footnotes. While the prose is inelegant compared to the familiar KJV, it is beautiful in keeping the economy, syntax, reflected meanings, etc. of the ancient Hebrew.

The author: Alter is a Professor at Berkley. His translations of the Pentateuch and other parts of the OT are also fabulous and noteworthy.

Author's special approach: Aside from being faithful to the Hebrew, Alter has struggled mightily to avoid selecting English that might lard Psalms with Christian meaning not actually there. He also uses copies annotations to explain when he has chosen between multiple meanings, damaged texts and why. He also explains when known what the intent of each psalm was, how it might have been sung, etc.

Surprises? yes-- Alter comes up with literally dozens of places where the much later Mesoretic texts appear mistaken. he explains just why the numbering in the Septuagint is correct, for example. This should be enough to prompt Christian readers to perhaps consider reading their English-language psalms from the newly published (Conciliar press) Orthodox Study Bible rather than, say NIV.

Conclusion: A valuable bit of research; wonderful translation effort, handsome edition (nice paper, built-in bookmark, etc.)--a must have for Bible scholars

I read this over the course of almost a year, one psalm a night just before bed. I found it illuminating and inspiring. Much has already been written about how Alter's translation of the Hebrew word "nefesh" or "nafesh" as "life's force" instead of the traditional "soul" changes the whole perspective. Ditto for "l'Hoshua" -- to rescue instead of to "save or redeem." Simply by doing this, Alter reorientates us away from a later Christian world view back to the original. The writers of these poems did not have a concept of an immortal soul. As the Psalms themselves repeatedly say, the dead cannot praise God. That is the job of the livimg.
I also am fascinated by his insights into Temple worship -- the musical instruments we can no longer identify -- the "ayalet hashachar" or morning star. What kind of music did that make? The "almut laben" -- another lost instrument. When Alter doesn't know what something means he says so. When the text was jumbled through scribal mistakes many centuries ago, he unjumbles it and points out the mistake.
This is an intellectual and spiritual feast, good for the mind and the soul. Take your time, savor it and appreciate anew the genius that went into creating it.
For more on me and my bookThe Nazi Hunter: A Novel go to www.alanelsner.com.

Bridge Called hope was a great read, filled with inspiring, uplifting and triumphant stories that really help define the important things in life, that we should all be striving for. The emergance of Hope..

Kim Meeder is a great person. I've met her while attending a women's retreat here in Oregon. I have both books signed and she was giving them away. Both her husband and her have big hearts. They have a great ranch in Bend, OR. I have never been there, but I do plan on visiting with them, they only live 100 miles away. My horse will be 26 this year, and she's doing fine, but I've told Kim that when it's time to retire her, that she gets her. She's not a kids horse yet. But she loves attention.

I believe God has a purpose for us all. And to know that I met Kim, it's the greatest thing of all, and to get two of her books. She is a great down to earth person. Normal like the rest of us, lol.

One of the most touching, and powerful books I have ever read. I tend to be drawn to true life stories, especially with a Christian or inspirational message. This book had both.

Even for someone who doesn't love horses, this book is an amazing read, but if you know or love horses, you will understand the power that these beautiful creatures possess.

Kim Meeder presents the real life stories that will touch your heart and soul in ways you might not have realized. I would read every book that she writes, because of her beautiful writing style and her amazing gift and telling a story with a message.

Anyone who enjoys watching someone who is undergoing trials and tribulations, turn their life around and conquer internal battles of pain and anguish, will absolutely love this book.

This collection of stories about how horses and humans can interact will touch the most hard-hearted among us. Not only do the stories relate the astounding human/ horse miracles that can take place, they also follow the author's walk of faith, doing the very things God has called her to do, putting everything on the line at times. For anyone who loves horses, or even those who don't, this book will inspire readers to look differently at animals in general and wonder what further things they can tell us. Reverence for all life should follow. Highly recommended.

Both Kim Meeder's books are wonderful...miraclous in fact! I bought them both and it's probably the best books I have ever purchased!Names of the books are: Hope Rising and Bridge Called Hope. Would recommend them to anyone an d everyone!

Book in Great condition (new), cheap. Shiped promptly. I will definitively buy again from this seller.

I highly recommend this to people considering converting to the Catholic faith or those who are new in it. I would even suggest it to "cradle Catholics" like myself because we all need a refresher on what our faith really is. The conglomeration of different authors is a brilliant idea because it gives the reader different perspectives. The authors are connected to the Franciscan University at Steubenville, which some priests have told me is the best Catholic university in the country. This book is heavily based on the Scriptures and very enlightening. It gives the big picture that we are God's family and He loves us.

Scott Hahn is without question the most popular and important Catholic apologist in today's world. Not only is he an incredibly gifted author but he is also a very dynamic speaker as well. His efforts have not only helped many of the Catholic faithful to better understand our faith but he has also been instrumental in the conversion process for many new Catholics. He himself was a Protestant minister until he began to examine scripture more closely and found a home in the Catholic Church.

Most of Dr. Hahn's books are the exclusive work of his brilliant mind and I have yet to read one that didn't teach me many things and help me understand better the things that I thought that I knew. In somewhat of a departure however the good doctor only writes one chapter and serves as co-editor of the rest of the essays that make up this book. Surprisingly, Dr. Hahn's chapter is not the best one to be found within this collection but among such other fine works that is nothing to be ashamed of. Among the best chapters are those by Curtis Martin, Kris Gray, Timothy Gray and Kimberly Hahn all of whom shine in a sky full of stars.

The basic theme for this collection of essays is the Church as the family of God (familia Dei) and each and every chapter deals with some aspect of this reality. From chapters on Our Lady's role as our mother, Divine sonship, the Church as the bride of Christ and the reality of Purgatory to the use of the term Father when addressing a Priest this book covers many interesting facets of our Catholic family. Best of all everything is explained in an easy to read and understand method with the authors not assuming that we are all as well educated in the Faith as they are.

There are a few negative aspects of this book however that deserve some attention. In any collection of essays some will be better than others and that is certainly the case here. None of the essays are bad, or even average for that matter but some of them are just a bit dry in places. Another problem is that some of the authors tend to use way too many quotes, one of which is so long that it takes up an entire page. Some quotations are reasonable and necessary but some of these authors push the limits a little too far. One other point that registers as both a negative and a positive is the somewhat repetitive nature of some essays. It is excellent that the main them is discussed time and again and that the subject is never far from the surface but too often I found myself thinking that I must have lost my place because I had read the same exact thing just minutes ago. I don't know how this could have been avoided but it was sometimes disconcerting.

There is much to know about the Catholic Faith and despite some minor flaws Dr. Hahn and company have done a marvelous job of explaining some of the very basics of Church teaching. They are not mean spirited or pompous as they explain to us less educated Catholics some things that we really should have known already. This book can justifiably be touted as another winner in the Hahn collection.

If you want to take a leap in your faith, this is the book for you. The depth of the book is fantastic and should be read over and over for it to sink in. I am buying 5 more copies to give to my closes friends...and I have never done that before. Need I say more.

Today the number of Catholics that do no go to mass, or do not have a clear idea why go to mass at all, is immense. Catholic for a reason is an excellent tool in helping those Catholics to come to know and love the Faith they received at baptism. Great book!

This is a great devotional book! My seminary student son ordered this book right before he left on a long trip. The book arrived after he left so I looked through it and got hooked. I have used it for the past month and have drug it around all over the country while highlighting all of the good passages. It looks pretty beat up with all the use. I ordered him another copy because he isn't getting this one back!

I've been reading Celtic Daily Prayers for five years now, and
love to re-read some prayers with their Celtic rhythm and images.
And there's much to explore. There are two series of daily
readings for the year with Biblical references for each day.
I find inspiration from this treasure of a book.

I have used the Celtic Daily Prayer every day for about 5 months. I read the Scriptures for the day, the meditation for the day of the year, and the meditation for the day of the month (repeats). It is consistently outstanding. I have distributed about 10 copies to our church ministers and leaders, and their response has been very positive.

The Celtic Daily prayer book has been a tool I have used for many years.
It has proven to be a source of inspiration, reflection, teaching, refreshment, and I could list many more.

I hope more western Christians will try this tool to draw nearer to the Lord and become more aware of traditions and tools that have developed Disciples for hundreds of years.

For many years, liturgy and formal prayers have been out of favor in Protestant Churches. Many of us are realizing that this rich tradition guarded by our (mostly) Catholic brothers and sisters has a very vibrant place in modern Christian spirituality. The wealth of tradition and unity offered by liturgical worship may be the next "in thing" for Protestants. We've already made hymns cool.
This books serves as a wonderful introduction to some of those practices. There are three sections of set prayers, two with scripture readings and meditations, plus a compline for each day. The CD, which I can't find on Amazon, makes for easier memorization of the prayers and blessings. The book also includes blessings and liturgies for baptisms, communion, marriage, and the like.

Celtic Daily Prayer is a great resource for someone new to the Daily Office, or as an alternative source of liturgies for those already accustomed to this form of worship.

For those interested in an overview of Traditional Christianity, Marcia Ford's Traditions of the Ancients: Vintage Faith Practices for the 21st Century might be a good place to start.