Religion Books

16 Sept. 2008
I have both the paperback and the hardcopy edition of this book. I recommend the hardback because of how much it is used. I have read this book to my nephews dozens of times. When the two of them leave I always tell them, "Remember, You are Special!" They came in from out-of-state last week and the first thing one of them said to me was, "You are special." The book is a good reminder for adults as well as youngsters!

I love this story and was planning on getting it for my daughter at some point- when I saw it as a board book I decided to get it right away! The book seems well made and has nice bold, vibrant illustrations. The only negative thing I noticed about it- and I noticed it right away when I received it- is the fact that it has pointy edges. Most board books are rounded at the corners. It's not a huge deal, but for young kids/babies who are clumsy and put everything in their mouths, it seems like a poor design.

Max Lucado has an touched a nerve with his delightful stories. This book reaches the heart of all of us.
We all want to know our worth. This beautifully written and illustrated story reminds us that we are all of infinite worth, in the eyes of our creator.

LOVE this book - perfect gift for an adult or a child - beautiful pictures and wonderful, meaningful story.

I work with children with Autism and have given this book to each of them once they do not need my services anymore. This book is a rare find! Excellent story and great pictures!

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul Volume 2 is an inspirational and enlightening book. Being a teenager myself I can relate to a lot of the stories told in this bestseller. The first time I read this book I was younger and didn't understand what the authors in the book were saying, but when I revisited it this year I actually understood it and connected more to the stories. This book has inspired me to write about my personal experiences and really look back at the good, bad, or in between as a way to learn from my mistakes. Instead of breaking down I decided to write. This book has taught me and helped me through some rough times. This book is great and I recommend it to anyone. Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul is not just for teenagers, I have even read some stories with my friends and family. This book has been a real joy and inspiration on all aspects of my life. Thanks Chicken Soul and I hope all readers out there will get a chance to read this delightful, motivating, and wonderful book.

This is a great book for every teenager. Every teen goes througha tough time at least once in their life and this book can really help. It has stories on things from teenage romance to suicide. This is a great book for everyone from teenagers to adults.

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul 2 is a great book for teens because it is something we can relate to. It is filled with short anecdotes written by teenagers or once-teenagers about their adolescent experiences. It is inspirational and teaches us about who we are, about people, and about life in general. I recommend this book for all teenagers.

I think that this book was a very good and fun book to read. Anyone who enjoys hearing about different teens telling their own stories would greatly enjoy this book. While I was reading it, there were times when i felt like laughing and other times when I felt like crying too. The things that teenagers go through are so hard and alot of adults do not understand this, that is why this book is so helpful. It is a very good book to read and I would recommend it to anyone, espically teens.

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul ll is a great book written by teenagers and some adults about life. It teaches us about life and how to deal with it. It shows us that no matter where you came form, what you look like, or how you act, almost all teenagers are the same. This book is an inspiration to everyone.
This book influences me because it inspires me to become a better person. Before I read this book I thought, "Oh this book is just some boo full of made-up stories", but as I continued to read into it more, I thought" Wow this is a really great book". This book tells you that all teens go through the same stuff. It shows you that your not alone, and with faith and courage you can overcome most obstacles. This book is filled amazing stories of love depression, and hope. I encourage everyone to read this book.

God has things to say, Barbara Rose was one of the chosen vehicles to deliver the message. Once again her work is magnificent. A must read, a life-changing read, regardless of religious practice. God/our higher consciousness/ supreme power is non-denominational. When I first read this book, I was in awe! I thought, this is it, raw and to the point! This is all humanity needs to read, to hear, to understand and realize as truth! If each one of us would practice and live by this wisdom, our world would ONLY be filled with self-truth, self-love, inner and outer peace. Only love and joy would be in our lives. "If God Was Like Man" is about Unity, not You versus Me; it is about "All You Need Is Love", not love versus fear; it is about stabilizing our planet earth by meeting in the middle, not Left versus Right. It teaches us how clearing away all pre-conditioned judgment, accepting each other as equal and part of ourselves and God, there would be no right versus wrong, competition, greed, and hate. There would be no need for divide and conquer or forgiveness. Some of the most important subjects concerning our lives are covered. Any of my questionable beliefs that still existed, all vanished, and many of my perspectives changed too, after reading this book. "If God Was Like Man" is a true gift to all of us, humanity and beyond. You will want to read it at least twice!

In "If God Was Like Man", Barbara Rose wrote the words of God given to her for humanity in a way that is simple, and what God selected are the most heated present day topics facing every society and culture on earth.

The manner and language used to convey the solutions that plague life on earth are clear and cannot be misinterpreted. I found many areas and prejudices I used to believe vanish because of the clear and direct logic, and tell-it-like-it-is approach that made more sense to me than what I used to believe. This book opened my mind and turned around prejudices I used to have. It is the same prejudices that many people still have and fight over.

One thing is certain about this book; we do have one God who does not judge anyone. On page 134 God says, "All I can ever do is work through you. I am not physical as one being; I am physical inside of every being existing throughout the universe."

There are many topics discussed in this book. For each one God brings humanity the solutions for that topic. The solutions are a must for humanity!

"If God Was Like Man" is EXTRAORDINARY! This is one of the best books I've ever read.

Life on earth would be distinctly better for everyone if this book was read and applied by all. No matter what area of life has brought distress to humanity, it's all covered in a crystal clear manner for every side involved.

If God Was Like Man is one of the best solution oriented and mind opening books I've read. It's clear that the messages can only result in the most peaceful planet, where life on earth can actually be what it's meant to be. In short, If God Was Like Man is a gift to the human race.

I read this book from cover to cover two times in a row and am still amazed at the clarity given by God in the messages for 'all of humanity.'

The only part I felt myself entirely change my view was regarding the death penalty, which I used to advocate. Since reading this book I no longer do, and the reasons are so simply put, I can't imagine anyone not changing their views.

The areas about parenting, suicide, same sex marriages, telepathic communication, abortion, fidelity, human cloning, space exploration, toxins in our foods and environment, all of them and more are profound.

I can see where much of the population can definitely benefit from this book. It took me out of the labyrinth of the media maze that covers our news, and gave me a fresh and enlightening perspective that harnesses the true meaning of God's messages. They are abundantly clear.

I would give this book at least 100 stars if I could. God really does speak to humanity through Barbara Rose. I listened in on one of her teleconferences and was taken back at what she said. I also love her other book "Know Yourself" which was life changing for me. "If God Was Like Man" is life changing for all!

I've read several other 'channeled' books and this is the first one I've read in which God is judgmental, shaming, crude and sarcastic.

'God' often scolds the reader with questions such as, "Why do you leave adult children alone when they are not mature?" When discussing honesty and using the example of a teen-age boy who wants sex, 'God' uses terminology like, "So he may have wanted to get laid." When discussing why prostitution should be legal, 'God' says, "I say to you: If you were to arrest every woman who remains with a man for financial profit when she is truly deceiving him in terms of her feelings, then nearly 80 percent of all women who share a bed with a man would be behind bars."

On some topics, 'God's' opinions seem nothing more than a convenient justification for Ms. Rose's shortcomings in life. On the subject of education, 'God' says that if students, "have no need to study a specific standardized area outside of their field, they should not be prevented from earning a degree..." 'God' goes on to say, "I bring this up because it is the reason Barbara does not have a degree."

In reality, this seems to be a book about Ms. Rose's opinions. Or, if she truly believes it was channeled in some way, perhaps she has another personality of whom she is unaware. In any case it hardly seems likely that the book was channeled from God. Perhaps that was the only way to sell it. Sad.

This is an excellent book to understand what we celebrate in Holy Mass and book of Revelation in Holy Bible.

Regards,
Manoj Devassy

As is usual with Scott Hahn, we "cradle Catholics" benefit from his "new eyes" when taking a closeer look at who we are as Catholics and why we do what we have been doing for, well, 2,000 years. This book was very enjoyable. It made many things "click" and I recommend it to any Catholic looking for ways to enrich their communion in Christ and the Church.

This was a very informative, yet readable book. I would recommend this to all Christians!

I had an immediate paradigm-shift when I read about the relationship between Revelation and the celebration of the Liturgy - The incense, the garbs, the altar, and more importantly the words we sometimes echo without feeling or thinking of the real meaning of it all... "Holy, Holy, Holy,", and the "LAMB of GOD" now echos in my heart during mass. The Liturgy for me is now Heaven on Earth for I place myself in the book of Revelation and am connected to an altered state I can't explain. If you are a Catholic and are going "through the motions" at mass. Please read this book. You will never look at mass the same way again.
I would like to recommend "Reasons to Believe: How to Understand, Explain, and Defend the Catholic Faith". Believe it or not it's also a good start in educating the lay Catholic person. PEACE!!

I'm surprised at how well received this man's opines are within the Catholic community; perhaps this is due to Hahn's remarkable capacity to pull biblical passages out of his hat with startling acuity. As increasing numbers of Catholics turn to reading the texts outside the Mass and Lectionary, people will be less impressed with Hahn's Biblical gymnastics. Hahn converted via an academic spiritual exercise, i.e., Pedantic Enlightenment. His musings turn Catholicism into a hybrid Protestantism, which misrepresents his newfound faith. With a heavy hands in "The Lamb's Supper," Hahn inserts Revelation into the body of the Mass. Hahn demonstrates his phenomenal Protestant fascination with the end of the world. Reliably, Hahn again provides a theology infused with his special brand of Spiritual Velveeta, lacking deep historical, spiritual, and theological understanding. Beware those cutesy chapter subtitles: "Stealing My Thunder," (who would dare, Dr. Hahn?), "Moriah Carry," the repellent "Victim's Rites," "Extrasensory Censers," and the nauseating "Oath Meal," to name a few.

For someone who emphasizes that his conversion occurred due to his liberation from Protestant sola scriptura, Hahn remains remarkably laden with words, boxed into Biblical frameworks. Hahn squeezes out faith from memorizing and breaking down Old and New Testament passages into digestible chunks, sucking the juice of wisdom dry, and regurgitating the remains to a vast and adoring audience. He lacks the expertise of Rabbinical scholars in the Judaic tradition of intimately examining and memorizing scripture. Hahn relies on quoting biblical passages and citing their numbers, missing the bigger, far more complex picture. In all this detail, this plethora of words, however accurate, Hahn remains somehow incapable of complex analysis. In his personal process of "divinization," he displays zealous New Revelation Catholicism; for him, deep worship via Mass is simply inadequate to feed his narcissism. He must again reinvent the wheel for the rest of us, and with typical heavily-Hahndedness smother the Mass with Revelation.

This amazing book presents a paradigm shift in human consciousness. It shows how we are able to overcome the limitations of our current materialistic orientation and replace these with a new enlightened awareness which enables a deep peace, joy and love.

One of the most lucid and compelling reviews of our current times - but not just a lofty philosophical discussion, but one that is most accessible and practical - providing answers to the most confusing issues of modern times

I feel as though I had been searching for this book all my life, and had given up on the possibility of real truth being found in the pages of a text. Then I found and read Meta Modern Era.

This is a MUST READ if you are intested in exploring something true, something hopeful, something deep, and something inspiring. Discovering the truths contained in these pages truly changed my life.

I urge you to see what you think for yourself.

This book covers the major issues and problems of the modern world, especially in the western society. In a chaotic era as such, this books sheds light on the path to a better world. The author also talks about our subtle system, through which we are connected to the Divine. This book is a must-read for all seekers of truth and I wish that it will be translated to different languages so that people from all over the world could benefit from it!

I have found this book to be unlike any other book I read on spirituality. The reason is that it offers solutions to every possible problem that human beings face in the modern times.
Shri Mataji, the author of the book, takes the reader on a "tour de force" through the state of our being nowadays. She points out where we go wrong and gives answers to many questions that have long been shelved somewhere deep inside of us - mostly because of fear, insecurity or lack of confidence in ourselves. In this book, one can truly see that Shri Mataji understands our problems and challenges on the most fundamental level. Her compassion and love towards all human beings is evident on every page.

The experience of Self-Realization that is described in this book is the happening that changed my life. Peace, contentment, joy and other beautiful qualities that had almost been reduced to the level of empty concepts and rarely resonated with my inner being suddenly sprung back to life and filled it to the brim.

I would recommend this book to every seeker of Truth - all the courageous souls who are trying to find their own selves.

I think this book is really good. Its really well written and captivating. However, I'm hearing a lot of different opinions regarding the truthfulness of this story. So I'm not sure how much to believe. I guess I just need God to be my discernment on this one. But it is awesome to read about the Chinese culture and such.

After reading this book and its sequel, and KP Yohanana from Gospel for asia, you will either be convicted of your sin of silence and insincerity of lost souls or you will not be. If you are the latter, you most likely are not a true follower of Christ. Besides the Bible, this is the most inspiration with motivation book I've ever read. Wake up american christians and stop working for the american dream, its nots Gods dream. I pray for revival in our churches!

Wow... I am almost at a loss for words. My first impression is shame. I am ashamed of myself for my comfortable life here in America. I pray that God will move me and use me as He has moved and used Brother Yun. Something tells me Jesus' return is NOT far away.

The book is a absolute page turner. Best of all it is NON-Fiction. It is so encouraging to me as a Christian in California, USA. So far removed from any real struggle, any real persecution. It is as if I am part of the Church of Laodicea, though I am rich, I am poor.

I had read a brief summary of the book before reading it, but I was not prepared for the impact it had on me. The punishment that Brother Yun had received in prision was beyond imagination, and yet he was able to praise the Lord for it. Many million were brought to Christ by the house churches which were established through his leadership. These groups are people who take the Gospel very seriously, and with their limited funds send out missionaries to other countries. His dedication is an example for the church at large today.

I recommend this book as an excellent example of the Lord's work all over the world. It will wake up a sleepy Western believer to see God's work in all the nations. The story is of Brother Yun and the various trials, persecutions, and signs and wonders that the Lord performed in his life as a leader of the house church movement in China from the early 1980s. It truly is hard to put down.

This is the story of a church and a man who fulfill the purpose of showing God to a weary world. The emphasis on prayer is what is needed in a day when so many worship the minister or the program. If we prayed more, we would worship God more and would know how to present him to a needy world.

I was given this book to read by a friend at my church, and I reluctantly took it because I am not a huge reader. After the first chapter, I was hooked and couldn't put it down! There is a lot of good instruction, and the part I like most is Jim Cymbala backs up the instruction with real-life experiences and results. Granted, not all results will be similar to his, but he shows the foundation on which to build your life. I highly recommend this book (I bought one for my father, brother, and father-in-law).

You can't not believe this man. It is not the most impressive thing that he built up a huge Church starting with about 10 people in a dangerous area of New York.
It is not the most impressive thing that his wife, who has no training in music, helped to write, guide and direct, songs for one of the world's most loved groups, i.e. The Brooklyn Tablernacle Choir. What is a most impressive to me is that they have stayed right where they started about 25 years ago, continuing to be instrumental in thousands of changed lives of former drug addicts and pushers, prostitutes and pimps, gangs and gangsters, gays and lesbians in what is - except by the grace of the Holy Spirit - still in a dangerous area and with quite a few potentially very dangerous parishioners. People feel embraced by YHWH's welcoming Love in Cymbala's Church. And I believe it is His Love that protects them and moves them all.

With that background I knew I wanted to hear what this man has to say.
I wasn't disappointed. The message is simple as he would say himself:
Prayer, and lots of it, first. Everything else later.

Someone said, "Prayer is not preparation for the work. Prayer IS the work." Cymbala agrees.

One of the more inspiring books I've ever read. It makes you want to meet with Christ and see the power of what He can do. Read if you want to be humbled and empowered.

A few years ago, I wasn't just asked, I was TOLD to read a book called "Breakthrough Prayer," by Jim Cymbala. It didn't look like a brilliant title. But "Breakthrough Prayer" was simply amazing! Since then I've read "Fresh Power," and this book has simply been waiting on my shelf for me to pick it up. I finally did, and it is pretty awesome as well. Jim Cymbala is the pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, and through the power of prayer, some awesome things have happened.

It had to start with a leap of faith. Asked by his father-in-law (and won't we do ANYTHING for the in-laws!?) was a question. Would Jim preach four Sunday nights at the Brooklyn Tabernacle, where things had hit an all-time low? Hmm! What would you do? Jim took a leap of faith. And there were times where he felt like quitting. But through it all, and still today, he is the witness of modern day miracles on the meanest streets.

Now, "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" is considered a classic by some people. And not because it talks all about Jim, his wife, Carol, and what He did. This is about an awesome God who broke through, just like He did in the days of Moses, Elijah, David, the days we seem to think are over. He tells stories of people like Charles Finney, D.L. Moody, men without a college education, who stormed the gates for Jesus Christ!

Stepping out in faith, and trusting is all God asks us to do. Jim Cymbala did just that. He illustrates the power of prayer. And time after time, you don't see Superman tales. You see ordinary people in the service of an extraordinary God. That's what makes this special. God writes the story, and we live it out! That's awesome!!!

Lost a child. C. S. asks me to work very hard. I can't do it. Kushner gets to the heart of grief.

This book obviously already has plenty of praising views, but I read this book and found it so great that I can't live with myself if I don't write a review. Coming from a kid who grieved a traumatic death, this book *IS* the book to buy if you're grieving, want to understand death, or want to find a book to help out a confused friend (no matter what age) who's grieving. It's worth the price.

I am new to the genius of CS Lewis. I read the Narnia series as a kid, but have not read books for years, until recently. This book was deep, and full of the genius Lewis is known for. He expresses the pain of losing his wife, and the questions that those who mourn often work through, but are too guilty to express publically. The work is awesome, and may help some who are going through similar feelings of greif. Skip the aknowlegement at the beginning by Madeline Engle, I am not familiar with her writing, but have heard the name. I am surprised she was chosen to write the aknowlegement, but it is an amusing contrast to Lewis' intellect and spiritual understanding. The aknowlegement exudes an attitude of confidence in spiritual issues, yet reveals a cluelessness and spiritual blindess found largely in todays new age books. It does not belong in a CS Lewis book.

CS Lewis looks death into the face; he does not flinch and does not console himself with platitudes. He had lost the love of his life and his pain is palpable to the reader. This is a raw and honest book but it is not at all depressing: At the end of the book, Lewis begins to recover: his wish is simply that, on his own death bed, his lover will come back to him and give him the consolation of seeing her face again.

Although Lewis was, of course, a renowned and devout Christian, this book will speak to anyone who's lost someone with whom they shared real love. All of the questions, angers, and doubts that fill the mind during the numbing time following great loss are shared in the first person, generously, by Lewis. This is, I think, a beautiful, powerful, and deeply healing work.

I rate it 2 because it is not my cup of tea. I do find the idea of positive thinking can be applied to what I am doing although really that is the only idea in the book. There are many examples of miraculous things that happenned, but I dont know whether it is described as it happens or whether it is described as the author wants the reader to see to prove his point. Things just happen too easily without describing there are hard work involve to achieve what you want to achieve. I wonder if I can have the most positive thought about being famous yet stay at home and do nothing about it and still can fulfilled my dream?

This book does more for you because it requires some input on your part. Involving your personal information which enables you to acknowledge some blocks and helps you make the changes you need in order for your dreams and desires to be manifested. I highly recommend this for anyone who feels like they are in a rut and need to get out or anyone who needs some help in reaching for the stars with a definite purpose.

I love this book. Joe Vitale is a wonderful author and has a way of speaking in his writing that is direct and gives you some ideas of different approaches to this topic. I recommend this book highly.

The only reason I give this book one star is because everything in it is also in Vitale's other book The Attractor Factor. Attractor is an expanded and much better version that I rated 5 stars and which I highly recommend.

This is a very slim volume. If you are looking for a complex program to change your life, with many exercises and ideas, this is not for you.

Strangely, however, the short text did have a powerful effect on how I viewed my world after I read it. Joe's list of things to do is pretty short (list what you don't want, list what you do want, and then a few more steps, equally as simple.) What did happen is that I decided to restructure my thinking, considering every thought as to whether it was positive or negative. I also decided to fill up an envelope on my desk with "thank-you notes" to God, thanking him for all the positive things happening every day. (Not particularly something in this book, but based on Joe's ideas.) Each day, I jotted down an thank-you whenever something good happened. Then I popped it into an envelope I'm keeping on my desk. A week later, the envelope was full to bursting. Some seemingly negative things happened but I decided to treat them like opportunities, keeping a cheerful frame of mind while dealing with the issues. If nothing else, I felt good during the process.

Maybe this is all about how you view the glass; a half-glass full of refreshing water, or a half-empty glass heading to a full-fledged drought. For whatever reason, despite the fact this is a very short book, it can get you to thinking. Maybe that's it's power.

Four months pregnant and single in L.A., an old boyfriend pleaded with me to come back me and live with him in New Jersey. He even offered to marry me. I gave two weeks notice, bought a ticket for the three thousand miles home and started in to work to collect my last check, finish the work day and to leave the next am at seven. I had going away parties thrown for me in the office and my room was already rented to someone else. On the bus on my way to work, I said to Mary, "This is an answer and if you want me to accept it, I will, even though it doesn't feel exactly right." I phoned the boyfriend at noon - four hours after praying - and he had changed his mind. He said he wouldn't pick me up at the airport and that couldn't live with him. The whole story is enough for a book that is coming out called Defiant Hope but the 'baby' is now 17 and Mary worked everything out perfectly, all because I prayed the rosary. The way I pray is as if I'm on the phone with her. She must like that!

This book was most inspiring in my prayer life. I look forward to another of the same with more input from men.

This was a WONDERFUL inspirational book! The best I have read in a long time. The stories range from a person's memory surrounding the rosary, to a personal miracle, to a family miracle. Some of the stories made my hair stand up on end, so many goose bumps! Some of the stories I shared with my protestant friend, who by the end of the book, began to ask me more about the Rosary and Mary. Even though she has no desire to become Catholic, she has totally embraced the Rosary and her new understanding of Mary... continuing to show that the Rosary, when understood, can bring all faiths together. Praise be God! I plan to buy this book (and a few Rosaries) to pass around as gifts! Wonderful for all peoples of faith, a definite must for any Catholic!!

The rosary is a prayerful devotion that is more than a millennium old. It comprises praying specific prayers while meditating on events from the New Testament.

"101 Inspirational Stories of the Rosary" was written for "the year of the rosary," 2003. The book comprises a collection of short personal tales from average people all over the world, who believe that they have received help from God from challenges in their life or assistance for those they love, through praying the rosary. Many of the stories are remarkable miracles of healings from mortal illnesses and saving during accidents or on the battlefield. Others are testimonies of incidences of personal inner healing experienced or witnessed. The stories are short and can easily be read as uplifting food for meditation and encouragement before going to bed, or for when the reader wants a quit does of faith and hope during a hectic day. The chapters of the book are peppered with biblical quotes and quotes from the ages expressing people's belief in the power of the rosary, such as Mother Theresa, Patrick Peyton, and Lucia, of the children who allegedly received messages about the rosary at Fatima, and many others who have been recognized as saints. The writing is easily accessible to people of all ages.

The book also includes an extensive appendix to answer any questions the reader might have about the rosary; its history and promises associated with recourse of the rosary; directions on how to pray with one; a list of web site that provide additional information, including one operated by the author (www.rosary101.com , which has more chapters from the book available for viewing); instructions for making your own rosary; and encyclical published during the year of the rosary (one of the last documents drafted by Pope John Paul II). The is a great gift to people who are struggling with spiritual dryness, spiritual seekers looking for new ways to pray, or people who recently return to or enter a church. I have found it to be an immeasurable source of encouragement during difficult times, for helping me retain my faith and strongly recommend it to any one open to learning about powerful Christian prayer.

i loved reading the inspiring stories of help from Our Lady by praying the rosary, which i also pray and believe in. if you want to be really "touched" by some wonderful accounts of miracles, then buy this book. i am sure you won't be able to put it down. i marked several pages so i can find them and read them whenever i get a little blue. this book will pick you up!!

barbara