Religion Books

Arch-Bishop Sheen does an amazing job of describing the Life of Christ while preaching truth. A must read.

In 2005 I was given the inner knowing that Christ is who He said He is.
It was in a split second of an experience I cannot put into words.
My hunger was born at that moment.
As many books as I have read in the last four years, nothing, nothing, compares to this. Not even C.S. Lewis and Mere Christianity, although his comment to those who state that Christ was only a "good teacher" was one of the best comments I have ever read...of course, that is what I once said...
I can't say anymore than all the reviews here. I am ever grateful for however this book made it to my hands. It is even more amazing that I was given the ability to understand it.

Bishop Sheen's greatest work. His insight, wisdom and knowledge is found on every page. It was impossible for me to 'rush' through this lengthy book as almost every chapter demanded thoughtful reflection. His love of and for Jesus is something to be patterned after. Truly it is worth more than twice the price and will be proudly displayed on my bookshelf next to my Bible.

This book is the best, most accessible way to learn about the life of Christ. All will enjoy it -- every member of the family!

Maybe you are of an age that you remember when the Venerable Bishop Sheen was on the television? I am not one of those people. Maybe you know about Bishop Sheen being an "old" preacher, and maybe that concerns you? It concerned me. But under the guidance of someone I trust I purchased this book 3 years ago and read it.

It is a string of perfect pearls!

Each chapter deals with one section of the life of Jesus Christ and is filled with not just biblical references but with insights from Sheen that could only come from a deep, DEEP love for Christ. A deep understanding of history, and deep understanding of scripture.

When you look for a good book to read on the life of Christ, don't let your reservation (or prejudice) about the authors location in history bother you. My prejudice was, Bishop Sheen was a man of the 50's and couldn't speak to me on a level I could be engaged. I was wrong. I am a woman of the 90's and I do not have a college degree, but I have a solid high school education. Sheen is a man of "letters" and that also frightened me. I promise you, don't let it frighten you.

His method of dealing with his subject is so clear and enlightening, it feels like having the cobwebs and dust removed from an abandoned building. Sheen turns on the light!

One of my favourite parts of this book is when he deals with the "Woman at the well." There is just so much there that after you read this chapter, you'll be as excited as the woman was when she ran back into town shouting to anyone who would listen "Come and see a man who told me everything about myself.."

Bishop Sheen loves Christ, if you are looking for help in meditating on scripture. You will find that help here. I challenge you to learn about the "Life of Christ"

There is so much wisdom and love and crammed into this tiny book that it's simply incredible. When I read this book just about every night (and yes it is definitely worth a second, third and fourth read) it kind of feels like it is your Higher Self or an Angel talking to you and guiding you in the most insightful and loving way possible.

The book itself is not written like a novel, but a series of mini essays (each one about a page) and that better express the quote presented on the left page. The quotes themselves are wonderfully positive affirmations that can be used in and of themselves but it is the writing that is truly captivating.

I love that this book does not present itself as presumptuous and arrogant in saying it has all the answers. Instead, the author uses a guidance system to guide the reader to their own personal truth and this is nothing short of empowering.

I don't think that this may be the book for those who are loyal to a particular religion, as many things may be considered blasphemous by that person. I do however, highly recommend it to anyone on any level of their spiritual path who is more accepting of the art of channeling and/or has a liking for New Age thinking.

The Messiah Seed, as read by the author Story Waters, is the most amazingly beautiful thing I have ever heard. I have been a student of A Course In Miracles for 24 years, and these CDs are the cherry that tops the beautiful sundae of ACIM. Story's voice is beautiful, and his presentation is magnificent. Listening to these CDs actually stuns me and lifts me to a greater realization of my own power. Story's truth reverberates inside my heart and echoes my own truth. It deserves far more than 5 stars.

My copy of the book, even though it is only six months old, is now about the most worn book in my library. I loved Story's voice on the Love Is Awake CD so I thought it would be great to be able to listen to The Messiah Seed in the car. What I got instead was a whole new level to the book. Its not that the audio version is better than the book but even though the words are the same there is something different. I'm sure a lot of it is to do with the way Story conveys it with his voice. Or perhaps rather than sitting and reading you can just lay back and fall into it. Whatever the case this is a great way to experience it. Each seed has a pause between it with the sound of waves allowing you to absorb what you have just heard before you are given more. If you haven't read the book its a must-read for anyone into free-thinking spirituality as opposed to religion. If you have the book then this is a great way to experience even more that is beyond the words. One of the book reviews I read talks of the writing being full of YES energy, well add Story's voice to that and you've got YES energy overload! Where ever you are this will lift you up through the ceiling.

I'm not entirely comfortable with the idea of channeling, and I approached this book with a little bit of bias. Taking each of the Messiah Seed entries into consideration apart from that factor, however, I was really quite impressed. It's almost as if the most uplifting parts of various religions were brought together in a synthesis of wondrous thought. This is a book that you can read straight through, or open at random for a quick bite of food for thought. This book can help you to open up your own tremendous potential in a constructive way. Although brief, it contains a lifetime's worth of wisdom.

This is truly an amazing book! It's written in such a way that it can actually touch your soul - and I haven't come across many books that have the ability to do that...

"The Messiah Seed" is broken down into 70 different chapters, or "seeds", each about 1 page in length (so it's quite easy to read a little at a time if you're too busy to read an entire book in one sitting).

Each of these chapters brings forth powerful spiritual wisdom re: just how powerful each & every one of us is, and how to best use this power to live the life we truly want to live. In other words, each chapter plants a seed in your soul - where it will grow when you are ready.

These "seeds" are definitely worth reflecting/pondering on, and because of this, I think "The Messiah Seed" is a book to be read & re-read many times over.

I would highly recommend this book to those who are just starting on their spiritual journey, as well as those who've been on this journey for some time. Although, I must say that it may be easier to grasp its' insights if you have some sort of spiritual foundation already laid. However, regardless of your background, these insights can profoundly impact your life IF they are approached with an open mind.

This is a wonderful addition I recommend it for newbies and old timers a like..

Sent to a friend in distress, she said it helped her through some rough days.

The New International Version is excellent for readability and overall quality. However, because it is only 52% consistent with the original language (Old Testament comparison only) you cannot do serious bible study without using a concordance. The Strongest NIV Exhaustive Concordance (Strongest Strong's)

I love this Bible...unfortunately it's the second one I have now. I loved it so much I wanted to find something similiar but didn't realize I was buying the same Bible with a different cover. Please note that the compact NIV Bible with a pink cover and the number "1" on the front is the EXACT same text. For some reason this one typically sells for less.

This is a wonderful Bible. Full of small interesting stories. Love this Bible.

This book did indeed look good -- so good that I bought it, along with "I'm OK - You're Not" by the same author.

I've now finished most of it... up to the last chapter -- which I don't think I'm going to bother reading.

It's an excellent literary idea -- write from the view of God "using" the human author to write it... engaging and creative concept.

Now, I'm ALL about irreverent humor, however, I got the uncomfortable feeling that the author was trying too hard to be hip, or shocking, or to somehow sneak past the defenses of "seekers" or even atheists, as if they wouldn't notice, to land a punch.

Sure, there were plenty of times I guffawed.

At times, I rolled my eyes.

At other times, I groaned.

And, there were times I cringed.

Such as having "God" make an Austin Powers joke about how He mimicked Austin Powers for a while, and the angels tried to sing praise songs using the word "shagalicious".

Such as God saying, "you can do any Me-damned thing you want."

Such as God saying (in talking about the crucifixion):

"It was a Friday. I really didn't have all that much to do but hang around anyway.
For three days.
I was just killing time.
Oh, don't I just slay you?
Cuz I sure do me."

{Never mind that He didn't "hang around" for three days - He was only on the cross on Friday.)

There ARE times when it's both humorous and insightful -- but those particular passages strike me as somewhat degrading.

What REALLY got me cringing was the response to this question:

"Even if I do believe in Christ, do I really have to go to church every Sunday? Yuck."

Here's part of the "answer" from "God":

"No - of course you don't have to go to church. No one has to do much of anything. But the reason so many people keep choosing to go to church is as simple a it gets: They know that they can't have a relationship with me if they don't ever come over to my house. It's just that simple. Church is my home, you know; that really is where I hang out. You get hints and intimations of me in your everyday life, for sure - but at church you get a huge honkin' helping of me. Maximum exposure. Major bang for your buck.

I go where people pray, see? And a lot of people do a lot of praying at church.

I'm in the wood at church. I'm in the carpet. I'm in the pews. I'm in the air there. Care Bear.

Got to go where the action is, right?...

You know what church does? It turns people from pessimists to optimists. Because at church, everyone you see -- from the greeter at the door to the person up front leading the whole thing -- is your partner. Your friend.

People go to church because they, like everyone else in the world, are naturally drawn to go wherever they can find the most love."


Hmmm...

"His house" (I thought we were His Temple in the New Covenant)? IN the carpet? Pessimists to optimists (I've seen the opposite happen all too often)? "Person leading the whole thing" (isn't that supposed to be the Holy Spirit)? Where we "find the most love" (I found a whole lotta fear)? I guess this author's' not yet come to the place where he realizes that the system of institutional Christianity is not the organic Church-Family that Jesus established. It was never about religion, but about relationship - with Him and with each other.

~BRB~

Ok - something odd just happened to me. God just got me. Only I didn't know it was God 'til just a second ago. As I said in the beginning of this post, I hadn't read the last chapter, or the end notes by the author.

But, as I wrote that last statement, I suddenly got an URGE to read the last chapter, just to "be fair" y'know. So, I just read the rest.

Oh, dear God... the entire last chapter is about how the Christian life is about God eradicating fear out of us... oh, wow. As I read it, the truth of it filled me. (There are a couple of minor disagreements -- like, I do not believe that God designed us to feel fear, but that it's our reality in the absence of His love.)

And then -- I read the author's afterword -- and it was like sitting here, listening to him bare his heart. He shared how God got his attention, when he, a confirmed God-ridiculer, was at work... and God started filling him with Himself, and the guy ran off to a broom closet, saw himaself as he is, hit his knees, and just KNEW Jesus was true. And that was that.

And, now, I must repent... now I see the rest of the book through new eyes, his eyes. It's like his Jesus-following self is talking to his former Jesus-ridiculing self, in a way that a Jesus-riduling person could relate...

And, except for the traditional view of "going to church" rather than BEING the Church, I like it, because of how it's summed up. And because of the effect it's obviously had on some of the folks who've reviewed it (even folks who aren't believers). It seems to have gotten them thinking... and so, bravo John Shore, for following Him in this way. And, of course, I'm hoping that God gives you a busted-out-of-the-building-and-the-manmade-system view of Church, but that's really His business, no?

OK, this is the oddest book review I've ever written ... but perhaps one of the most impacting ones for me, personally.

Make of it what you will...

Shalom, Dena

"The unanswered questions aren't nearly as dangerous as the unquestioned answers."


P.S. Three other excellent books that engage the heart are:

The Shack (Special Hardcover Edition)

He Loves Me! Learning to Live In the Father's Affection

So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore

John Shore has knocked the walls down between here and There. A soliloquy by, ahem, GOD? It's crazy, it's totally pretentious, it's dangerous. It's wonderful! With his quirky humor and an uncommon sensitivity to both human need and theological sacred cows, Shore has bent the rules of spiritual writing until they . . . no, they don't break, they vibrate-like a tuning fork. In the hands of the One Who made the rules. Get a copy, and prepare to enjoy a rollicking good time-and, almost without realizing it, a Feast.

Thank GOD for this book! I laughed until I cried. This book was so fun to read. Pure genious. You have very carefully understood GOD'S word and helped to drive home some very important points in a memorable way. It is a book that I will read again.

I enjoyed this book. It was refreshing to read a book with a spiritual message that was not "preachy" but down-to-earth. Often times, when I am done reading a book with a christian message, I feel like a child that has just been given a lecture. This was nothing like that. It was thought provoking and intelligent. It was also funny. It was nice to know there are fellow christians out there that remember that God gave us a sense of humor and it is nothing to be ashamed of. I recommend this book for both believers and non-believers of any age, but I especially think that generation X needed something like this.

This wonderful little book gives you God's perspective on all those questions that believers, non-believers, and pre-believers ask. This is the book you want to give that non-believing friend, not so much in an effort to convert them, but to at least help them understand why it is you believe. Not for the easily offended, but written with just the right amount of humor and tact. If you can only read one book this summer, this is it.

For someone who is interested in religion and who is taking his/her Kabbalah studies one step beyond the book is delightful. It includes around five different versions of the Sefer Yetzirah and it comments you the reading fragment by fragment, therefore providing you a full understanding of the whole text and also a detailed, useful, and interesting explanation of Kabbalah as a whole, even providing you with spiritual exercises or a way to practice what the text says

Most impressive representation. While the subject is deep and extremely thought provoking, the writer has made every attempt to explain the subject in explicit detail.

I especially appreciated the use of root words in Hebrew to further clarify definitions. As well as the explanation of pronunciation of Hebrew terms, as in where to place the tongue to make the correct sound.

I would like for there to have been more direct instructions for meditation.

photoartist4u

I am not Jewish, nor am I an expert on Kabbalistic text, but I know a precious gem when I find one. As others have said here, this is NOT for the beginning student of Kabbalah. I really enjoyed how Aryeh Kaplan included the Hebrew text, along with a translation, then followed by extensive interpretations of each line. It is an intense read--really enjoyed the section on the 231 gates (ironically, I nearly flunked geometry in high school).

If you are truly ready for more intense study of Kabbalah, then this translation of the Sefer Yetzirah may be exactly what you are looking for.

Rabbi Kaplan does a wonderful job (as he does in all of his works) of explaining the primary text says and of opening the way for further study (through his copious footnotes).

The diagrams are extremely helpful, as are the recommendations concerning the "practical" use of Sefer Yetzirah.

However, even for those grounded in Jewish studies (as a spiritual path, not as an academic field), this work is NOT recommended as a "first step" in the esoteric. Try Rabbi Kaplan's "Innerspace."

One copy is at my bedside. One copy is in my study scrawled with notes, quotes and notations! I found the second copy at a bookstore bargain table! I didn't even blink, it was bought by me. I knew a second copy would give me one to share. This book is what Kabbalah is. An amazing book. Simply, amazing.

I ordered this book after it was recommended by a friend. It is an excellent presonal read and an exceptional resource for those who struggle with self-esteem issues.

Don Steenhoek
Shell Point Employee Chaplain

This book is great and perfect for someone like me who gets bogged down in the negative self talk. Jennifer Rothschild does a great job of identifying the problems and offering scriptural solutions. Great book that speaks to my soul and is a perfect small group study!

Great book. Jennifer is excellent at taking a woman's thoughts and relaying them in such a way that you can understand what God wants for you. Women need positive affirmations and what better way than to apply God's own words to help us become the woman he desires.

I received this book as a Christmas gift and read it once. I am now reading it a second time. Not only is Jennifer's writing easy to follow, but it is so interesting, real and applicable to every aspect of our lives. I have most of the pages marked with notes. I plan to read it over and over until I am living and breathing it!!!! I have given several copies out and recommended it to several people as well.

This book exceeding even what I was expecting. I have already purchased three additional copies for others. It is a definite must for every woman. Jennifer teaches the importance of what we allow into our "thought closet" and making sure that only TRUTH resides there! It is an easy read but a powerful one. As soon as I finished, I started reading back over my "highlights" to allow the truths to sink in. This book is a must have!

If you're curious as to the purpose of our very existence as human beings, I highly recommend you read this book. It is a question and answer format that makes sense of the human experience.

This is the one of the most comforting book I've ever read in my life. I found out more about Spiritual life and God's promises through Jesus. It's a real step ahead of our time, and very clarifying book for the ones who are really serious about spiritual evolution. You will not be able to stop reading this book!

This book makes sense of many experiences and knowledge gained from
"somewhere". It is a book for the serious seeker of spiritism.

According to the text, the suffering we receive in this life is a result of sins committed in a previous life. The text also states that we are not permitted to remember our previous lives because it would "dazzle" us. It wouldn't dazzle me. How can a person understand the consequences of their evil deeds if they're not permitted to remember the deed that brought about the punishment in the first place? If I could remember my sins, then I could accept the punishment. Otherwise, I am to assume that the God is dealing out punishment at random without rhyme or reason. I'm sorry, but I don't buy it. Religion was created to provide hope to those that couldn't accept the fact that we don't live forever. It was also created to control the people and to keep them calm. When we die, we rot. There is no afterlife, there is no spirit brother, there is no God. I wish there were. It would certainly give me purpose to my life, but there isn't. That's why we can't find the God. Because he doesn't exist in the first place. I gave the book three starts because it made for good fiction.

Amazon, are you listening? I originally read this book in French and really loved it. It is a wonderful book for those searching for the meaning of life, spiritual truth etc...and is a very serious, credible work by someone whose main line of work was scientific study and medicine, Allan Kardec.

I was so thrilled that I ordered copies in English for friends and was disappointed to find out that this copy is the original English translation dating from the late 1800s!! The book is still worth a read, but why suffer needlessly? The language is difficult, and the typeset is even worse. Great news: a new, modern American English version does exist, and frankly, it is a huge mystery to me as to why it is not being sold here. FYI: I bought my modern copies fon the Allan Kardec Education Society's website...

Clever and creative character development, mind absorbing details takes you into the characters lives as it was long ago. A story whose creatively orchestrated plot fascinates you and grips you until the end, anticipating the intrigue of Book II.

A great book to read for all ages which takes you away to the Medieval era with details of life long ago, with virtue and honor and chivalry and nobility to enchant your wishes for the characters and idealize attributes to strive for.

A Very entertaining and enjoyable read with a map to follow and peoples lives at stake for the outcome of Truth.

I read this book in three days while on vacation in Maine. I could not put it down. While it does have a prominent theme of action and fantasy, a Sword For The Immerland King is overflowing with new ideas and true wisdom. F.W. Faller starts each chapter with a quote or proverb that relates to the following chapter. They are all very wise and relevant, and I found myself looking forward to reading each new proverb. For example, two in particular that caught my eye: "Who is the greater prisoner: the caged man whose mind transcends his physical boundaries or the untethered being whose mind holds him in a cage?" and "We are forever doomed to suffer with histories defined by those who are able to shout the loudest.". Faller also deals with some spiritual ideas, such as "cymbic" relationships and the myriad layers of the "vorn" (sort of like the soul). The characters, plot, and scenery are very skillfully developed and described. Aside from everything else, FW Faller has an exquisite way with words, a talent that he exercises in weaving this intricate tale that I will most certainly re-read after I've finished the sequel!

I was happily surprised to find out that there are still great fantasy authors out there who can not only spin a good yarn, but also do so in a way that shows morally why some ways of acting are better than others. I eagerly look forward to the next book in the series.

A Sword for the Immerland King is one of the best, if not the best book I have yet read. It is a fantasy good for almost all ages that can comprehend the complex story line. The characters are real and come alive during the book. It is action packed and the world of Tessalindria is an incredible nation with a complete history. I am strongly looking forward to the next book.

The Sword of the Immerland King captivated me with a story in the epic proportion of the Lord of the Rings. With exquisite imagery and just the right balance of suspense and imagination, the author succeeds in creating a book that you never want to put down. Personally, although I read dozens of books a year, I'm not an avid fiction reader. But since I knew this author, I thought I would give it a try. I was not disappointed. I finished it in less than a week and now I'm reading it to my two boys (8 and 6) who only complain when I stop reading to them!

Fantastic job! I am hungry for the second volume.

Unlike the earlier Fulghum books I've read, this one isn't really a collection of Fulghum's writings, but instead is a collection of stories that were sent or told to him. Fulghum's role here is more as an editor, presenting other people's stories. But what stories! These stories demonstrate the vast diversity of love, and show us that love can take as many forms as there are different people. Some of these stories are sad, others poignant, and many are incredibly romantic. Scattered in between these stories are comments by Fulghum, under the heading "Perspective," where he discusses his impressions of the stories or relates stories of his own. This book is easily as reflective as any of his earlier work, but has fewer "laugh out loud" moments. It provides some interesting perspectives on relationships, and certainly is a must read for anyone who consideres themself to be a romantic.

This is a brilliant little book about how the love bug can strike each and every one of us in unique ways. It's an easy read that can be digested not just by the scholar but by the common man. It's a hopeful book. More books like this should be written.

Jeffrey McAndrew
author of "Our Brown-Eyed Boy"

Of course you'll love this book because it's a true reflection of so many facets of romantic love. And I also personally love it because I wrote the story in it about Danny O'Neal. I don't remember the title of the story, but I'll never forget my accurate description of Danny "He was like Peter O'Toole with a double dose of testorone and a Tommy Lee Jones smile." (:sweet memory and sigh here.:)

I want to make one correction that made a few people from Oklahoma and Arkansas upset. I signed it as Lilly from Fort Smith, Oklahoma. There is a Fort Smith, Arkansas about 5 miles from the Oklahoma line. I did that in a foolish attempt to make sure Danny knew it was really me because Fort Smith, OK was a joke between us. I wrote my story in about 1991. 16 years later - Danny O'Neal remains the most fascinating, thrilling romantic memory of my life.

And, also since I still haven't heard from Danny in all these years, I'm hoping if he ever googles his name, this review will come up. Please forgive me.... but at the very least I want him to know how much he delighted me and that story ws no doubt only chosen because of how wonderful he was to me. :D

Wishing magnificent, thrilling love to one and all,

Lollie aka Lilly.

This book looks at love from all the angles possible. Its an amazing reading. I would recommend it for all those with romantic soul.
Lucia Racekova
visual merchandiser

It's a keeper on my "good book" shelf, hardback with a bookplate, the whole nine-yards. What I love is his selection and the understanding gained that love means different things to different people and (most importantly) at different times in their life. That lesson has helped me cope with troublesom relationships. I loved them for a reason at the time and that time and that reason fulfilled my need. It was enough. That is what I learned.
I don't rate this book up with Fulghums' previous books mostly because it is a compilation with commentary and not pure, chapter after chapter Fulghum. That may seem like a technicality, but it made all the difference for me. It still has the same wit and charm of any of his other books.
I found it difficult to sit down and get through the whole thing and feel "absorbed". It's the kind of book that you can read a few stories, put it down and come back to as you feel the need. I really couldn't read it straight through. I attribute that to the nature of it though, and not to Fulghums' writing.

This book helped me to understand that I will see my beloved dog again. It answered my questions of how God feels about animals.

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.