Religion Books

St. Therese has a lot to say to this day and age. Her "Little Way" is so simple and based on love. I have personally found Story of a Soul very useful in my spiritual life. Even though she is a saint, she is very easy to relate to where ever you are in life's journey. It is a book that I certainly will be reading again as it has made such an impact on my life. Saint Therese may be called The Little Flower but after reading this you realise that she is a stirdy little flower made of steel! A lot of people can be put off her by how she is portrayed, as was I before I read about her life in her words. So get to know her!

This book is a great place to start learning about Therese. Includes the full text of the autobiography, and some supplementary material incl. a introduction to the autobiography and life of Therese and some of her letters and prayers. You can get much of this stuff online, but the book is a delight, with many pictures.

Therese is a very special person, and I recommend a familiarity with her beautiful soul.

Excellent book and in her own words unedited. Also a good little book on St. Therese is 'Heart of a Soul'. This book Iam reviewing is A MUST Read.

Rev. Thomas Taylor's early 20th century translation of the memoir of St. Therese of Lisieux, unfortunately republished in 2006 by Echo Library, was made from the only manuscript then available outside her monastery, one substantially rewritten by Therese's sister Pauline, who made seven thousand changes. Scholars interested in the documents which gave rise to the cult of St. Therese may wish to consult early versions of Taylor. I urge those who want to read what Therese wrote to read the third edition of "Story of a Soul" translated by Fr. John Clarke, OCD, and published by ICS Publications in 1976. The Clarke translation, made from the unretouched manuscript written by Therese (an authentic manuscript published in French only in 1956), is recognized as the standard throughout the English-speaking world. No other translation compares to it. The book is enriched by an introduction, afterword, and easy-to-read notes that set Therese's manuscripts in the context of her life, and the index makes it even more useful. Whether you have not read "Story of a Soul" or have read only earlier English translations (Taylor, Knox, Beevers), the Clarke translation will open the world of Therese to you. Don't miss it. You'll find it at Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux, Third Edition

It is a well written, inspirational text. I really liked the historical aspects as well as the religious excerpts. Great book for anyone experiencing an ongoing illness. It helps to put the disease in perspective. :)

This is an excellent book for those who want to really dig deep and see what Jesus was saying in the Sermon on the Mount and that he wasn't just talking to his disciples but to us too.

This is a wonderful book and well worth the time to invest in reading it. I would urge you to buy this timely book.

Through forceful, powerful, blatant, bold Calvinistic and evangelistic sermons, Pastor Jones did a marathon preaching on one of, if not the most controversial and heavily debated Sermon on the Mount; shattering other man-centered, self-centered, legalistic, antinomian, perfectionist interpretations. I have to admit before I read these sermons, I had most of my interpretations wrong. Here are some observations from what I took in. First, the Sermon on the Mount is not a social gospel where all it cares about is the actions, ethics and morale of the story. Though important, they are neither the meat nor the center of it; Christ the Preacher is. Not only is this so, but as Pastor Jones remarked in the concluding sermon, that throughout the course of it, Christ declares, I would say, both implicitly and explicitly, that he is the true giver, interpreter and center of the law. Second, no one can rightly live out the principles taught in it unaided unless one is a believer relying on the grace and power of God who enables him to do so. Third, it is not something one has to do to become a Christian. Instead, it shows what Christians should become as a result of a new gracious ruling principle in their hearts. Fourth, in some cases like turning to the other cheek, going extra miles, giving away both the cloak and the coat, loaning to those in need, not committing adultery, it is the general bigger-picture principles behind the detailed examples that was to be conveyed, not the actions themselves that are the most important. I wouldn't write what they are here, but let the readers discover on their own. Fifth; on the other hand, it involves some details which Pastor Jones beautifully expounds within the general description or principles, for example, on what the Lord's prayer means and how it is to be prayed properly with the right heart and attitude, how to determine the characteristics and signs of false prophets and professors, what it means to enter through the straight gate and going through the narrow way, what building house on sands and rock by the foolish and wise man signify and how we know which one of these categories we fall into. These are stunningly soul-searching; something critical that those of us who confess to be Christians should test ourselves with. Here is one of his quotes worth musing on what it urges us to do in regard to entering the strait gate,

"You have to go out of your way to find this gate. You will have to analyze yourself and be very honest with yourself, and having refused to hold back, say, `I am going on with this until I discover exactly what I have to do'. Here are so many who do not find this way of life because they have never sought the gate and entered in.... [it involves] fasting, sweating and praying... we must give ourselves no rest or peace until we know for certain that we are on this way."

And lastly, without trying to be simplistic, the underlying principle of it all is that it is the spirit, not the letters that matters. It is the heart, the desire, the attitude, the character and the outlook on one's life, not the actions, that Christ is concerned the most and therefore focuses his sermons on to graciously rebuke, correct and encourage. Despite his sober and frightening warnings, we should not lose heart but continue to persevere to the end to follow him for he who has began a good work in us will never leave us nor forsake us and will carry it on to completion.

This is a wonderful book that does not hide nor apologize for the fact that it is really a compilation of 60 sermons delivered by the author. Each chapter is one complete sermon. This will be helpful and instructive to some and confusing and frustrating to others. I, for one, love it. The illustrations he uses are very good but the questions he uses to cause one to search their own heart in light of the scripture are fantastic. He applies the passages being studied to real life in meaningful ways inviting the reader to interact with the passage and allow it to have its work on their heart.

This is NOT a preachy book but is it a book full of preaching...many a pastor would do well to study this book for its instruction on how to put a sermon together.

BTW, if you wish to purchase the electronic version of this two-volume-in-one-book BE AWARE that only Volume one is included in the electronic version.

This book on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is one of the best books ever produced by Martyn Lloyd-Jones. If you have never encountered Lloyd-Jones then you will be blessed as you read this book and discover a man with a passion for both the Word of God and the God of the Word.

Lloyd-Jones, according to John Piper, is one of the last true Calvinistic Methodist from the days of George Whitefield. Here was a man who not only embraced Reformed Calvinism but also embraced a passion for God from the likes of Whitefield and John Wesley. He not only wanted to study the Bible and teach it clearly but he wanted to give people a hunger for Jesus that would become evident in holiness in life and character.

In this book, Dr. Lloyd-Jones explores the implications of the Sermon on the Mount for the Christian. He works his way slowly through each passage giving not only the content of the passage but many points of application for your life. I would encourage you to have your Bible open to Matthew 5-7 as you read this book and even more to memorize the passage (Psalm 119:11). This is a solid book well worth the price and its also a book you will refer to again and again.

This book was SO good. It is one of the best queer spiritual journeys I've ever read. Sara Miles is unpretentious and honest, and I think she captures the spiritual dilemmas that so many of us face right now.
If you are struggling with your spiritual journey and chafe against old names and categories, this book will change your life. I think it's going to be a very influential text.
Oh, and it's a fabulous read! I couldn't put it down.

Take This Bread: A Radical ConversionThis book is a must read for anyone interested in understanding the community of food! Sara Miles is a writer and was an athiest who came to understand the role of sharing a meal in building community. After a varied career of cooking in restaurant kitchens and serving as an activist in poverty stricken and war torn countries, she comes home to a radical conversion resulting from the simple words: "Take this bread" said to her at a service of Holy Communion. Her conversion leads to growth in understaning the community that God intends for all humankind. Along the way, she is drawn into the community with afforded by a food pantry program she starts at her newly found church community.

Its all about the human hunger for belonging and for the meaning that comes from sharing food!

A wonderful book and a quick read!

Sara Miles' book "Take This Bread" is a perfect read for our times. Her realization that feeding others is an ultimate act of goodness came during a worship service. But the real story is what she did next. She went out from that church and created a feeding program when others said it couldn't be done. Then she helped others create feeding programs. I have recommended the book to people of different faiths and political views. They all love it. And even more, they have been inspired to get involved in helping the hungry. The new paperback version contains a Readers' Guide - perfect for book groups.

take this bread is one of the best left-of-center spiritual memoirs i've read, ever.

sara miles is a self-described liberal, an intellectual journalist who spent much of her life covering wars from the side of the oppressed (often in stark contrast to u.s. policy). she grew up in a staunchly athiest home (though both of her parents were children of missionaries, which ends up playing into her story in surprising and deeply satisfying ways), and was, as she says, the last person her friends would have expected to start talking about jesus.

sara walked into a san francisco church one day -- called, one might way; compelled, she wasn't sure why -- and took the eucharist. and something clicked, in that moment. she had an encounter with jesus that she was never able to dismiss or shake off. eventually, her connection with jesus became a compelling call to feed others, as she was fed. sara started a food pantry, literally ON the alter of her extremely nervous church. the book walks through her multiple conversions, and those of the people around her, many of them already professed christians.

the comparisons to anne lamott are easy (especially to anne's first spiritual memoir, traveling mercies). both are brilliant with words; both are liberals from san francisco, who grew up in book-loving, athiest, intellectual homes; both are liberal in every sense of the word; and both are deeply in love with jesus and passionate about following his lead. this -- i think -- is what seperates both anne and sara from classical liberals, who spent a good deal of their time distancing themselves from jesus.

but sara miles and anne lammott are not the same. sara doesn't have annie's wit, which, while i absolutely adore annie's wit, makes this book somewhat more compelling, and a bit less like a collection of witty, liberal, jesus-y essays. if annie's "theme" is her self-loathing and insecurity, sara's strong-willed theme is: food. food weaves its way through every chapter of the book: from her childhood, to her experiences as a chef in new york, to her connections with people in the third world, to her intitial and ongoing experience with jesus, to her establishment of one, then many, food pantries. it's hard not to read this book and not simultaneously hanker for a chunk of some cheese you can't pronounce, and want to give that cheese to someone who wouldn't otherwise experience their next meal.

wonderful, wonderful reading. challenging at points. highly edible. deeply nourishing.

I love reading about converts to the Episcopal Church, I am one myself. The more unusual the story, the more it interests me and Miles' story fits that bill. Although I found some things about her puzzling- for instance: she calls herself "lesbian" but has an affair with a man (Huh?!) and then she seems to think that getting pregnant in the middle of a war was a good idea (What?!), I thought her life was fascinating. She is also admirable for starting the food pantry, and for linking food to ministry and to communion- the Body of Christ. The analogy is excellent. It also shows how a church can be so open and welcoming to all people from all walks of life, and although not intended as an ad for the Episcopal Church, it sure serves as great publicity!

I have purchased many copies of this book to share with friends for its thoughtful and compassionate look at life and its challenges.

John O'Donohue has used ordinary language creatively, often turning
negatives into positives: e.g. "laboratory of the soul".

I had previously been turned off by some of his ideas and bought the
book because the price was right at the WRITERS ALMANAC web site.
Turned out to be a great idea.

John O Donohue introduces the reader to the art of blessing. "It is the modest wish of this book to illuminate the gift that a blessing can be,the doors it can open,the healing and transfiguration it can bring."(ODonohue)
The author poured his heart and soul into creating blessings that speak to the human condition from the cradle to the grave and beyond. He intoduces each of the seven sections of the book with a poetic grace that draws the reader in while linking them to the Source of their own creativity and spirituality.

This is a beautiful book, a treasure! I've purchased additional copies for friends, and I'm certain they will love it.

I absolutely LOVE this book! My husband & I are planning for a family, when I got this book in the mail I opened randomly to a page somewhere in the middle and magically turned right to the blessing for "The Mother-To-Be"! So amazing! My yoga instructor reads us passages from this book sometimes (how I heard about it) and everytime she does, the peaceful, blessed effect is palpable.

THE WAY TO WITNESS EFFECTIVELY THE WAY CHRIST DID ON EARTH!!!!!!

With good examples on how Ray uses the law to share the Gospel. I also ordered the traning materials and sample tracts for my fellowship to study together.

I think there's a moment in everyone's life when they realize that the things they want and the things they need are two different things. Except, when I read this triumph of a book I finally found something that I both wanted to read and needed to read. So, I sat down with a large glass of root beer schnapps and a carton of Luckys and forced my way through it. Now, after completing this creative tour de force, I'm not ashamed of walking up to people on the street and praising the way of the Master. I'm also not averse to ringing a few doorbells to testify to the greatness of the Master. Also, I try to flag down cars on the parkway, but have not had much luck ... and I actually hurt my foot when a 93 Duster ran over it, but it's all worth in service of the Master. Of course, when I say Master I'm not referring to God. I mean Ray. This book has thoroughly cleansed my soul of independent thought. I now look to the sunrise each morning as a sign of Ray's benevolence and purity. If only he could help me with the horrific back pain that plagues my every waking minute. Oh Ray, why do bad things happen to good people? Why did Kirk Cameron's Hollywood career go careening and tumbling, never to be resuscitated? Why did the so-gorgeous and inspiring Chelsea marry him? Is there any hope for me there?

Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron are professional missionaries and also develop training materials for Christians who want to purposefully share Christ with others (even though Cameron is best known for playing Mike Seaver on "Growing Pains"). The book was written to present and advance a new paradigm for witnessing: using the Law when sharing the Christian faith.

Comfort and Cameron recognize that most modern evangelistic programs (indeed, the sermons of popular preachers) can be summed up as follows: "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life, all you have to do is let him work his will with you. Give your heart to Jesus and things will go well for you." This, however, distorts the Biblical message; it is a half-truth (and is thus not faithful) and it does not bring people from unbelief to a saving faith in Jesus. Comfort and Cameron argue that this misleading message be discarded and replaced by a more Biblically-based message of Law and Gospel. They argue that a more effective and Biblically faithful method is to 1) show the hearer that there exists a Law (the Ten Commandments) which the hearer has broken, 2) show them that when they are judged by God, they will be judged guilty, 3) the punishment for their guilt is eternal punishment in hell, 4) Jesus loves you so much that he has taken the punishment of hell for you, 5) it is necessary to respond to this great love by repenting and amending your life so it is characterized by prayer, Bible reading, and showing love to your neighbors.

The book has many positive aspects. The authors are correct in their argument that the overarching Biblical message is both Law and Gospel. They are correct in their observation that the degree to which they experience the joy of the Gospel is directly related to the degree to which they experience the terror of the Law (if they take the Law lightly, the Gospel won't mean that much; if they are utterly crushed by their guilt, the Gospel will joyous life-long foundation). They also present several helpful analogies, anecdotes, and illustrations throughout the book to make their points.

The book does, however, contain weaknesses. These weaknesses stem from a still-underdeveloped understanding of Law and Gospel. I was shocked as I read through this book and found Cameron's multiple exclamations of disbelief and awe as he discovered the Law. Equally shocking was the appendix: testimonies of Christians who have never heard the Law or realized that they are guilty of sin! While this is a new discovery to Cameron, Comfort, and many other Christian denominations, the Law-Gospel paradigm is a hallmark, a foundational building-block, a centerpiece of my denomination: the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. We have multiple volumes on this paradigm and all of our denominational materials flow from it, so I can recognize that Comfort and Cameron still have a little wrestling to do with this subject.

Specifically, while they present the Law accurately, the Gospel is underdeveloped in "The Way of the Master." Comfort and Cameron routinely say two things about the Gospel: 1) it is not a "health, wealth, and prosperity" Gospel, intended to make your earthly life happy, complete and comfortable 2) it is presented only using the analogy of the courtroom, where Jesus pays the fine the judge lays on you. Throughout the book, the Law predominates and the Gospel is not presented in a way that even comes close to giving the reader comfort. Even in example witnessing dialogues, Comfort and Cameron go into great detail showing how the Law convicts, then end saying something like, "and then you share the Gospel with them." The one anecdote given where the authors bother to explain the Gospel is one given by Cameron in which he witnesses to a man on a golf course. He tells the man that in order to receive forgiveness for his sins, he needs to pray a "sinners prayer," read his Bible daily, and make Jesus the centerpiece of his life. This really bothered me because Cameron (in his sincerity) shows the man the freedom Christ has won for him, only to heap more burdens on him. Throughout the book, Comfort and Cameron show contempt for Christians who live up to their lifestyle standards by questioning whether they were ever Christians to begin with. This mocking and jeering not intended to be judgmental (in my estimation), but again shows that the authors have not come to a full understanding of the difference between Law and Gospel, Faith and Works, Justification and Sanctification.

While I do recommend this book and find it helpful for its easy-to-read analysis of popular theology and a good introduction to Law and Gospel (especially as it relates to evangelism), it is incomplete. To supplement it, I would recommend "Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel" by C.F.W. Walther (it's a tough read, but worth plowing through), "God's No and God's Yes" (a simplified version of Walther's book by Walther Pieper), "The Hammer of God" (a novel by Bo Giertz), and "By Faith Alone" by Martin Luther. One can also visit an LCMS church or listen to some programming on[...]. I look forward to seeing how Comfort's and Cameron's theology develops in the future.

I was very skeptical at first when reading the book but it made more sense as I read. Then I actually tried to witness like this and I was AMAZED! People are not offended but are struck silent by what comes out of their mouths. Most of the Evangelical American church does not realize they are preaching a modern gospel. I am doing what I can to preach the truth in love.

I have read a lot of Eric and Leslie's books, but this one has to be my favorite! This is their story about how they met, becamse friends and eventually fell in love. They don't preach or say anyone has to do it this way, but their story spekes for itself. It show exaclty what can happen when you let go of what YOU want your love story to look like and LET GOD write his own and how beautiful it becomes. I have read this book at least 3 times and it never fails to move me to tears. (It also makes me laugh as well, which in my opinion is the mark of a perfect book!) In short anyone who wants a relationship with God and the oposite sex NEED to read this book!!

Very good book. It gives a look at the way marriage should be, with God first.

This is a really incredible book! I have enjoyed reading real-life love stories for a long time, but most of them were short online articles. This is a wonderful BOOK! I was so excited when I heard about it that I immediately requested it at our library.
I was a little uncomfortable with the beginning of the book, which is the reason that I gave this incredible book only four stars. I guess I'm pretty sheltered from the world --- the references to having sex/love-making and the locker-talk were just... uncomfortable for me. I enjoyed the book, though, and would recommend it to anyone! It's incredible to see the way God works in the lives of Eric and Leslie. I can't wait to find a copy of this book within my price range so that I can add it to my personal shelf!

I've shared the Ludy's book with my own three teens and with the teens of my friends. The story stands in stark opposition to what our culture teaches and gives hope and a vision of an honorable love affair that can last forever. My own children watched as friends became lovers, broke up, had babies, and were alone, or went from one tragic relationship to the next. This book showed them that it is realistic to hold out for something better and they were rewarded for doing so. Our culture needs to know there are other options and that the way to true love and happiness does not begin in the bedroom. One of the best parts of this true story is that it involves two people who went the wrong way first. This mom says, save your children's marriages before it's even an issue, get this book and give them a vision of something wonderful that's worth waiting and trusting God for.

My 15 yo daughter just finished the book. She didn't particularly want to read it, but it's a great story and once she started, she needed no more prodding. Besides providing a "vision," the story works as a "dating manual" for those committed to Jesus Christ. The reader sees how the young lovers come to fall in love, identify their feelings for one another, but manage to take the high road of abstinence and trust God that His way is truly best. When they finally marry, they've already proved their love for one another in the way they have put the other one's well-being above their own. A beautiful story for everyone.

I've made a point of avoiding Christian-aimed relationship books because so many of them are either condescending or unrealistic. But everything the Ludys have written blows that idea completely out of the water. They break the mold by being honest and open. This book is a treat to read; Eric and Leslie tell their story as if you were sitting in a living room with them. It's bold to be truthful, and it's daring to do it in our culture. I hope every young woman looking for a good romance reads this and takes it's message to heart. I wish I had read it years ago.

I would have never suspected my husband to be capable of cheating on me, not even to the slightest degree. When I found out he was having a full-blown affair, I was shocked. I separated from my unfaithful husband. I was very pregnant and still reeling from the initial shock of his infidelities.

After some couples and individual counseling, I realized reconciliation was not an option (there were multiple offenses, multiple women, and a lack of effort from my husband to heal our relationship). I filed for divorce and am slowly but surely trying to recover from the loss. Life certainly threw me a curve ball, but I have an amazing support system around me, and will eventually get through this.

I was interested in any books that addressed the issue of separation/divorce in the wake of infidelity. Up to that point the only Christian books I was able to find leaned heavily towards reconciliation. Since that was not an option for me, I was left feeling forlorn and hopeless to find something I could connect with. I was stuck in a very difficult position - not wanting my marriage to end, but having no other choice but to separate from a man with a serious sexual addiction. Even having Biblical reasons to leave didn't make it any easier.

This was one of two books that have truly helped me on my path to recovery. They are written by amazing Christian women. They offer hope to women facing the end of marriages (that they never wanted to end). It was like a breath of fresh air - being able to read their testimonies and know that I was not alone in my feelings and reactions to my divorce. Their candid advice and encouragement was exactly what I needed.

These books certainly appeal to any woman left standing alone wondering what happened to the husband she thought she married.

When He Leaves, by Kari West and Noelle Quinn
Live, Laugh, Love Again, by Michelle Borquez, Connie Wetzell, Rosalind Sparks-Seay, and Carla Sue Nelson.

I was very happy with this order. It came promptly and was in great condition.

An excellent book. It is like a warm hug from 2 wonderful women who truly understand what I am going through at this difficult time in my life. To read their stories and see how far they have both come is reassurance that I too can survive and in fact become a better stronger person myself through all this. Thank you Kari & Noelle for sharing your life stories and wonderful advice... help and hope. I've read it through a several times already and I'm sure I'll refer back to it many times on this journey to recovery.

I felt like this book gave me a sense of hope for my future whether or not my husband repents and decides to reconcile our marriage or not. To see these women faced the same thing I am though they were married much longer, gave me a sense of hope. They came through the divorce successfully and give many words of wisdom and encouragement. I like the exercises at the end of each chapter.

This book made me feel like my current situation has nothing to do with me and I am going to be just fine. This is his misstep and I need to not blame myself any longer or think I did the wrong thing by giving him all my trust. He just wasn't worthy of it!!!! I highly suggest this book to any woman who is separated or divorced b/c her husband walked out on her, turning her life upside down!

This book should be the FIRST book one reads when faced with the devastation of a husband leaving and cheating. It has been my source of encouragment, truth and inspiration. They identify each and every emotion that you experience and confirm that you are are NOT alone in what you are going through. They give you practical, encouraging advice/suggestions on how to work through such a painful, disappointing, humiliating experience. I look forward to reading it every day and I don't know what I'm going to do when I'm finished. I know, HEAL and press on! This book is essential in healing through the hurt and pain, the devastation and upheavel of your husband leaving/cheating and divorce!

This is an excellent book for those who want to know more about witchcraft from a theoretical perspective, it contains information about many occult topics, some of which do not exactly belong to witchcraft but are associated with it in the popular mind. All put together with the brilliant prose of Doreen Valiente. The only thing I don't like about this edition of the book, is the photograph of Janet Farrar's flabby butt in the cover, if the publishers thought this would improve the sales, I have to say this book doesn't need it at all!

Madame Doreen Valiente has written an excellent Witchcraft text that has stood the sands of the hour-glass.She offers a critical review of all the major famous people associated with classical and modern witchcraft.It's omnificent story-telling without any fluffy piffling tales presented.It's serious reading for any neo-pagan,who wants to expand one's Craft knowledge. From that of a mere novice to a higher level of a trusted Occult scholar. This book has more persuasive and insightful opinions on the British Witchcraft-Gardnerian traditions and customs,than any other recent English Craftbook.So i can only recommend this classical work on historical and near present British Magick.I have the original edition,with the moon priestess,around the witching midnight hour.The newer copies offer a sky-clad witch, that may turn some serious wiccans, widdershins away from it.This book is not a 'pig in the poke',short-changing the true followers of Wicca.Read the book and judge for yourself.You will not be disappointed.Also check out www.highcrossquarter.com for current information about today's British witches & wizards.

I'm always suprised when I see really great books on the Craft have few reviews compared to a lot of the "junk food" type stuff that is constantly published today. This isn't a how to book for beginners, but a great history that's set up in a dictionary type way. There's so much info and so much to learn here. This isn't just a book for practicing Witches, but for anyone interested in witchcraft. I could see this book being a great resource for anyone doing a paper on witchcraft. It can be a little dry in some spots, but not very many!

This is a great little encyclopedia on witchcraft and occult topics that relate to the pratice of both witchcraft and also Wicca. If you are looking for a good book to help expand your magical vocabulary or a great book that will help you become a more well-rounded witch, this is the book for you..... What I recommend is that you get the book and you start reading the information presented here-in. Then if you are looking for more information or updated books about any articles what you see, come online and see if you can find any specific books relating to the topics presented or look around on the web. It is easy to read and Doreen keeps your interest peeled!

Any books by this author is highly recommened!

Much Love & Many Blessings,
Thorn Nightwind

This book was so full of information from the very first page, I just couldn't put it down.It was certainly a important addition to my Wiccan library.If you want to find out what, where, and why ,this book will give you all of that .I have been a student of Wicca since I was thirteen ,and am now forty-eight ,having this book all those years ago would have definately been a blessing.

This book requires more concentration than others to comprehend. However it is worth the effort. Am still reading and will reread again. We can explore other dimensions ourselves, given enough energy and correct techniques.

With a deep interest in Toltec philosophy, I purchased this book based on the reviews on Amazon. My initial reading along with my experiental unfolding of the content of the book, simply does not comport with the claims of others in the review section of Amazon. I have no malice against the author, nor do I wish to impugn his work. I am only reporting my experience. Within the context of my expereince, Lujan's book read as any novel might. As far as the book being a catalyst for non-ordinary states of perception - never happened for me. That is not to say the relative merit of the book is to be avoided. The only one that can make that judgement is you!

I will say that my most powerful experiences of the Toltec Teachings have mostly been driven by the work of Theun Mares and Carlos Castaneda. Both of whom stand alone in my view.

Most of the 5 star reviews here are the ONLY reviews that the reviewers made.

What's up with that?!

I found the book to be well-intentioned while also rambling and perhaps a bit confused.

obviously the author is doing his best to convey his experiences through the written word and that is something to be commended. the allusion of the author's name to Castaneda's "don Lujan" is a bit comical.

Im quite fond of this book, I have read all the carlos castaneda books easily 30+ times, taken notes.. the works. This is definitly worth checking out if you have an interest in this type of thing, I find it to be much more practical. Im on the verge of buying a few more copies to give to my friends and family. Onward to infinity!

I am a long-term student of the study of consciousness, altered states, Castaneda (and his crew), Chi Kung, Gnosis, Lucid dreaming and meditation. These have allowed me to understand what it is like to objectify not only "external" reality, but also the various levels of the mind/personality, mainly and formost the EGO!

This type of inner objectivity will come and go, as consciousness moves in and out of it's phases of distraction and "waking sleep". This sleep and distraction cause us to lose track of the fact that we are unconscious psychologically when we are walking around with our eyes open daily or in bed snoozing. This means also being unaware of our reactions to our environment, impulses from other levels of the Universe and to our own inner workings.

Though i have done my best to remain vigilant and wakeful, when it comes to recognizing all of the shrouds to consciousness, moment-to-moment in my life, i have never recieved such an immediate boost (over the course of a week) to this ability (besides, occasional spontaneous inner experiences) as with the slow reading and digestion of the imagery created by this book .....imagery seems to be the key factor here. I now view my own inner activity in minute detail, and remember, when interracting with impressions from beyond me, that they are indeed that. I also keep a-mind that what we call "reality' is shifting cosmic dust, that i, less and less, need to be reactive to. This type of awareness also now naturally accompanies me on my way in and out of the sleep state, which i think will lead to breakthroughs in dream awareness, as i continue.

For those who have not responded to this work with changed perception, it may be due to not having a foundation for knowing what to look for.....otherwise it may be that they may already be "there"! There may also be a problem if you have trouble allowing imagery to unfold in your mind's eye.

I also have plans to accompany my reading with Carlos's Tensegrity/Magical Passes work. This, as well, has caused an immediate energetic response in me, after viewing the beginning of the Magical Passes disc, while casually trying only four of the basic movements......i can't even imagine what full-blown practice would produce! Having a strong prior foundation in Chi Kung (Qi Gong), may afford me an edge with this though.

Whether or not Castaneda and these guys are authentic, in the eyes of their critics, i have to say, personally, that they have truly hit upon something that carries monumental significance to our race. Why not try it before you trash it?

The Force is out there for us all.

Seller had a great price for the product and she was very honest about the condition of the book.

This is a must read for anyone who wants to know how God can change their life forever. What divine wisdom is spoken by this saint of the Church!! Her "Little Way" to serving and loving Jesus is persuasive to anyone struggling with the "how" of living a Christlike life.

"Story of a Soul" is a collection of three manuscripts written by Therese of Lisieux near the end of her very brief life. Therese lived in France at the end of the 19th century and spent nine of her twenty-four years in a Carmelite cloister, yet this simple woman and her "little way" have touched millions of lives in the years since her death.

Therese lived and preached a spirituality based on the scripture passages that urge becoming like a little child, living a life of trust in God. While she never did anything the world might consider "great", she made the most of the opportunities presented to her. She took advantage of offering to God little sacrifices such as sitting straight in a chair without resting her back and going out of her way to be kind to a fellow sister she did not particularly care for.

From her earliest years, she had an intimate relationship with Jesus. Although she was very close to her family, She writes, "I knew how to speak only to [Jesus]; conversations with creatures, even pious conversations, fatigued my soul." In her final year, as she was dying from tuberculosis, she welcomed her suffering even as she experienced a crisis of faith which plunged her into a dark night of the soul.

The three manuscripts that comprise "Story of a Soul" each have a different tone due to the fact that they were addressed to three different people in response to three distinct requests. Manuscript "A" is addressed to Therese's sister Pauline, also known as Mother Agnes. She was a Carmelite nun as well and at the time was the Prioress of the convent. Mother Agnes had asked her to put down on paper her recollections from her childhood. It was intended as a "family souvenir" and as a result has a very familiar, sentimental tone. In it, Therese tells the story of her life from her earliest remembrances through her profession as a Carmelite.

Manuscript "B" was directed to another of Therese's elder sisters, Marie, who also resided at the Carmel cloister. Sister Marie of the Sacred Heart later recalled that "I asked her myself during her last retreat (September, 1896) to put in writing her little doctrine as I called it." The shortest of the three manuscripts, it contains the heart of Therese's insights. It consists of a letter to her sister in which she explains that "Jesus does not demand great actions from us but simply surrender and gratitude," and a love letter to Jesus in which she confides her desire to be "the warrior, the priest, the apostle, the doctor, the martyr." Using the metaphor that St. Paul established in 1 Corinthians 12 of the body of Christ with its many parts, Therese comes to the conclusion that in order to fulfill her desire to be all things she must be love. "I shall be love. Thus I shall be everything, and thus my dream will be realized."

In Manuscript "C", Therese returns to the story of her life, this time at the request of Mother Marie de Gonzague who had taken over as Prioress. It tells of her remaining years at Carmel up to three months before her death in 1897 when she no longer had the energy to write. In her final words she exclaims "I go to Him with confidence and love . . ."

Therese never intended any of these words for publication, yet in the last months of her life she seemed to have had a premonition that her words would eventually do much good in the world. "Story of a Soul" provides a blueprint for a life lived in relationship with Christ. Therese comes across as extremely human, struggling with life as all of us do, yet she had such trust and faith. We are wise to learn from her example.
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Really enjoyed reading this book. Excellent akutobiography of St. Therese. What a beautiful life she lead. Everyone should read this if for nothing else than inspiration from an extradorinary woman. You don't have to be a religious person to get something out of this autobiography.

Therese of Lisieux lived a very sheltered life. As we begin the book she actually seems to be spoiled by her family. Her parents were financially secure and devoutly religious. Therese knew she wanted to be a nun from the age of three. She had bouts of poor health and she suffered the loss of her mother early in her life. And then the sisters she relied on left one by one to join the convent. But she also had security and love from her family. She also had an incredible sense of self-direction.

In her book Saint Therese describes souls as similar to different types of flowers. Some are roses, others lilies, and some like orchids, for example. And all can be equally pleasing to God in their own way, when seeking his role for them. People have different talents and different struggles, but these characteristics do not mean that any type is more valued than the other.

Saint Therese describes the Christian Church as one body, and how she wants to be the heart that loves. She writes frequently of the many ways that God is love. She believed that heaven for her would be to be able to help people on earth after she died. She writes that any sacrifice in daily life can be offered to God, for the conversion of souls, or help of others, whether it is the suffering of an illness or loss, or the performance of a mundane daily chore. Therese also writes much she preferred to speak directly to God as a child when she prayed instead of using formal liturgy.