Religion Books

Castaway Kid: One Man's Search for Hope and Home (Focus on the Family Books)

This book is amazing. I work in a school with much racial, religious, financial and ethnic diversity. This book was the center of our summer reading program. Rob's life was such a great example for our children who face discrimination that they too can be successful regardless of what others say to them. In addition, my husband and I found things in the book we could relate to as well. My favorite part was Rob's argument with God.

It doesn't matter who you are or how you were raised, you will relate to some part of Rob's life. This is a book you will love and one you will want to share with everyone you know!!

We were fortunate to have Mr. Mitchell visit our school after all of our students had read Castaway Kid as their summer reading assignment. His connection with our community was immediate and deep. All of us can relate to feeling abandoned at some point in our life. And in walks this gentle man who has every reason in the world to be hard and bitter. If God can give Rob Mitchell the courage to forgive, that same courage is certainly available to me!

We chose Castaway Kid as a book for our whole school (private 6-12 independent school) summer reading book. Our librarian and her committee chose it from a long list of possibiities. We were not disappointed in the choice. The students and adults found it a powerful and positive read. The Castaway Kid is not an easy story but students identifed with it in powerful and significant ways. Even if they were not orphaned, all could relate to the feelings of abandonment and isolation that seems part of growing up. We were doubly blessed because we convinced Mr. Mitchell to come to campus and speak at our academic convocation and parents' night. He is a wonderful speaker and it greatly enriched our community's experience. The whole community gave Mr. Mitchell and his story two thumbs up--way up!

Many adults have suffered great hardships in their childhood, even being sent away. This now successful man had a horrible beginning. One can feel the isolation he felt when he was "dumped" off at the age of 3.
A good book to restore your belief that you can make your life different.

I really enjoyed this book. Being from Chicago as well, I felt an ever closer connection to the author and his story. I had a real hard time putting it down and I had to keep tissue close by whenever I was reading it. As a Mother, it was especially heart wrenching to read some of the thoughts and emotions the author experienced as a child. Such wonderful writing and expression - always feeling the emotion the author was sharing. I would highly recommend it! I passed it onto a friend after I was done with it - so the enjoyment could be passed on!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We say Spirituality is not something we want to fall into. But in real terms we dont know what in actual Spirituality is !!!
This books explains the human life and the way to live it fully with the understanding of oneself...(SELF-Realization)

Keep Reading.

the thing that i most loved about this collection is his photograph that came with the books like a little book mark, but also much of what he says is truly inspired. i was most impressed by his knowledge of bhakti yoga - the yoga of love, which to my mind is the greatest gift of hinduism to the rest of the world. love is the word of all true mystics which points us toward ultimate reality/unity. i do not agree however with his analysis that all yogas are equally valid. i see that a quite sizable chunk of jnana yoga is mislead in its analysis and understanding of the nature of things.

vedanta is significant in that it is the science of religious truth. it seeks to uncover those truths that are universal to all religious or spiritual journeys... whether by believer or non believer... certain verifyable and repeatable truths and practices and results of these practices. vedanta is more than a religion it is the truth that is out there waiting to be found again and again, in being after being, life after life.

i see 'advaita' vedanta as primarily seeking union with God, or the super- self/paramatman. i would however warn that the mundane 'i' must undergo radical transformation, or complete extinction with renewal and re-birth if union/yoga with God is to be attained. (i speculate!!!)

as mentioned above, the ultimate is true love, personified in hinduism as bhakti. true love has been known to be in definition, to be 'loving kindness' by the worlds greatest proponents of truth. take for example the jews (proponents of one true god) and their use of the word 'chesed' and then the diametrical opposition of buddhism (proponents of the budda ideal) which uses the word 'metta'. these two great religions have recognised the meanining of 'loving kindness' over vast stretches of time. but it is clear too that Jesus, a jew also had a profound experience of and egagement with 'chesed'. Vivekananda also was a very loving human being it would seem from his writings. however i think he was wrong in that he did not consider that 'loving kindness' is more than merely an attribute, but it is infact the very being and persona of ultimate reality. of which there is only one persona. (manifesting in three persons, though one would not expect him to know that without a profound experience of Jesus).

vivekanandas books give a brilliant over-view of the various aspects of hindu faith... but am i right in thinking that he was an impersonalist, despite what he wrote on bhakti. i dont know. hard to pin down.

there is a slight shadow over the first book in the compendium, but is this because of a 'blessing' on the book, or simply that he is in areas misguided. as i see it his greatest error is to embrace non-dualism in relation to good and evil.

yes, it is true to say that evil may be good and good may be evil, as well as to say that good may be good and evil evil, but simply because the two extremes may cancel one another out one should not assum that all reality is always an illusory construct. non-dualism is valid, but not very helpful, a lower truth.

if one is careful, one will see that with an understanding of the mundanities of good and evil, that one may aspire to and better understand the nature of good, that is 'true' good, the third and apexal point on the triangle. 1,2,3 and or 1,1,2 (there is a progression in the first set, and a correspondence in the second set - if one applies these numerals to a basic triangle).

taking love for example, one does not have to be clever to realize that love may lead to hate, and in some cases love is a form of hate. if a country goes to war or an individual is angry at someone, it can usually be understood as an offence against love. and loving ones country so much that one goes to war for her is a sad example of mundane love. however this love is love without kindness and therefore is not 'true' love. true love is loving kindness, since true love must be kind, it must love its enemies (so what enemies has it). thus asserting, socratese was expected to drink poison, for 'corrupting' the youth of athens.

interestingly vivekananda follows the argument that india maintained her identity and beliefs in the face of invasion, simply because she did not resist the occupiers (islamic and christian). she bent like a reed in the wind.

vivekananda would have benefitted from a better understanding of the mystic sides of christianity and islam, both of which he seems to misunderstand on certain important points, or simply not to know about.

all in all an intersting read. not as developed as ramana marharshis vedanta, and though he may have been an impersonalist of sorts he does not go into the details of the process of impersonalist union with/becoming god. yoga is described but not actual process of union with God, though he does mention this as a possiblity that was sometimes avoided by the bhakta who wished to worship God as the object of their love. they found this more fullfilling than becoming a god.

he covers a wide area and its hard without deeper study to understand his personal position on things. all in all, what impresses me most about him is that he was clearly a very decent human being. a shame though about his philosophical indifference toward the dualism of good and evil. (but he cant be blamed. a reading of the baghavad ghita can either assert this dualism or deny it. you will find people in both camps who have studied the ghita).

anyway, these books need to be read with discernment, as i have said, there is a slight shadow over the first book. dont let this scare you away from reading them, but approach with prayer.

with very much love, from, snow-flake. xxx

I am only part way through the first volume, but it is far enough into the works to gather an understanding of the maginitude of Swami Vivekananda's understanding and straight forward elucidation of Vedanta. His writings are intellectual in nature with a strong undercurrent of spiritual truth. He has the ability to stir within the mind something unspeakable through his words. This is a testament to his depth and understanding. So far, in this first volume, there is an ongoing feeling of freedom from creed and blind belief, and a very structured, scientific approach to living through Yoga. This will certainly appeal to those who are disheartened by orthodox faith, but still are religious minded and are a seeking for greater truth. Excellent!

In the moments of desperate help, this book has thought me how to hold my self together. It has made me a better person overall. I recommended this book to all of my friends and teachers. It is by far one of the most AMAZING book I have ever seen.

Vivekananda was one of Ramakrishna's students. These books mostly depict the Swami's trips in behalf of Vedanta, in America and other countries. He writes beautifully and has simple, clear exposition. He does briefly describe the various types of Yoga. I did not find the books highly inspiring, and certainly not at the spiritual level of Autobiography of a Yogi.

Each time I teach Boethius' Consolation of Philosophy in my Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy course, I'm struck by what a wonderful text it is. There are at least three reasons for this.

First, it's as good an introduction to the worldview of the late antiquity/early medieval periods as one's likely to find. That worldview is likely to strike contemporary ears as foreign--Boethius' conflation, for example, of the good, happiness, and God in Book III--but it's well worth attending to.

Second, reading Boethius is an education in good argumentation. One can disagree with the premises upon which his arguments rest while still admiring and profiting from the rigor of the arguments themselves. Boethius himself tells us that his method is to "unfold" conclusions "without the help of any external aid"--tradition or authority--"but [instead] with one internal proof grafted upon another so that each [draws] its credibility from that which preceded" (p. 82). And he lives up to his word.

Finally, the existential questions Boethius explores in the Consolation are astoundingly vital today. Here's a guy who was once one of the most powerful men in the Roman empire fallen from grace and facing a very messy death. In writing the Consolation, he tries to come to terms with the fickleness of fortune, the problem of evil (why do bad things happen to good people), the secret of happiness, the issue of free will, and the meaning of human existence. Boethius finally concludes that he, like most humans, had been suffering from what might be called philosophical amnesia. He'd allowed his fast-paced lifestyle to induce forgetfulness of who he was and the way he should live his life. In those final months of his life, living in a solitary jail cell and pondering his own mortality, Boethius begins to remember. Reading his wonderful little book can help us, fifteen hundred years later, to awaken from our own amnesias.

Of all the translations of the Consolation I've read, Victor Watts' is my favorite. But be forewarned: his Introduction to the book will tell you almost nothing about the contents and issues of Boethius' book.

"Consolation of Philosophy" was on the syllabus for a "History of Philosophy" class I took my senior year in college. To say that I loved it would be an understatement. I still have the copy I read back then (academic year 1980/1981) and I have re-read it several times over the years. I treasure this book like none other.

I looked through my copy to type out a passage that I find particularly inspiring, but found that I couldn't because there are so many. I've recommended it to literally dozens of people, and every one to took me up on my suggestion thanked me for it.

Boethius, in his "Consolation" written in prison shortly before his death, turns to the pre-Christian philosophers and the tradition of Rome and Greece for aid and comfort. The work is one of the most historically important works ever written: it is through Boethius that we had knowledge of Aristotle during the middle ages.

The work takes the form of a Platonic dialogue, mixing prose and poetry as the author slowly convalesces with the aid of Philosophy, his "nurse." This literary style has been imitated many times since.

The work ought to be read not only for its historical and literary appeal, but for its arguments, which are as cogent as they were nearly two thousand years ago.

I don't read a lot of philosophy texts, but I read this one after my father died and was surprised to find it very meaningful and truly consoling.

The Consolation is a philosophical treatise written by Boethius (c. 480-524 A.D.) while awaiting his execution after being imprisoned by the Gothic emperor Theodoric. The first time I heard of Boethius and his most famous composition was, as so often is the case, when I was reading another work. The work in question is A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy O'Toole. The main character of O'Toole's novel, one Ignatius J. Reilly, had based his entire life and worldview around the philosophy of Boethius and his assessment of Fortune. A great work in its own right, A Confederacy of Dunces left a lasting impression in my mind and, when by chance I came across a copy of the Consolation in the used bookstore I jumped at the opportunity to see for myself what Boethius had to say.



The work is composed of five books beginning with Boethius struggling to make sense of his imprisonment and pending execution. Confronted with a fate that is seemingly at odds with the virtue and faith with which he has conducted his life, Boethius is about to succumb to the sorrow that is filling his thoughts. Just then he notices the presence of a woman in his cell, the awe-inspiring Philosophy. She bemoans that Boethius, once such an avid student of hers, is now about to abandon all that he had previously gained. Thus begins a journey of reason and contemplation between the two until Boethius in the end finds the consolation that he had almost given up upon. Interspersed between the dialogues of Boethius and Philosophy are a number of poems that range in subject matter and content. More numerous at the beginning of the work, the poems often times serve as transitions between arguments or help to put difficult concepts into a clearer light. Thus a remarkable harmony is reached between prose and poetry that can be appreciated even in an English translation, a rare feat indeed.



It is perhaps significant to understand the time in which Boethius lived a bit better to gain a more accurate reading of his work. Living long after Constantine's conversion to Christianity in the 4th century A.D., it is widely accepted that Boethius was a Christian and believer of the tenants of the Catholic Church (at a time when the Gothic emperor Theodoric, also a Christian but belonging like all Goths to the heretical Arian sect that believed that the father and son were not of one substance). One must find it a bit peculiar than that at no point in Boethius' text is Christianity mentioned in any overt context. To find a believer in his last days before death turning not to theology for comfort, as one might expect, but rather to philosophy has raised many questions about the nature of Boethius' belief. But one only has to look to the title of the work to see that Boethius is choosing philosophy for the subject of his work and could very well indeed have thought theology a better consolation, although one that would be and should be treated in an altogether separate treatise. With this in mind, Boethius draws on the works of the great philosophers and thinkers of antiquity; Homer, Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Seneca, St. Augustine, the Stoics, and the Neo-Platonists. This feat being all the more remarkable because Boethius apparently relied on his own memory to produce the arguments and passages seeing as he had no access to any literary sources while imprisoned.



Boethius has rightly been called the last classical man. Indeed his thoughts and works can be seen as forming a bridge etween the classical world and the Middle Ages. The Consolation influenced countless numbers of theologians throughout the Middle Ages and direct references are to be found in the works of masters such as Dante and Chaucer. His lonely contemplation of good and evil, fate and free will, fortune and the nature of happiness certainly still have an allure to inquisitive minds to this day.

The Pidgin Bible puts things in a new and interesting perspective. Even if you don't speak Pidgin, you can understand it. I recommend it!!!

Da Jesus Book is the New Testament in the Hawaiian Pidgin language. It will read like a paraphrase to most English speakers but is actually a true translation (done by the highly respected Wycliffe people).
Hawaiian Pidgin is distinct from typical English in several ways. It seems to use only three verb tenses. Some words are used repeatedly for many different things. The vocabulary is extremely limited.
This is what makes it so very wonderful. The Scripture becomes alive in new ways because of the limited vocabulary. For instance; they have no word for 'peace' so they say 'let your heart rest inside', 'sin' becomes 'da bad kine stuff dey like do jus cuz de peopo', 'verily verily' becomes 'ho!', and 'Messiah' becomes 'da Spesho Guy God Goin Send'.
When I use this translation for public reading, the typical initial response is giggling... but after a paragraph or two, fascination sets in as the truth takes on a childlike quality that connects with warmth and emotion. For me, more often that any other translation, people are moved to tears when they hear it read. Most people do not want it to stop. But some people... uh, well, I guess we must always suffer with some people...
Because of the vocabulary, technical parts of the Bible suffer, but then other parts take on new life. For me, Romans is terrible to read in Da jesus Book, but the Gospels and Acts are wonderful.
If you're trying one out, I might suggest Luke 24:13-35 (road to Emmaus), or Galatians 5:19-24 (deeds of the flesh & fruit of Spirit). But beware, they have words which we do not. And it takes practice to read it well. There is a companion CD that you might purchase to help with pronunciation, inflection, and rhythm.
God Bless,
Thomas S Boswell

This is such an excellent translation of the New Testament and just so down to earth. I've never been to Hawaii, but have always dreamed of going. This gave me some insight as to how some of the native Hawaiians think and it was a simpler way to read the New Testament. Great buy!

I fully admit that when I first saw this book on vacation on the
Big Island, I thought "hey, what a cool novelty." I came back and decided to order it. When it arrived and I began reading it, I quickly found out that this is far more than a New Testament "Pidgin' do da max."

I love language, and read different translations of the Bible to get a different perspective. This is, as the authors state, a genuine translation directly from the Greek. You do not have to be Hawaiian or even know pidgen to appreciate this book. It is, probably, closer to the kind of language that a blue collar construction worker from a poor, rural area of the Roman empire would preach in than the lyrical, yet stuffy, King James English. I looked at some things with new eyes (read the Sermon on the Mount and the Lord's Prayer), and this has quickly become my favorite study Bible. I am eagerly anticipating the promised "Befo Jesus Book." All in all, a beautiful translation that turned out to be much more than I had expected.

This book is well written, and true to the Bible's word. It cracks me up, just because I'm from Hawaii, and it's written as the locals actually talk. It actually was easier for me to understand than the King James Version. I love it. I would recommend this to anyone who's a local in Hawaii. Otherwise, the words used would be hard to understand if you're not used to talking in this manner. Very good book. It is only the new testament, not the old testament, so don't expect the whole Bible in this book.

"Dr. Gail's" Insightful how-to guide brings order and understanding to why we dress and groom the way we do. It helps women to feel comfortable in their own skin by illuminating the reason behind what sometimes seems like madness. In today's cookie-cutter, judgemental time when so-called fashion gurus with flash-in-a-pan book deals and cable television shows, it's refreshing to know that there is a voice crying out in the wilderness saying, it's ok to be who GOD made you; and to reflect your individuality through your style. Kudos to Dr. Gail!

Daughters of the King : Finding Victory Through Your God-Given Personal Style by Gail M. Hayes
Walk Worthy Press -May 2005
Full of inspiration and self-reflections.

Have you ever wondered why you like the things you like or even what career would best be suited for you? Have you ever daydreamed about Mr. Right or what makes you really you? Well, look no futher! DAUGHTERS OF THE KING suggests the ideal types of careers, spouses, clothing and loads of other things! We've all seen or heard about personality analysis before, whether it was Meyers-Briggs or some other method. Yet, Dr. Gail M. Hayes provides a whole new perspective in her book DAUGHTERS OF THE KING, which opens by providing an analytical quiz to the reader to help determine which of the six types they may fall into, from Jaunty Espirit to Sensual Exotic. For instance, if you fall in the "Harmonic Refined" category, you may see yourself as some type of diplomat affecting world peace or how about an accountant keeping the numbers in order? With your distinctive traits, you like to plan your work and work your plan. You have a great eye for detail. Just like the prophetess Anna, people have great respect for you and how you get things done but their feathers may get ruffled by your directness. Whereas your "Elegant Flamboyant" sister is a woman in charge and she has no problem letting others know it. She is the free-spirit entrepreneur who loves marching to the beat of her own drummer, just like her Biblical counterpart Lydia. She could also be that talk show host who likes to be the center of everyone's spot. Although these are just two of the personality traits highlighted in the book, Dr. Hayes relates each of the six traits back to a Biblical female and thoroughly provides insight ranging from clothing and jewelry preferences to career choices and family relations.

All in all, I enjoyed the approach DAUGHTERS OF THE KING provided. It was an interesting glimpse into a subject matter that I've studied in the past. While I enjoyed the biblical references, I thought some of the generalizations about the various image types may have been just that, too general. Yet, I found myself studying the text in the book and at times, laughing out loud or shaking my head in agreement. If you're curious to see how your personality style matches up to your biblical counterpart, do not pass up DAUGHTERS OF THE KING.

Reviewed by Nedine
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Authors Gail M. Hayes, PHD, has written an awesome non fiction guide for women of all ages, all races, to help them to first understand that they are unique and one of a kind. A woman of God called before the foundation of the Earth to be who they are according to how God made them.

Daughters of the King helps us to recognize our personal God given style so that we will not try to fit into someone else's mold or perception of who we are. We can be ourselves proudly knowing who we are in God regardless of our personality styles, which includes our dress, what kind of jobs we enjoy, our ministries, our family lives, and who we are as a whole.

What I enjoyed the most was utilizing the Image Indicator in the beginning of the book and finding out what personality style I am and then reading further in the book to see how very accurate it was. Being called "Jaunty Esprit" was very unexpected, but after reading through the book, I found that I had a little in each personality style.

I would recommend this book to all women regardless of their race, religion, or dress size. What Dr. Hayes shares in her book will cause you to take self-inventory to find all of the amazing things about yourself that is personally and uniquely yours created by God.

Reviewed by Sharel E. Gordon-Love
APOOO Book Blub

An incredibly interesting and wildly fun - and I must admit truly accurate book - found me recently. It is Gail M. Hayes' book, Daughters of the King.

Hayes believes that every woman has her own unique sense of style that is not only how she dresses but also how she does things (like holding an eating utensil or how she thinks). It is her very essence. It is simply who women are in the world and as children of God.

Hayes presents a simple twelve-question image indicator, and from the answers can tell women what type they are; Jaunty Esprit, Harmonic Refined, Elegant Flamboyant, Creative Poetic, Chantilly Graceful or Sensual Exotic. Now you might scoff or even laugh at the thought that a short questionnaire can pinpoint style, but I must confess that when I took the test, it was so accurate it shocked me. And no, I'm not going to share my style. I'd like to quietly savor it for awhile before proclaiming it to everyone.

Once you have determined your style, Hayes discusses in depth the beauty of your unique style, the inner you, tells a biblical story, discuses your style and family life, your strengths in the body of Christ, working style, good career choices, color and clothing and jewelry choices, as well as make up and hair styles.

I absolutely love this book because it's fun, it explains my style personally and as a child of God. And because it is, as I said before, so accurate! Women, buy this book, share it with your daughter, friends and anyone who will listen. I see style parties cropping up all over the country. "What fun!"

This book is one of my favourites out the whole series. Unlike alot of readers, I really like Alisa - I think she adds a strange kind of innocence to the books that instead of being annoying is quite good - it adds some light for a change. Even though the way in which she finds out about being a half witch is very repeative and simliar (and a bit cheesy) to how Morgan found out she was an adopted blood witch, i still liked it because like I said, I like Alisa and the innocence and light she adds to the story. I think it was a very good idea to have Alisa save the day rather than Morgan for a change. I think that it was a good idea of Cate Tiernan's to have the spotlight shared by two characters because she has avoided the irritating predictable problem some books suffer from where there is always one heroic character who saves the day every time. This time, it is alot more varied.

So this book, eclipse, is really good! It shares the point of view with Morgan who is ususally the narrator, and Alisa, who you haven't heard from. Alisa's relationship with Morgan is that she is Morgan's little sister Mary K.'s best friend (getting a little Jerry Springer...) anyhow, Alisa is a blood witch. Mordan's killer father, Ciaran McEwan is trying to destroy Widows Vale with the *ominous music* DARK WAVE! Morgan finds Ciaran and her boyfriend, Hunter, stripps his magick. But the dark Wave is still coming! Will they be able to stop it in time? *FORESHADOWING*

I purchased the Sweep series for my 13 year old daughter in the hopes that maybe she would read. "She hated to read." Well I was amazed, and could not get her to go to sleep, as she would spend the whole night, with a night-light on reading these books. She enjoyed them so much, and could not stop talking first about Cal and then Hunter, that I had to see what all the fuss was about.
Well after two weeks, a book a day, for a girl who hated to read, it sparked my curiosity, so I started reading, and was surprised to find out how enjoyable a Teen book about Teen Witches could be. I am not really into Wicca, but these books are really enjoyable. I am on my fifth book, and my daughter read each twice, and is know on the Circle of Three Series. I have to highly recommend these books to those parents who can not get their daughters to read. These are excellent stories, full of fantasy, horror, and fun.

over here in the uk sweep is called WICCA. i am a wiican and 14 and im a beginner and i do like these books. it is fantasy wicca but it is buult over fact.
if u want real wicca after u have read these books check out silver ravenwolf, starhawk, dorothy morisson etc.
These books are great 2 read even if ure not wiccan they are action packed.
this book in particular is probably one of the best and at the time of writing this is the latest one published in the UK but i know the other 2 plus super edition will be even better.

Morgan is back and so is Alisa. For those who don't remember, Alisa is the girl who is scared by Morgan because strange telekinetic things happen when they are together and she feels Morgan is unable to control her power.

One day, at practical magic, Morgan picks up a Book Of Shadows from the seventies. This is actually on we have seen excerpts from in a previous book. But when Alisa is visiting Mary K. (Morgans younger sister), she steals the book.

The book winds up revealing things about Alisa's family and just who Alisa is. As Alisa begins to deal with her situation, she gets caught up with Morgan, Hunter and Hunter's father as a new and serious danger threatens them and much of Widow's Vale.

The story switches back and forth from Morgan's point of view to Alisa's. There are no excerpts starting each chapter, but there are some interesting quotes. A good book that seems to really move the series towards a conclusion.

On a side note, does anyone else thing the town should change its name to Widowers Vale? Morgan, Alisa and Hunter are all missing mothers. Plenty of widowers and no widows.

This is truly a wonderful and need to own book. It gives (in plain english) a how to explaination on applying the eight fold path to your life. There are examples of what each step means and how it works in the real world and caring advice on how to deal with setbacks should they occur. Truly a book for beginners and advanced students. My thanks to Bhante henepola Gunaratana for giving us such a wonderful book.

Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness-Walking the Buddha's Path
The book is extremely clear and poignant. As long time pratitioner of Vipassana Meditation it quite refreshing to come across this book written in plain English of which even a non meditator would be inspired to investigate his or her life. I sincerely wish that if any one reads this book that they experience the richness of visiting Bhavana society .org and go on a personal retreat to bring the richness of the books' message home.
In Loving Kindness
Stan Grier
Wellness Consultant
[...]

Mindfulness and loving kindness are a couple of great approaches to living advocated by these ancient teachings made into cakewalk reading. When I go back to older more traditional interpretations they feel stiff and inhospitable. For the secular reader especially I think this makes for a pleasantly palatable on ramp to Buddhism.

Upon my studying of Theravada Buddhism this was my 1st book I read. I'm so glad that it was as it has helped steer me on the correct path. I strongly suggest this book and its sequel.

Well written and imparts another aspect that is more specifically written and allows various insights and lessons to come to fluition.

I highly recommend this book by itself, but more importantly, as an additional reference to compliment your collection.

JOYce Meyer is keen on spreading the news that God wants you to ENJOY your life, whether you're in the middle of great delight or great distress. Pulling from Biblical truth, she proves her point in her easy- to-read way of teaching. In recent weeks, I have read many of her books, and many times the informations overlaps but that's ok because, oftentimes, one has to hear/read the info over and over for it to sink in. I suffer from anxiety, depression and "grumbliness" (complaining) and she explains that joy (spiritual happiness in knowing we are saved even though we don't deserve it) can be had no matter the circumstances, whether we're in a state of bliss or battle. The first is easy, the second (when in a trial) we have to realize that, for the believer, the trial is for a purpose and for our good (see Romans), and that "it, too, will pass". Enjoying life is a choice, but it (joy) is also a spiritual gift from God to those that obey and trust (have confidence in and depend on Him). Choose joy! Choose life! Choose to read this book, to enlighten you and to help you choose to enjoy your life! The title says it all.

Shopping on Amazon was quick and easy. Items were in stock & shipped in time for Christmas without any extra shipping charges. Amazon is the first place I search when shopping online.
Any material by Joyce Meyer is wonderfully uplifting!

Joyce teaches us to laugh at ourselves; she teaches us that it's ok to make mistakes as long as we recognize them and use them to mature our spiritual walk. I love preachers that come down to our level, instead of painting a "higher-than-thou" mentality with impossible standards for us to live up to. My dad once told me that a baby chick starts out with no muscle tone in it's neck. If someone simply cut the egg shell away from the chick and didn't allow it to peck it's way out, it would die. It is in the labor of breaking out of it's shell, that it finds strength.

Carrie Lynn Jones
Author of It All Began... When Jesus Gave Me Sneakers

Good advice, given like a friend talking frankly with you. Joyce states it like it is, no pie in the sky perfectionism, no Christianeeze cliches.
She is right on the mark with the advice, references and interpretations. Uses personal experiences to illustrate situations. Helpful book.

I read the reviews here and decided to get the book from the library. Well I have finished this book and I must say that the author has met me at the very place I am in my life right now. Chapter ll Joy in God's Waiting Room continues to speak to my spirit. Joyce Meyer speaks on so many areas and each one has touched me and showed me things that I did not realize. I thought that Joy was something that came over you or as a result of circumstances but it is not. Joy is a choice and something that God has instilled in each one of us. J.Meyer gives examples of this and she backs up what she says in scripture. If you find that your patience is being challenged (God does this from time to time when He is preparing us for the next level (James 1:2-8) If your attitude is not Godly in your waiting and you feel that your joy is just not there...then you need to do as I did...YOU NEED TO OWN THIS BOOK! Just as God has blessed me to become a licensed RN I know and needed to be reminded that as I am waiting and believing God to open doors for me I have the victory because I am a child of God. I am going to re-read this book and now I can highlight and refer back to this book for continual growth in the area of patience and truly trusting God and knowing that He has everything under control. God Bless You!!!

I absolutely LOVE these series. I'm now reading them for the 4th time. I love how Lund breaks down the parables and teachings of Christ to make them easier to understand. I also love the historical accuracy. He brings you into the story as if you really are there. I highly recommend these books!

This book is amazing. It has truly enlightened me as to the true nature of Jesus Christ. On one hand, He seems very conservative, but on the other, He seems so liberal! What a paradox. Lund does a fantastic job of capturing just how complex our Lord is, but how loving and accepting He is, too. Truly, He is a higher form of life, and that essence is easily portrayed in the story. There is also a very interesting fictional plot unfolding all around Jesus with the story's main characters who are the Jews and Gentiles that chose to follow Him during His earthly ministry (some fictional, some historical). If you've ever wished you could get into a time-machine and go back to the time of Christ and see Him for yourself, this book will help you vividly paint this dream in your imagination better than anything else. Plus, you'll get schooled in the biblical Gospel that Jesus taught without feeling that it's preachy. It's just Jesus. Like Him, the author invites people of all religions, beliefs, and unbeliefs to partake of his words. There's nothing to fear. Jesus is SO cool, you'll definitely feel that way afterwards if you don't already!

I have heard people say that the story of Jesus is the greatest story ever told, but have wondered how that could be when I found the New Testament so difficult to understand when reading straight from beginning to end. Now having finished this series of books I add my vote that the story of Jesus Christ is really the greatest story ever told.

Upon finishing I have felt driven to explore the New Testament again. I recently purchased a version of the New Testament which attempts a chronological harmony of the four gospels. I am amazed at how closely Lund's series shadows the chronological harmony version of the King James Version of the New Testament. Lund's work has helped me attain a level of clarity regarding the Savior's ministry that I didn't even know I was missing. Lund also did a great job in helping me understand which characters in the book are really from the New Testament, and where he was favoring certain scriptural interpretations over others. The chapter endnotes were fantastic!

Having now finished the whole series that this book belongs to I realize that without the historical insights that Lund provides into the political, social, and cultural setting of the people who lived in that area of the world at that time, I would not fully understand the life and mission of Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of mankind. For me this series is now the standard for all other historical fiction that attempts to represent the ministry of Jesus Christ, or the origins of Christianity.

I am not much of a reader. In fact, this is the first novel I have read in about 30 years. (I never seem to have the time)

Boy, did I ever pick a winner on this one!

It immediately immerses you into the lives of a Roman soldier, a Galilean family, a Pharisee and a Sadducee.

It so masterfully intwines these folks into many of the gospel stories and places you into the crowds that are following Jesus. From the Birth of Jesus, to the cleansing of the Temple, the sermon on the mount and the feeding of the multitude.

It also puts in detail the difficulties of a family split between becoming followers of Jesus and denying him, and the melting of hardened hearts.

I could barely put this thing down.

Now I am ready to take on "Come Unto Me" (Kingdom and the Crown Vol 2.)

I am now on the second book... the first book in this series is so wonderful. I takes you there to Jerusalem and Galilee. You feel as if you walk with Jesus and experience his miracles and teachings first hand. It is an ambitious achievement for the author. You learn and come to know Christ more deeply. At times it can get a bit preachy and I feel like I am in one of Lund's classrooms, but I dig it anyways (other people may not). But the story is well crafted.

I always hate it when authors take too much artistic license and try to guess what a real historical person is feeling or what their motivation is (when there isn't a written record of it anywhere and it is completely up to the interpretation of the author). I am grateful that Lund never attempts that, and for Heaven's sake, especially not with Jesus. All of the dialogue that is written for Jesus can be found directly out of the New Testament.

Read this book and come to know the Savior even more deeply than you have before.