General Practice Books

This little inspirational book is small in size but big in meaning. Don't let the brevity of some of these quotes fool you -- they could each be a meditation for a whole lifetime.

Although these quotes come from the Hasidic tradition, one does not have to be a Hasidic Jew in order to use this book. Editor Yitzchok Leib has selected passages that are relevant to anyone seeking a path to God, and especially for Jews in recovery, who might need a quick quote as a pick-me-up throughout the day. Non-Jews will find it interesting, too, as they discover about a type of Jewish spirituality that is not so well-known to the general public.

The quotes are arranged by topic into 16 sections, each beginning with a quote from Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (founder of the Breslover Hasidic movement, died 1810), followed by excerpts from the letters of his chief disciple and recorder of his teachings, Reb Nosson of Nemirov. Among the Breslover Hasidim, letter-writing has been raised to a spiritual art, and Reb Nosson was the master of masters in using this literary form. His letters, although originally addressed to individual Hasidim, were intended to be inspiring essays on how everyone can apply the teachings, and were eventually published for all to read...The compact size of this little volume makes it very convenient to slip inconspicuously into a purse or briefcase for reading in those otherwise "wasted" moments on the bus, subway, or waiting in line. It would also make a nice gift for just about any occasion, too.

I think that the book is really good and it gives you alot of now ways to fight the "koach ha mdome" (ha yetzer hara)

Prescriptions for Inner Strength, Meaning and Hope is the perfect subtitle for this gem of a book. Small in size, Healing Leaves brings forth the wisdom of the beloved Rebbe Noson on a very personal yet universal level. This is the perfect book to keep by your bedside and refer to again and again. Rebbe Noson, the scribe of Rebbe Nachman has something for everyone in this book. It's just the thing to turn to when you are looking to create balance in your life.

This is a beautiful book. I have given it to many people as a gift. It is a gift that will make a difference to the person receiving it. The letters are inspirational and timeless. They were written in the 1800's and are exquisite even today. You will not be sorry with this purchase.

Healing Leaves: Prescriptions for Inner Strength, Meaning and Hope, from the letters of Rebbe Noson of Breslov is a remarkable treasure of 126 pages that fits in your pocket, and provides strength and inspiration for any trials or tribulations.
It will help you to connect with G-D, speaking of the special process, spoken of by the founder of Breslover Chassidim and mentor of the author, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov: Hitbodedut, pouring out your heart before G-D
A book to keep by your bedside and in your pocket and to meditate on the spiritual wisdom found within. Divided into themes such as Renewal, Hope, Joy and Avoiding Anxiety and Depression, it is a book not only for religiously observant Jews, but anyone interested in practical spirituality, and using the wisdom of ages to cope with life, and bring about joy.
Hence some notable meditations from this work include such gems as:

"Rebbe Nachman teaches us to begin anew- each day, each hour, each minute.
You must remain young, renewing yourself each day and making a fresh start."

And

" Even while the gates are closed are closed and locked on every side and in every corner - so that one may have mistakenly thought there was no hope, G-D forbid - I still believe that there remains plenty of hope! For G-D's capacity to send relief and deliverance is very great indeed, and His power of salvation is inexhaustible."

A gift for a lifetime.

I came across this book and have read it and reread it and have also shared it with a number of friends. This is truly an inspiration book and will further your faith and intimacy with the Eucharist - the most wonderful gift from God. If you ever had questions about the Eucharist, your answers are here.

A friend lent me a copy of "The Healing Power of the Eucharist". I couldn't put it down once I started reading it. If you are interested in deeping your connection with God, this is a must read! Thank you Father John for writing this book!

I read this book last night in one setting. The book is powerful, and Father John gives details on how we can be healed physically,metally,and spiritually. We have to be open to receive from God when we accept his precious Body and Blood in Communion. Father points out that after receiving the Eucharist, we should take a few minuted to give thanks to God after Mass is finished, and then ask Him for his healing. This is a must read. I started rading this book in a parking lot of a shopping center, and two hours later at one o'clock in the morning I finished the book. Thank you Lord for your healing touch on all our lives.

This was one of the best books I have ever read. Fr. John does a fantastic job. The stories he includes and the experiences bring a deeper devotion to anyone who reads this. Higly recommend to anyone! Phenominal!

Without question, Fr. Hampsch's book, "The Healing Power of the Eucharist" was an awaking for me. While my belief in the power of the Eucharist was always present, it no doubt was enhanced through the points brought out in this text. One of the most powerful and distinct books I've ever read, Fr. John makes it very clear that we can, with "expectant" faith, rely upon the Eucharistic Jesus for emotional, physical, and spiritual healings. For me personally, I have witnessed the power of healing in all three of these areas. The power of the Eucharist and what to expect through out faith and trust in the real presence of Christ is clearly defined and outlined in this example of Fr. Hampsch's work. I've read this text four times, each time with greater meaning.

The Healing Touch: A Guide to Healing Prayer for Yourself and Those You Love is a comprehensive guide to emotional, spiritual, and physical healing. Norma's writing is straightforward and packs a spiritual punch. I recommend it to anyone who desires healing for themselves, family, and or friends or who has an interest in the Christian healing ministry.

I love this book.I happen to know Miss Dearing and reading her book
is wonderful because it feels like she is talking you as if you were having a conversation.There is such an easy feeling to this book,while at the same time giving alot of insight into the healing of the body ,generational healing, healing of addictions and so on.I highly suggest it to everyone, check it out.You won't be sorry.

This book was lent to me to read during a down time in my spiritual relationship with God. It was suggested as "light" reading and yet spiritually gratifying. I was hooked from the very first page, where Norma discusses herself, ministry, and prayer life. Little did I know that reading this "light" book would bring me to realize the areas in life where we all need to take a good look at what our views and relationship with God are.

Mrs. Dearing's prose puts you deeply into the place of actually experiencing the healings that she has personally witnessed and was involved in. This book will be on my shelf for reference, pray guidance, and also relive the exuberance of Mrs. Dearing, her writing is humorous, insightful, gripping, heart-wrenching, and most importantly, it is written to glorify God, the Ultimate Healer who blesses us with the opportunity to witness the POWER OF PRAYER. I want copies of this book for all of those that I love.

This book should be read by everyone, and especially those interested in the integrative hands-on healing modality and how it can fit into the conventional world. When reading this book, those knowledgeable about these subjects will find a common thread by other authors/books and a better understanding and substantiation will result. Other authors/books for those on the spiritual healing path are:- "Power Healing" by John Wimber, " "The Power of Divine: A Healer's Guide -Tapping into the Miracle" - by Tiffany Snow and "Quantum Touch" by Richard Gordon.

If you are a healer or want to be healed, these books should help. You may also want to put two of these books in your doctor's hands: The Power of Divine: A Healer's Guide, and Hands of Light. I read many books on various forms of healing, and alternative medicine, and I have found wonderful insights and practical how-to in each of these books.

The Healing Touch: A Guide to Healing Prayer for Yourself and Those You Love--- Norma Dearing, Francis MacNutt

The Power of Divine: A Healer's Guide - Tapping into the Miracle---Tiffany Snow

Hands of Light: Guide to Healing Through the Human Energy Field---Barbara Ann Brennan

Quantum Touch: The Power to Heal---Richard Gordon

Healing Light---Agnes Mary White Sanford

This is a very good book, great in fact. The only thing I would point out is that much of it centers around the fact that the author feels it necessary for one to leave their present life, and basically go into solitude to truely progress on their spiritual journey. While this may or may not be the case, many of us are unwilling to do so. For those people, I suggest Thich Nhat Hanh's writings, as they are geared toward people in all circumstances. This is not to say that this book is not of value, it certainly is! It is really quite wonderful and has many great treasures contained within. I merely want people to be aware of this reoccuring suggestion to leave the present hectic life behind.

It has been said by those who know,
that His Holiness, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet
knows a thing or two,
about a thing or two.

In the forward, the Dalai Lama not only lauds this text
as containing ALL the Essential instructions
to accomplish full enlightenment in one life time,
but he goes on to compare it to an elixir for reviving the dead!

Having had the very good fortune to receive teachings
from every major and many minor Buddhist schools
this simple devotee to the Buddha of Compassion
can concur whole heartedly with His Holiness.

This book is so important,
that I have taken it as my Primary Text
and as such, read it from cover to cover,
Every Single Month.

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, wrote this book
from the "Rime" or NON-sectarian approach.
It has something to offer everyone
from wide-eyed beginner to 9th level Bodhisattva!

Too many Americans have gotten distracted
from Buddha's path to enlightenment
by such things as:
Culture, Language, Tradition and Politics.

THIS text was designed to protect the reader
from such foolishness
and keep them alertly aware of what is most important
in their quest to accomplish the path in THIS life!

Many Theravadans and Gelugpas discribe the path of the Sutras
in terms of Renunciation, Compassion and Insight:
Dilgo Khyentse covers these from the perspective
of both a Scholar and a Yogi!

Many Nyingmapas and Kagyupas discribe the path to enlightenment
in terms of View, Meditation and Action
or Ground, Path and Fruition:
both these systems are taught in this text.

Tantra's path is often described in terms
of Generation, Completion and Mahamudra
or Maha-yoga, Anu-yoga and Dzogchen:
again, both these systems are taught in this text.

While NO substitute for the Blessings, Transmissions
and Explanations of a fully qualified lama,
this book is an indispensable tool
for those who long to accomplish Chenrezig in THIS life time.

I enthusiastically recommend this book to all my students,
and I gently urge you to acquire it, dear reader.

And so it is in the spirit of this book's
two Bodhichittas of Compassion and Insight
and it's two Mahamudra's of Sutra and Tantra
that I now wish from the bottom of my heart:

May you dear reader; be happy and healthy,
may you practice skillfully and joyfully,
may you accomplish Chenrezig in THIS life time,
and help many others to do likewise!

Om Mani Padme Hum,
Lama Jigme Gyatso: Rime Manipa Tantrika

The reader is doubly blessed by The Heart Treasure of the Enlightened ones. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, a Buddhist master of the highest order, gives practical and detailed commentary on a long poem by Patrul Rinpoche, also a Buddhist master of the highest order (see the classic, The Words of My Perfect Teacher). Where Patrul Rinpoche offers punch and precision, Khyentse Rinpoche gives paragraph after paragraph of pointed compassion. Such kindness! This book makes the reader want to be more kind. What better reason to read?

The purpose of Patrul Rinpoche's poem is to present the entire scope of the Buddhist ark in summary form, without leaving behind any essentials. According to Khyentse Rinpoche, this is important because "in this decadent age, because of their limited intelligence and lack of determination, people need to practice the Dharma in an essentialized form" (32). Chenresi (or Avalokiteshwara) practice is recommended for this reason. (Interested? You may wish to give mani wheel, or prayer wheel, practice a try.) Khyentse Rinpoche's assessment of our situation may sound pessimistic but really it's a chance for everyone to dig in and practice Dharma.

According to Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, "If you examine closely the ordinary values that underlie your urge to pursue worldly goals and try to discover where they come from, you will find that their source is a failure to investigate things properly" (40). One way into the practice of investigating things properly is Tarthang Tulku's vision of Time Space and Knowledge.

I feel so lucky to have had an opportunity to be exposed to these ideas, and I have reason to believe that all of us without exception would benefit from an increase in compassion.

Homage to all true teachers!

As a beginning practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism, I found this book to be an excellent guide to a simple, direct, yet pround practice. Dilgo Khyentse was one of the greatest masters of Tibetan Buddhism and these teachings given not long before his passing are wonderfully fresh, realistic and down to earth about the things one faces in everyday modern life.

The practice it teaches is not difficult but it brings great peace and gives the reader practical ways to deal with the confusions and disappointments of modern life. Dilgo Khyentse was a teacher of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, and there is no way to go wrong reading anything he has taught. Of all the books I have read on Tibetan Buddhism, this one is the most helpful and most delightful.

The Heart Treasure of the Enlightened Ones is an excellent guide for Vajrayana practice according to the traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was one of the greatest Tibetan masters of this century. The translator and editor of this book, Matthieu Ricard, is one of the ablest translators today. I was fortunate to receive the teachings in this book as they were given by Khyentse Rinpoche in France in 1986. Under Ricard's expert editorship, I think they have lost none of their freshness and relevance for those curious to know more about Tibetan Buddhism, and also for experienced practitioners who wish to understand the view, meditation and conduct of Buddhism more deeply.

I was blown away by the honesty and true faith in God and Jesus that Barbara displayed in this book. I feel that she is a very strong person to have gone through all that she went through and still have COMPLETE faith that was never faltering. The author is truely blessed and this book shows what it means to be touched by God.

I read this book in 2 days. I could not put it down. The way the writer open her deepest secrets should inspire us all. I don't know what to say but a GREAT book. You should read it even if you don't have children.

I really did enjoy this book. It is the most honest book I have read about the struggles of parenting that are connected to the lies that we believe about ourself. This book provides so much hope as the reader is given a wonderful example of restored relationships. Do not miss out.

Great book. Easy reading. The writer does an excellent job of bringing the reader from emotions of guilt, fear, despair to feelings hope and victory. If you are a mom, step-mom, daughter or son you will benefit from this book.I highly recomend it.

It was a great book! Full of emotions. There were happy times and sad times. There were many "I can relate to how she feels" times. This is the first book that I've read cover-to-cover in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. Parenting is not an easy job. There have been many times I wanted to resign from "motherhood," but you can't. That's just not an option. You have to work through it. Barbara does a good job of pulling you into her character so you feel what she feels. You struggle along with her. Your mind tells you that you shouldn't feel like saying "I don't like my child." But reality says "Some times that happens and what are you going to do about it?" She clearly explains the struggle in your mind of where you "want to be" in your relationship with your child and the reality of "where you are." But she doesn't leave you there. You walk with her through the steps to achieve the goal of where you "want to be." I highly recommend this book.

I didn't use to read books, but while I was deployed to Japan, I came across this book and changed the way I feel about reading books. ;) This day I just placed an order for 3 more books because of the inspiration I got from reding this book. I strongly recomend it and encourage any musician and singer that are true worshipers to get this book and read it. The author did a great job "keeping it real", allowing the reader to be able to identify with it. May God bless you and prosper you in everything you do.

Well writen and very insightful. It's not often that musicians
have an opportunity to read how their work should be played.

Worship is all about the heart. If we aren't worshipping God with our hearts we are just a band that sings Christian music. I've got to say this book is really good. It was smaller than I thought it would be but it was really good. I'm actually still reading it but I love it. These small little books are packed with so many useful tips and keeping your hearts focus off you and on God. I especially like the section that deals with the church musicians or praise and worship team to be involved in other responsibilities with the local church, not just music. And how we should also make it a point after we are done playing to not have this exclusivity about us, but that we should interact with the others so that they aren't intimidated by us "cool musicians(stuck up)" and we aren't put on pedal stool. It is a really cool book ... and life won't be the same after you read it. Not some huge dramatic change but it causes you to think and see where your motives are. Are you worshipping God or are you trying to bring the attention on yourself. I love the title, "Never Lose the Wonder of Worshipping God". Go out and read it ...!

I first have to say, this book is one of only few books that I can read, listen to music at the same time and still understand the meaning of the book. I do agree with Dawn about Tim's genuineness in writing this book but disagree about his humor. Tim is not THAT funny, but that is not important. This book is for everyONE, of all ages. Whether you're not a worship leader, wanting to be a worship leader, or a current worship leader, this book is right for you. Just because you are musically talented or gifted and singing worship doesn't mean you are doing the right thing. And even if you cannot sing or play an instrument does not mean God cannot use you in His glory. In this book, Tim teaches us to worship God with the Holy Spirit as our worship leader. Hughes even go as far as what we should look for in a band, how to choose a song list and much more. To make my point clear and simple, read the book. You'll be glad you did.

What a wonderful book! Tim is very helpful and very funny! I like the fact that he shares some of his blunders because we all like to know we're not the only ones to make mistakes and his advice is sound, kind and real......Christlike. :o} He is a very genuine young man and a great teacher as well.Get this book!

In the argument on whether or not to save old growth, this book draws scientific blood.

I read this book non-stop until I finished. I've never come across a work that so succintly explains the scientific research on old growth forests in the Northwest.

Want to understand why old growth is important? Read this book.

I don't think I can add anything of much value to the editorial reviews, all of which are excellent and fairly describe this book. For all you who have ever walked in an old forest, gone hiking in a forest preserve, felt the immensity and wisdom that is offered there, this book brings that gloriously to life again. Luoma's description of his ride in the crane is worth the price alone. Sweeping over the forest canopy twenty-five stories in the air is not for the faint of heart. Only 209 pages of reading, it flies by in just a few days. And he brings the scientists who work on all this to our dens with such intimacy. These are people who work in the field, not huddled over their microscopes, mostly. Pick it up; you won't be sorry.

Not only was The Hidden Forest a pleasure to read, but Jon Luoma told me so many things I didn't know. I thought I knew a great deal about forests, since I live next to a park, hike in the mountains, and have read many books about trees, but this book showed me that there really is a hidden forest right under my nose that I'd been mostly unaware of. Now, as I walk the trail through the woods, I think of the 16,000 tiny insects beneath my foot every time I take a step, and I think of the vital work they do that supports all life on Earth.



Policy decisions are being made every day--just recently the Bush administration announced plans to increase logging of old growth forests--in a political and economic climate in which most people are ignorant of the science of forest ecosystems. How can we possibly make the right choices if people are not properly informed? For example, many people have bought into the notion that protecting old growth hurts the economy and costs jobs. In fact, the losses in the salmon industry, billions of dollars, could have been prevented if old growth forests had been protected. Also, millions if not billions of dollars of damage caused by flooding in Washington and Oregon could have been avoided if the Forest Service had followed the advice of the scientists at the Andrews Experimental Forest.



Still, these scientists haven't even begun to scratch the surface of what we need to know about forest ecosystems. They haven't even identified half of the species that live in our forests. How can we know the value of what we are losing if we don't even understand what it is or how it works? Their work should be funded at a much higher level. (Check out their web site: http://www.fsl.orst.edu/lter/index.cfm )



While this book is not for everyone, it should be read by the following people:

--Policy makers in the Forest Service.

--Everyone in the Bush administration.

--People who vote.

--People who live in wood houses or use paper products.

--People who enjoy clean water.

--People who like to breath oxygen.



The rest of you needn't bother to read it.



(While I sound like I'm being paid by either the author or the Scientists and the Andrews Forest, I had never heard of either of them before my mom got me this book for my birthday. I just really liked the book--one of the best and most significant I've ever read.)

Luoma knows how to take important scientific work in forest ecology, and turn it into a book that is a pleasure to read. If learning had been this much fun in school, think how well educated we would all be today! Seriously, I like to read well-written books, but I prefer them to be to tell me things I din't know. Hidden forests does. Another really good read out this season is Bullough's Pond, a treatment of ecological history and industrial revolution that I found fascinating, and it read like a novel.

Luoma takes the reader on an intimate, guided tour with some of the tenacious pioneers of forested ecosystems research and the mysterious processes whereby the woods become established, grow and change--in the case of the moist coastal uplands of western Oregon, processes that take centuries to complete all their steps. For those who like their science in the field, in the raw, and introduced by the human practitioners struggling (and loving) the dance of theory and experiment, this is a must-have. Ancient Forests rhetoric too frequently airbrushes over the hard scientific inquiry that helped reveal both the uniqueness of the Oregon forested ecosystems research site and yet suggests that some of these hidden processes, or ones similar, will be found to play crucial roles in other forest places as well. If Luoma doesn't beat me to it, I could do worse than spend the rest of my career writing a series for all the Long-Term Ecological Research stations that perform the valuable work of building baselines and foundations in ecology for every major ecological region. At least, this is the sort of book that makes a reader feel that way!

I was only half way through the book when I had to sit back and thank the Lord for my assurance. This book has helped me in many ways. It emphasizes how we should devour 1 John. Gives many basic points to think about that is easily missed while in doubt. Give this book a shot.

Many are on a regligious path that they believe - very sincerely - will end in heaven and God's welcoming arms. However, the risen Lord Jesus Christ says that many will stand before Him - who called Him Lord - only to hear the eternally frightening words, "I never knew you; depart from Me you who practice lawlessness" (Matthew 7:23). They are the confident, assured, and religiously active, but utterly self-decieved.

Donald Whitney's book is sure to pull the mask off those who are trusting in religion, religious knowledge, religious experience, a decision, the affirmation of others, or whatever for their assurance of heaven - and shows that they are building on sandy ground (Matt. 7:24-27; 13:18-23; 1 John 2:3-5). And, at the same time it will encourage those who do understand that salvation comes through faith alone in the finished work of Christ alone (John 19:30); who have experienced the transforming grace of new birth (Titus 2:5; 2 Cor. 5:17) but are still having trouble finding rest and comfort in the promises of forgiveness and eternal security in Christ (Rom. 5:1; John 6:40).

The strength of Whitney's book is his commitment to Scripture (John 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:15-16), so that assurance is built on solid truth and not empty, vain, and subjective whims or fancies. Assurance of one's salvation is crucial to being freed to live a life of worship (John 4:23-24) for the glory of God. And biblical assurance is necessary to guard against a false hope that will end in eternally tragic regret and judgment.

If you are struggling with assurance of salvation, are not experiencing the comfort of knowing that indeed your sins have been forgiven and that God has granted you true saving faith (Eph. 2:1-10), then read this book. Look up the passages, be honest before God, and prayerfully seek Him to produce in your heart the assurance that you do belong to Him and that He truly has worked grace in your heart - and then wait on Him.

I too wrestled with the assurance of my salvation. I knew that my life had dramatically changed, I knew that my understanding and attitude toward sin, righteousness, God, Christ, and the Word had changed; but still I had trouble resting. This book was a great help along the way and a tool in the hands of the Holy Spirit to help me come to a solid, God-centered assurance in Christ. I hope it does the same for you.

This is a small book and I read much of it as soon as I took it out of my mailbox. Although I have no doubt about my salvation, I was interested in it when I saw the title. It validated concerns I have that the church's goal to build up attendance and membership numbers might sometimes overshadow its concern for souls. I would like to see the disappearance of the boards enumerating church and Sunday School attendance that are often placed in sacntuaries since that should not be our primary focus. This book contains an important message and I plan to send one to a pastor friend with a request that he read it and pass it on or purchase one for someone else.

I invited Christ into my life and wondered what was next. I read everything I could. I had a hunger for the Lord. Then I started having some uncertainties of my salvation. I read this book and discovered the affirmation I needed.

This is a Must Read for every Christian, young and old. New to the Lord or not. God the Father wants us all to know him. Read this book and be lifted up!

Almost everyone who believes in the existence of heaven also believes he will be there. I cannot count the number of times I have heard the statistic that fully 99% of Americans believe they will be in heaven some day. However, the Bible certainly gives no reason to believe that 99% of people will be welcomed into heaven. Thus many people, and perhaps even the majority of people, live with false assurance of their eternal destination. How Can I Be Sure I'm A Christian by Don Whitney, is a book concerned with helping Christians understand how they be assured of their salvation and how to discern true from false assurance.

In the foreward, John MacArthur notes that assurance of salvation is the birthright and privilege of every true believer in Christ. Despite this, almost every believer wrestles with this at one time or another. "Knowing how to handle such doubts, understanding the self-examination that is required (2 Corinthians 13:5), discerning the evidences of Christ in us, and above all focusing our faith on the promises of Scripture and the character of God - those are the keys to maintaining true assurance." (page 8) These are the topics the author examines in this book.

The book begins with an examination of whether assurance of salvation is possible. Though many Christians have been taught that it is not possible and may even be dangerous, the Bible presents assurance as something that is not only available, but is a crucial aspect of our Christian walk. In fact, an entire book of the Bible was written to address this very topic. "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life..." (1 John 5:13) After assuring the reader that assurance is possible and that doubts about our salvation are normal (and perhaps even healthy), Whitney examines the basis of our assurance. Far too many believers base their assurance on statements beginning with "because I..." but if our assurance is founded upon anything we have done, we have taken false assurance. Our assurance needs to be in the promises and character of God, not in decisions, baptisms, family or good deeds. The book then turns to a discussion of the confirmations and evidences of conversion. These include the Spirit's inner confirmations as well as external evidences such as conscious obedience to God's Word and a hatred of the ways of the world. There are several chapters dedicated to things that erode our confidence as well as false assurances of salvation. The book closes with a chapter on what to do if you are still not sure.

As with all of Whitney's books, he quotes Scripture liberally and draws heavily upon the wisdom of Christians of days gone by, and especially the Puritans. He builds a convincing case that assurance is possible and provides many helpful pointers as to how we can have that assurance of salvation. This book is guaranteed to challenge any believer, both in his lifestyle and in his assumptions concerning assurance.

In conclusion, I will quote the glowing endorsement of James Boice, who writes "If you have questions about your assurance or even somebody else's, you should read this book. Dr. Whitney's illustrations are superb, and his borrowings from the great theologians of the past are wise, stimulating, and well-chosen. I commend his work highly." To echo Boice, I unreservedly recommend this book.

Rev. James L. Meagher, D.D., has written the most powerful Catholic history that we have ever seen. Discover how the entire history of the world is tied together in the story and origins of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Read how God foretold the Crucifixion and the Mass to Adam and his children in types, images and emblems. Learn about the signs, symbols and ceremonies of the Mass in the Jewish Temple and how the mysteries of the Mass were unveiled in the Temple. Discover the origins of an unmarried clergy, holy water, candles, statues in churches, ciboriums, incense, sanctuaries, vestments, liturgical colors, credence tables, bread, wine, oil, chalices and various liturgies in the Jewish Temple of the Old Testament. See how the Mass was foretold in the Passover and the Cenacle, and how the sacrificial lamb was crucified and roasted on its cross. Learn why no bones of the lamb could be broken. This phenomenal work reveals many curious insights such as Adam and Eve's 63 children, the origin of the races, Adam's skull buried on Calvary, and the fact that Judas was the nephew of Caiphus, the high priest. Learn the knowledge that the early Church Fathers knew and the reasons and origins of every aspect of Holy Mass to each move that Christ and the Apostles made at the Last Supper. Staggering research! Helps all to realize what a hidden treasure we have in the Mass.

This is truly one awesome book. It is not only historically informative it is a good apologetic work. This book details how everything we Catholics do liturgically and some of what we do in our personal lives (Holy Mass (in all the rites), prayer for the dead, administration of the sacraments, intercession of the saints, vestments of the clergy, etc.) all come from the traditions of Old Israel, traditions which Jesus never rebuked and practiced himself.

This brings me to the apologetic aspect of the book. Jesus himself said in St. Matthew 5:17: "I came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets, not to abolish it." Folks, Jesus was Jewish, and this book lays out that Judaism at the time of Christ was very similar to Catholicism. Why this similarity? There are two reasons to explain this:

1) The Catholic Church was founded by the Jewish Jesus and lead by the Jewish apostles who knew and practiced the venerable traditions of Judaism in the light of Christ, therefore making Catholicism the true fulfillment of Judaism.

2) The early leaders of the Church in the 3rd-6th centuries corrupted the sparse evangelical-type church that Jesus founded, and introduced these Jewish practices.

The second explanation fails because much of these Jewish traditions preserved by the Catholic Church became non-accessible to Gentiles after the Fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. How did the "apostates" of the early Church get access to this information? They couldn't, unless of course they were a chain of heretics passing this information down from time of Christ waiting to subvert the Church. That clearly is not the case.

The Talmud is quoted extensively in this book. That is a good thing because the Jewish Talmud is an authoritative source for Jewish temple worship, practice and faith before the time of Christ. (It also has its corruptions after the time of Christ, but the good can be discerned.)

This book reawakened in me a godly joy to be Catholic. I no longer view myself as part of a 2,000 year old religion, but a religion that stretches back to our father in the faith, Abraham. This book has helped me sense a connection back to the Old Testament like never before.

Overall, if you have an interest in church history, liturgy, Messianic Judaism, or just Judaism in general please buy this book!

Adam

If you're interested in learning more about O.T. types and symbols that prefigured the Mass then this book is a must have. Organized by subject page by page, it is an excellent companion for your Bible study. This book packs a wallop and you really get your money's worth.

In How Christ Said the First Mass Fr. Meagher shows that many of our modern day church practices come from either the practices at the Jewish temple or from the synogouge. Our Mass sprang from the Passover. The big Easter candle, holy water, the use of bread and wine, choirs, altar rails, incense, deacons, the poor box, the reading from the bible at Mass and the collection of offerings are all "descendants" of what the Jews of Jesus's time did. Fr. Meagher makes it clear and says so more than once that the church is the daughter of ancient Judaism.

There are many things about day to day life in Israel that the Gospel writers left out in their accounts because the listeners of the day were already well familiar with them. This book goes back and talks about those ancient details. For example, it was common for a rabbi in the time of Christ to wait until he was 30 years old to start preaching and it was common for rabbis to travel with 12 apostles and a band of followers. The book is full of little details and it really brings the ancient world alive for the reader.

Now, I have to point out that this book was written at the turn of the century so when he's speaking on non biblical matters Fr. Meagher sounds like a man of his time. Some of his off the cuff comments may offend modern readers. Don't worry about those four or five comments and look at the heart of the book. The brilliant scholarship far outweighs the embarassing bits.

This book is a real forgotten gem and if you are serious about the ancient origins of the Mass it is one you must read.

Slow at the beginning but excellent in scholarship. One can see an unbroken line of how a Catholic altar is a type of continuum of the Temple Jesus worshipped in- himself. Marvelous, it gives the reader true roots of the Catholic Mass. Awe-inspiring and informative reading which you will not forget.

I first came across a reference to this book in a medical ethics class. After watching an attending physician take the wrong tack in explaining a terminal condition, I decided to learn a better way. This book has excellent summaries, frequent examples of the "wrong" way and the "right" way, and is the single best book on talking to patients I've read. A must-read for any health care provider, and especially anyone who has to talk to critically ill patients or their families.

How to Break Bad News is one of the best books on the subject I've found anywhere. I wrote a book called "Difficult Conversations" which deals with some of the same issues in a broader context, and I am impressed indeed by Buckman's book. I wish healthcare workers everywhere would read it.

This is a unique, delightful, and highly practical book. I recommend it very highly for all physicians and mental health professionals. The authors explain that, despite the American focus on informed consent, some patients who develop life threatening disease do NOT want to know all the details, or even the prognosis, of their condition. A wise and useful six-step protocol for breaking bad news is proffered, incorporating both readiness to fully inform and readiness to respect the patient's psychological vulnerabilities. Since bad news comes in many forms in this life, the skills and attitudes described have wide applicability in the helping professions. A TRULY OUTSTANDING videotape also exists as a companion to this book. I don't know if it is available through Amazon or not. PKC

This is chock full of great advice when you don't know what to say, or are feeling slightly shy or uncomfortable. Just curling up with these study cases in how to tell someone their colon is infecting their entire body and they only have a few weeks to live, or that a hemorrhage in their daughters brain will keep her in a state of vegetation for the rest of her ... life is enough to make anyone feel better about their own situation. Not sure what to say at a party? Just imagine yourself in one of these terrible situations and you'll thankfully be chatting up a storm.

I am a psychololgist. I read this book very carefully and outlined it, it was that good. It is very practical information on how to deliver difficult news. I found that I deliver more difficult news than I thought. I use the six steps outlined in the book now, and teach residents about the book. This is the best resouce I found for delivering bad news to patients.