Christian League Books

This is one of the most AMAZING books I have ever read. Touching, heartfelt and gutsy! I have passed this book on to many friends and they have all had the same response. One of those books that changes your outlook on pretty much everything.

I have known Bob Muzikowski for three years now, and he never ceases to amaze me. Reading this book has been a revelation. If you're feeling cynical, or doubt that one man can make a difference in society, read this book. Muzikowski chronicles his life from a tough childhood to a self-destructive early adulthood through his current and permanent persona, a caring, compassionate person who genuinely wishes to spread goodwill. Hopefully, this story will inspire others to follow in Bob's footsteps, and love their neighbors. The narrative is alternately heartbreaking, hopeful, and humorous, but always honest. A seemingly endless parade of intriguing supporting "characters" add color and depth to Muzikowski's infectiously interesting vignettes. Rather than see the Keanu Reeves/Hollywood version, read the real thing. Pass it on!

I never knew Bob Muzikowski ... nor did I know of the book prior to last month (April 2004). However, I was fortunate enough to meet this amazingly honest, articulate, straight-shooting gentleman [yes ... gentleman] at a prayer breakfast in Albany, NY. After hearing him speak [him being the featured speaker] and hearing his story I simply needed to know more. I spent a little time researching Bob and was interested in reading the book.

OK ... now for the book review ...
DON'T READ THIS STORY if you are not interested in changing your heart and mind for a greater good. THE RIPPLE EFFECT will occur in your heart as you realize the full potential each and every one of us has to better the lives of others. HHHMMM ... isn't that what Jesus taught?
AND if you're an Evangelical Christian, the story will either motivate you INTO service for Him or it will refresh your walk and current service.
Either way ... this story is SO MUCH BIGGER than Bob and his boys. It's a glimpse of the ON-GOING ACTIONABLE LOVE AND COMPASSION for everyone associated with Bob and Tina ... and for you and I? It's fuel for our hearts ... raw honesty, compassion and love seen through very tough circumstances and people.

BOTTOM LINE ... this book is an example of what God can do when a heart is willing to be transformed.
PS: Check out the Chicago Hope Academy ... a school opening in 2004 that was built on the fire and determination of these folks.

When Bob Muzikowski and I sat across from each other on a plane ride last September, I mostly listened as he told his story. As publisher for Zondervan, I knew by the time we landed I'd be asking him if he was interested in telling this story in print! The world is hungry for stories about "everyday heros" with whom we can actually identify. Bob is a regular guy who, in spite of a rough and tumble first few decades of life, has found a way to live an extraordinary life. His story reads like a novel but the inspiration that drives him is compelling and accessible to all of us. This is a book that you will not be able to just read. You will most definately encourage your adolescent children to read it and you will talk about it with your colleagues and friends. Trust me...for what started as an idle conversation on a plane last September is now a wonderful book that in just over a month is being read by thousands.

Although Bob Muzikowski's book, "Safe at Home," is catagorized as an autobiography, it is so much more! This book is a real life story of THE Author's plan for one man. Bob Muzikowski has shown us how one man (and woman, Tina!) can make a difference when he chooses to please an Audience of One - the blessings of God on Bob Muzikowski's life have been multiplied exponentially to others! "Safe at Home" has been described as "inspiring," but Bob's story will only be truly inspiring if it generates a response from its readers; one that takes them out of their comfortable church pews and into the God-prescribed place that He wants them to be! "Batter Up!" The choice is yours: you can take the challenge as the designated hitter or warm the bench in the dugout!

It seems as though everyone goes through a period of questioning their spirituality in life, and for me it started shortly after college. This book is perfect for anyone going through a similar situation. Gregory Huth addresses some of the paradoxes in the bible I have always felt needed further explanation, and he does it in a manner that does not contradict or offend people of various religious backgrounds. In fact, he highly stresses the importance of looking past religion into the deeper aspects of being spiritual and I couldn't agree more. After reading the book I feel more secure in my personal spirituality and can more fully appreciate the different spiritualities of those around me. I would whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone who considers themselves even remotely spiritual and especially to those who are searching for the answers to some of the questions that cannot be answered by simply attending church.

Markku Ruotsila (adjunct professor of American church history, University of Helsinki) presents The Origins of Christian Anti-Internationalism: Conservative Evangelicals and the League of Nations, a close examination of conservative Christian skepticism of international politics. Discussing the historical and theological genesis of evangelical Christian thought on modern-day international organizations as well as American foreign policy, takes a bold stand in depicting a the fierce role that religion plays in American domestic and foreign procedure. Chapters focus on the influence of a number of different religious groups in America's history, including Calvinists, Lutherans, Methodists and Episcopalians, as well as exploring the history of conflict between religion and the League of Nations, and much more. "It was during the League of Nations controversy that conservative Christians first put in systematic terms that doctrinal insistence that the nation's faith should be placed only in the instrumentality of those Christian churches that were engaged in traditional evangelism and trusted God, not humanity, to perfect the world in due time. They taught that America could play a special role in the world only after it had reposed its faith in Christ and had thereby been transformed... they further insisted that America must not be tied to non-Christian nations but must remain a free agent in the world's affairs. Such beliefs... would have a profound impact on American foreign policy for the eighty or so years after the original debates over the League of Nations. In all likelihood, Christian anti-internationalism in its doctrinal and popular forms would last for a long time to come." Notes, a bibliography, and an index round out this measured study of a crucial factor influencing American political science.

Grab a box of Kleenex before reading this little book because it will tug at your heart. This book makes a great gift for a Little League coach, team mom, or player. Truly a sweet book!

i know a guy named tim burke and he is just as dumb and delusional as this tim bruke
this clown was a garbage pitcher and the mets dumped him after he had a solid 5.74 era
he made the right choice going with the bible thumping

The book walked us through what we were praying for after we were married. CHILDREN. We have one son who we adopted from Romania almost 3 years ago and this book has made us review of how we can love and care for more children. Would love to email Tim or Christine and speak with them about adoption etc...

Thanks!

George and Darlene Watson

this book is an insight on a loving,christian couple who through all their personal triumphs and down falls, find the love in their hearts to share their lives with 4 needy children. god played a tremendous role in their decisions and continues to bless them for their faithfulness. i am proud of you tim!

Tim, an All Star Pitcher, retires early to dedicate his time to his wife Christine and his growing family of special needs adopted children. I was really moved by this back and forth conversation between Tim and Christine. You'll want to give this to anyone considering Christianity. The Burkes chronicle their spiritual journey with wonderful transparency until they trust Christ when their marriage was in trouble. Any couple would benefit from their hard learned lessons. I loved it!

A book which explains why contraception is wrong, and much more. Exposes the abortifacient nature of most contraceptive devices. Very valuable indeed.

John Kippley, both in this book and with his his organization, the Couple to Couples League International, has done a great service for Catholic couples during our age of high dissent. To get an idea of how powerful an argument this book gives, I may mention that this was the book that started Scott Hahn on his path to Catholicism (his review appears on the inside back cover).

Kippley proves his case from every conceivable angle; from scriptural covenant theology, from the Magisterium, and from scripture directly. While he is presenting his case, he does a wonderful job dispelling objections, handling the hard cases, and putting an end to the propoganda that our liberal society pits against what they like to call "Papal roulette", or Natural Family Planning.

I very highly recommend this book for couples, singles, and teachers who are interested in this topic. Whether you are unconvinced but are sincere in following God's will (Catholic or Protestant), or if you are already convinced and would like a more effective tool with which you can share this teaching with others, this book is for you.

As a mathematics teacher and engineer, I appreciated the straightforwardness, the logic and above all the thoroughness of this book. All married couples, couples contemplating marriages, teachers and ministers, that have any belief in God, should read it. Detailed history is presented on the use of contraceptives and why they were feared not only by the religious leaders of all faiths but also the general public. Calvin, Luther and other prominent Protestants as well as Roman Catholics are quoted. The insights of the religious leaders of by gone years are phenomenal in that these people predicted that the use of contraceptives in marriage would lead to the break down of marriage, the abuse of women and wide spread promiscuous behavior. Mr. Kippley also shows the readers, in a very lovely way, many aspects of marriage. These aspects along with a healthy and sacred view of conjugal relations will help all couples over the tough times and lead to a more loving and caring society.

Book makes some excellent points on marriage and sexuality but it reminds me of the saying "marriages are made in heaven but lived on earth". Author has some outdated theories that catholic couples still feel that they have to have intercourse with each other because they have given the gift of themselves to each other. Very hard to do sometimes when you have several kids and are worn out. Does have some good points in it, but I wonder if the author is married?

Professor Knock turned my head around on the foreign policies of Woodrow Wilson. This book takes the reader back into the 1890s, when Wilson was a professor of politics and history, in its quest to understand the evolution of his foreign policy thru American entry into the First World War. Nothing is sacred in this author's hands either. He devises a large-scale drama encompassing a spectrum of players--Jane Addams, William Howard Taft, Elihu Root, Eugene Debs, and more--as he dissects how and why Wilson failed to gain Senate ratification for the Treaty of Versailles. If it is a familiar story, Professor Knock's retelling of it is both original and compelling. I think this is the single most important book currently available on Wilsonian foreign policy.

When I was very young, I read somewhere that Wilson was the greatest swindler in human history. And Wilson has always been a mistery to me. Reading this book, I expected to learn the reason why Woodrow Wilson decided to lead America into World War I. But it was not a main theme of this book. And the explanation about it was not satisfactory to me. My misunderstanding about Wilson, however, is removed now thanks to this book.
Thomas J. Knox decidedly focused on the League issue. He meticulously studied the process of the formation of League of Nations. And his analysis of American political spectrum of that era - especially progressive internationalism & conservative internationalism - was excellent. It was very helpful in studying American history.

To End All Wars attempts to show where President Wilson's ideas on the League of Nations came from and why he ultimatly failed. A fascinating protryal of early 20th century poltics, Knock successfully intergrates both the domestic policies of Wilson with his international policies. The links between the progressive, pacifist leagues and Wilson's views are clearly marked and appear credible. What is not examined is the moral conflict between Wilson's anti-war views and the fact he lead the country into World War I. Further research into this inconsitency could have led insight into why Wilson treated his former progrssive allies with such contempt as the war progressed. The ultimate result was his political inability to convince the American people to join the League of Nations after he alientated his greatest supporters.

This book is about Woodrow Wilson's quest for a new world order during and after WW I, especially his strong desire for the creation of a League of Nations which would mediate all future disputes between nations. The U.S. Senate, of course, voted it down. I found it interesting how the country (and Wilson) had strong socialist leanings, especially in international affairs, until War was declared in 1916, when a huge reaction took effect. Knock does a good job relating events and portraying Wilson as one whose ideas for truly ending warfare was convincing to world leaders but not his own country. The effort of trying to persuade his countrymen of the importance of a League probably broke his health and led to his death. Recommended.

People with nothing to lose are dangerous, but not to the extent that those who have everything to give are.

Mary Bowley demonstrates that the most dangerous people "count it all joy" by looking at the bigger picture. They do this with an unshakable faith that all will be well, no matter what circumstances look like at this moment. Such people have come through the fires of hell in one piece and have survived--No, they have prospered. Now they spread the good word of hope, and this is the lesson of A League of Dangerous Women: If we know it, then we can achieve it, and then we will facilitate it for others.

Groups of women have been dangerous in the past, among them America's suffragettes of the19th and 20th centuries. Some men and women alike that opposed their right to vote abused them. Just as disturbingly today, some women are abused in more ways, starting as early as infancy when they are molested, raped, belittled, beaten, burned, neglected, starved, and thrown out. Further, because of peer pressure and spousal abandonment, many American women fall victim to drug addiction, alcoholism, unwed pregnancy, cult lifestyles, homelessness, poverty, prostitution, and suicide.

With nothing left to lose, these women come to Wellspring and its way station home, where the staff and residents show that God is still in the healing business. Wellspring Living's motto is: "Changing Our World by Changing Hers."

The staff members are in recovery as well, or at least have a calling to help, but they all receive more than they invest. Friends, family, church, and the legal system refer young broken women. Any of their stories, recorded as chapters, could stand alone as an important film. Together, they make a formidable team that cannot stop what God has started, but only help to finish it: growth, independence, and blessings.

These women progressed from broken vessels, to women dangerous to themselves and others, to heroes boldly dangerous for God and His promises for healing, deliverance, and truth through salvation in Jesus Christ of Nazareth. They won't settle for less, and it's all real.

This book is for any woman--middle school girls to senior citizen. I hope that women everywhere can become so dangerous.

Armchair Interviews says: Those wonderful "dangerous" women get a lot done.

Women's Ministry leader and founder of a recovery program for women, Wellspring Living, author Mary Frances Bowley knows well each person described in A League of Dangerous Women. With compassion rather than condemnation, following the precepts laid down in Scripture, letting her Lord relate to each distressed women He brings her, Bowley has rich experience and deep truths to share. Be prepared to be dynamited out of your rut. Our God is a God of miracles, and this is a book of miracles happening right now in the lives of desperate, terribly abused, totally lost women. Not only does the Lord save, He washes white as snow and sends the washed ones out to witness for Him.

Meet Danielle, physically, verbally, and sexually abused in childhood, as she makes a desperate bid to rise out of the mire of drug addiction and prostitution. How did she find Jesus? One desperate day, after hearing about the Lord, she opened the front door and asked Jesus to come in and be her best friend and walk with her forever. And the miracles began to happen.

Meet Tracy who went to Church yet was betrayed by the parents who took her there. The forces of darkness reached out to claim her and drive her into deathly desperation. She tried suicide, alcohol, drugs, sex, and an abortion. When nothing else helped, she called unto the Lord, and from then on, no matter how dark the way became, God continually reached out until Tracy stumbled into His arms and her miracles.

Including Danielle and Tracy, there are 14 such biographies in A League of Dangerous Women. This volume closes with a special prayer, one useable by all people, written by Tracy

This is a must-read book. If you are desperate or know one chained by desperation, here are answers. If you live in a nice Christian cocoon, here is your wake up call. If the Lord is calling you to ministry, Bowley's memoirs and insights will help you. If you are not a Christian, read and see just how God can work. - Donna Eggett, Christian Book Previews.com

What a treat! Major league player and manager Bobby Bragan and sports writer Jeff Guinn have created a nostalgia trip for baseball fans. Not only is this a rather complete history of the Fort Worth Cats and the Texas League but also it is a fascinating, inside view of minor league baseball at a time when minor league training was absolutely crucial to major league players. In particular, it shows the Dodger way of doing things, due principally to Branch Rickey. Bragan's stories are marvelous, both funny and touching, as he evokes an era when players played for the love of the game and were required to 'study' long and hard as they made their way through the 'school' of class D-AAA baseball. His insights into the personality of Branch Rickey are especially revealing, and his stories about many of the players are absolute treasures.

If no thought was put into the book, no thought goes into its review.

Seriously, watching your $30 burn up in smoke is more entertaining than reading this book.

The author is either ignorant of basic Aramaic translation or purposely inciting hate. Many of the terms he uses like "apostates" in the Talmud does not refer to Christians, as he contends. Also the Talmud uses the word "akum" which refers to idol worshipers. Christians are not included in this terminology.

all i know is the talmud is racist and i wish it was banned worldwide!

This book cites a great deal of talmudic and rabbinic text out of context. It is useful for scholars who know their way around. Lay persons should not attempt it. It continues the long tradition of Christian Hebraism intended only to denigrate Jews, with no thoughts of serious textual analysis

I did not read the book yet. But I am interested in the book.
Before reading the book, I was checking the reviews.
It is interesting to know, that in general the opinions are very opposite.

Some hate jews based on the books, such as Pranaitis's or similar.
The others are trying to make arguments, that all the hatred addressed to the jews historically is totally unbased and without any reason. Such people provide arguments, that the critics of sionism too often interpret the sacred jewsh writings too literally, or do not make the exact citations, or even worse - do not know the thing they are talking about.

One of reviewwers, woting against the book is, Michael Sullivan. But Mr. Sullivan in his review, made a terrible mistake himself, stating, that Pranaitis was a Russian priest. This statement is totally untrue. Pranaitis was a Lithuanian, not Russian priest. To take Lithuanian for a Russian is the same grave mistake, as to take a jew for an indian. Lithuanians are of different language group (baltic, vs. slavic). Lithuanians were catholics. Russians - orthodox christians.

Therefore, before making politically correct statements and accusations against critics of jews, it would be wise to get to know some facts. This knowledge of ethnic groups of the good old Europe is not as d