2 comments about Celine: Sister Genevieve of the Holy Face : Sister and Witness of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus.

1. This book was a truthful account of the life of Celine, sister and witness to Saint Therese. Celine worked very hard to carry on the way of "spiritual childhood" as her sister suggested, and the book tells of some of her trials towards seeing Therese canonized. Celine is a wonderful person herself, delightfully human, and a woman I would have wanted to meet. If you've enjoyed the stories of Therese, you'll enjoy this book.



2. To a follower of St. Therese, this book about her sister Celine (Sr. Genevieve) is, of course, very interesting, even fascinating. I wish there were a little more scholarly info, however. Celine always seemed especially interesting to me. She had many opportunities: a marriage proposal, a proposal to found an active order in Canada, apparently a strong talent in art and photography. Yet these don't really shine through in this book. Conversely, her sanctity didn't come through either, for me. Still, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves reading the details about Therese's family. I would love to see a good book about her sisters Pauline and Marie, also. I understand that one about Leonie is already in print.

5 comments about Daktar: Diplomat in Bangladesh.

1. If you're looking to do some missionary work and your going into the medical field, this is the book for you. Viggo Olsen's story in Bangladesh is extemely inspiring and lets you see how the Father truly works through him.



2. This man is extraordinary! While we desire wealth, security, good health, and so much more, Vic Olsen's autobiography touches my heart as I see the tremendous passion and commitment of a Christian missionary to help the people of Bangladesh while ignoring the superficial desires of our society. His life trumps the stereotype delusional missionary of the same era portrayed in The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. You may reject his perspective that Jesus Christ is the Messiah (although he provides a logical defense), but think again what this man did because he committed his life to Jesus Christ. Is not this world better off because of this man's decision? Now, what am I going to do?



3. When I told my pastor I was interested in third-world development, he gave me a dusty hardback copy of this book. It changed my outlook dramatically. All I can say is, when someone is totally yielded to God, real life is so much more exciting than fiction.
   
   The book starts a little slowly, and sometimes I felt like Olsen was getting bogged down in painstaking theology issues, but I think that reflects the painstaking process the realization of truth was for him. Stick with it, because when the story picks up, you won't be able to put it down. Olsen and his team demonstrate a ministry that is pure gospel rather than cultural imperialism.



4. 
   
   The man of the hour, Dr. Olsen, is remarkably used of God to bring many to Christ in the country of Bangladesh in the 1960's and 70's where violent governmental unrest formed calculated demise. East Pakistan forcibly moved to an autonomous state to mold a parliamentary government, birthing death and destruction in its wake to freedom. Dr. Olsen, his medical team and hospital were spared razing through God's timely intrusion.
   
   The book parts throughout to reveal many a miracle beginning with Dr. Olsen, himself. He was a riotous, sin-seeking man before the phenomenal change by Christ. One medical associate refused to conceive that he came to the Savior as he whole-heartedly believed it unfeasible. He was well aware of the magnitude of sins that controlled Dr. Olsen's previous being. God took this reprobate of a man and turned him into an on-fire believer who left a spiritual trail of productive Christianity.
   
   Drawbacks to the book: It was hard to tread through as it was penned in a detailed manner that lacked reader-appeal with its lengthy facts; reading through political details can relax one to a slumbering snooze. I also felt much more scripture could have been supplied to enhance this work. In addition, the details of the miracles of Christ could have been expounded upon. It would have been great to hear more of the conversion of the heathen through the compassionate healing hands of Dr. Olsen.



5. I read this book with an agenda. In the mid-1970s a little booklet called "The Agnostic Who Dared to Search" was available in Christian bookstores. It was taken from chapters 5 and 6 of Dr. Olsen's book.
   
   It detailed how Dr. Olsen and his wife accepted the challenge proposed by her newly converted parents in order to bring an end to family arguments about religion. The Olsen's thought it would be easy to dust off college notes about errors in the Bible and silence the in-laws. About this time Dr. Olsen also revelled in telling nursing students their belief in a special creation by God was foolish and evolution is endorsed by thinking people everywhere.
   
   The Olsens were surprised to discover the critiques they had in college notes exposing flaws in the Bible were themselves weak and faulty. They began to realize many things point to God, but which god? Perhaps other religions are as good as Christianity or even better. In time all criticisms of Christianity fell away and the Olsens believed in Jesus as the Son of God and their savior.
   
   I used to give that small booklet to many people. Then as quickly as it appeared it became unavailable. I wanted to read the source book in its entirety for a complete context. That would be "Daktar..."
   
   "Daktar..." adds some interesting examples of how God led the Olsens and their medical mission in Bangladesh. As noted in other reviews, it also spends many pages in detail about political developments in East Pakistan. For the average reader, these details numb the mind and take away from the story.
   
   I am glad I read the book, but it could have been a lot shorter for my purposes.

2 comments about Saints and Feast Days.

1. This book is a teacher's guide for religion, supplementing information for Saints and Feast Days. Every saint on the universal and American Church calendar for the Roman Catholic Church is included, including a supplement with the new saints of the Church by Pope John Paul II. Each has a small biography or explanation that can be read to the students and then a list of suggested activites, which include spiritual, mental and physical activites for each saint.

   As a parent, the ideas are great to use for celebrating "Name Days" for their child, or getting to know their Confirmation saint.

   This is a great resource, can be used by teachers and parents, especially homeschooling parents.




2. Don't laugh but I had no idea about all the Saints that are out there and they have DAYS for them! I haven't started my RCIA classes yet - but even my born Catholic husband didn't know about all these. It's a fun way for my 2 kids (who are going to take RCIC classes in the fall) to learn about them. We haven't done must of the feast stuff - but my kids want to know "whose day it is" most mornings.

5 comments about Mary Magdalene: A Biography.

1. Chilton illustrates to what extent MM acted as one of Jesus' disciples, how exorcism, annointing, and visions were valued, and how she was integral both as witness and herald of the Resurrection. This book uses MM more as a catalyst for great discussion of historical events, political influences, other writings, translation issues, fundamentalist interpretations, modern feminist theology, etc. as it is biographical. Even though Chilton quotes the Bible and many other writings throughout, including The Gospel According To Mary, I perceive that Chilton is helping the reader find Truth from the Bible. It is well-organized, well-written, and interesting.



2. Chilton provides an excellent review of the church's response to the faith of Mary Magdalene. I appreciated his commentary on gnostic thought and, as always, his scholarship is impeccible. This book doesn't read as easily as did his almost-novelesque Rabbi Jesus. Chilton takes much more liberty in drawing conclusions about the Magdalen than the research should allow. Still, the book is well written and provides plenty of food for thought. If your church book club read the DaVinci Code, they should follow it up with Mary Magdalen: A Biography.



3. I found this book a fascinating read. Chilton has taken limited information about Mary Magdalene from gospel, gnostic, and other sources and drawn some educated conclusions about her as a person, her relationship with Jesus, her centrality in his movement, and her significance in the development of the Christian faith through the centuries. He has also posed an interesting theory about the legends about her and her supposed marginalization in the growth of the faith and church. Childton admits, more than once, that much of what he says cannot be proved decisively, yet he uses the little information available, along with his understanding of culture and history, to present a compelling portrait of Mary Magdalene, her relationship to Jesus, and her influence on the development of the Christian movement. Whether this portrait is on target or not, it is certainly interesting and plausible enough to bring some human spice into our reflection on the faith and its beloved Jesus. After all, we interpret history all the time using the information available, and that's what Chilton has done here in interesting fashion. I find it helpful to reflect on the human possibilities about Jesus, his movement, and those who first loved and followed him. It's fuel for the imagination and brings excitement to the faith, at least it does for me. As for me, such reflection helps me love all the more the one I call Christ, and gives me a new and inspired appreciation for the woman named Mary from Magdala.



4. This text was a major disappointment to read. The author uses so many "mights", "coulds", "maybes" and "perhapses" that it seems like a text in speculative biography. Maybe she did this. Perhaps she did that. This could have happened. It might have been the case...
   He claims that Jesus was not able to read or write, though most scholars give him some capacity for that. Frustratingly, he offers no reason for his statement. Also, he states that since Mary was possessed by seven demons it took Jesus at least a year to exorcise them all. Sadly I got so frustrated with his writing that I didn't even finish reading it. But my margins are riddled with question marks and exclamation points at parts where I was befuddled or frustrated.



5. As a woman in the healing profession I found this book to be a gem: perhaps the most important book I've read in my life. How indebted we are to Bruce Chilton for his work on the Magdelene who will,no doubt,continue to influence future generations despite what history denies her. A huge obstacle in our Spiritual development has been lifted thanks to this great soul and to the one who made her known to us.

No comments about Women Who Struggle.

5 comments about More Christian Than African American.

1. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this wonderful and beautifully-written book. I, like Mrs. Tate, am a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, which widely embraces the practice of incorporating the personal testimonies of God's people into the worship service. I, like many others, derive great benefit from hearing the testimonies of others who are striving to grow and mature under the leadership and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Reading Mrs. Tate's testimony was very timely for me. I am a thirty-one-year-old, caucasian, born-again christian. When I began reading "More Christian Than African-American" I was at a point in my life when I was just on the verge of beginning to, truly, walk in victory. Naturally, the enemy was on the attack, telling me that I had not really grown much at all, trying to convince me that I didn't have much to celebrate. Then, glory to God, I read Mrs. Tate's up-lifting testimony of how Jesus wiped away her sin, delivered her from distasteful & destructive behaviors, set her free from a spirit of un-forgiveness towards whites, and then began using her in a mighty way to uplift His holy name. As I turned the pages of her book, I was reminded of many of the sinful behaviors from which I have been delivered. And, while I know that I have much work to do, Mrs. Tate has encouraged and inspired me to "keep on keepin' on", as her open and frank approach makes her one to whom it is very easy to relate.

   Additionally, Mrs. Tate has boldly brought forth a powerful message which instructs all of us to cease from being anything but christian first. I appreciate the way she has dealt with this issue head-on. Those who are mature in Christ and have placed Him as Ruler and King over their ENTIRE being will receive this message as they ought. Jesus really is LOVE. However, I know that some black christians will criticize her for taking this stand, citing former and modern offenses comitted by the white majority and vowing to "stay black" and to keep their churches black. In contrast there will be whites applauding her for this refreshing approach, while waving their "Love" banner and ever-so secretly concealing their fear of black culture as a whole. They will breath a heavy sigh of relief and then flock to their all-white churches, to their comfort zones. Brothers and sisters in Christ, we need to wake up! Thank you Kim Cash Tate for the call! (Thank you Lord Jesus.)




2. "Open your eyes and tune your ears, so you know what you see and understand what you hear." This is the message I would like people to read before opening the pages of this book. Ms. Tate's experience is not much different than many others (me included) who have experienced a new religion/church for the first time. Usually we are mesmerized for some time at the beauty of the Bible or other teachings and the strength of the preacher. I just wish Ms. Tate would have waited to write this book after she had more time to reflect on her chistrian and "African American" experience and identity. I also wish she would have had more courage to tell her publishers to give her book a title that was more relevant to her story and one that did not provoke an avenue that allows white America and the Ward Connerly's of the world to deny the stifling affect racism has had and continues to have on Black Americans.

   I do believe her book has value in the fact it shows us that not all Black folk share the same historical experiences nor do we see all things the same way. However, I hope Ms. Tate realizes that her book will not bring too many more black folks, particularly young ones, into the church or christianity. She needs to understand, if she doesn't already, that most African Americans share a "common black experience", not a christian one. Even the christian experience among African Americans is different. Therefore, I expect that more white Americans will find themselves in her book than African Americans will. (When those black men got together in Washington for the Million Man March, they did so because they shared a common experience as African/African American/Afro-Carribean men...Louis Farrakhan organized it, but his religion and ours had very little to do with why we attended. It was brotha's for brotha's, not christians against muslims, muslims against jews, Jehovahs witnesses against baptists, or black lutherans against black catholic. The spirit that ran between those of us who attended that day was beyond that!

   Readers should also note that Ms. Tate lives in the same city I do, and Madison, Wisconsin is a place where many middle class African Americans are very comfortable with the status quo. We should also note that Ms. Tate's church is not typical of many black churches- they do not recognize nor participate in the political struggles of African Americans in their own community and their minister vehemently denounced the Million Man March. While this may not be true of Ms. Tate, this is the history of the "horse that lead her to water."ÿ




3. I've had the wonderful pleasure of not only reading Mrs.Tate's book, but also meeting her in her church home. It was clear why Mrs. Tate was lead to write an account of her spiritual journey. Surrounded by a loving and supportive family at home as well as church only ensures that she's bound for even more writing success. All you "haters" keep those bad reviews coming! This only fuels Mrs. Tate to plow ahead ! Keep it coming, Kim.



4. This book opened my eyes to all the compromises I was making because of my race in spite of my spirituality. I, too, strive to be a 24-7 Christian. More Christian than African American. I highly recommend this book to people of all races.



5. I am a white female, just about Mrs. Tate's age. This book has helped me understand why there is sometimes a racial divide between the races, and it has strengthend my spiritual walk. I had many "aha" moments as I read the book and I highly recommend it to all people of all ages and races.

5 comments about My Second Chapter: The Matthew Ward Story.

1. This book is the autobiography of Matthew Ward. It was Matthew and his two sister's that made up the popular 70's and 80's group The 2nd Chapter Of Acts that transformed Christian Music forever. In "My 2nd Chapter", Matthew shares with us, in his humorous and honest way, stories from his life dating back to his early childhood, his days with the 2nd Chapter of Acts, his battle with cancer, his views on the music scene today, how God continues to change his spiritual perspective and what he is up to these days. I highly recommend it to all esspically Matthew Ward and 2nd Chapter of Acts fans. Being a huge fan myself, I loved this book. I hope you all enjoy this book as much as I have. It will encourage you to seek the Lord and totally surrender your life. His life is a great example of what God can do when someone gives it all.



2. In the interest of full disclosure, I was a "sometimes" fan of the music of The 2nd Chapter of Acts (especially the early stuff), and promoted a concert with them and Barry McGuire in Central Ohio back in the mid-Seventies. In fact, Matthew stayed at my house when they were in town (as they were in the habit of doing in each town at the time). I was then, and remain today, a huge fan of his amazing singing voice. While I hadn't been following his career too closely over the past 15 years, it was still with great interest that I read this book (devouring it within a day, despite my busy schedule). If you were a fan of Christian music in the Seventies and Eighties, you know that things were very different then than they are today, and even within that musical subset, The 2nd Chapter of Acts was quite unique as a group. I knew some of their background, but the book gives a lot more infomation about their parents' deaths at an early age, and how Matt (and his sister Nellie) were shipped off to California to live with their older sister Annie and her new husband, Buck Herring. There is a very honest retelling of Matthew's sometimes difficult relationship with Buck, who was pretty controlling, and it's very interesting to see how the group came to be, and the history of how things developed over the next couple of decades. There is also a fairly in-depth account of Matt's frightening experience with cancer in the Nineties (which involved both surgery and chemo). I can't imagine that there's a huge audience out there for this book...you'd have to have been a fan of the band for it to make much sense. But I certainly enjoyed it, and would definitely recommend it to fans of the band from so many years ago.



3. Being a Matthew Ward fan since the 70's I was so excited when I heard he had written his story. I was not disappointed! I read it out loud to my family and we all enjoyed it. I was entertained, encouraged and uplifted. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is familiar with Second Chapter and Matthew Ward. Well, even if someone is not familiar it would be a good time to get to know him and his music!



4. While browsing at Family Bookstore I noticed this book. I love 2nd Chapter music so I snatched it up even though I had to pay $14.00 bucks for the paperback version. I was very disappointed in the book. I guess the low point of the book is that Matthew admits listening to secular rock regularly and brags about the secular rock hits he has done backup vocals on in the studio. I believe, personally, he does this because he has been able to make a living doing jingles and backup work. If he totally condemned secular rock he would have to stop secular backup work.
   Also missing is the lack of scripture references when talking about his cancer battle and well, ....life.
   Now for the positive. He is very personally and up close and it is obvious that he trusts God and loves Him. I just wish he would realize that there is a HUGE difference in secular rock and Christian rock.
   "What fellowship has light with darkness?" 2 Cor. 6:14



5. If you want to know more about Second Chapter of Acts you won't be satisfied with this minimal attempt by Ward to tell his life story. It's so disappointing that you can mostly skip the first 70 pages or so, which are filled with uneventful, typical childhood stories such as fighting with siblings or disobeying parents. Namely, this is boring and only for those dedicated fans who find it fascinating that he lied to his parents, ran away when he broke a window, or snuck drinks of beer when he was ten years old.
   
   Even though you would think losing your parents as a pre-teen would provide significant insight into a person, Ward shows zero emotion as he just states the facts about his life. It's obvious from reading this that he does not share emotions easily. The few details he does share are incomplete--he mentions something about seeing his mom fall down the stairs but never finishes the story and mentions being withdrawn but says nothing other than "I was fending for myself when it came to issues of the heart. In some ways I began to live more like an animal than a human." Okay--how?
   
   Even his Christian conversion story is stated so matter-of-fact in a sentence or two that you wonder if he actually recalls it at all. It's funny because in the preface he claims that he had to cut things out to keep it short! Why didn't he write about the worldwide adventures he claims to have left out for space reasons? Instead we get little bits and pieces of events but not much more than some bareboned facts and no emotion whatsoever.
   
   He rudely makes fun of people, telling some nasty stories about his relatives and demeaning his California teachers. It's almost shocking to hear him make fun of a teacher with a paralyzed left arm. And these stories have no purpose to them other to just dredge up another uninteresting tidbit that keeps him from having to open up about his emotions.
   
   The story of how they named the group is really dull and again barely worth mentioning. He then gives absolutely no details about recording their classic album "With Footnotes." Instead, he just mentions that they made it and then diverts the chapter to a story about how he first smoked Pot at 15 when he was a Christian and touring with the group!
   
   Ward complains a lot in the book--its disconcerting to hear him put down concertgoers or families that they stayed with, complaining about being asked the same questions over and over. He also doesn't seem to realize what a great life he had in California--he went to the school of the Hollywood stars and lived in a mansion, yet manages to complain about those as well!
   
   The only fire he shows is in his distain for Contemporary Christian music. He admits to loving secular rock. Yet he never explains his spiritual influence on his music. He attempts to finish the book with a little mention of God being the giver of his talent, but overall the book lacks much of a spiritual feel considering the three decades he has spent in music ministry.
   
   There's an odd omission in the book--no pictures! Why wouldn't he put in photos of his parents, eight siblings or especially the brother-in-law who raised him (who is featured so much in the book)? He has made it very difficult to get to really know Matthew Ward.
   
   There are other times in the book where his recollection is off. He claims that in the early '70s he was attending Latin Mass at the Catholic Church. But the mass changed to English around 1967 or so. He doesn't give the Catholic Church or nuns much credit for stimulating his interest in God, but the irony is that today this onetime Assemblies of God Pentacostal attends an Anglican church, which is about as close to Catholic as you can get!
   
   There's probably an interesting story here to be told, but it should be done by an objective biographer since Ward can't seem to find much within himself to write about. I loved the group's music--but this book makes one realize that the person behind the music is very different from what he records.

4 comments about All You Need Is Love: An Eyewitness Account of When Spirituality Spread from the East to the West.

1. This remarkable book takes you behind-the-scenes in the extraordinary life of Nancy deHerrera. The loss of her soulmate was the impetus for a lifelong spiritual journey. Nancy served as the right hand person to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the sixties and became one of the first U.S. meditation teachers. She shares stories from her days in Rishikesh at the Ashram where she was liasion to John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and other stars. Her meditation students included Greta Garbo, heiress Doris Duke, Madonna, Sheryl Crow and thousands of others. Nancy has probably met more yogi's, guru's, sadhu's and holy men than any other woman on the planet. Her engaging writing style captivates. A real page turner that I beleive anyone interested in spirituality will totally enjoy.



2. Nancy isn't a household name yet, but she will be! Her work with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi made her pivotal in bringing Transcendental Meditation to the States, South America, and Europe. This is an amazing personal and cultural history that anyone interested in the 1960s, meditation, and world travel will not be able to put down.



3. All You Need is Love is simply an experience that we are lucky enough to have Nancy de Herrera share with us. You can't make this stuff up!! Nancy talks about her spiritual path, a journey she shared in India with the Beatles, Donovan Leitch and Mike Love. It is so amazing to read about my favorite Beatles songs like "Dear Prudence" and "Bungalow Bill" and know their inspiration. I recommend this to everyone who transitioned with the 60's and for those who love the music.



4. If you have ever wanted to go on that spiritual quest to Tibet, India,and other places,or at least wondered about the mystery and benefits of meditation but didn't have the means or time to do so, then this is the ultimate adventure book for you. Nancy takes you on her own journeys (both outer and inner)and relates the beauty of countries, political intrigues, as well as mystical accounts. Lots of photos help to put you "in the moment". I admire Nancy's P.R. skills and stamina! And I recommend you don't miss this amazing book!

No comments about The Passion for Action: Nine Important Steps Along My Spiritual Journey.

No comments about The Stigmata of Faith: Thoughts of Padre Pio.