2 comments about He Gave Us A Valley.

1. this is not one of her best. "Give Me This Mountain" was much, much better. This one lacks more of her personality and well told stories that fill her other books, and I found little inspiration or personal challenge that I have encountered in her other writings and talks. It was good to fill in a few gaps left by "Give Me This Mountain", but I was disappointed overall.



2. I finished "Give Me This Mountain" in three days and immediately began reading "He Gave Us a Valley." The account of Dr. R's experience under captivity during the Simba rebellion was just enough to give the depth of horror, without being unnecessarily descriptive or grusome. Her counsel to the nun with her in captivity was a prime example of someone who is full of grace and dead to self, to be able to see her own suffering as a means of being Christ's flesh, protecting someone else from suffering. I am moved, convicted, and inspired by her story, and can't wait to read "Digging Ditches." I am on Amazon today to buy a copy of "He Gave Us A Valley" for a doctor and a medical student I know - I am praying they will follow in Dr. Roseveare's footsteps.

1 comments about Little Russian Philokalia: Abbot Nazarius of Valaam.

1. The wisdom contained in this book brings what we believe to be beyond our reach, down to earth in a simple, clear, understandable way. The teachings of this Orthodox Saint are livable, practical, and give a wonderful insight into Orthodox Theology, both for the "scholars" and for those seeking a better way to live in harmony with all other creatures on the path back to God.

5 comments about Abraham CD: A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths.

1. More of a cursory overview of Abraham with a watered-down perspective of the big three religions view of this individual, with plenty of glossy descriptions of holy sites and politically-correct "BCE" verbage, but not a lot of deep theological content, which was what I was hoping for.
   Bruce Feiler is no theologan, apparently, and there wasn't much to this book. There have been better works written about Abraham.



2. Oh my, did I mess up when I check this one out. I have seldom been as disappointed in a work as I was this one. I like facts. I enjoy knowing bits of this and bits of that. I very much enjoy historical biographies. I enjoy travel books. I enjoy books of individual spiritual searches. I enjoy books written my competent archeologists and historians. I enjoy speculative fiction and non fiction. Sadly to say, this one, for me, missed the mark on just about ever one of these counts.
   
   Basically, the author writes of and about Abraham, who, no question, is a central figure in three of our great religions, Judaism, Islam and Christianity. The author attempts to define the differences between these three religions, using Abraham as the central figure. How does this one man, Abraham, hold so much power, and have so much influence over the teachings of each of these religions? This is also something of a spiritual journey for the author, a kind of "lets find my roots" sort of thing. The author dashes here and there, interviewing various church leaders, asking their opinions about this and that. The basic, overlying questions is...Did Abraham exists or did he not exist? I am sorry to tell you that the author has come to the conclusion that it really does not matter; it is sort of the thought that counts. I am sorry, but for me, this conclusion just does not work. If the author was unable to find out one way or the other, and I can see why as there is little physical evidence one way or the other, then that is fine. The author should just say so. As another reviewer put it, "it does not matter, just is not acceptable!" Now don't read into this that I am anti- religious. I am not. I am sure that Abraham, if he did exist, was a pretty good old boy and certainly did the right thing under the circumstances of the time.
   
   I really did not find anything new in this work. There was very little I was not already aware of. I did read the opinions of some high-up religious officials, of whose opinion I could care less about (as if one of them is not going to follow the "party line"). For the most part I found many of the author's "facts" just a bit questionable and most of it completely hearsay and speculation. When all is said and done,there was not much which I have not already heard and read many times before in other works. Also, to say that to understand the conflict in the Middle East at this time, a reader needs look no further than the last portion of this book, is the biggest bunch of bunk I have read for sometime now. Folks, it is much, much more complicated than that.
   
   Now I will give the author credit. He can write, ergo, the two stars. His descriptive prose is quite nice. I might suggest he try travel books or something like that. On the other hand, the author is not a theologian, historian, archeologist or educational expert. This is all too apparent quite quickly after reading a few chapters. I am not real sure what he is, other thana young man in search of something that he probably does not even understand. I feel some might enjoy this sort of thing. I did not, and certainly cannot recommend reading it. I suppose if you feel you must give it a shot, I suggest you check it out at your library before you plunk down the hard cash. Like a previous reviewer, I am not at all sure why in the world I finished this thing.



3. Jehovah promised Abraham four things. For the book of Abraham 2:9 : "I will make thee a great nation", "I will bless thee about measure", "and make thy name great among all nations", "that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations."
   
   Abraham 2:10, "And I will bless them through thy name; for as many as receive this gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father."
   
   Abraham 2:11 "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee" suggesting blessings associated with beening Abraham's seed. The seed of Abraham encompassing those who accept the gospel and many of the literal descendants of Abraham. "All the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are blessing of salvation, even of eternal life" with Eternal life being the final inheritance, the entry into the land of inheritance, and a choice joint heir ship with God.
   
   Abraham 2:19, " Unto thy seed will I give this land"
   
   1. The blessings of Abraham move from the specific to the Universal.
   
   2. Jehovah the creator will make Abraham a creator. Abraham moves from being childless to receiving Ishmael and Isaac and blessed through these sons with a great posterity. Abraham worships Jehovah, seeks the priesthood of his fathers, strives to keep commandments, and turns away for false idols Gods of Pharaoh. Abraham was rescued by Jehovah from the priests of Elkanah who wanted to make him a sacrifice to their false Gods.
   
   Pharaoh descendant of Egyptus, daughter of Ham did not receive the priesthood. Pharaoh preserved many of the traditions and customs of his fathers. Pharaoh seems to honour Abraham and Abraham shares knowledge with him.
   
   3. Abraham will receive glory from Jehovah and God election of Abraham comes at the risk of Abraham's mortality
   
   4. Man has dominion over the animals but not over man. Abraham is called to preside over his seed, a prince of peace. Abraham receives an elevated status and receives important power and revelation from God. Abraham acts for God. Abraham is chosen by God too bless the inhabitants of the earth. God extends mercy and blesses through Abraham benefitting the inhabitants of earth. Abraham's seed turn their devotion too God by living the laws of God. God then pours out blessings from heaven upon them. The seed of Abraham becomes a covenant people, a people of God.
   
   5. The favoring of Abraham's seed creates a tension between Abraham's seed and everyone else. God resolves the problem. Those who access the gospel are accepted as the seed of Abraham and entitled to the blessings of Abraham. The tension is resolved.
   
   6. Being a descendant of Abraham is a journey of faith through morality, with the eventual destination being a land of inheritance given by God that encompasses attributes, such as, a celestial land, eternal life meaning the dwelling with God in everlasting joy, exaltation with divine partnership, and increase.
   
   7. Did God initiate the covenant with Abraham or did Abraham? Abraham 3:22 states, "Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones." And 23: "And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou was chosen before thou wast born." This scripture implies that Abraham was chosen to be a spiritual leader by God before he was born. Isaiah and Nehemiah, also make reference to Abraham being chosen before he was born.
   
   8. "Go to yourself" represented the spiritual journey for the Jews. David Willna explained, "As Jews we have to be committed to movement and growth, but it has to be for the right reasons. God doesn't need our help. We have to be doing for ourselves." Islam stresses Abraham's submission to God and viewing the call as a reward for devotion. Islam describes Abraham as an upright man obedient to God. The Koran suggests that is was recognition of these traits that God chose Abraham and made him a great nation. Islam calls the moment of selection a covenant and the start of a nation of Muslims that reaches fruition in Muhammad, a collective consciousness achieved by surrender to God. Abraham is regard as the founder of Islam. Sheikh Abdul Rauf states, "Abraham's idea is the same as that of the constitution, `one nation under God'." Islam also being like Abraham, as much an inward journey, as outward. "I will worship you as my God and you will take care of me." The Jews believe in knowing oneself on the deepest level with the primary objective of the religion to know God within ones consciousness. Christians believe that knowing Abraham starts with the notion of faith. Paul taught faith by referencing stories about Abraham. "To be a child of Abraham is to respond to God's call, to start a journey, to become a stranger." The journey is to risk all and follow and trust God. John Lyons, said, "The bottom line is if you're too comfortable, or too secure, or too into having control, then you won't be willing to trust God." And replacing with "I'm prepared to do your will." Father John believes "the message of Abraham is to be alone, to be quiet, and to listen." Rabbit Arnie Belzer describes child to parent transition analogy, stating, "Part of the inheritance of Abraham, I was discovering, was coming from a cozy place but also being prepared to leave that place. The only way to achieve your own family someday is first to depart the family you grew up with, which invariably brings you closer to the family you left behind." "It was my father himself, who said, `Go forth'".
   
   9. Jah-oh-eh=Earth, Olea=Moon, Shinehah=Sun, Floeese=Solar System, Kokaubeam=Stars
   
   10. Enish-go-on-dosh=Energy medium that powers the solar system, Kae-e-vanrash=Energy that powers different solar systems with Sagittarius A at the center, Kli-flos-is-es=Energy medium that power Kae-e-vanrash hierarchy level with Oliblish at center, and Hah-ko-kau-beam=Energy medium that powers Kli-flos-is-es hierarchy with Kolob as center.
   
   Abraham was show the four spheres of order: Kolob governing the cosmos, obiblish governing the galaxies, Sagittarius A governing the milky way, and the sun governing the solar system. Scientist look at Sagittarius A East/West as a strong source of radio waves. Sagittarius A East could be the remnants of a supernova but "it would take 50 to 100 times more than a standard supernova explosion to create a structure of this size and energy". The second idea is Sagittarius A East was the remnation of the explosion of a star that "gravitationally compressed as it made a close approach the central black hole." A black hole can have hundreds of thousands too tens of billions of solar masses.
   
   Only two spheres of the energy medium and governing levels are known to man. Kolob and Olibish are not currently known and provable because they reside outside of human knowledge to explore or discover.
   
   A true scientist must advocate faith. The Quantum capability to grasp the governing levels of Kolob and Olibish are impossible to the secular mind.
   
   Abraham comprehended the governing levels through the Urim and Thummin. The fact surround Kolob and Obilish existence is not a debatable because man has no capacity to disprove their realty.
   
   God governs all galaxies, stars, and planets in the cosmos. God's light and power radiant to all his creation.
   
   God powers the sun through the other three energy levels. Kolob is the governing star near Kolob.
   
   Secular knowledge limitations has limitation and because of these limitations is only seemly wise too admit that divine power and knowledge is better.
   
   Secular knowledge is limited by power, capacity, and time. Light and Truth eminate from God and power man's reasoning and rationale. Man is nothing without God.
   
   A claim to secular sourcing for truth is an arrogant dismisal of the influence of God. God's pure power and capacity are beyond human comprehension and can only be understood by the power of God.
   
   Therefore, when a person claims secular knowledge only to find the truth, they are only an attempting to steal God's glory.



4. This book helped to confirm my belief that the history of religious thought, Christian, Jewish or Muslim, is not much more than a lot of baloney. The theologians have simply been making up divergent stories to satisfy their pulpit needs as the centuries passed. How foolish the whole process has been. Abraham might have been no more than a delusional shepherd wandering in the desert heat. I wonder what Christopher Hitchens would have to say about this book.



5. I thought the book was very well written. The first half of the book gives a very nice history of Abraham. The next chapters look how Abraham is linked to each of the three major religions while the last chapter or two show how each of the religions are different yet so much alike and through both of these we could all be at peace. I really enjoyed the objective viewpoint of the writer and will read more of his books

No comments about Studies in Jacob Böhme.

5 comments about American Goddess at the Rape of Nanking: The Courage of Minnie Vautrin.

1. Author Hua-ling Hu presents the deeply moving biography of an American educator/missionary who remained in Nanking to help thousands of women and children facing death. I could not set down the book until I finished it, then I started again in order to gain a keen appreciation for the thorough historical scholarship using sources that have not been available until Hu brought them to our eyes. This book should be read by historians, by missionaries, by anyone interested in fascinating biographies -- it is a compelling story with exceptional historical scholarship as the backdrop.



2. I first heard of the Rape of Nanking back in the year 1998 when I came across Iris Chang's _Rape of Nanking_ Since then I have read every book that I came across on the subject. Dr. Hu's book tells us of Minnie Vautrin an extraordinary woman who spent most of her life in China trying to help the Chinese people through education in religion. The book goes on to tell how Miss Vautrin risked her life day after day protecting thousands of Chinese women who seeked sanctuary at Miss Vautrin's college, Ginling.
   Dr. Hu does a wonderful job giving the reader a backdrop of information, so the reader knows Japan and China's relationship with each other and the circumstances that led up to the Rape of Nanking. Dr. Hu also gives very detailed information in a short section about the history of American missionaries going to China. Wonderful book and an extraordinary woman.



3. Minnie Vautrin was a lady with compassion. She devoted her life in bringing education to Chinese women and girls in 1920s to 30s. She was well remembered not only by the people of Nanking but also by all Chinese people. During the Rape of Nanking committed by the invading of Japansese military in 1937, she risked her life in protecting over ten thousand women and girls in her campus. This book showed her courage. It was a remarkable story of the female over the male, the weak over the strong, the peace over violence. However, over the past sixty years, not many Americans know of this woman of humanity and internationalism. In 2001, I had the good fortune to attend her memorial at Shephard, Michigan with a small group of friends and her relatives. I delivered a brief paper on behalf of the citizens of Nanking for their respect and love to her. Dr Bates, another international team members son of 1937 delivered the grave site prayer.
   As Americans, you should not miss this woman of the greatest generation. In December 13 2002, a statue will be set up in Naking to honor this American to China.
   In 2004, Missouri House, City of St Louis and City of Overland made Proclamation on her birthday as Ginling Forever, Minnie Vautrin Day. In 2005, Illinois Governor honored her on her birthday and called for citizens of Illinois to follow her example. In September 27 2006, California Congressman Mike Honda introduced her on the floor for a Celebration Resolution - a significant gift for her 120 years birthday!
   In 2003, with a group of friends, we set up Friends of Minnie Vautrin Scholarship Project to raise funds to honor her and her mission of Chinese women education in her Ginling College through United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia. [...]



4. With Iris Chang's Rape of Nanking, this book is essential reading for those who would like to know about the Chinese Holocaust: many millions of Chinese murdered by the Japanese during the Second World War.



5. Minnie Vautrin died at 55, by her own hands. Today we would call it post traumatic stress syndrome. Sometimes people have seen too much and given too much and they can't carry it all. Today Minnie Vautrin is remembered for the hope in Nanking she gave when all seemed lost before world war II as the Japanese invaded China.
   
   Imagine being a simple school teacher from the Mid West, sent as a missionary to China to teach. Suddenly your school becomes a haven for 10,000 women who seek shelter against the invading Japanese Army. Vautrin could not even finish a meal or sleep a night without going out to fight off Japanese soldiers intent on hauling off Chinese girls from the international compound that had been declared a safe haven. She was slapped and pistol whipped. She was threatened repeatedly. She went without sleep. She went repeatedly to the Japenese authorities to protest. She even grabbed girls from the clutches of soldiers.
   
   In the broader story, twenty four foreigners, including a Nazi German named John Rabe, saved 200 hundred thousand Chinese from extermination in a 3.8 km square safety zone in Nanking. The foreigners could have walked away. Instead they broke up rape attemtps, were pistol wiped, beaten, threatened at gun point. Unfortunately another 300,000 Chinese were killed, and at least 20,000 were raped, including grandmothers of 80 and girls as young as nine.
   
   American missionaries in China have a mixed record. Those who stayed and saved the Chinese at Nanking have earned a special place in China's history. This book explains this history. If you want to understand China, this is worth reading.

No comments about Held in the Light: Norman Morrison's Sacrifice for Peace and His Family's Journey of Healing.

2 comments about To Hell With Sarah.

1. This one is sure to stretch your mind and theology. But hey that's good thing, the Body of Christ needs to stay flexible. Anyway as a former Denominational Pastor/Evangelist. I didn't understand or believe most things relating to deliverance. However after having an encounter with the Holy Spirit and being delivered myself from spirits that had dogged me since childhood, I am convinced (I should have been from the Bible alone) that many challenges/sins/shortcomings (however you want to package it) are demonically inspired. With that said Jess Parker has blown the lid off the hidden lives and struggles of those who have been the victims of satanic ritual abuse and satanic programming. This book will help educate and equip The Body of Christ, this book will bless and inspire all who are involved in destroying the works of the Devil. Praise our Mighty God for His Mercy and Grace in the life of Sarah and for giving Jess Parker the courage and convictions to share the struggles and victories with us.



2. Praise God for Jess Parker .All i can say is Holy smokes this book is incredible. We are very blessed to have a man stand up for the truth. I am not much of a book reader but when i started in on this book i could not put it down. The bible says and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

2 comments about WHEN GOD SAYS GO.

1. This book examines the life of a very courageous black American women at a time in our country's history when she had an uphill battle to do what God told her to do. Mrs. Lutz has done the research, including traveling to Africa, to make the whole time period come alive from those who knew this amazing lady personally. The book should encourage any woman who feels called to step out in faith no matter what the circumstances.



2. What stands out in When God Says Go is how many people do just that. While Eliza Davis George remains the book's center countless others: co-missionaries, mission boards, mission teachers, national workers and even a husband come and go, leaving Eliza to carry on. This is so since Eliza Davis George marked out a 65 plus year missionary ministry in Liberia, and at age 99, one year before her death, was still itinerating to raise funds and create missionary awareness. The others had to come and go, who else has that kind of track record? I was impacted by how much was going on in and through Davis' life, and realized that only half the book was finished.
   The author starts by stating that the Eliza Davis George story must be told. Davis-George (1899-1979), the daughter of former U.S. slaves, sensed a call to Liberia to share the gospel with Africans, and through an indomitable, indefatigable, almost incredible endurance prayed and labored her way in the interior of Liberia, starting a mission, establishing schools, training nationals, evangelizing a multitude, and being Christ to many tribes with no gospel contact, all the while facing such severe hardship and limited resources that only her strong faith in God and a true grit kept her there.
   Lutz begins the book by recounting a number of memories and stories as Eliza walks, in vain as it turns out, 200 miles to try and retrieve a money order for badly needed funds. These opening chapters set the stage for what was a long life dedicated to prayer, fasting, great disappointment, hard work and, through it all, belief. By the end her life her labors had yielded a boarding school for tribal children, various other schools, and over 150 churches supported by different denominational entities. Probably what stands out most is Eliza Davis George's prayer life. Her stamina was only equaled, even surpassed, by her remarkable life of prayer. How did she do it all? Prayer and fasting were a way of life for Eliza Davis George, and the accolades given to her in the latter part of her service for her dedication to Africa reflected a life-long commitment that rested on prayer.
   What would improve this fascinating account, what would make it more helpful as a missiological study and not only an inspiring missionary biography, would be a more specific focus on what did not go right for Eliza Davis George. George went with little backing and no training, and this to her credit, yet one wonders how these educational and practical limitations may have caused a rupture in some working relationships that, had the people remained, would have furthered the work sooner. As well, Eliza's giving spirit caused the mission to operate on credit, and in the red, for much longer than it should have. Had she learned to be more firm in saying no, not only would the mother mission have been on better footing, but her ministries in the bush would have been better realized and financed.
   Most tragic, and discussed in some detail, was the ill-advised and ill-fated marriage between Eliza and C. Thompson George. Acquiescing to his romantic dreams of a life together of missionary service, though full of doubts and stopping short of love, the 40-year-old Eliza agreed to marriage in part as a way to continue her dream of staying on the field. What happens when a calling seems so strong it binds two people together who would not otherwise have married? In the case of C. Thompson and Eliza, a spiritual call was not enough to build what was not there, a growing love and unity. C. Thompson's spiral into alcoholism, adultery and ministry failure and scandal are tragic. He was responsible for these life turns, yet how much of his failure was caused by Eliza's inability to provide him what he needed as a husband is a valid question. These aspects, discussed more thoroughly, would make the book a better resource for missionary training.
   A good deal of Eliza's work no longer exists due to the civil war that plagued Liberia for a number of years. Yet the vision she lived and taught still lives on in others, and they continue to make a difference through Christ, because Eliza was there to make a difference in them. This commitment, this dedication, this heroine of the faith makes for a good read, and a worthwhile one at that.

2 comments about Women of the Bible.

1. Women of the Bible
   Good book, we are currently using it in our women's Bible Study at our church. Good directions and offers questions that prompt discussion.



2. I bought ten of these books to use in our women's Bible study for the fall. I had one book which I showed the other ladies and they all agreed it would be a good study book. We have not started the study yet, but are looking forward to it in the Fall.

5 comments about The Spirit of Lo : An Ordinary Family's Extraordinary Journey.

1. I strongly recommend this book to anyone. Whether or not you have a family member or friend with a terminal illness, this book will touch your heart. A few months ago I had the pleasure of meeting Terry, Don and Lo. They are an amazing family! When they told me about their book, I couldn't wait to get a copy and read it. It took me two days; I couldn't put it down. Our daughter was diagnosed with CF at 9 weeks of age so I could relate to many parts of the book. This book has inspired me to never give up on fighting for this disease and for those who suffer from it. Many thanks to the Detrichs!!



2. I cried my tears as I read your story. I am still in awe over the ability of the human spirit in adversity. Lo and her family have touched thousands of hearts thru their lives and thru their book, no doubt inspiring countless others to stretch themselves to do something they fear is impossible, or to forge ahead when life seems like "too much to handle". Now, when I catch myself complaining about anything at all, I remember the Deitrichs, and the fact that Lo has to "fight" for every breath she takes. I humbly shift into gratitude for my life and my health, and I send loving thoughts to this and other CF families, and pray that my strength may be equal to theirs if I am ever faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, odds that they live with every single day. Thank you for opening your lives to others.



3. While I respect the idea of human spirit rising over adversity, I did not find that this book touched me in a way that similiarly themed stories did. Though the book reads easily, I found it to be rather forced at times and somewhat choppy in the story telling. I also found that the authors spent more time celebrating the way THEY overcame the adversity rather than their daughter. Additionally, I did not deeply feel the pain and the anguish that made the rising spirit all the more meaningful. It is an interesting account of the ways in which CF is now being treated and the ways in which everyday people can contribute to the fight. However, if you found this book interesting or want to learn more about the impact of this devestating illness, I beg you to read Frank Deford's "Alex:The Life of A Child". I find that once you've been touched by the spirit of Alex Deford, much else will pale in comparision.



4. So many things in your book made me want to shout "THAT'S IT!" The smell of the formula, the loose stools before the enzymes kicked in, the entire shelf in the kitchen filled with her medicines, the astronomical medical bills, the exhaustion, the depression, the frustration. No one understands except the parent of a chronically ill child what it is really like. Your book does a wonderful job of giving others a glimpse of what our lives are like. I plan to get copies for all my sisters to read. Thank you for taking the time to put it together. I plan to keep you all in my prayers.



5. inspirational and beautifully illustrated.
   a must read.
   also loved Kyle's First Playdate for kids with cf