1 comments about Ling Shu or The Spiritual Pivot.

1. This translation includes valuable information in physical, psycho-emotional and spiritual issues that arise with illness. Often the more esoteric information is "lost in translation"

2 comments about George Muller: Delighted In God (HistoryMakers).

1. I "happened" upon this book in our church library. It is the wonderful true story of a man who lived by faith and relied on prayer for everything in his life. He cared for many orphans and his many stories of how God miraculously provided are amazing. It is a real faith builder and a real challenge in your own walk with God. I highly recommend this book!



2. This biography deserves much more attention than it gets. Mueller was the epitome of prayerfulness, peace, and joy. His eyes were fixed on Christ, yet he also practiced great social healing in his ministry, always pointing the orphans in his care back to Christ. You will be challenged and amazed by the things God does in Mueller's life. In fact, that's the most wonderful part about the biography... it celebrates George Mueller, but through him it WORSHIPS the amazing acts of God. Mueller would certainly approve.

4 comments about Unfinished Love: Walking by Faith through Pediatric Cancer.

1. Most of my thoughts about parents of children with cancer are about how sad it must be to lose a child. This book opened my eyes to what is much more painful - the actual life that comes with the battle. I am amazed and inspired by the faith that Sherry Tucker sustained during her son's horrible struggle. This book is more than a story about pediatric cancer, it is a book about the realities of the situation. It will change your view of what can happen and what role God plays when his purpose for your child is to join Him in Heaven. Dont miss the opportunity to learn from this mother's journey to save her child and herself.



2. Having a lot of loss in my lifetime, I often blamed God for the terrible things that happened to me and the people that I loved most. How could He let such things happen if He was a good and caring and loving God? I have since become a Christian and God has healed my heart of so much, it is truly incredible. I always want to share that because I know there are so many hurting people, and He is the answer that sticks... but I often wondered, what would happen to my faith if something were to happen to one of my children? Would I pass the test or run back to blaming Him? This book reached places in my heart that I didn't know existed. Page by page you walk through the every day life of this extraordinary family as they pour out their love onto their little boy with brain cancer. It is also a story of how when you run TO God instead of AWAY from God during difficult times, He surrounds you in ways you'd never dream of to carry you through.... even the death of your only son. Be prepared to be changed.



3. This day to day accounting of the life of this dear boy would serve to help any person dealing with struggles of any kind. Sherry Tucker does an amazing job of letting the reader accompany her and Zach as they follow the path of treatments, doctors, and the day to day support the family receives from their love of God. It points to the positive outlook that one must try to take when confronted with the horrible monster known as pediatric cancer. Be grateful for the small things in life. Never take them for granted. I recommend this book wholeheartedly. F.R.O.G. (Fully Rely on God)



4. It's funny how we can stumble across truly amazing books by happenchance this is one of them. In this book Sherry writes of "How this always happens to families far away". Dirk and Sherry grew up and went to school in the same community as me I graduated high school with her younger sister. I'm sorry to say when they were facing this battle I just had a passing interest in their story as it was being told in our local newspaper it was as if them living in Florida made them that family far away. Fast-forward two years to just before Mother's Day 2008 Sherry's sister Michelle wrote an article for our local newspaper this time I paid attention being it was from a former classmate. I made up my mind to read the book after reading Michelle's story in the paper and I'm glad I did. This book tells of the real story of what its like to deal with a serious illness of a family member. She doesn't sugarcoat anything it tells of the feeling of just being a number or statistic to some of the medical professionals while feeling the care and compassion of others. I think it's a must read for everyone in the medical profession perhaps it will give the better understanding people are more than numbers. This book has a little bit of everything from joys to sorrow to tears to laughter and it's a story that will touch your heart as you realize there is more to life than materialistic things. The most important message from this book is to "Live like you were dying", Carpe Diem, Love deeper, Laugh louder, Hug longer and most of all NEVER take anything or anyone for granted for our time on earth is short.

2 comments about St. Dominic and the Rosary (Vision Books).

1. I like St. Dominic and the Rosary because it highlights the major events in St. Dominic's life in a way that is colorful and interesting. Incidents described in the book, whether about St. Dominic being accosted by bandits eager to murder him or his attempt to move a picture that would return to its place, are not covered in a dry historical manner but in a lively fashion which make for it being a page-turner book. Altogether, the book is a delightful one to read and I recommend it to anyone wanting to get better acquainted with St. Dominic's character.



2. Great book.
   Gave it to our grandson, Dominic for his christening.
   Thank you.
   Good job as always.
   Mary Schuster

2 comments about Francis of Assisi: The Saint: Early Documents, Vol. 1 (Francis of Assisi: Early Documents).

1. This first volume of a projected 3 volume edition of documents pertaining to the life and order of Saint Francis will easily become the source for all followers of Christ through the inspiration of this timeless saint. It provides the best translations and most recent scholarship on the life and times of the saint. In many way St. Francis is the most universal and beloved of Chirstian saints. Often called to second Christ as his life exemplifies the ideals of Christian service. Highly recommended.



2. Scholars and lovers of Francis of Assisi will find much to treasure in this first volume of the early documents series. Detailed footnotes add to the reader's understanding of Francis and early Franciscans, while providing insight into the editors' specific decisions. All of the saint's writings are included, as are the preserved texts of his earliest followers. This outstanding work is entirely adequate on its own, but also serves as a superb supplement (and corrective) to the many related publications available. Essential to the academic and spiritual study of Francis.

5 comments about Golden Mouth: The Story of John Chrysostom-Ascetic, Preacher, Bishop.

1. This book is a very serviceable biography of John Chrysostom, the most famous preacher of the ancient church. It chronicles the entirety of John's life, from the monasticism of his youth, to his subsequent tenure as a priest in Antioch, his bishopric in the imperial capitol, and the quarrels with the bishop of Alexandria and the empress that eventually brought about his downfall.

   Kelly does an excellent job of showing John's character. We get to see that those things which in some ways were the best of John's traits, his forthrightness and lack of fear, were the very things which due to his intemperate nature led him into conflict with those who were easily made jealous and those who did not care for their misdeeds to be honestly spoken of.

   There is, however, one serious flaw in this book. Kelly seems undecided about who his audience is. He alternates between gripping narration and lengthy passages (sometimes several pages in length) wherein he dissects the arguments for and against the authenticity of a particular sermon of John's or the dating of one of his writings. In my opinion, the book would have been strengthened had Kelly simply based the main text on what he believes to be correct, and moved the disputation either to end notes or to an appendix.




2. 
   
   "John's career ended in failure. ... The tragic episcopate of John Chrysostom opened the struggle of supremacy in the East..." W.H.C. Frend
   
   
   
   
   
   John Chrysostom:
   
   Recognized to be among the most powerful orators of the ancient world, John Chrysostom was the most prolific of the Fathers, leaving us with many sermons, letters, treatises and apologetic works. He was an incredible speaker whose sermons often moved his audience to tears or applause.
   
   "Although not a formal polemicist, John Chrysostom influenced Christian thought notably. He wrote brilliant homilies, interpreting the Bible literally and historically rather than allegorically. His accomplishments as a preacher and theologian are marred by a virulent anti-Semitism." (The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright © 2001-05)
   
   
   
   J.C., Golden Mouth:
   
   The Principal of Oxford's St. Edmund Hall, described his book as, 'the Story of J.C.,' defining his selected offices as, 'Ascetic, Preacher, Bishop.' While the words of Fr. Sydney Griffith, one of the foremost Patristic scholars, are most fitting in the review of this book, I quote and apply them. One does not mean to complain immoderately, nor to appear ungrateful for what is on its own terms a good study of an important topic; nor does one want to review a book the author never intended to write. But here is the place to plead for a broadening of perspective on the part of students of early 'fathers.'
   
   Kelly recomposes the life of John Chrysostom in chronological order from his youth and its ascetic stage for his further development as a preacher. Later his pick as Archbishop of Constantinople and his career therein the capital.
   
   He remained a great orator and a moralist preacher but was socially and politically oriented. Kelly exposed the court politics and John's struggle to be faithful to his cause, by criticizing Empress Eudoxia, and inviting problems with Theophilus, who has consecrated him. John's conflicts led to his condemnation at the Synod of the Oak. John was eventually sent into his final exile, where he died on the way.
   
   
   
   Non-vindicated John:
   
   J. Kelly, described by The NY Times as, 'not only a distinguished church historian but also an elegant stylist,' remains for me and many, a reference on early Christian Creeds and Doctrines, in the first place, and expected to bring to the tragic career of the great preaching orator new lights to his thought, and vindicate his patristic literature as; "There is little original in his thought. He preserves throughout the moralizing tendencies of his Antiochene teachers," alleged to him by two great patrologists J. Danielou, and RPC Hanson. Earlier in the same chapter, J.C. is described as the friend of Theodore of Mopsuestia, and pupil of Libanius and of Diodore of Tarsus, and cast heavy shadow on his ethics as more Stoic than Christian! (J. Danielou, Historical Theology, Pelican, 1970, p.107)
   
   
   
   A Story, not a Biography:
   
   In his preface, the oxford scholar gives a version of his elaboration on the 79/80 lectures in Oxford devoted to J.C., but were not published because of Kelly's non satisfaction of his own treatment, and few years later, he modified them to chapters 2,3, and 16 of Golden Mouth. The author who explored Chrysostom's teaching on baptism, original sin, grace and free will, redemption, etc., in his classic 'Early Christian Doctrines', would not even quote himself, in reference. At least, John's treatise on the priesthood, which has been popular, though not accepted by mainstream Protestants, could have been given a brief parallel with St. Gregory Nazianzen who inspired John, but spoke in a different theological language.
   
   He concluded, "I should like to have included some tentative presuppositions underlying John's thinking, and certain of his theological ideas which still need clarification. Ultimately he decided to leave this task to 'younger scholars.'
   
   
   
   Biographer J. Kelly:
   
   The late Master of ecclesiastics J.N.D. Kelly is the Principal of St. Edmund Hall, Oxford, was Canon of Chichester Cathedral, a Fellow of the British Academy, and since 1966 a member of the Academic Council of the Ecumenical Theological Institute, Jerusalem. He is the author of Early Christian Creeds, Early Christian Doctrines, Jerome, The Oxford Dictionary of Popes, etc.



3. A comprehensive treatment of this Eastern Father of the Church. We have not had a study like that of J. N. D. Kelly, unless you count the originally German 2 vol study of C. Baur, translated in 1959. An eminent historian writes about an eminent (and tragic?) personality of the late fourth and early fifth century. Kelly succeeds in making real the (imperial and episcopal) politics of the early 5th century. In addition there is enough of the theology of the time which will influence later christological developments.



4. Kelly is easily recognized as our time's authority on early church matters. Here in similar fashion as his worthy work on Jerome he tackles Chrysostom.
   
   He breaks it down nicely into three major components of his life: ascetic, preacher, bishop.
   
   The politics of the church and interaction with secular authorities dominate his life, as it does most. John certainly had his prinicples and he chose not to break them. It got him into disfavor with many, thus cumulating at the end in action taken against him. That easily summarizes his end, the buildup of resentment and hatred catches up.
   
   He certainly exhibited a passion for the underpriviledged and sick and devoted his preaching and resources to this. His ascetic beginning permeated this and fueled much of his preacher/bishop energies. This will bring enemy retaliation.



5. J.N.D. Kelly presents a faithful portrait of the great Bishop of Antioch. He highlights John as a solid expositional preacher who rejected the allegorical method of intepretation as popularized by Origen. You learn of Chrysostom's reservations about being worthy enough to be ordained, and his initial interest in the monastic life.
   
   You also learn of how long periods of harsh fasting ruined his digestive system, and how for this reason, he preferred to eat alone. You learn of the turbulent and divisive times in which he served as a bishop in Antioch and then in Constantinople.
   
   You also read of his strict views about the role of women in the church and of how strict he was with the monastic communities and with the priests in Antioch and later in Constantinople.
   
   Chrysostom's sermons were powerful and held the attention of the people, even though some of them were fairly lengthy. You also learn of his friendship with Olympias, a godly woman also given to virginity and asceticism.
   
   Finally, you learn about Chrysostom's enemies from within Arianism, and from his fellow clergy, especially Severinus, Eudoxia, Theophilus, and others.
   
   We see that Chrysostom's spicy sermons sometimes got him into trouble, ie. exile.
   
   We also read of his sad death.
   
   The book is occasionally bogged down in historical minutiae, but I thought Kelly did a good job of showing how Chrysostom was affected by the times in which he lived and how he himself affected the times. I also appreciated how Kelly was able to defend the historical reliability of much of the material that we have about Chrysostom from that time period. A very good book.

No comments about The She-Apostle: The Extraordinary Life and Death of Luisa de Carvajal.

5 comments about A More Elite Soldier: Pursuing a Life of Purpose.

1. I read about this book in New Man Magazine.... And I must say... This is a great book for anyone to read... I have shared it already with at least 5 people.... So do yourself a favor and pick it up.



2. ok i'll make this quick. this is a book that will be read in my house for years to come... one of the best i have ever read. if you have any doubts about this book... forget them... this book demands a rating higher than 5...(...)



3. I'm currently non-denominational and chose to read this book for two reasons: I served in the same Regiment as Mr. Holton (different time period) and I'm currently at a crossroads in my life concerning the idea of organized religion. Simply stated, I'm a lost sheep amongst the herd.
   So I figured maybe I could pick up a few jewels from this book. And I feel I did.
   But to the interested reader, be aware that this book is heavy on Army speak, to the point that I think it would take the average reader some time to try and understand what he talks about. I thought his stories were humorous, but then again much of what he says I've done before. So just understand that and further understand it's STILL worth reading.
   It's an excellent resource for any soldier who's struggling to find the application of God in his life. I came to a realization yesterday that I'm missing something and oddly enough this book appeared in my life the same evening (odd, huh?). Fortuitous as it was, I read it in a day and firmly believe he deals w/ real-life issues concerning combat, leadership, and most important, spirituality, which in turn makes for a very good, down-to-earth read.
   Three stars for the subject it covers; casual, combat-disinterested readers may not enjoy (even though combat isn't the issue he's hinting at--it's really revelations LEARNED from it which is the pot of gold).
   If you're compelled by anything I've said, check it out.



4. Whether you realize it or not, ever since Satan rebelled against God, every human being has arrived on planet earth - a world at war! Chuck's book shows how the lessons he learned as a more elite soldier - a US Army Ranger (hooah) - are directly applicable to life as a Christian being a more elite soldier in the army of the Lord and participating in the daily spiritual battle. Chuck also shows how God, knows us, loves us, and takes time to meet our needs - the last chapter will get your full and undivided attention and show you just how much God cares.



5. This is a five-star read for what it does: show how life as an elite U.S. Army Ranger is very similar to the life of a dedicated Christian. Holton describes in vivid detail the challenges of the incredible training and physical demands placed upon the Ranger trainee and how that training saves lives on the battlefield. And interspersed throughout the narrative are reminders and illustrations of how living the Christian life also requires one to be an elite soldier. This is a small book, very personal, very well-written for someone who is not a professional writer, and very profound. Certainly, every military man should read this, but so should anyone who is serious about living the Christian life. A very inspiring book.

4 comments about From a Mess to a Miracle.

1. THIS SOLDIER SHOOTS STRAIGHT & RIGHT THRU SMOKE, MIRRORS & FLUFF, NO HYPE. SPEAKS IN TALK ANYONE CAN UNDERSTAND. SO CALLED "CHRISTIANS" NEED TO READ THIS BOOK AS BAD AS THE LOST SOUL THEORIZING "WHAT IS LIFE" OR THE AVERAGE WORKING CLASS STIFF OR THE STREET PERSON LIVING ON THE RAGGED EDGE - ALL WONDERING IF THERE IS ANYMORE TO LIFE AND HOW TO GET THERE.
   FOLKS, KIM DANIELS IS THE DEMON BUSTER



2. THIS BOOK CONFIRMS THE GREATER WORKS THAN THESE THAT JESUS SPEAKS OF IN THE FOUR GOSPEL AND TAKES GOD OUT OF THE BOX THAT SO MANY IN CHURCHES HAVE NEATLY PACKED HIM IN. GREAT READ!



3. From a Mess to a Miracle really lite a fire uder me spiritualy! Kimberly Daniels graciously shared her life story with us and how the hand of God mightly delivered her though every trap of the enemy. EXCELLENT!!!...INSPIRING!!!!!!!



4. God has done it again, Kim has a truthfulness and honesty that we all need to have. She has allowed the Lord to use her story to bless others. Thank you!

3 comments about St. John Bosco.

1. Like a modern day Joseph, Don Bosco (St John Bosco) was guided by God through his dreams. In his youth he was shown his life's work-to-be by Our Lady. In his middle age he was shown the futures of the boys he cared for. He called these his dreams, but in reality, they were visions. That fact is proven from the documented testimony of hundreds of his former students. They confidently state that through the dreams that Don Bosco experienced, God revealed to him not only their futures, but also the sins that they had committed...many times known only to God.
   Don Bosco also performed many miracles in his life. From healing the terminallly ill to raising the dead, God favored this saint with many gifts. More than for his mystical charisms, Don Bosco was loved by many for his charisma and great charity. He founded a religious order, known as the Salesians, which continues his work of caring for poor and needy youth the world over.
   F.A. Forbes has written a masterpiece, which appeals to both old and young alike. Difficult to put down, it has been enjoyed by many past generations and deserves a place in the library of future ones.



2. I'm fifteen, and I really enjoyed the book. St. John Bosco lived a great life, and this book is one of the best at displaying it. Both kids and adults can get an easy grasp of this "down to earth" saint's life. My pastor recommended Bosco's biography, so I took his advice and read it. I was not disappointed, and you won't be either if you read this book.



3. John Bosco's life was a mirror image of St. Francis de Sales, who he tried to emulate. Bosco took a life of poverty in order to serve boys that had gone astray. Though all to brief, Forbes's biography of the saint is a pleasurable and informative read.
   
   John Bosco was primarily raised by his mother, a continual influence in his life. Despite a poor background, Bosco was a quick learner and seemed immediately drawn to the priesthood. His vocation lacked any specific direction until he took in the first boy and asked that he bring friends. It was then that his dreams made sense and he devoted his life to saving the souls of young boys. From this day and even since Bosco's death, his mission has continued to evolve.
   
   Bosco's life is influential because of the interest that he took in redeeming youth. As somebody that works with youth, I can find inspiration in reading about his work. One can not forget that living a Christian life need not lack fun. Bosco proved this as he worked with the youth. A teaspoon of honey is a more effect insentive than a barrel of vinegar.