5 comments about Light And Fire of the Baal Shem Tov.

1. When I picked up this book I thought of the ancient tradition of writing in another's name: that one was so humble they directed the reader of their knowledge back to the source. Comparing this book to others on the topic of Haisidism I have read by Martin Buber, I would say that this author gets in the way of a direct appreciation and vision of the Baal Shem Tov. These stories have a colour to them that does not lead the reader toward a pious state, but rather seduces the reader into some half-fabricated world. I would stick to reading the translucent translator Martin Buber.



2. I highly recommend this book. An intimate portrayal of the Baal Shem Tov's life. You will finish the book and want to start all over again. This book will inspire the reader to examine his/her own life and how he/she can make improvements. Words cannot fully describe the impact this book will have.



3. loved this book. gives you a great understanding of the life of the Baal Shem Tov and what his vision was.



4. A profound and moving book on many levels. Israel ben Eliezer, the Baal Shem Tov or 'Besht' was the founder of the Hassidic movement among Eastern European Jews in the 1700's, which survives to this day in Israel, the United States and elsewhere.
   
   The author says: "...I want it to be a book in which the Besht is alive", and: "the main goal is spiritual understanding." He succeeds in both, through the care in which he presents and orders stories about the Besht's life. One can also see how the spiritual approach of the Baal Shem Tov resonates back through two millennia to Hillel, and beyond, and forward two centuries, and beyond, to include the late Rabbi Shlomo Carlson, Yitzhak Buxbaum's own Rebbe.
   
   There is another side to this work, perhaps not intended. One can also read it as a lesson in how the spiritual, cultural and traditional intellectual resources of an oppressed people can be drawn upon for their emancipation and liberation -- here spiritual -- or can be turned in many directions, not all for liberation. Looked at from this side, this is a very contemporary book, and could interest readers from many different traditions including from the Caribbean, Africa, Latin America and perhaps Tibet, or others, who struggle with parallel issues.
   
   For Jews, and others, far from the world in this book, or who imagine ourselves to be so, there is nothing wrong with discovering how to turn a bowl of kasha or borscht into a holy meditation; or smoking a pipe (of tobacco) into an ascent; and perhaps being able to use these in turn to develop compassion or love of people.
   
   The Baal Shem Tov's natural successor, it would appear from the book, would have been his daughter Edel. I wonder how things would have changed if she had been accepted as such.
   
   [Written in honor of the memory of Aimee Cesaire: poet, philosopher, politician of Martinique and elsewhere; died April 17, 2008]



5. Beginning with his first book, "Jewish Spiritual Practices," Reb Yitzhak has written books that convey some of the deepest teachings of great Chassidic rebbes -- in this case the founder of Hasidism, the holy Baal Shem Tov himself. Written with loving care, humility and the utmost respect to the Besht, Reb Yitzhak has created not just another collection of stories of this charismatic Jewish leader, but rather a unique text -- somewhat approximating a scripture -- that uses isolated stories about the Besht to tell the overarching story of not only the Besht's life, but also his spiritual path, a teaching that has long eluded our generation. Indeed, in "The Life And Fire of the Baal Shem Tov," Buxbaum succeeds in bringing the Besht alive in the spiritual imaginations of his readers -- transporting them, as it were, into the lost world of Eastern European Jewry and setting them at the feet of this great Master. This is a holy book that belongs in the library of every Jew who hungers for spiritual sustenance.

4 comments about God's Doorkeepers: Padre Pio, Solanus Casey And Andre Bessette.

1. Blessed Brother André Bessette (1845 - 1937), Venerable Solanus Casey (1870-1957), and St. Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968) are the doorkeepers of the title, so named because they spent their lives in humble service, Casey and Bessette as actual porters in their monasteries and Pio as spiritual doorkeeper at the confessional. All three were born into devout, poor families, were pious even as children, struggled with the rigors of seminary training, suffered from ill health, and lived past the age of 80.
   
   Joel Schorn fleshes out the portraits of each, first individually and later by category, such as miracles, works of mercy, prayer, humility, and grace in suffering. In addition, he highlights general characteristics and practices of these three saints that we can use as models on our own faith journey. The three "embraced lowliness rather than trying to overcome it," he writes. They were also devoted to prayer and filled with patience, humility, and trust in God.
   
   André, Solanus, and Pio always tried to draw others into relationship with faith, Schorn explains. Whatever the circumstances, they "invited people to trust in the loving care of God for themselves and their loved ones. Take this step of faith, they were saying...and God will respond to you with healing, reassurance, a resolution of your problems or a peaceful death."



2. Having an interest in both lives of Ven. Solanus Casey & Bl. Andre Bessette, my interest was piqued when I saw this book online and I decided to order it. I have never regretted this decision--it is an AWESOME book! My only complaint is that it is too short! I have read other books on Ven. Solanus Casey so it was neat to see other things that I already knew of and things that I hadn't known previously. It is very informative without being verbose, and hagiographer free! I want to know more about these men and Joel Schorn's book is a wonderful stepping stone.
   Even though I am not as interested in the life of St.Padre Pio as I am of Ven. Solanus Casey, I found the chapters dealing with him to be also informative, clean cut, clear and concise without being preachy. He simply presents the men's lives as they were, the miracles that God worked through them and their moments of humanity (Bl. Andre, for instance, could be prickly at times though he did feel badly afterward and did apologize when he was in the wrong)--I do like this very much. Having a lively & passionate interest in both History and in the lives of the Saints, I like books that present the facets of their lives bare bones as they were, warts and all--I appreciate the bare bones honesty and I can't stand hagiography. I want to know what the saints were like as people: their struggles with faith, their doubts, their moments of triumph & tragedy, life changing moments and the world they lived in. Saints were people FIRST and I want to read books that keep this fact firmly in mind.
   I highly recommend Joel Schorn's book as a stepping stone to reading more books on these saintly people who were, as we all are, flawed people first though they worked hard, prayed always, trusted in God foremost and struggled their entire lives to overcome their human weaknesses to become the saints they are.



3. This wonderful book is neither an in-depth biography or a contemplative style manual but a comparitive text on three men who have so much in common. Each belittled or persucuted or relegated to menial tasks- these men are exemplified in short chapters that are written in a comparitive manner between the three. The book shows us how similar yet far apart these men were and most importantly, provides examples that are meaningful and pertinent to our lives today. Pride, humility, obedience, acceptance of Divine will...all the major issues we struggle with are summed up and lived by example by each of these holy men. No reader will come away without some feeling of solidarity with at least one of the three venerable men.



4. I certainly enjoy reading true stories about very human people who somehow or another rise up above all that is crazy about life and become "Saints" in our midst. These are uplifting stories about Padre Pio, Solanus Casey and Andre Besette from Canada. If your faith is an anchor in your life then these types of books help you a great deal to stay focused on being good people.

2 comments about Ignatius of Loyola: Spiritual Exercises and Selected Works (Classics of Western Spirituality).

1. "The Classics of Western Spirituality" from Paulist Press has been dedicated, over the last twenty years, to producing excellent translations, and this is no exception. The compliation includes a detailed Introduction, the Autobiography, the Spiritual Excerices, and fragments of the Constitutions and the Spiritual Diary. Though it would have benefited from the inclusion of the Formula - an essential document in its own right - this volume provides intelligent translations and crtical explorations into the sometimes-confusing meaning of Ignatius' prose. The selections from the Diary are especially recommended, as they comprise - to my knowledge - the only fragments translated into English, and are thoughtfully printed so as to give the reader a feel for the outlay of the work, scribbled in Ignatius' journal. Highly recommended.



2. An enlightening book about St. Ignatius of Loyola... It has an informative introduction and autobiography about his life. The second half of the book is a listing and description of his spiritual exercises.
   
   I have heard so much about St. Ignatius from my spiritual director so I was curious about him, his life and spiritual exercises. This book gives a good summary.
   
   It is written in an academic and fairly difficult fashion. It is not easy reading, although it is inspirational.

5 comments about The Blood.

1. Benny Hinn fans will love it !! Christians who read their bible and understand scripture will hate it. Typical Benny Hinn twisted scripture and bad bible interpretation. For self consumed, greedy, wicked 21st century so called christians who look for signs and wonders, this book is for you. For humble Christ seeking followers of Jesus...this book will make you sick...and to think that Jesus died for people like Benny Hinn and his sickening books....How AWESOME JESUS IS...how pathetic this book is....Follow Jesus or follow Benny Hinn, but you cant follow BOTH, believe in Jesus or believe in Benny Hinn, but you cant believe in both !! AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD....AND PRAY FOR BENNY HINNS REPENTANCE AND SALVATION.



2. The book is powerful and marvelous. Benny Hinn is a man of God who directs people to a more intimate relationship with God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit; and he understands the applications of the Blood and the covenants God has made over time. It's not about Benny! His works are always love filled. I pity "hermie boy" who wrote a previous review. After looking at his (hermie boy's) other reviews in "see more about hermie boy," I realize that he or she is completely obsessed with Benny Hinn. If he/she hates his books so much, why read each and every one and then print hate filled messages about them? Hermie, I will be praying for you, because you seem to need help. I mean that sincerely, whether or not you believe that...



3. This is an outstanding book. Benny Hinn's ministry has done nothing but help the Body of Christ. If you choose to hate him, then keep your ungodly thoughts to yourself. Benny Hinn is not perfect and neither are you. Jesus was persecuted for healing the sick in His day and Benny Hinn is condemned today by modern day Pharisees for doing the same. Should we expect anything different? Jesus said that we would experience persecution.
   
   Thank you Brother Benny for taking the Good News to a sinful, angry, sick, poor, and defeated world.



4. What can I say, this is the third book of Brother Benny's I have read... absolutely fantastic! It clearly relates scripture to today and how we can move forward in our daily life by putting our past at the foot of the cross.
   
   When you fully appreciate what The Blood of Christ has given you already and how important it is to remember the Blood shed at Golgotha, you will receive a new leash of life, wonderfully anointed.
   
   Imagine a life with no bondage, no condemnation, no fight all because you realise what God has done for YOU... the cross of shame took away any blame from ALL... embrace it and you will be blessed, truly! Thats not my promise it is Gods ;-)



5. No one has time for teaching this bad.
   
   Good teaching comes directly from Scripture, and while "Pastor" Hinn considers many individual verses, he has no sense of context and usually misses the point of each passage. In reality, this book is taken from the author's imagination and personal experience, varnished with a thin coat of Bible.
   
   Sometimes, it can be worthwhile to tolerate bad teaching if the writing is good - but this is also not present. Hinn's writing is vague, clichéd, and recklessly meandering.
   
   This book actually distracts readers from Christ's blood, the very thing it claims to explain. I insistently un-recommend it.

2 comments about George Mueller (Golden Oldies).

1. George Mueller

   By Faith Coxe Bailey Reviewed by Lindsay Woods

   This is a really cool book. I read it all in two sittings, which is not a regular occurrence for me. It's about a young man living in Germany, who struggles with authority and feels that everyone wants to dominate him - his father, the police, even a publican who had him arrested. On leaving School he attends the University of Halle, where he is a divinity student - (his fathers wish), he has no great interest in God. A chance reunion with an old acquaintance eventually leads to his acceptance of Jesus at a prayer meeting.

   From here he has notions of mission work, meets with a missionary to the Jews, decides thats what he should be doing, learns Hebrew, prays very fervently, tells his dad, dad says it's dumb and cuts his finance, George says "go ahead and cut it, I'm not taking any money from you again". From here the story develops of George's total dependence on God and no one else. He needs money to get through his studies, and when he prays God miraculously provides for him.

   He travels to London where he is starts a probationary period with a society that reaches Jews for Jesus. However George is frustrated by the emphasis on study, when people could be getting saved, so he leaves. From there he takes up a position as minister in a small church in Teignmouth, gets married to Mary, and the idea of financial reliance on God develops. The church paid George's salary by renting the best seats in the church to those with cash. George wanted God to finance him, and his conviction was that he would ask no-one else but God for money, the point being to prove that God answers prayer. God did support him, as he prayed.

   He moves on to Bristol where he starts a chapel with good friend Henry Craik, and they minister to the slums, and endure disease outbreak, which actually takes George's son. On seeing a child caged into a children's home, he decides to start a school for the poor children. Lack of money is always the perceived issue by George's associates, but George proves that by praying and being patient God brings the money. He opens his school. But many students were so poor, they were shipped off to the home, where there are unable to leave to goto school. George believed God wanted him to start an orphanage for these children. He prayed very specifically, with an exact sum of money in mind, and for people to help with the work, and for clothes for the children, and so on. Then he read in the bible in the book of Psalms, and a verse struck him, that confirmed what he was doing was right. It was God's promise to him, and he remembered it when he prayed. God provided people to do the job, and brought finance from nowhere to his doorstep. He opened the orphanage, packed it out, prayed for more, and opened another 3 orphanages over a period of time. There was never an abundance of cash, but day by day, God provided, as George prayed. Eventually, George bought land, and built a huge orphanage out of town, then four more over the years until he provided for over two thousand orphans. As he asked God for more, God gave more, donations went from shillings to pounds, to hundreds of pounds to thousands of pounds at a time - and George only asked God for it.

   This is a great book about the reality of God and his ability to work, and do more and more than we can imagine




2. Set in the slums of Bristol, England during the 1830's through the 1840's. Faith Coxe Bailey's story of George Mueller is about a man's trust in God to supply an orphanage with 300 orphans, and the essentials to live with.
   George trusts God to guide him through the building of a home for unwanted children. He lives day to day, and sometimes hour to hour, praying for food and clothing for the children. Throughout the book, George wants people to believe that God answers prayers. That is why he will not ask for anything from anyone, because he relies on God to provide.
   In this scene from the book, George had just purchased the house that was to be used as the orphanage. He prayed to God for all of the emenities needed and within an hour, George received a huge bundle of dishes from an unknown individual.
   This book shows that God provides and takes care of His children. And the power of prayer can supply your needs, whatever they may be.

2 comments about Deeper Experiences of Famous Christians (Classics Library (Barbour Bargain)).

1. This reader-friendly composite of biographical sketches is directed to the person who is not satisfied with nominal Christian living. The author points directly to each biographee's source of spiritual renewal and/or completion, i.e, the Holy Spirit, and subsequent effects. An interesting aspect of this work is its transdenominational nature; no particular sect is endorsed, though many are included by virtue of their highlighted adherants. If the reader is honestly interested in a closer walk with God, this book will provide plenty of inspiration.



2. I was given this book as a young Christian and easily devoured every word of it. The stories in Lawson's book are awesome. You will be encouraged as you read about the faith and hunger men and women had for the presence of God in their lives. None of the people in the book were satisfied with simply living for Jesus but they wanted to make a divine impact for the kingdom upon the earth. From John the Baptist to John Wesley to many unknowns as well you will read the stories of various Christian experiences in God's presence that transformed their lives.
   
   My one drawback as I look back at this book is the theology of the book. Simply put (as one reviewer put it before me): there is none. Lawson simply tells the stories of the various believers experiences. The book leaves the impression that the Christian life is simply one experience after another or that a Christian needs one "mighty" Holy Ghost experience and that is it. The daily discipleship is lost (Luke 9:23-26). Further, not all experiences should be outright declared from God. We must test our experiences by the Scriptures (1 Thess. 5:21; 1 John 4:1). Doctrine is important (1 Timothy 4:16; Titus 2:1) and we must not allow experiences to become the true test of Christianity (2 Cor. 13:5).
   
   Get this book. Read it and most of all, open your Bible and test everything you read by the truth of God's Word (John 17:17).

2 comments about L'chaim, A Zayde Adventure!: Memoirs of a Rabbi's Life.

1. This book is written about a wonderful human being who was my Rabbi for almost 40 years in San Francisco, CA.
   Rabbi Herb Morris was one of the finest man I have ever met, and this book, written by his daughter, tells of his life, and his story, from birth to death.
   You did not have to have known Rabbi Morris to enjoy this fantastic book and I guarantee you that you will love it.



2. Tamra Dollin has written a loving tribute to her father, Herbert Morris, who served his congregation as rabbi for 40 years. Through her use of stories, sermons, letters and events in Rabbi Morris' life, the author describes his remarkable journey spent helping others, even in the face of his own final illness. Written with tenderness and insight, this book captures the warmth, humor, trials and accomplishments that comprise a life well lived. Readers of all faiths and backgrounds will find it inspirational.

5 comments about From Private to General: An African American Soldier Rises Through the Ranks.

1. A great read from start to finish. If you enjoy history, the military or stories of personal success, this book is for you. General Curry personifies what it is to be an American, and his book elucidates this perfectly. As an American you can accomplish anything by dreaming big, working hard and following after God.
   
   Todd Morrisson



2. This book is an enjoyable read with an inside look at military life from the General's professional and personl life. Teacher's should take note! This would be excellent material for a character education segment of curriculum. It's riveting and heartfelt with a lot of perserverance against all odds thrown in. Your students will be inspired to be excellent and hard working.



3. The extraordinary journey of an extraordinary man! What a great read!



4. Some men are born to greatness and from his childhood, Jerry Curry was destined for great things. With a lot of hard work and determination everything that Jerry set his hand to do was successful. I found "From Private to General: An African American Soldier Rises Through the Ranks" an interesting read from a enlisted point of view. Many times we enlisted men are blind to the difficulties that officers have to deal with. Often when talking with my twin brother who is a "West Point" graduate we discussed how politics often are a part of advancing in rank. What is the old adage; "It isn't what you know, but who you know." And this is so very true of those who compete for higher rank.
   
   On the down side, I felt that many times instead of reading an autobiography, I was reading a dissertation on the evils of racism. There are many powerful lessons that the American culture had to learn since the abolition of slavery. We must learn from our mistakes or be doomed to repeat them. But even with the cards stacked against him, Jerry Curry, by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ was able to overcome and advance. Is not this after all is the primary mission of the military; to overcome and advance.



5. The story of Gen. Curry is inspirational. He describes some of the obstacles he faced in the military because of his ethnic background from the viewpoint of an overcomer, rather than a victim. His integrity and courage stand out. His faith in God is part of the story, but his wife's book, "The General's Lady," gives much more detail on the spiritual side of their family.

5 comments about The Confessions (Works of Saint Augustine).

1. This is easily the most overrated religious book ever. I believe it is Chapter 6 where Augustine talks about how he used to steal pears just to steal them even though he wasn't hungry is the best thought in the book about how natural evil is to us and how bad we really are.
   
   There I just told you the best part of the book. Chapters 10 and 11 are absolutely horrific. Can anyone really say they understood those chapters?
   
   Augustine has a major problem with sex in general and is a really bad advice giver on that subject.



2. This is a profound book in so many ways; here are just a few. Augustine writes with a combination of confidence and humility that is not seen today. His confidence stems from faith in the God he clearly knows so well and his humility from a deep understanding of the sinfulness that dwells at the very core of his being. Worship is the purpose and attitude of the book; one can't help but be moved to do so after reading it. This book has also stimulated me to much thought in the areas of entertainment, evangelism, conversion, and scripture. Although this book is a great classic that has influenced Christianity and beyond for many centuries and people feel like they "should" read it, I recommend reading it for the pure delight of listening to a man who lays himself bankrupt before the Almighty and sincerely asks, "Give what you command, and command what you will."



3. This book has opened up a whole new avenue on interest for me.I have read this book several times and it has a potent affect on me. There is a dvd series (by The Teaching Co) 24 lectures on this series that I also recommend. After reading this book a whole world of other books opens before you,but you come to the understanding that you will not live long enough to read them all....unless



4. This Christian classic has touched me deeply. I read it the first time right after college, but recently picked it up again (thirty years later). I didn't remember a thing from the first reading.... I've been a Christian for many years, but find that this book is so fresh, with insights that are truly amazing. For this new read, I bought two different translations so that I could read both and compare when the meaning seemed obscure. I highly recommend the translation by Maria Boulding. It does a great job of staying true to his meaning, while expressing things in a way that speaks to the modern mind.



5. This is a fresh and wonderful translation of this Christian classic. Sr Boulding is herself a fine poet capable of touching turns of phrase such as, [Book I,5]
   
   "Who will grant me to find peace in you? Who will grant me this grace, that you would come into my heart and inebriate it, enabling me to forget the evils that beset me and embrace me my only good?"
   
   Albert Outler (no mean wroughter of words himself) translates this passage in this way,
   
   "Who shall bring me to rest in thee? Who will send thee into my heart so to overwhelm it that my sins shall be blotted out and I may embrace thee, my only good?"
   
   The loss of the "thees" are of course helpful to the modern reader, but the use of "that you would come into my heart and inebriate it," is just, well, stunning.
   
   One final comparison with Outler in the well-known passage in book ten:
   
   Outler: "Belatedly I loved thee, O Beauty so ancient and so new, belatedly I loved thee. For see, thou wast within and I was without, and I sought thee out there. Unlovely, I rushed heedlessly among the lovely things thou hast made. Thou wast with me, but I was not with thee."
   
   Boulding: "Late have I loved you, Beauty so ancient and so new. Late have I loved you! Lo, you were within, but I outside, seeking there for you, and upon the shapely things you have made, I rushed headlong. I, mishappen."
   
   Both use Augustine's marvelous play on the words "formosa" and "deformis" But Sr. Boulding's choice of shapely and misshapen retains Augustine's intentions and poetic voice, it seems to me.
   
   This is a lovely work.

5 comments about The Personal Beliefs of Jimmy Carter: Winner of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize.

1. Nobel Peace Prize winner and humanitarian President Carter explains how certain events have influenced his life in this excellent autobiography. Although the book contains the words of a man that is not afraid to speak the truth, he does not go into details of the failed attempt to rescue American hostages in Iran. He micromanaged the rescue team from the White House, instead of empowering his men in the field to make any decisions. Unlike other presidents, he has not been bought off by corporate America.



2. During the Carter Administration, President Carter had to deal with the deaths of his mother, sister, and brother, and that was near the start of his four years of Presidency. Then there was the Hostage Crises in Iran. President Carter had to try anything, and everything to get the hostages. It cost the lives of several soldiers when thier helicopter crashed in the desert. Essentially, President Carter got a raw deal. He was not reckognized by those who came home from Iran, or anybody else in the United States, as the saviour. President Reagan got that glory. And, at president Reagan's Inaugural Ball/Dinner, he did not even mention President Carter. This may sound like a put down of both administrations, but it is not. Both men had their faults, as does today's President Bush. I have the ultimate respect for President Carter. For somebody who will be 80 October 1, it does not surprise me that he is still constructing houses, taking care of the other persons, etc.



3. It really is awful to see ideological conservatives give a critique of a book they haven't even read here at Amazon.
   
   One went as far as to claim that the only thing Carter did that was worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize was the progress he made at Camp David.
   
   Have they been so blinded by war and hate that they can't even look toward Carter's admirable work in Habitat for Humanity as a basis for him winning this prestigious award?
   
   They obviously must be. They certainly are dedicated to crushing the image of someone who represents solving problems with great love and effort, rather than with destruction and arrogant minsunderstanding.
   
   But I recommend this book for someone with an open enough mind to see how wonderful a human being Jimmy Carter is. Regardless of your partisan bias.



4. I have read most of his books and find them all to be well written and this one is stands up to the test.



5. The book is very interesting, I think not many people in the world put there faith in to action, thats what the book is about. And I get chance to meet with President Carter personally and he is really very interesting person, read the book and you will know better...