5 comments about Growing Up Lutheran: What Does This Mean?.

1. I enjoyed this book well enough to send a copy of it to my Father and an Aunt, who also grew up Lutheran. They enjoyed it, too.



2. . . . grow up Lutheran and in the Midwest, you may not appreciate the total humor of this book, but it's still a delightfully witty, tongue-in-cheek commentary on a by-gone era. Once started, I couldn't put it down, because it called up a flood of memories, everything from Sunday School pins to Mother-Daughter banquets to cemetary upkeep. It was MY life they were talking about. For those of you who did (grow up Lutheran in the Midwest), it a journey back into time; for those of you who didn't, it's an education about a whole bunch of us who sit quietly here in the Midwest doing what come naturally.



3. I am manager of a Home Health Agency. One day one of the nurses brought this tape and played it during lunch. We laughed until we cried. Especially appreciative are Lutherans or people who were brought up in Scandinavian communities.



4. I must confesss, which is fitting, that I grew up at the same time in the Midwest as these authors.
   
   However, my ancestors are Swedish and we lived in Iowa. You wouldn't think this would make a difference, but it does.
   
   The only thing I can say is that you had to have been there to completely understand this book. And maybe that won't do it.
   
   There was a comment somewhere that said you can't understand it unless you've had beets or Jello melt into your scalloped potatoes on a paper plate.



5. While the focus of the book is on Lutherans who grew up from the 40s to 60s I must confess that having grown up as the daughter of 2 Lutheran pastors, having worked at a Lutheran bible camp in college where i would go lead VBS at lutheran churches in Minnesota and having graduated from a lutheran college that it still pin points humor about the general Lutheran culture. It does not matter if you are in tune with all of the theology or church politics or not--people who both embrace and reject their Lutheran heritage will still appreciate this book! I must admit that while it was not always humourous and that it is more historical than modern that it did pin point observations with humor that i am currently struggling with while debating whether or not to follow through on attending Lutheran seminary relatively soon. I found it right on target and extremely therapeutic.
   Also recommended: Garrison Keiller
   and more Lutheran congregants should read Jim Wallis and SOjourners magazines!!

5 comments about Bondage of the Will, The.

1. The Bondage of the Will is necessary reading for anyone seeking to understand the roots of Protestant theology. I am a Catholic and found most of what Luther wrote to be poorly based and unscriptural, however, his treatise on the bondage of the will did serve to stress once again the Pauline doctrine of justification by grace alone. This doctrine which teaches that there is nothing a man can do apart from grace to begin, promote, or accomplish his justification before God, but that justification is initiated, begun, and brought to fulfillment completely through God's grace, has been Catholic doctrine from the beginning. Tragically, this doctrine was muddied and distorted by the late Scholastic theology of the "via moderna" - the only theology Luther was really familiar with. Apparently Luther knew very little if any Christian theology pre-dating the 14th Century. The doctrine of justification by grace alone appeared to him therefore as a novelty; something he had "rediscovered." This doctrine, however, is not what the Catholic Church took issue with. It was Luther's insistence upon determinism and his belief that even after justification a man remains totally corrupt. Luther makes plain in this text that even subsequent to justification any good a person accomplishes is done without any human input; all good actions are accomplished by God alone. Luther is very unclear in his explanation of how this occurs. He says man's nature is changed, regenerated, and wills only good after justification, but somehow the man is also evil and deserves only eternal damnation. It is only by the grace of God he is spared this. What part of the man remains evil Luther doesn't clarify. If it is God alone that works the good in us according to our new nature and we have absolutely no ability to reject God's grace and action in our lives (just as under Satan we have absolutely no say in whether we sin since we are then ruled by Satan), we are not only in effect, but in our innermost being nothing more than automatons without any inherent meaning to our existence. Luther makes it extremely clear that in his view man has no free will after justification. He is "free" in the sense that he operates according to his nature, but he has no ability to act otherwise. That man is most free when he acts in accord with his nature has always been Catholic doctrine, but at no time in history did Christianity teach, and nowhere in the Bible does it say man cannot turn away from God or reject his grace. Believing this makes the Bible, indeed the whole of existence, an exercise in futility. Why would Jesus die for men whom he himself causes to sin necessarily? Why would he have to? Luther says this is part of God's "hidden Majestic will" that we have no right to question. He frequently sites Paul's words in Romans 9:14-25 and 11.33-36 in justification of this attitude, but Paul is clearly speaking in these passages of God's providential guidance of history and peoples - not the justification and salvation of individuals. Luther claims to be in agreement with St. Augustine, but anyone who has read Augustine knows there are scarcely two men more distant in thought. Augustine, as all Christianity, held that once an individual is justified he truly becomes a new creation capable of freely choosing the good through the grace of Christ. This action is done through the power of God's grace, yet it is truly the individual's own action as well. Furthermore, as Paul makes clear in numerous passages, an individual always possesses the ability to reject Christ even subsequent to justification. Although Luther claimed his doctrine of "necessity of immutability" offered consolation to those perturbed by conscience, in reality it creates a universe in which we have no control over our own destiny, all things are determined apart from us, and God damns or glorifies those whom he chooses on an absolutely arbitrary basis. I cannot see how this can be comforting, let alone "good news." Luther holds that simply because God has foreseen all things from eternity that everything happens of necessity. He makes a gigantic blunder in confusing God's eternal vision from outside time with the free operations of persons within time. Simply because we remember something from yesterday, it doesn't follow that we caused it to happen. In the same way, because God sees all things due to his being outside time, it doesn't follow that within time they are pre-determined without reference to man's free choice. God allows men to freely choose to reject his grace. He created us free and desires all men to be saved and offers all men his grace. Luther is absolutely right in saying man can do nothing apart from grace to save himself - it is all grace, but he can do something to cause his damnation - he can reject this grace when it is offered to him each day of his life. Perhaps it was providential, though, that Luther stressed "grace alone." Much Christian theology had drifted far from this gospel truth. Finally, I found Luther's caustic sarcasm hard to stomach. I'm not a fan of Erasmus (to whom Luther was responding and who did a poor job of defining the Catholic position), but Luther's anathemas and ad hominem attacks detracted considerably from a book that would otherwise have been quite enjoyable to read.



2. I purchased Luther's book for my "Formation of Modern Christianity" class and am in the process of using it to write my term paper on the debate between Erasmus and Luther on the issue of free will. Luther does an excellent job in this book when presenting his case for the bondage of free will by demonstrating that humans are completely depraved and cannot choose salvation, therefore we do not have the free will to do both good and evil, but only evil. Buy this book if you want a clear picture on this ongoing debate, but make sure to also purchase "Discourse on Free Will" to gain a picture of Erasmus' point of view, as well.



3. "De servo arbitrio" is the original title of this Martin Luther's masterpiece. In it, the Reformer explains his theology concerning the limits of man's will before God, differing it from those which preached the full free will or the absence of any possibility of free will. It is a key book for all those who are interested in studying the matters referred to free will and predestination.



4. The authors have done a commendable job of bringing the debate between two of the Reformation's prime leaders into the modern forum. I appreciate the easily-read type-setting and general formatting of this book.



5. God must open our spiritual eyes in order that we will truly desire Him.
   
   Despite the confusing credit-debit, works-merit system deceitfully established by the RCC, Luther harshly spells it all out for all those who are unaware and unfamiliar with their own fallen human condition and the consequences of remaining ignorant of their dead, sin-laden standing before God!
   
   Bondage of the Will - This is the wake up call!!! Grace is unmerited favor! Augustine came to know the truth about GRACE in his later works (that came about as a result of the Pelagian & Semi-Pelagian Controveries) - it leaves no room for boasting! Why is one a true Christian and another is not/or simply a pretender? What did we have that we did not receive?? Not only is a true hearing of the Word an aspect of grace but also is the true receiving of it!!!
   
   No man can come to Jesus unless the Fathers draws Him and none that is given to Jesus will go lost becasue they are secure in Him!
   
   Predestination & Election are not made up concepts and they are not merely a product of God's Foreknowledge.
   
   God has enabled sin to enter the world for reasons that are unknown to us.
   
   Nothing falls outside of God's providence and dominion.
   
   The elect will hear this message loud and clear while the reprobate will mock God and exalt man
   
   Amen to those who are willing to see the big picture and speak the truth!
   
   TO GOD GOES THE GLORY!!!

5 comments about Bandit's Moon.

1. The book I am reviewing is Bandit's Moon, by Sid Fleischman. It was an "ok" kind of book. My favorite part was when Annyrose found Lank, her long lost brother. That was my favorite part because that was the most exciting event that happened in the story. I would recommend it to someone who likes a good mystery and an exciting story. Find out what happened to Annyrose and Lank in Bandits Moon and read this story!



2. This review is on a book called Bandit's Moon by Sid Fleishman. What I liked about this book is that the author described very well what was going on. You could imagine yourself being there. My favorite character was Annyrose because she never gave up on finding her long lost brother. She would also keep a secret and not tell anyone that she was a friend with a bandit. I would recommend this book to someone who likes adventures.



3. The name of the book I am reviewing is called Bandit's Moon by Sid Fleicman. The two main characters are Joquin Murita and Anyyrose Smith. In the beginning of the story Joquin ,the bandit,takes Annyrose but he is after another character named Calicos. Joquin and Annyrose help each other out. Annyrose teaches Joquin to read while Joquin helps Annyrose to find her brother Lank. To find out more read this great book.



4. I think Bandit's Moon is a pretty good book. My Favorite part of the book is when O.O. Mary comes to town to kill Joaquin but the sheriff shot O.O. Mary's husband because he shot Joaquin in the shoulder and alomost killed him. I think you should read this very interesting book.



5. Joshua Price mod 1 The Bandit 11-14-07
   
   
   
   Bandit's moon is a great book full of adventure. It is when a girl goes on an adventure with this group of bandits in Mexico and in California. They go to the gold mine to reclaim something of theirs.
   The Bandit is named Joaquin. His right hand man is named 3-fingered Jack who kills a person in a passing carriage. The girl thinks it's her brother who was looking for her. When she gets to a town named Bed Bug, with the Bandits she rats them out. But they trick the sheriff and go south to a gold to get back what's rightfully Joaquin's.
   I read many books in my life and I like this book very much. I really think that people should read this book since it is full of adventure. Also parts of 6the book can relate to real life. The head Bandit also thinks that girl is a guy so its really exciting. When I read this book I learned a lesson. I can't tell you the lesson; you have to read the book to find it out by yourself.

5 comments about Hope for the Flowers.

1. I've used this amazing little book with grade school kids when I taught middle school and now as I teach leaders from companies in PhD and MBA programs. My three awesome daughters--now adults--grew up on this book and the Bible (not that this compares closely to the love letters God gives us in His Word), but both have great lessons for living life to its fullest, as well as life with meaning, hope and salvation.



2. A thought-provoking tale about life, curiosity, faith, hope, love and self discovery as a caterpillar learns about her life purpose. Although written and illustrated as a children's book, this book is clearly for all ages, adults and children alike. There are several lessons to be learned such as:
   * Following your gut instinct or your calling
   * The differences between a leader and a follower
   * The consequences of striving to reach the top
   * How every decision we make ultimately affects someone else
   * The power of love, faith, and hope
   After reading this book I felt humbled, inspired, and compelled to follow my life purpose.



3. I was introduced to this book in a class provided by the company I work for. The class was entitled "Thinking Outside the Box". This class has been attended by executives and managers at large corporations the world over. I'm sure no one in the class expected the last activity to be reading "Hope for the Flowers" aloud. Although this is a "children's" book, it can be appreciated at many levels. I'm sure children will find it very entertaining and moving. However, the specific message relevant to adults is that "following the crowd" in the corporate world can be an empty pursuit, and that we all need to recognize the possibility of reaching for higher goals. The story is engaging, with two charming caterpillars as the main characters, and the beautiful illustrations of them and their exploits are very imaginative. We should all aspire to be butterflies!



4. I purchased this book for seven very special young girls who graduated high school and are heading off to college in the fall. The book is a children's story for all ages and gives an excellent message about life in that it encourages one to seek self established goals and achieve them while still maintaining a degree of intergity and self worth.



5. I received a copy of this beautiful book from my best friend in 1975 as I flew off to join the service. All these years later, I still have my copy and have given out innumerable others to my teenage at-risk students, clients and other people I have encountered. It is a heartwarming tale filled with a huge amount of hope for the future. I especially like to present it to students who have just gone through a devastating relationship breakup, reminding them that it is all part of the process which is preparing them to meet their future life partner.

5 comments about Why I Am a Lutheran: Jesus at the Center.

1. This is an excellent book for any Christian to read. It could just as easily be titled Why I Am A Christian. It is a concise and very easy read with excellent points about God's grace and salvation. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested to know more about what Lutherans believe and practice.



2. I am returning this book as I belong to the Evangelican Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and this author is Missouri Synod. This was not included in the info about the book. There are major theological differences between Missouri Synod Lutherans and ELCA Lutherans. Won't go into it all here but the ELCA is in full Communion with The Episcopal CHurch , the Presbyterian Church (US) and has an early stage agreement with the United Methodist Church - but we have no such agreement with the Missouri Synod!



3. I really liked this book, not because I learned anything new but because as I sit in some Bible studies and even hear our pastor at our LCMS Lutheran church there tends to be various ideas creeping in that are not what I have been taught nor what I believe. I did not grow up Lutheran but read a lot before joining. I joined because what LCMS Lutherans believe is what I believe. This reaffirmed what I believe and what I thought my church believes.



4. Great book and not just for Lutherans but all those who are interested in the Lutheran Church. Preus does an excellent job through point by point explanations of the Lutheran positions on a variety of topics. Highly recommended.



5. If you are not a student of theology then this is not the best choice. It has a lot of good history but it is rather dry and difficult to read. I was disappointed.

4 comments about Mind Joggers!: 5- to 15- Minute Activities That Make Kids Think.

1. I am currently student-teaching in a fourth grade class. The activities in the book are both challenging and enjoyable for the students. I am using many of them as supplements to required curriculum.



2. I use the activites with my elem. students when we have a few spare minutes. My students like the variety of activities and I like the fact that there isn's anything I need to do in advance.



3. My husband and I use this resource in our classrooms - he's a high school teacher and I'm special education.



4. I've been using this book for over 13 years. It has thought provoking activities that tie in well with any curriculum.

4 comments about Practice in Christianity : Kierkegaard's Writings, Vol 20.

1. To describe Kierkegaard is, to say the very least, difficult! Not that his style of writing is boring or even overly difficult. Not at all! His style is poetic, warm, and loving. Yet all the while, he makes you feel uncomfortable, leads you to questioning your faith, and often makes one angry! However, the thing that I admire most about the author and the book "Practice in Christianity", is how he has led me to recklessly look inside myself, so that I can see the the truth about who I am! In short, no other author has ever made me just "think", the way that SK has. I have read and heard much of modern theology. For me, this "modern theology" only scratches the surface of these important thoughts. SK will take your mind and heart, to spiritual depths that are thus far, undiscovered.



2. _Practice in Christianity_ is one of Kierkegaard's more underrated books, and should not be overlooked. I will summarize his concepts as best I can: In this book Kierkegaard encourages a rigorous and "militant" practice of Christianity. By "militant" he does not mean violence in the physical sense, obviously. What he means is a determination to constantly find better ways to understand God and Christ, even though every question that gets answered seems to spawn more questions. Rigorous Christianity is a continuous chasing after that which perpetually eludes us. Even though we may never reach a true catharsis in our understanding, the process of continually seeking understanding is still beneficial to the individual. It helps to strenthen the uniqueness of our individuality, and helps to set us apart from society in a way that preserves the "heterogeneity" of society. Kierkegaard stresses the importance of maintaining heterogeneity within society because this is essential in the creation of individual personalities, and is an essential ingredient to conscious life in general. Kierkegaard states it thus: "woe to the Christian Church when it will have been victorious in this world, for then it is not the Church which has been victorious but the world. Then the heterogeneity between Christianity and the world has vanished, and Christiantiy has lost" (p. 223). It is important that society does not ever reach a consensus on what to believe in, because then we will all rest on our laurels and abandon the continual, rigorous striving that is essential in enhancing our individualist personalities. The loss of individualism is synonymous with the end of conscious life and self-awareness as we know it. There must always be individuals who stand out as beacons of virtue, if for no other reason than to infuse other people with life by making them feel inadequate and subjugated. Rigorous, militant Christians must always turn their back on the world and strive for something better, and indoing so they help to blaze a trail into higher realms of understanding, dragging the reluctant congregation behind them.

   If these concepts sound interesting to you, I highly recommend this volume. Die hard atheists will probably view this book as a fruitless discussion over a moot point. But people who consider themselves Christian, and want to set themselves apart from other lackadaisical, so-called Christians, could benefit greatly by reading this book. This is not a book for people who show up to church just to show up and then fall asleep in the pew - it is for people who want to reach a higher standard of rigorous practice in religion.




3. I seldom review classical works feeling that posterity has spoken on their behalf far more weightily than I could hope to. However, I had to comment on this fantastic, underrated text. SK wrote in his journal that while he often used pseudonyms in his other works, in part, to distance himself from the ideas, in this book the pen name was employed to distance the ideas from him, feeling himself an imperfect messenger. If we have any access at all to the center of SK's program, this is it, yet it is rarely mentioned as an important work of his authorship.
   
   There is no doubt that Either/Or, Fear and Trembling and Concluding Unscientific Postscript are all brilliant. However, Practice in Christianity deserves every bit as much attention as these works. It is a work of self disclosure calling the reader to examine the basis for their faith and confront the startling choice between imitation and offense based on the risky prospect of embracing paradox. It is also one of SK's most accessible texts that can be read devotionally. One of my favorite books ever.



4. I am a minister, and although I though I was a prety good theologian, I only understood the fullest of Christ's message (if this is attainable at all) after I started reading this book.
   From the beginnings, through his prayer on the first pages, it is the most brillant Christology/Soteriology ever exposed.
   I had to stop reading this book because I wasn't sure that I was ready to deal with the type of feelings that I was being exposed to, and I wanted the book never to end, to be honest.
   Although I am a convict Protestant, I must say that the Orthodox principle of Theosis started to make sense to me.
   
   If you want to "get it" Christ, I would recommend this and "Works of Love".

5 comments about Luther: Man Between God and the Devil.

1. The New Yorker calls this book a "Remarkable Study"
   
   Okay, so this is the first biography of Luther that I have ever read. My previous knowledge of who was the "great Reformer" is from movies, religious literature quotes, preachers talking about church history and Reformation - a very limited view on the complexity of the Martin Luther's persona. The image on the cover is of Luther as Junker Jörg, Martin's moniker while hiding in the Wartburg castle after the papal excommunication.
   
   For anyone intersted in seriously getting a good-enough grasp of who Martin Luther was and the times the he lived in, look no further. Oberman 's expectation of his work has had its effect on me - I am more interested in reading Martin Luther's original works.
   
   The reason why I selected this to be my first biography on Luther is for a couple of reasons:
   
   1) it is a book used by some Lutheran seminaries,
   2) the author has used original sources and also German scholarly works for his research (his chapter notes alone span 23 pages)
   3)wrote and published the first printing in German, and
   4) the author has been true to his mission stated in the preface to "grasp the main in his totality - with head 'and' heart."
   
   My impression, as I was slowly making my way through the book (underlining and writing notes), is that the author really understands the times in which Luther lived. I really felt that the author took me back to the early 1500's, central medieval Europe (aka Holy Roman Empire). Thus this book is not about exploring the "Catholic" or "Protestant," or even the "modern" Luther (although they are encountered in the book) but understanding Martin Luther as the man between God and the Devil. For Luther the work of the Devil was as real as the work of God; and he thought that the times he lived in were leading to the apocalyptic End Times.
   
   Oberman, does an excellent job at showing the reader how Luther came to "discover the Gospel" again (who knew that the first book Luther taught as a professor of theology were the Psalms?) and understand "the righteousness" of God (not as a legalistic monk anymore but as a free Christian living by grace thru faith in Jesus Christ). The author understands well the climate of the late Medieval times: historical events (and the power struggles that played a role in the birth and the survival of the Reformation), theological disputes (not only between Rome and Luther, but also amongst the various reformers and European scholars), cultural and social barometer (how monks were viewed, what the lives of the peasants was, the medival superstitions that prevailed, etc.), and much, much more.
   
   While the book has a tendency to read like a textbook, the author is not afraid to explore all aspects of the life and character of Luther and follows Luther in three stages:
   1) the national, medieval, and Luther's familial atmosphere of "The Longed-for Reformation" (the word "reformation" at the time was as widely used as the word "democracy" is in our modern western times),
   2) "The Unexpected Reformation" (even the Catholic theologian Hans Kueng admits that this church-dividing effect could have been prevented if the issue of indulgences and the charges against them would have been taken seriously by the pope and his legates), and
   3) "The Reformation in Peril" (the debates amongst reformers about the meaning of Baptism and the Eucharist; Luther vs. Erasmus; Luther's inflamatory writtings against the 3 "enemies" of God: pope, revolting peasant, and Jews; his marriage to a nun being a medieval taboo and Luther's secret advice for bigamy to a prince; and more).
   
   In conclusion, this erudite study will present all aspects of the life, writings, and complex persona of Martin Luther (who interestingly did not see himself as a "reformer" but rather as a preacher, evangelist, and doctor of theology, accordig to Oberman). It is not a work that will exagerate the virtues or biases seen in Martin Luther, but that will challenge the reader to understand the preacher and Wittenberg doctor of theology in the context of his times with the implications that his life and writings have on our modern times.
   
   The brilliant research that Oberman has done brings to light many factoids that were both interesting and surprising to me. I will not spoil the fun and let you find out for yourself what these surprising factoids are. :-)



2. In a concise manner, Heiko Oberman gives an insightful glimpse into the life and influence of Martin Luther that will enhance any readers understanding of the German Reformation.



3. I appreciated the evident scholarship in the book's objective yet sensitive treatment of the man, his life (including his foibles), his pastoral and theological work, and the historical context of the times in which he lived and labored. I especially appreciated the book's being written by a man personally (spiritually) familiar with the historic doctines of grace recovered during the time of the Protestant Reformation. This is no 'liberal,' 'higher-critical' or 'revisionist' diatribe against one of Christianity's greatest saints -- or for that matter against Christianity itself as merely one among many true paths to God in our post-modern world. I would have a hard time envisioning how this book could be improved upon, either in content or expression.



4. This was not what I expected. The author wrote as a historian & theologian, combined. It's a very deep read and will take some time.
   I don't agree with the author on all points and at times felt he was supporting the Roman Catholic Church and/or denouncing Luther. It would have been more interesting if the author would have provided information on exactly how followers of Luther started the Lutheran Church.



5. No man is an Island. Man is effected by the circumstance he is born into. Some men rise above experience and develop themselves better then most. This does not mean that individual is not a man of his times nor effected by the culture the person lives in or the current understanding of truth. Heiko A. Oberman often comments about the times Martin Luther lived in; people in Martin Luther's time believed in an active Satan. I do not know the theological beliefs of the author but he certainly seems to be effected by modern ideas of theology and faith being part of the mental health of the individual then being about God, Sin, and Salvation. This does not blind the author from who Martin Luther is and the purpose of the Reformation. This book describes Martin Luther's upbringing, his education, his study of law, and Luther's dedication of himself to God's Will. Martin Luther's struggle with Satan, his struggle with sin, his struggle with God's judgment, his struggle with Roman Catholic theology, and his discovery with what the Bible really taught. Indulgences, purgatory, and man's ability to merit salvation through the sacrifice of Christ, works of the Saints, penance and indulgence. The 95 thesis began as an attempt to start a discussion about what was going wrong in the church, but reaction and historic events collided with the actions of Martin Luther that caused a revolt in the church. The author details how the propose Turkish crusade, indulgences, and the political structure in Germany help bring the Reformation. Martin Luther fought for what he came to believe what the Bible taught; he convinced other she was correct, while others followed out of their own convenience.
   
   
   The author details why it was important to both protestants and The Roman Catholic whether Luther died peacefully. That Luther thought it a greater honor to be a martyr then one to bring about a reformed institution ready to serve as the bride of Christ.This book tries to present a clear picture who Luther was a human being not just a religious movement.
   
   This is not an uncritical look at Luther. The author describes Luther's thoughts on theology and is critical Luther's view of predestination. Heiko A. Oberman describes Luther's view of the Lord's Table and his unwillingness to compromise. The controversy over monks marrying when they changed over Luther's side were discuss; the breaking of the oaths, Nuns marrying, and monks. The controversy over the peasants revolt and the reformation not being a social economic revolt.
   
   This is book biography. I should read a more fundamentalist biography also.

5 comments about Our Lady of Fatima.

1. The facts surrounding Our Lady of Fatimas appearance in Portugal is well documented with further light being shed by quick synopsis's by various reviewers here. If you are interested in what happened at Fatima than this dated book will work temporarily because it is complete but lacks up to the moment developments. However, the account serves it's pupose and is a springboard for further investigtion into the various issues tthat are yet to be resolved. The Third Secret remains to this day a major source of controversy especially since Sister Lucia, the last surviving member has passed away. The conclusions you draw will be based on fact and faith but whether the truth has ever been rightfully or fully revealed is something that will require further reading. The Fatima Crusader is a good source of ongoing information on current develpments as is the work of Father Gruner. If you want a basic account of the circumstances surrounding Our Lady of Fatima this is a book for you. This book is a good place to begin if you are interested but I would recommend others as well like "The Devil's Final Battle." This book is like a quite meditation; it is even more important now than when it was written nearly sixty years ago.



2. Wonderful Catholic historian William Thomas Walsh here relates the amazing and true story of the three peasant children who were witnesses to the apparation of Our Lady of Fatima. They were first visited by the Angel of Peace, Archangel Michael. Later, on the 13th of each month, they were visited by the Blessed Mother of God. On the final visitation, October 13,1917, she performed a miracle, witnessed by thousands. It was "the day the Sun danced".
   
   Reading Walsh's beautiful and appealing manuscript, one is taken right back to Portugal in the days of the Great War. We come to indentify with the peasant children, with their awesome spirituality, and their amazing courage. Careful reading of this wonderful book would seem to compel us all to pick up a rosary, to pray, to console, and to work for peace with all our might. In this, the work is timeless; and we hope it will always be read by seekers after the truth.
   
   Walsh ends this magnificent little book by recording his personal interview with the only surviving witness, Lucia, then a nun. The picture is awesome and riveting, this most Catholic of modern historians, this most gentle and humble of sisters. It is quite beautiful enough to change our fallen world. Read this. And be richly blessed by the experience.



3. Or as we could say, "Everything you dont need to know about the true Fatima events". Yes, the old rumor is a conquerer of our crowds, without chances to know the real and original reports about
   Fatima events. Do they really know, ie. that the Portuguese daily press pubished in February 1917 a few reports made by Spiritist groups in Lisbon and Porto ( the major national cities )announced that "in May 13 a great anounce would happen". Well, the catholics believers can not see here a proof for their devotion; by the contrary, the Spiritists don't agree with the official Marian apparitions interpretation and they would not be the promotors of the present Fatima status. So, it's nonsense to think in a conspiracy catholic-spiritist in this preannounce in the portuguese press with 3 months in advance.
   So, the traditional interpretation has to be revised. The believers will have to know the original reports on the phenomena and not pious third-hand slogans that repeat the well known rumor processs in Psychology. Who said that the Marian apparitions never could be understand by Science is mistaken. Try to read
   "Heavenly lights" and "Celestial Secrets" by Portuguese historians Dr. Joaquim Fernandes and Fina d'Armada to learn what happened at Fatima 1917.



4. I bought this book because I love reading about Marian apparitions, and I have always believed in what took place at Fatima in 1917. This book goes into full detail about the children and their lives. It describes their daily life, their family, and the events that led up to the apparitions. It really gives you a clear understanding of what all took place during the apparitions, and give you the true story of what the children experienced and suffered during this time. This book also continues to tell us what happened to the children and fanilies after the apparitions, which was very interesting. The descrition of the Oct. 13th apparition is extraordinary! It will WOW you! This is a terrific book about Fatima. If you want the full story of what happened, then get this book!



5. Here's another great book to read "SISTER LUCIA APOSTLE OF MARY'S IMMACULATE HEART". You can order it at the website "Fatima.org". Remember the frist two messages that were told to the three seers .....From the words and mouth of Jesus and Mary, Russia is going to spread it's errors throughout the entire world and many nations will be annihilated. This is the reason why the Pope must listen to the Virgin Mary's messages, The Holy See must Consecrate Russia to Our Mother 's (Mary) Immaculate heart. If this is not done, there is gong to be a great chastisement from God. For some unknown reason the Pope and his staff feel as though mentioning the word RUSSIA in the Consecretion will offend Russia. We may not be here on earth when the chastisment comes, but this is one of the messages that was given to the three seers to give to the Holy See (Pope). That's why we must Pray the Rosary everyday to change the hearts of those in the Vatican so that the consecration of Russia is completed by the Bishops along with the Pope and lay Persons of the world.

3 comments about Listening for God : Contemporary Literature and the Life of Faith, Volume 1 (Reader Guide).

1. This is a very moving collection of essays for anyone interested in how religious thought affects the writings of authors. I couldn't put the book down and recommend it for discussion groups as well.



2. Paula Carlson and Peter Hawkins have over the past several years pulled together short stories and a few essays, three volumes in all, from contemporary authors in which faith concerns of all types are raised. The authors are first-rate and include the well known--John Updike, Flannery O'Connor, Gail Godwin, John Cheever and others--to lesser known authors like Tillie Olsen and Tess Gallgher. Each of the volumes includes a leader's guide, and volumes 1 and 2 include videos with interviews of the authors or of people who knew the author.

   These are excellent volumes for discussion groups that bring out the multitude of issues, problems, life crises that each of has or will face. The relationship to faith and religion are sometimes clear, sometimes not so obvious, but all present situations of interest and, often, deep concern, for individuals. Having facilitated two of this series, the atmosphere provided by the stories and their general literary excellence leads easily into discussions where people can reflect anew on the importance of grace and the mystery of God in our lives




3. Editors Paula S. Carlson and Peter S. Hawkins have compiled stories and essays from contemporary writers that reflect people's experience in dealings the life events, boredom, crises, losses, disappointments and unexpected touches of grace. Some sections are painful to read and others are funny or joyful (like life itself.) It is interesting that even in our secular society people still ask the questions Job asked and still try to find meaning for themselves like Abraham and Sarah. The editors provide brief bios for the writers and propose discussion questions for groups.that might be helpful in groups. It seems that the problems of being human have not changed greatly in the last few thousand years.