Book Reviews

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151. Book Review: a Seven Day Journey With Thomas Merton by Esther De Waal by Peter Menkin  
     Useful and effective contemplative and interesting retreat workbook for individuals or groups. This reviewer used the book for home retreat on a number of occasions. From the review: "...take the book kindly and give it attention during the day, setting aside the time to go into the retreat. In the notes on Thomas Merton, the writer says, 'The message of love, the primacy of love, this is the most basic definition of monastic life as Merton discovered it...'"
     
     
152. Book Review: Meditations for Lay Eucharistic Ministers (faithful Servant Series) by Beth Maynard by Peter Menkin  
     Written as a helpful guide and aid for Episcopal Lay Eucharist ministers, this short book is useful reading for any engaged in same. Published as a kind of handbook, and part of the publisher's "Faithful Servant Series," this book is about ministry performed by lay people. The series editor is the highly regarded Christopher L. Webber. An instructive, inspirational and meditative work.
     
     
153. Book Review: Word Into Silence by John Main by Peter Menkin  
     Monastic and contemplative work for laypeople, includes faith and prayer as subjects. Christ and the Holy spirit are central forces to this work, described in the review: The title intrigues me, as does this book by Dom John Main, OSB. The writer, a monk, is telling us about using a word as a prayer to bring us to silence inside that we allow us to pursue and find God. If you are Christocentric, as am I, you will find this a seminal book, so clearly written on meditation...
     
     
154. Echoes From Calvary: Meditations on Franz Joseph Hayden's the Seven Last Words of Christ by Young Richard by Peter Menkin  
     Excellent work of musical interest as well as literary. This from the review by Peter Menkin: Richard Young's spiritual journey is very well done and interesting, as a kind of personal statement that has worthwhile reflection. It sounds like it should. As for the Easter part, there is a hopeful dimension to this book, and I am finding it sometimes dark and sometimes light. I find myself reflecting on the words as they are offered in the homily like meditations.
     
     
155. Book Review: Out of the Dust (apple Signature Edition) by Karen Hesse by Peter Menkin  
     Award winning work of literature for children, a poetic book by Karen Hesse, this book is wonderful and a treasure. From the review: I would like to tell you about my desire to review a book that has been reviewed time and again, most likely. I am sure it will be reviewed by others as many people have noted it. This is a little about the small hardback: Here on the pages of the poetic "Out of the Dust: A Novel" are found the words to savor about our willing struggle to live within travails.
     
     
156. Book Review: Teach Us to Pray (a Cowley Classic) by Andre Louf by Peter Menkin  
     One of the best books read by this reviewer on the subject of prayer, Andre Louf's work is readable and moving. This used copy was not inexpensive. It may now be in print. From the review: "The book is a personal testimony by the author, a former monastery Abbot and a man of the heart and other matters. Is this also a book of the psyche, I think so, for it asks the reader to go places in prayer and to know he or she can approach God in this manner."
     
     
157. Book Review, Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer: an Approach to Life in Fullness by David Steindl-rast by Peter Menkin  
     The remarkable Brother Steindl-Rast has written another work that is worthwhile, stimulating, and just plain interesting. The subject is "gratefulness", and with gentle humor, Brother David teaches us gratefulness.
     
     
158. Book Review: Give Us Grace: an Anthology of Anglican Prayers by Christopher L. Webber by Peter Menkin  
     This book of prayers is wonderful and complete for Anglicans and Episcopalians of various backgrounds. It is a useful book, filled with items and such one may not know about or otherwise be introduced to in the normal course of things. This quote from the New Zealand : "The night is dark/Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives rest in you." "The night is quiet./Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,/all dear to us,/and all who have no peace."
     
     
159. Book Review: a Mystical Portrait of Jesus: New Perspectives on John's Gospel by Demetrius Dumm by Peter Menkin  
     Excerpt from review: The theme is of the story of Jesus as a man of timeless eternity. I suppose most readers know about the Gospel of John, to some extent. Here is a chance to extend one's understanding of the mystical and learn of God's love for us in "...the divine Word experienced (in) the love of God..." As the author writes in his exploration of the Chapter "That They May Be One" using the reference "Sanctify them in the truth, your word is truth", that Jesus gave his life..."
     
     
160. Book Review: Too Deep for Words: Rediscovering Lectio Divina by Thelma Hall by Peter Menkin  
     So many people have benefitted by Thelma Hall's work on prayer and lectio divina. This quote from the review: "A comfortable book, and by that I mean it is an inviting read, one can enter into the monastic method of prayer. Here, in the introduction, the author calls lectio an entry way to contemplation. It is "...generally accepted that contemplation was an extrordinary grace..." but here the intent is to open lectio and also contemplation to Christians as part of their spiritual life."
     
     
161. Book Review: Humility Matters, for Practicing the Spiritual Life by Sister Mary Margaret Funk by Peter Menkin  
     ... is a kind of modesty, and lack of confidence" (from the forward by the Dalai Lama.) Third point: Surprisingly, Humility Matters is genuine in its value to interreligious dialogue for it speaks to a cross section of believers. Sister Mary ...
     
     
162. Too Busy Not To Pray: Slowing down to be with God by Bill Hybels by Jeffrey R. E. Morgan  
     Review Title: Creator of the Universe on line 1, is anyone calling?
     
     Got a lot going on? Do you think you are too busy to pray? Well, this book shows you the benefits of an active prayer life, an action plan for starting or restarting a prayer life, and also some reasons why we should pray.
     
     
163. A New Reformation by Alan Allegra  
     Almost 500 years ago this month, a noted theology professor and disaffected monk nailed a piece of paper to the door of the Castle Church of Wittenburg, igniting a movement that changed the world: the Reformation. Five centuries later, some believe it's time for another changeanother Reformation.
     
     
164. Why Good Arguments Often Fail: Making a More Persuasive Case for Christ by James W. Sire by Jeffrey R. E. Morgan  
     Review Title: Successful case made for why discussions about Christ can be so difficult
     
     Why Good Arguments Often Fail is a work in which the author tries to lay out the case for why good sound logic can and will often fail amongst family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances, and anyone you may not know. In our current culture, why is it that making a sound, reasoned argument for believing in Christ can seem to go nowhere? It may not be for the reasons you think.
     
     
165. Irresistible Evangelism: Natural Ways to Open Others to Jesus by Steve Sjogren, Dave Ping, and Doug Pollock by Jeffrey R. E. Morgan  
     Review Title: A great addition to any Christian's library or anyone wanting to learn more about basic evangelism techniques
     
     Irresistible Evangelism is a book aiming to help the evangelism efforts of Christians and make their efforts more effective but also attractive as the techniques discussed are easy to implement.
     
     
166. Find It Quick: Handbook on Cults & New Religions by Ron Rhodes by Jeffrey R. E. Morgan  
     Review Title: Excellent quick reference on cult belief systems
     
     Find It Quick is a book that should be in every Christian apologist's arsenal. It is a quick reference that lists 40 different cults / religions and their beliefs. Whether you are just beginning to learn what other religions believe or you need to brush up on the specifics of any one religion this book aims to provide a quick, concise definition of each.
     
     
167. The Jesus Who Never Lived: Exposing False Christs and Finding the Real Jesus by H. Wayne House by Jeffrey R. E. Morgan  
     Review Title: Will the real Jesus Christ please stand up?
     
     The writer of The Jesus Who Never Lived seeks to explain who Jesus Christ really was as a real person that existed in history, exposes some of the false Messiahs (Christs) that have appeared in history, and sheds light on some of the current views of Jesus.
     
     The book is written in such a manner that it is easy to read and understand. One does not have to be a biblical scholar to understand the language here. It is a clear and concise work that is very readable.
     
     
168. Journalist Shares Her Story to Draw Others Home to the Faith by Lisa M. Hendey  
     Book Review Newsflash: My Surprising Journey from Secular Anchor to Media Evangelist
     By Teresa Tomeo
     
     
169. Take Time for Your Own Gut Check by Lisa M. Hendey  
     Author interview with Tarek Saab, Gut Check
     
     
170. "YOU: The Smart Patient"-Required Reading for the Chronically Ill by Lisa Copen  
     Books on illness are not in short supply, but "YOU: The Smart Patient" is one that everyone needs on their shelf at home, especially the chronically ill.
     
     
171. Demanding and unteachable by Jim Hutson  
     Another in the Larry Crabb, INSIDE OUT, adventure......
     
     The one sin that gets us every time.....
     DEMANDING
     
     
172. A Book Review of "Revolution" by George Barna by John Rackliffe  
     George Barna is one of today's most influential Christian leaders. His book "Revolution" is a report of over twenty years of data collection and analysis on the status of Christian churches and followers of Jesus Christ. The book unveils what Barna describes as a "paradigm shift in the way a person views and interacts with his or her world." The treatment is uplifting in its characterization of the "Revolutionary" although it is sure to precipitate anger on the part of many clergy within the walls of the "local church."
     
     
173. Discerning Quality Christian Books by James Marks  
     It is difficult to source good christian books in todays' marketplace - it is even harder to find quality christian book reviews. This article looks at why this is the case, and calls christians to greater discernment
     
     
174. Book Review Saints Ancient and Modern by Lisa M. Hendey  
     New Saint Book is Visually Stunning and Filled with Detail
     Review of Saints: Ancient and Modern by Barbara Calamari and Sandra DiPasqua
     Reviewed by Lisa M. Hendey
     
     
175. My Big Feet Book Review by Lisa M. Hendey  
     Book Review of My Big Feet by Joan L. Kelly
     
     
176. Running to the Mountain (a Midlife adventure) by Petra van der Zande  
     Turning 50 for Jon became an exhilarating kickoff to life after 50. His new life motto was: you have to give change the chance to happen, and don't overlook one of life's basic tasks: to have a good time. Aside from enjoying the journey with Jon Katz, there are lots of good things we can take away from this (secular) book - even when we're not turning 50 (yet).
     
     
177. Under the Tuscan Sun (a Home in Italy) by Petra van der Zande  
     The writer buys an old Italian Villa and shares her ups and downs with us. Reading this (secular) book is like walking between Francis' roses. These are planted with lavender in between, and spread waves of scent which you can't but inhale deeply - and be blessed with an infusion of happiness.
     
     
178. The Power of Encouragement (Discovering your ministry of affirmation) by Petra van der Zande  
     A practical, well worth reading study book on the subject of Encouragement that will challenge the reader to become "friend of the Barnabas Committee". It's not for a few "elect", it's for every believer who wants to live a Christ-like life.
     
     
179. Encourage me (Caring words for heavy hearts) by Petra van der Zande  
     A book that lovingly encourages those in need of a spiritual hug, but also a book that teaches how we can (and should) come "alongside" those around us that need affirmation and encouragement.
     
     
180. Chick Lit for the Good Girl by Lisa M. Hendey  
     Book Spotlight: The Book of Jane
     By Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt
     Reviewed by Lisa M. Hendey
     
     

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