Question Your Thinking, Change The World: Quotations from Byron Katie Review

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Question Your Thinking, Change The World: Quotations from Byron Katie ReviewThis may be one of the most profound books I've read. If Katie's approach to life resonates with you ("The Work"), this book will have a special place on your bookshelf.
This book isn't about "information". If you need "information", look elsewhere. This isn't snackfood. It's not about a quick-fix to problems in your life. (Go see your psychologist.) It's about seeing life in a whole new life-altering perspective.
The book takes you through Katie's laser-focused process of systematically destroying everything you thought you knew about life and simplifying it down to it's beautiful core. The book works its way around a number of topics, but the theme always comes back to "The Work", a simple set of questions that allows you to really see what is going on around you.
It's about how to wade through life without the weight that is currently on your shoulders. She takes you through an amazing journey that will show you that even in the worst of circumstances that the only villain is your own thoughts.
I've read all of Katie's work. I've met Katie in person. I love that this stuff isn't "pie-in-the-sky" pink-crystals-and-new-age-music stuff. It's real. It's very specific. It has changed real people's lives. And if you let it flood your mind, it will change you forever in a positive way.
To be specific, this guide is a compilation of many bits from her other books. However, because they are in small bites, they really strike you deep in your heart. I absolutely loved this book and plan to re-read it regularly.Question Your Thinking, Change The World: Quotations from Byron Katie Overview

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A Pen And A Path: Writing As A Spiritual Practice (An Explorefaith.Org Book) Review

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A Pen And A Path: Writing As A Spiritual Practice (An Explorefaith.Org Book) ReviewSarah Stockton's A Pen and a Path: Writing as a Spiritual Practice provides a wealth of material for individual journal writers and for groups. The author's five-step exercises gently invite readers to explore their personal spirituality at deeper levels than other personal writing books that I've read do. This significant book will become a well-loved writing classic.
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Dreaming With the Wheel: How to Interpret Your Dreams Using the Medicine Wheel Review

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Dreaming With the Wheel: How to Interpret Your Dreams Using the Medicine Wheel ReviewThis is one of the most comprehensive and easily accessible books I've read on techniques for remembering dreams and categorizing their importance. I liked it so much I'm buying my own copy! I'll use it extensively as an ongoing workbook.Dreaming With the Wheel: How to Interpret Your Dreams Using the Medicine Wheel Overview

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Living in God's Embrace: The Practice of Spiritual Intimacy Review

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Living in God's Embrace: The Practice of Spiritual Intimacy ReviewMichael Fonseca has the ability to take a very complex subject--contemplative prayer--and make it easy to understand and implement in your life. His ability to lead a person deep into prayer is amazing. I wholeheartedly recommend this book for anyone serious about becoming a true disciple of Jesus Christ.Living in God's Embrace: The Practice of Spiritual Intimacy Overview

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The Soul of Supervision: Integrating Practice and Theory Review

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The Soul of Supervision: Integrating Practice and Theory ReviewWise Counsel from the Soul of Supervision
The Soul of Supervision, edited by Margaret Benefiel and Geraldine Holton, is both illuminating and practical. The book offers a profound synthesis of contemplative spirituality, organizational dynamics and managerial technique. Drawing from a broad range of authors from the United States and Ireland, this book is a helpful and inspiring compendium for anyone engaged in spiritual direction, pastoral counseling, chaplaincy or organizational leadership. I highly recommend The Soul of Supervision.
Kathryn O'Connell Cleary, MA.The Soul of Supervision: Integrating Practice and Theory Overview

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The Way of a Pilgrim and A Pilgrim Continues on His Way (Shambhala Classics) Review

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The Way of a Pilgrim and A Pilgrim Continues on His Way (Shambhala Classics) ReviewIn his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul writes "Pray without ceasing," (1 Thes 5:17) and in his letter to the Ephesians, he writes "Pray at all times in the Spirit." (Eph 6:18) What does it mean to pray at all times without ceasing? Can it be done? These are the questions asked by the pilgrim, the main character of The Way of the Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Continues his Way, two books written in the late nineteenth century by an anonymous Russian Christian. The pilgrim character tells of his journeys through Russia as he seeks to learn to pray unceasingly.
Through the telling of his tale, the pilgrim shares much about prayer. The focus of prayer is The Jesus Prayer, and the goal for the pilgrim is to continually pray this prayer from his heart. The writer introduces lessons on prayer and the Christian life through other characters such as priests, wise teachers called "starets" and other Christian travelers who share their stories of faith. The pilgrim carries two books with him that are his sole possessions on the earth and his treasures. These are The Bible and a book of Eastern Church Fathers called The Philokalia. The narrator references both books to provide lessons on prayer.
His journey reveals what he learns about prayer. Through the book, the narrator reveals several lessons about prayer for reflection and practice. The main theme is ceaseless prayer.
An older teacher shares with the pilgrim that, as Paul writes to the Romans, "we know not what we should pray for as we ought." (Rom 8:26) The teacher advises that the perfection of prayer is not within our power, but we can pray often and always. The teacher then shares The Jesus Prayer with the pilgrim,
"The continuous interior prayer of Jesus is a constant uninterrupted calling upon the name of Jesus with the lips, in the spirit, in the heart, while forming a mental picture of His constant presence, and the imploring of His grace, during every occupation, at all times, in all places, even during sleep. The appeal is couched in these terms, `Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.'" (Pilgrim 9)
The pilgrim begins by practicing saying the above prayer thousands of times a day. With much effort and by the rejection of other thoughts and doubts, he develops the habit of saying it continually. He first says it with his lips and mind. Later in the book a teacher shares with him the expanded form of the Jesus Prayer, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."(Pilgrim 135) His teacher explains that in this form of the prayer, the entire Gospel and way to salvation is represented.
Through his interactions with others and his reading, the pilgrim continues to learn about The Jesus Prayer and its effects. He shares the following,
"What the Gospel is, that the prayer of Jesus is also, for the Divine Name of Jesus Christ holds in itself the whole gospel truth. The holy Fathers say that the prayer of Jesus is a summary of the Gospels."(Pilgrim 27)
This explains why the prayer so effective for those who pray it in combating their spiritual enemies and producing the fruits of the Spirit in their heart.
The author emphasizes that God's grace drives prayer and rewards prayer. He urges those he speaks with to make attempts at prayer and ask God to help them. He does not belittle even the feeblest attempts at prayer. For the author, every intention of ours and every movement of ours toward God are valuable to God. He summarizes his thoughts,
"The love of God gives grace a thousand fold more than human actions deserve. If you give Him the merest mite, He will pay you back with gold. If you but purpose to go to the Father, He will come out to meet you. You say but a word, short and unfeeling--`Receive me, have mercy on me'--and He falls on your neck and kisses you. That is what the love of the heavenly Father is like toward us, unworthy as we are." (Pilgrim 117)
This is an important spiritual value for the pilgrim that he tries to practice and teach. God gives us grace to come to Him, and when we come, he pours out more grace upon us.
The Way of the Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Continues His Way summarize the Bible's lesson on prayer. The author illustrates that prayer leads us to Christ and the Father and is itself inspired and initiated by the Holy Spirit within us. The author has included many scriptures about prayer. He shows systematically how the New Testament encourages prayer. He offers a lesson on how prayer empowers us to do good works, so that the term, "Pray and do and think what you will" is reasonable and sensible for the Christian who prays sincerely.
The book offers a way of life that is hidden in Christ through a continual praying from the heart to Christ. The author shows how it is possible and beneficial to pray continually as prescribed by Scripture.
Shakespeare On Spirituality: Life-Changing Wisdom from Shakespeare's PlaysThe Way of a Pilgrim and A Pilgrim Continues on His Way (Shambhala Classics) Overview

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Behold the Spirit: A Study in the Necessity of Mystical Religion Review

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Behold the Spirit: A Study in the Necessity of Mystical Religion Review_Behold The Spirit_ is one of the most clearly written, profound, and enlightening books on theology I have ever read. This book represents the ideal combination of profundity and readability - never again will you say that a book must be difficult to read just because it deals with extremely complex and deep subject matter. Like most of Alan Watts' books, _Behold the Spirit_ is an absolute pleasure to read, yet competently deals with universal metaphysical questions which have troubled man for many centuries. For instance, Alan Watts talks at length about the problem of what God was doing before He created the universe. Was He just sitting there alone? The answer can be found in the book.
To me, this type of theological question is quite fascinating. I appreciated the unorthodox and critical approach Watts took in examining a wide range of theological and general metaphysical issues. In other words, this is not an evangelical or fundamentalist Christian book; it is a critical and sceptical examination of Christianity and man's belief in God. I highly recommend this work to anyone, and if you only want to read one or two of Alan Watts' most important works, they should be _Behold the Spirit_ and _Psychotherapy East and West_. These two works represent the solid core of Alan Watts' philosophy. They are rigourous, profound, and comprehensive psychological works which are also remarkably succinct, miserly, and readable. With Alan Watts, you can obtain large amounts of elightenment in a short amount of time, with minimal aggravation and headache.Behold the Spirit: A Study in the Necessity of Mystical Religion Overview

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Traveling between the Worlds: Conversations with Contemporary Shamans Review

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Traveling between the Worlds: Conversations with Contemporary Shamans ReviewI picked up this book thinking it was a modern-day counterpart of the excellent "Shamanic Voices: A Survey of Visionary Narratives" by Joan Halifax. But while Halifax interviewed or referenced the words of "traditional" shamans, many maintaining a life in their indigenous tribal settings, Webb chose to interview "contemporary" shamans who have all brought their teachings to Western consumers.
I recommend Webb's book as a wonderful overview of the current "shamanic" market out there today. It presents, in nicely packaged chunks, interviews with two dozen people who have dedicated themselves to sharing modern-day "shamanic" healing practices and philosophies to pretty much anybody who is willing to take the time to listen (although, in some cases, you'll need to bring a wad of cash as well).
Notice I put "shamanic" in quotes, because some of the people interviewed by Webb can only be called a "shaman" by using modern-day pop terminology, and only a few appear to have gone through any of the traditional grueling rituals and (often painful) rites associated with the type of shamanism often portrayed in Halifax's book (and Mircea Eliade's ground-breaking work on the subject as well). Nonetheless, pretty much everybody in Webb's book meets Eliade's definition of a shaman, i.e. "in which a spiritual leader traveled to an upper or lower world through a controlled state of ecstasy (trance) and conversed with spirits in those other worlds for the benefit of the community (or individuals within the community)", so I'm willing to give Webb and her subjects the benefit of the doubt in that respect.
That being said, readers of Webb's book would be well advised to take a healthy dash of salt with them as they peruse the words of the 24 modern-day shamans she interviews.
I said Webb presents a wonderful overview of the current shamanic market, and I mean it in that she gives a very good look into what's out there, both good and bad. Webb seems to see herself as the journalistic explorer, foraging through the jungles of spirituality to find hidden wellsprings of spiritual knowledge. And, as such, she doesn't seem to ever cast the eyes of doubt upon any of her subjects, instead presenting all of them as equally valid sources of divine truth.
In short, Webb leaves the validation of her sources as an exercise to the reader. And, like many exercises, I found this one to be quite stimulating and beneficial, although tiring at times.
Some of the interviews in this book are real gems. For example, I found the ideas of Gabrielle Roth to be quite inspiring, the views and advice of Tom Cowan to be very insightful, and the anecdotes of Malidoma Patrice Some' to be very intriguing. Several other people interviewed by Webb presented truly memorable ways of thinking that I find myself repeatedly turning back to for enjoyable reference.
Yet mixed in between the established, respected modern-day shamanic practicioners are interviews people of very dubious backgrounds. Some, like the infamous Brooke "Medicine Eagle" Edwards, are considered by indigenous people to be among the most exploitive frauds out there today. Others, such as "Bee Shaman" Simon Buxton, are entertaining to read but offer no basis of reference that anything they say is anything more than a glorious work of fiction.
I finished the book quite glad to have read it, even if I wasn't always certain of the validity of the people Webb was quoting. In the cases where I found myself doubting the integrity of one of Webb's sources, I had to ask myself why I felt that way, and to search inside to understand what it was that I felt was spiritually rubbing me the wrong way. Likewise, I also made sure I questioned myself when I found a writer I particular agreed with to make sure I was accepting their views because they made sense, and not just because of their charismatic verbal abilities.
Webb should be applauded for her effort. And even if a particular basis for ritual presented by one of her sources isn't historically sound, that doesn't mean it isn't spiritually valid. As Tom Cowan told Webb, "Every shaman has an idiosyncratic way of practicing. Even if you are in a strong tradition and are trained by elders in that tradition, you end up practicing in your own unique way. ... [T]he power you get comes from the spirits." Only you can judge for yourself whether a particular path, no matter how modern or traditionally based, is the one that's right for your life's journey. Having a good selection to choose from, to me, can only help the process - as long as you make your choice in a well thought-out manner.
Enjoy!Traveling between the Worlds: Conversations with Contemporary Shamans Overview

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Thou Art That: Transforming Religious Metaphor Review

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Thou Art That: Transforming Religious Metaphor ReviewTHOU ART THAT is the first volume in THE COLLECTED WORKS OF JOSEPH CAMPBELL which contains materials gathered from previously uncollected essays, letters, diaries, articles and lectures. As such it presents a broad sampling of Campbell's work on mythology and the Western religions.
Campbell believes that the stories in the Bible should be read metaphorically. By interpreting events historically institutional religions create a problem. When people realize that the events probably did not take place, then the power of the message is diminished. Examples of such events are the Fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and the Exodus from Egypt.
A fairly thorough discussion is introduced in Chapter VI of Judo-Christian symbols such as the Virgin Birth, Judas and the Flight into Egypt. Here we see why Campbell is so much admired for the breadth of his knowledge of mythology and his ability to bring this learning to bear on Jewish and Christian origins.
In one of the more interesting parts of the book Campbell describes the basic differences between the world religions of creed which are Buddhism, Christianity and Islam and the leading ethnic religions of birth which are Hinduism, Judaism and Shintoism.
Often Campbell points out that our ideas of the universe are being reordered by our experience in space. There are no horizons in space causing many people to retreat into fundamentalism.
For a small book THOU ART THAT is filled with much food for thought. I highly recommend it and am looking forward to reading future volumes in this series.Thou Art That: Transforming Religious Metaphor Overview

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The Heart of the Mind Review

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The Heart of the Mind ReviewWhen we increase the quality of our attention we are able to see more, experience more and live a fuller life. This book will show you how to do just that. When we are able to clean out the clutter in our thoughts, beliefs, emotions, homes etc., we can focus our attention better which will improve the quality of our intentions, things we want to become or do. We not only improve our own lives but the lives of all as the consciousness overall raises. Miracles become commonplace. Healing, fulfillment and love abound in our lives. This book shares examples of this as well as the hard science proving it so. If you want to do all you can to bring healing into your life, I highly recommend this book for you. With this book you can graduate from mindful to heartful and enbody wisdom and love on a whole new level. I recommend you purchase this in book form to have the maximum benefit of its own healing energy in your space.The Heart of the Mind Overview

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Who Would You Be Without Your Story?: Dialogues with Byron Katie Review

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Who Would You Be Without Your Story: Dialogues with Byron Katie ReviewThis book is a series of dialogues taken from workshops and seminars, so you get a good flavor of what it would be like to attend one. The dialogues, like The Work, aren't spectator sports. Reading her technique without trying it gets zero results, and reading these dialogues without 'playing along' may also yield very little results. However, if you dive in as an active audience member, these dialogues take you deeper than you may have gone doing The Work on your own.
I first discovered _Loving What Is_ a few years ago when I was going through a tough time, and couldn't get my brain out of the hamsterwheel of 'why did this happen?' 'what did I do wrong?' and most of all 'why can't I get over this?'. In less than an hour of doing The Work, my entire perspective changed. It was almost miraculous. Needless to say, I've been a believer ever since.
This isn't to say I agree with everything Katie says. And I do find her calling everyone 'sweetheart' a bit wearing. She says in one book (and again in this) something to the effect that if her kids ever tell her they won't miss her when she dies she'll celebrate because they'll be 'free.' That's a little harsh, to me. I don't aim to go that far! But that doesn't mean that I can't go a long way on the journey with good results.
The Work isn't easy, and it takes a certain amount of patience and mental flexibility to do it right. In a sense it's a relief to read these dialogues because you realize you're not the only one who reaches these walls in your thinking; and you get to see how Katie helps them break through, which you can then apply yourself.
If you're new to Byron Katie's works, there is a tiny appendix and the Judge Your Neighbor form in the book, but I don't think that's quite enough--doing the 'turn it around' statements is tricky for beginners and the appendix doesn't focus on those. You can learn by careful study of the dialogues, but you may find her website or her earlier books to be more helpful. If you've got her other books, don't pass this one over as quickly as you might. It served as a needed reinforcement for me, and in her parts of the conversations there are plenty of wonderful insights--mine is already heavily underlined.Who Would You Be Without Your Story: Dialogues with Byron Katie Overview

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Transitions: Prayers and Declarations for a Changing Life Review

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Transitions: Prayers and Declarations for a Changing Life ReviewJulia Cameron's books of prayers, declarations, affirmations (whatever one chooses to call them, depending on one's spiritual point of view) are very good ... but 'Transitions' is the best & I believe that's because of the format & the subject matter. The format differs from the other two books (they are 'Heart Steps,' which is focused on creativity, & 'Blessings,' focused on heartfulness) in that it has an affirmation followed by a simple suggested action (the others only have affirmations). The suggested actions aren't difficult--they require just a little mental effort or resolution. The subject matter was a great choice. It is, as the title implies, change. The book is ideal for anyone facing a major event such as a death, wedding, move, career change. ... All three of these books, even in paperback, are very nicely presented, with sturdier covers & higher quality paper & printing than is typical & this is a good thing because they're the sort of thing you'll want to keep around & savor repeatedly. ... If this is the first Cameron effort you're considering, you're in for a treat: with almost no exceptions (but avoid the over-priced, poorly conceived 'Artist's Way Creativity Kit') Cameron's stuff is outstanding & a great asset to anyone in recovery, expanding or trying to change, especially in creative directions such as writing. You'll get the most out of the affirmations if you also buy, ideally, 'The Artist's Way' & perhaps a Tim Wheater album ... & start Cameron's suggested practices of 'morning pages' & a weekly 'artist date.'Transitions: Prayers and Declarations for a Changing Life Overview

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Sacred Compass: The Way of Spiritual Discernment Review

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Sacred Compass: The Way of Spiritual Discernment ReviewJ. Brent Bill's latest and most ambitious book in recent years should carry a warning label on the back cover:
1.) Your spiritual path may be dangerous to your health.
2.) Do not attempt this journey alone.
It's those two truths that set Brent's voice apart from a host of other spiritual writers who are crowding into bookstores these days with promises of 10 (or 30 or 365) Steps to Your Spiritual Success and often seem to send you off all alone on this personal quest for spiritual satisfaction.
Brent is a Quaker writer, rooted so deeply in the wisdom of this centuries-old tradition that he can't help but be honest about life's destination (which always lies is death and, in some cases, involves tragic death). At age 57 as this book is released, Brent can feel it in every fiber of his being that God doesn't want us to take this journey alone. God intends us to live in communities and to draw on the wisdom of those communities to help us discern the wisest spiritual paths ahead of us.
Now, don't get me wrong. This book isn't somber. It's not a downer. The golden Midwest meadow and bright blue sky on the cover of Brent's book reflects his own grounding in the steady ethics and expectations of middle-American life. After all, he lives near Indianapolis on a small farm and he works for the Indianapolis Center for Congregations, which is funded by the Lilly Endowment with a specific mission to help local congregations solve their problems. Over the years, he's helped to solve hundreds of thorny problems.
As a writer, Brent most recently wrote books focused on Quaker spiritual wisdom involving the simplest elements of life: light (that book is "Mind the Light: Learning to See with Spiritual Eyes") and sound (that book is "Holy Silence: The Gift Of Quaker Spirituality"). I've read and can heartily recommend both of them.
He's a practical Midwestern farmer, fixer and facilitator - drawing deep water from a denomination that stretches back more than 350 years and played a key role in shaping American values from our colonial era. This makes him a substantial spiritual guide, but never in a flashy way. Think of - oh, perhaps something like Mister Rogers Meets the Dalai Lama.

It's only natural that such a writer would point us toward a tool as the central metaphor for this journey. And the tool he selects is a compass - the hand-held device with a magnetic needle that points sort-of true North.
Unlike a host of other books you'll find in the inspirational sections of bookstores, this isn't a book with lofty passages designed to lift your spirits in the morning - but leave you sinking fast later in the day. This is a book jam packed with tips for organizing and shaping your journey into discernment.
And, note that I said "into," because it's not "toward" spiritual discernment - or "to" spiritual discernment - as if you'll arrive at a golden sign, hand lettered by the finger of God. Brent argues persuasively that this journey never ends and we're never quite sure where it will take us. It's that plain-and-simple honesty that I like best about this book. No false promises here. And, by the end of his book, just in case you didn't "get" the solid tap-tap-tap of Brent's rubber mallet to your forehead -- one of his final chapters is about a Quaker who felt led to a war zone and never returned.
If you've got a stack of those slickly produced spiritual books near your breakfast table, but they only seem to leave you hungry for the next hit of chicken soup - then try this more substantial diet from the heart of middle-American spiritual wisdom.
If you're part of a small group, you'll find that men and women will enjoy this book over a couple of months. You can even experiment with a sampling of the many ideas Brent describes throughout the book. The text is easy to read, the practical benefits of the ideas are crystal clear - and you should spark a good round of conversation each week.
Here's one last suggestion: If you plan to read "Sacred Compass" with a group, a fascinating companion book to read along with it is Nanette Sawyer's, "Hospitality the Sacred Art: Discovering the Hidden Spiritual Power of Invitation and Welcome (Art of Spiritual Living)." At first glance, these two books seem to be two quite different spiritual toolboxes - but the core of both books is an affirmation of communal connection.
Sacred Compass: The Way of Spiritual Discernment Overview

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Seize the Day (with Dietrich Bonhoeffer): A 365 Day Devotional Review

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Seize the Day (with Dietrich Bonhoeffer): A 365 Day Devotional ReviewThis liitle book has been with me since the first day I bought it and I haven't missed many days since.
This book continues to amaze me in the very solid insights it instills day by day. One should be warned: these are not from your typical close minded point of view, but rather a honest down to earth interpretation of Bonhoeffer at his best. Dr. Ringma's application to daily life is very insightful and the short 'prayer and thought of the day' usally drive the point home.Any one whom as even slightly raised an eyebrow at the thought of Bonhoeffer will cherish this tiny book.
Cheers!Seize the Day (with Dietrich Bonhoeffer): A 365 Day Devotional Overview

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Life on the Vine: Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit Review

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Life on the Vine: Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit ReviewThis book is filled with fresh, insightful comments on the relationship between the Christian faith and our American culture. Kenneson's eyes see dangers to the faith that most of the Church misses; he also offers some helpful theological understandings of the Church. My only fear about this book is that not enough people will read it; whether everyone should agree with Kenneson's conclusions is beside the point: The Church would do well to devote energy to the type of discernment Kenneson undertakes in Life on the Vine. The question Kenneson poses is not often asked, but is essential to Christians of every sort: What does it mean to be Christian where and when I live? If you are a North American Christian, please read this book.Life on the Vine: Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit Overview

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Dreamgates: Exploring the Worlds of Soul, Imagination, and Life Beyond Death Review

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Dreamgates: Exploring the Worlds of Soul, Imagination, and Life Beyond Death ReviewFirst I read Robert Moss's Conscious Dreaming and from there graduated to Dreamgates. This book is full of insights into worlds we can access beyond our daily waking reality, both in night dreams and by consciously entering into these realms anytime we want. By practicing Robert's Active Dreaming techniques and by exploring the journeys presented in this book, we can become familiar with our own dream locales, which are personal sources of healing, inspiration and adventure. We can travel with others on group dreams to heal ourselves and our planet. We can reenter the dreams we puzzle over and learn more. The fun begins with awareness and intent. Life can be so much more than the old limitations we are used to. Life is exciting and always new, and by remembering to explore dreams with a sense of adventure we expand everything, and that makes all the difference. All we have to do is decide to go there.
This book goes way beyond anything you've read about dreams before.Dreamgates: Exploring the Worlds of Soul, Imagination, and Life Beyond Death Overview

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Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition Review

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Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition ReviewIt is hard to know where to start. The book is elegantly written, it is full of interesting history of the early church. But more importantly, it speaks to a deadness in the church today. Often members of the church have learned to live distant from problems of their "neighbors" be they down the block or down the street in the challenged neighborhoods in our cities.
In the early church, members were the challenged people, they reached out to each other, but now much of the church is isolated and distant from the needy stranger. Read Luke 14 - decide if you have responded to principles in those scenarios described by Jesus. If you come up short, then this book will help with a compassionate analysis of our dilemma in reaching out to "the least of these."
In addition to setting the stage for individuals to learn to reach out to needy strangers, the book creates a context for the faith-based social service discussion. While members of congregations may not exhibit the skills of professional social workers, they have an important role to play in being present and responding to neigbors in their communities who need the touch of grace in their lives.
The book is a good read, but it requires more than one pass. If you invest in the book deeply, you will be called to action.Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition Overview

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Women, Writing, and Soul-Making: Creativity and the Sacred Feminine Review

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Women, Writing, and Soul-Making: Creativity and the Sacred Feminine ReviewNot your ordinary how-to manual, Peggy Tabor Millin's Women, Writing and Soul-Making: Creativity and the Sacred Feminine is a unique and inspiring blend of the poetic, spiritual and practical in which the author seeks a balance between "feminine being and masculine doing." Intentionally written in what she perceives is a more feminine form, each chapter spirals back to what has gone before, delving deeper and deeper into each concept. As she explains, "The feminine writes in circles, makes leaps, tells the truth with dream, imagery, and metaphor, and relies on inner knowing. The masculine approach makes outlines, develops linearly from premise to conclusion, and relies on outside authority." Struggling for a structure which honors both, Tabor Millin achieves a synthesis of the intuitive and the cognitive which is the foundation of any creative endeavor.
Unlike many purely intuitive books, Women, Writing and Soul-Making also provides important guidelines that organize and inspire our task of writing more, writing deeper and finding our own voice. She begins with "The Three Steps" of focusing on the sensations of the body to keep ourselves centered, the often recommended free-writing to random prompts, and developing a practice that includes regular writing in a supportive circle of women. She describes an inner being she calls "the observer" who helps us notice without judgment and silences the inner critic who gets in the way of our free expression. She then outlines three obstacles: believing there should be no obstacles, listening to the "I cant's" instead of the "I wills," and searching for an outside authority instead of relying on our own inner guides.
Her "Four Wisdoms" give us access to this inner guidance. "The wisdom of not knowing" tells us we must face our dark and unknown shadow in order to find the truth which will transform our writing and our lives. "The wisdom of the ecology of body and earth" leads us "out of our heads and into our bodies" so we can discover our own voice. "The wisdom of fierce compassion" encourages us to look at the ugly and painful without flinching and to use our anger as motivation for action. "The wisdom of diversity" allows us to tolerate other opinions and helps us make peace with the fact that our writing may not resonate with everyone.
"The Four Paradoxes" teach us to accept that writing is both "pleasure and pain," that we must accept both "praise and criticism," that we desire and simultaneous fear both "fame and disgrace," and that we must reconcile ourselves to both "gain and loss" since we will have to give up an old world view to bring something new into being. "No way exists to make this gain other than to accept that discomfort, anxiety, and insecurity are necessary" she writes. "We consent to uneasiness as motivation for the creative journey--which is no less than our spiritual journey toward self-realization."
As a writer, musician and composer I found Women, Writing and Soul-Making an excellent guide for any creative endeavor. In this wise and wonderful book there is much, much more to inspire not only writers but anyone seeking to heal her artistic self, to explore her inner feminine and find a path to her own voice, her own truth. An absolute must, it deserves an honored place on a nearby shelf beside the likes of Natalie Goldberg and Julia Cameron.
by Lisa Shirah-Hiers
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about womenWomen, Writing, and Soul-Making: Creativity and the Sacred Feminine Overview

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Wisdom Walk: Nine Practices for Creating Peace and Balance from the World's Spiritual Traditions Review

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Wisdom Walk: Nine Practices for Creating Peace and Balance from the World's Spiritual Traditions ReviewDr. Sage Bennet's book has caught my heart and mind. She focuses on what is essential in each major religious tradition: in Christianity it's 'Forgive yourself and others', in Judaism it's 'Make time for the Sabbath', in Native American Spirituality it's, 'Let nature be your teacher', etc. The last chapter talks about what is common to all spiritual traditions, which is, 'Offer yourself in service to others'. HOW BEAUTIFUL!
I find this book so inspiring and uplifting and also very practical. The author talks about her own struggles with relationships and addiction and religion and how these practices helped her personally. It's all very real and down to earth.
This book is for anyone on the path who wants to get to know more about any of the major wisdom traditions or more about applying practical spirituality in his or her daily life.Wisdom Walk: Nine Practices for Creating Peace and Balance from the World's Spiritual Traditions Overview

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The Masculine Mandate: God's Calling to Men Review

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The Masculine Mandate: God's Calling to Men ReviewIf you have read Rev. Richard Phillips' earlier book, Jesus the Evangelist, you know that instead of developing his own theories, passing on worldly wisdom, or even quoting great theologians, he teaches straight from the Bible. His new book is no exception. There is almost enough Scripture in The Masculine Mandate for it to be called a commentary.
What is the masculine mandate? Phillips says that, "Rather than following the American stereotype of cold, macho masculinity, Christian men should seek to grow in their ability genuinely to bless others." He points to this mandate in Genesis chapter 2, which "shows that God created man for a purpose. God ordained that Adam would bear His image both in his person and in his work, and God put Adam in the world to work it and keep it--to be a cultivator and a protector."
Men today, like Adam in Genesis chapter 2, are called to "work" and "keep." "God put Adam in the garden `to work it and keep it' and the only difference between Adam's calling and ours lies in the details of how we seek to fulfill it." What are some of the areas where men are called to be workers and keepers? The author concentrates on five: employment, marriage, children, friends, and the church.
Men have the responsibility to work hard to glorify God through employment. They are to be good husbands, loving their wife "as Christ loved the church." They are to be godly fathers who both disciple and discipline their children. They are to be friends to the men whom God has put in their lives. And they are to serve and lead in the church.
Though all are good and helpful, my favorite chapters are the two that deal with a man's responsibility toward his children: "To Work: The Discipling of Children," and, "To Keep: The Discipline of Children." Notice the difference in discipling and discipline. A man should, as the leader of his house, disciple his children. The most important matter is to win their hearts. Love, affection, and attention are essential:
"The great issue of parental discipleship is directing the hearts of our children to the Lord. Instead of a mere focus on behavior or bodily presence, wise and loving parents seek to touch and win the hearts of their boys and girls....Our children must gain from us what they most desire: our affection, our approval, our attention, our involvement, and our time."
Another favorite chapter is the one on friendship. Phillips puts this easily overlooked aspect of faith in its proper perspective:
"One of the best ways for us to serve the Lord, to reflect His glory in the world and fulfill God's calling on us as men, is to step off the sidelines of life, to offer our time and compassion to friends in need, and to speak words of truth and grace that lead them to (or back to) the Lord. In this way, we will also grow more and more in the likeness of Jesus Christ ourselves."
The Masculine Mandate has several strengths. The author is clear about where he stands on issues. He writes with authority. If men want to learn to be leaders, they need strong leaders. Richard Phillips fits that role. And he does so with humility. It's clear where Phillips derives his authority. Nearly every idea is backed up by and flows directly from Scripture. There are few quotes from other books (only 25 total footnotes), but there are Bible passages on nearly every page (the Scripture index is four pages long). And Phillips has the gift of teaching and applying them.
There are specific applications. The pastor teaches the theology, but he also gives the reader clear, specific ways to apply the teaching. It is a practical, helpful, and realistic book. Phillips realizes that men are, after all, men. We have limitations. We aren't fully sanctified. And he admits that he isn't, either. But he sets the goal before us. Another plus: at the end of the book are questions for reflection and discussion from each chapter, making this book ideal for a men's group study.
This is a good, needed book. I recommend it to men, young and old. And I plan to read it again. I've already identified several areas of manhood that I need to work on.
In our culture, we have a messed up idea of what it means to be a man. We need books like this to point us back to what's important:
"A Christian man should live, work, and play with an eye on the coming glory of Jesus Christ. His return in glory is not a fable, a fantasy, or science fiction. It is certain future history--it is going to happen, and relatively soon. How should we then live? How should we measure things happening in our lives? The answer is that we should live now in the light of the future that is certain to come."
I received a review copy of this book from Reformation Trust.
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