Book Description
A simple walk through Washington, D.C. began a profound journey of personal discovery and renewal for Newt Gingrich, one of America's most influential politicians and commentators. At the National Archives, the immortal words from the Declaration of Independence that we "are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights," jumped off the page and into his heart with the simple truth that from day one in our country's history, the Author of freedom was not the state nor even the Founding Fathers. Our basic human rights and freedoms were-and are-"Creator-endowed." Gingrich sounds a clarion call for us to recognize that the life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness that we hold so dear are inseparable from a sincere and humble acknowledgement that these gifts are only the Creator's to give. As a bonus, the book includes a "walking tour" of Washington, D.C.
Customer Reviews:
America the Christian Nation Under God .......2007-09-26
This book was another top notch, highly informative conservative-traditionalist volume that speaks the truth that America is indeed a Christian Judeo nation at heart.
It is so vitally important for American culture to return to our moral religious values, and seek the historical truth that indeed the Founders were very spiritual people who upheld very Christian ideals in springing to life the American nation.
While Thomas Jefferson was a Deist (not an Atheist but one who believed that God had sprung the universe into life with little involvement in the affairs of man), many of the founders themselves were personally brought up in the Christian tradition. I can recall the miracle on Christmas when George Washington crossed the Delaware River to storm the Hessian base camp, or his Thanksgiving Day prayer.
One can come to the logical conclusion that the inspiration of the American idea was spawned from the both the secular notions of the Enlightenment era, and the philosophies of Christianity.
Regardless of those extremists out there who try to twist history into something that it wasn't for PC reasons or their own personal contempt for American Christian ideals, there is no United States of America with out the traditions and philosophies of Jesus Christ.
God, the Ten Commandments, & the teachings of the lord Jesus Christ will always be apart of America.
This is one fantastic book worth your time and money.
Rediscovering God in America.......2007-09-10
The book is an excellent reminder of the source of strength and wisdom that all our founders looked to as they made decisions concerning the founding of America. There is a clear discussion of the separations issue and the foolish conclusion that our leaders did not want God a part of public life. It reminds us of the importance that all leaders in the first 100 years of the country place on Christian faith.
faith is still here..........2007-07-26
Millionaire in 365 Days: The Daily Plan to Get There
America is the MOST faith based country in the world....But ???
Newt is such an interesting guy...it is worth reading to get a sense of the history of how our country's founders and there on saw faith as part of America.....buy it, if you have faith in America as well...
Outstanding.......2007-07-21
I read with interest how our founding fathers consistently built buildings with the reminders that there is a Supreme being, God, who has blessed us with this country, our constitution, and our democracy. There are so many nihilists around us that would destroy all of this. Evil does lurk in this world. A well writtent book, succinct but accurate with historical facts.
Great CD!.......2007-07-16
This CD is very helpful for anyone visiting our nation's capitol. I wish we'd had it before our visit.
Book Description
Does America, as George W. Bush has proclaimed, have a special mission, derived from God, to bring liberty and democracy to the world? How much influence does the Christian right have over U.S. foreign policy? And how should America deal with violent Islamist extremists?
Madeleine Albright, the former secretary of state and bestselling author of Madam Secretary, offers a thoughtful and often surprising look at the role of religion in shaping America's approach to the world. Drawing upon her experiences while in office and her own deepest beliefs about morality, the United States, and the present state of world affairs, a woman noted for plain speaking offers her thoughts about the most controversial topics of our time.
Customer Reviews:
Ultimate Answer.......2007-10-06
I must confess I have been following her public life since she became Secretary of State. I am her most avid reader having read her memoir six times. I ended my last reading on that book almost two weeks ago, and I finished reading the mighty and the almighty in five days last friday. To the point, I expected her second volume not to be a research work, it seems as though if I had to talk about the Middle East in school, this book would definitely be my guidance on that matter.
Now in all seriousness, I expected this book to be more about her accomplishments in government, and her sharp insights regarding recent events. This book could've just as easily be called 'The Mighty, The Almighty and Middle East Conflicts'. Do NOT get me wrong, I am all for that, I do believe the Middle East is, will and has shaped the world in every single way. Religion must be taken seriously into account as a player in world events, definitely. I am not against the content nor the topics of this book. I just wanted it to be more 'Madeleiney', if you will.
Mrs. Albright, if you are, or someone who knows you, reading this, I want you to know I expect your third book to be the ultimate answer to today's US Government Administration failures.
An Admirable Lady!.......2007-09-16
I think very highly of Madeline Albright and respect her accomplishments very much. I feel that the book is a little difficult to read though and I had a hard time sticking with it. It is however filled with lots of facts and events that make it worth the dedication.
Return to High American Ideals.......2007-08-26
This book may be directed to the "choir," as other reviewers have noted, but even the choir needs some encouragement from time to time. We've been through a rough 8 years.
I'm with her in her final comment: "I will never accept, however, that the United States is not better than we have been these past few years; nor will I stop believing (or praying) that we will recover our balance and begin again -- and soon -- to command the world's respect, and our own."
Human beings are religious animals, and we do perceive things differently. It is important to be tolerant of the beliefs of others; many of us are seeking God the best way we know how.
Politics and religion are both valid aspects of human life, but they are not the same thing.
Intelligent work about the subtleties of foreign policy wrt religion.......2007-07-17
Ms. Albright starts the book by providing background on how Americans have best handled religion in general. She gives several quotes from the founding fathers:
"George Washington disclaimed any interest in whether people were 'Mohametans, Jews or Christians of any sect, or Atheists.' His sole concern was that they should have the right to exercise freedom of worship, expression, and thought."--Page 18.
She then almost ventures into political heresy by giving a meaningful historical-political context to the Jewish-Palestinian conflict: (I had not been aware of the extent to which power elites in the world had gotten on board the Zionist mission.)
The remainder of the book is full of background about Judaism, Christianity, but especially Islam, that few are aware of--certainly not the current gang at the helm. Well worth the read, though Ms. Albright does not appreciate, or acknowledge anyway, the role of the CIA in creating the "world of terror."
...
For my complete review of this book and for other book and movie
reviews, please visit my site [...]
Brian Wright
Copyright 2007
Terrific.......2007-07-08
A great book written by a knowledgeable person. I treasured it and have shared it with friends.
Book Description
This book draws provocative and stimulating conclusions about meaning and significance of Christian ministry.
Customer Reviews:
Quick Read.......2007-09-08
This is a well written personal narrative about a Harvard Professor that experiences a renewal of faith when he leaves the academic world. As he gives up that which has given him security he remembers where real security comes from.
His experiences aren't profound; however, they do offer some simple reminders about the important parts of life.
Leading in Love.......2007-08-01
True Christian leadership should be done from the raw core of Jesus's pure, pristine love.
Leadership efforts can become tainted and corrupted with relevance and arrogance, glossed over with the appearance of power and importance.
Some Christian leaders are controllers and dictators who expect obedience. But even Jesus didn't do that; He was a servant-leader.
This book doesn't preach about what you should or shouldn't do. It just indicates that leading, guiding, and teaching should come from the humbleness of Jesus's love (which has nothing to prove and there are no competitions) instead of from power, intimidations, or judgments.
I am sad for those leaders who think their popularity and importance are getting them brownie points in the Kingdom, and also for those participants in church groups who are miserable because they are expected to be a certain way.
Even though this book is small, it has a much greater impact than most drawn-out books. Just like Jesus's Love: Simple, but yet great.
Everybody should read this book, and know Jesus's Love.
extraordinary, challenging, very useful.......2007-06-05
Henri J. M. Nouwen has taught at the University of Notre Dame, Yale, and Harvard, he is the author of several books, and a priest. I have found In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership, a very fruitful reading and a practical, challenging book. In its pages beat several values like human sensibility, sincerity, humbleness, and biblical influence. I could declare the book's theme to be the temptations and virtues that the Christian leader will deal with in the 21st Century.
In several ways, the writing deals with the new experiences and ministerial perception that Nouwen has felt in his own flesh, and that he thinks that must characterize the true Christian leader. When the author changes his residence from the academic world of Harvard to L'Arche, his social experiences, his ministry as priest, and his spiritual insight was changed too. The L'Arche community in Toronto was far different from that of the academy. Working with the mentally handicapped was the Master's teaching for the professor Nouwen. In L'Arche, Henri Nouwen didn't have anyone to impress with his book, because they couldn't read. They weren't impressed with his performance, knowledge, or social influence either. In this situation, the author confesses that he must be only who he was, a vulnerable man. The author says, "I am telling you all this because I am deeply convinced that the Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self." This is a message that I am sure that many of my colleagues do not want to hear. Our culture celebrates success before authenticity, greatness before insignificance. If we have nothing to offer to the World, why preach the Gospel? Well, we don't have anything from ourselves to offer, but we have Christ, His message, and hope. Isn't that enough? In my perception, the author is not pretending to cancel human participation in the kingdom of God, but to moderated it. The women and men that serve God are not the center of the message. God is.
Reading this book, I have receive new insight about the ministerial attitudes that moved a servant of God to serve and love. In these days, when we are hearing that if your church is not growing fast or using some specific strategies, maybe you aren't a minister of Christ. Other people is saying that if you are not "swimming in money", God is not blessing you, etcetera. The words of Nouwen are very important. He says, "The question is not: How many people take you seriously? How much are you going to accomplish? Can you show some results? But: Are you in love with Jesus?" Another rewarding insight was about the dangerous temptations that every minister must resist and how to resist them. Based on Jesus's temptation, Nouwen refer to three of these current temptations: the temptation to be relevant, the temptation to be spectacular, and the temptation to be powerful. On the other hand, the author suggests three spiritual disciplines to win over these temptations: the discipline of contemplative prayer, the discipline of confession and forgiveness, and the discipline of theological reflection.
From my perspective all the book makes sense to me, and is a valuable source of inspiration for the minister in the 21st Century. A time when the churchman is having old temptations in new packages, the same strategies that have worked for the man Jesus Christ, will work for us today, and ever.
A Breath of Fresh Air.......2007-04-17
I greatly appreciated Henri's book and it was a breath of fresh air which make me think very deeply about my life and ministry. I am a former Roman Catholic and appreciate the thoughfulness of Nouwen.
short and easy... but a challenging read.......2007-04-07
This book is definitely a breath of fresh air in a market filled with books about Jesus being whatever you want Him to be in the mold of the world's system. It's a call to come out of the erroneous mindsets we have about leadership to embrace the humility of Christ. Servant leadership that lays down its life for the sheep. One that is not a hired hand, leading in a professional spirit. It's a short and easy... and challenging read
Book Description
Best-selling author Beth Moore has an undeniable gift for insightful Bible character studies. Millions have been drawn to her inspired lessons, and the media has called her "America's Bible teacher." The PERSONAL REFLECTIONS series reintroduces Beth's most-loved books, expanding them into 90-day experiences that include most of the text from her original work, thoughtful questions, journal space, and an audio CD with Moore's teaching to guide readers through this special time of study.
David is the multi-functional new presentation of Moore's classic A Heart Like His. More than ever, these intimate reflections on "the man after God's own heart" will help readers to better serve God by understanding their own special place in His heart.
Customer Reviews:
Best of Beth Moore!.......2007-05-08
Classic Beth Moore! Beth Moore inspired me to write the Ancient Roots Translinear Bible (ARTB)! Ancient Roots Translinear Bible (ARTB) (Old Testament) Her love for finding out the real meaning of words in the ancient language prompted my project.
Beautifully Done!.......2007-05-07
I have absolutely loved this book! The book is beautiful in appearance, with David on the front, a convenient burgundy satin ribbon bookmark built in, and parchment pages, perfectly suit the wonderful content of this Bible study. It has been a great tool to use in my quiet time each morning. Each day's study is not too long, but just enough to ponder God's thoughts to me from His word and the life of David. There is also a scripture to pray each day, and room to journal. A great gift book too!
great bible study.......2007-03-25
I got this book and only had it for a week and it is sooo great and enlighting the book presentation its self is great for the price as well as its contents inside.I did the breaking free study and it help me break free from alot of my strongholds it helps you to search yourself and really mold your mind to stay on track to gods great journey. beth moore is great with all her books and I recomend it highly.
Love it...........2007-03-08
For those who already know Beth Moore, I don't need to push this book. For those of you who don't, well, you should buy this book. I made the decision to study God's Word daily, but some mornings I can't sit for 45 minutes. I am able to complete a lesson is about 20 minutes and I love them all. I come away with a better understanding of the Word and a deeper relationship with my God.
Even better the second time around, in bit size pieces.......2006-12-28
I did the Beth bible study on this same subject a few years back, and I am not going through this devotional. It is a great reflective study, even the second time around. The daily devotions are in good bite size pieces making you hungry for more.
I recommend it for those also, who may struggle with completing all the homework in her full indepth Bible studies.
Good stuff, I am looking forward to all of them.
Book Description
A 1989 Campus Life Award of Merit winner!Most of us have trouble finding time to pray. There's church and school and neighborhood and job and friends and recreation. And
then the crises hit! Time for prayer seems an impossible luxury.As a pastor, Bill Hybels knows hundreds of people with schedules like this. Yet in his own life he has made the hard discovery that prayer doesn't happen on the run. He decided he was too busy
not to pray.Hybels's accessible introduction to prayer has already helped over 400,000 readers develop a rich and regular prayer life in the midst of life's busyness. Now, in this revised and expanded 10th anniversary edition, he includes new insights from his years of ministry and his own spiritual journey. He shows how to slow down to pray, listen to God, respond to what we hear, practice the presence of God and overcome prayer barriers. His fun and practical book offers the resources we need for growing, ongoing experiences in prayer.
Customer Reviews:
Great Encouragement to Slow Down and Pray.......2007-09-18
"Too Busy Not to Pray" is an excellent challenge by Bill Hybels to Christians everywhere to take time out of their busy lives to commune more with the Lord who loves us enough to want to spend time with us.
The book is around 150 pages and has 13 chapters with the following titles:
1. The Adventure of Prayer
2. God Is Willing
3. God Is Able
4. How to Pray Authentically
5. A Pattern For Prayer
6. Mountain-Moving Prayer
7. The Mystery of Unanswered Prayer
8. Prayer Busters
9. Slowing Down to Pray
10. The Importance of Listening
11. How to Hear God's Leadings
12. What to Do With Leadings
13. Living in God's Presence
The book is easy to read and yet contains great information and challenges for the reader to slow down and pray. Quite frankly, I have tried this several times in my own life and have found that I can get much more done in God's power than I ever could through my fleshly self-effort. It works!
Read and be encouraged. Highly recommended.
too busy not to pray.......2007-06-08
informative and basic; essentials are talked about in this book.
Too Busy Not to Pray.......2007-05-14
Fast Service and the book is great recommend it highly.
Great study guide.......2007-03-21
Bought this book for myself and my two sisters. Now, i'm leading a Sunday morning book study at my church and have 15 other people reading it. This book is a great read for all of us who just need to "slow down" and incorporate daily prayer into our lives.
Too Busy Not to Pray.......2007-03-18
Great book to give you reason to pray and encourage you to pray. It explains reason thoroughly and completely
Customer Reviews:
Building for the kingdom.......2007-06-22
This is my first foray into N.T. Wright's literary discipleship. This is good written stimulus that will lead you to a deeper understanding of who Jesus is. This collection of Eucharistic sermons expands from the passion of Christ to the revelation of the Father's plan for true discipleship. The language is easy to read and Dean Wright uses great words and pharases to lead us further along. N.T. Wright has become one of my must read theologians.
Costly Christian Discipleship.......2007-05-24
Tom Wright, Anglican bishop in England, once again elucidates in a cogent but thoroughly readable style that only he can what it means to follow Jesus. If one is a sometime Christian who does not want to 'count the cost' of what it means to 'be Jesus' to a hurting world, you'd better avoid this book. In a world full of evangelists who promise 'what's in it for us' if we follow Jesus, Tom Wright challenges us to really take up the cross and follow the Lord. As a Southern Baptist, I can't think of another theologian, of whatever denomination, that is more challenging and encouraging than Tom Wright. Buy it, but be prepared to keep your marker handy.
I didn't order this item.......2007-02-13
I don't know why I received this request for a review. I have not ordered "Following Jesus: Biblical Reflections on Discipleship" by NT Wright. I have only ordered Wright's "Simply Christian".
You appear to have a processing glitch somewhere.
Regards,
Sue Huntington
NT Wright.......2007-02-13
"Following Jesus" I found to be truly life giving. Especially, the chapter, "The God who raises the dead." Being able to review the balance I was trying to maintain between my fears and my faith is something I will keep for the rest of my life. The overview of several New Testament books caused me to say, 'Ah-ha, so that is what that book is about'. A most helpful book for the Retreat Center Library I maintain.
Snap shots of the Wright stuff.......2006-11-24
This is a book worth buying. It is not at all highly technical and anybody can read this work, but that does not at all mean that it is not informed by great scholarship. The book is divided into two sections. The first section is made up of small introduction to Hebrews, Colossians, Matthew, John, Mark, and Revelation. This fact alone makes the book worth buying, because Wright is extremly insightful.
The second part of the book is divided up into subjects. Most interestingly is that Wright deals with the subject of Hell. Again, if this were the only chapter in the book it would be worth buying. I do recommend this book, along with all of Wright's work.
Book Description
Join Donald Miller, the best-selling author of Blue Like Jazz, with mentor John MacMurray, as he presents a transparent, thought-provoking, and humorous chronicle of life lessons found in a life without a Dad.
Customer Reviews:
Entertaining, Insightful, Comforting.......2007-09-25
Don Miller has an amazing gift to come across as a not-so-special individual, but his way with words and ability to relate to his audience is anything but un-special.
As the son of a single mom, Miller finds solace in a friend's advice who encourages Don to discover who he is through the eyes of God, not those of society. Miller's vulnerability with his own fears will seem very familiar to most readers of this fantastic book - even those who grew up with both parents.
Readable for ages 12 and up. Primary audience 20-35.
Take the Dragon back.......2007-08-12
If you've done any kind of reading on the topic of fatherlessness or manhood, this book will be a snoozer. In my opinion it brings very little new to the table. The book is decently written including humor and a few interesting points. Many times I felt like the main thrust of the book was cut off by the authors need to tell another self deprecating story with very little depth. While I'm sure this was cathartic for the author, as a reader I felt myself skipping over paragraphs intensely looking for the "meat" of the book.
It appears from the reviews here that this book did have an intended audience who clearly found this it "ground breaking" and "thought provoking". I really found it neither. If you have done quite a bit of reading such as Brennan Manning or John Eldridge, I wouldn't even bother with this book. If you are newer to the topics of rediscovering manhood, this will be a light-hearted introduction.
Book Review: To Own A Dragon.......2007-07-13
In To Own a Dragon, Donald Miller writes to men, and reflects on his experience of growing up without a father. The book is co-authored by John McMurray, a Bible teacher slash photographer slash married father of three from Portland who took a 20-something Donald Miller into his home to show him the workings of a functional family.
His forth consecutive yearly release, Donald Miller continues a form of writing that has made him very popular with Millennial and Y Christians. In his books, Miller seemingly writes with ruthless honesty about himself, to almost a self-deprecating extent. It has sort of become his trademark. Don't expect to read anything by Donald Miller without him criticizing his own physique, intelligence, and/or spiritual shortcomings. He will write that he is immature, that he lies, lusts, drinks, transfers his roommate's laundry from the drier directly onto the basement floor, covets, and that he needs abundant and continual grace. This is a breath of fresh air. In having the courage to reveal himself, Miller manages something other Christian writers can't. He connects with his readers! And whether he is being completely honest, or is just really good at pretending to be honest, it's brilliant.
While authors today strive to adopt a more conversational writing style, Donald Miller takes it to the next level. He somehow convinces readers that he knows them. I, for one, am induced to believe Miller can recall my name, where I live, my favorite food. He probably has my cell phone number. If I ever see him in person, I'll pretty much expect him to recognize me (it's a bit of voodoo to be sure). Moreover, Miller's words are so casual, so unforced, you get the impression that he's writing down his thoughts as they come, or that he's free associating the whole book, or that he's making the whole thing up as he goes along! If you read enough of his writings you'll notice his ideas have a consistent ebb and flow that goes something like: "I'm Donald. I used to think things were like this: [insert ludicrous assertion here], but now I see that they are actually [insert spiritual reflection here]."
In addition, Miller is unique in that he forsakes the status quo of making clear and concise points. He repeats himself, and then he repeats himself again, something I have to give kudos to the editors at Navpress for not destroying. Let me give you an example; here Miller talks about the focus of To Own a Dragon: "...in writing some thoughts about a father, or not having a father, I feel as though I am writing a book about a dragon or troll under a bridge. For me a father is nothing more than a character in a fairy tale. And I know fathers are not like dragons in that fathers actually exist, but I don't remember feeling that a father existed for me." Miller writes the word father six times in two sentences. Six times in two sentences Miller writes the word father (see, it doesn't work when I do it)!
Donald Miller rejects formulaic approaches. There are no 10 steps to recovery from a fatherless childhood. In fact, Miller doesn't really prescribe a path to healing and growth as much as he describes a problematic situation and tells you how he himself handled it, or is still in its midst. Miller writes in the introduction "this book has been healing for me to get on paper. A writer learns more from what he writes than the reader, and often applies the perspectives after the book is written. We're a depraved group in that way. As for the healing, I hope something like my experience in writing this book happens to you in the reading." Hence, Miller doesn't seem to want to preach as much as he wants to share his experience. Other Christian writers should be taking notes.
So, if you're a man and interested in the topic of father absence, or interested in how father absence affects men, read the book (Note: I really don't think the book will be that helpful to women dealing with father absence issues; the experience seems too qualitatively different). If you're not so interested in the topic, Miller's book Blue Like Jazz: Non-religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality is the bestseller that catalyzed his popularity and it still stands as his best work to date. It's really good. I've read it no less than three times. I've gifted no less than five copies.
One more thing: Miller is not just writing about how father absence affects men, he's doing something about it. Donald is Founder of The Belmont Foundation, a not-for-profit which partners with local churches to create mentoring programs for young men growing up without fathers. You can read more about it at www.belmontfoundation.org
Good Read, But Not Just for the Fatherless.......2007-07-11
Miller's story is sadly all too common today, and his experiences as he learned about the REAL fatherhood God provides are well-written. The book should be helpful to many stuck in sadness, bitterness, or alienation from their lost relationships. However, only 3 stars because he too easily idolizes the role of fathers in human families, and, as a result, there may well be some--fathers and children--who will unnecessarily feel like they have failed by not having achieved the kind of relationship Miller seems to think all fathers who stay in the home will provide. I'm sure there are many with loving, but fallible, fathers who feel some of the same gaps in the guidance and close relationship they wish they could have received.
There are lots of wonderful insights here; just don't get discouraged if your family doesn't quite measure up to what the MacMurrays seem to be.
Geared towards men growing up without fathers.......2007-07-02
Upon purchasing this book I did not realize that this book was written for the male perspective of growing up without a father. This being said, the book was wonderful and I found some points I could really relate to, but I just wanted for this to be made aware of. Great read and Miller does a wonderful job of linking this subject with Christian elements.
Book Description
With over 1,000 Scriptures outlining each day of the 40 Days of Purpose, this book is a wonderful reference. Winner of the Retailers Choice Award.
Customer Reviews:
Outstanding delivery of the message!.......2007-09-24
IN MY OPINION THIS SHOULD BE THE VERY NEXT THING ONE READS AS SOON AS FINISHED READING THE NEW TESTAMENT OF THE HOLY BIBLE. NOTHING SHORT OF AWESOME & LIFE-CHANGING. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE I MEET TO READ IT.
Spiritual vitamins.......2007-06-30
I am still reading this book. When ever I need a word of encouragement or just something to remind me of the love of God. I pick it up. This is not a replacement for the Bible. It is a good accompaniment.
Perfect Gift.......2007-02-19
Someone gave this little book to me on my birthday in December. It's got brief, inspiring segments, perfect to leave in the WC. I love it so much, I bought several to have on hand as gifts. I have given one away so far to a friend for her birthday. This friend (a not-yet-believer) was very grateful and told me that she had memorized one of the verses. She is giving a copy to her sister. The beat goes on.
excellent.......2006-03-14
The book was very informative and actually I am still in the process of reading through it. I intend to continue shopping for more products through amazon.
Dissappointment.......2006-03-10
When I ordered these books I was under the impression they were
equivalent in text to the version I received as a gift. The cover of the book is the same but inside is a totally different book. I have since given the six books I purchased out to my family and friends. I wrote in them as well. I don't think I will be purchasing on line again.
Amazon.com
In this extended reflection on the life of David, drawn from the accounts in the two books of Samuel and from the Psalms, author and self-described Sunday school teacher Beth Moore translates into plain and direct language the message she finds in this story of a shepherd boy who is chosen as God's own servant. Moore approaches these texts not as a scholar but as a believer. As the inclusion of review questions would suggest, her interest here is less historical and more immediately pragmatic: she wishes to see what David's life has to say to followers of Christ. Her reading is personal, yet supported by a study of the Hebrew and Greek texts--above all, the notes to the book suggest, through a number of Bible dictionaries and concordances. While apparently not well-versed in English poetry (she calls John Dryden a 16th-century philosopher when most would call him a 17th-century poet), the real appeal of the book for many will lie in its approachable style: the writing is direct, personal, and honest. She writes, she tells people, as a "regular" person who says, "I don't make Christ part of my life; He is my life." --Doug Thorpe
Customer Reviews:
Awsome book!.......2007-01-09
Reading this book is like eating Thanksgiving dinner. You read until you are stuffed with so much information. Then you have to stop and ingest it. You have to pray over what you have learned; soaking in all of the extra insight and knowledge. Then after the feeling of fullness begins to subside, you go back for more...and more...and more! This book is not only a glimpse at the life of David. It also explores other people who were important in making David the man that God intended for him to be. While exploring David's life, you will begin to explore your own life...your own ministry. None of us are worthy or perfect by any means. This book explores David's weaknesses in a way that you can compare your own short comings and know that you can be a person after Gods own heart.
A Focused Study.......2005-08-26
Beth Moore chose to delve into the life and times of David, a mere shepherd boy who was chosen to be the leader of Israel. In A HEART LIKE HIS, Moore poses the practical questions as to how a person can be forgiven and restored after sin? How a person can continue to be faithful when nothing seems to be going his way? How can a person find God when feeling lonely? How important is God's influence on our family?
Moore begins the journey into David's life in the book of 1 Samuel. She uses several Biblical references and provides background into the trials and tribulations David faced. With God's assistance, David rose from basic obscurity into a position of amazing power. When he operates outside of God's will, he makes an unwise decision that will prove to unravel his long reign and have dire consequences on his family. In his earlier times, Moore depicts David who continually seeking God's guidance and is quick to offer praise to God. Yet, David was a man with a weakness for beautiful women. Although he was married, David enjoyed the attention his power garnered him from the fairer sex. Moore enhances the reader's understanding of how David's adulterous conduct with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband cast David out of God's will. On this subject, Moore states that David had a "far away heart." It was not until David was "bankrupt in spirit" over the death of his illegitimate son that he repented for his sins. Moore reminds the reader that although God will forgive us of our sins, He will pass judgement on us.
In A HEART LIKE HIS, Moore does a very good job of setting the scene. She takes us back to the beginning even before David had knowledge of the greater things in store for him. The book's lessons are based mainly on 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. A HEART LIKE HIS would be a great tool for individual or group study. Each chapter is laden with cross-references to other Biblical references. At times, it was confusing because the complete Biblical citation was not used in the text. However, this was not distracting enough to detract from the great presentation of King David's reign.
Reviewed by Nedine
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers
Superb Treatment of David's Life!.......2002-10-30
A few years ago the women's Bible study in my church went through the video version of "A Heart Like His." I heard glowing reviews from one lady after another, speaking of how pertinent and powerful the material was. Unfortunately, it was then geared exclusively to women, so I never watched the videos myself.
With the memory of those glowing reviews still fresh in mind, I decided to purchase the book version and see for myself if Beth Moore's teaching lived up to its reputation. I was certainly NOT disappointed. This book is an outstanding treatment of the triumphs and the tragedies of Israel's most famous king.
Moore takes practically every significant incident from David's life and applies the spiritual principles to life today. Through her exposition here, the reader gets to know David much better, and learns why he has been called "a man after God's own heart." The author's treatment is chronological, starting from the events surrounding David's emergence on the Biblical scene as a young boy to the transfer of his throne as an old man to his son Solomon.
I recommend this book very highly to anyone wanting to gain a better understanding of the life of King David. The book is very easy reading, yet is profound in its insights. Men and women, clergy and laity alike will benefit from Moore's painstakingly thorough work.
A moving, humorous, tearful journey through David's life.......2000-07-27
Beth's book is a wonderfully written journey through the life of a man who sought God's own heart. She fluctuates between humorous observations on the actions of the Biblical characters I thought I knew so well, and touching parallels to the life of the ultimate "Son of Man". This book held me captivated from the introduction to the final period. I look forward to more books like this from Beth.
Wonderful book teaching through the Bible for women today.......1999-11-17
A wonderful work, Beth, is available to God to be used, and ends up blessing all of us. Our women's Bible Study is just finishing this work. All the women are anxious to do another work by Beth, and love her style of waiting on the Lord to speak to her, and acting in obedience. It has taught me many things that I can use in my daily life as a christian.
Book Description
Not a day goes by without our being called upon to help one another--at home, at work, on the street, on the phone. . . . We do what we can. Yet so much comes up to complicate this natural response: "Will I have what it takes?" "How much is enough?" "How can I deal with suffering?" "And what really helps, anyway?"
In this practical helper's companion, the authors explore a path through these confusions, and provide support and inspiration fo us in our efforts as members of the helping professions, as volunteers, as community activists, or simply as friends and family trying to meet each other's needs. Here too are deeply moving personal accounts: A housewife brings zoo animals to lift the spirits of nursing home residents; a nun tends the wounded on the first night of the Nicaraguan revolution; a police officer talks a desperate father out of leaping from a roof with his child; a nurse allows an infant to spend its last moments of life in her arms rather than on a hospital machine. From many such stories and the authors' reflections, we can find strength, clarity, and wisdom for those times when we are called on to care for one another.
How Can I Help? reminds us just how much we have to give and how doing so can lead to some of the most joyous moments of our lives.
Customer Reviews:
Behind Our Roles To Insight Of A Larger Order Of Objectivity.......2005-04-30
An excellent book on helping ourselves which in turn act in helping others in a life of service. The awareness first must be found in ourselves before we can exercise the compassion for others. It is here we gain insight into a larger order of lawfulness we cannot understand rationally but which nevertheless resonates within. Compassion becomes an increasingly automatic response.
Ideas conveyed rest in the process of ambiguity and paradox in the realm of not knowing, resting in mystery. Living in the game of subjectivity, we always remain in touch with the silent observer, the witness self in calm abiding and when caught up in subjectivity to see the absurdity of the game and using absurd comedy to deal with it. We end up trusting in a larger pattern beyond the absurd surface world of our actions. We see the truth in uncertainty, we maintain the Zen beginner's mind. We work on ourselves as a vehicle for our higher selves. And we recognize that all of us have a flag to wave which is the folly of our human existence. We are conscious of our lack of integrity while trying to convince others, as we see ourselves from the outside as the silent witness. We see compassion and peace as the only way to make peace in everything we do and are in touch with the quiet self behind all our subjective roles, behind all the thinking, actions and experiences. We see the polarization's of differences as our habits of thinking, seeing beyond the circle of opposites knowing that our mind acts in Gestalt as it perceives and decides in categorizing what is essentially neutral information.
The way to compassion is simply to just listen, stop thinking, stop speaking and listen. be the observer. Its our reactions that determine our pains and sufferings as opposed to the happenings themselves. We acknowledge our weaknesses and refrain from blinding ourselves in subjectivity. Its our dispassionate need as the observer, the we see our own reactions from the view as an outsider watching our reactions as habitual patterns our physical and mental beings perform.
Our thoughts act as clouds that pass by and we can be aware of this if we can gain the ability to observe them as an outside consciousness, alert to when we get sucked up in subjectivity. To rest in awareness in ourselves, with company, allowing and helping others to find themselves. The sage helps the ten thousand things find their own nature. We move away from viewing the world strictly in concepts and recognize the intellect blinds intuitive awareness. We see our self image as a prison we create, roles to survive in this game of life but also a prison for us if we fail to find our higher objective observer selves. We need our roles to survive as humans and communicate with one another but in order not to get trapped in them we have to enter behind our roles out of the blindness.
"The most familiar models of who we are - father and daughter, doctor and patient, helper and helped - often turn out to be major obstacles to the expression of our caring instincts; they limit the full measure of what we have to offer one another . . they are delusions of separateness. Our task is to free our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole nature in its beauty . . " p.20
Every helping professional should read this book.......2002-07-13
I am a social worker and an author. I have recently become involved with writing about medical as well as human rights issues. (My book BEHIND THE BURQA, which is to be published in October by John Wiley, is the memoir of two women who escaped the brutality of Afghanistan and the suffering they endured in the US.) Through my work, I have come into contact with people, such as the two subjects of my book, who have endured excruciating circumstances. HOW CAN I HELP sits on my night table so that I can read it after I've come home from interviewing someone in pain. It addresses all the issues that come up when people try to help each other, whether as "helping professionals" or simply as friends or family who are reaching out--guilt, burnout, fear, sense of helplessness--the myriad emotions that afflict those who want to make a difference in the lives of others. HOW CAN I HELP is psychologically astute, spiritually enlightening and written with great gentleness, compassion and occasional moments of humor. I feel the authors have become my mentors and friends. They accompany me to detention centers when I interview imprisoned asylum-seekers who have fled horrific tortures. They're with me when I visit people in the hospital. Their wisdom and guidance inspire me and inform my ability to remain intimately involved with people who have undergone horrible suffering. This book should be required reading in medical schools, psychology and social work programs, and any other context in which people are being trained to work with others in need.
Comforting and Revelational.......2001-12-08
This book is filled with insights. These insights are hidden gems of wisdom revealing our personalities desire to seek and find what we all have in common. This unity is driven by our need and desire to find peace in the midst of life's most difficult moments. As our heart goes out to those in need, our acts of service contain our soul's longing to connect with a fellow soul. Once our soul is awakened in service, a path opens and leads us into a sacred human relationship infused by the power of peace. Thanks, Ram Dass, for your guidance into the realm of spirit through the words written in this book.
I also recommend: What the Dying Teach Us: Lessons on Living by Samuel Oliver
Book has been my bedside reading for more than ten years.......2001-07-25
I read the book called "How can I help" by Ram Dass and Paul Groman when I attended a seminar for care givers. It was intended to help us not get "used up" or "burned out" as the saying goes. The book has a number of vignettes followed by commentary. Each vignettes has proven an inspiration and the commentary has always added to the insight.
I do something I call "peer counseling". What it means is I simply try to provide a really safe place for them to express themselves. I have a structured way of developing that environment but that's too complex for this email. I believe that even if we think very hard about an issue we still need to say the words before we get a complete perspective. When we say the words out loud the first time to someone else we some times think, "Damn I'm right!" other times we think, "Boy is that stupid." and I try to provide a non-judgmental place to reach a conclusion. I also expect that if the outcome is the second they will try to distance themselves from everything that was associated with time spent working in the wrong direction. Generally that means they distance themselves from me too. I have to help them leave me with no feelings of guilt because they are "abandoning" someone who has befriended them. That is the second part of my counsel letting them go guilt free. I sometimes fear "losing" clients will drain me but re-reading the vignettes in the book renews me.
Touching Stories.......2000-11-16
This is a must read for anyone entering or already in a life of service--which can really mean anyone.
Books:
- Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts Workbook for Men: Seven Questions to Ask Beforeand AfterYou Marry
- Shield of Thunder (Troy Trilogy, Book 2)
- Sketches of Etruscan Places and Other Italian Essays (Penguin Twentieth-Century Classics)
- Stories and Early Novels: Pulp Stories / The Big Sleep / Farewell, My Lovely / The High Window (Library of America)
- Sunne in Splendour
- Thank God I Had a Gun: True Accounts of Self-Defense
- The Arden Shakespeare Book of Quotations on The Seven Ages of Man: Arden Shakespeare (Arden Shakespeare Book of Quotations)
- The Blue Viking
- The Brothers Karamazov
- The Cantos of Ezra Pound (New Directions Paperbook)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Ethics of What We Eat: Why Our Food Choices Matter
- Routers and Routing Basics CCNA 2 Companion Guide
- How to Win an Argument, 2nd Edition
- Living With Wolves
- Photo by Sammy Davis, Jr.
- On Writing Horror: A Handbook by the Horror Writers Association
- Oh My Goddess Set III
- The Walt Disney World Trivia Book: Secrets, History & Fun Facts Behind the Magic
- Financial Fitness in 45 Days
- How to Improve Your Business Reading Skills: Read with Added
General
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Winning the Future: A 21st Century Contract with America
Culture Warrior
America: The Last Best Hope (Volume I): From the Age of Discovery to a World at War
Our 50 States: A Family Adventure Across America
Godless: The Church of Liberalism
