Book Description
This companion workbook to You Can Heal Your Life includes valuable writing exercises that teach you how to connect with your higher self.
Customer Reviews:
Louise Hay.......2007-01-07
You really should read the book and need the book for the workbook to be successful. That being said, the workbook is a great tool for a person who is dedicated to self-improvement. You really do work in this workbook.
Love Yourself, Heal Your Life Workbook.......2006-08-16
Great resource book for therapist/counselors. Good exercises to incorporate in therapy sessions.
Duplicate material.......2006-07-29
This is a very helpful book. However, it appears to be the same book as is what is now entitled "The Companion Book" which is included in the "Gift Set" by Louise Hay. The website does not clearly state this duplication, and I bought both the gift set and the workbook, a duplication. I recommend that the website make this clear.
Positive Thinking on a Wide Range of Topics.......2005-05-14
"These exercises will give you new information about yourself. You will be able to make new choices. If you are willing, then you can definitely create the kind of life you say you want." ~Louse L. Hay
Louise delves into health, fears, phobias, sex, self-esteem, money, friendship, addictions, work and intimacy issues. In her loving, caring way, she guides you through fifteen work"fun" chapters. I think this book is more fun than work. You will learn about:
1. Basic Techniques - Changing thoughts and releasing old beliefs about yourself.
2. Who Are You? What Do You Believe?
3. Health Checklist
4. Feeling Good
5. Fears and Phobias
6. Anger
7. Criticism and Judgment
8. Addictions
9. Forgiveness
10. Work
11. Money and Prosperity
12. Friends
13. Sexuality
14. Love and Intimacy
15. Your New Picture
You will find questions like: "What do you want that you are not having?" At the end of the first chapter there is a "Deservability Treatment" where you can read affirmations and perhaps extract one or two sentences for daily reflection like: "I am willing to create new thoughts about myself and about my life. My new thinking becomes new experiences."
There are many places where you can record your own thoughts about various topics like love, sex, work, money, success, failure and God. There is a place to write a story of your life and to draw a picture of your inner child.
The chapter on health might jumpstart a new healthy journey into nutrition and wellness.
If you want to pass this book along to a friend, you could also buy a small journal and make notes in the journal instead of on the pages. This book could also be used as inspiration for journal writing. This book gave me a great idea - to create an entire book just of affirmations. A lot of our self-talk can make us miserable or enlightened.
Louise L. Hay also focuses on reflection, meditation, visualization and relaxation. She presents a pathway to a more positive and fulfilling life that is filled with daily discoveries of beauty and nurturing elements. It is time to start loving ourselves more and time to heal our lives.
"Criticism breaks down the inner spirit, and never changes a thing. Praise builds up the spirit and can bring positive changes." ~Louise L. Hay
~TheRebeccaReview.com
A tapestry of Insight into Healing the Self;.......2004-09-13
As usual Louise has presented her wisdom in a easy to use insightful format. Her work over the years has gone from strength to strength and her theory of illness being a direct result of our beleifs and habits is an interesting one. While in some respects I feel this theory is only a part of the multitude of reasons for illness, it is never the less a very valid insight into how we manifest our lives. Do the exercises and I can guarantee you will learn something about yourself, and over time things will change. It takes time to restore the balance in our lives, however reading this book and doing the exercises is a part of the journey for those seeking to understand how their psychie influences their reality, and from that position it gives the reader insight through choices and awareness. Would highly recomend. TRUITY Williams from wanabelong(dot)com. Author of Book of Choices and the series Workbook of Choices,also the creator of the family board game TRUITY Choices.
Book Description
This revised workbook is designed to help the woman explore the issues and practice the skills presented in Saving Your Marriage Before it Starts. Full of lively exercises and enlightening self-tests that will help you and your partner apply what you are learning directly to your relationship, this version of the workbook approaches the issues from a woman's perspective. Each exercise includes an estimate of how long it will take, so you can easily fit the program into a busy schedule. Call-outs in the book let you know the best times to do the exercises as you read.
Customer Reviews:
Great Book.......2007-09-11
I was a little on the fence about this book because I really didnt think it would help. We are not married yet, but this book has helped a lot to see each other out in the open. It has also showed us what the other thinks about us and what we can work on as a couple.
Book Description
This revised workbook is designed to help the man explore the issues and practice the skills presented in Saving Your Marriage Before it Starts. Full of lively exercises and enlightening self-tests that will help you and your partner apply what you are learning directly to your relationship, this version of the workbook approaches the issues from a man's perspective. Each exercise includes an estimate of how long it will take, so you can easily fit the program into a busy schedule. Call-outs in the book let you know the best times to do the exercises as you read.
Customer Reviews:
Learning about each other.......2007-01-10
You will definitely need the actual book to use the workbooks. My fiance and I have been working through the lessons and are about halfway through the workbooks. The best thing about the exercises is that there are so many things about my future wife that I didn't know, especially in regards to how she thinks and feels about certain aspects of life. We are becoming closer as we're beginning to understand each other at a deeper level. I'm learning more about how women communicate and how they really aren't able to come to grips with exactly how we operate either. The exercises vary from childhood influences to budgeting to love languages. We look forward to each time we work through the lessons. I highly recommend them for any couple preparing for marriage.
Average customer rating:
- A wonderful version on Snow White
- Fairest: Snow White in Ayortha
- Snow White told with adventure, grace and excitement!
- Fantastic retelling
- Another Homerun for Levine
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Fairest
Gail Carson Levine
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Stories
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| Children's Books
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Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic
| Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror
| Literature
| Children's Books
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General
| Literature
| Children's Books
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Royalty
| People & Places
| Children's Books
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General
| Ages 9-12
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Love & Romance
| Literature & Fiction
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Ella Enchanted (Trophy Newbery)
ASIN: 0060734086
Release Date: 2006-09-19 |
Book Description
In the kingdom of Ayortha, who is the fairest of them all? Certainly not Aza. She is thoroughly convinced that she is ugly. What she may lack in looks, though, she makes up for with a kind heart, and with something no one else has–a magical voice. Her vocal talents captivate all who hear them, and in Ontio Castle they attract the attention of a handsome prince – and a dangerous new queen. In this masterful novel filled with humour, adventure, romance, and song, Newbery Honor author Gail Carson Levine invites you to join Aza as she discovers how exquisite she truly is.
Ages 8 – 14
Customer Reviews:
A wonderful version on Snow White.......2007-09-17
I'm 30 years-old and loved this book. A wonderful version of Snow White complete with Levine's own personal style and touches. Levine writes so fluidly and gives so much humor to her heroines. I love how everything in her "make-believe world" still makes sense even though it isn't like our world. It's not hard to follow without Levine having to "talk down" to her readers. I loved that this book took place in the same world as Ella Enchanted!
Why only 4 stars? Although I really liked Aza and her character development, I was a bit disappointed in the development of the Prince. We never really got to know him. The relationship between Aza and the Prince never seemed to evolve, it just happened--Nothing like Ella and Prince Charmont. I just didn't fall in love with him, myself, like I did with Prince Charmont.
Other than that, I completely loved it. I've already lent it out to friends and family telling them, "you have to read this!"
Fairest: Snow White in Ayortha.......2007-08-06
I bought Fairest a while ago, but I didn't read it for a long time. Finally, with my friend's encouragement, I picked it up and began to dive into the Snow White re-telling.
This is unlike other fairy tale re-tellings, yet in a good way. It's not totally obvious until you get near the end of the story that this tale was made to resemble Snow White. This leaves a wonderful surprise that has you thinking, "I never saw it coming!" The Snow White puzzle just slowly pieces itself together, and you probably won't realize it until some of the final pieces are played.
Aza was never attractive. She was left behind in a hotel when she was a baby, and the owners graciously took her in despite her appearance. With paper-white skin, blood-red lips, and hair as black as a frying pan, Aza is certainly not the fairest of them all.
Yet...she can sing. Beautifully, as a matter of fact. She's simply spectacular! Aza also soon discovers the gift she has of "illusing" - throwing her voice across rooms so it seems that someone or something else is speaking. Despite her voice, though, Aza does not believe she has a real future ahead of her...that is (spoilers begin here), until the Duchess arrives. The Duchess befriends Aza after meeting her cat (the Duchess loves cats) and when the Duchess's companion fails to accompany her to the King and to-be Queen's wedding, it is Aza she asks to go.
This soon changes Aza's life. After discovering her gift of illusing, Queen Ivi "befriends" Aza and asks her to be her lady-in-waiting. But Aza soon discovers that Ivi wants to take advantage of her gift of illusing. Ivi cannot sing, so she makes Aza illuse to make it appear as if she is the one singing.
This and a developing relationship with the Prince, Ijori, complicates Aza's times in the castle. Still, despite all of what she has, Aza still wishes to be pretty. Soon, she finds her wish granted after her illusing fails during a Sing.
This and Aza's dangerous desire to be pretty fly the story into a suspenseful mode (spoilers end here), though I'm not going to give away any more spoilers. Anybody who likes Snow White should definitely read this book; it is one you won't be able to put down. Other fairy tale re-tellings pale in comparison to the bold story of Aza.
All in all, Fairest truly proves to be the "fairest of them all" in the world of these re-tellings. If you read this book, you won't regret it.
Snow White told with adventure, grace and excitement!.......2007-07-15
Gail Carson Levine's style shines through once again as she breathes life into the overtold predictable fairytale of Snow White. Very similar to Ella Enchanted, Fairest takes place in the same world and has (as is Levine's style) a very unconventional twist to a well known story. The characters of Fairest will capture your heart and make you want to read Ella Enchanted again. A fantastic story for children and teenagers alike. Even the adults will enjoy this well told tale.
Fantastic retelling.......2007-07-05
Despite the professional reviews written above, I think that their association with fairy tales may be a little out of touch. This book is not the classic retelling of Sleeping Beauty but that of Snow White. As any Disney Classic Movie connisseur or for that matter fan of fairy tales will know.
This novel is a beautiful retelling set in the kingdom of Ayortha, one kingdom over from the Kingdom ruled by the well know woman Ella of Frell from Ella Enchanted. This is an amazing novel, written in beautiful prose and described fantastically. It is an excellent follow up to Ella Enchanted, even if that heroine does not herself appear in the novel. I can only hope to enjoy more novels of this caliber from Gail Carson Levine and I must find more novels by this author to read. I could not put this novel down, I stayed up all night to finish it.
I sincerely hope that you take a chance on this novel and enjoy it as immensely as I have.
Another Homerun for Levine.......2007-06-30
This book was so captivating. From the first lines to the last, I was so overtaken by the creative storyline and personal (yet sometimes insecure, and therefore more human) characters. I was excited to see into the world of Ella Enchanted once again. Even though both girls (Aza and Ella) are from different kingdoms, Aza's sister is Ella's only friend from finishing school: Areida.
Although I didn't realize how many aspects of "Fairest" were mentioned in "Ella Enchanted" until I re-read the latter, I was so pleased to see how they were linked. Areida and Ella became friends at finishing school in the Kyrrian town of Jenn. Areida tells Ella of her parents, the inn where she and Aza live, and the "Sings" that are held monthly in her home province of Ayorthia. At the end of "Fairest", the author clues you in on the detail of Areida and Ella's friendship, in case you were wondering if the two Areidas were in fact the same person.
I am an accomplished singer at my school (I'm 16), and I was so happy to read a book that focused on it and talked about a land where singing was part of their culture. I even tried to illuse a couple of times, with no success obviously, since it's something only gnomes can do.
<3
Book Description
At last, Mia is a junior. An upperclassperson. Free of her responsibilities as student body president. So why is it that everything is going so terribly wrong? What is she doing in Intro to Creative Writing? When she has made it through Algebra and Geometry, why must she be faced with Precalculus? And for the love of all that is Genovian, why has Lilly nominated her for school prez again? All this is nothing compared to the news Michael springs on her, however. On top of all the mathematical strife, her beloved boyfriend is leaving for Japan for a year. Precalc has nothing on preparing for the worst separation ever!
Turns out there is one way she might convince Michael to stay. But will she? Or won't she? No matter what, Mia seems headed for disaster.
Customer Reviews:
At last! [spoiler alert] .......2007-09-07
Okay, maybe I'm not the typical reader of this book, seeing that I have a child around Mia's age, but I am a high school librarian and I enjoy reading the books that I order for the students to read.
For seven books (and several novellas) we have listened to Mia blather on about Michael and school and Michael and her grandmother and Michael and ... well, you get the picture. With all of those adolescent hormones, she doesn't see that she needs to give Michael some space, as he is emotionally and intellectually several years ahead of her. She doesn't care to listen to the adult figures in her life (now THAT'S realistic!) on just about any serious matter, including this one.
Now she freaks out because she faces a year's separation (and despite what she believes, I am sure that her father would have flown her over at least once during that year) and plans to manipulate Michael with sex. (Not her finest plan. Can we all say "statutory rape"?) However, everything crashes around her feet when she discovers that Michael has a different viewpoint on intimacy. Not too surprising to adults, who realize that people reared with different cultural/religious beliefs are bound to have conflicts, some of which are un-work-out-able.
I remember someone telling me that her first husband was selected when infatuation was mistaken for love and the second (the one she stayed married to) was chosen when liking turned into love. We have seen J.P. from the very first book and he has gradually developed as a friend. It would be nice if this series developed to show that Mia chooses a relationship based upon a solid foundation, but I doubt that is Ms. Cabot's plan. Whatever she chooses, the next book can be an opportunity for Mia to mature without always wondering "what will Michael think about this?" My students (and I) eagerly await the next volume.
upsetting.......2007-08-04
i've loved the princess diaries series since book one. this book was very depressing. i'm just a hopeless romantic and this book spoiled everything.
This volume is boring!.......2007-07-09
I have been a fan of ALL the other Princess Diaries books. I have read many of them twice! This one was so boring! I should have listened to the negative reviews and passed on this one. Save your money and check this one out at the library if you must read it!
A Princess book with an actual conflict - too bad it goes unresolved..........2007-07-08
Finally, in the eighth book of a ten-book series, Mia Thermopolis again gets a honest-to-goodness conflict. It's been a long, long time. Mia's has dealt with plenty of anxieties, but most of them have been minor problems she's blown all out of proportion. Not since she learned she's a princess and had her whole future (and present) made over accordingly has she had to grapple with a real life-changing problem.
In Princess on the Brink Mia's boyfriend, Michael Moscovitz, tells her that he has the opportunity of a lifetime. He intends to go to Japan to produce a working model of the robotic arm he invented for a knife-free surgical procedure. Michael wants to prove - to the world and Mia's grandmother - that he's worthy of being a princess's intended. But that will require a long stay abroad. Mia panicks at the idea of being sans Michael for so long and comes up with the bright idea of tossing her virginity to him as an incentive to stay stateside.
The story takes place over a very short period, less than a week, from the time Michael tells Mia he's going to Japan to the time he actually leaves. During this period Mia also starts school so she's also worrying about her Chemisty and Pre-calculus classes and the pressure Lilly is again asserting on her to be in student government. She also has a creative writing teacher who fails to appreciate Mia's innate creativity and style (i.e., Mia's failure to follow assignment directions).
I LOVED this series when it first debuted, but the premise here is growing pretty thin. Mia's high-school worries and escapades simply cannot support the weight of so many books (8 so far and a number of shorter half-books). Her constant pop culture references, so cute and endearing at first, have also grown annoying. Or perhaps it's me - I've unplugged myself from cable and magazines and can't really relate to much of what Mia throws out there to explain her own worldview and perspective.
Also annoying is Mia's constant reference to her "Precious Gift" - that's her virginity to you and me. She gets this term from a True-Love-Waits-type book her friend Tina leant her. It's typical of Mia to over-romanticize anything, but she uses the term so frequently it deserves its own acronym - PG - if only to spare trees. Mia's willingness to set aside her previous sexual timeline in order to manipulate Michael tells a great deal about where she is in her personal development. What's best for Michael and the relationship in general is the last thing on her mind. This is typical teenage behavior, but Mia has never seemed so Machiavellian (albeit clumsily so) as she does here.
Many of the recurring characters are beginning to seem like cardboard cutouts of themselves marching around Mia. Lilly, in particular, seems less like a real person and more like a generic-but-cruel blowhard. Why Mia is still friends with her is beyond understanding. Of course, Mia is clueless as to the motivations of most of the people surrounding her. Watching both Kenny Showalter and J.P. zero in for the kill when they learn of Michael's departure is painful to read - Mia is so oblivious.
The book ends with everything about as unresolved as it can be. One of the series's underlying conflicts - how Mia will deal with the difference in maturity, particularly sexual maturity, between herself and Michael - finally comes to a head here, and Mia handles it in the most immature way possible, screwing up a number of her relationships in the process. Getting Michael out of the picture temporarily might have been a good idea a few books ago, but now it just seems ill-timed. The next book will no doubt be concerned with Mia's rebound, and then the last book with their reunion. That may be romantic in the final pages, but is Cabot going to shove two school years into two books? When it's taken 8 books to get to the beginning of Mia's junior year of high school? At this point, given Mia's shallow self-absorption, I think Michael would be within his rights to cut and run. And that's a painful thing for me to write about a series I once enjoyed so much.
As The Themes Get More Mature...Mia's Adulthood Seems To Delay Itself.......2007-06-26
Mia enters her junior year of high school ready for a fresh start without the chaos of her sophomore year, ready to take on life with everything settled down for once. Unfortunately, Mia's life can never be easy and Michael breaks her the heart-breaking news that he's going to Japan to develop a robotic surgical invention that may be able to save the lives of others.
From this point on, SPOILER WARNING, and also a warning that I'm about to give this book a scathing review. I love most of the Princess Diaries series-especially the first three books where it was perfectly normal for Mia to be having chaotic breakdowns and insecurities, but now that she's supposed to be a junior in high school this is getting a BIT old, and by a bit, I mean at some points in this book I wanted to throw it out of my bedroom window. To begin with, how does Mia not notice that JP is hitting on her? How? It's so obvious Meg Cabot could only have made it better by writing it in giant pink letters across every page. The major problem I had with this though, was Mia's incredible stupidity when it came to Michael.
This series started its downward slope, in my opinion, as soon as Michael wanted to have sex with Mia. It's so hard to remember that she's sixteen, and by that I mean that she acts like she's twelve. I agree with Mia's decision to not have sex, because if she's not ready she doesn't have to, and there are just oh-so-many things she is not ready for. Like the truth, for instance, when Michael tells Mia about how he didn't save his "Precious Gift" for her at all, that it was randomly given to Judith, Mia's arch enemy until Michael chose her in the earlier books. I can't say that in the same situation most girls would freak out and get angry, but BREAKING UP WITH HIM? Someone seems to have forgotten that her boyfriend is in college, that he's older than her, that he has more experience, and though for a minute it was disturbing that he didn't seem to think much of it, I remember Michael's attitude towards Mia in the previous books and know that Mia and him becoming intimate would be entirely different and meaningful.
Which is exactly why I am sick of this spoiled-brat little girl, who hasn't developed in the eight books published about her one bit. She moans and complains about her Creative Writing grades when I can't exactly see anything special about her writing at all, she forms a childish plan to keep her boyfriend from going to Japan to do what he really loves, and if I have to read the phrase "doing it" or "precious gift" from the mouth of this pathetic high school student one more time, my eyes will start bleeding.
The writing is still classic Princess Diaries, the rest of the characters keep to their personalities (although I wish Lilly's would change), but the drama is a little too out of control, and personally, I hope Mia and Michael remain broken up because there is a promising hope of JP in the future, although, having read enough books like this, I'm sad to have to say:
"Like that will ever happen."
Book Description
The first year of marriage is the most important. It forms the habits---good and bad---that will define the rest of your married life. Make that first year the best it can be. Unique flip book format. One half written for him. The other half written for her. Winner of the Silver Medallion Book Award.
Customer Reviews:
Great for Wedding Gift.......2007-10-06
This book is a great conversation starter for newlyweds right after their wedding. It helps get your marriage off to a great start. I recommend it!
Great even before you get married.......2007-09-18
This book saved me from marrying the wrong person! I read it before marriage and God helped me realize he was not for me.
Good way to open up discussion and work on relationship........2007-06-01
My wife and I have both read this book (both sides of it) and found the information to be very good regarding the 'normals' each person brings to a marriage and how they are not necessarily "right" or "wrong" but just different. It helps open up discussion about things like sex, money, habits, toilet paper alignment, work, kids, in-laws, church, man/woman roles, etc. Although we didn't read it until after 2 years of marriage (we have read many other sources, though :)) we still pulled some good info from it.
I like that the book reviewed the importance of both love and friendship. You can fall head over heels in 'attraction' for your mate, but if you have nothing in common and don't want to learn how to please or be a friend to them, it's going to be rough. When you can learn together, admit that you make mistakes, and each work on your 'issues', the friendship and marriage grows better. Your problems will NEVER be resolved if you just ignore them! Keep working on constant improvement.
Another recommendation I liked is that each person should SAY what they want rather than trying to 'hint' at it. A woman who thinks, "if my husband really loved me, he would..." may never see it happen. I don't know about you, but I sure can't read minds and don't get the 'hints'. Thankfully, my wife tells me what is on her mind so I don't have to magically figure it out. It's so much less hassle that way. Overall, I recommend the book and am going to buy another copy for a friend at work who is getting married next week.
Wish I had it.......2007-05-29
I got this for a friend for a wedding gift recently. I have looked at it in the store and online and it seemed great and I wished someone had gotten it for me when I was first married. It addressed a few issues (like in-laws) that would have been helpful to know or have in writing that first year of marriage.
A Useful Resource for Newly Marrieds.......2006-03-23
Susan and Mark DeVries and Bobbie and Robert Wolgemuth have put together not only a helpful first year companion for newly marrieds, they've done it with creativity.
This one book is really two books in one. From one side, women can read about what to expect, how to handle, and generally what constitutes a good first year in a Christian marriage. From the opposite side of the book, men develop the same type of material. Then, in the middle, are questions and ideas to bring the two sides together. They tackle topics from a balanced, Christian perspective and give tremendous insight into both sides of the marriage relationship.
The only issue I had with the book was that from the woman's perspective (yeah, I peaked in on that side :) there is great emphasis placed on the woman's ability to change the man. Though typical of our culture today, I think this is the only (though not necessarily insignificant) unbalanced part of the book. I would have liked to have heard on both sides of the book how both the husband and wife provide complimentary change into each other's lives. This then focuses on mutual change, dreams, and submission.
Even with that problem, I think I could recommend this book to newly married couples as a good guideline on how to build a strong foundation for a life-long commitment to an imperfect person.
For a full review, go to the blog in my screen name and click on the Readings category.
Amazon.com
In the Sins of Scripture, Bishop John Shelby Spong takes on a thematic exploration of the Bible, carefully analyzing those passages that inform some of our key debates, like the role of women in the church and in society, and homosexuality, to name just two. Beyond that he also looks at scriptures that have helped shape culture and history -- bringing to light the undercurrent of anti-Semitism he finds in the Gospels, for example. The journey is particularly compelling because Bishop Spong believes in and values the good the Bible has brought to many through the ages. His goal is not to define the Bible itself as something to be set aside, but instead to honor and value what he loves about it while still labeling what he dramatically calls "texts of terror" for what they are.
The true joy of the book is found in Spong's vigorous intellect, which he shines bright in an attempt to catch a reflection of the age, culture and circumstances in which the texts he examines were written. Like an archaeologist working with ideas instead of tools, he removes the rocks, brushes away the sediment and reports on what he finds. What were the roots and cultural realities behind the Scriptures that define the role of women in the church? What were the hopes and fears driving the writers who condemned homosexuality in such stark terms? What is the justification behind scriptures recommending "the rod of correction" (or as Bishop Spong simply labels it: "[t]he physical abuse of children…".)
Whether or not you agree with some of his musings along the way, many of his conclusions are hard to argue with. Putting aside the issue of divine origin of the Bible, no one can deny passages have been used in service of very human ends. Finally, the Sins of Scriptures can be seen as a careful observer of what those ends have been. And when taken on those terms, it makes an interesting read, regardless of one's religious background.--Ed Dobeas
Book Description
The Bible contains many passages that believers and nonbelievers alike would recognize as appalling theology. Whether these texts are used to discriminate, oppress, or condemn, they distort the truth of Christianity and cast doubt upon the love of God. Now, legendary Episcopal bishop and advocate for liberal Christianity John Shelby Spong addresses these passages, shattering our misconceptions and delivering a new vision of how Christians today can use the Bible.
Download Description
"
In the history of the Western World, the Bible has been a perpetual source of inspiration and guidance for countless Christians. However, this Bible has also left a trail of pain. It is undeniable that the Bible is not always used for good. Sometimes the Bible can seem overtly evil. Sometimes its texts are terrible.
Bishop John Shelby Spong boldly approaches those texts that have been used through history to justify the denigration or persecution of others while carrying with them the implied and imposed authority of the claim that they were the ""Word of God."" As he exposes and challenges what he calls the ""terrible texts of the Bible"", laying bare the evil done by these texts in the name of God, he also seeks to redeem these texts, hoping to recover their ultimate depth and purpose. Spong looks specifically at texts used to justify homophobia, anti-Semitism, treating women as second-class humans, corporal punishment, and environmental degradation, but he also delivers a new picture of how Christians can use the Bible today. As Spong battles against the way the Bible has been used throughout history, he provides a new framework, introducing people to a proper way to engage this holy book of the Judeo-Christian tradition. "
Customer Reviews:
A must book to read for any open-minded person!.......2007-07-26
The love of GOD is pure, innocent & loving. A book or person is not DIVINE when it preaches or instill violence, destruction, fear and hate.
God is peace, love, inclusive, innoncent, pure and divine, warmth, forgiving and joy. God transcends sexuality, race, tribalism, ethnicity, gender etc. ...any book or person that advocates...fear, hate, and destruction...is not divine and not the word of GOD.
scripture correction.......2007-07-23
On page 66 reference is made to Psalm 124:29 and 124:10-30. It should be Psalm 104 instead of 124.
I am only about half through the book but have found it very helpful so far in better understanding of the bible.
Bogus assumptions, but well written........2007-05-19
Spong does a delightful job at vocalizing his heretical views. The book is an easy and fun read, but I would recommend a counter-balance with some slight more orthodox material...Tillich, Barth, and or even Romero to name a few.
SAVING HUMANITY BY REJECTING DOGMA.......2007-04-15
Bishop Spong takes on an incredibly controversial topic in stating that 1) the Bible is NOT the "word of God" and 2) that it is full of errors. Yet his scholarship and knowledge of both Old and New Testament give his conclusions credibility. Most of us don't know much about the context of the books of the Bible, the "when" and "why" of how they came to be. In Spong's version, these stories should be read as an "epic" of the Jewish people, in the same way as the Illiad and Odyssey are epics of the Greeks. The Bible stories are not literally true, instead they reflect historical happenings and the spin put on these events by the writers, who may have not been actual participants or eye-witnesses.
Spong is open and frank about the "sins" of religion in general and Christianity in particular. He reminds us that the Church, through the ages, has engaged in persecution and torture of those who would not sign on to its dogma. Religion is mostly about control. The church is the controller and we are the controllees. In exercising control, some who represent religious power have supported abusive behavior directed at select categories of people. Spong relates the major areas that have obsessed these fundamentalists, with the scriptures usually quoted to justify their hateful attitudes; he explains why these lines in the Bible should not be taken literally. These topics include the environment, the role of women and children, homosexuality, anti-semitism, and certainty of belief.
I found his discussion of each of these areas enlightening. When people start spouting scripture to explain that God hates homosexuals and why it's ok for men to beat their disobediant wives and children or why only Christians will be "saved" - this does tend to turn us against looking into scripture for any kind of truth. Scripture has been the justification of so much hateful behavior and religious differences the cause of so many wars, that many people have concluded that there is nothing of value in either the Bible or religion.
Bishop Spock is pretty hard on religion. He says the enemy here is dogma, the hardening of beliefs into a fixed system, no longer subject to discovery or change. Instead, we must move beyond our security zone of assured dogma and carved-in-stone theology. "To step beyond religion," he writes, "is to grow into human maturity." So far so good.
But in Bishop Spong's new view of the Bible as epic, we are left to our own interpretation. Particularly with the New Testament, Spong can be accused of taking the parts he likes and rejecting the rest. Of course, he bases his choices on the historical context, and makes it clear that the four Gospels were written by a generation that did not know Jesus. These Gospels are the work of men who wrote within a Jewish frame of reference, with an agenda of making Jesus appear to be the Jewish Messiah who fulfilled earlier prophecies. They also make him larger than life, a heroic figure who inspired a large following. The inspirational part is what Bishop Spong accepts, but specific stories he rejects. His Jesus did not walk on water or feed hundreds with a few loaves and fishes, nor did he rise from the dead and ascend into heaven. And he did not die for our sins. (So why did he have to die on the cross? I've always wanted to know.)
This is a truly useful book, and I enjoyed reading Bishop Spong's ideas, but it feels incomplete. To use an overworn cliché, has the good bishop thrown out the baby with the bath water? We have so little historical corroboration of anything we've been taught about Jesus, that what are we to think? Or does it even matter? Bishop Spong does not seem to feel that keeping Christianity alive is as important as moving the human race toward a greater and wider consciousness. In that, I agree with him, but I wonder what role that leaves for the Christian Church.
Very Good, but ultimately disappointing.......2007-04-12
It ia indeed wonderful to have a religious writer who is not committed to radical fundementalism. I think Spong is right on the mark, saying things that need to be said. In this book, however he is not particularly rigorous in the logic of his presentation. In many ways, he is guilty of the same thinking as the fundmentalists. Whether you believe that the Bible is the inspired, unerring word of God, or not, the interpretation is always a human enterprise and subject to the fallibility that that implies. Obviously, the Bible, and indeed theology in general, is not really subject to scientific testability, but radical interpretations deserve good logical support. While there is a good bit of logic in this work, there is also a lot of speculation and opinion. It would be nice to see more rigor in support of some of his conclusions.
The book also seems overlong. There is a lot of filler and sermonizing that does not advance or support the arguements that we are eager to hear.
Book Description
Practical Help for Building a Stronger, More Passionate Marriage
Every adult bears an “imprint of intimacy”–an inner sense of how much emotional vulnerability they can risk based on childhood lessons about handling their feelings and needs. Those past experiences shape your behavior, beliefs, and expectations of all current relationships, especially marriage.
This powerful companion guidebook–perfect for use on your own or in a group setting–will help you apply the principles from How We Love and break free of the harmful imprints of the past. Inside you’ll find practical, solution-focused tools for building a stronger, more passionate marriage, including…
·specific questions to help you and your spouse pinpoint barriers to intimacy
·an assessment tool for identifying your intimacy imprint
·strategic guidance in applying the principles for increasing intimacy
·effective techniques to kickstart the process of lasting change
·a plan for developing clear, personalized goals for your marriage relationship
Let relationship experts Milan and Kay Yerkovich guide you through a process of discovery that has transformed countless relationships, taking your marriage to a whole new level of intimacy as you learn to change How We Love.
Customer Reviews:
Hits the nail on the head.......2007-09-14
I've read books before that "categorize" your personality type, etc, and I have never heard anyone describe me... until I read this book. They nailed my personality or "love style", based on how I was raised. It really gave me insight into WHY I do things the way I do. And not only that, but it showed me HOW to work on those areas that need work. Great book... I am buying a copy of the book and workbook for some friends who are getting married. What better way to start off marriage, than to understand yourself better, before trying to understand someone else?! This book has also helped me understand my husband better too and be more compassionate and understanding of him. :)
A Must have with the book.......2007-04-14
I purchased this book set for my husband (& I) for Christmas. I also bought a large blank journal book. We have been working through each chapter of the book/workbook while answering in the journal (me on the right and my hubby on the left). It has been PIVITOL in our relationship and has really helped us change the way we not only relate to each other, but has helped reframe our total thinking & forgiving process. If you are going to start somewhere - this is the place to do it. Milan is also featured on "New Life Live" radio - and he is the 'real deal.' It will be the best money (and time) you have ever spent!
Wonderful eye opening book about how we connect.......2007-01-19
This is a must read for anyone having marital issues. I believe this book brought to light many of the reasons my wife and I have not connected.
Easy to read and understand and even enjoyable reading. I plan on purchasing more copies for others. It's a book that I feel I will re-read several times to absorb every detail.
Book Description
This new edition of Passage to Intimacy is published by popular request to add more of the PAIRS powerful concepts and experiences that have been known to dramatically transform relationships. Since the first edition of Passage to Intimacy was published a number of dissertations have been written that have researched and validated the effectiveness and power of this dynamic program. In response, I have written this book to add Jealousy, Emotional Allergy, Healing the Ledger, Clarifying Expectations, and other significant understandings and experiences that when practiced, transform lives.
We are all pathfinders today, working our way through uncharted territories as we seek to build and sustain loving co-equal relationships for the first time in human history. In our rapidly changing world, relationships that thrive create in us a sense of security, safety, enhanced health and well being. Most of all, love, joy and pleasure in companionship provide depth and meaning in our lives. We do not have to lose what we work so hard to achieve. We do not have to sabotage our dearest dreams.
As human beings, we are all miracles capable of remarkable learning, growth and change. We can understand what went wrong in previous relationships or what is going wrong now. We can make changes if we choose to use what we learn.
Customer Reviews:
Thank you!.......2001-12-12
The book "Passage To Intimacy" was wonderfully done. It is helping me in my relationship. I am developing all the skills needed to make it work. It is fun again because we have a new outlook on our points of view. We are actually starting our relationship over and building it to new lengths. I recommend this book to all that want to do it right!
Thank you!.......2001-12-12
The book "Passage To Intimacy" was wonderfully done. It is helping me in my relationship. I am developing all the skills needed to make it work. It is fun again because we have a new outlook on our points of view. We are actually starting our relationship over and building it to new lengths. I recommend this book to all that want to do it right!
Every relationship should have this book.......2001-12-11
The concepts in this book have dramatically transformed my relationship! I now understand what went wrong in previous relationships and what is going right now. It's helped by tracing my emotional roots, and helping me determine the assumptions I make in relationships. I would definately recommend this book.
Passage to Intimacy.......2001-12-02
This book is made of the things that save relationships and make them great! As a marriage and family therapist, I recommend this book regularly to clients and other therapists alike.
Easy to read and packed with practical tools for people to use right away, this book is full of the concepts and exercises Dr. Lori Gordon has been testing and refining for over 25 years!
I love this book because it focuses on strengths instead of weaknesses and is really a "how to" book instead of "pie in the sky theory." I use it to help people discover what they can do differently as well as to understand their partner's behaviors, but always to help them make something they want actually happen!
Applause for Dr. Gordon, and for her elegant simplicity, profound wisdom, and practical help!
Malescan learn to be intimate.......2000-08-08
I came accross this book in a "Revocery Works" Book Store in Malvern, Pa. The specialize in AA/NA/Sexual Abuse of both chilren and adults amond other conditions such as depression and female self confidence. I've always had a problem being realy intimate with my female partner/lover/wife. (Not al at he same time.) Only after reading this book and completing the short journal assignments was a able to come to grips with just how the lack of intimacy in my relationships hindered the growth and/or continuing of some relationship. But this is not just a book for single men. It was developed for married couples and then spread to single couples and now, just plain singles. Just as I, a member of the big sometimes dumb, male member of the human race so can the female members of the same race gain knowledge and courage from this book. I used the term "same race because, at times, I felt the women i was dealing with were from another planet. God only knows what they felt about me. It's a five star book and i intend to buy 6 copies for my friends. Assuming i can find them
Book Description
The Book to Read Before You Say "I Do"
If you're headed for the altar -- or you're in a serious relationship that could lead to marriage -- you probably already know that issues like love, sex, money, religion, kids, in-laws, and even who has to walk the dog can become potential landmines if you and your partner don't discuss your feelings openly before you take the plunge. Now, Corey Donaldson has put together more than 500 questions -- ranging from playful to provocative -- designed to get you and your partner talking frankly and communicating effectively before you walk down the aisle. Donaldson covers hot topics such as:
* Does it matter to you who earns most of the money?
* What does my family do that annoys you?
* What is the difference, for you, between love and romance?
* What place do you believe religion has in the world?
* How long do you want to wait before having children?
* If I wanted to move away from our families for work, would you support me?
* Who cleans the house?
Perfect for couples in the midst of planning their nuptials, a duo considering "I do," or even partners in established relationships who just want to get to know each other again,
Don't You Dare Get Married Until You Read This! is a must-have for anyone who wants to make their marriage last.
Customer Reviews:
On The Right Track..........2007-08-08
I think the idea is there-- but honestly, if you haven't already asked yourself (and your partner) most of these questions, chances are you shouldn't be getting married. For my fiance and I, this book was a bit of a joke. We read through it together and were actually able to answer FOR each other. I don't think that was the point-- but I applaud Donaldson for encouraging couples to get to KNOW each other before tying the knot.
Don't Dare get married until you read this book - review.......2007-06-04
This is a great book and really helped my fiance and I get closer by going over the questions in the book.
Goo Book, Not Great.......2007-05-10
I Love the Questions in this book but There is not room for me or my boyfriend to write in it. Better if you have a extra notebook to put the question on so you and your parter or you will have plenty of room.
Donaldson's Questions for couples .......2007-02-07
Great book for all couples or single people that are looking for a meaningful relationship while taking an honest look at themselves first.
Recommended it to my college age daughter since she is dating. Wished I had read this book many, many moons ago. Will keep this book as a reference book and/or suggested reading material for my future counseling clients.
Getting to know you better.......2007-02-02
Good, fun, interesting questions to discuss with your significant other. Questions give good insight into how the other person is feeling and what their goals are. Brings better understanding to each other. Brings out those areas where you need to work things out. Asks questions that you normally wouldn't think of this early in the relationship but which are important down the road when you are building your life and family together.
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