Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality

Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Average customer rating:

Good, but hypocrytical . . .

Miller's faith perspective rings true

Inspired Me to Read His Other Books

Re-thinking my original opinion

Offensive to jazz fans!

Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
Donald Miller
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Discipleship | Christian Living | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Christian Living | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Searching for God Knows What

Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith

Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith (Cover Image May Vary)

Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections Between Sexuality And Spirituality

The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical

ASIN: 0785263705

Book Description

"I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn't resolve. . . . I used to not like God because God didn't resolve. But that was before any of this happened." In Donald Miller's early years, he was vaguely familiar with a distant God. But when he came to know Jesus Christ, he pursued the Christian life with great zeal. Within a few years he had a successful ministry that ultimately left him feeling empty, burned out, and, once again, far away from God. In this intimate, soul-searching account, Miller describes his remarkable journey back to a culturally relevant, infinitely loving God.

Customer Reviews:

Good, but hypocrytical . . ........2007-10-11

As a Christian who frequently finds sustaining spirutuality in more resources than just the bible, I enjoyed this book some of the time.

Miller is dead on in his assertion that "the Church" and from that really all Christians, need to re-connect with the example of Christ's love, especially with regards to those whom Christians don't mingle with on a daily basis (at least my "daily basis" anyway).

His hypocrisy ruins it for me, though. It seemed like every time things were warming up about "loving others", Miller would drop some hugely critical comment about Republicans, fundamentalists, evangelicals, etc. I get it that these people aren't necessarily his cup of tea. However, if we are to accept, and adopt, Christ's example of love, it's all inclusive.

Loving only the less fortunate doesn't count; Christ loves all of us. And if Miller is going to write with integrity about emulating and expanding that love in our own lives, he can't pick and choose whom to love and not to love. In short, he falls in to the very trap he accuses "the Church" of living in.

And the hypocrisy of that makes it difficult to take his message seriously, at least for me.

With all that said, I am sending a copy of the book to an atheistic friend. You never know!

Miller's faith perspective rings true.......2007-10-10

Get Real: a spiritual journey for men
Blue Like Jazz is a beautifully written book that requires the reader to think honestly about issues of faith. Miller has moved well beyond the posturing and pretense that characterize too much of Christian apologetics. It's impossible to read Miller without being struck by his disarming candor and honest self-examination. Rather than introduce doubt, Miller makes sense, and he makes a strong case for a Jesus who is real and interactive in the world today. Like journalist Derek Maul's "Get Real: a spiritual journey for men," (2007) Blue like Jazz presents the Gospel as engaging, incisive, and deeply authentic.

Inspired Me to Read His Other Books.......2007-10-08

Blue Like Jazz is a sort of meditation on Don Miller's spiritual life so far (he's in his early 30s), sprinkled with a little Christian apologetic told by narrative rather than by theories or "spiritual laws" (Miller's "Search for God Knows What" is more along the lines of an apologetic though). Miller's writing style is accessible and easy, though he's prone to meditative tangents on the nature of God or faith or creation that may annoy the less religiously-inclined reader. Miller has a lot of credibility in the so-called emerging church movement for his narrative approach (and probably for his decidedly left wing politics), but his religious beliefs themselves come across as pretty standard evangelical Christian, which I was a little surprised by. It's not heavy theology by any means, and there's a lot of raw meat in Miller's book for the internet's theology attack dogs to tear apart, but the books resonated with me. After reading "Blue Like Jazz," I was inspired to read Miller's "Searching for God Knows What" and "Through Painted Deserts." My favorite moment in the book was the "reverse confession booth," where the campus Christians confessed the sins of the church to astonished students. For a new spin on evangelical Christianity, check out "Blue Like Jazz."

Re-thinking my original opinion.......2007-10-06

I am actually re-reading this book because I got so much out of it during my first read. I may have made a mistake by reading all these negative reviews here, but I'm finding I agree with some of them to an extent. It's funny because I am seeing both sides here, both good and bad, about the book. Yes, some of the stuff he wrote about is a little self-obsessed, but some of the stuff he wrote sparked real passion in me and furthered my relationship with God. I think I just had a moment of realization (an epiphany, if you will) that you cannot take ANYONE'S word for anything, except God's. This is just more proof to me that people, no matter who they are or what their intentions or how close to Christ they are, can lead you astray. To conclude; read the book (it has some good stuff in it), take from it what you will, and trust God with all your heart.

Offensive to jazz fans!.......2007-09-30

Donald Miller, I'd like you to take out the sheet music of Mood Indigo, which I'm sure you've studied extensively, and show me where it doesn't resolve--I think that harmonically it's one of the perfect all time pieces of music, and it resolves better than a lot.

Maybe he's talking about free jazz or bop or post bop or modal jazz or something, but I'm not sure he actually knows what those terms mean. It sounds to me like he's heard a couple of jazz songs at some point and decided that this makes him an expert. Yeah, man, he was turned on to this stuff by Tony, his beat poet buddy, man. Oh, that is so hip!

But even if you're saying on a technical level that jazz music, in some of its more far-flung explorations, abandons established notions of harmony, melody, rhythm and tonality, it can always be explained. You can always notate it, analyze it, study it, and explain it. You can break it down to vibrations traveling through the air and you can know exactly what those vibrations are doing.

You can't do that with Christian spiritual notions, because they're based on assertions of faith that require you to abandon the desire for statements of fact to be proved. It's cute, Donald Miller, for you to say that you're just not interested anymore in the intellectual/theological aspects of Christianity, but it's stupid and ignorant for you to use jazz as a point of comparison. Jazz musicians know exactly what they're doing and they can explain it to you in minute detail, and yes, they could write it down if they wanted to. It's not just getting up in front of people and blowing some BS through your instrument. That's what YOU are doing in your spirituality. Jazz music requires training, education, rigorous practice and relentless creativity. What you do requires a huge capacity for BS and evasive, circular arguments. Guess which one I respect more.

Any jazz solo can be studied note for note, analyzed, and explained. And the person who performed that solo can you tell what choices they made at every point and why, and they can base that on established musical concepts. Once you get to that point, it isn't mysterious anymore, but it is beautiful and special in a way that your unfounded, frightened faith can never be.

Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections Between Sexuality And Spirituality

Average customer rating:

Sex God
Flat out amazing
Fabulous perspective with an easy approach
Sex Is Not The Answer
Let's Talk About Sex

Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections Between Sexuality And Spirituality
Rob Bell
Manufacturer: Zondervan Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Sex | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith (Cover Image May Vary)
Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith
The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical
Searching for God Knows What
Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality

ASIN: 0310263468

Customer Reviews:

Sex God.......2007-10-10

Great Book! Whether or not you agree with the author, Rob Bell, his book is an enjoyable read/listen as his enthusiasm and joy at the majesty of God are contagious. Rob takes you through the evolution of God's love expressed in the union between a woman and a man. The book would be appropriate (and recommended) for any young teen getting to the age of dating and considering serious relationships. And it's great for those who are married to help reaffirm their love.
I'd recommend anyone having marital problems to listen/read the book together and rediscover the beauty and holiness of God's gift of a man and woman to each other. Go through it together chapter by chapter, thought by thought and discuss those things that both of you find challenging. But listen to the whole book once first together or alone.
The audio CD is read by Rob and he is one of the few authors I enjoy hearing read his own work. I also recommend his book Velvet Elvis on CD. The print in his books is a little hard for my older eyes to see. But his CDs are marvelous!

Flat out amazing.......2007-09-26

Rob Bell really connects with his readers in this book and I would recommend it for people of any age

Fabulous perspective with an easy approach.......2007-09-09

With it's provocative title, this book can seem like something to be afraid of. on the contrary, Rob Bell does an excellent job at not only sharing a fair perspective of sex and spirituality both with and without Christian orientation, but he also walks the reader through it quite easily. With an almost Socratic approach, the reader can realize meanings and derive personal conclusions through the authors suggestive questioning (much more pleasant than if the auther were to share an epiphany and use the rest of the book as means of persuasion, especially with such a bold subject)

Sex Is Not The Answer.......2007-09-07

This was an excellent book if you are looking to understand why sex is so prevalent in this day and age when we all seem to be ever more so disconnected from reality.

Let's Talk About Sex.......2007-08-29

I can't say enough good things about this book. It is completely unique. It compares sex to spirituality. Specifically, it compares sex to having an intimate relationship with God. Bell says you can't talk about one without talking about the other. He makes a strong case, although it is not written in a linear style. He meanders from stories to conversations to scenes from the Bible to secular quotes. His writing style is very Eastern. By that, I mean it does not go in a straight line. Instead the writing goes in circles and comes back on itself, allowing your mind to digest Bell's thoughts.

This is what I got out of this book: Our extreme desire for sex is really a desire for a relationship with God. Now, I can just hear people saying right now: "No, uh, I really want sex." Bell is not saying we should do without sex, but rather, sex is a physical expression of our truest desire: to be completely naked in front of someone and be unashamed; to be unconditionally loved and swallowed whole; to be connected with someone in the deepest way possible. In his chapter, Make Whoopee Forever, Bell says he thinks of heaven as one big orgy, where we are all the swallowed into Christ's complete and utter love. The joy and agony of sex, according to Bell, is that you come together but are then torn apart. In heaven, the tearing apart won't happen. It will be connection with all beings around you.

Bell covers all sorts of topics: pornography, male/female relationships, why marriages fail. And he does it in his signature writing style. Short paragraphs, some of them only lasting a sentence. The result is a book that flows and reads quickly.

It is also just a beautiful book to look at and hold. The cover is very smooth and soothing, with stripes in different colors. It kind of reminded me of a desert. The pages have a crisp feel. It is one of those books when you open it and you smell that really good book smell. Lastly, there is a small cracking noise when you open the cover. The pages are a soft pink color. I read a chapter a night and finished it in about a week.

Whether you are Christian or not, I think this book is a winner. It brings a unique perspective to the topic of spirituality. And you may never look at sex the same way again. I think you could give these to age 17 through adult. There is nothing inappropriate in it, but the concepts would be difficult to understand without some mental maturity.

Entering the Castle: An Inner Path to God and Your Soul

Average customer rating:

Carry this book with you on your spiritual journey...
Caroline Myss at her best
Good for some
Lost in Translation
get to know yourself

Entering the Castle: An Inner Path to God and Your Soul
Caroline Myss
Manufacturer: Free Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Mysticism | Other Practices | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Entering the Castle: Exploring Your Mystical Experience of God: 9-CD Live Lecture!
Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential
The Divine Matrix: Bridging Time, Space, Miracles, and Belief
Your Power to Create
Invisible Acts of Power: Channeling Grace in Your Everyday Life

ASIN: 0743255321

Book Description

Internationally renowned motivational teacher, spiritual instructor, and popular theologian Caroline Myss has created a transcendent work of unique insight and revelation in Entering the Castle. This exciting new teaching of contemporary mysticism is also a brilliant synthesis of the psychology of consciousness and of Eastern and Western mystical traditions. Myss provides a highly original inner path to self-knowledge -- which is also the road into a spiritual knowledge of God and your own soul -- as she reveals a necessary external path, one that takes you out into the world to serve God and others as a mystic without a monastery -- without having to retreat into total silence, self-denial, or isolation.

As her main template for this extraordinary, modern spiritual journey, Myss uses the beloved, revered writings of The Interior Castle by Teresa of Ávila. Adapting Teresa's vision of the soul as a beautiful crystal castle with many floors, or mansions, and many rooms within those mansions, Myss guides us from room to room, helping us meet different aspects of our self, our soul, and our spirit -- preparing us for the ultimate encounter with God and our own divinity. Through intense practices and methods of spiritual inquiry adapted for contemporary life, she helps us to develop our personal powers of prayer, contemplation, and intuition and to ascend the seven levels of soul knowledge that build an ever stronger interior castle of our own -- a soul of strength and stamina.

As in all her books, Myss also recounts stories of profoundly moving real-life experiences -- of her own, as well as of her students and of renowned spiritual figures -- that bring home the universal truth of her insights. Presiding over the entire book and journey are the great mystics, ancient and contemporary, of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism with their inspiring lives and discerning spirits. And over all, the benevolence, truth, and gentle and tough love of Teresa of Ávila shine through.

Doubtless Myss's most deeply personal, revealing, compassionate, and transforming book yet, Entering the Castle is a comprehensive guidebook for the journey of your life -- a journey into the center of your soul. There, peace, God, and a fearless bliss wait for you to discover them...and claim them for your own.

Customer Reviews:

Carry this book with you on your spiritual journey..........2007-09-12

Carolyn Myss coined the phrase, "We are becoming mystics without monasteries", which is the essence of this wonderful book, based on St. Teresa of Avila's seven interior mansions. However, the book is not meant to be a quick read - it is a roadmap that each one of us may take into the interior place of our soul, our castle, where we can purify, blend, and distill the gold from within, so that we may shine our light out into the world. Take this along on your journey of spiritual growth and service.

Caroline Myss at her best.......2007-08-25

If you've enjoyed and benefitted from any of Caroline Myss' previous work, then definitely get a hold of this. I've always found her voice particularly reassuring and inspiring, so the CD is probably your best bet if you're like me. Entering the Castle is a fascinating modern interpretation of Teresa of Avila's most creative work. Myss's psychological and spiritual adaptation and her explanations and instructions cannot be underrated. I hesitated on this, but am glad now that I've taken the next step on the Myss journey.

Good for some.......2007-08-14

I did not care for this book, but I am giving it 3 stars because I think that it might be a valuable book for some people, especially if you are Catholic or Christian, as this really forms the basis for this book. Carolyn makes an attempt to draw in other faiths by mentioning Buddhism now and then, but she makes it clear that practices such as meditation and repeating mantras just doesn't cut it as a mystical practice. I'm sure the Buddhists & Hindus worldwide are supprised to know that they aren't *really* doing a spiritual practice. Also, if you are New Age or New Thought then you know darn well that you don't want to keep focusing on "the dark night of the soul" and all the other fearsome stuff that Myss dwells on or you're going to attract it and who wants that?

Anyway, I think there are many other ways to get closer to your God than this, but if you've already got that focus on sin, humility, surrender, redemption and such and love to journal and do lots of exercises then this might be your cup of tea.

Lost in Translation.......2007-07-29

It takes 100 pages before you enter the first mansion. Some of the material in the beginning is important, but I'm sorry, I just could not connect with the author's own personal experiences. Some of them just sounded to "new age" to me. Superficial is the word that comes to mind although I do not want to to discredit the author's experiences.

The author brings up a good point about the need for deeply spiritual people in the world. The author uses the term "monks without monasteries". It is a catchy phrase, but it confuses the purposes of different vocations. Both vocations call for personal sacrifices (a word not much used in this book), but they are directed toward different goals. The author belittles, or does not recognize the secondary function of monasteries as a conveyor belt to drive and supplement, to support and re-energize the spirituality of those working in the world. (The primary function of monasteries is beyond the book and this book review.)

It seems like the author is specifically looking for some kind of extraordinary experience of God. We all are. But St. John of the Cross and even St. Teresa of Avila herself, along with many other genuine mystics, urge not to seek, or even hope for, these kinds of *extraordinary* experiences. Although they can and do reinforce faith, they become distractions and obstacles for "the one thing necessary"--to love God for God, not for God's consolations and gifts.

There was also an alarming tone of lack of poverty of spirit throughout the book. The author waits too late to address humility in the book, and then it was a bit shallow. The author treats it almost as a drawback or turnoff to reading any further in the book. In too many places I wrote in the margin, "What about grace?" (One definition of grace, avoiding much Christian connotation, is the gift to see old things in a new way. It is a gift and not something that can be self-manufactured.) The author makes it sound like *you* yourself are responsible for working your way through all the mansions of the castle. Yes, the first couple mansions require *work* on your part, but even through these, God is still doing the *real work*. You have to show up and choose to cooperate. Yes, you have to do your homework, but only grace (energy, power, or whatever term one uses) from God will empower you to do so, not your own volition. Without sincere, deep, and total humility, St. Teresa said that it is impossible to progress through the mansions regardless of how much one wants. (Read Johannes Baptist Metz's small book, Poverty of Spirit if you really want to understand humility and realize/live true poverty of spirit.)

In a spirit of ecumenical/all-faiths dialog, the author has sacrificed the beauty and depth of St. Teresa's original, albeit Christian, metaphors and symbols. The author decides to use the word "reptiles" instead of St. Teresa's word "snakes" for evils and worldly temptations. The word "love", although loaded with connotations, seems to be used very sparingly by the author. St. Teresa's word for God, the object of her total desire and commitment, was her "Beloved". This one missing word makes entering the Interior Castle more of an abstraction or exercise of improving ones self-esteem instead of the infinitely more personal and real seeking union with God.

The questions the author asks within each mansions do assist one along the proper path as outlined by St. Teresa. One should be aware that there are many other questions (and rooms) within each mansion that have not *yet* been explored by the book. It is also important to remember that it is not a sequential, linear progression as the author notes.

The detailed imagery the author uses to describe each room and mansion may help many people, but remember the whole idea of the Interior Castle was to be a metaphor/symbol for the *real* journey. Each room and mansion is just a signpost to where you are suppose to go, to some place to visit within. Do not get attached to the signposts, to the imagery of symbols and metaphors. Since St. Teresa was an apophatic mystic, all of the words and imagery themselves will eventually have to be left behind any way in order to seek union with the God above all concepts.

If this book gives you some insight, great. But I recommend reading the original from St. Teresa. Although this author adds much helpful psychology (which is different in many ways than spirituality), too much is lost and sacrificed in the translation.

get to know yourself.......2007-07-28

this has wonderful exercises to delve into your soul. an enchanting read full of great information. a must for someone on the spiritual path!

Facing Your Giants: The God Who Made a Miracle Out of David Stands Ready to Make One Out of You

Average customer rating:

Overcoming circumstances
Learning from David's Triumphs and Mistakes
Max's Best
Like all Lucado books, awesome
Wonderful book!

Facing Your Giants: The God Who Made a Miracle Out of David Stands Ready to Make One Out of You
Max Lucado
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Facing Your Giants Study Guide
For These Tough Times: Reaching Toward Heaven for Hope and Healing
Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot
Traveling Light Releasing The Burdens You Were Never Intended To Bear
Get Out of That Pit: Straight Talk about God's Deliverance

ASIN: 0849901812

Book Description

Giants. We must face them. Yet, we need not face them alone.

This profound look at the life of David digs deeply into the defeats he suffered, and the victories he won, as he faced the giants in his life. When David focused on God, giants tumbled. But when David focused on giantsâ€¦ he stumbled.

Goliaths still roam in our world. Debt. Disaster. Dialysis. Divorce. Deceit. Disease. Depression. These super-sized challenges swagger and strut into our lives, pilfering our sleep, embezzling our peace and robbing us of our joy. And while these giants try to dominate our lives, we know what to do! We've learned what David learned, and we do what David did. We become God focused. We pick up five stones. We make five decisions. And we take a swing.

Customer Reviews:

Overcoming circumstances.......2007-09-29

I was given this book, it was a good read, but the information wasn't anything new, nor was it very impressive. It was a smooth reader, but almost to the point of beating a dead horse. Now, I am not putting down the work of the Cross or Jesus or the Holy Spirit or even King David. It's just the same ole story with a different author. I did find some of Max's antedotes and case histories of his own family interesting and the view of the Rainbow, that was most interesting.

Would I buy the book, no. Would I recommend someone else to buy the book? Not really. There are better books for the money.

Here are some examples: They Smell Like Sheep by Dr. Lynn Anderson
True Discipleship by Kossler, The Holiest of All by Andrew Murray, Power Filled Living by R.A. Torrey. These are just a few.

I've found when we are facing the giants, if we focus on God, Center ourself on Him, in Him and then look outside the box, so-to-speak and allow the Spirit of God to lead us to someone else that is hurting more than ourselves, God will work out our problems usually by the interaction of our neighbors.

In Christ we pray. Amen.

Learning from David's Triumphs and Mistakes.......2007-09-21

Max Lucado is known for his encouraging books, and this book is no exception. Here, he studies King David, both the good and the bad, to show us how to face the giants in our lives.

The ultimate lesson is simple, when your focus is on God, giants fall. Yet he uses stories from first and second Samuel, both the good and the bad, to show us how this played out in David's life.

The book works as a biography, showing us the events in David's life as they happened. While most chapters are a self contained lesson, it does allow us to see how one event often led to another.

Obviously, we see David fighting Goliath. But we also see him hiding from Saul, his friendship with Jonathan, hiding with the enemy, keeping his promises, falling into adultery and murder with Bathsheba, and watching his own children spin out of control. From this we learn the importance of friends and family, but ultimately the importance of putting our focus on God.

Max Lucado very rarely brings anything new to the table. That's certainly the case here. There is very little I haven't heard before. But he always puts such a fresh, encouraging spin on things, I always see things in a new light. And even when admonishing us, he still does it gently.

I set this book down reluctantly when I finished. My heart was encouraged, and my focus was where it needed to be, God. If you need some help remembering where your focus needs to be, this book is for you.

Max's Best .......2007-09-17

This is absolutely the most enlightening and funny book I've ever read from a Christian author.
This wonderful book is deep enough for an elephant to swim in, yet shallow enough for a child to wade in.
That describes Facing Your Giants to a T.

Like all Lucado books, awesome.......2007-09-06

An insightful tie to old testament events around Davids life and life for us today.

Wonderful book!.......2007-08-26

Story of King David's successes and failures confronting the giants in his life, and how we can learn from them. Many challenging question in study guide at the end of book.

Get Out of That Pit: Straight Talk about God's Deliverance

Average customer rating:

Great book, terrible accent
First Beth Moore Book? It was mine...
A Bit of a Disappointment
What a blessing!
Beth is at her best!

Get Out of That Pit: Straight Talk about God's Deliverance
Beth Moore
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Personal Transformation | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Praying God's Word Day by Day
Facing Your Giants: The God Who Made a Miracle Out of David Stands Ready to Make One Out of You
Praying God's Word: Breaking Free From Spiritual Strongholds
Breaking Free: Making Liberty In Christ A Reality In Life
Believing God

ASIN: 1591455529

Book Description

Beth Moore wants readers to know if God could lift her out of the pit, He can get ANYONE out! She admits she wasn't just a visitor; this former pit-dweller had to be delivered from acres of life-accumulated dirt, bone-chilling darkness, spirit-deadening anger, heart-breaking desperation and mind-numbing confusion. The permanent lessons she learned in her desperation-shared in this very personal book-are lessons of hope for all of us. While she deeply empathizes with the hows and whys of life in the "pit," she continually points readers to the deliverance that awaits. Deliverance is for everyone, she proclaims-no matter how you got stuck, no matter how long you've been down, whether you think you deserve it or not. And in her straight-talking but loving style, she reminds readers that deliverance can begin for them this very day.

Customer Reviews:

Great book, terrible accent.......2007-10-10

I loved the content of this book on CD although Beth Moore's Texan twang could be a little distracting at times. Like all things Beth Moore, it was a very uplifting but stern reminder of the toll this life can take on us and how to make sure we don't get used to the pit we have fell in, slipped in or jumped in. This book has brought up a lot of discussion topics and afterthought. Well worth suffering through the accent!

First Beth Moore Book? It was mine..........2007-09-27

Before reading this book, I had never read anything by Beth Moore. Although talented and driven in her call, her style of writing is conversational and, at times, confrontational. As I was reading this book as a member of a club, I did not put it back on the shelf and suffered through becoming comfortable with a one-sided conversation. I am quite happy that I did.
If you have not read Beth Moore before, give her a chance. Let her "Talk at you", and respond with prayer - He is the one you are looking for a conversation with!

A Bit of a Disappointment.......2007-09-12

I was hoping this book would have some solid answers for me to get out of my own personal pit but all it did was describe many different types of pits without alot of specific sure fire help and ways to be free. I think it's great that so many of you found help with Beth's book, but if "I" had to do it over again, I wouldn't buy it.

What a blessing!.......2007-09-09

Whether you are currently in a pit of your own making or have been tossed in a pit via the wrongs of someone else or just difficult life circumstances, this book is such a wonderful tool to help keep your eyes on God through it all and to "get out of that pit". This is the third Beth Moore book I have read (the first was When Godly People do Ungodly Things and I am ongoingly reading Praying God's Word Day by Day)and she is such a blessing--accessible and solid.

Beth is at her best!.......2007-09-05

I read this book when I was in a pit, myself. Beth's bubbly personality came shining through in this book and made me laugh when I didn't especially feel like laughing. She has the ability to make you feel as if she's talking to you like a true girlfriend and you come away with the feeling that, "Yeah, she's been in a pit too and came out victorious." I highly recommend this book to anyone who needs a good pick-me-up and a catalyst to turning to God for guidance in those times in your life when things seem overwhelming.

Becky Hester (Eastman, Ga)

Simple Church: Returning to God's Process for Making Disciples

Average customer rating:

Concise and practical
Good for discipleship and Church Growth
Simple, but could be simpler
Excellent example of making things simple
Excellent -but felt slightly cheated

Simple Church: Returning to God's Process for Making Disciples
Thom S. Rainer , and Eric Geiger
Manufacturer: B&H Publishing Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication
Practicing Greatness: 7 Disciplines of Extraordinary Spiritual Leaders (J-B Leadership Network Series)
Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens
The Big Idea: Focus the Message-multiply the Impact (The Leadership Network Innovation Series)
Comeback Churches: How 300 Churches Turned Around and Yours Can, Too

ASIN: 0805443908

Book Description

The simple revolution has begun. From the design of the iPod to the uncluttered Google home page, simple ideas are changing the world.

Simple Church clearly calls for Christians to return to the simple gospel-sharing methods of Jesus. No bells or whistles required, so to speak.

Based on case studies of four hundred American churches, authors Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger prove that the process for making disciples has quite often become too complex. Simple churches are thriving, and they are doing so by taking these four ideas to heart: Clarity. Movement. Alignment. Focus.

Each idea is examined here, simply showing why it is time to simplify.

Customer Reviews:

Concise and practical.......2007-09-07

Well, it would be awfully ironic if the book wasn't easy to understand. Fortunately, the authors do with the book exactly what they are calling leaders to do with their churches. They outline a simple structure for streamlining churches and letting loose the baggage that slows churches down.

The process is...simple (sorry to repeat). Churches should seek clarity, alignment, movement, and focus. Clarity is the singleness of purpose, stated in a single phrase. Movement is making sure there is a process of spiritual development that runs through the ministries of the church that fulfills the purpose. Alignment is the process of making sure that all the ministries of the church cannel people through a similar movement to fulfill the purpose. And focus is the challenging process of saying "no" to everything that distracts the church from its purpose. The authors have decided on this clear process as a saving grace to churches, repeat it fluidly, and walk the reader through all four steps.

The theory is based on a study of a number of churches that were considered thriving and many that were not. The authors say that their data shows highly significant difference between thriving churches that simplified and complex churches that did not.

The only part of this book, or the genre, that ought to give the reader pause is that the authors presume that ministry requires a strategic process through which people are funneled on the way to spiritual growth. While that is the reality of modern, institutional church management, it seems to overrule the fluid and organic (if not disorganized) ministry of Jesus and the disciples while co-opting their names. This is not a major critique of the book, just the observation that business management principles are governing the church whose founder had very little to say about business management.

Nonetheless, for those of us who find ourselves dealing with the necessities of management, this book is an essential read. It's well-written, accessible, and offers the bird's eye view that a lot of churches miss.

Good for discipleship and Church Growth.......2007-08-29

This is an excellent book that tells pastors and church leaders to keep it simple, rather than complex and this book tells you how. The basic premise of this book is that simple sells and that keeping it simple and maintaining focus is the best method of discipleship and church growth. If you have been trying to write long vision statements or missions statement or purpose statement and have come away frustrated, then this book is for you.

Simple, but could be simpler.......2007-08-23

I think this book will help many traditional North American churches to lower the bar of how church is done and raise the bar of what it means to be a disciple (to borrow from Neil Cole). But as a former pastor who has recently begun to enjoy the simplicity of a network of microchurches that has no paid staff, no building to maintain or enlarge, and yet enough time to be a small army of disciple-makers, I find Rainer & Geiger more complex than is necessary. If you like simple, you might like simpler even better!

Excellent example of making things simple.......2007-07-22

Simple church not only explained clearly how necessary it is to simplify our way of doing church,or more precisely making disciples, the book was a very good example of doing this. The demonstrated and illustrated in a straightforward way and the process suggested was very simple to follow and easy to apply. Great job!

Excellent -but felt slightly cheated.......2007-07-18

Excellent book, but really this should have been an article, or perhaps one chapter of a book. There's not really enough material to be a book.

Average customer rating:

Rediscovering the Kingdom by Dr. Myles Munroe
Outstanding Book
Most important subject
Rediscovering the Kingdom Audio Book by Dr. Myles Munroe
I am finally getting past the door

Rediscovering the Kingdom
Myles Munroe
Manufacturer: Destiny Image Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Kingdom Principles: Preparing for Kingdom Experience and Expansion (Understanding the Kingdom)
Most Important Person on Earth
The Principles and Power of Vision
Understanding the Purpose and Power of Prayer: Earthly License for Heavenly Interference
Rediscovering the Kingdom Devotional And Journal

ASIN: 0768422175

Book Description

When governments collapse, human philosophies fail and your life is crashing down around you, Rediscovering the Kingdom will become your guide through the treacherous storms of the 21st century. All of the past ideologies have failed—humanism, communism, totalitarianism, fascism, socialism and even democracy. This is a philosophy, an ideology that will not fail, for it was bore in the heart of God Himself.

As Dr. Munroe unveils the reality and the power of the Kingdom of God, you will be challenged to the core of your religious soul as you discover realities that few have seen, let alone talked about.

Rediscovering the Kingdom will defy almost every concept you have about religion as it shifts the focus away from religion towards the ultimate issue—the Kingdom of God. In this book you will discover:

• The keys that make the Kingdom function in your life.
• Why religion cannot solve your problems.
• Why governments and world leaders continue to fail us.
• Why religion can never fulfill your deepest desire.
• Why power is the pursuit of all mankind.
• The present and future reality of the Kingdom among us.
• The original message and purpose of Jesus.

Download Description

When governments collapse, human philosophies fail and your life is crashing down around you, Rediscovering the Kingdom will become your guide through the treacherous storms of the 21st century. All of the past ideologies have failed-humanism, communism, totalitarianism, fascism, socialism and even democracy. This is a philosophy, an ideology that will not fail, for it was bore in the heart of God Himself.

Customer Reviews:

Rediscovering the Kingdom by Dr. Myles Munroe.......2007-10-02

This is a perfect book for a Christian Library. The concept is based on God Kingdom. This book is perfect to use in Sunday School classes or just for personal study. I enjoy reading it and I'm still using it as a reference.

Outstanding Book.......2007-09-24

This book changed the way I've viewed myself and introduced me to a world I never knew existed. It revealed my position as a child apart of a royal family. Thank you, Dr. Munroe. My prayer is that every child of God gets this book and discover who they really are.

Most important subject.......2007-08-14

Myles Munroe has hit on the most important subject in the bible, The Kingdom Of God. The emphasis has been on everything but the kingdom for far to long. Munroe has re-focused our attention on the importance of seeking the Kingdom of God. His unique insight on the subject gives the reader a view of the Gospel that would otherwise not be seen. Being from the Bahamas, he has lived the part of a kingdom dweller and knows first hand what it's like. He then correlates this experience with the life of a believer in Jesus Christ and what comes out is a tremendous work on 'Kingdom living'. If you're serious about your walk, this is a 'must read'.

Rediscovering the Kingdom Audio Book by Dr. Myles Munroe.......2007-08-06

Life Changing, Such a needed word for the Body Of Christ.
Kingdom Information and Impartation.
Thank You Dr. Myles Munroe for allowing God to use you to share so great truths about the Kingdom Of God.

I am finally getting past the door.......2007-06-27

This book is an illumination of truth in a world wasting away in denominational and religious darkness. I thank God for the grace to stay with my faith until this point to read a book that is so dynamic and confirms the good work that God, through His Holy Spirit, has started in me. Prior to this book I thought I was crazy or that everyone else just wasn't getting it. If it's not the off the shelf cracker box Jesus, most people don't accept the idea that our faith is deeper than just Sunday morning church. Thank God for people like Myles Munroe who take the time to spend with the "tutor" and re-discover the truth.

The Complete Conversations with God (Boxed Set)

Average customer rating:

Conversations with God
Buy Three Individual Books Instead of This One
The book I've waited my whole life for
Classic new age spirituality, loaded with insight
life changing

The Complete Conversations with God (Boxed Set)
Neale Donald Walsch
Manufacturer: Putnam Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Mysticism | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Religion & Spirituality | Boxed Sets | Formats | Books
Similar Items:

Home with God: In a Life That Never Ends
Conversations with God : An Uncommon Dialogue (Book 1)
What God Wants : A Compelling Answer to Humanity's Biggest Question
Bringers of the Light
Conversations With God

ASIN: 0399153292

Book Description

For the first time, Books 1, 2, and 3 in the multi-million copy bestselling Conversations with God trilogy are brought together in one special gift edition.

To mark the tenth anniversary of the publication of Conversations with God, Book 1, all three of the most essential books in Neale Donald Walsch's seminal trilogy are brought together in one beautiful volume just in time for the gift-giving season.

Conversations with God, Book 1 was the start of Neale Donald Walsch's ongoing dialogue with God. The trilogy contains the most essential truths and lessons for spiritual seekers, and these books are the bestselling of all the author's works. Featuring a new foreword by the author, printed throughout in two colors, and inserted in a fully enclosed full-color box, this remarkable book will be a Christmas gift to treasure.

Customer Reviews:

Conversations with God.......2007-10-17

The CwG books have changed, and continue to change the way I think about the world. They hold a very positive, very uplifting message. In this edition, it is great to have the first three books by Neale Donald Walsch all together!

Buy Three Individual Books Instead of This One.......2007-10-16

I bought this book, thinking that price and consolidation would be better, but in retrospect I wish I had bought the three individual books for their color covers and ease of carrying one at a time on trips, which is when I do most of my reading.

I'd like to thank the two guys in the Middle East that recommended this book to me. I have provided a detailed review for each of the three books at the links below.

Conversations with God : An Uncommon Dialogue (Book 1)

Conversations With God : An Uncommon Dialogue (Book 2)

Conversations With God : An Uncommon Dialogue (Book #3)

The book I've waited my whole life for.......2007-10-11

If you are spiritual but not religious, and are either turned-off by corporate church or just wondering about the whole concept of "the meaning of life", this is a must-read. Thank you, God for this message.

Classic new age spirituality, loaded with insight.......2007-09-23

Just like Illusions, Seth Speaks, the teachings of Abraham (via Esther Hicks) and of course The Secret, Neale Donald Walsch's Conversations With God books offer up plenty of the New Age thinking about how we literally create our own reality through how we think, how our patterns of operating out of fear and not love are both personally and globally damaging, etc.

This book is a little different in that Walsch actually refers to God (big 'G') as the source of the information he relays to us. Like other books in this genre, if you get hung up on whether NDW actually DID have a conversation with God or if he made it up and these are his opinions, you're missing the point. There are many, many insights in here that just about anyone can benefits from. Read it and enjoy it for what you can benefit from and how it can change you for the better (similar to reading philosophy or poetry for example). The only thing slightly off-base was calling this a 'boxed set' when in reality, it's all in one book.

In any event, plenty of value in this collection; anyone thinking about their place in the universe and wanting to improve the quality of their lives will get something out it.

I just have one question, if these really are the words of God, did the editors at Putnam have to correct God's English? Wouldn't you feel a bit weird: "Oh, no, no, no ... You cant say that." or "This sentence is too long...You're falling in love with Your Own words."

life changing.......2007-09-19

I have read this book and I was completely touched by it. Donald Walsh is an incredible author, asks the perfect questions and has very clear and clever style. This book has changed my life altogether. Even if you're a skeptic this deserve your attention as it will make you think hard about the way you've been taking life.

I will re-read this book over and have made every conscious effort to live my life by its words. In his conversations Donald exposes us to the other side of traditional beliefs, challenges our ideals and mores and pushes us to look at the bigger picture. Oh boy! how big that picture is...

This is an incredibly enlightening book that will alter any person's small way of thinking. If you understand it and enjoy it, then this book was meant to fall in your hands.

Blessed are the ones that are lead to this series of books. This is a trilogy; all 3 books must be read and preferably bought as a set or as one large condensed book like the one described above.

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy With God in the Busyness of Life (Revised Edition with New Bible Study)

Average customer rating:

Great for today's fast-paced women
Not very Mary
Best Devotional Commentary on a Popular Passage
Inspirational
Grew our personal relationship with God

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy With God in the Busyness of Life (Revised Edition with New Bible Study)
Joanna Weaver
Manufacturer: WaterBrook Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Having a Mary Spirit: Allowing God to Change Us from the Inside Out
At Jesus Feet: A Bible Study for Women Based on the Story of Mary and Martha, Learning to Draw Near
Calm My Anxious Heart: A Woman's Guide to Finding Contentment
If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat
Martha to the Max!: Balanced Living for Perfectionists

ASIN: 1578562589
Release Date: 2002-04-16

Book Description

Updated with a new 12 week companion Bible study, Joanna Weaver's popular book shows women how to blend intimacy with Jesus and service for Him.

An invitation for every woman who feels she isn't godly enough...isn't loving enough...isn't doing enough

The life of a woman today isn't really all that different from that of Mary and Martha in the New Testament. Like Mary, you long to sit at the Lord's feet...but the daily demands of a busy world just won't leave you alone. Like Martha, you love Jesus and really want to serve him...yet you struggle with weariness, resentment, and feelings of inadequacy.

Then comes Jesus, right into the midst of your busy Mary/Martha life-and he extends the same invitation he issued long ago to the two sisters of Bethany. Tenderly he invites you to choose "the better part"-a joyful life of "living-room" intimacy with him that flows naturally into "kitchen service" for him.

How can you make that choice? With her fresh approach to the familiar Bible story and its creative, practical strategies, Joanna shows how all of us-Marys and Marthas alike-can draw closer to our Lord, deepening our devotion, strengthening our service, and doing both with less stress and greater joy.

Customer Reviews:

Great for today's fast-paced women.......2007-10-01

I'm only in chapter 2 but I'm enjoying the parallels from Mary and Martha's life to my busy, fast-paced life. It's a good reminder to slow down and I think this is a message many women need to hear today. I highly recommend this book!

Not very Mary.......2007-09-21

This book should maybe have been written by co-authors, a Martha and a Mary.

I've always identified more with Mary, and for me the author didn't really capture her spirit. Ms. Weaver comes across as a struggling Martha trying to be more Mary, writing down Martha-esque strategies and tips for being more Mary. Perhaps she captures a mid-struggle Martha well, but she never gets very far into the heart of Mary.

An example from the book:

"You've known the Lord your whole life, and yet you haven't found the peace and fulfillment you've always longed for."

That's a very Marthaesque statement; it speaks to working very hard to live a Christian life without recognizing what God really wants from you. I don't even understand or relate to that experience (as a Mary, my struggles are in different areas). How do you know the Lord and not know peace? A Mary might have said it like this - "Peace and fulfillment found me and I was powerless to resist; I'm not sure how it happened, but his name was Jesus. Hallelujah!"

The author also gets overwraught with her struggles as a Martha. I'm not sure Jesus was condemning Martha for being task-oriented. Society can't function without task-oriented people. All he seems to be saying is that when God shows up at your door, spend the time being present with him. I'm not sure he's asking Martha to change who she is - he just seems to be saying "I'm here. Take a load off and spend some time getting to know me, Martha heart and all."

It appears that a lot of women who have enjoyed this study identify with Martha. If you identify with Martha and are looking for a book that will help you articulate your frustrations, this might be a good book for you. I'm not sure it has any great answers. I agree with other reviewers who commented that Ms. Weaver wasn't old enough to write this and offer mature wisdom.

Best Devotional Commentary on a Popular Passage.......2007-09-17

I've read a lot of commentaries over the years that deal with the Martha and Mary passage in Luke 10:38-42. None of them enable the reader to apply the truths there as this book does. While this title is directed primarily toward women, men can learn much from it as well. What Joanna Weaver does here is to promote a balance between the productive Martha and the pensive Mary. She describes the value of both, although acknowledging that most of today's women have far more problems with the Mary side of the equation than with the Martha side. This book would make a great women's Bible study -- in fact, several ladies in my church are using it for that very purpose. This title is excellent -- I recommend it highly!

Inspirational .......2007-08-30

We have been using this book, A Mary Heart in a Marth World", in our bible studies on Wednesdays and what a blessing it has been! It is aimed towards women but men will enjoy it just as much. And you won't believe the conversations it sparks! It's an excellent source of information and inspiration that you can use again and again!

Grew our personal relationship with God.......2007-08-01

We did this as a 6 week summer Bible Study (two chapters a week). We met in the evening at different public locations and prayed and discussed the study guide questions. All of us REALLY enjoyed the study! It has made us want to have a more intimate relationship with our Lord. We feel convicted and rejuvenated.

Living Your Strengths: Discover Your God-Given Talents and Inspire Your Community

Average customer rating:

It is helpful
Gallup Goes On and On
Bulk of the book is strength descriptions
it is what it is
Living your strengths

Living Your Strengths: Discover Your God-Given Talents and Inspire Your Community
Albert L. Winseman , Donald O. Clifton , and Curt Liesveld
Manufacturer: Gallup Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Inspirational | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Spiritual | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

StrengthsFinder 2.0: A New and Upgraded Edition of the Online Test from Gallup's Now, Discover Your Strengths
Now, Discover Your Strengths
Growing an Engaged Church: How to Stop "Doing Church" and Start Being the Church Again
Soar with Your Strengths
Teach with Your Strengths: How Great Teachers Inspire Their Students

ASIN: 1595620028

Book Description

While millions of people in the U.S. are actively involved in some sort of religious organization, many people feel disengaged from their faith communities. More than half report that they really don't get the opportunity in their congregation to do what they do best. The problem is this: too many people's talents are going unappreciated. But it doesn't have to be this way. Living Your Strengths shows readers how to use their innate gifts to enrich their faith communities. The book shows people how to identify and affirm their talents, and how to use them for growth and service. Most importantly, Living Your Strengths helps people discover their true callings. The book includes an ID code that gives readers access to StrengthsFinder.com, a personality assessment that reveals the user's top five talents.

Customer Reviews:

It is helpful.......2007-08-09

You may be better reading the original "Strenghts Finder" by Tom Rath. However, this is helpful from a ministry context. It is especially insightful for ministry staff, pastors, lay leaders, etc.

Gallup Goes On and On.......2007-06-26

More ideas from the people that brought you "Discover Your Strengths." In this case they take on a religious bent in explaining how to use your innate talents to discover your place in moving christianity forward. A fairly simplistic look and quick read. Nothing really new in terms of life-altering ideas on how to direct your talents.

Bulk of the book is strength descriptions.......2007-03-24

I was very excited to receive this book, as I had recently been to a workshop at a conference singing the praises of the Gallup-developed strength finder system. I was able to use the code in the book jacket with no problem and it was great to get the results, but I was a little disappointed with the rest of the book from that point. The bulk of the book is just descriptions of the strengths, so of the 30-some-odd most folks will only need to read their five. The rest of the book was pretty much five-point checklists with some ways to be in ministry, which, while nice for the layperson, wasn't the meaty stuff I was hoping for since I am in a church vocation. I am interested in perhaps getting the original (Now, Discover Your Strengths) hoping that it will go into greater detail about how to use the strengths, not just identify them. I'll probably flip through it at a bookstore first, just to be sure. I found the online survey very enlightening and want many folks I know and work closely with to take it! That part was very satisfying.

it is what it is.......2007-03-14

Quite and interesting and helpful title, if it is what you are looking for. It is a basic strengths evaluation, if that's what you want.... buy it, if not... you will probably be disappointed.

Living your strengths.......2007-01-17

I heard the pastor of a parish that used this book and plan. We are beginning to use it and find it very revealing and grace giving.

Finding people to blend together in the parish community is awesome.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books