5 comments about Voices of the Faithful: Inspiring Stories of Courage from Christians Serving Around the World.

1. I received this as a gift for Christmas and have now purchased at least 3 others for gifts. The 1 page, short, daily devotionals are true, uplifting, and have given me a great view into God's practical power and grace for each day. A true blessing!



2. OUR HOLY FATHER USED THIS BOOK TO BRING THE WOMEN OF OUR CHURCH TOGETHER NOT ONLY IN PRAYER BUT IN MISSIONS. IT WAS A REASON TO GET TOGETHER ONCE A MONTH AND SHARE STORIES. WE ORDERED 25 BOOKS AND THEN ORDERED 10 MORE. WE NOW HAVE 35 WOMEN OF THE CHURCH WORKING TOGETHER, PRAYING TOGETHER AND REACHING OUT WHICH IS SOMETHING OUR CHURCH WAS STUGGLING WITH. THANK YOU AND WHAT A WONDERFUL BOOK, MOST OF THE WOMEN COULDN'T STOP AND READ ON AND ON NOT WANTING TO STOP. THANK YOU GOD FOR YOUR DIRECTION AND THANK YOU BETH MOORE AND MISSIONARIES FOR MAKING THIS BOOK. IT NOT ONLY CHANGED OUR CHURCH BUT OUR LIVES. (WE WERE NEVER MUCH ON MISSIONS BUT WE SURE ARE NOW!) GOD'S BLESSING ON ALL OF YOU. A SISTER IN CHRIST.... MARILYN



3. If you are mission minded or want to be then this book is for you. The introduction is written by Beth Myers but the individual daily devotions are written by missionaries from all over the globe. I purchased four of these books and gave them as Christmas presents. When I find a good book, I always want to share it with someone. I asked for a copy for myself as a Christmas gift from my son. It has been a very heart warming book and makes the missionaries seem more like real people doing a real job. As I read these devotions and pray for them, I feel like I am having a part in their work. The four friends I gave this book have told me that it has truly blessed their hearts and they look forward to reading it every day in this New Year.



4. If you are looking for a devotional book that will broaden your prospective about missionairies; this is the book. Beth Moore has an introduction at the beginning of each month. The daily devotionals are grouped together into topics that change each month.
   
   I started reading the devotions in September. October was on spiritual warfare. I was amazed at the depth of the content. You will be suprised that some of these beliefs still exist. We are so caught up in our own little worlds that we do not have a clue about the world around us. Each day has a scripture to read, a story, and a prayer to use.
   
   The missionaries are identified mostly by initials but you are given the region that the missionary lives in. My Sunday School class is using the devotionals before our lesson on Sundays. We take turns presenting the text that usually works right along with our lesson on that particular Sunday. I have ordered the book for some of my friends and they love it also.



5. This is a collection of short essays written by western Christian missionaries who are located throughout the world.
   
   Beth Moore compiles this set of short inspirational readings (one for every day). Each reading is one page. The objective is that you read the short essay, all of which are based on Bible verses, and contemplate the teaching throughout the day.
   
   The essays are arranged by subject. Each month has a different theme. February - the word of God. March - prayer. Etc. Each month's essays are preceded by comments by Beth Moore.
   
   Some of the essays are very inspiring. It takes a couple of minutes to do the daily reading, but one can contemplate it during your daily commute or throughout the entire day. Some of these messages are that good.
   
   However, Beth Moore's comments are my favorite part. She uses charm, wit and wisdom to arrive at a very entertaining writing style, and at the same time she is very effective at getting her point across, and her monthly introductions are perfect for setting up the theme for the coming month. But her short introductions are only to set the stage for the real stars of the book, the missionaries.

5 comments about The Truth About Muhammad: Founder of the World's Most Intolerant Religion.

1. like a typical angry westerner with biased opinion, this is a book for those people who want to hate islam and dont want to learn the truth, citing sources out of context and just hate speech. if you want to hate 1 billion people then go ahead and buy this book, but if you really want to understand the reasons behind what Mohammed did on many ocssions look towards books written by islamic scholars, then you can judge for your self.



2. There is no better book on Islam than this one. A very Non-PC book and a fair guide to what every sane Westerner must know about the religion of Islam and its psychopath founder Muhammed. This is truly a great work and lots of research has been done to get it right.



3. Please read this book and others like it that expose Islam as a destructive belief system and Muhammad (Damnation Be Unto Him) as a delusional child molester whose followers are incapable of accepting or recognizing the falsehood of their beliefs.



4. This book uses little factual proof behind the claims that the other makes. Dont waste your money on this book. This guy is just showing his anti-muslim sentiment.



5. Robert Spencer is a brave man. Seemingly the rest of the world insists that Islam is a religion of peace and that terrorists--like those that flew planes into the Pentagon and World Trade Center--have hijacked an essentially peaceful religion, a religion building on centuries of its peaceful Judaic and Christian forerunners. This view is pervasive, and Spencer dares to contradict it.
   
   What Spencer aims to do with his book is outline the theological basis on which groups like Al Qaeda and the Taliban operate. His findings are damning--rather than radical theological hijackers, Spencer shows that terrorist groups have a firm, easily defensible foundation in the example--the sunna--of Muhammad himself. Spencer accomplishes this using solely Muslim sources, including the Koran, the ahadith (the sayings of Muhammad, as opposed to the Koran, which is the divine words of Allah Himself), the sunna, and the corpus of historically authoritative Islamic theologians, the ulema. The portrait of the Prophet that emerges is not a pretty one.
   
   If Spencer skews his view, hammering home the negative examples of the Prophet's life at the expense of Muhammad's good traits, he does so because he is not attempting to write a definitive biography of Muhammad. Rather, he has selectively chosen his material to show that all the terrible actions of modern Islamic terrorists have some solid grounding in the deeds of their supreme example himself. That Muhammad did sometimes preach peace and tolerance (of a sort, provided infidels pay the jizya) goes unsaid. Spencer is proving that Islam is just as much a religion of warfare as it is of peace.
   
   Which is where Raymond Ibrahim's Al Qaeda Reader comes in. I recommend Spencer's book in addition to the former, as the two have a great deal in common. Where Spencer details the less than sterling example Muhammad has provided to today's terrorists, Ibrahim allows today's terrorists to speak for themselves--and they make precisely the arguments for jihad, the subjugation of women and the murder of innocents that can be found in Spencer's book.
   
   Whether or not you read this book along with Ibrahim's, The Truth About Muhammad is a terrible but enlightening look at one of the most important figures of world history.
   
   Highly recommended.

5 comments about And There Was Light: Autobiography of Jacques Lusseyran, Blind Hero of the French Resistance.

1. I received my first copy of And There Was Light in 1977. The book was out of print at the time and members of my spiritual group had to resort to copying it for study. I'm grateful that it's back in print and Jacques Lusseyran's life and work are receiving more attention. Regarding the subtitle, I wonder what Jacques would say about being called a hero? Perhaps he would just laugh and shake his head since he conveys so clearly in And There Was Light that he was just an ordinary person who trusted his heart in a world gone mad. I think the best compliment I can pay the book is it makes me long to be better myself.
   
   As others have said it's a book about blindness, coming of age, WWII, the Holocaust, the French resistance, etc. What is truly unique about it though cannot be easily described, and is best appreciated in the reading. Just get a copy and read it.



2. This is a very unique perspective that has a miriad of themes. Keep in mind that this book has been translated from french. The semantics and verbage is somewhat awkward at times, but the message remains clear. This meling pot of personal experiences encompass: blindness as a youth, minds-eye interpretations of a blind individual, internal strength, the occupation of France during WWII, the French Underground, detailed brutality of the Nazi Party, prison camp conditions, and repatriation. Once again, I will stress that the themes are broad and this is a translated text, yet it still succeeds in painting a well orchistrated picture of each theme. Most importantly, the theme of hope and strength solidify the foundation and triumph in the end.



3. This is a beautifully writen book. Read it for yourself. You will really enjoy it.



4. This is the autobiography of a blind hero of the French Resistance during WWII. Lusseyran lost his eyesight as a young boy through an accident at school, caused by a bully. But instead of sinking helplessly into darkness he gradually developed his other senses to extraordinary capacity.
   When seventeen,while interviewing volunteers, willing to join the Resistance, he perceived colors when they answered questions. These colors revealed to him whether they could be trusted or not. Once, however,his friends disagreed with his recommendation. They all were taken prisoner and sent to the Concentration Camp.It was there, that the 18 year old found his second calling: Poetry. Reciting poetry by heart, he assembled the prisoners daily. The imagery had life-sustaining quality for them and a moment of renewal to all that participated. His experiences and observations there, later led him to choose to study philosophy and literature at the Sorbonne.He lectured at the various American universities until his death.
   recommended additional reading by Lusseyran: "Against the Pollution of the I"



5. A classic study in overcoming adversity and finding hope in hopeless situations. If it were a work of fiction, we would doubt the author's credebility - but this is not fiction, this is the real life of an ordinary individual made extraordinary by the light of his saviour. It is an inspirational book and adventure action novel all in one. Rarely do we find a hero so authentic and humble as Mr. Lusseyran - and only he could share the story because only he has access to that light so necessary for the complete telling.

5 comments about John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace.

1. This is one of the best books I have read in the past 12 months. It is tightly written, full of insightful anecdotes, and paints the life of an ordinary man that God used to make an extraordinary impact on the world in which Newton lived...and beyond. Even if you are not a regular reader of christian biographies (like me) this one is worth picking up.



2. Mr. Aitken's book takes us through John Newton's amazing life, and I found myself very pleased to read the story of Newton's role in the abolition of the slave trade through his influence on his friend Wilberforce (who served in Parliament devoting his life to abolition) as well as his own testimonies to the British authorities. Further, his Christian devotion to William Cowper helped that troubled man get through many dark periods -- even suicide attempts -- and he, Cowper, became one of the leading lights of 18th century English literature.
   Also, his devotion to and love for his wife, Polly, is also heavily accented in this work. It was a 43 year love affair, despite the fact that many found her to be unattractice and somewhat deficient between the ears. Also, they never had children. Nonetheless from the day he first set eyes upon her until the day of her death, she was his one and only.
   Rev. Newton also demonstrated singular devotion to hymnody in worship services which was suspect in high Church of England circles at that time. He showed a sympathy for and interest in some of the religious enthusiasts of the day that rankled some of his Church of England contemporaries, but his charitable attitudes seemed to win over those who needed to be won over, and the cause of Christ was served mightily by the man until he was in his eighties (he was exceedingly long-lived for a person in that century).
   The author is thorough in his treatment of the above themes, but the work is a little too cooly detached for my taste which is why I have given it a four rather than a five. It's filled with facts, yet the texture of the man doesn't really come across. I would have liked a chapter on Newton's theology, a chapter discussing the themes and lyrics of his hymns, his role as a preacher other than his impact on the famous individuals Wilberforce and Cowper, and some more personal touches that one usually finds in good biographies, whether one learns his favorite food, his reaction to issues of the day (other than slavery), and some critique of his writings. He was a pastor for so many years, but one comes away with scant sense of the man.
   Despite these shortcomings, I highly recommend this volume. It's worth every cent. As one reviewer notes, it shows that there is definitely room for Christian involvement in politics that one sees clearly after reading this volume. Christian statesmen are still needed.
   Likewise, I was pleased at his caring and patience for his desperate and suicidal friend Wm. Cowper. He did not assume that because Mr. Cowper was not walking around cheery and seemingly joyful all the time that he was not saved. Too often today Christians are ashamed to say they are sad,and many are disconsolate, yet are made to feel guilty about this. Christ told his disciples to "be of good cheer," but we are not rejected by Him if we are not.
   Read this book and learn from it, but don't expect literary flair or an analytic treatment.



3. What I Enjoyed:
   
   Aitken does a wonderful job of putting together the life of Newton into a beautifully weaved story. One of the literary features that makes this work shine is the inclusion of Newton's letters. Sometimes it feels as if Newton is writing his own biography. One of the temptations in writing a biography is to portray the subject without many flaws and often times almost above human status. Part of the beauty of Newton's story is that he was such a great sinner. The more that we can see Newton as a great sinner the more it points to Christ as a great Savior. Aitken keeps Newton human.
   
   What I Disliked:
   
   In as much as Aitken shines on displaying Newton as a great sinner, I felt that in expressing latter half of Newton's statement ("...Christ is a great Savior") Aitken dropped the ball. Newton would be disappointed to find that a biography on himself did not have at its center the magnificent work of Jesus Christ. One standard I apply in reading biographies is this: after reading the biography, do I want to learn more about the man or am I driven to know Christ more. After reading this, I want to know more about John Newton. That is not altogether bad but a very important part of the story played a flat role. Newton was the main character when it should have been Jesus. Because of this we miss discovering what it was that made Newton tick.
   
   Should You But It:
   
   Nonetheless, it is a great work on John Newton and will serve the reader well. My hope is that it only introduces the reader to Newton and inspires you to pursue more of his work, because therein one might see and savor Jesus Christ. Should you buy it? Yes. Should it be the only Newton book in your collection? No.



4. Jonathan Aitken has written an excellent biography, one of the best Christian biographies I have read. Newton is a great subject for a biography for he had a long and amazing life. Aitken is well qualified to write about "From Disgrace to Amazing Grace". He writes with style. His chapters are refeshingly short and to the point. The story is thrilling with "many dangers, toils and snare". One looses counts of the dangers from which the young Newton escapes. It is the story of a great sinner who was found by a great Saviour. Aitken tells the tale with real spiritual as well as historical undrstanding of his subject so that in concluion he can point the reader to spiritual lessons to be learned from Newton's life. For example. God's timing is not ours. Newton had to wait six years from applying, to be finally ordained as an Anglican minister. His marriage is an exemplary and touching story. Newtons spitiuality and prayer life are a real challenge. Aitken shows how faithful and inovatory Newton was as a pastor and how he helped many, especially his best friend William Cowper. Without Newton there would have neem no great poet only a forgotten suicide. Similarly, without Newton we would probably not have has Wilberforce, politician and reformer. Aitken also tells the story of Newton's famous hymn, its composition and rise to fame. Aitken faithfully relates Newton's faults too. His support of the American rebels had to be withdrawn but one is led to understand why many in England, especailly non-conformists, were suppporters of the rebels. Newton was an eirenic man who eschewed party labels and associated with Christian irrespective of denominational labels. This is a great biography and I hope we will have more from this fine Christian author.



5. The story of John Newton's life is one of my personal favorites. Like most of us, Newton's journey to his destiny was filled with false starts, obstacles, and a good deal of regret. Perhaps of all the biographies that I have read, the story of this man's life resonates most with me as genuinely truthful and truly inspiring.
   
   Most people may not initially recognize the name of John Newton, that is until it is noted that he wrote the hymn Amazing Grace. Despite that it was written over 200 years ago, Amazing Grace is the most sung, most recorded, most played song ever. Not bad for a creation that was meant only to serve as a simplistic way to teach scripture to Newton's congregation in Olney.
   
   Perhaps this song resonates so deeply with so many people because the words reflect John Newton's own extremely troubled life journey. Newton spent many years of his young adulthood completely lost. Career wise, he had no idea what he wanted to do and seemed bent on rebelling against everything that was given to him. The only thing he seemed to excel at was creating havoc. His greed and resentment led him to do horrible things including becoming a slaver.
   
   After a series of what Newton perceived as divine interventions, the man slowly began realizing that he needed to change his life. After a lot of false starts, Newton turned his life around and dedicated himself to God's word. In his lifetime, he became a bestselling author bringing religious material to the masses. His frank testimony about his actions in the slave trade was also significant in the abolishment of slavery in Britain.

5 comments about Authority and Submission.

1. Very thought provoking. I'm in the process of studying this book along with the scripture references



2. I would like to give all the glory, honour, dominion to our Heavenly FATHER for being such a Sovereign FRIEND, who other than Him, to put the keys of the kingdom in our hands (Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.), in books written by HIS friends & servants, and then to be able to order them on amazon.com. He has given people talents, which are wonderful & such a blessing. But Brother Watchmen Nee was a man after GOD's own heart for submitting to His leading & writing so many books. My Beloved family I would like to tell you that the books written by Brother Nee are not just self help books. They are not just things a man has put together from the Bible hoping to make a dollar. They are words that proceed out of the mouth of GOD (Matthew 4:4 "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.") A person has to have a close relationship with our Heavenly FATHER to received such a grace to write such weapons of warfare [2Cor.10:4 "(For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)] Do you understand that Brother Nee wrote these books with the Anointing to break the yokes of bondage that are on us; not only in the natural, but in the spiritual. Where fear bind us to only tread upon things that we can see & leave the true things of our Heavenly FATHER alone in the spirit. Talents cannot allow you to walk in the supernatural. A book written about how to grow in prosperity (money) isn't it supernatural. The riches the Bible tells us of is in Matthew 6:19-20 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:" What riches can we take that are earthly & carry to heaven with us? NOTHING! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! So what Brother Nee is saying to us as we read the divine revelations of the FATHER's lips are life, the way & the truth to eternal SALVATION(JESUS)(John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."). The things we do for our Heavenly FATHER is what counts when we get to heaven. Not the things we have accumulated here while on earth. We need spiritual things to carry us through this way, this truth, this life because the GOD that we need to serve is SPIRIT & LIVING (John4:24 "God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth."). Beloved Family, we need to understand that there is no excuse as to why we don't move up in the things of GOD. We must be discipline in our efforts to seek Him diligently. We must not be slack in pursuits in HIM. There are books that are written by talents. Talents are skills or learned things people are able to do through education. But the Anointing is something that a person must be qualified in the eyes of our Heavenly FATHER to do (2Tim. 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."). We must take seriously that we have an adversary named Satan that seeketh to destroy, kill & steal from us. He is as real as our LIVING FATHER is. And Brother Nee submitted to the will of our Heavenly FATHER to set us free from the bondages that Satan attempts to keep us in. I write with a passion for all of you to passionately seek our FATHER with diligence. HE loves you & doesn't want these spiritual weapons to work against you. HE has provided you with that you need (Psalm 23:1 "[[A Psalm of David.]] The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want.") The want here says "LACK" He has not given you any lack concerning the tools of warfare to win souls to and for HIM & to defeat the Devil & his works 2Cor.10:4 "(For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;). 1Cor. 15:57 "But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." Read Beloved Family.... Read what HE has for you. Grow spiritually... Remember the church of Laodicean in Rev.3:14-22 " And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked(spiritually blind without the Gifts of the Spirit revealing the way, the truth, nor the life to you): I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire(the things which the FATHER has revealed to you in prayer while consecrated & fasting through holiness & righteousness{right standing with GOD}) , that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."



3. This is a must read for any practicing Christian. It will change your life.



4. Watchman Nee is so original in his presentation and reflections on the Bible and the Christian life in general. This book really challenged me to accept certain patterns of authority and guidance which the church often neglects to teach. This is one of those books that I highlighted many a paragraph!



5. This book is excellent. It is just what I needed. It has made me rethink many things, from how I talk about my President and other elected officials to the way I act toward my church, to the way I drive. Submission is the key to a full christian life and it permeates all areas. Mr. Nee shows that in a great, effective way. This book is best read with it in one hand and with a Bible in the other hand. If all Christians could practice the message given here, the church would be much more effective. It humbled me in many areas. So simple but yet so deep.

5 comments about Benedict of Bavaria An Intimate Portrait of the Pope and His Homeland.

1. Of at least 3 biographies I have read on Pope Benedict XVI, this one is by far the superior one. I finished it with a much greater sense of who this man is and how his Bavarian German background has shaped him profoundly. On the one hand, he is an erudite, brilliant theologian and thinker, probably near or at the top of all who have occupied the Papacy. On the other hand, his kindness, shyness, prayerfulness and deep humility shine through every page.
   
   I feel enormous gratitude that he is precisely the right man needed and providentially chosen to lead Christ's Church at this moment in history. You become utterly convinced as have other biographers that he was elected Pope because he was the best qualified and the obvious choice to assume the office.
   
   All the tired, worn-out stereotypes of a stern and inflexible prelate appear nowhere because they are fictitious caricatures of this holy and courageous man. His sharp, analytical intelligence and astounding knowledge reveal one who can draw on two millennia of Church history to readily elucidate, distill and synthesize complex issues on many subjects to arrive at logical and understandable conclusions.
   
   He is portrayed as forward thinking and remains lovingly and unremittingly hopeful toward Jesus Christ and His Church for the future. I cannot recommend this book too highly if you really want to get to know on a serious level our beloved Pope and his keen vision for carrying out the will of God for the Church in the third millennium. The author writes very well and has done an outstanding job.



2. There have been a lot of stuffy biographies written on the Holy Father. This is not one of them. In fact, it's the only biographical peek at Pope Benedict you need to buy. This book is a charming look at his life and the land that made him. It's well written, fast paced and intelligent without being dull. Pass up all the others and snatch up this lovely, lovely little book.



3. This delightful, intimate portrait of our Pope is unique among the crop of "Benedict books" that have sprung up during the past three years. It places the Holy Father in the context of his hometown of Bavaria, a heavily Catholic region the south of Germany. Writes Pursell, "When Americans think of everything good and fun about Germany -- oompah bands, Lederhosen, fine sausages, oversized pretzels, exquisite beer served in hefty glass mugs, fairy-tale castles, Alpine skiing, beautiful countryside, exquisite cars, and, of course, Oktoberfest -- they are thinking of Bavaria, whether they realize it or not." One of the hallmarks of this Pope's pontificate is his appreciation for the "cult" (i.e., religion) of culture; learning of the culture which shaped and formed him helps readers appreciate this connection too. If you are put off by books heavy in theology or doctrine, "Benedict of Bavaria" will not bowl you over. While it addresses these topics, it's more interested in showing you Benedict the man. We've been planning a trip to Rome for the fall of 2010; after reading this book, Bavaria may now be on the itinerary.



4. As someone who loves our Holy Father dearly and treasures him, I just had to have this book to add to my collection. I found that I'd already read much of the information, but for the few gems that were new it was definitely worth buying.
   For people who know little about Pope Benedict this book is a good starter pack. Brennan Pursell obviously loves the man and he is, indeed, very easy to love. He's not any of the things he's been called in the past and no one should listen to names like "Panzer Kardinal" etc. He was never an active member of the Hitler Youth - all of these things had to be trotted out when he was elected and should have been long forgotten now.
   Pope Benedict is a sensitive intellectual theologian who is adapting well to being the supreme pastor of us all. Brennan Pursell chronicles his life and work so far in such a way that anyone who didn't understand Benedict before reading the book, will now surely love him and want to read more.



5. Slowly though I have come to know more personally the man behind the words and have only grown to love him more over time. Though seeing the Pope on a more personal level is difficult since may of the books that address him cover mainly his career with some basic details of his life before going to Rome. I was quite happy to receive Benedict of Bavaria An Intimate Portrait of the Pope and His Homeland recently and figured there was no better time to read it than during the Papal visit. This was exactly the book that I hoped it would be from its title.
   
   The author Brennan Pursell is a convert to the faith and covers his own conversion in the first chapter of his book and his subsequent interest in Josef Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI. While the author is an American his wife is German and the book shows that he was quite able to give a perspective of the Pope and his connection to Bavaria to give you a fuller understanding of the man.
   
   The majority of the book covers the time from Josef Ratzinger's birth to his time at Regensburg before going to rome to head the CDF. I am really glad that he spent so much time on this part of the Pope's life since this is the part that I am quite interested in since I have already read plenty on the later chapters of his life. The book is loaded with details and insights into how Catholic Bavaria influenced the Ratzinger family and the connection and pull it had on his life. It is no secret that the Pope desired to go back home and retire with his brother and had requested to retire a couple of times while acting as prefect of the CDF. Seeing the Pope through the lens of Bavaria is quite useful and I felt necessary in coming to a deeper understanding of the man of him as a person.
   
   There were plenty of details I had not seen in print before and though while the book relies on what the Pope has written himself in Milestones and other places there is a good amount the author found through other sources. The book calls itself an intimate portrait and I found that to be true in showing the Pope's family life and his later life with his brother and sister. There are some great stories in this book and I especially loved details like the nicknames given to the two brothers while in seminary. The German nicknames translate roughly to Organ-Ratz and Book-Ratz and it doesn't take too much imagination to determine which of the brothers is Book-Ratz.
   
   The last chapters of the book cover his years in the CDF and then finally as Pope while giving a good overview of the major milestones in what will shortly be three years of his pontificate. Again though what I enjoyed most was the little details that more showed Josef the man and it really it quite amazing that a person with such a great intellect has the humility to match it. It seems to me that these qualities are rarely matched in the same proportions. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the Pope than a more sterile biography would give.

5 comments about Out of the Flames: The Remarkable Story of a Fearless Scholar, a Fatal Heresy, and One of the Rarest Books in the World.

1. Before reading this work I had, at best, a very cursory knowledge about Michael Servetus, John Calvin, the role Switzerland played in the Reformation, the evolution of printing and it's impact on European religious thinking / the Enlightenment, and the more subtle interplay and tensions between the Catholic church and the reform protestant religions of the 16th century. This book fixed all that!!
   
   The tracing of the history of the rare heretical volume, it's presumed "extinction" and surprising resurrection, and it's impact on liberal Christian thought just adds to the intrigue and value of this well told and well documented story.
   
   I'll leave it to others to give a detailed synopsis of the main historical characters and the specific events, as so many reviewers have already done so effectively. I'll just add that the writing is concise and expressive; the events engaging and exciting; the depth and breath of the subjects and historical characters perfectly developed and delivered. I couldn't put it down.
   
   If you have an interest in history and religion buy this book. You won't be disappointed.



2. This book appealed to me due to its coverage of a fascinating period in the evolution of religious ideas and its portrayal of a freethinker I'd never heard of before. The authors do a great job of providing the context in which Michael Servetus came to his own ideas about God, the Bible, the Catholic church and protestants. Thankfully they don't try to portray him as some sort of freethinker's saint. My only complaint is that the book does not provide much detail on Servetus views other than on the Trinity. I'd have preferred more pages on his religious views and less on the backgrounds of some of the other people in the book.
   
   I was a little concerned with the fact that the authors are not historians, but this concern was tempered by the fact that their bibliography indicates they did extensive research in writing this book.



3. Scholarly work. Yet humorous passages that had me laughing out loud. Excellent writing that brings the period (1400s-1500s plus) into vivid, current relevance. Shows John Calvin for what he really was: hypocritical, cruel. Shows the almost forgotten Michael Servetus as the hero he was and is. If we hadn't forgotten so much history, we wouldn't be repeating so much of it today--some trying to turn back the clock on religious liberty--and we would be much better off today!



4. I was only slightly familiar with the account of Michael Servetus' fatal disagreement with John Calvin during the early Reformation until recently. This short, but thoroughly entertaining and informative, book is written so very well, that I feel compelled to praise it. One discovers much more than a very intelligent "heretic"; we come to understand the man's motivations, his inquisitive and earnest efforts to educate men about what he saw as erroneous theology, and the personal enmity of John Calvin towards him.
   
   Where the book excels is in the area of tracing out the paths of these two arch rivals as they increase in knowledge, but not always in good graces or wisdom. What really drives these men and how their lives are interwined with the advances made in book publishing, is contrasted with the previous disemmination of knowledge and the iron grip the Roman church had on it until this time. The barbarity of intolerance and the political incest between the Roman church and governments of this age are amazingly foreign to our way of thinking, but really did happen. A very good argument for "separation of State and Church"!
   
   A great story that may change the way you see the Reformation movement and Calvinism as well as the Roman Catholic church. Highly recommended for it's historical value and thoroughly interesting story.



5. I found this to be an interesting "historical" novel and learned much from it. The significant historical importance of the printing press at the time in regard to religions. Michael Servatas' contribution to science as well as to liberal, progressive religion is significant and how his writings have survived through the years is fascinating.
   The style of writing was unimpressive as far as I'm concerned but the facts I learned more than made up for it.

5 comments about Against All Odds: My Story.

1. A must read. Very inspirational. Shows that in this life you should never give up. You must always believe and have faith. Eventually you will succeed. I would recommend this to all those who are serious about life, serious about achievement, serious about helping others.



2. A good book, espically if your a Chuck Norris fan. Easy read, went through very quickly. Truly enjoyable.



3. I admire Chuck Norris very much. I think he sets a fine example for young and old alike. Personally, I would have liked to have read more about the personal side of his life and just a little less of his martial arts story. The segment of "Walker, Texas Ranger" was way too, too short. Still, I'd like to read more of his material. Now, Chuck, in my opinion, is a real man!



4. * Minor Spoilers Ahead *
   
   I thought this book was great. It starts off with Chuck's early life at home with his mother and father. The story gets interesting to read since Chuck lived a very poor life as a child and on top of that, his father was an alcoholic. He talks about his time with his brothers, and his mother, and his relationship with God. At the next stage in the book, Chuck talks about his development as a martial artist and his career as a America's top martial artist champion. Then he gets into his acting career as well as his political career (although he never ran for anything, he has a very good relationship with many former and current president, Bush).
   
   I was disappointed with the ending of the book though. It seems Chuck spent a great deal in the first half of the book explaining his outlook on life, his relationship with God, his family, and his career choices. In the ending though, Chuck seem to trail off that road, and get more into his relationship with his new wife, her children, and their new born twins. Although that was interesting, I think he left many details of his life in question. For example, his relationship with his father ended with his father death, and it seems like there was more to the story and I'm guessing perhaps it is too personal to tell. Another example is his relationship with God. He said many times that he didn't follow God fully. What prompted him to change his outlook in life? Did he have some type of moment where he suddenly realized that his relationship in the Lord was all that mattered? Also, in the end he didn't fully explain what his future plans are. He indicates that he plans to be a full time parent, and on top of that get his martial arts in public school program going, and doing business roles in his school.
   
   Overall, I was pleased with the book. I feel in the end he left many things in question. Perhaps it's too personal or maybe he doesn't know what he wants to do or his thoughts. I liked the book and recommend it to anyone interested in Chuck.



5. Chuck Norris's life story will make you laugh, cry and realize what Jesus Christ can do in your life. Thank you Mr. Norris for sharing your story with the world. A must read for everyone. Recommend 100% to all.

No comments about Ignatius of Loyola: Founder of the Jesuits (Library of World Biography Series) (Library of World Biography).

5 comments about A Mother's Rule of Life: How to Bring Order to Your Home and Peace to Your Soul.

1. I purchased this book for my daughter in law after reading several reviews.
   She LOVES it !! And she has already shared it with several other young women at church.
   What a great gift it has turned out to be.



2. I LOVE this book. The way she describes herself in the beginning as being a burned out, over worked, homeschooling mom, was me in a nutshell. At first I was very sceptical about whether or not taking the advice of this book would actually help me. I read the book and learned a bit about myself and my vocation as a wife and mother, but I still wasn't ready to conform to a strict schedule. Almost a year after reading it, I finally decided that what I was doing wasn't working, so I might as well try her idea of a schedule. It has completely changed my life. As soon as the first day of using our new schedule, my 10 year old son told me how much happier he was to know what to do and when. He looked at is as knowing when he would be able to sit and watch a ballgame on t.v. LOL!
   
   My advice for people that intend to read this book is to not get caught up in how structured the authors day is. She is more organized than anybody I know. I would never be able to plan my day in 15 minute increments, but she gives the tools needed to get a general outline of your day for you to set up what works best for your family. We ended up dividing the day into big chunks of time for various activities. I'm still trying to perfect the schedule, and I know that it will always be a work in progess, but it is really nice knowing where my day is headed and how everyone is going to get there. I highly recommend this book.



3. This book had some practical ideas that aren't very new. Such as having a schedule and such. But I had a hard time, as I was reading the book, believing that her ideas on a schedule were realistic with nursing babies and homeschooling. Certain personality types will struggle with this book, others will probably love it. I didn't feel very encouraged or excited or motivated by reading this book. I suppose it just wasn't written for my personality. I learned alot more and felt more encouraged by other books such as MOTH (Managers of their home) and Emily Barnes books. Good luck!



4. Very easy to read--a mix of personal testimony and stories and advice. I recommend this book to lot of moms--it's obviously very religious in nature, so I wouldn't recommend it to a mom with little or no religious faith. I think even though it's written by a Catholic, Protestant women can overlook the Catholic references and substitute their own faith practices and experiences, thus a good book for all Christian moms (and not just homeschoolers like Holly). I find when I follow the suggestions in this book, my life is more orderly and peaceful. The hard part is sticking with it!



5. This book is very unrealistic--both in its suggestions to mothers and to fathers! It has some good points--make time for yourself, your kids, and your husband & do things for love of God. BUT it is written for only one kind of personality/spirituality and wd not be realistic for anyone with a pregnancy, a nursing baby (she gives a bottle) or any kind of chronic illness. That covers a LOT of women!
   If you think it would be helpful or realistic to try to impose uptight military discipline on yourself and your household, then borrow this book from a friend and see what you think. But if you want some down to earth advice on how to get organized, look elsewhere.