4 comments about The Prisoner: An Invitation To Hope.

1. An excellent book and a keeper. I have bought it for several of my friends.



2. A very compelling true story...It's very hard to put the book down. I read the book in 3 days, at work, at home and where ever I could get 10 minutes of spare time.



3. This book is very good. I was skeptical at first, but I realized that the change in the man happened over a long period of time.



4. This book is a special and important story of redemption and forgiveness. It follows the life of Jim Townsend, from his troubled youth, to his commission of a horrible crime, to decades spent in jail, and finally to a life of promise and hope. The lessons that Jim learns throughout his life help him finally to see his self-worth and prompt him to work on behalf of youth and inmates in this country. I found the story harrowing - and the take-away incredibly meaningful. While Jim's life is dramatic, its messages resonated with me (and, I wager, with all of us): forgiveness, freedom, love, self-worth. I highly recommend this book.

No comments about Volume Three: God the Father Speaks to His Children (Directions for Our Times) (Directions for Our Times as Given to).

4 comments about John Updike and Religion: The Sense of the Sacred and the Motions of Grace.

1. "John Updike has said that 'religion created Greek literature and died within its embrace.' Another religion may or may not have created Updike's works, but this volume of essays shows that the embrace is long-standing, seductive, many-sided, and by no means moribund. With obvious affection and clarity of vision, these crtics have hugged the Updikean shore very well indeed." Anthony C. Yu, University of Chicago Divinity School.



2. "From an abundant but contradictiory world as it is, John Updike has in fifty books recorded in prodigious detail 'an intense radiance we do not see.' That underglow is explored in these fifteen thought-provoking essays about the religious dimension of his work. Some essayists protray his themes as Lutheran, Barthian, or Kierkegaardian, but all see this work as a lifelong Pilgrim's Progress, with Updike a pilgrim who is sometimes in motion upwards, but at other times only watches while God moves inexorably toward him." Doris Betts, author of "Souls Raised from the Dead" and "The Sharp Teeth of Love."



3. James Yerkes is the editor of a wonderful collection of essays dealing with the topic of faith in a delightfully down-to-earth manner. John Updike and Religion: The Sense of the Sacred and the Motions of Grace (Eerdmans, $24). That longwinded title may scare away Updike admirers who fear wading in the dark waters of academic posturing. They need not worry, for the book is a relatively breezy read, with only a semi-occasional wandering into verbosity. For instance, Yerkes (who teaches religion at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pa.) writes about Updike in the light of having watched and enjoyed the Jack Nicholson film, As Good As It Gets. Nothing stuffy here.

   James A. Schiff writes that for Updike, "God permeates every aspect of human life so that his presence is felt in and around households. Updike doesn't state his beliefs in so many words, preferring--as most artists--to "suggest that the possibility of there being something greater beneath the physical surface." As Updike wrote in Assorted Prose, "Blankness is not emptiness; we may skate upon an intense radiance we do not see because we see nothing else."

   Schiff sees God presence in Updike's writing, although "beneath the surface, pushing through, as well as above the world, providing light and hope."

   If you share an enthusiasm for Updike, be sure to check out editor Yerkes' excellent Web page called "The Centaurian" devoted to Updike.




4. The editor and contributors do a fine job documenting and interpreting Updike's religious insights using his own words from a wide range of his writings and interviews. It's one of the best resources for literary scholars as well as Christian-minded readers. All will have their spiritual values reinforced and their faith deepened and challenged, enriched, and inspired by this instructive introduction to this gifted Protestant writer and observer of American culture. It also has a comprehesive bibliography.

1 comments about A Second Look at Sports.

1. Dwight Allen, the sports chaplain of the air interviews champion athletes and coaches with an emphasis on their spiritual side, their character traits, and also their positive attitudes. A Second Look At Sports shows what a good attitude can do for a person. Dr. Allen's book exudes his genuine care for mankind. The people he interviews are "encouragers in the midst of life's problems."
   
   From John Smolz to Nancy Lopez, the sports chaplain has created a work that speaks to us all. This book can be read one interview at a time.It's not all a barrel of laughs. There are some very serious situations, but if you are curious about how others deal with situations and especially to those who enjoy sports, give this a read.

No comments about Van Cliburn Story, The.

2 comments about St. Martin De Porres-Apostle of Charity (Cross and Crown Series of Spirituality).

1. This book is the most thorough and compelling biography of St. Martin De Porres. He was a Black-Skinned Hispanic who faced harsh discrimination centuries ago in Peru. Martin De Porres is known as the Patron Saint of Social Justice and the apostle of charity. He loved all people as sacred chidren of God and all animals as sacred creatures of God. Martin De Porres was a healer who cured sick people and animals including birds, cats, chickens, mules and dogs. He never ate flesh-foods. Martin De Porres was literally the Catholic Gandhi who opposed all forms of violence agianst any sentient being. This book is inspiring and St. Martin De Porres was a truly a Saint who wanted earth to become another idyllic Eden wherein there would be no bloodshed, strife or disharmony. Please purchase this book because it is solacing and will bring peace to your heart and soul. It is truly lamentable that modern Christians do not embrace St. Martin De Porres' reverence for all life creed !



2. This book introduced me to St. Martin de Porres. The book describes in detail the exemplary life that St. Martin led in sixteenth-century Lima, along with the amazing things that happened to him as a result of his friendship with God. St. Martin's aim in life was to share all that he had with those who needed it - including both the destitute homeless and the theoretically-rich Spanish gentry who occasionally hid their own poverty behind a mask of pride. As an example of service to others, of true selflessness and love of God, one should look to St. Martin de Porres. Read this book as a good introduction to this extraordinary Saint.

5 comments about The Churches of Christ in the 20th Century: Homer Hailey's Personal Journey of Faith (Religion & American Culture).

1. David Edwin Harrell, Jr. is truly a first rate scholar. For an unbiased and objective history of churches of Christ, this book is a must. Unlike that of Richard T. Hughes, Harrell is not hostile to the movement and therefore much more accurate in his coverage. Harrell has not reduced the churches of Christ to a Denomination among many denominations without a distinction. This is an accurate story of the attitudes and consequences (A title of one of Homer Hailey's books)among the movement which shaped its history. The movement is vividly illustrated by Harrell's coverage of the life of one of the great preachers, Homer Hailey. The reader will find that the book is difficult to put down as Harrell has made events and people come alive. All members of the church of Christ and those interested in religious history should read this book.



2. "The churches of Christ were riddled by dissension: indeed, the American restoration movement had always been a case study in controversy" (41).
   
   How does one write a summary of a history text whose breadth and depth score almost a century of important facts? Harrell, who lives during much of the history he writes about, describes the two general themes that the reader can hitch along with through the tome. These themes are indeed means to understanding the facts and the analysis of history. These themes are: (1) the course of controversies of churches of Christ in the 20th century and (2) the telling of the life story of preacher Homer Hailey.
   
   Through these, it is possible to understand much of what has happened and to notice that time is indeed flowing like a river and history repeats itself. The weaving of controversy and individual lives is perhaps the clearest and most concise summary of the book. Nevertheless, Harrell does aid the reader by breaking down the narrative into three well-researched and documented sections. The first and third sections deal more specifically with the life of Homer Hailey. The second section deals with the mainstream churches of Christ and their controversies. By now, it is clear that it is impossible to distinguish the church's history from its troubles, and vice versa.
   
   Section 1: Homer Hailey and the Churches of Christ: Origins
   
   The life story of Homer Hailey begins in humility and ends in humility. Hailey's exodus through cities and congregational meetings is a light that is cast through the world, showing pin-points of Christianity dotted all over the western and southern United States. It is fitting that Hailey's influence went beyond one region of the country, yet it is somewhat regrettable that those outside of the brotherhood do not have much of an understanding of who brother Hailey was and what he stood for.
   
   Section 2: The Mainstream Churches of Christ: 1920-1999
   
   When Harrell gives an overview of the splits in the 1890s and 1950s, he maintains his constant argument that both splits were similar in many respects and that history could repeat if men [. . .] continue wearing the mantle of the heroic yet destructive Foy E. Wallace, Jr. to the dismemberment of Christ's body. The presence of brotherhood magazines throughout these periods is also worthy of note.
   
   Section 3: Homer Hailey and the Noninstitutional Churches of Christ: 1925-1999
   
   If the previous section detailed the stormy environment, this section placed Hailey right in the center of the whirlwinds and those who would reap their bitter crops.
   
   In Closing
   
   While there most likely are superior historians with regard to ability, Harrell tells a remarkable story of pioneering brethren who came out in full swing into a new age with the same calling.
   
   In the story, however, Harrell seems hokey at times by referring to himself as a character in the narrative in the third person-a device long since abandoned by autobiographers in the 19th century, for obvious reasons. However, the insertion of the historian's role in the unfolded history does achieve several goals: (1) to show that Harrell was a minor player in the events he witnessed, (2) to show that Harrell wants the appearance of full disclosure of the role he played in history, and (3) to show that even the most seemingly objective voice has a slight bias that must be formally acknowledged in the interest of fairness.
   
   Because this is a highly personal book, Harrell presents Hailey in such a way that a truly objective historian might not be able to show. Harrell reveals much of Hailey's character as a result of how he weathers the storms of brotherhood dissension: "Hailey insisted: he went to a church in order to communicate the vital truths of the Scriptures" (376). May that be the goal of every modern gospel preacher, to have such integrity, strength of character, devotion, and a pure desire to "stand in the pulpit."



3. I have the good fortune to be the son of Rob Hailey, Homer's brother and boon companion for the first 20 years of his life. This book captures my uncle's life-long commitment to thought, reflection, and prayer, to teaching, preaching, and scholarship. (When I visited him a month before he died, he showed me files of current projects: research and writing of vital interest to himself and to his fellow believers.) My uncle's personal journey aside, Professor Harrell has found a fascinating way to write a history. Is history about events and ideas, or is it about individuals? Harrell gives us both. This book, regardless of its subject, models a method of inquiry that other writers of history should think about imitating.



4. I have the good fortune to be the son of Rob Hailey, Homer's brother and boon companion for the first 20 years of his life. This book captures my uncle's life-long commitment to thought, reflection, and prayer, to teaching, preaching, and scholarship. (When I visited him a month before he died, he showed me files of current projects: research and writing of vital interest to himself and to his fellow believers.) My uncle's personal journey aside, Professor Harrell has found a fascinating way to write a history. Is history about events and ideas or is it about individuals? Harrell gives us both. This book, regardless of its subject, models a method of inquiry that other writers of history should imitate.



5. Ed Harrell does a masterful job of relating the amazing life of Homer Hailey, one of the most dedicated, humble, and influential preachers in the churches of Christ in the 20th century. If you were fortunate enough to know this man, you will be fascinated by the story of his life and career as preacher, teacher, and author.

   But this book is far more than a biography of Homer Hailey. In the book, Harrell also makes a monumental contribution to the study of the history of the churches of Christ in the 20th century. After recounting Hailey's early life, Harrell sets aside Hailey's personal story and recounts in fascinating detail the issues and people that influenced the doctrinal positions and divisions of the heirs of the "restoration movement." Much of this 180-page middle section of the book is dedicated to the controversy over "institutionalism," the issue of building para-church organizations and "sponsoring church" arrangements with money pooled from various independent congregations. Harrell's analysis of this issue shows how social attitudes in the 1950s contributed to the impetus for the massive missionary and evangelistic schemes, television programs, etc., that became the focus of the controversy. There also are shorter sections on earlier controversies regarding pacifism and premillennialism, as well as more recent controversies regarding "discipling," the Holy Spirit, the quest for a "New Hermeneutic," and other issues.

   After this very meaty middle section, Harrell returns to Hailey's early years as a preacher, his long tenures as a teacher at what are now Abilene Christian University and Florida College, and Hailey's Arizona retirement, when he wrote many of his books.

   The middle section of this book is not for the faint of heart. Harrell's meticulously documented story of the controversies of the last 100 years within the churches of Christ reveals how all too frequently disputes and divisions within the fellowship were exacerbated by inflated egos, harsh words, and precipitous actions that, at least in retrospect, appear unbecoming of Christians. Still, as a member of this fellowship, I found the book encouraging. Through the life story of Homer Hailey, Harrell has preserved a wonderful example of a man who, through the grace of God, rose above his own difficult childhood and the combativeness of many of his peers to exemplify the true "servant" mentality fully demonstrated in Jesus Christ.

5 comments about A Mountain in the Wind: An Exploration of the Spirituality of John Denver.

1. John Denver was many things to many people, to some a happy camper whose view on the world was Far OUT! While to others Denver was a visionary, someone who inspired others to look more deeply into their values, their world and do something proactive about it. Although MS Smith attempts to explain Mr. Denver's spirituality, the book is more "her" take on spirituality than Mr. Denver's. It's also distracting to find out that Ms. Smith never knew Mr. Denver personally so how can she claim to represent his views? After reading it I wondered why I'd wasted my time reading this. Rather than read this book buy more of John Denver's later cds from the 80s onward and discover his spiritual beliefs through his lyrics for yourself.



2. You'd have to be a pretty dedicated JD fan to like this book. It clearly has positive intent and there's no question the "Everyman" approach John Denver took to his own spirituality was appealing to a broad audience. This book just "misses" in so many ways that it's a difficult read.



3. This book is more about idol worship then it is about John Denver. I had been looking forward to reading this, but unfortunately from the moment I began I only became more and more disappointed and uncomfortable. The author moves away from the humanness of the artist and focuses on creating a picture of someone that we seem to be expected to worship as a deity rather than appreciate as a humanitarian. John Denver was a committed and conscientious believer in the goodness of the human spirit. I think you will find his philosophy is best represented in the tableau of his own music. Truly, it would seem a much better place to go to understand his spirituality.



4. Christine Smith's "A Mountain in the Wind", is a wonderful piece of literature that finally comes along and unbiasly expresses the essence of what John Denver and his music were all about. It's not about the celebrity; it's not about the man; and it's not about his personal and daily habits, practices, or patterns of living. If that is what people are seeking then his autobiography would be a better place to start (entitled "Take Me Home", also available from Amazon.com). And, for those seeking to find a written, proverbial "signature" of John and his life, this is quite simply not a book for the "fans" but rather a book for the seeker and the believer of truth. This book takes a deep and serious glimpse into the essence of the spirit and the nature of all that encompassed John's beliefs, as we all should believe, about life and what is so about living. It's more than just getting up in the morning and going to work each day, or singing a song on stage, or doing a television show or political speech. It's more than a part time renewal or commitment. It's about "being", an inner lifestyle and mindset that radiates love and gratitude for all living things, and towards the world as a whole. It's about a lifelong process of development, growth and change that leads to the natural awareness of who and what we are. It's about the happiness of being human, the sharing of each other for the good of all, and it's about the success and failures of the heart. It's about silence and feeling, empathy and honesty. And, ultimately, it's about freedom; the freedom that means we are all one body, one song in the vastness of the cosmos, created in the image of God with nature as our example, our guide, and our nurturing life force. It is a narrative that enlightens and inspires, from the many examples of his music, his thoughts, and his actions, the deepest principles that took a lifetime for John Denver to discover about his fellow man (including himself), our world, and the meaning of life; things he was still learning even at the time of his tragic death. And, from John's examples, Christine marvelously captures a diversity of spirituality that characterizes the natural and unwritten language known only by the soul, which understands the ways and means of a higher order of awareness about existence. And, she translates this non-corporeal and timeless belief system quite eloquently into a language we can all relate to and understand. Finally, from the pages of this wonderful, philosophical and poetic narrative, we too can learn and/or put meaning to those feelings and beliefs within us all for which the end result will enable us to focus more distinctly on our own future and life in hopes that we too will foster the same marvelous paradigm that John Denver exemplified each and every day. With certainty, his music displayed it most giftedly. He was a man with deep convictions of love towards his fellow brothers and sisters and all that exists in the world, and was a wonderful inspiration to us all. We are all ONE", and all of us can believe as John did, and be called to action for change. We are not alone in our lives and wanderings, and we all possess the innate power to give of ourselves freely and unconditionally to each other, and to our world. As the superbly chosen title so eloquently testifies, "a mountain in the wind" means balancing adversity, individuality, and oneness with the struggles of life and the essence of existence that helps to maintain a togetherness as a family; like a mountain [range] in the wind -- strong and unwavering in spite of frailties. Thus, within each of us dwells, yet only a few ever choose to exercise, the intrinsic capacity to be, "A Mountain in the Wind."



5. I'm a die hard John Denver fan, so it would be very hard to displease me. This book does. I know much more about JD's philosophy, and I've done no research and only shook his hand a few times....The book is so full of praise you would think this man is Christ....I had to throw up it is so sweet.

No comments about Life and Sermons of Edward Griffin.

No comments about Knowing the Times.