5 comments about Stormie: A Story of Forgiveness and Healing.

1. This book is absolutely amazing! I've read it twice and could hardly put it down both times. Stormie lays it all out, and this book is so honest and real. Thank you Stormie, for being willing to share your story with the world. It helped me tremendously!



2. Stormie's story is truly a story of what a great Redeemer and Savior we have in Jesus Christ!! The bible says that where sin abounds, grace abounds even more. AMEN!! Thank you for writing this story. I have read the other books of Stormie ... the power of a praying woman, wife, parent, the prayer that changes everything: Stormie's story gives the rest of her books a little more hope. Because who she was, wasn't who she remained. There is complete and 150% hope in the Lord. Thank you STormie, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you.



3. Even for those who have been brought up in a loving family, this book will be deeply moving. To those who have experienced an unhappy childhood, lacking love and perhaps experiencing abuse, this book will surely encourage one to believe that Jesus is indeed the one who is anointed to heal the broken hearted and bring hope, healing and wholeness to any who turn to him.
   
   Stormie tells her story with amazing frankness and honesty. Truly this is a book that cannot be put down. The pain, trauma and emotion flow from each page with heart rending effect. In the final chapter where she tells of sharing her story in a women's prison, its impact on the inmates reflects its moving power as she relates how Jesus Christ took the broken pieces of her life and made her whole. If you know anybody who has suffered abuse and broken relationships this book is a must read for them, but it is highly recommended to all readers whatever their background.



4. One of the best, authentic Christian biographies on how God delivers us from evil into the light of His Son, Jesus. A truly inspiring story of forgiveness and healing. I could not put this book down until I finished it! This is absolutely a "must read" for all Christians who need to understand the power of God and the process of sanctification.



5. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to have a look into Stormie Omartian's life and heart. It was easy to relate to the open way she told her story, through pain and loss, through mistakes and fear, through faith and triumph. She got real, more real than I even expected, and she truly touched my heart. As I read, I felt the grace of God covering her writing and allowing her to express the truth of her faith and her experiences in a way that could heal and bless others. When you read this book, no doubt, your heart will connect with Stormie's story and feel just as blessed as mine did. God bless you, Stormie. And thank you for your courage...

1 comments about Bill Bright and Campus Crusade for Christ: The Renewal of Evangelicalism in Postwar America.

1. This work on Bill Bright and the historical survey of Campus Crusade for Christ reflects a fair and balanced and historically accurate account of this important evangelical personality and movement. Much of the inner workings of the early years are explored in vivid detail. The battle between fundamentalism and evangelicalism pits Bill Graham against Bob Jones University. Bill Bright is forced to choice sides. This crisis moment, one of many throughout the history of this organization, is perfecftly set by the author in the crucible of the early emergence of evangelicalism. Though the book is about CCC and Bill Bright, it is properly subtitled "The Renewal of Evangelicalism in Postwar America" for in this work the reader catches the continual struggles, victories and setbacks for CCC as a microcosm of the entire movement, especially for parachurch organizations. Some of the historical narative in this work follows closely other biographies on Bill Bright. But this is the first histography to actually disclose both the good and the bad, the positive and the negative, with balance and objective historicity. Other biographical works have function as propoganda for CCC (Amazing Faith, I Found It). On the flip side, articles from Protestant liberal magazines on one end and fundamentalist (hear Bob Jones University Press) on the other end, have both presented Bill Bright as the antichrist, a tyrannt and heretic. Nice balance, good understanding of the 50s, 60s and 70s, allowing the reader, even if from more recent birth, to put their minds around the times. As the evangelical 70s receives appropriate historical evaluation, this work will serve as a model approach to the individuals and the organizations that comprise evangelicalism.

5 comments about Adam: God's Beloved.

1. This text by Henri Nouwen will touch the soul of your being and recognize that Christ lives in the most humblest and forgotten around us.



2. Henry Nouwen, professor of spirituality at some of America's most prestigious universities, the writer of numerous popular-yet-subtle theological and reflective works, found his greatest calling in his daily care of Adam Arnett, a severely disabled man. Nouwen was charged with caring for Adam for 2 hours a day at L'Arche Daybreak in Toronto, a home where caregivers lived together with those they cared for.This biographical sketch of Adam's life and death was Nouwen's final work before his own death in 1996.
   
   "Adam, God's Beloved" is simple, even in comparison with Nouwen's other work, which while profound, is always quite accessible. Nouwen almost provocatively lays out Adam's life in parallel with the seemingly more active and productive life of Christ. Like the Lord, Adam had his hidden years, and experienced a desert, a ministry, and passion, death and resurrection. Due to the severity of his disabilities, which left him unable to speak and barely able to feed himself, Adam's mission was often seen reflected in the lives of those who cared for him. Unable to act, he was constantly acted upon. And it is this observation that Nouwen sees as seminal to understanding Adam as "beloved." Like Jesus, Adam needs to accomplish nothing in order to be loved by God. Adam's very inability to act reveals what is at the core of his meaning, as it is of ours, that God loves *him*, the person -- not his accomplishments, his looks or his possessions. This insight is both extremely simple to express and extremely difficult to live. That Nouwen himself, after decades of teaching and living the spiritual life, did not fully appreciate this insight points to its almost unreachable depth.
   
   This book celebrates Adam's life and the love of those who cared for him, especially his parents, Rex and Jeanne Arnett and his brother Michael, but also of the many workers at L'Arche. But the book also attempts to communicate the humanness -- the pure belovedness -- of Adam to those who never met him. And perhaps to challenge them to connect with their own lack of a feeling of belovedness, and the misery that this lack produces. This is a one-insight book, and cannot adequately substitute for the work of achieveing it, but it may be as close as many of us ever come to it.



3. ADAM: GOD'S BELOVED may not be Henri Nouwen as a writer at his best, but in many ways it is Henri Nouwen as a priest and a person at his best. I know that this sounds like a contradiction, but a reading of the introduction of the book by Sue Mosteller explains some of the difficulties of this book. First, it was a bit of a rush job and the version we have today may not have been the final version had Nouwen not died prior to its publication. Even his last editor Robert Ellsberg in an article called "Editing Henri" (part of a collection of articles in a book titled REMEMBERING HENRI, a volume celebrating the life and work of Henri Nouwen) wasn't sure what Nouwen wanted to accomplish in this book until he read the final version and thought about what it said about Henri Nouwen as a person. Ellsberg's approach may be the best way to approach ADAM.
   
   ADAM tells the story of Adam Arnett, a severely disabled young man Nouwen met while living at Daybreak, a L'Arche community comprised of people of differing abilities, founded by Jean Vanier. In sum, Nouwen cares for Adam's personal needs and believes he comes face to face with the suffering Christ and sees through Adam that every life is important and has a purpose. This is basically a summary of the book and there are many writers, most notably Vanier himself, who speak eloquently about the role of the disabled in society and how the disabled reflect the life of Christ. Like many readers, as some other Amazon reviews will attest, I expected more, or at least I expected more as I read the book. I admired Nouwen for venturing into a place where too many look away, but I hoped for more profound insights from this person who shared so much with so many. I do not believe there is another spiritual writer who has shed light on so many topics, who can be deep and profound yet also simple.
   
   After reading the book, I thought about what I read, which would makes Henri Nouwen happy since he always wanted people to stop and reflect, then I realized what may make this book so important in understanding Henri Nouwen. Nouwen spent his life feeding others spiritually, finding all sorts of ways people could find God and meaning in life. When he arrived at Daybreak, he was both physically and emotionally exhausted, knowing that so many expected so much from him. Adam, whose well being depended on the care of so many, needed Nouwen too, but in a different way than those who wanted to hear him speak or read his next book. As Nouwen served Adam's needs he felt something he hadn't felt before, namely unconditional love and experienced the presence of Christ. Nouwen finally experienced what he provided for so many in his care for Adam. He needed to share this story. No doubt it would have been different if he had lived longer, or another volume with deeper insights would have been published at a later date, but for readers who loved Nouwen's writing and believe we know the man through his works, realizing he was able to experience what he so freely shared with others makes this work indispensable in understanding Nouwen and left me with a good feeling knowing he experienced the riches he so generously shared with others.



4. I'm the father of an eight-year old boy with Down Syndrome. I cherish and value the disabled. I wanted to love this book, which tells the story of the author's relationship with a severely disabled man. But, really, honestly, it isn't that good. It was unfinished at Nouwen's death and retains a half-baked, rushed quality. There is remarkably little description of Adam's everyday life: indeed, for every sentence about Adam, there must be three or four about Nouwen's interior life. At times, Nouwen sentimentalizes and "theologizes" the severely disabled, which is another way of obscuring their humanity. Nouwen meant well, the publishers meant well -- but "Adam" just ain't that great.



5. This book was recommended by a neighborhood childhood friend who I greatly respect, and I ended up greatly respecting this book.
   It's a deeply moving account of what it is like to live day by day with a severely disabled man named Adam. In Adam, the priest, Henri Nouwen, finds a spiritual treasure, a new way of looking at the world, that transcends his immersion in religion so far in his life. As the father of an autistic child, I was brought to quiet tears many times. He saw Adam as a great teacher, as I also see my son Stephen, who has severe autism.
   His book will no doubt get you to to look at life from a completely different and fresh viewpoint. Thank you to Ann my
   wonderful Catholic friend for having this book touch my life. :)

   Jeffrey McAndrew
   author of "Our Brown-Eyed Boy" and radio broadcaster

5 comments about Faith and the Presidency: From George Washington to George W. Bush.

1. Even though tomes have been written on the American presidents, Dr. Smith manages to bring fresh insight as a result of painstaking research. ( It could serve as a model for any student looking to document his research) The book is not "light" reading....but the author writes with clarity and with as much impartiality as humanly possible. I found his distinction between the ways that these presidents' faith shaped their policies to be thought-provoking. This book provides a strong framework from which to examine the coming election season.



2. I encourage you to set aside a block of time each day as you loose yourself in the history and faith of each of these men. It is full of interesting faith facts that just a history of these presidents would never touch. I must confess it took me time to read and digest this book, but well worth the time. I look forward to reareading this book in order to grasp new facts that I did not glean from the first read. I would love to see it used in school class rooms everywhere. The research, notes and excellent writing of this work is outstanding!



3. A first-rate work in which eleven presidents are analyzed in terms of their religious beliefs and their actions. Solid framework of analysis. The work brims with new details, broad understandings, and sound and judicious conclusions. Impressive, varied bibliography. The copious notes, alone, are worth a close read. Sparkling writing and sound organization make this a page-turner.



4. If you are looking for fresh information about the role of faith and religion in the lives of some of America's greatest presidents then I highly recommend purchasing Faith and the Presidency.
   The author, Gary Smith has done his homework. His research is very thorough and his style of writing is clear and free of technical jargon.
   I thought the book presented a balanced view of democrat and republican presidents; and the author covers each president's religious affiliation without bias. After reading this book I finally understand why religion is such a hot topic during every presidential election.
   Reading about Abraham Lincoln and how his faith helped him address the crises of the civil war is the best I have read to date.
   Students, teachers of history, religious leaders and those with a love of presidential history need this book to complete their library. A must read for 2007!



5. Gary Scott Smith's Faith and the Presidency is fascinating to read and weighty in substance. Full of personal details drawn from the lives of various presidents as well as important observations about public policy and religious impulses, Smith hits the sweet spot between bold, exciting claims and strong supporting evidence.
   
   I was particularly persuaded by the book's observation that the foreign policy of presidents more readily reveals their philosophical commitments because the U.S. presidency has greater latitude abroad than at home.
   
   This is a book worth reading from cover to cover. Smith hits a home run with this exceptional book. A tour de force!

5 comments about William Wilberforce: A Hero for Humanity.

1. The story--or at least the legacy--of William Wilberforce is one that should be standard issue in all history courses. He is highly unknown in the US, perhaps because his greatest work came after its separation from Britain. But even I, who studied Political Science with strong philosophical and international emphases, had not heard of him until over 4 years after I graduated. Very well written book about the man who championed the cause and accomplished the abolition of the slave trade, and later the total abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire. Belmonte captures the essence of the man and his life through a text rich in its use of sources and first hand accounts, with appropriate use of personal insight and conclusions. True to the subtitle, Wilberforce is duly shown as a hero for humanity, a champion for everything human, and a role model for all who desire to make a real difference in this world. Couple with the movie "Amazing Grace," this book provides a rich look at a man who was the wealthies man of his time in all the ways that truly matter.



2. I read a lot of biographies, and have to say that while I am a fan of William Wilberforce and the movie Amazing Grace, this biography is not on my favorites list. Primarily, I disliked the structure of the book. It is written topically instead of chronologically having sections on his early life, his political life, his influence, his family life, etc. For example, the book has 10 chapters, and his marriage to Barbara Spooner isn't introduced until chapter 8! This made the book feel like a collection of essays instead of a typical biography. I won't read it again.



3. This was a fabulously written and researched book. The depth of the original documents that were touched made it authoritative and the writing style was captivating. The descriptions of his personal and family life and how he related to his peers was particularly valuable to me. I also gained any insights into the reading list of Wiliam Wilberforce which is always a window into a man's soul. Highly recommended.



4. This is a great introduction to the life and pursuits of William Wilberforce. His deep love and concern for humanity is fantastic.



5. I was truly unaware of who William Wilberforce was before reading "Amazing Grace" by Metaxes. Then I found "Real Christianity" by Wilberforce and now I am almost finished reading "William Wilberforce: A Hero for Humanity." The book, "William Wilberforce: A Hero for Humanity", is a can't put-it-down kind of read. It brings in notable contemporaries of Wilberforce which richly adds to the fiber of the text. Wilberforce's "Great Change" made him a mighty force for Biblical Christianity. I believe it should be a strongly suggested read for all politicians at every level of government (village, town, city, state, and federal). We need to see a moral turnaround in our beloved U.S.A. seen in the hearts of its citizens. Morality cannot be legislated. I give the book a five stars (thumbs) up.

4 comments about Jazz Notes: Improvisations on Blue Like Jazz.

1. Allow me to begin with a short excerpt:
   
   "Many of our attempts to understand and define the Christian faith have only cheapened it. I can no more understand the totality of God than the pancake I made for breakfast understands my complexity." (page 101)
   
   Buy one for your car, put one in your iPod, keep one in the office, have one in every bathroom, and make sure one is on your night stand. A perfect gift for a friend. What can I say, I adore Donald Miller's stuff, even when Thomas Nelson published this remix of his classic, Blue Like Jazz.
   
   That being said, the audio CD that accompanies the book is a dismal disappointment. Somebody at TN had the bright idea to mix some awful background music with Don reading a selection of his prose. Hey, Thomas Nelson --- kill the background music!!! It was a terrible distraction when one is attempting to focus on the essence of what Don is saying...it didn't work.
   
   A great contribution. A wonderful gift for a friend. Use the CD as a flying saucer with your neighbor's barking dog whose is chained up in their backyard 24-7.
   
   In summary, reading Donald Miller has this effect on me, "Wonder is the feeling we get when we do just that --- let go of our silly answers, our mapped out rules that we want God to follow. And I don't believe that there is any better worship than wonder." (p. 109).
   
   Thank you Thomas-Nelson and Donald Miller



2. Have you read Donald Miller's "Blue Like Jazz" yet? If not, you may be in lagging behind. This bestselling 2003 book, written in a Kerouac stream-of-thought personal essay style with a touch of Anne Lamott's irreverence (that makes you feel guilty for laughing at religious people) and some honest down-to-earth self-deprecating genuineness seems to have touched a chord in people worldwide. So far, the book subtitled "Non-Religious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality" has sold more than a million copies and not only remains among the top selling inspirational books in the nation, but each year it outsells the previous year--for five straight years after its publication. That is phenomenal in any market.
   
   Anyone who has read "Blue Like Jazz' can never forget Miller's opening story. He writes:
   
   "I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn't resolve. But I was outside the Bagdad Theater in Portland one night when I saw a man playing the saxophone. I stood there for fifteen minutes, and he never opened his eyes.
   
   "After that I liked jazz music.
   
   "Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself. It is as if they are showing you the way.
   
   "I used to not like God because God didn't resolve. But that was before any of this happened."
   
   After that, who would not want to read what follows? But for those who have yet to climb aboard, I might suggest that you look into a shorter version of the book: a little hardback gift book entitled "Jazz Notes: Improvisations on Blue Like Jazz." It is a just-released selection of excerpts from "Blue Like Jazz," a sort of literary equivalent of a remix CD--cool sound-bytes combined with brand new material that offers the reader an inside look at some Miller's unforgettable--and outrageous--characters. "Jazz Notes" is the essential Donald Miller with non-religious (often irreligious) reflections on how his incredible spiritual odyssey started; what happened to him that helped him experience grace and faith for the first time, right smack in the middle of one of America's most liberal colleges; a recasting of the marvelous "confession booth" account; and how he discovered a surprising way to really love other people--and himself. On top of all that, "Jazz Notes" includes a bonus audio CD of some of the book's timely excerpts read by Miller.
   
   Of course, not everyone will like "Jazz Notes," or for that matter "Blue Like Jazz." For some Donald Miller is a bit too earthy, too worldly, too cynical. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. But even the most shocked among Miller's readers will probably find themselves chuckling uncomfortably at the inconsistencies that plague modern Christianity or else squirming before the mirror this insightful young "prophet to postmoderns" sets before us.



3. I have a lot of friends who simply would not devote the time to reading the original Blue Like Jazz, so Jazz Notes has been a great gift-book alternative. It focuses on the key elements of the original book, and I found the several pages of new material interesting.
   
   I could say the same thing about the "bonus disc." A disc that clocks in under one hour is a good alternative to listening to hours upon hours of Don Miller reading his book, especially given that his spoken-word delivery isn't as dynamic as his words on a page.



4. I am extremely irritated to have wasted my money on this. I am a huge fan of Don's work, have read Blue Like Jazz multiple times as well as his other books, have bought and listened to his MP3 recordings on his website, and read his blog occasionally.
   
   So I was really excited to have some improvisations on one of my favorite Christian books. I knew that there would be some repeat between this and Blue Like Jazz, but the promised "brand new material" and the audio CD that came with it were a total waste.
   
   First, let's be clear about what this is: The book itself is a small hardcover gift book, half the size of a normal book and 139 pages long (so you get about 60 pages of material). The material itself is about 5 chapters from Blue Like Jazz which have been abridged and modified slightly to fit into this small format - nothing new.
   
   The so-called "new material" is 25 paragraphs about where the people from the book are now (nothing depthy or that provided any further connection to the people), a tiny bit about Don's new book, the movie version of Blue, and how it feels to have a bestselling book/ thanks to loyal fans. As an avid reader of Don's work, I have read just about all of it before - the same stuff is touched on for free in his blog.
   
   The enclosed audio CD is 45 minutes long and is excerpts from Blue Like Jazz, the audio book. Zero new info. I hoped it might be actual jazz songs that inspired him, or something different from what I had just read. But they basically packaged the audio version and the book version together, so the content is nearly identical on the CD and book.
   
   I'll give this two stars instead of one just because if you have a friend who hates to read and will never read the real book Blue Like Jazz, this might be a good gift. They don't even have to read it, they can listen. But that's the only reason I can see anyone buying this instead of Blue Like Jazz.
   
   This was a total waste of money for me and I am really disappointed in Don for agreeing to publish this. The title and misleading info on it makes me feel like he and the publishers hoped that more than a few diehard fans would purchase this book, believing there actually was some new material in here as advertised.
   
   I feel lied to by someone that I look to for moral insights. I am disappointed to say the least.

5 comments about Jack: A Life of C. S. Lewis.

1. Insightful. Not as flattering and complimentary as it could have been considering the relationship of the writer to the subject, which is good. Well written, a good read. well worth the money.



2. It has been said that a great biography requires that the biographer respect and love his subject. Sayer certainly meets that requirement. As a friend and former student of Lewis', he is able to offer unique anecdotes and a personal perspective to illuminate his subject. He is also a student of literature, so that he is able to comment on Lewis' work in a professional and sometimes incisive manner. I particularly enjoyed the fact that he includes an Afterword in which he answers the most common questions he has received as one of Lewis' principal biographers. He also includes information which does not always reflect favorably on Lewis. While he loves Lewis the book is not idolatrous. He sees him as a living, breathing, flawed, but wonderful human being. My only problem with the book lies in the fact that Sayer does not linger over dates. From time to time the reader has to reconstruct the narrative by repositioning the book's events within specific years and decades. This is not a major problem, but it is a problem. All in all, this is an engaging study of an engaging subject. Highly recommended.



3. C. S. Lewis is one of the most well known Christians in modern history. I've read a couple of books about his relationship with Joy Davidman, so I figured it was time to check out a biography that spotlighted Mr. Lewis' entire life. "Jack" (Lewis' nickname) had the most accolades, so after warming up with the lighter fare of "Jack's Life" by his stepson, I dove into this book.
   
   George Sayer is a former student of Mr. Lewis', and he delivers a fascinating portrait of his mentor from birth to death. He also provides context by detailing the national background, family life, and period of history that shaped Jack. In addition, Mr. Sayer discusses a number of Jack's books, the creative process he used, and how the public initially received them (including book reviewers). Despite his distinguished academic credentials, the author writes in a manner accessible to the layman reader. I never felt bogged down, or condescended to, by his writing style.
   
   Some have accused the author of sugarcoating C. S. Lewis' life. Yes, Mr. Sayer wrote as a friend, and therefore wasn't out to write a sordid expose. But neither does he claim that Jack peed rosewater. For example, I had no idea that Mr. Lewis struggled with sadomasochistic fantasies and masturbation as a young man. He also smoked and drank quite heavily, habits that many churches don't hold in high esteem. In addition, the author doesn't shy away from discussing some of the charges against Mr. Lewis' character, such as the possibility of a homosexual relationship with his lifelong friend Arthur, and whether or not he and Mrs. Moore were lovers. I'm not sure what kind of dirt would erase the charge of whitewashing, but I felt that Mr. Sayer made Jack appear pretty down-to-earth. That is, except for Jack's statement that sexual fantasy can be "fairly easily overcome with prayer and fasting (p. 415)." The "fairly easily" part is a bit much for me to swallow (or perhaps a bit too convicting for comfort).
   
   Along those lines, I was intrigued, and a bit confused, by one aspect of Mr. Lewis' character: his distain for introspection and fantasizing. Jack considered heroic and romantic fantasy to be counterproductive, because in his eyes their self-centered focus prevented one from obtaining renown and love in real life. He even wrote a poem, "Dymer," that illustrated the dangers of forsaking reality for a dream world. As for introspection, he felt it was a danger to one's mental health. However, many of his works prompt readers toward both pitfalls. I couldn't help being somewhat introspective after reading "The Great Divorce" and "The Screwtape Letters." And who hasn't fantasized about charging into battle at Aslan's side while immersed in the Chronicles of Narnia? Of all Lewis' views, this is the one I'd like to investigate further because of my own disposition towards navel-gazing and daydreaming. Jack's views on the consequences of these actions are especially relevant in an age where pornography is a mouse click away, and one can live life vicariously through reality shows and online computer games.
   
   An unexpected result of reading this book was that I gained a greater interest in the life of Jack's older brother Warren. Both "Jack's Life" and "Jack" paint Warren as a tragic figure who did not live up to his potential. Yes, he was a raging alcoholic whose ambition did not equal Jack's. But considering that Warren served as an army officer in both World Wars, had a number of books published, and helped organize his brother's chaotic schedule, I can't help feeling that both authors were a bit hard on him. Perhaps he could've done better, but he also might've turned out a lot worse. I've always had a soft spot for the underdog.
   
   At any rate, I came away from "Jack" with more respect for C. S. Lewis as a person and a Christian. He's more accessible to me now, and I have a better appreciation for his ideas. And the insights into his character have challenged me to examine and evaluate my own shortcomings. I recommend that you read this book in conjunction with "C.S. Lewis & Francis Schaeffer: Lessons for a New Century from the Most Influential Apologists of Our Time," by Scott R. Burson and Jerry L. Walls. It provides a portrait of Lewis' doctrinal positions that might surprise you (as it did me).



4. This is a fitting tribute to the life, works and last days of an author who changed many lives through his writings. His MERE CHRISTIANITY reached out to non-Christians and showed them the way to a better life. But, I think he will best be remembered for the magical world of Narnia he created for children. He'd been born Clive Staples Lewis on November 29, 1898. In 1998, a series of special commemorative stamps was issued, "Magical World," featuring THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE. In about two and a half months, the eagerly awaited movie, 'Narnia,' will be in the Regal theaters nationwide and will gather more fans for Jack (C.S.) Lewis.
   
   A musical portrait of his life toured Britain during 1998. Even Hamley's. England's toy shop, hosted a special one-hundredth birthday party in honor of this prodigious writer. It is sad that only fifty people attended his funeral toward the end of November, 1963. On his tombstone is engraved "Men ust endure their going hence" which had been on the Shakespeare Calendar the day his mother died. At a little past 5:30 p.m. on the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated, Jack gave up the ghost after two or three years of terrible pain from prostate cancer. So, in the passing of C. S. Lewis, all the world's eyes were on their television sets watching the events in Dallas, Texas, play out as Oswald purportedly killed the United States president.
   
   Autumn had always been Jack's favorite season so it is fitting that he ends his life in happiness. October's bright blue sky, even in England of 1960, was lovely as were the beeches which were in their "full glory of gold, russet, and amber." Keats called autumn "the close-bosomed friend of the maturing sun." That year, the hawthorne bushes were full of crimson haws, and the wild roses were loaded with hips. He came to Cambridge in 1962 to lecture and to finish his last book THE DISCARDED IMAGE. He was in the autmn of his life but he was enjoying an Indian Summer. He'd just finished SURPRISED BY JOY and his book A GRIEF OBSERVED after she died. Yes, he loved the American woman who entered his life so unexpectedly. He also wrote letters of encouragement for some time to an other American woman.
   
   His enduring legacy is the gift his readers receive, that 'sliver of wonder,' which enables them to see beyond the imaginary world to the living God. The lion in the 'Narnia' books was made to appear as Christ-like as he could manage. April is probably the best loved month in Western Europe, as it is here in Knoxville, Tennessee, our beautiful "Dogwood" celebration. Shakespear wrote of "proud-pied April, dressed in all its trim." In April, there is a revitalization of the earth as the birds sing their joyous songs for all to hear. The forget-me-nots are in bloom, and spring green covers the fields. My favorite time of year is the Spring with all of the pastel colors and the feel of life returning after a long winter's sleep.
   
   He was the precursor to all of the inspiration and self-help books which now abound. He had divine inspiration at times, but he was also human. A man with feelings and empathy toward others.



5. I have often expressed my love of biographies. I consider them to be among the most helpful of resources in helping equip Christians in their lifelong quest for Christ-likeness. We can learn much from the examples of those who have run the race before us. We can learn from what God taught them, learn from their triumphs and learn from the times they were defeated. I have a passion for biographies. I also have a passion for the English language. I love to see how we can use the language to craft works of art. I cannot express myself in the fine arts - music and art are both disciplines that escape me. But I consider myself a wordsmith-in-training. These two loves come together in Jack, a biography of C.S. Lewis written by a veritable master of the English language.
   
   George Sayer had what was probably a unique privilege - he met C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien at the same time. He studied English under the tutelage of both of these men while at Oxford University. He became friends with Lewis, growing closer as they grew older. As a friend he provides a unique perspective on what is surely a unique individual.
   
   I have never had the interest in and respect for C.S. Lewis that so many Christians afford him. Perhaps it is that I tend to see in black and white. Lewis exemplified some of the best and yet some of the worst in his understanding of Christianity. It seems that for every major doctrine he so brilliantly defended, there was another that he denied. For every brilliant insight there is a terrible oversight.
   
   Jack provides a glimpse into Lewis' life. This, combined with penetrating analysis from one who knew him well, makes this biography not only fascinating, but very credible. Sayer covers all of the foundational parts of Lewis' life - the death of his mother, his education, his infatuation with Mrs. Moore and his conversion to Christianity. The author looks also at most of Lewis' major writings. Having spent so much time with his subject, Sayer is even able to describe an average day in the life of C.S. Lewis - just the type of detail that is interesting, but is absent from most biographies.
   
   The detail, while interesting and often even necessary, is sometimes almost uncomfortable. Sayers goes so far as to detail Lewis' personal struggles with masturbation and fantasy as a youth, and his later fascination with his wife's body. Yet he does this not merely for the sake of being explicit, but always to help us better understand Lewis. He seeks to help the reader understand Lewis not just as an author, but as a person. He wants to show Lewis in the good times as well as the bad. He seeks to show Lewis as he really was.
   
   Thoroughly-researched and exquisitely-written, this is a brilliant biography of a figure whose importance to Christianity seems to be growing, even forty years after his death. With a major movie series coming to theatres beginning this year, we will surely hear a lot more about Lewis than ever before. While many biographies have been written about him, I would have trouble believing any could be better than this. No matter your opinion of the man himself, Jack, as a book, is a gem; a jewel; an absolute triumph.

4 comments about A Fire You Can't Put Out: The Civil Rights Life of Birmingham's Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth (Religion & American Culture).

1. As a student of the civil rights movement, this is a must read. The book explores the life and times of a great man who made it possible for Rev. King and others to make the changes that were made in Birmingham. Andrew Manis has written a great history book that covers not only Rev. Shuttlesworth's life but you get a sense of what people felt during this horrible time in U.S. history. You will see how Rev. Shuttlesworth had "set the table" so that Rev. King was able "serve the dinner" in Birmingham. Without Rev. Shuttleworth's persistence, President Kennedy would never be able to have said, Eugene Connor was the best thing that happened to the civil rights movement.



2. The story of Fred Shuttlesworth is a powerful, dramatic story that everyone interested in the black freedom movement should read. Manis' compelling portrayal captures the spirit and spirituality of a great unsung hero. The book has been honored by the Lillian Smith Book Award, the South's oldest literary prize, and deserves a wide reading.



3. A compelling portrait of a real unsung hero. Emerge Magazine says it well: "The greatest battles of the civil rights movement come alive in this biography of the man Martin Luther King Jr. called "one of the nation's most courage freedom fighters." Manis is to be congratulated for bringing us this powerful story.



4. This is a real page turner of a biography--a book you can't put down. The contest between Fred Shuttlesworth and "Bull" Connor is classic, full of violence and poignancy. Manis has done the nation a service by putting his magnifying glass on Fred Shuttlesworth's heroics, and rightly explained them from the context of black religion. This book should be made into a movie!

5 comments about Betrayed!.

1. Stan Telchin discovered that Jews can believe Jesus was and is the Messiah AND stay true to their Jewish culture and roots!
   
   In his book, Telchin wonderfully retells the story of how he came to Christ by investigating his daughter's new-found faith. It all began with a phone call from college. Instead of anger, he responded with honest research.
   
   It doesn't matter what religious background you are from... you will want to hear this simple, yet... emotional and intellectual journey from this Jewish businessman. I wish that everyone was as honest as Telchin was in his search.
   
   I read this book in three hours. You will enjoy this quick and enlightening little book.



2. One of the gifts I received on Christmas day was "Betrayed". During lulls in the activity I picked it up and started reading it. I could hardly put it down and finished it today.
   
   Some are critical of Telchin for not being a religious Jew. But that is true of most of the Jews that I know. It was true of my father. He was "Reformed". Family and community were important. God? Well if there was a God - He was not personal or knowable.
   
   Like Telchin, I too became a Christian - coming to believe that Jesus is in fact the Messiah. I know many others of Jewish heritage that have done the same including some who were Orthodox and greatly burdened by the stricture of the Law.
   
   I would encourage any Jew who is searching for meaning to read, "Betrayed". I would also encourage Christians to read it, if they want to understand what it is like for Jews to consider the claim of Jesus that He is the promised Messiah.



3. This book was reccommended to me, so when I received it from Amazon I opened it right away and started reading. A true story with major life changes that took so much courage, and the fallout that followed...it pulled me in and I literally could not stop reading until I finished the book. That is something that I have never done before. I highly reccommend this book for anyone who reads. Period.



4. My friend lended this book to me, describing the story in this book as an example that a Jew converted from Judaism to Christianity. However, it is not like that at all. When you read the book, you'll find out that the author had never read the Bible and didn't even believe the existence of God before he became a Christian! It's obvious from the book that, before he converted, he had minimal knowledge about Judaism. Furthermore, when you read the story, you'll find that the author was very emotional. His main concern was the unity of family rather than truth. His reasoning was very superficial and not convincing at all. I was very disappointed.



5. 
   I recently read Betrayed! in a one day time frame. I cried as the father recalled the days - years ago - that God dealt with their hearts and through scripture demonstrated His plan of salvation.
   
   Currently there appears to be a shadow cast on the author - his family and ministry. It sounds as though there have been problems. Nevertheless, this book is scriptural. It doesn't sound as though allegations are targeting the basic truth in the story line. While his ministry practices may be currently in question, I have no doubt the book - especially the scriptural references at the end - can still be used as a most valuable witnessing tool.
   
   There are souls eternally in the balance. While there may be recent transgressions that need to be addressed and truly dealt with, let us all hope and pray the confusion and turmoil surrounding the book, family, and ministry will be resolved.
   
   If the substance of the story is true, let us hope nothing hinders the great work it can do in people's lives. If there are other problems, let us hope they can be dealt with appropriately. Paul encourages believers not to take their brothers to court before the unbelievers. Why? Because souls hang in the balance. People get confused over these 'things' and then doubt the most important thing.
   
   Let us hope that the Lord - so good at cleaning up spiritual 'dirty laundry' - will do the work in this situation that seems so evidently needful. Sometimes there are even medical reasons for the unusual behavior of people. I for one loved the book and felt excited at the potential of this story and these scriptures to help lead many to Christ. For instance, this testimony and these scripture studies could really help my friends who survived the Holocaust. Nevertheless, with all this trouble ... how sad!
   
   There seems to be a spiritual battle here; it sounds like a situation that needs our prayers. Anyway, terrific, uniquely helpful book - truly hope problems get resolved.

3 comments about All Cracked Up: Experiencing God in the Broken Places (Women of Faith).

1. I have gone to a women of faith conference,and i love this author.I was thoroughly prepared to enjoy it,and i did. Patsy really is a petite woman, but she is a dynamic speaker irl, and it translates to her book. I could just hear her voice in the pages.
   If you are contemplating going to a WOF conference, i recommend it. It truly is a life changing experience.



2. Patsy Clairemont's book is great. You can use it as a devotional and her outlook on life is so funny, yet she shows you God is in it all.



3. It's a funny yet serious book.....I have bought one and sent it to a friend. Mine I read then share with others, Pass Around the Good Feelings You Get From Reading Them. This was a great great book that I think any woman can relate too, and leaves you smiling.