3 comments about Hidden Women of the Gospels.

1. This is truly a must read for laity and clergy alike. The book is not only inspiring, but also thought provoking. Ms. Coffey reaches deep into the gospels and weaves ancient stories that can help each of us live in today's contemporary society. This book deserves a bravo!!!!



2. I found this book to be wonderfully moving. It helped me to understand the women of the bible within the context of their everyday lives. And so it made me more able to then relate their lives to mine. This book is an exciting read for women (or men) who want to know the women of the bible on a more personal, emotional and every day level. It's also a great jumping off point for prayer, meditation, or bible study.



3. A rare book of encouragement to all the silent Christian women. Funny, moving and a very good read.

5 comments about Sorrow Mountain: The Journey of a Tibetan Warrior Nun.

1. One day, the daughter of a Khampa chieftain, seventeen-year-old Ani Lemdha Pachen, ran away from home to avoid marrying. It wasn't that she disapproved of the match her parents' had arranged, but rather that she preferred the cerebral and peaceful world of a Buddhist nun to the physical demands of traditional married life.
   
   Runaway Pachen had spent little time at the monastery, before she returned to her parents. Despite the shame of what she had done, they not only forgave her but agreed she would not have to marry. Before she could return to the monastery to complete her training, Pachen's father tells her of their country's dire political situation. The Chinese are coming to "liberate" them. As a Khampa princess, she will be expected to lead their people through this situation, especially if the Chief should die. So the young lady received a different type of training instead.
   
   For all her bravery, Pachen was unable to resist for long. She was captured by the Chinese army and spent 21 years imprisoned. This true story focuses on how Pachen's spirituality kept her hopeful and sane during her confinement and during the many tortures she endured. The book is sprinkled with the Buddhist teachings that helped her maintain both her sanity and will to live through these dark days and features an introduction by the Dalai Lama himself.
   
   Apparently Richard Gere also advocated this book's creation and publication. He contributed his own introduction and story of how the book idea was born. He speaks of Pachen's life as a "beautiful, disturbing, and deeply inspiring story." He argues that no "serious literature" in the form of narratives or the "Great Tibetan novel" had emerged from the "Tibetan Holocaust, so a book like this one would be a great boon to the Tibetan cause. Gere, of course, had become a Buddhist and was studying in Tibet at this time.
   
   The story's merits include its insights into the life of a Tibetan woman seeking nunhood during the Mao era, it offers inspiration through triumph against extreme adversity, it draws attention to Tibet's political and cultural situation and the ways in which they have suffered in recent history, and it provides lamanistic teachings.
   
   Despite Pachen's, Donnelly's, Gere's, the Dalai Lama's, and many others' good intentions, however, this book probably has fallen short of its intended goal. The storyline does little to sustain the reader's interest because it is patchy and doesn't flow well (When Gere called it "a miracle of simplicity," he wasn't kidding! Something is clearly lost in translation here.). Although the author supposedly consulted many reliable resources, oddly very little of Pachen's story is put into historical context and few of the sources are used to draw insights into Tibet's situation. Considering the book committee's intentions, I would have expected to find a list of support organizations for Tibet in the appendices. Because of the sketchiness of the writing, it was difficult for me to find the book an inspiration, though other readers might find it so. Those looking for a story of spiritual stamina and female courage may enjoy Pachen's story, while those seeking a new perspective on Tibet should borrow it from a friend or a library rather than spending the money to buy it. Everyone else, just skip it. Sorry Richard, this one's not the great Tibetan novel, either.



2. This book tells the remarkable story of Ani Panchen, a Tibetan nun, who led the resistance to the ruthless Red Chinese occupation of Tibet, after her father's death in 1958.
   For 21 years she was imprisoned in hellish Chinese prison camps, only surviving because of her strong will and faith.
   After her release she continued to lead the struggle against the Red Chinese occupation and genocide of Tibet's people. In 1988 she was forced into exile in India, where she has continued to devote her life to the dream of Tibetan freedom, even after it has been forgotten by the world.
   
   She begins by her peaceful childhood in pre-occupation Tibet:
   In 1950 she describes how "Our country was still at peace, though on the eastern bank of the Yangtze River Chinese troops were gathering. In a few short years, they would sweep over my country, changing it forever. In the name of liberating Tibet from 'imperialist' powers they would destroy monasteries, plunder homes, burn sacred texts, and drive our people to poverty and despair."
   Babies were removed from their parents in their thousands to be relocated to Red Chinese 're-education' centers were they were to be brought up in Communist doctrine. Over a million Tibetans were to be anihilated in the Chinese holocaust that followed, and even the animal life of Tibet destroyed in order to force the Tibetans to give up their reverence for life.
   Ani Panchen tells of her experiences fleeing from Red Chinese forces, and of seeing small Tibetan children gunned down by Chinese snipers.
   It also tells of Panchen's deep Tibetan Buddhist faith underpinned by her will to 'Let all beings be free of suffering, let all being find peace.'
   While the book hopes to expose the horrors of the Chinese destruction of Tibet, in actions paralleling those of the Nazis during World War II, Richard Gere in his forward expresses his wish this book may help to "dispel the darkness of this darkest night of Tibetan history and be of benefit to all beings everywhere".
   Will the world re-awaken to the suffering of the Tibetan people mand the destruction of their civilization, and not least their dream of the re-birth of their culture and self-determination.



3. I gave this book four stars because this book is a story that people should know. It is the true story of an amazing Tibetan woman who shows strength and courage in unimaginable situations. My problem with this book is that it is poorly written. It could have been an amazing book as well as an amazing story. "Autobiography of a Tibetan Monk" by Palden Gyatso is still the best I have read on the Tibetan people.



4. Need a reality check? Feeling sorry for your life? Then read Sorrow Mountain and experience life at it's best and worst. It will lift one out of ordinary existence into the realm of compassion and tolerance. One will begin to experience the essence of the Tibetan region and the mystical struggles of one held prisoner by torturous bandits who tried to steal the Heart of Compassion and failed. Turn off the tv "reality" shows and experience the real-ness of Ani Pachen and her Sorrow Mountain. I guarantee it will become your Sorrow Mountain too.



5. I just finished reading this book and didn't want to put it down. The story of Ani Pachen is both horrifying and inspiring, how she against all odds not only survived but kept her faith, battling against her own anger at her captors to try to reach a higher spirit of generosity. The writing of Adelaide Donnelley is gorgeous and poetic, capturing the inner spirit and the mystical beauty of the land in words that lift this book to a high literary level. This book deserves to be widely read over many years. But it! Read it! It will move you.

4 comments about Courageous Christians: Devotional Stories for Family Reading.

1. These are great stories. Nice springboard into reading the entire bio of many of them. My children (9, 12, 15) listen attentively and have discussions about their lives. The questions at the end of the chapters are not the best, but I add my own and the children usually have so many comments that I know they are thinking about the character of these people and God's impact on their lives. The book has many different people included, famous and never heard of people, so that it encourages us all to live for Christ and impact our world despite the size of our sphere of influence.



2. When I received this book, I was pleasantly pleased with its format and even more pleased with itýs content. Joyce Vollmer Brown has gathered sixty note-worthy stories of people, some past and some current, who have had their faith put to the test. The authorýs goal was to introduce families, especial children, to heroýs of the faith. She has accomplished that goal and more. We strongly recommend this book to all believers. You will find encouragement and inspiration. One other note, the publisher of this book is Moody Publishing, which is a publisher that I trust greatly when looking for a book of biblical content.



3. This is one fantastic book! It's inspiring, educational, and most of all, provides something that's lacking in many homes today--great discussion between parents and their kids--even their teenagers!

   "Courageous Christians" teaches without preaching. It explores the importance of integrity, perseverance, dreaming big dreams, and never giving up. You'll meet lots of new people, and become better acquainted with some you've known of previously.

   Kids of all ages will love this book, and so will their parents. So gather everyone around the sofa before going to bed tonight. Start at the beginning, and read a different story every night. You'll be touched, amazed, and inspired.

   Ms. Brown has done an excellent job. The reader will be refreshed and invigorated. I bought several copies of this book to give as Christmas and graduation gifts.

   Run, don't walk, to your nearest bookstore and buy this book. You won't be disappointed!




4. Finally! A devotion book our whole family looks forward to reading! The stories are fast-paced and very inspiring. They've led to some great discussions.

2 comments about St. Benedict: Hero of the Hills (Vision Books).

1. Note: This is the same book that is published by TAN books, except "Hero of the Hills" has been added to the Vision Book title.



2. There is not a Religios book in the world like this the auther took all the facts and turnd saint benidicts life into a naritiv like it is realy happining while you are reading it. this book is a real page turner and once i started i couldent stop just like the harry potter series. I hily recomend this book to people interested in monastic life, the life of saint benidict, the catholic church, miricals, or even somone who just wants to read a good book as rare as this one. believe me this book is worth reading.

No comments about A Journey Through The Life of William Wilberforce.

3 comments about George Mueller: Delighted in God.

1. George Mueller, one time playboy, cheat and troublemaker, finally discovered Jesus as a young adult. He was never one to follow what everyone else did, so when he embarked on a lifelong journey of reading and analysing the Bible to discover its truth for himself, it was only a matter of time before he discovered something that few people realise - the God of the Bible is real, and the promises written in the Bible are absolutely true.
   
   So then, he reasoned, that if the Bible says the God not only listens to our prayers but also answers them (and the book sets out his rationale for thinking this), it makes sense that it could be demonstrated to non-believers as evidence for God... after all, if a non-believer were to be confronted by the most amazing in-your-face answers to prayer that couldn't possibly be man-made, or by coincidence, then surely they would believe?
   
   The book describes Muellers life, which he dedicated to doing just that: proving beyond any reasonable doubt that God listens, and that God answers prayers. He proved this in many ways, not least by providing a home and for the daily needs for thousands of orphans without ever raising money, never appealing for funds, never borrowing from the bank, and never telling anyone that they were in need (even when people asked).
   
   Over 50 years, God answered prayer after prayer. He never once let Mueller or the orphans down. Skeptics and non-believers could not then (or now) come up with any convincing explanation for this: the huge long string of prayers answered exactly when needed (not a moment too soon and not a moment too late), some recorded in this book, totally defy any other explanation - they were answers from God.
   
   For anyone not sure whether God exists, or are shaky in their faith, or just need a MASSIVE confidence boost, then I thorougly recommend reading this amazing story of an amazing man who trusted in an amazing God.



2. George Muller was a sometime missionary and longtime pastor of a church in Bristol, England, in the middle of the nineteenth century.
   At that time, the plight of orphans in the country was despicable and hopeless. It is the plight of these orphans that inspired so much of Charles Dickens' writing during the same period. Orphanages were of a vastly different nature than we are used to thinking. Unless a child was an orphan of a rich or well-established family, there were few options for them. Some orphanages accepted children according to recommendations; ie, if the child or some advocate could gather enough signatures affirming his character, behavior, etc., then they would accept this child. If an orphaned child had the strength and presence of mind to collect such signatures. But mostly, poor children had no option but homelessness and a rough street-life.
   Muller set about to do something about that: he resolved to open and run Christian orphanages that accepted children simply on the basis of need. Indeed, he turned away any child who could be accepted at one of the more traditional orphanages.
   In addition, Muller set out, through the direction of the orphanages, to prove the existence and good faithfulness of God in a way that I can only compare to Elijah on Mt Carmel. He decided to rely solely and completely on God to provide the means and funds needed to run this orphanage. He did no fundraising whatsoever; moreover, he would not even make his financial needs known even to those who inquired and wished to help. He was steadfast in his determination to rely solely on God to supply His needs, and would not taint such a testimony to a doubtful world with any kind of profession of need or request for help -- not even from his own congregation in Bristol.
   And God came through. Again and again, God answered George Muller's prayers, and never once was the orphanage in need. More than that, Muller was able to expand his efforts at an amazing rate: it wasn't long before four major houses were built for orphanages, housing, educating, feeding, and job-training as many as 10,000 orphans at a time. In addition, there were scripture training schools, a publishing house sending out Bibles and scriptural tracts at a very high volume (for little or no money) and heavy financial support of missionaries in other countries. All of this, all of it, without ever letting a single person know of the financial needs of all the work. All told, nearly 1,500,000 pounds were received during George Muller's lifetime from the hands of God.
   There were certainly trying days. The book chronicles time and again, at times for months on end, when the orphanages ran on a shoestring budget, at times receiving the money needed to but lunch only at breakfast time. Nonetheless, there was never a single incident when they did not have what they needed.
   Muller spent his latter days traveling the world, preaching in as diverse places as Israel, Russia and California(in the 1800's, still a remote corner of the earth.) Instead of boasting of the deeds he had accomplished, the expounded scripture, called on people to recognize the goodness and faithfulness of God, and to rely on Him to supply for them. He insisted that his faith, which was so renowned and talked about, was no extraordinary thing; it was simply the result of years of experiencing God's ability and willingness to meet His needs.
   I do not think that Muller had any kind of doctrinal belief that fundraising was a bad thing, and so it would be a twisting of his testimony to use it against missionaries and organizations that fundraise. He simply desired to show that God is faithful and able to meet our needs -- and He did so. It was intended, by this ordinary man, to strengthen the faith of people around the world. I know that reading it has strengthened my faith, while both convicting me and giving me confidence to trust God with my needs. George Muller is an example to me, and a hero of the faith. I would encourage anyone to read more about his life and work -- and the work God did through him and for him.
   That said, I must say a word about the shortcomings of this particular biography. It is incredibly tedious at times in its attention to detail. In the times of near-shortage in the orphanages, it does paint the picture well to see how sixpence came in at this hour and two pounds the next day, then three months of relative abundance, then a week in which only eight pence came in and then the day before money was needed to repair the furnace so-and-so wrote a letter including ten pounds. To some extent this is indeed helpful. But when George and wife are touring the country, I don't feel like I need to know about every train and every hotel and house and congregation they preached to. The attention to detail, though it certainly honors Muller's spirit (who was gifted with incredible attention to detail, which doubtless helped him run the houses as he did) is very tedious to read. Some sections are definitely best simply skimmed...



3. This book provides many excellent stories from the life of Muller. The stories are not only insightful, but also include actual diary entries from the period. If you're looking for a book about George Muller, this is the one to get.

5 comments about Under God.

1. What a great book. The stories are quick, to the point and inspiring. About people both famous and little known, but about people willing to lay it all on the line for God and Country. Real people in real situations. You showed our good side and some of our bad side. I hope to be able to measure up to the good side of some of these folks before I die. Thanks, Toby. You and Michael did a great job with this.



2. This is a great book. We purchased extra copies to give as gifts and were very pleased at the condition of the books and the speed in which they arrived. Thank you.



3. This is a most enlightening book. It is a series of 60 short readings which will both break your heart and lift your soul. In today's world, the Christian base of America's history has been methodically played down in the desire that the USA not be called "a Christian country". Our roots have been squashed so thoroughly until few citizens even realize the basis upon which this country was actually founded. There is so much untold history here...for instance, I never knew how George Washington was Divinely protected in order for this country to come about. There is a lot about slavery in the book, which, sadly, I admit I knew little about. America is a most wonderful land, even with all its warts and blemishes, and to read its untold history was indeed revealing and heart-warming. To think that two young Christian rock stars wrote it makes it even better! Thanks, Toby and Michael; job well done.



4. Though fragmentary and sometimes inaccurate, this book contains some wonderful stories about the U.S.'s progress and the powerful Christian faith of individuals. "American Gospel" by John Meachum does a better job overall of showing how the Christian and Deist faiths in the founding fathers shaped the nation's Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and historic events. Sadly, these particular stories in "Under God" are often more legendary than factual, especially in the cases of Franklin and Jefferson. "The Christian History Book of Days" also gives good information on faith's impact in the Revolutionary period and during the U.S. Civil War.
   
   That being said, wow! What inspiring acts of faith the authors mentions! The stories of Ruby Dee and various civil rights leaders clearly contradict Marx's supposition that "religion is the opiate of the people." These people put their belief in Christ's truth in action in amazing ways that still impact us today. The info on the Sand Creek Massacre and on the Tejanos also give excellent background, though it shows little directly about the Christian faith. The details about lynchings sober the reader, and lead him to consider how far our country has come and how far it has to go. An especially poignant example is the story of Wilson's showing of "Birth of a Nation" in the White House. The book's strength is its documentation of the impact of faith in the civil rights struggle, and this is often overlooked by those who mention the historicity of the Christian faith in the U.S.
   
   All in all, the book is not a definitive volume of the impact of the Evangelical faith in American history; I don't think it was meant to be. However, it is an excellent supplement to some of the other books that I mentioned.



5. With everything in me, I had to keep from screaming when I read this book. To be so infatuated with "Jesus Freaks" and martyrs, Toby Mac and Michael Tate have deliberately ignored the passages in Romans 13 that specifically tell Christians to not rebel against their governments. They actually suggest at one point that Jesus would have picked up a weapon and joined the fight if he had been here at the time of the revolution. This is the abomination of abominations. Jesus told his disciples to sheath their swords. He would have never condoned a revolution for any reason.....especially for some farmers and merchants who were ticked off that their taxes were too high. Why didn't the disciples declare war against the Roman government? I mean, they were being treated much worse than the American colonists. Maybe it's because they cared about following Jesus and not leading a physical rebellion against Caesar. Your taxes go to Caesar, and your life belongs to Christ. May the Church begin to ponder these issues and study the commands of their Savior because the end is near.
   Toby and Michael, I will be praying that you learn of your blasphemy and repent of the wicked false gospel that you have poured out on so many young people. What a wretched shame that you have deceived them into believing that there are times when we should ignore the commands of the Bible. Start following Jesus!
   
   "Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
   Matthew 5:9
   
   "Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves."
   Romans 13:2
   
   "My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting that I might not be delivered up to the Jews."
   John 18:36
   
   "The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as Jesus walked."
   I John 2:6

5 comments about Payne Stewart: The Authorized Biography.

1. Hat's off to Tracey for her work in getting this together. Though lacking in specific details of his past behaivors enough is said to allow the reader to understand the change in his character once he accepted Christ. This book is not another Christian testimony. It contains the elements of a what makes a good man. We are all sinners and a perfect picture is not painted here. Payne was a great golfer and a great man that many could learn from. Then again, just act like you think Jesus would have and you will be close to the mark of Payne. Thank you for a great book Tracey.



2. I have recently finished the biography of payne stewart. It was one of the best books I have ever read. From start to finish of the book I was always interested.The best parts of the book is when it talks about all the tournaments he has been in and winning the U.S. open in 1999.



3. What an inspirational book based on the life of Payne Stewart. You could literally feel the love that Tracey had for Payne. No, I am sure that Payne wasn't a saint. Who of us is? But, he was a great man, a great father, and a great golfer who is sadly missed by thousands of his fans and followers.

   Payne was a devout Christian who was coming into his own. The scope of what his personal witnessing ministry could have become will now be tested in his death rather than his life. I know that it has served to strengthen my testimony and for that I will forever be indebted to Payne Stewart.

   Thanks Tracey and kids for sharing Payne with us!




4. This book is a must have book about the life and times of one of Golfs most flamboyunt golfer (the knickers) and the way Payne spoke his mind. I bought this book because Payne was one of my favorite golfers. This book was very intresting talked about the ups and downs of life on the PGA tour. I am glad that Payne relized that there is more to life than just golf. Family and relationship with God. This is a must have book.



5. this book was amazing. granted it could have been written a lot better, but it's understandable from the view thata his wife is writing this book shortly after his tragic death. tracey wrote well, but got a little boring here and there. other than that, this was great. i never knew the story of payne and his career untill i read this. it was truley a proof to me that he was a great father, husband, golfer, friend, and man. enjoy it!

No comments about Beloved Disciple: The Misunderstood Legacy of Mary Magdalene, the Woman Closest to Jesus.

5 comments about Solzhenitsyn: A Soul in Exile.

1. Pearce's biography of A.I. Solzhenitsyn may leave off the man's rougher edges, but manages to bring to the fore the centrality of Solzhenitsyn's religious convictions. This seems to be Pearce's forte and his mission in life. In today's cultural wasteland, when nearly no one looks past their momentary needs, it is very much needed. Very edifying.



2. Solzhenitsyn: A Soul in Exile is a fascinating look at one of the most unusual and influential writers of the late 20th Century. Marvellously written, it treks through his tumultuous life from start to finish, focusing on the interchange between Solzhenitsyn's faith and his writing and how the lifelong shaping of his beliefs is reflected in his stories and poems. Engaging from start to finish, this biography also contains 10 previously unpublished poems and a collection of 24 photographs from various periods of his life.



3. There are lengthy biographies of Solzhenitsyn by Scammell and Thomas, and specialized studies (e.g. Ericson's). Pearce's book meets the need of public and undergraduate libraries for a very readable, concise, and up-to-date biography of this controversial Nobel Prize winner. Pearce's book includes some otherwise unavailable recent material by Solzhenitsyn -- the prose poems at the end of the book -- so graduate libraries ought to have it, also.

   Individuals who have read Solzhenitsyn's own autobiographical works and open letters might not need this book, but for most readers it will be a good introduction. It has the salutary effect of prompting one to go and (re)read works such as The First Circle. Pearce doesn't go into depth in discussion of Solzhenitsyn's books, but says enough to quicken interest in them.

   Pearce shows affinity between Solzhenitsyn's positive ideas and those of people such as E. F. Schumacher (Small Is Beautiful). The critique of Enlightenment progressivism and positivism isn't detailed, but there's enough to remind me of writers as otherwise diverse as Phillip Sherrard (The Eclipse of Man and Nature), Russell Kirk, and the author of Ideas Have Consequences. I was also reminded a little of C. S. Lewis's prophetic novel That Hideous Strength, where Lewis presents a distinction between Britain and Logres, as I read Solzhenitsyn as quoted by Pearce, on the souls of nations. Familiarity with these writers -- who are often not known, or well known, to persons who presume to speak of their ideas -- can help one to understand where Solzhenitsyn is coming from.




4. Alenandr Solzenitsyn is a man certainly worthy of full scale treatment by a biographer. DM Thomas' biography a couple of years ago was strangely unmoving,and barely mentioned Solzenitsyn's religious views, which are at the core of his beliefs. At one time.AI solzenitsyn was the darling of the right in America,a virulent anti-communist who scorned ANYTHING resembling a welfare state{his attacks on free-market capitalism was soft pedalded by these same people}.Slowly, though, he became more and more removed from the centre of attention, and his novels became more and more obscure{and ,truth be told,rambling and quite boring.The red wheel trilogy...}This Biography places solzenitsyn's religious beliefs front and centre and the core of his being{and the reason he was able to survive the hell of the gulag}. While these are quite interesting, and really have rarely been covered in the West, Solzenitsyn's disdain for the West, his dismissal of pope John Paul II during and audience,his Tsarist tendencies and his almost messianic xenonphobia are not touched{though all are of one piece.] Solzenitsyn in many ways reminds me of Gandhi{without the charm}: wanting Holy Mother Russia to rise again to her greatness without the taint of western Decadence through a spiritual revolution. While he is a moral giant and an extraordiany example of the resilience of the human spirit, he is not served well by fawning, uncritical praise. Alexandr I solzhenitsyn deserves a full ,massive critical biography covering all of his life{his return to Russia has been bittersweet,his tv show was canceled for LACK OF INTEREST.Amazing how short peoples memories are!} This is one small step in the process. Interesting,but...



5. Solzhenitsyn: A Soul In Exile is a new biography of Alexander Solzhenitsyn portraying a complex man of integrity and faith, and whose anti-materialist stance and call for a "moral revolution" are as relevant today as they were fifty years ago. Biographer Joseph Pearce reassess this influential Russian writer who gave voice to the more than sixty million victims of Soviet terror, and who won the Nobel Prize for "the ethical force" of his literary work. Even with the collapse of Communism, Solzhenitsyn continues to be an outspoken critic of Russian leadership's role in that country's economic collapse and consequent rise of lawlessness. This impressive, highly recommended biography showcases Solzhenitsyn's life and work as a courageous stand for truth rooted in Christian and moral beliefs as evidenced in his life, poetry, plays, novels, and pronouncements.