5 comments about David: A Man of Passion & Destiny (Great Lives from God's Word Series: Volume 1).

1. Worthy of the reading and study whether this is by itself or part of the series.



2. What I do like about Chuck Swindoll's is that he brings that Old Testament to life for Born Again Christians and makes it relevant to adult lives and problems. This book on David as well as his study guide did give me much food for life when I was having non-legal problems with the government after I had applied for the Federal Civil Service in 1985. I heard on TV that Reagan had to approve in signature even applications for GS-9 position and I was on the list for considerations for such jobs when I was in grad school. I think they just wanted to teach young men like ma a lesson in life the hard way!
   David had become a national hero by killing the Philistine Giant Goliath. Then the prophet Samuel had annointed David to be Israel's future king since Saul had committed an act of disobedience against him. Saul became paranoid how David become a military hero where "Saul has slain his thousands; David his ten thousands"! So, Saul in his madness set out to kill David.
   What I found so some food for thought was that when David was losing heart about Saul persuing him to kill him and he had to live underground and off the land, that David decided to defect to the pagan Phillistine army-kind of like seeking Political Assylum with the Soviets or the North Koreans! When I was being persecuted on Park Street in North Toledo, I did seek assylum with several foreing nations. But nothing happened. I told myself who is "America's Philistines"-Russia, China, North Korea and Iran. I even sent them all resumes through my shortwave radio hobby. I had a big foreign address book called THE WORLD RADIO TV HANDBOOK! Plenty of people to complain to there!
   Other things I liked about David was that he had a thing for the ladies; and I also like pretty girls, but never seem to make it with any of them. David had an entire Harem of seven wives. You cannot find the definition of the word "Harem" in my Bible Dictionary; so sexless and loveless is America's Christianity! He was such an opportunist that he picked up the wife Abagial from a dead enemy Nabal who denied him and his men food when they were on the run from Saul. God stuck Nabal dead with a heart attack for his stinginess. I used to say that my former father in law was liewise a hard man like Nabal-yet God did not strike him dead. And of course David was a Prophet and a Man of God. He wrote about 50 of the Old Testament Psalms, some of which prophesy of Christ;s crucifion on the cross and the coming Millennial Kingdom of God. God had taken David from tending the sheep to becoming Sheperd of Israel! David was a man after God's heart as David did what God had wanted him to do during his reign as King. I found that defining verse in Acts.
   I liked the folk guitar in high school and in the Army. I read that David played the small harp, which was a forerunner of the modern folk guitar. Me and David liked music and pretty ladies. I was just thinking the other day that when I die and go to Heaven I will really like to meet this man, as though he was my friend!



3. Yet another great book in the series. Well worth the reading and study. I have ordered additional copies to give as gifts.



4. This is a well written, thought provoking book. I am currently using it as a manual for a Bible study class. It's not one of those "deep theological" biographies, but it speaks to the layman, in a very easy-to-understand style. Recommended for study groups, or anyone, who wants to know more about the "man after God's own heart".



5. All the books are good ... this one was great. It hit home for me.

5 comments about Return from Tomorrow.

1. I was originally loaned this book by a friend who made great claims about it. I was hesitant because most of us have heard the experiences of those with near or real death and then come back to tell about it. One day I picked up the book and starting skimming through it to the part where the death experience occurs, I couldn't put it down! its totally different than all the others I've heard about. In fact, once I finished the book I immediately started over from the very beginning. I bought this book to loan out to others and to re-read myself, it can be read in a few hours.



2. I found "Return from Tomorrow" to be a moving, compelling little gem. I have been sharing it with many friends and feel that you could have a ministry from what George Ritchie reports in his book. It was absolutely life changing for me. I thank Guideposts and George Ritchie for his inspiring and riveting story.



3. Excellent book for someone wanting to broaden his/her spiritual and religious base. It is a Christian book, but goes beyond traditional boundaries. The author discusses relationships with Jesus and God that are more personal and of more consequence that conventional teaching.



4. My mother who is 78 and just went through a health crisis, handed me this book after she was done saying just that it was interesting. I agree with her. I've been interested in NDE since before I went to school for Neuroscience. I read about some accounts as well as the view of science for these experiences, which is that as the mind shuts down neurons fire strangely causing people to have these hallucinations. I didn't find these explanations to be satisfactory, partly because they haven't been able to research this phenomenon well. How do you predict when someone is going to die, then come back to life? You certainly cannot risk causing this to happen. It's unethical. Plus as is often the case in medical research, those doctors come to the research expecting to validate their own preconceptions. For the most part, those who have reported NDE of their own, do not go into it 'expecting' to experience similar to what has previously been reported.
   
   George Ritchie went through this experience during WWII. This was prior to all the current interest in this phenomenon. The book itself was written during the 1970's, and is considered 'The' classic book on NDE.
   He felt the need to share this experience with others, and was probably surprised to find the amount of interest it has garnered. As with most young men, he went into this experience without expections or preconceptions...he basically hadn't thought of something like this happening before. Who does at age 20.
   
   Whether or not what he experienced is valid, the experience itself was life-changing for good. That alone is reason enough to look into this with an open mind. That which changes people in such a way as to produce good has significantly more promise than that which leads people to wrong-doing.
   
   The book itself, and the writing is quick and well-done. Ritchie is obviously a person of intelligence...he went to medical school (so has probably heard some of the scientific reasoning for this), and then became a psychiatrist (some of the biggest skeptics). At age 20, he wasn't very religious. He certainly didn't expect to die.
   
   Those who choose to read books such as this usually are those with an open mind. Each person has to decide for themselves what they choose to believe. I'm sure that this book offers comfort to many, especially those who know they are approaching their own deaths. Since this book has been printed over and over again for the last 40 years, it must 'ring true' for some reason to an awful lot of people. Readers need to approach this book (and others like it) without their own expectations or preconceptions to get something out of it.
   
   Karen Sadler



5. Unlike most other "life after death" books, this one relates a very different experience. Before meeting Jesus, the Light of the world, he saw what hell is like, and it isn't what Dante wrote about--and it isn't where you want to spend your eternity. After you read it, you'll understand why this book is still in print.

5 comments about Priestblock 25487: A Memoir of Dachau.

1. Father Bernad's narrative, written shortly after the war, is especially effective in its understatement. Fr. Bernard was an intellectual but not a writer, and so his narrative, seeking to tell only the facts, without any embellishment (really, is anyone today capable of writing a narrative without clouding it with "it changed my life forever," "defined a generation," "horrific," and all the other assembly-line filler-phrases and adjectives?)is focused, tightly-constructive, and useful. Acquaintances speak of reading through Fr. Bernard's little book of daily life in a concentration camp in one sitting -- it really is that good.



2. This book brings the reader into the daily life of a priest who was imprisoned for speaking out against the Nazis. The cruelty and drudgery of camp life is vividly detailed in this diary and one cannot help but feel the reality of the events documented so well by Fr. Bernard.
   
   Of interest to those who are interested in the role of the Church during this time are the sections where life in the camp becomes harder for the priests when the Pope or a bishop publishes a percieved anti Nazi letter or sermon. This real life witness counters those trendy academic claims of Church complicity.



3. Very uplifting. A page-turning eye witness account full of tragedy but also inspiration. The kind of book I couldn't put down.



4. 
   I highly recommend this book because it is beautifully, clearly, sparsely written, speaks to us of our strengths and our weaknesses as humans, tells a story of human beings facing severe treatment and dealing with it in so many varied ways, and relects the beauty of the priesthood in its concentration on the centrality of the Eucharist in their lives. Those moments are captured so purely, it raises all of our spirits to read it, to enter their world, even with unimaginable depravity, Christ was the purpose of their lives. An amazingly uplifting book, after I resisted reading it for fear of the depression I would feel from it's subject. I couldn't have been more wrong. I am passing to all my friends.



5. When we think of martyrs, we normally think of those who have died for the faith. However, the Church also holds the concept of white martyrdom, those who have suffered but have not died. Fr. Bernard exemplifies both, because through his suffering he was at the jaws of death so many times. This is truly a gripping memoir, and a chilling account of the depths to which man's inhumanity to man can sink. Yet the focus is not solely on brutality endured, but rather on how faith and love overcome it. It is the story of a man who truly endured the physical suffering of Christ, and in the midst of it all, was able to bring the presence of Christ to many he encountered. It is chilling to remember, but it is better to never forget.

4 comments about Two Wars: One Hero's Fight on Two Fronts--Abroad and Within.

1. A great book that I could relate to on a personal level. If there is anything good that comes from experiences like Nate's, it would be books like this that truly humble you and put a lot of things into perspective.



2. We all know, because we are constantly being told, how great are the military men and women who are fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The greatness thing had become a banality to me until I read this book, which explains the depth of the individual struggle of one very brave man, a struggle on the field of combat and off and between. I know that Nate Self is smart. I've met him and talked with him. But I had no idea of the introspection he bares in this wonderful book. His lucid analyses of where he stood and stands left me in admiration. He is better in touch with his feelings than one would imagine, and I only wonder if this comfort with feelings wasn't the cause of his PTSD or the result of climbing out of PTSD. That truly surprised me. After reading Two Wars, I have a much finer -- and far more concrete -- fix on what makes men like Self great. And he is. Thanks for getting this book done, and so beautifully. Malcolm MacPherson.



3. Great book...just finished it. I really appreciate what the Rangers do and how they train to be an elite fighting force. This book is very candid about Nate and his team not only being fighting men but being human. Nate clearly writes well and puts all things into perspective.
   Thanks to a great patriot we know more about the Ranger's sacrifice - not only in war but the home front too.
   My only critque was capturing the battle field and the lay of the land during their ordeal on top of the mountain.



4. Just got through reading an advance copy of this book. Wow! It's the most vivid account yet of what this generation of soldiers goes through emotionally and spiritually to defend our country. The author bares his soul and his faith in a way seldom seen in a "military" book. And there is still plenty of action from the highest battle fought in U.S. military history -- 11,000-foot mountain.

5 comments about Autobiography of George Muller.

1. I was so encourage by George Muller's life. Some real person like you and me lived a life so faithful and God also faithfully treated him. When our motivation is right with God, we can wait with assurance for his blessing.
   Wish more Christian be encouraged by this book.
   Wonderful book! The Binding is not so good though. Pages started to fall off after one read.



2. This book is a challenge on every page. It challenges you to pray expecting. It challenges you to pray. The answers to pray Mr. Muller saw is incomprehensible. I am moved by his committment and time spent in prayer. A must read.



3. George Muller set the example of how to depend on God and live by faith. Many of us ask God for monetary help and then set to work out our own deliverance. Churches and individual Christians could benefit greatly by reading this book.



4. This book is an autobiography of a man who ran multiple orphanages and a school by solely trusting in God to provide the support. This man never asked any individual for money. This book will encourage the believer to place all of your cares and burdens on the Lord. The reader will be challenged to seek after God for who He is and not for what He gives.



5. must read! not just for the bits about the orphanages, etc but that of his devotional life, prayer habits, and expositional teaching style!!! love bridget

5 comments about Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska (Mass market version): Divine Mercy in My Soul.

1. This is a beautiful & eye-opening book! It changes your way of thinking and your life!! I absolutely love it and can read it over and over. It helps understand God.



2. The print in this book is quite small making reading difficult. I would recommend searching for a copy with normal size print.



3. This is my all-time favorite spiritual book. By reading about St. Faustina's growth in holiness, I learn about growing in holiness and above all, God's endless mercy. I've read this book probably a dozen times and I everytime I hear something new and grow more deeply in my relationship with Christ. By this book for yourself and everyone you know! Spread the hope of God's awesome mercy!



4. This book has helped me to grow so much in my spirituality. I highly recommend it!



5. I couldn't put this book down and over the years I have revisited it often. It has enriched my prayer life and strengthen my faith. Everyone should read this book...at least once. I higly recommend it.

5 comments about Daughter of the Saints: Growing Up In Polygamy.

1. I didn't like this book very well. It gave too much history and not enough current events. I have read the history of polygamy over & over & over and would like to read current events. There wasn't too much to read about current events in this book. If you want the history, this book's for you. She's a good writer but I've had their history crammed down by throat enough. I get it!



2. This is a good read on a subject that is very controversial at the moment. It gives great insight into the daily lives of polygamists and sheds light on their beliefs. The author talks about her childhood and her relationship with her numerous siblings and mothers. Her father is a huge influence on her life and it is clear he was an influential member of their religious group. This book is definitely worth reading.



3. This is the same book as "Predators, Prey, and Other Kinfolk: Growing up in Polgamy" by the same author. I didn't know that and bought both of them.
   
   Ms. Solomon is telling her story here and I do recommend you read it. I found the book boring and tedious in places and found myself wanting to skip ahead to get to the "meat" of the story. However, I read every page. It's good though to read her experience in polygamy.
   
   I found myself asking questions about the underpinnings of Mormonism and it's relation to polygamy, (and in a general way the notion of religious beliefs around the world.) Reading through the writings of Joseph Smith, Mormonism's founder, I got a definite idea of what he thought about polygamy. About 50 or so years later the Mormon church, under state and federal pressure, made certain declarations regarding polygamy. In light of the several (now) books on polygamy by ex-members of various splinter groups, and with events regarding the FLDS in Texas, it does make one wonder who is following the true, revealed, laws of Mormonism. If you find this an interesting question, you may wish to read some of those original writings on your own and come to your own conclusion.



4. This has been an excellent book to read. I was looking for material to inform myself better about polygamy. I found "Daughter of the Saints" and could hardly put it down until I finished. The author is so real, and has such a beautiful way of writing her feelings that it really got to me. I love the balance that comes out of all the narrative--the good and the bad. I admire the courage to tell these experiences, and to be so honest about it to us the readers. I learned a lot from this book, and really enjoyed it. It was a memoir that made me live the scenes. I found a deeper understanding for polygamy without having to read scandalous material, or a document biased completely towards the negative or positive aspects of it. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about polygamy--what better way than to read a book by someone who has lived it.



5. This is the second book I have read about polygamy. This is completely foreign to my Protestant upbringing. I have seen people caught in a cult situation before. My neighbors when I was a young child were not allowed to celebrate Christmas, salute the flag, or celebrate any other holidays.
   I will not mention there religion. Inside their home terrible things were happening to their children. I didn't find out about it until I was a grown woman.
   
   This is the type of thing that Dorothy Solomon is talking about. She had a good mother. She was aware that the other children called them names. She knew other children had only one set of parents. Her father was married to 7 women. She believed as she was taught. She believed in polygamy. As she grows older she sees the sorrow in the women around her who are not honored by this state of affairs. Her parents had been arrested and they had to go into hiding as children. She even discusses incest in such an environment. It obviously is not a good environment for a woman to feel any equality with a man in. When more groups form a terrible thing happens to her father. The book is fascinating. A real page turner.
   She horrifies her family by joining the regular Church of the Latter Day Saints. She marries only once and has children. She is a strong person.
   Thank you for showing us a world that most will never see. You have without a doubt helped other women trapped in this situation.

5 comments about The Demonologist: The Extraordinary Career of Ed and Lorraine Warren.

1. The Demonologist WILL--no question about it--be shocking and even perhaps stomach-turning to anyone of, let's say, naïvety or too much "innocence" when it comes to spiritual matters. I, on the other hand, having just finished Malachi Martin's formidable guidebook to exorcism (Hostage to the Devil), was so well prepared that I was easily able to power through the Demonologist with nary a feeling of dread or shock, and, anyway, I humbly accept that there are forces beyond the mundane, so, again, that helps with the startling information in the Demonologist. Additionally, if you're secular and haven't encountered this information of demons before, I guess it'd help to desensitize you to the information if you're a fan of horror movies, as much of the Demonologist reads like the stuff out of one's worst nightmares!!!!
   
   This tome is but a snippet of some of the more notorious cases of demon-infestation that America's most well-known couple of demonology--Ed (now deceased since 2006) and Lorraine (probably classified better as a clairvoyant)--have tackled in their decades-long career of morbidity. It's written by the author (Brittle) in a very fluid and fast-paced manner interspersing interviews and quotes from the Warrens together with academic talk on the subject and a case-by-case walkthrough.
   
   Demonology is the study of the diabolical; the demonologist (Ed Warren) is not an exorcist but more of a scientist in that he actively compiles a case-load of evidence that actually corroborates matters of faith, i.e., the existence of evil spirits et al. In all seriousness, the Warrens are collectors of the morbid occult, and their home is a veritable stockpile/museum of all kinds of accursedly infernal objects: dolls, full-length mirrors, etc.. Additionally, they possess recordings of demoniacal voices during exorcisms; suddenly materialized objects from hauntings, and other "goodies" like "psychic photos." In the book, Ed reasons that through this stockpile of cold, hard, objective evidence, he feels confident he could go to court and scientifically prove beyond the shadow of a doubt the existence of the demonic!!!!
   
   Somewhat like a worn-out cliché, the Warrens' lifework of battling demons happened accidentally: as a young, married couple, they actually began painting haunted houses and selling the work at art shows for income. Soon, this morphed into them walking through the haunted houses and discovering that in most cases, the root of hauntings wasn't very friendly at all.
   
   The Warrens assert that most hauntings are in fact devilish; that is to say, INHUMAN SPIRITS are incurring the domestic disturbances, not merely Casper the Friendly Ghost. The Warrens are meticulous in differentiating between mere ghosts (once-human spirits) and demons (absolutely inhuman) because of a few, lethally important reasons. One, ghosts are psychically very feeble and can't hurt people or influence the environment much; demons have the power to hurt folks by their unnatural power through psychic, physical attacks, levitation, object-manifestation, oppression, and then possession!!!! Two, ghosts really have no intelligence in that they come short of interacting with people since they basically just repeat psychic-imprint actions they did during their lifetime; demons, conversely, will always use subterfuge to trick people into permitting possession of them.
   
   Some of the cases include a fretfully bizarre one that'd make for an effective horror story: the case of "Annabelle," a life-size, Raggedy Ann doll!!!! Here, the demon wasn't inside the doll, but it was deviously moving the doll around a woman's apartment to the point where it tricked her into believing it was merely the spirit of a little, lost girl. That was merely the MO of the demoniacal as the permission the woman bequeathed onto the invading demon to remain in the apartment was the foothold it needed to begin oppression. Before long, her roommate's boyfriend was actually attacked via several, long claw slashes across his chest. This case ended when an exorcism was done.
   
   Another case is more disconcerting because it involves the ignorant invitation of the demonic along with verily unnatural occurrences. The Warrens repeatedly warn that in most cases of demonic infestation, the fault belonged to ignoramuses for inviting inhuman spirits into their homes/lives via occult materials!!!! Case in point: a teen girl is actually bought--for Christmas, no less!--a book on conjuring demons by her mother! So, she recites the spells, and at first nothing happens...but this will change furiously very soon. The diabolically unnatural phenomenon increases from mere cold spots (Ed claims demons make rooms cold as their presence requires energy, meaning heat, which sucks the heat from a room) and heavy breathing in the teen-girl's bedroom to all-out disorder. After a short while, this escalates into unseen, demon hands beating on the teen-girl; birds "singing" outside her parents' window AT NIGHT; footsteps relentlessly ascending/descending stairs; radios playing and turning on/off relentlessly by themselves; furniture being thrown all over the living room; and pet dogs freakishly running BACKWARDS.
   
   In the aforementioned, the kids were exclusively the targets of the demoniacal attack insofar as the parents were largely spared this distressing phenomenon. Ed purports that this is another MO of the demonic: isolate certain family members to sow confusion, despair and infighting among the family unit. In fact, the Warrens clearly enumerate certain cautionary factors that you, the reader, can employ to determine whether you're experiencing anything infernal.
   
   You may be the victim of demoniacal oppression if:
   
   1) You feel a pervasive sense of doom OR evil all around you
   2) You experience disgusting smells
   3) You hear unexplainable moans, screams, rappings, poundings, whispering
   4) You endure mysterious changes in room temperature or ghastly visions
   5) You experience levitation, materialization, de-materialization, and teleportations of people and objects
   6) You receive strangling sensations around the neck
   7) You have your arms grabbed from behind
   8) You suffer cuts, wounds, gouges, burns or sudden illnesses
   9) You experience vulgarities mysteriously being written on your walls
   10) You endure random outbreaks of fire
   11) You have inhuman voices calling you on the phone!
   12) You see demon faces appearing on your TV!
   
   If you've experienced any of these in any cumulative pattern, it's advised you contact your local exorcist, priest or ghostbusters immediately!!!!
   
   If this sounds even the slightest bit disquieting, then chin up! This is actually but a taste of all the sordid details of the devilish that the Warrens go into in the Demonologist, and one must really read this book to get a full sense of it all.
   
   Nonetheless, some of the purports by the Warrens are so ludicrous that they stretch the bounds of plausible believability and, miserably, undercut their credibility. For instance, they allege that in exorcisms, the possessed can become hulking brutes that actually go on mini rampages, but in Malachi Martin's seminal Hostage to the Devil, not one of the possessed in any of his cases displays that chaotic power. Secondly, Ed Warren's logic at times is absolutely absurd and contradictory to common sense. In example, whenever dealing with accursed objects that demons allegedly infested, the Warrens routinely...get ready for this...take home the possessed objects!!!! Then, they allegedly display these accursed objects in Ed's study with, presumably, the infesting, inhuman spirit still attached to said object!!!! C'mon!
   
   Also, some of the Warrens' tales do seem rather tall as in unbelievable. Case in point: once, when taking home a possessed mirror that was used for summoning demons, Ed claims he and Lorraine were unrelentingly followed by a demon-truck on the freeway, that kept dumping green ooze/slime on their car!!!! This occurred in full view, apparently, of other motorists in packed traffic. Next, a demon-driven, black car planned to play "chicken" with their car as they were driving across a narrow bridge. Grossly questionable stories like that really sound falsified and hurt the Warrens' otherwise credible-sounding experience with fighting the diabolical. The inclusion of photos supposedly taken during "demoniacal activity"--which really only show trashed rooms and broken furniture--begs the question, Who staged this scene? I'm of course assuming the Warrens are telling the truth with the pictures, but there's always the hazard of deception.
   
   All told, though, the Demonologist is money well spent as it'll satisfy you on a few levels. If you're religious, then it will obviously seem profound to you. Even if you're an atheist, it will at least come across as a very scary read that will rival some of the best horror-fiction out there. If you're approaching this from a purely intellectual level, it will give you tremendous food for thought as you weigh the probability of inhuman spirits being real. The question you have to ask yourself above all else is, Am I brave enough to make it through the pages of the Demonologist? Well, are ya, buddy boy?!



2. Iam an Exorcist, the book was great, a lot of information, God Bless you for writing this book, let the truth be known.



3. A very well-written and informative book, highly recommended for those interested in hauntings/infestations.
   I ordered this book in combination with Hostage to the Devil Hostage to the Devil: The Possession and Exorcism of Five Contemporary Americans, Interview with an Exorcist Interview With an Exorcist: An Insider's Look at the Devil, Demonic Possession, and the Path to Deliverance and An Exorcist Tells His Story An Exorcist Tells His Story. The Demonologist tells only part of the story in regards to negative paranormal activity. However, it is important to see their 'pastoral approach' to infestations, which is not addressed in the other Roman Catholic sources (which deal with severe possession). The Warrens, as devout Catholics, are not as interested in proving phenomenon as eliminating it, which they appear to be very effective at (for all the criticism of their work, I have yet to hear that they did not help the plaintiffs in their cases). In-the-know Catholics may have difficulty with some of their beliefs (the Warrens, in the book, confess a belief in reincarnation, which is against RCC dogma), but the RCC does not have a definitive statement regarding human spirits remaining in this world after death. Therefore, it is understandable that the Warrens, not having clear theological guidance in their work, might occasionally stray from sound doctrine.
   Anyway, this book is more of a novel than a handbook. In fact, there is no thorough treatment of the topic from a Christian perspective that I have been able to locate, but this book is a critical part of building a solid understanding of how these phenomena should be approached and treated.



4. FREAKY!!!!!!!!!It took me a long time to read this book because I was too scared to read it during the night!! This is a real good book but not for young teenager's (not sure if this book would be for some young adults)! There are parts of this book that are extremely scary and you have to put the book down and walk away because you wonder how something so evil and demonic can exist. I think this book is also a good tool for reasons why NOT to get involved into the occult! These entities or demons can rip a person's life or family apart and the scariest thing is that you cannot see who or what is doing it! This book does explain signs and warnings to look for if you think something is not right! It is amazing the courage and knowledge that the Warren's have on dealing with these evil things because it is not for the easy hearted.



5. This book is more than just a book, it is a recount of terrifying instances in several people's lives and is the scariest thing I've ever read because it is true. I really can't describe it. People who just want to be scared or are just looking for a thriller - do not buy this book, it's over your head, and I'm not exaggerating. People who are genuinely interested in the paranormal and have a desire to know the truth, whatever that may be, and who have an open mind, you owe it to yourself to read this book. It affected me in a lot of ways. I couldn't put it down. Even though I recommend it to anyone who is SERIOUS about the field of the paranormal, I kind of wish I DIDN'T know what I know now.

5 comments about Chance to Die, A: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael.

1. This is the first book I read about Amy Carmichael's life. It is very interesting and since reading this, I have purchased many many books that Amy wrote herself. My top 3 recommendations are IF, Kohila, and Lotus Buds. However, any of her books are wonderful.
   
   This book by Elizabeth Elliott gives an overview of Amy's life and pictures. If you want to know about her, this is the book to read.



2. I have read this book twice over the last decade and each time it has given me life principles applicable to the time of life in which I read it. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who needs an example to live by. I couldn't help but think that if God could do such things in Amy Carmichael, He could certainly do the same in me. What a challenge!



3. Amy Carmichael has been a great model to follow. Her love for the Lord spilled out to those whom she saw as His children worth saving ... even though they were considered worthless in their culture. God uses Amy's ferver to encourage me to continue on in difficult places. Thank you Elisabeth Elliot for using your God-given writing talent to so articulate the life of this precious woman of God. Your labors go hand in hand with Amy's in bringing in more souls for the Kingdom of God. To God be all the glory!



4. Amy Carmichael is a hero of mine. I first read this book many, many years ago after God broke my heart for the nations. I admire this single woman's faith and "heart like flint" as she left family, comfort and friends to serve the Lord in India. She went out not knowing exactly where she was going (like Abraham) yet trusted in her Father to guide and direct her. Indeed, she lived out Isaiah 54 as she became a spiritual mother to many poor children who were sadly abandoned and/or neglected in India.
   
   With a simple, resolute and steadfast faith, Amy built orphanages to defend the orphan and preach the good news to the poor. Her life was soul satisfying, multiplied and poured out as a sacrifice that others could live and find Christ. Beautiful.
   
   Amy's like will inspire and encourage you to PURSUE the call on your heart and to trust in the Lord for provision, security and guidance.
   
   Regarding Elisabeth Elliot, the author, I had the gracious opportunity to meet her in person.. and she is a sweet aroma of Christ as well. She trusted and followed in her Savior, despite the pain of losing her first love, Jim Elliot, as a martyr in the jungle of Ecuador. Through the death of her husband and four other Christian missionaries, many, many were saved - and many Christians called to the mission field. You can read more about their journey by reading:
   
   Shadow of the Almighty: The Life and Testament of Jim Elliot



5. Amy Carmichael is a woman who dedicated her life to serving "the least of these" with a heart focused solely on Christ. A story full of incredible truth and sacrifice in the name of the love of God.

5 comments about Freedom in Exile: The Autobiography of The Dalai Lama.

1. Beginning in a world that was so alien to our present society, the current Dalai Lama commences his autobiography 'Freedom in Exile' with a detailed description of life in pre-occupied Tibet; a society that had managed to remain untouched by the effects of modernization and secularism that have moulded our civilization into its present shape. He retails his own experience of living in monastic Tibet, from his `discovery' as the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, to his eventual enthronement as the supreme leader of the remote nation.
   
   However, it was with the 1950 occupation of Tibet by the People's Liberation Army that forced Tibet into the eye of the international community. The invasion by China and the subsequent demolition of Tibetan society piece by piece, and life by life, is recounted in astonishing detail, as is the inspiring efforts by the Dalai Lama in attempting to challenge the actions of the Communist Party of China, which included several personal meetings with the seemingly amiable Chairman Mao. Engrossingly, he explains the chain of events which eventually led to his exile from his native land, and his life-long commitment to championing the people of Tibet against Communist oppression.
   
   The Dalai Lama is clearly a formidable writer, and details his life in an immensely holding fashion. While the Dalai Lama is a religious leader, and while there are sections of the book which explain Buddhist thought, `Freedom in Exile' is not a religious work, nor even a book about religion. It is, however, the self-told life of an influential, and seemingly incorruptible, political figure who defends his homeland and its people with an all-too rare intensity While it an obvious fact that an autobiography by the Dalai Lama will be biased towards the Tibetan cause, it is a much maligned truth that not all situations have two equally opposing positions. Anyone who takes the time to read this book should conclude with the same opinion.



2. Since I will be seeing the Dahli Lama in September, I wanted to catch up on some of his story. He seems to be a very sincere and intelligent man with the well being of his people at heart. I was quite ignorant of the history of Tibet and found the book very interesting and well worth the read.
   
   Don



3. Seeing the Cultural Revolution from the eyes of the Dalai Lama is very interesting and sets the stage for a very sad and imformative story.



4. Knowing nothing at all about His Holiness The Dalai Lama or Tibet/China relations I was eager to learn more. As a convert from Catholicisim to Buddhism, I was pleased to read that the Dalai Lama considers himself to be just a regular human, who was chosen to fulfill a specific role. After reading this book, you get the sense that he would be a very pleasant person to talk with.
   On the downside, I was absolutely shocked to read about what the Chinese Government has done to Tibet and its people. Tibet is a peace loving country and to be in the army, was the lowest form of life. A 17 point 'agreement' was drawn up by the Chinese for Tibet. Members of the Tibetan delegation were forced under duress to sign the agreement and phony Tibetan state seals were used. Large Tibetan estates were confiscated and redistributed by the Chinese. After monks and nuns were arrested, they were forced, in public, to break their vows of celibacy with one another and even to kill people.
   The Tibetan Freedom Fighters were no match for the Chinese army. Besides using bombers to obliterate towns and villages, the Chinese army also crucified, disembowelled, beheaded and buried many Tibetans alive. In order to prevent Tibetans from giving praise to the Dalai Lama on their way to execution, the Chinese tore out their tongues with meat hooks.
   It was really disheartening to read about what happened to these people. I think this is a book that everyone at some point needs to read. It really opened my eyes.



5. This was the first book I had ever read by (or about) the Dalai Lama. I thought it was a great introduction to his life and his way of thinking. Overall I thought this was a great book. I think everyone should read it.