Review: A View from the Back Pew by Tim O’Donnell

by Carol10 Comments
Tim O'Donnell takes us on a journey from his life in Catholic school, annoying the nuns, to college including a study abroad time in Rome, and into his career. Through it all he is searching for a deeper spiritual connection to God, rejecting the dogma of the Roman Catholic Church that he feels had kept him separated from God. O'Donnell does a good job of discussing his personal spiritual quest. His stories are amusing, his tone is conversational, and he comes across as an honest, caring man. He takes some difficult concepts and makes his view of them accessible. First, I should mention that yes, I'm a Christian, but I've been attending the same United Methodist Church since I was like 8, so I don't have the same issues that O'Donnell does from his Catholic upbringing. I never felt that the church stood in the way of a personal relationship with God, I feel it encourages it. Also,...
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Love and Justice

by Carol5 Comments
We should remember that God is not only one hundred percent love - which might have allowed him to forgive our sins without the cross. He is also one hundred percent justice. (pg. 62 ) Christ comforts and heals, saves and forgives - we know that; but we must not forget that he judges too. If we truly love him, we will love everything in him; not only his compassion and mercy, but his sharpness too. It is his sharpness that prunes and purifies. (pg. 63) Both of the above quotes are from "The Center" by J. Heinrich Arnold, one of the selections in Bread And Wine. Like last year, during Lent I'm working my way through this books of readings. They inspire me, cause me to reflect, and challenge me. Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Play along. I cheated, but the rules are easy. Grab your current read, open to a random page,...
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Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer

by Carol3 Comments
Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer I'm looking forward to reading these daily devotionals, starting tomorrow. A new year, a fresh start, a new habit. I probably won't be reading them first thing in the morning, since I'm useless before my shower, and too busy trying to get out the door on time. Just typing that makes me think, well, I could actually just wake up ten minutes earlier and take a short time out from the hectic morning, sit down with a cup of coffee and start the day on a positive note. If you are too busy for time with God, then you are definitely too busy! (p. 327) Browsing through the book, I see topics dealing with listening to God and making time for Him, faith and trust.  Each devotional is only a page long, but they seem powerful. The cover says the book offers "reminders of how to reconnect with His plan and persevere through common obstacles...
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Mailbox Monday

by Carol13 Comments
Marcia at The Printed Page hosts Mailbox Monday every week. Everyone at our house got some great books this week for Christmas. First, we have Amber's gifts. Percy Jackson and the Olympians (The Complete Series) by Rick Riordan The Unusual Suspects (The Sisters Grimm, Book 2) by Michael Buckley The Problem Child (The Sisters Grimm, Book 3) by Michael Buckley Mythology by Lady Hestia Evans The Ugly Guide to Being Alive and Staying That Way by David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim The Gospel of Luke (The Illustrated ICB Bible) David got two books. Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton The Real Wood Bible by Nick Gibbs And I got a few gifts and one for review. The Autobiography of Santa Claus as told to Jeff Guin (Received as a gift.) The Total Brain Workout by Marcel Danesi (Thanks to Harlequin Ambassadors.) The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle by Raeanne Thayne (Thanks to Harlequin Ambassadors.) Hearing from God Each Morning by Joyce Meyer (Received from the publisher for review.) Did you get any good books over this week?...
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Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

by Carol3 Comments
Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality by Donald Miller "I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn't resolve. . . . I used to not like God because God didn't resolve. But that was before any of this happened." In Donald Miller's early years, he was vaguely familiar with a distant God. But when he came to know Jesus Christ, he pursued the Christian life with great zeal. Within a few years he had a successful ministry that ultimately left him feeling empty, burned out, and, once again, far away from God. In this intimate, soul-searching account, Miller describes his remarkable journey back to a culturally relevant, infinitely loving God. My thoughts: This is like a meadering memoir of Miller's spiritual journey. He makes some good, although by no means unique points. We need to be able to accept God's love for us and we, in turn, need to love everyone, Republican or Democrat,  poor or rich, straight or gay. Miller...
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Trinity by Joseph F. Girzone

by CarolNo Comments
Trinity: A New Living Spirituality by Joseph F. Girzone From the dustjacket: With Trinity, Joseph Girzone guides readers to a deeper understanding of this foundational concept, explaining why it is not antiquated theological dogma, but a living expression of the very essence of God. He offers support and clarity to those who already believe in God, and invites those who profess not to believe on a journey to find “an image of a God who is believable, and perhaps, even lovable.” For centuries, Christians have struggled to understand the nature of God as three persons in one. But with grace similar to that which allowed Saint Patrick to explain the Trinity by using a shamrock, Girzone takes a step back from the most arcane explanations to offer a simple, useful understanding. He begins by showing the ways God was perceived by the ancient Hebrews and reveals how Jesus forever changed that image of God. As he chronicles the growth from the time of Jesus...
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