Lowest Price Big Truths for Young Hearts: Teaching and Learning the Greatness of God

This is a book that I read very quickly, but an now going through very slowly and meticulously. I was intrigued to hear about a book that Bruce Ware, professor of systematic theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, was publishing at the end of 2009: A systematic theology written to be taught to and read by children!

In the book's introduction, Ware explains that as his daughters grew up, he began to realize that what he had been teaching them each night at their bedsides was the same material he had been teaching to his seminary students for decades! This led to the idea of writing a book that would progress systematically through the essential doctrines of Christianity on a level that is accessible and understandable for children, without compromising on the rich truths expressed in Scripture.

I have to say, he has done a great job with this! Far too often we underestimate the ability of children to grasp the deep things of God. How tragic! They understand far more than we think, and in many cases, probably more than we do. After all, Jesus didn't tell children to have faith like adults! There is a deep need for our children to be brought up immersed in the Word, and this book will be a great resource for parents seeking to raise their children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). I am personally thankful to have this tool as I pursue my aim of becoming a Proverbs 4 dad!

Though this book says it is written for ages 9 and up, it is by no means childish. To be perfectly honest, most adults could stand to learn much from this book! We live in an age where an intellectual pursuit of theology is not much emphasized in evangelical culture, and it is probably safe to assume that the vast majority of Christians have never devoted themselves to a serious and systematic study of theology. If a 1200+ page seminary text seems intimidating, this quite manageable 230-page paperback could be the ideal starting point for many!Get more detail about Big Truths for Young Hearts: Teaching and Learning the Greatness of God.

Low Price Knowing Christ Today: Why We Can Trust Spiritual Knowledge

and realized that YOU were a disciple? Wouldn't that feel strange? Of course knowing my own circumstances I would immediately protest: "I'm not right for the job!" I'm a sinner and I'm confused and I often don't even want to do it. I hardly participate at all. I have a list as long as my arm as to why I would make a poor disciple! I'm barely a prodigal. Yet, if I still felt compelled, the whole thing weighing on me like a sack of multiplied fish, perhaps I could persist. Or perhaps unlike Paul I would want to go immediately back to tent making. The disciples didn't even review or buy books on Amazon. Being a disciple in modernity is a crushing burden. The Gospel According to Me: A heretic finds his way in modernity using Jungian psychology, science, dreams, and, well, the GospelsGet more detail about Knowing Christ Today: Why We Can Trust Spiritual Knowledge.

Save Compelled by Love: How to change the world through the simple power of love in action

I would recommend this book to every Lover of God. Want to hear of modern day book of acts, and what apostleship really looks like today? read the acount of this beautiful true stories book. Its is truely convecting and it makes you run back to the heart and the feet of Jesus!!!! Its one thing to read a book from a person who has good theology and writing skills. This Women lives a life of complete abandonment for Jesus and people. This book its so simple to understand yet it is so profound and life changing. You cannot read this and remain the same. I ask the Whole Spirit to Wreck our hearts for Him and people as we read it.Get more detail about Compelled by Love: How to change the world through the simple power of love in action.

Discount Confessions (Penguin Classics)

Saint Augustine's "Confessions" is a work that is both intensely personal and purposeful, an intensely individualistic and intimate baring of the soul that is also intended to be a universal call to the Christian faith. Augustine confesses his sinful life where he is consumed both by worldly desires and false religions, but after long struggle finds himself saved by the grace of God. This is an evangelical formula that existed before Augustine and certainly exists today, but there is a certain rawness of emotion, an intensity and humanity that makes the Confessions powerful even today.

The first nine books are simply outstanding, as the conversion quite literally from sinner to saint takes us through the intense pain and remorse Augustine feels about his transgressions and the utter joy he feels upon being saved. I found myself constantly amazed that this work is some 1600 years old, as it was easy to relate to Augustine, who is no more or less a "lost soul" than most of us. I imagine there are few readers who do not visualize themselves when they read Augustine's confessions about his temptations and transgressions. Nicely interwoven in this tale is the story of his mother Monica, who suffers as she witnesses her son's slide into sin, finally having her prayers that he would be saved answered shortly before her death.

The final four books, however, seem out of place. From an "introduction to Christianity", the reader is suddenly plunged into a graduate course on theology, as Augustine dives into issues that are clearly of intense interest to him--memory, time, creation, etc.--but are of questionable interest to the reader who has just followed him through 200 pages of deeply personal, heartwarming confession and conversion. Though not uninteresting at an intellectual level, they seem to add little to the overall work (and are the reason why I give this classic 4 stars despite the excellence of the first 3/5 or so of the total work).

All throughout, however, the translation (by the curiously named Mr. Pine-Coffin) is excellent, although there were times (particularly in the latter 2/5 of the book) where some commentary or notes would have been helpful to the reader. Also, a minor stylistic issue, but personally I found it a bit distracting to have all the biblical references (many which are obvious to people familiar with the Bible, and likely irrelevant to those not familiar with the Bible) in italics; I assume this was not a feature in the original text. Overall, however, even though the last part of the book is a bit of a chore to get through, Saint Augustine's Confessions are an intense, fascinating read striking both for its naked intimacy and for its calculated appeal to the common man that can be felt even today.Get more detail about Confessions (Penguin Classics).

Cheapest Your Best Life Begins Each Morning: Devotions to Start Every New Day of the Year (Faithwords)

Life is hard. When the tough times are seemingly never ending, discouragement is there. Faith in God's goodness and care wanes. In this disjointed society where individuals are often alone and without the encouragement of a true Christian friend, Joel's words are like water to weary souls. Yes, there is a lot of repetition in his book as some one critiqued. But there is also a lot of repetition in the Bible. Humans don't learn by having been told once. The issue is not intellectual. Our spiritual problems often come because we give up, we give in. We NEED to be ENCOURAGED (lovingly reminded again and again ... as the Bible itself does) of the Truths that are tested during prolonged testing -- that God loves us - despite..., that we ARE overcomers in Christ, despite... Faith is a work in progress. I for one and very thankful for Joel's spiritual coaching to not give up in the race of life and faith in a good God in a sometimes bad world and to guard my thoughts, as the Bible itself teaches (and too little is preached on) because as my thoughts go so will my life (Proverbs) I've bought about 10 copies of this book to encourage and inspire others to not allows bitterness, faithlessness to set in and to grow their faith "muscles" - to dare trust God's goodness, despite whatever the obstacles/problems/hurts. I thank the Lord for Joel's ministry of encouragement. He, like all preachers and all humans, does not have all the Truth as 1 Corinthians 13 states no human does. But the bottom line of Christianity is a life of passionate love for God and fellow man -- to this end, I do believe that Joel succeeds in helping people choose to BE better instead of staying bitter - and Joel clearly communicates this goal is not one anyone can achieve on their own -- it's called a life of faith, hope, and love with full acknowledgment that only with Christ's help can anyone persevere in it joyfully and humbly.Get more detail about Your Best Life Begins Each Morning: Devotions to Start Every New Day of the Year (Faithwords).

Cheap Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul: 101 Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit of Hope, Healing and Forgiveness (Chicken Soup for the Soul)

This book is a great resource for prisoners who need inspiration. I go into prisons on a weekly basis and visit inmates and have met quite a few who have found inspiration in this book.Get more detail about Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul: 101 Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit of Hope, Healing and Forgiveness (Chicken Soup for the Soul).

Buying Hinds' Feet on High Places

This was a recommended read by one of my Sunday School leaders to our class that is comprised of women over 21 years of age. At that time, it was revealed that several women in our class had already read this book...several times. They highly recommended it too; and now, I would HIGHLY recommended it as an inspirational allegory writing.Get more detail about Hinds' Feet on High Places.

Buy The Love Dare Day by Day: A Year of Devotions for Couples

Wow! The authors know men and women well- they put their finger right on the pulse of why we have struggles in our marriages. With each short daily message, my eyes were opened to see what I can do to make my marriage better. "Heavenly Father, please help me to show your character, so I can improve my marriage..."Get more detail about The Love Dare Day by Day: A Year of Devotions for Couples.

Purchase Holy Bible, American Standard Version (ASV)

Translation being what it is, this book is very well put together. It has nice links to each book of the Bible and then to each chapter. It took me less than 10 seconds to look up John 3:16.Get more detail about Holy Bible, American Standard Version (ASV).

Order Lilith

Since I like MacDonald's novels in general, I thought I would like Lilith, but I didn't. Maybe it's too difficult for me. I fought through it and enjoyed certain portions, but I was tempted not to finish it. I think it might be "over my head." I'm not talking about the "universalist" theology of it, because I understand what he is saying there, although I think the Bible clearly does not support it (I sense a temptation within myself to wish universalism were true), but I could have found much value in the story anyway if I could have understood it more thoroughly. I'm writing this review as a warning to readers like me who enjoy MacDonald's non-fantasy novels (and I prefer his originals there to the modernized versions) but will find Lilith to be a far different reading experience, one that they may not enjoy.Get more detail about Lilith.

Where To Buy Missional Renaissance: Changing the Scorecard for the Church (Jossey-Bass Leadership Network Series)

Reggie McNeal says that "the rise of the missional church is the single biggest development in Christianity since the Reformation." That's an extraordinary claim--and you should read his latest book to see if you agree.

Churches, he argues, can now be divided into two groups: those that get it (being missional) and those that don't. The typical clergyperson, McNeal writes, "Is groomed to do project management (yes, even the sermon is a project) and perform religious rites, not develop people." So he calls the church to a new role and a new scorecard:
* Ministry focus: from internal to external
* Core activity: from program development to people development
* Leadership agenda: from church-based to kingdom-based

The missional movement is not about "doing church" better. "It is not church growth in a new dress," or a hot new trend or fad. So what is it? McNeal says that "the missional church is the people of God partnering with God in his redemptive mission in the world." The focus is on the world, not a full calendar of church activities that are exhausting, not equipping, God's people.

The author/church consultant reports on many North American church leaders who have moved from a church-centric operation (come to our buildings) to a community focus (we go to you). Example: a senior pastor sent his staff into the community (malls, schools, stores, etc.) and asked them to observe people through God's eyes for one hour. Their conclusion: all the nifty programs back at the church were not now reaching nor would they ever reach those people. Then on a Sunday he sent the whole church into the community to observe. Bingo! The people got it--and it turned the church upside down by being outwardly focused.

McNeal adds, "We were told that if we built successful churches, people would come. We bought and paid for the lie that Six Flags over Jesus was what the world needed. We believed that if we built better churches, our cities would be better off. We telegraphed in dozens of ways the message that involvement in church life was the portal to fulfillment and the mark of an abundant life."

"The program-driven church has produced a brand of Christianity that is despised, not just ignored, by people outside the church." His solution? We need a new scorecard to measure what matters--not church attendance and a zillion sermons, but out-in-the-trenches life-on-life community engagement that produces life transformation.

McNeal then suggests how a church could reallocate resources and he gives more than 75 missional indicators that could be measured in six key areas: prayer, people (leaders and others), calendar (time), finances, facilities and technology. For example, he suggests you measure the number of schools that use the church's facilities. Another measurement: track the amount of time invested in leaders meetings that focus on the people development side.

If McNeal is right--that there is (or will soon be) a major chasm between those "doing church" versus those "being the church"--then this insight from Phil Cooke's newsletter, The Change Revolution, is noteworthy. Citing Alexander von Humboldt's "Three Stages of Scientific Discovery" (as referenced by Bill Bryson in his book, "A Short History of Nearly Everything") Cooke notes that there are five stages to innovation:
1. People deny that the innovation is required.
2. People deny that the innovation is effective.
3. People deny that the innovation is important.
4. People deny that the innovation will justify the effort required to adopt it.
5. People accept and adopt the innovation, enjoy its benefits, attribute it to people other than the innovator, and deny the existence of stages 1 to 4.

This is an important book--even if you don't "get it."Get more detail about Missional Renaissance: Changing the Scorecard for the Church (Jossey-Bass Leadership Network Series).

Shop For The Abolition of Man

Through addressing two of his contemporaries by means of a reflection on `education with special reference to the teaching of English in the upper forms of schools', former chair of Renaissance English at the University of Cambridge, C.S. Lewis, moves on to undermine the dehumanizing presuppositions of the intellectuals of his day. By tackling what he nicknames The Green Book (henceforth, TGB, a work purporting to teach English `theory') Lewis questions and seeks to predict the effects of the debunking of sentiments in the name of a new rationality which castrates emotions a priori.

He proposes, instead, that traditional values common across time and cultures should be considered as the definitive reality. Although a Christian, Lewis does not argue for Theism: "I am simply arguing that if we are to have values at all we must accept the ultimate platitudes of Practical Reason as having ultimate validity" (49). His aim is to expose the futility of not treating the Natural Law, the Tao, as the "greatest thing" (18). After refusing biological instincts as the final grounds for virtue, Lewis calls his audience to recover the `doctrine of objective value'. If deconstructed or not taken seriously, a truncate Tao will ultimately lead to the abolition of man: the abandoning of that which uniquely constitutes us as humans.

Lewis' work is a collection of three sufficiently interlaced lectures. `Men Without Chests' starts off with a critical exposure of the consequences of a rationality that downplays predicates of value; `The Way' picks upon such theme and, in light of the Tao, questions the philosophical foundations of those who regard values as mere sentiments; and `The Abolition of Man', finally, reveals how man in its rejection of value and its aim to conquer the nature ends up being drained of meaning and becoming a slave of the very thing he sets himself to defeat. The book ends with an Appendix of literature illustrating the Natural Law.

Chapter One asserts that predicates of value are meaningful in that they involve both emotions and the external object they refer to. Lewis suggests that TGB is an over-reaction against emotionalist propaganda, leading its authors into a sort of emotional solipsism. He labels the educators as `Conditioners' and critiques them for removing all sentiments from the chest, and instead insisting to convey virtues like justice and valour upon pupils on the basis of `rational or biological' grounds. Although less inhuman than the propaganda TGB reacts to, for Lewis this is not less disastrous. Stretching back to Aristotle, Augustine, Plato, the Jews, early Hinduism, and the Chinese Tao, Lewis displays a historical continuum seeking to demonstrate that things have inherent value irrespective of subjective perceptions. Thus he insists that the role of the educator is to train his apprentices to perceive such worth. Emotions, therefore, are reasonable when they are in tune with the Tao. Accordingly, in opposition to TGB's tendency to produce men without chests through affirming that all sentiments are non-rational mirages (e.g. dying for one's country is mere biological instinct), Lewis calls for heads that rule the belly thought the chest. By removing the organ which organizes emotions into `stable sentiments', one is left either with mere brains, or mere guts. It is the heart which makes us human.

Chapter Two expounds on the destructive consequences of such education as a means to outflank the philosophy undergirding TGB. Lewis debunks the debunkers by questioning their basis for affirming anything as `good'. He takes the example of a man who sacrifices himself for the survival of a community and asks the `Innovators' on what ground, if sentiments and values are stripped off, do they praise such act? Lewis demonstrates that outside the Tao there is no such ground: both alternatives (sacrificing, or refuting to) are neither rational nor irrational. Thus if not in `Reason', the Innovators might point to `Instinct' as the final criterion of what is `good'. Yet in obeying Instinct the Innovators reason circularly, and thus Lewis asks them "why such praise for those who have submitted to the inevitable?" (34). There is always a "value judgment passed upon the instinct and therefore not derivable from it" (37). `Why and on what basis should one Instinct be obeyed or subordinated to others?' Questions like these reveal an Innovators' ethic made after their own want: outside the axiomatic essence of the Tao such ethic lacks a rule of precedence. In effect, it is blind prejudice and convenience which undergird the Innovator's agenda.

However, after arguing that all ideologies have the Tao as their only source, Lewis admits that one might also reject the concept of value all together--and instead of the self-contradiction such as TGB's--decide for oneself what it means to be human and make man into that. Chapter Three develops the implications.
The Innovators view eugenics, education, and applied psychology as the roads to the final victory where, exercising its power to emancipate itself from tradition, "Human nature will . . . surrender to Man" (59). Yet Lewis ends by showing that in submitting to such mastering, the Conditioners (as he also calls them) are unaware of ultimately being governed by `Nature'--the very thing they set themselves to master. If men become autonomous to produce conscience and decide new values for themselves by seeing traditional ones as mere natural phenomena to be overcome, they will cease to be under the mystery of humanity which over-arches them. In stepping outside the Tao, men step into the void of being subject to the emotional strength of their own (irrational) instincts. Hence they go back to being mere `trousered apes': `eunuchs' lacking meaning who arbitrarily choose what is good based on their likes and preferences--and conditioning others to live likewise.

Hereafter, Lewis leads his readers into a crossroad: either humans are rational spirit obliged to obey the Tao; or they mere nature to be made into the image of the Conditioners' strongest impulses. Thus he argues that a "dogmatic belief in objective value is necessary to the very idea of a rule which is not tyranny or an obedience which is not slavery" (73). Additionally, he upholds science without giving it the power to wash off our humanness by suggesting a Natural Philosophy conscious that the `natural object' produced by analysis is not reality but a view. His proposes an epistemology where `the explained' is not `explained away': knowledge should be pursued, yet "at a lower cost than that of life" (79)--lest man is abolished.

Lewis demonstrated his thesis very imaginatively. In a book that seeks to discredit the incongruity of the debunkers, both through his sharp sense of irony and his sarcastic wit Lewis achieved his goal as he outflanked his enemies with the enemies' own weapons. Although the reader is left alone to make some connections between the three lectures (e.g. the relationship between Gaius & Titius, the Innovators, and the Conditioners) the outworking of the Tao motif is the common thread that binds them together.

Probably unknown to today's common folk, I found Lewis' referral to particular characters/literary works (e.g. Brer Rabit, Olaf Stapledon, Dr. Steiner) and especially his repeated use of idioms as the only two things that might throw the common reader off. However, he is able to expound what could be an abstract discussion in a lively manner, with the great strength of inviting the reader to acknowledge the unconscious nonsense he most likely finds herself part of.

Furthermore, today we witness a society that reflects Lewis' predictions. Written 67 years ago, its prophetic character makes its worth self-evident. Anyone interested in subverting the pervasively dehumanizing `totalitolerance' of our day should take this book seriously.

As a son of a Nietzschean atheist, I found Lewis' thesis very compelling in helping me deal with some objections my father has posed upon me regarding metaphysics and morality. His creative illustrations on the Tao (branches/tree, primary colors, etc.) and his appeal to different traditional moralities seem particularly relevant for my circumstances as I feel called to serve right-brained, pluralistic, Gen-Y individuals at a level of presuppositional apologetics.

Nevertheless, being right-brained myself, I felt Lewis erring on the argumentative side, and ignoring circumstantial contexts in which ethical decisions are made. I know atheists that give up universal morality and on a practical level are content to live under relativistic ethics. Thus I wonder how this book can effectively challenge a narcissistic our era of metaphysical skepticism.
Get more detail about The Abolition of Man.

Happy for No Reason: 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out

I originally borrowed this book from the library. I liked it so much, I bought a copy for myself and two of my friends.Get more detail about Happy for No Reason: 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out.

Fasting Review

When a book on fasting makes the New York Times Best Seller list, you know it's good. Rest assured prospective readers will not be disappointed. It is so uplifting , especially if you haven't fasted in a while. The blessings promised in the Word will definitely manifest themselves. There is so much encouragement and annointing on this book you'll want to jump right into a fast!Get more detail about Fasting.

Sacred Influence: How God Uses Wives to Shape the Souls of Their Husbands Top Quality

This book changed my perspective and my marriage! This is a book I will read over and over again! I am giving this to all my girl friends to read. I think you gain even more from this book if you have been married more than a year or two! This is a MUST read! Seriously!Get more detail about Sacred Influence: How God Uses Wives to Shape the Souls of Their Husbands.

Fusion: Turning First-Time Guests into Fully-Engaged Members of Your Church This instant

If you have never read a book about church growth, I recommend that you first read Purpose-Driven Church by Rick Warren. Once you have a grasp of Warren's book, Fusion will be an excellent supplement as you begin to plan how you will assimilate first-time guests into the life of your church.Get more detail about Fusion: Turning First-Time Guests into Fully-Engaged Members of Your Church.

City of God (Penguin Classics) Immediately

St. Augustine of Hippo is one of the most enlightened men to ever live, but be forewarned: the City of God--while doubtlessly a magnum opus that stands among the giants in the history of philosophy--equals the Bible in length and matches Descartes in density. Unless you are already deeply knowledgeable in Christian theology and Platonist philosophy, I would recommend that you take a college course on Augustine rather than trying to tackle this on your free time.

The entirety of this work, sans footnotes and elaborations, can be found online: [...]Get more detail about City of God (Penguin Classics).

The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need, New Edition Get it now!

I love this book. It was cheap and almost new. Very detailed, but don't let it get to your head. Lol.Get more detail about The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need, New Edition.

Wild Goose Chase: Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God Buy Now

It's hard to imagine what's going to happen next. This book has increased my awareness of the Holy Spirit working and makes me anticipate God's next move. I'm ready for the adventure ahead. I know I can trust as long as the 'Wild Goose" leads. When things look bleak I know God's working out something incredible just like I know the sun is shining behind the clouds.Get more detail about Wild Goose Chase: Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God.

Sticky Church (Leadership Network Innovation Series) Order Now

Great book for helping church leaders integrate new people into the congregation. Suggests simplifying your outreach strategy by aligning sermons and small groups. This approach was developed in Osborne's church (North Coast Church in San Diego) during a time when they grew from 150 to 7000. Very readable & practical. Our entire leadership team is reading and discussing.Get more detail about Sticky Church (Leadership Network Innovation Series).

Selling 101: What Every Successful Sales Professional Needs to Know Decide Now

Selling 101 is exactly what it sounds like - a great book full of everything anyone aspiring to be a professional sales person needs to know. The best thing about the book is the way it forms a checklist to help you find out if you really do have what it takes.
Get more detail about Selling 101: What Every Successful Sales Professional Needs to Know.

The lexi-chord of the New Testament Right now

Ernest Hemingway was a fascinating man, therefore his memoirs from Paris in the twenties make for captivating reading.Get more detail about The lexi-chord of the New Testament.

Lowest Price Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts

After reading the first book to this series (The Fall of Lucifer), I was hoping the second would be as good, if not better than the first. It was awesome! I couldnt put the book down, it really gave me a bigger picture of our eternal God, his plan and his goodness!Get more detail about Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts.

Low Price Souls in Transition: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of Emerging Adults

Like Smith's previous book, Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers, Souls in Transition should be required reading for anyone concerned with the spiritual lives of teenagers and emerging adults. Smith, Snell, and their fellow researchers have done the hard work of surveying and interviewing thousands of emerging adults. The result is an insightful, objective portrait of their complicated lives and the many factors that make them so complicated. Most helpful to me were the demographic "close-ups" of specific groups (e.g. black Protestants, Catholics, religiously disconnected youth).Get more detail about Souls in Transition: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of Emerging Adults.

Save Jesus the Christ

Note that there are reviews here for two different books by the same title. They are the Talmadge (LDS) and Kasper (Roman Catholic) books. Just be sure you know which one you're looking at and you'll be fine.Get more detail about Jesus the Christ.

Discount Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith

Taylor has made a name for herself in the Episcopal Church as a speaker, and I read this book as an entree into her work. What I found was a woman so wrapped up in herself that her "vocation" was at best a soliloquy from the very start rather than the dialogue implicit in a call. The present Episcopal Church is in theological disarray, and her very fuzzy explication of even her own position, let alone that of the church she claimed to represent, is a good example of why. I read this book to the very end, hoping that there might be a substantial surprise in the last chapter, but it remained a picture of a woman looking at only herself in her mirror and empty to the last.Get more detail about Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith.

Cheapest The Upanishads

This is a very readable, approachable translation of the Principal Upanishads, appropriate for someone seeking an introductory, non-intimidating primer. This is its strength, and also somewhat of a weakness. Also note that this is not a complete translation of the Upanishads, rather selections from each Upanishad. The brevity of the translations means that the core message is sought to be conveyed in the simplest of language, but this also means that some deeper, multi-layered interpretations are left out.

There is a brief Introduction, a short introduction to each Upanishad at the end of the chapter, and a lengthy, 50 page Afterword, written by Michael Nagler.

Excerpts:
---------
"The Upanishads are Hindu scriptures that constitute the core teachings of Vedanta. ... The Upanishads speak of an universal spirit (Brahman) and of an individual soul (Atman), and at times assert the identity of both. Brahman is the ultimate, both transcendent and immanent, the absolute infinite existence, the sum total of all that ever is, was, or shall be. The mystical nature and intense philosophical bent of the Upanishads has led to their explication in numerous manners, giving birth to three main schools of Vedanta."



Brihadaryanaka Upanishad:
------------------------
The Self is indeed Brahman, but through ignorance people identify it with intellect, mind, senses, passions, and the elements of earth, water, air, space, and fire. This is why the Self is said to consist of this and that, and appears to be everything.
As a person acts, so he becomes in life. Those who do good become good; those who do harm become bad. Good deeds make one pure; bad deeds make one impure. So we are said to be what our desire is. As our desire is, so is our will. As our will, so are our acts. As we act, so we become. [4.4.5]

We live in accordance with our deep, driving desire. It is this desire at the time of death that determines what our next life is to be. We will come back to earth to work out the satisfaction of that desire. [4.4.6]

Mandukya Upanishad:
-------------------
One of the Upanishadic mahakavyas or "great sayings" occurs in the second verse: ayam atma brahma, "the Self if Brahman." ... Shankara declared that if one could only study a single Upanishad it should be this one; similarly in a late Upanishad, the Muktika ("Deliverance"), Rama appears and tells a devotee that "the Mandukya alone is sufficient for the deliverance of the aspirant,"... [page 59]

Chandogya Upanishad:
--------------------
VIII.13.1 From the Divine Dark to the manifest
To the Divine Dark I pass again.
As a horse shakes free its mane, I have
Shaken off evil. Freeing myself
From the bonds of birth and death as the moon
Escapes from Rahu's mouth, I have attained
The pure realm of Brahman; I have attained
The pure realm of Brahman.

Taittriya Upanishad:
--------------------
Part II, 7.1: Before the universe was created,
Braman existed as unmanifested.
Brahman brought the Lord out of himself;
Therefore he is called the Self-existent.

Mundaka Upanishad:
------------------
I.2.8 Ignorant of their ignorance, yet wise
In their own esteem, these deluded men
Prouf of their vain learning go round and round
Like the blind led by the blind.

Katha Upanishad:
----------------
2.3.3 Know the Self as lord of the chariot,
The body as the chariot itself,
The discriminating intellect as charioteer,
And the mind as reins.

2.3.4 The senses, say the wise, are the horses;
Selfish desires are the roads they travel.
When the Self is confused with the body,
Mind, and senses, they point out, he seems
To enjoy pleasure and suffer sorrow.


Notes on the Upanishads:
-----------------------
A second meaning of Vedic includes three classes of texts which are soon attached to, and preserved with, their respective Samhitas. The first are the Brahamanas, lengthy descriptions of the Vedic rituals in a prose which is nearly that of classical Sanskrit .... Second is a smaller and more intriguing group of texts known as Aryanakas or "forest manuals," continuations of the Brahamanas but "dealing with the speculations and spirituality of forest dwellers ... those who have renounced the world." And third are the earliest Upanishads or "confidential sessions." [page 252]

... because they are handed down at the end of the Vedic collections and are meant to be learned and recited last by Vedic students, the Upanishads are classified as vedanta, "the end of the Vedas." [page 253]Get more detail about The Upanishads.

Cheap Family Driven Faith: Doing What It Takes to Raise Sons and Daughters Who Walk with God

I'm not very good at writing reviews, but this book is awesome. It actually makes you step back and look at the way we are opperating as Christians. I had heard all the statistics about most teens leaving the faith when they get on their own and it is scary (if you don't know about this, check out "Already Gone", which I havent read yet, but I know the gist of it). But Baucham really gives us some convincing theories on why and some solutions.Get more detail about Family Driven Faith: Doing What It Takes to Raise Sons and Daughters Who Walk with God.

Buying The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness

"who can be indoctrinated with evil. Mankind is ostensibly striving to avert catastrophes; medical progress gives us hope that one day disease can be conquered, but will we ever be able to prevent the creation of mass murderers?"-Simon Wiesenthal

The Lord loves justice Isaiah 6:18

All people who call themselves christians should read this book because christianity is under attack and for good reason many times. I grew up in the bible belt; you were extremely weird if you didn't go to church and there are churches on every corner practically in this part of the country. Christian Germans, continental europeans had their faiths tried by fire in this last century, it is not so obvious in America, but I believe we are standing at the edge of a cliff in so many ways and we have choices to make and those choices will save or condemn your soul; no matter how many apostles creeds you say, the choices you are making today will determine your salvation or not.

This book is probably the best book I've ever read. I love Simon Wiesenthal not just for his books' content but because Simon understood G-d's demands for justice; he then tracked down the Nazi killers who took millions of lives and not only jews. Forgiveness is a hard thing to do but Christ commands christians that if they don't forgive others their sins that G-d can't forgive them. Christ told his followers to pray more than 70 x 7 times until they could truly forgive those who persecuted them. However, in the case Mr. Wiesenthal places before us, the crimes possibly committed by the dying Nazi soldier are much more than what he mentions, but we simply don't know all the details. Simon of course has seen this scene of slaughter so many times, jews rounded up, jews crowded into kerosene laced buildings and set on fire. And then the dying Nazi soldier begs him to stay and hear his confession instead of from a priest. Simon stayed there for hours and though Karl wanted to hear Simon forgive him and though Simon really sensed that Karl was sincere, he simply could not utter the words, but rendered what little comfort he could muster by holding his hand, by swatting away flies from Karl's infected, rotting face, the whole time though wanting to flee. The whole story affected Simon so much for days afterwards he had nightmares and would wake screaming back in the death camp; it greatly alarmed his friends because the Nazis would usually respond to such disturbances by shooting or hanging them. His friends finally silenced his screams by having talks with him about this strange encounter: "it was not your place to forgive him because you were not his immediate victim" and "how could you forgive on the part of the whole jewish nation", "we all will probably not survive this death camp".... All of those friends later died within the camp, from malnutrition, infectious disease, gun shots. Somehow Simon was miraculously spared and he dedicated the rest of his life to bringing to justice the Nazi murderers from some of the remotest, wild corners of the world.

What can I say but I place this book on the same pedestal as my bible. Clearly putting away criminals who take the lives of innocent millions and not only jews is just and understood by most cultures. It was stipulated in the books of Moses: for blood pollutes the land and NO atonement can be made for the land except by the blood of him who shed it. Is it not significant that one of the first stories in the bible, in christian, jewish, and even muslim bibles is the story of the killing of Able by Cain and G-d hearing the voice of Able crying from the ground?

There are two versions of this book, but I recommend this last version over Wiesenthal's first; the additional perspectives from 53 persons that Wiesenthal posed his question to adds more insight to the problem of forgiveness. All of their answers are slightly different, all equally thought provoking. Most believed Simon behaved rightly in his response to Karl, it was not his place to offer forgiveness because he was not the injured party and Simon acted UBER princely given the circumstances by what little he did and mostly by what he didn't do. "He could have smothered him with a pillow to put Karl out of his misery," one of the respondents noted. He could have choked him if he was consumed by a rage for vengeance, but true to G-d's word left the vengeance part to G-d. 'Vengeance is mine says the Lord, I will repay.' What does G-d promise? Vengeance is mine, I WILL REPAY. G-d is just and cannot tolerate evildoers. Evildoers will be punished if not in this lifetime, surely in the world hereafter.

So, herein, you will find responses from the most unlikely of characters, the Dalai Lama, various christian theologians, of course, other jews, some concentration camp survivors, teachers and most surprisingly an answer from Albert Speer, who was the only Nazi to declare his guilt at the Nuremberg trials. My favorite responses were from the Dalai Lama, Harry Wu, Dith Pran and a jewish teacher. The Dalai Lama asked a buddhist monk what did he fear most after years of brutal torture by the chinese; the monk told him that his biggest fear was that he would lose compassion for the Chinese. Dith Pran, a survivor of Pol Pot's murderous rampages saw and understood how the soldiers were duped and deceived by these murderous despots as Hitler youths were manipulated by the Nazis. He wrote: "We need to learn to separate the true culprits from the pawns, the evil masterminds from the brainwashed." The jewish teacher posed Simon's predicament and question to her students who were studying The Sunflower. Nearly all christians said they'd forgive Karl, nearly all jews said that they wouldn't. I think her observation is significant. And as someone who's been raised as a christian and trained in the bible, I think that the jews' thinking/logic on this issue is incredibly wise and worth examining.

Harry Wu's experience of nearly 20 years in chinese prison gave him a slightly different perspective: "In regard to Mr. Wisenthal's story and in comparing his story to my own, I must first state that it is inconceivable for me to believe that anyone in the People's Republic of China would ask for such forgiveness as the Nazi soldier did to the jewish prisoner. In China, there was no understanding that what the communists did to their own people was in any way morally wrong....They had no regard for an individual's well-being. There was no value put on a human's life because, quite simply, the leaders of the country placed no value on human life. In order to survive in China during these times, one had to give up one's own conscience and humanity....Instead, the society that the communists founded was designed to drain any remnants of humanity out of a person. Like Mr. Wiesenthal, I would not have forgiven the Nazi soldier, but I would have been able to say to him: "I understand why you were a part of a horrible and vicious society. You are responsible for your own actions but everyone else in this society shares that same responsibility with you.""

The only comment I took offense to was one by a christian speaking of Christ and His disciples welcoming Judas Iscariot back into their midst. In the account of John, son of Zebedee, Jesus says about Judas after he left to betray Him for 30 pieces of silver, "it would have been better if he had never been born." In John also, Christ said that His father gave all judgement to Him and so Christ's words to a christian should be more true than other apocryphal writings as "The Judas Gospel". It's so easy for false truths to be believed and lies disseminated.

Theologians don't have a clear handle on what the blasphemy of the holy spirit is, what the only sin is that G-d will never forgive, but I have no doubt that it would surely be found in the many evil acts against humanity, against the sanctity of human life that was to be unveiled from these true stories of the holocaust. (Jews prefer the word Shoah rather than the holocaust. Shoah in English means calamity. Holocaust has twisted christian connotations of whole burnt offering as if there was something holy in the jews' sacrifice which I totally agree is extremely abhorrent.) But the world knows of these tribulations as the holocaust so I use that term here.

This book is one of the most important books I've ever read. It is so thought provoking and there are really no easy answers to Simon's question. I found myself as I am here, thinking of so many arguments. It is a subject of universal appeal because forgiveness is truely hard when one has been subjected to such uncomparable persecution and suffering. And even christians should grasp that G-d understands our difficulty with this issue, to truely forgive 100% may not even be achieved in one's lifetime and doesn't negate one's salvation (my thoughts). But after the 490 or 4900 time of trying to forgive a heinous crime all one may be able to do is say, I CANNOT DO IT, BUT I HAND IT OVER TO YOU TO ADJUDICATE. And I think G-d probably wouldn't have a problem with it.

I have so many pages marked; my hope and prayer is that whoever reads this review will want to read the book themselves. I couldn't find this edition anywhere in the greater Atlanta area, universities included. You can get it through interlibrary loan, but better to have the book on hand as I do.

I must temper my criticism of christianity with these thoughts from Dennis Prager: "I am a religious Jew who has come to admire many christians and to appreciate Christianity....I deeply fear the consequences of a de-Christianized America."Get more detail about The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness.

Buy Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World (Gift Edition): Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life

I have reordered this book several times. It has touched the lives of several ladies at our Lutheran church and they are giving it to friends and family. We are using it for a LWML Bible study.Get more detail about Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World (Gift Edition): Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life.

Purchase Atheist Delusions: The Christian Revolution and Its Fashionable Enemies

The author demonstrates that the life and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth produced the most far-reaching and beneficial change ever seen in human society. This book is a great antidote to all of the anti-Christian polemicists who have been grabbing the popular-media spotlight lately.Get more detail about Atheist Delusions: The Christian Revolution and Its Fashionable Enemies.

Order Created to Be His Help Meet: Discover How God Can Make Your Marriage Glorious

I cannot stress enough that this couple advocated abusive practices not only in their marriage but in their other work (to train up a child). She advocated going back to an seriously abusive relationship because you might win your spouse to Christ --even as far as citing an example of a pregnant woman who survived an attempted murder from her husband. Such advice seriously endangers the woman and any children in the relationship. I would advise anyone looking for relationship advice to look elsewhere.

Because of her belief in a woman not working she assumes that a divorced woman would be forced into destitution and possibly be around lesbians and fornicators. Well, yes, if you have no job experience, 12 children and no education then you may indeed end up destitute. However, if you had had the forsight to actually get an education and even hold down a part time job you probably would be in much better shape. As for the company you keep as a divorcee -- that is your own business and a logical fallacy to state that you will be forced in to such a situation.

Disgusting excuse for a book.Get more detail about Created to Be His Help Meet: Discover How God Can Make Your Marriage Glorious.

Where To Buy Prayer - 10th Anniversary Edition: Finding the Heart's True Home

I was initial worried that since my Pastor liked this it would be too far over my head, but in the same vein as Phillip Yancy and Max Lucado this book covers the struggles everyday Christians have with belief.Get more detail about Prayer - 10th Anniversary Edition: Finding the Heart's True Home.

Shop For That Hideous Strength

I came to this trilogy late, thanks to a friend who gave me the first book for my birthday. I read the three books in a row, almost without stopping.

The narrative is rich and complex, the language beautiful and evocative ... This third volume, though, is a bit different from the first two, where the hero travelled to other planets. It might surprise, maybe even disappoint some readers, and yet, it concludes the trilogy beautifully, and effortlessly mingles elements of fantasy, science fiction and literary prowess.

A must-read for Tolkien fans, or people who enjoyed the Chronicles of Narnia as children.Get more detail about That Hideous Strength.

A Bride in the Bargain

I liked this book but I found Anna a bit irrational at times. she had completly insane ideas about Joe and marriage. and I was frustrated at the pride that they had. Once I actually called out get over your selves and commit already you obviously love each other. though in my opinion you cant go wrong with deeanne gist. Read the book and form your own opinion.Get more detail about A Bride in the Bargain.

Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections between Sexuality and Spirituality Review

i love this book, i dont want to finish it, but when i do, ill reread it. theres always something to learn from this book and thats what i love about it! i try reading this as much as possible but i'm in the army so im always too tired to read. ugh, i know thats not a good excuse.lol, but yes, its wonderful and im trying to read as much as i can! i bring it with me everyday so when i find time i can read and highlight important stuff i found. i love this book! i wish i had the hardcover though because paperback always seems to deteriorate due to time and use...wonderful though!Get more detail about Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections between Sexuality and Spirituality.

The Sacred Romance Drawing Closer To The Heart Of God Top Quality

I ordered my copy of the book as well as the workbook for a fraction of what I would have gotten it for brand new. I don't mind buying a good quality used copy for myself and thanks to Amazon they always have what I'm looking for! My small study group at church decided on this book since it has much insight to offer many of us. Check out the first few pages.Get more detail about The Sacred Romance Drawing Closer To The Heart Of God.

The Atonement Child This instant

The subject of this book is a difficult one and Mrs. Rivers's talent of breathing real life and a realistic Christian struggles into this story is beautiful. As I was reading this book I could not help but put myself in the place of Dynah, the main character. What would I have done in her shoes? I'm sure I would have had the same doubts and question God; however, would I have made the right decision. What is the right decision is a central part of this book but not the main point. The point of this story is to trust in God even when the most unthinkable thing has happen. This is hard for every person of faith and I found this story inspiring.Get more detail about The Atonement Child.

Fathered By God: Discover What Your Dad Could Never Teach You Immediately

My husband intially wanted to read this and as he read further into the book, he asked me to read certain parts because he thought it would help me understand him much better, and it did! I ended up reading the whole book and it really ministered to me as well. Ladies dont read this book and throw it at your man expecting him to read it and be what you think he should be =)Get more detail about Fathered By God: Discover What Your Dad Could Never Teach You.

The Relaxation Response Best Quality

An excellent book. I bought this for an upcoming exam and, although I haven't taken the exam yet, practicing this has already paid off. My Dad used to use these relaxation principles.Get more detail about The Relaxation Response.

Beyond Good and Evil Get it now!

I bought this at the same time as I bought Zarathustra. This one is much easier to read, and still very interesting.Get more detail about Beyond Good and Evil.

God the Invisible King Buy Now

I enjoy reading opinions that oppose mine. Makes me test my faith in a positive way. However, I was unable to get all the way through this book. I just couldn't stomach the ridiculousness of the author's views. Usually an opinion is based on "something". I can't say that there was much logic used here. So...don't waste your time.Get more detail about God the Invisible King.

Twelve Extraordinary Women: How God Shaped Women of the Bible, and What He Wants to Do with You Order Now

This book along with the workbook by the same name are exceptional, in depth study of 12 women in the Bible. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an in depth Bible study.Get more detail about Twelve Extraordinary Women: How God Shaped Women of the Bible, and What He Wants to Do with You.

Divine Revelation Of Hell Decide Now

The book is a powerful book. I just want to counter those who are guessing about her or are "discerning" a fraud.

I have had the privelage of meeting and spending time with Mary K on several occasions. When I first saw her I was a new Christian back in '96 and of course I was sceptical. I then was able to get to know her. She is the most humble and caring servant of God I have ever met. She does not have a bad thought in her body. Her motive is to truly do what God told her to do and to be a blessing to as many people along the way.

She is NOT rich, and she does not make a lot of money off of this book. She gives away so many of them, but because this was her first book the contract does not favor her financially. She has to buy her own books at cost to then give them away. She sends cases of them to prisons and Native American Reservations all the time and blesses people with what little she has.

She is a sweet caring woman that if someone got to know her, would never argue differently. She goes to areas to minister to people that are so poor that if money was her motive, she was heading to the wrong place. She does not preach a homiletical message but if you have ears to hear what you hear over and over is, "God said to do this, and so I did it." That is a powerful lesson for any Christian, to hear God then do what He says. Imagine if we all did that as regulary as this woman who just dares to believe God.

Thanks for reading. If you are really concerned about giving your money to a fraud, buy it used here on Amazon or write her and she'll probably send you one for free.

God loves us so much!!Get more detail about Divine Revelation Of Hell.

Escape Right now

This book was written during the rise and fall of Warren Jeffs and provides a lot of insight to the inner workings of the FLDS cult. How sad to think that women and children in this polygamous society are destined to a life of servitude, humiliation, and abuse. Mothers are not allowed to show affection to their children, children cannot watch TV or read books from the evil outside world, and young teenage boys are routinely kicked out of the cult because they are perceived as a threat to the older men. Even grown men can "fall out of favor" and have their wives, children, homes, and businesses taken away from them in the blink of an eye.

Carolyn's story is a riveting one and I found myself cheering her on throughout the book. Unfortunately, the book itself was poorly written which I found to be quite disappointing. Her writer seems to have written out everything verbatim making the text stiff and clunky. It just doesn't have a nice conversational flow to it. Plus, there are places throughout the book where Carolyn seems to contradict herself or abruptly switches from one scenario to another, leaving the reader hanging. A good writer/editor could have fixed that.

Still, the book is worth reading for an inside glimpse of how polygamy really works and the shameful way the FLDS leaders treat and manipulate their dedicated, brainwashed members. I applaud Carolyn for having the courage to ESCAPE with 8 children who went kicking and screaming with her. She faced insurmountable odds and overcame them with courage, grace, and determination.

Get more detail about Escape.

Lowest Price The Power of a Praying® Wife

I can't wait to read more "Power of Praying" books. This was a great book that truly worked. I even bought one for my mother in law. You'll see great results in your marriage!Get more detail about The Power of a Praying® Wife.

Low Price The Greatest Words Ever Spoken: Everything Jesus Said about You, Your Life, and Everything Else

This is an awsome resource to go along with your Bible study or just finding out exactly what our Lord has to say about a particular subject all in one place. Wonderful resource to ponder a subject at length. I love it and have given copies to my friends who have also cherished it. Thanks, as always, Amazon for delivering exactly what I need, at the right price and at the right time.Get more detail about The Greatest Words Ever Spoken: Everything Jesus Said about You, Your Life, and Everything Else.

Save The Virtue of Selfishness

I was eager to read some of Rand's non-fiction so that I could have a better understanding of her philosophy and ethics. Her arguments are strong and obviously the product of a strong intellect, but I found her insights lacking in one crucial way. Her criticisms of other philosophies are based on literal interpretation. This would be quite fine if it were not for that fact that the statement and ideas she criticized weren't literal. Both Rand and Branden argue that philosophy is a psychological confession but never approached it from a psychoanalytic point of view.

The definition of Altruism she gives is exaggerated and, again, very literal; and while her criticism of this remains a good one, I am skeptical of it relevance to real people, their behavior and how Altruism has manifested in society.

While I agree with many of her arguments and ethics, I found her understanding of Human psychology (as well as Branden's) to be lacking and out-dated (even for the 1960's). However, the book is well worth reading and should be approached without fear (because there's nothing to fear) and an open mind.Get more detail about The Virtue of Selfishness.

Discount Grasping God's Word: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible

I cannot recommend this book enough. "Grasping God's Word" is probably the best single book on Hermeneutics/Exegetical work on the market today. This was one of the required texts for my Hermeneutics course in Bible College.

This book is not like most books on Exegesis in that it is HANDS ON all the way through! Each chapter deals with a specific critical aspect of exegetical work and ends with worksheets for the reader to practice what he just read! The book is VERY readable and is moves along at a pace that will not leave anyone behind.

My Bible reading was never the same after I read and worked through this book. If you take the time to "grasp" this book you will begin noticing patterns and themes in the Biblical texts that you probably never noticed before. This book literally trains your mind to engage God's Word with competency.

The only reason I rated this book as 4 Stars instead of 5 is because I believe it is weak on the Bible Versions issues in not promoting the TR/Masoretic texts as the preserved Word of God.Get more detail about Grasping God's Word: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible.

Cheapest Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul: 101 Stories to Celebrate, Honor and Inspire the Nursing Profession (Chicken Soup for the Soul)

Great book to read when you need a little pick-me-up from a hard day in the hospital. Has inspirational stories for nurses.Get more detail about Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul: 101 Stories to Celebrate, Honor and Inspire the Nursing Profession (Chicken Soup for the Soul).