Wednesday, 6 April 2016

Saint Augustine in 50 Pages - Taylor R. Marshall - The Layman's Quick Guide to Augustinianism


Saint Augustine in 50 Pages: 
The Layman's Quick Guide to Augustinianism
Taylor R. Marshall
Saint John Press
ISBN 9780988442535
ASIN B00U6NDU8U

 This is the second volume by Taylor R. Marshall that I have read. I have also since attended two of his live webinars. I can highly recommend this book. Taylor really knows how to pack a lot of information into 50 pages. This book follows his immensely popular Thomas Aquinas in 50 Pages: The Layman's Quick Guide to Thomism. Even though almost 900 years separated the two authors these in 50 pages books links them, their works and give good reasons for us to be studying them and going deeper. Marshall writes in a very engaging and easy to read style. To be honest I hit the end of the book and was surprised even knowing it was a short volume when I began. He presents the material in such a way that it does not seem like many academic writers, and as such is quickly becoming a favourite writer of mine. 

 The chapters in this book are:
Introduction
Who was Saint Augustine?
Augustine's Contributions
Augustine's Legacy
List of Books on Augustine for Beginners
The Writings of Augustine

 Taylor states of Augustine that: "Augustine was great at writing and disputation. He kept the quill in his hand. His books and sermons reveal a man gifted for infusing heartfelt passion into theology so as to make it practical." And to be honest that is what Taylor himself is doing. This book can be a reminder for those of us who finished formal studies years ago, for the younger reader as a primer for a high school or first year university course. Or for anyone who wants to dip their toes in the pool of knowledge but be warned once you get the toes wet especially with an author like Taylor you will likely dive in.

 This was a wonderful little read. And I do plan on going on and very soon reading more from Taylor R. Marshall. I can recommend this book and believe that it will spark a hunger and thirst for more knowledge. Give it a go you have nothing to lose and maybe a whole lot to gain. Well done Mr. Marshall well done.

Books by Taylor R. Marshall:
Thomas Aquinas in 50 Pages: The Layman's Quick Guide to Thomism
Saint Augustine in 50 Pages: The Layman's Quick Guide to Augustinianism
God's Birthday: Why Christ Was Born on December 25 and Why it Matters
Infiltration: The Plot to Destroy the Church from Within
The Rosary in 50 Pages: The Layman’s Quick Guide to Mary’s Psalter
...

Sword and Serpent Series:
…
Sword and the Serpent
The Tenth Region of the Night
Storm of Fire and Blood
...


The Origins of Catholic Christianity Series:
The Crucified Rabbi: Judaism and the Origins of Catholic Christianity
The Catholic Perspective on Paul: Paul and the Origins of Catholic Christianity
The Eternal City: Rome & the Origins of Catholic Christianity
...

(Note: this books is part of a series: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)

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Tuesday, 5 April 2016

The Power of the Fire Dragon - Tracey West and Graham Howells - Dragon Masters #4


The Power of the Fire Dragon
Dragon Masters #4
Tracey West (Author)
Graham Howells (Illustrator)
Scholastic
ISBN 9780545646321

 You know a series of books is good when the kids ask almost every day when the next one is coming out. That is what has happened to us and this series. After finishing this 4th book in the Dragon Masters series, every day for 2 weeks now they are asking and we have about three weeks to go. But back to this volume. As mentioned this is the 4 book in a series. The Dragon Masters are young children who the dragon stone indicates will be able to establish a connection with a dragon. 

 King Roland appears while the children and their Dragons are training. He has plans to King Roland wants to take his Dragons and show them to Queen Rose of the Kingdom of Arkwood. But during the demonstrations things go awry. The king gets mad and decides that Drake and Worm, and Rori and Vulcan must stay behind. The wizard Griffith will need to travel so his friend Diego will come stay with those left behind. Soon the castle is under attack, Maldred and he has his own dragon who has 4 heads. A battle ensues and Drake and Rori are desperate for back up. But to find out what happens you will need to read the book. 

 Again the illustrations by Graham Howells are awesome. My three children ages 5-9 love going over them again and again to see the details. Every page has embellishments to enhance the look and feel of the book. Wonderful illustrations and a great story combine for a winning combination.

 This is a great little series. From my youngest to my oldest who can read them to us the whole family enjoys these books. We cannot wait for the 5th book to come out and desperately hope there will be more after that. The characters are fun to watch as they grow into a team and learn to work together and with their dragons. The dragons have surprises that always add for interesting twists. And the kids just love them. What more could you want. These are books that after we finished them the kids asked to read them again, which now that we are on chapter books does not happen as often. That is the best praise we can give them. These are great books for kids and those who read with and to them! 

Dragon Master Books:
1. Rise of the Earth Dragon
2. Saving the Sun Dragon
3. Secret of the Water Dragon
4. Power of the Fire Dragon
5. Song of the Poison Dragon
6. Flight of the Moon Dragon
7. Search for the Lightning Dragon







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Monday, 4 April 2016

Updated 2016-04-13


This post has been redacted because of personal conviction. I would appreciate if you say a prayer for me. 

 Our Father, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.



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Friday, 1 April 2016

40 Days, 40 Ways - Marcellino D'Ambrosio - A New Look at Lent


40 Days, 40 Ways:
A New Look at Lent
Marcellino D'Ambrosio
Servant Books
Franciscan Media
ISBN 9781616368944
ASIN B00P9KD6G6

Every year I pick a few resources for both lent and Advent. This one ended up recommended to me based on other purchases. I had never heard of the author before or at least not that I recall specifically. I am so thankful I took a chance on this one. Even before I finished this 40 day journey I picked up another of his books to add to my to be read pile. In some ways Lenten devotionals could be read any time of the year, as a personal retreat, and to be honest that could be even more so stated for this volume. So pick this up for Lent or for a personal mini-retreat any time throughout the year.

There were a number of thinks that struck me about this book compared to many other Lenten devotions. First many devotionals fallow set formats, a bible or saintly quote, a meditation a prayer and or an action. And usually they follow a similar format for each of the days, same style and length. This book has a great deal of variety in the length of each days' readings. Also for each Sunday there is at least a full page for the Sunday and also a specific devotion based on the day so we actually get 47 different readings.

Very early in the book speaking about service Marcellino states: "It means serving. Till it hurts. Even unto death." It really caught my attention. And may people go an extra mile during lent or advent but how many let it drop off through ordinary time? We should take the heightened service from lent and be intentional about carrying it through the year.

Later speaking about prayer he says "But Scripture also tells us what to ask for. And there is the rub. We are often wrong about what to ask for, because we misidentify what will really make us happy. God knows us better than we know ourselves, since he created us. And he loves us more than we love ourselves, because he is our Father." Through the 40 days of this book we can find a clearer focus for prayer, we can allow Marcellino to guide us deeper into prayer, into service and into living the authentic Christian life.

Another great reminder from this book was the balance between mind, body and spirit. He says: "We need to get honest with ourselves. Are we most intent on things below or on things above? (see Colossians 3:2). We should be passionate about many things below-but is our zeal for health, love, kids, education, a job, and financial security truly a function of our zeal for loving God and doing his will? Where do we seek our ultimate satisfaction and security? In these temporal things (even people) that pass away, or in God who is forever? What do we look forward to more-our next promotion or heaven? The great Catholic tradition of a nightly examination of conscience helps us ask such questions regularly and keeps us from getting off track." This book will help you find that balance and through the balance become the best version of yourself. And through being the best version of yourself you will live and server in a more fruitful way.

This was an excellent read. I know I will reread it again and can heartily state that anyone who reads this book with an open heart will be challenged and will be transformed. So give it a try you will not be disappointed!

Books by Marcellino D'Ambrosio:
When the Church Was Young: Voices of the Early Fathers
40 Days, 40 Ways: A New Look at Lent
Exploring the Catholic Church: An Introduction to Catholic Teaching and Practice
Straight Talk to Teens about Sex and Morality
Exploring the Catholic Church: How Being a Catholic Makes a Difference to Everyday Life
How Mary and the Rosary Can Change Your Life
Getting More Out of the Mass: Unlocking the Life-Changing Power of Christ's Real Presence
Confirmation: Sacrament of Champions
Feast of Faith: A Four-Part Adult Faith Program on the Eucharist
Why Be Catholic?
A Guide to the Passion: 100 Questions About The Passion of The Christ
Vatican II: The Real Story
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Thursday, 31 March 2016

Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books First Quarter 2016

Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books First Quarter 2016

Wow what a quarter, I have managed to read 52 books and most of them non-fiction. I have built out an awesome and ever expanding Catholic reading list for 2016. There are some amazing books in these 2 lists! Though to be honest working from my favorite and influential books by year list it was very hard to narrow down to the top ten non-fiction list.

Fiction:
1. Flickers - Auhur Slade
2. The Wearle - Chris d'Lacey - Erth Dragons Book 1
3. Stella Batts Needs A New Name - Courtney Sheinmel and Jennifer A. Bell - Stella Batts Book 1
4. Saying the Names - Maggie Clark
5. The Machine - Oafish Droll - Potential Portal Book 1
6. Fat of the Land - Maggie Clark
7. The Return of the White Duke - Neil Gaiman
8. Redacted
9. Seven Ways of Looking at the Sun-Worshipers of Yul-Katan - Maggie Clark
10. A Liturgy of the Heart - Douglas Ross

Non-Fiction:
1. Becoming the Best Version Of Yourself - Matthew Kelly
2. Beautiful Mercy - Pope Francis et al.
3. Understanding the Mass: 100 Questions, 100 Answers - Mike Aquilina
4. Messy & Foolish - Matthew Warner
5. Life Changers - Greg Willits
6. Light in the Darkness - Patrick Lencioni
7. The Long View - Matthew Kelly
8. Geekpriest: Confessions of a New Media Pioneer - Roderick Vonhogen
9. 40 Days, 40 Ways A New Look At Lent - Marcellino D'Ambrosio
10. Networking - Michal Stawicki - Six Simple Steps to Success Book 4

Relates Posts: 
Top 10 Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2010
Top 10 Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2010
Top 10 Reading Goals for 2010
Top 10 Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2010
Top 10 Fiction Books 4th Quarter 2010
Top Ten Reading Goals For 2010 - Recap
Top 10 Fiction Books 2010
Top 10 Picture Books of 2010
Top 10 Non-Fiction Books of 2010
Top 10 Graphic Novels for 2010
Top Ten Reading Goals For 2011 
Top Ten Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2011
Top Ten Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2011
Top Ten Reading Goals for 2011 Update 
Top Ten Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2011 
Top Ten Fictions Books 4th Quarter 2011
Top Ten Fiction Books 2011
Top Ten Reading Goals 2011 - Recap
Top Ten Reading Goals 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books  4th Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 2012
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2012
Top Ten Reading Goals 2012 - Recap
Top Ten Reading Goals 2013
Top 10 Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2013
Top 10 Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2013
Top 10 Books Second Half 2013
Top Ten Fiction Books 2013
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2013 
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2014
Top Ten Fiction Books 2014
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2014
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2015
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2015
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2015
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2015
Top Ten Fiction Books 2015
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2015
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2016
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2016 

All Top Ten Lists on Book Reviews and More

Statistics Books Read By Year:
52 - 2016 January-March
177 - 2015 
130 - 2014 
88 -  2013
176 - 2012 
163 - 2011
302 - 2010
142 - 2009
98 - 2008
83 - 2007
191 - 2006
151 - 2005
60 - 2004
52 - 2003
97 - 2002
50 - 2001
41 - 2000
71 - 1999
73 - 1998
131 - 1997
101 - 1996

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Wednesday, 30 March 2016

Sacred Reading for Lent 2016 - Douglas Leonard - Apostleship of Prayer


Sacred Reading for Lent 2016
Douglas Leonard
Apostleship of Prayer
Ave Maria Press
ISBN 9781594716119
eISBN 9781594716126

 This was one of 5 Lenten devotionals I used in 2016. I typically read 2 in the morning 2 at lunch and one in the evening. Each day follows the same format, a short quote, a reading, reflection, prayer and a time for listen or a second reflection. A sample is:

 Friday, February 12, 2016
Know that God is present with you and ready to converse.
"You are always with me, Jesus, but you are not present to me as you were to your disciples. I seek greater closeness with you."

 Read the Gospel: Matthew 9:14-15.
Then the disciples of John came to Jesus, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast."

 Notice what you think and feel as you read the Gospel.
When Jesus, the bridegroom, is taken from them, then will his disciples fast.

 Pray as you are led for yourself and others.
"Jesus, I wish to fast and pray during this season. I offer my sacrifices for the good of others. How marvelous that fasting and praying accomplish good in this world ..." (Continue in your own words.)

 Listen to Jesus.
When you fast and pray, you imitate me. When you fast and pray, you draw out of yourself and enter into me. I can teach you what you need to know. What else is Jesus saying to you?

 This book is part of a larger series. I happened to have read the Advent 2016-2016 volume and enjoyed it a lot. There is also an annual volume for the whole year that begins in Advent and goes through the whole church year.  

 This was a good devotional and I would likely buy the whole year volume next year. It was a good introduction to the style and format. And there were some really good guided reflections in this book.

 (Note: this books is part of a series: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)

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Tuesday, 29 March 2016

Rediscover Lent - Matthew Kelly

Rediscover Lent 
Matthew Kelly
St. Anthony Messenger Press
ISBN 9781616362379 
eISBN 9781616364236
Beacon Publishing
ISBN 9781929266050
eISBN 9781929266890
ASIN B06X3WMNR6


 This Lenten devotional is an excellent read. It is a collection of excerpts from Matthew Kelly's book Rediscover Catholicism: A Spiritual Guide to Living with Passion & Purpose. But built around the weeks of Lent the focus each week is as follows:

 Confession
Daily Prayer
The Mass
The Bible
Fasting
Spiritual Reading
The Rosary

 It has an appendix with the list of Sunday readings for each of year A, B, and C. So has the breakdown of reading through until 2022. Matthew writes in such a friendly easy to read engaging style that you can't help but keep reading. So far this year I have read three of his books and have a few more in my two be read pile. In this volume each day has a list of bible readings for the day, a focus verse a longer reflection, a short meditation and then a prayer to tie it all together.

 On Ash Wednesday, the first day of the devotional Matthew states "I find myself needing to turn back to God many times a day, in ways small and large. It is not a matter of guilt and it is not a shameful thing. It is simply that at his side I am a better person-a better son, husband, father, brother, friend, employer, and citizen. Over time, I have also come to realize, quite painfully, that when I turn away from God I am also turning my back on my true self." And that is the note that kicks off our journey. Then journeying for almost forty days on Good Friday he declares "Are we willing to change? I hope so. Almost every person I speak to about the future of Catholicism says, "The Church really needs to change," or something to that effect. What we perhaps forget in making this statement is that we are the Church, and so the real question becomes: Are you willing to change? Am I willing to change?" And to be honest if you read through this book, in prayer and meditation you will be changed. Changed by the word of god, and changed by your own prayers. 

 This was one of five devotionals I read through Lent in 2016. I know I will come back to it again and I highly recommend it.


Books by Matthew Kelly:
I Know Jesus
The Long View
Decision Point: The Workbook
Decision Point: The Leader Guide
The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic
The One Thing
Off Balance: Getting Beyond the Work-Life Balance Myth to Personal and Professional Satisfaction
Why Am I Here?
Perfectly Yourself: 9 Lessons for Enduring Happiness
Perfectly Yourself Discovering God's Dream For You
Building Better Families: A Practical Guide to Raising Amazing Children
The Dream Manager
The Seven Levels of Intimacy: The Art of Loving and the Joy of Being Loved
The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose
Building Better Families - 5 Practical Ways to Build Family Spirituality
The Book of Courage
The Shepherd: A Modern Parable about Our Search for Happiness
Mustard Is Persecution, Matthew Kelly Foundation
A Call to Joy - Living in the Presence of God
The Rhythm of Life: An Antidote For Our Busy Age
Words from God
Resisting Happiness
The Narrow Path
Our Father
The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity
Why I Love Being Catholic
Good Night, Jesus
In a world where you can be anything ...

Beautiful ... Series:
...

Rediscover Books by Matthew Kelly:
Rediscover Catholicism: A Spiritual Guide to Living with Passion & Purpose
Rediscover Advent
Rediscover Lent
Rediscover Jesus: An Invitation
Rediscover the Rosary: The Modern Power of an Ancient Prayer
Rediscover the Saints

Audio by Matthew Kelly from Lighthouse Media:
Becoming The Best Version Of Yourself
The Best Way To Live
Don't Just Try, Train
Faith At Work & The Holy Moment
The Four Signs Of A Dynamic Catholic - Excerpt
The Jesus Question
My Spiritual Journey
Our Lives Change When Our Habits Change
Raising Amazing Children
The Seven Levels Of Intimacy
The Seven Pillars Of Catholic Spirituality

(Note: this books is part of a series: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)








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