Merry Christmas
From Book Reviews and More.
Hope you have a blessed holiday season, and may you find many good books under the tree, or sent to you device for eReading.
Sunday, 25 December 2016
Friday, 23 December 2016
The Lemonade War - Jacqueline Davies
The Lemonade War
The Lemonade War #1
Jacqueline Davies
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN 9780618750436
eISBN 9780547529875
ASIN B003KK5DQ8
This was the first book by Jacqueline Davies that I have read but it will not be the last! This book was recommended to me based on my love of books by Andrew Clements. This book was a fun read, and deals with a number of interesting topics. And I am sure children will love the sibling rivalries.
This book takes place over a summer vacation from school. The two main characters in this book are Evan Treski, Evan is frustrated because his younger sister, Jessie is smarter than him. She is so smart she is skipping a grade and in the fall they will be in the same class. Evan really does not like this and it is eating at him. He does not like it because he already struggles in school, and now his little sister is going to show him up every day in class. Ever is great at people smarts, but Jessie is the brain when it comes to book smarts. But Jessie struggles with interactions with people, especially her peers. But all of this comes to a head when they start the lemonade war. Each out to prove a point. But both unaware of everything the other is feeling.
The characters are very well written. It is really fun watching the siblings battle and keep escalating the conflict. And both are making bad choices, even after struggling with the decision. And then each of them learning to live with it. It was also interesting how much business vocabulary is woven into the story with both the words and their meaning. It is also very interesting to watch the different approaches to business and the conflict with each other.
This book teaches a lot, but without being preachy. It teaches about business, family relationships, teamwork, relationships and also forgiveness.
This book has won a number of awards the 2009 Rhode Island Children's Book Award, 2007 New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, North Carolina Children’s Book Award 2011, Nutmeg Award 20111. And if the rest of the series is just as good we are in for some more excellent read.
This was a very enjoyable read, I look forward to reading it and the rest of the series with my children, as such I think it is a great book for young readers and those who read with or to them.
Books by Jacqueline Davies:
Lost
Nothing but Trouble
Where the Ground Meets the Sky
The Lemonade War Series:
The Lemonade War
The Lemonade Crime
The Bell Bandit
The Candy Smash
The Magic Trap
Picture Books:
Panda Pants
The Night is Singing
The Boy Who Drew Birds
Tricking the Tallyman
The House Takes a Vacation
The Lemonade War #1
Jacqueline Davies
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN 9780618750436
eISBN 9780547529875
ASIN B003KK5DQ8
This was the first book by Jacqueline Davies that I have read but it will not be the last! This book was recommended to me based on my love of books by Andrew Clements. This book was a fun read, and deals with a number of interesting topics. And I am sure children will love the sibling rivalries.
This book takes place over a summer vacation from school. The two main characters in this book are Evan Treski, Evan is frustrated because his younger sister, Jessie is smarter than him. She is so smart she is skipping a grade and in the fall they will be in the same class. Evan really does not like this and it is eating at him. He does not like it because he already struggles in school, and now his little sister is going to show him up every day in class. Ever is great at people smarts, but Jessie is the brain when it comes to book smarts. But Jessie struggles with interactions with people, especially her peers. But all of this comes to a head when they start the lemonade war. Each out to prove a point. But both unaware of everything the other is feeling.
The characters are very well written. It is really fun watching the siblings battle and keep escalating the conflict. And both are making bad choices, even after struggling with the decision. And then each of them learning to live with it. It was also interesting how much business vocabulary is woven into the story with both the words and their meaning. It is also very interesting to watch the different approaches to business and the conflict with each other.
This book teaches a lot, but without being preachy. It teaches about business, family relationships, teamwork, relationships and also forgiveness.
This book has won a number of awards the 2009 Rhode Island Children's Book Award, 2007 New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, North Carolina Children’s Book Award 2011, Nutmeg Award 20111. And if the rest of the series is just as good we are in for some more excellent read.
This was a very enjoyable read, I look forward to reading it and the rest of the series with my children, as such I think it is a great book for young readers and those who read with or to them.
Books by Jacqueline Davies:
Lost
Nothing but Trouble
Where the Ground Meets the Sky
The Lemonade War Series:
The Lemonade War
The Lemonade Crime
The Bell Bandit
The Candy Smash
The Magic Trap
Picture Books:
Panda Pants
The Night is Singing
The Boy Who Drew Birds
Tricking the Tallyman
The House Takes a Vacation
Wednesday, 21 December 2016
Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit - Kevin Vost
Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
Every Spiritual Warrior's Guide to God's Invincible Gifts
Dr. Kevin Vost
Sophia Institute Press
ISBN 9781622824120
ASIN B01MRT31NG
Dr. Kevin Vost has been one of my favourite Catholic authors since I discovered him a number of years ago. With every book of his I read I have a greater appreciation for his knowledge, his writing and his own personal example of living a life of faith. In the preface to this volume Dr. Vost talks about the progression in his writings and how they build upon each other. He states: "While researching for a biography of St. Albert the Great in 2011, I came across an earlier biographer's declaration that within an author's first book can be found the kernels of all of his subsequent works. Upon a little reflection, I found that this sure is true for me, as the kernels contained in Memorize the Faith! (Sophia Institute Press, 2006) have popped into all kinds of subsequent books." And from that book has now sprung three other volumes and to date cumulating with this one. Those three books are:
Unearthing Your Ten Talents
The Seven Deadly Sins
The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Each of these three volumes growing from a chapter in that earlier book. But of the 8 books I have read by Dr. Vost this one is the most stirring. This book will challenge you on many fronts.
In this volume Dr. Vost draws heavily from St. Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologica. He also draws extensively from the writings of the saints, and the catechism. But this book is not just an academic treaty. It is not simply theology for the sake of writing another book. It is truly a field manual or a guidebook for those of us who would grow in our faith, seek to grow in the gifts of the spirit and be prepared for spiritual battle or to be warriors for Christ Jesus!
Each chapter in this volume follows the same format:
Profile in Giftedness - Examples from Saints
Angelic Analysis - Main Teaching
Profile in Grace - An Example from History
From these three building blocks each chapter tackles a specific gift:
Fostering Fear of the Lord
Practicing Piety
Acknowledging Knowledge
Fortifying Fortitude
Counting on Counsel
Unwrapping Understanding
Welcoming Wisdom
When I go to review a book I try and think of both the strengths and weaknesses of the book. To be honest the greatest strengths of this book are the ease of reading it, and the immediately applicable knowledge. And I cannot really think of a fault!
The subtitle of this book on the cover is, 'Understanding The Invincible Gifts You Need For Spiritual Battle' but on the title page it is 'Every Spiritual Warrior's Guide to God's Invincible Gifts' I am not sure why they are different but both resonate with me and are strong calls for why this book should be read and applied. This was an incredible read. I have already added it to next year's reading list again with the goal of finishing it right before doing the Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts prayed in the days leading to Pentecost as is mentioned in the conclusion of this book. I have also added a few of Vost's book that I have yet to read. For to be honest everything he has written that I have read is excellent.
This is an amazing read that will immediately impact your life!
(Note: this books is part of a series: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)
Books by Dr. Kevin Vost:
Full Range of Motive (2001)
Memorize the Faith! (2006)
Fit For Eternal Life (2007)
From Atheism to Catholicism (2010)
Unearthing Your Ten Talents (2010)
St. Albert the Great (2011)
Tending the Temple (2011)
Three Irish Saints (2012)
Memorize the Reasons! (2013)
One-Minute Aquinas (2014)
Hounds of the Lord (2015)
Seven Deadly Sins (2015)
Memorize the Mass! (2016)
Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit (2016)
The Porch and the Cross (2016)
The Catholic Guide to Loneliness (2017)
The Four Friendships (2018)
How to Think Like Aquinas (2018)
Memorize the Latin Mass! (2018)
Books Contributed to:
Man Up! (2014)
…
Author profile interview with Dr. Kevin Vost.
Every Spiritual Warrior's Guide to God's Invincible Gifts
Dr. Kevin Vost
Sophia Institute Press
ISBN 9781622824120
ASIN B01MRT31NG
Dr. Kevin Vost has been one of my favourite Catholic authors since I discovered him a number of years ago. With every book of his I read I have a greater appreciation for his knowledge, his writing and his own personal example of living a life of faith. In the preface to this volume Dr. Vost talks about the progression in his writings and how they build upon each other. He states: "While researching for a biography of St. Albert the Great in 2011, I came across an earlier biographer's declaration that within an author's first book can be found the kernels of all of his subsequent works. Upon a little reflection, I found that this sure is true for me, as the kernels contained in Memorize the Faith! (Sophia Institute Press, 2006) have popped into all kinds of subsequent books." And from that book has now sprung three other volumes and to date cumulating with this one. Those three books are:
Unearthing Your Ten Talents
The Seven Deadly Sins
The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Each of these three volumes growing from a chapter in that earlier book. But of the 8 books I have read by Dr. Vost this one is the most stirring. This book will challenge you on many fronts.
In this volume Dr. Vost draws heavily from St. Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologica. He also draws extensively from the writings of the saints, and the catechism. But this book is not just an academic treaty. It is not simply theology for the sake of writing another book. It is truly a field manual or a guidebook for those of us who would grow in our faith, seek to grow in the gifts of the spirit and be prepared for spiritual battle or to be warriors for Christ Jesus!
Each chapter in this volume follows the same format:
Profile in Giftedness - Examples from Saints
Angelic Analysis - Main Teaching
Profile in Grace - An Example from History
From these three building blocks each chapter tackles a specific gift:
Fostering Fear of the Lord
Practicing Piety
Acknowledging Knowledge
Fortifying Fortitude
Counting on Counsel
Unwrapping Understanding
Welcoming Wisdom
When I go to review a book I try and think of both the strengths and weaknesses of the book. To be honest the greatest strengths of this book are the ease of reading it, and the immediately applicable knowledge. And I cannot really think of a fault!
The subtitle of this book on the cover is, 'Understanding The Invincible Gifts You Need For Spiritual Battle' but on the title page it is 'Every Spiritual Warrior's Guide to God's Invincible Gifts' I am not sure why they are different but both resonate with me and are strong calls for why this book should be read and applied. This was an incredible read. I have already added it to next year's reading list again with the goal of finishing it right before doing the Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts prayed in the days leading to Pentecost as is mentioned in the conclusion of this book. I have also added a few of Vost's book that I have yet to read. For to be honest everything he has written that I have read is excellent.
This is an amazing read that will immediately impact your life!
(Note: this books is part of a series: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)
Books by Dr. Kevin Vost:
Full Range of Motive (2001)
Memorize the Faith! (2006)
Fit For Eternal Life (2007)
From Atheism to Catholicism (2010)
Unearthing Your Ten Talents (2010)
St. Albert the Great (2011)
Tending the Temple (2011)
Three Irish Saints (2012)
Memorize the Reasons! (2013)
One-Minute Aquinas (2014)
Hounds of the Lord (2015)
Seven Deadly Sins (2015)
Memorize the Mass! (2016)
Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit (2016)
The Porch and the Cross (2016)
The Catholic Guide to Loneliness (2017)
The Four Friendships (2018)
How to Think Like Aquinas (2018)
Memorize the Latin Mass! (2018)
Books Contributed to:
Man Up! (2014)
…
Author profile interview with Dr. Kevin Vost.
Tuesday, 20 December 2016
Fire Star - Chris d'Lacey - The Last Dragon Chronicles #3
Fire Star
The Last Dragon Chronicles #3
Chris d'Lacey
Orchard Books
Scholastic
ISBN 9780439901857
Books by Chris d'Lacey:
Dragons of Wayward Crescent
1 Gruffen (2009)
2 Gauge (2008)
3 Glade (2009)
4 Grabber (2010)
The Erth Dragons
1 The Wearle (2015)
2. Dark Wyng (2016)
3. The New Age (2018)
The Last Dragon Chronicles with David Rain
1 The Fire Within (2001)
2 Icefire (2003)
3 Fire Star (2005)
4 The Fire Eternal (2007)
5 Dark Fire (2009)
6 Fire World (2011)
7 The Fire Ascending (2012)
Rain and Fire: A Guide to the Last Dragon Chronicles (2010)
The Unicorne Files
1 A Dark Inheritance (2014)
2 Alexander's Army (2015)
3 A Crown of Dragons (2016)
Fly, Cherokee Fly Series
Fly, Cherokee Fly
Pawnee Warrior
Other Books
Henry Spaloosh!
Horace
Shrinking Ralph Perfect
The Snail Patrol
The Table Football League
Riverside United
Lofty
From E to You
Scupper Hargreaves, Football Genie
The Salt Pirates of Skegness
Falling for Mandy
The Prompter
Picture Books:
A Hole at the Pole
Juggling with Jeremy
A Break in the Chain
Read With Bubble and Float
Dexter's Journey
Frankin's Bear
Contributed to:
On Me ‘ead, Santa
Nice One, Santa
The Usborne Book of Christmas Stories
Heroes and Villains
In the Frame
Midnight Feast
Author Profile and Interview with Chris d'Lacey.
Chris d'Lacey
Orchard Books
Scholastic
ISBN 9780439901857
eISBN 9780545365451
ASIN B005F3UEIK
Chris d'Lacey is an amazing author! In just over a year I have read 25 books by him. To be honest I started this series and then set it aside to read a bunch of his other works, before returning to it, because of how many books were remaining. The Last Dragon Chronicles is an excellent series and this in a wonderful read. This book ramps up the action from the earlier books.
This book continues from the earlier books. At the beginning David and Zanna are in the Artic on a research project. David continues to write and when the writings too closely resemble life he stops and ends up returning to Waverly Crescent. But things just keep getting stranger. The legends of the Bears and Dragons are again rising to light. A strange fire star is on the horizon. The witch has returned and plans on destroying David this time. An ancient evil the Fain is on the move. Lucy has been kidnapped by Gwilanna who appears to be back up to her old tricks, and maybe even worse. And a dragon has come to new life.
So our adventure goes from Scrubbly to Alaska, then to the north of Scotland and back again. We travel in this book from home, to a research station, to a monastery, an Inuit community and on to a final battle on the ice.
The best thing about this series is the characters, both the humans and the dragons. Watching them, following their adventures is great fun. It is interesting following the interactions between Lucy and Liz Pennykettle, daughter and mother, also their interactions with David Rain and his girlfriend Zanna Martindale. And even the grumpy neighbor Henry Bacon. And the dragons, oh what wonderful creatures, Gadzooks, G'reth, and even the new Gollygosh Golightly that is the first dragon to be created by …
Having read other series by d'Lacey with this one we see closer ties to The Erth Dragons, and even The UFiles series. This book was very hard to put down once it was started. And as each book in this series appears to be longer than the previous, thus my hesitation to get pulled in was valid. The nice thing is this series is finished so I can read through the remaining books without having to wait for more books. The interesting thing is that these books have sat on my shelf for years and were slowly added to until the series was finished. Yet I did not start it until last year. But that being said, this is another incredible book by d'Lacey in an amazing series. And I really look forward to reading the rest of the series. And also the remaining d'Lacey books I have yet to read.
ASIN B005F3UEIK
This book continues from the earlier books. At the beginning David and Zanna are in the Artic on a research project. David continues to write and when the writings too closely resemble life he stops and ends up returning to Waverly Crescent. But things just keep getting stranger. The legends of the Bears and Dragons are again rising to light. A strange fire star is on the horizon. The witch has returned and plans on destroying David this time. An ancient evil the Fain is on the move. Lucy has been kidnapped by Gwilanna who appears to be back up to her old tricks, and maybe even worse. And a dragon has come to new life.
So our adventure goes from Scrubbly to Alaska, then to the north of Scotland and back again. We travel in this book from home, to a research station, to a monastery, an Inuit community and on to a final battle on the ice.
The best thing about this series is the characters, both the humans and the dragons. Watching them, following their adventures is great fun. It is interesting following the interactions between Lucy and Liz Pennykettle, daughter and mother, also their interactions with David Rain and his girlfriend Zanna Martindale. And even the grumpy neighbor Henry Bacon. And the dragons, oh what wonderful creatures, Gadzooks, G'reth, and even the new Gollygosh Golightly that is the first dragon to be created by …
Having read other series by d'Lacey with this one we see closer ties to The Erth Dragons, and even The UFiles series. This book was very hard to put down once it was started. And as each book in this series appears to be longer than the previous, thus my hesitation to get pulled in was valid. The nice thing is this series is finished so I can read through the remaining books without having to wait for more books. The interesting thing is that these books have sat on my shelf for years and were slowly added to until the series was finished. Yet I did not start it until last year. But that being said, this is another incredible book by d'Lacey in an amazing series. And I really look forward to reading the rest of the series. And also the remaining d'Lacey books I have yet to read.
Books by Chris d'Lacey:
Dragons of Wayward Crescent
1 Gruffen (2009)
2 Gauge (2008)
3 Glade (2009)
4 Grabber (2010)
The Erth Dragons
1 The Wearle (2015)
2. Dark Wyng (2016)
3. The New Age (2018)
The Last Dragon Chronicles with David Rain
1 The Fire Within (2001)
2 Icefire (2003)
3 Fire Star (2005)
4 The Fire Eternal (2007)
5 Dark Fire (2009)
6 Fire World (2011)
7 The Fire Ascending (2012)
Rain and Fire: A Guide to the Last Dragon Chronicles (2010)
The Unicorne Files
1 A Dark Inheritance (2014)
2 Alexander's Army (2015)
3 A Crown of Dragons (2016)
Fly, Cherokee Fly Series
Fly, Cherokee Fly
Pawnee Warrior
Other Books
Henry Spaloosh!
Horace
Shrinking Ralph Perfect
The Snail Patrol
The Table Football League
Riverside United
Lofty
From E to You
Scupper Hargreaves, Football Genie
The Salt Pirates of Skegness
Falling for Mandy
The Prompter
Picture Books:
A Hole at the Pole
Juggling with Jeremy
A Break in the Chain
Read With Bubble and Float
Dexter's Journey
Frankin's Bear
Contributed to:
On Me ‘ead, Santa
Nice One, Santa
The Usborne Book of Christmas Stories
Heroes and Villains
In the Frame
Midnight Feast
Author Profile and Interview with Chris d'Lacey.
Monday, 19 December 2016
Catholics, Wake Up! Be a Spiritual Warrior - Jesse Romero
Catholics, Wake Up!
Be a Spiritual Warrior
Jesse Romero
Servant Books a division of
Franciscan Media
ISBN 9781616368166
ASIN B00O5813QS
This was my first introduction to the writing of Jesse Romero, but based on how good this book was it will not be my last. In the introduction Jesse outlines 4 different types of Catholic, they are:
Cultural Catholics
Traditional Catholics
Cafeteria Catholics
Evangelical Catholics
Then he goes on to highlight from his own life how he has shifted through there four 'types' in his own life. Jesse's life is interesting by any standards, hold black belts in two different styles, being a county sheriff at the age of 21. Then drawing from his training and discipline in the martial arts, and as a law enforcement officer, once his faith was challenged he applied his rigor and discipline to his faith. He says: "Paul gave me a Christian tract that said if you are not moving forward spiritually, you are probably moving backward. The world had taught me that he who dies with the most toys wins, but this tract said that he who dies with forgiveness of sins wins. This now totally made sense to me. All the sacramental graces I had received throughout the course of my life were stirring within my soul." But when he was challenged he started pursuing Protestantism. But he was challenged just before leaving the Catholic church by his wife who said: "Before you run off to some other church-or worse yet, start your own-why don't you study Catholicism from Catholic sources? You have had your nose studiously in non-Catholic Christian literature for the past year and a half. If you can prove to yourself that Catholicism is wrong from Catholic sources, then I will respect you if you still want to leave. But first give it a chance." So that is what he did. And his love for the Catholic church grew in ways he could never imagine.
Jesse now holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Mount St Mary's College in Los Angeles and he also has a Master's Degree in Catholic Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. And now he is a Catholic evangelist who speaks at conferences and retreats in English or Spanish about Catholic Evangelization, Topical Bible Studies, Apologetics, Marriage & Family, Spiritual Warfare, Men's topics, Teen topics and Culture War issues that affect all Catholics. And this book is an extension of that ministry.
The chapters in this volume are:
From Martial Arts to the Art of Souls
The Catholic Evangelist
I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist
No Chance Encounters
Warriors Come in All Sizes
Raising Daughters for Christ
Raising Sons for Christ
How the Rosary Saved My Life
Called to Be a People of Hope
Dying for Jesus
He Is Risen!
A Band of Brothers
Evangelizing a Juvenile Delinquent
Sin and Mercy-The Story of David and Bathsheba
A Muslim Taxi Driver Hears the Truth
Your Faith or Your Career
Lessons Learned: The Story of Samson and Delilah
Humility: A Powerful Weapon
Ongoing Conversion-Renew Your Mind
The Church Militant: Prepare for Glory
Each chapter in this book follows the same format. It begins with a biblical quote. This is followed by the main teaching and then all chapters except one end with 3 questions for reflection. Only chapter 9 'Called to be a People of Hope' has more than three questions for reflection, it has 10! This whole book is argued from scripture and the Catechism. Every chapter is infused with quotes to underline and reinforce the points that Jesse is speaking to.
A sample of the reflection questions from chapter 13 'Evangelizing a Juvenile Delinquent' are:
1. Do you see yourself playing a role in seeking and saving the lost, or is this something for pastors and missionaries? What part could God be calling you to play?
2. How passionate are you when it comes to your relationship with Jesus Christ? Do you consider him your best friend?
3. Are there any areas of passivity where living your faith is concerned? What might you do to turn those into passion?
And from the final chapter:
1. How deep is the level of your commitment to Christ? How can you increase it?
2. Do you see your body as the temple of the Holy Spirit? What would you do differently if you truly saw yourself this way?
3. What kinds of heroism are you called to in your own family? At work? In your community?
As you can see this book will challenge your faith, and how you live it out day by day. Jesse writes with great passion, and he shares many personal stories. His personal stories will challenge and encourage us in our own spiritual growth, obedience and evangelism. This was a great read and I can highly recommend it.
Books by Jesse Romero:
Catholics, Wake Up!: Be a Spiritual Warrior
Knocked Off The Donkey Burro No More
Lord, Prepare My Hands for Battle
Contributed to:
Man Up! Becoming the New Catholic Renaissance Man
Jesus & the End Times
What Every Catholic Needs To Know About The Bible
Be a Spiritual Warrior
Jesse Romero
Servant Books a division of
Franciscan Media
ISBN 9781616368166
ASIN B00O5813QS
Cultural Catholics
Traditional Catholics
Cafeteria Catholics
Evangelical Catholics
Then he goes on to highlight from his own life how he has shifted through there four 'types' in his own life. Jesse's life is interesting by any standards, hold black belts in two different styles, being a county sheriff at the age of 21. Then drawing from his training and discipline in the martial arts, and as a law enforcement officer, once his faith was challenged he applied his rigor and discipline to his faith. He says: "Paul gave me a Christian tract that said if you are not moving forward spiritually, you are probably moving backward. The world had taught me that he who dies with the most toys wins, but this tract said that he who dies with forgiveness of sins wins. This now totally made sense to me. All the sacramental graces I had received throughout the course of my life were stirring within my soul." But when he was challenged he started pursuing Protestantism. But he was challenged just before leaving the Catholic church by his wife who said: "Before you run off to some other church-or worse yet, start your own-why don't you study Catholicism from Catholic sources? You have had your nose studiously in non-Catholic Christian literature for the past year and a half. If you can prove to yourself that Catholicism is wrong from Catholic sources, then I will respect you if you still want to leave. But first give it a chance." So that is what he did. And his love for the Catholic church grew in ways he could never imagine.
Jesse now holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Mount St Mary's College in Los Angeles and he also has a Master's Degree in Catholic Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. And now he is a Catholic evangelist who speaks at conferences and retreats in English or Spanish about Catholic Evangelization, Topical Bible Studies, Apologetics, Marriage & Family, Spiritual Warfare, Men's topics, Teen topics and Culture War issues that affect all Catholics. And this book is an extension of that ministry.
The chapters in this volume are:
From Martial Arts to the Art of Souls
The Catholic Evangelist
I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist
No Chance Encounters
Warriors Come in All Sizes
Raising Daughters for Christ
Raising Sons for Christ
How the Rosary Saved My Life
Called to Be a People of Hope
Dying for Jesus
He Is Risen!
A Band of Brothers
Evangelizing a Juvenile Delinquent
Sin and Mercy-The Story of David and Bathsheba
A Muslim Taxi Driver Hears the Truth
Your Faith or Your Career
Lessons Learned: The Story of Samson and Delilah
Humility: A Powerful Weapon
Ongoing Conversion-Renew Your Mind
The Church Militant: Prepare for Glory
Each chapter in this book follows the same format. It begins with a biblical quote. This is followed by the main teaching and then all chapters except one end with 3 questions for reflection. Only chapter 9 'Called to be a People of Hope' has more than three questions for reflection, it has 10! This whole book is argued from scripture and the Catechism. Every chapter is infused with quotes to underline and reinforce the points that Jesse is speaking to.
A sample of the reflection questions from chapter 13 'Evangelizing a Juvenile Delinquent' are:
1. Do you see yourself playing a role in seeking and saving the lost, or is this something for pastors and missionaries? What part could God be calling you to play?
2. How passionate are you when it comes to your relationship with Jesus Christ? Do you consider him your best friend?
3. Are there any areas of passivity where living your faith is concerned? What might you do to turn those into passion?
And from the final chapter:
1. How deep is the level of your commitment to Christ? How can you increase it?
2. Do you see your body as the temple of the Holy Spirit? What would you do differently if you truly saw yourself this way?
3. What kinds of heroism are you called to in your own family? At work? In your community?
As you can see this book will challenge your faith, and how you live it out day by day. Jesse writes with great passion, and he shares many personal stories. His personal stories will challenge and encourage us in our own spiritual growth, obedience and evangelism. This was a great read and I can highly recommend it.
Books by Jesse Romero:
Catholics, Wake Up!: Be a Spiritual Warrior
Knocked Off The Donkey Burro No More
Lord, Prepare My Hands for Battle
Contributed to:
Man Up! Becoming the New Catholic Renaissance Man
Jesus & the End Times
What Every Catholic Needs To Know About The Bible
Saturday, 17 December 2016
Seven Saints for Seven Virtues - Jean M. Heimann
Seven Saints for Seven Virtues
Servant Books a division of
ISBN 9781616368456
ASIN B00O58IFJQ
I have read over 80 Catholic books in the last 12 months. Over that time I have encountered numerous saints both the known and lesser known, and read a lot on the seven virtues. This is the first book that ties the two together. And Jean has created a powerful book for personal study or group study. For I doubt you can read this book and keep it theoretical. A few times while reading this book I had to stop and pray. I needed to pray to learn to live the example of the saint presented. Or pray to grow in a specific virtue. And twice I stopped to pray for specific friends that the chapter brought to mind.
The Seven saints that Jean presents as examples for us are:
Monica
Augustine
Mother Teresa
Agnes
John Paul II
Joseph
Catherine of Siena
The Seven virtues if you need a reminder are:
Chastity
Temperance
Charity
Diligence
Patience
Kindness
Humility
And the way the two line-up is:
Mother Teresa of Calcutta - Model of Charity
St. Agnes - Model of Chastity
St. John Paul II - Model of Diligence
St. Joseph - Model of Humility
St. Catherine of Siena - Model of Kindness
St. Monica - Model of Patience
St. Augustine - Model of Temperance
Each chapter begins with a quote from the saint. This is followed by a meditation or reflection from Jean. This is followed by specific examples of the virtue and how the saints modelled it. And then each chapter concluded with a prayer. Jean has drawn from a wide variety of sources and life circumstances for the saints in this book; a bishop, a pope, 2 nuns, a young woman, a mother a father.
Lisa M. Hendey in the beginning of the forward to this book says: "Would you consider yourself a virtuous person? If you're reading this book, perhaps your answer to that question is similar to mine: "I'm trying!" Ask most of us to paint a portrait of a "person of virtue," and we'll describe our beloved grandmother, a saintly nun or priest we know, or the second-grade teacher who prepared us for our first Holy Communion. We hold this individual in high esteem, equating their quality of character with some level of holiness we desire in our own lives. But if we're being totally honest with ourselves, perhaps we focus too often our own shortcomings, our limitations, and the sin nature that keeps us from fully giving our full "yes" to a life of virtue." And she concludes it with these words, "Will we embrace lives of vice or lives of virtue? The choice is ours. God cherishes each of us, even in our profound simplicity. Salvation awaits, and the seven virtues hold a key to our ultimate destination. I invite you to join Jean and me, the saints, and our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ on the adventure of a lifetime." So the question is will you pick up the book, take and read and then embark on the adventure of trying to live the virtues and growth in saintliness. And that is the focus of the final chapter 'Saints in the Making'.
This book was a wonderful read. I really believe you will enjoy it and be challenged by it if you give it a try!
Books by Jean M. Heimann:
(Note: this books is part of a series: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)
Friday, 16 December 2016
Friday Third Week of Advent - Advent Meditations with Fulton J. Sheen
Advent Meditations with Fulton J. Sheen
Fulton J. Sheen
Liguori Publications
ISBN 9780764816581
ASIN B008Y1PSL8
Friday Third Week of Advent The Courage to Know God It is easy to find truth; it is hard to face it, and harder still to follow it…. The only people who ever arrive at a knowledge of God are those who, when the door is opened, accept that truth and shoulder the responsibilities it brings. It requires more courage than brains to learn to know God: God is the most obvious fact of human experience, but accepting him is one of the most arduous.
LIFT UP YOUR HEART
Books by Fulton J. Sheen:
Fulton J. Sheen
Liguori Publications
ISBN 9780764816581
ASIN B008Y1PSL8
Friday Third Week of Advent
The Courage to Know God
Friday Third Week of Advent The Courage to Know God It is easy to find truth; it is hard to face it, and harder still to follow it…. The only people who ever arrive at a knowledge of God are those who, when the door is opened, accept that truth and shoulder the responsibilities it brings. It requires more courage than brains to learn to know God: God is the most obvious fact of human experience, but accepting him is one of the most arduous.
LIFT UP YOUR HEART
“Let us press on to know the LORD; his appearing is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth.”
Books by Fulton J. Sheen:
God and Intelligence in Modern Philosophy
The Seven Last Words
Philosophy of Science
The Eternal Galilean
Calvary and the Mass
The Cross and the Beatitudes
Communism and the Conscience of the West
Peace of Soul
Three to Get Married
Life Is Worth Living Series 1-5
Way to Happiness
Way to Inner Peace
Life of Christ
Missions and the World Crisis
The Power of Love
Footprints in a Darkened Forest
Lenten and Easter Inspirations
You
Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton J. Sheen
Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton J. Sheen
God's World and Our Place In It
The World's First Love
Books About Fulton J. Sheen:
Fulton Sheen - Louise Merrie - CTS Biographies
(Note: this books is part of a series: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)
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