Book Description
Flip-Flop Your Concept of Giving!
Bestselling author Randy Alcorn introduced readers to a revolution in material freedom and radical generosity with the release of the original The Treasure Principle in 2001. Now the revision to the compact, perennial bestseller includes a provocative new concluding chapter depicting God asking a believer questions about his stewardship over material resources. Readers are moved from the realms of thoughtful Bible exposition into the highly personal arena of everyday life. Because when Jesus told His followers to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,” He intended that they discover an astounding secret: how joyful giving brings God maximum glory and His children maximum pleasure.
Discover a joy more precious than gold!
Priceless treasure is within your reach. And with it, liberating joy.
In Randy Alcorn ’s The Treasure Principle, you’ll unearth a radical teaching of Jesus—a secret wrapped up in giving. Once you discover this secret, life will never look the same. And you won’t want it to!
Pull Out Section:
Do it. Ask God what’s on your mind….
Open my eyes, Father. What am I holding on to that’s robbing me of present joy and future reward?
Discover the all-new prayer guide inside!
“Supercharged with stunning, divine truth! Lightning struck over and over as I read it.”
John Piper , Senior Pastor, Bethlehem Baptist Church , Minneapolis
“The Treasure Principle will change your life! This book is destined to become a classic.”
Howard Dayton , Co-CEO, Crown Financial Ministries
“The Scripture passages and illustrations really ring true. Just what I needed!”
Hugh Maclellan , President, The Maclellan Foundation
“I enthusiastically endorse The Treasure Principle. I hope millions will read it.”
Ronald W. Blue , Founder and CEO, Ronald Blue & Company
Story Behind the Book
After years of writing and teaching on the theme “God owns everything,” in 1990 Randy Alcorn was sued by an abortion clinic (for peaceful, nonviolent intervention for the unborn). Suddenly he had to resign as a pastor and was restricted to making minimum wage. Legally unable to own anything, Randy gave all his book royalties to missions work and need-meeting ministries. He and his family have experienced the reality of The Treasure Principle—that God really does own everything, takes care of us, and graciously puts assets into our hands that we might have the joy and privilege of investing in what will last for eternity.
Customer Reviews:
Poor Stewardship of Scripture.......2006-07-07
I'm not sure which is more distressing - the author's egregious misuse of Scripture or the plethora of glowing endorsements this book is receiving. Both are the result of not applying sound principles of biblical interpretation taught to beginning hermeneutics students.
Stewardship of wealth must begin with stewardship of the Scriptures. Alcorn's failure in the latter is why, in my considered view, he fails in the former. In fact, even if Alcorn is right (which I don't believe he is) that somehow there are degrees of reward in heaven and that you can accumulate things there on the basis of what you do here, no one should accept his view based on the reasons he offers. Alcorn's (and many other stewardship pundits') basic problem is plucking verses completely out of context and making them say what they do not. Even a cursory reading of chapter one reveals numerous examples of this. For example, Jesus' parables about the hidden treasure and pearl of great price are not about accumulation of some treasure in heaven, but rather entering the kingdom of God (i.e., obtaining eternal life). Also, Alcorn's use of Jesus' dialogue with the rich, young man (Matthew 19) misses the point. Again, this was not about accumulating treasures in heaven, but about gaining eternal life (i.e., entering the kingdom of God). Notice, in this dialogue Jesus uses "eternal life," "treasure in heaven," "enter the kingdom of heaven," and "enter the kingdom of God" interchangeably. One last example is Alcorn's use of Matthew 19:29. He fails to understand Jesus' claim about the 100 times return for those who sacrifice for Jesus' sake because he does not consider the parallel account in Mark's gospel (Mark 10:30) where Jesus specifically says this return will come "in this age" and the reward in the age to come will be eternal life. The examples of poor stewardship of Scripture could go on. The reader will have to play the part of the Bereans (Acts 17:11) and examine carefully Alcorn's teaching to see if it really is what Scripture teaches.
Despite some helpful material (all our possessions are God's and we are just stewards, Christians need to be generous and sacrificial givers), this book is a dismal failure scripturally. Even though many have found this book to have changed their giving and stewardship for the better, the ends do not justify the means. It teaches a suspect theology of stewardship because it teaches poor handling of Scripture. And, proper stewardship of wealth begins with proper stewardship of Scripture. Unfortunately we get neither in this book.
Great book........2006-06-25
This was a good book with sound biblical principles on giving. It made me totally reevaluate my own giving.
CAUTION: COMMITMENT REQUIRED.......2006-04-06
If you're looking for a feel-good, warm-fuzzy book, you may not want to purchase this one. It is a book that will challenge and change you. You may believe you are a generous and joyful giver, totally committed to God, but after reading this book, you may have to rethink that self-assessment. If you are sincerely looking for a deeper relationship with God and you aren't afraid of a deeper level of commitment, you WILL BE a changed person--for the better--after reading The Treasure Principle.
And, no, I'm NOT a pastor, and I've bought 20 copies to share with friends who are on the same path I am. (See the ONE really negative evaluation in the "other" section entitled, "Nothing but Money-Grubbing Propaganda," April 22, 2004.) And I didn't find it money-grubbing at all. I found it life-changing. I'm sorry the "be-rater" didn't. I'm so glad another non-pastor shared the book with me!
Complete 180 from World View.......2006-01-17
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which challenges the reader to view material possessions as they truly are - gifts that belong to God and are given to us to manage while here on earth. A quick read, with wonderful Biblical principles, this book is a breath of fresh air and a call to store up heavenly treasures.
Amazing book. Don't miss out on this treasure........2005-12-31
Randy Alcorn does an amazing job in this book of pulling together many different verses in the Bible that talk about money and making the whole issue of money, giving, and tithing a whole lot clearer.
The foundation of the book is this little truth: "You can't take it with you--but you can send it on ahead." That's what Alcorn calls the Treasure Principle. He bases it on what Jesus says in Matthew 6:19-20: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."
Alcorn gives six keys to the Treasure Principle. They're a good condensed summary of his book:
1. God owns everything. I'm His money manager.
2. My heart always goes where I put God's money.
3. Heaven, not earth, is my home.
4. I should live not for the dot [life on earth] but for the line [eternity/life in heaven].
5. Giving is the only antidote to materialism.
6. God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.
I really appreciated his emphasis on eternity. He points out that we so often spend all of our energy gaining treasures for the here and now, forgetting that they're going to be lost in eternity: "[W]hen Jesus warns us not to store up treasures on earth, it's not just because wealth might be lost; it's because wealth will always be lost. Either it leaves us while we live, or we leave it when we die. No exceptions."
The book is very readable, and can easily be finished in an hour and a half. I'd very highly recommend it for anyone. I've already bought multiple copies to give away.
Book Description
Flip-Flop Your Concept of Giving!
Bestselling author Randy Alcorn introduced readers to a revolution in material freedom and radical generosity with the release of the original The Treasure Principle in 2001. Now the revision to the compact, perennial bestseller includes a provocative new concluding chapter depicting God asking a believer questions about his stewardship over material resources. Readers are moved from the realms of thoughtful Bible exposition into the highly personal arena of everyday life. Because when Jesus told His followers to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,” He intended that they discover an astounding secret: how joyful giving brings God maximum glory and His children maximum pleasure.
Discover a joy more precious than gold!
Priceless treasure is within your reach. And with it, liberating joy.
In Randy Alcorn ’s The Treasure Principle, you’ll unearth a radical teaching of Jesus—a secret wrapped up in giving. Once you discover this secret, life will never look the same. And you won’t want it to!
Pull Out Section:
Do it. Ask God what’s on your mind….
Open my eyes, Father. What am I holding on to that’s robbing me of present joy and future reward?
Discover the all-new prayer guide inside!
“Supercharged with stunning, divine truth! Lightning struck over and over as I read it.”
John Piper , Senior Pastor, Bethlehem Baptist Church , Minneapolis
“The Treasure Principle will change your life! This book is destined to become a classic.”
Howard Dayton , Co-CEO, Crown Financial Ministries
“The Scripture passages and illustrations really ring true. Just what I needed!”
Hugh Maclellan , President, The Maclellan Foundation
“I enthusiastically endorse The Treasure Principle. I hope millions will read it.”
Ronald W. Blue , Founder and CEO, Ronald Blue & Company
Story Behind the Book
After years of writing and teaching on the theme “God owns everything,” in 1990 Randy Alcorn was sued by an abortion clinic (for peaceful, nonviolent intervention for the unborn). Suddenly he had to resign as a pastor and was restricted to making minimum wage. Legally unable to own anything, Randy gave all his book royalties to missions work and need-meeting ministries. He and his family have experienced the reality of The Treasure Principle—that God really does own everything, takes care of us, and graciously puts assets into our hands that we might have the joy and privilege of investing in what will last for eternity.
Customer Reviews:
Great book. Don't miss it!.......2007-09-07
Sincere, thought-provoking, soul-searching, and life changing book. I highly recommend it. It will not only be worth every penny you spend on it but if you take it to heart will also cause all your future spending, saving, and investing to be stretched and better utilized. However, I do recommend this as a follow up to the book Money, Possessions, and Eternity by the same author. That one is absolutely a must-read book. If you can only read one I have to recommend Money, Possessions, and Eternity first.
Superb Little Book!.......2007-05-15
This book is a great summary of the great benefits and blessings found in giving joyfully. Alcorn does not offer any handy formulas or explore any Scripture passages on giving in detail. Instead, he uses a broad brush to paint a picture of Christian giving. This book is small enough and affordable enough to be a part of any new member's packet a church may have. In this consumer-oriented, me-centered society in which we live, Alcorn's words here show us the way to experience fully Jesus' words, "It is better to give than to receive." This title is a good read for all Christian believers, a must-read for Christian leaders.
Life changing book!.......2007-04-07
This book honestly changed my life and my perspective on how I handle my money. I hope it can do the same for you.
A true Life changing study.......2006-08-21
Hands down, this is one of the best studies ever done on the gift of giving. Randy Alcorn has done a surper job of taking a tough life issue and wraping it into a wonderful package. The treasure principle is simple: "You can't take it with you, but you can send it on ahead." This truth affects every aspect of our life as Christians.
Escape the slavery of materialism!.......2006-08-12
Finally, a book that is able to encourage joyful, sacrificial grace giving without brow-beating people with a guilt-trip on tithing! Finally, a book that takes a scripturally sound approach to this important area of Christian doctrine and practice! Finally, a book that offers hope to escape the bonds of slavery to our own materialism!
Pastor Randy Alcorn does a marvellous job in this small volume of unpacking truckloads of truth about how God intends His people to handle the money He entrusts to their stewardship. God intends for us to invest it, in ever increasing proportions, for the expansion of His kingdom -- not ours. God also intends for us to learn what it really means to trust Him, as He prompts and enables us to give "even when the bottom line says we can't."
God's "inexpressible gift" of giving is counterintuitive to most of us. Our normal mindset, heavily influenced by the world's materialistic bent, is to horde as much wealth as possible for ourselves. This is true even in the church, where more and more believers are giving themselves over to the materialism that our culture says we are entitled to pursue and enjoy.
It pains my heart when I see believers who will spend many hundreds of thousands of dollars for a 4,000 square foot house, and tens of thousands of dollars on a new luxury car or SUV, but can't seem to find a hundred bucks to support a short term mission trip. Those dear brothers and sisters are caught in a snare of the enemy. Randy Alcorn's small but powerful book tells them how to escape -- by giving away worldly wealth to store up eternal riches.
Scripture teaches, and I have found by my own experience, that the more we have, the more we want, and the more we have to worry about. When we implement the Treasure Principle in our own lives, God delivers us from the bondage of materialism and prepares a far richer, eternal inheritance that is out of all proportion to the pittance even the most generous of us are able to give in this life. We have experienced just a taste of this for ourselves, and look forward to the day when we can "excel in this grace also." Many thanks to Randy Alcorn for sharing his insights and experiences.
Book Description
Learn How to Live a Joyful Spirit-filled Life! Are you enjoying every day of your life? Or do you tell yourself and others that you will find happiness once you have reached a specific goal or position in life? Jesus came so that we might have and enjoy life. (John 10:10.) Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. If you have not been enjoying your life to the fullest, it is time to begin! In this book, Joyce Meyer combines biblical principles with personal experiences for a powerful teaching on how to enjoy every day on your journey through life. By applying the principles outlined in this book you will learn: -How to make the decision to enjoy life. -How to rid yourself of regret and dread. -How to experience the simplicity of life. -How to find joy during times of waiting. -How to finish your course with joy. -Plus much more! Enjoying life is not based on enjoyable circumstances. It is an attitude of your heart. So learn how to enjoy where you are on the way to where you are going today!
Customer Reviews:
Offers very much Needed Simplicity in a Complicated World.......2007-09-17
Joyce teaches us to laugh at ourselves; she teaches us that it's ok to make mistakes as long as we recognize them and use them to mature our spiritual walk. I love preachers that come down to our level, instead of painting a "higher-than-thou" mentality with impossible standards for us to live up to. My dad once told me that a baby chick starts out with no muscle tone in it's neck. If someone simply cut the egg shell away from the chick and didn't allow it to peck it's way out, it would die. It is in the labor of breaking out of it's shell, that it finds strength.
Carrie Lynn Jones
Author of It All Began... When Jesus Gave Me Sneakers
great book.......2007-09-10
Good advice, given like a friend talking frankly with you. Joyce states it like it is, no pie in the sky perfectionism, no Christianeeze cliches.
She is right on the mark with the advice, references and interpretations. Uses personal experiences to illustrate situations. Helpful book.
You Need To Own This Book!.......2007-07-27
I read the reviews here and decided to get the book from the library. Well I have finished this book and I must say that the author has met me at the very place I am in my life right now. Chapter ll Joy in God's Waiting Room continues to speak to my spirit. Joyce Meyer speaks on so many areas and each one has touched me and showed me things that I did not realize. I thought that Joy was something that came over you or as a result of circumstances but it is not. Joy is a choice and something that God has instilled in each one of us. J.Meyer gives examples of this and she backs up what she says in scripture. If you find that your patience is being challenged (God does this from time to time when He is preparing us for the next level (James 1:2-8) If your attitude is not Godly in your waiting and you feel that your joy is just not there...then you need to do as I did...YOU NEED TO OWN THIS BOOK! Just as God has blessed me to become a licensed RN I know and needed to be reminded that as I am waiting and believing God to open doors for me I have the victory because I am a child of God. I am going to re-read this book and now I can highlight and refer back to this book for continual growth in the area of patience and truly trusting God and knowing that He has everything under control. God Bless You!!!
JOY FOUND AND RESTORED.......2007-07-26
I love this book!!! This is definetley a wonderful read for those looking to enjoy life to the fullest. It has really helped me restore my joy and find new joy. Thank you Joyce Meyer for writing this wonderful book. Alot of the things she went through and the way she lived her life full of seriousness and no time for play is exactly how I was. I can say now that I'm on the road to living my life to fullest of what Christ said that I should live.
Received extremely fast!.......2006-07-31
Very pleased with the fast service, would certainly order from again! Thanks very much!
Customer Reviews:
Dance of Life Makes an Excellent Lenten Study.......2007-03-24
My church used Dance of Life, Henri Nouwen's works compiled by editory Michael Andrew Ford, as basis for an adult program during Lent. Lay people were able to facilitate discussion of different sections of the book easily.
Review of Dance of Life.......2007-03-09
Excellent, as is anything that comes from the writings of Nouwen (who continues to write even though he is dead!!)
Life-Changing.......2007-01-09
This book changed my life. I was so engrossed that I read it in the course of one very intense day - a day filled with insights, with a sense of wonder and beauty and of God's all-sustaining love. It is a book that I will keep returning to for many years.
This is the sort of book that I want to buy a thousand copies of to hand out at street corners. Especially poignant are Nouwen's insights on intimacy, acceptance, and prayer.
The real beauty of Nouwen's teaching is his incredibly accepting and open approach to the self - where we are to celebrate our individuality and to incorporate even our failings and negative emotions into our understanding of ourselves.
Book Description
One of today's most promising new Christian writers explores the thrilling possibilities of God's everlasting love.
Customer Reviews:
a letdown from secret life of bees!.......2007-07-11
ok, definitely not what i was expecting but some food for thought...i like joel olsteen's a better life now, much better!
Hooey!.......2006-04-04
I TOTALLY agree with "A Reader" that posted on January 10, 2004... titled." What Would Sue Monk Kidd Do?"
This reviewer captured my thoughts exactly. WHY would anyone want to read a spiritual book written by a woman who abandoned her Christianity? Please! This author has one book that is good..."The Secret Life of Bees," and it's fiction! Stick with fiction, Ms. Kidd. You seem to do it in your own spiritual life, so writing it should be simple.
the right book at the right time.......2005-11-06
I read this book years ago and have re-read it many times since. Not only did Sue Monk Kidd's experience resonate with me, but she introduced me to some fantastic writers. I highly recommend this book for anyone searching to know God better.
Being non-judgmental.......2005-07-27
I have not read this book specifically, but I read what 'a Reader' said about Sue Monk Kidd and her writing. I would encourage that reader and others to remember what Jesus taught us about being forgiving and about taking the plank out of our own eye before removing the sliver in our sisters eye. When she wrote this book, her walk must have been strong...if she is now stumbling, will hate restore her to Christ? or will love, the second greatest commandment? Yes, we have to use discernment, but of all the gifts, faith, hope and love, love is the greatest. I think we forget that far too often and pass judgment on others. God may be doing a work on her as we speak. If you really care so much, put her on your prayer list as she is in the public eye and I say this with all love...remember, you too will stand before Jesus one day and give an explanation about your harshness toward others, even if you don't know them personally. I plan to buy the book and just because she stumbled in her walk, doesn't mean that reading her book is going to take one down the same path.
A new kind of relationship with God.......2005-06-21
Having read Sue Monk Kidd's two novels, "The Secret Life of Bees" and "The Mermaid Chair" and having enjoyed them a lot, I was eager to know more about the author herself. This is her first book which was published in 1987, and it tells about a portion of her spiritual journey. She was a young woman who was all too typical of today, a person who tried to be perfect in every aspect of her life. She rushed around baking homemade cookies for every event imaginable, being in charge of several events and ministries in her church, and trying to be the perfect wife and mother. She tried to earn God's love by being the best that she could be and by constantly doing good works. As a result, she wore herself out and began having physical symptoms of the stress she was under. She learned the hard way that it was better to be in fellowship with God rather than rush around earning his favor by works. This is the story of her metamorphosis from an over-stressed wife, mother, and church worker to a true daughter of God who learned to slow down, accept God's love and revel in his presence. There is much to be learned in this book by all Christians who wish to have a closer walk with God.
Amazon.com
No matter how many self-help books we read, workshops we attend, spiritual endeavors we pursue; no matter how often we cuddle our inner child or redesign our outer adult, many people keep returning to a gnawing angst and vague unhappiness, according to T. Byram Karasu, author of The Art of Serenity. One of the problems is that many of us define happiness in paradisiacal, childish terms, causing us to feel like we're missing out. "Happiness in adulthood, however, requires realism, reciprocity, and coming to terms with one's mortality," he writes. And, of course, it requires us to cultivate the art of serenity.
Like M. Scott Peck, author of The Road Less Traveled, Karasu brings a psychological background to the area of spiritual growth. (Karasu is the chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, as well as the editor in chief of the American Journal of Psychotherapy.) Sometimes blending spirituality and psychology muddies the waters, but Karasu has a solid understanding of how the two worlds intersect and has created an outstanding and completely accessible guide to lasting inner happiness. The door of joyful serenity can only be opened by a "combination key involving both soul and spirit," he explains. And it all culminates in the love of God. Using real-life cases from his psychotherapy practice, Karasu illustrates how the principles of soul work and spirit work are applied to daily lives. From lovers' jealousy to workplace angst, from friendships to solitude, Karasu offers original, lasting advice and insights. Read this one and put it on your shelf by your other spiritual classics--it's sure to be a lifetime companion. --Gail Hudson
Book Description
We all face adversity, both man-made and natural. How do we survive the loss of a loved one, a betrayal, illness, even impending death, and still find meaning in our lives? Even a "normal" life can seem empty, in spite of material possessions, success, power, and pleasure. In our search for fulfillment and meaning, we work through our past and present conflicts, cuddle our inner child, and redesign our outer adult. We attend workshops on life and secular spirituality and explore the comforts of traditional religion. We get married and divorced, experiment with drugs and alcohol, change jobs. And while our restlessness and unease may abate temporarily, the hollow feeling that there is something missing always returns.
In his profound and accessible work, The Art of Serenity: The Path to a Joyful Life in the Best and Worst of Times, Dr. T. Byram Karasu offers us the key to an extraordinary state of mind -- authentic, soulful happiness -- in the face of everything our life has to offer and take away. The door to this state of mind is opened by a combination of soul and spirit. It involves the soul through the love of others, love of work, and the love of community. It involves the spirit through belief in the sacred and belief in transformation. It culminates in the love of and belief in God. Brilliantly synthesizing psychology and spirituality, Dr. Karasu will guide you to explore the deepest yearnings of your heart.
There is no end to the journey to real happiness; there is no best place to start or best time to begin. So where and when to start? Start here, where you are, and start now.
Download Description
"We all face adversity, both man-made and natural. How do we survive the loss of a loved one, a betrayal, illness, even impending death, and still find meaning in our lives? Even a ""normal"" life can seem empty, in spite of material possessions, success, power, and pleasure. In our search for fulfillment and meaning, we work through our past and present conflicts, cuddle our inner child, and redesign our outer adult. We attend workshops on life and secular spirituality and explore the comforts of traditional religion. We get married and divorced, experiment with drugs and alcohol, change jobs. And while our restlessness and unease may abate temporarily, the hollow feeling that there is something missing always returns. In his profound and accessible work, The Art of Serenity: The Path to a Joyful Life in the Best and Worst of Times, Dr. T. Byram Karasu offers us the key to an extraordinary state of mind -- authentic, soulful happiness -- in the face of everything our life has to offer and take away. The door to this state of mind is opened by a combination of soul and spirit. It involves the soul through the love of others, love of work, and the love of community. It involves the spirit through belief in the sacred and belief in transformation. It culminates in the love of and belief in God. Brilliantly synthesizing psychology and spirituality, Dr. Karasu will guide you to explore the deepest yearnings of your heart. There is no end to the journey to real happiness; there is no best place to start or best time to begin. So where and when to start? Start here, where you are, and start now. "
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful quotes and content, but very fragmented writing.......2007-09-18
I was very much looking forward to reading this book. It even started off very well. There were wonderful quotes from other authors, references to mythological tales, a couple named Joe and Lisa that suffered many problems but were a perfect example of people like us.
Then I began to realize that the book was disjointed. These little tidbits were everywhere, and often popped up out of nowhere, breaking the flow. There would be a heading in a chapter, but Karasu wouldn't elaborate on it. Paragraphs didn't flow. The ideas jumped around. There was no cohesive wholeness. The reason this is so disappointing is because he picked out many wonderful quotes and does seem to have very insightful, important messages for his readers. But they aren't well presented.
Karasu is too absolute at times. For instance, he says that the only way to forgive is to forget. Period. No arguments, not too much discussion. But isn't an individual irresponsible and setting him/herself up for failure by simply forgetting. I don't want to harp on this, because this example isn't my point. My point is that he states his ideas too absolutely.
I am a Christian who is soul searching, and I thought this book would help. It did not. But that doesn't mean it won't help others. If you are looking to read a little at a time, and feel good about some stories and about some tidbits and quotes you pick up each time, this may be perfect for you. But if you want a solid flow, and to dive deep into these topics, you may want to look elsewhere.
A Breakthrough in Spirituality Requires a Backward Leap To Faith - Believing And Loving God .......2006-08-20
How do we live life with all its "twists and turns" to find meaning and happiness? T. Byram Karasu in his extraordinary book, "The Art of Serenity", takes us on a journey to find the answer. Karasu, presently Silverman Professor and the University Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Psychiatrist-in-Chief at Montefiore Medical Center, serves as an excellent guide in finding the answer.
Karasu begins with the premise that we are born with the knowledge of God and are innately spiritual beings, making the cultivation of our spiritual side critical to achieving serenity. "Be a grown-up, soulful, and spiritual person...The first-step is growing up. If you have not, you cannot cultivate your soul and spirit, and will be chronically susceptible to unhappiness."
Breakthroughs in spirituality can only be made possible by a backward leap, returning to faith, that is believing and loving God. This return to faith leads us to the love of self, the love of others, the love of work, and the love of belonging - all critical to finding meaning, fulfillment, and happiness in all aspects of life.
"The Art of Serenity" is told in three parts - "The Way of the Soul" (why love makes a difference); "The Way of the Spirit" (why belief is critical to our transformation); and "The Way of God" (why religion is the natural ground of spirituality). This content-filled book can be digested by everyone, but will be most appreciated by those who have taken the first step, growing up. "Art" will not be a quick read as you will want take your time, absorbing and reflecting on its richness.
We are spiritual beings on a human path on a pilgrimage for meaning, fulfillment and wholeness. Karasu's "The Art of Serenity is a great guidebook, with all the landmarks and detours well marked.
Rare And Precious Wisdom.......2003-02-17
T. Byram Karasu, a respected teacher and author in the field of psychiatry, has ventured far beyond his field in this masterpiece of spiritual wisdom. Clearly he has been doing more than seeing patients all these years, he has been reading assiduously, absorbing the wisdom of the ages. Now, in The Art of Serenity, he distills this wisdom and his own expereinces, for all of us who are willing to taste.
It is not light reading. Karasu deals with the deep questions of life. He begins with love, work, belonging, moves on to the spiritual journey, the nature of self, the acceptance of aging, and the understanding of death. His concluding chapters, dealing with God, and bringing spirituality back home to its ground in religion, are like soaring towers, straining toward the light. The final section left me stunned, wanting to go back and read the book again.
The author uses clinical vignettes, folk-tales, bits of poetry, the Bible, the Quran, and many other works. His writing is fluid and graceful, with a kindly sense of humor. He says little about himself, putting himself into the background, and so his presence is powerfully felt--a man of learning, integrity, wisdom and care for others.
This book, I'm afraid, is not for everyone. It does not promote (or denounce) any single religion. It is not for the narrow-minded. And, I think, it is not for the young. It is a book for those who have some maturity and life experience. For those who are ready it will be a life-changing masterpiece. Thank you, Dr. Karasu. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber
Well-titled!.......2003-02-09
"The Art of Serenity" is RIGHT! This book is incredible in that it really brings you directly into the glaring face of serenity--and then serenity doesn't break eye contact!! People always say: "Do not judge a book by its cover" but I'm going to have to plead the opposite in this case. The cover of this book gives you a perfect idea of the calm nothingness that awaits inside.
Take serene and multiply it times 25! THAT'S HOW SERENE YOU WILL FEEL AS YOU READ THROUGH PAGE AFTER PAGE OF "The Art of Serenity." It is the literary equivalent of a handful of sleeping pills, and I mean that in the most positive, relaxing way. In closing, I would like to assert (serenely) that if I hadn't read this 5-star book, I would never have been able to pin down what "happiness" is. I wouldn't have known that BEFORE I can love someone I have to love MYSELF...
The price of this book is absolutely ridiculous for what you get:
total self-comprehension.
Nurturing, reassuring, and hopeful.......2003-02-08
This book doesn't leave a stone unturned in finding all paths from all backgrounds and all schools of thought in our eternal search for inner peace and happiness. Great book. Also recommended, The Little Guide To Happiness. Another book that brings us closer to the prize.
Average customer rating:
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The Joyful Christ: The Healing Power of Humor
Cal Samra
Manufacturer: HarperCollins Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0060670320 |
Customer Reviews:
christian wisdom from an elder pilgrim.......2007-01-17
"Exile has certainly been part of my family's narrative," writes James Houston. After twenty-five years at Oxford University as a student and then a tutor, Houston uprooted his wife and four teenagers to become the founding principal of Regent College in Vancouver. That was thirty-five years ago. Now in his mid-eighties, with forty books under his belt and a lifetime of Christian wisdom to share, Houston wrote this book for his son who asked him to "write out the basic convictions I have sought to live out in my Christian faith." The six essays are organized into three parts: Christian Faith as a Way of Life and a New Identity, The Priority of Personal Calling Over Institutional Life, and then Maturing in Community, Transmitting Faith in Person.
Houston takes his title from a line of Robert Browning, "our interest's on the dangerous edge of things." Unfortunately, many Christians and much of Christendom play it safe. Throughout the six essays Houston laments the professionalization of the clergy and its scholars at the expense of service, careerism over calling, conventional morality over radical discipleship, technical means that eclipse moral ends, and triumphalism rather than repentance. In his view, "the Christian life is truly scandalous to the world." Believers, by definition, must be counter-cultural pilgrims, strangers, and exiles who are nevertheless confident and joyful. We must rediscover a genuinely Christian identity in a pseudo-Christian church and culture. In the words of GK Chesterton, "our perennial spiritual and psychological task is to look at things familiar until they become unfamiliar again."
I especially enjoyed Houston's story-telling--about his own life, the people he's known (CS Lewis, Nicholas Zernov, Polanyi, etc.), the poetry he loves (George Herbert and Dante), and the author-mentors to whom he returns again and again (Dostoyevsky and Kierkegaard). He also does a fine job of walking the thin line between bold affirmation and critical caution. The Christian life, for example, is hidden but not privatistic, visionary but wary of self-delusion, transformative but patient because change comes ever so slowly, joyful but fully engaged with the woes of the world, and so on. Near the end of his earthly pilgrimage, and after a lifetime of rigorous study among some of our best Christian scholars, Houston affirms that people are more important than ideas, and that Christian faith belongs to the "amateurs" and the "dilettantes" who "take delight in God" rather than to the so-called experts. That's a cause for joy.
3 stars.......2006-11-03
*** Six essays are collected inside this slim tome in an effort to present the author's Christian journey. His main focus is what he has discovered via the discipline of dialectics. Though interesting, the text is somewhat rambling and difficult to glean much in the way of coherent insight. ***
Book Description
In Holy Play popular author and teacher Kirk Byron Jones shows how to move forward together with God to imagine and live your true life purpose with creativity and joy. This extraordinary book gives you permission to stop waiting for God to tell you what to do and start doing what God has been inspiring you to do all along. Through provocative stories and helpful exercises, Jones shows you how to foster the openness and energy that allow you to engage with and construct a fulfilling life that uses all your God-given talent. Jones shows how to humbly and gladly accept the sacred incredible in you--in particular the creator in you.
Customer Reviews:
Holy Play is a friend you need to meet.......2007-06-07
Holy Play came into my life on just the right day. In this wonderful book Kirk B. Jones speaks on God's behalf - calling us to use the creativity and passion that God has already placed in our lives as a guide for our journey ahead. Read it. You may be challenged. You may totally disagree. You may find in it, as I have, a friend you feel like you knew all along. You will not come away without encountering the Great God of the Universe and God's love for you.
Lazarus.......2007-04-13
Like a bottle of fine wine, Kirk Byron Jones only gets better with time. His latest offering Holy Play is an absolute must read! I have given copies to my friends and they love it. If you are struggling with issues regarding your vocation, this is definitely for you. As a seminary student, this book gives me permission to have guilt-free choices about my work in ministry. God will be with me as I fulfill the desires of my heart. I do not have to be "afraid" to have fun and enjoy what I am doing. This book actually changed my whole outlook and how I viewed the clergy profession. I see God in a new, exciting positive light. This book is an easy read but has deep meaning. Rest in the Storm was life-changing for me, so I have been a fan of this author for a while. His B.R.E.W. Series helped me through a very difficult summer internship two years ago. Kirk Byron Jones writes from the heart and his love for God and his family comes through in his writing.
Holy Play Will Enrich Your Life.......2007-03-25
I don't care who you are or who you know, you will benefit from reading this book. I am going after my goals and dreams already, but "Holy Play" encourages even further creativity in your life. Holy Play takes you on a journey of ideas that encourage you to create the life you want to live. I believe we are giving up our greatest gift from God by constantly awaiting for Him to "show" us what our purpose is, claiming, "I'm waiting to see what God has planned". The reality is God is going to use what we do for His glory. But it is up to us to decide what we love, and what we have a passion for. God would have made us puppets if he wanted to live our lives for us. Holy Play encourages you to empower yourself, and realize the God-given gift of creativity.
Back in high school, I vowed to make a living doing something that I love....music. Not only did I want to perform music, but also write my own music, have other singers record songs of mine, and own a music label. I used to feel pressure when heading in or out of church hearing common church-goers make comments such as "He's going to be like his father"(go into the pastorate), or ask, "Are you thinking about seminary?" Though I admire and respect my father, and all that he has accomplished, I have my own life to live.
My father told me that whatever I do, he will be proud, and will support me. He also stressed that if I was not getting enjoyment out of what I do, then why not do something that I enjoy? God feels the same. He wants us to live and unleash our power as humans to create a life of fulfillment. A lot of times, people force themselves to stay in jobs or careers because it's financially comfortable (pays the bills), they fear making a change and failing, or they just have not embraced the fact that they can create the life they want to live. Or... they might be awaiting a sign from God. You know that passion that you feel when you do the thing you could do all day and not be paid for it? That might be it. You know the commercials you see on TV and think, "That could be me." That's the sign. Stop thinking that you should be doing it, and DO IT!
I'm reading this book again, with a highlighter this time. This is the best book to give as a gift, and I have made a promise to myself, that I would buy "Holy Play" as a gift, for any upcoming occasion this year. The power in the words alone is priceless, and will change lives.
Ready for my Journey of Purpose and Passion.......2007-03-23
First, I would like to say that I am so proud that you are my father and proud of this fine piece of work that you have here. I have enjoyed every word of this book and it only took me 3 days to finish it!!! It's so easy to read and the examples of books, music, movies, and even our family, made the book so real and enjoyable. You have worked so hard and I know this book will change lives. It's already changed mine. I have questioned my purpose for so long and can't seem to figure out the one thing that gives me joy. You have helped me realize that my purpose doesn't have to be just one thing, it can be many. No wonder why I have so many interests! God doesn't want me to stick with just one thing, he expects me to create new goals, take on new challenges and do them to the best of my ability, with "great joy" of course. I recommend this book to all persons who are struggling with their calling and even if you don't have issues with your purpose, know that there are many paths you can choose in life, which ever one you choose god is with you every step of the way. Thanks Dad!!
One of the best books on vocational discernment.......2007-03-03
I am a spiritual director who works with lots of people facing vocational crossroads in life. I LOVE THIS BOOK. On so many levels. First, it's imminently readable and personal. Second, it is a book about discernment that takes ethnic diversity seriously---it's not all stories from European mystics! And finally it emphasizes joy and freedom, something Christianity is sadly not always known for emphasizing. I read a LOT of books on discernment as this is one of my specialties in spiritual direction. So many of the books are esoteric and heady. I found Holy Play refreshing in its simplicity while not losing any of the profound mystery that goes along with discernment. I would recommend this book to anyone facing a change in life that they want to understand better spiritually. Kirk Byron Jones is a gift in that he exudes confidence in the human person's freedom and in God's delight in our freedom.
Average customer rating:
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The Joyful Journey
Manufacturer: Zondervan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
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| Nonfiction
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Women's Issues
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Inspirational
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ASIN: 0310213444 |
Book Description
Four popular Christian authors help women renew their passion for Christ, bond with friends, and celebrate life with joy and laughter.
Books:
- The Way of the Heart: Desert Spirituality and Contemporary Ministry
- What's So Amazing About Grace?
- Wheel of the Year: Living the Magical Life
- While Europe Slept: How Radical Islam is Destroying the West from Within
- A Glimpse of Nothingness: Experiences in an American Zen Community
- A Rip in Heaven: A Memoir of Murder And Its Aftermath
- A Skeptic's Search for God: Convincing Evidence for His Existence
- A Tale of three Kings: A Study in Brokenness
- A Thousand Names for Joy: Living in Harmony with the Way Things Are
- American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War On America
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Heaven
