Book Description
the challenge every man faces...the fight every man can win
From the television to the Internet, print media to videos, men are constantly faced with the assault of sensual images. It is impossible to avoid such temptations...but, thankfully, not impossible to rise above them.
Shattering the perception that men are unable to control their thought lives and roving eyes, Every Man's Battle shares the stories of dozens who have escaped the trap of sexual immorality and presents a practical, detailed plan for any man who desires sexual purity-perfect for men who have fallen in the past, those who want to remain strong today, and all who want to overcome temptation in the future.
Includes a special section for women, designed to help them understand and support the men they love.
Customer Reviews:
Wow. I felt like these authors were looking into my soul........2007-09-23
Wow. I felt like these authors were looking into MY soul as they were writing. At times, it frightened me. It was amazing how well I could relate to what the authors were writing.
This book, which is written to Christian males, is all about winning the war on sexual temptation. It gives great advice on how a man can win this battle in as little as 6 weeks. It explored the natural tendencies of men and how our very maleness can lead us down the road of sexual impurity. The authors then turn the focus toward recognizing theses male tendencies and being "on guard" against them so that sexual purity can be obtained.
Some men have been quoted as saying, "It's natural for a male to look [at an attractive woman]." Is this [looking] stealing something that doesn't belong to you? The book answers this question. Also, if you want to be more captivated by your wife (and you may not think it's possible because you are already enamored by her), then I strongly encourage you to read this book.
I believe this book will enable you to win the battle on sexual temptation as well as strengthen your marriage (if you're married).
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. I plan to read it multiple times.
Real.......2007-09-19
This book gives men an accurate perspective of lust. It provides reasons why lust is wrong by quoting scripture. It provides stories by the authors' personal lives to show that lust attacks all men and in a variety of ways. The book provides real ways to stop lusting. Finally, it provides expectations of the struggle.
This One Pulls No Punches.......2007-08-28
We're living in an age of unbridled sensuality and desire, when almost nothing is taboo, and ideas such as morality, purity, sanctity, and respect are considered highly subjective concepts. Though temptations of the flesh have always been with us - and always will be with us as long as we have the old sin nature inside - it has never before been harder for men and women alike to control their thoughts, minds, and dare I say it ....hormones.
The battle for purity of mind, thought, deed, and heart has escalated to a fever pitch, and countless of men and women alike have hurt others and been hurt by others in the areas of sexual purity. Television ads, billboards, magazine inserts - even in the once harmless Ladies Home Journal - promote life-styles and standards of living that open even the best person to thoughts and desires that, if left unchecked, can run roughshod over good intentions and the way we'd like to live.
Men, in particular, have suffered greatly in this area; and though it's not entirely their fault, the rising numbers of divorce and extramarital affairs inside the church - even among those who have served long and faithfully in the ministry - speak very loudly and clearly that something is wrong.
"Every Man's Battle", by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker, is one of the best devotionals targeting men and the battle for purity that I've come across in quite some time. It's practical, down-to-earth, and both authors "roll up their sleeves" and get right to the nitty-gritty details. It has a two-pronged approach: though it affirms men struggling with purity that they're not monsters, mentally ill, cursed, or alone in their fight; it also pulls no punches when it comes to their admonition to clean up their thought lives and behavior patterns.
"Every Man's Battle" also goes into great depth analyzing the male perspective and thought process - even going into biological detail as to why it's so hard for many men to keep pure - without succumbing to the age-old excuse, "boys will be boys". Much of what they discuss makes a tremendous amount of sense on a simple every day level, but at the same time they back everything with Scripture from God's Word.
It's very practical, and it doesn't just talk about the struggle for sexual purity and give enthusiastic exhortations and admonitions, it lays out and devises easy-to-implement action steps for any men to clean up their lives and obtain purity. In the battle for sexual purity, this isn't just a "Recon & Intel" report, it's a battle strategy aimed at one goal: to win, under the power and strength of God.
Finally, the best part about this book is the fact it's been written by two Christian men who have fought long and hard against the very beast troubling so many men. Other devotionals and books I've read about sexual purity and temptation have been on the ball and scripturally accurate, but they always read a little flat because you got the idea that though they were well researched and written, none of the authors really spent "time in the trenches". These guys have, and they aren't only recommending "good practices they've researched", but battle plans that saved their purity and marriages.
Great Book!.......2007-08-27
Another new bestseller which I highly recommend - The Exclusive Layguide: When Dating and Having Sex with Incredibly Hot Women is No Longer Mirage Even If You Don't Look Like a Model or Don't Make a Fortune
A Must Read for Every Christian Man.......2007-08-01
I just finished reading this book and found it very informative and enlightening. It is biblically based and a fun read. I believe it will help me both in my walk with Christ and in my relationships with my wife and family.
It's a MUST READ for any man who wants to grow spiritually with God. And when you finish, ask your wife to read it as well.
Book Description
"Most of what you've heard, read or been told about the End Times is wrong," says popular radio host and bestselling apologist, Hank Hanegraaff. "We have come to accept a wide range of beliefs and teachings about the future, about the ultimate battle between good and evil, about the last days, and about how our world will end. And most of these beliefs and teachings are based on fundamental misinterpretations of what the scriptures really say about the end times."
The Apocalypse Code helps readers understand what the Bible
really says about End Times, and why what we believe matters so much in today's world.
Customer Reviews:
Overly Narrow Presentation with Many Omissions.......2007-10-14
I highly respect Hank Hanegraff, and my bookshelf is lined with his books. If Hank speaks, I listen. In this case, while I think his principles for interpreting end-times passages are something every Christian should take to heart, I feel that his treatment of the subject matter was overly narrow to the point of undermining his point.
If you take ONLY the passages Hanegraff discusses, then this is a powerful presentation for the fulfillment of Jesus' Matthew 24 prophecy with the destruction of the Jewish temple in the first century. But there are internal contradictions and huge omissions that ruin the book for me.
Hanegraff criticizes futurists, for example, for placing a 2000-year gap between the disciples' question in Matthew 24:2 and Jesus' answer in verse three. This is a legitimate point. However, he then argues that the destruction of the temple was the fulfillment of Matthew 24:31, but ignores the "end of the world" context from there to the end of the chapter. Was Matthew 24:32 ff. fulfilled in the first century? If so, how does it fit the historical context? Is its fulfillment yet future? If so, how does Hank get there from v. 31? He never says.
Hank also relies heavily - if not exclusively - on Old Testament referents to interpret Jesus' words about his "coming on the clouds" in Matthew 24:30-31. Again, a good point. Yet, he ignores the fact that that Paul uses identical language to describe Jesus' Second Coming in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, which Hanegraff does NOT believe occurred in the first century. Moreover, Hanegraff never addresses the apparent contradiction that Jesus' language in this passage is concrete, not apocalyptic, and inserting an apocalyptic interpretation into a concrete passage violates Hanegraff's own rules of scriptural synergy.
Hanegraff also addresses the letters to the churches and the visions in Revelation, but he omits discussion of the seals, trumpets, and bowls. He seems to believe that they are part of the trifold judgment on Jerusalem, but he never discusses how the fulfillment of even one of them can be explained. And he does seem to believe that the description in Revelation 19 is describing the end of the world, but since he seems to believe everything else relates to the first century, on what basis does he get there? Again, he allows the same kind of 2000-year jump for which he criticizes futurists.
These are questions Hanegraff simply never addresses. As a result, the book fell flat for me. For serious students of the end times, it does make some very good points. But if you are looking for the answer to the end-times puzzle, I'm afraid this book creates more questions than answers.
The Antidote for "Left Behind".......2007-10-14
This book will not cause a sensation like Hal Lindsey's "The Late Great Planet Earth" or Tim LaHaye's "Left Behind" series. However, it is a much more credible resource in understanding The Book of Revelation. Like a detective or a research scientist, Hanegraaff uses the Bible itself and actual historical facts to explain Revelation's cryptic but powerful message. Symbols and patterns which are found in the Old Testament are used in Revelation. In addition Revelation conforms to the time and place in which it was written, the first century Roman Empire. Revelation was easily understood by the audience to which it was addressed. Modern doomsday peddlers have muddled it up. Hanegraaff doesn't allow his own imaginitive flights of fancy to dictate his research. Therefore, you will not find any nuclear bombs, implanted microchips, tanks, or attack helicopters in this book.
Hanegraaff unmasks dispensationalism, the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine, and "Christian Zionism" for what they are, concoctions started by Charles Darby in the 19th century and perpetrated by a cadre of modern day false prophets. None of these doctrines are found in the New Testament and were never espoused by any of the apostles or early church fathers.
The idea of a secret rapture prior to the Great Tribulation is completely fabricated yet is being espoused by multi-million dollar television conglomerates and mega-evangelists as the new orthodoxy and those who dare to challenge it are branded as heretics or anti-semitic by self-aggrandizing windbags like John Hagee (see my review of his doomsday book).
I salute Hank Hanegraaff for having the knowledge, the intelligence, and the guts to stand up to these pulpit bullies.
To place the tribulations of Revelation in the 21st century is to make a liar and deceiver out of Jesus and the Apostle John. It also trivializes the horrendous tribulations and sufferings early Christians had to endure at the hands of the Romans. Hanegraaff demonstrates how Revelation was addressed to Christians about to face the greatest tribulations of all, the Neronian purgings in Rome and the destruction of Jerusalem.
Hanegraaff allows Revelation to date itself rather than a third century church father, Irenaeus, who also claimed Jesus was crucified at the age of fifty. Revelation refers to Jerusalem and the Temple as currently existing entities. Dating Revelation after 70 C.E. is like writing a post 9/11 history of New York city without ever mentioning the event. WHY WOULD JOHN WRITE TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES IN ASIA MINOR ABOUT SOMETHING THAT WASN'T GOING TO HAPPEN FOR ANOTHER 2,000 YEARS?!!!
Hanegraaff links Revelation's "harlot" to ancient Israel. This is no more anti-Semitic than the prophets Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Hosea who used the same terminology in rebuking Israel in their times. I would add that the Dead Sea community also rejected their current Jewish establishment as well as the Jewish Christian Ebionites. LaHaye's identification of the "harlot" with the Roman Catholic church, which came about over 200 years after Revelation, shows his ignorance and mean spirit.
Hanegraaff demonstrates how the "Son of Man coming in the clouds" refers to Jesus' enthronement in Heaven rather than his second coming. The seven kings (Caesars), five who have fallen, conforms to the time of Nero, who was considered a "beast" by Roman writers such as Seutonius. Hanegraaff also demonstrates how the number 666 is a cryptic reference to the name Caesar Nero (refer also to Kenneth Gentry's excellent book "The Beast of Revelation"). The end of the age which Jesus told his disciples would occur in their generation was not the end of the cosmos, but the end of the current age in which they were living.
Hanegraaff also debunks new-age fascination with the Gnostic Gospels, ie. The Gospel of Judas, which were third century fairy tales and parasitic with respect to the canonical Gospels. He also disputes the idea that anti-Semitism motivated the canonization of The New Testament which is espoused by modern scholars like Bart Ehrman. I stand by Ehrman's view of Jesus as an apocalyptic prophet (see my review) but I agree with Hanegraaff on the previous point. The books of The New Testament were written long before Christians had the power to undermine Judaism or anything else.
Finally, Hanegraaff exposes the nonsense of "Christian Zionism" which is a by-product of dispensationalism. The idea of rebuilding the Temple and reinstituting the sacrificial system completely negates the core belief of the earliest followers of Jesus which is clearly spelled out in the New Testament, especially the book of Hebrews which states that Jesus' crucifixion put an end to animal sacrifice once and for all. The New Testament makes it abundantly clear to anyone who can read it for themselves - THE LORD'S THRONE IS IN HEAVEN AND NOT ON ANY PIECE OF TANGIBLE REAL ESTATE!!!
Hanegraaff points out that bad theology leads to bad politics and that the forced removal of Palestinians is not only unethical but unbiblical as well. For example, Pat Robertson linking Ariel Sharon's stroke and Yitzhak Rabin's assassination to their negotiating with Palestinians and Michael Evans' claiming George W. Bush was under a curse for criticizing Israel are as looney as trying to breed cattle to produce a red heifer.
I would advise Jewish people not to be conned by "Christian Zionists" who believe that Israel will be restored to its original borders and the Temple will be rebuilt only to have it taken over by the "Anti-Christ". Then, after all the good Christians (dispensationalists) are raptured, the Jews will endure a tribulation that will make the Holocaust look like child's play. At the very end, unbelievers, including Jews who don't accept Jesus, will be thrown into the "lake of fire".
What a deal!!! Trust me, you're better off negotiating with the Palestinians!
Great book to get started with.......2007-10-13
I found this book did a lot to crystallize my thinking on this subject of End Times. I enjoyed it more the second time I read it and learn even more than the first. I spent 20 year attending a Pre-Trib/Pre-Mil church and hearing the Hal Lindsey-like descriptions of the soon coming tribulation. Somehow the popular view of End Times being preached seemed to stretch my imagination so I always maintained silence and impartiality.
Hank does a great job to showing that those prescribing to the views of Tim LaHay and crowd are erroneous in their interpretation of scripture...and I agree! What used to once be confusing is now becoming clearer. I am having to re-think my entire view of Eschatology (for the better I suspect). Hank does NOT tell you what to think and what view is "correct". What he does is challenge the reader to interpret the scriptures according to a model of biblical interpretation L-I-G-H-T-S. Those who have listened to Hank are not surprised at the acronym since he uses these tools to help memorize methods and concepts, as he does in this book. This is not the end all book on hermeneutics: other good resources are The Bible Doesn't Have to Be Hard to Read and How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth.
Hank's book has a lot of information in the appendix too..don't over look it.
Dispensationalists Beware!!.......2007-10-07
Kudos to Hank Hanegraaff for yet another powerful book exposing questionable doctrines which have risen to popularity within the Christian Church. In "Apocalypse Code", Hank goes through the history and forces behind the dispensationalist movement which has gained strength in the last 10 years with the "Left Behind" series. As always, Hank approaches the reading of Revalations and other Bible prophesy from the perspective of LIGHTS - the acronym explaining proper principles of bible interpretation. In the book, Hank spends the first quarter of the book just reminding the reader how to read scriptures "for all it's worth".
The book spends most of its pages refuting the dispensationalist author Tim LaHaye. This is really the whole thrust of the book. When Hank mentioned he was starting this project on his radio program, I had high hopes that Hank would not just refute dispensationalism, but go into great detail about the whole spectrum of end time prophesy interpretations. By only focusing on refuting dispensationalism, he leaves woefully short the other interpretations (biblically correct or not) and instead challenges the reader to figure it out for himself. While clearly a partial pretarist, he only briefly talks about full pretarism and pretrib/postrib interpretations and all the rest. GIVE ME MORE MEAT HERE!
I suppose such a wish from me would have resulted in a book 3-4 times longer than this one, but it would have been more enlightening and easier to have in one resource. However, "Apocalypse Code" would be a great resource for anyone who got caught in the "Left Behind" hype and found some or all of the interpretations hard to buy into and need to seek help learning that their bologne indicators were probably right.
good, but could have been much better.......2007-09-08
I had high hopes for this book. After studying the Partial Preterist view for a few years with a very skeptical mind, I became convinced. Given Hanegraaff's reputation, the length of the book, and the table of contents I thought sure this would be the definitive book to explain the position, but alas. Here are a few points
1. I think the average reader won't know anything about this view. Hank should have explained the underlying suppositions more. Still, the basics are there for anyone to investigate further.
2. It is important to learn this veiw methodically since it is so radically different from any futurist view, and remarkably different from the Amillenialist view. Hank doesn't present it methodically, rather it is presented somewhat piecemeal. Still, it does present the most important points so it is very valuable.
3. Even for someone like me who has read extensively, this book is not written particularly well. He is a bit vague and doesn't present the material very clearly. This is a style issue, not content. Still, for the person who wants to know and reads the references, it is a good beginning.
All in all, I was dissatisfied but I am glad it is out there. If this view is correct (and I think it is) it will revolutionize the thinking of believers, from what's coming in the future to our understanding of the nature of God Himself.
Amazon.com
Much like Zen, Pema Chodron's interpretation of Tibetan Buddhism takes the form of a nontheistic spiritualism. In When Things Fall Apart this head of a Tibetan monastery in Canada outlines some relevant and deceptively profound terms of Tibetan Buddhism that are germane to modern issues. The key to all of these terms is accepting that in the final analysis, life is groundless. By letting go, we free ourselves to face fear and obstacles and offer ourselves unflinchingly to others. The graceful, conversational tone of Chodron's writing gives the impression of sitting on a pillow across from her, listening to her everyday examples of Buddhist wisdom.
Book Description
The beautiful practicality of her teaching has made Pema Chödrön one of the most beloved of contemporary American spiritual authors among Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. A collection of talks she gave between 1987 and 1994, the book is a treasury of wisdom for going on living when we are overcome by pain and difficulties. Chödrön discusses: Using painful emotions to cultivate wisdom, compassion, and courage Communicating so as to encourage others to open up rather than shut down Practices for reversing habitual patterns Methods for working with chaotic situations Ways for creating effective social action
Customer Reviews:
Disappointing & Weird.......2007-10-16
When I read the reviews here of people warning not to give this book to someone who's depressed or suicidal, I thought they were exaggerating and being silly. Then I got to Chapter 7, "Hopelessness and Death" and I saw what they were talking about. It just got worse from there. While I understand (to a point) what Chodron is saying, I think it's better said elsewhere and the way it is said here could be a serious blow to someone who is severely depressed or suicidal, so I agree with the warning in the other reviews. However, I would go further to not recommend this book to anyone regardless of their mental state because I think it's an awful book. I felt that while Chodron was covering some points of Buddhism, she was presenting them in a very negative and twisted fashion, and some of what she states is completely antithetical to the Buddha's teachings. I worry that someone who is unfamiliar with Buddhism might read this book and think that it's an accurate portrayal of Buddhism. Yikes! I admit I'm not a big "fan" of the Tibetan school of Buddhism, but from what I know of it, Chodron's version is even far removed from that. Lastly, there are a couple elements that might offend some readers, so I mention them - a very stridently atheistic insistence and several instances of needlessly coarse language (the "s word" for feces, etc.). While strong language and atheism don't bother me, the way she words things and presents ideas rubbed me the wrong way. If you do choose to read this book, make sure you have a copy of Thich Nhat Hahn's "The Miracle of Mindfulness" close at hand. It is the perfect antidote to this book and presents many of the same concepts in a much more Buddhist and compassionate way.
One of Pema's best books!.......2007-09-27
There is no way you could NOT feel better about anything going on in your life after reading this book.
Simple, Real, and Easy to Follow.......2007-09-12
Pema Chodron is one of the most real and down to earth practicing Buddhist teachers I have come across to date. She brings forth the great wisdom from her own two marriages, children and personal life lessons. She has been a great source of comfort to me during my own difficult times in life and really helped me practice Buddhism in a way that has helped me understand my higher calling and why I am here. I highly recommend this book and all of her books.
Guidance without hyperbole.......2007-06-27
I have always read and re-read the works of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche,deeply appreciating his ability to cut through life's muddled battles. Pema Chodron is easily as gifted a writer as Rinpoche, her teacher.
This book is plain, direct, humble and real. She never offers "solutions" but instead gently guides you to look in places you pass by every day. I've had a crazy year, and reading this book got me back to the place we always are: now.
After reading this, I realized, with a laugh, that I'm already Buddhist and I might as well accept it and get some meditation instruction.
Life's Energy, When Things Fall Apart, Start From Where You Are, etc........2007-06-18
Pema Chodron is, without a doubt, an inspirational phenom. She brings the concepts of Buddhism in a down to earth compassionate manner. Before becoming a Buddhist Nun, born in the U.S., she spent early adulthood, as wife and mother, in the southwest. As an American her teachings offer a bridge and insight connecting western culture and Buddhist concepts that just make sense. This book as well as her other publications have helped to provide a spiritual centering and peace, whether in daily life or as a concerned citizen in a very troubled nation and world. If you're on a path to true awareness, emotional health and spiritual depth, then Pema's works are key.
Amazon.com
All Christianity is, to some extent, idolatrous. Christian worship is a response to a worshiper's image of Jesus, and all images of Jesus fall short of his reality--in the same way that all biographies and portraits fail to depict a whole person. In Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, New Testament scholar Marcus Borg attempts to understand how popular images of Jesus connect Christians to their savior and isolate them from him. Borg writes about his own evolving ideas of who Jesus was, considers the scholarly and popular religious evolution of Jesus' public image, and investigates with special care the effects of Historical Jesus research on contemporary images of Jesus. Meeting Jesus Again is written in an affable, gracious, and unflinchingly honest voice. Borg's description of his own faith particularly exemplifies these qualities, and gives the reader a simultaneously safe and unsettling new perspective on the peasant from Galilee: "[T]he central issue of the Christian life is not believing in God or believing in the Bible," he writes. "Rather, the Christian life is about entering into a relationship with that to which the Christian tradition points, which may be spoken of as God, the risen, living Christ, or the Spirit. And a Christian is one who lives out his or her relationship to God within the framework of the Christian tradition." --Michael Joseph Gross
Book Description
Of the many recent books on the historical Jesus, none has explored what the latest biblical scholarship means for personal faith. Now, in Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, Marcus Borg addresses the yearnings of those who want a fully contemporary faith that welcomes rather than oppresses our critical intelligence and openness to the best of historical scholarship. Borg shows how a rigorous examination of historical findings can lead to a new faith in Christ, one that is critical and, at the same time, sustaining.
"Believing in Jesus does not mean believing doctrines about him," Borg writes. "Rather, it means to give one's heart, one's self at its deepest level, to . . . the living Lord."
Drawing on his own journey from a naive, unquestioning belief in Christ through collegiate scepticism to a mature and contemporary Christian faith, Borg illustrates how an understanding of the historical Jesus can actually lead to a more authentic Christian life––one not rooted in creeds or dogma, but in a life of spiritual challenge, compassion, and community.
In straightforward, accessible prose, Borg looks at the major findings of modern Jesus scholarship from the perspective of faith, bringing alive the many levels of Jesus' character: spirit person, teacher of alternative wisdom, social prophet, and movement founder. He also reexamines the major stories of the Old Testament vital to an authentic understanding of Jesus, showing how an enriched understanding of these stories can uncover new truths and new pathways to faith.
For questioning believers, doubters, and reluctant unbelievers alike, Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time frees our understanding of Jesus' life and message from popular misconceptions and outlines the way to a sound and contemporary faith: "For ultimately, Jesus is not simply a figure of the past, but a figure of the present. Meeting that Jesus––the living one who comes to us even now––will be like meeting Jesus again for the first time."
Customer Reviews:
Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time.......2007-10-05
Having been raised in a conservative Lutheran denomination, I found that Borg's chapter on his experience of Jesus in the Lutheran Church resonated with mine. His distinction between the pre-Easter and post-Easter Jesus was a new view for me as is his vision of Jesus as a "spirit person." Most Christians have turned Jesus into an idol to be worshipped. This distances him from us rather than bringing us close to him in the kind of union he had with "Abba," the God of Abraham, Moses and the prophets.
Borg explains words used over the centuries that are poorly understood by ordinary people--grace, salvation and prayer. He explains how the historical Jesus became associated with the second person of the Holy Trinity by early Christians rather than "the face of God." This book is a must for anyone interested in the development of Christology and soteriology over time.
Do you trust the Jesus Seminar?.......2007-09-29
This book is written by a member of the Jesus Seminar. Check wikipedia about them. Should you believe a guy who votes with beads to figure out if something could be true. Let me vote with a bead to see if his book is true! This is a terrible book. Compare his statements with the Bible and a good concordance. I did and his errors are revealed. What happens to most people when they go to college: if what you believed was not real to you, you wont believe it after college. Sad that we should have to pay to read lies.
Meeting Jesus AGAIN for the first time.......2007-08-07
Author Marc Borg is without a doubt a most resourceful and creative
writer of a most spiritual book for modern Christianity !
....Paul Kee-Hua Hang, Jr.
Author of "Blessings by the Dozen" & "More...Blessings by the Dozen"
Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time: The Historical Jesus and the Heart of Contemporary Faith.......2007-05-12
An excellent book into the understanding of Jesus for us today... Meeting Jesus Again, was certainly meeting Jesus again, a book that is central to the formation of any religious group... thank you Marcus.
Help for recovering baptists........2007-03-24
Like the author, I have traveled the agnostic-atheist-confused path in my spirituality-seeking. Marcus Borg has not only traveled the path, but was able to take notes along the way. A refreshing and renewing source of help for followers of Jesus.
Book Description
"The more I read the Bible, the more evident it becomes that everything I have ever taught or written about effective leadership over the past 25 years, Jesus did to perfection. He is simply the greatest leadership role model of all time." Ken Blanchard
With simple yet profound principles from the life of Jesus, and dozens of stories and leadership examples from his life experiences, veteran author, speaker and leadership expert Ken Blanchard guides readers through the process of discovering how to lead like Jesus. He describes it as the process of aligning two internal domains-the heart and the head-and two external domains, the hands and the habits. These four dimensions of leadership form the outline for this very practical and transformational book.
Customer Reviews:
Lead Like Jesus to become a Level 5 Leader.......2007-08-02
Excellent book. One of my "a-ha!" moments was realizing that Jesus is a Level 5 Leader. In Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't, Jim Collins explains that companies making the leap from good to great had Level 5 leaders in key positions, including the CEO, at the time of transition. He describes a Level 5 leader as a paradox of someone having great personal humility and professional will, having more ambition for the company/team than for themselves, and someone having an unwaivering resolve to do whatever must be done no matter how difficult.
A CEO describing herself as one with big ambition, ego, and drive asked Jim if you can learn to become a Level 5 Leader. He said that the data did not point to anything specific, so those aspiring to reach Level 5 should focus on the other discovered disciplines of becoming a good to great company.
I find Lead Like Jesus answers the question. Among other things it is a wonderful manual for becoming a Level 5 Leader.
Lead Like Jesus.......2007-07-09
This is a great guide for leaders of all forms. Definitely makes you take a closer look at the way you lead and the way you live. As I work to follow the ideas in this book, I find that I am a happier supervisor.
Lead Like Jesus by Blanchard.......2006-07-22
The author defines leadership as influence in a positive or negative direction. Given this definition, Jesus was the greatest
leader of all time. He was firmly grounded in the Rabinical
Judaism of the time. With this background, He took the fledging
Christian community on a Transformational Journey culminating in
His own crucifixion and a fantastic earthquake conincidental with
the Death and Resurrection. The author reminds us that the
ultimate leader serves the community first and not himself/herself.
Leadership comes from a variety of personal sources. i.e.
- the heart is the center of the leadership thrust
- the head formulates strategies and movement forward
- the hands relate to crafting specific actions
- the habits relate to consistency/predictability of actions
Blanchard presents the contrast between the serving leader
and the self-serving leader. The serving leader actively
engages in acts on behalf of the community while the self-serving
leader benefits himself mainly. In providing service, the serving
leader implements specific plans to move the community forward.
This was done very skillfully by Christ in His own time.
Excellent.......2006-06-29
If you want to get a clear prespective on how to relate and treat others and desire personal growth this is the book.
Uses spiritual lessons to seek integrity and commitment in a leadership role.......2006-05-23
If author Ken Blanchard's name rings a bell, it's because he authored the famous ONE MINUTE MANAGER, which became a big hit in business circles and taught everyone the basics about leadership principles. He's back with a new focus, LEAD LIKE JESUS: LESSONS FROM THE GREATEST LEADERSHIP ROLE MODEL OF ALL TIME, and here uses spiritual lessons to seek integrity and commitment in a leadership role. From business to personal life, Blanchard and Hodges focus on four key areas and how they can lend to exceptional leadership, presenting another powerhouse of detail for any who would be exceptional whether at work or at home.
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch
Customer Reviews:
great read.......2007-07-23
I have read this book three times - bought this copy for my daughter. It is fun, full of wisdom, and hard to put down. A great gift for the open minded and curious!
What a FUN way to explore the nature of reality!.......2007-02-07
I was so glad they re-released these books. I love the whole series. As novels they are great, but as an explanation of how the universe works they are awesome. I espeically love the old age home of the gods!
The whole idea of all time being simultaneous is so clear. Made me wonder if we aren't all just someone's oversoul!
Metaphysics on another level.......2007-02-07
For those of you who love fictional accounts that leave you on a different plane of existence, this is for you. Many may prefer books that spell things out and leave you with a set of rules to follow from some motivational speaker. This book offers your imagination an enjoyable trip that leaves you with some new perspectives and concepts with which to create your own life.
Cosmic fun!.......2006-01-06
Read this and you will never be the same again! Unlike anything else I have ever read, the Oversoul 7 trilogy stands alone, and in my top 5 books of all time. Cosmic truths presented in fictional format, but NOT cheesy or contrived like most 'New Age fiction.' You know what I mean - those books that have a story just to provide an excuse for New Age preaching. blech. It's great when it works, but it rarely works. Well this time it works! Jane Roberts pulls it off, and pulls it off quite well!
Read Oversoul and your dreams will come alive. You will look at every sunflake with new appreciation. Your sense of time and space will be forever altered. You will grasp at last the paradox of nonlinear time (ie, 'time travel'). You will meet unforgettable characters and remember them fondly many years later (the hallmark of a great book). And, you'll have fun reading it.
Oversoul Seven.......2005-03-20
I am an avid reader (although usually of non-fiction books), and I was completely taken in by this work of "fiction"! In fact, I read the entire trilogy (nearly 600 pages) in just a few days!
I highly recommend it for anyone interested in the metaphysical. Although it's fiction, I believe it shares some of the "real" views of the author - apparently obtained during her messages from Seth (I haven't yet read her "Seth" books yet, so I can't be certain about this).
Basically, this is a story about the journey & subsequent learning of a non-physical being - oversoul seven, and his many teachers along the way. It is beautifully written, and such a page turner, that I only wished there was more stories of the adventures of this quirky soul.
If you are at all interested in the "metaphysical", or enjoy this authors books re: Seth, I would highly recommend "The Oversoul Seven Trilogy" - the author presents some of the most difficult of concepts in an easy, enjoyable way. I can't speak highly enough about this book!
Book Description
This latest offering in the best-selling Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul series explores a host of challenges faced by today's teens. Within its pages teens will find portraits of life's complexities expressed from the viewpoint of their peers. Teen contributors share their thoughts and feelings on difficult issues, ranging from poor self-image to thoughts of suicide, from family discord to coping with the loss, from peer pressure to school violence. Teens ranked stress as one of their top concerns (along with child abuse and STDs). Oftentimes, the pressure can feel overwhelming, whether they involve worrying about an upcoming test, competition sports, family responsibilities, dating, or more extreme issues such as depression, suicide and school violence. The first three volumes of the Teenage Soul series and the companion journal illustrate the ongoing popularity of this series (unit sales exceed 11 million). Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul on Tough Stuff and the Spring 2001 release Teenage Soul Letters will undoubtedly follow suit as the next best-sellers in a phenomenally popular series.
Customer Reviews:
WANT YOUR CHILDREN TO LEARN TO BE GRATEFUL?.......2007-06-04
Wonderful, brilliant and tought my children to be grateful for our health, wealth and love in our family. A must read for all teenagers.
Book To Read.......2007-03-02
In this book there is life stories about girls and boys who struggle with family,friends,and hard teenage times. Some stories are tear jerkers and some are stomach hurting silly. The last story is great but cant tell you about it. I like this book because it could help you go on a different path then what you are going on now and it makes you fell thankful for everything you have. PLEASE READ IT. By Kaitlin K
awsome!.......2007-02-20
Chicken noodle soop is a wonderfull book!! It's about teen girls with family or other problems. This book is mainly for(girls). You can see your not alone that there is more people in the worldthat have that problem. You can also find out ways to solve your problems. I loved this book!! If you like this book there is more of them just go to a neer by libraury and youl find them.
Uplifting for all.......2006-05-22
I really enjoyed reading this book being a teenager myself. It was very inspirational and touching. It is a good book for teenagers in any situation. I think it would be good for parents to read this book also because they could have a better understanding of what their teenager might be going through. This book talked about issues that are harder to talk about. It provides anonymous help lines for teenagers in need. The tops range from life to death. It is a very uplifting book for all.
THE BEST BOOK IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2006-03-25
WOW! This book was soo amazing, I couldn't stop reading it! This book made me realize that I should be greatful to have such a awesome life and there are others out there that have hard times. To all those people who wrote there stories in the book I'm inspired by what they had to go through. All teens will love it but I have to warn you there are many sad parts and are very powerful so I think you should think about it first. If you're sure you want to buy it well go, you won't be dissapionted!
Book Description
Words of wisdom, hope, humor, and strength from those who have been tested by fire and maintained their faith.
The first book of its kind, Grace Under Fire is an inspiring and spiritual collection of letters and e-mails by U.S. troops and their families from the American Revolution through the War on Terrorism.
Andrew Carroll, editor of the bestselling War Letters, went through his massive archive of seventy-five-thousand previously unpublished wartime correspondence to pick out the most intimate, dramatic, historic, and insightful letters and e-mails ever written about God, religion, and spirituality. The fifty best of these are featured in this incredible book, and they emphasize how extremely important faith has been, and continues to be, in the lives of U.S. troops and their families.
What is especially remarkable about Grace Under Fire is the sheer diversity of the collection, which includes several extraordinary letters by two brothers who fought on opposing sides of the Civil War; a prophetic letter by Rabbi David Goode, one of the famed Immortal Chaplains who gave his life for his fellow soldiers; a lighthearted letter by a World War II nurse who met the Pope; and a profound and impassioned reply to the timeless question, “Where is God in wartime?” by a doctor serving in Iraq.
Warfare can reveal the worst in human nature, but it can also bring out the best, and these correspondences are a testament to the heroism, compassion, grace, intelligence, and inherent goodness of American troops and their families. And although the letters and e-mails featured in this book were written in times of armed conflict, they transcend the subject of war. They are about determination, hope, patriotism, fighting for something greater than one’s self, and, of course, the enduring value of faith. Regardless of whether we have served in the military or not, we can all find inspiration and courage in these powerful and insightful words.
Customer Reviews:
BRILLIANT...SIMPLY BRILLIANT!!!.......2007-06-17
Grace Under Fire is BRILLIANT...simply BRILLIANT!
It is overwhelmingly touching, powerful and inspiring and any one of these letters will pierce your heart. I was profoundly moved by the e-mail written by the late David Bloom.
Through these letters of faith in GRACE UNDER FIRE, Andrew Carroll gives us a glimpse of our service men and women and their families; we read about what they had...what they never lost...and what it means to "have faith", feel its power, how it has changed them or how they have reconnected with their faith.
GRACE UNDER FIRE is no ordinary book--this is another literary treasure from Andrew Carroll; this is the book you hand deliver and say "You must read this."
Beautiful Sensitive Window on Faith .......2007-06-08
The threads of faith are smoothly woven by soldiers from the Revolutionary war through our current conflicts. Their personal letters written to loved ones are sensitive and plain spoken in the face of the terror of their war. Bravo to Andy Carroll for sharing these personal reflections. I found this book very inspiring!
Loved it..........2007-06-07
I loved this book. We have been sending copies to our Troops as a community project in care packages and their feedback is terrific, they love it! As w/all of Mr. Carroll's work it brings the true and authentic stories home with what our men, women, and families experience while at war. One of the nicest things about this book is the elegance and quality, it simply feels good in your hands. I have given this book out already to civilians numerous times as gifts. I appreciated reading about the spiritual aspect and how faith does bring hope and encouragement during times of struggle, loneliness, and pain.
The real stories from the lines.......2007-06-07
I thoroughly have enjoyed this book and have read it several times. I have used it several times as guided discussions in a classroom setting. I felt it an important part of our front line stories that I got copies for the chaplains on base. I have actually gone back and gotten some of Andrews earlier books and have come to realize that warfare itself has changed, the verbage we use has changed but the feelings and emotions are still the same.
First, Second and Third impressions of the book.......2007-06-07
This is an outstanding book that I've read many times and shared with numerous friends of faith. The book, the works behind it, and the multiple intents for it are worthy of as much praise as can be heaped upon it. It's written for everyone: the common person who's never been to war, those have been or are in the thick of things overseas and especially the families of those who serve. It's a way to understand others thoughts and feelings as well as your own if you're in those circumstances.
Andrew Carroll has faith and a heart that is bigger than Texas in his desire to help others in their times of need to understand things bigger than themselves. This is one of his works in that human endeavor to make life better for others. A humanitarian award should be given to him for his desire to make life a little easier or better for others and to help others share their feelings over such harsh and emotional issues in life.
This is a must read for anyone concerned about war and the feelings that it invokes in service members, their families and even their friends. Read it for yourself and then share with others whom you know.
Book Description
A collection of devotional readings perfect for the pressures of today’s world, put together by Stormie Omartian, bestselling author of The Power of a Praying® Wife. New Christians and those experiencing life changes will appreciate her honesty and candor.
Customer Reviews:
Just The Light That I Needed.......2007-09-13
This book was a lifesaver for me. It put light into my dark, dim world. When I found this book, I was in a severe depression, going through a most difficult time in my life. I credit it with saving me. And I give glory to God for putting it in my hands.
No matter where you are in your life, this book will benefit you. You don't have to be as low as I was for this book to bless you. It is a must read for everyone!!
It is worth every dime that it cost and then some. Once you read it, you will want to put it next to your bible and keep it forever.
It means so much to me that I purchase it for everyone that I cross paths with, who seems to be in need of faith, love, comfort, and/or support. I use it as a way to minister to those in need.
You will LOVE it!
Comforting.......2007-03-08
It is because of Stormie that I have grown much closer to our LORD. She has a way of just talking to you and you feel like she is your friend. I have read most of her books and passed them on!
Don't put her books away, share them with your friends and family! They will enrich their lives as well!
I love her books and recommend her HIGHLY!
True Light !.......2007-02-22
Life is filled with uncertainties, and when life threatens to overcome us, and everything within us wants to throw in the towel and give up, there is God. We find that in our moment of need, He is all we need. This ever so powerful book will encourage you and lift you up to an understanding that God is sufficient for our every need. It is not in looking to the past or to the future, but in looking up to the One who is all knowing and all powerful. The step your on is the one that God wants you to be and learning how to maximize that season of life is what walking with the Lord is all about. Don't miss out on this powerfully encouraging book that will bring you peace in the midst of the chaos of a fallen world.
Good enough to read again!.......2006-07-25
I have this book and have read it. I took notes on it, and I plan to read it again!
His light shines brightly, even thru the Celebrate Recovery 12-Steps.......2006-04-21
This is a MUST-HAVE companion book especially if you are going through or contemplating on going through a Celebrate Recovery 12-step group. Although it is not all about the 12-steps, it is applicable to wherever you're at in life and whatever you're faced with.
I can remember the 1st day I walked slowly into a women's 12-step group @ Saddleback, it was the scariest thing but I did it anyway with faith in God, knowing there are VICTORIES awaiting.
As I cleared out my schedule, including relationships, to stay focused w/ minimal distractions and to allow myself to lean more on God rather than others, I found that going thru the Celebrate Recovery participant guides were emotionally exhausting as I've had to dig up hurts, habits and hang-ups from the past and present. I eventually found myself searching for a book that I could read that was applicable to where I was at - preparing to dive into my 4th step (moral inventory). And so when I came across this profound book title 'Just Enough Light for the Step I'm on' by Stormie Omartian, I thought - "WOW, how applicable!"
One of the cool things about this book, aside from that it points me to God in each page and that there are enlightening prayers throughout, is that this book applies to every experience we face in this life, not just while going through a 12-step. You'll identify with much in this book.
I am definitely A WORK IN PROGRESS!
Although I'm not quite close to finishing the most difficult step (4th) yet, I am walking step by step on this journey and path with God and with JUST ENOUGH LIGHT FOR THE STEP I'M ON thru every layer of hurt, habit & hang-up to full transformation, restoration, healing, and countless VICTORIES!
This book, already highly recommended to the women in my step group, will continue to be a constant reference in my bedroom library, along with 2 other books by Stormie, 'Power of a Praying Woman' and 'The Prayer That Changes Everything.'
Amazon.com's Best of 2001
Pema Chödrön may have more good one-liners than a Groucho Marx retrospective, but this nun's stingers go straight to the heart: "The essence of bravery is being without self-deception"; "When we practice generosity, we become intimate with our grasping"; "Difficult people are the greatest teachers." These are the punctuations to specific teachings of fearlessness. In The Places That Scare You, Chödrön introduces a host of the compassionate warriors' tools and concepts for transforming anxieties and negative emotions into positive living. Rather than steeling ourselves against hardship, she suggests we open ourselves to vulnerability; from this comes the loving kindness and compassion that are the wellsprings of joy. How do we achieve it? Through meditation, mindfulness, slogans, aspiration, and several other practices, such as tonglen, which is taking in the pain and suffering of others while sending out happiness to all--emphasis on the all. Chödrön introduces each of these practices in turn, backing them up with succinct practical reasoning and a framework of ideas that offers fresh interpretations of familiar words like strength, laziness, and groundlessness. Chödrön is the type of person you'd like to have with you in an emergency, and to deal with the extremes of daily life. In her absence, The Places That Scare You will do nicely. --Brian Bruya
Book Description
We always have a choice, Pema Chödrön teaches: We can let the circumstances of our lives harden us and make us increasingly resentful and afraid, or we can let them soften us and make us kinder. Here Pema provides the tools to deal with the problems and difficulties that life throws our way. This wisdom is always available to us, she teaches, but we usually block it with habitual patterns rooted in fear. Beyond that fear lies a state of openheartedness and tenderness. This book teaches us how to awaken our basic goodness and connect with others, to accept ourselves and others complete with faults and imperfections, and to stay in the present moment by seeing through the strategies of ego that cause us to resist life as it is.
Customer Reviews:
Gentle Wisdom.......2007-09-10
Pema Chodron is a treasure for the mind and spirit. Her writing is profound, wise, gentle and humorous. "The Places That Scare You" is a book to help guide anyone, of any faith. It helps us understand how to live life in an open, balanced and fearless way. It is written from a solid Buddhist perspective but is relevant to all humans. When I have difficult moments, I pick up this book and it helps ground me. When a friend if going through a rough patch, I send a copy to them.
I highly recommend this book and all of her publications as well.
Extremely meaningful.......2007-08-27
I don't usually take the time to write reviews, but this book is just the greatest, and I felt obligated to say something. Every sentence has so much meaning, that I hesitate to underline as I usually do. I might have to highlight or underline the entire book! This book gives good descriptions of the big picture (the ideas), but also practical things that I can do to open my mind and life. I look forward to reading more of Chodron's books.
Loving-kindness is the answer.......2007-07-13
This Tibetan Buddhist nun writes in a straightforward, accessible way on nurturing courage in our lives. She describes meditation practices that enhance the "four limitless qualities" of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. It is through these simple but powerful practices that our hearts are expanded and we find courage to live the life we are meant to live. Her conversational writing style makes reading her books pleasant and helpful. I like to read a chapter and think on it for awhile rather than reading straight through. The small physical format of the paperback (4 x 7, 186 pages) makes it handy for carrying along anywhere.
The Places That Scare You: A Guide to fearessness in Difficult Times .......2007-05-28
Another great book by Pema Chodron. Very practical and applicable to our everyday struggles with life. Truth spoken in common language!
The Places that Scare You.......2007-05-17
This was a wonderful book that gently takes you through how to deal with your emotions as well as how to let them help you to develop your compassion. Before I was done reading it, I was already planning to read it again. I highly recommend this book!
Books:
- Felt to Stitch: Creative Felting for Textile Artists
- Floorcloth Magic: How to Paint Canvas Rugs for Decorative Home Use
- Formwork For Concrete Structures
- Get Rich With Options: Four Winning Strategies Straight from the Exchange Floor (Agora Series)
- Grace in Galatia: A Commentary on Paul's Letter to the Galatians
- Graphic Guide to Frame Construction: Details for Builders and Designers (For Pros by Pros)
- Great Book of Dragon Patterns: The Ultimate Design Sourcebook for Artists and Craftspeople
- Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet
- Heat: An Amateur's Adventures as Kitchen Slave, Line Cook, Pasta-Maker, and Apprentice to a Dante-Quoting Butcher in Tuscany
- Hello from Heaven: A New Field of Research-After-Death Communication Confirms That Life and Love Are Eternal
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country's Foremost Relatio
- Living with Art w/ Timeline
- Business Ratios and Formulas: A Comprehensive Guide
- Common Sense and a Little Fire: Women and Working-Class Politics in the United States, 1900-1965
- How to Do Everything with Windows Mobile
- Lady in Waiting: Developing Your Love Relationships
- Instant Recall Spanish Vocabulary : Learn and Remember Spanish Faster than You Ever Imagined Possibl
- Accounting & Auditing in a New Environment: A Guide to Personal Survival Skills and Professional
- Econometrics in Theory and Practice: Festschrift for Hans Schneeweiss
- The Management of Wild Mammals in Captivity
General
| Christian Living
| Christianity
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Every Man's Battle Workbook: The Path to Sexual Integrity Starts Here (The Every Man Series)
Every Woman's Battle: Discovering God's Plan for Sexual and Emotional Fulfillment
Every Man's Marriage: An Every Man's Guide to Winning the Heart of a Woman (previously released as Every Woman's Desire)
Every Heart Restored: A Wife's Guide to Healing in the Wake of a Husband's Sexual Sin (The Every Man Series)
Preparing Your Son for Every Man's Battle: Honest Conversations About Sexual Integrity (The Every Man Series)
