Ben Witherington makes a strong contribution to the field of scholarship on Galatians. Witherington shows two main strengths in this commentary. First, he makes a strong case for an early dating of Galatians, placing this polemical book solidly before the Jerusalem council. Second, he brings his rhetorical skill to the text, and creates a first-rate rhetorical framework for the letter in a remarkably readable effort. There is room to disagree with Witherington on his conclusions, especially on his early dating of Galatians, and the amount of historicity he places with Acts. Yet, one appreciates the strength of his argument, and the flow of his presentation.

As a pastor's wife, I found Ruth Koch's book full of moments when I felt a real connection to the struggles and pleasures she writes about. Each devotion a short and concise insight into life inside the fishbowl of a church. God's amazing grace and healing power are emphasized, and each devotion includes a suggested activity to apply the lesson.

What Ms. Dove does here seems dated. Some of her poetry cannot help but resound with the complaint of an aged woman watching young men and remembering death, though the sound of her poems does say something else. They reveal her sheer talent, uncovering a music often missing from a good deal of contemporary poetry. Ms. Dove's true power, however, lies in her shorter poems which are tight concentrations of tied back emotion. They allow the reader to experience the fearful language with his or her own awareness that the subdued grace of sadness lies just a stroke away for each of us in our own lives.

"Grace Notes" is a wonderful, pocket-sized book that urges you to reach in to your inner-self and out to others. Each day list a thoughtful quote, two 'grace notes' and a spot for you to jot down your own ideas. I usually can't help myself and skip ahead to future days. The size is perfect and I can stash the book in my purse or briefcase so I'm never without some helpful encouragement. The only thing I didn't like was the book is a little drab. Everything in the book is black-and-white but I think for such a feel-good book some color is in order.

This is a wonderful biography on one of Georgia's greatest legacies. If you are interested in the life of Grace Towns Hamilton this is a must read

If you are looking for spiritual guidance spend some time with three "ordinary" women in this trio of books. Travel with them through the birth of two children and death of one, and see how little "Grace" opened them to love, revelation, inner-guidance, and peace. Whereas a life-changing event can be (and in this case, is) a powerful teacher, read about how they share, connect and "figure out" how to make what they learn all work on a day-to -day basis. For after all...don't we all have issues that we must deal with daily, and ...some sense of emptiness, questions about why, who are we, etc.? This is powerful, yet simple, compelling, yet understated. I would give it 5 stars, but it is a bit too wordy for my taste...don't let that stop you, in fact, it might not even bother you! I highly recommend it and am ordering several for gifts. (I want to keep my copy--I've highlighted many areas and wish to read it over and over!)

This book has done for spiritual guidance what few others have done -- keep the pathway simple. Having read many books dealing with the inherent but too often untapped power that dwells within every human being, I credit author Ferrini with the ability to bring that power into understanding. Usually I'm hesitant to use the word "surrender" as readily as he does, but in the context presented it makes complete sense and I find it accceptable. Persons familiar with the complext "Course in Miracles" -- that mainstay of many New Thought religious studies -- will find Grace Unfolding an easier approach to some of the Miracles concepts. Although the book is short and can be a quick read, its chapters should be absorbed slowly and thoughtfully -- there's much more savor and understanding than first meets the eye and mind!

As the title suggests this is a book about Grace. There is not a simple definition of what grace is, rather these essays as a whole seek, through a variety of topics and disciplines, to define Grace in an expansive way, realizing this to be a term so loaded with meaning and importance that simple definitions will not suffice. Specifically, however, these essays are coming primarily from a distinct Wesleyan perspective, in honor of a man who has spent his life and career developing and pondering such a perspective, Thomas Langford. In his own book, Practical Divinity: Theology in the Wesleyan Perspective, Dr. Langford sought to show how deep thought, academic engagement, and varieties of methods and traditions are important only insomuch as they reach out to the common person, and result in transformed thoughts and lives. In the same way, the collection of essays before us seek to show how wide, deep, and meaningful Grace truly is. The book is divided in to four sections, each devoted to essays from a specific discipline or focus.
The first part focuses on Biblical essays, that is writings which seek to discover how grace is seen within the Biblical narratives and letters. The second part focuses on grace seen in history, the third on grace seen in theology, and the fourth studies grace from the perspective of culture.
All in all a very good, and valuable, text.

Dunning's book seeks to share the depth of Wesleyan faith in a fresh, new rendering. The book is complete enough for seminary study in Systematic Theology but is not beyond the grasp of interested and devoted lay theologians of all backgrounds. This discourse will cause you think, scratch your head and dig in deeper.

Having had the pleasure of knowing Dr. Bowling personally as a college student at Olivet Nazarene where he is the president, I first and foremost must say that he lives what he teaches here in this book, the principles are not so much new, but it is a new take on them and a good reminder of things so easily forgotten and taken for granted in modern times. Dr. Bowling has had success as a leader in many, many positions and passes all he has learned down in this book. It probably sounds like I am kissing up to the college pres., but it truly is a great book and I have nothing by admiration for the man.