Laura's life has not been an easy one, but she transforms these experiences and is willing to share and expose herself to the world in a way I have not witnessed before.
It is sure to elicit strong reactions. I just hope she will write volume II some day.
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Those who are familiar with the Christian organisation Mike works for [Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals (ACE), previously Christian United for Reformation (CURE)] and the organisation's Christian magazine - the excellent modern Reformation (mR) - will know what Mike is talking about in this book. Most of the insights in this book are used very often in an expanded and elaborate fashion in previous issues of mR.
Horton goes beyond mere 5 point Calvinism - though he writes no less on it in this book. He talks also about the 2 Sacraments and a bit of the Christian's role in the world (which is expanded in his other book, "Where in the world is the Church")
As i start to mature in my understanding of the Reformed faith, I've always been brought to refer back to this book. What this shows is that this book contains a lot of good stuff! Horton does a wonderful job in trying to write an introduction to the Reformed faith. But I always wonder if this would be a good book to give my non-Reformed friends. I don't know. For those who aren't familiar with the Reformed faith, they won't be able to get the full gisp of what Horton is saying. Nevertheless, that only shows that there is so much to learn in Reformed theology and that a book on introducing the Reformed faith is no doubt going to be very general in nature.
After all has been said, this still remains the best book and most comprehensive introduction on the Reformed faith!
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I loved this story! It's every bit as good as you can expect. Francine Rivers writes with such depth you can't help but stay glued to the end, even if you know how the story goes in the Bible. What I especially liked was how differently I viewed Rahab when I was finished reading. This book completely can change your perspective on her uniqueness. Her unshakeable faith, as a new believer with no support from any family or friends, inspired and encouraged me, as someone who has been raised in a Christian family, and opened my eyes to God's power to do anything and His ability to use anyone. Check this book out!
Joshua 6:25 And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel [even] unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.
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Hebrews 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
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When I finished reading this book, my thoughts were of how God is no respecter of person. All you need is to believe and have a willing heart to serve Him.
Rehab was a prostitute, residing in Jericho who was chosen by God to be a help to His people, the Israelites. She not only believed and accepted the God of Israel as her God, but her faith was such that she trusted him to keep her and her family from harm even in the midst of all that was going on around her.
I can understand her "bullying" her family. Even today when a member of a household is 'Saved'; their only desire is to share and show what God has done for them and like Rehab's family, no matter how much they may see the marvelous workings of God around them, they just continue to hold fast to their 'idols' of man's making.
The love story is a small part of a small book, yet I think the love story is more about Rehab and God Himself. By her actions, she is changing because of her trust and faith in Him.
The romance with Salmon is well done for the time frame that its placed in. I would have liked to have read more about it, yet I can't image God bringing them together and not blessing her with a happy and fruitful marriage.
We have to remember that she is of course, named in the lineage of Jesus Christ.
I think that says it all.
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Graceful Giant IS an inspiring book that evoked in me, as I read it, a
sense of peace and calm. I found myself smiling as I recognized
people I know and as I recognized characteristics of myself that I
hadn't given much recognition. This is a book that will be a great
directive for how we can live from this moment on so the world can be
a better place. This is a book that gives me HOPE! Thank you Mr. Litchfield!
What I noticed, as I read this book, is that even though there is reference to "God" throughout, its inspiration can be universal if one simply substitutes the name of their "Source". The common threads that run through most religions are 'love one another' and 'do unto others'. Graceful Giant is a 'How to' book that guided me to the recognition of the qualities in me that would allow me to live the kind of life I had only been SAYING I wanted to live. It gave me the courage to use those characteristics to overcome even the most complex obstacles that have been blocking me in my life. As a result of reading the book and putting Mr. Litchfield's suggestions into practice, I feel a greater connectedness to ALL others, no matter what religion. I feel peace and love in my heart and notice that intimacy, in the purest form, abounds in my life.
Graceful Giant is an easy book to read, and, although I myself don't have young children at home anymore, WOULD be great to read and discuss as a family - any family of any religion - keeping in mind appropriate 'translations'.
I liked the way Mr. Litchfield first presented the most common characteristics of a Graceful Giant and then gave me exercises to help me develop them. Now, more than ever, we need all the help we can get to bolster our courage to step up to the plate, and live our lives with joy and peace and love...and passion!
In my opinion, the contents of this book represent the pebbles that, when thrown into the river of humanity, could ripple out and make a huge difference in our world. If you're looking for 'A way', this COULD be it!
This book can help start the healing proccess that so many Americans need right now. Furthur, more I believe the steps in this book can provide a since of inner peace that the common working man is searching for.
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The book's saving grace is its creative aspect. Each of the projects was accompanied by a very detailed description of the materials and techniques used for completing the project, with step-by-step instructions and color photographs. The book helped me develop my own creativity by providing me with an understanding of how each technique (within the project) affected the project's outcome.
Now that I have passed the novice level, I greatly enjoy Grace's creative ideas. I'd call this the "Almost Complete Guide to Rubber Stamping." Hopefully, in the next edition, we'll get something that does cover all the bases--in DETAIL.
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These words of Paul have proven to be increasingly prophetic in out time. This is particularly demonstrated in these very reviews in one from a reader in Atlanta. We need to quick subjecting the Bible to our own wretched biases and let it speak for itself. I spent many years locked in the prison of an arminian/open view of God. Then, one day when reading Romans 9, I couldn't lie to myself any longer.
This book has since helped me to have a complete grasp on the biblical God, and my life has been all the more enriched. We are living in a world where we have no knowledge of scripture and where we have no knowledge of theology. We want "spirituality" without truly striving to grasp the awesome totality of the Holy God. Whatever happened to loving God with all our minds?
If you want to hold onto your worldview, don't read this book. Go ahead and slander it, and you might as well slander John Calvin and all the other men(listed in another awesome review on this site) who lived and died on this passion. If you want to discover God in all His richness and love Him for who He is, let him speak to you through this book. Many thanks to R.C. Sproul for being used by God in writing this. May He bless you on your journey.
Sproul presents a cogent argument for Reformed Theology (5-point Calvinism). Learn about the Sovereignty of God and the depravity of man.
I discovered what Calvinism *was* through reading this book. What I *thought* Calvinism was, and what it really *was* were two different things. But Sproul made it crystal clear--and I'm convinced! To God ALONE be the glory!
If you've ever wondered "What is Calvinism?" then you'll want to read this book. Even if you're not convinced, at least you'll have a good understanding of the doctrinal position.
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Anthropologist, novelist, and animal lover, Elizabeth Marshall Thomas writes of dog behavior with sympathy, insight and considerable humor. Following her bestseller, "The Hidden Life of Dogs" (which explored dog-with-dog culture), "The Social Life of Dogs," examines dog adaptation to human households, or, in the Thomas case, a multiple-species household.
At the time the book opens, Thomas and her husband, Steve, had three old dogs left from "The Hidden Life of Dogs" pack and didn't want any more. Steve "didn't want another animal of any description" and Elizabeth, while "always open to another dog," plans to wait until the old dogs died before getting an adult dog she can learn from, an Indian dog from Northern Canada, say, or a pariah dog from a Third World village. What she doesn't want is the white dog who quietly appears and won't leave - an American purebred cross.
Thomas does not approve of purebreds. "The important features of a dog are his brains and his persona," not looks. Still, unable to find the dog's owners, after a few days Thomas begins to ask herself, "what, after all, is really so wrong with a few purebred strains?"
And so begins her relationship with Sundog, the animal whose ashes will someday be mingled with her and Steve's. Her descriptions of Sundog's adoption of human mannerisms (the three old dogs rejected him totally) - his sharing of food, for instance, are touching and fascinating. Although Sundog did not like popcorn, the ritual of sharing was important to him - a kernel for Sundog, a kernel for Steve - until the bowl was empty. One evening Steve wanted to read without interruption. When Sundog took his usual chair at the table, Steve said "no" and put a handful of popcorn on the floor. Sundog, hurt, left the room. Although they swiftly followed him with the bowl, entreating him to return, Sundog never touched popcorn again and never returned to the table to share.
The next dog was a purebred (for what reason Marshall does not explain) purchased as a companion for Sundog. Having spent her first year of life without stimulation in a crate, the dog is a mess and Thomas buys her out of pity. Sundog rejects her. Misty's difficulties teach Marshall a great deal about the importance of early learning and Misty's insecurities about keeping "place two" lead to behavioral difficulties with visitors (canine or human), incoming cats and, especially, incoming dogs.
The third dog, Pearl, came from Marshall's son in Colorado and furnishes much of the book's hilarity and color. Protective, kindly and dignified, she disarms aggressive Misty by respectfully ignoring her furious antics. Over a period of four months she trains Marshall to rise at 4:30 am. She barks at everything and on a trip to the city barks herself hoarse at the strange cars until forced to take refuge on the floor. Distracted by the barking, late for a book signing, Marshall parks on an unfamiliar street and dashes to the bookstore, asking directions on the way. Only afterwards does she realize she has no idea whatsoever where the car might be. Marshall's description of Pearl's quick grasp of the situation and her take-charge solution is second only to the story of Pearl's knocking her headlong down a flight of stairs which ends, "Who could resist such a dog?"
When Marshall uses radio collars to find out what the cats are hunting (one is hurrying each morning to harrass a housebound cat through a window), Pearl accompanies her. When a radio collar fails, Pearl somehow deduces the problem and leads Marshall to the unappreciative feline.
The fourth dog is the incontinent, cat-chasing, chicken-killing Ruby, rescued from the Humane Society. Since her behavior is primarily unbearable to the other animals, Rajah the alpha cat and Rima the macaw train her swiftly, with none of Marshall's inexhuastible patience.
But Marshall delivers more than a collection of fascinating, poignant, hilarious anecdotes (though there is the rabbit who hunts squirrels with its dog companion, the birds who scold the dogs and summon the cats in Marshall's voice). A thoughtful, meticulous observor, she shares compelling insights into animal behavior, the social workings of groups (her own menage breaks down into smaller, multi-species units), and common difficulties with training.
So who is this book for? Dog lovers, obviously. But even dog fascists (her term) will appreciate the scope and grace of Marshall's writing, her abundant personality and forceful, controversial opinions. While focused primarily on dog behavior, the book is a delightful memoir of a very large, multi-species family, complete with belly laughs and tears.
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The book contains moments of humour, of deep sadness and of joy, and throughout there is a vein of truthfulness that is unparalleled in anything I have ever read. The experiences that Ashe had in his life were so many and so varied, from the highs of winning three Grand Slam's to falling ill to heart disease and AIDS. His relationships with his parents, his wife and daughter, tennis players including Connors and McEnroe, and with his peers in segregated Virginia are all explored thoughtfully and with careful reflection.
In short, Ashe's book offers an account of his life, his beliefs and his final thoughts on the world and his life. Ashe triumphed in sport to become wealthy and well known, but suffered from racial prejudice as a child and terrible diseases as an adult. Yet not once did wealth change his outlook or basic lifestyle nor did he give up in the face of racism or death. Instead Ashe took another path, the noble path - he showed deep respect and understanding towards his fellow man, he used his wealth and his disease to help thousands of others and he never lost site of the moral lessons he had learned as child.
'Days of Grace' is a remarkable book from Arthur Ashe, an extraordinary man.