This book demonstrates through stories from real people who have made big mistakes and have been forgiven and restored to a right relationship with God

The interest in Handel's stage music has risen considerably in the last few decades, and one really needs a book like this for an in-depth reference about the genesis and analysis of his operas. Here one can find a bit about Handel's life as well, but the main focus is on the musico-dramatic structure of his works. I found the author's analysis of Handel's usage of da-capo conventions to create living characters particularly illuminating. The only warning to the potential buyers: this volume talks only about the operas written until 1724, so it does not include analyses of such major works as Alcina, Serse or Ariodante. We still have to wait for the next volume.

This is the best devotional book I have ever read. It makes the Bible come alive with answers for today's parents. I strongly recommend this book to all parents

This is an incredible account of two people who found themselves held against their will for over a year. Not only were they held against their will, but also they were mistreated and lied to on a consistent basis. The story was truly amazing, a demonstration of how love and kindness can be shown in the most adverse of circumstances. Yet the most interesting part of the book was the contrast of the captors' view of God (Allah) and the Burnhams' view of God.

I found it absolutely terrifying at how the Abu Sayyaf captors viewed and responded to their concept of God. At the same time, I was amazed at how Martin and Gracia Burnham responded to their concept of God. In the jungles of the Philippines, theory and debate about abstract terms were not important. These two groups of people lived their day-by-day lives based on their views of God. This story is an amazing apologetic for and attestation to the Christian view of God. Every Muslim should read this book and face the questions that the story so obviously brings to the forefront.

I read the book in two days. I could not put it down. But I found the last chapter the most remarkable. If nothing else, read this chapter.

I haven't read through an entire book for quite a while, so when I started this book, I expected the same. However, I found it to be extremely interesting and exciting and found myself making time to continue my reading. It occupied my vacation travel and I didn't even think about getting motion sick, which is what usually happens! The book is written from a woman's perspective, and Gracia comes across in all her humanity--not pious--in the midst of a very difficult situation. She takes the reader through some excruciating details. But her faith, though strained at times, was lifted by her loving husband and sustained by a God who chose her to share this turbulent time of her life with others. She did a wonderful job and I highly recommend this book.

Even though I knew from news accounts that Martin Burnham was killed during the bungled rescue attempt, it still hit me with such force when I read of his needless death in the jungle. He was a true hero and a man of God. He could have escaped but would not leave his wife behind with such merciless men. I was horrified by the attitudes of those terrorists, even though I should not have been surprised. I read Daughter of Jerusalem, An American's Woman's Journey of Faith, and I learned about the absence of personal accountability and and the absence of mercy in the cultures fostered by Islam. Gracia is a woman of valor and I give thanks for her and Martin.

I have now read this book for the third time, as well as attended Brooklyn Tabernacle on 3 separate occasions. It is an awesome church, and it shows what GOD, not man, can do. The book is, quite simply, life changing, showing how God took an inner city dying church and transformed it into one of the biggest churches in America. Everything done at the church is based on prayer, and the Tuesday night prayer meetings have lines forming around the block to get in. Jim Cymbala talks in the book about the lives that are changed, but there is nothing there that glorifies Jim Cymbala or anyone else at all. It shows how all of our Hollywood style programs in churches are simply a sham. After you read it, you will want to get copies for everyone in your congregation!

This novel is a thought provoking book that makes one realize how far from the basics we have gotten. It makes one realize how our programs, newfangled ideas, and our contemporary worship have gotten in the way of how God would have us do His work in His kingdom. This book does not redefine prayer and God's love for us, however, it does emphasize the simplicity and importance of crying out to the Lord our God in prayer. It points out the blessings that we are missing out on because we do not call on God through prayer. It points out how God is able to work through us if we are in communion with Him in prayer. This book points out nothing new, everything is in the Bible. So many times we are trying to reinvent the wheel when the old one works as well as it did in the day of its inception. This book is truly inspirational by seeing what the power of God through prayer did for a dying church, and by seeing that God is a faithful God, and He will truly build His own church if we only follow His instructions and cry out to Him in PRAYER.

Many religious books tend to be lengthy and dull. Not so with "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire." Written under 200 hundred pages, the material will capture one's mind, convict one's heart, and challenge one to move beyond the dullness of religious experience. The experiences of the Brooklyn Tabernacle church remind me of the experiences the Jewish people experienced when Hezekiah "re-opened the doors of the Temple" as recorded in II Chronicles 29. Through repentance and prayer the people of the Brooklyn Tabernacle have experienced and continue to experience God's breath of spiritual awakening. The book is a letter of hope to all churches that are trapped in dullness, tradition and complacency. It is a book of hope because it is soundly based upon the spiritual principle and promise that God initiates and maintains revival when God's people pray.

Jim Conway's "Men in Midlife Crisis" identifies many of the emotional buttons and life areas that men actually *in* midlife crisis are dealing with: aging, family and work responsibilities, and the emotional and psychological difficulties of these things. Unfortunately, the book has a single "answer" for each area and every problem: look to the Christian God. If the reader is a Christian and has done only little thinking about his current life dilemma, then this book may be mildly helpful, as it allows the reader to know that he is not alone and that his faith may help ease the pain he is feeling at this period in his life. However, if the reader is *not* a Christian, or is looking for discussion and suggestions beyond the obvious and beyond the faith-based, then he needs to keep looking--this book will provide neither comfort nor help.

This book clearly described in great detail MY LIFE! It's amazing that others my age have experienced a pretty much predictable series of events, as Conway describes, and to which I can attest to. It makes the midlife crisis and all of the "issues" with it a lot more understandable (though some behavioral aspects are inexcusable). A great read for any man 35 - 50, or interested wives.

"Men in Midlife Crisis" goes the farthest of anything I've read in explaining the mid-life crisis. It not only describes how and when it happens, but provides insight into dealing with it successfully. It also addresses the woman's midlife crisis, as well as the later stages of life. This book is invaluable to anyone struggling with the pain caused by a man's midlife crisis.

If you read fresh wind, fresh fire, YOU must read this book! This book I feel is Jim Cymbala's best yet. Do you feel like your prayers are going nowhere? Do you honestly know what faith is?... This book showed me how to pick up the pieces and how to really pray. Do you honestly know where faith comes from?? If you read one book this year, do yourself a favor and read this one! You will not be sorry.

Few people follow Christ with the humbleness and devotion of Jim Cymbala. His dedication to surving God leaps from the pages as you read about his incredible life. Fresh Faith is a compilation of stories that have transformed lives. Cymbala considers himself blessed to have been chosen to witness direct encounters with the power of Jesus Christ. This book will bring you to your knees, praying with a faith that you have never known!

I love the way Pastor Cymbala writes...no frills, to the point, convicting, encouraging. So far, I have read both "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" and "Fresh Faith" and come away from both of them filled with both renewed love for my Saviour and sadness over the coldness of some of the churches I have been in. What a difference it would make if more Christians would read these books (along with the Bible of course) and take the message to heart. It would result in a deeper, more loving relationship with Jesus Christ and a enduring compassion for the lost. I recommend both of these books highly. "Fresh Power", which I am about half finished reading, is also a powerful testimony of the workings of the Holy Spirit.

Having grown up in a church where we just didn't talk much at all about the Holy Spirit's affect on our lives, Fresh Power was certainly an eye- and heart-opener; A call to rely on the Spirit's leading in every aspect of our lives, from prayer to working through our struggles. If you haven't received the flood of the Holy Spirit, this book won't give it to you, only God can do that. But perhaps Fresh Power can help lead you in the right direction.

I'm so tired of Christian authors who fill up their books with fluff - having to sift through page after page of the same old Christian-ese, hoping that someday the author will get to the point. So I took a chance on Fresh Power (this being the first Cymbala book I've read). It only took me a few pages to warm up to his style. Cymbala doesn't mess around. He cuts right to the heart of the issue, and brings his years of experience to the table when comparing the early church to the trendy attitudes that have torn apart the Church in America today. He sorts out the different views that today's Christians have about the Holy Spirit, and how we need to compare our views to the written Truth - the Bible. I'm ordering the whole Fresh series right now!

If you read only one Christian book this year, make this book be the one! Jim Cymbala has done it again with this 3rd book in his series. This book is about finding "Fresh Power" given to you by the Holy Spirit. I had to stop reading after every chapter just to reflect and breathe. This book is that powerful, and that inspiring. Thank you Pastor Jim for this gift from God.

this book was very well written by the author. he presents a totally non biased view on the subject. mostly, it is senarios and stories of peoples experiences and how god has redeemed them and remained faithful. the last chapters of the book are really excellent. the reason that i only rated this book 4 stars is because, while it is well written and a messege of hope, it is mainly only such to people who have commited sins against god and have never asked for forgivness, but have only remained feeling guilty, as well as those who cannot accept in their hearts that god has forgiven them. to these people, if you are one of them, BUY THIS BOOK! it will bring you closer to god than you have been in a long time, and i highly reccomend it. on the other hand, if you are simply looking for a hope filled book, something to draw you closer to god, but there is no obvious sin blocking you from him, or you haven't "back slidden", then it wouldn' hurt you to read this book, but i doubt you will get much out of it!

Dean Merrill's writing is amazing. Profound, yet readable. He does a great job of conveying the overwhelming power of God's grace.

Jim Jones onetime "daughter" tells her inside story of People's Temple. She tells of the chaos, the shams, and the doctrine. I learned a lot, in the gripping short story (about 154 pp.)Basically, Jim Jones created a micro-communist society, and got so puffed up, he believed he was God.

This woman was involved in it, but got out before they left to Guyana. She does a good job at telling a fascinating story, but I felt she left out the explanation about how they ended up in Guyana, and their reasoning for having a mass suicide. But then, she didn't have a first hand account of the final days. So for that side of the story, I will have to go to another book.

She does write about some of the bizarre events and doctrine that were taught, and her relationship with the Jones.'