McIntyre's book is an incredible testimony of personal experience in emotional enmeshment and the underlying spiritual and psychological issues that accompany it. It is also an incredible explication of how this common emotional condition is connected to christian concepts of idolatry. For those who have been caught up in the emotional turmoil and conflict that is common in these kinds of experiences, especially when they come out in a church, counseling or ministry context as well as interpersonal relationships, this book can bring insight and clarity to the spiritual and emotional underpinnings of this common condition. Contrary to some interpretations, this book does not label "transference" as "sin", but rather points out from a testimonial and pastoral perspective how the dynamics of transference play an integral part in emotional enmeshment, emotional dependence and emotional idolatry in present relationships. It also covers well how to deal with it outside the therapy office in the contexts in which it can occurr. It is not a substitute for more in-depth psychological understanding of the concepts presented, or for therapy where it is needed. It is a great book for gaining insight and initial understanding on a pastoral level about issues that are tumultuous and confusing in nature.

McIntyre's book is an absolute MUST read for the lay or professional pastoral worker/counselor. Her insights regarding the dynamic of transference are penetrating and relevant to a proper understanding of the subject. Whether you are being transferred onto, or have engaged in this behavior yourself, McIntyre's book illimunates the subject in such a way as to enlighten the reader to the harmful effects of pressing transferences, the appropriate measures and precautions to take when we're the object of transference, as well as what to do if we're the one in transference. A much needed and useful tool in spiritual and emotional warfare.

The book i personally found very helpful in my own family setting as it looks on why people transfer their emotions onto others. It deals wisely with the need to find wholeness in our relationship with God - to open the memories which when repressed can lead us to transfer onto others. For the one transfered upon the importance of holding onto the truth and not wallowing in a reactive and subjective attitude is made clear. The book has helped me feel less alone and fearful in response to others' transferance and also my own unhealedness. I recommend the book as a 'restoring' book to those 'subject' to their own unresolved needs and those of others.

In the REAL PRESENCE, Leanne Payne explains the spirituality of C.S.Lewis as revealed in his fiction and nonfiction writings. Payne is in part an interpreter of C.S. Lewis; in part a Christian apologist to the philosophical community; in part a spiritual director (telling us how to 'grow our own spiritual life'). She is also a minister in her own right - she has an international ministry of spiritual (emotional) healing. She has a somewhat arcane writing style which takes just a little bit to decipher. But her understanding of Lewis is great. His spirituality was foundational to the development of her own, and she articulates it very well. She explains it in light of classic, historic Christian doctrine, especially that of the early church. This book is very helpful in understanding her own subsequent books, all of which I highly reccommend, esp HEALING PRESENCE, RESTORING THE CHRISTIAN SOUL and LISTENING PRAYER. She has a tremendous understanding of (as she terms it) 'Incarnational Reality', the essential Christian assertion that, through the Holy Spirit, God comes to live right inside the believer. It is in listening to and collaborating with the Holy Spirit, who indwells us, that we are healed and caused to grow. Lewis wrote much about this concept (in large part symbolically, in his fiction); and it is from him that much of Payne's own understanding comes. It is to this concept that she refers in the title of this book - THE REAL PRESENCE. The book is a tremendous help in understanding the complexity of Lewis' writing, especially his fiction. Without understanding his underlying spirituality, it is hard to appreciate any but the most superficial aspects of meaning in the imagery and characterizations in his fiction; it also informs much of his nonfiction. Payne does an excellent job of explaining that spirituality and does so with frequent quotes from and references to Lewis' writings. (Perhaps you thought that the Narnia Chronicles and his outer space trilogy - PERELANDRA,OUT OF THE SILENT PLANET,THAT HIDEOUS STRENGTH - were simple children's books. They are, in fact, profound works, if one only knows what is meant through the imagery.) Payne taught at Trinity Seminary in Deerfield IL USA, and had access to a large body of Lewis' unpublished writings and correspondence. She has taught, there and elsewhere, on an undergraduate and graduate level, the writings of Lewis, Tolkein, Charles Williams and others. I give this book five stars (" ... and two thumbs up - way up!")

This book is a excellent study of the worldview of CS Lewis - one of the most influencial christian writers of the twentieth century. It is aimed at those who have either read or are contemplating reading Lewis's work. Unlike some books which deal with worldviews this is very readable, and far from being dry and abstract. The author demonstrates throughout her book a profound understanding of Lewis's writings and communicates this in a lucid and readable style - showing how Lewis's whole system of thought is centred in what she terms "Incarnational Reality" - the reality of God, present in and through His creation.

Later chapters in the book look at how Lewis understood the role of an artist, the nature of imaginative experience, and Good and evil (the author contrasts Lewis's views on this with those of the psychologist CG Jung and fellow writer Charles Williams).

Well worth reading for anyone even slighty interested in Lewis.

I have been using a prayer journal based on Payne's model for nearly a year and have seen her ideas move me towards greater intimacy with Christ. Other volumes she's written are more complex, but this is quite readable. Her emphasis is always to look straight to Christ, not to a method.

This book was one of the most nurturing I have found on the subject of prayer. Leanne Payne, unlike many other authors coming coming from a Charismatic background, emphasizes the fact that prayer and a relationship with Christ is simple persistence, and work. While other authors say this with their words, I saw this "persistence and work" theme emphasized over, and over. Her book erased any thought of a "quick and easy" relationship; her emphasis centers on Christ, and Christ alone.

My only criticism is my desire, even need, to have more examples. I appreciated her narrative, and her use of Scriptural authority. However, real life examples, woven into the text, would have been helpful. She gave some examples (especially in her chapter in Chapter 12 on "How God Speaks to His Children"), but more would have been helpful to place her discussion into a context. Also, she was extremely circumspect in detailing one of her own experiences; after reading it, I did not know what she was trying to express, or what, precisely, occurred.

This criticism is the only reason for my four-star rating. If I could, I would give a "4.5" or a "4.6." This book is one to be read several times, and I highly recommend it.

In Listening Prayer, as in all of Leanne Payne's books, there is a central theme -- that as believers we need to practice the presence of God. Leanne continually points the reader to the cross and the necessity to rely more on Him and less on ourselves. One cannot read a book by Leanne and not have their life changed.

I wouldn't be so quick, frankboteler, to discount the review by Sam below. I have seen so much hypocrisy in the ministry that nothing much would surprise me any more. Call me cynical, but I expect most ministers to be hypocrites. And even when they aren't, more often than not they're like bulls in a china shop when it comes to ministering to people. Maybe I'm wrong, but Sam's review sounds pretty believable and sincere to me, unlike some of the reviews for Crisis In Masculinity. It doesn't really sound like a personal attack, or something that somebody would just make up. I mean, if he was going to make the whole thing up, why would he have even bothered to say anything positive at all about her books? It sounds to me like somebody who is outraged and wants to tell the world about what happened to his friend. I agree with you, frankboteler, that it wasn't really a review of her book per se, but assuming his story is true (which I do believe it is), could you really blame him? I mean how else could you tell other people about something like that? Amazon.com sounds like as good a place as any.

I had a friend who met Gloria Copeland once, and she thought she was a complete ice cube. Apparently she was pretty different in person than the image she projected on TV, so that's one reason Sam's story doesn't surprise me much. And of course Benny Hinn has written some very good books, like Good Morning Holy Spirit, but all he seems to care about is money.

I was mainly just responding to what you wrote, frankboteler. I have read this book (The Healing Presence), but I think Crisis In Masculinity and The Broken Image are much better. Those two I would give 5 stars to. I would probably give HP 3 1/2 stars, but since you can't do that on Amazon, and since I don't think it was nearly as good as CIM and TBI, I'll go ahead and give it 3.

I consider Leanne Payne's book Healing presence as an exceptionally good book. Because it has much truth, it divides opinions. That is the nature of truth. Some like,it some don't. While reading it, it especially struck me what she said about wrong fantasies, how they kill the real imagination and prevent us to be "fertilized with the reality" - this really hit me but because I accepted it, it set me free! All happened in an instant! Payne has great insight about what it means to be human, a created being, called to fullness, creativity and into all truth in Christ. Read it with prayer and apply it!

Sam's so-called review of this book (see below) should not be trusted. I don't know whether or not he's telling the truth, and he does not give any solid information to go on. He doesn't say why his friend was suicidal, or what his letter contained, or exactly what Ms. Payne said in response. The Healing Presence is a profoundly insightful examination of such topics as the meaning of Christ's presence, true healing, Christian imagination, and the dangers of gnostic forms of spirituality common in the world today. Like her spiritual mentor C.S. Lewis, Leanne Payne cuts through the Protestant/Catholic divisions typical of most spiritual writers, and goes to the heart of true faith. This book is irreplaceable.

The purpose of this book is to describe how to receive emotional healing from Christ. Primarily, it focuses on the three main barriers that people have in this regard. For the most part, the book is pretty effective. However, at times it becomes a bit too simplistic and kum-ba-yah. For instance, Ms. Payne chirps, "[Christians] alone have reason never to despair. Faith and hope are ours, and they shine like beacons in the darkest circumstances." Somehow, you doubt she'd be saying that if she lost both legs in an accident, or if one of her grandchildren were brutally murdered.

In a section on affirmation, Ms. Payne's account of her Aunt Rhoda goes a little over the top, and isn't in the best of taste. Although no doubt Aunt Rhoda was a fine woman, Ms. Payne basically portrays her idealistically as without fault. Naturally, this account lacks some believability.

It does seem ironic that while Ms. Payne focuses on the sin of pride to an almost extreme degree in the book, she seems to show no lack of it herself. For example, when referring to some misguided intercessors, Ms. Payne remarks, "Thinking themselves to be intercessors *extraordinaire*..." This statement, among others, smacks of the very kind of pridefulness and condescension that Ms. Payne speaks out so loudly against.

It is also ironic that Ms. Payne seems to contradict her own teaching at one point. Continually she stresses that discernment of spirits be used before determining whether a demonic entity is present. However, when relating a story about a seminarian friend, Ms. Payne states, "[My friend] became very ill and phoned me. As I listened, I realized his physical condition was directly related to demonic warfare..." Even though she does mention that afterward she spent several days praying about the matter, her assertion that demonic warfare was directly involved in her friend's condition (a conclusion reached simply from listening to him over the phone) goes against her own teaching. This might not be such a big deal if she didn't continually reiterate her teaching as much as she does.

One notable omission from the book is any mention of the condition "love addiction," or whatever one wants to call it. Since this seems to be one of the most common conditions that people seek help for, it's rather puzzling that Ms. Payne doesn't even touch on the subject. Also, while Ms. Payne frequently emphasizes that feelings of inferiority to other people--like feelings of superiority--are rooted in pride, she never explains exactly why this is the case. Such an explanation would be very helpful.

Finally, while Ms. Payne rightly warns Christians about focusing too much on demons, she seems to have no similar qualms about focusing too much on sin. Her statement concerning the dangers of focusing on demons ("In many cases, persons become fearful of others, even paranoid, and the grievous sins of slander and pharisaical pride result, all the evil fruit of fastening one's eyes on darkness rather than on God") can be just as easily applied to focusing too much on sin. Don't get me wrong--sin is serious and needs to be addressed adequately, but at times Ms. Payne seems to derive an almost unhealthy enjoyment from the topic of sin.

The issues above aside, the book contains helpful information about how to pray for emotional healing. It also has an insightful concluding section on spiritual warfare. Overall, the book is a pretty good read; one just needs to take things it says with a grain of salt every now and then.

Many Evangelical Christians today have lost the understanding of the richness and depth of the human soul. Payne seeks to expose the richness that can be there and the steps towards healing and the restoration of a hollow people. I highly recommend this book as a biblically sound and spiritually anointed resource for anyone seeking to know their own soul in the light of God's truth.

This book was helpful in understanding co-dependency and such. I'd b hesitant in recomending the book as there's more phycology than christian thought here and there should b a balance. The good points were fasenating while other parts of this book really draged on.

This book was pivotal in my own healing. The case story of Matthew, mirrored my own life. This book is groundbreaking and fulls much in the gaps of what passes for Christianity today. Recommended for counsellors.

As a therapist who works with people dealing with all manner of sexual addictions, and also as a lay minister and pastoral counselor, I highly reccommend this book to those seeking healing and also those who help them. Obviously for anyone who is of a strictly "Gay affirmative" or "Gay rights" perspective, this book will be objectionable, but for those with open minds to both theological and psychological roots behind sexuality struggles, this book has much insight and also practicle application. It is filled with very readable case presentations and explications of the underlying roots of these important issues of sexuality and emotional pain. Contrary to one's first impression, it is also applicable for those seeking help for other emotional struggles and shame-based mental and emotional afflictions. In addition, Payne's books "Restoring the Christian Soul through Healing Prayer" and "Healing Presence" go into a broader explication of the principles covered in this book. This will be an invaluable resource to any seeking insight into issues of healing prayer, christian theology of the psyche (self), and issues of broken sexuality, from an alternate point of view than those of the gay rights and gay affirmative approaches. It seems that one of the other reviews posted on this sight has come from the gay rights and affirmative perspective (Roy Culver, JR), as his positive review of a gay affirmative book and positive mention of PFLAG on his own amazon.com web site reveal. For those of his persuasion, this book will obviously be objectionable and will be seen to have many flaws, due to the antithetical nature of this book's approach compared to gay affirmative and unorthodox christian outlooks.

Leanne Payne's book penetrates the causes of much observable neurosis. She relates the roots of gender confusion to a convincing Christian doctrine of Creation, and holds out hope for restoration in the Christian doctrine of Atonement. I thought this was true after I'd read the book. I was fully convinced when I read the first three reviews on the Amazon page. I hope the identity-threatened reviewers are seeing their shrinks regularly. We should pray for them.

Leanne Payne's book penetrates the causes of much observable neurosis. She relates the roots of gender confusion to a convincing Christian doctrine of Creation, and holds out hope for restoration in the Christian doctrine of Atonement. I thought this was true after I'd read the book. I was fully convinced when I read the first three reviews on the Amazon page. I hope the identity-threatened reviewers are seeing their shrinks regularly. We should pray for them.

This book is an absolute must for every man and woman. We can have brokeness in areas we aren't even aware of, and Leanne Payne gives clear reliable direction to honestly confront our hurts and weaknesses. This book gave me helpful insight into some of my own patterns of hurtful behaviors and also reveals the path to healing for much of society. We truly cannot be all God has called us to be until we receive healing in the areas of our lives that cripple our effectiveness. This book is seasoned with grace but also helps one to deal with the big issues in life and puts you on the road to recovery through the grace of God. Amen for this book.

This is superstitious psyco-babble to a tee. Get into reality. Just don't do anything unhealthy.

This book offers healing and wholeness to all, the homosexual included. I was deeply moved. Payne's ideas were expressed in a loving manner. Her insights are real and encouraging. I highly recommend it.

Don't read this book if you have a phobia about personal transformation, whine about gay bigots and homophobia, or if you can't confront your own weaknesses and inadequacies (gay or not). Otherwise, this book is worth reading - especially for men who honestly struggle with their masculinity and have not had the courage or understanding to see the possible connection with their relationship to their father as a child. The book offers hope for the pain of that dysfunctional relationship - which the author says is often hidden or buried in one's deep mind/heart. If a suffering person wants help with accepting his own masculine being (as is - not some false stereotype you lust for) and is willing to begin a journey to wholeness, the author speaks of hope through a personal encounter with the compassionate and loving person of Jesus - who comes to heal and transform gays and straights alike.