Rarely do you have an opportunity to meet someone who has "made a difference in history." Ambassador Per Anger is just that sort of person. Elizabeth R. Skoglund touches on the thread that held people like Per Anger, Rauol Wallenberg and others together while they tried to help those escaping the Holocaust. For us now, we too can "make a difference".

A close friend of mine who has wrestled with depression for some time confided to me how deeply this book had touched his life. Indeed, while every page reflected in some measure the life of my friend, each page also touched on issues common to us all. What a comfort it is to know that so many in the body of Christ have traveled before us, traversed the same valleys, felt the same anxieties, trusted in the same God, and found Him to be absolutely true to His promises. Spurgeon himself, regarded by so many as one of the greatest preachers having lived, speaks with such frankness about his own internal and emotional struggles that he is likely strikes a common chord with all of us. Spurgeon's writing is uncommonly rich and filled with keen observations, anecdotes, and gems of wisdom based on the truth of Scripture. In one such anecdote, Spurgeon comments on the nature of death for the Christian as simply a transition to a more glorious life hereafter: "At Stratford-on-Bow," Spurgeon notes, "in the days of Queen Mary, there was once a stake erected for the burning of two martyrs, one of them a lame man, the other a blind man. Just when the fire was lit, the lame man hurled away his staff, and turning round said to the blind man, 'Courage, brother, this fire will cure us both.'" Although this book is composed almost exclusively of Spurgeon's writings and sermons, it does contain a modest amount of Skoglund's observations as well. In fact it seems that Skoglund has so saturated herself with the writings of Spurgeon that the styles of the two are at times nearly indistinguishable. Perhaps because of the denseness of Spurgeon's writings, this book can be slow going at times. However, as a relative newcomer to Spurgeon, I have the sense that Skoglund has done a wonderful job of piecing together many of Spurgeon's writings on emotional struggle and the encouragement which is to be found in Christ.

This is a wonderful little book. Elizabeth Skoglund has done a fine job of weaving together the writings of Charles Spurgeon on topics dealing with emotional pain and suffering. Each of the chapters are broken up into short segments. The book is best read "devotionally"; a little at a time. It has been a great help to me as a supplement to regular prayer and Scripture reading. Chapters are titled "Confidence", "Depression", "Anxiety", "Loneliness", "Change", and "Transition" (dying). Spurgeon, having suffered from these emotional problems himself, was ahead of his time in recognizing their more common sources and in dispelling some of the easy answers that are still common in evangelical Christian circles today. The first chapter, "Body, Mind and Spirit" offers a good foundation. It recognizes that we are whole persons, not separable into neat compartments. Emotional problems often stem from physical as well as spiritual causes. This book offers strength and courage from a great man who has been through plenty of dark times himself

This book can really help anyone who struggles with depression. I never knew Spurgeon was so wise, but you better believe I'll be reading more of him. Last saturday I got so fired up about this book that I bought every used or new copy on Amazon that netted out under 10$ (I'm on a budget, afterall) to give away to friends.

This book will help you if you struggle personally with depression, and it will help you if you care for people who do.

I like the underlying concept of this book: that not only is hospitality something everyone is capable of, but it is something we as Christians are commanded to do. We are all gifted with some type of hospitality, and if we don't feel rich in hospitality, there are ways to foster it within our lives. All great.

The problem is, this book becomes repetitive and after a couple of chapters, I learned everything this book had to offer in terms of exploring the topic. Granted, there were a few more charming vignettes to be read, but the book became slightly tiresome as the few core principles were touched upon over and over.

Repetitive though it may be, this book does afford some inspiration and many good ideas. It is infused with recipes and ideas to spark your own personal hospitality. Worth reading, but perhaps not worth reading more than once.

Such titles as : A Touch of Elegance, Entertaining Children, The Beauty of Simplicity, and Christmas Cookies is a POTPOURRI of what this book contains. I couldn't put it down. Of course one must have a cup of tea or coffee while browsing. WONDERFUL IDEAS!

I got this book to learn about Amy Carmichael, but discovered it's mostly about the author and her close personal friends the Grahams, with snippets of Carmichael thrown in for illustration. I gave up after three chapters and went elsewhere to read about Amy Carmichael.

Amma was an amazing woman - this book deals with the timeless struggles of single missionary women in a way that is both inspiring and genuine. She speaks with honesty, but focuses constantly on God. A great book that shows all sides of the missionary life - the day to day struggles, and also the spectacular triumphs that come from years of seeking the Lord.

This book, although only 215 pages, gives a glimpse into the lives of "Christian greats" like Charles Spurgeon, Amy Carmichael, C.S. Lewis, F.B. Meyer, Hudson Taylor, Geraldine Taylor, Isobel Kuhn and Ruth Bell Graham, who became spiritual giants **in the midst of their pain**. It seems to be true that misery loves company... reading about other's woes seem to make you reevaluate your own pain and realize that things just aren't so bad after all. Actually, the author does a fine job of confronting the idea in modern Christianity that true Christians are never depressed, grieving or stressed.