As an author whose writes about singleness and the Christian life, I've had occasion to read a LOT of books on singles and singleness (an occupational hazzard). Lori Smith's The Single Truth is by far the best book on the subject that I have ever picked up. In a style that is at once emotionally honest and vulnerable, yet thoroughly grounded in God's Word, Lori carries us along on her own personal (yet universal) journey as a Christian single who's disillusioned with a God who fails to do for us the things we think He should. In her quest for understanding, she moves us from a place of desperation to faith, loneliness to community, falsehood to life-giving truth.

There isn't a single anywhere (man or woman) who won't immediately relate to Lori's honest account of her struggles as a single. Her brazen honesty is refreshing--but she doesn't stop there. She goes beyond the struggle to search for genuine, realistic answers in God's Word...and she finds them. The biblical truths she shares aren't simplistic and they aren't churchy; they're real, perhaps even gritty. And they're powerful.

If you're looking for a book that encourages you to wallow in self-pity, or simply rants along with you about what a rotten hand you've been dealt in this life, then this isn't the book for you. But if you're really looking for a way out of the quiet despair that plagues so many singles, then Lori's book is the place you should begin.

I was single until 33 and read many books on relationships and singleness. This is the first one I've read devoted to being content as a single. Even though I'm married now, I can definitely relate to this book. I highly recommend this for both single men and women (don't let the cover fool you), as well as married couples. It provides a fresh perspective on being content at where you're at. Many singles are so focused on dating and getting married that they forget God's perspective. Please check this out no matter what your gender or marital status!

Finally, I've found that really speaks to singles! Lori Smith's book is filled an honest reflection on the single life. Rather than settle for the pat answers or comments from well-meaning friends (who are usually married), Smith cuts to the core of what it means to be single and how to make the most of it. Chapters including "You can be conent" and "You can change the way you feel about being single" are particularly helpful.

If you're in your twenties or thirties or even forties and single, then this is a must-read!

Embracing the Love of God is thought provoking and is,in my opinion, a potential "spiritual classic". Mr. Smith's extended essay is organized around three topics: Knowing God's Acceptance, Receiving God's Forgiveness and Experiencing God's Care. Read it, and keep it to re-read, when you need encouragement. Embracing the Love of God was a blessing to me, and I recommend you buy it.

I'm not sure which book got kicked out of the top 5 most influential books in my life, but this book replaced it. I've spent the fist ten years of my Christianity picking up not only the love of God, but the baggage that often goes with religion; I've spent the last ten years in the tricky business of extricating the love and dropping off the baggage.

This is one baggage blasting book.

It's a centering book. One I could not read quickly for the need to lay it down and think. The power in this book lay in the fact that it is also the testimony of one man; and last I heard, a person's testimony ranks with the blood of Jesus as far as overcoming goes. (Rev. 12:11) And what have we to overcome? That insidious voice that accuses us before God day and night. It says day and night. (vs. 10) No let up. That's why we need the message of love pounded and ground into our faces until we jolly well believe it.

This book has helped me to identify the voice of the accuser. It has helped me to see God in the teeny tiny ways he wants to be in my life. It has helped me to embrace what I am ever thinking is for someone else.

What I am understanding is that I did not get saved once; I am getting saved all the time, inch by inch and daily, and books like these are small miracles to help. This book is good news. I can't say how grateful I am to have read it.

What a great book! Jesus loves us. The funny thing is that we spend all this time trying either please or rebel against God...when all the time God's waiting here, patiently waiting to get a word in edgewise--He's waiting to tell us He loves us--and desperately. James Bryan Smith makes this crystal clear. This is indeed great and good news. God has proved and everyday continues to prove His love.

"God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

God loves us as we are...not as we think we should be...I have recommended a lot of books in my time here on Amazon. A lot of them have been rather good. But "Embracing the Love of God" falls into that rare category where I must exhort you to buy this book now...I don't even want you to finish reading this review till you do so...This book will change your life. In these past few days, it has changed mine.

Thank you Mr. Smith for this awesome book. I second your prayer (from page 40):

"May we have the courage not to run when the voice of our condemning heart would tear us from the place where we can hear the voice of God saying to us, "You are my beloved child, in whom I am well pleased." Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts."

If you're still reading this review and haven't got this book...go get it now.

Robert Farrell Smith's Baptists at our BBQ was one of the most delightful books I have ever read. Not only is it funny, but it gets you thinking about the goodness of God in our lives. The details he gives about a struggling branch aren't too far-fetched in the world we live in. Not only does he give us a wonderful, grasping story, but he also helps us to see into the "Mormon" culture and just how interesting we can be. Look into it to see what else Robert Farrell Smith has to say despite just being a creative author. It will get you thinking about the realities.

Baptists at Our Barbecue is easily the funniest LDS book I have ever read. (excluding Robert Smith's other books, which should be required reading for anyone who is LDS or living near someone who is) This is the only book that I have read where I actully laughed out loud. My wife thought it was so strange that she immediately read it and she loves it as much as I do. I have two copies because I can't stop telling people about it. BUY IT! You'll love it.

Robert Smith has a knack for bring out the humor in LDS life. I laughed so hard. Then I would read it to my husband and we would both laugh. I finally started over and we read it together. It was great. I use this and the second book The Miracle of Forgetness as gifts all of the time. I've turned many friends on to this author as well. It's like reading a modern day Tom & Huck adventure.

I love the writings of H.W. Smith so very much because they are so practical and easy to understand. You can feel it: She experienced something.
Especially the book "God of all Comfort" is so touching and not only comforting. It shows the way to satisfaction in the midst of hard times and sorrows in the everyday life. A wonderful book!
The last chapter ("God is enough")seems to be the best and most helpful chapter. I quote some passages: "God, and God alone, is enough for all the soul needs. ... This is the crowning discovery of our whole Christian life...The Promiser is more than His promises; and His existence is a surer ground of confidence than the most fervent feelings...And should every promise be wiped of the Bible, we would still have God left, and God would be enough."

This small book by Hannah Whithall Smith is a favourite of mine. THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT is about how to find comfort in a Christian life. Even though it is written for Christians, I think that people of all faiths might gain from reading this book. The premise of this book is that comfort in our spiritual relationship derives from faith. This faith is a decision. The decision is to decide what we will have faith in: either circumstances or the words in the Bible. If you are interested in peace in your spiritual relationship, this book will be interesting to you.

This is a favourite book of mine. This book is about how to find comfort in a Christian life. Even though it is written for Christians, I think that people of all faiths might gain from reading this book. The premise of this book is that comfort in our spiritual relationship derives from faith. This faith is a decision. The decision is to decide what we will have faith in: either circumstances or the words in the Bible. If you are interested in peace in your spiritual relationship, this book will be interesting to you.

This is an awesome book and an awesome series. You will laugh, cry, and adore this story line. Debra White Smith has a way of touching your heart with real life issues that you can relate to and that bring you closer in your relationship with the Lord.

I really enjoyed this book, and would very highly recommend it to anyone. I would give it more stars if I could. It's romantic and has a great and entertaining storyline.

This is my first of I am sure many Debra White Smith books. I absolutely loved this one. The author kept you wishing the couple would get together and you could feel the suspense of impending danger. I can't wait to read the sequels.

The practical exercises in the Christian traditions are useful, and cause growth. (Romans 12:2) This book is useful for any spiritual formation group and increases awareness of need to grow in Discipleship. Have used exercises in my Walk to Emmaus(spiritual formation/accountability) reunion group--leads to Christian action.

This book will help you discover where you need more balance in your Christian walk. As you learn to practice the 6 different traditions; social, contemplative, holiness, charismatic, evangelical, and incarnational, your walk with the Lord will become more balanced. This has been a life-changing study for me!

This is a very good book for starting a Bible study that is labor intensive versus study intensive. I do recommended this for all people to lead after they have to a personal study with Celebration of Discipline materials. To my knowledge, this version is out of print because it has been revised and replaces by ISBN 0062516264. This new book includes the sixth tradition of incarnationalism. Also recommended.

This is just a wonderful book.......I recommend it to anyone who is a Michael W. Smith fan

Michael does a great job of choosing bible verses that can be applied to real life situations. He also shares stories from his tender heart. His love for his family and friends are very obvious in this book. This is a great book to read if you need some encoragement from the greatest book ever written,the bible and also michael is a great encourager. I would recommend this book to anyone who feela like they need a friend

This is my absolute FAVORITE book!! I just started it and it's great!! I can't say enough about it. It just makes you feel good inside after you read it. After I read the first page, I knew it was going to be my favorite book. I just couldn't wait to get it!! It's SO GOOD!! I would reccomend this book to everyone!! Michael, this is a WONDERFUL book and I am going to buy another one for my cousin! Keep up the good work!! You are doing a great job preaching God's work!! God Bless You!

How many of us have wondered how to draw on our Judeo-Christian background and our faith, in order to bring comfort to those in need of physical and spiritual healing? I know I did. This book will give you the courage and basic tools to step out and minister.

Linda Smith's book is grounded in scripture, tradition and her own wealth of experience as a healthcare provider and Christian healer. Here healthcare-givers will realize new spiritual dimensions and potential in what they do each day. Parish leaders and laypeople will find that their impulses to extend Jesus' healing ministry into their community are valid and worth heeding. Here are the tools to ground their efforts in Judeo-Christian tradition, unlocking their unrealized potential as healing ministers.

I highly recommend this book. Linda is a marvelous teacher, an effective writer, and a unique spiritual leader in a long-awaited, much-needed renewal of Christian healing ministry.

Linda Smith gives us a firm foundation to begin parish healing teams through Called Into Healing. Her book is written to inform, direct and inspire those who wish to explore the deeper meaning of Christian healing. I have found the information invaluable in forming a healing team in my parish. As a Certified Healing Touch Practititioner the text gives me the scriptual knowledge and spiritual perspective to be a healing presence. It has become a very important addition to my library.

As we continue into an increasing awareness of complementary forms of medicine and hands-on healing, Linda Smith's book is a wonderful resource and guide. Very well researched, this work covers the history of hands-on healing from ancient through biblical to modern times and puts us back in realistic touch with our legacy and future possibilities for healing and being healed. It is an excellent guide and study tool for churches seeking to answer the biblical call to healing. For individuals as well as church groups, the section (III) on "Becoming Instruments of Healing" is an inspiring guide to the self-care and spiritual work necessary to become the channel of grace and healing Linda rightly insists we are all called to be. It has quickly become a well-read and valued part of my library.

A remarkable first hand book that gives you insight in how to actually surrender yourself to the Lord, and how to fully come to know Him and experience Him in your heart. Through this you will find true peace in your soul. God is using Hannah Whitall Smith to deliver an important message. A must read for any Christian wanting to grow in their love relationship with Christ.

This book has been blessing people for 130 years - there is a reason for that. The reason this book is so great is that it focuses upon the only 2 essential practices for Christian growth and strength: Surrender and Faith. Everything in the book teaches us how to maintain absolute surrender to and total trust in God, how to overcome difficulties so that faith and trust remain steadfast, all mingled with many words of encouragement telling of the peace and joy such a life produces.

The one negative review in this list claims the book is terrible because we should seek holiness, not happiness. Clearly 100% surrender to God's will and 100% faith in God are holiness defined - and that expresses the entire thrust of the book. It is very unlikely that reviewer even read the book beyond the title - ignore them. Jesus wants our joy to be full, He tells us steps to take "so that your joy may be full"....but we better not tell this lone reviewer that Jesus recommends we seek joy - they might give HIM a bad review!

Do what this book says to do and find God waiting there to bless you abundantly with Christ-likeness.....with the natural result being great happiness! I agree with what one review said, if I had to choose only 2 books, they would be the Bible and The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life.

A remarkable first hand book that gives you insight in how to actually surrender yourself to the Lord, and how to fully come to know Him and experience Him in your heart. Through this you will find true peace in your soul. God is using Hannah Whitall Smith to deliver an important message. A must read for any Christian wanting to grow in their love relationship with Christ.