This is a really useful book for those who are approaching death and those who are critically ill and don't know what the outcome will be. I'm not Episcopalian, but felt really supported in terms of ethical and spiritual help when my father was dying and I read it.

When confronted by potentially controversial ethical issues, such as those surrounding death and dying, churches rarely distinguish themselves. There are a number of pitfalls. Knowing that they cannot please anyone, they may simply remain silent, abdicating their responsibility to provide moral guidance. Worse, they may make pious-sounding, but vague, pronouncemnts that address issues without actually saying anything. When take clear positions, they may have a hard time making a convincing connection to their own tradition. This work avoids all those pitfalls. The Episcopal Church's End of Life Task Force addresses issues such as assisted suicide clearly and concisely even as they respect the human anguish and moral ambiguities involved.

Although specifically Anglican in perspective, the early chapters offer an understanding of death and its place in human life--including theologically appropriate uses of medical treatment/resources--that will be of value to all Christians (and others interested in what religious traditions have to say). After discussions of mourning, the church's role, and social policy issues like access to health care and the importance of palliative care, the book provides several very helpful resources for use in local parishes. This book by a distinguished panel of clergy, ethicists, physicians, and attorneys (not to imply that any of those categories excludes any of the others!) can serve as a useful resource for all who want to make the end of life a more faithful experience, both for themselves and for others.

Poppy is so human and down-to-earth, yet so spiritually rich! What a great Bible study book for groups and individuals because of the thought provoking questions at the end of each chapter which even includes memory verses! "I Wish I Could Be More" is easy enough for the new Christian and deep enough for the veteran Bible studiers -- a delightful and rare combination! Poppy Smith covers the importance of prayer, discipline, thought life, priorities, attitudes, servanthood and more using the Bible as her Guidebook. In her humorous and honest manner, she sheds a wonderful and practical light on how women can grow to be more like Christ.

I am deeply stuck by Poppy's understanding of the universal issues facing women. Armed with confidence and panache, she does it again with a book sure to touch the heart of everywoman. She healed the heart of this woman.

After reading this book, I realized that there are others out there who are going through the same emotions/feelings/struggles as myself. I found myself wanting to read this book again, as soon as I finished it. She has a grasp on a woman's frustrations. I feel as I have found a soulmate in Poppy. Keep up the writing. We are waiting for more.

Because of it's honest story and inoffensive title, it is perhaps one of the best books I've seen that I could share with someone exploring the New Age. In it Warren and eventually his wife experience many New-Age related beliefs and practices such as psychic readings, auras, following gurus, wholistic health centers, and studying a Course in Miracles. After a dark presence enters their lives that even the 'Course' cannot shake, Warren happens upon a book called the Beautiful Side of Evil by Johanna Michaelsen in a metaphysical bookstore. He discounts the book as written by a misguided Christian, but something catches his eye that he determines to try. For fundamentalist Christians this book may be a little tedious, but for anyone who has experienced the New Age, this book is fascinating.

I too was profoundly affected by this down-to-earth everyday couple's first-hand experience with the deceptive side of the supernatural, which imperatively proves the importance of placing one's faith in Jesus as divinely documented and proven by the Bible. Faith in a generic "something" is no substitute for a living relationship with the Son of God; we engage in it at our peril.

I read this book a number of years ago and it really had a profound effect on my life. I too was searching to know God and took a few left hand turns in the wrong direction. As with Warren, I learned the difference between what is true and false doctrine. I just wanted to purchase it again for someone who just wrote a book. She had been an atheist and now in her words, "answers the call St. Peter put on her life of writing down all the insights she has received from Father ___ and his 3 angels who she channels from everyday." Of course we know it is only Jesus who calls us into anything and we are to be led by the Holy Spirit only. This woman is sooooooo deceived. Unfortunately, there are many like her who feel they have found the true light of God when in fact they have missed the Light of Jesus and are dealing with satan who comes as an angel of light. Please begin publishing this book again for it is so timely. The season of the false prophets is upon us to stop those whom God wants to bless from entering the Promised Land. Warren, keep up the good work and write another book on this same subject. Thank you and God bless you, Linda Hostelley

MANNA is more than merely a good read to be put on a shelf when finished. The people in MANNA stay with you, the lessons impact you in the deepest kind of way, and the goodness invigorates and motivates you. It leaves you feeling things that you can't describe which drove me to give it to others so that they can taste its goodness, too. I gave the book to my father (CEO of Family Services in Erie, PA) and he loved it so much he is giving it to his staff (over 100 in total) and his board because he felt it exemplified so much of what he hopes his organization will grow to model in terms of perseverance and sincerity of service.

I am a former graduate student of Dr. Smith's and loved reading his book, as it reminded me of the energy and inspiration he brought to each and every lecture he did for our class. The book inspires one to do good things, and more importantly makes one feel like doing amazing things is possible. The style of the book makes the reader feel like the auther respects him/her, and approaches the many subject matters presented within its pages gently, but also honestly. I highly recommend it.

Every so often, a book comes along that changes your perspective forever after. Manna is one of those. I will never again think of AIDS or homelessness in the same way.

Not only was Manna moving and inspirational, it also was so exquisitely written that I found myself reading it like poetry--in small doses, paragraphs at a time--so that I could absorb its beauty and meaning.

The following incident is illustrative of its impact: One afternoon, as I sat reading Manna at a friend's home, I was so taken by one of the excerpts that I read it aloud to him. His eyes filled with tears. A moment later, coming across another such excerpt, I did the same. His reaction was the same. This was repeated several more times, until we both realized that this was the case with every word, every sentence, every paragraph. He decided to get his own copy.

Indeed, everyone should have a copy to read, to ponder, to cherish.

Wigglesworth exemplifies the true Power in God's Word. He takes the Word beyond something on paper and shows forth the substance of the Holy Spirit, Who is available to ALL who will be bold enough to believe with total sold-out commitment. This small book comes alive with God's power in a most practical way. The author's simplicity is so refreshing. Just straight forward faith.

This little book is a very nice, hardcover that I leave in my bathroom for myself and guests to use for a quick daily devotional. Like all of his books, it is an annointed word that always stirs up the holy spirit in me.

This book is one of the most impressive books on prayer I've ever read. It gives insight into timeless Spiritual truths about prayer that are rarely discussed. I would recomend this book to anyone who is hoping to deepon there prayer life or desiring to know more about prayer.

Beverly wrote a gripping story about the patterns of abuse that can occur in a mariage and which in turn, affects the whole family. She made the characters very real and did not try to "sugar coat" the problem. This is a book that you will not be able to put down and the story will keep your interest until the last word is written. I wholeheartedly recommend this book!

Not only did this book describe what it is like to live with an abusive mate, but it also gave hope that there is a way out.

I really enjoyed this book to the fullest. I checked it out from the library and was so wrapped up in it that I read it in 4 days! I am looking forward to the sequel! It is so sad that there are actually women out there in the world going through stuff like this. It makes you wonder why God would allow something like this to happen, but that shows that when things like this happen we need to trust in God and lean on him for help. God said he woldn't put on us more than we could bare. As long as we trust in him, he will see us through

I loved this book, it has many new insights to the prayer warior or intercessor. It is an easy read and once I started to read it , it was hard to put it down.

"I deeply respect the depth of Eddie and Alice's power in prayer. This book is an awesome tool for Christians seeking this power. I highly recommend it." --Evelyn Christenson, Author, "What Happens When Women Pray"

"I generally buy books according to the author first, then the subject. Eddie and Alice have been my friends for more than three decades. I would choose their book on both bases. They have effectively combined fresh insights, touching illustrations, scriptural principles and a unique legal setting to present to us an elevated view of prayer." --Dr. Jack Taylor, Dimensions in Christian Living

"Eddie and Alice Smith take us into the world of the divine court to vividly remind us that 'we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous' (1 John 2:1,kjv). This biblically based and innovative approach broadens our understanding of the privilege and power of intercessory prayer." --Doug Beacham, Superintendent, Georgia Conference, International Pentecostal Holiness Church

"'The Advocates' by Eddie and Alice Smith provides the most powerful and persuasive picture of the true role of an intercessor that I have ever read. Every praying believer needs this message." --Dr. Dick Eastman, International President, Every Home for Christ

"'The Advocates' inspires new levels of maturity and victory in both personal and corporate prayer opportunities! It will dramatically impact your prayer experiences! Absorb the dynamic principles of biblically presenting your case before the throne of grace, and transformation is inevitable!" --Bane & Barbara James, World Intercession Network

"At last, amazing insight into how God likes to be approached! 'The Advocates' provides us with an easy-to-understand study of how God wants us to pursue our cases in HIS courtroom. An invaluable handbook for intercessors." --Bill & Connie Fisher, Chairman Board of Directors, U.S. PRAYER CENTER

Some theological issues are more pressing than others; some issues we can afford to simply discuss or agree to disagree, and with others we can even afford to suspend judgement. Not so when it comes to an issue such as conversion, however: this is an issue that effects all of us.

Is conversion a one-time event, as many Protestant evangelical and fundamentalist traditions would like us to believe, or is it more of a life-long process? Is it a solely individual experience, or does it involve the entire community of faith? Should conversion happen one certain way to everyone, or is there more room for God to deal with individuals in ways specific to their circumstances, giftedness, and relationships?

These issues are pressing issues for all of us -- what we know and believe about the process of conversion will effect the way we live, how we understand Jesus, what we belive about God, how we raise our children, how we relate to others both within and without the Christian community, how and if we can even define the boundaries of the same, and what we believe about "evangelism."

In this volume Smith does an excellent job approaching all of these topics and more, and offers humble proposals to actively reconsider what we belive about this nebulous yet urgent topic. One can sense that there might be somewhat of a reactionary tone underlying his discussion, but all the better: beliefs surrounding some practices are well-worth questioning and reacting against, and conversion -- particularly as it is understood in many evangelical and fundamentalist circles -- is one of them. This book comes highly recommended for all.

So many steps that the Church needs to take are explained concisely and forcefully in this wonderful book. There are 2 main arguments made in this book:

(1) Conversion is a process of working out one's conversion, not necessarily a single, conscious moment of conversion. Paul exhorts us to "work out our conversion in fear and trembling". Smith writes that the "punctilear moment" model of conversion does not jive with the honest experience of most Christians, for whom it is more like flying over the Rockies; there is a moment when the plane has crossed the Rockies, but the passenger doesn't know exactly when it is. Rather, conversion is an often lengthy process of transformation and of understanding the work that God has done in one's life. Testimonies, Smith writes, are as a result hugely important, because they provide they structure within which Christians learn to work out their own conversions.

(2) One cannot work out one's conversion within a single denominational tradition. This is fascinating. Smith, far from being a "non-denominationalist" or a superficial ecumenicalist, writes that the major denominational traditions each emphasize something critical to a complete conversion - e.g. faithful reliance on God's sovereignty, taking responsibility for one's spirituality, and being filled with the Holy Spirit - such that Gordon Smith's brand of ecumenicalism relies heavily on appreciation of various denominational traditions.

For those, like me, who have moved between denominational traditions (from Southern Baptist to United Methodist to Willow Creek to Assemblies of God in my case), and for those who have lived within a single denominational tradition, this book is a wonderful midwife to working out one's conversion.

This book was given to me by a friend who is an avid reader and said it was the best book he had read in years. I totally agree. Gordon Smith provides an unconventional, but highly Biblical approach to God's will and leading our lives. His emphasis on vocation rather than work or tasks, challenges many of the basic pillars of life people believe today. Yet he substantiates these differing views with solid evidence from the Bible. Especially helpful is the discussion on transitions through stages of life and the vital issues that must be addressed to make these transitions successful.

This book is a must read and applies to people in all stages of life.

This book is tremendous. After reading it I can say that I still don't know what I want to do with my life, but I have a much better grasp on how to go about identifying my vocation...and am willing to be patient and take the long view. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to take a thoughtful (and potentially life-changing) look at where they are and what they're doing with their time on earth.

This cow wants to contribute and tries many ways to do it. In the end he learns that being yourself is the best way to be.

Follow along as Cow tries to discover a way to be useful, and realize the best way to be "Cow." You'll also enjoy "Cow in the Dark"

A delightful story, teaching values and character with wonderful illustrations rich in texture and life.

Laying it on thick? I don't think so. As a father of 2 under age 3, I look for a long list of qualities in a children's book. - Scary elements aren't overdone - Story makes a point or teaches values - Story is fun - Illustrations are warm and colorful - Short enough my kids don't lose interest - Long enough we don't have to read it more than twice in a sitting - Durable construction to handle my kids

You don't neccessarily need all of these to have a great book, but when you find them all, you've got a gem.