As I read "Little Tom" to my three-year-old I was struck by how important the message in this book is to today's society. We all need second chances--chances to forgive and be forgiven. Mr. Smith and Ms. Day-Bivens have done it again. Through vivid word pictures and the brilliant illustrations by Donna Brooks they have created wonderful images that catch the eyes and the heart. What a wonderful story to share with our children. What better way to teach them, and remind ourselves, that even when we make mistakes we can try again the next time. I so appreciate the values that Mr. Smith and Ms. Day-Bivens put into their books. They are quite simply the best children's book authors on the market. Can't wait for the next one!

"~What a special treasure! When I first laid eyes on this book, I was amazed. They've done it again - they've succeeded in producing another beautiful, can't-put-it-down children's book. I didn't think they could outdo the last ones: Over is Not Up, Nightime at the Zoo, and The Rabbit and the Promise Sign, but boy have they ever. sweetness of the illustrations as I began to read. The suspense I as an adult felt as I read each page kind of surprised me, as it was a "children's book". I was a little disapointed as I came to the end of the book and very quickly rounded up my children for a story time. They enjoyed it as much as I, if not more so. It was so special to see the fascination and excitement in their eyes as I would turn each page. I know I will have one on our coffee table very soon and there it will stay"~ for many years to come, along with the other Smith - Day-Bivens books we already have.

This is my favorite childrens book. It helps children see the wonders of the world God made. It is very well written and one of my 3 year-old's favorite books. This illustrations are wonderful also. My daughter loves to find to all of the things that God made on each page. It is too bad this book is out of print, find it if you can.

Wonderful book for young children. Shows a family of children who see and appreciate the wonders of God's world everywhere they go. Cute pictures, too. My kids love it!

I read lots of books on the Christian faith, but never before have I encountered one that pulls the faith's themes together into one powerful summation quite like this book does. The new covenant truly is the heart of our faith and this book uses simple, sometimes passionate language to bring the new covenant into focus. In particular, I was very impressed with the book's extensive and persuasive use of Scripture as the foundation for its message. If you want to gain a better and deeper understanding of your faith and make Christ truly alive in your life, then read this book! I am very glad that I did.

The best book on hesed/Covenant I've ever read! Smith does the best job I've ever seen of illuminating this principle as it relates to the New Covenant and our relationship with Jesus Christ. One of the few books I've ever read where my relationship with God improved instantaneously!

This book is wonderful! I received it as a gift about a year ago and just rediscovered it. If you've ever been to England or have dreamed of going you should read this book. The author makes some very valid points about faith and living life that I had never thought about before. The chapters are short enough to read one every night before you go to bed (that's what I do). I would strongly encourage you to buy this book. It has been a true blessing to me.

This is an excellent for anyone who has ever dreamed on visiting the "not so beaten paths of England. In each nook and cranny, Mr. Smith not only describes the beauty of the surroundings, but also weaves a touching testimony of how God is in all things. Each chapter unfolds another thought provoking revelation of nature and of God.

What an extraordinary book about John William Smith's life. Each chapter is a story taken from his childhood, or as a father or a husband -- but most of all as a Christian man. He tells the good, the bad, the sad and many humorous stories that you'll want to share with your friends immediately or read to a loved one. A very special book -- important lessons that emphasize ways to build character by consistant dicipline and unconditional love -- for ourselves and our children.

My husband tells me I am one to enlarge a story, If I like something it's not a simple, I liked it. It is usually, I really really loved it....it was soooooo good. In the case of the book entitled, "My Mother Played the Piano.....it was the best book I've ever read.....I really really loved it....it was sooooo good! Not many books can touch your heart and make you a different person when you are finished but this book can and it did. Being a story teller myself it validated what I always tell my children...that every bad situation makes a great story later. I would love to personally e-mail the author to tell him what his book meant to me. I believe this is the closest I'm going to get. This is a book that anyone would enjoy.....but mainly parents. It should be mandatory for every parent to read before having children. Thank you Mr Smith for writing about your memories and allowing us all to be apart of your childhood. Debbie Jones Yakima, WA

I enjoy this book as a daily resource of encouragement, reminder, and comfort for work. Sometimes I get stressed with workday activities and it is a comfort to go to a specific place in God's word.

Many of us go to work everyday and it's difficult to look past the issues such as co-workers who are difficult, bosses who may drive us a little crazy and "unfair" promotions or raises.

Ms. Owen-Smith does a wonderful job of laying it on the line and pointing out what is truly important in the time we spend at work.

She is able to do this without sounding "preachy" and also gives great Bible verses to reference in each chapter. This book is not to be missed as I think it provides true encouragement to us all.

This book is highly recommended as a "must read" for seminarians, pastors, teachers, and the layperson who desires to deepen his/her spirituality, and to experience a closer walk with God.

J. Alfred Smith, Sr., has demonstrated the excellence of his craftmanship in the choice of persons selected as contributors of material compiled in this book. Among them are some of the greatest African American authors, educators, homileticians, and pulpiteers. The wealth of their collective knowledge and expertise is demonstrated in the demand for them to share their preaching and teaching skills across the nation.

African Americans know the importance of receiving spiritual affirmation. This collection of sermons enabled me to realize the assurance of grace which is so integral to the integrity of the African American prayer tradition, and the formation of one's spirituality, while serving to encourage me in the faith.

There are many books on the market pertaining to prayer and spirituality. The editor has demonstrated excellence in craftmanship, in the compilation of the material provided.

African Americans need to be affirmed in their faith walk continually. The issues of life often are perplexing and can lead to discouragement. Reverend J. Alfred Smith, Sr., has quite skillfully compiled and woven together sermon material from noted educators and/or theologians. The contributors are among the greatest of African American pulpiteers.

No Other Help I Know is a "must read" for the seminarian, pastor, teacher, or layperson, who has a need for material which will provide focus and direction for sermon preparation, teaching, or inspirational reading.

Gary Smith shows a view of the poor that I never thought of before. Ultimately, that they are human beings and have feelings. Smith helps people without wanting to receive anything in return. It's a fascinating book and very touching.

Be brave and read this book. There are three strands interwoven: stories of the "hearts of the poor"; the ongoing live lessons of the writer and his companions who minister (and are ministered to) in bleak scenes on the street and in derelict apartments; words of the Bible and of Jesuit formation.

The prose is terrible in its evocation of cockroach-infested clothing and bed linens, terrific as it brings the reader to the bedside of a man for whom dying has become an encounter with grace. The poor have faces, although we are inclined to look past them. What this book accomplishes so memorably is to allow a glimpse at hearts and personal histories laid bare. Mental illness, addictions, and burnt bridges tell some of the story, but not all of it.

What I find especially challenging about this book is that it convinces me that everyone has the opportunity and, indeed, the obligation to make a positive difference in the lives of "the least of these". This is, of course, the reason that reading it requires a measure of spiritual bravery. If you through this book allow yourself to be introduced to Christ in the heart of the poor, you will not be unchanged.

This work is not to be found in the online collection of the Ante-Nicene Fathers. Long thought lost, it is in fact extant only in a single 9th century Armenian manuscript, and was discovered there at the beginning of the 20th century. Once again the work of Irenaeus in Greek is lost; but fortunately the Armenian is a fairly literal version, evidently intended as a 'crib' in an era when fluency in Greek had already departed. The work was divided (by Harnack) into 100 chapters for ease of reference. Since Armenian is not a widely-known language of scholarship, the text has been difficult of access to scholars.

This edition is extremely valuable to those unable to read earlier work in German. It has copious notes on the text, a lengthy and useful introduction, and a very readable translation. As is usual with the series, the notes are oriented towards points of philology rather than theology.

Irenaeus puts forward the teaching of the apostles (he knew Polycarp, the disciple of John, personally) on matters disputed by the gnostics, heretics who attempted to corrupt Christianity with contemporary pop-paganism. In so doing he outlines the teaching on God, the Father, the Son and the Spirit, and without using the word gives a splendid outline of the doctrine of the Trinity. While deriding some of the gnostic ideas, Irenaeus concentrates on expounding the apostolic preaching, and on showing that the Old Testament in fact preaches the same deity in three persons as the New.

The book will be useful to everyone interested in the second-century Fathers. In view of the interest in gnosticism in our day, it will also be useful as a reminder to those who choose to forget that those with personal contact with the apostles and their appointees did not regard gnosticism as a legitimate form of Christian belief. Recommended.

Note: the only previous English version of this work is: Robinson, J.A. (trans.) St. Irenaeus: The Demonstration of the Apostolic Teaching. London & New York: SPCK, 1920.

The book begins with forty-four pages of worthy introduction about Irenaeus, his time, the context, the text, and theology overview.

Magnificent look at the rule of faith, and is continuous in its pointed condemnation of Gnosticism, e.g. "so this world too was created by God." Continues from beginnings through the end, with refutation of false teachers, and recommendtion to continue in the apostles' teachings.

Great apologetic which shows Christ as fulfillment of OT prophecy.

The authors take a detailed look at the Kirland, Nauvoo and Salt Lake City temples and discuss the architecture of each building and the symbolism of various designs in each of the temples. The book is well organized and easy to read. There are good illustrations to help the reader visualize what the authors are discussing. The book has good footnotes and a bibliography for further study. A great plus for the book is that it avoids wierd interpretations of various things like the Saturn stones that were supposed to be put on the Salt Lake Temple but weren't.

I have found this book to be very interesting/intriquing. It has pictures of symbols found on the early Mormon temples and explains what their meanings are.