In the aftermath of Marxism and pragmatism the western world and its citizens have lost the anchor for their moral lives. Belieiving in the goodness of progress, not only can we no longer answer the question, "progressing to what," but it does not even occur as a question to be asked. Instead all progress is deemed beneficial. Nonetheless, we are still plagued by doubts that there must be limits to what we can and should do; plagued by the inclination that all progress must be directed toward some good. Grant argues that in order to recement our moral beings and give direction to the technological progress that we hold dear, we must return to an older, ancient vision of human beings. A vision of humans as creatures whose rightful end lies not merely in untrammelled freedom, but also in recognition of our limitations.

This poem is one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. I am not a specialist in Middle English, so I cannot say what was lost in the translation into Modern English. I have a copy of the B-Text version which is in Middle English, and if you are like me and have no background therein, this is definitely the version to possess.

It was written circa 1380 and gives an excellent account of life in Plantagenent England and the behavior of the people. The money economy was relatively new, and he saw the negative effects that it had upon both the secular authorities and the Church. The poem is written as an allegory in which the author tries to reconcile the needs of human society with satisfying our Lord our God. Similar to Pilgrim's Progress, the author has a vision, in which he is encounters different aspects of humanity (Covetousness, Sloth, Soul, Knowledge, etc.) on his attempt to find Truth (or God). It is definitely not light reading, and there is so much deep thought that one has to spend a lot of time reading it slowly, as I am sure it was done in the 'Middle Ages'.

The author thought that End Times were near after the Black Death and the utter corruption amongst secular and clerical authorities at the time. The fact that something so penetrating and inspirational was written and found such an appreciative audience that it has survived till now shows that the society then was not so bad. Highly recommended.

The introduction is most comprehensive.
Prayer is most natural activity. There is a technique for it.
First observation is that God is more eager to listen to our prayers than we are eager to pray.
There are laws of effective prayer:
First law is: One should be honest with GOD.
Second law is: One should be definite in prayer.
Third law is : Remeber that GOD knows the best for us>
Fourth law is: God will not do for us that which we can do for ourseleves. Prayer is not a escape; One must act to make the prayer true.
Fifth law is : Prayer moves within the natural laws which govern life.
Prayer is not a means of escape; but a means of conquest.

Stages in prayer technique:
1. Invocation
2. Confession
3. Thanksgiving
4. Petition
5. Intercession

Prayer should be done as talking to a close friend;
Prayer should be a constant thing;

Important :
Prayer is not a monologue;
It is a dialogue;
Listen to God.

Finally, he ends the introduction :
It is my own prayer that those who use it finally come not to need its help any more.

He has given prayers & bible readings for sundays, festival days and special occasions.
He gives daywise simple prayers and bible reading suggestion for a month.
The book end with list of index of bible readings for the year.

Good book as a gift.

If you have heard either of the Watleys preach, forget what you know, curl up by a fire with a cup of tea and maybe a tissue box, and allow father and son to articulate a view of life that will penetrate your soul. See a tender side of the Watleys expressing a close Christ-based relationship between father and son.

This book is a collection of poems written by the younger Watley as a teenager and the prayers his father wrote in response. While there is a clear Christian overtone to the majority of poems and prayers, the Watleys also address romantic love, tough times, pollution, and other social issues.

This book would make a great senior high graduation gift and may inspire you to tighten up your relationship with your own family.

I have not read this book but I did attend a workshop with Dr. Countryman where he read from a manuscript of this book. The manuscript material was very good, especially his discussion of the sprituality of John Donne and George Herbert. After hearing Dr. Countryman I have developed a new facet of my own spirituality which is the use of poetry. I am sure that you will not be disappointed with this book.

One of the most helpful and interesting books I have read to understand the disciplines of the Christian faith and the power available to ordinary people through these practices. Inspires and motivates both new church members and seasoned ones who've grown lukewarm. A wonderful welcome gift to new members - our church has decided give a copy of this book to all who join.

This is s good source of ideas for teaching your kids about how to act and react to their environment.

This book, and this author, have changed the way I view praying. In a day and age where so many are teaching "name it and
claim it" this book is eye opener. Before reading this book, I didn't realize that God doesn't teach us in His Word to pray for
anything our heart decides it wants. Prayer is not to be an effort to motivate and manipulate God into giving us what we want. It is to be an effort on our part to
come into one agreement with God as to how His will and work will be completed on earth. We are to listen to Him and His
Will from within our newly circumcised hearts. God had shown me before I read this book, that the "name it and claim it" taught by some religions is for their own purposes,
and very wrong; but this book showed me beyond doubt that God's Word has never taught us to do so. I was surprised when
I first realized that nowhere in the New Testament is there instruction teaching God's people to pray for anything and
everything they want. There is however, very specific instruction teaching us to pray as Jesus did, "Father your will be done".
Thank you for this book; and thank you for God's blessing and teaching through you". I hope that all Christians will come in
contact with this book sooner or later, and read it's startling revelation.

To the author, William Cleary, thank you for the truths within your prayers to Mother God, Sophia. The Earth has travailed to bring forth this "First Mystery, and Sophia/Jerusalem came forth. One must read "She Who Is", Elizabeth Johnson, along with The Sophia of Jesus Christ, found in the "Nag Hammadi Library, James Robinson. Also, these prayers are accurately in line with the writings of Jesus Christ in the "Pistis Sophia", G.R.S. Mead. Without Sophia no one reaches the Pleroma to become Angels for Jesus and Sophia, whom He called himself, and his wife, in Heaven. Wonderfully written, such a beautiful love for Sophia, a childlike love, with no conditions on her. She is the Matrix, the Eternal Womb of all Creation, and you have done well in accepting her, and giving her to the world. The Apostle Paul wrote about her, see "The Gnostic Paul", Elaine Pagels. All his writings are Gnostic in the Bible. Those who find the First Mystery, will be forgiven and forgiven, and escape the judgement of Jesus Christ. The world must accept the writings of Jesus to have on the whole armor of defense-with Sophia they have that armor in the spirit world. Thank you from the depths of my soul. Your book will go all over the world that "She is the Holy Spirit, and Lord.

This is a wonderful book! The Reverend William G. Carter is a brilliant author.