Kudos to Dr. Preston Williams II for his dedication, compassion, and passion for service to individuals in the 'By Ways'. This book is a must read for Christians, conservatives, and liberals. In other words, most Americans. America can not be the complete great nation that it almost is, without all its citizens including those in the urban centers and other forgotten areas that are distinguished with poverty and violence. His solutions to the problems of these urban areas are refreshing and make sense, a combination of social sciences, Christianity, hope and forward thinking. Our prayers and resources should go to the rare men and women like Dr. Williams who serve and care for the needy, hopeless and forgotten.

Dr. Preston Williams takes us beyond the theoretical and hypothetical to the hands-on and feet-on-the-street knowledge of his subject. Few have written as pointedly on the subject of "the city" and its need for true renewal through a confrontation with the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit to change lives, homes, communities, and then cities. This book is a must read for every one. Thank you Dr. Williams for your insight, vision, and passion for this very needy and neglected discipline.

This is a book about clergy ethics, but Willimon does not take the normal path of ethical discussion, trying to determine right and wrong actions, setting up situations and discussing the ethical choices involved. Instead, for Willimon, ethics in general and clergy ethics in particular are all about one's relationship with the Lord. Rather than asking "what should I do?" in a given situation, Willimon argues that we need to ask "Who am I to be?" This doesn't seem like an earth-shatteringly original thesis, but in the legalistic world in which we live, it's refreshing to see someone focussing on the Big Picture rather than on the quotidian minutiae of finely split hairs.

For Willimon, an ethical life comes from habits of biblical study, submission to the will of God and the church, living in community with one's flock and one's colleagues, bearing the crosses of ministry faithfully and patiently, and developing a humble sense of humor in one's ministry. This last one is interesting, because he isn't calling on ministers to be entertaining (though that might come through the use of humor); instead he encourages ministers to develop a sense of irony and satire that serves the counter-cultural calling of the church. In other words, we should develop a sense of humor like Jesus'. After all, if the Church cannot highlight the foibles and follies of modern life, then what institution can?

In an age intoxicated by techniques, quick formulas, and market surveys, it is refreshing to receive advice on pastoral ministry that not only doesn't appeal to these things, but rejects them as insignificant to true Christian ministry.

According to William H. Willimon, the first question a minister must ask himself is not, "What ought I do?" but rather, "Who am I to be?" These two questions are connected, but must be considered in the appropriate order. A minister's identity is vitally linked to his sense of God's calling on his life. "What pastors do is a function of who pastors are... Our danger is that we might 'black out,' that is lose consciousness of why we are here and who we are called to be for Christ and his church" (p.21).

Only a strong sense of purpose arising from God's call can sustain a pastor in the hard work of gospel ministry. Willimon quotes Robert Wilson on this point, "You can't pay people to do the things that ministers routinely must do... They need to think God has called them, or ministry is miserable" (p. 22).

Neither the approval nor the needs of his parishioners must control the pastor's ministry, lest he lose sense of his true calling and purpose in the life of the church. "In a culture of omnivorous need, all-consuming narcissism, clergy who have no more compelling motive for their ministry than 'meeting people's needs' are dangerous to themselves and to a church that lacks a clear sense of who it is" (p. 24).

With this as a foundation, Willimon highlights the ethical challenges peculiar to clergy and "the way in which clerical character informs these challenges" (p. 12).

In his chapter concerning the character of the clergy, he argues that faithful ministers must have such a strong sense of God's calling that they are able to "love the truth of Christ even more than their congregation's affections" (p. 48).

In his discussion concerning the pastor in community, Willimon argues that the Pauline "test for the ethical appropriateness of a given practice is, Does this edify the body?" (p. 61). American Christianity is far too individualistic. Willimon laments, "I am conditioned by my culture to ask, 'What does this mean for me?' rather than to ask the corporate, 'What is the Bible saying to us?'" (p. 76).

In his chapter on crossbearing, Willimon argues that no true gospel ministry will be without troubles. If Jesus' ministry was wrought with troubles, rejection, and betrayal, contemporary ministers should expect no better. Like Paul, faithful ministry will demand that pastors are "willing to provoke division, call names, condemn, accuse, and judge" (p. 96) for the sake of the cruciform gospel they proclaim. Put simply, the "[c]ross produces conflict" (p. 111). Willimon warns that parishioners will not prefer this kind of ministry but will prefer a comfortable social club setting instead. Out of all the minister's responsibilities, the one last aspect of ministry that parishioners still approve of is personal counseling. Everything else is tolerated, even though considered irrelevant by most congregations.

Another aspect of crossbearing for the clergy is the time crunch that comes from their numerous commitments. Willimon, rather than giving the standard scheduling advice offered in most books on this topic, calls on clergy to give themselves away in ministry. The cross calls to service, sacrifice, and even suffering. "What is immoral is not one's suffering in service to the gospel, but rather one's suffering in service to triviality" (p. 113). Jesus does not take away burdens, but makes burdens worth bearing. However, the pastor must examine the way he spends his time by asking himself, "Is this service to the cross of Christ or merely servitude to the omnivorous desires of North American discontented consumers?" (p. 113).

He concludes with a chapter on God's new creation, emphasizing the hope that ministers have that all their labor will end in glorious fullness.

Willimon's book is a breath of fresh air for pastors. It is a book that presents many of the pitfalls and hazards of gospel ministry and addresses them, not with simple formulas, but by stressing the character of God's office-bearer and the need to secure one's identity in light of God's call and not primarily people's felt needs.

Absolutely the most challenging book I have read this year! It has made me evaluate how I look at the things around me and how I interpret events in my life. I have been more transformed into the image of Christ because of this book and I highly reccommend it to anyone who is serious about dying to flesh and living for Christ.

John Newton, who wrote the famous hymn Amazing Grace, said that Gurnall's original volume would be the one book he would want in addition to his Bible. Bell's devotional edition captures some of the best illustations and insights of Gurnall in a way that is enoyable and that will introduce you to the writings of this great Puritan Pastor. His understanding on Spiritual warfare is soundly Biblical and contrary to a lot of current titles that purport to be Biblical but are based on experience. Gurnall will Bless You!

I found the book to be very informative. No matter which area of the United States you'll be travelling in, there are suggestions for fun things for the whole family to enjoy. It's really packed with information. I'm taking it along with me on my drive to Florida.

This book is exactly what it says it is: a great companion guide for Christian/family travel. It is intended to be used alongside a traditional guide, like Frommer's, etc. It is very fast and easy to use, with information arranged by region, state, and then city. Well worth the small investment if you're concerned about keeping your vacation spots fun for the whole family.

Do I really believe? Can I really know? These are questions that every Christian must ask themselves, again and again. Certainty of our salvation is not just a nice thing to have, it is commanded. Paul tells Christians to make our calling and election sure. This is the entire purpose of Guthrie's book.

This book is not for the casual reader. Guthrie labors hard to show the believer, and the unbeliever, his true state, and I suspect he expected the same type of intense labor from the reader. Like many puritan writers, Guthrie's style is foreign to us today. He writes logically and completely exhausts his subject. The effect of this is that it allows the reader full certainty of the point the author was actually trying to make and it gives readers conclusive arguments for that point. However, a secondary effect is that it requires the reader to study the work intently and to really examine the evidence and conclusions the author makes.

This book is worth every bit of effort. Being sure of our salvation is not something to take lightly and an intense study of Guthrie's work will give the reader enormous insight into their own eternal condition.

This is an incredible book! It's a shame so few people know about it. William Guthrie, a Scottish minister, published this, his only book in 1658. Some men only need to write one book in their entire lifetime. "The Christian's Great Interest" is one of those books. Although the reader will have to get used to some 17th-Century language and expressions, the book comes across as a generally easy read. Guthrie masterfully describes the characteristics of people who have a genuine interest in Christ. What is the evidence that a person knows Christ? Do you have doubts? What is the difference between true believers and pretenders? Guthrie answers these and many more questions. This is an essential book for all Christians.

Francis de Sales, the seventeenth-century Roman Catholic Bishop of Geneva -- along with his Anglican contemporaries, Jeremy Taylor and William Law -- was among the first writers of the post-Reformation period to take lay spirituality seriously and accept that perfection is the Christian end for all men and women in their various states and capacities. Francis de Sales saw his ministry as leading people into spiritual life and relationship with God. His work as a spiritual director led to the publication of his greatest work, "The Introduction to the Devout Life."

Fundamental to de Sales is the belief that the spiritual life is not just for monastics and clergy, but for everyone. He considered it a heresy to say that a lay person could not attain sanctity and holiness of life through the grace of God.

In a spiritual tour de force, Fr. William Meninger has taken de Sales masterpiece and reworked it into a classic of his own, "The Committed Life: An Adaption of 'The Introduction to the Devout life' by St. Francis de Sales."

In his preface Meninger makes it clear how indebted he is to de Sales' "charm, warmth, and clarity of language." He was motivated, however, to rewrite the original work, rather than merely translate or paraphrase it. Meninger argues that, although the core of what Francis de Sales wrote is still substantially useful, its "ambiance was outdated."

The book is divided into five parts that lead the reader through the milestones of the Christian journey. Each part is comprised of short essays suitable to daily reading. The early emphasis is on "scriptural meditation" and "mental prayer." The latter parts focus on living an active Christian life.

The result is a wonderful set of insights for which we are indebted not only to the original author but to Meninger as his collaborator. If, as Francis de Sales once wrote, "Liberty is a detachment of the Christian heart from all things to follow the known will of God," William Meninger has given us a modern means to achieve that detachment.

Meninger has done a wonderful job adapting thi classic work of St. Francis de Sales. The short reflections in this book cover various topics from religious life to the modern world. The insights if this book are extensive.

One of the more intriguing is on the sacrament of Reconciliation (p. 65). If the sacrament is only intended for those who have commited mortal sin, and a committed Christian does not commit mortal sins, then how often is this sacrament required? This is perhaps the msot thought provoking reflection in the book, but all the topics discussed make this a worthy and re-readable book.

It was my distinct pleasure to be able to illustrate these four books written by Cynthia Williams. When I was approached with the project there was no hesitation what so ever. What Cynthia had to say to children was too important, I wanted to be a part of it. She loves and understands the children and the problems that they face and wants so much to help them. Our children are the most important job we have for they are our future.

This is a beautifully illustrated book with a well written story, but that's not the only reason to buy this book. If you hope to educate a child you care about in the proper way to react to a found gun or anything dangerous that they may come across, you will want them to read Enid and the Dangerous Discovery. This is an important book that educates in an entertaining way, as do all of the books in the Our Neighborhood series.

In "Forgiven and Forgiving," L. William Countryman engages the topic of forgiveness from a gospel perspective, especially how it fits into the Christian life, and how it contributes to the "forgiver's" sense of self, spirituality and quality of life. Mr. Countryman neither minimizes nor glosses away important issues such as abuse, pain, suffering, anger or fear; nor does he participate in sugar-coating, guilt trips, self-hatred, sanctimoniousness or denial.

Instead, this work illuminates the gradual, often difficult and painful, process of conversion needed to experience God's love and forgiveness and the realization that ultimately, every human being, each of us, will need to be forgiven for *something*. Mr. Countryman also reminds us that as we grow into our experience of God's love, forgiveness becomes that much easier, an extension of the wonderful love and support we feel. A very good, very healing, book, both religious and spiritual in the truest sense of the words.

I'm reading this book as part of a Lenten study series. At first I was relieved to find out that forgiveness bore little resemblance to my preconceptions of it (mainly denial). But this little book deepens quickly, and I've found myself looking at forgiveness in an entirely different way.

For one thing - if you've ever hesitated in living your life for fear of offending others, you'll learn that forgiveness is a life long process, and that apologies are nothing to fear. Forgiveness draws us deeper into life, closer to our own desires, and into more authentic relationships with others.

For someone like me who SO enjoys plotting revenge (though I rarely carry it out) this book has been tranformative.

The second in a projected three-volume series, this well-crafted tome brings together the early sources on Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), arguably one of the most popular saints among Christians and non-Christians alike, shedding light on his role as religious founder. The writings of Francis himself were collected in the first volume, as were the earliest lives of Francis and some liturgical documents. The editors represent the three branches of traditional Franciscanism, and together offer what are as far as I can tell all of the primary sources dealing with the first years of the Order, along with introductions and copious notes. While much of the material is repetitious, what emerges is a portrait of Francis from several different perspectives, not all of them flattering. The documents collected here represent that period of time in the life of the Order when the followers of Francis were trying to determine how to live the life that he had left them. They show various attempts to interpret his wishes for his followers. Even the different biographies were written with a view toward advancing one or another interpretation of the Franciscan Rule. Presented in roughly chronological order, the documents show the developing views on Francis and his legacy. The first, The Beginning or Founding of the Order, treats of the development from a group of companions informally gathered around him to the beginnings of what would become the Order of Saint Francis. The Assisi Compilation, dated 1244-1269, collects personal reminiscences of Francis, and offers a multi-faceted portrait. In introducing the legends and sermons by Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, the editors show how Bonaventure used the information at his disposal to a certain extent to his own ends. They note that Bonaventure's portrait of Francis became normative for a time, but was later contested. What results is a fascinating collection of documents illustrating the influence of this great man, and the struggles his followers went through in their attempts to interpret his rule in changing circumstances. Scripture quotations are put in italics, and the reference supplied in the margin. I did note one mistake: On p. 168, the reference is given as Rv. 4:12, a verse that does not exist. Surely the reference is to one of Paul's epistles. The editors have critically examined the documents, and indicate where one is dependent on another. The footnotes make reference to varying interpretations of certain passages, and relate the works to earlier Christian writings. An appendix has eleven maps, some showing the geographical or political features of the area, and two showing Assisi at the time of Francis. While the critical apparatus make this work especially valuable for scholars, all those interested in Francis of Assisi or the history of Christianity at the time will appreciate having all of these text gathered into a convenient volume.

No more bird bath type view of who Francis is. With the most up to date scholarship, Franciscan scholars have put together the best English translations with a commentary that can guide you through the medieval world in wich these early documents of Francis of Assisi were written. I find the commentary particularly useful in my own personal study as well as meditation so as to make Franciscan spirituality meaningful to today. The Volume Two focuses on Francis as the founder of the Franciscan movement of communities of lesser brothers (friars minor), poor ladies (poor Clares nuns) and the tertiaries (regulars and seculars). This is essential reading for Franciscans and franciscans-at-heart to find out what Francis has wanted his followers to do.

This book will answer your questions regarding the end-time and the rapture of the church. This book is very informitive.

This book will solve a lot of unanswered questions regarding things that are written in the Bible, and what is taught in church. While reading, be sure to follow each referance noted, it will bring greater understanding of the events in the Bible.