Elijah

This book had me in tears, cheering, and full of hope.

Sarah shines through her passionate words, struggles, grief, victories, and loss. I felt at times both wanting to defend her and cheer for her. I don't know how long it will take me to get over the deep need to hug her, as well.

And Andy. This story is as much about him as Sarah. I feel like he was the friend I hadn't met yet. So many things about us just aligned and I could grieve for him and with Sarah. I won't lightly let that go.

I know this review isn't “helpful” to whether you read it or not. But it needed to be conveyed how beautifully emotional this book was. And I my list in that category is very, very short.

This book was ok. It felt a little forced at times with the activities provided. And there were admittedly (from the author) times she reused activities from previous manifestations of this work.

Yet, overall it was a fine resource with plenty of ways to help engage our youth at church and their families. We greatly appreciated the authors permission to share up to 4 activities in our Sunday bulletin.

There are great similarities among the religions of the world and many people, myself included, find that a joyous thing. With that mindset, I took to this book hoping that it would walk that path humbly. Yet, I struggled with the underlying tone of the book that seemed to be a subversive attempt by the author to get the reader to ditch all labels or forms of religion and seek only their inner self.
At the outset, the author does speak of seeing God in others and seeking the lover, and becoming love. However, as we delve deeper into the book we start to see where the author leans toward a picture of an all-encompassing religion, where differences are cast aside and ignored for the sake of that which unifies us.
“Now we do not pray to but rather “as”, as we start to get that there is nothing out there, outside of the heart of God to which we pray to. No, the beloved is right here, within us, breathing us, beating our hearts.” (p 28)


I do like the practicality of the actions that the author outlines. Many of the guidelines for “Walking in Harmony” are very useful in any setting. Even if one holds to their particular religion, you can find usefulness in the information found here. And throughout the last 1/3 of the book, as the author lays out the ways to guide yourself, set your mindset, and practice Mantra prayer, it is easy to see how this practice is beneficial to a great many people.
It is also a great resource to have sample mantras from many faith traditions in the appendix. It is easy to appreciate and incorporate some of these into different faith traditions while still respecting the differences we have.

Overall, I do see this book as a valuable resource, and one that I will refer to occasionally. I have taken up some mantra practice myself and found the guidelines particularly good for affirmation when I'm struggling. Yet, I would preface any recommendation of this book with an explanation of the previously stated “perfect unity” stance.





Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR,Part 255.

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. While the philosophy covered was sound, clear, and well-researched, I had issue with some of the language used in the book.
Most theologians and historians can tell you that documents of old speak primarily in masculine language.
For example, a passage quoted by Mize on pg 15 from a book called “Technological Society” which was printed in 1954 states, “Enclosed within his artificial creation, man finds that there is “no exit”; that he cannot pierce the shell of technology again to find the ancient milieu to which he was adapted for hundreds of thousands of years ....”
This historical masculine gendering wouldn't be so harsh if paired with a modern view from the author. Yet, Mize makes no such attempt at updating the language for the modern century.

In the opening of Chapter 1 Mize states, “The modern man tends to view his mind as a “blank slate,” a fixed tool of his upon which impressions from the “environment” can be made.”
This is just a small sample of the way in which the author sets the masculine as the guiding arc for all the pages of the book.

However, I do want to say that the book has great information that I found enlightening and want to dig into more. Snippets of Mize's thoughts on Cain (pg 16), nakedness in the garden (pg 12), and Part II has great insights into how and what will connect with the psyche of people when preaching.

One note for the book printer/editor: the bible verses are VERY hard to read. The font, type, and layout make them practically bleed on the page and even someone of good eyesight may need a magnifying glass.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received “Modernity and the Rise of the Pocket God” from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

I delayed my review of this book until my second reading as I wanted to get a fuller picture of it's use.
You see, the book is a good read at any time of the year YET, I think it's gift is using it as a Lenten Study.
Whether for personal or community reading, the material here is greatly enriching to a person's Lenten experience and growth. There was great care taken with the research into the history, place, and time that Jesus was experiencing Holy Week and the impending death and resurrection. Background information such as the Jewish revolt of 4 B.C. helps the reader see the deeper picture and meaning of Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem.

I highly recommend this book as a companion to your bible study during Lent and Holy Week.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received “Fight Like Jesus: How Jesus Waged Peace Throughout Holy Week” from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

A handy resource but I would say it is actually too short and left me waiting for more info.

This book is not like you'd guess from the title.
If you're looking for a book to tell you the ways you “must” pray and take all of the personal touches out of prayer ... this book is NOT for you.

The author, Hal Green, finds a way to lead and teach you about different ways to connect with God and engage in prayer, without the patriarcal micromanaging that so many of us are used to in books.
I recommend this book for anyone on their prayer journey: for those trying to start, those looking for something deeper, and those searching for better connection.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received “Pray This Way to Connect with God” from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

This book is a great resource for faith homes of any sort! The information about power, authorship, and leaders fits multiple spaces I have found myself in. I could replay in my mind how I've watched situations track along the lines the book described, as well as see where we were able to sidestep and follow the helping guidelines to “heal” the troubles.
Ritsch writes for a variety of reader levels, not just clergy or leaders in the church. This book is accessible to those in the throes of anxiety and discord and those trying to stop it from starting.
I've already recommended this book to a number of people in different circumstances who could use a guide and word such as this.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this title from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

I love a quick read graphic and this was no different. Though I read this and the first slower than most. It is such a great telling into the real story of the Holocaust and the atrocities people had to survive.
I recommend this book for adults and youth alike. I'm going to read it with my 9-year-old and we are going to talk about the historical nature of the story and how these images and stories reflect real life events.

Burying our history and the damaging and dangerous things that happened will only lead us to repeat them. We must remember, see, discuss, and learn about them so we can avoid that.

A slower start, and at times it felt too much like a filler book. I still found myself getting angry and too involved at parts though, hence the 4 stars. :)

What an amazing writer! So many twists and turns it definetly kept the story moving. The idea of the Templar Knights and the secrets they kept has been written of a lot in books. This author put a new idea into things and kept the topic fresh and new feeling with the word choices and scene settings.

This is a frequently requested book from our kids.

The pictures are bright and lively, with plenty for the kids to point out and notice happening. They love the different people they see on each page and how they gather together in the church.

As parents, we also like a book that has a good amount of words but still leaves moments for us to adlib. This book gives us space to ask questions, lean into teaching moments, and build the story for the kids.

I recommend this book for our children. They are the church, and helping them to build a fuller, beautiful, accessible, and hopeful church is our charge.

Very good read, quick too. I loved all the descriptors, and I felt like I was a part of it. My only complaint was that at some times I got TOO into the book and was getting mad or even angry at the situation these people were in and wanting them to fight back!

It was enjoyable, and I'll read more volumes. I particularly love the plot. And the art is fantastic! It is great to be back at Riverdale and to share that with my 7year old with updated details she can relate to.

However, I had a really hard time with the reading of the dream scenes. Honestly, i got so bothered by them I started skipping panels.
Maybe it was because this was presented in a volume, it I felt annoyed at times of having to deal with another of Jughead's dreams rather than continuing with the story. They felt forced and like the reader was dropped into them.
I understand the point they are trying to maintain with Jughead's imagination, and laziness leading to a lot of eccentric dreaming. I think however, that a reoccurring slightly altered dream, or a dream that he only gets pieces of each time could have accomplished this idea and maintained more continuity in the story line.

I quite possibly like #2 better than the first. But doesn't that often happen with a series?
The Sleepwalker Tonic needs little space to acquaint us with backstory, and so what plays out is a well driven story. It flows and moves at what feels a natural pace.

I was notedly shocked at small twists and felt myself tear up at a twist in the ending. It wasn't overly cheesy, but moving enough that I felt invested. (Granted, as an empath I tear up easily 😉).

If I have any small criticism, it is that at times Jack seems to portrayed more like a 5 year old than freshly 8 years old. There are some word choices for the character that make me picture a much smaller more vulnerable kid than I should.
And conversely, Charlie can come across a bit more like a brooding 18 year old than a fresh faced pre-teen.
(I have kids age 5 and 9, so I'm judging from my real life experiences.).

All that said, I still can enjoy the story and appreciate being able to glide through an enjoyable book in a day.