Life Cycles

Rabbi Jeff Goldwasser in his new blog "Rebjeff: A blog about Jewish Joy", http://www.rebjeff.com/1/post/2011/02/first-post.html, mentions that a congregation needs life cycle events for healthy growth. Not an exact quote. I think that Christians need to pay attention to this. I don't think that the protestant domination's quite grasp this concept. I do believe that Catholics in countries other than the United States understand it. I think that Catholics in the United States are complacent. No one is being martyred. Being a Catholic requires no hardship, it's kinda like a big social club. Shake hands during the sign of peace, but don't speak to each other outside of the church. Being a Roman Catholic is not being a member of a secret society. It never has been, it is a call for conversion, a turning away from sin, and to strive for holiness. It is time to draw a line in the sand, and to step forward, form communities, evangelize the places in your life, your workplace, your recreations, your shopping. Now, today, is the time to become active, to develop a Catholic culture that is worthy of admiration. Make being a Catholic the very fiber of your being. Start now, this instant.

Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic, A Review.

This morning I finished reading "Life Without Limits", (Inspiration for a Ridiculusly Good Life), written by Nick Nujicic. Life Without Limits is a very inspiring book. Nick was born with arms and legs, but not without attitude. Life Without Limits is about his life and how he overcame problems and issues in his life. Nick is now an evangelist, and a motivational speaker, he has given talks all over the world. Life Without Limits gave me a peek into Nick's life, and I was impressed. Life Without Limits is a great book, a Christian book, and I think a good book to give to new believers. Life Without Limits wold be a good book to be in anyone's personal library. I wish that when scripture was quoted, that the scripture reference had been included. Everyone has problems, everyone has to deal with their problems. You can deal with your problems in a negative way or in a positive way. There are realistic guidelines on how to be positive. Life Without Limits is an easy read, it took me only about three or four evenings after work to read it. When I rate a book, I am very conservative, I rated the book a "4". Other people would have probably given the book a "5". Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group, Blogging for Books, sent me a free copy of Life Without Limits to review.

Snow melt.

I woke up this morning to the sound of water dripping. I thought it was raining, but no, it was snow melting from the roof. The temperature is in the 40's. It is a cloudy day with fog this morning. Rain is predicted for this evening. I do not care if it rains as long as the road does not ice, pipes do not freeze, and the electic service in not inturpputed.

Book Review: Unearthing Your Ten Talents

Yesterday I finished reading "Unearthing Your Ten Talents: A Thomistic Guide to Spiritual Growth" written by Kevin Vost. This book requires more than one reading. The first time you read it is just to become familiar with it's contents. The second time you read it, get out your notepad, highlighters and colored pencils. I believe this book will be a constant reference for anyone interested in spiritual growth. It doesn't just explain the virtues. It gives them a more in depth meaning that I had not been aware of in the past. The virtues are not redefined, but their meanings are so much deeper than I had ever realized. Mr. Vost proceeds to define the virtues in a whole new way, and then breaks them down into their componets with explanations. It took me quite a while to read this book. I had to really exercise my mental muscles. Once I had read a chapter, I had to stop and think about what I had read, review what I had read, and decide how to apply what I had read to my spiritual growth. I found I had plenty of areas that needed reevaluating, even areas in my life that I had thought I had taken authority over. This book is an occasion of learning and growing. It will be in my backpack for quite a while, my copy will eventually be highlighted and underlined, with notes in the margins. Don't all good books end up this way? Sophia Intitute Press sent me a free copy of this book for me to review. Mr. Vost has also written a book on memory, I have a copy, I will dust it off, and read it. He has also written a book about physical fitness. Understand one thing, I am not an authority in knowledge and learning, I am simply an ignorant redneck hick that has been impressed by a good book.

Awakening, A review.

"Awakening" is a book by Claudia Cangilla McAdam. The book is published by Imagio/Catholic Fiction, which is the fiction division of Sophia Institute Press. Sophia Institute Press publishes quality Catholic books. Calaudia Cangilla McAdam writes children's books. I would not have purchased this book if I had seen it in a bookstore. The cover reminds of those Christian almost romance novels for young girls that I see in bookstores. This book is probably written for teen and pre-teen groups of young people. It is not the type of book I read. Sophia Institute sent me a free copy to review. I thought, "why not", I have yet to be disappointed with one of their books. I started the book Saturday morning, it was a rainy day, and finished it Sunday evening. It was not a long read. I enjoyed the book. A young person, Ronni, is transported to Jerusalem, the Wednesday after Palm Sunday. Her friends and relatives are followers of Jesus. She is able to see historic events unfolding before her eyes. It is a very interesting book. It made me think of those events and to wonder how I would have reacted if I were able to go back in time. It is a good read and I would recommend the book.Sophia Institute Press sent me a complimentary copy of this book for me to review.

A review of "Bleeder"

I recently read "Bleeder", a mystery novel by John Desjarlais. It is Catholic fiction. It was published by Imagio, which is a fiction division of Sophia Institute Press. In the past I have always been well pleased with any of the books I have purchased from Sophia Institute Press. "Bleeder" was not an exception to this rule. The author is John Desjarlais. This is his third book. The first two were "Relics" and "The Throne of Tara". "Bleeder" is a murder mystery with a mostly Catholic setting. Most of the characters were Catholic, except the main character, Reed Stubblefield. Reed is recovering from a shooting at a college, where he is a professor, and uses MAO inhibitors for depression, which cause him to have a restricted diet. He moves to his brother's cabin in the woods near a small town to write a book while he is recovering from the shooting, and the death of his wife by cancer. The local town has a priest with a reputation for being a healer and a stigmatist. The priest is murdered and Reed is the prime suspect, the story is his investigation of the murder to try to clear his name. "Bleeder" is a good book. I do not write reviews with spoilers. I am glad I read it. I will watch for his future works. Aristotle is quoted many times, and I am now interested in reading Aristotle's works. Sophia Institute Press sent me a complimentary copy of this book for me to review.

The Journey of Faith

I recently read "The Journey of Faith" by Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R., (Franiscan Friars of the Renewal. I have been inspired by every book, I have read by Fr. Groeschel, and "The Journey of Faith" is no exception. I think it is a good book. I especially liked Appendix B, Credo of the People of God, Proclaimed by His Holiness, Pope Paul VI, on June 30, 1968. It is like a mini-catechism of the Catholic Church. I plan to print it and keep it in my bible for frequent reference.

The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal are a fine example for any Christian, Catholic or not, and are doing a great work in the service of our Lord. This is spam, pure and simple, but please send them a donation of any amount, because you can be sure the money will be going towards forwarding the Lord's work in this vale of tears.

Send your donation to:

Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R.
Box 55
Larchmont, NY 10538

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Peace be with you.

Marquis

This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on The Journey of Faith - How to Deepen Your Faith in and be sure to check out their great selection of baptism gifts while you are there.

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