Well shoot. I started reading this book two Lents ago and so many things were different in my life. I originally got it because I was dating a girl anWell shoot. I started reading this book two Lents ago and so many things were different in my life. I originally got it because I was dating a girl and was trying to take discernment seriously with her and was frustrated by where I wanted things to go and where I perceived them going as being two different places. Eventually there was a school closure, I lost my job because of it, a bad breakup, a new job, which I despised, and a move halfway down the east coast to hit the reset button on my life. All the while this book accompanied me as I picked it up and put it down on and off. *Oh how I wish I had read it faster and gleaned its knowledge sooner*
Fr. Gallagher puts succinctly and effectively into words with pertinent examples the ways in which God presents His will to us, the way we receive it, the way God moves in our lives, and, dare I say most importantly, the way the enemy lies and deceives in order to pull us off the road God has laid out before us. I could have used a lot of the advice and rules in this book back when I was making decisions in college that ultimately affected the rest of my life.
Of course, God has a plan to draw straight with my crooked lines, but you do save a lot of trouble when you follow God’s promptings from the get-go and don’t try and force your own will. But how hard is it to discern what my voice is, what God’s voice is and what the enemy’s voice is (among all the other voices in the world that want to give their two cents on what you should do with your life)?
I highly recommend anyone who ever has to make a decision read this book… I suppose that would be everyone. But seriously, if you’ve ever struggled with making a big decision in your life or have a big one on the horizon, I highly recommend this book. I do warn you, this book is very dry. There’s a reason it took me over a year to read 187 pages. But I promise you you’ll get a lot out of it.
It’s just a bonus that Fr. Gallagher is (or at least was) based in Boston at St. Clement’s. That was the parish that plugged me into RCIA at the BU Catholic Center, and without that program and that place, I would not at all be the person I am now. And with this book, the Oblates at St. Clement’s continue to influence the person I will be....more
While I don't think anyone fits perfectly into any one of these, this was a very good explanation of the four temperaments. Rev. Hock breaks down eachWhile I don't think anyone fits perfectly into any one of these, this was a very good explanation of the four temperaments. Rev. Hock breaks down each one into characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. He also provides guidance and how to grow and overcome the weaknesses. Only issue is that the formatting was weird....more
Anyone who would ever consider getting married should read this. While many people choose to read this during engagement, my girlfriend and I decided Anyone who would ever consider getting married should read this. While many people choose to read this during engagement, my girlfriend and I decided to read this while dating and discerning engagement and marriage.
Sheen's words have certainly cemented many of my preconceptions about marriage but have also challenged me and helped me see the beauty in some of what I thought could become mundane in a married life. I feel far better equipped to discern marriage as a vocation after reading this book and I'd recommend it to anyone else seeking that clarity....more
This book was invariably better than the first. The rules for life Peterson lays out in this new volume of his self series were very good and I found This book was invariably better than the first. The rules for life Peterson lays out in this new volume of his self series were very good and I found myself agreeing with all of them. Most of them had to do with being honest with oneself and being honest with others and seeking virtue in spite of challenge.
These rules make far more sense when you consider the intensely challenging season Dr. Peterson was going through while he wrote this book.
This was a solid read and I recommend checking it out....more
What a great book. John Eldredge avoids any kind of denominational disagreement and gets right to the heart of masculinity. This book discusses how toWhat a great book. John Eldredge avoids any kind of denominational disagreement and gets right to the heart of masculinity. This book discusses how to start working on finding and healing wounds received over time and how to live a truly free life, always following God's will. It's a fairly quick read, so I highly recommend picking it up. I had to get it for Men's Group and hadn't ever heard of it before. I'm glad we read it and I look forward to the rest of the discussions we will have about it....more
It's hard to take stars away from this book because it does exactly what it sets out to do. It provides an alternative to what the modern culture tellIt's hard to take stars away from this book because it does exactly what it sets out to do. It provides an alternative to what the modern culture tells us dating should be and it provides a clear outline about how men should be approaching dating. It discusses how to live chastely in a dating relationship and even talks about how to approach struggles in a marriage. I would recommend this to anyone who is dating, looking to start dating, or even married (if just for the last part)....more
This book is chock full of useful tips and practices for decluttering your digital life. I have been someone who is conscious of digital clutter and oThis book is chock full of useful tips and practices for decluttering your digital life. I have been someone who is conscious of digital clutter and overall tech addiction and have found it very difficult to break free of many technological attachments.
I will be putting into practice some of Newport's recommendations--especially those surrounding virtuous leisure and going on walks.
This was a really well done book which I finished in all of three sittings. Well worth your time if you are at all concerned about how your phone has encroached on your life....more
For $1.95 on Amazon, this book is a steal. A collection of reflections on the pandemic, Father Harrison gives a concise, practical guide on how we as For $1.95 on Amazon, this book is a steal. A collection of reflections on the pandemic, Father Harrison gives a concise, practical guide on how we as Catholics can react to the ongoing crisis. Fear not, the loss of the sacraments, for grace abounds in our baptism! What can we do to overcome the spiritual desolation that we feel as a result of enforced isolation? Father Harrison answers these questions succinctly in the second chapter. At home, I had a space dedicated for prayer. In my college apartment, I do not, which, after reading Fr. Harrison's advice, I have decided to remedy in short order.
Overall this is a short read, but well worth it. As long as the crisis is ongoing, this will be something I revisit often. This would be worth the sub-two-dollar price tag just for the litany at the end. By no means is it a classic, and if it were more expensive, it would not get the five stars, but for what it is, it's very helpful. Do yourself a favor and go buy this book....more
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