I have followed Traci for a while on Twitter and I've always appreciated her kind, open, curious approach to various church traditions. She creates a I have followed Traci for a while on Twitter and I've always appreciated her kind, open, curious approach to various church traditions. She creates a safe space for dialogue between differing theologies and styles.
Her curiosity is what mad me so anxious to read her new book. Traci shares her church experiences with candidness and grace. She acknowledges the value of various traditions. She also shares essays from those of other backgrounds.
This was a kind, honest book I enjoyed reading....more
I've been somewhat familiar with Amy Carmichael in that I've purchased a couple books based on her writing. (She was recommended by another writer I hI've been somewhat familiar with Amy Carmichael in that I've purchased a couple books based on her writing. (She was recommended by another writer I have read. I think perhaps it was Elizabeth Elliott?) This was an excellent collection of her writings. It is not necessary to read this all in one go, as it was not written that way.
Some excellent insights into life, God, the poor, evangelism, prayer. It is a good introduction to Amy Carmichael for anyone who is interested in learning more about her. ...more
Bought cheap on Kindle, but the set-up was a bit confusing, as the author bounced around to a number of topics. I think this would be better to read hBought cheap on Kindle, but the set-up was a bit confusing, as the author bounced around to a number of topics. I think this would be better to read hard-copy.
While the author threw around a number of names of people and people groups that I was unfamiliar with, he also covered quite a spectrum of beliefs. Not comprehensive by any means - but something easy to dip into here and there. ...more
A fascinating look at some of the Christian victims of ISIS. While the book began as a look at the Coptic Martyrs from one specific video, it quickly A fascinating look at some of the Christian victims of ISIS. While the book began as a look at the Coptic Martyrs from one specific video, it quickly morphed to a look at the Coptic church in Egypt as a whole. It was a very sympathetic outsider's look at the attitudes and history of this branch of the Church. The author even went to far as to claim that the Coptic Church IS the early Church unchanged. ...more
Early on, I almost gave up on this book, finding it overly simplistic and rather useless after reading many classics on prayer. I'm glad I stuck with Early on, I almost gave up on this book, finding it overly simplistic and rather useless after reading many classics on prayer. I'm glad I stuck with it, because there was some real meat in the middle. Unfortunately, by the end, it got a bit cheesy again. But still worth reading....more
While I was tracking with the author's examples of various men from the Bible who walked away from the crowds to the wilderness for prayer and reflectWhile I was tracking with the author's examples of various men from the Bible who walked away from the crowds to the wilderness for prayer and reflection, I didn't quite see how he would like an entire tradition to do so. I believe there were strong points for asking the Evangelical movement to step back for a moment to reevaluate their cause and actions, but what does that look like for a movement? Interesting read. ...more
All of my Mind and Soul and Heart could barely comprehend, no, nor fathom the deep Thoughts and Ideas and Philosophies of this Book treasured by so MaAll of my Mind and Soul and Heart could barely comprehend, no, nor fathom the deep Thoughts and Ideas and Philosophies of this Book treasured by so Many. Perhaps the Fault lies with the Writing Style of the Time, which includes not only verbose Statements, but also frequent Capitalization! Or perhaps It lies with the faulty functioning of these Brain Cells in my Head as I contemplate the true Spirit of Love and how It can and will grow and change and inhabit my Life....more
The title really is pretty accurate! Having come, lost and confused, off of reading Chadwick's History of the Early Church, this was a breath of freshThe title really is pretty accurate! Having come, lost and confused, off of reading Chadwick's History of the Early Church, this was a breath of fresh air!
This book managed to give a pretty good overview of the history of the (primarily Western) church in very clear, understandable language. When new people and ideas were introduced, they were actually explained somewhat succinctly. I felt this was a great introduction to the study of church history. The author freely included his opinions and bias, but it was so obvious that I didn't mind too much.
The last few chapters dealing with the past century were jumbled and confused, but overall this book is highly recommended!...more
What a little gem of a book! I picked it up for a quarter at a library book sale, thinking, "How can I miss when it's 25c?"
I thought Hannah's challengWhat a little gem of a book! I picked it up for a quarter at a library book sale, thinking, "How can I miss when it's 25c?"
I thought Hannah's challenge to love was right on. And also her challenge to take our thoughts captive. I've never heard anyone expound on this area before and explain why it absolutely makes sense and is not just a random instruction. Much of her book explained Biblical principles in a very logical, yet simple, way that appealed to my reason.
“No wonder that we need to learn the lovely transforming secret Of a thought life brought completely and unbrokenly under the control of the Holy Spirit of Love. For love does really and truly begin in our thoughts and not in our feelings. Our feelings follow our thoughts and, according to our thought habits, so will our feelings be.“...more
A good book about prayer - still very applicable. The author only dated himself mostly when disparaging "the theater" (where I suppose now we would reA good book about prayer - still very applicable. The author only dated himself mostly when disparaging "the theater" (where I suppose now we would refer to Hollywood or media or something) and when he suddenly started going on and on about "revival" (not a concept we talk about much these days).
"Most of us know only little streams of mercy and grace, when we could know rivers of God’s mercy and grace overflowing their banks!"...more
What an encouraging and challenging book on what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I love Anne's look at the overall picture but also the prWhat an encouraging and challenging book on what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I love Anne's look at the overall picture but also the practical steps at making this a reality. ...more
George Muller is an inspiring person, this book less so.
While Muller's habit of never asking for donations, but continually praying to God for his anGeorge Muller is an inspiring person, this book less so.
While Muller's habit of never asking for donations, but continually praying to God for his and his ministry's "daily bread", is an encouragement to all who believe in the power of prayer - his journals and writing style can be a bit dry and old fashioned. There are a few gems in here. And I had to laugh that he said he married his first wife because he had made her care for him and he didn't want to have led her on for no purpose. So romantic! ...more