I LOVED this book! Ordinarily, I do not recommend religious books to anyone, because what works for me will not usually work for other people. In times past, I would simply say that I enjoyed the book, but would be very noncommittal when asked if I would recommend it. This time, however, I highly recommend this book!

It was an excellent retelling of the story of Gomer and Hosea. It moved me from anger to love, from tears of sorrow to tears of joy. It was a great example of how God's love, expressed through man, can heal another person's heart. It showed how no matter how far we try to run, God is always there for us and with us, and He will take as much time as we need to teach us of Him and His love.

Redeeming Love is, at its heart, a story of restoration and forgiveness -- the kind that has to take place not only on a spiritual level, but also on an intrapersonal level and within one's self. It's also a lesson on judgement. So many people had so quickly passed judgement on Angel that she internalized their negativity, and they missed out on the opportunity to heal her wounded spirit. Even Micheal almost missed his chance, until he allowed the Lord completely bend his will to the divine purpose the Lord had intended.

This book will make you fully appreciate the goodness of the Lord. I will awaken in your spirit a renewed desire to be drawn into His fold. If you are not moved by this story, check your pulse, you may be dead.

What a joy to be able to share my thoughts about this book with whomever may read this. This is the first book Francine Rivers wrote after coming into her relationship with Christ. Because of that, it has a rawness and a fresh fascination with the incredible love of God. The characters are real and believable, especially Angel, whose life experiences have left her bitter and angry, certain that there is no hope for redemption or love. The story that unfolds is so much more than the "sappy" romance-novel cover depicts (I wish the publisher would redesign it). Even for me, a Christian for 15 years, it was deeply moving and humbling to read of how unshakeable God's love is, and also His discipline. I have reccomended this book to so many people, all of whom have had similar responses to mine, and I would suggest it as a way to show God's amazing love to anyone you may know who doesn't know Him. Praise God for servants who are gifted in such unique ways as Mrs. Rivers - may she continue to glorify Him with her stories!

The first day I bought this book, I sat on my desk and told myself I'd just read a chapter before I go to bed. That was 9pm. No matter how hard I tried, I could not put the book down. I found myself teary eyed, reading the ending, at 5am the next morning. Intending to read just the first few pages, I ended up reading the entire book in one sitting (with one bathroom break!).

Everytime Angel would run away from Michael's love, I would say, "you stupid, ungrateful woman!" But as I was reading, God reminded me of all the times when I myself would backslide from my faith, thinking that I could make it on my own without Him - and of how unconditional His love is (like Michael's) when I come to my senses and ask for His forgiveness. After I finished the novel, I couldn't help but thank God for His forgiving, faithful, redeeming love.

I definitely recommend this book. But don't read it like I did - Don't read it in one sitting until 5am when you need to be at work at 7am.!!

I often give this book out as a gift whenever a person younger than me asks for my advice on money. I always present this book to them saying "if you read it and do as it says, it will work magic." It really contains excellent, time tested advice, and would make a good gift for someone in their early 20s who is on their own for the first time, and struggling.

The book is a series of parables about money written in the 1920s by George Clason. They were written as individual essays of a few thousand words, but the theme throughout them is consistent -- save 10% of your money, give 10% away, use 10% to reduce your debt load, and live on the remaining 70%.

The stories in the book are entertaining; they are reminiscent of some of the parables in the Bible, such as the Prodigal Son or the story of the Workers in the Vineyard. I think this is intentional on the part of the author; certainly readers in the 1920s had an appreciation for "old fashioned stories with a moral" that people today seem to have lost. I enjoy the book greatly, though, and any thoughtful person who reads the book should find it interesting, especially if they are trying to get their finances in order.

I first read "Richest Man in Bablyon bac in 1975. At first I was taken back by it's compact size and story book style. This book should be read by everyone from grade school to the college level students, employees, executives and the self employed. In todays's society, where people spend most if not all of what they make, this book is mre valuable than ever. Other books I would recommend are; "The Millionaire next Door" by Dr. Stanley et all, "More Wealth without Risk" and "Financial Self-Defense" by Charles Givens. Great book. A must read for anyone seeking financial independence,

I am continually amazed at how a book so small can contain so much content and be so powerful. This book should be mandatory reading beginning at the grade school level through college and should be given as a gift right along with a diploma.

I took the advice of acde1034@yahoo.com who recommended 'The Millionaire next Door" and "More Weath without Risk" and bought and have read both. Both of these books are in the same status as "The Richest Man in Bablyon" and should also be required reading by anyone who is serious about their financial future. I am now giving "Richest Man in Bablyon" as a accessory gift to a cash gift at weddings and graduations.

Lewis gives us excellent insight and perspective on the nature of temptation and how Satan works. The work is set up as correspondances between a beaucrat in hell and his nephew Wormwood. The letters are advice and training for Wormwood who is given charge of luring certain people down to Hell. The book is entertaining, humorous, but also deep and should strike a chord with those expiriencing strong temptation in their life towards some form of evil. The best way to fight your enemy is to know him, and this book is an theory on how the devil and his angels might work to take souls away from God. The book is also very easy to read, and without the pretentious philosophical jargon that theologians use. It's down to earth, common sense theology taught in story form. An excellent work!

Witty, brief (no chapter more than four pages, the book easily read in an afternoon), timeless Truth presented with refreshing satire aimed where it should, C.S. Lewis' legendary "Screwtape Letters" is at once soul and brain food.

Lewis tells his story through the title character, an experienced devil instructing his apprentice nephew to lure a young man to condemnation. The apprentice, Wormwood, tempts with everything from family (distancing prayers for the man's mother from behavior toward her) to social circle (flippant friends stray him from his new life, a new girlfriend moves him closer to it) to work and even worship.

Lewis then flips God's love and law into effective, ironic Satanic reverses. He shows temptation most effective and deadly in its smallest doses: prayer posture, creation and consideration of an Historical Point of View (including an historical Jesus as opposed to One of faith). Lewis redefines gluttony, defends Puritanism, shows the misunderstanding of romantic feelings in love and sex, and misperception of the large ever-broken promise, "The Future." (This book must be read if only to debunk one of Henry Ford's most famous quotes and the cliched, selfish phrase "impose on my time.")

Lewis shows (and Screwtape plants) the landmines of an early Christian walk: the role of a Church, of humor and the temptation inherent in its roots, Christian truth made trivial and a commodity beside social causes. He even dissects everyday, mundane pleasures (books, walks, music, wine, dated references to cigarettes) for their own sake and not as means to follow an ever more mediocre crowd.

Lewis' final Screwtape letter is his most moving. Sarcasm joins sanctification as we learn target's and tempter's final fate. It ties to themes present throughout Lewis' letters and providing fodder for his conjoined, equally humorous essay, Screwtape Proposes A Toast: "The safest road to Hell is the gradual one...without milestones, without signposts..." This absolutely essential book is just such signpost; "The Screwtape Letters" is joyful, instructional, fun reading for anyone wishing to know what forces fight for the human soul.

One of the best, and most influential, Christian authors of any time, C. S. Lewis's "The Screwtape Letters" is a compelling, and chilling, fictional look at what goes on behind our back in the demonic spirit world.

Screwtape, an upper level demonic spirit, often writes his subordinate, Wormwood, a demonic spirit assigned to misguide and misdirect a human on earth. The letters explain to Wormwood how he would best accomplish his mission of keeping the human our of the Enemy's (God's) hands and ensure that when he dies he goes straight to blazes.

What is most chilling about "The Screwtape Letters" is that, even after all of these years, how much a person can see of themselves in them. Letter after letter seemed to be talking about me directly. Time and time again I saw one demonic trap after another I had fallen into being explained in a letter.

I have to caution you, however. This book is not an easy read. C. S. Lewis did not attempt to write a book that everybody could understand. You will probably have to spend some time re-reading many letters and looking up words in your dictionary and/or concordance for a better understanding of what is being said. This can become quite frustrating, but when you are able to break through and understand a letter you will be able to see how it can apply to your own life.

If you were ever interested in getting a better understanding of how the Enemy and his demonic spirits work, this is a great book to do it with. But be warned: you will learn something about yourself in the process.

C.S. Lewis's "A Grief Observed" is a brief book -- only about 70 pages-- but it contains some of the best metaphors for faith I have ever read. Like his challenging work "The Problem of Pain," this book is unsparing in its belief that a good God can will awful things on people. Like death, for instance. Why would an all-powerful God allow people to suffer and die, especially those well before their prime? Lewis went through this questioning himself when his wife died, and his journal of questions and answers fill the pages of this book.

How can God remain silent when the ill cry out in pain? Lewis compares God to a surgeon performing open heart surgery. The doctor, knowing best the full process required, can't relieve pain at every cry, or he would never complete the process, and the intended purpose of the pain would never come to fruition. This is a pretty unsparing description -- I wonder how many people in grief feel comfort reading such things. This is where faith comes in -- if you believe that the end result of pain and death is resurrection, and you trust in God's plan, you can find comfort knowing that every death is part of the plan.

Not an easy concept to grapple with -- I'm glad I read this book, but I can't help but flinch a bit at Lewis's viewpoint. It is lucid, poetic, and erudite -- and yet I still find myself uncomfortable with a God who would bring suffering on innocent people.

CS Lewis began writing this journal one month after his wife died of cancer. He was distraught, shocked, and confused, especially about the meaning of life. The journal rambles from one throught to another, reflecting his daze and despair.

As a widow, I can identify with his varied reactions to death; however I found the book rather difficult to read. It is only 72 pages long, but each sentence needs to be reread, and slowly, in order to follow Lewis' thought processes. He finds no answers to his questions (mainly: How could God take his beloved away from him?); he simply asks them.

For me, this was not a particularly helpful or insiteful book on grief, merely one person's thoughts on the subject. I am sure however, that admirers of CS Lewis would find it of interest.

After having read several of Lewis' books, I read "A Grief Observed" which quickly became my favorite. It is his journal - and almost too personal - where you bear witness to Lewis' progress as he sloughs his way through the deep mire of sorrow and grief.

In the first pages of the book, he tells of going to God, seeking relief from the agony he feels in his heart over the fresh loss of his beloved wife, Helen Joy, only to find - the door slammed and the sound of the door being bolted and doubled bolted from the inside.

He rails against God and his faith is stirred to its core.

In the end, he finds his way back to God, but it is not an easy journey or a primrose path.

For all of Lewis' intellectual reasonings and scholarly attainments, I find "A Grief Observed" to be his best work because it comes from the very heart of a man seeking to find the answers to life's hardest questions. It is not a philosophical insight or an intellectual wrangling, but a spirit-filled work that lays bare the heart of a man who loved his wife completely.

This is an important book. Read it. You'll be changed.

Giving praise and honor to my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, I want to thank Him for allowing me to come in contact with Stormie's book, The Power of a Praying Wife. My marital affairs were pretty bleak. I was praying for all the wrong things. Praying first, then reading this book opened my eyes to a alot of things that needed prayer in our life. It wasn't just my husband it was me. I was praying for God to change him. I needed changing, I needed to let go of many issues pent up inside of me. Once God dealt with me, then I was able to move on within my marriage. I am so greatful. My husband and I are now loving, and caring, and respecting each other. My home is truly one that is filled with love and the spirit of Christ. I strongly suggest that every woman read this book, whether married or not, there is something for each of you. I am now persuading my sister to read it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Thank you for walking me through, step by step and for making it easy to read. The prayers are the key. There's one for each chapter. I am working on starting a Praying Wives Ministry as a result of this book. God bless you Stormie!

This book covers every aspect of marriage. It is for every wife who desires a marriage blessed by God and a closer relationship with her husband. It is backed by God's word. God truly uses this author to teach women about their relationships with their husbands. It is an especially effective tool which helps you to summarize your thoughts on different subjects and put them into your prayers. Whatever your concerns may be (health, fatherhood, etc.), Stormie has covered a variety of subjects. You may go into this book thinking about changing your husband, but this book will also change your life in many ways and bring you closer to God. God Bless You, Stormie Omartian.

I have had this book for two months. It's a book with specific chapters for specific needs. It does not have to be read front to back. I recommend reading through the first chapter "His Wife". You think you're reading about how to "help" or even "change" your husband...you soon discover the Lord showing you things in your own life that need prayer and change! Don't you hate it when that happens? Me too. But, if you allow the Lord to speak to you through Stormie's writing and experience, you will not believe what happens! It is difficult to put into words the change that has taken place...in me. Attitudes, expectations, desires, wants, and needs, are all addressed. Biblically. I go to different chapters at different times on different days. Lately, I have been reading it along with Scripture in my personal time. I've known my husband since 7 yrs. old and have been married for 23 yrs. God is always faithful and always good. He will teach us if we take the time to listen. Married? Engaged? Hope to get married? Get this book. Then, read it. Then pray. Then apply it. God Bless.

The Mitford Series is a collection of incredibly simple books about small town life. Told from the point of view of a preacher in a mythical town in the hills of North Carolina. Everybody knows everybody else, and not much happens. These are the perfect books to curl up with for some summer porch or beach reading.
Like life the plots are winding and not necessarily purposeful but by the end of the stories your can think back and realize how things developed to an inevitable conclusion. You basically follow a 60 year old preacher through his travails. Since he is a Christian man there is quite bit of bible quotation, but otherwise the story is not about his church so much as his efforts to keep life in order and cope with being recently married man, past his youth yet surrounded by a small town that loves him - sometimes too closely.

One warning..this is very much a "sweet" book. It challenged me to forgo my natural skepticism. I put this in the category of a read that won't tax the reader all but may instead impart a little smile.

Also be aware that a stong Christian message plays throughout much of the dialogue and thinking.

this book was the last of a series of books that was so uplifting. So many things I read were so relevant to my life in my community. How I wish I could be in Mitford and know all the characters that lived there. What a beautiful place to be and the church sounded like a great one to be a part of too. I recommend this to anyone who loves life and other people. It is a positive outlook when so much we read is negative. I enjoyed the Christian outlook. What a witness the father is!

Returning to the refreshing town of Mitford in the fourth book of the series was good for my soul. Delving into the lives of Father Tim and his parishoner's is the best medicine I know for relieving the day to day strain of life. This time in Mitford, changes are happening everywhere you turn. Father Tim and Cynthia are deciding about retirement, Buck and Pauline are faced with making life changing decisions, the town's long time Mayor is in a fight against an unscrupulous opponent in the mayoral election, and there is a mystery afoot with a Florida real estate company trying to buy several prime pieces of property. Who is behind the real estate offerings? Why does someone want to buy all the property? Why is Mack trying so hard to become Mayor of Mitford? Will Dooley ever get along with Lace? These questions are all answered as all ways as the story winds its way through the heart of Mitford and its readers. One of my favorite things about the Mitford books is how Father Tim's faith is portrayed. He lives his faith, everyday, with every decision. He moves me in his efforts to be fair and kind and responsive to the many missives he handles in his duties. Read and enjoy.

In his book "The Five Languages of Love" Dr. Chapman makes the reader view their relationship in ways they never thought of before. In fact he even gives examples where partners knew what was wrong but not how to fix it and by realizing what their language was they were able to work their relationships and marriages out. It was a wonderful read full of heartfelt expressions from a counselor to his patients, that came through as more of a friend to friend one-on-one style, or the shoulder you wish you could cry on kind of read. It was full of fresh information that will make you reconsider how you've viewed your relationship no matter how long you've been together. I was very pleased to find it was not another dry, textbook example of statistical facts and hypothesis put out for you to draw your own conclusions about. In fact he shows time and again real cases where this method works even in the worst situations! It is a terrific read that I finished in a few hours and will be sure to pass along to my friends. I can't wait to get started implementing what I've learned.

I am not going to tell you about the authors writing techniques or anything else, I am going to tell you what this book has done for me.
A friend (male) suggested I read this book some time ago. Since I dont read relationship books I laughed it off, and continued with my relationship. By that time I had been in my relationship with a man for 7 years, and though we love eachother we just always seemed to fight. He didnt understand me, and I guess I didnt understand him either. My boyfriend and I decided to split and I left the country. One day I was bored and picked up the book, and from page one it made sense. I read the book in 3 hours, and I couldnt wait to call my (then ex) boyfriend back in the states. I told him about it, and asked him if he would read it. He said yes, and so I had a copy mailed to him. He read it, and everything started to come together for him also. A month later he asked me to come home, and I agreed. I can tell you these last 2 months have been the best time we have spent together in the 8 years we have been together. I wish I had the book a long time ago. Now I suggest it to everyone I know, and everyone loves it. Do yourself a favor and buy this book, it might just change your life too.

With communication being the number one factor in making relationship work, this is a must read for both spouses. Chapman hits the "nail on the head" as he uncovers the five languages of love: Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch

Chapman clearly explains each language in a five chapters. Along the way, he includes experiences from real-life couples. After uncovering each language, Chapman uses the next couple of chapters to help the reader discover his or her own love language as well as the spouse's.

Whether you are newlyweds or have been married for years, this book is highly recommended above any other book on marriage. More than likely, a reader will discover they have misunderstood a mate because they were using the wrong language! I'm seeing my mate in completely different light now. :)

--- reviewed by Ty for Christian Bookshelf

The Mitford Series is a collection of incredibly simple books about small town life. Told from the point of view of a preacher in a mythical town in the hills of North Carolina. Everybody knows everybody else, and not much happens. These are the perfect books to curl up with for some summer porch or beach reading.

Like life the plots are winding and not necessarily purposeful but by the end of the stories your can think back and realize how things developed to an inevitable conclusion. You basically follow a 60 year old preacher through his travails. Since he is a Christian man there is quite bit of bible quotation, but otherwise the story is not about his church so much as his efforts to keep life in order and cope with being a single man, past his youth yet surrounded by a small town that loves him - sometimes too closely.

One warning..this is very much a "sweet" book. It challenged me to forgo my natural skepticism. I put this in the category of a read that won't tax the reader all but may instead impart a little smile.

Also be aware that a stong Christian message plays throughout much of the dialogue and thinking.

Jan Karon's second tale of Mitford is not quite as good as her first. Her characters don't display as many of those little quirks in their personalities and as much of that homespun philosophy that made me fall in love with the town in her first book ("At Home in Mitford"). And frankly, this entry in the series shows definite signs of belonging on the same shelf as your basic Harlequin romance.

But there was enough of the original charm from the first book to allow me to recommend this one. The spiritual and emotional center of the town is still the local Episcopalian minister, Father Tim Kavanagh (whose last name we finally learn at the end of this book!). His relationship with his next-door neighbor, Cynthia Coppersmith, is still going down the same road as in the first book - although there are a lot of bumps and potholes along the way - and his bond with the boy Dooley is only getting stronger.

Aside from Father Tim's pursuit of Cynthia (and vice-versa), it would be impossible to describe all the little episodes that make up this book. But there are some that stand out. The town's latest widow, Edith Mallory, shows a definite mercenary streak - she's in shameless pursuit of Father Tim and also wants to close down the local diner and replace it with a dress shop that's willing to pay double the current rent. Miss Sadie, the town millionaire, is literally pouring her millions into repairing her home, just so she can give her newfound niece the wedding of her (and Miss Sadie's) dreams. And a redhead comes to Father Tim's door claiming to be his cousin Meg from Sligo, Ireland.

I do wish Ms. Karon had gone more deeply into the "Cousin Meg" sequence, but I can live with what she gave me.

Overall this is a worthy sequel to a fascinating tale of small-town life.

From the first page of At Home in Mitford to the last page of Out To Canaan, I could not put the books down. I've never felt compelled to write to an author before but I would love to write to Karon or visit with her in her kitchen over a cup of coffee. Her integration of faith and life is not preachy or sacchrine but sincere and warm. The characters live out the golden rule and have a wonderful sense of humor that more of our world could use. I hope she continues to write about Mitford and Fr. Tim. What a blessing this series is!

I finishd the Shunning yesterday and today I am going out to buy the next 2 books, The Confession and The Reckoning. The details of the stories are great and so understanding. I live near Lancaster, Pa and so many times I have wondered what life was like to live the Amish ways. I always thought it would be nice to live the simple ways not realizing what those ways really were. I admire the families that can live so strictly and feel so happy. I feel for Katie and the dilema she is going through and I also feel for her parents. They are almost like my friends or family. Thank you Mrs. Lewis.

I am an avid reader and lover of Amish history. These 2 passions drew me to a display containing "The Shunning" when we were traveling and stopped to eat at a little restaurant-gift shop. I just had to get up from my meal and take a look at the book. I was so interested I had to read it. The characters were exciting people, individual in spite of being identical! Katie especially intrigued me! She was so fiesty, so different, opinionated, yet family oriented. How could she expect to be happy at any one place when the whole world called to her? I felt empathy for Katie's Amish parents because having a daughter like her surely was a test in their community! Yet, I felt Katie's pain...her uncertainty...her desires...what part in her longterm future would Mary play? How could Katie endure without Dan, her soul mate? How could she marry a man she did not love? Why must she be forced to live without the beautiful, soothing music she adored? Was it sin, or simply protocol? It was easy to keep switching my loyalty from one group to the other...they all had some good ideas. I thought I understood Katie and her inquisitive nature, yet I wanted to scold her for being ungrateful and even spiteful to her parents at times. I seemed to have love-hate for one person, then another! I think this author, Bev Lewis, surely must have an interesting life....how else could she think of so many wonderfully surprising events? For a book that led one to think it was going to be about a fairly dull family, living in a fairly dull town, with fairly dull ideals, there certainly was a trememdous amount of excitement nontheless! People DID have feelings, they DID experience emotions, and Katie Lapp was determined to live them in addition to just feeling them! There are issues here that are presented so well, love and marriage, family life, faith, obedience to parents, loyalty, adoption, trust, life and death, grief and mourning, traditions, ways of life...and all of these are wrapped around one tiny, pink satin baby gown! When I saw I was on the last page, I was stricken....NO, THIS CANNOT BE ENDING...there is so much I do not know yet! What will happen to..what if...when will...why didn't....maybe they...if only.... I did not rest a moment until book number 2 was in my hands! I so fully appreciate the author's portrayal of the love of God, His plan of salvation and especially the individuality of each person in spite of their surroundings! Thanks, Bev!

I really just enjoyed this book.My heart really went out to Katie as well as her family and close friends.I have learned so much about the"Amish"way of life through reading this book.I checked this book out from my local, public libary and have already purchased "The Confession and The Reckoning."The Shunning" is a fabulous read and I highly recommend it to anyone.Can't wait to read the other 2 books.

Angels Watching Over Me is a great book. It touched me deeply because of Leah Lewis-Hall. She goes to the hospital with a broken finger, while her mother is on a honeymoon with her fifth husband. While Leah is in the hospital, she meets her roommate, Rebekah, who is Amish. Rebekah's sister, Charity, and brother, Ethan, make Leah feel like family. Leah and Ethan feel something between them and become more than friends. The doctor does some tests and finds out that Leah's condition is worse than they thought. I would recommend this book to everyone. This book is just the first to a dynamic trio.

The first and the best book in the trilogy of Leah and Ethan. Sixteen-year old Leah is hospitalized with nothing more wrong with her then a broken finger. Her mother, who has never really seemed to care for her, is away on a honeymoon with her new husband, Neil. Leah feels lonely, but is kept company by the family of her Amish roomate, Rebekah. Rebekah's older brother and sister, Charity and Ethan. As this magical and touching story unfolds they begin to become good friends and Leah learns more about the Amish way of life and their belief in God and angels. Leah also becomes attracted to Ethan. Then she recieves terrifying news about her medicial condition. As Leah tries to deal with the news, her friends are always there for he. It had a wonderful ending but which seemed a little rushed. This book could definetly have done with beng a few chapters longer. But still a great read, though the rest of the trilogy is a let-down.

Leah's Mom gets married for the 5th time and goes on a honeymoon right before Christmas. Then Leah sudenly winds up in the hospital for just a little broken finger. But to find out something really bad happens but of coarse to all bad things there is something good. Leah meets a Amish family while shes in the hospital and falls in love with the older brother of Rebekah Leah's roommate. To find out what happens read Angels Watching Over ME