Crosses are everywhere: Jewelry, Tattoos, Bumperstickers, church ornamentation, artwork, etc. Almost so commonplace as to be trivialized. This welcome book reminds us just what the Cross was all about: the awesome price the Lord of Glory paid on our behalf to satisfy the justice of God. It wasn't nails that held Jesus on the Cross, but His great love for us and obedience to the Father. But the nails, the wounds, the bloodletting, the scourging, the tortuous thirst, the splinters, the agonizing rejection, the humiliation, the full attacks of Satan, the suffocation, the forsakenness - all were part of a very human, very evil conspiracy, kangaroo court, mock trial and miscarried justice: Murder in the Supreme Degree! Yet what evil made into Wicked Friday, God turned Good: Sunday was coming! "I will rise again". This book is a solemn reminder of just how serious it is to neglect, downplay, overlook,fail to appreciate, take for granted Christ's work of redemption. A rereading of Hebrews would wonderfully supplement this work, as well as Lee Strobel's Case For Christ, where forensic medical interviews are conducted to detail the horrors of Roman crucifixion. You will never be the same after reading this book - prayerfully, reflectively, humbly, gratefully.

I read MacArthur's book in hopes of gaining a better understanding of the physical torture that crucifixion brings. I finished the book with a deeper and keener awareness of what Jesus Christ endured for me and EVERY other mortal human being who has lived, is living and will live on this earth.

When reading Scripture, I've found that unless you know the contextual background, you won't realize the Word's full impact. Study aids help to understand cultural, grammatical and traditional customs of biblical times. MacArthur provides that and much, much more. In reference to the Passion Week, he smoothly blends top-notch research with the holy narrative to illuminate the goings-on in Jerusalem, detailing the mechanisms of Jewish law, Roman law and how the two should work together. He unveils the Jews' blatant disregard of the government in conspiring to kill the Son of God and the reckless, desperate abandon and hypocrisy they used to do so.

MacArthur makes you feel like an eyewitness to the events, offering emotional insights that will pull on your heart, water your eyes and drop a lump into your throat. The disappointment in the apostles, the Lord's physical fatigue and the bloodthirst of the Jewish leaders smacks you in the face!

You can't help but notice a difference when you read the crucifixion accounts after reading this book. Besides reintroducing you to your need for God's salvation through Christ, MacArthur gives you a moment-by-moment description of every slap, whip, spit, thorn, nail and spear that should have been borne by ALL of us. He spurs you to meditate why Jesus, being perfect, holy and righteous in all things, volunteered to receive the treatment, punishment and fate of common criminals and miscreants.

MacArthur allows you to feel the humiliation, disgust and agony in your spirit. Therefore, he helps you to appreciate even greater how much God loves us. This book will revolutionize your spiritual thinking and humble you at His feet with awe, submission and gratitude.

I bought the audio version of the book, and it was really interesting and insightful to listen to events leading to the death of Jesus. I never really put as much thought of the cruxifiction of Christ as being an act of 'murder', especially as it was being committed by the Father Himself. But that just shows you the loving nature of God, He would sacrifice His Son, as an offering to redeem the world for it's sins. It goes in detail of the injustice of the trial of Jesus with the Pharisees, Pontius Pilate, and the rowdy mob who participated in the death of Christ Jesus. This presentation by John MacArthur broadened my horizons and woke me up to truths, according to the infallible Word of God, about the murder of the Son of God.

One great book outweighs ten mediocre ones. Murphy Dog at the Circus is one of those great books. As a special education teacher, I wish every child had this book at home. The illustrations are stunning. You feel that you can almost reach out and pet Murphy Dog. Paired with this, the book's easy, rhythmic, and imaginative text paints a great picture in the reader's mind. This book also lends itself to meaningful conversation between an adult and child. Whether you read it to your child, or he/she reads it to you, Murphy Dog is a book that is definitely worth your while.

This second Murphy Dog book is even better than the first! It's also longer. See the circus for the first time through the eyes of a curious dog! It's such a fun read - I smiled throughout. The rhyme and rhythm of this book is every bit as good as the first, plus you feel that the author has really hit his own personal Murphy Dog book rhythm and they will just keep getting better and better! As with the first book, there is a dictionary in the back to help younger readers learn as they read. The Murphy Dog books are great for teaching reading and for spending that quality time with your child before bed. Can't wait to see what Murphy Dog is up to next!

This wonderful book is written in rhyme and is interesting, beautiful, and fun to read. Original art work adds to the text. The dictionary in the back teaches children how to find the meaning words, a very important thing to know. A joy to read and a joy to hear. Joan Mayor

This is going to be a great book. We have only read a few stories, but what I have read is awesome. The stories use examples that children can relate to, and it shows them what they SHOULD do according to that Bible verse. I plan to use this as a bedtime bible story. We currently don't do devotionals with our daughter, but we are going to start. This will help her learn how to handle her every day situations.

Without even reading the entire thing yet, I am excited about this book.

We have so enjoyed reading and learning the verses in this book, and applying them to our lives! My four-year-old can easily grasp the concepts after reading the stories, and the "Let's Talk" and "Let's Pray" sections show how we can put these verses to use in her life. Truly a great find.

I use this book with my second graders in a Christian school classroom. We memorize one verse weekly and I read to them the story that accompanies the verse. These practical stories help my children to apply God's word to their own lives and circumstance. Priceless!

Tells us how with Jesus we are never alone. It goes ito depth of his closness and assurance to call on and trust in him. It was one of the best and better then most self help books.

Joseph Girzone is a retired priest. He has become a world famous author with his inspiring Joshua series, which I am just now starting to read. He shares with us his personal way to God in this book.

This is not a stuffy, strict, demanding book. It does not condemn you for your mistakes or faults. It is a peaceful and loving approach to faith that shows you God loves us all how we are. We are none of us perfect and the author emphasizes the fact that we are loved no matter what and if we open our hearts all will be well. He talks of how people in our age have been put off by religion. He tells us how religion and spirituality are not the same thing, and if we follow Jesus's life and example rather than do as is dictated by religion's leaders then we will be on the road we should be. God has a plan for all of us and our lives. He loves us even if we do not love him. He will wait for us to come to him and then he will open his arms. The author explains all of these things and tells of a God that loves so much rather than condemns.

I found this book to be touching and rather simple in what it had to say. Simple in a good way. Anyone can understand what the author is trying to say, and I found it all to be wonderfully inspiring and thoughtful. I love inspirational books and sadly most that I find are very boring, stiff, untouching. This is a great exception. I recommend it to anyone who wants to meditate on God and their own spirituality.

A book for those really wanting to grow spirtually, Father Josheph those an execellent job at helping those currently in many churches starving for GOD. He provides the roadmap, in a simple to understand format. "May God Bless, Father Josheph"

I totally thought that this was a great book! The thing that makes me keep buying them besides them being my favorite books is that she makes you want to know what will happen in the next book. Like Caitlin and David? Jesse and Melanie? and especialy Miguel and Leah?? There is no doubt that this is and excellent book and will deserve 5 stars from everyone!

This book was very good. Jesse is so typical! I mean it, too. I understand him wanting to get revenge on Melanie for dumping him, but sheesh! Doesn't he realize everyone makes mistakes? And Melanie made one, so she's trying and trying to make everything up. She has a hard, muserable life, and it's not her fault for losing Jesse! Jesse shouldn't be so hard to get. And Jenna is so nosy! She shouldn't have told Peter--now Caitlin will be humiliated every tiome she sees Peter!

This book is so awesome. It's not my favorite in the series but one of them. This series is absolutely wonderful and everyone should read them. These books have earned the spot where they sit in my "Tresured Books Bookcase"

Heard any of these lately:
"It's too late."
"I don't have time."
"It's her fault."
"I don't think it's worth it."
"I own it."
"I can't help myself."
Excuses, excuses, that somewhere along the way, we have used them. It is time that as men we stop making excuses and remove them from our vocabulary. It seems that when we are confronted with something we don't like or someone points out the real truth about us our response is an excuse, we don't accept the blame because we are men. But in reality because we are men we should accept the responsibility of our past, present and future actions.
Author Tony Evans says all the excuses in the world don't change the fact that God has given men certain responsibilities in the home, church, and community, and the only way they can fulfill them is to stop rationalizing and turn to God for what they need.
Nearly every excuse a man can utter about something he addresses each of them throughout the 18 chapters. Evans pretty much hits them all on the head with chapters on feeling worthless, allowing for immorality, clock-punching, playing the lone ranger, business as usual, etc.
In addition to being inclusive on the subject, Evans keeps the tone and vocabulary that have made him a popular speaker for Promise Keeper events and on a daily radio program broadcast worldwide from Dallas where he serves as senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship. He also speaks regularly at crusades, conventions, and Bible conferences around the globe. He doesn't care what race or nationality a man may be, what he cares about are the issues that affect every man.
In the middle of the book, he speaks of the life-changing purpose God had in mind when He commanded fathers to instruct their children. Evans believes in discipline for children ("Whom the Lord loveth, he skins alive" is the Evans rendering of Hebrews 12:6), and he recalls his own father's rigorous discipline. He credits his love for Jesus Christ today to being accountable as a youth to his father at home. He's not hanging out on the corner in Baltimore where he grew up.
Evans' knowledge of the Bible and his ability to relate points to Scripture in colorful language explain his great appeal as a speaker. He draws from the lives of Moses, Jonah, Nehemiah, Peter, David, and a host of other biblical men to make his points. Unlike a lot of preachers who expound on specific sins and then give a general altar call at the end, Evans gives just as much attention to helping men let God empower them so they can move forward and accomplish more than they ever imagined. He makes clear that he has a big vision because he believes in a "big God."
And after sharing this vision, he helps men develop one for their own lives. He urges all men to develop a Vision Statement for their home and family with five specific areas of responsibility: Spiritual, Recreational, Financial, Educational and Community. Not a bombastic know-it-all, Evans uses a lot of illustrations about himself and his family that make clear he practices what he preaches.
This book No More Excuses will apply to the men who attend this retreat. While this retreat is a time for men to gather together it is also a time for us to stop making excuses and get on with the mission God has instilled in us all.

Portions of the review are from Jack Watkins who reviews books from his home in Baltimore, MD.

Tony Evans does a marvelous job of explaining to men the pitfalls that we face day in, day out. His writing is very down-to-earth, and he does a great job of making Scripture references come alive with his interpretations of Scripture in today's world. I highly recommend this as a book for men's group discussions. My accountability group has been using it for our discussions. This is a very easy read.

This book truly takes God's calling of spiritual leadership and integrity of manhood to the level that it needs to be! T.Evans gets a slow start but gets up to speed as stays there as he takes you "to the hoop" with biblical examples and practical applications of changing your life for God and your family. From dealing with the past and bad examples to lust and homosexuality, this book keep me wanting to read more that my men's group had scheduled for that week :-). If you are a man, you must read this book.

This awesomely well-written little book is one of the most inspiring and humbling books I have read in a long time. I have given several as gifts and will give more. My sister's comments were that it "should be required reading for everyone." That pretty well sums it up. Highly recommended.

i was on the island of st. martin recently, staying at a small hotel on the beach; to pass some time, i'd noticed they had "used" books on the shelf in the lobby to borrow and saw this little book called "one tattered angel". i started reading it and couldn't put it down. it affected the rest of my trip & my outlook on things, especially the power of prayer. i wanted to take the book with me - i was going to ask the hotel if i could buy it, just in case i couldn't find it anywhere. however, i noticed that it was signed by the author! i realized that the book needed to be left right there, so someone else could have the pleasure of reading it, like i did.

This book touched and inspired me so much that we named our daughter Charity after the subject of this book. This book helps us to better understand what our Heavenly Father expects of us, how very much he loves us and how he compensates for the weaknesses we have been given. There are blessings, even in the toughest of trials. Don't hesitate to buy this book. It may (and should) change your life.

Jennifer L. Tinsman's book is without a doubt the most powerfulbook I have ever read. At this point in time I have already read ittwice and I still am finding answers to my questions that I missed the first time I read it. She speaks from her heart but, more importantly, when she speaks the reader feels as though THEY are the author and have walked in her shoes (or wish that they could!). She brings the message of peace and joy and the love of God that we all so desperately need in our lives. She answers many of the questions we have all asked at one time or another in our lives. This book brought me many tears of joy and sadness as well. This book also has helped someone that I love dearly and is in pain. This book helped her to find,at last, someone who understands and feels as the author does about the power of God in our daily lives and in our healing processes. Healing both in the physical and spirtual sense! I would recommend this book for anyone from any walk of life, any spiritual path, any need at all. She covers everything that you could ever want to know- and them some. I personally would like to thank the author, Jennifer Tinsman for sharing her story with us, the readers, that we may heal along with her. That we may learn along with her. She will bless you life, I assure you! PS I also bought this book as a gift for my sister and my father who fell in love with as well.

Jennifer Tinsman's book is the most powerful book that I have read in many years. There could not possibly be any one human being that could not put themselves in her place and find for themselves all of the answers that they have searched a lifetime for. This book brought me tears and joy. It made me reclaim the true essence of my love of God. This book is for anyone who is searching for answers, who feels fear, pain, overcoming overwheming odds, tests from God. So many life issues are answered here in this book. I can truly say that this book brought a light into my life and the into the life of another whom I dearly love. She has touched us deeply. You CANNOT miss out on reading this book. It will uplift and encourage you to the depths of your soul. God bless you Jennifer for your gift to us-the readers.

Jennifer Tinsman doesn't profess to be anybody's "guru" or even teacher. What she IS is a human being of wisdom, intelligence, and heart. She is one of us...and the path she has walked is inspirational.

Okay, I've been following this series since the very beginning, and I love every single word. "Now and Always" isn't too shabby, either. It tells the story of Jenna's pushiness in regards to her sister's wedding, Ben's struggle to keep his nerdy identity a secret, a moral decision Leah and Miguel have to make, and Melanie's interest in her new art teacher. I felt a little that the whole thing with Melanie was just thrown in as a filler, as if she just had to have something to do. But the best part of the book is Nicole's revelations about why she really wanted to lose all the weight and what she really wanted. I could really related to her in a lot of ways, especially the way she feels in the last couple chapters. This is the second to last in the series, so enjoy this book to its fullest.

Clearwater Crossings is the best series that I have ever read. She writes as if she is a teenager going through these problems. I read the books since I was in 6th grade and I cant get enough. And I just learned that #20 is the last book of the series. I couldn't belive it. I read the books one after another. If you are a teenager looking for a good book, read this series. The books are unbeliveable.

I loved number 19. But it saddens me to death that #20 will be the last book of this amazing seires. I have read every single one more that a hundred times and I feel that I know the charecters from Clearwater Crossing. But...it hurts so much to see it go... I have cried with charecters in the books and I have laughed. I have introduced friends to the amazing people from the small town in Missouri. I can not stand the fact that all of that will be gone just like that. I respect Laura Peyton Roberts decsion to stop the seires but with so many things a new that are happening...and I guess I dont understand how it all can stop so suddenly. Mrs. Roberts thank you for introducing me to the best books I have ever known. I appreciate it so much, and I feel that it really has changed my life for the greater.

Hans Kung writes as one thoroughly committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, unlike some Christian writers, Kung writes with an intellectual depth and honesty that is refreshing. Kung does not shy away from bringing the Christian message into a living dialogue with modern scholarship, the other world religions, and the real challenges facing the human race today. I take issue with his sometimes-unconditional acceptance of higher Biblical criticism. However, as a Christian, I contend that Kung provides a true, relevant, and comprehensive analysis of the Christian faith for our time. A must-read for any serious theologian!

Kung writes very well and made me think a great deal. He opened my mind to seeing christianity in ways I hadn't thought of before. I liked this book a great deal-the author comes across as a deeply caring man of great humanity. While I am still an atheist, this book made me stop and think very respectfully about what was written. Convincing? Not quite. Moving? Yes.

Küng is an amazing author and his perspective is quite envigorating. I came across this book during a time in my life when I was about to give up my Christian faith. It brought me into a fresh, living perspective and out of narrow fundamentalism once and for all. Though in his examination of Jesus' time, he tends to be too stereotypical in typecasting groups in the Jesus' time, it is an amazing paradigm to view Jesus from. I would criticize the overly eschatalogical vision he has of Jesus that he seems to get from Schweitzer. Lastly, his understanding of being a Christian as being radically human is beautiful and moving.