Category: Christian

Christian, spirituality

The Path of Centering Prayer

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: David Frenette
Publisher: Sounds True
Genre: Spirituality
ISBN: 978-1-60407-673-8
Pages: 255
Price $24.95

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While many people associate prayer with speaking to God in words, a different kind of prayer also exists. In comtemplative prayer, we commune with God in silence, using either a sacred word or symbol. And if we want to go even deeper, we can use only the silence to bring us closer to God.

The Path of Centering Prayer focuses on those who have been practicing contemplative prayer for a while. In it, David Frenette offers insights into his own practice, as well as using examples of others who have followed this path, as a guide for the serious practitioner. For those who have never tried this type of prayer, he explains the process and encourages them to begin.

Contemplative prayer is much like meditation, but with a focus on God instead of simply the quieting of thought. However, the practitioner may experience many of the same frustrations with this form of prayer. Frenette reminds us that this is normal, and the best thing to do is to continue the practice anyway, noticing the root issue behind the frustration. If you’ve been practicing contemplative prayer for a while and need some freshness in your routine, or if you are interested in beginning a new practice, this book will help you on your journey.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, inspiration, spirituality

Fruit of My Spirit

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Deanna Nowadnick
Publisher: Rhododendron Books
Genre: Spirituality
ISBN: 978-0-9835897-2-3
Pages: 114
Price: $12.95

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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Modeling her actions after Paul’s words has not been an easy task for Deanna Nowadnick. As she reviewed her life, intending to provide her sons with a short story, she realized she wanted to share her insights with a larger audience. Fruit of My Spirit was born.

Each chapter focuses on one of the fruits of the Spirit. In it, Nowadnick tells of an incident in her own life relating to that particular characteristic. Her strong faith in God and humility shine through, helping the reader see her struggles and giving hope that we too can overcome. With God’s help, we are all able to be better people.

Nowadnick is warm, open and vulnerable in sharing her life stories with us. The reader will come away with the sense that they already know her and share a common bond. A woman who tries to embody the fruits of the Spirit is a true role model for the rest of us. I highly recommend this inspirational book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, Christian

Be Patient, Petunia

Bergers Book Reviews


Author:  Erin Butler
Publisher: Tate Publishing
Genre: Children / Christian
ISBN: 978-1-61346-477-9
Pages: 28
Price: $9.99

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Petunia wants what she wants, and she wants it RIGHT NOW! She can’t wait for anything, especially the good things. So Petunia needs to learn a lesson in how to be more patient.

Petunia struggles with her impatience, with dire consequences. A cake is ruined because it doesn’t bake long enough. The park is no fun because she couldn’t wait until the other children arrived. And she doesn’t catch any fish because she runs into the water to find them. She almost missed the sunset when she wanted to run off and explore. But this time she did wait, and was rewarded by experiencing this beautiful sight.

As a fruit of the spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), patience is important for a Christian. Petunia’s impatience mirrors our own, as we wait on God’s guidance in our lives. Told in rhyme, this lesson in patience is a good one for any child to learn.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Note: All royalties received by the author for Be Patient, Petunia will be given to Project Rescue, whose mission is to rescue and redeem victims of overseas sexual slavery.

Christian, memoir

Embracing the Gray

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Mark A. Hollingsworth
Publisher: Wheatmark
Genre: Memoir / Christian
ISBN: 978-1-60494-417-4
Pages: 248
Price: $18.95

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Mark A. Hollingsworth has lived a full and exciting life. Spending time working with major rock bands over the years has allowed him to get to know them and the music business. But his most important contacts have turned out to be the Christian folks he was fortunate to meet.

In Embracing the Gray, Hollingsworth tells of his struggles with his faith after several of his friends died. But after some time of soul-searching, he returned to his Christian roots with a new vigor. Hollingsworth then worked with Compassion International, a Christian organization that helps by connecting families in the US with impoverished children in other countries through a sponsorship program.

It’s refreshing to see a person with strong Christian faith admit that there were dark times in his life when it was difficult to believe in God. But God was true to him, and brought him back into the fold when the time was right. I highly recommend this wonderful memoir.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, memoir

A Love Story: How God Pursued Me and Found Me

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Samantha Ryan Chandler
Publisher: Crossbooks
Genre: Christian / Memoir
ISBN: 978-1-6150-7761-8
Pages: 108
Price: $28.95

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Who can you turn to when there’s no one on earth that can help? For Samantha Ryan Chandler, her only hope was God, who loved her unconditionally and stood by her through all her trials and tribulations.

In this Christian memoir, Chandler shares her story of abuse, first by her mother and then later by her husband. Chandler believes in the sanctity of marriage and willingly stays with him, despite his treatment of her. But when she finally reaches the point she’s ready to leave her marriage, God supports her decision and helps her through the divorce.

A Love Story isn’t told in a strictly chronological manner, but instead jumps from topic to topic. The author has a light, breezy style, and this book is a quick and easy read. God pursued Chandler – now she hopes the reader will find Him in her story.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, spirituality

Untie the Strong Woman

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Clarissa Pinkola Estés, PhD
Publisher: Sounds True
Genre: Spirituality
ISBN: 978-1-60407-635-6
Pages: 400
Price: $27.95

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The Virgin Mary has long been seen as a serene paragon of the Christian faith. Usually portrayed with the Christ child on her lap, she smiles sweetly from behind her veil. But what if she had another side to her – a wild side?

In Untie the Strong Woman, Clarissa Pinkola Estés shows us that the Blessed Mother does, in fact, have a wild side. This strong and vibrant woman challenges the author to do things she wouldn’t ordinarily do. Estés spent time working with incarcerated girls at her leading, and hired an alcoholic for mason work outside her home when she felt Mary was guiding her. The wild woman also includes the Black Madonna, and Estés shares her story, as well as many others.

For those who only see the Virgin Mary as a peaceful mother of Jesus, these images may come as a surprise. Getting to know her and following her leading may cause us to wind up in places we might not have chosen to go. But we can be sure we’ll be in for a wild ride.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, inspiration, music

Songs of Mary

Bergers Book Reviews

Sung by: Various Artists
Producer: Sounds True
Genre: Christian inspiration

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Mary has been revered and adored for centuries as the mother of Jesus Christ. Songs of her worship and praise date back to the early Catholic church. In this collection, various artists join in honoring the Blessed Mother.

Many of these songs are reminiscent of a medieval Catholic church, with plain chant and a minimum of instrumental accompaniment. But there are also Celtic and Spanish influences, reminding us of how much Mary is honored all over the world. A songbook is included with this CD, giving us the words as they are actually sung, in addition to the English translations.

Listen to this music reverently, in anticipation of receiving Mary’s blessings, healing, and guidance.  These beautiful and powerful vocals will inspire all who hear them.

Reviewer:  Alice Berger

Christian

Areté Again

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Tobin E. Wilson
Publisher: San Juan Publishing
Genre: Theology
ISBN: 978-0-9707399-8-8
Pages: 224
Price: $16.95

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Areté means excellence in character and life. And in order to achieve this excellence, a thorough exploration of our current values can lead to an attempt at correcting them. In Areté Again, Rev. Tobin Wilson offers a glimpse of his own past, including an addiction to alcohol, in order to show us how he is changing his ways, and to inspire us to change our own.

First Wilson gives us his own insights into the doctrine of the Trinity. One of the most confusing elements of the Christian faith, Wilson attempts to shed some light on this important theological concept. Then, within the framework of the seven deadly sins, he shares his thoughts on how we as humans have gone astray. Using examples from his own youth ministry, he introduces some of the young people he’s worked with. These teens made a deep impression on him, and he hopes the stories of their struggles and triumphs will impact us as well.

Wilson doesn’t hold anything back. Citing other theological works and the Presbyterian church’s teachings, he forces the reader to face up to his own selfishness in light of the world’s problems. But despite the harsh realities he presents, he does it a gentle manner meant to inspire rather than condemn us. Excellence doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s worth working toward, no matter how long it takes.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, memoir

From Zero to Christian in Just 35 Years

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Lori A. Moore
Publisher: Tate Publishing
Genre: Memoir / Christian
ISBN: 978-1-61566-081-0
Pages: 96
Price: $9.99

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Growing up, Lori A. Moore was never introduced to religion. Her parents let her decide what she believed on her own, but never taught her enough to make a decision. So she formed her early beliefs on misinformation and doubt.

Although she had no formal religious training, God never took His eye off of her, and eventually led her back to Him. The path wasn’t easy and included several detours, but now Moore is a committed Christian striving to emulate Jesus.

This short memoir shares the journey Moore took in living a Christian life. The first section is fairly chronological, starting at childhood and progressing onward. But in the second section, the story jumps around a little. Some parts are repetitive, and at times it isn’t clear exactly where on her Christian journey the incidents are occurring.

Moore intends to bring as many people as possible to Christ through From Zero to Christian in Just 35 Years. In sharing her own story of being rescued from a life in the pit, she hopes to reach other pit-dwellers and help them find the right path home. A popular bumper-sticker reads, “Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven.” Moore’s testimony lets us know that we also don’t need to be perfect. We only need to let God work in us.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian

Someone to Blame

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: C.S. Lakin
Publisher: Zondervan
Genre: Christian fiction
ISBN: 978-0-310-32739-4
Pages: 368
Price: $12.99

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The Moore family has been hit hard by tragedy. In a desperate attempt to recover, they move to a small town near the water. No one knows their circumstances, and they hope to have a chance to finally heal.

But soon after they arrive, a young man shows up, causing a stir of hostility. Billy Thurber wears a chip on his shoulders that no one will knock off, and he doesn’t intend to back down from anyone. Billy reminds Matt and Irene Moore of their son, Daniel, and their feelings are stirred up in their interactions with him.

Things finally come to a head with Billy and Irene faces a decision that could cost her life. But she does the only thing she knows to do, fully willing to risk the consequences.

Matt and Irene both have demons in their closets reminding them every day of their failings as parents and all they did wrong in raising their family. Now they’re struggling with their faith, wondering what God plans to do with their pain and heartache and how He can use it for good.

Someone to Blame shows us our dark and sinful nature, while also reminding us that we have the light of God within us, if we remember to let it shine. I highly recommend this powerfully moving novel.

Reviewer: Alice Berger