Often we feel steeped in fear, loneliness, feelings of exile, depression, or other mental illness from the evil one. It's not a romantic poem in a fewOften we feel steeped in fear, loneliness, feelings of exile, depression, or other mental illness from the evil one. It's not a romantic poem in a few short stanzas when it's a part of your daily life. This book is exactly what it sounds like: a playbook. Instructions for finding your way for a myriad of illnesses plaguing you or your loved ones.
I liken the book to a faithful complement to the DSM. Rather than cold descriptions, you have occasional anecdotes and real, spiritually practical solutions. The solutions are rooted in faith, prayer, scripture, and hope. Mental illness is real and it can feel like a dark room into which you've been dropped. But through the Church and scripture God reminds us our feelings aren't reliable.
If you or someone you love are struggling with anything related to mental illness (depression, anhedonia, irritability, fatigue, hopelessness, anxiety, self-consciousness, OCD, scrupulosity, trauma, relationship struggles of all kinds, grief, and more), pick up this book as a guideline to lead you out of the darkness and a way to figure out how to turn on the light.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
Those of us who pray (or don't pray) with a hint of "but answer my prayers like *this* please, God" or pray and then drive forward with the action we Those of us who pray (or don't pray) with a hint of "but answer my prayers like *this* please, God" or pray and then drive forward with the action we think will solve our problems have needed this book for a while now. (view spoiler)[ Christy faced the horrible surprise of holding her five month old sixth child in her arms during his first seizure. After a year of doctor's appointments, research, prayer (including an answered one in which she heard that, though He would be with her through it all, this sickness in her child was her cross to bear), and an emotional distancing from her husband, the Wilkens parents and son with epilepsy ventured to Lourdes with the Order of Malta's annual week of pilgrimage.
There she found herself cradled in the arms of strangers, Our Lady, and Our Lord, but not without great battle with her perfectionism, controlling nature (or choices to be so). God changed her heart and she learned to surrender. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] I will not be alone in identifying with a woman and mother who seeks to control everything, taking to heart the proverb "God helps those who help themselves." We don't know when to surrender and we don't know how. This book taught me how through her experience, her eloquent writing, and her conversational tone. It read like a narrative and I couldn't wait to return to my Kindle each day to keep walking with her on the journey.
I received a digital copy in advance and all words and opinions are my own. (hide spoiler)]...more
I kind of knew this wasn't going to be the book for me, but I was interested in the spiritual argument for feminine presentation. She made a pretty weI kind of knew this wasn't going to be the book for me, but I was interested in the spiritual argument for feminine presentation. She made a pretty weak argument in that area, not even broaching the topic until the final part of the book. Overall, it felt like a rich woman who has been far removed from a budget lifestyle trying to tell other women that their lives would be much improved if they just spent more money on their appearance. That might be the right way to express oneself for other women, but not for me....more
Firstly, read this book to gain insight from a man seeking Truth about 21 men who showed such devotion to Jesus that they died speaking to Him at the Firstly, read this book to gain insight from a man seeking Truth about 21 men who showed such devotion to Jesus that they died speaking to Him at the hands of their murderers. Secondly, read this book because you'll learn more about the Coptic religious men and women in Egypt and the potential for terror that their faith steeps in on a daily basis. Thirdly, read this because it will change you from within and make you see that we, too, need to embrace the courage that God calls us to live.
I cannot believe this book was translated from German in to English. That fact, merged with the gorgeous prose of a nonfiction text, earned the five stars.
However, beyond the technical beauty of the book, there is the journey of a man in awe of the faith of other men. The book teaches while also preaching. It is a testament to what we were called to be: firstly: disciples, secondly: prophets, and thirdly: teachers. The author manages to show, not tell, that order of our faith. He does so through his journey researching the example of these men who lived, that.
Highly recommended.
I received this book for free from NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for a fair and honest review....more
What a gorgeous children's book! The illustrations are beautiful and the message is solid.
It's helpful for young kids to have examples like this on tWhat a gorgeous children's book! The illustrations are beautiful and the message is solid.
It's helpful for young kids to have examples like this on their book shelves. They need concrete reasoning for how to handle their fear and this book helps provide some for their little hearts. I love the idea of carrying around a small rock as a reminder that God is always there.
The only reason it didn't get an additional star is because it didn't have quite as much story as I tend to prefer. That which it did communicate was well done.
I received this book for free in exchange for a fair review. Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley!...more
It's Scott Hahn, so obviously it's extremely well-researched, thorough, and filled with puns. I enjoyed the newer approach to explain these Hebrew conIt's Scott Hahn, so obviously it's extremely well-researched, thorough, and filled with puns. I enjoyed the newer approach to explain these Hebrew connections to the Eucharist. We followed him as he researched his way into the Catholic Church....more
This was a unique way of walking through the gospel stories, and starting to think more deeply about the details that bring us closer to Jesus. FatherThis was a unique way of walking through the gospel stories, and starting to think more deeply about the details that bring us closer to Jesus. Father James Martin walks with the reader through his pilgrimage in the Holy Land. I have read other things that he's written and I appreciate his style....more
I'm not worthy to write a review of this excellent philosophical text. I need to read it again... I'm not worthy to write a review of this excellent philosophical text. I need to read it again... ...more
Scott Hahn has changed the direction of my life on multiple occasions, but reading this book was the most concentrated occasion of that influence. TheScott Hahn has changed the direction of my life on multiple occasions, but reading this book was the most concentrated occasion of that influence. The book is a memoir of Dr. Hahn's conversion from an evangelical (something I learned more about in the text) Presbyterian minister to a convicted, passionate Catholic. While this book might be a few decades old, it continues to be poignant because of his honest and powerful account. Dr. Hahn puts us into the mind of the minister who loves Jesus so much that he sought Him amidst his confirmed fears that Jesus founded the Catholic Church and that His Flesh was offered (and is offered each Sunday) for the life of the world.
This is a powerful read for a lukewarm Catholic who is willing to dig a little deeper, for a Protestant who is bravely seeking God's call to answer the big questions about the Eucharist, and for convicted Catholics who wish to view our Church from the lens of someone who fought a strong current to "cross the Tiber." Every Catholic should read this, and if you ask me, every other person should read it, too......more
