ultimately the principles of lent must become a way of life.
599335
if you really want to know how to raise you conscious awareness of who you really are this is the book. it is easy to read and understand. ultimately the principles of lent must become a way of life.
4606922
Knowledge makes love fruitful in service.  God calls us to be the instruments of salvation for others(evangelization).  That is the work of the Church.  Far too many of us find ourselves involved in church work and not in the work of the Church. This little book will help straighten out the misunderstanding.
"Loving the Church" is a series of meditations on the Church given as a Lenten retreat(1966) to the Holy Father and his staff.  The aim of the book(retreat) is to instill a more profound sense of Church(that's our reason for reading the book). I can imagine the difficulty of retaining a sense of mystery in the Church when such as a papal staff is unceasingly confronted with the practical, day to day, sometimes mundane requirements of a visibile and functioning organization.  Yet the Church is fundamentally a mystery, founded in the mystery of Christ himself, human and divine.  We are put into communion with this mystery through communion with Christ.  I believe this to be a fundamental point for our author, Christoph Cardinal Schonborn.
Although the whole is always the sum of all its parts, two "chapters" alone are worth the price of the book.  In "The Mysteries of the Life of Christ," Schonborn anchors us in God's plan for us; to be united to himself in the Son's humanity.  That humanity, in Schonborn's view is "radically filial" not "sevile".  By God's design we are to become "sons(daughters) in the Son".  In the words of the Fathers of the Church, "divinized".  For Schonborn  becoming Church means, at its deepest level, this very participation in the Sonship of Jesus.
The other "chapter" which excels is "The Communion of Saints".  Its key understanding is that "the Church does not come to an end at the threshold of death."  In Christoph Schonborn's words, "She(the Church) is the communion of ALL who live in Christ."  A more compelling explanation on the communion of  saints than in this meditation will be hard to find anywhere.
A repeated emphasis found in "Loving the Church" is that our participation in the Mystery of the Church is reality and not theological theory.  It is based on fact, the fact of the Incarnation of the very Son of God in the real womb of a very real woman approximately two thousand years ago, Mary.
Though I found the first part of the book a little slow.  That may just be me or the fact that the Cardinal was preparing the ground, tilling the soil as it were.  However, no one will come away from this book without having been abundantly enriched.
A must read!
1672534
Read, pray and integrate into your life. Used as part of a Lenten study. Try it and live with it!
2551103
I decided to read this book for lent and found it very informative and helpful in my growing in the Christian walk of life.
3377948
It's okay to admit tat you desire fulfillment in numerous ways. Keeping in mind it's preparation for what God has in store is the great challenge which requires sober judgment.
4311826
The best thing about "The Good of Giving Up" is that Aaron Damiani invites you into how he personally uses Lent to foster his intimacy with Jesus. Plus he shares how he guides his church into a positive and practical experience with this Biblical tradition. I love it!
3252376
It is clear and simple for a deep concept that Christians need to understand and live by to be an effective example.
2317919
The forty short chapters in this book (generally 3 pages each) provide for a personal retreat of forty days--perfect for Lent, but for any time of the year as well.  Each chapter includes 4 action steps to help the message "sink in": 1) Point to Ponder; 2) Verse to Live; 3) Question to Consider: 4) Prayer.  The spirituality of this book is to introduce people to Jesus, help them grow in commitment to him, and to follow him as a disciple on a journey.  The goal is to help people draw closer to Jesus so that they can accept his personal invitation to life and love.  The understanding of "commitment to Christ" or a "personal relationship with Jesus" is growing among Catholics, just as it is a hallmark of Evangelicalism.  The goal of "Rediscover Jesus" to to nurture this personal relationship.

The book can be read in a much shorter time than the forty days for the forty chapters, but in many ways this misses the point of the book to nurture faith, which takes time.  We read this book in our parish book club and the general sense was very positive.
2137328
This well thought through book made my Lenten 40 days very meaningful.  Even if I could not do everything suggested for each day, it made me more aware of the true meaning of Lent.........as opposed to giving up chocolate in the past.  I will keep it in my Kindle to read thru next year at the start of Lent.
304537
Another book, similar to some others that I have reviewed, that articulately describes the challenges confronting us in the postmodern world, the ways that congregations need to be transformed, and the leadership skills that are necessary for the task.

Robinson argues that we need the following transformations: from worship as talk about God to worship as experience of God; from Christian education to Christian formation; from givers to receivers who give; from board culture to ministry culture; from community organization to faith-based ministry; from democracy to discernment; from budget as end to budget as means; from fellowship to hospitality; and from passive membership growth to active membership growth.

Robinson didn't say a whole lot that I thought was new and different from a number of other books I have been reading recently, but on the other hand the more I wrestle with the changing world and the more I read books like this, the greater clarity I achieve about the task that lies ahead, and my role in it.
4932963
I'll put all my cards on the table at the outset by saying that I am a raving fan of Eugene Peterson. I believe that he has a prophetic message that the Church desperately needs to hear in a culture consumed by narcissistic consumerism. He speaks of a different way - a slower way, a more intentional way, a way of slow discipleship in a fast-food world.

In this volume, Peterson does a masterful job of taking three central tenets of Christian spirituality and removing their unfamiliarity, while leaving the undeniable mystery firmly intact. Sabbath, Eucharist, and Baptism - to many of us, they are all-too-common (we have grown up hearing them referenced so often, that we have forgotten their transformative character). Peterson knocks the sanctimonious dust off these practices, relating them to the everyday task of spiritual formation.

Too often, we divide our lives into the false categories of sacred and secular - relegating our work-life to the secular and our church-life to the sacred. Peterson suggests that our workplace is the primary location of spiritual formation, anchored in the God who is first introduced in the Book of Genesis as God at work. Work, however, is only rightly understood through the lens of Sabbath, or holy rest.

Similarly, we tend to think of Eucharist in the form of little Chicklets of unleavened bread and shot glasses of grape juice. Peterson encourages us to recapture the sacredness of every meal, every time that we gather around the table, united by the most basic nature of our humanity (our need for food to survive). He draws us into the Gospel stories of how Jesus often met people around the common table, which was then transformed into the holy ground on which spiritual formation could take place.

Finally, Peterson relates the sacrament of baptism as the essential act that brings us from the autonomy of ego into the community of those transformed by the resurrection. The life of resurrection is essentially a communal life, where all parts unite to form the body of Christ.

This is a powerful little book. At only 125 pages (plus an appendix of passages from The Message), you could read through this book in a couple of hours. It was my experience, though, that doing so would be about the same as taking a can of concentrated orange juice and drinking it straight. This book is best read, then reread, then contemplated, then prayed over - allowing the message to sink into our souls and transform us bit by bit. This is the way of discipleship - the way of the resurrection - the way of Jesus.
4719476
I recommend this book for people who want to find their purpose in life.  It is written so that the reader will understand basic Christian principles.
2939883
Family Shepherds is a book that is hard not to get behind, the premise being such a stick at our politically correct, post-sense, nonsense culture.  The driving idea behind Shepherds is that families are responsible for the discipling of their children. Listen closely. That distant sound like popping popcorn. That is the sound of minds being blown. It's true.

Baucham goes even further: Husbands are responsible to disciple their wives, Fathers are responsible for their children.  Of the hundred and ninety or so pages seven are given to discuss the responsibility of the church.  The other one eighty focus on the responsibility of Christian men to lead their families.

The book opens with an introduction to the idea that the family is ultimately responsible for their own discipleship.  The the concept of the family shepherd is introduced.  Closing the introduction Baucham gives an example family, cleverly surnamed the Joneses.  This introduction lays the ground work for what follows in the actual meat of the work.  With the relevance of family shepherding established Baucham is free to elaborate on the most important aspects of the work of the shepherd.  Namely, family discipleship and evangelism, marriage enrichment, training and discipline of children, and lifestyle evaluation.

Each section is divided into three chapters.  The first will usually introduce the section as a whole and elaborate what has been said on it so far.  The second and third turn toward the practical implementation.  For instance the first section of family discipleship opens with a discussion of the gospel and what exactly the gospel is.  Then the second chapter discusses catechism and doctrinal education within the home.  The final chapter gives an overview of family worship and suggestions for its practice.  Each portion follows a similar structure with variation for the subject matter.

While reading through Shepherds this tight interior structure is not apparent.  One reads cover to cover oblivious to the way in which the author paces each bit of information and only at the end looking back does he see the pattern.  Much like rambling along a trail in a forest, where the path has been well worn and well prepared the walker is free to enjoy the walk and forget about the walking.

Baucham explains in one of the appendices that he breaks up their church calendar into four blocks which correspond to the major ideas of family shepherding.  There is not much of a caveat here, but the implication was clear enough: without constant feedback and focus a community will not implement this plan.  A church's men's group won't become shepherds without a change in focus of the church en masse.  This is not to say than a particularly devoted individual would not be able to plow through the springtime of a new idea and stay the course as competing commitments encroach upon his new dedication to shepherding.  No, there will certainly be men who will read Baucham's work and be changed for the better.  What remains to be seen is if there will be the implementation of a such a plan--which focuses intently on the heads of household--in a wider scope one that couldn't be talked about as 'families' but churches and communities of families.

My only real issue with the work is the paper that the cover is printed on. I'm not sure if it is Touche or not, but it feels like it. And FiberMark may claim that it is 'luxuriously appealing to the touch' but I for one am not convinced. It has an half rubbery feel that I just don't care for. Moreover, this book is obviously geared toward men, and I for one cannot understand who thought 'luxuriously appealing to the touch' was the sort of marketing that appeals to men. And again the it doesn't match up with the rugged 1st century shepherds robe, staff and sandals as portrayed on the cover (see the above image).  Regardless of how one feels about the paper stock this should not be ample deterrent for reading this book. It is excellent after all.
2519054
The leaders who will ultimately transform communities and change the world come from the church. This concept had escaped me in all my years of ministry, if not intuitively, certainly practically. It is apparently a fugitive concept to many.  Changing this thinking is the burden that prompted this book. It is the pulse that throbs through each page. The authors do not write in an uncertain rhythm but with the full conviction of their hearts. I was arrested by the principles.
Something has been missing in the church.  We learn what in chapter 1.
Those three missing components form the outline of the book.  With solid biblical basis Designed to Lead shows how conviction, culture and constructs can transform a church into a leader-building workshop.
Conviction. The longer that people attend a church that values equipping, the more they grow uncomfortable with only comfortably attending.
Culture. We (the church) are not producing minions, or even legions of soldiers for the Kingdom of God.  We are training family. The layers of church culture are unfolded by its actual beliefs, articulated beliefs, and artifacts.  (See the chart on page 126.)  The exposition of Scripture is the most effective way to change culture.
Construct. Jesus could have chosen any method imaginable or unimaginable, yet He chose discipling people who would disciple people. That this is the key construct of church training is demonstrated in this, the church was launched with discipleship. Discipleship is the only way to produce leaders that serve and bless the world.
This book will be on the shelves of many church and community leaders who lead leaders.
908980
This book is an exposition of Matthew 5:1-12, commonly referred to as the Beatitudes of Christ. The key problem in the reading of the nine beatitudes is that many have turned it into a modern platform for legalism and morality. In nine chapters, Glenn shows readers how Jesus comes to earth not to install more rules, laws, and regulations, but to crucify morality and to set us free. To be 'poor in spirit' means recognizing that by ourselves we are broken and empty, messed up and utterly poor in ourselves. We need poverty of spirit to help us recognize that we are helplessly desperate as children of God, for our Father in heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, not because they are downcast or upset, but because of the promise of comfort. Blessed are the meek because the worldly and the powerful foes of this world are only temporary. Eventually, God gives all things to the meek, his people. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled, for to hunger is better than to have.  True satisfaction is only from the Lord and in the Lord. Blessed are the merciful because we recognize first of all that we are all recipients of mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart because a simple focus on God alone is the only way to let God manifest his presence in us. It helps us to be honest and true. It is not religious steps but graciousness from God. Blessed are the peacemakers for peace is not obtained by war and violence, but through peacemaking and love. Only the person of peace can be ambassadors of peace. On persecution, Jesus reminds us that when we are being persecuted, it is not about us. It is about Jesus.

Four guiding questions enable readers to read better. First, questions for the head help readers to check for key concepts. Second, the 'heart' question searches the inner part of our hearts. Third, there are questions to help us connect with Church and minister through the Church ministry. Four, the "city" question enables readers to look beyond their comfort zones to reach out to others. Glenn has taken the beatitudes and warn readers against turning these into laws or their laundry list of do's and don'ts. Calling it a "new moralism," Glenn has preferred to focus on the later part of each beatitude, choosing to remind readers that the beatitudes are all centered and refers to Christ as a person. It is not about doing things in the name of rules, but behaving like Christ in the name of Jesus. It is not about instilling some kind of a moral code, but restoring the lost essence of what it means to be a disciple of Christ. Most importantly, Jesus personifies, exemplifies, and lives out the entire beatitudes. They are beautiful, and the keeping of these beatitudes will be richly beneficial, not because we have to, but because we want to.

Rating: 4 stars of 5.

conrade
This book is provided to me free by Shepherd Press and CrossFocusedReviews without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
3543254
The main theme: we must develop a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit and seek His direction in all what we do.
Also, we must live within our means and live by sound financial principles.
2247768
I have not read a book on spirituality this penetrating in a long time. I believe, Frangipane writes, that the real goal of Christianity is not to create a religion about God but that we would actually know Him... (ix,x)

That is how he starts his book on seeking God. Frangipane believes that pursuing God is the secret to a fulfilled life. The highest form of seeking God is not when we do it because we need something from Him but when we seek Him for Himself. This might mean forsaking television and the Internet. It may mean setting aside hours, yes hours, each day.

Frangipane writes that when we seek God, He will come. He deals with the possibility of spiritual warfare and the hindrances that will occur. He explores the necessity of setting priorities and breaking our passivity. He reminds us of the essential role of worship. He writes about honesty as the root of humility, the essential characteristic leading to prayer and an increasing access to God.

I'm a life long Christian and I found this section particularly interesting. Ultimately we will discover that study and church attendance are but forms that have little satisfaction in and of themselves. These activities must become what the Lord has ordained them to be: means through which we seek and find God. (79) He reminds us that we often content ourselves with a religion about Christ, with studying facts about God. He draws a revealing parallel, comparing reading about sunrises to actually experiencing one.

If your heart longs to know God, if you are willing to choose to live for one purpose  to give pleasure to God  this book is for you. If you have come to the place of realizing that bringing gratification to the heart of God, not self gratification, is the key to lasting happiness, this book is for you.

One might think that reading a book about being called to such a devoted life of knowing and pleasing God would be depressing. But it is not. Yes, it is a challenging book but it is also a freeing one. Frangipane encourages us to love God in whatever state we find ourselves. That is remarkably freeing. Wherever you are in your Christian walk, this book will help you understand what it means to seek God and live a truly fulfilled life.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.