"Woman of God" by James Patterson
"Woman of God" is a novel about a woman who experienced relentless suffering throughout her life and would begin to question God. Unprepared for the answer, God Himself spoke to her and would guide her on a path she would have never chosen for herself.
I have mixed feelings about this book. It is an amazing stroy of true faith and what can happen when you let your own guards down and allow God into your heart. As the book went it, it turned to a story of how the teachings of the Catholic Church could, should, or would change to allow women to be ordained as priests and even as Pope.
As a recent convert to catholocism, I had a very hard time with this portion of the story. It is fiction so I tried not to get too defensive over it, and it made me realize how little some people think of the Catholic church. There is a reason for the traditions and the beliefs of the Church and when you research catholocism, you grow to have a deep respect and understanding for those very traditions and beliefs.
If I was still a protestant, I would probably have enjoyed the book more but I just couldn't grasp onto what Patterson was trying to portray because I knew how ridiculous it would be. I kept telling myself, if Mother Theresa wasn't good enough to be considered pope, I don't know what woman would.
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Feb 13: Week 7
"The Hard Hat" by Jon Gordon
This is the true story of Cornell Lacrosse player, George Boiardi, who died after taking a hit to the chest during a lacrosse match in 2004. The book is a story of the example that George left on his teammates, family, friends, and even strangers of what it meant to work hard and be humble.
With the direction sports is going, everyone gets caught up in the "me" game. Not very often do you hear about a "team effort" or players that are there for the "team". Growing up with the motto "There's no 'I' in team" seems to be lost on this generation of athletes. This book describes an individual that always put his team and others before himself and the impact that mentality left on those George left behind.
My husband recommended this book to me and it was a quick read with a great message. George reminded me of our own local fallen sports hero, Sam Foltz, and the legacy he has left behind based on his humility and his work ethic. I think of all sporting teams and how the Cornell coach had made a decision to only recruit players that he thougth fit his team motto and was willing to work hard, not recruited just for being the best player but for being the best teammate and how vital it is that more teams follow his example.
This book is a great lesson for all that hard work leaves more of a mark than a big mouth. I highly recommend this book!
This is the true story of Cornell Lacrosse player, George Boiardi, who died after taking a hit to the chest during a lacrosse match in 2004. The book is a story of the example that George left on his teammates, family, friends, and even strangers of what it meant to work hard and be humble.
With the direction sports is going, everyone gets caught up in the "me" game. Not very often do you hear about a "team effort" or players that are there for the "team". Growing up with the motto "There's no 'I' in team" seems to be lost on this generation of athletes. This book describes an individual that always put his team and others before himself and the impact that mentality left on those George left behind.
My husband recommended this book to me and it was a quick read with a great message. George reminded me of our own local fallen sports hero, Sam Foltz, and the legacy he has left behind based on his humility and his work ethic. I think of all sporting teams and how the Cornell coach had made a decision to only recruit players that he thougth fit his team motto and was willing to work hard, not recruited just for being the best player but for being the best teammate and how vital it is that more teams follow his example.
This book is a great lesson for all that hard work leaves more of a mark than a big mouth. I highly recommend this book!
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Feb 6: Week 6
"Something Other Than God...How I Passionately Sought Happiness and Accidentally Found It" by Jennifer Fulwiler
I really enjoyed this book! It's the true story of an atheist's conversion to Catholocism. This book shows how powerful the Holy Spirit can be as one question on faith leads to a completely new state of mind. What's funny is how long it can sometimes take especially when the path seems to be leading you to the Catholic faith.
She brought up a lot of hesitations and then realizations that I had, and some still do have, about the Catholic faith. It can be good to hear when someone else goes through the same obstacles and how they worked through them. We really aren't alone in this journey!
It's interesting coming from an Atheist's point of view because you really do start from scratch. Jennifer does such a great job of being open and honest throughout her journey that has you praying for her from the beginning and diving into issues you may personally have.
Good luck to Jennifer and her family and all others trying to find answers to God!
I really enjoyed this book! It's the true story of an atheist's conversion to Catholocism. This book shows how powerful the Holy Spirit can be as one question on faith leads to a completely new state of mind. What's funny is how long it can sometimes take especially when the path seems to be leading you to the Catholic faith.
She brought up a lot of hesitations and then realizations that I had, and some still do have, about the Catholic faith. It can be good to hear when someone else goes through the same obstacles and how they worked through them. We really aren't alone in this journey!
It's interesting coming from an Atheist's point of view because you really do start from scratch. Jennifer does such a great job of being open and honest throughout her journey that has you praying for her from the beginning and diving into issues you may personally have.
Good luck to Jennifer and her family and all others trying to find answers to God!
Monday, February 6, 2017
Jan 30: Week 5
"Persuasive Pro-Life" by Trent Horn
There's no question that abortion is a hot-button issue. I am pro-life but I am not a good debater so when I have people question me about why I am pro-life, I can get flustered and look more like an idiot rather than an educated person with a point of view. This book helps!
Not only does it discuss facts about pro-life vs pro-choice but demonstrates how to engage in a conversation in a civilized manner. I feel like there are so many people that are passionate on both sides that it's easy to become defensive and completely lose the points and facts you were wanting to bring up. This book also addresses the need to be compassionate to others, even when they don't have the same views as you do.
I hope to remember the points in the book when I become engaged in this topic of conversation so I can feel good about how I present my point of view to educate another on a topic I feel so strongly about!
There's no question that abortion is a hot-button issue. I am pro-life but I am not a good debater so when I have people question me about why I am pro-life, I can get flustered and look more like an idiot rather than an educated person with a point of view. This book helps!
Not only does it discuss facts about pro-life vs pro-choice but demonstrates how to engage in a conversation in a civilized manner. I feel like there are so many people that are passionate on both sides that it's easy to become defensive and completely lose the points and facts you were wanting to bring up. This book also addresses the need to be compassionate to others, even when they don't have the same views as you do.
I hope to remember the points in the book when I become engaged in this topic of conversation so I can feel good about how I present my point of view to educate another on a topic I feel so strongly about!
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