Can anyone who have read any of the "Conversation with God" series give me some feedbacks on the book(s)?
103214
Only two people can ever tell you if something is "ultimate truth" -- you, and whoever you choose to listen to.\n\nI know a lot of people who have read these books, and have skimmed parts of them myself. Most of my friends who have read them found them to be interesting, in the sense of providing another perspective on belief.\n\nAs for being "Anti-Christian", that is like saying a blueberry muffin is "anti-cornbread". Some people treat anything that disagrees with their beliefs as being opposed to those beliefs. Others are willing to accept that not everyone believes the same things, and don't take offense.\n\nThere is nothing that I've seen in these books that inherently says "Christianity is wrong for everyone" (which is what I would call "anti-christian). \n\nThere are parts that express views different than many Christian beliefs/sects. There are parts that say Christianity may not be the right choice for every individual. Just like a blueberry muffin is not cornbread. \n\nThat doesn't mean being different then something is a denial of the validity of that other thing.
525800
Hi Tari,\nI met the ChristopherBetchel once, a few weekends ago. I was walking to the corner market for a loaf of bread when I had to pass by a neighborhood church. I was somewhat acquainted with the structure as it was always mentioned in the newspaper's community section. Known as "The loft," folks would gather there on Thursday evenings for poetry readings.\nHowever, this day happened to be a Saturday afternoon and a pair of gentlemen greeted me as I walked by. They invited me inside to sample an hour of their presentation. Ok, I went inside and found myself to be a prospective new recruit for their brand of religion.\n\nMost of the pews were filled with hooded monks chanting a haunting rhythm. There were others who like me, were wearing their regular denims. The service began like most others that church-goers would be familiar with. A grand master of ceremonies led the group through some songs and gave a sermon. Near the end of the hour it was time for their ritual of "laying on of the hands." Some of the parishioners would come forward and ask for prayers for their ailments or for a sick grand mum who fell down in the tub. All the hooded dudes whose faces could not readily be seen would all place a hand on the person and their combined energies were presumed to have a strength and expedite a solution to the problem.\n\nOK now, there was another new guy in the pews who was watching eagerly. I recognized ChristopherBetchel from a wanted poster viewed earlier at the post office. When he saw a chance, he approached the ring of conspirators and described how he was always moving around and never able to settle down. The hooded goons closed in upon him, all to make a physical connection. The master of ceremonies began a prayer, a dogmatic mix of logic and pure hocus-pocus. I immediately saw the effects of the procedure as the tension went out of ChristopherBetchel's body. When the beseeching was near an end, the master asked, "Are the brothers ready?"\n\nA suspenseful few moments passed until he almost shouted, "NOW!"\n\nOn that cue, the brothers began to pummel their hapless victim. Continually delivering blows over head and to the solar plexus until ChristopherBetchel was down on the floor getting stomped. After another minute, the grand Pooh-Bah decided the treatment administered was sufficient to induce a relaxing calm that would assuage the nervousness of ChristopherBetchel for a long, long time.\n\nI can't say for certain if ChristopherBetchel got the comeuppance he deserved as I had a loaf of bread to buy and some other errands to do that day. I hope for you Tari, that you do find a sense of closure to this difficult episode of life.\n\n-Justin
773112
I pray to the book gods everyday that they make a come back. I love my books. I could not live with out them. There is nothing quite like the feel of a honest to goodness book in your hands. I love books. Can you tell? LOL
239673
Read Wilton Barnhardt's "Gospel".  In my opinion, it is of the same ilk (this isn't a new genre at all) but better, as I prefer his prose.\n\nI also think you could include new author Elizabeth Kostova, who just published a thriller in the same vein.\n\nThere have been many other authors who have written what I call "conspiracy novels" about the nature of Christ.\n\nThere are also some old school books like "The Talisman" by Sir Walter Scott, and "The Robe" by Lloyd Douglas.  The Talisman is really old school (almost 200 years old) and traces a coin that was won in the gambling at Christ's feet through the ages and its transport to Scotland with the heart of Robert the Bruce (in reality, the coin exists, in the bossom of our Clan Chief, Lockhart, in Ayrshire, Scotland).\n\nPoke around, there is lots of material including one novel about the a new set of dead sea scrolls that has Jesus's bones turn up in the tomb of Joseph...etc.\n\nAnd according to court accounts, you can read "Holy Blood, Holy Grail", which Brown is accused of plagiarising (remember the flap about Harry Potter being plagiarised?
1163409
I haven't read it.  I have heard it's very good though.  It's by C.S. Lewis and is a parody-like book about a demon named Screwtape who writes to his cousin Wormwood about how to tempt Christians.  It's a pretty creative way of writing about temptations Christians have and I've always been interested in reading it since I first heard about it.\n\nFor a good synopsis of the book you can go to the book's website page on what it's about here:\n\nhttp://www.biblestudyinfo.com/screwtape/synopsis.shtml
681993
Yes. i love those books! i wanted  to finish the series, but I don't know where to find the, i believe i'm on the 5th, 6th, or 7th. but, i'm not really sure. ne-way they are lyk really good.
509857
I've not read any but here is a list from Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=br_ss_hs/104-7421256-0991151?platform=gurupa&url=index%3Dblended&keywords=missionaries  \n\nYou also might want to check out the website www.siberianmission.com - not a book, but they have a really amazing testimony & are doing a wonderful work for the Lord.
895636
The desire of ages, and the great controversy by ellen white. Also Believing God by Beth Moore. A trip into the supernatural by Roger Morneau, and The purpose driven life by some guy I can't recall.
668430
ive read a few of them. they are good books for entertainment. but of course you shouldnt believe what it says. thats just the opinion of the authors veiw of what will happen. the holy bible is the only book anyone should believe.
420466
Now, I am suprised that this was posted,...I thought everyone knew this story...let me give it a shot.\n\nBetter yet let me look this up for ya:There are a few things that are good here:  I hope this helps...\n\nThroughout the novel Celie is growing and learning about herself. She learns with the help of others not only about herself but about things that go on around her. The fact that Celie is writing to God shows us that she has a way of coping with her horrendous life. In a way God is the only thing she could turn to since her step-father scared her by saying "You better not never tell nobody but God. It'd kill your mammy." (p1) This is the first sign of growth we are presented with in the novel. Next Celie is confronted with Sofia who she wishes she were like in some ways. She learns alot from Sofia and Harpo's relationship; like the fact that a wife doesn't have to take abuse from her husband. She also learns about Sofia's outlook on life which is important to her growth. "You ought to bash Mr.------ head open, she say. Think bout heaven later." ( p. 44) \nIn this quote we see that Sofia is telling Celie that she should start caring about the life she is living and get rid of Mr.------. This is one of the first steps in which Celie starts to care about her life and makes gradual attempts to better it. \n\nShug Avery enters the novel next and is idealized by Celie. Celie does everything she can to be like Shug which in the long run helps her be more of her own person. Once Celie becomes Shug´s friend and stops trying to be like her, she instead begins to learn from her and becomes her own person. Through Shug she learned a lot more sexually about herself . All the sexual experiences she had had prior to the one with Shug were bad, and usually against her will. But after her experience with Shug she realizes that sexual contact can be enjoyed, she becomes confortable with her body, and learns that touching herself is not a bad thing. In a way they were both growing in their relationship at the same time because neither of them had had sexual experience with a woman before. " I don't know know nothing bout it, I say to Shug. I dont know much she say." ( p.118). \n\nAs Shug and Celie´s relationship progressed, I think she began to experience a real relationship with someone she cared about. For the first time in her life she truly loved someone besides her sister. Celie gained more self confidence from being with Shug, and with this she finally learned how to stand up to Mr.-------. We are shown this for one of the first times in the discussion at dinner. At that dinner we really get to see how much Celie has grown and how independent she is becoming. She tells Mr.------- , "You a lowdown dog is what you is what's wrong, I say. Its time to leave you and enter into the Creation. And your dead body is just the welcome mat I need." (p.207) This quote has a lot of significance because it's one of the first times Celie stands up for herself. It shows that she's not going to take his treatment anymore and is moving on, she is finally ready to enter into communion with the rest of the world and start her own life. The break up of Shug and Celie serves as a good wake up call to her that she has to learn to live without depending on Shug so much. As the novel continues it begins to talk less and less of Celie's outer ugliness and more of her innner beauty. This is very important because it symbolizes her growth as a human being and shows us how her self respect has increased. \n\nAs Celie begains to gain more and more control of her life she starts a buisness making pants, which is significant for two reasons. First, because they are pants which shows us that she is finally feeling equal or better than the "male" and no longer feels beneath him, and second, because she finally has control of something of her own, with people who work for her. \n\n
132433
You should read the book "Conversations With God an Uncommon Dialogue" by Neale Donald Walsch...it is VERY eye opening and explains quite a bit about people.  It explains the WHY behind a lot of the things we do.  You don't have to be religious to read it either.
680332
The Book of Revelations is the most difficult Bible book to understand.  I have ALL 12 volumns of this series on a very special place on my library shelf... and since I have read this fictional work... I am able to read the Book of Revelations and understand it much easier... I think it should be on everyone's list of reading material, especially in this time of world events... \n\nI like it all... and I even have other books these two authors have written in their studies...added to my library.  I keep my eye on the world events.. don't you???
274838
I have the book.  I've read the book.  It is non-fiction.  It is a book about serious spiritual warfare.  I have no reason to disbelieve any of it.  I believe Rebecca's experiences are so "severe," because she had dabbled in the occult before she became a Christian.  In other words, she opened herself up to the troubles she has faced.\n\nI do not believe what you will read in this book will be a typical representation of what most Christians will face, spiritual-warfare-speaking, in their lifetimes.  But those who've been involved in witchcraft, the occult, etc. prior to becoming a Christian already have Satan's full attention.  And he does NOT like to lose a good servant.  So he tries to get them back any way he can.  Rebecca is one of those people.\n\nBe prepared for nightmares if you read the book.
64104
I have waited to answer this question to see what others would say. It is interesting. Unless you have a personal relationship with me, you really do not know me, just "about me", which is the same thing with Jesus. \nI genuinely thank those who spoke such kind and gracious words, I am humbled and grateful. \nOK, to answer, we will start at the beginning. I have always assumed there was a God. I was raised initially in the Catholic church, but I did not like the repetitive rituals or the standing when the priest walks in. My mother did not force me to continue the Catechism classes, and I continued my search for God into my teens. \nOn Thanksgiving evening, 1970, I was cruising in my friend Steve's 1955 T-bird around the towns surrounding Eglin AFB, Florida. We walked around an old cemetary and we got to talking about the spirit world. It sort of gave me the shivers. Steve asked me if I had ever been "saved". What is that? It is asking Jesus Christ into your heart. Something inside me said, "Isn't that what you have been looking for all your life?" That night, I asked Jesus into my heart and to be my Lord and Savior.\n\nMy approach to the Bible changed over the years. Before I met Jesus, it was a confusing array of religious writings and myths. \nAfter I met Jesus, it became a curious array of religious writings that may be true. \nAfter receiving the Holy Spirit a year later, it became personal love letters to me. \nDuring my high school years, it became a book of do's and don'ts that I could not quite live up to. \nDuring my college years, I came upon my mentor Chuck Smith, of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, who guided me through the Bible, verse by verse. The Bible became my life and foundation for living.\nDuring my single working years, I graduated to my next mentor Chuck Missler, who showed me the importance of types, how the old relates to the new, how the Bible is an intrigate message by One author. The Bible WAS and proved to be the Word of God! \nFive years under him and other great teachers, and I married Julie (Juliart). I was have been blessed to pass on all I have learned her and to my children and also to people stuck in cults, those confused by manipulative religions, and see the freedom the Word of God brings. \nThirty five years since that night in Florida, I have decided to pass all I have learned on to you. But in all things, be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11. Receive everything I have to give with joy, but check the scriptures daily to see if these things are true. I consider what I impart here as "Handfuls Dropped on Purpose" (see study below).\n\nSo to answer this question once and for all. I am just like my other fellow Christians who just love the Bible and have a personal walk with its Author. An old Jesus Freak from the 70s who's life's motto is...\n\n"Have Bible, Will Babble."\n\npregowtwins-Julie cracked up at your post. I could hear her across the house!\nmikeiam20-Your post reminded me of a line in Close Encounters. "Einstein was probably one of them." (looking at the alien mothership) ;)
930937
Hello, my friend. This book--"Mere Christianity"--and especially this bit about Christ's being either a lunatic or else the Son of God, was instrumental in my opening up to Jesus, simply on account of the fact that I had, for years, "respected" Jesus of Nazareth as a great teacher, ever ignoring the (what I then thought to be) creepier things he was quoted as saying in the Gospels (such as "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Light")...and Lewis, with this very simple and basic observation, blew my cozy little respect for Jesus of Nazareth out of the water.\n\nWhich did something to a door. Meaning, I then had to face the very choice that Lewis proposed in this book. In other words, I was either going to have to open the door all the way (and believe Christ was who he said he is) or else close it (and believe Jesus of Nazareth to be deranged and blasphemous).\n\nUltimately, I would say that I chose to believe that Christ is God's Son, but truly God gave me the knowledge that Christ is his Son (John 6:44)...and perhaps he gave me the gift of faith for the sole reason that I was seeking it.
1073490
Have you ever read the book "embraced by the light"? soooooooo nice.\n\nhttp://embracedbythelight.com/index.htm
1047245
I've read them all.  I think they are great mythology with similar and overlapping themes.  They also have a lot in common with the spiritual beliefs and practices of religions that have come before them, such as Greek and Roman Polytheism, etc..   \n\nTaken together as a whole they paint a very clear picture of the evolution of of human philosophical thought and law over the centuries and different parts of the world.