Review: Praying with Eyes Wide Open: A Life-Changing Way to Talk with God by Sherry Harney

Review: Praying with Eyes Wide Open: A Life-Changing Way to Talk with God

Sherry Harney

2017

Baker Books

Praying with eyes wide open? For some, I guess, that idea borders on scandalous. But fear not, this book has lots more than that in it. It might have been the day I read the first few chapters of this book, but they just did not speak to me. Nothing. I was ready to put it down. But, instead I picked it up again.

Sections 2, 3, and 4 of this book sang to me like the first section didn’t. I am glad now that I came back to it. So, what’s the deal with the first few chapters? I suspect since I have read so many books on prayer, that it was too familiar. Or maybe it was the weather or something. The rest touched on several areas from a fresh perspective and I found that very helpful, a joy to read. Uncle Seamus skipping by the lake which she borrowed from Brennan Manning filled my imagination. Her son offering a lady his ice cream dessert in a restaurant made me grin. Her prayer guide on page 164 will become a fixture on my frig after I make about 5000 copies. Ok, maybe a few less than that, but such a simple idea works.

So, after a rough start I can say I am glad I finished this book. What makes this book different than many I have read is the tone and the helpful ideas she provides at the end of each chapter. I may even give that first section another chance.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a review.

Comments

Review: Sex, Jesus, and the Conversations the Church Forgot by Mo Isom

Review: Sex, Jesus, and the Conversations the Church Forgot Mo Isom Baker Books 2018 I picked this one up after I’d seen a video promo by the author, http://moisom.com/sexandjesus#. Sounded like she had something to say. She does. And even if you don’t think it applies to you it does in ways that aren’t necessarily related to sex, but just as a human being with desires. Isom subscribed to many of the conversations that govern relationships in general, and those with men, for her generation, the millennials. This book is not her life story, but it does describe some moments that were important to her journey then and now. Her openness to share those times surprised me. Her point without spoiling the book is that she had not understood what linked sexual intimacy to ordinary life, the why’s, if you will. Was it not taught, discussed? Or was she not interested in hearing might be a valid...

Review: When God’s Ways Make No Sense by Dr. Larry Crabb

Review: When God’s Ways Make No Sense Dr. Larry Crabb Baker Books 2018 I chose this book because the title intrigued me. When God’s Ways Make No Sense. There have been plenty of times when that seemed truer than I’d like to admit. Are we even allowed to say something like that? Even if we think it. So, an author willing to take on that topic had my attention. And mostly because I wanted his take on what to do about it? As it turns out Crabb pretty much gave away his case very early on in his book with a single scripture quote. The basic idea is God is GOD and we are not. His motives and actions are incomprehensible to mankind and He owes no explanation for them either. Crabb admits near the end of his book that he is not a theologian which I knew going into this book, but his arguments are theology. Or at least I think so. I found his repeated circling the topic a bit frustrating. ...

Review: Anatomy of the Soul

Anatomy of the Soul Curt Thompson. M.D. Salt River, an imprint of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. 2010 This is the most helpful,insightful book I’ve read in a long time. There’s advice, guidance, explanations and examples to illustrate discussion offered by the author. Best of all, for me anyway, it explains some of what I had suspected about how things work all along. Dr. Thompson links human anatomy and physiology to the spiritual part of our being throughout the text. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. And God uses His creation of the physical body in amazing ways. The author does a great job showing God’s wisdom found in research and the discoveries that science has made recently in neuroscience. Whether science wants to or not, it is describing the wonders of creation. Read this book. The text will require thought, evaluation, and time to go through. The author’s writing style is quite readable and he covers the material well. While this isn’t a how to or self help boo...

The Return

Search This Blog