5 stars (...Out of the dark night he leaps like a stranger to cripple and to bless...) - My guess is that readers who think they already have a good handle on life and Christian doctrine will probably be disappointed with this book. Likewise, this book will disappoint readers who want to see concepts like faith, hope, love, idolatry, grace, election, predestination, etc., expressed in religious language with which they are familiar, and not in language (and metaphors) in which people of our culture commonly express what is important to us and what drives us. Many thoughtful, ardent, traditionally-minded, well-meaning Catholics, Calvinists, etc., will not like this book. Readers, however, who are desperately asking questions like, "Why do I have to hurt so much? When can I finally get out of the situation I am in? Why am I so burned out even though I have done everything I know to be faithful to Christ? How can I be so lonely? Why does this addiction keep re-surfacing? What is God doing here?" will probably find this book a God-send. I re-read this book recently at precisely such a time in my life, and it was wonderful. It reminded me that God is not after my religious devotion and doctrinal comformity, he wants my *heart*, the deepest center of myself, and that he may well invade my life in a way that hurts me, that strikes me as ruthless and devastating, in order to get it. God is committed to my sharing and radiating his glory--nothing less. Amazing. In my view, one of the best aspects of this book is its emphasis not just on what God has promised to share with us (beauty, intimacy, adventure, glory), but *when* he will share it. Yes, we get a substantial foretaste now, but our deepest longings will be finally, fully satisfied only when we see him. Until Jesus comes back, God will mess with our lives and our idols in order to make sure that we don't get distracted by anything less than the awesome destiny he is preparing for us. As eloquently expressed toward th... Nelson Books :: Religion & Christian Life :: Christian Living :: Spirituality - General :: Spiritual life :: Religion - Christian Living :: Religion :: Christianity - Christian L :: The Sacred Romance- Drawing Closer to the Heart of God
5 stars (Christ-Esteem) - Benner tackles a topic fraught with heated debate from all sides. Secularist would tell us that there is no "sacred call" to self-discovery, it is simply a normal, human need. Some Christians would tell us that there is nothing "sacred" about self-discovery, it is an abnormal part of our fallen self-centered nature. Wisely, Benner traces the history of self-understanding through the writings of giants in the faith like Augustine and Calvin. These two historical theologians, along with many others, understood what we have forgotten. Created in the image of God, as we understand ourselves "Coram Deo" (in the presence of God, from God's perspective), God enlightens us to understand something more of Who He is. In other words, knowledge of God and of self, are intricately interwoven. Rather than a journey of self-esteem or self-discovery, the Bible invites us on a journey of Christ-esteem where we discover who we are in Christ and to Christ. In Christ, we are saints. To Christ we are adult sons and daughters. The journey, taken biblically, brings the focus back to God and others. As Luther taught, when righted with God, we are returned to our natural stance of arms lifted up to God in worship and arms stretched out to others in fellowship and stewardship. Benner first walks his readers through the journey toward knowing God. This foundation begun (for it never ends), he then shows how to mortify (put off) the old false self in the flesh and how to vivify (put on) the new true self in Christ. He rightly calls the process a "transformational" journey. Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Soul Physicians," "Spiritual Friends," "Martin Luther's Pastoral Counseling," "Biblical Psychology," and the forthcoming "Beyond the Suffering: The Story of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction." 3 stars (good writing, great message. ) - yes, the message of the book is one no christian today can dismiss (even if they think psycho... InterVarsity Press :: Spirituality - General :: Spiritual life :: Self-realization :: Religious aspects :: Religion - Prayer & Spirituality :: Religion :: Inspirational - General :: Chri :: The Gift of Being Yourself- The Sacred Call to Self-Discovery
5 stars (Steve Murray Reiki Books and DVDs) - I have recently received both my Reiki Psychic Attunement and Reiki Master Attunement from Steve Murray via DVD. These, along with Steve's Reiki the Ultimate Guide (both I and II)have truly opened up many new awarenesses and experiences for me. It may seem that this is rapid progression, but I have already had the chance to help several friends and family members using the Reiki healing programs. The most exciting was a successful longdistance healing session. I am 53 years old, have always been intuitive, but never quite sure which path to take where I could help people the most. Steve Murray's programs have answered all my questions and are continuing to help me in my Reiki journey. Shanti, SariZel 5 stars (REIKI, STEVE MURRAY's ULTIMATE GUIDE TO REIKI) - It seems thru out history, that when things get off original intent and become less pure, is when things become too rigid or fanatical. And the healing arts is no exception to those possibilities. When others are charging an arm and a leg for Reiki training, attunement and the information, Steve Murray clearly stands by his vow, stated in his book, THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO REIKI and he brings clarity, integrity, simplicity and freedom to Reiki and those desirous of learning it. Steve has written the Reiki Bible, in my opinion, I highly recommend THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO REIKI. It set my mind at ease. Nancy Glasgow 5 stars (Everything I was looking to learn about Reiki I found in Rei) - Steve Murray takes the mystery out of Reiki and puts the heart of the matter into it, and that is, Reiki is meant for all of those who wish to receive it and give it to others. This book has taken what in the past seemed unobtainable to learn, cloaked in all of it's mysticism, into easy to follow how-to steps and brought it all to my access. All the questions I ever had regarding the subject are discussed. This is the most thorough all inclusive book on the subject I have ever seen, (an... Body Mind Productions :: New Age :: General :: Body :: Mind & Spirit :: Steve Murray :: :: Reiki The Ultimate Guide Learn Sacred Symbols - Attunements plus Reiki Secrets You Should Know
4 stars (attention tightwads, there is cheaper) - no need to resort to ramen noodles and have msg kill your brain; get the ISBN 0827607660 hebrew-english bilingual POCKET edition. 20 list 14 postpaid, assuming you shell out 25 minimum per order additional benefit of the POCKET-sized cheap edition is that you can take it on a backpacking trip, and 'smuggle' it into nations that frown on their citizens/subjects having a copy of Scripture you could order two: one for the top of the fridge, and one that rides inside your daypack or carry-on luggage. that'll make US25 1 stars (Nicely printed Hebrew text in a rotten binding.) - Since others have described the contents of the JPS Hebrew-English Tanakh (ISBN: 0827606974) I will just say a few words about the incredibly poor binding of this book. Although the book is well-printed on excellent paper, it is being misleadingly touted as "leather bound." In fact, it is cased in PAPER-covered boards, comes with a cheap and nasty glued spine, and seems to have been designed to self-destruct after minimal use. For a more durable bilingual Tanakh, and one with a much more interesting English translation, readers might take a look at the Artscroll Stone Edition Tanach (ISBN: 0899062695) which is also available at Amazon and is the edition I now wish that I had bought. Too many publishers today are putting cheap glued paperbacks between cardboard covers, pretending that they are real books, and selling them at inflated prices. Hence the single star. 5 stars (Very readible translation, Hebrew and trop) - The JPS edition of the Tanakh has been in print since 1985 at which time this modern English translation replaced JPS's "Shakespearean" style translation. This translation has been well respected and stand's with the translation by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan of blessed memory, and the Artscroll translation known as the "Stone Edition." Originally, the JPS edition was published only in English but, they later added editions in Hebre... Jewish Publication Society of America :: Religion :: Judaism - Sacred Writings :: Judaism - General :: Bibles - Hebrew :: Bibles :: Bible - Study - Old Testament :: :: Hebrew-English Tanakh
4 stars (Ascaron - Buggy and Temperamental Software) - While their games have great potential their attention to detail is terrible. Never buy a first edition game from them. Wait several months for them to work out the bugs. I am very computer literate and could not find a way to make early versions work on very standard setup PC's. 5 stars (Excellent!) - I tend more towards RTS games, so when I randomly started playing Sacred Gold because it happened to be in my boyfriend's computer at the time, I was surprised to find myself hooked. (He still hasn't gotten his CD's back...) Sacred has a wonderful plotline, something lacking in many RPG's, but its real strength lies in the actual gameplay. There is a main quest running throughout the game, but you can also complete numerous side quests for rewards--these side quests can even affect your reputation in the game, it seems. The quests make the game very wide-open and allows you to play at your leisure. The Gold edition gives you eight different character types to choose from, and they happily stray a bit from the usual standards--yes, you have your dwarf, your battle mage, and your fighter, but you can also play a seraphim with angelic blood, a vampiress who is a knight by day, your choice of a wood elf or a dark elf, and my personal favorite, a demon. Each class has its own set of abilities, set as either spells or combat arts. Sacred Gold also contains the Underworld expansion, which is possibly even better than the original game. It carries on the storyline and has more challenging quests, both in the side quest and the main quest. Finally, this is a lovely game--the graphics are well above average, and the music--well, I have many of the tracks, especially from Underworld, on my iTunes playlist. ... Encore Software :: Computer Role Playing Games (Game :: rpgs :: rpg :: crpg :: crpgs) :: Fantasy :: Strategy (Strategic) :: Adventure :: Computer Games :: :: Sacred Gold Edition
4 stars (Be Advised, Speciality is Key) - Because of the degree of specialty of each of the writers (each are specialists on the Law), a decent (at least some) amount of Hebrew knowledge is key, to allow the reader to evaluate decisions made by the authors. It is also key to remember that these commentaries (following after the aims of JPS) are thoroughly Jewish and track the development of understanding for the passages discussed, though not necessarily to the detriment of the series. A great work, worth the shelf space of any Rabbi, Preacher, or Scholar. rq ladonai kvd 5 stars (Thorough and thought provoking) - Of the five commentaries in the JPS series on the first five books of the Bible, Milgrom's is the best. Milgrom's commentary reveals a healthy respect for classical Jewish commentators but doesn't hesitate to address and add modern Biblical research. Milgrom excels when explaining the more obscure portions of Numbers, such as the rituals, calendars, and sacrifices. In addition to his verse by verse commentary, Milgrom adds lengthy excurses, exploring in more depth the issues raised in the commentary. For example, his insights into the meaning of "tzitzit" - the fringes attached to four cornered garments - are outstanding. Milgrom argues that attaching the linen tzitzit with the dyed blue thread (techelet) to one's garment as required by the text, rendered the garment "shaatnez" - a forbidden combination of wool and linen. Milgrom notes that "shaatnez" is generally forbidden to be worn, but was permitted to be used in the construction of the Tabernacle and the clothing of the priests. By allowing, indeed requiring, every Israelite to attach shaatnez tzitzit to the corners of his/her garments, the Bible was drumming into the people the mandate that they be "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." Similarly, Milgrom's treatment of the paradox of the Red Cow, whose ashes purified those rendered impure by contact with the dead but rendered impure those who... Jewish Publication Society of America :: Religion :: Judaism - Sacred Writings :: Judaism - History :: Judaism :: Bible - Study - Old Testament :: Chaim Potok :: Nahum M Sarna :: :: JPS Torah Commentary Set
5 stars (Great game for inexperienced gamers) - I think this is a great game.Even for those with slow reflexes.I haven't bought the first one for two reasons:1 becase there were no images:2 because the other one wasn't as old.This is a good game for those who like stragety-based games like me.It's not too violent and it's not bloody.If you like this game then you'll probabaly like this game called runescape.You find it on runescape.com.Anyway,back to the game topic.There is a lot of different warriors.They can go from Pegasus Knights to Wyvern Knights.There's even a type of magic weilder that can summon warriors.But the warriors it summon's are really weak.BUT DO NOT THROW AWAY THE ISTRUCTION BOOKLET!It contains some useful information that you'd usally find in a guide.But if you get the guide,you can throw the booklet away. 5 stars (The best game series ever to exist!!!) - i advise evereyone to BUY THIS GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!If you do you will see why i say this.I assure you this will be the best game you have ever played!!!!!!!!!!!! ps.even though i'm a kid you should still listen!-Dustin the Wyvern Lord 5 stars (Fire Emblem Sacred Stones) - This game is better than all of the reviews that I've read say. It is a must-have. I liked Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, but this game puts a new definition on the phrase RPG - no, not rocket propelled grenade. It has a perfect blend of difficulty and fun, so that the game isn't too easy just to make it more fun, nor is it too hard to be fun. It's just perfect. This game is just amazing - if you liked Fire Emblem, Golden Sun, or Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, you have got to get this game. ... Nintendo :: gba :: fire :: emblem :: the :: sacred :: stones :: nintendo :: games :: video :: games :: gbafireemblemthesacredstones 23 may :: 2005 :: GBA Fire Emblem The Sacred Stones
Barcode Software/ sacred download 
