Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Christmas gifts: A book for children, for personal growth, and for your small group


Comments from reviewers on each book: 

“Great read! It gives the reader a feel for what life is like living in Mexico, and through the eyes of a child. I appreciate it being based on a real life experiences as it adds a layer of authenticity.”

"This book paints a beautiful picture of life in Mexico through the eyes of a curious and kindhearted little girl. The simple stories help children gain a better understanding and appreciation for another culture in an engaging way."

"For those looking for books for children who have spent significant amounts of time living in another culture, the book Malinda in Mexico is an excellent set of stories for igniting conversation. Clymer's depiction of the complexity and simultaneous beauty of living "among worlds" captures the truth of this experience in ways that are accessible to adults and children alike."

“Whether you are four or eighty-four, Malinda in Mexico is a wonderful book to read, enjoy, and learn more about our southern neighbors.”


Available at
Amazon.com
“The Spacious Heart is a book of short love stories that weave the masculine and feminine energies of God into a lovely medley of ‘doing and being’ experiences, which is the fabric of every life. The result is a beautifully written mosaic of page-turning stories that live and breathe a “truly authentic Christian spirituality” that is available to each and every one of us. Highly recommended for truth-seekers of all religions and stripes.”

“As I moved into the book I tried to slow down so it would last longer. Reading The Spacious Heart became an important part of my morning reflection. I will not wait too long to begin it again, waiting for new applications and insights.”

“Drawing on the work of their own teachers, including Richard Rohr, Marva Dawn, Nathan Foster, and Ronald Rolheiser, these two Mennonite pilgrim siblings tell the story of their quests for mercy, inner peace, justice, and love as they share stories of others they have helped along the way.”

Available at
Amazon.com
“Clymer's stories from Latin America frame the Beatitudes in a context that more closely resembles the time of Christ. Injustice and horrific suffering were commonplace when Christ gave these powerful words, and it's all too easy to forget that fact until the reader relives the experiences of Clymer's Latin American friends and coworkers.”

“Through storytelling and reflection, the author challenges us to read Jesus’ teachings from the perspective of the poor and disenfranchised, or, in the words of the book’s subtitle, from the margins. I found some of the stories quite moving without being overly sensationalized. They’re evidently personal, deriving from the author’s own experiences over many years of working, living, and serving in Latin America. Clymer is very transparent about how these stories have challenged and shaped him. This helped me as a reader to reflect on how they might impact me. These stories don’t just illustrate; they’re meant to embody the Beatitude in question. They gave me a better interpretive lens to understand the Beatitudes than some commentaries I’ve read on the Gospel of Matthew.”

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