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July 09
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Amy
gave
to:
The Pillars of the Earth (Paperback)
by Ken Follett
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my rating:
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read in July, 2008
Amy said:
"My FAVORITE book in several years. Couldn't put it down. If you like historical fiction, this is your book. Fascinating delve into the intricacies of building cathedrals. But woven with all the salaciousness of a steamy novel. Lovable characters, hat...more
My FAVORITE book in several years. Couldn't put it down. If you like historical fiction, this is your book. Fascinating delve into the intricacies of building cathedrals. But woven with all the salaciousness of a steamy novel. Lovable characters, hateful, passion, sex, love, violence, suspense.
Just started World Without End and hear it's as good, if not better...will let you know....less
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Amy
is currently reading:
World Without End (Hardcover)
by Ken Follett
bookshelves:
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my rating:
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June 27
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Amy
gave
to:
The Witch of Portobello (Hardcover)
by Paulo Coelho (Goodreads author!)
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my rating:
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read in June, 2008
Amy said:
"Picked up this book at SFO before boarding my plane to Hawaii. Seemed like a total accident, given I had never heard of it and wasn't planning to buy it. But having read it, I acknowledge this as an example of the belief "there are no accidents....more
Picked up this book at SFO before boarding my plane to Hawaii. Seemed like a total accident, given I had never heard of it and wasn't planning to buy it. But having read it, I acknowledge this as an example of the belief "there are no accidents."
From early childhood, I have been keenly aware of an accessible spiritual world, but lacked the encourgement or guidance to foster my ability to contact that world.
While the underlying message of this book is exploring the answer to the question "What is Love?" (answer: Love IS.), I found the exploration of the feminine side of divinity, of God to be refreshing and timely in my own life. We have all heard stories of women in particular who possess "abilities." I call it intuition. But why can't we accept these things as natural and beautiful? And why can't we encourage girls and women to strenghten their abilities to serve mankind? And why does dogma seek to destroy the credibility of these gifts?
I have always had a very strong spiritual sense, rooted in the Catholic teachings, as this is how I was raised. I genuinely find comfort in the rituals of the religion, but find myself very at odds with the "Church" and it's doctrine as defined by mortal men over the centuries.
These rigid and exclusionary "rules" were written by men, many of whom were imperfect, fearful, vengeful, ruthless, dishonest, power-hungry, etc. I find so many of the "rules" to be in direct conflict with Jesus' teachings, with passages from the Bible (which we also must remember was a) written by mortal men to the best of their recollection and b) was assembled by a group of men later on who cherry-picked gospels to support the doctrine they personally crafted.)
But in general, we know Jesus was an amazing man who lived his life to include all people, not to exclude them. He generally traveled in the lowest of circles, reaching out to the poorest, sickest, most deranged souls in need of a lift up. Most of all, he never judged others. And I have found the Catholic Church and it's devoted followers to be some of the most judgemental people. Sad.
The Catholic Church has let me down, really let me down on several important ocassions. The last straw being when several Catholic churches/priests refused to marry me and my fiancee at my Mother's (devoted Catholic) bedside a few days before she passed away, their reason being that we had not completed the six-month marriage instruction (which by the way, was something constructed by the local arch diocese recently and is not something that was dictated by God)--the priests admitted a fear of backlash within their own hierarchy should our marriage ever be dissolved. Basically, they were afraid for their own personal position within the Church.
Here was a chance for the Church to do something really beautiful for my whole family, most especially my Mother, and they shut us out. Just like the people at the Inn who shut the door on Mary & Joseph when they needed a place to stay for Christ's birth. This is not a Church of love or compassion. It is a Church of fear, judgement, and exclusion.
We chose to marry in a Unitarian Church, one with a strong Gay following. Our priest was a memeber of the White Robed Monks of St. Benedict, a wonderful group of priests, many former Roman Catholic priests, who have decided to continue their ministry of the Old Dutch Cathlolic practices, while being able to marry and have families. Theirs is a ministry of inclusion. They do not discrimiate against anyone. They include everyone, as Jesus would. They offer Communion to all people, regardless of religion or status (e.g. have you had confession this week?). Our wedding could not have been truer to who we are. We crafted a ceremony with traditional Cathlolic rituals and prayers, but were also sure to include all of our friends of varying religions, backgrounds, and lifestyles. And I was thankful we didn't go down the typical path of lying about who we are(e.g. pre-marital sex, living with my fiancee, etc) to get married in a Church that believes these things to be sinful and unacceptable. Why would I want to be part of a Church who would judge me like that? Seems pretty hypocrtical to me. And while I am the first to admit I am a flawed and imperfect person, I have always been honest. About everything, and perhaps to a fault. But I don't lie. Ever.
I struggle with the disappointment and hurt I have felt at the hands of the Church. I don't know if I will ever be able to understand it and fully embrace the Church again. Yet I want my children baptized Catholic. I suppose I feel that eventually the Church will see the error of their ways.
I digress. Paulo Coelho has a similar perspective and that perspective is woven throughout his writing. I can't wait to read his other books. There is a lot of room for growth thinking about these things. I look forward to my evolution.
...less
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June 25
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Amy
gave
to:
The Boleyn Inheritance (Unknown Binding)
by Philippa Gregory
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my rating:
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Amy said:
"Doesn't come close to the Other Boleyn Girl...
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April 19
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Amy
marked as to-read:
A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose (Paperback)
by Eckhart Tolle
bookshelves:
to-read
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my rating:
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April 16
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Amy
gave
to:
Pretty is What Changes: Tough Choices, the Breast Cancer Gene, and Learning How to Live in the DNA Age (Hardcover)
by Jessica Queller
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my rating:
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Amy said:
"Moving account of Jessica's enduring relationship with her Mother, before, during and after her battle with cancer. Then Jessica's brave decision to test for the BRCA gene and move forward with a preventative mastecomy. I had hoped the story would co...more
Moving account of Jessica's enduring relationship with her Mother, before, during and after her battle with cancer. Then Jessica's brave decision to test for the BRCA gene and move forward with a preventative mastecomy. I had hoped the story would continue through her mission to conceive before having her ovaries removed at 40.
Sending good thoughts to Jessica and to all of us in our late 30's/early 40's making the valiant effort to stay alive, have children, and find a worthy partner to share it all with....less
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March 26
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New comment on Amy's review of
Pretty is What Changes: Tough Choices, the Breast Cancer Gene, and Learning How to Live in the DNA Age
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Amy
marked as to-read:
You Can Heal Your Life (Paperback)
by Louise L. Hay
bookshelves:
to-read
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my rating:
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Amy
marked as to-read:
Heal Your Body (Paperback)
by Louise L. Hay
bookshelves:
to-read
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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