Blog Archives
Book Review: In the Beginning There Was Joy: A Cosmic Celebration for Kids of All Ages by Matthew Fox
In the Beginning There Was Joy by Matthew Fox is an engaging and joyful introduction to creation spirituality for children—and adults—of all ages. Through a lively and accessible story, Fox invites readers on a cosmic journey that explores the beauty and interconnectedness of all creation. The narrative is centered around the idea that the universe itself is a source of joy, with creation being a vibrant, ongoing celebration.
The book is filled with bright, colorful illustrations that complement the playful tone of the story, making it visually appealing and easy to follow. Fox’s words are poetic and full of wonder, presenting complex spiritual concepts in a fun and digestible way. The story helps children understand the core ideas of creation spirituality—such as the sacredness of all life, the interconnectedness of the universe, and the celebration of creation—as an exciting adventure rather than a distant theological concept.
This book is a perfect way to introduce kids to the traditions of creation spirituality, offering a foundation of awe and reverence for the natural world, while also encouraging a sense of joy and wonder in the process.
In the Beginning There Was Joy is a delightful and accessible book for young readers and families, providing a fun way to explore creation spirituality. With its engaging story and vibrant illustrations, it’s a wonderful introduction to the concept that the universe is a joyful, interconnected celebration. The best part: you don’t have to be a kid or a parent to enjoy this book!
Link-Love:
In the Beginning There Was Joy on Matthew Fox’s Website
Matthew Fox’s Website
#InTheBeginningThereWasJoy
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Book Review: Beguiled by Beauty: Cultivating a Life of Contemplation and Compassion by Wendy Farley
In Beguiled by Beauty, Wendy Farley offers a deeply reflective exploration of how beauty, contemplation, and compassion can shape a meaningful life. While not a “how-to” book, Farley shares practical wisdom through a theology of compassion, inviting readers to slow down and cultivate a more empathetic, loving way of being. Her accessible writing makes profound theological concepts relatable, encouraging readers to see beauty as a path to spiritual transformation.
Farley’s work doesn’t offer quick solutions but invites a long-term, contemplative approach to living with greater compassion and reverence for the world. The book’s gentle tone and reflective nature make it an inspiring guide for anyone seeking to deepen their spiritual practice and connect more deeply with others.
Beguiled by Beauty is a beautiful, accessible read for anyone looking to cultivate a life of compassion and contemplation. It offers deep, reflective wisdom that will inspire readers to return to its pages again and again.
Link-Love:
Beguiled by Beauty on Bookshop
Wendy Farley’s Website
#BeguiledByBeauty
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Book Review: Discovering Fire: Spiritual Practices that Transform Lives by Roger Wayne Wolsey
In Discovering Fire: Spiritual Practices that Transform Lives, Roger Wayne Wolsey offers a heartfelt and deeply personal guide to spiritual growth. Drawing from his extensive experience as a spiritual director, Wolsey invites readers into his own spiritual journey, sharing personal reflections and insights that enrich the book. His openness about his experiences—navigating a diverse spiritual landscape—adds a layer of authenticity that makes the book feel both personal and relatable.
Wolsey weaves together practices from a variety of religious traditions, including Christianity, Buddhism, and earth-based spirituality, while grounding them in his own lived experience. This combination of personal history and spiritual practice gives the book a unique depth. His own transformative experiences serve as a guide, helping readers connect more deeply with the practices he shares, from contemplative prayer to mindfulness and creative expression.
What sets Discovering Fire apart is not just its variety of spiritual tools, but Wolsey’s honest and vulnerable sharing of his own struggles and growth. His reflections on faith, doubt, and transformation invite readers to see their own spiritual journeys as fluid and evolving. This makes the book both practical and deeply human, offering readers more than just a set of practices, but a story of personal awakening.
Whether you’re just beginning your spiritual journey or looking to deepen your existing practices, Discovering Fire is a powerful and compassionate guide. Wolsey’s combination of personal history, practical wisdom, and inclusive approach makes this a book you’ll want to revisit again and again, finding new insights at every turn.
Link-Love:
Discovering Fire on Quoir
Roger Wolsey’s Website
Connect with Roger for spiritual direction or to speak at your gathering
#DiscoveringFire
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Book Review: Real People at the Pinnacle with Irmis Popoff and the Second Basic Course at Sherborne House with J.G. Bennett: A Memoir by Roberta J. Chromey
Roberta J. Chromey’s Real People is a surprisingly engaging memoir that offers an intimate look into the Fourth Way teachings through her experiences with Irmis Popoff and J.G. Bennett’s Second Basis Course at Sherborne House. Chromey brings the personalities and spiritual insights of these influential figures to life, making complex ideas feel accessible and relatable.
Rather than a dry historical account, the memoir is full of personal anecdotes that inspire further curiosity about the Fourth Way. Chromey’s reflections prompted me to explore more deeply into this spiritual path.
An enjoyable and thought-provoking read, this memoir is a must for those interested in the Fourth Way or the teachings of J.G. Bennett. It’s both intellectually stimulating and personally inspiring. Real People is a compelling and accessible introduction to the Fourth Way, perfect for readers curious about its teachings or the lives of its practitioners.
Link-Love:
Real People on Bookshop
Real People Website
#RealPeopleBook
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Book Review: Blessed Are the Weird: A Manifesto for Creatives
Blesse
d Are the Weird: A Manifesto for Creatives by Jacob Nordby lives up to its title as a public declaration of the ideals of his Blessed Are the Weird online tribe. Nordby expounds on his original short piece, drawing on the model of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. Each chapter delves into a line from the original piece.
What I appreciate most about this book is the overall energy. At one point I even wrote in the margin, “This book is like one long motivational speech!” His obvious passion and personal stake in the subject matter propel the reader along from one idea to the next. My biggest takeaway from the book was this: “In our formula for Real Magic, the first thing is to know ourselves. Next, we ask what we truly desire” (141).
The pace gets significantly bogged down by the so very, very many long and repetitive quotations. I found myself wishing he had taken more time to paraphrase and integrate the concepts into his chapters rather than just peppering them with large amounts of other people’s words. It made me wonder if underneath his energy and passion there might still be some insecurity whispering that he needed to prove his position had merit with the support of lots of things other people had said. I also found the chapters to wear a little long, and the pace (and my engagement) waned toward the end of the book.
Overall, I think anyone who is an Enneagram 4 will appreciate and resonate with this book. His mission, as I understand it, is to free people from being locked in their mundane and “soul-killing” lives to pursue what they were really made to do–whatever that might be, and however weird, strange, and magical it might seem to everyone else.
If you are sensitive about strong language or spiritually synchronistic remarks, then this book is not for you.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Book Review: The Willow Basket
I’m happy to announce that I have joined a network called Speakeasy, which provides books for bloggers to review. I will, from time to time, be adding book reviews from this network to the Book Review page of my website. Email subscribers will automatically receive new book review posts when they are published.
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The Willow Basket is a historical romance novel by Adrienne Peterson. I was first interested in reviewing this book because of its claim to involve elements of mysticism and faith through dreams, which greatly intrigued me. I was excited about the possible connections to be made between the spiritual life and the ordinary, daily life and the resulting possible implications for our ongoing discussion of holistic body theology.
Unfortunately, I was largely disappointed by this book, in part likely due to the expectations I brought to the experience of reading the novel. In addition to its poor writing style, undeveloped characters, and plot holes, I actually didn’t realize The Willow Basket was going to be a romance novel, which is not a genre I particularly enjoy. But that is all the literary critique I will offer.
What I appreciated about the novel was its attempt to paint the main character as an unintentional mystic who despite the lack of support and understanding from her boyfriend and family, not to mention her own apprehensions and confusion, managed to stay with the unexplained experiences she was having. Instead of shutting it all down, she willingly and intentionally opened herself up to the dreams/visions/ghost visitations (the plot was never very clear about that point), received from them what they freely offered her, and then used what she experienced to inform her work and even her life choices. Although the main character was clearly aware that her experience of the spiritual realm was counter-cultural, she leaned in anyway and chose to surround herself with those people (namely, her archeologist friend) in her life who would encourage and help her understand her experiences. I also liked that the mystical experiences she had were connecting her to past generations of women in her family history, which I think in our American culture we are often all to quick to forget or appreciate.
Ultimately, it was not my kind of fiction, and I found myself too easily pulled out of the story and distracted by the overall lack of craft. But if you like romance novels, then it might be worth a read.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Holistic Body Theology 