General-Order

If I won the Lotto, I would purchase copies of this book for every member of a community board that I have seen struggle to vote and make motions according to Robert's Rules. This book makes it simple with tips, examples of common errors and straightforward writing that makes it simple for any professional to understand. There are even scripts that can be applied to any situation. This is a must-buy for anyone who wants to be more effective in meetings.

While this book won't replace Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised as the adopted parliamentary authority for many organizations, it is a helpful guide for the presiding officers and members of these organizations. It covers the basics in easily understood language. There will still be the need to consult Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised now and than but by using this book as a companion source the rules and procedures will be easier to understand.

I consider myself a novice parliamentarian. In a leadership role I have conducted many meetings. I have also been called upon to be a parliamentarian at church and other meetings. Finally, someone has written a book on Robert's Rules that is loaded with understandable and easy to read information. I believe this book will bring about a revelation of new leaders who will better understand Robert's Rules, resulting in more effective meetings. I would urge all leaders, who conduct meetings, to invest in this writing.

"The Divine Initiative is an invaluable resource and a major contribution to Lonergan studies... Stebbins has laid out [the] material...with a thoroughness and clarity that will be extraordinarily valuable to many people."

From: Robert Doran, Lonergan Research Institute, University of Toronto

"The care with which Michael Stebbins has exposed Lonergan's method and its results...makes Lonergan's sometimes cryptic remarks accessible to all those who have the stamina to explore these issues, and so leaves both philosophers and theologians without excuse for attending to so demanding a synthesis."

From: The Thomist, 60, 1996, pages 484 - 488

"In my judgement, this book is wonderfully accurate as an account of Lonergan. Stebbins analyzes and synthesizes with great skill. In his treatment of the operations of intellect (in chapter 1), right through to his concluding remarks about Lonergan on actual grace (in the latter half of chapter 8), he is extremely sensitive to details and distinctions that others often overlook or misunderstand. Moreover, he not only explains accurately, he clarifies. He understands the material so thoroughly that he is able to link Lonergan's claim in fresh ways, offer original examples, and thus teach the reader what Lonergan really is getting at. Given the challenging technical character of the material, this is a stellar achievement."

"I deem the book to include features of interest to systematic theologians in general, historians of theology, philosophers of religion, metaphysicians generally, persons interested specifically in Lonergan, and persons interested specifically in Aquinas. I commend it to them all."

From: Method: Journal of Lonergan Studies, Volume 14, Number 1, Spring 1996 Published by the Lonergan Institute at Boston College

Since the founding of the Society of Jesus by Ignatius Loyola, the Jesuits have been a powerful force in the areas of missionary activity, teaching, and preaching. In THE FIFTH WEEK, Father O'Malley writes of renowned Jesuits in the past, and also describes the Jesuit training process. For anyone seeking general insight into the Society of Jesus, THE FIFTH WEEK is a very apropos introductory survey.

After my son had studied "The Fifth Week" in his high school religion class I told him to retain it at the end of the class for my reading. It was one of the best literary decisions I ever made.

"The Fifth Week" is divided into three sections: Jesuits of the Past; Jesuits of the Present; and Jesuits of the Future.

It was the first two sections which primarily attracted me to this book. Jesuits of the Past and Jesuits of the Present consist of brief biographies of Jesuit heroes. As a product of Jesuit education, I had heard many of these names, either in sketchy legends or on the nameplates of schools or buildings. This book put stories to these names.

The first and longest biography belongs, fittingly enough, to St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society. During a forced convalescence from battlefield wounds, a reading of the Lives of the Saints transformed this servant of the King of Spain into one of the most illustrious servants of the King of Heaven.

Other biographies bring the brightest stars in the Jesuit sky to life. St. Francis Xavier, after whom my College Church is named, was the great missionary who took the Faith to the Orient. St. Edmund Campion had to me been merely the patron of a building at college. From this book I learned that he was a 16th century Jesuit who trained in Prague before returning to his native England to minister to Catholics during the height of the Reformation persecution of the Church until his martyrdom in 1581.

Another interesting English Jesuit of the Reformation era was St. Nicholas Owen. St. Nicholas was a Jesuit brother who's main ministry was the building of priestly hideouts in the great houses of English Catholics until he was captured and tortured to death in 1606.

One of the most notable exemplars of the Jesuit charism is Matteo Ricci who followed in the footsteps of St. Francis Xavier in bringing the Gospel to the Orient. In keeping with the Jesuit theme of using all things to bring people to God, Matteo followed St. Paul's entreaty to be all things to all men. Immersing himself in Chinese culture and adopting Chinese dress, he obtained acceptance into the Chinese Imperial Court. From this position started a movement which in 50 years was to include 150,000 Chinese Catholics.

Among my favorite heroes are the North American Martyr, St. John de Breboeuf, and Peter DeSmet, the St. Louis based western missionary and patron the high school at which my son studied this book.

The explanation of the suppression of the Jesuits occurring in various places from 1759-1814 was a movement of which I had heard and read but which I did not understand until reading this book..

The Jesuits of the Past section concludes with the biography of Blessed Miguel Pro, "Jesuit Clown.". My family and I had first heard of Miguel Pro during a passing reference in a homily to "Viva Christo Rey-Long Live Christ the King!", his last words while facing a firing squad. His story was, actually, similar to that of St. Edmund Campion. Driven from his native Mexico by anticlerical persecutions, Pro studied in California, Spain, Nicaragua and Belgium. Sneaking back into Mexico after ordination, his skillful use of a series of disguises permitted him to minister to the faithful for 2 years during which he avoided capture by the authorities.

Section 2 highlights contemporary Jesuits. Daniel Lord used teaching, writing, theatre and social action to bring God to his people. World War II made heroes of Carl Hausman, a prisoner of the Japanese in the Philippines and Joseph O'Callahan, a chaplain aboard the U.S.S. Franklin during a devastating Kamikaze attack. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was a paleontologist who brought the faith to the world of science.

Fr. O'Malley begins the transition from Section 2 to Section 3 by introducing the story of his own vocation.

Section 3 is the story of the Jesuits of the Future. An inquiry into the Society of today, the challenges of the world and obstacles to a religious vocation are viewed reflectively. The book concludes with the questions a man must confront in discerning whether he has a vocation to the priestly or religious life. The final pages are devoted to the practical steps one must take in order to explore the possibility of living the Jesuit life.

I began this book I with high expectations. At its conclusion my expectations were fulfilled. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the stories of Jesuit heroes as well as anyone who wants to understand what has attracted so many outstanding men of the past to the Society of Jesus and what continues to attract the Church leaders of tomorrow.

The Fifth Week is meant to be a book to inform those who are interested in becoming Jesuits. However, I feel that this book is meant for anyone at any level of spirtuality. This book provides examples of heroism that anyone can look up to and become inspired, I know that I was. The heroic Jesuits portrayed in the book were real men, with real weaknesses, with real strengths. This authenticity is further strengthened by Fr. William O'Malley's own vocational story, which entailed struggle, hardship, love, and peace. These are realities that we all face, so the book has the ability to coincide with some of our own experiences and trials. The most important thing that this book offers the reader is "the hope for man." We may have hope in the fact that The Society of Jesus will set the world on fire by living out the Good News.

Your momma may have read it, your papa may have read it, but, God bless the child that reads and studies the Bible themselves. "Higher Order Thinking Skills for Spiritual Abundance" inspires the reader to revisit their religious education from the very beginning, by using fundamental building blocks. These blocks are knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, evaluation, and synthesis -- build on one another just like reading, writing and arithmetic. After you have mastered each subject, there are worksheets to reinforce and supplement your training, just like in the classroom. These skills are the foundation of a solid spiritual life, concepts we already know, but we got side tracked along life's highway. It's always good to have a gentle reminder. Jeanette McKenzie firmly but lovingly asks for our undivided attention. With King James and the New International versions of the Bible as her textbooks, she educates applying the Benjamin Bloom's six principles for cognitive brain development. I felt as if she pulled me outside of the classroom door, scolded me for not doing right, but reminded me I could start fresh when we returned inside. Using her 20+ years of teaching experience, Ms. McKenzie demonstrates the ability to motivate. I recommend "Higher Order Thinking Skills for Spiritual Abundance" for those seekiing to revisit their former Sunday school training.

I began reading Jeanette McKenzie's book with interest since I am quite knowledgeable in the subject she was writing about. Having been a Pastor for over 20 years, I was anxious to see how she would present this information. I wondered if it would be 'preachy' or given to the people in a tender,understanding way.

The author takes all of the Spiritual truths that are needed from the Word of God and presents them to the reader using Bloom's Taxonomy of cognitive brain development. Now, don't let that big name scare you away! The author really does a wonderful job of using these concepts in teaching the reader how to raise their spiritual level and get the most out of their spiritual walk. As Christians, we are always striving to have more understanding of God's Word and His principals.

Using the six levels of the taxonomy she applies them to knowing the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, prayer, fasting, faith and answered prayer, among others.
She does an excellent job in presenting her information. I feel someone wanting to truly grow in God's Word would benefit greatly from applying her format.

Higher Order Thinking Skills For Spiritual Abundance would make a good complimentary book to your Bible. And would be an excellent companion book for those wanting a deeper walk with the Lord.

Higher Order Thinking Skills for Spiritual Abundance is an excellent book. The ideas expressed by the author are central to our lives as Christians.

Jeanette McKenzie presents a fresh and innovative approach to Christianity through an age old concept used by teachers all over the world. She systematically and thoroughly teaches how we as Christians can grow spiritually.

So, if you are at a "stand still" and then perhaps you may want to invest in this book. Certainly an excellent tool for believers everywhere.

Frank delivers a profile of the future that few authors have.
Unlike other titles this book does not focus solely on religion it highlights timeless virtue and inner values as a factor toward a bright tomorrow. Respect for law, values and education will be a reason to hope after all. This is an excellent read!

How refreshing to read this book. Bringing religion into our lives makes us so whole and alive. This author writes from the heart and knows his Bible and is spreading the word.

A well-researched book that has has been overdue. A book about "religion" by an author who shares his insight into the dark side of churchianity. Sherosky uncovers the hidden truths about real Faith for the real Believer and proves that Truth will set you free! This is a book for those who are not sure of the future, nervous about the present, and uncertain of the past. Its also a book for those in the churches and synagogues who think they are already well-informed about such matters. The hidden agendas, spiritual abuse, and distortions of the secular and religious "teachers" are revealed in a postive manner. The future of mankind will be far different after the arrival of the Messiah than that which the Rabbis and Clerics have hyped for the past 2,000 years. The ultimate potential for the human race will be realized in the Messianic Millenium which is the "Good News" shared by Sherosky in detail. Must reading for those seeking the faith once delivered.

Robert Plamondon has packed more great information about chick brooding into this book than can be found in any other current "how to" poultry book. The author combines his own chick brooding experiences with still valuable material from out-of-print poultry books, and shows the reader how to apply it using new technology. It is well illustrated with both old and new photos. This book is a must have if you want to raise chicks. I wish it had been available when I first started, but I have it now!

It's about time someone compiled a book on how to brood chickens properly. Robert took his many years of experience and knowledge, and also his old library of out of print books and compiled a very detailed yet concise book that will help you have the greatest success or improve your past success to a higher level. I would recommend this book to anyone who is brooding chicks in numbers from 10 to 100,000. Thanks Robert for putting together this information.

Plamondon raises chickens and eggs at his successful Oregon pastured poultry operation. He is also a respected member of the internet poultry mail groups.

He has gleaned the best of the past--tried and true information--the almost lost "Secrets of the Past Poultry Masters".The Ohio Brooder plans alone are worth the price of the volume. The guidelines are suitable for all climates and breeds.

The book is strong on up-to-date nutritional and disease control information, and explainations of what does and does not work.

Easy to understand charts and illustrations help the novice and experienced poultry person to grasp the concepts. Plamondon writes in an easy to read, engaging style.

Highly recommended!

This is a Wonderful Book, although it burst my Bubble a few years ago. I consider this book to be a *very* important addition to any Occultist or Esoteric Freemason's library.

In 1991, I joined "The Brotherhood of Light," based in CA, (currently going by the name of "The Church of Light") and I thought I had joined a prestigious Occult organization. Their history was documented back to T.H. Burgoyne and the organization was "reformed" by C.C. Zain (aka Elbert Benjamine), but prior to this time period, they claimed lineage from "The Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor."

The BofL newsletters had pictures of Max Theon, etc., and the organization was supposedly founded upon "The Light of Egypt, Vol. I & II," by T.H. Burgoyne, after a period of time in-which they were supposedly named "The Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor." However, "The Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor: Initiatic and Historical Documents of an Order of Practical Occultism," by Joscelyn Godwin, et al, disputes the CofL/BofL connection to "The Hermetic Brotherhood of Light."
With all this Pedigree stuff, I thought I was a member of a Big Deal occult organization.... then, when the internet age hit, I was utterly baffled by the fact that NO ONE took the CofL/BofL seriously.....
....until, I read this book!
Basically, all the bizarre and nonsensical aspects of the organization I had Previously held afiliation with suddenly made-sense.
"The Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor: ....," by Joscelyn Godwin, et al, really opened my eyes and saved me a lot of money.
Luckily, I had not sunk much money into the organization--a very small amount, in fact, due to scepticism on a local level.
I strongly recommend this book to Occult Practitioners and Esoteric Freemasons. Waite's "Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry" is also very enlightening in regards to these organizations and "T.H. Burgoyne" and "Max Theon."
Apparently, Mr. T.H. Burgoyne was quite a shyster !
This historical account of "The Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor" really helped me out, prevented numerous headaches, and saved me a lot of money.
It seems that "T.H. Burgoyne's" motto of "Omnia Vincit Veritas" was rather self-defeating.

This book really goes back to the beginnings of occultism. I would suggest reading
Paschal Beverly Randolph: A Nineteenth-Century Black American Spiritualist, Rosicrucian, and Sex Magician (Suny Series in Western Esoteric Traditions)
first, however; as you will get more out of it if you have a context to put it in.
Enjoy!

The Hermetic Brotherhood of Luxor has become "en vogue" lately among certain circles of occultists and occult historians. This book, unlike others written by persons of questionable academic reputation, gives a complete and unbiased account of the HBL, its structure, system, and personalities.

Complete and concise, contains several useful documents including sources for high degree OTO materials, this book is a must-have in the library of any serious occultist.

Who needs fantasy when real civilizations have been so diverse? Park's book brings medieval Korea to life through the eyes of two young brothers, one a talented kite maker, the other a skilled flyer. The story never set my pulse racing (which is the only reason I don't give it 5 stars --- I'm fond of thrillers), but hundreds of little details that make the boys' lives different from ours, yet the same, are effortlessly conveyed.

This book is about two brothers named Kee-sup and Young-sup who live in Korea. They both love to fly kites but only Young-sup can launch a kite successfully alone.Because Kee-sup is the oldest son,Young-sup is always in second place and he finds it unfair.One day when both brothers were at the hillside flying their kites,they met the king(who was only at their age) face to face and formed a special friendship together.The king wanted to join the kite-flying competition but he knew that everyone would let him win on purpose and so he asked Young-sup to represent him in the competition.But would Young-sup beat the rest and Kim Hee-nam who the champion for the past two years? Read and you will find out.

The Kite Fighters will fly you effortlessly back to the year 1473 and into the world of three young Korean boys. Two are brothers who each have talents with kites. The oldest is an artist and can craft the most beautiful kites. The younger boy is skilled at flying and technique in kite fighting. The third boy is the young King who longs to be like other boys, to run and play and fly a kite on a hill. Each scene is crafted carefully and progresses smoothly to the exciting finish, a competition of kite flying before the King. The author shares intimate looks into Korean history, culture, family life and traditions of that time. The time may be long ago and the place may be far away, but the emotions and excitement of the boys will still connect with readers of today. I really enjoyed this book. It inspires me to 1) read more by Linda Sue Park and 2) go fly a kite!

I bought this book years ago when the cover was different, and it cost only $12.95 in paperback, and I still use it for ideas, although some of them are a little off-the wall or even impractical for me. It's the kind of book where there is a culture clash with some of the things she suggests: "Put strawberries in a bowl and leave two, with stems on, on the table next to the bowl.." Why? Or "Put eggs in an old wire basket." Well, I'm afraid they won't last too long like that, and with the organic eggs I buy costing over $2,00 a dozen, it's the height of impracticality for me. Then there's "Make lobster, avocado, and wild rice salad for a picnic." Two problems: a) tell me how, and b) maybe this is no problem for a New Yorker or Connecticut resident, but for a landlocked Oklahoman that's a mighty pricey picnic! Statements like these make her seem very Martha Stewart, like she's from another world. Certainly not mine, anyway.Still, there are many, many parts of her book where she makes perfect sense, such as buying in season, and that people buy too much food, and taking the television out of the bedroom is a great idea I've completely taken to heart! So to sum up, this book that gives you food for thought, if you don't choke on some of the grace notes!

As a former working mother (working outside the home, I mean), I am grateful for books like these. Having been raised by one of the first working mothers in the 1970s, I didn't learn all the skills of homecaring, or the little niceties that make like more enjoyable and beautiful for myself and my family. Like one of the guys, I was sent out into the world of business and expected to compete there. I did, but I was miserable and felt something was missing from life.

A good friend gave me this book as a gift -- and what a perfect gift it was, at the time I most needed it. Yes, the ideas are simple, and perhaps, to some, this whole domestic goddess thing can be "syrupy" as one reviewer put it. So sue me -- but I love being at home, love rediscovering what it's like to live like a human being, not a "human doing", and to make my home a place of beauty. I love this book, and plan to give it to other women like myself, and I will be looking for more like it!

I felt obligated to post my review because, as cheesy as it may sound, Alexandra Stoddard's book, Living A Beautiful Life, actually changed my life -- for the better. I'll agree that all of the Grace Notes are not for everyone -- they are merely suggestions. Neither do I try and do everything that she recommends. But she did succeed at getting me to look at life and its daily routine in a different way. She's also introduced me to wonderful authors, such as Madeleine L'Engle. Alexandra's writing has helped me to live a more beautiful life "in the moment" by appreciating every blessing and using every moment to add more beauty to it. Now I try and celebrate every little aspect of life, if possible, by not keeping anything mundane. My life greatly reflects my passion for life and I am now more aware of the beauty involved in simple existence. Alexandra has written other great books (which have helped me tremendously) on relationships, family, interior decorating, the lost art of letter writing, etc. Remember, it's all about what works for you. I'm currently collecting Alexandra's books and highly recommend them all. Alexandra, thank you very much. By sharing your passion, you give a wonderful gift. :)

This book gives quite a bit of history as far as religious orders in the U.S. and the kind of work that they have done over the years. I also enjoyed the photos because I feel that they helped me to understand the history better. And it's interesting to see how the nuns and sisters have dressed over the years.

This book has excellent pictures on the nuns in the full traditional habit thru out the book, with quick accounts of the various religious orders. In the back of the book is a dateline of all the religious orders of Sisters and the institutions they founded in the United States such as catholic hospitals, and colleges. Its an wonderful resource on any person researching the history and traditions of the Catholic Sisters (nuns) who have served our country as educators and health care professionals.

A few years ago I took a college course on the history of health care in the US. I noticed that there was a strange neglect to mention all the work that sisters have done in hospital/nursing. It is good to see a book that gives us a good description of this and other work. It is amazing to see these women working against such adversity, and achieving so much. Our usual image of 19th century women does not include administrators and CEOs, but that is what these women were. They served God and their fellow humans in remarkable ways. It made me nastalgic for the days of plentiful vocations.