A sometimes-intriguing but underdeveloped collection of queries about the work-faith connection.
An interactive journal-outline for Christian readers.
Wallace offers a “succinct tool for thought, reflection, and action” from a Christian perspective, and the key word is succinct: It’s fewer than 50 pages in length, and there’s very little actual text. It provides 21 daily reflections, most consisting of simple questions preceding blank, ruled spaces for readers to add their thoughts and answers. Day 12, for instance, straightforwardly asks “What are three ways your work can transform the way you see your business, career, or life?” Day 15 is even simpler, asking “When you think about networking, what are the first three words that pop into your mind?” As these and other questions (and the book’s title) indicate, the general context of the reflection points is the business world, and particularly the process of professional networking (Day 18: “What are three ways networking can glorify God through your business, career, or life?”). As Wallace points out in one of the book’s rare patches of prose, “work” in modern times has a bad reputation; we should reimagine it, she writes, “as a wonderful, inspiring adventure that produces joy, income, and blesses many through our businesses, careers, and lives.” The questions are also designed to emphasize a connection between business activities, Christian ethics, and the idea of one’s closeness to God. This is a tenuous connection at best, and many readers don’t naturally link self-directed activities such as networking with Christianity—and in such a slight book, the author doesn’t take time to convince skeptical readers. Wallace’s contention that readers must be “bold focused, fearless, and forever bold about activating [their] faith in our businesses, careers, and lives” is only sketchily served by the book’s overly simple prompts. Some of the questions are thought-provoking, but the book would have been better served by longer, more detailed discussion.
A sometimes-intriguing but underdeveloped collection of queries about the work-faith connection.Pub Date: May 26, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-973691-95-2
Page Count: 56
Publisher: Westbow Press
Review Posted Online: March 24, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A sweet final word from an actor who leaves a legacy of compassion and kindness.
The late actor offers a gentle guide for living with more purpose, love, and joy.
Mixing poetry, prescriptive challenges, and elements of memoir, Heche (1969-2022) delivers a narrative that is more encouraging workbook than life story. The author wants to share what she has discovered over the course of a life filled with abuse, advocacy, and uncanny turning points. Her greatest discovery? Love. “Open yourself up to love and transform kindness from a feeling you extend to those around you to actions that you perform for them,” she writes. “Only by caring can we open ourselves up to the universe, and only by opening up to the universe can we fully experience all the wonders that it holds, the greatest of which is love.” Throughout the occasionally overwrought text, Heche is heavy on the concept of care. She wants us to experience joy as she does, and she provides a road map for how to get there. Instead of slinking away from Hollywood and the ridicule that she endured there, Heche found the good and hung on, with Alec Baldwin and Harrison Ford starring as particularly shining knights in her story. Some readers may dismiss this material as vapid Hollywood stuff, but Heche’s perspective is an empathetic blend of Buddhism (minimize suffering), dialectical behavioral therapy (tolerating distress), Christianity (do unto others), and pre-Socratic philosophy (sufficient reason). “You’re not out to change the whole world, but to increase the levels of love and kindness in the world, drop by drop,” she writes. “Over time, these actions wear away the coldness, hate, and indifference around us as surely as water slowly wearing away stone.” Readers grieving her loss will take solace knowing that she lived her love-filled life on her own terms. Heche’s business and podcast partner, Heather Duffy, writes the epilogue, closing the book on a life well lived.
A sweet final word from an actor who leaves a legacy of compassion and kindness.Pub Date: Jan. 24, 2023
ISBN: 9781627783316
Page Count: 176
Publisher: Viva Editions
Review Posted Online: Feb. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2023
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