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Rating: 
Summary: Written for real women...understood by a real man
Review: As a professional counselor, I am always seeking resources to give me a different slant on the problems ( and possible solutions) generally associated with life...or more accurately, problems associated with "just existing, i.e. getting by" while becoming well enough to "live". I received a copy of Fairy Tale Faith by Brenda Waggoner. I thought I would just glance through the book and determine whether it had any "good stuff" for me to use. My glance led to a return to the first page where I started reading...and reading carefully. Soon I got my highlighter out and started marking what really had meaning for me. Then, I started writing my own notes in the margins...and later, found myself moving my focus from the book and staring into space as I, without realizing that I was doing so, began to ponder what she was saying to me...not others...but to me, personally and direct. It was if we were having dialogue. The teaser on the inside cover of the book stated, "Solid answers for real women...and real life". Let me tell you...she might be writing for women...but this male picked up on the meaning just fine. She has written pure gold in the pages of this book. She has taken so many of the issues that I see (hear) on a daily basis...and has clearly and succinctly reduced each emotion...or emotional malady...to its lowest common meaning/acceptance. I understood the work from a clinician's point of view. I knew what she was saying to me. I also think that my clients will also pick up on her descriptions, explanations, and invitations for change from "whatever we have become that we do not appreciate...to becoming real again". Ms. Waggoner, through her story telling, shares with us our pain and does so in a way that does not make one defensive. I like her phrase, "living in the meantime" because so many of my clients are forgetting to breathe..much less breathe in the love of life, of joy, of sharing, of open-handedness and welcoming, of release, and/or forgiving. I thought I would be read this book quickly. I didn't. I read, I savored, I thought, I projected, I reflected, I made myself promises...and I prayed. Good book. Enjoyable book. I received it as a gift...and will be giving it to others as a gift. I have to share this treasure with others.
Rating:
Summary: Timeless treasures
Review: I just finished reading "Fairy Tale Faith" by Brenda Waggoner ... again! It is a treasure box full of jewels of timeless truths that will not change no matter how one's personal, political or social climate may change. These truths will not change because they are based on a God who is changeless. The insights she shares are gems Brenda has mined from her own experiences as well as those of others. She shares her meditative and educated thoughts, shows her own vulnerability, and shares some of her communion with God. She has shown how God can take the lumps of coal in our life, and through great pressures and hardships, turn those dark, unwanted experiences into diamonds. This book is a real encouragement to me personally to remember that God is still writing my own "fairy tale", even though I'm very much still in the "meantime". To be reminded and reassured of His love and individual concern for me was very uplifting, and makes the "happily ever after" seem so much more real. Brenda writes in a very pleasant reading style that captures your mind and heart.
Rating:
Summary: Timeless treasures
Review: I just finished reading "Fairy Tale Faith" by Brenda Waggoner ... again! It is a treasure box full of jewels of timeless truths that will not change no matter how one's personal, political or social climate may change. These truths will not change because they are based on a God who is changeless. The insights she shares are gems Brenda has mined from her own experiences as well as those of others. She shares her meditative and educated thoughts, shows her own vulnerability, and shares some of her communion with God. She has shown how God can take the lumps of coal in our life, and through great pressures and hardships, turn those dark, unwanted experiences into diamonds. This book is a real encouragement to me personally to remember that God is still writing my own "fairy tale", even though I'm very much still in the "meantime". To be reminded and reassured of His love and individual concern for me was very uplifting, and makes the "happily ever after" seem so much more real. Brenda writes in a very pleasant reading style that captures your mind and heart.
Rating:
Summary: Authentic Faith
Review: Life, such as it is...it IS a precious gift of God. It is meant to be lived day by day, hour by hour, in Him...for Him. How proud He is when we walk through the "meantime" and find comfort and compassion at the hands of our Father of grace. Brenda shows us through this compelling book that He is with us, He is for us, and He is in relationship with us...no matter what. We learn through her words of wisdom, there is NO shame in vulnerability as we walk through this life. God knows us, He loves us deeply, despite our life circumstances. This truth never changes. We CAN face our realities, hurts, shame, and guilt, turning each of them over to our merciful Father and continue walking forward in His gentle care. Brenda brings us face to face with authentic vulnerability...He knows, He's there, He IS! Our surrendered lives beckon His presence...our repentant lives find His forgiveness...our painful pasts or sorrowful presents cause Him to embrace us...He is ABBA and we are His throughout eternity. Brenda offers the hope of our God by walking us through the beginning, the meantime, and finally, hope for happily ever after...eternally.
Rating:
Summary: God's smile
Review: Reading Fairy Tale Faith has helped me change my view of what God is like and how He feels about me. I am starting to see Him with a more compassionate, understanding of my weakness, kind of love. Brenda Waggoner's reality based words of encouragement have helped me begin to relax into the arms of God, trust His loving heart and to believe He has an approving smile for me.
Rating:
Summary: Must Share
Review: This book is one you must share with your friends and family. As a leader of a Women's Ministry and Sunday School Teacher I felt strongly enough about the book that I purchased 50 to use it as our first study of the new year. We used Brenda's Velveteen Woman book as a theme for our women's retreat last year and it was well received. The women are very excited at the prospect of studying the new book this year.
Rating:
Summary: Must Share
Review: This book is one you must share with your friends and family. As a leader of a Women's Ministry and Sunday School Teacher I felt strongly enough about the book that I purchased 50 to use it as our first study of the new year. We used Brenda's Velveteen Woman book as a theme for our women's retreat last year and it was well received. The women are very excited at the prospect of studying the new book this year.
Rating:
Summary: My copy is stuffed with Post-It arrows!
Review: This type of book is my favorite - how to live the Christian life with authenticity, taking into account how REAL life is. Not how you'd like it to be, or how it "should" be, but just how it is. This book is a real winner - very thought provoking. Be sure to allow plenty of time to read slowly, reflect, pray, and let the truths in this book seep into your soul. When I'm reading a book like this, I keep my Post-It arrows close at hand so I can mark excerpts that I want to write down or just re-read. In this case, the book looks like a porcupine, and I still have another chapter to read! I love how the author uses real life stories to illustrate her points. She includes stories from her own life and others who she has counseled. Another feature of this book that I love is her extensive Notes section. She quotes from many different authors - contemporary and classics. She uses Henri Nouwen's works in almost every chapter. Now I'm going to have to check out his books! A must read for any woman who is trying to live her life in the meantime... Or for that matter, any man too - this is not just a woman's book. Please check out my other Amazon reviews! If you liked this book, check out "Intimate Faith" by Jane Winebrenner.
Rating:
Summary: My copy is stuffed with Post-It arrows!
Review: This type of book is my favorite - how to live the Christian life with authenticity, taking into account how REAL life is. Not how you'd like it to be, or how it "should" be, but just how it is. This book is a real winner - very thought provoking. Be sure to allow plenty of time to read slowly, reflect, pray, and let the truths in this book seep into your soul. When I'm reading a book like this, I keep my Post-It arrows close at hand so I can mark excerpts that I want to write down or just re-read. In this case, the book looks like a porcupine, and I still have another chapter to read! I love how the author uses real life stories to illustrate her points. She includes stories from her own life and others who she has counseled. Another feature of this book that I love is her extensive Notes section. She quotes from many different authors - contemporary and classics. She uses Henri Nouwen's works in almost every chapter. Now I'm going to have to check out his books! A must read for any woman who is trying to live her life in the meantime... Or for that matter, any man too - this is not just a woman's book. Please check out my other Amazon reviews! If you liked this book, check out "Intimate Faith" by Jane Winebrenner.
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