Father Forgive Me

Father Forgive Us, for We Know Not What We Do is a first-person account of a series of lucid thoughts, a quilted inner delving. In some ways Descartes redux, in others Holden Caulfield, it is observational and analytic, a work of "philosophy" - but only to a sort. Entirely non-academic and written for a popular audience, the book promotes the reader's thought and engagement, challenging every preconception and assumption. Supporting this is a methodology which is loosely aphoristic: sometimes carrying a thought over several paragraphs, sometimes only a line or two. It is a work to be explored and re-explored, and its short sections and frequent divisions will keep the reader blissfully turning pages. Presenting a philosophical soliloquy, the inquiries into life, art, culture, human nature, thinking and language, and finally technology and machines, form the sections of the book and explore what it is to be human today. Its deliberations don't attempt any final answers (because how could there ever be any), but profound and unsettling questions are raised time and again. Father Forgive Us, for We Know Not What We Do will evoke, entertain, enlighten, and above all encourage. Each of us is a work in progress.

Book Delisted

Documents the killing of elderly nun, Sister Margaret Ann Pahl by Father Gerald Robinson, a popular priest who was not convicted of her murder-- which had overtones of a Satanic ritual-- until twenty-five years later.

Although there is a great deal of attention given – quite rightly so – to pedophile priests, my experience with clergy sexual abuse was also a nightmare. It started out by my being raped as a teenager by a priest who I thought I could trust and then being coerced into having an affair with him for fear of losing my children. A skilled manipulator, especially of vulnerable teenagers and young women who had challenges in their lives, we all thought a priest could help us overcome our particular situations. Once he gained my trust and pretended to be a friend, he set about a path to manipulate me toward a path to a living hell that put my spiritual health and soul in danger. I saw him as a man of the cloth, a man of God who would help me and my children without expecting anything in return. Little did I know I was not his fi rst victim, nor would I be his last, lured by his promises to leave the church for me, and by his word that God himself had sent him to save us.

When we live with unresolved anger or hurt, the result is nearly always bitterness, broken relationships, and unhealthy behaviors. Unforgiveness not only sabotages our interactions with those around us, it impedes our own spiritual growth and inner peace. And it can happen to anyone. In her most vulnerable writing yet, Ruth Graham reveals how a visit to Angola Prison inspired her to release the unforgiveness lurking in her own heart--toward others, herself, and even her heavenly Father and her earthly father, evangelist Billy Graham. In this encouraging book, she weaves her own personal experiences with biblical examples to explore what holds us back from forgiving others and ourselves--and what we gain when we finally discover the power to forgive. Along the way, she guides us into our own deeply personal experiences of forgiveness that will penetrate our protective walls and unleash true transformation in our lives.

Relate the themes of scripture to the everyday concerns of modern life with this collection of penetrating prayers written in an informal, personal style. The first-person language encourages individual accountability while affirming our common sins and the sense of community upon which Christian worship is built. Based on lectionary scripture passages, there are original prayers of confession for each Sunday plus several special days in the church year. Whether read aloud or contemplated silently, these tried and proven prayers will add a freshly honest, contemporary texture to your Sunday morning worship -- or provide meaningful insight for Bible study classes and personal devotions. Wade's work reflects a keen and well-grounded theological awareness, a sensitivity to the real-life issues we face, and powerful, daring language that makes available to us the possibility of faithfulness and liveliness in worship. This book of prayers may help the church (and its pastors) refocus so that we can re-engage our mission. Walter Brueggemann William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament Columbia Theological Seminary Real feeling, common guilt, cosmic sin, and personal failure are given expression in these prayers of confession that define the human quest for wholeness in God's presence. Worship is enlivened as personal prayers become common prayer. George W. Otto Former Executive Director United Church of Christ Stewardship Council David L. Wade is a United Church of Christ pastor who has served congregations in Wyoming and Indiana. He also spent more than a decade as an ecumenical campus minister at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.

When Robin Oake's son, Special Branch officer Stephen, was killed by a terrorist while on duty, a press conference was called. A journalist asked, 'Mr Oake, what do you think about the man who killed your son?' and received a startling reply: 'I don't know the man or the circumstances but from my heart I forgive him.' Another journalist said, 'What?!' and our response may be the same. But in this powerful and moving book, Robin shares his story and the reasons for his amazing forgiveness. Using examples from his long experience in the police he explores the 'why' and 'how' of forgiveness - even in extreme circumstances.

Building on her signature message of using the mind to master difficult emotions, Joyce Meyer focuses on the most destructive, insidious one of all: anger. It is responsible for broken relationships, sleepless nights, high blood pressure and ulcers. It destroys friendships, marriages and families, not to mention peace of mind. Anger is especially hard to handle for many Christians who have learned from childhood that "good Christians don't get angry." Meyer argues that properly handled, anger is an alert system that something is wrong and needs to be resolved. In her latest book, she delves into the important process of forgiving, explaining its positive impact on the roots, the forms and the results of anger. Why forgive? Joyce explains that forgiving is the only thing that can free one from the terrible turmoil that anger causes to spill over into every part of life. Meyer understands that life will never be fair, but that is not a reason to let anger destroy our well-being and health. This is her guide to navigating that thorny territory and finding true peace.