Showing posts with label Inspiring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inspiring. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom (5)

1st review by Native .... :)


What if our beliefs were not what divided us, but what pulled us together?

In Have a Little Faith, Mitch Albom offers a beautifully written story of a remarkable eight-year journey between two worlds--two men, two faiths, two communities--that will inspire readers everywhere.


Albom's first nonfiction book since Tuesdays with Morrie, Have a Little Faith begins with an unusual request: an eighty-two-year-old rabbi from Albom's old hometown asks him to deliver his eulogy.


Feeling unworthy, Albom insists on understanding the man better, which throws him back into a world of faith he'd left years ago. Meanwhile, closer to his current home, Albom becomes involved with a Detroit pastor--a reformed drug dealer and convict--who preaches to the poor and homeless in a decaying church with a hole in its roof.


Moving between their worlds, Christian and Jewish, African-American and white, impoverished and well-to-do, Albom observes how these very different men employ faith similarly in fighting for survival: the older, suburban rabbi embracing it as death approaches; the younger, inner-city pastor relying on it to keep himself and his church afloat.


As America struggles with hard times and people turn more to their beliefs, Albom and the two men of God explore issues that perplex modern man: how to endure when difficult things happen; what heaven is; intermarriage; forgiveness; doubting God; and the importance of faith in trying times. Although the texts, prayers, and histories are different, Albom begins to recognize a striking unity between the two worlds--and indeed, between beliefs everywhere.


In the end, as the rabbi nears death and a harsh winter threatens the pastor's wobbly church, Albom sadly fulfills the rabbi's last request and writes the eulogy. And he finally understands what both men had been teaching all along: the profound comfort of believing in something bigger than yourself.


Have a Little Faith is a book about a life's purpose; about losing belief and finding it again; about the divine spark inside us all. It is one man's journey, but it is everyone's story.


Purchased this Book because: My bookclub choice for the month


Opening Lines: In the beginning, there was a question. 'Will you do my eulogy'


While reading this book, I was able to smile, feel sad, shed a tear or two, and laugh, and gave me cause to reflect, not about my faith, but about my participation in the community, do I help my friends, neighbours etc? "Am I Charitable"


I rate this book 5 *****

Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom (4)


What if our beliefs were not what divided us, but what pulled us together?

In Have a Little Faith, Mitch Albom offers a beautifully written story of a remarkable eight-year journey between two worlds --- two men, two faiths, two communities --- that will inspire readers everywhere.


I purchased this book because: Book Club Read

Opening Lines: In the beginning, there was a question. "Will you do my eulogy?"

I have to say I abit in two minds whether I would enjoy this book or not ... Tuesday's with Morrie is one of my favourite books which I loved ... So naturally I went out and purchased 'The five people you meet in heaven' ... To be really disappointed with it ... But have to say that this book is back to his style of writing ... As 'Tuesdays with Morrie' and this novel are both true stories which involves the writer personally ... Where 'The Five People you meet in Heaven' is fictional and felt it was disjointed and I struggled with it ...

But back to this novel .... It is a lovely idea taken from two completely different worlds .... The chapters are short and interesting ... With great wee stories, tales and sayings throughout the novel which will inspire you ... I think my problem was that I had heard alot of the stories before so they where not something new to me ... But I can see where people will absolutely love this novel and find it inspiring :) ......

Quotes I found interesting: 'Getting old, we can deal with. Being old is the problem' Pg 125


'Lord, regardless of what eternity holds for me, let me give something back to you. I know it don't even no scorecard. But let me make something of my life before I go .... And then Lord, I'm at your mercy' Pg 221


As a non-fiction book it is really good ... And 10 percent of this novel goes to charity, including The hole in the wall Foundation which helps refurnish places of worship for the homeless ... This novel does make you pause for thought as to how would you write your own eulogy! .... And am I making the best of my life and living it to its fullest and do I have a purpose? ... So in conclusion I enjoyed the book but it isn't one of my favourites .......


I rate this book 4 ****

Some words from the author himself .... Enjoy :)


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