"Eat, Pray, Love"

Monday Media Review

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia
by Elizabeth Gilbert

Gilbert fully engages the reader, sustaining a charming, funny tone in this glorious, heartfelt memoir. Finding herself full of despair following a messy divorce, the author embarks on a journey of self discovery by equally dividing a year among three countries; Italy, India and Indonesia.

First, the pleasure of savoring Italy’s delectable delights (lots of pasta and pizza!); next, time to pray, search and reflect at an ashram in India; and finally, balance and love in Bali. What fun it is to join her on her journey and watch her as she evolves along the way.

In addition to being a superb writer, her ability to bring the characters to life pulled me in from the start. I found her insights inspirational, her humor uplifting and her honesty enjoyable. In the end, I felt as if I had made a new friend. This book left me wanting more!

“I keep remembering one of my Guru’s teachings about happiness. She says that people universally tend to think that happiness is a stroke of luck, something that will maybe descend upon you like fine weather if you’re fortunate enough. But that’s not how happiness works. Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it, you must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it.”

5 Stars!!
Original Release Date: January 30, 2007
Pages: 352

The Gospel of Inclusion

I sit here with my copy of The Gospel of Inclusion beside the keyboard. Inside Bishop Carlton Pearson has written: "To Common Tables. What a fantastic and radically indlusive idea! Peace is Possible!"

Combine Bishop Pearson's wonderful endorsement of Common Tables with my own personal belief that he is truly one of the great men of our time and I am left with the knowing that I really can't do a non-biased review of his book. Instead, I will share with you comments from others:

"A refreshing look at a religion that is at the center of the current International conflict. I salute Bishop Pearson for having taken a bold step in the right direction. A book for all sane people to read and digest. Gripping and outstanding!!"

Arun Gandhi, President of the Mahatma K. Ghandi Institute for Nonviolence

"Carlton Pearson's book, The Gospel of Inclusion presents a powerful new voice that is emerging in Pentecostal circles. The God Bishop Pearson is serving is a God of love not judgment, a God of universalism not sectarianism, a God of expansion not control. It is intriguing, provocative and hopeful, a surprising twist in our ancient faith story."

John Shelby Spong, author of Why Christianity Must Change or Die and The Sins of Scripture: Exposing the Bible's Tenor of Hate to Reveal the God of Love

"I love the spirit of Bishop Carlton Pearson's book, The Gospel of Inclusion. It arrives to a generation whose fear of deception is often greater than its faith...Bishop Pearson has nailed a thesis to our church door and demanded reformation. He comes with the spirit of Elijah and the courage of John the Baptist and Paul the Apostle."

Dr. Mark Hanby, Mark Hanby Ministries

"If you are ready to meet God, read my friend Bishop Carlton's wisely, insightful and instantly life changing book. You will be stimulated to share these ideas with all that you love. I did, and I am glad I did."

Mark Victor Hansen, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul

5 Stars!

Original Release Date: April 30, 2007

Length: 245 Pages