The Sweetness of Grace Stories of Christian Trial and Victory edition by Constantina R Palmer Religion Spirituality eBooks
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From the author of "The Scent of Holiness," The Sweetness of Grace is a collection of stories derived from conversations with Orthodox nuns, monks, and laypeople, along with experiences of Orthodox life in South Korea, Greece, and North America. Those who enjoyed Everyday Saints will enjoy these similar stories from other parts of the Orthodox world. The book includes conversations with monastics, priests and laypeople and stories of the sweet and difficult aspects of Christian life. The stories span three continents, including experiences in South Korea, Greece, and North America.
The Sweetness of Grace Stories of Christian Trial and Victory edition by Constantina R Palmer Religion Spirituality eBooks
“More than the sum of its parts,” was a phrase that came to mind when I finished The Sweetness of Grace: stories of Christian trial and victory by Matushka Constantina Palmer. However, that phrase doesn’t quite convey what I want it to. You see, it isn’t the sum of the parts that makes this book what it is, because each story carries within it the whole: the grace of Orthodoxy as lived by faithful Orthodox Christians.Mat. Constantina admits in the introduction that it is her skills as a storyteller, not her masters degree in theology, which bring these stories to life, but I must disagree slightly. Matushka is an exceptional storyteller, but she also has the intimate knowledge of the Holy Fathers and their writings which provides the lens through which the light of the stories shine. Much like my spiritual father who has a (to me) phenomenal and encyclopedic ability to pull out exactly the right anecdote from an elder’s life, a quotation from a saint, verse from holy scripture, or story from the Prologue, Matushka roots every story solidly in the Church’s Tradition. This in turn brings a deeper understanding of the scripture or precept.
All of this might make the book sound too exalted to read! Do not be deceived on this front; just like Matushka Constantina’s first book, The Scent of Holiness, this one is extremely approachable, easy to read, and enjoyable. I read the first third in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. After all, it is a collection of stories. The Lord himself taught us in parables, or stories, as the best way to capture our attention and instruct us. There is nothing insignificant about the humble story.
I recommend this book very highly. You will likely read it as I did, in huge gulps, but then you will return again and again to savor individual stories. Both The Sweetness of Grace and The Scent of Holiness [review here] should be in every Orthodox Christian’s library. Thank you, Matushka, for your labors in collecting and sharing these stories with us.
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The Sweetness of Grace Stories of Christian Trial and Victory edition by Constantina R Palmer Religion Spirituality eBooks Reviews
Easy to read the short stories and accounts a little at a time. The glimpses of monastic life and the author's interaction with various monastics is refreshing in our modern age. Often the short stories have a nugget of inspiration or a thought provoking tid bit that is uplifting and helps to recenter one's focus.
Our women's group read this. The author is very firm in her specific beliefs that we discussed and didn't all agree on. For example, one shouldn't pray without the guidance of a spiritual father or mother. Most of her beliefs seem to come from her spiritual mother, the abba of a convent. The stories are easy to read
very peaceful reading. spiritually inspiring stories.
Very enlightening book. Provides information about the Orthodox Church, spirituality and asceticism. Look forward to reading Constantina's other books.
Our bookclub discussion of these stories was very enlightening. I recommend this book.
It was easy to read in short bursts. I enjoyed contemplating each story individually.
Also, my husband and I shared the book on kindle, and we discussed favorite quotes from the stories at the end of the day.
I was gifted a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review - several months ago. I started reading it right away and even purchased an additional KIndle copy for myself so that I could read more easily right before bed at night. Why so many months till I reviewed? Because savory books take my speech away for awhile. You know how you can hardly speak for a bit after eating a good meal? That's how this book affected me. It's a nourishing book, the sort that will recalibrate your taste in stories, setting a new standard for how you believe the world works.
I read and enjoyed The Scent of Holiness a few years ago, and I highly recommend both that and this book that continues Presbytera Constantina Palmer's collection of and reflection on spiritually upbuilding stories. Like a modern-day Egeria (a 4th C Christian pilgrim whose writings give us a taste of devotion at her time), Pres. Constantina draws us into the places and lives of holy people well met in monasteries and churches and by God's grace in all places. I savor her writing because it's so encouraging and eye-opening. Like rich foods, I want a little at a time, but I want a lot of it!
The Sweetness of Grace is a perfect book for reading along with one's daily scriptures and saints' lives. It has much in it that could be read aloud to family members for encouragement. The stories are the sort that arise in awed "Guess what?" tones over coffee and dinner tables. I could see it forming the basis of conversation for a busy parents' group at church; only a few pages are needed to come away feeling built up in the community of faith. For seekers and people discerning and healing, this book is a godsend, as it draws attention to the way God is moving amongst His loved ones. It's a prophetic work in the sense of building up the people of God and testifying to the great love God has for us -- all in accessible, very human stories, engaging real life characters and settings, and well-parsed narration as needed. Get this book to keep by your knitting or in the kitchen while you wait for your tea. Get it for your friends and family. Read a bit to your family. You'll start to notice more that God is working in your life, too.
“More than the sum of its parts,” was a phrase that came to mind when I finished The Sweetness of Grace stories of Christian trial and victory by Matushka Constantina Palmer. However, that phrase doesn’t quite convey what I want it to. You see, it isn’t the sum of the parts that makes this book what it is, because each story carries within it the whole the grace of Orthodoxy as lived by faithful Orthodox Christians.
Mat. Constantina admits in the introduction that it is her skills as a storyteller, not her masters degree in theology, which bring these stories to life, but I must disagree slightly. Matushka is an exceptional storyteller, but she also has the intimate knowledge of the Holy Fathers and their writings which provides the lens through which the light of the stories shine. Much like my spiritual father who has a (to me) phenomenal and encyclopedic ability to pull out exactly the right anecdote from an elder’s life, a quotation from a saint, verse from holy scripture, or story from the Prologue, Matushka roots every story solidly in the Church’s Tradition. This in turn brings a deeper understanding of the scripture or precept.
All of this might make the book sound too exalted to read! Do not be deceived on this front; just like Matushka Constantina’s first book, The Scent of Holiness, this one is extremely approachable, easy to read, and enjoyable. I read the first third in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. After all, it is a collection of stories. The Lord himself taught us in parables, or stories, as the best way to capture our attention and instruct us. There is nothing insignificant about the humble story.
I recommend this book very highly. You will likely read it as I did, in huge gulps, but then you will return again and again to savor individual stories. Both The Sweetness of Grace and The Scent of Holiness [review here] should be in every Orthodox Christian’s library. Thank you, Matushka, for your labors in collecting and sharing these stories with us.
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