2.5 Stars Out Of 5
2.5 out of 5
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(9)
(5)
(4)
(9)
Quality:
3.1 out Of 5
(3.1 out of 5)
Value:
2.9 out Of 5
(2.9 out of 5)
Meets Expectations:
2.6 out Of 5
(2.6 out of 5)
53%
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Displaying items 1-5 of 27
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  1. Ryan Collins
    Glendale, AZ
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: male
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    Good For What It Is Intended...
    May 11, 2011
    Ryan Collins
    Glendale, AZ
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: male
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This review was written for The Sacred Meal.
    Gallagher, Nora. The Sacred Meal: The Ancient Practice Series. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2009.

    I read this book out of intrigue from the more than mediocre reviews that I was reading. In fact, many of the reviews that I saw were anywhere between 1-3 stars, with many congregating in the 1-2 range. Some of the comments were that it was more about emotion and taking the Sacred Meal than a scriptural treatise. However, I found that these reviews poorly conveyed the purpose behind the book.

    First off, Nora Gallagher is not a scholar or theologian, she is a novelist and a brilliant author. To approach this book expecting it to be a theological dissection of the Sacred Meal would be a complete disservice to what Nora Gallagher is trying to accomplish. I read the entire book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Yes, I will concede that Scripture is not heavily quoted, but I did not feel that it had to be. Nora was explaining the benefits of the Sacred Meal in a personal and community-focused spiritual context. Not once did she try to unpack the major theological implications, nor was that her intent in writing the book.

    I gave the book four stars because Nora wrote a great book, for what it is. If her purpose was to write a book on the theological meaning of the Sacred Meal, I can see why many would give it one to three stars. However, this was not her intention and it is blatantly obvious in the text, which warrants a four star, maybe even a five. It is brilliantly written with great interaction between writer and reader. There was not one time where I was able to be scatterbrained and not focus on what I was reading. Though she is writing about a very real event and real personal stories and feeling regarding the Sacred Meal, there were times where her words and writing brought you into the stories as if you were reading a great novel. Of course this would only be natural coming from a novelist, and this is one aspect of the book that I greatly admired.

    I would definitely recommend this book to friends and family, but not for theological reasons. This is solely a spiritual book with no academic goal.
  2. Chaplain Steve
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: male
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    Great renewing read
    May 14, 2011
    Chaplain Steve
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: male
    Quality: 4
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 4
    This review was written for The Sacred Meal.
    I just finished reading The Sacred Meal by Nora Gallagher and Phyllis Tickle. I picked this book up because I have become very weary of "modern Christianity". I have found that I am searching for the roots of my faith. I really enjoyed this book. I found the idea that no matter where we find ourselves in our Christian walk. Whether you are a Roman Catholic or you are a Holy Roller Pentecostal. We all share one common thing; we all celebrate the Sacred Meal. It is at this time we all stop and remember what Christ did for us and the promises that he made to us. I also like the fact that Gallagher reminded us that it is at communion God will at times put us face to face with the very people that we don't want to have contact with, as if God is saying, "I made peace with you through the blood of my son, now you make peace with them at my table." I also liked the fact that Gallagher did not get bogged down in the theological arguments about the bread and the wine becoming the body and blood of Christ. But she focused on the miracle that happens in us when we allow God to heal and restore use threw the work of the Cross. I would recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a refreshing and thought provoking discussion of Communion.
  3. Mari-Anna
    Europe
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    A Conversational Reflection on Communion
    April 21, 2011
    Mari-Anna
    Europe
    Gender: female
    Quality: 4
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 4
    This review was written for The Sacred Meal.
    During this Holy Week I've been reading The Sacred Meal by Nora Gallagher. This is a book in the Ancient Practices series published by Thomas Nelson. The Sacred Meal is about the practice of Holy Communion.

    What makes this book special is the writing style of Nora Gallagher. Reading the book feels like sitting at a coffee shop with a good friend and comparing notes on the Lord's Supper. The book is not a theological reference book but a conversational reflection of what it is to practice your faith in real life, what it is to contemplate on your practice of communion, what it is to bring the gifts of communion into everyday living.

    Gallagher writes from the Episcopalian perspective but it's not exclusive at all. I don't necessarily agree with every word in the book but it beautifully brings me to reflect on the meaning of communion and the mystery of the sacred meal that Jesus himself initiated. The book emphasizes that unlike every other Christian practice, communion is meant to be done together, as a body of Christ. The book poses questions, stretches your Biblical imagination, and offers plenty to mull on. If you're looking for a companion for digging deeper what communion could be this book is for you.

    *************************************************************************************

    Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
  4. scanada
    Ontario, Canada
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    Draws in the reader into author's experiences
    March 14, 2011
    scanada
    Ontario, Canada
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    Quality: 4
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 3
    This review was written for The Sacred Meal.
    I chose to review The Sacred Meal because I found my own time of communion to be somewhat lacking. I am glad that I read this book, because I found Ms. Gallagher's insights to be the sort of spiritual food I needed to get back on track with what Communion is, and what it does for us. Ms. Gallagher writes this book as sort of a combination of her experiences with the Eucharist, with some history chunks thrown in. I found it to be informative, enlightening, and a good reminder of why we celebrate communion the way we do.

    I really enjoyed reading the chapter about the Soup Kitchen. For me, that was probably the chapter that linked the Eucharist with Jesus the best. At least, it was what spoke the most to me. Reading about her eating with those attending the soup kitchen just drew me back to the Bible where Jesus was eating with sinners. It was an awesome parallel.

    Overall, I would give this book 4/5. It's a good and easy read. Ms. Gallagher's style of writing draws you in and you can really relate to her experiences of communion. While not an extremely technical piece, her experiences allow the reader to ruminate on communion, and allows the little details to settle into the broken and shut off pieces of your heart. I finished this book feeling refreshed and rejuvenated in my faith — and wanting to take communion!

    ---------------

    Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
  5. Bill Colburn
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    A personal journey with Eucharist
    December 16, 2010
    Bill Colburn
    Quality: 5
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This review was written for The Sacred Meal.
    I've been fascinated by the Eucharist since I was a child. Whether Catholic, Episcopal, or practiced variably within a non-denominational setting, this ritual is always full of meaning. I just didn't realize just how much meaning till I read Nora Gallagher's book.

    Gallagher has a knack for simultaneously speaking to the heart of both those who find 'the sacred meal' a rather stodgy, relatively tedious aspect of church and to others who cherish it as a much anticipated passage into the divine dimension. She weaves into each chapter a story, which, at first inclines the reader to wonder if she's off on some totally unrelated, yet fascinating tangent. Masterfully she brings it all home having totally illuminated another aspect of the Eucharist.

    The eleven chapters of this book openly and honestly explore 'the sacred meal' through her own personal experiences through which the reader is invited to wonder anew about this practice with similar disarm. If you are looking for an in-depth theological and/or historical presentation on communion, this is not the book for you. If you have not enjoyed the celebration of the meal, give this author an opportunity to reframe it for you. I don't think you will be disappointed. If, on the other hand, you love the Eucharist, take a gander at this book to deepen your love for Christ through The Sacred Meal.
Displaying items 1-5 of 27
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