"This book has changed my life... [and] inspired me to depths that no other book has." — Miss Remmers
From Amazon.com...
"The real secret to creating and sustaining an abundant, joyous, and fulfilled life has been hiding in plain sight — in the power of the prayer that unites two billion Christians worldwide, the prayer that each one of them knows by heart.
True happiness and success can't just be wished for. The real secret to fulfillment lies in using the Lord's Prayer as part of an ongoing spiritual practice that leads to real and lasting change in the soul — change that will manifest itself in earthly, tangible ways. Each chapter in The Source of Miracles is a guide to one of seven steps in that process, corresponding to a primary teaching of the prayer: faith, surrender, service, abundance, forgiveness, obstacles, and love. Each chapter also includes meditations, affirmations, and other activities designed to help readers work through life's challenges. In her bestselling fiction, Kathleen McGowan has popularized the world of Christian esoterica, a unique place where New Age and Christianity meet, making ancient teachings new and powerful. The Source of Miracles harnesses the wisdom of those traditions at a time of great material and spiritual uncertainty, when the need for signposts on the road to success has never been more acute." This book did take me an extremely long time to read — BUT that was because of finals and the hectic life I lead as student. I really read this book in two sittings, and these two sittings have changed my life. This book has changed my life. The book's message is one that seems so obvious, so generic, but Kathleen McGowan successfully explained the message in a way that made me, as a reader, want to change my life (not tomorrow, not next week, but now). This book inspired me to depths that no other book that I've read has. This book made me want to become a better person and try harder to do what was necessary.
At times the message was daunting and overwhelming. I felt as though there was so much I needed to do, so many lists to make, so many exercises to complete to make myself better. But in time, I realized that growth is growth, and growth is one step at a time. So I put made use of my "nerdy English major/teacher sticky tabs" (13!!) and strategically placed them throughout this book with every intention of returning to them and studying the pages more thoroughly.
I have made use (for the first time) of the Sticky Note application on my computer, writing down verses, phrases, and exercises found in this book and I know that I will definitely be rereading this book in the future to further instill it's awesome message. As a result, with this book, I may have went a LITTLE overboard with my favorite quotes — but its such an inspiring book!
Favorite Quotes:
"The Lord's Prayer is now, as it was when Jesus lived, the incorruptable formula for personal and global transformation" (2).
"With faith and love, all things are possible" (14).
"Don't edit yourself. Dare to dream, and dream big" (58).
"Not one minute of your life has been wasted because each experience you have had brings you to this very moment as the person you are today. All of it matters. Bless your past for the lessons you have learned so that you may seize your future" (58).
"It is human nature to wait for a safety net to appear before taking a death-defying leap" (61).
"When you encounter obstacles and everything seems to be an uphill battle, it is usually an indication that you are out of alignment with your spiritual purpose and need to do some adjusting" (70).
"He took the cow" (76).
"If you truly believe everything happens for a reason, you will never have a bad day" (76).
"Every good deed neutralizes a bad one.
Every act of service eliminate an act of oppression.
Every prayer for peace eradicates an impulse of war" (88).
"Lack is not your natural state; you feel it when you are spiritually unbalanced" (105).
"You must be prepared to release with love and forgiveness those who have hurt you" (150).
"Do all things with love and love will do all things" (175).
Because of the obvious "God/prayer" theme, this book would not be suitable for book shelves. And as much as I want everyone to read it, I cannot part with my book. I have a feeling that this book will sit on my bedside table for a very long time and will continually be reread and marked up with sticky notes and note cards. I am purchasing a copy for my Grandmother, my mom, and her five sisters for Christmas and I very much, from the bottom of my heart, recommend YOU purchasing this book: Give the Gift of Prayer, Faith, and Miracles. (And yes, I made that up)
HUGE thanks to Julie at FSB Associates for sending me this life changing book.