5.0 out of 5 stars

Wisdom from a life Well Lived,

September 30, 2008

"A sense of humor can help you overlook the unattractive, tolerate the unpleasant, cope with the unexpected, and smile through the unbearable." ~ Rabbi Moshe Waldoks

"A Matter of Faith" is a collection of faith-based columns written by Carol Round for 11 Oklahoma newspapers and one national publication. Her comforting writing style is soothing and her sage advice is enlightening. Each selection draws the reader's attention to things that are really important. She frequently ends her column with an appropriate action (Whom do you need to forgive?) or challenge (Make a difference) for the reader.

I thought her discussions on phones was amusing, imagine God asking you to "press 3 to ask why your prayer has not been answered." Carol explains how we actually have a direct line to God anytime we need Him. Some of the topics she covers include: finances, gardening, kindness, forgiveness, fear, gas prices, garage sales and serendipity.

What I found most helpful was the list of "Ten Rules for Happier Living." I also liked the Bible verses at the start of each "devotional" and how they tie into the main message.

~The Rebecca Review

Great Book, September 18, 2008

I loved this book. This is her 3rd book and all three of them are great. They give you that little lift you need sometimes. She always relates to you somehow and if she writes more I will buy them too...

Inspiration from Daily Life, January 5, 2009

Even with the Holy Bible's words firmly in mind ("I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."), it's easy to get bogged down by distractions and details of everyday life. Ms. Carol Round has the nice ability to meld Biblical inspiration with everyday humility to see new wonders of living through our Lord, Jesus Christ.

This is a book of columns drawn from her newspaper writing. Each one is in the following format:

1. Bible verse
2. Example from her life or the life of someone she knows.
3. Redirection of the example into providing a lesson for better Christian living.

Here's an example of how those three elements work together. In "The Greatest Gift of All," Ms. Round begins with this quote from John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." The example opens with thoughts about how simple the birthing conditions were for Jesus in the stable in Bethlehem. Ms. Round then observes that children like to play with simple things, like ribbons and old refrigerator boxes. She also reminisces about how her parents made toys for children during the Depression. The article ends with the thought that when you have received the greatest gift of all (Salvation) all the gifts of the Christmas season don't seem very important by comparison.

This is one of her best essays because she combines a good development of the Scriptural reference with many perspectives that her readers can appreciate and enjoy.

Here are some of the other essays that I enjoyed:

Too Many Presents under the Tree
Cultivating a Heart of Gratitude
Getting Spiritually Fit
I Think I Can, I Think I Can
The Ultimate Makeover
Keep Love Alive

Guess How Much He Loves You
Following God's Road Map
And That Has Made All the Difference
Don't Save the Good Stuff
It's Not about You

It's More than Etiquette
Called to Make a Difference
Forgiveness Is a Choice
My Cup Is Overflowing
How to Be Happy

But He's My Son
Welcome to the Crowd
A Mother's Love
Who Are You?
Our Father Always Provides

Monsters under the Bed
Searching for the Truth
When the Rains Come
Letting Go of Martha
Treasure the Unexpected

The Measure of Our Days
When God Says No

Each of these can be read in a few minutes, whenever you need a faith-filled pick-me-up.
Some of the essays didn't work as well for me. These were typically ones where Ms. Round described her life and preferences in ways that I couldn't relate to. She really likes to pull weeds, for example. I hate to pull weeds.

This book is inexpensive and most people will find dozens of relevant essays in it. Give it as a gift to someone you know who sees the world a lot like Ms. Round does.

May God bless all the book's readers!