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Masquerading as Angels

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What would happen if two families were to go on a vacation for two weeks, doing nothing but service for others all along the way? Discover with them that the real miracle of service is not simply what it does for others, but the change of heart in those serving.

161 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2003

82 people want to read

About the author

Lance Richardson

11 books16 followers
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

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5 stars
26 (32%)
4 stars
28 (35%)
3 stars
23 (29%)
2 stars
2 (2%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Marlene.
608 reviews
February 13, 2011
This book is a life-changing book. I loved it. It tells about 2 families who center their 2-week vacation on giving service. Not only do they learn how to serve well, but their families are changed forever because of this exercise. The authors give several ways to serve are easily "do-able", and they promise a richer, fuller life if we will help each other through this life. Service is contageous! mm
Profile Image for A.C. Lillywhite.
Author 3 books12 followers
July 1, 2020
I love this book! I couldn't help but be moved, especially by the ripple-effect theme of service and righteous influence. Bruce Miller and Lance Richardson are so great to share their experiences. I read The Message last year, so it was especially nice to read some of those same stories in more detail.

On a personal note, I have actually seen how the events in this book are still effecting people for the better, a decade later.
Profile Image for Lora.
781 reviews14 followers
August 4, 2012
A most fascinating book on the simplicity and necessity of provding service to others. Very thought-provoking. Inspired me. "Why, really, do we look upon...people as "strange" or "unapproachable?" Why do we assume that we cannot find common ground or that they won't be interested in some of the same things we are: in human warmth and companionship, in love and kindness, in having a little intrest shown in them? I learned that regardless of what kind of message a person gives through their appearance, we ALL want to be accepted and cared for...All it took was showing a little interest." I see this to be true over and over again. "What I have come to understand is that service-given and sowing seeds of good-is the key ingredient in the Balm of Gilead...You can be weighted down with problems, see no solution in sight-then you go out and give your strenth to someone else and you suddenly find yoursel filled with peace and light. Your own problems shrink, some disappear. And God's love flows through your heart. I know of no form of sorrow that connot be eventually cured through giving, loving and serving. If it is pain from sin-well, all I know is that God seems to forgive quickly those whose repentance is filled with doing good for others...There are so many that sorrow from the loss of someone they love deeply...Tell people that there is hope. Tell them to have courage to go out and share their love with others; to bless someone else's life with the power of that love they once received. Not only will it bring them peace, but they will feel their lost ones near and the bond with them will deepen." (pg. 151). Great advice!
Profile Image for Alauna.
14 reviews4 followers
September 2, 2008
This book had a great message, but was a bit disorganized. It was about a service vacation and was written by two authors. Each author wrote every other chapter. Sometimes it was hard to adjust to the different writing style from chapter to chapter. Their writing styles were quite different from each other in my opinion. It made it so the book didn't flow as smoothly as I would've liked, but it still had some amazing stories within it, and I would recommend it to everyone.
Profile Image for Anna.
10 reviews
August 7, 2009
I've been thinking how crucial the mentality of "service" is to our well-being as individuals and a society, and the 5 stars is due to the authors' ingenuity, motivation and mindset to take their families on this joint "service vacation."

Organization, publication errors or typos aside, the message of this wonderful, true story is what makes my rating of this book soar. I recommend it to the human family at large. This book can do nothing but good for you!
Profile Image for Tiffany Skinner.
305 reviews
March 11, 2010
I didn't enjoy this book as much as The Message, mostly because a lot of the stories and experiences in this book were briefly summarized in the Message, so I felt like I was reading the same book twice. That said, it was still very inspiring. I really need to take my focus off myself and focus on serving others more.
2 reviews1 follower
October 21, 2008
This book really made me think how just simple acts of kindness can change so many lives. I would really like to do a service trip, but it has given me a renewed desire to be more Christ like. Take the time to read this book.
Profile Image for Kerri.
345 reviews16 followers
May 13, 2009
An inspiring idea to emulate (two week, 2 thousand mile, service-oriented family vacation) but not written by writers, if you know what I mean. Still, quick read and solidifies my goal to incorporate service more with my kids and our "liesure" time!
Profile Image for Rae.
3,962 reviews
November 29, 2011
An uplifting true story of two families who went on a "service trip" across five states. They looked for opportunities to give all kinds of service to others. No one can read this and not want to do more for those around them!

4 stars for the idea. 2 stars for the writing. Equals 3 stars.
Profile Image for Heather.
421 reviews
December 2, 2012
A great message. Service is the way to make a difference each day. I appreciated the stories and ideas. I rated it 3 stars instead of 4 simply because of the repetition and quality of writing. Inspiring story.
Profile Image for Laurie Robins.
46 reviews
June 5, 2013
This book inspired me. I don't know if I'd ever do what they did but it made me think I need to give more of myself and help others selflessly. A great idea and something we all need to incorporate more into our lives - serving others.
Profile Image for Momma Fish.
40 reviews1 follower
February 10, 2008
This was a good little book.
Everyone should masquerade as Angels and "do simple acts" for others, everyday!
20 reviews2 followers
June 29, 2008
Everytime I read this book, I want to do more service. I have come to see the value of service. This book has had an impact on my thinking as well as the thinking of others that have read it.
Profile Image for Jennifer Apffel.
35 reviews6 followers
October 20, 2009
The message of this book is critical for the healing of homes, communities and our society. I wish everyone would read this book. Gonna read this to my kids...
22 reviews1 follower
January 18, 2010
A good lesson for all families.
22 reviews1 follower
March 18, 2010
Great ideas for service. Makes you want to do more of it.
82 reviews6 followers
February 4, 2011
My daughter-in-law introduced this book to me. We are going to use the ideas in it for our next Sister's Retreat. Well worth reading and remembering.
Profile Image for Michael.
193 reviews
March 12, 2011
Proof that "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."
8 reviews6 followers
April 5, 2011
Great stories. Felt a bit slow in reading because of the duplication of the message. The world is a better place because of these families and those who act on the inspiration from the stories.
3 reviews3 followers
February 27, 2013
I read this after reading The Message, and thought YES. Words to live by. Need to read this again with my boys & implement service & love of others more thoroughly in our lives.
Profile Image for Ryan Seamons.
97 reviews8 followers
April 2, 2013
Required reading for any parent. Great ideas and stories around creating a service culture in your family. Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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