The #1 Publishers Weekly religious best-seller now becomes a best-selling paperback! Joseph Girzone, author of Joshua , takes us on a personal spiritual quest in his first book of nonfiction. Joseph Girzone is that singular publishing phenomenon, an author who answers the unasked questions that lie hidden in so many hearts. The wisdom of his spirituality, at once both simple and profound, transcends the many factions of religion and speaks to millions, regardless of background, in a language all can understand. Never Alone is his most intimate book to date, and has already brought him many new readers because of its accepting message. In it, he unveils his personal way to God -- a way of such wisdom, sympathy, and generosity that anyone can follow it and find satisfaction, happiness, and serenity. As Father Girzone guides the reader, he brings us before a god who is neither silent nor condemning, but a patient God who heals gently and thoroughly, a realistic God who knows quite well how we function. We may be shocked or ashamed bv what we see in ourselves, but God understands. In Never Alone , Joseph Girzone unfolds the spirituality of love and forgiveness, and directs his readers toward peace.
FROM PUBLISHER: JOSEPH F. GIRZONE retired from the active priesthood in 1981 due to health reasons, and embarked on a second career as a writer and speaker.
In 1995 he established the Joshua Foundation, an organization dedicated to making Jesus better known throughout the world.
His bestselling books include Joshua, A Portrait of Jesus, and Never Alone. He lives in Altamont, New York.
I read a very little of the book but found it nothing new, nothing that I didn't already know/believe and so gave it up. It doesn't mean the book is bad or not worth reading, just that it was nothing new for me. I think this book could be very beneficial to many people. It talks about having a personal relationship with Christ, being able to turn to him for anything and everything, never being alone because of that.
Psalm 46:1Amplified Bible (AMP) 46 God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable], A very present and well-proved help in trouble.
I would recommend that if in doubt about reading it, read it. It could possibly effect you profoundly and that's worth giving it a chance.
I always enjoyed the Joshua books written by this author and enjoyed his first attempt at writing a non-fiction book. The content was very thought-provoking. I think one of the biggest elements that I took from this book, at least on this first read, was the importance of having quiet times with God - of just resting in his presence and drawing strength and peace from just being still. It's a book I would read again. It was also a quick, easy read - one I was able to complete in just a day or two.
This is one of those ‘feel good’ books that makes you wish everyone who practices a religion thought like this man. It was recommended to me in college by a Protestant when I was feeling intense frustration about religion. It has been long enough that I can’t speak to the particular points the author makes, but I remember this book giving me a more positive outlook. So I’m inclined to recommend it.
Joseph F. Girzone (1930-2015) discusses faith, prayer and God in this short book. Girzone is best known for his book Joshua, a powerful and effective re-telling of the Jesus story in the modern world. This book is a pleasant read, but it doesn't deliver the emotional impact of Joshua.
For me, the strongest part of the book was his discussion of how the modern church is great on staking out positions on social issues, but they miss "...the fundamental purpose of religion, to foster and mold spirituality among its members..." and "...to teach their people the ways of prayer and how to develop a deeper intimacy with God." (p. 8)
He continues, "We are brought up to follow unquestioningly the practices of our religion, whatever our denomination." This has value, but too often we "...are not familiar with the message as Jesus delivered it." Following the practices of a religion are a "way of life" but "...not an immediate personal relationship with Jesus." (p. 24)
Girzone goes into his personal story, which has a lot of twists and turns. He planned to go a certain way his career as a Catholic priest, but it didn't work out that way. At age 51, he was forced to...
This short book is brimming with gentle wisdom about how one can develop a personal relationship with Jesus. This is a book that should be digested slowly, as its calm and conversational tone lulls you into forgetting you are learning deep truths.
This book is a wonderful for anyone looking for a genuine, gentle path to Jesus. One based on true friendship and love, not simply on hard-edged doctrine.
Girzone doesn't shy away from chiding the Church - again, gently - for making itself seem unapproachable and therefore unattainable for mere mortals, but he doesn't waste time or try to draw a line in the sand. Like a teacher he shows an alternative - he isn't saying that church teaching is wrong, but that it is just incomplete in this area. Rules are one thing, having a friendship with Jesus and how he manifests in our lives is quite another. Girszone shows you the steps you can take in your own life to foster an understanding of Jesus and how that friendship and love can change your life if you let it.
This is by the author of Joshua. That is one thing that attracted me to it. It reveals Father Girzone's own guide to spirituality. He points out that the first thing we have to do is trust in God. That is hard to do but necessary to achieve spirituality. Then he points out that, just like an athlete has to have proper nourishment and proper breathing to achieve his goal, so we have to have the same to gain spirituality. Our nourishment is the Bible, and our breath is prayer. This idea stood out in my mind most of all.
Even with Joseph F. Girzone being catholic his book was really good and for the most part I agreed with it. It was an encouraging read, while being interesting. It was cool to hear his life story, and his dedication to Jesus. enjoyed his Joshua book so much, this one was pretty good too. Nice and easy to read and understand.
Excellently written! This book gave me more insight of Jesus, his life, and how he modeled a true follower of God should live their life. Anyone that needs a more thorough explanation of the Christian faith, this is a book for you.
Delightfully easy read. The book, inspired by the Joshua series, seems more like an audio book as Grizone speaks to readers in a soothing, melifluous tone. The book is simply Grizone's thoughts (almost like stream of consciousness but more careful word choice) on our relationship with God and how it is that we as individuals can cultivate and nurture this relationship.Grizone's writing is so personable and unapologetic that the book will fly before your eyes. It is as if he is reading it to you.
Spirituality is distinguished from religious activities and pious exercises. Spirituality is being free to live and act as Jesus did every day in loving everyone and ourselves.
Good, short read. The book is written by a retired catholic priest, but I think the basis of the book could apply to many religions. It made me think about my own spirituality, that's for sure!