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Bet on the Turtle, My Long, Slow Journey of Faith
Bet on the Turtle: My Long Slow Journey of Faith is a unique, thought-provoking
and inspirational book that will be enjoyed by anyone who is struggling with or looking to strengthen their faith. The author shares fond and humorous memories of an idyllic childhood along with Christian school and church experiences. Sadly, his family’s faith was shattered as the result of tragedy. The author talks candidly about his struggles and growing pains through his adolescent and young adult life.
A self-proclaimed cynic, Mr. Weagley was looking for proof of God’s existence. In the 2nd part of the book, “Reason to Believe,” he shares scientific, historical, and biblical evidence to support his belief in God. Through this, the help of caring friends and God’s grace, the author was able to regain his faith. This is a story about life and the challenges that we all face. It is a common thread that binds all of us together. Having the inner peace that comes with God’s love provides a sense of calm and direction that helps us manage those challenges.
and inspirational book that will be enjoyed by anyone who is struggling with or looking to strengthen their faith. The author shares fond and humorous memories of an idyllic childhood along with Christian school and church experiences. Sadly, his family’s faith was shattered as the result of tragedy. The author talks candidly about his struggles and growing pains through his adolescent and young adult life.
A self-proclaimed cynic, Mr. Weagley was looking for proof of God’s existence. In the 2nd part of the book, “Reason to Believe,” he shares scientific, historical, and biblical evidence to support his belief in God. Through this, the help of caring friends and God’s grace, the author was able to regain his faith. This is a story about life and the challenges that we all face. It is a common thread that binds all of us together. Having the inner peace that comes with God’s love provides a sense of calm and direction that helps us manage those challenges.
160 pages, Paperback
Published October 4, 2020
2 people are currently reading
2296 people want to read
About the author
James Weagley
2 books27 followersI proudly claim beautiful Mendham, NJ as my hometown and grew up at The Seeing Eye Breeding Division property outside of town. I attended St. Joseph Catholic School and Mendham High School. After receiving bachelors and masters degrees from Lock Haven and East Stroudsburg Universities respectively; I worked my entire career in sports medicine.
I now live in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with my wife Karen. My family includes sons, Jeremy and Matthew, daughter Katie, grandchildren, Elizabeth, Eomer, Liam, Aidan, Evelyn and dogs, Zoey and Pax.
My newest book is, "I Love Dogs, A Tribute to Man's Best Friend" Dogs have always been an important part of my life. They have been trusted friends and loyal companions. My love of dogs started early as I had the good fortune to spend my childhood living at The Seeing Eye Breeding Division in Mendham, NJ. My father, John served as the program's first director, beginning in 1945. The Seeing Eye is the oldest guide dog program in the country and has paired over 18,000 guide dogs with a blind companion since it’s inception in 1929. As kids, we and our friends loved climbing into the pens with the pups to engage in the chaotic play that ensued. We also had opportunity to help exercise and feed the dogs. We had over 100 acres of fields, woods, streams and waterfalls to explore and enjoy. We really had a magical childhood!
In my book, I share many wonderful heartfelt memories spent with family dogs from my childhood and later as an adult. In addition to numerous enjoyable and humorous pet adventure stories, my book contains some amusing stories from veterinary offices. There are chapters about fascinating research information on dog intelligence and a dog’s ability to love their human companions. Jim also provides heartfelt tributes to hero service dogs and dogs who were family pets of Presidents. There are useful recommendations provided to help readers select the right puppy for their family as well as practical training tips from top dog trainers. Finally, I address the experience all dog owners dread, saying goodbye to their beloved family members. I offer insightful and helpful suggestions to help work through the grief process and provide assurance that we will be reunited with our pets someday.
After I retired, I prayed and asked God what he would like me to do with the free time I now had. The answer came back immediately and that was to write a book about my faith journey so that I might help others with their faith. My first book, Bet on the Turtle: My Long Slow Journey of Faith is a unique thought provoking and inspirational book that will be enjoyed by anyone who is struggling with or looking to strengthen their faith.
I share fond and humorous memories of an idyllic childhood and Christian school and church experience. Sadly, our family’s faith was shattered as the result of tragedy. In the book, I address the struggles and growing pains through adolescence and young adult life.
As a self- proclaimed cynic, I was looking for proof of God’s existence. In the 2nd part of the book, “Reason to Believe”, I share scientific, historical, and biblical evidence to support belief in God. Through this, the help of caring friends and God’s grace, I was able to regain my faith. This is a story about life and the challenges that we all face. It is a common thread that binds all of us. Having the inner peace that comes with God’s love provides a sense of calm and direction that helps us manage those challenges.
I now live in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with my wife Karen. My family includes sons, Jeremy and Matthew, daughter Katie, grandchildren, Elizabeth, Eomer, Liam, Aidan, Evelyn and dogs, Zoey and Pax.
My newest book is, "I Love Dogs, A Tribute to Man's Best Friend" Dogs have always been an important part of my life. They have been trusted friends and loyal companions. My love of dogs started early as I had the good fortune to spend my childhood living at The Seeing Eye Breeding Division in Mendham, NJ. My father, John served as the program's first director, beginning in 1945. The Seeing Eye is the oldest guide dog program in the country and has paired over 18,000 guide dogs with a blind companion since it’s inception in 1929. As kids, we and our friends loved climbing into the pens with the pups to engage in the chaotic play that ensued. We also had opportunity to help exercise and feed the dogs. We had over 100 acres of fields, woods, streams and waterfalls to explore and enjoy. We really had a magical childhood!
In my book, I share many wonderful heartfelt memories spent with family dogs from my childhood and later as an adult. In addition to numerous enjoyable and humorous pet adventure stories, my book contains some amusing stories from veterinary offices. There are chapters about fascinating research information on dog intelligence and a dog’s ability to love their human companions. Jim also provides heartfelt tributes to hero service dogs and dogs who were family pets of Presidents. There are useful recommendations provided to help readers select the right puppy for their family as well as practical training tips from top dog trainers. Finally, I address the experience all dog owners dread, saying goodbye to their beloved family members. I offer insightful and helpful suggestions to help work through the grief process and provide assurance that we will be reunited with our pets someday.
After I retired, I prayed and asked God what he would like me to do with the free time I now had. The answer came back immediately and that was to write a book about my faith journey so that I might help others with their faith. My first book, Bet on the Turtle: My Long Slow Journey of Faith is a unique thought provoking and inspirational book that will be enjoyed by anyone who is struggling with or looking to strengthen their faith.
I share fond and humorous memories of an idyllic childhood and Christian school and church experience. Sadly, our family’s faith was shattered as the result of tragedy. In the book, I address the struggles and growing pains through adolescence and young adult life.
As a self- proclaimed cynic, I was looking for proof of God’s existence. In the 2nd part of the book, “Reason to Believe”, I share scientific, historical, and biblical evidence to support belief in God. Through this, the help of caring friends and God’s grace, I was able to regain my faith. This is a story about life and the challenges that we all face. It is a common thread that binds all of us. Having the inner peace that comes with God’s love provides a sense of calm and direction that helps us manage those challenges.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 30, 2021
3.5 stars. Full disclosure: I received this book free from the author in exchange for my honest review.
The book is divided into two parts: the first is the author's own personal story of coming to faith and the second is a collection of "proofs" of the existence of God and the messiahship of Jesus. In both parts the author takes a conversational tone and approach. One can imagine sitting with Jim in the backyard, drinking a tall glass of lemonade, talking over the events of his life and the reasons for his faith. He is refreshingly honest and transparent; what you see is what you get.
Weagley has an interesting background, having grown up in a loving Catholic family on the property of The Seeing Eye Breeding Division outside of Mendham, New Jersey. Until the occurrence of a cataclysmic event in the life of his family, he enjoys an almost idyllic childhood. An unexpected tragedy upends them all, and shatters their faith. Part one takes us along on James's journey from his earliest days, through troubled teenage and early young adult years to marriage and beyond, showing the reader his difficulties believing in God, his skepticism, and how God worked in his life to overcome these and bring about transformation.
In the second part James argues convincingly for the existence of God based on creation, biblical and historical evidence, and others' near-death experiences. He concludes with a recap of his own belief and his prayer that the reader will also find faith in God and a life-sustaining relationship with Jesus. His heart is clearly in the right place.
The only downside to the book is that it would have benefited from a more professional edit as part one could have been even more interesting than it was, and at times the content gets a bit repetitive.
I loved the title and cover art and there is a good list of resources at the back of the book for the reader who wants to further explore Christianity.
The book is divided into two parts: the first is the author's own personal story of coming to faith and the second is a collection of "proofs" of the existence of God and the messiahship of Jesus. In both parts the author takes a conversational tone and approach. One can imagine sitting with Jim in the backyard, drinking a tall glass of lemonade, talking over the events of his life and the reasons for his faith. He is refreshingly honest and transparent; what you see is what you get.
Weagley has an interesting background, having grown up in a loving Catholic family on the property of The Seeing Eye Breeding Division outside of Mendham, New Jersey. Until the occurrence of a cataclysmic event in the life of his family, he enjoys an almost idyllic childhood. An unexpected tragedy upends them all, and shatters their faith. Part one takes us along on James's journey from his earliest days, through troubled teenage and early young adult years to marriage and beyond, showing the reader his difficulties believing in God, his skepticism, and how God worked in his life to overcome these and bring about transformation.
In the second part James argues convincingly for the existence of God based on creation, biblical and historical evidence, and others' near-death experiences. He concludes with a recap of his own belief and his prayer that the reader will also find faith in God and a life-sustaining relationship with Jesus. His heart is clearly in the right place.
The only downside to the book is that it would have benefited from a more professional edit as part one could have been even more interesting than it was, and at times the content gets a bit repetitive.
I loved the title and cover art and there is a good list of resources at the back of the book for the reader who wants to further explore Christianity.
December 1, 2020
This is a story of faith and Christianity through the very relatable stories of one man’s life. Knowing the author personally made this wonderful story that much more engaging!
Jim Weagley has had his share of ups and downs, and here he walks through his life story with transparency, clarity and humility. His openness to sharing his faith and his journey back to Christianity made it relatable. I appreciated his thoughtful, personal approach to his faith and it made me consider my own search for a spiritual community.
I enjoyed Weagley’s reflections on forgiveness, both of himself and others, and to me it seemed like a wonderful lesson tied to grace. I was astounded at the serendipity surrounding his professional career, and how opportunities seemed to present themselves just when he needed them. I, too, have had this experience and it makes me grateful for the unseen and seemingly divine interventions in our lives (and the beauty of being an active community member!).
I think it was brave and generous for Weagley to write his story and share his journey, and I’m glad he did.
Jim Weagley has had his share of ups and downs, and here he walks through his life story with transparency, clarity and humility. His openness to sharing his faith and his journey back to Christianity made it relatable. I appreciated his thoughtful, personal approach to his faith and it made me consider my own search for a spiritual community.
I enjoyed Weagley’s reflections on forgiveness, both of himself and others, and to me it seemed like a wonderful lesson tied to grace. I was astounded at the serendipity surrounding his professional career, and how opportunities seemed to present themselves just when he needed them. I, too, have had this experience and it makes me grateful for the unseen and seemingly divine interventions in our lives (and the beauty of being an active community member!).
I think it was brave and generous for Weagley to write his story and share his journey, and I’m glad he did.
July 17, 2021
BET ON THE TURTLE : MY Long, Slow Journey of Faith by James Weagley
Part memoir, part testimonial, part teaching on biblical truth - James Weagley's book is
humble, honest and
encouraging.
I won a copy in a Goodreads Giveaway, thanks to Goodreads, the author, and River Birch Press.
Part memoir, part testimonial, part teaching on biblical truth - James Weagley's book is
humble, honest and
encouraging.
I won a copy in a Goodreads Giveaway, thanks to Goodreads, the author, and River Birch Press.
March 3, 2021
I won a copy of this book in the Goodreads giveaways and this my honest review.
Bet on the Turtle is divided into two parts. The first part is about Mr. Weagley's life from childhood into adulthood. It talks about his doubts and problems of faith he had, beginning with a health emergency with his father that rattled the faith of him and his family. I found Mr. Weagley's life interesting and his writing kept your attention. It just goes to show how easy it is to believe in God when life is perfect and nothing bad has ever happened to you. But, when something bad does happen a lot of people start questioning their faith and God. Which is what seems to have happened with Mr. Weagley and his family. Eventually he did find what he was looking for and finally turned back to God. This might be good for someone who is struggling with their faith and in need of someone to guide them back to God.
The second part was even more interesting. It contains accounts and evidence, both historical and scientific, of the existence of God. There were points brought up that I myself have come up with that I haven't seen anyone else talk about. Some places had me saying “exactly.” The section encourages those with doubts to think and do their own research.
I think this is a good and possibly helpful book for those with doubts or whose faith has been shaken.
Bet on the Turtle is divided into two parts. The first part is about Mr. Weagley's life from childhood into adulthood. It talks about his doubts and problems of faith he had, beginning with a health emergency with his father that rattled the faith of him and his family. I found Mr. Weagley's life interesting and his writing kept your attention. It just goes to show how easy it is to believe in God when life is perfect and nothing bad has ever happened to you. But, when something bad does happen a lot of people start questioning their faith and God. Which is what seems to have happened with Mr. Weagley and his family. Eventually he did find what he was looking for and finally turned back to God. This might be good for someone who is struggling with their faith and in need of someone to guide them back to God.
The second part was even more interesting. It contains accounts and evidence, both historical and scientific, of the existence of God. There were points brought up that I myself have come up with that I haven't seen anyone else talk about. Some places had me saying “exactly.” The section encourages those with doubts to think and do their own research.
I think this is a good and possibly helpful book for those with doubts or whose faith has been shaken.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews