Book Review - A Storyteller's Guide to a Grace-Filled Life - Voume II by Tony Agnesi

Book Review of A Storyteller’s Guide to a GRACE-FILLED Life – Volume II by Tony Agnesi

Want To Know How To Eat An Elephant?

What a gift Tony Agnesi has to simply live each day and then share what he observed, whom he interacted with, and what he did or what he failed to do to promote the Kingdom of God. He shows how easy it is to be Christ-like to those struggling emotionally, physically and spiritually if we would but open our eyes and our hearts. 

It makes no difference where Tony is – work, Church, walking down a street, eating at a restaurant, or in jail – he loves to share his faith. In A Storyteller’s Guide to a GRACE-FILLED Life – Volume II, he challenges us not to ignore the many opportunities God puts in our path daily to lead souls into His loving embrace. In fact, all of us should adopt Tony's daily prayer: Lord, put someone in my path today that I can help.

Nothing he writes is contrived. It is simply Tony being Tony – a simple but very gifted soul, a man of great faith, who tries to live the Gospel message out in his daily life. 

Tony invites us to imagine we were “waiting to enter the gates of heaven,” and saw “a friend being condemned to hell”. What do you think your friend might ask you? I’m not telling. You will have to read the book!

Tony loves to ask questions. Here are a few: 

                                What are you on the inside?

                                Do you control your tongue?

                                Are you afraid to live and share your faith in public?

                                Do you simply go along with prevailing public opinion to avoid being ridiculed?

One moment this author tugs at your heart telling you why young women that he has coached or met in jail and who have had no positive earthly father-figure in their lives wish they were his daughters. A few pages later he reminds us that “God Grants Mulligans.”. Elsewhere in the book, he hilariously describes the different flavors of Catholics he has met. Why he will even tells us how to eat an elephant!

Yes, my friend is a story-teller extraordinaire. You will find the forty-three stories in A Storyteller’s Guide to a GRACE-FILLED Life – Volume II inspirational and thought-provoking. You certainly will find some challenging. I have no doubt, however, that you will find all well-worth your time. After you put this book down, you will probably see our loving Lord more often in the souls you encounter.

I have reviewed Tony’s two previous books, (here and here if you are interested) so you will not be surprised that I enjoyed this one as well. Once again, Tony Agnesi has given us much to ponder.  Get your copy now.

As is true of his other books, all the proceeds realized from sales go directly to benefit several charities close to Tony’s heart.

Keep those stories coming Tony!

Monday Musings - It's Here!!! Volume 5 of Pondering Tidbits of Truth!

You do not have to wait another minute! The long-promised Volume 5 of Pondering Tidbits of Truth is now available in paperback.

From the back cover: 

"There is so much noise in this world that we are not only having trouble hearing ourselves think, we rarely hear the voice of God. So many are the distractions and demands placed on our time, that we nary give God a thought. Many of us recognize this failure and long for a way to make time for Him. Countless others are unaware of the damage being done to their eternal souls by rarely if ever thinking of He Who created them.

What can we do about this? We must, all of us, make time for God every day. But where to begin? Right now, promise your Creator that you will give Him five minutes of your time every day."

How? Pick up your copy of Pondering Tidbits of Truth Volume 5 and begin each day reading and pondering one of its 100 quotations. Watch God work in your life. You can order your copy here.

Need Spiritual Nourishment? Last Day For Your Free Copy of "Pondering Tidbits of Truth Volume 2"

There Is no reason to remain spiritually malnourished. Don't miss out on the opportunity to get your free copy of Pondering Tidbits of Truth, Volume 2. Click here for the details.

Time Sensitive - Free Book - Pondering Tidbits of Truth - Volume 2 - Compiled and Edited by Michael Seagriff

Free Book Offer

FREE Copy of Pondering Tidbits of Truth – Volume 2

I will be publishing Volume 5 of my Pondering Tidbits of Truth series shortly. To celebrate that happy occasion and further promote this 5-book series. I will be offering a free Kindle version of Pondering Tidbits of Truth - Volume 2. Get your free copy by clicking this link on any of the three days listed below.

Volume 2 of Pondering Tidbits of Truths, like the other four books in this series, presents 100 potentially life-changing quotations for you to read and ponder, one morsel at a time, at your own pace and at a time of the day that  you  find  most  convenient – when you first begin the day, during your coffee or lunch break, while you are in the waiting room of your doctor, or before settling in for the night.  All five volumes are also excellent for group reflection and discussion.

Each of the books in this series is a simple but sure-fire tool to make certain you spend some time every day thinking about, and being in the presence of, the God who loves you and desires to spend eternity with you. It is an inspiring way to learn more about the Catholic Faith. (You can view a short book trailer on this series here.)

AS AN ADDED BONUS!!! - In addition to this free giveaway, the first 10 readers of Pondering Tidbits of Truth – Volume 2 who post a review on Amazon.com and send me a link to their review will receive a free, signed paperback copy of Volume 5! The ten lucky winners will be well on their way toward having the full 5 volume set!

GET YOUR FREE Copy of Pondering Tidbits of Truth – Volume 2!!!  - From Tuesday, August 20, 2019 through Thursday, August 22, 2019 only BY CLICKING HERE
 

There are 1440 minutes in each day. Give God just five of them. Slowly read and chew on one quotation at a time. Ponder the truths and challenges it contains. Ask God to let you know how He wants you to respond to what you are reading. Then do as He tells you!

 

You can do this! You should do this!  You need to do this!

This is what a recent reviewer had to say about Volume 1. His comments would apply to any of the five books in this series:

“…I usually try to find some good spiritual reading before bedtime - either something very inspirational, or else something very informative about spirituality, a relationship with God, or about the Church. This book was quite different - I could not quite make it out. I ended up reading it through a number of times, trying to size it up, and found eventually, in the midst of snow-shoveling or some other mundane task, that quotes from the saints from the book would pop out to me. It dawned on me then what this book was - none other than a primer, an exercise manual in saintliness! As one would read a book to improve one's tennis game, or knowledge of a foreign language, or relationship skills, Vol I offers us a clear path to holiness! Ordinary goodness / kindness / spirituality will only go so far - to approach sanctity, we must go EVEN FURTHER, and Vol. 1 gives us 100 examples from the testimonies of the saints, as to how far we are called to go, on the path of love, for God and His people. WWTSD? 'What Would The Saints Do,' indeed, in thought, word, and action!”- Armand Di Scenna

Don’t miss out on your free copy! Please share this post with your readers, friends, family and fellow bloggers. Tell them to get their free copy as well! 

Get your free copy from Tuesday August 20, 2019 through Thursday August 22, 2019 only BY CLICKING HERE

Book Review - Encouraging Words To Live By - 365 Days of Hope for the Anxious and Ovefwhelmed - By Anne Costa

Despite the fact that Jesus has told us over and over that we should not be afraid or anxious about anything, most of us continue to be Martha's, forgetting His Truth the minute some challenge or trial enters our life. We are all flawed and sinful creatures. We need constant reminders to trust Him at all times and under all circumstances. 

Admittedly, this is easier said than done. Most of us find it difficult to run away from anxiety and fear. Left to our own devices, we are not likely to outrun or outsmart these devilish inclinations. We should never attempt to go it alone. 

Thanks to noted Catholic author, Anne Costa, we will not have to go solo in this unending spiritual battle. She has gifted us with another gem, Encouraging Words to Live By - 365 Days of Hope for the Anxious and Overwhelmed. We can now begin each day - less like Martha and more like Mary - with a Scripture passage, an inspiring reflection and a prayer. By gifting God with our undivided attention for a few minutes each day, He will equip us to follow Saint John Paul II's exhortation that we "Be not afraid!" 

I highly recommend this book. It is a treasure trove of hope and encouragement! You can your copy here.

Worth Revisiting - Forgotten Truths - An Unexpected Blessing

We thank Allison Gingras at Reconciled To You  and Elizabeth Riordan at Theology Is A Verb once again for  hosting Catholic bloggers at Worth Revisiting. 

It is a privilege for us to share our work with them and their readers.

 

Stop by for a visit now.  

 

I decided to share this post:

   

Monday Musings - Forgotten Truths - An Unexpected Blessing  

(Originally posted on April 21, 2014)

As I have said many times, the power of the words in Forgotten Truths to Set Faith Afire! - Words to Inspire, Challenge and Instruct "opened my eyes, spoke to my heart and stirred my soul". I was and remain convinced that these Truths could and would "awaken a hunger in others to know, study and live more fully the Truths of the Catholic Faith".

In one interview I stated that if that hope became a reality for at least one other person, then my labor of love in compiling these quotations would have been worth the effort.

Last week I received an immense blessing. At the end of a book signing, a gentleman approached me. I recognized his face but did not recall his name. "Can I speak to you for a moment, Mike?" he asked. "Sure," I responded without hesitation. 

"I bought a copy of your book," this gentleman told me "when you spoke at another parish last year. I read it real quick and frankly did not agree with much of what was in it. But since then I have gone through and read it two more times but more meditatively and slowly.  I can tell you I now agree with everything in it. I am reading it again even more slowly and highlighting the words that most touch my heart and stir my soul."

All I could muster was a feeble "Thank you for telling me." 

With moistened eyes, he leaned closer to me and said, "You were right, Mike. This book has changed my life." 

Now with a slowly forming tear in my eye, I whispered to him, "Thank God!"

I had to share this blessing with you.

This man made me realize that I have been too lax of late in promoting this book. He assured me and the friend who had accompanied him that there are others whose lives these words could and would change.  

Maybe you know whom they are. 

If you are interested, copies of Forgotten Truths To Set Faith Afire! - Words to Challenge, Inspire and Instruct are still available here.