What a wonderful book. It was very thought provoking about how we sometimes relate to , not only others, but ourselves.. A friend recommended this book to me and I am so happt she did.

I love how this author focuses on the long term outcome of kids instead of merely putting out the "fires" as they come. He makes distinction between reacting and responding which is very valuable and highlights how to address emotional needs in responses to solve the real issues in kids beneath their surface level actions. I couldn't recommend this book more!

The Philokalia can be daunting. Anyone interested in the words of the early church fathers has either read these writings or at least come across them, but for those of us without theological degrees, living life in the world of laundry and errands and not in a cell in the mountains, they can be intimidating! I have dipped my toe in the volumes here and there, but it's been a challenge to really feel comfortable pressing through, so when I saw this book advertised I knew I wanted it.

One of the things I appreciate about this book is how it can serve different purposes for different people. It stands alone beautifully as a daily devional - 365 days of challenging and soul-feeding quotes, each with poignant ponderings by Angela as well as several wonderful guest authots that can be read in a handful of minutes per day. Or, if you'd prefer you can read through it in larger chunks, enjoying each quote and response in series. Her reflections are real and accesible, and I found myself nodding along, sometimes laughing and sometimes near tears.

Personally, I decided to jump in with the original text. My spiritual father had suggested that I read a few of the verses from the Philokalia per day, so I found my copy of volume one and a new art journal to go with it. Each morning I started by reading a page from the Philokalia, then the corresponding page in The Wilderness Journal. It was very much as another reviewer has said like a book club of two - me and Angela sharing our thoughts on these ancient words as I sipped my tea and filled my own blank pages with color and scribbled words. I still have much of the year to go through, but having read ahead and enjoyed this so much, I can happily recommend this book to any reader as a companion to the original or a stand-alone devotional.

I love the paperback version. It's a lighter weight than the other versions and easy to pack. The notes and commentary are expanded in this edition.

I was scared of this book. It arrived, fresh and lovely…and thick. I thought “Oh I will never find time for this. I am already so busy with work, with children, with church, with life…” The book continued to sit at my desk and I continued to avoid it. Then, things got worse. My mother became deathly ill and if I thought I had been overwhelmed before, I was well beyond that now. Traveling to visit her in the hospital, at the last minute I grabbed this book and threw it in my bag. I’m very glad I did. When I finally opened it that night, tired, sad, and frightened, I realized that I hadn’t been afraid of the time this book would take me but rather was afraid of my lack of knowledge. The Philokalia intimidated me—who was I to understand the Church fathers? I wasn’t prepared to read and embrace their deep wisdom; that sort of understanding was clearly beyond me. But, from the reading on Day 1, the author helped me to understand that not only could I read and appreciate the Philokalia but that I needed to do so.
The book is set forth in a series of daily quotes and readings, arranged by each Church father, and is followed by a short (but by no means shallow) commentary. From the first day, the author absolutely pegged why this book is so needed in the everyday lives of modern Orthodox: “His holy texts draw us away from the noise and distractions of worldly tensions, back to the silent inner struggle for the mortification of our earthly passions and the salvation of our souls.” That.
While the book is designed to be read each day (easily read in 5 minutes), the book can also be read in longer chunks in one sitting (which is what I did). I loved how all of the commentaries built upon each other, guiding the reader in easy but meaningful steps. Each day contains a little gem that I treasure, marking and pulling out when needed when I return to “real life”: “Worry will continue to crop up, depression will continue to knock, despair will lurk in the shadows, but only gratitude offers relief.”
This is a wonderful book and one that I can see myself going through many times. I fully expect that it will impact me and help me grow in my faith each time through.

Rev. Bernstein's book is both a fascinating autobiography, and a theological exploration of his profound conversion to Christianity as a teenager, and then over time to the Eastern Orthodox Church. In many respects, his childhood is typical of many New York City kids of the post WWII era, yet though his father had been educated as a rabbi in the Old City of Jerusalem before the war, the horrors of the Holocaust ended that pursuit, and also left his son with a hunger to find answers to spiritual questions, and to questions about his identity as a Jew. Upon his conversion to Christianity, Rev. Bernstein began a life-long search for both the living Jewish roots in modern Christianity, and for his own dilemma of maintaining his Jewish identity as a modern follower of Jesus. In the end, he finds what he has always sought within the Eastern Orthodox Church.
As the book unfolds, it increasingly shifts from his life story to an exploration of Orthodox Christian history and theology, especially as it relates to Judaism both today (Rabbinic Judaism), and as it lived 2000 years ago (Pharisaic Judaism), along with a great deal of comparison with modern Evangelical Protestantism (in which Rev. Bernstein spent his first roughly 15 years as a Christian). His aim in doing so is clear: he is teaching what, and especially *who* he has found within Orthodox Christianity.
If you are unfamiliar with Orthodoxy, and especially if you are coming from either an Evangelical or Jewish background, his book is a wonderful introduction to the Orthodox faith. If you are already Orthodox (or at least familiar with early Christian history), Rev. Bernstein's work is a wonderful primer on understanding how Orthodoxy relates to Judaism both past and present, and can help inform interfaith discussions. The audiobook (which was how I 'read' it) is unabridged and narrated by Rev. Bernstein himself. He has a wonderful New York City cadence that brings life to the story he tells.

In full disclosure: the publisher, Ancient Faith Publishing, gave me a copy of the audiobook for review.

One of the challenges we must frequently address as Christians is our relationship with our Jewish forebears and brethren. Christians are often limited in their ability to discuss their faith with Jews, and this is of course easily understood in light of the fierce determination of the Jewish people today to reaffirm their faith and culture after the horrors of the 20th century. Yet in Father Bernstein we have a Jewish man who converted to Christianity in his youth, at the cost of his relationship with his family, and who has gone on to be a passionate evangelizer for the faith.
His book is an explanation of first how he came to know Jesus as the Christ, and how he found himself in ministry and evangelism thereafter, but then how he embarked on a quest to find what had happened to Judaism within Christianity. Where had it gone? Where had those early Jews themselves gone? How could he, as a Jew, maintain that Jewish identity as a modern Christian? These concerns eventually brought him into Orthodoxy, where he found the faith of his youth and of his ancestors fulfilled.
Father Bernstein weaves his life story and faith journey into a serious theological exploration of Orthodox Christianity, how our faith has been revealed to us by God, and how there is a natural progression from Judaism into Orthodoxy. For those of us who have wondered how we might relate to the Jewish people, Father Bernstein’s book is an excellent introduction. It is also an excellent exploration of how we understand who Christ is, and what His salvation means to us.
The audio book is narrated by Father Bernstein himself, and his wonderful Queens accent brings life and enthusiasm to the story.

Full disclosure: I was given a copy of the audio book by Ancient Faith for review.

As a general rule, I shy away from daily devotionals, due largely to my incapability to see them to the end of the year. Several times, I have mentioned to various individuals, wanting to read The Philokalia, an ancient text written by our early Church Fathers. I was often met with surprise and gentle discouragement. I was intrigued by “The Wilderness Journal” and thought it would be the perfect introduction to the Philokalia.

I attended the first Ancient Faith Women’s Retreat in November, where I met the author, Angela Doll Carlson. I had been listening to her audio version of “Nearly Orthodox” and found her voice captivating, almost hypnotic. As I read “The Wilderness Journal”, I could hear her voice, her calm melodic cadence reading to me, drawing me in. Honestly, I felt I could have written the book myself. I found it uncanny how often I have had similar thoughts in my own mind. “One voice in my head is purely administrative. It tells me that the dust is too thick on the bookcase. It tells me that the dishes are piled in the sink” (page 44). All.The.Time.

This companion book to the Philokalia allows the reader to read and contemplate the wisdom of our Chirch Fathers and also read how Mrs. Carlson relates it to her life and personal journey. She shows us in “The Wilderness Journal” that the words of the Chirch Fathers are still very relevant today. It encourages me to know the Philokalia can be read in small doses to allow for more understanding, prayer, and practice in daily life. I look forward to reading this again, making notations, as I begin to read the Philokalia myself.

Great book. I think he does a great job of being very informative and concise.

I normally stay away from daily journals or devotionals. Most of the ones I’ve seen start off with. “Today, God wants you to know…” and I get frustrated. Last I heard, only angels and prophets spoke on God’s behalf, which is never random. But Angela doesn’t do this. Her journal inspired by the Philokalia, a collection of Orthodox spiritual writings from the fourth and fifth centuries, embodies C.S. Lewis’ words “We read so we know we aren’t alone.” Angela has a gift of opening her heart and reflecting on these ancient themes and spiritual gems in a way modern men and women can understand. She doesn’t talk down to the reader or go to great effort to impress us. She just communicates what she knows and shows us that the early church writings are still current, still relevant.

I highly recommend this book. Everyone should have their own copy so they can jot their thoughts and reflections in the margins. This is not a book you’ll want to share

Reading The Wilderness Journal, an exploration of the Philokalia along with personal reflections from the author, Angela Doll Carlson, is like doing a study of the Philokalia with a friend. And for me, the friend is a helpful one to study the Philokalia with, since she, like me, is an Orthodox mom who is navigating faith and child-rearing and relationships and day-to-day life. The book comprises a reading and reflection for each day of the year; Carlson offers thoughts related to her own life and her own spiritual growth as she makes her way through Philokalia readings.

Each day presents only a small reading from the Philokalia (one or two lines), but I found that this was a great way to ease into this dense, rich collection of wisdom from the ascetics. Just as we as Orthodox Christians ease into our spiritual practices such as fasting and prayer, it makes sense to delve into something like the Philokalia in a gentler, slower fashion. Jumping in with too much ambition can lead to failure.

Because of The Wilderness Journal, I’ve gone from thinking “yes, someday I will hopefully read the Philokalia when I suddenly find myself with a large amount of free time,” to recognizing that I can do something like what Carlson has done, and read small portions over a long period of time, spending time ruminating on small passages.

I would like to emphasize that I see this book as a good jumping-off point. As Carlson herself points out, the advice she was given when beginning to read the Philokalia was to have a guide-- a priest, a scholar, or someone else with the wisdom to approach these readings in a spiritually healthy way. I did enjoy the introductions for each Philokalia author which were given by various Orthodox writers and thinkers- they provided helpful insight. Carlson also reminds readers that this is not a book about the Philokalia, but a book about her reading of the Philokalia. As such, it has been an encouragement to me to begin my own study of the Philokalia, remembering that Carlson and so many other Orthodox women encounter many of the same daily joys, struggles, and challenges as I do, and that, as she says: “The Philokalia, this love of the beautiful, offers something to find for anyone who is willing to seek.”

I liked the book Shepherding Sam because I liked how Saucer the dog was trying to bring Sam closer to the Church even though Sam thought Saucer was a crazy dog but they became friends at the end of the book. I also liked when he was treating the Sisters like sheep it was funny. And last I liked how he made friends such as Sam and Bethlehem.
Review by Demetri, Age 10

What a wonderful book! This book is engaging from the beginning -- the characters are relatable for kids (and adults!) and the setting makes it even better... an Orthodox monastery? Yes, please! It's so wonderful to see Orthodox monasticism (and doubt!) written about so lovingly and accessibly for children! I highly recommend this book for the elementary and even middle school age groups.

While the book does discuss Christmas, it's absolutely appropriate for year-round reading.

Orthodoxy doesn't have "a catechism" like what I was used to as a Lutheran, one tidy source for a succinct outline of "the main points."

There are a lot of books and articles and videos that explain points of Orthodoxy, and they all do so to varying degrees of clarity and success. I've read, heard, and watched quite a bit of that material

This book was recommended to me by a friend and fellow traveler from Saxony, ie Lutheranism.

It is an excellent primer, a "catechism" of sorts, that puts clearly and simply the Orthodox Faith. The methods employed are part of what makes it work so well.

Every topic is introduced with a fictional vignette. This story-telling can be an effective way to grab the "big picture." After the brief narrative, there follow subsections of Introduction, Clarification, Scriptures on the Topic, and The Fathers on the Topic.

"Introduction" lays out the matter at hand and gives some context and history, perhaps even a comparison/contrast with other traditions.
"Clarification" dispels common misunderstandings about the Orthodox position.
Then there is a section with several Scripture references that are pertinent, and, you guessed it, the last section provides Patristic commentary on the topic.

The author handles matters with such clarity and so many tools that it is really a refreshing and enlightening read for both Orthodox Christians and others who wish to understand the Orthodox Faith, whether they be inquirers or just Christians who want to get it "from the horse's mouth."

Orthodoxy doesn't have a catechism like what I was used to as a Lutheran, one tidy source for a succinct outline of the main points.

There are a lot of books and articles and videos that explain points of Orthodoxy, and they all do so to varying degrees of clarity and success. I've read, heard, and watched quite a bit of that material

This book was recommended to me by a friend and fellow traveler from Saxony, ie Lutheranism.

It is an excellent primer, a catechism of sorts, that puts clearly and simply the Orthodox Faith. The methods employed are part of what makes it work so well.

Every topic is introduced with a fictional vignette. This story-telling can be an effective way to grab the big picture. After the brief narrative, there follows an Introduction, Clarification, Scriptures on the Topic, and The Fathers on the Topic.

Introduction lays out the matter at hand and gives some context and history, perhaps even a comparison/contrast with other traditions.
Clarification dispels common misunderstandings about the Orthodox position.
Then there is a section with several Scripture references that are pertinent, and, you guessed it, the last section provides Patristic commentary on the topic.

The author handles matters with such clarity and so many tools that it is really a refreshing and enlightening read for both Orthodox Christians and others who wish to understand the Orthodox Faith.

The Barn and the Book by Melinda Johnson
Please go to asapdx.blogspot.com to read my review of Shepherding Sam by the same author.
The Barn and the Book is the follow up book to Shepherding Sam, both by Melinda Johnson. I highly recommend reading Shepherding Sam prior to reading The Barn and the Book- only because you are introduced to the characters in the first book and I believe that it makes the ending of The Barn and the Book that much more powerful after having witnessed Sam's struggles in the first book.
We follow Sam and Saucer on another adventure at the monastery. Sam is a boy who struggles with spending time at the monastery, going to church services, and, now, staying focused in Sunday School. Saucer is a corgi who continues to look for opportunities to herd- whether it be animals or children (especially Sam). This book takes place during the Nativity season and there is an opportunity for the children to publish a story in the anniversary book about the monastery. The children in the book all have ideas for their stories except Sam who is completely focused on a story he heard. The story is that on Christmas Eve, all the animals are able to speak at midnight for one hour. Sam wants to know what Saucer is really thinking and makes it his mission to stay up until midnight at the monastery.
This is an excellent follow up to Shepherding Sam. Sam continues to make strides in his ability to focus at the monastery through Saucer's help. Plus we are introduced to some new children and nuns who are each going through their own struggles, too. Sister Anna is a wonderful character that both adults and children can relate to with her struggles of finding her gifts to use at the monastery for the Glory of God. I especially loved the story around Sister Anna and, of course, the very wise Gerontissa! And the book is written in a way that I believe children would be able to identify with her struggles as well as the struggles of all the characters.
To find out if Sam is able to hear Saucer speak, purchase this book! Great for all ages- especially 5 years old and up (including adults). This book would make a great read aloud but I highly recommend reading Shepherding Sam before The Barn and the Book.
I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Purchase your own copy at Ancient Faith Publishing

The Barn and the Book by Melinda Johnson is a extraordinary book for Orthodox kids and adults. It is the second book in the Sam and Saucer series. In this book, Sam wonders if animals really do talk at midnight on Christmas Eve. I really loved this book, it had thrills, scares, and much more. I am very glad you put in a new character named Grace she was very inquisitive and active. I would give this book five stars- even more if I could, because the new characters were terrific and it was perfect for me. I have been trying to look for the perfect series for so long, and now I have finally found the perfect series! I think many people should read and share this book. It is favorable for both kids and adults. It is a fun top quality book but it taught me about not trying to trick God, and this book could teach many other people too.
Ella, age 10

My Monday through Friday routine is as follows: Wake at 5 am, dress quickly, do my hair, make the coffee, do my prayers, and begin working at precisely 6 am. For the last month, I have added a step between prayers and work – reading an entry from The Wilderness Journal: 365 Days with the Philokalia by Angela Doll Carson. Adding something to the routine without waking earlier is nearly impossible, however the entries in this devotional are short and poignant, leaving the reader with something to consider without a protracted reading.

Each entry begins with a quote from a collection of writings of the Orthodox spiritual fathers. The Philokalia, is time-tested spiritual wisdom, but is lengthy and can be dense. Carson plucks beautiful quotations from the collection and writes brief reflections on them from her own life. The reflections are well-written, and really are a peek into the spiritual journal of the author. Unlike many other devotionals, questions are not posed for us, nor are we overtly guided towards relating the content to our own lives. The reader is simply presented with a quote and a paragraph of thought from the author, which in turn spurs consideration of our own lives.

Carson herself encourages the reader to use this book as a companion to the Philokalia and not as a stand-alone book, and its value is truly in the window into her applications she found in her own life. It is in the particulars of her life and responses (her dusting ritual, lack of attentiveness in prayer, her children's toileting needs during the Cherubic Hymn) that we find universal experiences and insights.

The Wilderness Journal is a lovely introduction to the Philokalia and serves as a quiet example to interacting with the wisdom found within it. The nibbles of wisdom and the guidance toward reflection in the wilderness, the wildness of our modern lives, is unobtrusive in the reader's time, but pervasive in the mind. I see its beauty and potential as a tool in pilgrimage towards understanding of the Orthodox Christian faith, spiritual wisdom, and life in Christ.

The Divine Liturgy is beautiful and complex in both Eastern and Western rites of Orthodoxy. Most of my spiritual formation has been wrought in a non-liturgical Contemporary Christian setting. Over the past year and a half, I have been studying Orthodox, and I have found Orthodox to be a fuller expression of the Faith. Simply stated, it is timeless Christianity. I have been slightly intimidated by how intricate the Divine Liturgy is... and God has framed me to want to know things deeply. O'Grady's book breaks the Work (liturgy) down segment by segment. I believe this book is closely aligned with the Eastern rite... I attend a Western rite parish where the structure of the Mass is very similar - just the verbiage is different. Suffice it to say, this book enables you to particpate in either expression with full understanding. Since reading this book I am no longer wondering what does it all mean... or what will happen next. I can open myself to worship and experience the effectual working power and participate in the divine energies. Should you attend a service and you hear "The doors! The doors!" Or perhaps, "Catechumens depart!" Note: You are not expected to leave... it is that the service is transitioning to a very sacred and intimate moment. In Western rite, you will usually hear clanging of little bells, and/or thriced sequenced gonging of a large bell. One is only expected to be respectful and quiet. I really loved reading this book and highly recommend it.

Great book, very helpful in understanding the Book of Sirach. Fr. Reardon comes to me highly recommend.