Publishers Weekly Review – September 2016

 

This charming memoir brings humility, compassion, and cleverness to the study of many of American culture’s most prominent spiritual and religious traditions. Unger was born and raised in Joplin, Mo., a small mining town where people learned to find meaning in the everyday pleasures and challenges of life. Educated at the Worldwide Church of God’s Ambassador College, she was immersed in biblical studies. Her life experiences taught her that the Bible contained many hidden gems that systematic scripture study would not unearth: one had to consider one’s present condition, and find reflections in the text that inform and inspire the reader. Her later journeys led her through the writings of Mormonism, Eastern mysticism, and other sacred texts. In each, she found insightful lessons and ways to think about her own condition. The last pages of this book explore Unger’s fascination with sacred stones, and her successful integration of new-age ideas with the teachings of the Bible. Readers who enjoy an exciting spiritual journey will celebrate this story. (BookLife)

 

Reader Comments from Amazon.com:

 

5.0 out of 5 stars

... to those of us who desire to build a beautiful future out of a past that may seem full ...

May 9, 2015

The author shares a way of looking at her life that will speak to those of us who desire to build a beautiful future out of a past that may seem full of regrets, guilt, loss or shame. Turning straw into gold is a good metaphor. It is possible.

 

Her concept of “mining” for the good and relating it to gemstones and their biblical symbolism is unique. The universal and biblical principles the author has employed in her own life are examples of how anyone who sincerely desires to move her life forward in beauty can be successful. I like what she says about changing the focus from the deficit model of what is lacking, to what is possible. It is a universal law that works. But, you have to be willing to work it, and in this book, the author shares how she has done exactly that.

 

5.0 out of 5 stars

Brilliant Transformations of Understanding

May 25, 2015

I read Gems of a Lifetime in one weekend and then read it again the next weekend. The book is an extraordinary and honest reflection and re-reflection of a childhood -- growing up in Joplin, Missouri, post-Great Depression and post-World War II, in the 50s and 60s. I love the way that the author at this time in her life symbolically mines the past using biblical and spiritual principles to actually rediscover the gems that have obviously helped build and nurture the foundation of a successful life. Parabolic descriptions of random dysfunction give way to brilliant transformations of understanding. Genius!

 

5.0 out of 5 stars

Thoroughly enjoyable & insightful read.

January 28, 2016

I have read and reread Barbara Patton Unger's book Gems of a Lifetime and found it thoroughly thought provoking and insightful. She has a gift for describing her past that grasps the reader and holds interest to the last sentence.

 

5.0 out of 5 stars

enthralling!

October 1, 2016

this book was given to me as a gift, and by page 3 i was completely enthralled and could hardly put it down! the author's approach was gentle, authentic, and at times humorous. it provided me spiritual uplift and food for thought. it is genuine nourishment for the soul....

 

..“it’s just a WOW. It’s quite a life!”

February 1, 2015

A television miniseries could be made of Barbara’s artfully described childhood in Joplin, Missouri. I was endlessly drawn into Gems of a Lifetime. She SPEAKS the word ‘stone’ and it’s especially relevant to me because, it’s an ancient “biblical code-word”; AND it’s in the

literature of antiquity. As shared in The Breath of Light, STONE means TRUTH. It shimmers each vibration as a special message; as an inner-knowing “fires” within – on the finest details of God, Life and Identity. After finishing this book I was uplifted in the true light coming through Barbara’s work. With all the challenges of her life; it’s just a WOW. It’s quite a life!

Reviews for

TASTE THE GRACE

Reader Comments from Amazon.com:

 

5.0 out of 5 stars

Powerful Love for the reader... in our life in this world

October 27, 2011

The author Barbara Patton Unger, has lifted up what is almost a 20 centuries old "messaging" from the mind and heart of the divine, and brought it to us here, now, and with such clarity and freeing grace, that one cannot help but to be elevated in their self awareness and outlook. Oh my. We all need it. My outlook is so gifted by your book. Thank you for the years in deep and personal searching 'investigation' and synthesis of the ancient spiritual principles that help the rest of us too.

 

Please keep up your wonderful work. You help us well with the true liberation into "seeing the wisdom in the Divine offering" to humanity, and making it relevant to our every day life. That "every day life" is the crucial point. It actually blesses our "Moment" right now, in that blissful realization of compassion and partnership with our God. It's so blessed, in your style of writing, and tender personal LIVING anecdotes, that we know it comes from authenticity in YOU. You make it believable and available to us. Thank you again for your great endeavor in beautiful communication, and on the most important and highest of Soul topics. Thank you Barbara Unger Patton for Sirius Wisdom!

 

5.0 out of 5 stars

FANTASTIC BOOK!

October 13, 2010

This book is absolutely magnificent! Never before have I read a book that so genuinely and beautifully brings all aspects of spirituality together whether it be the Bible, New Thought or just the non-denominational spiritual truth of how we are all completely loved and able to create our own reality. The author not only brings spiritual ideas to the reader, but also personal experiences of her own and others to illustrate how all of these gifts are intended for and given to each one of us... and how to find them. I would HIGHLY recommend this book and have heard that the author has just published a new book called "Salvation Rocks", which I cannot WAIT to read. Bring it on Amazon! I'm ready to order.

 

5.0 out of 5 stars

Spriitual Transformation

October 28, 2011

 

When God gives the planet a divine wonderful gift of enlightened understanding, flowing through the mind and fingers of a loving author in the form of a book, I have to acknowledge the miracle and express my genuine gratitude!

 

Thank you for sharing so much of yourself, your life experience, your spiritual truth, your love, and your creativity!

 

It is pure joy to feel that elevated feeling every time I open your book and start reading!

 

You have eloquently and lovingly put into words many mysteries I have pondered and desired to solve, about the spiritual 'me', I feel your book has seeded my heart with these concepts of grace and I will be enjoying the fruits for the rest of my life...as I grow in spirituality.

 

My words don't do justice to the depth of gratitude I feel to you (and other spiritual writers like you) for sharing your most intimate God experiences with the world!

 

Blessings upon your future efforts to aid in the spiritual transformation of the planet Earth! I hope there are many more books in the que!

 

Reviews for

SALVATION ROCKS

Reader Comments from Amazon.com:

 

5.0 out of 5 stars

The Wonder of Spiritual Concepts in Relevance for YOU Today

May 23, 2011

 

I am so impressed, actually enthralled, by the new interpretive visions you have, of ancient topics. Salvation Rocks, which I read with an avid pathos, (as well as your "Taste the Grace" does too) because it's truly unique -- as it addresses 'olden time' topics in a new elevating, liberating manner. I should know, I have been reading such material of a spiritual nature for 4 decades. You have translated material that has so often been wrapped in superstitious words and conceptualizations from the olden-past, waiting for someone of a modern mind and uplifted heart to come along and translate them for us in terms that we not only 'get' [in it's inherent divine beauty] but the WHY of it too.

 

It made me feel lighted and lightened like the 'Alley alley oxen free' of our youthful games--yet in our Life-"join the good". You want life, come in and share the graceful lighted love of The One...in this new [old] info--but in a consciousness heart-raising manner. I loved the Free Choice material, it's you and me and thee and co-creation and see that the Lord Law of Life is good. Your personal references and recollections were quite interesting -- on family, your self, modern society, drawing on widely known or felt sensibilities, and info, and they were heart-deep and touching...but the book made the points eloquently and with the light of the newer more sublime vision of our "modern" graceful awareness.

 

The sequence of topics and chapters is very intuitive for building / assimilating it all. Thank you for being original and authentic, when its so easy to be redundant in a world of written words (PARTICULARLY with "ancient of days" subject matter) --Very cool of you. And especially, thank you for years of meditation, "under-going" and synthesizing...you baked a relevant cake of untold delights, and with accelerating love for our true Freedom...[and in the middle of a shadowy world]. Thank you so much.