Have a Little Faith: A True Story
Selected Book Details
- Hardcover
- Author: Mitch Albom
- Publisher: Hyperion
- Release Date: September 2009
- ISBN-10: 0786868724
- ISBN-13: 9780786868728
- List Price: $23.99
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Summaries and Customer Reviews provided by Amazon
Summary"Clear some space on your bookshelf for Mitch Albom's, Have a Little Faith, the story of a faith journey that could become a classic. Those who were born into faith, have lost faith, or are still searching will all be engaged and challenged by this powerful story of "finding faith" in relationships with others and with something greater than ourselves. Never satisfied with easy answers or soft platitudes, Mitch explores some of life's greatest mysteries and unanswered questions with great honesty, depth and self reflection. " What if our beliefs were not what divided us, but what pulled us together? In Have a Little Faith, Mitch Albom offers a beautifully written story of a remarkable eight-year journey between two worlds--two men, two faiths, two communities--that will inspire readers everywhere. Albom's first nonfiction book since Tuesdays with Morrie, Have a Little Faith begins with an unusual request: an eighty-two-year-old rabbi from Albom's old hometown asks him to deliver his eulogy. Feeling unworthy, Albom insists on understanding the man better, which throws him back into a world of faith he'd left years ago. Meanwhile, closer to his current home, Albom becomes involved with a Detroit pastor--a reformed drug dealer and convict--who preaches to the poor and homeless in a decaying church with a hole in its roof. Moving between their worlds, Christian and Jewish, African-American and white, impoverished and well-to-do, Albom observes how these very different men employ faith similarly in fighting for survival: the older, suburban rabbi embracing it as death approaches; the younger, inner-city pastor relying on it to keep himself and his church afloat. As America struggles with hard times and people turn more to their beliefs, Albom and the two men of God explore issues that perplex modern man: how to endure when difficult things happen; what heaven is; intermarriage; forgiveness; doubting God; and the importance of faith in trying times. Although the texts, prayers, and histories are different, Albom begins to recognize a striking unity between the two worlds--and indeed, between beliefs everywhere. In the end, as the rabbi nears death and a harsh winter threatens the pastor's wobbly church, Albom sadly fulfills the rabbi's last request and writes the eulogy. And he finally understands what both men had been teaching all along: the profound comfort of believing in something bigger than yourself. Have a Little Faith is a book about a life's purpose; about losing belief and finding it again; about the divine spark inside us all. It is one man's journey, but it is everyone's story. Ten percent of the profits from this book will go to charity, including The Hole In The Roof Foundation, which helps refurbish places of worship that aid the homeless. |
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Faith is a result of the beliefs you hold to be true
Rating: 
To have spiritual faith you must hold a particular belief. I believe Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, i.e. I am a Christian. The Jewish faith believes in God the Father yet are still waiting for the Christ so they are half way home. Chistianity believes there is only one way to salvation and that is through Jesus Christ - period. That said, Jesus was not mean spirited to those who did not believe; in fact, that is why the Father sent Him to us, to reach the unbelievers. And He always did so with compassion. We are called to have compassion for one another, to be our brother and sisters keeper. Mitch Albon's book is contrary to most writings of the day; he calls us to have compassion for one another whether or not that ever leads to salvation. He leaves the question of how we are to believe to us, just as Jesus did. Whether we accept Jesus Christ or not is up to each of us individually. It is my hope and desire for all to come and accept Jesus Christ as their savior. Until then, I will practice compassion without compromising my faith; not as a way to obtain salvation but as a thank offering for having accepted the free gift of salvation. Mitch's simple book stimulates one to think as well as remind us we need one another, be willing to practice forgiveness and to love one another through the use of whatever talents we have been blessed with. It's simple but not always easy; thanks Mitch for sharing.
A pleasant read
Rating:
"Have a Little Faith" is Mitch Albom's inspirational follow-up to his "Tuesdays With Morrie." As such, it is fine, along the same track.
He is asked by his former hometown (New Jersey) rabbi (Albert Lewis) to write his eulogy, so he accepts but wants to learn about the guy as a human being over a period of his final eight years of life. In the process he also comes in contact with a pastor (Henry Covington) in his recent hometown (Detroit) while reporting on a homeless shelter. In the process of learning more about each religious leader he gains insights about what faith is.
Here are some things he learns in getting to know both men:
1. Rituals are a major part of the rabbi's life. Faith is more about doing than believing. It is how from generation to generation we remain connected. Since faith hadn't meant much to Mitch, he would try to understand how it put the rabbi at peace. Even in retirement the rabbi kept a community, through his address book, by calling and sending emails for milestones - birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Even during times of horror/war you an find small acts of kindness. Be satisfied with simple things, the rabbi had learned from the Depression. People want to be known, hence there is immortality in being remembered. Mitch had learned from the rabbi that according to the Talmud, G-d didn't like Jews celebrating when the Egyptians died during the Exodus, because G-d loved their enemies too. When asking the rabbi how he knows there is a G-d, the rabbi says there is always something we can't understand and that's were G-d begins - the unknown. Mitch asks the rabbi if our nature is evil - nowhere in liturgy did G-d create bad things - we were left with free will.
2. The pastor first felt faith while in jail after a life of crime, after first promising to G-d to change his life after nearly being killed during his crime years, then rising in the church ranks from elder to pastor. He wondered why he had been born and came across a biblical passage about Job cursing his birth. Even when cursing G-d when something bad happens there is even some confort to think G-d listened but said "No." Throughout his life of crime he kept on getting second chances - he thought maybe G-d had punished him when his young daughter died. Better to have known the child even for a few short years than never at all, hence still some good. You are not your past. A life is made up of many lives - the most recent life is the most important. Forgiving is important - don't hold grudges - nothing haunts like things you don't say - loving thoughts. Mitch was able to understand the pastor best by taling to his congregants, what things he had done to help them. Mitch asked the pastor if he wanted to do better financially - he said he was meant to be with the poor.
3. Mitch read about different religions as being connected to something big while doing something small.
4. From both the rabbi and pastor he learned that people expect too much from marriage. Commitment is the most important part. Tribulations will occur (especially in the pastor's life), but getting past them is what makes the marriage endure.
5. How can religions co-exist. Teaching that human life began with just one man, Adam, which produced all varieties - the genius of life is variety. - most religions teach to love your neighbor. As for the afterlife, just believing something exists is enough.
6. The eulogy included Mitch's learning that different faiths can work side by side. It was 'majestic' that the rabbi could not speak at his eulogy - that's where faith comes in. It is a summary of memories where each of the congregants will have some while going back home. The whole purpose of Mitch during these eight years was not really the eulogy, but the journey to belief.
In summary, Mitch delved into the lives of two religious leaders and came away with an understanding that the real fulfillment of a person is that one can improve if they have a little faith in something bigger than them. The book is short and an easy read.
Have a Little Faith
Rating:
It is in the same idea as Tuesday with Morrie but with religous men as the principle men. I learned about the Jewish relation and how a man can make something good in Detroit after living a life that many would have gone down the tube but he helped so many people in a church no one would think it has any use.
The Divine Spark Inside Us All.
Rating:
A book to lead you towards believing in something bigger than yourself - where spreading faith and hope and making a difference in the lives of others is what it's all about. This is a warm-hearted, inspiring book where the talented author Mitch Albom examines how faith shines differently in people's expressions. Mitch writes about the spiritual journey of two holy men, one a rabbi close to death and the other an inner-city pastor. Each of these holy men express their faith in different ways but, none the less, their faith supports and sustains many of their congregation through trying and difficult times. And of the author own journey, well that evolves into one of grace, compassion and meaning in his own life.
While reading Mr. Albom's work I was reminded of Ariel and Shya Kane's book "Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment". The Kanes' book is also rich in real life stories filled with compassion, inspiration and sharing of life's magical moments. Either of these wonderful books hold a place of honor on my bookshelf. I know they would be a gift to anyone who read them.
mitch did it again
Rating:
I don't want to say too much but Mitch Albom did it again with one of his novels about Faith. It would make an great CHristmas gift.
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