Customer Reviews

Seize the Day (with Dietrich Bonhoeffer): A 365 Day Devotional

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This liitle book has been with me since the first day I bought it and I haven't missed many days since.

This book continues to amaze me in the very solid insights it instills day by day. One should be warned: these are not from your typical close minded point of view, but rather a honest down to earth interpretation of Bonhoeffer at his best. Dr. Ringma's application to daily life is very insightful and the short 'prayer and thought of the day' usally drive the point home.


Any one whom as even slightly raised an eyebrow at the thought of Bonhoeffer will cherish this tiny book.

Cheers!

If anyone is not familiar with Dietrich Bonhoeffer's writings, this little sample, along with the emphases by Charles Ringma, would make a nice introduction. There is, by far, more of Ringma than there is of Bonhoeffer, but his elaborations are thought-provoking and insightful. Especially helpful is the concluding thought summary which provides food for reflection throughout the day.

Over the course of the years I have used many of these "daily devotional" books. Not all are created equal!
Being a fan of Dietich Bonhoeffer, I bought this unassuming little book and used it during 2008 as an additional supplement to my daily prayer and meditation. This is clearly one of the finest books of its kind!
Not only does the Reverend Ringma choose challenging passages from Bonhoeffer's writings, but further aids the reader with a relevent passage from Scripture as well as his own brief challenging commentary on Bonhoeffer's words which make them even more applicable to our daily life. A final sentence of prayer or meditaion leaves us with a thought to keep in our mind throughout the day, based on what we just read.
There are many more flashy looking daily meditation books out there, but if your more concerned with the content and challenge to live the Gospel aided by one of our contemporary saints, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and guided by a wise paster, the Revered Ringma, then this is the choice for you! You won't be disappointed!

Since I appreciate the challenges that Dietrich Bonhoeffer offers to any of us who are brave enough to wade through his rather dense writing, I was excited to utilize "Seize the Day with Dietrich Bonhoeffer" as a daily devotional this year. But much to my surprise and chagrin, there is very little of Bonhoeffer in the book. Each day begins with a tiny snippet of Bonhoeffer's writing, followed by considerably more content from the compiler, Charles Ringma. Many days, the book includes literally only one sentence from Bonhoeffer. Though Ringma's thoughts were fine, they did not challenge and provoke me as Bonhoeffer does. And I didn't buy this book to hear from Charles Ringma. I wanted to hear from Dietrich Bonhoeffer. So, after a few months, I put down the book and do not plan to finish it. If you're looking for a substantive daily devotional from the pen of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, you'll have to keep looking, as his place in this one is far too limited.

This book is fantastic, challenging, direct, short, and easy to read daily - a great nugget to provoke my thinking and my life every day. More than summarizing or expounding on a Scriptural passage or theme, Bonhoeffer's writings pierce the heart and unsettle our preconceived notions and comfortable lifestyle. Very worthwhile for my own self-evaluation as well as to stimulate discussion or thoughts to share with others.

A very unique, thoughtful, provocative, inspiring devotional book, the contents of which connect faith to life in a real, down-to-earth way. Each reading, and they are very brief, sends me into the day with a solid thought.

I'm currently reading the biography, 'Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy' by Eric Metaxas (a great read) and have enjoyed Bonhoeffer's writing for some time. I spotted this devotional title a few months ago and purchased it to use along with daily Bible reading. It is a wonderful book. It's perfect for those days that are so full of daily duties that they leave little room for reflective reading. Though each daily portion is short, the combination of insights from both authors is thought provoking and powerful. As another reviewer stated, I'm often amazed at how pertinent to certain situations in my life these readings have been. If you are a fan of Bonhoeffer and enjoy being able to read this type of devotional book, I highly recommend it. This will give you a desire to learn more about this gifted man, and to delve deeper into his wonderful writing.

Every Christian needs some "alone" time with God, whether it comes at the beginning of the day, the end or some other time. I have been using this devotional for two weeks now and I am amazed at its richness and depth.

You may have a view of Bonhoeffer as a great theologian and thinker, which he was, and surmise this devotional will be too cerebral. But what made Bonhoeffer so outstanding in his day was that he lived his faith. There was no gap between the man's praxis and his faith.

Charles Ringma captures Bonhoeffer's thoughts and praxis and fills them out with his own contribution. His contribution is neither de minimis nor overwhelming.

I am amazed at how often in these last two weeks these devotionals have been so relevant to the things going on in my life that day. Of course, that's a God-thing, but it is a tribute to both Bonhoeffer and Ringma that God works through these "squiggles on paper" (as Richard Foster once put it), to touch a life today.

This devotional will be a blessing to you if you are a thinking Christian who wants to live out her or his faith. The devotional will be enriched if you will also read Metaxas's biography, "Bonhoeffer."

Charles Ringma's daily prayer reflections on the writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer are more than inspirational. They lead directly to a deeper understanding of God and God's mysterious working in one's life. This book is my daily companion.

Bonhoeffer is one of my heroes. His own life story is remarkable and a testament to what one person can do in the world with faith and words. This is a very small devotional book. There is a quote from one of his books on each page and then a paragraph embellishing it by the author/editor. I would think it would drive one to want to read more of what Bonhoeffer wrote and to read his life story if one wasn't familiar with him. It's a nice addition to my daily devotional reading.