Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times

A must read for anyone who needs inspiration to get through the stress and often disappointment of every day life. By his own example and story we find our way to see that living in loving kindness if the world is the best indeed often the only way to go. One at a time we can build that world around us. Bonnie Edwards

Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, has led a life of the challenges familiar to so many non-White members of our society. Those experiences are both of a personal nature and referential nature from the legacy of generations of his family and members of the non-White communities within which he lived and served as a spiritual leader of the Episcopal Church. He always chose to remain within non-White communities even when opportunities arose for service in less complicated environments. His brilliance and leadership capabilities are revealed in his accomplishments that are evident throughout the book. And he credits each of these achievements to the love of God for him and made available through him. And yet his personal intellect, courage, listening skills and innate magnetism, wrapped in an envelope of love, propelled him through one achievement after another. This is a must-read book for any who are open to a more meaningful life.

As one of the more newer members of the Episcopal Church, I have watched Bishop Curry with great fascination over the last few years. A sermon he gave just prior to the 2020 election was one of the most beautiful and truly patriotic statements about our nation. Likewise "Love Is the Way" is also masterfully crafted. Each chapter comprises a discussion on various aspects of love and how each should be approached to best order your life to that which mirrors Christ's example. For this, Curry draws from his own experiences. With stories of family members, past parishioners, and other clergy, along with a few mentions of politicians and celebrities, Curry gives solid ways to rethink your approach to the world around you. Indeed, Curry's example in confronting same-sex issues in the Episcopal Church using these very ideas is particularly affecting. If you are tired of the toxicity of social media, the sensationalism of the press, or just feel out of place with everything, "Live Is the Way" is a good place to start anew.

Bishop Curry is a great example of a religious man, a thinking man, and a loving man. If we could try, a little, we, too, could find a little more love while thinking a little bit more lovingly about others. We would probably smile more, too. This is my thought having read Love Is the Way.

Great book, loved reading it and often refer back to it, as we go through these difficult in your face times.

Normally, I don’t read books by current bishops, presiding, arch or other. But I had heard good things about Curley and a book group wanted to read it, so, I did so. It is a happy book that offers hope based on scripture and on his experiences. His own story is both that of a black man in America and a Christian in an increasingly post-Christian era. The focus is on action: how does one show the love of Christ in the world. Not piety, not church committee work, but the love of Christ in action. The corporate and personal experiences he distills into the book both contribute to his story of building the church as well as action in the world. Most useful perhaps to one’s own growth is the Appendix with ways to build one’s own rule of live based on the idea of Benedict, but feeling more in tune with our times. I found it a book of growth rather than one of education, and that is what made it a good book.

I was hooked on this book when I first looked at the Appendix--a plan to be intentional about becoming more loving--before looking at the front of the book. The plan was not a prescription, but realized individuality, and offered some good suggestions. Then I dug into the book itself. Bishop Curry takes us on his journey and reflections on love as a verb, acting in the world to make the world a better place. He makes himself vulnerable and shows us his thought and heart process and change as a church leader tackling tough social issues, such as human sexuality and political protests, as well as church outreach in a neighborhood fraught with gangs and drugs. He recommends Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's steps to nonviolent protest, which begins with daily meditation and prayer. Curry emphasizes the importance of seeing others and ourselves as beloved children of God, developing relationships with those who are different from us, and sharing our stories to foster understanding. This is a book of hope, but Curry acknowledges that we must do the work. Off to write my plan of intention!

Item was in the condition advertised and at a great price. My only complaint has to do with the shipping partner. For 4 days in a row the tracking indicated that the item was out for delivery. No explanation for the delay or updates. Very disappointing to wait day after day and not receive the item.