Book Review

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Title: While the Door is Open
Author: Julie Pisacane
Genre: Poetry
Publisher: Publish America
Publish America
ISBN: 1-4241-5497-9
Pages: 100
Reviewer: Tammy Varner Hornbeck

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I waited on pins and needles for this book to arrive, and I wasn't sorry. The cover is breathtaking. It has been an opinion of mine that the cover is just as important as the content of the book, and the cover on While the Door is Open not only fit the work itself perfectly, but welcomed the reader with open arms.

With my heart racing in anticipation, I opened my book. The first poem, Turn A Page touched my soul, not only as a Christian, but as an author too:


Seeds of faith are found on each page
Planted in souls throughout each age
Golden pages help us to see
The glory of eternity

The layout of the book is highly unique, yet it works. The book is separated into sections, all to a purpose from the writer. The whole book is well organized and arranged to benefit the reader, and it does. I especially like the fact that each section has a coordinating scripture; and each poem has a scripture that testifies to the inspiration of the author.

Other poems in the book show a different facet to the author's faith; for instance, the poem entitled Sorry Satan This Soul Is Taken highlights a Christian with an attitude! A perspective not often enough expressed. I loved this poem and couldn't wait to share it with my husband (a preacher).


Get back Satan try something new
My soul's reserved and not for you


Two of the poems were a bit harder for me to understand. The flow didn't seem right, and rhyming meter was sporadic. However, only the author knows the state of mind she was in when inspiration hit, and what makes sense to her wouldn't necessarily to everyone. As a writer and a poet, I understand this better than anyone. It is rare that every poem in a book of poetry is loved by the reader.

Overall, this is a book to add to my list of favorite contemporary poetry collections. It is a book that could be used to snatch a quick moment of wisdom, or as a nice leisurely read over a rainy weekend. I will enjoy reading this book again in the future and sharing particular poems with friends and family.
Julie Pisacane is an author I will be looking for more books from.

I Hear So Much Against The Church

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16: 18 KJV

And hath put all things under his feet,
and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Ephesians 1:22-23 KJV

I am reading so much lately in condemnation of the church. Satan is on the attack, and one of his main targets now is God’s church, instituted by Christ, Himself. I can no longer remain silent. It is time to speak out. Let’s get one thing straight to begin with; the church is not a man-made institution. It was created by Jesus Christ, the same Jesus who died on Calvary, and the same Jesus who is coming back one day to get His church.

True, there are weaknesses and faults within the church body, but not in the concept of the church Jesus has in mind. Not all church members are blind to the social needs of their communities or the world, and the facts will attest to that. The church gives more for humanitarian need than anyone else. Not all church members are playing holiness while living like the devil the rest of the week. Not all pastors are driving luxurious automobiles and receiving enormous salaries. Not all pastors who do receive large salaries are in it for the money. No church is composed of perfect people, for only God is perfect. That does not excuse our faults, nor does it give anyone license to “abolish” the church.

If you are dissatisfied and disillusioned with how things are in the church you attend, then quit “whining” and “airing out the church’s dirty laundry”, and get involved in helping lead it back to where it should be, right in the center of Christ’s will. Don’t kick the church when it is down, but reach out in love and compassion to help lift her up before God and the world.

If you leave the church, how are you going to feel when Jesus, the Lord, Master, and Head of the church, comes back for her? Aren’t you going to feel very sheepish and embarrassed? I think so.

I love the church, for it was there I learned about Jesus. It was there I learned He loves me. It was there I heard the Gospel message. It is there I intend to go for worship and praise until Jesus comes for me.


Thomas Kittrell
September 10, 2006

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Poetry Corner



OUR FATHER ~ Matthew 6:9-13 NAS


* Our Father,

Perfect Creator of us all, Who knew each of us intimately before the foundation of the world; Who was and is and is to come; the Great 'I AM' ~

* Who Art In Heaven,

Above us; around us; behind us; before us; timelessly with us ~

* Hallowed Be Thy Name,

A Name above, there is no other. As Your adopted sons and daughters - that same Name by which we are now known and forever sealed ~

* Thy Kingdom Come,

The garden Life that as You saw, proclaimed that it was GOOD! Where no pain; no shame; no sorrow dwells ~

* Thy Will Be Done,
In Your ever-seeing; ever-knowing; ever-present Perfect Way, the Way which we can, without hesitation, entrust our very lives ~

* On Earth As It Is In Heaven,
Letting the unseen be seen with eyes that see and ears that hear, all that You would have for us; all for GOOD and Your perfect purpose ~

* Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread,

Blessed manna to fill us for today yet trust in You for every tomorrow ~

* Forgive Us Our Trespasses,

As we seek Your Face with whole heart, soul and mind; desiring to walk Your righteous path in our imperfect human way ~

* As We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us,

For we remember that our fight is not against flesh and blood, but instead against the evil one who worms his way into our very thought and deed ~

* Lead Us Not Into Temptation,

For, although the heart may be willing, the flesh is so often weak ~

* But Deliver Us From Evil,

Being our strength when we are weak, that we may flee as we should from the evil one; being guarded in the safety of Your Wing ~

* For Thine Is The Kingdom,

* The Power,

* And The Glory,

All these things our Savior died to make ours when in our hearts we believe and with our mouths confess that Jesus is Lord ~

(and that ...)

* Forever and ever, AMEN!



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