Most Popular Books by John Lawrence

Irascible and malcontented, Boston Homicide detective Lieutenant Joe McGuire is one half of the best homicide team in Boston’s history. Led by razor-sharp instincts and a nose for the truth, McGuire leaves no stone unturned in his pursuit of ruthless killers in these gritty crime novels. The Man Who Murdered God Facing a brutal serial killer with his sights set firmly on the Catholic diocese, Boston homicide detective Lieutenant Joe McGuire—one half of the best homicide team in Boston’s history—is in a race against time to find a killer who seemingly leaves no trace. And Leave Her Lay Dying Relegated to reviewing unsolved murders as the result of a courtroom outburst, Boston homicide detective Lieutenant Joe McGuire becomes obsessed with solving the murder of a young woman found in the Boston Fens. Praise for John Lawrence Reynolds “One of Canada’s best mystery writers.”—Globe and Mail

It was the Great Depression-a difficult time for most Americans and seemingly even more so for a poor Methodist preacher, his wife, and their seven children. But for Johnny it was a time of discovery and childhood adventure far removed from the woes of the world. His family had very little, So the depression meant little to them. What they lacked monetarily was surpassed by their solidarity, hard work, and creativity. In the Proving Ground: Memories of the Good Old Days, Dr. John Lawrence recounts his idyllic childhood memories of growing up in rural Alabama and Florida. These charming stories show the world from an innocent and untarnished perspective, a bygone era where children were free to roam and explore the countryside, where their imagination was the best form of entertainment, and where the great outdoors-God''s entire world, As they knew it-was both a playpen and a proving ground. Journey back in time with Dr. John Lawrence, and discover countless reasons why these years are fondly remembered as ''the good old days.''

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Entering a church, our senses are sparked. We see candlelight, the colorful windows, and statues. We smell the faint burning wax and incense. We touch our foreheads with holy water and our knees to the floor. During Mass, we hear bells and the choir singing, and taste the sacrament. Some would say we are overwhelmed with physical objects but not spiritual essence. However, how does one know the spiritual essence if not through the physical objects? Knowledge comes through the senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. We achieve understanding and move further into spiritual awareness. Our senses communicate symbols that are physical signs of the abstract, the spiritual, and the metaphysical. SACRED SENSES IN SACRED SPACE contributes to a greater understanding and reverence for sacred objects as perceived through the senses designed for the layman rather than an academic study of the historical or liturgical origins of sacred objects and images. Sacred Senses guides the reader through a church on a meditative journey down the sanctuary’s central aisle. Along the way, it reveals what we see, hear, smell, taste, and touch, which moves us from the physical to the spiritual. It begins with an introductory chapter on using your senses and recognizing signs in a sacred space. The book is organized according to the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. Listed under each specific sense are various objects and practices that we experience in church with a page of description, definition, background, and meditative comments, and a scriptural reference. Each chapter showcases a relevant photograph and ends with a pertinent quote or poetic verse, so that the sacred objects are revealed and revered. Together, the pages quickly explain and show each object with its beauty, meaning, and purpose within the sacred space. Teaching the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) and Religious Education programs for adults and youths, I discovered students of the Catholic faith must know the truth about the “smells and bells” of the Catholic Church and their spiritual significance. Yet, I have known Catholics who do not fully understand why we have statues, fonts, tabernacle, ringing bells, burning candles, swirling incense, and more. Sacred Senses in Sacred Space is an excellent devotional and educational experience for use in RCIA and Religious Education programs, book clubs, and for inquisitive audiences.