Make a joyful noise : searching for a spiritual path in a material world

The Rebecca Review,  July 14, 2008 -- "Make a Joyful Noise" is an intriguing book that will be appreciated by seekers looking for ways to live a more spiritual life. What I liked most about this book is the way it is written - it is as if you are having a conversation with a trusted friend or advisor... I have rarely enjoyed a book so much, this book is truly a comfort to the soul ~Are you one of those people who are thinking about living a more spiritual life but do not know how to go about it? Then (you) would benefit from reading this book. The author knows the topic well ... (her) approach was easy to read and comprehend; it drew me in from the first page to the very end. ~Cherie Fisher for Reader Views

Midwest Book Review, November 16, 2008 With so many ancient manuscripts, some of which contradict, how can one really understand what God wants? "Make a Joyful Noise" is a fresh message of spirituality; it is definitely worth a read. ~

BookReview.com -- Distilling the wisdom of the ages into an easy to understand self-help book on spiritual growth is an extraordinarily ambitious task - (the author) proceeds to this goal by identifying herself and her prospective readers as "seekers," and by laying out a series of Spiritual Laws which each seeker is invited to follow. The author believes these laws are anchored in science and nature as well as God's will and are supplemented with examples from real life and a large number of intriguing quotes. She also provides a toolkit for moving forward. The tools include: Prayer, Meditation, Thanksgiving, Praise, Affirmations, Visualization, Dreams, Miracles, Light of The World, and Angels. This book is worth reading especially (by) Christians, interested in seeking a clearer path to spiritual growth.

Readers Favorites, December 2009 ~ This review is from: Make a Joyful Noise: Searching for a Spiritual Path in a Material World (Paperback) Ordained minister, Chariss K. Walker begins her book, Make a Joyful Noise, by sharing her story. She hit bottom in her early forties. An incurable illness, a divorce, a death in the family was all devastating events. Walker began to search for more. She sought a complete healing, the mind, the body, and the spirit. She turned to Reiki, Hands of Light, NET, EFT, Affirmations, Aromatherapy, Positive Thinking, Holistic Medicine, Psych-K, Reflexology, and other theories that focus on natural cures. While this may sound New Age to many, these methods have been practiced for thousands of years.

Her book is filled with quotes. She uses scripture to support her statements. The Energy of Words and The Right Attitude are common sense. If you continually call someone lazy they will act lazy. Our attitude affects those around us as well as ourselves. Walker discusses oneness. The third section of this book discusses the "toolkit": prayer, meditation, praise, affirmations, visualization, dreams and numerous other tools.

I found the information in this book fascinating. Walker writes in an easy to understand manner. It is easy to recommend this book. 

 March 24, 2009, Mom's Choice Awards Recipient, Make a Joyful Noise: Searching for a Spiritual Path in a Material World (Paperback) Chariss K Walker is a recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award for her book, Make a Joyful Noise: Searching for a Spiritual Path in a Material World. Make a Joyful Noise was named "Most Inspirational/Motivational Book of the Year" in the 2009 MCA adult books. The Mom's Choice Awards honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, Ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times Best-Selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, Motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books; Tara Paterson, Certified Parent Coach, and founder of the Mom's Choice Awards. Parents and educators look for the Mom s Choice Awards seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families. Make a Joyful Noise has been honored by this distinguished award.

March 17, 2009 -- If you want to learn the benefit for staying true to your calling - Make a Joyful Noise is it!, This review is from: Make a Joyful Noise: Searching for a Spiritual Path in a Material World (Paperback)

Make a Joyful Noise: Searching for a Spiritual Path in a Material World was just named "Most Inspirational/ Motivational Book of the Year" in the 2009 Mom's Choice Awards. It has also received honorable mention in the 2008 DIY Book Festival. That's impressive!

Joseph Campbell author of The Power of Myth said: "The reference of the metaphor in religious traditions is to something transcendent that is not literally a thing. If you think that the metaphor is itself the reference, it would be like going to a restaurant, asking for the menu, seeing beefsteak written there, and starting to eat the menu." Letting go of old versions of the self and sifting through a number of menus, Chariss Walker in Make a Joyful Noise demonstrates the payoff for faith rewarded - hope!

Indoctrinated by her beginnings to believe in God, Chariss Walker is puzzled that her early teachers do little to help her know God. As is often the case for many of us in spiritual work, Life becomes her ultimate teacher. Faced with unexpected and unwanted transition, as well as a diagnosis of terminal illness, little did she know that her journey to knowing was just beginning!

Imagine, forty-three years on the planet, thirty-eight feeling the `friction' of the call, and this author knew inherently that there was a larger truth than the one she was born into. How many of us think life is supposed to be void of friction? You have to wonder about her inner knowing, "What was that? Who was that?" We learn in the end that it was Ms. Walker's soul. All she had to figure out was that she (we) are a conduit for the very thing we seek. Being called isn't enough. We have to pick up the phone and know who/what is on the other end. Before it is anybody - it is us! Know thyself...and you can know God.

Clearly, rooted in Southern Baptist Christianity this author seems to want the reader to discover that searching for more is not pointless, that asking questions and digging for answers is a way to knowledge and does not have to destroy your current convictions. At times the book feels religious due to the many Bible references throughout, but in fairness she references many, many sources as she puts the pieces of the puzzle together. All are just a menu - until she awakens. Ms. Walker's personal story and quest for spiritual understanding is moving and determined.

The market is flooded with cookbooks to success, happiness, and joy. Few resound with noise! This book is evidence of a celebration. One that is personal to Ms. Walker and one that is possible for anyone who dares to hold their course.

Ernie Vecchio
author, psychologist, & spiritual teacher

March 15, 2009 -- A Book of Hope, This review is from: Make a Joyful Noise: Searching for a Spiritual Path in a Material World (Paperback)

An American Authors Association Review:

This is an eclectic collection of thoughts and quotations from the Bible and other sources including various religions. For me, this is the type of book that I like to have on hand to read at different times, especially when I need something to lift my spirits. I believe the author intended Make A Joyful Noise to be a life-changing guide.

The author has organized the book into three sections: Understanding Spiritual Laws, The Spiritual Laws, and Putting Spiritual Laws into Practice. In each section are topics that touch on understanding and ways to make changes in ourselves and our lives.

To help the reader understand individual topics the author has included anecdotes from real-life incidents. Each chapter heading is graced with an appropriate illustration.

Though the reader may not agree with all the concepts presented, the book is wonderfully organized and written, with new and old thoughts about all the things each of us faces in our day-to-day lives.
Highly recommended.

-Reviewed by American Authors Association member, Marilyn Meredith, a.k.a. F. M. Meredith, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594267359/ref=cm_cr_asin_lnk">Kindred Spirits</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/189234355X/ref=cm_cr_asin_lnk">No Sanctuary</a>