Jesus, My Father, The CIA, and Me by Ian Morgan Cron*A Review

When I first discovered the grainy picture in my mother’s desk—me as a towheaded two year old sitting in what I remember was a salmon-orange-stained lifeboat—I was overwhelmed by the feeling that the boy in the boat was not waving and laughing at the person snapping the photo as much as he was frantically trying to get the attention of the man I am today. The boy was beckoning me to join him on a voyage through the harrowing straits of memory. He was gambling that if we survived the passage, we might discover an ocean where the past would become the wind at our back rather than a driving gale to the nose of our boat. This book is the record of that voyage


Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (June 7, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0849946107
ISBN-13: 978-0849946103
Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces

Ian Morgan Cron is an author, speaker, Episcopal priest, psychotherapist, and retreat guide.
To introduce others to St. Francis of Assisi, he authored Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim’s Tale. His literary debut received accolades from The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, Fr Richard Rohr, Phyllis Tickle, Marcus Borg, Brian McLaren, and artist Makoto Fujimura.
Thomas Nelson released Ian’s spiritual memoir Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me: A Memoir…Of Sorts in June 2011. Publishers Weekly described the book as, “Simultaneously redemptive and consoling with bright moments of humor…a story chock-full of sacredness and hope.”
The book was chosen as a featured title in the prestigious Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers program.
In addition to writing, facilitating retreats, and speaking around the country, Ian is an adjunct priest at Christ Episcopal Church in Greenwich, Connecticut where he curates the Conversations in Courage and Faith series (www.courageandfaith.org). He is also a student at Fordham University (The Jesuit University in New York) where he is completing his doctoral work in Christian spirituality.
Ian adores the Rolling Stone’s record Exile on Main Street, and the melody to Lulu’s 1967 hit song “To Sir, With Love” has been stuck in his head for more than thirty years. He can explain the former, but not the latter.
Ian divides his time between living in Tennessee and Vermont with his wife, and three children.
http://www.iancron.com/


MY REVIEW
Jesus, My Father, The CIA, and Me A memoir…of sorts by Ian Morgan Cron is one fantastic book. This is the second book by Ian and I think his best so far.
The story is mainly about Ian’s life and how he survived an alcoholic father who showed little if any love to him and also how he became the same person without realizing it.
This is an amazing story that held my attention through the whole book. It is a book that is full of despair, hopelessness, but also one of hope, peace and finally love.
When you grow up in a stable, Christian home you really don’t realize that so many children don’t have that privilege. Ian and his family didn’t really live, but survived life. He didn’t dare do anything to upset his father. All Ian wanted in his life growing up was love. That’s so true of everyone.
In this book you go with Ian from very early childhood until he got married, had three children and finally became a priest.
To me it was amazing that an alcoholic worked for the CIA, but Ian found out that alcoholics are good at lying and trying to cover up everything in their lives. So that would make him perfect.
This is a very interesting story and is easy to read. I really recommend it. You will get so much out of it, if not to help yourself, then to be a help to others. It is a book to keep and give to someone who may need a lift or hand when things are going bad. Great read.

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Thank you for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim's Tale by Ian Morgan Cron* A Review

A creative and compelling examination of the impact--800 years ago and today--of St. Francis of Assisi.

Chase Falson has lost his faith so he crosses the Atlantic to visit his uncle, a Franciscan priest, where he encounters the teachings of Francis of Assisi and rediscovers his ancient faith. Follow Chase's spiritual journey in the footsteps of Francis, and then begin one of your own through the pilgrim's guide included in this book.




Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: NavPress (June 22, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1576838129
ISBN-13: 978-1576838129
Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches



About the Author
An ordained Anglican priest, Ian Morgan Cron serves as senior pastor and founder of Trinity Church in Greenwich, Conn., a non-denominational community committed to social justice as well as to communicating the Christian story through the arts.

To introduce others to St. Francis of Assisi, whom Cron has billed the “consummate postmodern saint,” he authored Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim’s Tale (September 2007, NavPress). Cron’s literary debut has received praise from a host of both Catholic and Protestant thinkers including Brian McLaren, artist Makoto Fujimura, Friar Richard Rohr, Tony Campolo and Brennan Manning. Ian lives in Old Greenwich, CT with his wife Anne and three children Cailey, Madeleine, and Aidan.

My Review
“Chasing Francis" by Ian Morgan Cron isn’t a light read. It is full of depth and will make you think like never before.
This book is written in the genre called wisdom literature, which is a very delicate balance of fiction and non-fiction, pilgrimage and teaching.
Chase Falson, megachurch pastor, lost his faith. When a young girl falls off her bike and never wakes up. Chase wonders about everything he has ever thought that was true before. His faith comes falling to the ground at the worst possible time in the middle of a sermon. Chase turns to his Uncle Kenny {even though he is just a cousin, he always called Kenny Uncle} , a Franciscan priest living in Italy. Kenny invites Chase to join him for a time in Italy, which ends up being a pilgrimage for Chase to learn about St. Francis and what he believed the church and Christians should be.
"Chasing Francis" is a book for everyone, but It will help those who have come to the end of their rope or are looking for meaning in life, to those who are perplexed about their Christian beliefs, anyone who wants to deepen their journey with the Lord, and above all to those who have become trapped in today's selfish and worldly society. "Chasing Francis" provides a study guide for anyone who would like to use this book for group discussion or personal meditation.

There are so many interesting quotes in this book and here is my favorite: “He who seeks vengeance is like a man who drinks poison hoping that it will kill his enemy.” Rwandan proverb.
I recommend this book for learning and examining yourself. A book to start you thinking, with a very nice, interesting story plot.



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Thanks to NavPress for providing a copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review.