TheRawReviewers.com - May 2006
The Journal of the Sou l- THE PROPER CARE & FEEDING OF YOUR SOUL is an autobiographical journey tracing the footprints of author Deborah Lintz-Hill's life. She uses her personal tragedies and extreme circumstances; she refers to as curses, to communicate a positive message. In her writings, Lintz-Hill reminds us to remember the lessons of the Bible. She laces various Scripture references through the text of the book in a clear, communicative manner.
Though the cloud of contempt hung over her relationship with her mother and surviving various aspects of abuse, any expressions of love were taught and learned at a young age through the hard knock lessons life provided. In the book, Lintz-Hill states, "the secret to life is understanding that anyone giving you an expression of love and concern is a gift...anyone that causes you frustration, anger, annoyance or sadness is a gift disguised as a curse." The lesson in this is that we need to change our perspective and count it all joy. It is imperative that we look for the blessings that come with every perceived curse.
A reinforcement of a lesson I have stored in the recesses of my mind comes from Lintz-Hill's quotation of Matthew 5:38-40, which reminds us to "turn the other cheek” when people are not treating us fairly and with apparent disregard. We have to examine ourselves by first looking into our own heart and examining our own motives as to whether we may have instigated the situation in the first place. The author continues by saying, our stubbornness and ignorance perpetuate our suffering on Earth and mankind rebels against being loved divinely. Our perspective and our soul are soiled by sin." By walking in God's will and remembering the lessons of the Bible, we then can turn over a new leaf.
This book is not one to be taken lightly. The contents of its pages will cause you to become circumspect as you examine the layers of your psyche. Be prepared to have an honest evaluation of your heart and soul. At first, I thought this book weighed more on the autobiographical side and as I patiently proceeded, it opened up more as an inspirational piece with an awesome message of peace, love and forgiveness. - Reviewed by Nadine Hunter of Rawsistaz Literary Group
Dallas Weekly February 2006 - Cheryl Smith reviewer
If you are looking for peace, Deborah Lintz-Hill can tell you how she found it in the Proper Care and Feeding of Your Soul. Although she has been writing since she was a child, Mrs. Lintz-Hill's first book is a journey in a number of ways. You will read her story and many will be able to identify with the many challenges scheduling those formative years. Hers wasn't an easy life and the beauty of her transformation is a story worth reading. Then there is her testimony, a very candid and enlightening journey as she shows how she narrowed the path to her spiritual awakening. An interesting chapter in The Proper Care & Feeding of Your Soul is the look at Abraham H. Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Needs. Mrs. Lintz-Hill puts her sociology training into use as she redefines, or in her words, "reinvents", the entire self-actualization process. Heavy in scripture and complete with charts and illustrations, Mrs. Lintz-Hill provides an understanding of life that many may have missed. She tells her story in hopes that the reader might have a shorter road to redemption than the one she traveled. I especially like when she says, "Roadblocks are messages from God that He needs you to heal that particular part of your spirit so that you may move forward." If you're looking for a guide, for a lesson, for direction, pick up The Proper Care & Feeding of Your Soul. Mrs. Lintz-Hill's story will reach out to you and encourage you. I think that was here goal.
Tyora Moody, www.faithwebbin.net
Deborah Lintz-Hill candidly shares her personal story from difficult circumstances to living in peace. She plainly states this book is "not an autobiography or a manual to life." The book is her personal search for peace.
As a book reviewer I look for in a book that discusses Christian or spiritual truths. The subtitle of this book is "Narrow the Path to Your Spiritual Awakening." I am a little wary of the terms "spiritual" and "spirituality" because it could mean anything to a variety of people. As a believer in Jesus Christ, I don’t personally feel God made pursuing peace a "mystical or Magical" process. Jesus is "the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6). The decision to accept the salvation offered by God is an acceptance that starts in the heart.
The author shares with the reader the changes that took place in her heart as she grew to lean more about Christianity. She also shares some scientific viewpoints that were interesting, but a little mind-boggling. It made me wonder how a person new in the Christian faith, or trying to decide about their faith/beliefs, would perceive the ideas presented.
This book was intended for a variety of readers regardless of their religious beliefs. This is admirable, but often times I felt confused about the author's belief system. A number of times I stumbled over what she wrote because the scripture was taken out of context. When you set out to write a book with Christian principles you have to keep God's Word intact and be sure the Holy Spirit is guiding you to truths not contradictory to the Bible.
As followers of Christ, the author does emphasize how Christians should embrace others and not appear superior. At times during the reading of this book, it seemed the author was writing more to appeal to those who are non-Christian. The result was a watering down of biblical truths in some areas and in other cases too much science. If you study the Gospels, Jesus clearly reached out to all types of people, but he never wavered in what was the truth. His taught the people with simple parables and teachings.
While I embraced Deborah's willingness to story, I'm concerned about the ideas presented and the Bible interpretations. If it was mainly her autobiography, I believe it would be a more effective book for encouraging people to "feed their souls". It was when she shared from her life and the path that God had planned for her that left a lasting impression.
Alvin C. Romer, TheRomerReview.com
In all fairness to the normal fare that fuel most books that purport to inspire, this one encourages and cajoles readers to seek out spirituality entities in lieu of generic historical confirmation in defining how faith usually is adhered to. What I liked most about the book was its ease of navigation, and the fluidity of the material in illustrating the points of contention. If indeed we are in tune for a divine purpose, and have the power within in realizing our greatest potential, it would behoove us to get this spoon fed information in measured doses. This is a unique story told as an eyewitness account where destiny and spirituality are common bedfellows to wrought change and redeem value. I felt a certain sense of connection as the author told her story and gave credence to Biblical verse where it was needed to illustrate many points of reference.
The Proper Care and Feeding of Your Soul is a spiritual journey from the "pits of hell" to true redemption. Multi-facet, it's part autobiography, part anecdotal, with heavy emphasis on spiritual guidance, it will adjust your disposition in a definite direction, even if it has been "on the blink" for a while. This book can be described as a signpost pointing toward the shortcut to understanding this maze called "life on Earth." If you are searching for a new lease on life, this book may be for you.