Penitence (Heavenly Book 2)

Penitence (Heavenly) (Volume 2) [Jennifer Laurens] on leondumoulin.nl *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Book Two. Seeing good and evil spirits is a gift Zoe .
Table of contents

If, then, Peter used those words which were used by God without any prejudice to His knowledge , why should we not assume that Peter also used them without prejudice to his belief? For he could not doubt concerning the gift of Christ , Who had given him the power of forgiving sins ; especially since he was bound not to leave any place for the craftiness of heretics who desire to deprive men of hope, in order the more easily to insinuate into the despairing their opinion as to the reiteration of baptism. But the apostles , having this baptism according to the direction of Christ , taught repentance, promised forgiveness, and remitted guilt, as David taught when he said: Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord has not imputed sin. He calls each blessed, both him whose sins are remitted by the font, and him whose sin is covered by good works. For he who repents ought not only to wash away his sin by his tears, but also to cover and hide his former transgressions by amended deeds , that sin may not be imputed to him.

Let us, then, cover our falls by our subsequent acts; let us purify ourselves by tears, that the Lord our God may hear us when we lament, as He heard Ephraim when weeping, as it is written: I have surely heard Ephraim weeping. You have chastised me and I was chastised, like a calf I was not trained. And so repenting, Ephraim says: Turn me, and I shall be turned, for You are the Lord my God. Surely in the end of my captivity I repented, and after I learned I mourned over the days of confusion, and subjected myself to You because I received reproach and made You known.

We see how to repent, with what words and with what acts, that the days of sin are called days of confusion; for there is confusion when Christ is denied. Let us, then, submit ourselves to God , and not be subject to sin , and when we ponder the remembrance of our offenses, let us blush as though at some disgrace, and not speak of them as a glory to us, as some boast of overcoming modesty, or putting down the feeling of justice.

Penitence (Heavenly, #2) by Jennifer Laurens

Let our conversion be such, that we who did not know God may now ourselves declare Him to others, that the Lord, moved by such a conversion on our part, may answer to us: Ephraim is from youth a dear son, a pleasant child, for since My words are concerning him, I will verily remember him, therefore have I hastened to be over him; I will surely have mercy on him, says the Lord. And what mercy He promises us, the Lord also shows, when He says further on: I have satiated every thirsty soul , and have satisfied every hungry soul.

Therefore, I awaked and beheld, and My sleep was sweet unto Me. Let us, then, all be converted to the Lord. Ambrose teaches out of the prophet Isaiah what they must do who have fallen. Then referring to our Lord's proverbial expression respecting piping and dancing, he condemns dances. Next by the example of Jeremiah he sets forth the necessary accompaniments of repentance. And lastly, in order to show the efficacy of this medicine of penance, he enumerates the names of many who have used it for themselves or for others. We have a good Lord, Whose will it is to forgive all, Who called you by the prophet and said: I, even I, am He that blots out your transgressions, and I will not remember, but you remember that we may plead together.

I, He says, will not remember, but remember, that is to say, I do not recall those transgressions which I have forgiven you, which are covered, as it were, with oblivion, but remember them. I will not remember them because of My grace , remember them in order to correction; remember, you may know that the sin is forgiven, boast not as though innocent, that you aggravate not the sin , but you will be justified, confess your sin.

Concerning Repentance (Book II)

For a shamefaced confession of sins looses the bands of transgression. You see what God requires of you, that you remember that grace which you have received, and boast not as though you had not received it. You see by how complete a promise of remission He draws you to confession. Take heed, lest by resisting the commandments of God you fall into the offense of the Jews , to whom the Lord Jesus said: We piped to you and you danced not; we wailed and you wept not.

Heavenly Book Trailer 3

The words are ordinary words, but the mystery is not ordinary. And so one must be on one's guard, lest, deceived by any common interpretation of this saying, one should suppose that the movements of wanton dances and the madness of the stage were commended; for these are full of evil in youthful age. But the dancing is commended which David practised before the ark of God. For everything is seemly which is done for religion, so that we need be ashamed of no service which tends to the worship and honouring of Christ.

Dancing, then, which is an accompaniment of pleasures and luxury, is not spoken of, but spiritually such as that wherewith one raises the eager body, and suffers not the limbs to lie slothfully on the ground, nor to grow stiff in their accustomed tracks. Paul danced spiritually, when for us he stretched forward, and forgetting the things which were behind, and aiming at those which were before, he pressed on to the prize of Christ. This dancing accompanies faith , and is the companion of grace. This, then, is the mystery. We piped to you, singing in truth the song of the New Testament , and you danced not.

That is, did not raise your souls to the spiritual grace. We wailed, and you wept not. That is, you did not repent. And therefore was the Jewish people forsaken, because it did not repent, and rejected grace. Repentance came by John, grace by Christ. He, as the Lord, gives the one; the other is proclaimed, as it were, by the servant. The Church , then, keeps both that it may both attain to grace and not cast away repentance, for grace is the gift of One Who confers it; repentance is the remedy of the sinner.

Jeremiah knew that penitence was a great remedy, which he in his Lamentations took up for Jerusalem, and brings forward Jerusalem itself as repenting, when he says: She wept sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks, nor is there one to comfort her of all who love her. The ways of Sion do mourn. And he says further: For these things I weep, my eyes have grown dim with weeping, because he who used to comfort me is gone far from me.

How, then, can you take away the very comfort by refusing to repentance the hope of forgiveness? But let those who repent learn how they ought to carry it out, with what zeal , with what affection, with what intention of mind , with what shaking of the inmost bowels, with what conversion of heart: Behold, he says, O Lord, that I am in distress, my bowels are troubled by my weeping, my heart is turned within me. Here you recognize the intention of the soul , the faithfulness of the mind , the disposition of the body: The elders of the daughters of Sion sat, he says, upon the ground, they put dust upon their heads, they girded themselves with haircloth, the princes hung their heads to the ground, the virgins of Jerusalem fainted with weeping, my eyes grew dim, my bowels were troubled, my glory was poured on the earth.

So, too, did the people of Nineveh mourn, and escaped the destruction of their city. To escape is, then, in your own power; the Lord wills to be entreated, He wills that men should hope in Him, He wills that supplication should be made to Him. You are a man , and willest to be asked to forgive, and do you think that God will pardon you without asking Him? The Lord Himself wept over Jerusalem, that, inasmuch as it would not weep itself, it might obtain forgiveness through the tears of the Lord. He wills that we should weep in order that we may escape, as you find it in the Gospel: Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for Me, but weep for yourselves.

David wept, and obtained of the divine mercy the removal of the death of the people who were perishing, when of the three things proposed for his choice he selected that in which he might have the most experience of the divine mercy. Why do you blush to weep for your sins , when God commanded even the prophets to weep for the people?

And, lastly, Ezekiel was bidden to weep for Jerusalem, and he took the book, at the beginning of which was written: Lamentation, and melody, and woe, two things sad and one pleasant, for he shall be saved in the future who has wept most in this age. For the heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, and the heart of fools in the house of feasting. Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh. An exhortation to mourning and confession of sins for Christ is moved by these and the tears of the Church.

Illustration from the story of Lazarus. After showing that the Novatians are the successors of those who planned to kill Lazarus, St. Ambrose argues that the full forgiveness of every sin is signified by the odour of the ointment poured by Mary on the feet of Christ; and further, that the Novatian heretics find their likeness in Judas, who grudged and envied when others rejoiced.

Let us, then, mourn for a time, that we may rejoice for eternity. Let us fear the Lord, let us anticipate Him with the confession of our sins , let us correct our backslidings and amend our faults, lest of us too it be said: Woe is me, my soul , for the godly man is perished from the earth, and there is none among men to correct them. Why do you fear to confess your sins to our good Lord? Set them forth, He says, that you may be justified. The rewards of justification are set before him who is still guilty of sin , for he is justified who voluntarily confesses his own sin ; and lastly, the just man is his own accuser in the beginning of his speaking.

It is not His will that the devil should triumph over you and accuse you when you conceal your sins. Be beforehand with your accuser: Christ will come to your grave, and if He finds there weeping for you Martha the woman of good service, and Mary who carefully heard the Word of God , like holy Church which has chosen the best part, He will be moved with compassion, when at your death He shall see the tears of many and will say: Where have you laid him?

In which rank of penitents? I would see him for whom you weep, that he himself may move Me with his tears. I will see if he is already dead to that sin for which forgiveness is entreated. The people will say to Him, Come and see. It means, Let forgiveness of sins come, let the life of the departed come, the resurrection of the dead, let Your kingdom come to this sinner also. He will come and will command that the stone be taken away which his fall has laid on the shoulders of the sinner.

He could have removed the stone by a word of command, for even inanimate nature is wont to obey the bidding of Christ. He could by the silent power of His working have removed the stone of the sepulchre, at Whose Passion the stones being suddenly removed many sepulchres of the dead were opened, but He bade men remove the stone, in very truth indeed, that the unbelieving might believe what they saw, and see the dead rising again, but in a type that He might give us the power of lightening the burden of sins , the heavy pressure as it were upon the guilty.

Ours it is to remove the burdens, His to raise again, His to bring forth from the tombs those set free from their bands.

Get A Copy

So the Lord Jesus , seeing the heavy burden of the sinner, weeps, for the Church alone He suffers not to weep. For with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. If you have confessed at the call of Christ the bars will be broken, and every chain loosed, even the stench of the bodily corruption be grievous. For he had been dead four days and his flesh stank in the tomb; but He Whose flesh saw no corruption was three days in the sepulchre, for He knew no evils of the flesh, which consists of the substances of the four elements.

However great, then, the stench of the dead body may be, it is all done away so soon as the sacred ointment has shed its odour; and the dead rises again, and the command is given to loose his hands who till now was in sin ; the covering is taken from his face which veiled the truth of the grace which he had received. But since he has received forgiveness, the command is given to uncover his face, to lay bare his features. For he whose sin is forgiven has nothing whereof to be ashamed. For you too are angry and gather a council against the Church , because you see the dead come to life again in the Church , and to be raised again by receiving forgiveness of their sins.

And thus, so far as in you, you desire to slay again through envy those who are raised to life. But Jesus does not revoke His benefits, nay, rather He amplifies them by additions of His liberality, He anxiously revisits him who was raised again, and rejoicing in the gift of the restored life, He comes to the feast which His Church has prepared for Him, at which he who had been dead is found as one among those sitting down with Christ.

Then all wonder who look upon him with the pure gaze of the mind , who are free from envy , for such children the Church has. They wonder, as I said, how he who yesterday and the day before lay in the tomb is one of those sitting with the Lord Jesus. Mary herself pours ointment on the feet of the Lord Jesus. The Apostle was the mouth of Christ , for he said, You seek a proof of Christ that speaks in me. What, then, we read concerning Lazarus we ought to believe of every sinner who is converted, who, though he may have been stinking, nevertheless is cleansed by the precious ointment of faith.

For faith has such grace that there where the dead stank the day before, now the whole house is filled with good odour. The house of Corinth stank, when it was written concerning it: It is reported that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even among the Gentiles. A good odour began when it was said: If you forgive anything to any one I forgive also. For what I also have forgiven, for your sakes have I done it in the person of Christ. Wherefore the Apostle, knowing well that he had shed upon all the ointment of apostolic forgiveness, says: We are a sweet savour of Christ unto God in them that are saved.

At the pouring forth, then, of this ointment all rejoice ; Judas alone speaks against it.

See a Problem?

For the Lord both suffered and died that He might redeem us from death. This is manifest from the most excellent value from His death, which is sufficient for the absolution of the sinner, and his restoration to fresh grace ; so that all may come and wonder at his sitting at table with Christ, and may praise God , saying: Let us eat and feast, for he was dead and is alive again, had perished and is found. Why does He eat with publicans and sinners? This is his answer: They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick.

In urging repentance St. Ambrose turns to his own case, expressing the wish that he could wash our Lord's feet like the woman in the Gospel, which is a great pattern of penitence, though such as cannot attain to it find acceptance. He prays for himself, especially that he may sorrow with sinners, who are better than himself. Those for whom Christ died are not to be contemned. Show, then, your wound to the Physician that He may heal it.

Though you show it not, He knows it, but waits to hear your voice. Do away your scars by tears. Thus did that woman in the Gospel , and wiped out the stench of her sin ; thus did she wash away her fault, when washing the feet of Jesus with her tears. Would that You, Lord Jesus , might reserve for me the washing off from Your feet of the stains contracted since You walk in me! O that You might offer to me to cleanse the pollution which I by my deeds have caused on Your steps!

But whence can I obtain living water, wherewith I may wash Your feet? Whence is it that You should say to me: His sins which are many are forgiven, because he loved much? I confess that I owe more, and that more has been forgiven me who have been called to the priesthood from the tumult and strife of the law courts and the dread of public administration; and therefore I fear that I may be found ungrateful, if I, to whom more has been forgiven, love less.

But all are not able to equal that woman , who was deservedly preferred even to Simon, who was giving the feast to the Lord; who gave a lesson to all who desire to gain forgiveness, by kissing the feet of Christ , washing them with her tears, wiping them with her hair, and anointing them with ointment. In a kiss is the sign of love , and therefore the Lord Jesus says: Let her kiss Me with the kisses of her mouth.

In the ointment, too, is set forth the savour of a good conversation. David was a king, yet he said: Every night will I wash my bed, I will water my couch with tears. And therefore he obtained such a favour, as that of his house the Virgin should be chosen, who by her child-bearing should bring forth Christ for us.

Therefore is this woman also praised in the Gospel. Nevertheless if we are unable to equal her, the Lord Jesus knows also how to aid the weak, when there is no one who can prepare the feast, or bring the ointment, or carry with her a spring of living water. He comes Himself to the sepulchre. Would that You would vouchsafe to come to this sepulchre of mine, O Lord Jesus, that You would wash me with Your tears, since in my hardened eyes I possess not such tears as to be able to wash away my offense. If You shall weep for me I shall be saved; if I am worthy of Your tears I shall cleanse the stench of all my offenses; if I am worthy that You weep but a little, You will call me out of the tomb of this body and will say: Come forth, that my meditations may not be kept pent up in the narrow limits of this body, but may go forth to Christ , and move in the light, that I may think no more on works of darkness but on works of light.

For he who thinks on sins endeavours to shut himself up within his own consciousness. Call forth, then, Your servant. Although bound with the chain of my sins I have my feet fastened and my hands tied; being now buried in dead thoughts and works, yet at Your call I shall go forth free, and shall be found one of those sitting at Your feast, and Your house shall be filled with precious ointment. If You have vouchsafed to redeem any one, You will preserve him. For it shall be said, See, he was not brought up in the bosom of the Church , nor trained from childhood, but hurried from the judgment-seat, brought away from the vanities of this world, growing accustomed to the singing of the choir instead of the shout of the crier, but he continues in the priesthood not by his own strength, but by the grace of Christ , and sits among the guests at the heavenly table.

Preserve, O Lord, Your work, guard the gift which You have given even to him who shrank from it. For I knew that I was not worthy to be called a bishop , because I had devoted myself to this world, but by Your grace I am what I am. And I am indeed the least of all bishops , and the lowest in merit; yet since I too have undertaken some labour for Your holy Church, watch over this fruit, and let not him whom when lost You called to the priesthood , to be lost when a priest. And first grant that I may know how with inmost affection to mourn with those who sin ; for this is a very great virtue , since it is written: And you shall not rejoice over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction, and speak not proudly in the day of their trouble.

Perchance a maiden may have fallen, deceived and hurried away by those occasions which are the sources of sins. Well, we who are older sin , too. In us, too, the law of this flesh wars against the law of our mind , and makes us captives of sin , so that we do what we would not.

Her youth is an excuse for her, I now have none, for she ought to learn, we ought to teach. So that Tamar has been more righteous than I. We inveigh against some one's covetousness , let us call to mind whether we ourselves have never done anything covetously ; and if we have, since covetousness is the root of all evils , and is working in our bodies like a serpent secretly under the earth, let each of us say: Tamar has been more righteous than I.

If we have been seriously moved against any one, a layman may act hastily for a smaller matter than a bishop. Let us ponder that with ourselves and say, He who is reproved for quick temper is more righteous than I. For if we thus speak, we guard ourselves against this, that the Lord Jesus or one of His disciples should say to us: You behold the mote in your brother's eye, but behold not the beam which is in your own eye.

You hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of your own eye, and then shall you see to cast out the mote out of your brother's eye. Let us, then, not be ashamed to say that our fault is more serious than that of him whom we think we must reprove, for this is what Judah did who reprimanded Tamar, and remembering his own fault said: Tamar is more righteous than I.

In which saying there is a deep mystery and a moral precept; and therefore is his offense not reckoned to him, because he accused himself before he was accused by others. Let us, then, not rejoice over the sin of any one, but rather let us mourn, for it is written: Rejoice not against me, O my enemy, because I have fallen, for I shall arise; for if I sit in darkness the Lord shall be a light unto me, I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against Him, until He maintain my cause , and execute judgment for me, and bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold His righteousness.

Mine enemy, too, shall see it and shall be covered with confusion, which said to me, Where is the Lord your God? My eyes shall behold her, and she shall be for treading down as the mire in the streets. And this not unreservedly, for he who rejoices at the fall of another rejoices at the victory of the devil. Let us, then, rather mourn when we hear that one has perished for whom Christ died, Who despises not even the straw in time of harvest. O that He may not cast away this straw at His harvest, the empty stalks of my produce; but may He gather it in, as is said by some one: In what way faith is necessary for repentance.

Means for paying our debts, in which work, prayer, tears, and fasting are of more value than money. Some instances are adduced, and St. Ambrose declares that generosity is profitable, but only when joined with faith; it is, moreover, liable to certain defects. He goes on to speak of some defects in repentance, such as too great haste in seeking reconciliation, considering abstinence from sacraments all that is needed, of committing sin in hope of repenting later. So, then, it is fitting for us to believe both that sinners must repent and that forgiveness is to be given on repentance, yet still as hoping for forgiveness as granted upon faith , not as a debt, for it is one thing to earn, and another presumptuously to claim a right.

Faith asks for forgiveness, as it were, by covenant, but presumption is more akin to demand than to request. Pay first that which you owe, that you may be in a position to ask for what you have hoped. Come with the disposition of an honest debtor, that you may not contract a fresh liability, but may pay that which is due of the existing debt with the possessions of your faith. He who owes a debt to God has more help towards payment than he who is indebted to man.

Man requires money for money, and this is not always at the debtor's command. God demands the affection of the heart, which is in our own power. No one who owes a debt to God is poor, except one who has made himself poor. And even if he have nothing to sell, yet has he wherewith to pay. Prayer, fasting , and tears are the resources of an honest debtor, and much more abundant than if one from the price of his estate offered money without faith.

Ananias was poor, when after selling his land he brought the money to the apostles , and was not able with it to pay his debt, but involved himself the more. This poor widow has cast in more than they all. And I do not deny that sins may be diminished by liberal gifts to the poor , but only if faith commend what is spent. For what would the giving of one's whole property benefit without charity?

There are some who aim at the credit of generosity for pride alone, because they wish thereby to gain the good opinion of the multitude for leaving nothing to themselves; but while they are seeking rewards in this life, they are laying up none for the life to come, and having received their reward here they cannot hope for it there.

Some again, having, through impulsive excitement and not after long consideration, given their possessions to the Church , think that they can claim them back. These gain neither the first nor the second reward, for the gift was made thoughtlessly, its recall sacrilegiously. Some repent of having distributed their property to the poor. But they who are doing penance must not repent of this, lest they repent of their own repentance. For many seek for penance through fear of future punishment, being conscious of their sins , and having received their penance are held back by fear of the public entreaties.

These persons seem to have sought for repentance for their evil deeds , but to exercise it for their good ones. Some seek penance because they wish to be at once restored to communion. These wish not so much to loose themselves as to bind the priest , for they do not put off the guilt from their own conscience , but lay it on that of the priest , to whom the command is given: And so one may see those walking in other attire, who ought to be weeping and groaning because they had defiled the robe of sanctification and grace ; and women loading their ears with pearls, and weighing down their necks, who had better have bent to Christ than to gold, and who ought to be weeping for themselves, because they have lost the pearl from heaven.

There are, again, some who think that it is penitence to abstain from the heavenly sacraments. These are too cruel judges of themselves, who prescribe a penalty for themselves but refuse the remedy, who ought to be mourning over their self-imposed penalty, because it deprives them of heavenly grace. Others think that licence is granted them to sin , because the hope of penitence is before them, whereas penitence is the remedy, not an incentive to sin.

For the salve is necessary for the wound, not the wound for the salve, since a salve is sought because of the wound, the wound is not wished for on account of the salve. The hope which is put off to a future season is but feeble, for every season is uncertain, and hope does not outlive all time.

In order to do away with the feeling of shame which holds back the guilty from public penance, St. Ambrose points out the advantage of prayers offered by the whole Church, and sets forth the example of saints who have sorrowed. Then, after reproving those who imagine that penance may be often repeated, he points out the difficulty of repentance, and how it is to be carried out. Can any one endure that you should blush to entreat God , when you do not blush to entreat a man? That you should be ashamed to entreat Him Who knows you fully, when you are not ashamed to confess your sins to a man who knows you not?

Zoe has it tough, I don't know how it is to have an autistic family member but through Zoe's eyes I can see that it is not easy. To some extent I see her point of view, and I see why she does all they partying and the drinking and first. And I would like to say that at the beginning I didn't like her much Review from: And I would like to say that at the beginning I didn't like her much as a character. She was pissed that Abira couldn't act like other children her age and that she was always stuck taking care of her. But as the story unfolds and she meets Matthias and he helps her understand more things about herself and her sister.

I loved Matthias, he was so innocent and pure. So much like I imagined and angel would be If I ever met one. He is also hot, funny, and charming which are things I hope to find if I ever meet an angel. I have read other novels and I they made the image of an angel so impure and non-celestial it kind of throws me off. But with Matthias he is the perfect balance of innocent and old-fashioned an immortal angel should be. Just wanted to point that out.

The story plot was very interesting and the ending, you will never see it coming. I know I didn't. I love reading books where the main character has a change of heart for the best and this is one of them. Internal struggle between what it right and what the heart wants. It was an original love story with a twist and I loved every page of it. There is also a second possible love interest but you'll have to read the book yourselves to find out.

Then come and talk to me about it! My favorite kind of guy. Is that really a word? Probably not, but it is now. This book has a special place in my book loving heart, I will never forget it. I am not being melodramatic here, I truly and really enjoyed it. The characters are so real and so easy to like. And the story has issues people like me and you go through every day. So want to read about an agnsty-but then not angsty- teen, who during that transition meets a handsome old-fashioned angel who is assigned to protect her little sister but they end up liking each other a little too much?

Then this book, fellow book lover, is the perfect book for you! Oct 18, Ren rated it really liked it Recommends it for: Read paperback version and write the review in my own languange, Indonesia Zoe merasa kehidupannya tidak sama lagi setelah kelahiran adik perempuannya Abria. Abria yang autis membuat keluarga Zoe sangat protektif terhadapnya, dan membuat hubungan Zoe, adik laki-lakinya Luke, dan orangtua mereka menjadi renggang, karena orangtua Zoe lebih memfokuskan perhatian mereka terhadapa Abria. Untuk mengisi kekosongan dalam hidupnya, Zoe melakukan satu-satunya hal yang dia tahu: Su Read paperback version and write the review in my own languange, Indonesia Zoe merasa kehidupannya tidak sama lagi setelah kelahiran adik perempuannya Abria.

Suatu hari, saat Zoe menemani Abria bermain di taman, dia kehilangan Abria. Keanehan terjadi, karena hanya Zoe dan Abria yang bisa melihat laki-laki itu, yang belakangan memperkenalkan dirinya sebagai Matthias. Zoe, yang sedikit shock dengan keberadaan Mathhias, mendapati bahwa sang adik Luke, ternyata mengalami ketergantungan terhadap obat-obatan. Belum lagi, sahabat karibnya, Britt, yang tidak mengacuhkan dirinya setelah berpacaran dengan laki-laki populer di sekolah, Weston.

Seolah belum cukup, orangtua Zoe mengetahui ketergantungan Luke terhadap obat-obatan dan kegemaran Zoe yang suka minum-minuman keras. Lelah dengan semua masalah yang menimpanya, Zoe mendapati keberadaan Mathhias menenangkannya, walaupun dia hanya bisa bertemu Matthias saat bersama Abria. Saat itulah Zoe menyadari bahwa dirinya dan Matthias tidak bisa bersatu karena kehidupan mereka yang berbeda.

Untuk sebuah YA, Heavenly merupakan awal yang bagus untuk sebuah buku dengan genre ini. Dan juga keberanian Jennifer Laurens, sang pengarang , untuk membuat suatu karakter yang terkena autisme dalam hal ini Abria dan how to deal with autism character. View all 10 comments. Aug 20, Kristina rated it it was amazing Shelves: Of course it was for the emotional connection I would feel I soo have known the feeling of having my own son disappearing on me.

I would love to know that there IS a guardian angel out there that is protecting him, and it would take a lot of the worry away! To know what he is feeling!! How he sees the world through his eyes! So for all of those reasons and many more How did I feel about the families choices they made Scared because that is the elephant in the room When there is a lot of attention on the other sibling Do I wonder whether she feels ignored?

Whether she will rebel So for those reasons I understood why Zoe, her brother, her parents were the way they were. And which made Zoe and Matthias love story even more powerful! It is a love story that pushes the boundaries that surround its characters. I love how Jennifer has made this very real, and very relatable! And even though you can feel the writing building and you know something will happen For good and not so good reasons! And it was a story that had me putting it down..

Apr 30, Amina rated it really liked it Shelves: Well, while I cant say I loved it like i wish I could I still really enjoyed it! It did also make me tear up at the end So naturally when i first opened it I was giddy.. This book is about 18 year old Zoe who, really, has a lot to deal with. Due to her autistic little sister Zoe and her little brother hate home life and at first seem to want to do anything to g Well, while I cant say I loved it like i wish I could I still really enjoyed it!

Due to her autistic little sister Zoe and her little brother hate home life and at first seem to want to do anything to get away from it all. Plus seeing how fucked up their lives and their parents life have become compared to what it was At first Zoe came across as, well, a slut and really someone who just gave a Fuck all at everything in life.

Lucus, Zoe's 16 year old brother, was someone who seemed ignorant and quote cowardly but I liked reading about him. I really did love watching how they changed as people and learnt to deal with life in the right way. Abria is Zoes autistic little sister and i found her amazing. Normally young kids can really piss me off but I just kinda felt Sorry for her and just admired her especially from what Matthias tells.

But then im a complete sucker for all romances! I think the flaws lies really in the pacing and how some things would jump from here and there. I also didnt really like Britt either However Jennifer laurens has some real talent, you could just tell. I swear there's something abput Jennifers LOL.

Anyway, this book honestly was so down to earth Brings out things like addiction and autism which I no little about and is pretty genuine. I'm now gonna condradict myself and say that there were sone aspects which were really unrealistic I felt but still. No rebellious fallen angels. Which normally ain't my type but hey I still loved it. Plus I felt somewhat and really quite eerily relaxed and peaceful when I read this But honestly it was a really good read and i will be reading the rest of the trilogy too.

View all 5 comments. Oct 30, Yelania Nightwalker rated it liked it Shelves: A partir de ese momento, la historia entre ellos se desarrolla, al principio con dudas por parte de Zoe que lo considera peligroso, hasta que es inevitable dejar de sentir lo que ambos sienten. It took me a few pages to actually get into Heavenly, but once I was snagged - I was there for the rest of the book. Heavenly was a great read with real-life issues packed into the story to make it relatable to anyone that may pick up this book. I think the best part for me was the characters. They were flawed and sometimes made the worst decisions ever, but their actions and solutions were all very realistic.

I loved Zoe and could definitely relate to her. Matthias … oh, how I love thee! I think I was the most empathetic toward Luke and his addiction. Actually, I feel for their whole family - dealing with a disability is never really an easy thing, but I think at the end there was a good compromise and hopefully the family has completely pulled together.

Speaking of the end: I think the beginning was a little slow, but once it picked up the pace it stayed constant. Heavenly was a pretty easy read and had a wonderful premise. May 08, Megan rated it it was amazing. I really enjoyed reading this book. I really liked the fact that although the little sister had autism, the family was together. I can only imagine and the book gave an excellent illustration of how difficult and challenging it must be to keep a family together with the amount of stress that there was, but they did. I loved the fact that they went to church and were really a unit.

I could really relate to the relationshi I really enjoyed reading this book. I could really relate to the relationship between Zoe and her brother. I was almost more interested in Zoe and her family then in the relationship between her and Matthias….. When he would disappear, I felt as much want for Mathias to return as Zoe did. I love the bodyguard dynamic. He was truly a guardian angel. It dealt with the way Zoe and her brother dealt with things in hard times, pressures from friends, and their will power to do better. Family strength and remaining a family unit even when there was resentment.

And how in a sense, Matthias was able to not only protect Zoe and her sister, he was able to bring Zoe closer to her family and give her strength to better herself. Thank you Jennifer for writing such a down to earth, original, heart warming book in a time where this story is very much needed. May 10, Meli rated it it was ok. Mar 24, Nic rated it liked it Shelves: I enjoyed this book but I founded it to be more of an emotional read than I expected.

I felt it dealt with with the family issues and addiction in an honest way. The characters were good but I didn't really fall in love with any of them. The ending definitely took me by suprise but in a good way. I like that she put in a sneak peek of Penitence as it got me wondering what direction Rating 3. I like that she put in a sneak peek of Penitence as it got me wondering what direction the second book is going to take which I'm kinda of excited to read despite my confused feelings on this book at the moment. Feb 17, Kim rated it it was amazing. I loved this book.

I totally didn't see the ending coming. Just what I needed. Dec 18, Bookish Delights rated it it was amazing. Heavenly was a true delight to read! I would categorize Heavenly as realistic fiction with hints of the paranormal. The struggles that come with raising a child with autism is highlighted in this book. There is an incredible depth to this story, whose solid foundation comes from the fact that Laurens has a lot of personal experience with raising a child with autism.

There is much more substance to the book. The characteristics of autism, the details of what goes on inside this autistic household, the effects of autism on this family, as well as how individual family members unfortunately cope in negative ways Zoe: Especially how non-autistic children get unintentionally overlooked, since the autistic child requires so much care and attention.

This story will definitely tug at your emotions. But on a brighter side, this story shows you the inspiring resilience of the human spirit when faced with difficulties and also teaches you that there is always room for personal growth - no matter how small. The family clings to hope and faith that they can eventually mend their broken family. I also enjoyed the romantic aspect of the story. So to her, being with Matthias is that much more heavenly when they are together.

Their relationship develops organically in a very realistic way and over time. Their chemistry is easily visible. As expected with many paranormal romances, there are obstacles to face in Heavenly as well. Who said loving a guardian angel was easy! I am curious and excited about where the story will go from here. I will definitely be continuing the series to find out how the story unfolds. Penitence is book two and Absolution is the final book in the Heavenly series. Honestly, there was hardly anything that I disliked about Heavenly, but if I had to nit-pick, Zoe reprimands her brother Luke for how he deals with his family issues, when she was coping in a negative way as well.

Heavenly is more of a slower paced book, which was fine because I was interested in what I was reading and it allowed me to really digest the information. I think what made me attached to Heavenly was the fact that I have autistic cousins, so I was able to really relate to this book. And it reaffirms that we are not alone in having to deal with the struggles that autism places on a family.

I highly recommend this book, not only to people who are dealing with autism in their family, but to others who want to learn more about it. And for those who crave paranormal romances, while you may find this one to be a little more subtle and innocent, it is definitely more profound than many paranormal romances I have read, making it one to not be forgotten. Jul 21, Rachel rated it it was amazing. Some consider this fun. For Zoe Dodd it was just a way to escape. Escape from the responsibility of taking care of her autistic young sister Abria.

Escape to anyone who would give her the attention that she was missing from her parents and so desperately desired. She never would have thought that all she needed were the feelings of peace, comfort and warmth that Matthias could give to her. Matthias was not her Guardian Angel. He was sent to protect her sister Abria, an innocent.

Yet Zoe could see him and talk to him as if he were mortal. The one thing she could not do was touch him. And she so wanted to touch him. No matter how inconvenient or impractical, Zoe loves him. But does he love her back? With all her mistakes and flaws why would he? Can an Angel even love her as a mortal man would? And even if he does, what price would Heaven demand? Is getting what you wish for worth any cost? Knowing her sister has someone Heaven-sent who is looking out for her takes that extra burden off her shoulders and gives her the strength to change the course of her life.

Her heart is fragile and the joy he has given to her can quickly lead to despair if her feelings go unrequited. Jennifer Laurens has written a book that is a rollercoaster of emotions. Heavenly is sad, sweet, heartbreaking and heartwarming. Zoe is an extremely sympathetic character who is very easy to connect with and relate to.

Abria is absolutely delightful. Her simple joy and sweet nature come through in the writing, making it easy to see why everyone is willing to sacrifice so much for her. And of course, Matthias is absolutely heavenly. While this is the first book of three, it can be read on its own. The ending will not leave you hanging unless you choose to read the sneak peek of Penitence.

On a personal note: I absolutely love this book. Matthias is the perfect, not-so-perfect, Guardian Angel. I think his old-fashioned references are absolutely adorable. Though this is a story about Guardian Angels versus fallen angels , it does not have an overly religious or morally preachy feel. I did not completely fall apart after reading Heavenly though I did tear up.

But if I recall correctly I did sob a bit while reading Penitence and Absolution. Mar 03, Diana rated it it was amazing. Let me start of by saying that this book is so much more than a girl and her guardian angel. In this story we follow 17 year old Zoe, who has turned to drinking and partying as an escape from reality. Zoe's younger sister, Abria, has autism, her parents are walking on a very thin li One word: Zoe and Abria are the only ones that can see him.

Mathias is loving, caring and never judges. He slowly makes Zoe realize that she is worth more than a lousy one-night hook ups. This book was marvelous! Having an autistic child herself, Mrs. Laurens was able to fully capture the struggles and frustrations that autistic families go though. Her characterization was freaking amazing! My hearts was synchronized perfectly with theirs; I applauded their achievements and frowned upon their bad decisions. Zoe was a great protagonist and very easy to relate to.

We see her grow tremendously throughout the whole book. There was such emotion and honesty in each scene… I teared up various times throughout the book. This book also created in me awareness. I never imagined the difficulties that others around me live on a day to day basis when it came to raising an autistic child.

Gosh, he is wonderful! All the scenes with him in it were very calm and comforting to read.


  • Heavenly (Heavenly, #1) by Jennifer Laurens?
  • .
  • Exposed (Eliana Brennan Book 2).
  • Teasing Trent (Contemporary Romance) (The Alexanders Book 1).
  • CHURCH FATHERS: Concerning Repentance, Book II (Ambrose);

Everything about this book feels real; the characters, the story, the ending…. This is an amazing, incredible, in depth novel that every YA reader should pick up. So please, give it a look and see if you like it…. Trust me when I say- you will not be disappointed. Just go read it, NOW! I'm definitively in love with angel guardian Very spiriual, love book. Des parents qui l'aime, ainsi qu'une amie Britt avec qui elle partage ses secrets. Mais rencontrer un ange s'est bien, mais le voir c'est une autre histoire Une lecture lucide et spirituelle, avec un cliff-hanger inatendu!

Dec 25, Colette rated it it was ok Shelves: I had high expectations for this book, but it did not deliver. I've tried to wait until my reasoning can sound more like reasoning and less like a rant. Here's why the book lost three stars This read was too edgy for my taste, and not something I'd let my daughter under 17 read. Though probably very realistic, there are liberal references to Zoe's sexual conquests, lusty desires, and "hunting" for boys.

Add to that the dru I had high expectations for this book, but it did not deliver. Add to that the drunken parties where everyone, aka the cool kids, are "hooking up" having casual sex , her druggie brother, attempted rape, and licentious demons circling kids at parties and I was a little more than surprised a book called "Heavenly" could be so un-heavenly. Oh, but she has a good heart Matthias is an angel. Pure, but with a past? He tells her only the good or innocent can see angels. She is neither pure nor innocent, but she can see him? The underlying message being that she really is good even though she has lived a wild lifestyle.

I don't like that message being subtly propagated. Leading to the question of why an angel would like her There seems to be no build up or foundation to Matthias's feelings. That Zoe changes when the angel enters her life and brings her thoughts upward. Maybe, but I don't like so many small and subtle ways these characters and their actions lead to messages I would not want my kids to receive. Will they encounter some of these situations peer pressure, drug use, drinking, sexual promiscuity , probably yes.

Is this book instructive in good vs bad ways to respond to these situations? Though it does show some of the consequences of poor choices It just felt a little voyeuristic at times. There are enough amazing reads out there that I feel confident someone could find something better to read.

If you want a good angel read, I'd recommend Unearthly by Cynthia Hand. Pass this one up, for sure Jul 02, Jade Walker rated it it was amazing Shelves: Original review at http: Okay, so Zoe is a bit whiny but in all fairness she has every right to be, her sister is autistic, her brother is addicted to drugs and Zoe feels like she's got to deal with ev Original review at http: Okay, so Zoe is a bit whiny but in all fairness she has every right to be, her sister is autistic, her brother is addicted to drugs and Zoe feels like she's got to deal with everything.

I'd be whiny in her position as well. Aside from that, I actually loved the character of Zoe, I didn't agree with her decisions, as at some points she does dangerous and stupid stuff, but rather than this just being a plot device to have the hero come and save her the author actually builds it up so we can understand why Zoe does these things. The story was great. I loved the way Zoe's character developed from partying hard and getting drunk to being this great responsible sister. I also loved the way that Zoe's brother Luke developed, this book has some amazing morals without being preachy.

Can I just say; The ending! Oh my days, I have to get the sequel now! I loved the romance as well; what I love about angel books is that, while I do like reading a bit of hot, steamy romance I also love a cute and sweet romance which is pretty hard to come across these days.

The author is amazing at creating a beautiful and sweet romance without having the characters shoving their tongues down each other's throats every two pages and that's really why I loved this book. Despite the fact that Zoe is very Pure, sweet, celibate romance!