Product Description

"Sometimes I wish my minister would read his column instead of the sermon!" That's the kind of response Terry Pluto draws from devoted readers of his weekly faith column in the Akron Beacon Journal. A sportswriter by trade, Pluto has earned a reputation for his award-winning sports commentary. But in the past five years, his down-to-earth musings on more heavenly subjects have also drawn a large and growing audience. This followup to his previous book, Everyday Faith, offers 28 all-new thoughtful essays on faith in everyday life--practical topics such as how to choose a church, learning that it's OK to say No to people, even planning a funeral. "I'm a sportswriter, not a theologian. I never imagined being a faith writer. I'm still amazed when I speak in churches, or when people come to me with questions about faith." Perhaps it's precisely because Pluto doesn't claim to have the answers that so many readers are drawn to his faith writing. "Real faith writing should be about real life," Pluto says. "I write as much about my failures as my triumphs, because that is what a life of faith is about. It's often as much suffering as celebration, with lots of mundane, everyday stuff in between." "I write for people who may have been hurt by someone in church, people who have been discouraged by one who claimed to speak for God . . . I write for people who have found contentment in their faith but want a deeper relationship with God."

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1081780 in Books
• Published on: 2005-11-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 162 pages

About the Author
Terry Pluto, a sports columnist for the Akron Beacon Journal, has twice been honored by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the nation’s top sports columnist for medium-sized newspapers. He is an eight-time winner of the Ohio Sports Writer of the Year award and has twice been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. He has also been inducted into the Press Club of Cleveland Hall of Fame. He is the author of 22 books, including The Curse of Rocky Colavito (selected by the New York Times as one of the five notable sports books of 1989) and Loose Balls, which was ranked at number 13 on Sports Illustrated’s list of the top 100 sports books of all time. He was called “Perhaps the best American writer of sports books,” by the Chicago Tribune in 1997. He lives in Akron, Ohio.

Customer Reviews

An Excellent Book That Helps and Brings Hope
Terry Pluto is the real deal. "Faith and You" is a reflection of his heart for God and the ability He's given him to write a story that makes a point. I appreciate the simplicity with which Terry writes about issues that are so significant. Each essay deals with and describes God-honoring faith "where the rubber meets the road." From how loudly our actions reveal the condition of our hearts to what it means to know and love God 24/7 to being willing to have our own agenda set aside for the sake of someone else, this book helps me want to honor God by experiencing and expressing true Christianity in a meaningful and positive way.

I highly recommend you get this book, reflect upon what you read and ask God to help you apply it to your life. Then share it with others you know who need to know faith is for them and that they, too, can know God for who He is the way He wants in the here and now. Reading "Faith and You" helped me understand in a fresh way that knowing God isn't weird, it's wonderful!

Taking Your Best Shot On The Court Of Life
For sports fans nationwide, Terry Pluto is the best-selling writer of numerous books covering the NBA (Tall Tales), the ABA (Loose Balls) and the Cleveland Indians (The Curse of Rocky Colavito).

But for northeast Ohio readers, Pluto is an award-winning sports columnist for the Akron Beacon Journal and - perhaps most importantly - a writer of a weekly inspirational column in the newspaper, Everyday Faith.

Faith and You is 28 essays based on the columns, with Pluto exploring issues with insight and wit that confront us on a daily basis. The topics include counting you blessings, suggestions in finding a church, is it a good idea to lend money to relatives or friends and why is it so hard to take a day off for a real Sabbath.

Pluto presents a tricky point to ponder when he asks, does how much a person tip say anything about faith? For the record, he feels that it does.

To capture the true essence of spirituality, a writer must bring meaning to the mundane, guide by example and not forget to deliver a few lines that readers can smile with, while learning from.

The columns in the book - and his ongoing series in the ABJ - are some of Pluto's best writings; and consider them as valuable practice sessions when you need to swish that free-throw in a clutch situation on the court of life.

A book I could relate to
This book hit the nail on the head for me in more than a few ways. I am not a religious person. In fact, you could say I have some religious issues, but if you believe in God despite having issues with the human side of religion, this book is for you. Mr. Pluto discusses human frailties and weaknesses, some of his own difficulties in life and how Jesus dealt with the same issues during his time on earth. Definitely recommended reading.