Anvil of the Spirit by Morris Taylor

CLOSEOUT SALE! DO NOT CHOOSE FLAT-RATE SHIPPING unless it is greater than “Ground Advantage.” At these prices, if the shipping is greater than what you pay, I will simply remove books until the weight is low enough be covered.

Morris Taylor is an accomplished author with a wide array of books published by both Baha’i and mainstream publishers. He considers this his “magnum opus” for the Baha’i Community – incorporating his thoughts on community building, teaching and organization. Sadly, I printed too many of them just as the Community shifted gears towards Ruhi. These ideas in no way conflict with the institute process, rather they can enhance it. Give it a try.

Anvil of the Spirit is two books in one. First, it is an engaging novel with interesting Baha’i characters. Second, it is a “how to” book with dozens of great ideas for how to energize your community.  Deepening has never been easier, and community life has never been more fun.

When a good friend withdraws from the Bahá’í community because of perceived racism and hypocrisy, Sharon experiences a crisis of faith. Before she can resolve her doubts, however, the Crestview Community launches a mysterious contest: “For the next ten Feasts,” the Chairperson announces, “community members are invited to vie with one another in submitting their best ideas for improving the Bahá’í community.: With a $5,000 scholarship to any Bahá’í School and a $5,000 donation to the Fund up for grabs, the Community comes alive with ideas for increasing love and unity, enlivening Feasts, organizing Firesides, reducing stress and conflict, improving listening skills, increasing trust, appreciation and humor, deepening our faith, and much more. Is this another case of “too little, too late”, or will the contest help Sharon find what has been missing in her Bahá’í life?

An engaging plot with quirky but believable characters makes this novel a very enjoyable read in its own right. Add to this enough useful ideas to jump-start just about any Bahá’í Community and you have a “must-read” for anyone who has ever looked at his or her local Community and asked, “what am I doing here?”

This is Morris Taylor’s third book in his popular series about improving the quality of Bahá’í Community life. The others are Helping Joe Strong, and The Seeker Interaction Model. This book is 6×9″, 248 pages and paperback.

I liked it so much, I agreed to publish it!