"I was born to live spiritually free."
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Awaken Within Awareness Needed to Grow by William Callands, Jr. Trafford Publishing
book review by Lee Ware
Callands strikes out to provide insight into awareness and delivers a timely message to take God into one's heart rather than be corrupted by false ideas of self. In current times, there is so much confusion and disillusionment with how to live. However, according to the author, through God's image and teachings, all can be saved. Not just in death, but here right now. One can be saved from the difficulty life and free will bring to the soul. With so many choices, so many decisions to make in life, spirituality is often laid aside for more trivial, albeit practical matters. However, as Callands years of pondering show, it doesn't have to be that way. One can find salvation just by looking within for God.
While the writing in these poems is often over simplified, the message is clear. Look to God, and life can be more fulfilling or at least far more peaceful. With poems like "I Want to Be a Bond Slave to Jesus" and "Soon Carnal Life Will End," Callands is clearly speaking to believers or at least those with religious inclinations. It should be warned that if you are agnostic or atheist these poems may not be as insightful as they would be for those already converted.
The book needed to be more carefully edited. While poetry in general is more free with grammar, the reader may stumble a few times within the context and framework of the writing. This collection remains a lovely book of poems that will speak to religious readers in times of trouble.