Walking with Arthur: Finding God on My Way to New York

Others have already shared what the book is about. It is simply about the author, O'Donnell, and his friend Arthur who softly shared his belief in God and created the avenue for James O'Donnell to follow Christ in like manner. It is a true story of how simple witnessing through a lifestyle can change people's lives for the better. The book is a simple way, by buying and passing it along, to share one's own belief in Christ as Savior and Master of our life. A fine witnessing tool for anyone, especially men. I met the author and found the book to be a true reflection of the man, the Christian, the professor and a truly caring person. The Lord did a magnificent work through both Arthur and Jim. The book was written after O'Donnell's other book titled "Letters for Lizzie" which is an amazing story of Jim and his wife's fight for life. She won and yet lives on, although both are tested frequently. They have a strong faith, and an absolutely unbelievable story to read. Although the couple began on the east coast, we Hoosiers are proud and glad they gave so much up and give so much of themselves, now here in Indiana. You will be blessed by reading both books by James O'Donnell. The good news: he is working on another. Walking With Arthur is an inspirational read for any Christian or any person desiring to know what God can do for you. Perhaps all of us can learn to be "Arthur's", as Jim recommends to his students and friends alike.

A book every business executive should read, this is brave and honest, a spiritual memoir that aches with truth.

Sunday, April 2, 2006 Today is Enough Who has time to read books anymore? Life is just too busy!! I can't remember the last time I sat down and read through a few chapters, let alone a whole book. Aside from the time I take to read the Bible, I never get a peaceful, quiet moment to read. My life is too chaotic! Any parent knows that when you have a three year old, and a little baby, you just don't get the luxury of "quiet" very often. In addition to the absence of silence and private time, is the sleep deprivation. No matter what, I can never get enough! So was the case this morning. Now that daylight savings time has gone into effect, here in Indiana, we have now lost another precious hour of sleep, or so it seems. I wanted to just roll over and pretend it wasn't Sunday. However, I have come to realize that the times where you want to skip church the most are the times where you most need to go. In fact, every time I have resisted the temptation to stay home, I have never regretted what I could have missed! This was the case today. We went to church and I was tired and couldn't wait to go home and take nap. I wasn't in the mood for much, but I waited for worship to be over and the service to start. Today, we had a speaker. This was a rare treat. Our church usually doesn't have speakers very often. So, you KNOW it's going to be good! I must say, as tired as I was, I was glad that I was there. The speaker was James O'Donnell. He teaches as Huntington College. He spoke about how he used to be so caught up in his own life. He loved money, and no matter how much he had, or what he had, it was never enough. Yet, he never really considered God too much, until he met a special friend named Arthur. Arthur gently steered him in the right direction, towards God. Over time, he started becoming more curious about the Lord, and eventually, went with Arthur to a Men's group. As his heart began to soften, he opened up his life more and more to God. It was because of Arthur's friendship that he came to Christ. Arthur's gentleness and patience in leading him was also a big part in drawing him to the Lord. This man encouraged me that even when you think you aren't doing much for the Lord, you never know the influence you have on people. Just as Arthur led James to Jesus slowly, that is how we must be with others. I have been praying and trying for years to lead certain people to Christ. It hasn't happened yet, but I won't give up hope. It's just hard sometimes. But, this story has encouraged me to keep planting seeds. Seeds may be small, but they don't stay that way. When they are watered and tended, they grow!! The seeds I plant are sure to grow! So, I must never underestimate the power of patience, kindness, and love. Those are the seeds that are sewn in deeply, and those seeds always have a way of sprouting!! Of course, this man has written a wonderful book about his experiences called Walking with Arthur. Finding God

I purchased this book in a curious sort of way, and found it to be be one of those rare and exceptional reads that transcend the pages and passes into the heart ... at least for me. I was struck by the candor O'Donnell offers in coming to faith without all the glamorizing that one sometimes reads in some of the pop-christian authors today. I was challenged in my faith and encouraged to believe in a God who wants to be a part of my everyday experiences, yes, even my failures and mistakes. I would encourage others to read and seek out an Arthur in their life and or become an Arthur to others. Like the vegetables on your plate, this book is good for you.

A thoughtful, introspective, stop-and-think sort of book, O'Donnell challenges the reader to confront the shallowness of unbridled selfish ambition and consider the importance of a good friend and a right relationship with our Creator. Early chapters trace his unlikely rise from a broken childhood in the Bronx to the upper league of New York finance. We see him discover that whether striving or arrived, there is a hole inside that greater wealth or accomplishments can't fill. Through a developing friendship, Arthur confounds his assumptions about zany, wacko Christians and shows him a Christ that is genuine, relevant, and worthy. Especially relevant for the high need-to-achieve, O'Donnell's vulnerability exposes us to his wrestling with the real challenges of family ties, marriage and intimacy, faith and doubt, achievement, and close friendship. But don't mistake this as a how-to or a survey of any topic of Christian living. The book is truly an inspiration for each of us to seek out an Arthur in our own life and live in such a way that we can be an Arthur to someone else.