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I read some of the negative reviews and I think they miss a couple things. Don't take it to the beach or on a plane. No. As a father, I'm learning more and more every day about how God must feel about my lack of interest in him while he is utterly interested in me. While some critics belittle him for asking God whether or not to buy a dog, they prove that they don't understand true relationship. What a fantastic campanion to this book.
In addition, it is about deepening our relationship with God through a constant, rich, interactive conversation with Him. Therefore, it is relevant to talk to Him about every little thing in our lives, and John shares his experience of doing so. For one, this is John's story, so he is vulnerably sharing his own personal perspective. No.Is John Elderidge perfect. Then why not ask God. Two more thoughts.
I highly recommend reading them together. Absolutely. This book is not designed to sit down and read through. It was so cool to be reading from the God-oriented perspective in one and the Satanic perspective in the other. Just read one section at a time and put it down and pray about it. As a married man, and as a father, I'm learning new things about communication every day.
No.Did this book challenge me to engage God on a whole new level. It is NOT a prescription for all people. Would I buy a dog without consulting my wife and family. It'll take a while to get through that way, but you'll be able to test what you are learning as you go and I got so much out of reading it in that way. Is this book the Bible.
As such, of course it's going to talk about life from his perspective. I happened to pick up The Screwtape Letters to read at home while I was reading this book at my office.
He reasons he asked him if he should ride a horse, but that he didn't ask WHERE he should go. If something goes wrong, it must be our fault for not listening to God. I do know that scripture says the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ, and I do not know of any dogs who've personally accepted Christ.Very strange. As the book progresses, John becomes more and more bent on asking God everything: Should he adopt a puppy, should he stay late for work, should he chop down a Christmas tree on Friday. This book really turned me off from John Edlredge. John gets thrown off a horse at one point, and the first thing he does is try to evaluate where he went wrong with God.
Even though there are some very good entries from time-to-time, I'd avoid this book to save yourself from possibly adopting this type of relationship with God. Very disappointed with this book. he even asks God where his watch is.To me, this type of highly introspective faith is very dangerous. Because he failed to ask this question is the reason why God let him be injured.In the same light, if things go right, this type of approaches gives the wrong impression that is must be because I was so good in hearing God and doing exactly what he told me.Even stranger, he uses Romans 4 to claim that he heard his dead dog bark from heaven.
John places his life experiences in a biblical context and demonstrates how we can grow as men and as Christians. I wasn't. This is a must read for men seeking to improve their relationship with the creator of heaven and earth. This book has changed my life and I thought I was pretty cool.
JoAnn Van Tassel I am leading an adult Christian education class whose members are reading the book and discussing sections of it each week over a 10 week time period. At times, he is very thought provoking and at others mundane. I recommend this book to anyone who is serious about his faith journey. The author presents an easy to read journal of his thoughts about what he encounters in life over the course of a year. He writes of listening to God for answers for some of the things that concern him. Members of the class are also keeping a journal of their thoughts and their adventures in listening to God.
He lays out a logical case for being able to hear from God, supported by scripture. John's book is a collection of stories from his own prayer journey, put together with some step-by-step instructions and how to start one's own journey toward conversational intimacy with God. There were a couple of things he proposes and/or practices that have challenged my own theology and practices, which I continue to wrestle with in a good way.
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