I found this to be about suffering, alot of suffering and darkness. I was not aware of this, I was looking forward to sitting down with a devotional. 90 days of God's Goodness. Meaning, I thought a devotional was meant to uplift me? Having never read this author before.. I had no expectations but, 30 pages in, after reading about ships sinking, slave trading, an entire family washed away in a flood, 9/11, Rwandans genocide in '94... I had to stop for a few days, because frankly the darkness was freaking me out. I wondered if it was done by a religious cult or something? I just do not gravitate to things this dark. I was taught to stay away from dark thoughts, and things that took you in that direction or made you`uncomfortable' in that way. This was Not an easy read. He quotes alot of people, often in the same story, you are never sure when you are`in' or have left a quote. Often he quotes so many you can't keep track. You lose sight of what the point is. I flipped to the back and saw that he is founder/director of Eternal Perspective Ministries. I am unclear what that is. He goes out side of the bible in his interpretations, that makes me very uncomfortable. I was taught the bible stands as is,be careful `explaining' God's Word. Whatever they said is what they meant. Here he adds quite alot of `interpreting'. At the beginning of each story is a passage scripture and at the end of each story he writes thoughtful interesting prayers.
I believe what the author was trying to say is that struggle is part of a soul's journey-not that you are unlucky or cursed. The hardest part of my life are the tragedies, my particular journey has had many they began very early. I truly *understand* suffering*. I see thru it,in it, past it. I know the other side. Each persons life will have some kind of suffering as a`life lesson', how they react to it... will change the direction of their life. God has already bestowed gifts to you...trials,life lessons brings them out. My Problem-this book should not be titled so largely as a book "reflecting on God's goodness the good things he brings to you daily". He gives evidence thru scripture that God is always working for "those who love Him and are called to His purpose-not our purposeHis way not our way". I feel like the author is saying that God disciplines those He loves and puts us thru trials but He is right there with us?Then he appears to write `over my head' theologically, so I had to use a dictionary for a good part, I went to catholic school, church,then Lutheran church and bible study , was sunday school superindent for 5yrs, developed detailed class plans-after having bible lessons with pastor anad staff weekly. I am not exactly dumb-if I am using a dictionary for a leisurly book? not good I do not enjoy an author `writing over my head'. Page 137 he talks about his "body growing weak,low blood sugar clouds his judgement leaves me with a memoory of having said stupid thing like a drunkin man". On pg 277 he speaks of having depression for several months.
I send care packages to friends recovering illness, this would NOT be a comfort. This would be a shock! This moves too far outside comfort. There were some individual stories I really enjoyed, that made me think or moved me, too few to make me buy the book or give as a gift.
I have had it read for months now and simply what to submit for review: I had 2 review sitting in my `save now' waiting for my better judgement to rule. 1 skirting the basics telling you bla bla what every reviewer says about any book, Except me. I have to say what I read and I honesty mean. So that's what I finally submit. I regret I will jnot be passing this on to any friends. But I will have it avail for anyone thru my blog submit your name and why and you will be the drawing date not set until a few names.
This book was provided for review by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Ninety-Days-Gods-Goodness-Reflections/product-reviews/1601423446/ref=cm_cr_pr_btm_link_3?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&pageNumber=3&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending
http://www.amazon.com/Ninety-Days-Gods-Goodness-Reflections/product-reviews/1601423446/ref=cm_cr_pr_btm_link_3?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&pageNumber=3&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending
