Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Have you ever asked yourself the questions 'Who am I?' or 'What is the purpose of my existence?' These too are questions that Bishop Francis attempts to answer, but from a Christian or Biblical perspective. Compiled of 13 chapters and separated into three categories: revelation, illumination, and destiny, Bishop Francis uses the incident of God calling Samuel as its basis (1 Samuel 3). John Francis shows readers how they can more effectively hear God speaking, why it's important, and how they should respond to Him.
Personal Reaction: I have often wondered or thought about the two questions he attempts to answers. Haven't we all in some chapter of our life? I was skeptical at first, thinking "how could anyone possibly answer these questions in a book? Isn't experience the true test?" Yet, as I began to read, I found myself indulging in learning more about WHY we actually ask those questions. He explains that there is a part of us that is always seeking to reach our destiny, but doesn't want to go through the process of "breaking, washing, separating, preparation, cutting, and grading" (pg. 66). He used this metaphor of a diamond, which at first confused me, but I realize it means that in order to reach your destiny you must go through stages of purification like a diamond. For example, with the breaking process, often, and even now, I find myself going through emotional, physical, and spiritual "breaking." We must first reach a low point and then begin to climb back up, but it takes work-reflection and making us better.
Critical Reaction: On the flip side of how the book intrigued me with this diamond metaphor, the book didn't meet my expectations in the writer's craft. For example, the title "Is there a Word from the Lord?" doesn't really draw the reader in and to add shame to insult, on the last page of the book, he gives the reader a pathetic simple answer of "YES." I wondered to myself, "what was the point of reading the book? To a Christian, the question goes without saying. DUH!"
Yet some of his metaphors are complex for the reader to understand the first time read, yet the reader, if not British, will still feel comfortable with his word choices and references. It seems accessible, and even makes references to urban youth. He uses a lot of personal opinions or common knowledge (like "children naturally display trust in adults" pg. 114 or "our voices are not only a means of communicating ideas; they can also unknowingly convey emotions. Sometimes what offends people is not so much what has been said as the manner in which it has been said." Pg. 112-no DUH!) rather than facts or studies, yet he references the Bible several times to support his points. Scholars may question if the 1 Samuel 3 references are the best text to support his agenda and is it right to use the Bible to convince others or pull them toward your bias?
Discussion Questions: Have you ever asked yourself the questions 'Who am I?' or 'What is the purpose of my existence?'
If you were writing a book, based on some trial that has occurred in your life, how would you express your situation to inspire or help others overcome a similar experience? What kind of advice book would you write?
Recommendation: Those needing accessible self-help, inspirational, Christian books on discovering how God is communicating with you, this book may be for you. Yet, in order to understand where he's coming from, put your mind in a spiritual frame and polish up on your Biblical references!
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Have you ever asked yourself the questions 'Who am I?' or 'What is the purpose of my existence?' These are some of the questions that John Francis attempts to answer but from a Christian or Biblical perspective. Compiled of 13 chapters and separated into three categories: revelation, illumination and destiny, Bishop Francis uses the incident of God calling Samuel as its basis (1 Samuel 3). He shows readers how they can more effectively hear God speaking, why it's important and how they should respond to Him.
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