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Some Thoughts About God's Word
The history of this book began when the author was asked to broadcast daily devotionals on local radio. Response to those broadcasts has ultimately resulted in the publication of this book. The thoughts expressed in the readings capitalize on the reality of the Bible in life and life in the Bible. Readers will be given opportunity to notice ways the scriptures relate to common attitudes, responses and interactions. Questions are provided at the conclusion each reading to promote personal reflection and introspection. Each devotional reading provides example, encouragement and motivation for biblical responses and godly living.
365 pages, Paperback
Published September 21, 2016
168 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 8, 2017
'Some Thoughts About God's Word' is a religious novel that has a verse to read for each day of the year. I won James R. Hoston's book through Goodreads Giveaways.
September 3, 2017
I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway.
I like this book, it makes you think of the big picture and enjoy the small things in life at the same time. I particularly liked Week One - Sunday, which is about taking small steps and enjoying the process.
What I really disliked about this book was there was no rhythm to the book. The devotions were daily, but there was no sense of order within them. It was like the author chose them all randomly every day and I found it very jarring following them all.
I like this book, it makes you think of the big picture and enjoy the small things in life at the same time. I particularly liked Week One - Sunday, which is about taking small steps and enjoying the process.
What I really disliked about this book was there was no rhythm to the book. The devotions were daily, but there was no sense of order within them. It was like the author chose them all randomly every day and I found it very jarring following them all.
July 26, 2017
It's not often that I choose not to finish a book. In this case I read quite a few of the devotions before I finally gave up.
I dislike giving out negative reviews of books. Sadly this is going to have to be the case here. There was little rhyme or reason to the devotions - no sense of order for example, or building on a thought which is commonly used in other devotionals to give a deeper understanding of the same Scripture. I say this because there are times when the same chapters are used (for example two devotions near each other both on Acts 9). There's also no sense of seasonal themes, though the book is laid out in a weekly and daily format which would have lent itself to such a thing.
But those things really aren't important in the long run so that's not where I'm dinging this on my review.
One of the problems that I have is with the devotions themselves. Sometimes the thought given is so incredibly simplistic that there seems to be very little more than a sentence or two of true wisdom being offered. This is fine, but then right next to devotions like this you suddenly find another that's getting deep into other areas - using words like 'apostasy' when a moment ago it felt like the book was being written for a child which lends to a confusion of who your intended audience is.
But even this isn't enough for me to set this book down.
What I didn't like was the theology given. Very legalistic. Very harsh. The questions sometimes feeling like they are designed to hurt. The devotions which accuse the reader of things like 'apostasy' without offering even a definition so that you know what you're being accused of. OK, to be fair, the definition of the word is given in the text (the abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief) but it's being used in a context of inappropriate worship with no guideline as to what worship is 'acceptable.'
And this is just the beginning of a long line of religious accusation that leaves the reader lost and confused. There's even a devotion early on in the book where the reader is told about Old Testament lending practices with a momentary diatribe against modern credit companies (even if that might be deserved) followed by an invitation to pray and repent of your wrongful practices regarding money - assuming a lot I think. I know people who never went into a penny of debt in their life (it's true!).
I cannot promote or recommend in any way a book that is this harsh and condemning when it's meant to be a devotional. I truly cannot. A devotional is supposed to lift a person up, to lead a person into a closer walk with God. To teach gently.
Don't get me wrong - there are some good devotions in here. The problem comes in weeding them out from the rest. I wouldn't advise reading this book to find them, as there's just too much that can damage your faith walk, especially if you're a new Christian, or even someone who is just now relearning your faith. Your relationship with God is just too important for this kind of treatment.
** I received this book in a Goodreads Giveaway with the understanding that I would give it a fair and honest review. I apologize for any hurt my words might have caused the author **
I dislike giving out negative reviews of books. Sadly this is going to have to be the case here. There was little rhyme or reason to the devotions - no sense of order for example, or building on a thought which is commonly used in other devotionals to give a deeper understanding of the same Scripture. I say this because there are times when the same chapters are used (for example two devotions near each other both on Acts 9). There's also no sense of seasonal themes, though the book is laid out in a weekly and daily format which would have lent itself to such a thing.
But those things really aren't important in the long run so that's not where I'm dinging this on my review.
One of the problems that I have is with the devotions themselves. Sometimes the thought given is so incredibly simplistic that there seems to be very little more than a sentence or two of true wisdom being offered. This is fine, but then right next to devotions like this you suddenly find another that's getting deep into other areas - using words like 'apostasy' when a moment ago it felt like the book was being written for a child which lends to a confusion of who your intended audience is.
But even this isn't enough for me to set this book down.
What I didn't like was the theology given. Very legalistic. Very harsh. The questions sometimes feeling like they are designed to hurt. The devotions which accuse the reader of things like 'apostasy' without offering even a definition so that you know what you're being accused of. OK, to be fair, the definition of the word is given in the text (the abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief) but it's being used in a context of inappropriate worship with no guideline as to what worship is 'acceptable.'
And this is just the beginning of a long line of religious accusation that leaves the reader lost and confused. There's even a devotion early on in the book where the reader is told about Old Testament lending practices with a momentary diatribe against modern credit companies (even if that might be deserved) followed by an invitation to pray and repent of your wrongful practices regarding money - assuming a lot I think. I know people who never went into a penny of debt in their life (it's true!).
I cannot promote or recommend in any way a book that is this harsh and condemning when it's meant to be a devotional. I truly cannot. A devotional is supposed to lift a person up, to lead a person into a closer walk with God. To teach gently.
Don't get me wrong - there are some good devotions in here. The problem comes in weeding them out from the rest. I wouldn't advise reading this book to find them, as there's just too much that can damage your faith walk, especially if you're a new Christian, or even someone who is just now relearning your faith. Your relationship with God is just too important for this kind of treatment.
** I received this book in a Goodreads Giveaway with the understanding that I would give it a fair and honest review. I apologize for any hurt my words might have caused the author **
December 15, 2016
Some Thoughts About God's Word is a very neat DAILY refection on passages in the Bible. For every day for one year there is a passage/verse selected to be read, explained, and reflected on. I thought this was a very nice approach to read and reflect on the Bible.
Thank you to Goodreads and the author/sponsor for providing this book in a giveaway.
Thank you to Goodreads and the author/sponsor for providing this book in a giveaway.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews