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what_ella_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Another great devotional from Sarah Arthur. A must read for Lord Of the Rings fans.
tigermomnc's review against another edition
3.0
Good book, but I thought it was targeted at a younger reader. Might be good to do with your teens or in a middle or high school Sunday School or youth group.
angelwolf45's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this devotional book.
I liked what the authors said and how she brought the faith and the Lord of the Rings.
It was a fun story.
I liked what the authors said and how she brought the faith and the Lord of the Rings.
It was a fun story.
naoms's review against another edition
4.0
This has got to be my favorite devotional-type book! I now have a strong urge to go back and re-read the Lord of the Rings. :)
librarydeb's review
4.0
I like this book. Not as much as Walking with Bilbo. But I liked it.
Why didn't I like it as much? Was the writing worse? No, it was just because it was more juvenile than the other book. Both were written for younger Christians than I, for teens actually. But, the other just seemed to fit more with things I can relate to, even as an adult than this book did. So, I only gave it 4 stars.
If you have teens I think they should read this book first. Bilbo and the Hobbit book do come first in the series but I think this book fits better first as far as the devotionals go. Of course, that is only my opinion. Both are good and you can make your own choice.
The chapter that hit me most was Week Seven, Part Two: Choosing Freedom. The part of the chapter that hit me most was the part about obscurity. Wow! That hit me right between the eyes. Palm of hand smacks forehead. Bam!
“John Calvin... said that most people 'fear and abhor' three things: poverty, obscurity, and humility.
...all involve sacrifice... in obscurity, giving up the need to make a name for ourselves,...
...all three involve the loss of freedom...
Obscurity... the daily grind of service in a job for which one is overqualified and underappreciated;
The problem is, we want greatness on our won terms, rather than on God's terms. We're not willing to allow him to prescribe our path or to use us in the ways that he sees fit. If God doesn't place us where we think he should, with the “right” kinds of people or doing the “right” kinds of things, then we begin to pace the cage of our souls, restless.
Not only do the small, daily drudgeries count in the Master Plan, but there is tremendous joy to be found in the doing of them! We are freed from the bondage of our fears, able to relax without the burden of greatness on our shoulders, content with leaving the course of events up to God's providential control.” (excerpts from pages 124-128)
Boy did I need that. I need that at work especially. Sometimes, not as often, I need that at home. Even at my age I needed that part of the chapter. Mostly because having a job outside the home is still relatively new to me. I have been working outside the house for about 1½ years now and it is hard to live as a Christian in a worldly job and to feel undervalued. But, I feel, though others may do things differently, that I MUST allow God to move me ahead in my job (for promotions and such) and not push myself forward. If higher positions become available I will apply again and hopefully I will not miss the opportunity like I did earlier this year because of my own error. But, until God sees fit to move. I will try to be content where he has me and I will do my best for my bosses even if I don't have the title or money that goes with all the work I am doing for them. God knows and he will reward me at the time and in the way that he sees fit.
Why didn't I like it as much? Was the writing worse? No, it was just because it was more juvenile than the other book. Both were written for younger Christians than I, for teens actually. But, the other just seemed to fit more with things I can relate to, even as an adult than this book did. So, I only gave it 4 stars.
If you have teens I think they should read this book first. Bilbo and the Hobbit book do come first in the series but I think this book fits better first as far as the devotionals go. Of course, that is only my opinion. Both are good and you can make your own choice.
The chapter that hit me most was Week Seven, Part Two: Choosing Freedom. The part of the chapter that hit me most was the part about obscurity. Wow! That hit me right between the eyes. Palm of hand smacks forehead. Bam!
“John Calvin... said that most people 'fear and abhor' three things: poverty, obscurity, and humility.
...all involve sacrifice... in obscurity, giving up the need to make a name for ourselves,...
...all three involve the loss of freedom...
Obscurity... the daily grind of service in a job for which one is overqualified and underappreciated;
The problem is, we want greatness on our won terms, rather than on God's terms. We're not willing to allow him to prescribe our path or to use us in the ways that he sees fit. If God doesn't place us where we think he should, with the “right” kinds of people or doing the “right” kinds of things, then we begin to pace the cage of our souls, restless.
Not only do the small, daily drudgeries count in the Master Plan, but there is tremendous joy to be found in the doing of them! We are freed from the bondage of our fears, able to relax without the burden of greatness on our shoulders, content with leaving the course of events up to God's providential control.” (excerpts from pages 124-128)
Boy did I need that. I need that at work especially. Sometimes, not as often, I need that at home. Even at my age I needed that part of the chapter. Mostly because having a job outside the home is still relatively new to me. I have been working outside the house for about 1½ years now and it is hard to live as a Christian in a worldly job and to feel undervalued. But, I feel, though others may do things differently, that I MUST allow God to move me ahead in my job (for promotions and such) and not push myself forward. If higher positions become available I will apply again and hopefully I will not miss the opportunity like I did earlier this year because of my own error. But, until God sees fit to move. I will try to be content where he has me and I will do my best for my bosses even if I don't have the title or money that goes with all the work I am doing for them. God knows and he will reward me at the time and in the way that he sees fit.
tolkientalker's review
5.0
Though Tolkien did not intend to have this tale as 'allegory' it was obvious that many elements of his faith showed through his writing.
This book is a brilliant look through the Lord of the Rings from a Biblical perspective, focusing more on character nature and applications than strictly symbolism. Very insightful all in all.
This book is a brilliant look through the Lord of the Rings from a Biblical perspective, focusing more on character nature and applications than strictly symbolism. Very insightful all in all.
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