How
long has it been since you've thought deeply about who God is, who
you are, your purpose in life, your priorities, and the legacy you
will leave? If it has been a while, or never, you need this book.
Henderson
says we have been created to think deeply and that is what he asks
you to do in this book. In the process you will write your personal
theology statement, a biblical identity statement and a life purpose
statement. He has created a process where you think seriously about
the deep longings of the soul, helping you clarify truths about
yourself, your purpose, values, etc. The longings he has identified
are:
Who
is God? (my theology)
Who
am I? (my identity)
Why
am I here? (my purpose)
What
really matters? (my values)
What
shall I do? (my priorities)
How
shall I do it? (my goals)
When
shall I do it? (my time)
How
will I finish? (my legacy)
The
book is divided into two parts. The first 166 pages are teaching on
the longings with some directed questions and ideas for thinking
deeply. The second half of the book contains the Discovery Exercises,
taking you through the actual process of writing out your statements
of theology, identity, purpose, values, priorities, goals, time, and legacy.
Once written, he suggests you memorize it so you have it within you
when you face a crucial event. Having strong convictions of who God
is, who you are, your purpose, etc., helps you make hard decisions.
I
am really impressed with this book. I remember going through this
kind of intense thinking when I was in college. But that's been
decades ago. As Henderson says, one should go through this thinking
process periodically. God doesn't change nor would the personal
theology statement, but our life situations do change. We need to
think deeply about our purpose, priorities, goals, etc. about once a
year. Another great time to go through this process would be when facing a
career change, anticipating marriage, retirement or other major
change in life.
This
is an excellent book for Christians willing to think deeply about who
God is and who they are. This is not a book you just “read,”
however. The exercises will take time and effort. The idea is to read
a chapter in the first half of the book and then do the corresponding
exercise in the latter half of the book. You could do it alone or
with a group. There are discussion questions at the end of the book
for group use. Henderson has included samples of his own statements
so you get an idea of the end result.
You
have been created to think deeply, Henderson says. If you are willing
to turn off the TV and do some serious life inventory exercises, this
book just might be life changing.
Daniel
Henderson is President of Strategic Renewal, existing to ignite
personal renewal, congregational revival, and leadership restoration.
He has spent 26 years in pastoral ministry, including associate
positions and as senior pastor. In addition to his
work at Strategic Renewal, he serves part-time as the Pastor of
Prayer at Mission Hills Church in Littleton, Colorado and is an
adjunct professor at Liberty University. He and his wife have been
married for over 30 years. They have three children and two
grandchildren. You can find out more at
http://www.strategicrenewal.com.
Bethany
House Publishers, 272 pages.
I
received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for
the purpose of this independent and honest review.
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