"52 Ways to Grow Your Faith"

TITLE: 52 Ways to Grow Your Faith: Connect With God in a Busy, Noisy World
AUTHOR: Gregg Peter Farah
PUBLISHER: Franklin, TN: Carpenter's Son Publishing, 2012, (202 pages).

If anyone wants to grow, apathy needs to go. For growth to happen, intentionality and purposefulness is essential. More importantly, the author wants to encourage readers that it is possible, through more than eight ways. One can seek to grow as individuals or with a friend; with a group or as one travels; methodically and courageously; artistically, or creatively. Gregg Peter Farah puts together 52 ideas on how to do just that. It can be adopted in many different ways. It can be done once a week for a year, or consecutively over a few weeks, followed by a daily debrief; or any pattern of usage that fits the interested. The format of each idea is as follows:

• Begins with prompt questions and key verse;
• It continues with a lesson or story;
• A key quote is used;
• A practical suggestion;
• A feedback of the method tried;
• Prayer.

Written specifically for the busy person, it is a quick pick up, read, and practice that will appeal to anyone who says they do not have time to read. Depending on the need, readers can leaf to the section that best suits them, and to apply the way accordingly.

I am wary of books like these that proposes the practice of growing spiritually without adequate slowing down. It can appear like a 52 fast-food ways toward spiritual growth. Unfortunately, the basic premise is flawed. Spirituality cannot be adopted fast-food style. It simply is not meant to be that way. We cannot rush the Spirit according to the steps detailed in the book. We need to let the Spirit guide our thoughts gently and gradually. Having said that, we do not need to hurry through the steps in order to get some kind of a growth. For the busy professional or person who hardly have time at all to do any devotions, this book can help. I want to caution that this is a temporary way, a stop-gate approach for a fast-paced environment. It cannot be manna for the long spiritual journey. That said, having something is always better than nothing. Pace yourself as you read through the book toward intentional growth. My advice to anyone, take one idea out of the many, and meditate on the relevant scripture verse. Do not rush into the application. Let the meditation guide us. If out of 52 ways, you can benefit from at least one, you will have made a worthwhile purchase.

Rating: 3.75 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me free by Carpenter's Son Publishing and NetGalley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.