For mature audiences only. Your average secular person would read this book and think John Eldredge is 100% nuts. I would say he's 10% nuts. Eh, who isn't? The other 90% was a blessing and an answer to my prayer on how to abide in Jesus.



John shared his prayer journal from one year of his life to role model what a personal relationship with God and Jesus look like. I picked up some great tips on how to abide in Jesus (the theme God keeps bringing up in MY walk). Thanks, John!



Here they are in order of helpfulness to my walk:



1. Before I add more projects to my Outlook task list, pray and ask God, "should I do this?" Not all good works need to be accomplished by Yours Truly. Love this advice. It kills 2 birds with one stone. Listening for God's voice every time I start a project triggers more "abiding". Better time management.



2. When I do ask God about something, "ask the next question." For example, if I sense that God is leading me to take on a project, talk with Him about how to do it. For me, the effect of this book is constant conversations and listening to God throughout my day. Pray without ceasing! The words John hears from God rang true to my own experience of Him.



3. Appreciate the gifts God gives me every day that are not on "my list". There are certain things I pray for all the time (since Jesus told me to ask persistently for those things I believe are God's will). But sometimes this persistence makes me blind to the other neat little things God gives. Like the stars last night. Or "little people" hugs from our youngest congregants. Our Father just loves to give us good gifts and show us His love.



4. Take spiritual warfare seriously. I don't buy into all his beliefs - this is where the 10% nutty part came in. He thinks objects can be conduits of evil or we have to say all these long prayers about every little thing. But, I do recognize some force that works mischievously against my harmony with God. I especially like what he said about being careful with "your agreements" (code for beliefs). So I wrote a sermon about that this week!



5. God wants to give you JOY and REST. It's OK to take a break from God's work and just enjoy good things. In fact, when he asked God "should I do this?" the answer was often "no, take a break and do that thing that brings you joy!" Like writing this review :)



John is a highly introspective person, thus his walk is a little different from mine. I would even venture to say he's excessively introspective and maybe a little paranoid (that "daily prayer" at the end of the book would kill my relationship with God fast). But the beautiful thing is that God walks with each of us right where we are and each of us will have a different kind of relationship. Part of the reason John can give this kind of spiritual advice is because he is so internally aware.