The Edge of the Divine

Any woman who has ever struggled with their weight and balancing work, motherhood, and attempting to diet has something in common with Sandi Patty as she explains the journey she went through after her weight loss surgery in her book The Edge of the Diving: Where Possibility Meets God’s Faithfulness.

The main Bible verse which Sandi Patty continually references is Job 26:14 which states “Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways, And bow small a whisper we hear of Him!” She compares her decision to undertake weight loss surgery as an edge in her life. She makes it clear throughout her book that this decision was not entered into lightly, rather she prayed and looked to God for guidance in making this decision as much as she did with the other decisions in her life. Although this work is clearly about her decision to become healthy, there are other aspects of her life, rather than just focusing on one component. Sandi Patty also spoke about the difficulties her family went through as they relocated to another state, her musical upbringing and career, and some components of her marriage.

This book was a great afternoon read, and I really enjoyed learning about the struggles Sandi Patty went through with her weight, as it is an issue most women seem to struggle with at some point in their life.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Booksneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Cast of Characters

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if some of your favorite Biblical stories were to happen today. How would Esther’s story be told in the current times...and that of the woman at the well? Throughout the book, Cast of Characters: Common People in the Hands of an Uncommon God by Max Lucado, I kept envisioning what their lives would have been like if they lived today.

The book is broken down into chapters, which each look at the story of a particular person from the Bible. Paul, Peter, Moses, Joseph, and Lazarus are just a few of the many stories which are looked at throughout this book. The set up is that of a devotional, where you can read one short “chapter” which focuses on one particular individual. At the end of the chapter, there are questions which help you reflect on the teaching of the previous chapter and also some Bible verses which should be read in relation to the teaching.

I really enjoyed this book. It was not at all difficult to understand, and all of the concepts the author addressed were straightforward. I found myself relating to many of the individuals and the correlations he made to the reader were insightful. The book is also a quick read, which can be read in one sitting or studied in greater depth as a devotional.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Booksneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."