I’ll begin this post by stating flat out that Margaret Feinberg is by far, one of my most favorite writers. She has a gift with words and makes you feel as though you are sitting down for a casual conversation rather than reading words on a page. In Scouting the Divine, Margaret shares her experiences with us as she searches for God in wine, wool and wild honey.
The book is essentially a recap of the research that she conducted for how Scriptures relating to shepherds, wine making, wild honey and farming all reveal deeper truths of how much God loves us. As Margaret relates to the reader of the incredible love that a modern day shepherd has for her flock we catch a glimpse of how much God cares for us and desires to watch over us and keep us from harm. When she writes about the farmer who invests months of sweat and labor to reap a harvest we see how much God desires to pour into our own lives so that we too will see a harvest of fruit burst forth from our lives. In the chapter that talks about her interaction with a bee keeper we gain new insight into just how sweet God’s Word really should be found. And her description of the time involved in caring for a vineyard and the massive investment of resources that are involved for many years before even a single batch of wine is produced we again receive a better understanding of how much care is required from God in preparing our own souls for the work that He has called us to perform.
I can’t say enough just how much I enjoy reading anything that Margaret writes and would recommend her books to everyone. I have not been paid to write an endorsement. I paid for my copy of Scouting the Divine. I receive no personal gain for this review. It’s just a great book that you should pick up and devour.
I’m going through “So Beautiful” by Leonard Sweet right now. It’s doing a good job of messing with my head… which is never a bad thing.
Kev,
I actually found the book boring. I thought that after the first chapter on sheep, it went down hill. Her conclusions were way basic and trite.
They handed out the book at Catalyst last year. I was real excited about it, but ended up feeling pretty disappointed in the book.
That’s my two cents (though you didn’t ask for it).
Stu, I welcome differing perspectives. (Especially from the guy that runs the Mut Hut.) I just enjoy reading other peoples thoughts and experiences in how they connect with God. I think that is what I liked most about the book. I wouldn’t go so far as to say trite but would agree with basic in some of her conclusions. Have you read any of her other stuff?