Hearthside Homeschool Reviews...and More

My Thoughts on Free Book :  I don't come from classy stock.  This reality hit me a few weeks ago when getting together with my extended family.  We are a bunch of regular ole' people, a little rough around the edges, with great, big hearts.  We're not haughty and we like to be told how it is.  Just give it to us straight.

This book is written for that kind of people.  At times, I think he tries too hard.  He gets in your face at the beginning of the book, almost trying to offend you at times.  I think I understand his point, he wants to shock the reader into understanding the bondage they are entangled in, but some will stop reading and miss his message altogether.  Others will continue and then may not be ready to take in the gems that are to be found in the book.  And there are gems.  Hidden in the pages, there is definite treasure to be found.

His definition of freedom and the theme of the Bible is imperfect, in my view.  I'm not sure I would agree that freedom is the central message of Scripture.  I do believe it is a significant message though and too many of us stay trapped in our bondage, afraid to live.  His chapter on living an unbalanced life was only too true for me.  His encouragement to live without fearing man's approval, but seeking only God's, was excellent.  And I could relate to the four general cycles he described.  I took much away from reading this book but could not recommend it to all and cannot agree with everything within the pages. 

I'm okay with that, though.  Taking the meat and spitting out the bones is not a problem for me.  And I can think of a few people I know who may prefer this message delivered in this manner.  I'm willing to trust God to keep them from being bogged down in the sections I disagree with and speak to them through an imperfect book written by an imperfect man.  

Summary:  '"I am a fanatic about freedom. And I'm fanatical about coming at you hard in this book."

Maybe you're not as free as you think you are. Even worse, you may have been duped into believing that a "balanced" life is the key to happiness (it isn't) or that a relationship with God is about layering on rules and restrictions (nope).
Whether it’s media-fueled fear, something a parent or teacher said that you just can’t shake, or even the reality of dark spiritual forces bent on keeping you down, something is holding you back from the full-on freedom God intends for you.
The Bible says, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." Not fear. Not guilt. Not morality. Freedom. You can have the sort of joy you thought only kids could have. The day of freedom is here.'