Hi Eric,
I read the book, and really enjoyed it! Here's my 'review.'
I'm determined that someone, somewhere, will publish my work and share it with a larger audience. That's all I ask in life! I don't really ask for profit, cause I couldn't care less about the money. But to have it out there, for the masses...well, that would be incredible.
This book reminded me a bit of The Purpose Driven Life from Rick Warren. That book, by the way, totally changed my thinking and helped me heal from some serious issues when I read it a few years ago. I'll have to start by explaining my thoughts about God. The first thing I remember being told when I was a child was that Jesus has my life in His hands, so I shouldn't worry. So I've lived my whole life by that one thing. See what happens when parents tell kids things? What if my mother had been wrong? Well, she was absolutely correct, 100%.
That's not to say I've never worried!
I used to be an obsessive worrier, always with negative and worry-related thoughts in my head. I didn't want them there-nobody does! But by definition being Obsessive Compulsive means you get thoughts you don't want in your head, and you can't get rid of them, not without a bit of behavioral therapy. I prayed on it for years, asked God about a million times to please rid me of this, as it was driving me mad. And you know? He listened, just like He always does. He put me on a path to meet the right people so that I could eventually get the help I needed, and as a result, I'm a much healthier person today. It took many years, and in the meantime I often thought my prayers went unanswered. But that's never been the case. He's answered every prayer I've ever prayed, just not on MY timeframe. Am I cured? No. Physically, that's impossible, doctors tell me. I know God can cure All, but I understand that His purpo se for me includes me having this 'disorder.' It's what gives me my creativity, after all.
So this was a book I could've written, almost. The Purpose Driven Life helped me realize that I was created this way for a purpose, and a good one. Slaying Your Giant was about taking on those things that hold you back, head-on, and knowing that with God behind you, you'll succeed. I believe in that theory wholeheartedly. It's certainly true that any of us can accomplish anything we want in this world. It doesn't matter how much money you have, or what skills you have, or what your situation is. We're all capable of miracles within ourselves.
The key, of course, is to have faith. It's not always easy to do, and there are so many obstacles in our path. Doubt and Insecurity have always been personal demons of mine. I have an almost insane faith in other people, but very little in myself. Well, I've grown more confident over the years, as I've found my writing voice. But I'll admit I haven't been as faithful as I know I can be. This is just a test run, after all. The Real Deal begins when we die. Personally, I can't wait. That's not to say I'm suicidal; far from it. I'm glad to have this life and this test. I think it's amazing and I want to experience all of it. But since the second thing I remember being told as a child was about Heaven and what awaits, I've always wanted to be there. Someday.
Question, though. God tells us killing is wrong (It's one of the Ten Commandments). David killed Goliath. Was David wrong? Why is he a hero for that?
I just always wondered that. I understand the metaphor, and it's a great one. But why someone was praised for killing another person I never got. Maybe I'm too much of a pacifist.
Thanks for sending it!
Marty
