Fathered by God Book Review

In 2001 I read a book that changed my life forever and possibly sent me into this desire to read books that will lead me closer to God and enrich my life and others along the way. John Eldredge wrote Wild at Heart which was the catalyst in my life and this book has transformed many lives since its debut. Eldredge has several other books out but the essence of all his books rest in his best work of Wild at Heart.
I have recommended Wild at Heart to all my friends and in several counseling sessions. If you have not read Wild at Heart you need to read that one first before you dive into Fathered by God.

Fathered by God was not life changing or altering for me, but John laid out a well developed thesis of the stages of a holistic man. The book was first published as the Way of the Wild Heart, but he felt the book was not understood by his intended audience as he planned. He reworked the book and republished as the new title, Fathered by God. This book has allowed me to slow down and look at the big picture of my personal life and aspects of the journey cannot happen until a certain "phase" is completed or understood.

One aspect of John's book that I find myself getting jealous about and often upset at is his portrayal that you have to live in the mountains of Colorado in order to be a "man." I know this is not his intention, but he paints a picture from his own journey that unless you climb of fly fish than you may not be a manly man. I am not going to lie, I would love to live in the mountains of Colorado and be on a adventure everyday. There is a adventure to live anywhere you may live. You have to be intentional to create the adventure and get outdoors. In essence he is trying to direct men to get outdoors and his outdoor experience is based in Colorado.

To be totally transparent. I am jealous that I have not had similar adventures until recent. I have climbed mountains, repelled a 200 ft cliff, and find myself yearning to get out more often. So possibly I get upset because I wish I would have had these experiences earlier in life.

My Father is God and I know he has a plan for me. We are all on a journey and we have to allow Him to mold and shape us in His image.