God Speaks to Ordinary People Like You and Me

by Janice Carleton

This book is the story of the author's faith journey and how the incredible God of the universe wants to help us down here. Janice knew ABOUT God for the first two decades of her life. Then she had several experiences that started her on the adventure of getting to know the Lord as a real person. She fell in love with that personal God, and her life hasn't been the same since. Janice relates stores that show how God is also communicating with you.

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Kathleene M · Rating 5 out of 5]

God in ordinary life

God isn't distant unless you choose to make Him so. This book gives me something to aim for and assurance that it's possible.

[Astin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know Janice personally, and have heard her speak beautifully on this topic before. In fact, the genesis of this book is her oral testimony shared at retreats and one-on-one. I was excited to read her book, but wondered whether it would translate to the page as well as her spoken testimony. Speaking and writing are such very different arts, and I have read other books that started out as speeches/sermons, and the transition to the page was awkward and less effective.

It turns out that Janice's unique style adapted wonderfully to this book.

You could call this book a collection of experiences within Janice's life that are themed to share how God has moved and shaped both her life and the lives of her husband, children, and extended family and friends. They are told with honesty, a willingness to be self-effacing and lay bare her human weaknesses, and then witness to transformative power of God's love and grace. Her stories offer ideas for the reader to consider within their own lives. You can't read this book and not gain insight, ideas, or a new perspective on your own life.

I gained insight into how God works and speaks to me through little things. I was encouraged to consider new perspectives in my marriage. I was filled with ideas for how to build a Christ-centered experience for my young children.

Of particular note for me is Janice relating the experience of her abortion. I have been immersed in the matter of abortion both personally and professionally for years and years, and was surprised to find that Janice's story offered a facet I had yet to consider: somebody who had come full circle from an experience she felt deeply wounded from. Janice is able to share her experience, relate how it wounded her, and describe how her healing eventually transformed not only her life, but also her children, in some pretty beautiful ways. Its an important perspective within a very complicated issue, and because Janice speaks from experience and with deep empathy, her story is one I heartily recommend to anybody seeking more insight.

[Peter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would recommend this book if you are needing a spark in your prayer life, or are struggling to find God outside the four walls of a church, but it is not going to inspire you to faith in a mere heartbeat. It succeeded in reminding me to keep God in mind in all situations, and to pray at all times, but overall the book seemed a bit simplistic, if not over-hyped in its foreword. The author seems unable to decide if she is trying to write a memoir or apologetics. Maybe it just didn't appeal to me personally. Go ahead and give it a read, but read it with an open heart and a Catechism and/or Bible nearby, to cross-reference some of what the author claims.