Soulprint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny

by Mark Batterson

There never has been and never will be anyone like you. But that isn’t a testament to you. It’s a testament to the God who created you. The problem? Few people discover the God-given identity that makes them unlike anyone else. Mark Batterson calls this divine distinction our soulprint.
 
God would like to introduce you to yourself.
 
In Soulprint, Mark pours the contagious energy he’s known for into helping you experience the joy of discovering who you are... and the freedom of discovering who you’re not. The wonderful fact is that your uniqueness is God’s gift to you, and it’s also your gift to God.
 
   A self-discovery book that puts God at the center rather than self, Soulprint encourages you to recognize and explore the five defining moments in your life that will determine your destiny. Along the way, you’ll find that you’re not just turning the pages of a book. You’re turning the pages of your remarkable, God-shaped, world-changing life.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Theology, Leadership, Christianity, Spirituality

192 pages, Paperback

First published March 18, 2008

About the author

Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC. One church in seven locations, NCC owns and operates Ebenezers Coffeehouse, The Miracle Theatre, and the DC Dream Center. NCC is currently developing a city block into The Capital Turnaround. This 100,000-square-foot space will include an event venue, child development center, mixed-use marketplace, and co-working space. Mark holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Regent University and is the New York Times best-selling author of seventeen books, including The Circle Maker, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Wild Goose Chase, Play the Man, Whisper, and, most recently, Double Blessing. Mark and his wife, Lora, live on Capitol Hill with their three children: Parker, Summer, and Josiah.

Reviews

[Barb Terpstra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to be honest - I wasn't thrilled with the "Blogging for Books" book picks this time. The main reason I choose this book "SoulPrint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny", was the publish date of 1/18/2011. I figured it was new enough that I might as well check it out. From the book description, I was expecting a self-help sort of book, and was prepared to be disappointed. Boy was I wrong! Right from the start the author lets us know that this isn't about me helping me, but about God molding me.

"It's not just who you are, present tense. It's who you are destined to become, future tense. It's not just who others see when they look at you from the outside in. It's who God has destined you to become from the inside out . . . so while you live your life forward, God works backward. The Omniscient One always starts with the end in mind."

My problem is, I want to know the end NOW!

I was so pleased to find out how Bible based this book was. The author focuses on the life of David for his illustrations, and scripture is sprinkled throughout. We are reminded that nothing is accidental in our lives, but that God has a purpose and plan to turn us into the men and women He created us to be.

Chapter two focuses on 'lifesymbols'. Batterson says:

"Lifesymbols are all about seeing the purposes of God in our past circumstances . . . our memories can either empower us to live by faith or imprison us to live by fear".

We need to examine our pasts so we can remember God's faithfulness--trusting God through this type of remembering can help us to be at peace and trust Him with our present circumstances.

Another chapter that appealed to me was chapter 4 on 'alter ego'. We need to be authentic, and that means being vulnerable, and that feels like risk. Batterson reminds us:

"The church ought to be a place where we can confess our deepest doubts, worst sins, and wildest dreams. It ought to be a place where we can reveal who we really are--the good, the bad, and the ugly. Unfortunately church is often a place where we act like everything is okay even though it isn't okay. And that lack of authenticity forces everyone to hide behind their royal robes. But what if it were a place where people had the courage to disrobe?"

What a great question! Wouldn't the church look different if we all did just that?

This book has me pondering my past and present circumstances. I intend to remember God's faithfulness through my past, and possibly even create some sort of lifesymbol art to remind me that only He is God. As I continue my struggle to find my place in this world, I will trust that He is showing me the way, even though I cannot see it.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

[Cindy Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read to start the new year!

[Laverne Ombadykow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of us are hands and some are feet ~ we all are a part of the body of Christ. We are each uniquely created to be the person God destined us to be "before sin distorted the image of God in us" and what is most important to Him is that we become that person. That is what the author, Mark Batterson, has discussed in this book.

Now that I am finished reading the book, lots of passages are highlighted and some of the pages are turned back so I can quickly go back and read and ponder. The first underlined section caused me to think about four specific events in my life that shaped who I am today. They are not times that would seem important to another person, but they are so important to me that I have "snapshot moments" of where I was and what I was doing when they took place. The second thing I underlined was "Let God engineer" because at a silent retreat once someone told me not to have an agenda and God did a life changing work in me that weekend. I also highlighted a section taken from Tuesdays with Morrie where Morrie shared that he was a sum of all that he was at the different ages in his life ~ I understand this. And the section about Corrie ten Boom ~ the poem about our lives being weavings and how we can't see the finished product, but only see the knots on the underside. Finally, there is a little discussion about the Johari window (you can look it up on the internet) that caused me to think about the verse that asks God to search me and know my heart (Ps. 139). He knows everything about me ~ even the secret places that I don't know.

This is a book I know I will re-read and share with others. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to read it.


I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

[Dana Rongione]

"Who am I?" It is a question asked by every person at some point along life's journey. The problem lies in the places some will look to find the answer. In "Soulprint," Mark Batterson takes the reader through the life of David, explaining how and where David found the answer to one of life's greatest questions. His book is focused on the unique nature and talents that God has given to each of us and how those unique features define who we are and who we will become. Just as no two fingerprints are alike, no two soulprints are alike. We are each unique creations, and God has a plan for each of us.

Batterson puts it this way: "This book is all about you, but it's not about you at all. The fact that there never has been and never will be anyone like you simply means that no one can worship God like you or for you. You were created to worship God in a way that no one else can. How? By living a life no one else can--your life."

After reading the back cover of "Soulprint," I was intrigued, but a little leery. The message had great potential as long as the author didn't dive off the deep end. To my surprise and relief, Batterson does just the opposite. He hits every point straight and true. He uses the Bible and the life of David to present a powerful plea to discover who you are and what you are destined to be. As I read, I came across so many profound statements that I felt the need to keep my highlighter handy at all times. Batterson has done an excellent job with this book, and I think it would be a tremendous resource to use in any kind of youth ministry (not to say that it's not appropriate for adults).

If you're struggling with the question of who you are and what the Lord intends for you, I strongly recommend picking up a copy of Mark Batterson's "Soulprint."

[Nicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is quite an interesting audio. I really liked the psychology part of it and have found it very helpful. The author is the narrator, and whilst he is very clear and easy to understand, his delivery could be quite patronising. He sounded like he was preaching and rather than reading, which I found quite jarring. It almost felt like he was trying too hard at times.
This is definitely one of those audios that will stay with you for a long time, as there is so much to keep mulling over after listening. One of the phrases that keeps coming back to me is ‘the events that have defined you, God can use to refine you‘.
I think this audio is for everyone and anyone, as we all have baggage that we don’t now what to do with, and I think this is a springboard for helping to deal with it in a non-threatening way.
Thanks to christianaudio.com Reviewers Program for this copy.

[Zuzana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether or not you eat up 100% of Mark's serving here, there's a ton in this book to make you think, and a lot of really good opportunities for reality checks and self-examination. I felt like I had "pre-read" a good chunk of the book through sermons over the past year or so, but good reminders never hurt!

[Reid Mccormick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very skeptical when I got a copy of Soulprint. It seemed like another touchy-feely spirituality book with Jesus’ name thrown in there for good luck. I have read too many self-help, inspirational style books cloaked in Christian mumbo jumbo because Christian books sell.

Though I was very skeptical, I was rather impressed by Soulprint. Mark Batterson does a good job mixing in personal stories, biblical texts, and pinch of psychology. Batterson constantly draws upon the life of David. He holds King David up like a superhero while still recognizing very real and very broken humanity of former shepherd.

The book is divided into five “scenes,” distinct moments in our lives that make us unique like a fingerprint (hence, the name Soulprint).

Holy Confidence: Being confident in what God has given you

Lifesymbols: Items in our life that show you who you are

The Crag of the Wild Goats: The pitfalls of our life…typically pride

Alter Ego: Don’t worry about anyone but God

The Devil’s Workshop: Pretty much what you think it is about

It’s a good book. Really short which could be a positive thing, but the book is well under 200 pages and then the Batterson throws in an excerpt from another book. I am not exactly sure if this book would be worth the price.

[Brent Soderstrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy books by Mark Batterson. I am lucky enough to live in the Washington D.C. area and get to hear him speak from time to time at the National Community Church. This book is like a lot of his sermons captured in the book loosely around the theme that we each have a unique soul that God has created. God is in control of our lives and we need to trust Him with our lives. He can take what we think are bad things that occur and bring good from them.

What I like about this book is also my one criticism: the theme is really pretty loose. As I said earlier, this is really a bunch of sermons written out and not tied up very tightly around the alleged theme.

Still a good read that gives you a glimpse of what going to NCC is really like, especially if you start out with a few contemporary Christian songs, a Bible reading and then read a chapter from this book.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you have a defining moment? A certain time in your life were a scenario or situation played out that changed the trajectory of our life? In "Soulprint" Mark Batterson challenges readers to inspect what/ where their identity comes from? Examining David's life (David who killed the giant Goliath, the later anointed King of Israel, the man after God's own heart) to see how God used defining moments that led David to recognize his God given identity which leads to his purpose. When we understand our value and where it comes from; we understand what our purpose is. When we truly grasp our God given purpose, there is joy and fulfillment that is found. Very similar to other Mark Battrerson books (some illustrations and stories carry over to his other writings) but still very encouraging and thought provoking.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was thought provoking with encouraging points on perspective regarding past experiences. I think the addition of end of the section journal or "think about it" prompts would help the reader apply the advice in the book. I looked for a book guide or study guide meant to go along with the book but didn't find one.

[Joaquin Pericas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the fact that we are all different (one in over 150 trillion combinations) and that God has a unique, distinctive Plan for each of us individually. Discovering your true identity will help reveal God’s plan. Beautifully written book!

[R. Arsenault · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book. It really encourages the believer to examine themselves through God's lens and then to make the necessary changes God brings to your attention. It is a practical road map

[Linda O'Dell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! As with all of Mark Batterson books, have to read with highlighter ready for all the key points to highlight.

[Linda Santavicca · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Batterson's best.

[janice fancher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

What a soul searching approach to get to the heart! Love every word in this great book. A must read.

[Sarah Spivey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a good message on finding our identity in Christ. Some of the language was cheesy, but the intention was good.

[Kaitlin Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book of the year! It is just what I needed to hear. The way he breaks down what makes up one’s identity is so helpful!

[Donald McKinnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me say it’s rare I read a book when it first comes out, but this is a book my wife and I decided to get together, and began to read it the day it came out. It’s a Godsend, as its subject matter is on par with where we are at right now. Author Mark Batterson is among the rising leaders in the Church today, he pastors the multi-campus National Community Church in Washington, DC. It’s not the kind of multi-campus church you’d expect, so I suggest you look it up. He uses his own experiences and those of others as he shares “five scenes” of David’s life and how we all are in need of seeking our soul print. Just as we all have a unique set of finger prints, Batterson reminds us that “There never has been and never will be anyone else like you.” That God has and is shaping us for the destiny He has for us through the good and bad experiences we go through.

Batterson, points out that sometimes we need reminders of where we’ve been, both the good and bad, and how Goliath’s armor went with David in his tent, to remind him that God will see him through. We also see that God uses our mistakes as teaching moments, such as when David sinned with Bathsheba, and Nathan called David out.

This isn’t a deep book, and many things may seem familiar, as Batterson points out, we all need to be reminded of what we know or we can fall into prideful sin. And that’s really the cusp of this book, Batterson wants us, the reader, to realize we have a unique destiny God has shaped for us, but it may not always be where and how we think it should be. Batterson makes you reexamine your call, is it for self-centered use or God centered use. Pointing out that sometimes we’re forced to move on, because it’s God’s will, or that we have a sin we cannot or refuse to see. He shows us, that we need to listen to God to see if it is our time to move on to another part of our divine destiny.

Batterson makes use of many things in this book, and the fifth scene of the book has a strong emphasis on prophets in our lives, those that can call you out for the sin you’re dealing with, but help you see where God has called you. I think of it as having a friend you’re accountable to.

Like I said, this book came to us at the right time, as my wife and I are looking to where God has called us to do, making us ask are we where He wants us to be or does He want us to move on, and making sure this is God’s call and not ours, as we pray and seek this all out.

I would suggest picking this book up, the back of the book has questions for discussion and topic; this is for an individual or for a study group. Mark Batterson is in the class of leaders such as Mark Driscoll, Francis Chan, Rick McKinley, David Platt, Andy Stanley, and Jud Wilhite, which are challenging and reshaping the Church in the 21st century. He may not bring much new insight with this book, it’s a fresh refresher course, and he definitely will make you rethink what you think you know.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've ever wanted a pastor to weigh in on the uber-important topic on whether or not King Saul went #1 or #2 in the cave where David hid, then I have the book for you.

You've never wanted that? Well, I still have the book for you.

Mark Batterson, pastor of the National Community Church in DC has written quite a powerful little book in Soul Print. It is full of great Twitter-sized quotes. It took me until I was halfway through the book to realize where I had read some of these quotes before. (I follow Mark on Twitter.)

Don't let the idea that an idea can fit in 140 characters or less lead you to believe that this book has nothing to offer. From start to finish, this book has great insight as we ask the important question, who am I?

Here are just a couple of nuggets;


'Perceived disadvatages often prove to be disguised advantages because they
force us to develop attitudes and abilities that would have otherwise gone
undiscovered.'

'It's not our experiences that make us or break us. It's our interpretation
of and explanation for those experiences that ultimately determines who we
become.'


It's really quite a simple idea (I wish I had thought of it). Just like each of us has a unique fingerprint, Mark describes how we each have a unique soulprint. It's classic truth told in a very engaging way. God made you who and how you are for a reason, but how do you discover it?

To guide us on this quest, Mark follows the life of David, showing us that key moments in our lives are windows into our soul, telling us who we are. But don't be fooled. This isn't simply a feel-good, God made you special type of book. Mark delivers truth that can sometimes be difficult to accept, much less live out. That's what pastors do. That's what Mark has done here.

I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah for the purpose of reviewing it. They don't tell me what to think about it, they just ask that I display those thoughts for all of you. So here you go. You can purchase your copy here.

Oh, and he does the answer that question about King Saul. The answer is more important than you might think.

[Luke Koskinen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great lessons from the life of the Ancient Israel King David!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had awesome spiritual content. Really, really great ideas that make you think...and re-read..and think some more. A lot of this book is similar to a self-help book. It states that, just like fingerprints, your soulprint is completely unique and designed by God for only you. Unlike the usual navel-gazing offering, this book clarifies that the reason to discover who you are and what your gifts are is to glorify God, not you. "If you want to discover our destiny, you've got to spend time in the presence of God...It's only when you seek God that you find yourself. And if you try to find yourself outside of a relationship with your Designer, it will lead to a case of mistaken identity."

The structure of the book follows David's life in 5 scenes and what he learned about his soulprint in each chapter, from underestimated shepherd boy who had to discover his holy confidence, to the episode with Bathsheba and his reconciliation with God. The chapter entitled "The Crags of the Wild Goats" (the period where David hides out from Saul), had some of the funniest writing I've read in awhile. But it also taught a very important lesson about integrity that will stick with me ("Integrity means doing the right thing even when no one is watching.")

However, maybe it's because I've read three Mark Batterson books back-to-back-to-back, but I found the writing lacking in this one. Some of the stories and phrases were repeated in other books (although since I read these out of order, the stories in this book are actually the originals). Note to self: if I ever become an author, I'm going to double- and triple-check my manuscripts to make sure I don't repeat myself because it feels stale and recycled. I also didn't really like his sentence structure. Why? Because he kept questions like "Why?" and then answering them.

Still definitely worth a read, but Primal and the Circle Maker were a lot better. Which is good news, since it means his writing has been improving!

[Daniel Butcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soul Print: Discovering Your Divine Destiny by Mark Batterson

Soul Print: Discovering Your Divine Destiny by Mark Batterson encourages readers to discover their true self and their personal destiny. Batterson argues that everyone has a soul print, which defines not just who one is but who one is destined to become. He adds that our soul print is who God has designed us to be and that it contains our uniqueness. He urges us to embrace our soul print, to have the courage to be ourselves and to not experience regret by failing to be who we were individually designed to be. Batterson then explores the life King David and how his soul print played out in his life. He shows us that our past experiences and weaknesses help us to understand who we are. He shows how like David, our character will be challenged both through experiences and the words of others to behave differently than we have been built. And Batterson shows how accepting our soul print leads to personal success, while rejecting it causes pain in our lives.
Overall, this is an easy book to read. Many readers will be familiar with the stories that Batterson has selected from David’s life providing reassurance that you know where Batterson is heading. And Batterson’s writing style is easy to read. The author’s honesty and willingness to share his own faults also makes the text relatable. He presents several thoughts that many of us have to deal with in our own lives. I’m still meditating on, “I’d rather by hated for who I am than love for who I’m not( Batterson, 102).” So many in ministry have people pleasing personalities realistic talk that this is a bitter but needed pill to swallow. It’s very encouraging to have such a visible and successful pastor provide that pill in a discussion of his own failures.

Review Copy Provided by WaterBrook Multnomah

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Batterson investigates the life of David and teaches readers how to be the unique person God created them to be. No one is going to be just like you, and everyone is unique to God. He encourages readers to have a holy confidence in what God can do and not to have a confidence in your own self. Mark conveys that God must be the one where you get your identify from. Mark describes his own personal life symbols in his office to remind him of his past. He believes that you need to look at your past to remember where you have been. The past will help reveal who you are today. David’s story is shown throughout the different chapters of the book to be an example of how God can take your own personal story and use it for his Kingdom.


Soul Print also has a discussion guide to help you absorb the knowledge of becoming the person God created you to be. Mark will guide you in the process by prompting you to answer the questions after each chapter.

I would recommend this book to anyone who doesn’t like themselves. God has made you to be yourself. And we are all created in his image. I love how Mark utilized the story of David and portrayed it. Mark showed how David had to go through some disappointments but God still loved him. Even when you make a mistake God will never give up on us. I enjoyed that Mark demonstrated the whole story of David in Soul Print. He showed the good times and the bad times of the life of David. Soul Print will inspire you to become the whole person God made you to be and not to compare yourself to others. If you struggle with self image problems, this book will lead you to see that even though we are fallible human beings God still loves us. The past doesn’t have to define us if you are in Christ you are forgiven.

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.

[Joel Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected one of two things with "Soulprint" by Mark Batterson. I thought it might be a book that explores what it means to be created in the image of God and how we need to each individually, based on our gifts and personalities, live out the attributes of God as we seek to reflect Him. I also thought the book might be a Christian self-help book--helping people gain self confidence, but perhaps not with any theological depth. I was pleasently surprised to realize that this book offers elements of both of these plus something more. Batterson goes beyond both of these structures to truly unpack methods of realizing who you are as a recreated person in light of God's actions through Jesus Christ. Significant for me was the discussion on integrity and being a person that stands up for the convictions in his or her heart. Too often we find ourselves compromising our convictions because we seek to please others, be accepted, or have a program overflowing with people. A person of inegrity says, "No matter what I am going to stand up for my beliefs and seek to disciple others." Batterson rightly states that for us to discover who we are in God we must follow God in all moments of our lives, never compromising the view of the Gospel for the success of the world. The book concludes by challenging each of us to discover how to uniquely fulfill the mission that Christ has laid within our hearts-the mission to make disciples within all nations. Each person has been created to answer this call and when we do, we make a difference in the world, leaving our mark upon others and within God's kingdom. I recieved this book as par tof Multohomah Publisher's Blogging for Books Program.

[Valenfore Alestreneon · Rating 1 out of 5]

An extremely crappy mass market paperback written by a pseudo-Occultist who doesn't know what the hell they're talking about. I suggest picking up "Uncle Sektnat's Essential To The Left Hand Path" by Donn Webb and Stephen Edred Flowers instead, since it pulls no punches and doesn't b.s. If you want to "discover" your destiny, then you're in luck! It's right in your hands. Here's an exact formula for discovering it: 1. Take an inventory of yourself and your life and figure out what's important. 2. After figuring out what's important, commit to it all the way. Use your determination to fuel you to acquire whatever knowledge, skills and resources you need, no matter how fun or tedious the requirements of any effort may be. Simply do what needs to be done, making no distinction between the things that are fun and tasks that require you to climb uphill. Do what needs to be done immediately, neglecting all distractions. What's immediate is not necessarily what's important. 3. Don't hold yourself back from giving your all, just because you're afraid that it won't work out. 4. If it doesn't work out the first time, just keep going. Be insistent to make it happen and never take "no" for an answer. 5. Time is going to pass anyway, so don't worry about time. However long it takes, just keep doing what needs to be done, fulfilling the conditions of the causes that will lead to the effect you desire to bring about in your life. There! Didn't even require a chapter's worth of words.

[Kev Willoughby · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice book about the life of David to use as a one-week devotional or study. I especially liked the chapter on "lifesymbols," which are physical objects that you may collect and display in prominent places to serve as reminders of the faithfulness of God in your life. Our lifesymbols can help us to remember previous times when God has answered a prayer and reinforce the importance of being faithful, persistent, and patient as we wait for answers to current prayers. Patience in prayer is also a theme of another chapter with an interesting title: The Crags of the Wild Goats. This chapter focuses on a scene from David's life when he was hiding out from Saul in a cave and had the opportunity to slay the king and take the promised throne. The lesson there was that David was patient and even though he knew that he would eventually become king, he didn't want to take control of the situation away from God or misinterpret God's timing. Obedience and patience are always important to fulfilling the destiny God has planned for your life.

The title of the book is based on the concept of the uniqueness of a fingerprint. Just as everyone has a different fingerprint, making each of us uniquely identifiable, we also have a different soulprint or life plan that God has created us to fulfill. It is our responsibility to discover that plan and to carry it out. Not a deep study, but an interesting one.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book 2 of 4 that I just picked up lately. I'm only one chapter in and I'm sure that once I settle at home to read this book that I'll like it better than the initial impression it has given me. So far, other than a few comforting words here and there and maybe a nugget of wisdom that I haven't contemplated for some time, I'm not as deeply impressed with this as I was with Desire. Maybe it's just that Desire hit home and really made me think about new concepts (I do like the challenge of being intellectually stimulated enough to really absorb a book and more particularly with being challenged with my spirituality. Having been to Crown and being somebody that takes notes on sermons and examines them and who actually enjoyed writing involved exegesis on biblical passages, I really enjoy new concepts that I can apply to my life and stretch me.) or maybe it's that the simplicity of language in Soulprint is too uncomplicated for me to fully appreciate it yet even though I do appreciate directness. Honestly, though, it might have been the fact that after I finished Desire I was still not ready to retire my need to delve into scripture and I had hoped to react and interact the way I did with the other book. I do know that what I'm hoping to get out of this book is a better sense of who I am in relation to our Creator. If it can do that I'll be perfectly satisfied.

[Katie Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty quick read and useful for thinking in terms of what God wants out of your life. Mark Batterson uses a lot of good examples from David's life to encourage readers to be the people God created us to be.

I really love Mark Batterson, but I enjoyed some of his other books much better (In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day: How to Survive and Thrive When Opportunity Roars and of course The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears) so admittedly this one was slightly disappointing compared to those 2, or perhaps I just needed those 2 more than this one at this point in my life!

However, if you are at a point in your life (we're all there sometime!) where you are really struggling to find out what your purpose is, what you should be doing, and really just wanting to hear from God, then I would recommend it!

[Kurt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book went from 3 to 4 stars in the final chapter as he pulled it all together. The key here is the final question, "Who am I?" that David asks in Psalms. In the context of the Psalm, he is asking it as "Who am I, that I have been this blessed?" This is, of course, a very important difference right off the bat because it places David in the rare company of those who ask "Why me?" when the good things happen. However, what Pastor Mark is going for here is that the question is more general and applicable for us than just to realize that as a blessed people (especially American Christians) we should stop and acknowledge the blessing. We should stop and seriously ask the question in the more literal sense: "Who am I in/to/for God?" God has made me unique in human history, He loves me--specifically me--and wants specific things for me. What are those things? Who should I be becoming with God's help? How can I identify the task that God has designed me to perform? How can I make sure that I remember who I am to God? These are the true focus of the book, and he does a good job of confirming that in the close of the book.

[Josh-danielle Venable · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for anyone to read. While I don't necessarily agree 100% with everything that is said ing the book, Mark Batterson does a great job dealing with how God deals with His children and what that means for us.

A couple of thoughts that stood out...the overriding Bible "character" that Batterson continually points to in order to get his points across in the book is David. One of the most interesting parts of the book in my opinion is when Batterson deals with David's "parade" into town as the newly crowned king. David's actions (undressing down to his loin cloth and dancing around) seem incredibly strange, but Batterson's handling of this account and application to our present lives, I thought were awesome! I'll let you read it to figure out the application and interpretation of that passage.

There are many other awesome thoughts in this book, too many to comment on. I definitely recommend reading this book. The book would be good for anyone dealing with finding their identity in Christ and even for those who are facing life difficulties and struggling with trusting God in those difficulties.