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Known: Finding Deep Friendships in a Shallow World
Friendship and lasting relationships are central to the lives of followers of Jesus, yet as our culture evolves---thanks to the addition of social media and the age of putting carefully curated images of ourselves online---deep relationships are hard to come by.
Authors Dick and Ruth Foth take on the role of mentor as they guide readers into the truth that humans are built by God for lasting and meaningful relationships.
While it can seem as though there is nothing as wonderful as a lot of likes on Facebook, Dick and Ruth encourage readers toward so much more that God has for us than superficial praise. They come alongside their readers to show them how to foster those deep relationships.
Authors Dick and Ruth Foth take on the role of mentor as they guide readers into the truth that humans are built by God for lasting and meaningful relationships.
While it can seem as though there is nothing as wonderful as a lot of likes on Facebook, Dick and Ruth encourage readers toward so much more that God has for us than superficial praise. They come alongside their readers to show them how to foster those deep relationships.
212 pages, Paperback
Published June 6, 2017
11 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 13, 2024
Dick Foth self recommendation. Good book with some good stories in it
April 21, 2018
This was a delightful guide to how not to live your life alone. I am prone to solitude as I’ve gotten older, even though I’m married and have friends I love and such. This helped me see how I take advantage of all of these relationships and gave me some tips on how I can deepen them.
November 25, 2019
Intro: "Get relationships right, and everything else follows."
Chapter 8: "There is no frigate like a book to take you lands away." (Emily Dickinson quote)
Chapter 12: "Ways we usually respond to conflict: 1) I win, you lose 2) I want out, I'll withdraw 3) I'll give in for good relations 4) I'll meet you halfway 5) I can care and confront. The last is the most effective, the most truly loving, the most growth-promoting for human relationships.
Chapter 14: "What we give our days to defines us in a way that nothing else does. We were made to DO. We are designed in the image of God and no one is more productive than He is. We don't call him the creator for nothing."
Chapter 16: "Jesus spent 3 years hiking, camping and fishing. That's a lot of time walking and talking in the open air. That's a lot of time frying fish over the campfire. Conversations that happen on dirt roads or hilly trails have their own terrain. Talking like that wanders off into side trails and down valleys, they stop at creeks to dangle feet in bubbling waters and remember boyhood adventures."
Chapter 21: "Eating and singing have something in common. When done in a group, the brain starts pulsing a hormone. Not just any old hormone, it is a very particular one called Oxytocin, which ilicits feelings of trust between people, a feeling of togetherness."
Chapter 8: "There is no frigate like a book to take you lands away." (Emily Dickinson quote)
Chapter 12: "Ways we usually respond to conflict: 1) I win, you lose 2) I want out, I'll withdraw 3) I'll give in for good relations 4) I'll meet you halfway 5) I can care and confront. The last is the most effective, the most truly loving, the most growth-promoting for human relationships.
Chapter 14: "What we give our days to defines us in a way that nothing else does. We were made to DO. We are designed in the image of God and no one is more productive than He is. We don't call him the creator for nothing."
Chapter 16: "Jesus spent 3 years hiking, camping and fishing. That's a lot of time walking and talking in the open air. That's a lot of time frying fish over the campfire. Conversations that happen on dirt roads or hilly trails have their own terrain. Talking like that wanders off into side trails and down valleys, they stop at creeks to dangle feet in bubbling waters and remember boyhood adventures."
Chapter 21: "Eating and singing have something in common. When done in a group, the brain starts pulsing a hormone. Not just any old hormone, it is a very particular one called Oxytocin, which ilicits feelings of trust between people, a feeling of togetherness."
October 15, 2023
Second time through this one, and I keep getting more and more from it.
November 24, 2019
A warm book written by a sage and his wise wife. It is not often that a book will stretch you to become something more with such minimal discomfort. The vision is compelling. After all, everyone desires rich relationships and this book explores that process.
Story telling, asking good questions and living in committed covenants are the building blocks the Foths accentuate. Through many heartfelt stories and simple applications the reader is given a pathway for overcoming the clutter of our frenetic age. Dealing with the (busy)-ness that has become an impediment to meaningful human interaction is persistently addressed in pastoral tones. In fact, the whole narrative carries the sentimentalism of a wise friend who is urging you to become intentional with loved ones around you.
There are a myriad of intimate relationships celebrated in these pages — an endearing marriage, life long friendships and a soul journey with Christ. You close the book and whisper a prayer that God would help you to have a similar legacy while making tracks in this world.
Story telling, asking good questions and living in committed covenants are the building blocks the Foths accentuate. Through many heartfelt stories and simple applications the reader is given a pathway for overcoming the clutter of our frenetic age. Dealing with the (busy)-ness that has become an impediment to meaningful human interaction is persistently addressed in pastoral tones. In fact, the whole narrative carries the sentimentalism of a wise friend who is urging you to become intentional with loved ones around you.
There are a myriad of intimate relationships celebrated in these pages — an endearing marriage, life long friendships and a soul journey with Christ. You close the book and whisper a prayer that God would help you to have a similar legacy while making tracks in this world.
May 16, 2022
This is a book about the importance of friendship, what we can learn about cultivating friendship from the Scripture, and how Jesus is our model in friendship, through his befriending the disciples and befriending us. The author co-wrote the book with his wife, who occasionally contributed appendix passages at the end of chapters. Her contributions are my favorite part of the book. She wrote a passage on how she came to enjoy letter writing as a means of cultivating friendship that I find encouraging and helpful. I also love her short poems about friendship. Here's one:
The guide instructs us carefully,
To be in groups of two or three,
But -- willful, independent me,
I choose to walk alone.
So much easier, I think,
To do it on my own.
There'll be...
No annoying confrontations,
No obligating dependence,
No second opinions,
No risky relationships,
To slow me down.
Instead, I find...
No honest challenges,
No wholesome trust,
No wise alternatives,
No enriching friendships,
To grow me up.
The guide instructs us carefully,
To be in groups of two or three,
But -- willful, independent me,
I choose to walk alone.
So much easier, I think,
To do it on my own.
There'll be...
No annoying confrontations,
No obligating dependence,
No second opinions,
No risky relationships,
To slow me down.
Instead, I find...
No honest challenges,
No wholesome trust,
No wise alternatives,
No enriching friendships,
To grow me up.
December 15, 2020
Indeed Dick and Ruth brought their life on the paper. There are great practical points in the book about how to improve the very vital thing in our life ; "Friendship". It does make sense now. The Authors encourages you to go deeper in the world of shallow friendship. The tips and the storytelling of the authors gives you much a better view.
You could pause and get it what does it mean for you? Adjust it with your world. The cover image make sense now.
I could read this book early. Of course it is God centred friendship. It is a Biblical based written book which has no relation to religious practices.
Do a gift to yours and read it for this Christmas.
You could pause and get it what does it mean for you? Adjust it with your world. The cover image make sense now.
I could read this book early. Of course it is God centred friendship. It is a Biblical based written book which has no relation to religious practices.
Do a gift to yours and read it for this Christmas.
July 3, 2018
I loved this book. It was my favorite read in 2017. There's a lot of talking going on, but not a lot of communicating. Dick and Ruth tackle this 21st century community-building inhibitor with honest humor and humility. Stories from around the globe, whether introvert or extrovert, there's something in here that resonates with the desire to connect and the fear many feel holding them back. I'll return to this book again.
January 9, 2023
I read this directly after re-reading Scary Close by Don Miller. Both cover a similar topic from the life-reflection of two different generations. I was pleasantly surprised by how Known did not read like a loosely-Bible-based self-help book but instead drew on ancient, timeless truths available to any human, not just those from a Christian background. I imagine that in 40, 50, or 60 years when I look back on my life, I will only find the Foths' words truer than ever.
September 22, 2021
“Get relationships right, and everything follows.”
I really enjoyed this book-specifically the audiobook. Dick and Ruth are filled with wisdom on how important it is to live life together and truly know someone. Listening to them tell their stories was calming and encouraging. I hope that I can understand the things that they do about relationships when I’m in my seventies.
I really enjoyed this book-specifically the audiobook. Dick and Ruth are filled with wisdom on how important it is to live life together and truly know someone. Listening to them tell their stories was calming and encouraging. I hope that I can understand the things that they do about relationships when I’m in my seventies.
November 3, 2025
This novel blew me away! Every page crackled with tension, and the story never lost momentum. The writing is elegant yet intense, and I could practically feel Decktora’s emotions as she unraveled the truth. It’s rare to find a thriller that balances action with heart so beautifully. This deserves way more attention, absolutely five stars!
April 14, 2018
How do we make friends in a world where we all have our faces turned towards our phones and computers? That is the issue Dick tackles in this book. It's insightful and something we should all be thinking about.
December 28, 2017
Highly recommended for everyone to read this book. Any who is working on the relationship with your family, friends or others in your life, this book is the tutorial and answers.
September 24, 2018
Easy, light read. Fairly enjoyable to read as well, but not super memorable.
February 5, 2019
Not as helpful or as encouraging as I'd hoped for. Even though I still give it three stars, I was disappointed.
April 29, 2019
Terrific read. Lots of personal stories, a lifetime of experience as a gifted communicator and lover of people. Highly recommend.
March 10, 2022
I a delightful, though-provoking read and reminds me of the importance of every type of relationship in the journey.
April 3, 2023
This book was very cute and refreshing!
April 16, 2021
Audio. 3.5. I wanted to like this more. Was it a generational issue? I wish Ruth’s voice was a little more equal, rather than being an aside at the end of most chapters.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews