Redwoods and Whales: Becoming Who You Actually Are

by Phil Joel

Who are we . . . really? As depression, addiction, and suicide become more commonplace in today’s culture, it seems we have lost sight of who we actually are. Like a whale on a beach, too many of us are finding ourselves breathing shallow, feeling stranded, and alone. The truth is we can cut free from the things that hold us back if we can catch a clear vision of the true character of God. And, like a mighty redwood tree, we can choose to live healthy lives filled with purpose , rising confidently above the chaos. As we choose to align our hearts and minds with the truth, we will discover that maybe God isn’t exactly who we thought He was -- maybe life with Him is a whole lot bigger and more exciting than we ever imagined. Redwoods and Whales will give you the tools you need to help push aside the things that entangle, and grab hold of the life you were born to live.

Genres: Christian Living, Christian, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

Published April 16, 2019

Reviews

[☆ serethiel ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

// r e d w o o d s . & . w h a l e s

I first picked up Redwoods & Whales because I liked the title. And because I realized that the author used to be in Newsboys. And also because this book is about "becoming who you actually are." And oh, my friends, I needed to figure myself out.

I knew I was (and still am) a senior in high school, a newbie to college, and a writer. I lead a Bible study for my congregation. I volunteer for a writers' conference and a theatre company.

I knew that I liked how these things make me busy. I knew I didn't like college and I was ready to be done with high school. I also knew that it felt like life was pulling me along on a road I couldn't make out, telling me to get a move on because there's uni ahead! and a job ahead! and a future ahead! and maybe a family/household of my own ahead but ha ha MAYBE NOT! and also there's my life dream of publishing books and living in a cottage in my hometown in the redwoods ahead!

Who was stressed? Yup, definitely me.

But when I cracked open Redwoods & Whales, it was as if all these anxieties were finally set aside.

This book felt like a coffee shop on a dreary day. Like the grayness outside was all my internal fears, raging about. Like I was meeting someone I didn't really know (but was definitely curious about) for cocoa -- like that person was Phil, and we were going to talk about the Bible...

Phil combines personal anecdotes, analogies, and scripture to present a message that acknowledges the world and its sorrows, then becomes an uplifting stream of encouragement. Redwoods & Whales is a wake-up call. It's a conversation, a challenge to become the very best version of yourself. It's a guidebook to becoming a Christian and an adult. It dissipated my own fears by telling of the love of God.

Without a doubt, Redwoods & Whales is a book I would encourage every person, regardless of their faith or age, to read. It deals with hard pasts, explains the pure and boundless grace of Christ, and invites readers to become the very best version of themselves they can be.

NOTE: I received a free e-copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley, in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Trey Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

REDWOODS AND WHALES BY PHIL JOEL
I was first introduced to this book at a concert by the Newsboys. It was a complimentary copy. I was so excited to get to read this book. Phil connects with me decently throughout the book. The book really hit me when he introduce social MEdia.
Phil introduces the book by walking alongside a beach in California. When he was walking he saw a big blob that looked like a rock. He decided that he was gonna climb over it, but when he got closer to the blob he realized this wasn’t a rock. It was a whale!
Throughout the book Phil Joel was really expressing different ways that people are feeling bad about themselves, putting themselves in a bad place, or overall just expressing ways that us humans can get better at life. With him showing all these ways we can make things better he still understands that we cannot get rid of the bad we have done but we can forget about by doing better.

[Fontana Arnaud · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the worst books I’ve ever read.
It felt like a blog post that didn’t end and that broke off into 30 different streams of consciousness. There was no clear flow of the book or really any good points. It felt like he just wanted to write a bunch of stuff down and sell it.

I mean there were two full pages with the words BLAH BLAH BLAH filling them.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Redwoods and Whales: Becoming Who You Actually Are
Author: Phil Joel
Genre: Spiritual, Christian
Rating: 5 out of 5

"Redwoods and Whales offers a warning and a promise:

The warning: Don’t become that beached whale, trying to live in a foreign environment.

The promise: You will find freedom when your identity is centered under the safety of the Divine."

Life is tough. Depression, addiction, suicide, violence…they’re all commonplace in our society, and they make it hard to know where to turn. Despite the “connectedness” of our social media word, many people feel alone and adrift. But we have a choice: we can choose to seek God and His true nature, and we can choose to live healthy, purpose-filled lives.

I wasn’t sure what to expect of this book, but Redwoods and Whales brought inspiration and hope while acknowledging the sometimes-bleak world around us. The casual tone combined with the chatting-with-a-friend feel of the book makes it easier to soak in the deep message in this book.

(Galley courtesy of Emanate Books/Thomas Nelson via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)

[Nate Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Phil Joel mentions he has ADD in the book, and his writing style is the same way. The chapters do not connect, he sometimes goes back to theme of the book and opening, while other stories and messages are just inserted haphazardly. It was a very surface level book, with not much deep substance.

The most powerful passage was a letter he wrote to a young man who committed suicide, and the imaginary letter the boy might have responded. I believe this was really moving and powerful, but it is just inserted in the middle of the book with no connection or meaning. I was pretty disappointed overall in this short book.

I received an advanced copy to review.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy.


I was a bit not connecting with the book because I did not get it, but as I read more about it and into the chapters it turned out to be a really good vibe. I was pretty excited to see how all things seemed to connect and the positivity of the author shows through. The book would make a great gift for the person who is just kinda stuck and needs a good nudge to get up and try again.

[Karlissa J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phil Joel is clearly an artist, not an author, but that actually gives this book a level of charm many don't have. His heart for people and for God's love to be known comes through page after page: from his playful word-created images (you'll understand when you read it) to his incredibly casual speech.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK! PHIL IS VERY HONEST AND IT IS WELL WRITTEN. HE CAUSES US TO SEE HOW IMPORTANT A REAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS FOR US ALL. MY FAMILY LOVES THE NEWSBOYS AND PHIL IS THE BEST BASS PLAYER EVER! THANK YOU FOR WRITING THIS BOOK, PHIL, AND I HOPE YOU WRITE MANY MORE! I ORDERED IT FOR MY DAUGHTER AND MY MOTHER TODAY! MY MOTHER IS 90 AND SHE LOVES THE NEWSBOYS! KEEP ON SPREADING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST BECAUSE HE IS THE ANSWER TO A FULFILLED LIFE! 😇
BECKY

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a huge fan of Phil Joel since I was in my early teens. I bought this book at a Newsboys United concert and has the chance to meet him and have this signed. This guy is so humble for the level of fame his has reached in the Christian music world. This book was a sweet little insight into how he keeps his world that way. I enjoyed it.

[Jacob Chupp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phil Joel is an amazing author. I have always been a Newsboys fan and am so thankful to have had the opportunity to see them in concert, and also to have purchased this book. It is so full of truth and life inspired by Scripture and Phil's own life experiences. It made me smile, laugh, and cry. Please, whether you're a believer or not, read this book! It applies to everyone! God bless.

[The Water Lily Project · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a delightful and encouraging and practical book filled with the love of people and God. This is a great resource for the lonely, the hurting, the new Christian, the tired Christian, the discouraged, the lost, and the disillusioned.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Designed for teens and young adults but suitable and beneficial for all. Phil has an easy smooth writing style with a bit of humor. Just what is needed in this world and time. Recommend for youth groups to read.

[Anna Ferrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became interested in this book because Phil Joel is a teenage love of mine. The book was more than I could have guessed. I enjoyed it from the first page to the last. It’s refreshing and exactly on time for me.

[Pamela Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm listened to this book a second time: It's. That. Good. Best friends recommend the best reads. The audiobook is 2 hours 13 minutes. I double-dog dare you to listen to it now! Its worth a double listen. Simple truths wrapped in wisdom & real life.

[Leisa - Soul of Sunflowers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this was geared more towards teens or young adults and new believers. I still enjoyed it but it was middle of the road for me. Phil Joel's personality really shines through in this book though; quite witty and silly, which I enjoyed!

[Joshua Goetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple book. Finished in one sitting. But a good refresher on how the world pulls us away from our relationship with God. Probably geared mostly to teenagers.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a tremendous book! It is a must read for every one. Thanks Phil for allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you to write it!

[Lisa Currier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very simple book. The writing is not very polished, the ideas have been written about before

[Jaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very encouraging and uplifting.

[Ben Palm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and engaging! Phil’s simple stories and illustrations stuck with you. A great quick read!

[Jameson Ketchum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book by a great dude! Super uplifting and fun:)

[Erik Rostad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the content about daily decisions and renewal.

[Vonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The opening chapter was intriguing. The author told how he came upon a beached whale that had died. He had a spiritual experience with God as God showed him that the whale veered off course from his pod and ended up alone and this led to his death. He related that to our spiritual lives and how we can be led off course by believing lies about God’s character and lies about our worth. Then, he had another experience when he was looking at the grand redwood trees and sensed that living a godly life results in growth so that one becomes spiritually healthy like these giant trees. But then the book went places I wasn’t expecting. Not that that’s bad, I was just surprised. I felt like the author only scratched the surface of these two analogies. I believe there was even more depth there to be plumbed in that regard.

Two ways we can veer off course are by allowing social media (or MEdia as Joel puts it) to have too much control over our lives and to be drawn off the path by succumbing to pornography, I believe the more you know Jesus, the less you’ll be drawn to those temptations. I agree with the emphasis being placed on knowing God, rather than controlling sin. We’ll never win that battle if our passion isn’t Jesus. The author included this fitting verse: Ps. 46:10 “Cease striving and know that I am God,” That’s exactly it. Knowing God is the key, not trying to control our own appetites.

My favorite line of the book was this: “But if you feel at times like God is getting angry with you, it’s because He’s actually getting angry for you.” Many people get stuck on seeing their sin as unforgivable. It’s not unforgivable. The Bible is full of people who messed up. That’s why God sent Jesus to us. To show us how far he’ll go to demonstrate His love and forgiveness. That’s not an angry God, that’s a loving God. Now we just have to believe Him and believe it.

One thing I didn’t like was this line, “I was created a golden child who was known and loved before I was even born.” I just didn’t like the phrase “golden child”. I’m curious why Joel chose to use these words? Perhaps he was trying to be poetic, but I think this sounds a bit strange,

Over all this was a fine book. I don’t think I fall in the target audience Joel was writing for, but this would be a great book for teenagers. One of my passions is to see people discover that they can actually talk to God and hear His voice. Prayer is a two way conversation. The author was definitely passionate about that.

[Word Fae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy the message that Joel conveyed through the first half of the book. The metaphors between the beached whale and society today, as well as the magnificent California redwoods, connected to me on a deep spiritual and philosophical level. The first half of the book was well thought-out, well-planned, and well-organized. I wish I could say the same about the rest of the book. The further I read the less organized and constructed Joel’s argument became. What was a beautiful metaphor for life and how to live it became almost an attack on society today. Joel scrutinized things like social media and the pornography industry. While I understand his argument it did seem a bit one-sided. The positives of social media were never mentioned and sexual liberation was never mentioned. This is most likely due to the fact that this is a Christian book. I understand what Joel was trying to present with this argument, and I must admit that I did agree with many of the points he made. But as a reader and reviewer, I cannot deny the one-sidedness of this argument. I also cannot review a book on my personal beliefs and how they align with what the author presents throughout this novel. Therefore, any rating deductions come from the presentation of the argument, and lack of organization throughout the book. Overall, I do not think this is a bad novel, I just think it could use a little bit of touching up in terms of organization. The chapters were jumpy and it seemed more like a stream-of-consciousness than a well-developed novel. However, the metaphors Joel presented and the quotes used had a lasting impact on me and the way I look at my faith, and for that, I commend him. I would recommend this book to anyone (especially teenagers) who have lost their way in terms of their faith, and who are looking for a novel that puts everything into perspective.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may be completely biased because Phil is one of my absolute favorite people, but I truly loved this book! It's a quick read that is very hard to put down. Phil does a great job of being relevant to what many of us go through in our lives, and reminding us that God still loves us. Too many times, we get bogged down by the unnecessary guilt that others try to throw our way, knowing we're Christians, and wanting to call us out because we're also human and we have flaws. But Phil reminds us that, even when we screw up, God's still there with open arms, ready to welcome us back home.

I love that he uses his experiences with a young, beached whale, and the massive Redwoods he encounters to remind us that we have choices in life of how to live. Do we want to let this world distract us, taking us off track to the point where we're self-harming, like the whale did, or do we want to thrive in Jesus and grow tall and strong like the Redwoods? Now, there's never a promise that it's going to be easy, and there are times where we'll probably want to give up, but he reminds us that God is always with us through everything we go through.

I would recommend this book to anyone, regardless of what their stance on religion/spirituality is. And I will probably reread this book a million times over.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

My full review can be found on the Epilie Aspie Chick blog! 

Thank you to Emanate Books for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

 It's pretty clear based on the writing style that this book came out of a moment, quickly followed by a train of thought. Although this approach starts out very intriguing and exciting, it soon tampers out into some topics that don't seem very well coordinated. This takes away from the original focus that made it so interesting. 


 On the upside, the material discussed does make for a good starting point on many tough topics (such as social media, addiction, mental health issues). He even talks about his own ADD diagnosis and the aftermath to it. However, the discussions do turn into a far too typical case of faith based arguments using Bible passages and the equivalent reaction of "Have faith in God". As much as I can appreciate the thought, it's not very helpful and certainly doesn't get to the core issue. Life takes work and changing as a person is a rarity. If you want to be better, surround yourself with positive influences, a strong support structure, and don't be afraid to put in the hours. 

[Jennie Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, y'all, this is the best book I have read this year! I am pretty picky about books, because I work in a Christian bookstore, and I can afford to be picky, but here is my advice to each of you--read this book!! Whether you are a great reader or not, you can read this one fairly quickly. It's kind of short, and simple, but really worth reading. It's funny at times, serious at times, challenging, and, I think, just what is needed for today. I know, I know, you may look at the title, and be like,"What?", but just trust me. You'll get the title as you read it!
I'd say that it's appropriate for middle school and up. I am going to be recommending this book to my customers, friends, and anyone else I can. :)

[Leah Horton · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off let's talk about the simple beauty that is this cover. It is just stunning. This was such a raw and powerful book. I felt like I could understand the WHYS behind it because I have felt them myself. I also felt that even though there was a heavy focus on God, swap that with spirituality, or faith, or positive vibes and the message still sticks. We are meant to be happy and alive. We are stuck in a society that creates these lonely feelings of disconnectedness. We need to be unique and appreciated while navigating a world that is so loud and selfish. But we al want the same things. This was helpful and beautiful and I really enjoyed the natural focus.

[S B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've heard of Phil Joel before, but never really knew about him. Glad I was able to read a book by him. I don't read many books on purpose, but this one was really great. It gives you a reason to get up and do things. To become great. It's not just for teens, but for adults too.

[Roger Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wild and wooly side loved all the tie ins to God and his planet. Phil Joel left me wondering how hippy-dippy he is and then he would yank back and give a down to earth that left my life better. An amazing short read, that has opened my eyes to new solutions to old issues in my life.