Streams in the Desert, Vol. 2

by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

The devotional, daily-reading classic (vol 2)

Genres: Christian

370 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

also published under the name Lettie B. Cowman & L.B. Cowman

Reviews

[Kelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of good in here! But also so much content that is showing its age that I kept arguing with words and ideas, instead of focusing on how God provides streams in the deserts of our lives.

I think I read this whole book years ago, but I set it aside unfinished this time.

On January 1, I read and underlined: "I do not see my way: I do not care to; but I know that He sees His way, and that I see Him." Just what my heart needed at the start of a new year.

January 6: "He who knows the paths of a hundred million stars, knows the way through the whirlwind and the storm, and has promised, 'I will never let go of your hand.'" Beautiful.

But by January 19 I was adding smiley faces and "What?!" in the margin.

Still, on February 18 I read: "If the one being tried by fire could understand life as the Heavenly Refiner does, he would see nothing but His hand in every circumstance."

But the poetry and story-illustrations, especially, have not held up well over time (if they ever did?).

For example, from March 18: "Neither your light nor mine is very bright, but if each and all would focus the light was have upon this world with its fog of sin and distress, then it would be so bright that our Master Pilot, Christ, could go aloft and bring every lost soul to a safe landing." I might know what point the writer was trying to make, maybe, but this sounds like some odd theology.

"Colored people of the south" show up on March 26. And the next day, "Tradition tells us that one day a hunter found the Apostle John seated on the ground with a tame quail..." I felt like I was reading a moral fable.

I stopped a month or so later.

You can absolutely read this and find hopeful, truthful words about the goodness of God in the midst of suffering. But you'll have to pick through to find it.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many wonderful nuggets in this book. Such an encouraging start to the day.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

One little devotion each day of the year. Mrs. Cowman was adept at collecting and collating wonderful pieces of stories, memories, pieces of other books and speeches and sermons. This book, Volume 2, was put together after Mrs. Cowman's death by two her associates. This one isn't as dear to me as the original Streams in the Desert, but it's got the same layout and some of the same pieces.

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though there are many excellent devotions in this book, it simply doesn’t compare with volume 1.

[Kellie O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful devotional ❤️

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this everyday, it is a very good inspirational book to start your day on a good note.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

My copy is hardback dated 1966 publication.

[Becky Behymer layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite devotional. I have read it 7 different years (1987, 1989, 1991, 1998, 2004, 2008, 2013)

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love it! Gonna read it again

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good daily devotional.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent devotional; a balm to my soul in 2012. Perhaps my new favorite devotional of all time!