In the parable of the sower, Jesus foretold all the ways the world would try to reject God's Word. Rocks will be thrown at the righteous, dirty birds will try to steal your peace and assurance, and briars will try to choke out the clear truth with noise and confusion. Today, the rocks are hardened hearts that have turned from God, the dirty birds are enemies of the Gospel dispelling negative influences, and the briars are the media channels seeking to distract, confuse, and alarm. Satan uses these threats to scorch out, choke out, and steal away God's Word. Yet God is unchangeable and infallible. His Word is the seed that produces truthfulness, holiness, and obedience-and we are called to plant it, nurture it, and tend it in order to have a fruitful harvest.
"William Franklin Graham III (born July 14, 1952), known as Franklin Graham, is an American Christian evangelist and missionary. He is president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and of Samaritan's Purse, an international Christian relief organization." -- Wikipedia
I don't know what I expected when I stumbled on this book, but I enjoyed every page. It is an in depth, verse by verse, look at the parable of the sower and the fruit of the spirit. I recommend this book to all who are looking to do a personal or small group bible study and don't know where to start. The format lends a good blueprint for future studies done with the bible alone.
The author did an excellent job with providing detail and context of Jesus' parable of sowing seeds for a modern audience. The book is far more than just sending people out to preach the Gospel, with Graham providing specifics on how sowers should also continue to grow their own seed (faith) and use the increasing experience and knowledge of Christ's words to improve their witness and draw even closer to God themselves.
Highly recommended for new and experienced Christians.