CURRENTLY IN BOOKS

A quest for God

David Woelk

Paul Hawker. Kelowna, B.C.: Northstone Publishing Inc., 1998. 219 pages, $19.95.

Paul Hawker, in his mid-forties, decided to cultivate a closer and more personal relationship with God. Remembering a special experience from his teens of communion with God through nature, he went on a 40-day journey in the New Zealand mountains. Soul Survivor<D> is the account of those 40 days and 40 nights when he wandered alone in the mountain wilderness, trying to hear and obey God's voice.

The story is well-written with just enough drama to provide an easy flow. The layout of the book is noteworthy, as the editor provides wide margins on each page containing one or two quotations from authors, poets, theologians and mystics. The quotations can be distracting, but if time is spent reading them as you read the story, some of the essence of the author's experience, of taking time to listen to God, is revealed.

Hawker decided that the word "God" in today's usage was too limited, so he substituted the words "Source" and "Eternal Presence". This may be problematic for some readers, but hardly within the context of the mountain environment which frames the story. These adjectives help reinforce that God is the Source of the splendour described by the author.

This is not an inspirational book in the genre of "How-to" books that sometimes trivialize spiritual experiences. Hawker has described what a personal communion with God can be, in his own unique, refreshing and honest approach.

Making Families Successful

Ron Toews

The 7 Habits of Highly Successful Families.

Stephen R. Covey. Golden Books Publishing, 1997.

We are constantly challenged and sometimes complain that our culture is pressing us into its mold. The best selling author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People<D> in his new book provides a framework for families to create direction and purpose. He assumes that parents and their children can actively determine the interaction within and direction for their family.

Covey provides seven principles to assist in creating an intentional family life. His wife Sandra, a mother of seven, in her foreword describes the origin and the goal of the book. "The theories and principles put forth in this book were not invented by Stephen. These are universal principles that you already know in your heart to be true. It's a starting point, a way to examine where you are right now and where you want to go, and ways that might help you get there."

He provides strategies to apply the principles in real family life. He believes successful families are off target 90% of the time and that they need refocusing to maintain their direction. Children don't always participate enthusiastically in family activities, but parents with direction for the family find ways to include them. There is no call for parents or children to be perfect.

The book is interactive and well-organized. Included are activities and discussion questions at the end of each chapter for adults, teens and children. Pithy quotes of the text are highlighted in magazine style throughout the book. Two indexes are includes: a "Problem/Opportunity Index" to readily locate information on a particular topic as well as a general index. Though the language is not highly technical, a glossary of terms is included.

I highly recommend this book for couples and families. It could also be effective for a small group study or a thirteen-week educational series.

Ron Toews attends Highland Community Church in Abbotsford and is a family therapist.

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