Book review: The Daniel Cure

This is the first book review that I have done about any type of fast, diet, or physical way of living. I wanted to branch out and review other books as a way of not getting stuck in a rut.

The Daniel Cure by Susan Gregory and Richard J. Bloomer, is most likely a good book for those desiring to truly change to a healthier way of living. It is not a book for those who already have been living a healthy lifestyle. Much of the emphasis is on dieting, although the authors would say that the Daniel cure is not a diet but a lifestyle change. I would agree with them there, but there were moments when I felt like the writing was conveyed in a way to put guilt trips on those reading it as a way to force individuals to live the "Daniel Fast Way". My frustration with this is that this is only a partial fast. If you want to begin fasting for spiritual renewal and to grow deeper with the Lord, you do not need to read this book.

If on the other hand you want to grow deeper with the Lord by also changing your lifestyle this may be an excellent book to help you. After all, our bodies represent the Temple of God and we must care for it. With this in mind, the book offers a 21-day devotional to begin the 21-day fast to jump-start "the Daniel Cure", which is altering the way that you eat. They have over 75 recipes to help with this change in lifestyle and give medical and educational information for those who have health issues or want to prevent them from happening.

All in all, if you want to change your lifestyle, this book may be a good choice for you. But if you are already eating healthy and want to do your own fast, this book is not for you. You do not need a book like this to help you get closer to God. You have your Bible, and the Holy Spirit to guide you. Just make sure that you are listening very carefully to His voice and that you surround yourself with others who will support you and help guide you. 

I received this book from booksneeze.com. These opinions are my own.

The Cleft of the Rock

I have been pondering over a rather remarkable statement made in a Beth Moore Bible study series called, "A Woman's Heart: God's Dwelling Place". Together with the amazing group of ladies that I get to meet with each week, we heard Beth ask,

"Are you in a cleft of a rock when it seems darkness has overtaken you? Perhaps, God has covered your face so that you can see His glory as you see His back."

This is in reference to Exodus 33:21-22 when God put Moses in the cleft of the rock and covered his face (Moses was not to see the face of God), so that he could see God's glory. Often times, when life gets dark and troubles and pain come our way, we tend to look at it in a negative way. This message spoke volumes to me about my dark moments. I can look back over the past 3 years and see now how God revealed himself to me.

What I find rather interesting about this stage in my life and in the lives of family, is that although this is a new grief for some, it is not knew to me. I have slowly had to let go of some very important people in my life. Because I have gone through my own form of grief with some I hold very dear, this grief and letting go process has been something I have already been going through. Does it add to the ache? Yes it certainly does. Does it sometimes feel dark? Yes, some days feel darker than others. But with this in mind, I think that I can honestly say that it is God's hand over my face. Soon, I will get to see His glory through all the darkness and heartache.

Dear one, if you feel as if you are in a dark place. Do not despair. Perhaps God has placed you in the cleft of the rock, and He is shielding your face. Wait for God to reveal His glory through this time. It is worth it because He loves you. He wants to take you into His glory so that your intimacy with Him will grow.