I consider Conquering Your Goliaths-A Parable of Five Stones, by Kathryn Elizabeth Jones, to be an allegorical story of the Christian life. The book was slow in getting me into the story, but once the stones started appearing, I wanted to keep reading. These spiritual truths are so vital to the Christian walk, and Kathryn puts the journey into a whole new perspective that is enlightening and yet very real to everyone's life.
The story of salvation is told through the wine-press of the Old Testament. It's subtle, but the message is there. If you miss it, go back and re-read it. It's precious in its explanation. It's the necessary component to the messages of the five stones.
Kathryn uses David as the prime example in her story. He slew Goliath with a stone, but he had to learn the principles behind the five stones before he become successful in his walk with God. We subsequently become acquainted with the stones given by God-listening, trust, optimism, tenacity, and constancy-that are all in relation to God, His word, prayer, standing strong, and telling others.
Throughout the story we find that Ms. Virginia Bean becomes fearful, makes mistakes, gets angry at God, and even wants to give up at times. Ms. Bean's reactions were real as our own reactions at times. It made the story realistic in that way. In Ms. Bean's meetings with God, she finds the solutions to overcome. It's a process that lasts a lifetime, though hopefully we all grow in time if we faint not. I felt the use of stones for each of the five areas of growth brought out the child-like faith necessary to follow the Lord.
I'm a little disappointed with ending, as life doesn't always end up the way it does here. But the main point is trusting God whatever way it turns out. I'm glad this book came into my life at just this time, as it will help me through the difficult areas I am currently dealing with. Lessons to walk out to grow spiritually. Trusting God.
At the back of Kathryn's book is A Spiritual Guide where God is talking to us personally on the five lessons. It's detailed and personal, and helps us remember what we learned in the book. It will be a book I read more than one time, as a reminder of how to walk out these lessons in my own personal life.
This e-book was provided by the author, Kathryn Elizabeth Jones, in exchange for my honest review. No monetary compensation was exchanged.
