Scouting the Divine: My Search for God in Wine, Wool, and Wild Honey [Hardcover]

Margaret Feinberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 29, 2009

The Bible is full of clever plots and compelling stories, laced with historic insights and literary beauty. Despite its richness and depth, many of us struggle to close the gap between the ancient world and our own. What does it mean to know that Jesus is the Good Shepherd when the only place you've encountered sheep is at a petting zoo? How can you understand the promise of a land overflowing with honey when you buy yours in a bear-shaped bottle? Can you grasp the urgency of Jesus' invitation to abide in the vine when you shop for grapes at a local grocery store? Popular author and speaker Margaret Feinberg invites you to accompany her on the spiritual adventure of a lifetime. Explore how ancient livelihoods illuminate meaningful Christian truths that apply to life today. Spend time with a shepherdess, farmer, beekeeper, and vintner who each bring fresh insights to familiar Scriptures. Scout the divine and move from just reading the Bible to entering stories that can be touched, tasted, heard, seen, smelled, and savored.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Margaret Feinberg (www.margaretfeinberg.com) is a popular speaker at churches and events such as Catalyst and Creation Festival. Named one of the thirty emerging voices of Christian leaders under age forty by Charisma magazine, Margaret is author of The Organic God and The Sacred Echo. She lives in Colorado with her husband, Leif, and superpup, Hershey. SPANISH BIO: Margaret Feinberg (www.margaretfeinberg.com) es conferencista, periodista y autora de mas de una docena de libros. La revista Carisma, la ha incluido en su lista de (Treinta voces emergentes) menores de cuarenta anos. Tiene escritos mas de 700 articulos para revistas como Christianity Today, Relevant y HomeLife.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (September 29, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310291224
• ISBN-13: 978-0310291220
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #63,892 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A popular speaker at churches and leading conferences such as Catalyst and Thrive, Margaret Feinberg (www.margaretfeinberg.com) was recently named one of the "30 Voices" who will help lead the church in the next decade by Charisma magazine and one of the "40 Under 40" who will shape Christian publishing by Christian Retailing, she has written the acclaimed The Organic God , The Sacred Echo , Scouting the Divine (Zondervan) and their corresponding DVD Bible studies. Her latest book is Hungry for God. She is known for her relational teaching style and inviting people to discover the relevance of God and His Word in a modern world.

Margaret and her books have been covered by national media including: CNN, HLN's PrimeTime, the Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, Dallas Morning News, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Newsday, Houston Chronicle, Beliefnet.com, Salon.com, USATODAY.com, MSNBC.com, RealClearPolitics.com, Forbes.com, and many others.

Margaret currently lives in Colorado, with her 6′8″ husband, Leif. When she's not writing or traveling, she enjoys anything outdoors, lots of laughter, and their superpup, Hershey. But she says some of her best moments are spent communicating with her readers. So go ahead, become her friend on Facebook or follower her on twitter @mafeinberg.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scouting the Divine is a delightful and personal journey., September 28, 2009

By 

Roxanne Nanney "Roxanne - Music Minister" (Brandenburg, KY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scouting the Divine: My Search for God in Wine, Wool, and Wild Honey (Hardcover)

My favorite Margaret Feinberg so far. Margaret's passion for God's Word is contagious. Her insights and candid transparency kindle in me a desire to dig deeper into the treasures of the Bible. As Margaret shared her adventures with a shepherdess, I felt the loving care of the Great Shepherd in a new, fresh way. Listening to her descriptions of tractors and canning tomatoes, I was reminded of the importance of persistence and attention in my spiritual walk. I think her time with the bee keeper was my favorite, reminding me that God has a unique purpose for me that benefits His kingdom. Oh, wait, maybe her time in the Vineyards of Nappa Valley was my favorite, reminding me of the importance of abiding in the True Vine and taking time to rest and observe Sabbath. Then there was the bonus of hearing that she has partnered with Lifeway to publish a 6 week Bible Study based on the book.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fresh and timely, October 1, 2009

By 

Carol S. Mills "blues baby" (steamboat springs, co) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Scouting the Divine: My Search for God in Wine, Wool, and Wild Honey (Hardcover)

At a time when many faith based books are watered down with broad brush stroke references to scripture, Ms. Feinberg rolls up her sleeves and digs in until she reaches eye level with the scriptures she uncovers in this book.
For many of us lay readers, such as myself, we have come to expect theocratic or feel good modern translations of scripture. It is refreshing to get a look at them from the eyes of one who spent time with the people and natural surroundings from which they drew inspiration.
This book has reinvigorated my desire for scriptural study by making it accessible and clear without having my MDiv degree. I appreciated her experiences with the various farmers and keepers who ,through modest work, exhibit Godly talents. Especially since the people she sought were not groomed nor their lives "glammed" up to be preachy or self indulgent.
Exactly the qualities Ms. Feinberg has demonstrated time and again and just the reason I scout her books when they hit the shelf. This book will satsfy the neophyte, advanced and non Christian reader alike.
Bottom line: well worth the read!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scouting the Divine, October 6, 2009

By 

Greg Letson "crash" (florida panhandle) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Scouting the Divine: My Search for God in Wine, Wool, and Wild Honey (Hardcover)

It's hard to believe that it's taken this long for someone to pursue and investigate the most used metaphors in Scripture. But, thanks to Margaret Feinberg for seeking out "her own adventures" and spending quality time with a shepherdess, farmer, bee-keeper, and vintner to bring new light to biblical stories. Through Margaret's friends and friends-of-friends, she was able to find details about GOD'S creation that I never would've dreamed. After reading "Scouting the Divine" I realized that GOD wasn't giving us neat stories to interpret and make clever analogies to attract more people. GOD was giving us real examples of the way nature works, and stories about the way life is.