Customer Reviews

Walking with God on the Road You Never Wanted to Travel

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The name of this book is misleading. The title leaves the impression that this book will present deep insights into the mind of God on the topic of God and human suffering, when in fact, that is not the subject at all.

The title of this book should be "How to Walk with God on the Road You Never Wanted to Travel". Mark Atteberry makes it VERY plain and clear at the beginning that this is a HOW TO book, only, and not a book that seeks to answer the WHY questions.

The exodus of the Israelites out of the land of ancient Egypt is both the backdrop and the main source of Atteberry's material, which he uses to demonstrate the lessons he wishes to teach. Each chapter contains a mix of biblical scriptures along with his experiences as a pastor/counselor. His biblical discussions were much more helpful to me than his personal experience stories.

One of the important things this book drove home in my mind, is that a lifetime walk with God is a guaranteed certainty that the journey will be on a route no one would ever deliberately choose. Be careful what you ask for.....you just may get it!

On the other hand, it is an irritating turn-off that Atteberry uses the "Devil's gonna get you" mentality throughout his book. Living in fear of Satan is not a basis for righteous living. It is more important to live a life motivated by the love of God.

After reading this book, I knew I must pass it on to others in the Body of Christ who have been deeply wounded and to recommend it to others. From wounds inflicted by unwanted divorce; a child in prison; disappointment in how life has brought sorrow; wherever the path of life took them and they never meant to go -- without exception, each person I passed this book on to has these words "Praise God for Mark Atteberry and this book!" Some have even stated that if this book had been in their hands earlier, they would have been saved some of the anguish they went through.

I just finished reading this book and loved it. It helps put things into perspective. I would recommend it to anyone who is going through trials in their life. It's on my all time favorite books list, I just bought a copy for my mother-in-law and am encouraging many of my friends to read it.

I purchased this book for myself and subsequently for two others who had an incurable disease. It is Bible based, uplifting and a rewarding read. I will read it again and again!

I have used this book to assist my church ministry in divorce care and in my own walk down the road. It is sound from a biblical perspective and filled with common sense solutions. If you find yourself lost, wandering in the wilderness, grab thus survival guide.It works.

I was so impressed with this book that I went online and bought nine copies to give to friends and family. It is appropriate for anyone dealing with loss. Loss of a spouse, a child or dealing with divorce. I read it in one day. I started on a Saturday morning and could not put it down til late that evening. This is a great book to help deal with pain in life.

I read this book recently. I found it was the same old story written by most religious authors. I did not walk away from this book feeling overwhelmed or in awe.

I enjoyed the real-life stories he tells within the book, as I thought they made a bigger impression into why things happen the way they tend to do in life.

However, towards the end in the discussion section, I was a little drawn away that he offers no suggestions no how to go about locating or seeking the items/defining moments in your life, so as to answer the questions and progress onwards in your faith journey.

I felt that this book might be geared more towards those that have already heard God's call versus those that are seeking Him out. Lost sheep would do better reading another book.

This book is a practical guide to living through suffering. The first chapter deals with looking at your situation to be clear on "who's fault is it?" Did you make choices that landed you here; was it someone else's fault; or was it nobody's fault -- just life as it happened. He doesn't bog you down in that -- he just wants you to look at how you got to this point so that you can use those lessons and move forward, even if it's still on that road you didn't want to travel. I find that there is a lot in common here with the Zen teachings that it's not the suffering that causes our problems, it's trying to avoid those sufferings.

I, too, am going through a separation now and while I was the one who packed up and left, this road certainly isn't the one I saw myself taking when I took wedding vows over 15 years ago. I can face that and move forward and this book has practical steps of how to get there.

The balance of personal stories with the Biblical background of the children of Israel seems just right. I can find myself in the stories and then see how my struggles are thousands of years old and common to humans.

GREAT BOOK -- would recommend it to anyone who finds themselves in a place they didn't want to be, can't get out of or want to walk through in a way that glorifies God.

I read Walking with God on the road you never wanted to travel some months back and have kept it out because I refer to sections that I've highlighted when I need help with my impending divorce.

I found Mark's words and passages a source of healing and comfort. I hope that I can look back on my experience and email Mark with a success story someday. If you are currently dealing with a huge "why did this happen to me" situation this book is the one to read and re-read because of the many examples, biblical passages, and words of encouragement are well worth the book's price.

I loved this book but we must also consider that the promises of walking with God have specific unpopular truths. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12

For a review of this book we must also look to the category of "unpopular" promises. This promise guarantees persecution for serious believers in Jesus Christ. In a church world where many treasure comfort and popularity, this promise is not well-received.

This promise is given to those who want to live a life of godliness: "who desire to live godly." Godliness is the will of the Lord for His people. "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness" (1 Timothy 6:11). Our Lord Himself declared that there is great blessing in having a passion for righteous living. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Matthew 5:6a). The blessing is God's pledge to satisfy that heart which yearns for righteousness. "For they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6b).

Yet, we have seen that fullness of righteousness is not all that is promised to those who want to walk in godliness. Persecution is also promised. "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." Notice the comprehensive, inescapable dimension of this promise. "All who desire to live godly...will suffer persecution." There are no exceptions. There are no exemptions.
All who sincerely desire to follow the Lord Jesus Christ will experience the consequences that He met, as He walked in righteousness. "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:20). Jesus was not universally hailed for His righteous path. He was opposed, mocked, conspired against, and betrayed. We need not be startled when measures of similar persecutions befall us.

Of course, this promise of persecution is not given to discourage us from pressing on down the path of godliness. Rather, it is offered to prepare us for the difficulties that are guaranteed as we seek to grow in Christlikeness. The Lord even adds gracious encouragements to righteousness, so we will be strengthened to pursue His holy will in this matter. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10). Persecutions can remind us that we are headed for heaven. Persecutions can bring us heavenly measures of sustaining grace along the way.