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67 of 69 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ron Hall and Denver Moore have made a difference - for the good, September 11, 2009
This review is from: What Difference Do It Make?: Stories of Hope and Healing (Hardcover)
I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of Ron Hall and Denver Moore's new book. I read it in one sitting and turned the last page full of hope and promise.
In these days of demonizing politics, angry mobs, shouting congressmen and rising racial tension, "What Difference Do It Make?" offers an oasis of peace and good will. Although Hall told me this book seemed more difficult to write than "Same Kind of Different as Me," the struggle was not in vain.
You needn't have read "Same Kind of Different as Me" to appreciate "What Difference Do It Make?" Hall and Moore use back stories, share updates of their lives, while retaining the format used in SKoDaM - allowing each man to speak in his own voice and style.
Hall details the journey of his relationship with his alcoholic father. Moore delights readers with his keen recollections of his visit to White House, a kiss from former First Lady Barbara Bush and his meeting with President George W. Bush.
Hall told me the two men have raised over $32 million dollars for homeless projects, telling their story over 500 times in 200 cities during the past three years. They also witnessed the completion of the expansion project of the Union Gospel Mission in Fort Worth, where their incredible story began after Hall's late wife, Debbie, had a vision of the future - a future than included the forever friendship between the millionaire couple and the homeless man who would bring a great message of hope and healing to their city.
Woven between the updates are inspirational stories of people who are making a difference in their communities. Sorting through the thousands of e-mails from SKoDaM readers must have been a chore for the book's editors, but they did a good job in selecting moving stories that make the reader want to get up off the couch, roll up their sleeves and get to work making a difference themselves.
Hopefully, "What Difference Do It Make" will touch the lives of a whole new group of readers, sell a million copies, stay on the New York Times Bestseller list for 75 consecutive weeks like its predecessor and help advocates for the homeless to raise another $30 million across the country. The world needs more stories of courage, determination and the true meaning of unconditional love.
Well done, Ron and Denver, our good and faithful servants.
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29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thought-Provoking, Well-Written & Challenging, October 7, 2009
This review is from: What Difference Do It Make?: Stories of Hope and Healing (Hardcover)
I have to be honest.
When I picked up the latest release from Ron Hall, Denver Moore, and Lynn Vincent, I was hesitant. Perhaps it was the subtitle: 'Stories of Hope and Healing'.
I thought I had 'Chicken Soup for the Social Justice Soul' on my hands.
Fortunately, first impressions -- in this case -- were entirely wrong.
What unfolds over the course of a quick 201-page read is a tightly written, compelling and transparent look at the genuine -- and inspiring -- momentum to address homelessness launched by the pair's first book, 'Same Kind of Different as Me'.
In little ways and in large, the authors detail their own stories and intersperse anecdotes from readers across the country, while continuing to challenge all of us to do more to address the often-ignored epidemic in our communities.
The authors, ever true to their convictions, don't pull any punches.
"It's important to draw a distinction between 'blessing' the homeless and 'helping' the homeless. I used to think I was helping by serving a meal or giving them some clothes, but I found out that for the most part I was just helping myself, making myself feel warm and fuzzy and philanthropic.
To be sure, it is a blessing to the homeless when they see people who care. But to really help, you've got to get down in the pit with people and stay with them until they find the strength to get on your shoulders and climb out." (Hall, p. 58)
That's what Ron and Dallas have done -- by giving money, time, and love to people who often don't reciprocate. Their challenge? That's okay. Do it anyway. It's the way God would want it.
To that end, the authors offer an interesting model in Chapter 25: a challenge to faith communities to enter into the life of a homeless individual strategically to bring sustainable life change in 30 days. The information is practical, yet cautious, like the wise advice of those who've been there, done that and learned along the way.
Many readers, however, will probably appreciate more the emphasis on individual responsibility highlighted and illustrated throughout this book. The stories are gritty, inspiring, well written and leave you with a sense of a greater movement -- a partnership -- of people committed to making a change in the here and now.
'What Difference Do It Make?' Apparently, plenty.
BONUSES: It was great to see full-color paintings by Denver Moore. Plus the book's last story -- involving a woman facing a similar fate as Ron's wife, Deborah, will leave most readers looking for ways to make the most of the time we have left this side of eternity.
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34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
What Difference Could One Book Make?, September 13, 2009
This review is from: What Difference Do It Make?: Stories of Hope and Healing (Hardcover)
In their follow up to Same Kind of Different As Me, Ron Hall and Denver Moore offer a look at what was going on in their lives while they were writing their breakout hit and what has happened to them afterward. It is also sprinkled with short stories of people the book has influenced, and the impact they have had on their community.
The book is written in the same style as Same Kind, with chapters alternating between Ron and Denver's point of view. Ron goes into more depth when describing his childhood, and also tells of his relationship with his father since the publication of his book.
The book is small and medium length, running only 201 pages. It almost feels like gift book, and really doesn't cover much new ground. The only thing that really keeps this book going is the touching sincerity of Ron Hall and Denver Moore. They truly love God, Deborah Hall, each other, and everyone they meet. Some of the words they speak in this book will truly move you. My only regret is that this book feels rushed to capitalize on the success of their previous book, but nevertheless, it does have some touching moments in it.
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