Customer Reviews

You and God - How to Build the Most Important Relationship of Your Life

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I have been reading this book as a 'day' book - in other words, reading one selection and reflection each day, so that I can 'chew' on it during the day.
I am about half way thru, and thoroughly enjoying "You and God". Its a perfect way to start my day.

We are all at different places on our spiritual journey, and Bill takes that into account with a "God of your understanding" approach. Whether you are well along in your journey or just wondering if there is something out there, this book is a wonderful way to reaffirm and/or explore the spiritual side of life.

God and You is not directed to a specific religion - it is intended for anyone who is struggling with developing a relationship or strengthening their relationship with the Lord. I especially liked the blank pages to record my thoughts and follow-up actions to the subject area just completed. A good book to read during a quiet time when you can reflect on your day and where you are in your life and your relationship with the Lord.

I just finished You and God - How to Build the Most Important Relationship of Your Life. Author Bill Paradise's stated goal was to write a book speaking to people of all religions in helping them develop their relationship with God, and I think he succeeded in doing just that. While Paradise is Christian, You and God is written to appeal to those belonging mainly to all three Abrahamic religions, namely Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

Paradise does a fine job of carefully toeing the difficult line of effectively encouraging prayer, spiritually motivated deeds such as helping the poor, participating in small faith groups, etc, all the while avoiding faith-specific suggestions (i.e. he suggests "spiritual reading" rather than "read your bible"). Indeed, rather than citing the words of Mohammed or Moses, Paradise quotes liberally from well-written theologians such as Richard Rohr and Brennan Manning on subjects relevant to all faiths such as:


Trying to not let life's routine distract us from God.
Finding meaning in our lives.
Realizing our who we are, how we got here, and where we are going.
How to listen for God.
How much God truly wants a personal relationship with us.
How we can seek God in everyday life including difficult times.
Paradise points out that, in growing closer to God:


You don't have to be super spiritual - key to successful growing relationship with God is steady, day-to-day contact with Him. He is not expecting you to do spiritual cartwheels. Instead, relax and enjoy the relationship, just as you would with any close friend. God is not like some human fathers who are never satisfied with what their children do. Even your slightest efforts to be close to God make Him happy.

I would be remiss if I did not point out my favorite of Paradise's thesis, that "God is not religion, religion is not God and Religion is not the goal - God is the goal." To that I say, amen, brother!

Definitely a wonderful book for anyone the least bit interested in the most important relationship - highly recommended!

This instructive "how to book" quietly strives to help anyone to develop a good lasting relationship with God. It is written in plain language that any reader with a fifth grade education will understand and can follow. The opposing blank pages invite you to make notes that are relevant to the immediate topic being discussed. For searching youth, persons self-separated from religious communities, and those who never considered church, this book offers hope and a way to explore the innermost self and the promises of God. Understanding should gradually happen. It has a comfortable style of writing that urges you on from the first page to the last. No denominational breast beating or evangelization. Experience good clear, efficient, proven concepts and ideas to genuinely help open oneself to a loving and careing God. The author has "poured out his heart like water" for all to read and learn. It is well referenced and indexed by subject. Even the uncomplicated title and cover design grab your attention. I would recommend it as an excellent companion while traveling on a plane and i-pod listening to soft music of your choice!