Mark Batterson’s new book is another home run! I was first introduced to Batterson when I read Primal. I loved it! It was one of the best books I read in 2010. So I wondered just how Batterson’s new book would compare. Batterson has done it again. Soul Print is an excellent resource and challenges you to live your life more completely.
In Soul Print, Batterson sets put to help the reader understand their identity and destiny in Christ. In order to do this, he examines the life of David as an example. Batterson identifies several defining moments in David’s life that helped him understand just who he was.
- David rejected King’s Saul’s armor and instead used his sling to defeat Goliath.
- David allowed God to use his skills with a sling and harp strategically.
- David kept Goliath’s armor after defeating him.
- David refrained from harming King Saul when he found him in the cave.
- David danced before the Ark of the Covenant as it was returned to Jerusalem.
- David stayed home from war and entered a sinful relationship with Bathsheba.
- David received God’s promise to establish his descendants on the throne.
Some were good; some weren’t. But these are some of the moments in David’s life that made him who he was. These moments defined him.
Batterson uses each of these examples to ask the same question of the reader. Who are you? More importantly, whose are you?
You see, you can’t understand your destiny until you comprehend your identity. But you can’t grasp your identity until you grasp who God is, because he made you in his image.
Your soul print is unique. God has created no one else like you, and he created no one else to serve the same purpose as you. Understanding your soul print helps you live your life as it was meant to be lived… to the fullest.
I highly recommend that you read Mark Batterson’s Soul Print. You won’t regret it.
If you are interested in reading Soul Print by Mark Batterson, you can purchase it at Amazon.com.
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Multnomah Books as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are ìaffiliate links.î This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissionís 16 CFR, Part 255: ìGuides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.î
I've been a fan of MB for quite some time. I really enjoyed some of his other books (In a put with a lion on a snowy day, for example). Will definitely have to check this one out!
I've got that one on my shelf to read, haven't read it yet. But I loved Primal. If you haven't read it, you definitely need to check it out!
I'll have to check this one out… I just started "What Good is God?" by Philip Yancey, and I've been enjoying it thoroughly…
I've heard good things about that one by Yancey. Haven't read it yet though. Let me know what you think.
I loved primal….thought In a pit was okay….and was really looking forward to reading soulprint after hearing MB speak at catwest….this book just didn't cut it for me. Here's why…"I went to a hundred conferences before I ever spoke at one. I read thousands of books before I ever wrote one. And I wouldn't trade those seasons on the sidelines. I wouldn't want to go back to the days when I was a one man staff preaching sermons, leading worship, copying bulletins, counseling couples, answering phones, editing videos, and organizing outreaches. But I wouldn't trade that season either. It's the time we spend on the sidelines that prepares us for the front lines. Even first-round draft picks with amazing athletic skills need to spend some time on the sidelines learning the nuances of the game at the NFL level. It's the players who redeem the time on the sidelines who set themselves up for success when they eventually get on the field"
I agree with the premise of his statement, that God prepares us in the smaller things….but he seems to be saying that a small ministry is the sidelines…that conference speaking/book writing etc. is the frontlines. Disagree. If you're in ministry you're on the frontlines….and I don't mean vocational…I mean if you're a follower of Christ…you're on the frontlines. The arrogance I found in this statement carried over into the rest of the book for me. Maybe because I read the whole book in one sitting. Again, I loved primal, but I'm not positive I'll pick up his next one.
I picked up on that as well. I guess I didn't read as much into it as you though. I do agree with you though, that Primal is his best book to date.