"The Blessing" by John Trent, PhD with Annette Smith

****I received this book, “A Place Called Blessing” by John Trent, PhD with Annette Smith, from Booksneeze for free under no obligation to provide a positive review.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

I got the book “A Place Called Blessing” by John Trent, PhD, in the mail several months ago, sometime in June 2011 to be exact. I wasn’t extremely excited to read it, though I don’t have a specific reason why. I wish I would have picked up the book right away because as soon as I did a couple of days ago I had a hard time putting it down. It’s one of those stories that can change your life. Although an AVID READER, I’ve only read a handful of books I can say that about.

This book is based on the elements described in a previous book, “The Blessing” by John Trent, PhD. It is in story form, which is what I love to read. The main character is a young man who grew up in foster care and children’s homes until he is shoved out of the system at 18 years old. It tells his tear-jerking childhood story as it leads into a relationship formed with a mother and son in his early twenties.

The story teaches about how to pass on blessings rather than curses through relationships you have. The five elements include (1) a meaningful touch, (2) a spoken message, (3) attaching high value, (4) picturing a special future and (5) an active commitment.

Even though the main character faced multiple tragedies and a painful childhood, he grows to learn about forgiveness, self-worth, loving himself and loving others through the example of his “mother” and “brother.”

Though this book is written from a Christian perspective and teaches Biblical values, I imagine a “non-believer” would enjoy and learn from it. It is a powerful story I plan to pass along to many of my reader friends.