The Trail by Ed Underwood (Review)

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (July 16, 2014)
• ISBN-13: 978-1414391120

From a popular and well-loved pastor comes this enchanting, beautifully crafted allegory exploring the mysterious process of discovering God’s will. Matt and Brenda feel trapped because they look for God’s guidance about major life decisions in completely opposite ways. Their friends Brian and Lindsey try to help by introducing them to a person who had helped them gain an unshakable confidence in God’s will.

After meeting Sam Lewis in the stunning High Sierras, the three hike together, Matt and Brenda learn that God’s good and perfect will is not a destination on the horizon of life where everything makes sense, but a place where your life is exposed to God’s power. One by one, Sam’s eight principles illuminate the path ahead. As the story builds to its stunning conclusion, all three characters desperately seek and experience God’s redemptive guidance.


My Review:

This was an interesting book. It is a fiction tale but imparts 8 principles to help find God's will. Each of the eight principles also has a bible verse attached to it. It felt like the principles and plot line were forced in parts. The fiction part on its own was a good story. Matt and Brenda are a married couple who need help figuring out whether they should move to a new town and job with their children. Sam is a rustic self described mountain man who leads couples through the mountain trails and imparts biblical truths along the way. It turns out he has a rough family situation in the past that has not been healed. Their stories bleed together as things come to alight. The principles focus on trusting in God's strength, a relationship with Jesus, intimacy with God, living expectantly, protection from God, encouragement along the way, community, and grace. I think the book was a good idea but I was disappointed with the finished product. The conclusion to the fiction part was just okay. If you like this type of book then you might like this one.

I write about life in Christ from a unique perspective.

I wasn't raised in a religious home. Jesus ran me down with his love during the Jesus Movement of the 60's. I was a 60's radical who became a Jesus Freak.

I spent the years of my youth fighting fire in the Sierras as a member of the Fulton Hotshots. I served as an Army Officer. And then I decided to get some training at Dallas Theological Seminary.

Review copy provided by Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for an honest review.