Tuesday, June 11, 2019

The Famine of the Human Dream by Benjamin Mester


About the Book



Book: This Famine of the Human Dream  
Author: Benjamin Mester  
Genre: Christian Inspiration; Essays and Poems  
Release date: May, 2015

An uplifting and thought provoking look at life from a poet’s perspective. The Famine of the Human Dream will challenge you to live with greater passion, to throw off those trifling ambitions that ever grope for our attention, and learn fight for things worth fighting for. The great theologian, CS Lewis, once said: “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” The ultimate goal of life isn’t a search for happiness. The ultimate goal of life is learning how to fight for things worth fighting for. All of life is a battle. But the battle that defines each one of us isn’t primarily between right and wrong, as you would think. Rather, it’s something much more surprising. Find out what in the inspiring pages of The Famine of the Human Dream.


Click HERE to purchase your copy.





My Review

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I have to say the prospect of poems and essays from a Christian standpoint was exciting to me because I haven't seen much of this in the Christian writing world. I was not disappointed! While it definitely helped that I am already a C.S. Lewis fan (since he is quoted quite a bit), I found the essays to be not too wordy or long, but very focused with beautiful language that was beautifully descriptive. I found the beauty of Scripture expounded upon by the author's insights, other author's and poet's insights, and just a lot of deep contemplation on what our lives are really about, what really matters in this materialistic world, and what true untarnished beauty is which is a hard assignment to tackle in the fallen and decaying world we live in. The use of Scripture was front and center especially in the essays, and the author just showed us the beauty that was already there, and how much we are missing by being so enmeshed in the world we live in. The book was not too long, and I felt that you could read a little and come back to it, and keep it in your library as a reference for the future. I would suggest this book for those who enjoy good poetry, a contemplative read, or are just looking for a unique Christian read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are entirely my own. 




About the Author


 
Benjamin Mester is an author and poet, with a passion for seeing people break away from small and shallow living and to step into the full measure of what the Lord has prepared for them. The destiny prepared for each one of us is to live a life of love and deep gladness. Benjamin Mester was born and raised in sunny San Diego, but can often be found wandering the woods of northern Minnesota, pen and paper in hand. His lifetime goal is to one day build a house in the woods, expanding it over time into a retreat center for authors, artists and others bursting with creativity. God is the most creative being in the entire universe, and as children made in His image, Mester hopes to inspire His people to explore the wonderful gift of creativity placed in each one of us.


More from Benjamin

The Famine of the Human dream was written as a response to something…a quote from a great theologian, CS Lewis.
It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.
When I read that, my heart began to burn. For though, as a younger man, I had often felt a passionate stirring to live my life to the full, though I didn’t quite know how and always felt myself slipping back into the mundane of mere survival. And so, I voraciously began to explore the many facets of life. I studied art, poetry, philosophy, beauty, and theology, prompted by Solomon’s declaration in the Proverbs, Whatever else you get, get understanding! I desperately wanted understanding of a very particular sort. I wanted to understand how to live my life to the full…this precious, brief slice of life we so often take for granted. I wanted true wisdom.
Contained within the pages of the Famine of the Human Dream are a poet’s reflections on life and the struggle to suck the marrow out of life, as Thoreau put it. This book is also an attempt to give the reader a passion for the study of poetry, which has dwindled much in modern society. The second portion of the book is a collection of my own poetry and poetry from other lovers of life that has touched me deeply. My biggest hope is that the reader will come away from this book with a renewed passion for life and an eager desire to dive deeper into poetry, beauty, and the heart of the Father.



Blog Stops



Giveaway


To celebrate his tour, Ben is giving away a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e515/the-famine-of-the-human-dream-celebration-tour-giveaway

11 comments:

  1. I didn't really understand the format of the book from the description. That's why I didn't sign up to review it myself. It was very helpful to hear that it's a collection of essays and poems. Thank you.

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  2. This book sounds like a really great read.

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  3. This sounds really very special and would make a nice gift, too!

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    1. That is a great idea! Thanks for reading!

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  4. My family loves reading so hearing about another great book I appreciate. Thanks for sharing and also for the giveaway.

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