Pastor Rebecca Collison expounds upon Jesus’s parables to help Christians cultivate the soil of their souls and advance the Kingdom of God.
Collison, a Methodist minister, begins Groundwork with a thought-provoking statement: “If you have a question, ask the land.” In the busyness of life, Collison found that “getting back to the land is getting back to God.” In her biblical studies, she also noticed Jesus’s frequent use of farming analogies in his teachings. Drawing from this, she delivers a fresh, in-depth look at Jesus’s parables as she compares the process of cultivating the land to produce crops with cultivating the soil of our souls to produce spiritual fruit.
Collison covers six of Jesus’s parables, including “a story known by even people who do not read the Bible”—the prodigal son—“because of its ability to address our human condition.” In each chapter, Collison brings fresh perspective to overused and abstract religious ideas like mercy, grace, acceptance and salvation. She also speaks to the current cultural issues of discrimination, racism, equality and more through the lens of biblical truth.
Her tone is warm and caring. An obviously seasoned shepherdess of a church flock, Collison gently challenges readers to seek an authentic relationship with God through what she calls “cruciform cultivation”: “[D]ig down deep, bring what is found upward, swing it over to deposit it, and then return to that now empty space to fill it with a new growth.” This is an excellent visual for self-reflection and internal change.
Collison’s work is thoughtful, creative and encouraging, but unfortunately the narrative is replete with typographical errors. Missing text and wrong or repeated words cause confusion. The author’s scripture quotations are marred with a 7 every time a “th” was needed. These missteps lend an unpolished and unprofessional feel to the book.
Collison’s ideas are sound, but the book’s presentation needs attention before her book can appeal to a wide audience.
Also available in hardcover and ebook.
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This book has been a life changer for so many people who struggle with their faith. This book doesn't just talk about how to get back on the path to a firey faith, but gives each reader perspective in growing and reigniting this flame by finding their passions and purpose. It gave me keen insight in how to be more open and devoted to my faith without feeling as though it was a chore. It has truly been a blessing in my life.
★★★★★This is the book to pick up if you need to get your bearings and learn more about your beliefs. The spiritual direction and essential reminders to keep this faith strong are found in Groundwork by Rebecca Collison. If you have strayed from these values, the spiritual exercises and reminders in this book will help you get back on track.
★★★★★A fresh take on religious self help books that focuses on a unique perspective when dealing with re igniting ones passion for the christian faith. Filled with parables that can help you contemplate and make you dive deeper into your faith.
★★★★★Rebecca Collison offers different innovative ways of exploring your spiritual growth. Collison lay out fresh perspectives for readers to re-cultivate their spiritual faith. This book is very helpful especially to readers like me who does not have anyone to confide with in terms of religious matters.
★★★★★Sometimes God appears far away, and you cannot feel his presence everywhere. You could tend to look for God but fail to do so. It's okay that you don't always feel his presence in your relationship with him because it's common for relationships to experience periods of distance and intimacy. -Groundwork: Farm Parables and the Cultivation of Faith is the pre-eminent book for new followers and believers in Jesus Christ. Grab one for your bookshelves.
★★★★★Groundwork: Farm Parables and Cultivation of Faith by Rebecca Collison is a brilliant religious self-help book that focuses on a unique perspective when dealing with re-igniting one’s passion in their Christian faith. Drawing strong analogous connections between the earth’s agricultural processes and the growing of our faith, Collison also finds solid ground in her teachings by referencing agriculturally-based biblical verses, strengthening her message. If you’re in search of a fresh perspective to motivate your faith, look no further than this book.
★★★★★An organic approach to letting our roots go deep into knowing Christ better. The parables are paired with current issues, which act as pollinators necessary for the bearing of fruits for the kingdom of God. Each chapter concludes with an opportunity to go further into spiritual practices while engaging the parable-focused seeds for comtemplation, study, and exploration, either individually or in small groups.
★★★★★Groundwork: Farm Parables and the Cultivation of Faith by Rebecca Collison is a book about faith. Each chapter of the book goes further deeper into spiritual practice and talks about religion. If you are interested by religion, or spiritual practice than this is the book for you.
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