Hearing God in Conversation by Samuel C. Williamson - REVIEWED

About The Book:

Christians are comfortable saying that Christianity is about a relationship with God. Yet many might also say that they sense little meaningful relationship with God in their own lives. After all, the foundation of good relationship is communication—but conversation with God often seems to go only one way. We may sing of walking and talking with God in the garden, His voice falling on our ears, but few have heard that beloved voice themselves. 

Sam Williamson acknowledges the fundamental human longing to hear God's voice and offers a hopeful supposition: God is always speaking—we've just never been taught how to recognize His voice. Williamson handles this potentially heady topic with his characteristic straightforwardness and leavening humor. This book deftly bridges the gap between solid biblical theology and practical application, addressing topics such as how to truly pray without ceasing, how to brainstorm with God, how to navigate our emotions, how to answer God's questions, and how to hear God's voice for others. 

Hearing God in Conversation offers simple, step-by-step lessons on how to hear God. Williamson begins with Scripture meditation. He then expands the practice of listening for that voice everywhere—in the checkout line, on the job, in a movie theater, and even in silence. From there, he demonstrates how to hear God's guidance when making any decision. By the end, readers' eyes and ears will be opened to the limitless methods through which God speaks. 

My Thoughts:

“We want information; God wasn’t a conversation.” (p. 24)

I’ve never read a truer statement, and I’ve never fully understood the discipline of having a conversational relationship with God so clearly until I encountered the amazing book!  Samuel Williamson has given a gift to believers of all ages and in all stages that will enable them to understand and pursue an intimate, conversational relationship with God through Jesus Christ! It is exciting to understand and pursue this relationship and see the fruit of spiritual maturity and growth in my life.

Williamson literally takes readers on a step by step journey beginning with the misconceptions believers have and then the reality of developing this spiritual discipline.  God’s Word is our ultimate guide toward hearing God’s Voice, and Williamson states this emphatically.  He uses personal experiences from his own life to illustrate each of his thoughts and encourages believers to not grow weary in their pursuit of God.  Sometime He IS silent, but that doesn’t mean He has left us! His perceived silence should cause us to take a closer look at His active presence in all of our circumstances. He is always speaking to us, but we are not always listening!

I cannot begin to recommend this book enough!  It has changed my life, and I am seriously considering using it as a small group study this Fall!  I think this book answers many, many questions that are common to believers at every point of their spiritual journey!  I encourage everyone to pick up your copy and invite Holy Spirit to show you and guide you through each passage!  This book is a gift!  I invite you to share it with me!  (PS don’t forget a pen and highlighter! You will need both!)

Pick up your copy HERE!

About the Author:

Samuel Williamson is the founding director of Beliefs of the Heart and the author of Is Sunday School Destroying Our Kids? He and his wife Carla live in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Sam regularly posts on beliefsoftheheart.com.