Book Review: "The Final Summit" By Andy Andrews

This book centers on David Ponders, a very successful 74 year old business man. After suffering the loss of his dearly beloved wife, Ellen, Mr. Ponders finds himself in a pit of despair, feeling unneeded. Contemplating taking his own life, Mr. Ponders soon learns that he is needed to help answer the one question that will save humanity. You will travel with Mr. Ponders as he attempts to answer this question with other figures in history.

After reading the summery I concluded that this book could have some spiritual impact on my life. I was very disappointed that it is not written for that purpose. I would say that this is more like a self help book. Also, I do not agree with everything that was said in this book.

Although the style with which it is written is very easy to read, it did get a bit monotonous in the middle, but it has a very exciting twist near the end. In the beginning it is somewhat confusing, because it follows the book, “The Traveler,” which I have not read. Thankfully, the author gives enough background information that it all becomes clear the more you read.

I enjoyed this narrative very much as a fictional read, but I don’t necessarily feel that it is study guide material. This is simply my personal opinion.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

My Jesus Walks On Water

Matthew 14:

25: And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26: And when the desciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, it is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27: But, straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer, it is I: be not afraid.

28: And Peter answered hom and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29: And he(Jesus) said, Come.
And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30: But when he(Peter) saw the wind boisterous, he was afrais; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and sais unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore dist thou doubt?

32: And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

We love to read this story and say, "(tisk tisk) Peter, Peter, why didn't you just trust that Jesus would keep you?" Yet, if you are like me, you do the very thing that Peter did.

We beg Jesus, "Lord take me higher. Higher in you." Then, when he does, we feel the difficult winds and we start to doubt. Knowing that we are sinking we immediately call upon Jesus and he rescuse us asking, "When did you start doubting me?" Just as soon as we reach our "comfort zones" again the wind ceases.

Going higher can be a bit uncomfortable it takes us from the norm to the unorm. In the unorm we are able to feel the winds stronger. If we take our eyes off of our purpose we can become scared out of our minds. But, might I point out that scripture says that he immediately caught Peter. He didn't wait until he was halfway down, or until he felt that Peter has suffered enough. He caught him immediately.

"Oh Jesus, help me. As I desire to draw closer to you, help to realize that you are there. Even when the winds blow, even when I start to feel the force of them you are there. Help me to understand that if I start to sink, you will catch me immediately. Lord, give me the faith to trust you completely with no doutbs."

AND....the lights went out....

As I came to my senses I thought,"This is the part where prince charming comes in." But, as I opened my eyes, I only saw the old shop vendor with his wrinkles and crinkles. "Surely not him," are the words that came to mind.

Our trip started out as any other. The Nigerian shoe market was our destination. We got there and immediately Mae (One of my friends) found some gorgeous shoes. We were only there about 1 hour when the sun got to be too much for me. I needed something cold to wet my parched throat. As I looked around for signs of something, anything I saw a man selling soft drinks. Thinking this would be a good choice; I bought one and downed it immediately. Feeling refreshed we continued on our shoe quest.

Not more than 15 minutes later....I began to feel a bit nauseated and light-headed. My first reponse was the need to escape the suffocating heat. Doing what every girl knows to do, I called.........my mother. Relief was insight, or so I thought.....

I found my friends and told them of my plans to leave the market. We agreed that I would wait for them, as they were almost finished, too. While watching them try on hats, I began to get the distinct feeling that I was about to faint. Being the romantic that I am, I decided that nothing as exciting as fainting could possibly happen to me.

The next thing I remember....I was sprawled out in the middle of the walkway, hearing my name called out over me, "Hannah," "Hannah." Yes, it was Jaydie. Upon opening my eyes I saw the old shop keeper and not the Prince Charming I was hoping for! So much for my knight in shining armor.

Coming to my senses, I realized that Amber, Jaydie and Mae were moving me to a bench and out of the walkway. How dreadful of them to wake me.... I had been in such a deep and calming sleep, or so it seemed to me. But, reality was certain. I was back in the Nigerian Market. It was still 100 degrees. The sun was blistering and my head was throbbing!

At this point, the "dying yovo" had the attention of the whole market. As, I was sitting on the bench trying to figure out what had just happened, the sweet shop owner was running around franticly doing his best the make me comfortable.

My mother was on her way, but we knew the only way out of the market was to walk. At this point I was becoming a bit nauseated as well. My very brave friends, to whom I owe my very life, set out to get me out of there. Mae got on one side of me and Amber on the other. Jaydie walked behind carrying our bags and making sure we didn't trip.

It felt like the farther we walked through the market, the farther away the exit moved. There were a few points that I thought I wasn't going to make it. But, by the grace of God and with the help of Mae, Jaydie, and Amber, we made it through.

So, what have I learned through all of this?.....fainting is not the romatic excitement hollywood makes it out to be. Rather, it's a bit scary and painful!

Thank you everyone for your prayers. This is one of those stories that we now look back on and laugh at. lol

Falling in Love

I have never been one to proclaim that I « Fell in love. » In my opinion those words have been way over used in our culture. I decided long ago that I only wanted to say that once in my lifetime to that one special person. Yet I find myself exclaiming these words precisely. Oh, not to a person, but rather a place.
As we embarked on our journey halfway across the continent of Africa this past week, I had no idea what awaited me. I knew of this place, and I tried to love it the best I could before I really knew it, but, as I have come to find out, that isn’t real love.
Our plane made two stops along the way. I am pretty sure that our next to last stop was the longest flight I have ever been on in my entire life. It was only about an hour and thirty minutes from Lagos, Nigeria to Yaoundé, Cameroon, but to me it felt like 21 hours and 30 minutes. I tried to sleep, but couldn’t. I tried to read, but somehow could not seem to concentrate. All I could do was sit and wonder what lay ahead of me.
Wonder, “What’s it going to be like?” “Am I going to like it?” I was afraid of the possibility that I might not like it. So many questions, fears, doubts, and yet unbelievable excitement was running through my head at one time.
When our plane began the descent into Bangui, the capital of C.A.R, I am pretty sure that butterflies over took my stomach. After all these years of waiting, praying, and hoping it was finally here. Yet, I felt like a little girl meeting my lifetime crush for the first time. And then, it happened the landing gear was lowered, may I stop to thank Jesus for this, and we touched down. In that moment, that tiny second that we met the ground, all fears and doubts vanished.
I describe that week in this way, “It was the longest, shortest, most awesome, and yet most miserable week of my life.”
In trying my best to describe this week to a dear friend I told her, “I have never felt the way I felt that week before.” In that week I found my calling, my longing and at the same time felt my own inadequacy. No, I wasn’t prepared for what happened. I wasn’t prepared to “Fall in love.” I am not sure at what point I realized what was happening. Maybe I knew it all along. It was the best and worst feeling all wrapped up into one. My emotions were going crazy. If I had to describe these feelings I would say, “It felt like someone had take my heart, mind, sound reasoning, and emotions and ground them all up and mixed them together.” I wanted to cry, scream, and laugh all at the same time. I experienced joy, pain, and deep sorrow in the same breath.
The work is so new, so fresh, and so white with harvest. I realized in that week that I wasn’t ready to begin working with them. I realized that I myself needed to be trained. Yet, I saw the need. I felt their hunger for teaching; even the children and I thought how can I keep them waiting another 4 yrs. I struggled with this. I struggled with God and the path I knew He was trying to take me. I struggled with myself.

I didn’t want to get on that plane to come back. I wanted to kick, scream, and throw a tantrum fit. But, I knew this more than likely would not help. So, I refrained. I came home broken and with a bleeding heart. Numb emotionally and feverish physically. I prayed asking God for direction for my future. I questioned what He had already told me. I was “torn up” on the inside. Yet, through all of my questioning and just plain hard-headedness, Jesus remained faithful and patient. He is slowly but surely giving me peace to continue in his plan. He is helping me see it not as a detour, but rather as stepping stone. I need to go home and go to Bible School.
I’ve come to the conclusion that falling in love isn’t easy, maybe it isn’t always fun, but it’s worth it.