In a Bible study group that I attend we are studying the book of Proverbs at the moment with its emphasis on wisdom. This book ties in very well with Proverbs. As the subtitle, Learning to Listen for Guidance from God, suggests, it is on the subject of guidance (and hearing God's voice). As such, I would say that it would be especially useful to younger Christians (and those who are young in Christ) or to Christians facing major decisions in life. Whatever the decision, whether it be what college to go to, what course to take, what job to apply for, who to marry or what car to buy, the reader is likely to find some help with it from this practical book. It deals with questions such as, 'Does God guide?' and, 'If so, how does he guide?' and 'How can we be sure that we are hearing God' voice?'. In chapter 3, Samra lists no less than 12 ways in which God guides. I was a little surprised to find casting lots and putting out a fleece included in this list but that may be just because God has never used these means to guide me. It is full of Biblical, historical and modern-day examples of people being guided by God as they make decisions. I found some of the discussion questions at the end of each chapter helpful in making me think about the issues raised in that chapter and my own experience of God's guidance. It has inspired me to speak on guidance next time I speak!

If you desire to hear and recognize the voice of God in the flow of your daily life, you will love this book. If you believe God speaks, but are not sure how to be confident you are receiving heavenly direction, this book will bring clarity to your listening process. If you hunger for a life guided by God, this book will fill you with biblical and practical food for thought. God Told Me is a valuable tool for anyone who wants to hear and follow the voice of God.

Evangelicals are comfortable talking about their personal relationship with God, but decidedly uneasy when it comes to saying 'God told me so.' Jim Samra boldly contends that God speaks to people today to provide concrete guidance, and he is careful to root his argument in Scripture rather than personal experience, though the latter, his own and others', provides plenty of colorful illustrations. God Told Me is an important contribution to debates about decision making and the will of God, a practical guide to the process of seeking divine guidance and, more importantly, a testimony to the extraordinary shape of the ordinary Christian life.

Listening is more than an art...it is a necessity. Just ask my wife, who often wonders if I have lost my hearing. Part of mastering the necessity of listening is to recognize the important voices in your life and train your heart to listen intently to them. For those of us who are followers of Christ, listening to his voice and the voice of God our father is critically important to a flourishing relationship with him. My friend Jim Samra has unraveled the often tangled mystery of recognizing God's voice and learning to follow it, to the joy of a deeper, more rewarding life as we walk according to the beat of his voice.