Book Review: Why God Matters

Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life by Karina Lumbert Fabian and Deacon Steve Lumbert, 114 pgs., hardcover, Tribute Books, May, 2010

Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life is an inspirational book designed for those who seek the face of God in their daily lives – whether they are new to the faith, returning to the faith, or have been long-time believers and are simply seeking a deeper spirituality.

In Why God Matters, Karina Lumbert Fabian and her father Deacon Steve Lumbert share personal stories and valuable lessons they have learned in their own faith journeys. Using thought-provoking quotes, heartwarming stories, Scripture passages, quotes from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and easy, practical activities the reader can fit into his or her daily routine, they encourage others to recognize God's presence in the ordinary circumstances of their daily lives.

Karina, a mother of four, was born into the Catholic faith and began to truly love it as an adult. Her father, Deacon Lumbert, converted to Catholicism in his 40's, many years after attending Mass with his family and his devout wife, whose prayers and example led him to the faith. Following God's call he eventually became a deacon and today, he is the associate director of the Deacon Formation Program for his diocese. The personal stories of father and daughter intertwine, yet each present their own separate and unique witnesses. Their experiences are similar to those we all encounter in our daily lives. Some of the themes include: coping with suffering, finding hope in the midst of difficult circumstances, asking God for what we need, answering God’s call and accepting his strength, growing in faith, attaining balance or the virtue of temperance in one’s life, acquiring fortitude, and answering God’s call to evangelize.

I enjoyed reading Why God Matters – it was fun, engaging, and quick, easy reading. The main theme of the book -- finding God in the little things we experience each day-- is similar to that shared with us by many of the great saints. St. Therese of Lisieux, for example, used the little way to holiness, which consisted in finding God’s will in the most mundane tasks and happenings of each day, and embracing them with a simple, child-like love. Why God Matters encourages us to do the same, which makes it a book with simple, but powerful message. This inspirational little book is indeed a gem – it is a power-packed treasury of heartwarming stories, helpful spiritual lessons, and useful, practical suggestions to guide us in our daily lives.

~ © Jean M. Heimann, June, 2010
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Comments

  1. Karina Fabian6/16/10, 8:29 AM

    Thanks, Jean, for reviewing our book. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

    Blessings,
    Karina

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tribute Books6/16/10, 11:18 AM

    The connection of the book's theme - finding God in the little things we experience each day - with the lifelong mission of St. Therese is exactly what we hope readers get out of the book.

    Thank you for your review and for sharing your thoughts on "Why God Matters" with your readers.

    Best wishes,
    Nicole
    Tribute Books

    ReplyDelete

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