Book Review: A Conversation with God for Women

A Conversation with God for Women by Marcia Ford

ISBN: 978-0-7852-3179-0

Paperback

Published by Thomas Nelson

320 pages

Retail: $15.99

If you could ask God any question, what would it be?

That is the question that is under the title of this beautifully made book. There are 55 questions in this book that women have been asking (or wanting to ask) about the past, present, and the future. 

Some questions include:

If You love us, why do we suffer?

Why should I trust You completely?

What is Your purpose for me, here and now?

Each question/topic includes Biblical references for truth searching. 

This is truly a beautiful book. The outside photocover is sweet and calming; the pages inside are trimmed with a lacy design. How could one not want to pick this book up and read it? The title is what caught my attention second. Of course we all have questions. And we would love answers. The Bible has the answers and Marcia Ford attempts to bring us to the Bible in a different way than we may be used to.

Each question is posted at the top of each chapter followed by a summary of the question. For instance in chapter 38 Is it okay to pray repetitious prayers? is the question followed by two paragraphs that explain the controversy. Here is a portion:

"Conflicts over prayer have abounded for decades. An entire segment of Christendom uses a liturgy that includes written prayers that are prayed over and over again throughout the year, while another segment considers liturgical prayers unbiblical."

This is followed by the in-depth question, as if it were being asked by someone at the moment, as they think about it. The response or answer to this question is given from the viewpoint of God and Jesus, in this case, sometimes it is also Mary Magdalene, Hannah, Priscilla, or other women from the Bible. 

The answers are referenced to scriptures for checking the accuracy (in the mentioned question, God answers in part that the controversy stems from Jesus' reference to 'vain repetitions' of the pagans, which we can check in the Notes section in the back of the book). There are various translations of the Bible used in this book, most likely to make the message more clear. They include:

1. Contemporary English Version
2. English Standard Version
3. The Message
4. New American Standard Bible
5. New Century Version
6. New International Version
7. New King James Version
8. New Living Translation

What do I think of this book? Let me start with the good: The idea is a good one. Women especially are talkers. We have questions and we like to have them answered. God doesn't verbally speak to use as do our husbands, children, bosses, relatives, etc., but we would like it if He did. The questions compiled in this book are very relevant questions. Of the questions only a few personally I hadn't consciously thought of. The answers are well presented and well referenced, but I will get to what I have a problem with in a second.

Now what I don't like. The idea I like but the realization of it I don't so much. First, the various translations/versions of the Bible are just confusing. If it is understood in one, we can understand it all in that one. There is no need for so many different ones. 

And what I dislike a lot about this book- the pretending to know what God would say is very uncomfortable to me. It's just a personal issue but I can read it in the Bible and know what He means there- I don't need (or want) someone to put His words down as they see them.

This book gets a 3 out of 5 stars because I just could not get past the creepiness (not to mention I felt that it was wrong) of speaking as God. The questions are good ones and the referenced verses to answer them are good. Just don't pretend to be... God. Maybe it's just me.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”