Tuesday 12 September 2023

The Rocking Chair Prophet - Matthew Kelly

The Rocking Chair Prophet
Matthew Kelly
Blue Sparrow Publishing 
Dynamic Catholic
ISBN 9781635822083
eISBN 9781635822090
ASIN B0CBL63JQG


I absolutely loved this book. I had a physical copy of the book but because of my dyslexia the font and layout struggled with it. Once I picked up the eBook I devoured it in days. I have recommended it to several friends, and have plans to return and reread it again. This is the first novel written by Matthew Kelly and based on how powerful a story it is I hope it is not his last.

The description of this volume is:

“THERE IS A VOICE WITHIN YOU.

Listening to that voice is the difference between happiness and misery, wonderful memories and heartrending regrets. The Rocking Chair Prophet is a transformational story about reclaiming that voice and the unmitigated joy that comes from following it.

After an unspeakable tragedy devastates his life, Daniel, a thirty-three-year-old suburban man, disappears into the mountains. Years later, he reemerges filled with uncommon wisdom and other extraordinary gifts.

From that day on, people travel from far and wide to meet with Daniel, who sits on his rocking chair, meeting with visitors, and helping them explore their deeply personal questions. These questions lead to a series of epic conversations that traverse life's quintessential topics: love, suffering, health and well-being, education, work, money and things, spirituality, regrets, depression, ambition, nature, parenting, midlife crisis, choices, our hopes and dreams, the meaning of life, and enduring friendship.

The Rocking Chair Prophet is a rich exploration of life and the human condition. It's an invitation to rediscover yourself and reorient your life. Matthew Kelly has masterfully woven into the story a piercing wisdom that is thought-provoking on a life-changing scale. It is stunning that one book can have something so meaningful to say on so many topics. This is destined to be a book readers return to time and again, a book that speaks to us anew in every season of life.”
 
The concept of writing a book as a story to convey business concepts, personal development, and help people grow and change is not new. In the secular world Dan Millman, Robin Sharma, have used this approach many times. Patrick Lencioni has used it in his business books and his Christian writings. And Noah benShea does so in the Jewish Wisdom tradition style. But Matthew Kelly has been writing books for both business and spiritual purposes for over thirty years. This story is a synthesis of his knowledge, experiences, and message in the story format. And he executes on it masterfully.

This is a story anyone at any stage of life could read, and would benefit from the reading. It would be excellent for teens, and young adult readers, for those of us in the middle stages and even those who are nearing or have already retired. The message is applicable to readers of all ages. My son who is 15 is already reading it. 

I find certain books are life-changing books. When I encounter them I often read them repeatedly, some I read at least once a year for many years. Others I read a few years and they drop from my radar. Noah ben Shea’s book, Jacob the Baker, I have read over 25 times. This book is a book like that. I already plan to go back and reread it soon. 

This is a book that will encourage, inspire and challenge readers. It will challenge their thinking, and their actions. It is a book that if read with an open hear will be transformative, for the reader and then for those around the reader. It is a volume that will have lasting impact.

I have read a number of volumes from Kelly, and I love his Rediscover series. But this is an exceptional volume that I highly recommend. I challenge you to pick it up and give it a read. And pass it on to friends and families so they can be blessed as well.  And I hope there will be more fiction from Kelly’s pen. A great read. I cannot urge you enough to give this read. If you only read one book other than the bible this year, make it this one.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2023 Catholic Reading Plan!


Books by Matthew Kelly:
I Know Jesus
The Long View
Decision Point: The Workbook
Decision Point: The Leader Guide
The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic
The One Thing
Off Balance: Getting Beyond the Work-Life Balance Myth to Personal and Professional Satisfaction
Why Am I Here?
Perfectly Yourself: 9 Lessons for Enduring Happiness
Perfectly Yourself Discovering God's Dream For You
Building Better Families: A Practical Guide to Raising Amazing Children
The Dream Manager
The Seven Levels of Intimacy: The Art of Loving and the Joy of Being Loved
The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose
Building Better Families - 5 Practical Ways to Build Family Spirituality
The Book of Courage
The Shepherd: A Modern Parable about Our Search for Happiness
Mustard Is Persecution, Matthew Kelly Foundation
A Call to Joy - Living in the Presence of God
The Rhythm of Life: An Antidote For Our Busy Age
Words from God
Resisting Happiness
The Narrow Path
Our Father
The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity
Why I Love Being Catholic
Good Night, Jesus
In a world where you can be anything ...

Beautiful ... Series:
...

Rediscover Books by Matthew Kelly:
Rediscover Catholicism: A Spiritual Guide to Living with Passion & Purpose
Rediscover Advent
Rediscover Lent
Rediscover Jesus: An Invitation
Rediscover the Rosary: The Modern Power of an Ancient Prayer
Rediscover the Saints
...

Audio by Matthew Kelly from Lighthouse Media:
Becoming The Best Version Of Yourself
The Best Way To Live
Don't Just Try, Train
Faith At Work & The Holy Moment
The Four Signs Of A Dynamic Catholic - Excerpt
The Jesus Question
My Spiritual Journey
Our Lives Change When Our Habits Change
Raising Amazing Children
The Seven Levels Of Intimacy
The Seven Pillars Of Catholic Spirituality
...








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