Meredith McDaniel

When an author writes from her own spiritual relationship coupled with being a licensed counselor, you get an authentic perspective with thought provoking guidance. Meredith McDaniel discusses the book of Exodus as the Israelites journey through the desert. It is not necessarily a Bible study on the book of Exodus, but more of a side by side comparison. She uses guided journaling to help you see how to let go of the tight grip we have on our plans and let God be our provider. Just as God would provide “manna” from heaven daily to feed the Israelites, she focuses on finding the “manna” in our own lives. Learning how to recognize God’s hand in the daily circumstances.

I really enjoyed the way in which this book is laid out for the reader. It leads you through the journey as though you are sitting with a trusted mentor who doesn’t just tell you the answer but leads you to it. It’s not a surface level read as it will make you take pause and think deeper. It has many thought provoking questions throughout, scriptures for you to meditate on and songs to use as a resource. It’s a book that I will go back to as a guide when I need to be reminded to look for the “manna”. Enjoy this read and discover the Creator and how He provides for you!… (plus d'informations)

Meredith McDaniel’s book takes readers on a journey with the Israelites in the desert, relying on and trusting in God’s provision. It is not always easy to depend on Him and recognize this provision, taking unwanted or unexpected forms, and yet, it can be incredibly beneficial to do so. It felt freeing to read McDaniel’s words of reminder and encouragement and delve into the deeper considerations she prompts. For me, it definitely proved a worthwhile read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.… (plus d'informations)

Whether you are currently walking through the desert place or not, Meredith McDaniel’s “In Want + Plenty” will speak to your heart. Subtitled “Waking Up to God’s Provision in a Land of Longing”, it gets to the heart of the matter, because we are all longing for something, and the only One who can satisfy us is God Himself in the person of Jesus. This book is unique and interactive, taking readers through the book of Exodus on a journey to recognizing and drawing sustenance from God’s provision. The author’s compassionate heart and counseling background shine through and coalesce as she guides readers through the Israelites’ journey, which our own lives mirror in so many ways. This connection focuses on manna: that which God provided for the Israelites in the wilderness and that which we receive today. McDaniel explains that “God’s willingness to enter in and hear the hearts of his people is a form of manna. He is God and he does not owe us that gift of his presence, yet he offers it constantly.” Indeed, this is our blessed assurance, that “when we surrender to trusting Jesus and enter a relationship with him, recognizing him as the ultimate Manna in our life, we do find peace.” Regardless of our circumstances, God is always there, “making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19).

“In Want + Plenty” has an integrative format perfect for either group or individual study. Its arrangement reminded me of a devotional. There are nine sections interspersed with questions for personal reflection, as well as re:story questions for journaling at the end of each section and a re:sound, a song meant to heal. Highlighted phrases throughout the text and quotations pulled from the text and placed in the margins appear in green and draw the reader’s attention to them while summarizing the valuable skills. Each section begins with an exploration of the Exodus journey, followed by personal stories from the author that are germane to the Biblical story and to the focus of that section. This is a great arrangement because it teaches how the Old Testament is still vitally important to our faith. Furthermore, “In Want + Plenty” demonstrates that our own journey through the desert will lead us, also, to a land of milk and honey if we accept the Manna that God sent for us in the person of Jesus.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.… (plus d'informations)

Thank you in advance to the publisher for providing a complimentary copy to review. All words are my own in this review and a positive review was not required.

Right off this cover grabs me. The water color design is soothing and calming, so it already feels like a comforting talk with a friend who happens to be a counselor.

This book is more geared towards women, which makes sense as in most families – women tend to worrying more about the finances, cooking, raising the kids, and the school work.

As with books of this type, this is not a one-time read. This is going to be one to hang on to, especially with questions that are more “journal” like that anything else. There are also some excellent self-assessment questions in this book.

In the beginning, there is a guide to elements and visuals used. Some text is HIGHLIGHTED and others is “spot-lighted”.

As of note, this is the second Revell “non-fiction” book I’ve read that quotes C.S. Lewis and also mentions letting go of our “false self”.

Despite its Christian theme – it doesn’t preach at the reader. McDaniel understands, as she is a counselor, that situations are very different for each of her clients as well as the readers. There are also song recommendations to enforce the lessons that McDaniel is teaching us.

This book is a bit different from other Christian Living/Self-Help books.

While most take a “Jesus” approach to problem solving, this goes back to the Old Testament with examining the story of Exodus, which is a rare take. Thus it combines Judaism with Christianity, or Jewish-Christian beliefs.

The theme in this well-written and structured book is God’s provision for us in our times of need and want. It is more about trust in God to give us what we need when we need it, much like the daily manna that God provided for the Israelites. Not to be confused with WHAT we WANT though. Exodus is used to highlight the thought of letting God provide for us and watching us provide for us.

For those who aren’t family with the story of Exodus, this will definitely inspire you to read more about it – I am definitely inspired by this book enough to look into it.

McDaniel uses real-life examples of troubles, along with God’s “manna” or provisions for us in our circumstances. This book is extremely relevant in today’s time when the rate of suicide, depression, and anxiety is on the rise.

McDaniel examines the anxiety and also talks about finding moments of stillness – turning off or putting devices down.

What I enjoyed was the soft colors, gentle highlights, reminders, and self-assessment questions. I have yet to put them into practice though; I can easily see myself doing it.

This book was so well-written and very hard to put down. I went halfway through it in the first sitting.

There were some interesting references to the prior Israel, and YHWH (Yahweh) which is God’s name.

This is recommended for those who want a different take on a Christian self-help.
… (plus d'informations)