The Famine of the Human Dream

About the Book

Book: This Famine of the Human Dream

Author: Benjamin Mester

Genre: Christian Inspiration; Essays and Poems

Release date: May, 2015

An uplifting and thought provoking look at life from a poet’s perspective. The Famine of the Human Dream will challenge you to live with greater passion, to throw off those trifling ambitions that ever grope for our attention, and learn fight for things worth fighting for. The great theologian, CS Lewis, once said:

“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

The ultimate goal of life isn’t a search for happiness. The ultimate goal of life is learning how to fight for things worth fighting for. All of life is a battle. But the battle that defines each one of us isn’t primarily between right and wrong, as you would think. Rather, it’s something much more surprising. Find out what in the inspiring pages of The Famine of the Human Dream.

Click here to purchase your copy.

My Perspective

This was an interesting read for me, and I have to admit it is totally different then my usual reading choices. But the premise of the book intrigued me. As I being reading the essays, I found myself comparing what the author thought, towards what I read in the bible (in a good way). I like a book that makes you think, research and form your own opinions. I appreciated the inclusion of bible verses in each essay. It allows reading to research on their own, and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to them. I would not characterize this is a devotional at all, though some people may read it as such. Instead I think it’s a chance to read, reference, and learn. I may not have agreed with everything the author stated, but that’s for the Holy Spirit to decipher in each of our hearts.

I found myself really enjoying the poems in the last part of the book. I think Mester is a gifted poet. The poems he wrote were easy to read, inspiring at times, and reminded me that poems are not just rhyming and for children. I found it interesting that he including poems by other poets in the end as well. Some I knew, and some I didn’t. I imagine there was much thought and effort that went into picking and choosing exactly what poems he wanted to appear.

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed reading the poems, and find myself putting it on my bookshelf for a rainy day. Or a sunny day. Or any day I just need some sweet words and a smile.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Benjamin Mester is an author and poet, with a passion for seeing people break away from small and shallow living and to step into the full measure of what the Lord has prepared for them. The destiny prepared for each one of us is to live a life of love and deep gladness. Benjamin Mester was born and raised in sunny San Diego, but can often be found wandering the woods of northern Minnesota, pen and paper in hand. His lifetime goal is to one day build a house in the woods, expanding it over time into a retreat center for authors, artists and others bursting with creativity. God is the most creative being in the entire universe, and as children made in His image, Mester hopes to inspire His people to explore the wonderful gift of creativity placed in each one of us.

Guest Post from Benjamin

The Famine of the Human dream was written as a response to something…a quote from a great theologian, CS Lewis. It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased. When I read that, my heart began to burn. For though, as a younger man, I had often felt a passionate stirring to live my life to the full, though I didn’t quite know how and always felt myself slipping back into the mundane of mere survival. And so, I voraciously began to explore the many facets of life. I studied art, poetry, philosophy, beauty, and theology, prompted by Solomon’s declaration in the Proverbs, Whatever else you get, get understanding! I desperately wanted understanding of a very particular sort. I wanted to understand how to live my life to the full…this precious, brief slice of life we so often take for granted. I wanted true wisdom. Contained within the pages of the Famine of the Human Dream are a poet’s reflections on life and the struggle to suck the marrow out of life, as Thoreau put it. This book is also an attempt to give the reader a passion for the study of poetry, which has dwindled much in modern society. The second portion of the book is a collection of my own poetry and poetry from other lovers of life that has touched me deeply. My biggest hope is that the reader will come away from this book with a renewed passion for life and an eager desire to dive deeper into poetry, beauty, and the heart of the Father.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 1

Mary Hake, June 2

A Baker’s Perspective, June 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 4

Carpe Diem, June 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 6

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 7

Simple Harvest Reads, June 8 (Spotlight)

Texas Book-aholic, June 9

janicesbookreviews, June 10

A Reader’s Brain, June 11

Power of Words, June 12 (Spotlight)

Inklings and notions, June 13

Just the Write Escape, June 14

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Ben is giving away a $50 Amazon gift card!! Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e515/the-famine-of-the-human-dream-celebration-tour-giveaway