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To Be Told: God Invites You to Coauthor Your Future

dan b. allender

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God wants to reveal himself through your story. Discover how he has written your life so far, and how he is leading you into the rest of your story.

“This is a book worth reading. To make sense of your life. To discover the role God is giving you in his story.”—John Eldredge, bestselling author of  Wild at Heart  and  Get Your Life Back
 
Everyone wants clearer guidance from God on what to do with their future. In this insightful book, therapist and professor Dan Allender shows you how to listen to the stories of your life and identify the themes that God has written there. As you begin to understand both the hope and the heartache, you will gain a clearer sense of the meaning that God has written into every detail of who you are. You’ll also see how he invites you to join him in coauthoring the rest of your story. God is your Author, and he is showing you how to follow him into the future.

227 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,2005

This edition

Format
227 pages, Paperback
Published
November 7, 2006 by WaterBrook
ISBN
9781578569519
ASIN
1578569516
Language
English

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About the author

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dan b. allender

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Dan B. Allender, Ph.D, is a fly fisherman who also serves as president and professor of counseling at Mars Hill Graduate School near Seattle, Washington. He is a therapist in private practice, and a frequent speaker and seminar leader. Dan received his M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary and his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Michigan State University. He is the author of To Be Told: Know Your Story / Shape Your Future, How Children Raise Parents, and The Healing Path, as well as The Wounded Heart, Bold Love, and Intimate Allies. He and his wife, Rebecca, are the parents of three children.

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Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
31(31%)
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30(30%)
3 stars
39(39%)
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100 reviews All reviews
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luckyagm
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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There were some truly remarkable gems within it, yet they were not abundant enough to evoke an intense love for it in me.

I firmly believe that having the companion workbook would significantly enhance the overall experience.

The workbook could potentially provide additional exercises, explanations, and examples that would further clarify and expand upon the concepts presented in the main text.

It would serve as a valuable tool for reinforcing learning and allowing for a more in-depth exploration of the subject matter.

With the combination of the main content and the companion workbook, I suspect that my level of engagement and appreciation would increase substantially.

It would offer a more comprehensive and well-rounded learning package, enabling me to better understand and apply the knowledge gained.

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SuiTheSlime
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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This book was truly of great assistance. It enabled me to look back on my life

and clearly recognize the connections between specific events. It showed how those events are having an impact on me at present.

In response, I am now capable of better understanding and working through them in conjunction with the Lord.

The book serves as a valuable tool, guiding me to reflect on my past experiences and their significance.

By identifying these connections, I can gain a deeper awareness of myself and my relationship with the Lord.

It allows me to approach these issues with a more informed and spiritual perspective, seeking His guidance and strength to overcome any challenges or difficulties that may arise.

Overall, this book has been a blessing in my life, helping me to grow and mature both spiritually and personally.
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pooey__lofl
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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I feel like a three-star review for this book requires a bit of explanation, both for David Katibah and the general public.

Dan Allender's thesis is quite profound. Firstly, he posits that we, as human beings, are innately wired for narrative and stories. Secondly, the narratives we and others construct about our lives significantly impact how we perceive our own identities and interact with the world. Thirdly, our individual micro narratives are integral parts of the larger metanarrative of creation, fall, redemption, and consummation. Fourthly, we have the privilege of collaborating with God as coauthors of our stories, but only after we recognize the redemption He has already initiated in our lives. Finally, our stories are meant to be shared and given to one another as gifts, serving as reminders of how God transforms evil into good.

This is indeed a great thesis. If the book had solely focused on this, I might have awarded it a four or five stars. However, some of Allender's poetic expressions verge on unorthodoxy. The chapters on prayer and fasting seem to be a contrived attempt to write about timeless Christian spiritual practices, not for the purpose of formation but rather to discern God's will for our lives. While this is not a bad pursuit, the essence of these practices is to be in God's presence and draw closer to Him. I don't believe that was precisely Allender's intention, but that's how it came across.

My only other criticism pertains to his poetic phrasing regarding the presence of God. God is always present. We may sometimes feel otherwise or be inclined to believe He must have been absent when evil occurs, rather than confronting the reality of our limitations and inability to fathom the purposes of our perfectly just, good, and omniscient God. Our minds simply cannot comprehend it. Nevertheless, the book is still well worth reading. It has assisted me in discerning the patterns of redemption in my life and making choices to continue pursuing the life God has called me to.
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Ghostbae911
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Everyone has a wonderful story!

Most of us have indeed spent a significant amount of time poring over a map when going on a trip, determined to avoid getting lost. We meticulously study the routes, the landmarks, and every little detail to ensure a smooth journey. However, it's quite ironic that we often forget to study the map of our own lives. We rush through our days, making decisions without much thought, and not really having a clear direction. It's good to take a step back and read the map of our lives. To think about our goals, our dreams, and the path we want to take. Just like we plan our trips carefully, we should also plan our lives with intention. Because, in the end, our lives are the most important journey we will ever take.

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ShaChan
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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While the overall concept of regarding your life as a story complete with characters, plot, drama, and so on is truly intriguing and can be extremely helpful, unfortunately, this book failed to meet my expectations. It does contain several profound moments that make you stop and think. However, on the whole, I simply didn't appreciate Allender's writing style. It felt a bit disjointed and perhaps a bit too academic for my taste.

Nevertheless, the book did serve a useful purpose in generating discussion. This summer, I led a small group of friends through this book. And if it weren't for our lively discussions, I probably would have given up on reading it altogether. The different perspectives and interpretations that emerged during our discussions added a new layer of depth to the book and made the reading experience more worthwhile.

Overall, while I may not have loved the book itself, I do recognize its value in sparking conversations and getting people to think about their lives in a new way.

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ThaBaghDadi
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Dan Allendar is truly incredible. His work and insights are of great value.

For those who are seeking to have a deeper understanding of their own stories, Dan Allendar's teachings and methods can be extremely helpful. He provides unique perspectives and tools that enable individuals to explore the various aspects of their lives and make sense of their experiences.

Moreover, for those who want to learn how to accept and hold the stories of others, Dan Allendar is also a highly recommended resource. He emphasizes the importance of listening with empathy and creating a safe space for others to share their pain and joys.

In conclusion, whether you are on a journey of self-discovery or looking to enhance your relationships with others, Dan Allendar's work is well worth exploring. I highly recommend him to anyone who is open to learning and growing.
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Shash_Wemwal
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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The content of this piece is rather heavy, making it a bit of a challenge to get through.

However, for therapists who are eager to pursue further education and acquire more tools to assist clients who are victims of sexual abuse, especially those who wish to approach this work from a faith-based perspective, it is an excellent read.

It offers valuable insights and practical strategies that can enhance their ability to provide effective support and guidance.

Therapists can gain a deeper understanding of the unique needs and challenges faced by these clients and learn how to integrate faith into the therapeutic process in a meaningful way.

This can help clients find strength, hope, and healing as they navigate the difficult journey of recovery from sexual abuse.

Overall, despite its heavy nature, this article is a valuable resource for therapists committed to helping those affected by sexual abuse through a faith-based approach.
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UsagiOtakuChan
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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I am deeply inspired to reach for dreams that extend far beyond the constrictions and limitations that mankind has unjustly placed upon me. It is time to courageously embrace risk and set forth on a magnificent and holy adventure. Jesus, our Savior, came into this world with the intention of bestowing upon us a life that is full and abundant. He has left each and every one of us with unique gifts, although these gifts may be given in unequal measures. Now, the question that lies before us is: What will we do with the weight of glory that has been entrusted to us? Will we choose to hide our talents, afraid of failure or the judgment of others? Or will we have the wisdom and the courage to invest those talents wisely, using them to make a positive impact on the world around us and to bring glory to God?

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