I don't entirely concur with every aspect presented in this book. However, I firmly believe that one doesn't necessarily have to be in total agreement with an author for God to utilize their words to bring about a transformation in one's life.

Our group counseling class made use of this book during our group counseling sessions for approximately 12 weeks. The experience was truly eye-opening.

Answering the prompts within the book revealed to me certain elements of my story that I had suppressed, forgotten, or simply failed to notice. Sharing those stories within the safe haven of our group was nothing short of transformational. It allowed for a deeper level of self-reflection and growth.

If you have the courage, I encourage you to grab this book and work through the prompts with a group. You might be surprised at the profound impact it can have on your life and the lives of those around you.

I attempted to read this several years ago, and it seemed extremely uninteresting. However, when I returned to it late last year, at a time when my heart was ready to explore the story and how God is scripting my life, I took my time. And it truly is extraordinary.

I had a huge stack of photos from my childhood that I got from my parents. I would frequently take out a small box and rummage through them, seeing with new eyes to better comprehend my own story and perceive how God was involved in a novel way.

Dan Allender has a writing style that can be both somewhat ethereal and earthy simultaneously. This can sometimes make him seem a bit too abstract. But if you slow down enough to understand it, it is remarkable to witness God's light shining through and the pieces fitting into place. (If you combine it with his interviews and podcasts, it works even better.)

Read this book along with the workbook while going through this study with a friend.

Overall, I find Allender to be a man of great wisdom and insight. His words often offer profound perspectives that can truly open one's eyes.

However, at times, I find his language to be offputtingly sentimental. It can seem a bit too emotional for my taste.

Nevertheless, there is a wealth of good material and exercises in the book. It provides valuable opportunities for self-reflection and growth.

Although I don't agree with all he says in it, I still think this book is a great option for those looking to explore how God has been at work in their lives.

It is especially good for those who are willing to explore this through the medium of writing. The written exercises can help readers to better understand their own experiences and how God may be guiding them.

Overall, despite its flaws, this book has much to offer and can be a valuable resource for those on a spiritual journey.

I truly adored this book.

I immersed myself in every single page, poring over it with great enthusiasm. I firmly believe that it serves as an excellent healing tool.

Putting my stories into writing has compelled me to actually see those things that I had previously dismissed and to view them objectively for what they truly were.

Dan Allender has a distinct gospel focus as he guides you. He encourages you not to ignore or downplay your beautiful, God-given story. Instead, he urges you to utilize it for good and to discover His purpose for your life.

This book has had a profound impact on me, and I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking spiritual growth and self-discovery.

It has taught me the importance of facing my past and using my experiences to bring glory to God and to help others.

Overall, it is a remarkable and life-changing read that I will cherish for a long time to come.

I began counseling with a graduate of San Allender's school prior to reading this book.

I firmly believe that the concepts that Allender delineates are far better to be experienced initially in practical settings rather than through mere theoretical explanations.

His Story Conference is truly remarkable and it is an absolute must to experience it!!!

When I was in counseling with that graduate, I could sense the practical application of Allender's ideas. It was not just about hearing the theories but seeing how they worked in real-life situations.

The graduate was able to guide me through various exercises and discussions that made me understand the depth and significance of Allender's concepts.

I highly recommend anyone interested in these ideas to not only read the book but also seek out opportunities to experience them in practice, especially through events like Allender's Story Conference.

It is through such hands-on experiences that we can truly internalize and apply these powerful concepts in our own lives.

Impactful! The significance of story - mine, yours, and God’s cannot be overstated.

My story is not simply “a jumble of random scenes stacked up like shoes in a closet.” God and I are continuously penning His story into mine. Just like Isaiah, I had to be undone. I have a sense of “de-becoming,” releasing all the things that God never intended for me in the first place. This leaves me with my million-dollar question: “How can I be a better nobody for Christ?” Dan Allender guides us to formulate a life theme statement. Alright. So, here is mine: My story discloses a holy and merciful God who extracts humility from humiliation, hope from disappointment, and faith from fear.

By the way, I’m still writing. My story, with God’s story intertwined within mine, is an ongoing narrative. However, to realize the essence of the book, I require your stories and your contributions to mine. Editing our stories together is the way we magnify our story! I highly recommend the reading and that you write and share your story.

Profoundly moving

I am deeply and profoundly grateful to Dan Allender for penning this remarkable book. His words have been a powerful catalyst, inspiring me to take a bold step and journey with God into the unknown and often intimidating "deep end" as I closely examine the story that He has intricately woven me into. The idea of having the courage to write my own story, with the intention of offering hope to others and revealing the glorious plan of God and His redemptive work in my life, feels incredibly risky. However, through His gentle guidance and the new perspective He has given me, I am now able to look at my painful past with eyes of newfound understanding, gratitude, and most importantly, hope. The realization that He is the Author of my life gives me the confidence to consider co-authoring the remaining chapters of my life with Him. This thought makes me shake my head in wonder and fills my heart with great excitement. Tomorrow, my workbook arrives, and I can almost hear the splash as I take the plunge and dive headfirst into my Father's loving arms in the deep end. It is a journey that I am both nervous and excited to embark on, knowing that He will be by my side every step of the way.

Dan Allender has penned an outstanding and deeply inspiring book.

This book focuses on the theme of the circumstances that God has uniquely and purposefully permitted into your life. It delves into the aspects of knowing, understanding, and wholeheartedly embracing the story that God is scripting for you.

Illustrated with potent stories from the lives of others, it offers a reassuring message. It makes you believe in God's goodness, His healing power, and the possibility of transformation in your own life.

As you embark on the journey of coming to know, share, and even co-author your own story, this book serves as a guiding light. It helps you to see the beauty and purpose in the events that unfold in your life, and to trust that God is working all things for your good.

Whether you are facing challenges or experiencing moments of joy, this book reminds you that you are a part of a greater story, and that God is with you every step of the way.

This book contains some rather strange thoughts regarding God.

However, it also presents some good ideas on how to assist people in finding God through the narration of their stories.

The strange thoughts might make readers pause and reflect, perhaps challenging their preconceived notions about the divine.

On the other hand, the sections that focus on using personal stories to lead people to God can be quite inspiring.

By sharing real-life experiences and how they led to a closer connection with the Almighty, the book offers a unique perspective on spiritual exploration.

It shows that everyone's journey towards finding God is different and that personal stories can serve as powerful tools in this search.

Overall, despite the presence of some odd ideas, the book has the potential to offer valuable insights and guidance to those who are seeking a deeper understanding of God and their spiritual path.

Another of Dr. Dan Allender's books that I highly recommend is truly remarkable.

I am deeply moved by what he has left me with. He asks profound questions such as: "Will I receive from the wounded hands my day's portion of story, and will I bring my tears and battered questions for him to engage? Will I bring my story to the gospel and cry out for him to answer? And will I offer my broken story as a gift to others to taste and see that God is both odd and good?"

If we have the courage to do this, then the gift that we receive will be truly staggering. God's story will become our own. Your story will be mine, mine will be yours, and we all will be His.

This beautifully written book encourages us to embrace the entirety of our story, with all its joys and sorrows, its brokenness and wholeness. It invites us to bring our stories to God and to share them with others, so that we can all experience the wonder and mystery of His love.

This is a truly great book that emphasizes the significance of each and every one of our stories.

However, ironically, it might be a bit over-told. I had the impression that it could have conveyed its message just as effectively in half the number of words.

Nevertheless, unlike many other things I've read, the central ideas of this book have stayed with me permanently. Reading it has made me a safer person for others.

Allender clearly knows a great deal about the process of healing and honouring the person we are and the stories we have lived through. His insights are profound and have the potential to have a lasting impact on the reader.

This book is definitely worth reading, even if it could have been more concise. It offers valuable lessons and perspectives that can help us better understand ourselves and others.

This book arrived precisely at the opportune moment.

I was endeavoring to delve profoundly into my past with the intention of grasping a better understanding of who I am, what has shaped me, and the reasons behind it all.

I aspired to fill in those missing fragments of the puzzle that is my life.

Remarkably, I had the opportunity to be a member of a Story Group, which was founded upon Dan Allender's teachings.

Once I initiated the act of putting pen to paper and commencing to write My Story, there was a liberation of my soul and a dawning awareness of the patterns that have emerged in my life.

This book has been instrumental in assisting me to learn even more about how to augment my story and gain a deeper comprehension of myself.

It has opened up new avenues of self-discovery and has provided me with valuable insights that I will cherish and build upon in the days to come.

Overall, it has been an invaluable resource on my journey of self-exploration.