Book Review: A New Favorite Friend

     BookSneeze, on behalf of Thomas Nelson Publishing, provided a complimentary copy of Todd D. Hunter's Our Favorite Sins: The Sins We Commit and How You Can Quit, in exchange for an honest review. In the first half the author presents the origins of sin, the root of our sins and why we return to them even as believers. The disordered desires of our hearts can be fed and result in the negative behavior, or sin. Unfortunately, temporary bandages are applied repeatedly. One is put on as soon as the previous bandage falls off. It does not get to the heart. It does not reorder our desires according to God.
     The second half of Our Favorite Sins provides more than a bandage, but rather a permanent solution. Given, it is not a quick fix; it is a transforming, time-consuming process. Mr. Hunter walks the reader through a journey that hinges upon communion with the Almighty, through prayer, solitude and the "path of the ancients." The Sacrament and liturgy are explained in rich terms allowing the reader, who may or may not be familiar with such practices, to perceive the intrinsic value in the practices. Believers who prescribe to these practices find a greater awareness and familiarity to the Divine; putting off the old self and putting on the new. (2 Cor. 5:17) They reorder their desires to those of the Lord as they become a little more like Him.
     We all crave, desire, covet something at some point in our lives. I do and I found great value in Our Favorite Sins. Instead of feeling condemned by the author, he gave me hope. His writing style is open, honest and at ease. He accepts there is sin within him and desires to overcome sin one day at a time. He used his pastoral experience to create archetypes of five pervasive sins in our culture brilliantly. Most readers could probably at least relate to one of them to some extent.
     My favorite part was the second half previously covered. Mr. Hunter never prescribes a one-two-three, do A to get to Z type remedy. The remedy lies in God alone. Jesus is our Healer. He includes a lot of wonderful information and insight, as well as beautiful liturgy and prayers I was unfamiliar with. Needless to say, I enjoyed his book immensely. Even if one is not struggling with sin per se, every one can gain a deeper relationship with God if they apply some of the teachings in Our Favorite Sins. I encourage you to pick up this volume and dig deep into it and into yourself. Happy Beginnings!

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