So happy to showcase this nonfiction book on my blog today. Full discloser – I know the author from his Twitter feed, but that virtual friendship doesn’t affect my review. I’ve been a reviewer for newspapers and magazines for years and learned how to separate personal feelings from a professional review of a book.
God’s Contributi0on: Evidence of Grace
by R. Hughes Ph.D.
ASIN : B0DMN535WK
Independently published (November 19, 2024)
Language : English
Paperback : 144 pages
ISBN-13 : 979-8345321799
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ABOUT THE BOOK (sort of more like a note from the author who has a wicked sense of humor)
Open these pages to learn about the Inherited Obstacle that is holding you back. Learn about Malignant Calendars, Dust Limitations, One Minute Approval Ratings, Managing Chaos, Self-worth all leading you to the consistency necessitated for serenity and emotional well-being. Now that you have made up your mind to purchase this book that everyone will be talking about from Indianapolis to Seattle (I have no luck however in Pensacola, Florida where my first two published elaborations didn’t result in the turning of one single page), I present herein evidence that God’s grace is all around us in the practicalities of our daily living yet without our noticing the grace which finds us worthy. Our vision is blurred from misinformation, the control from others, and previous beliefs lacking credibility resulting in harmful myths. Chapter titles will amuse you as you wonder what in the boundaries of all that is holy is Dr. Hughes inferring that.. Jesus Drops The Cross??? I assume at this point that you have hit the purchase option for these enlightening essays to be delivered to your home (unless you live in that southern panhandle) as I laid down my life for you, (I didn’t even bake cheesecake topped with cherries for weeks) to accomplish this missive by a holiday deadline. You’re welcome for that.
It is my hope that you find yourself enriched by these words from my heart, experience, observations of others, and prayerful discernment.
God bless.
*** BUY LINK ***
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Reading the first few pages of God’s Contribution: The evidence of Grace by R. Hughes PhD. I was struck by the similarity between some of his ideas and those expressed in an interview with actress that I listen to on The Daily Podcast the same day.
The interview was with Tilda Swinton, who spoke about how art, especially film, invites one to look directly at something and not shy away from it. She connected that to the importance of looking at mortality, as well as areas that are politically charged.
Mirroring that idea in his book, Hughes wrote “When you come upon the awareness of human suffering of someone other than yourself. Are you not connected to this person? Is everyone not our brother and sister? We cannot shield our eyes from truthful knowledge. That we coexist and live interdependently. We exist in a collaborative frame as a human intelligence. With each part of this connection created by the same Spirit.”
That belief that we are connected, also resonates with something that the late Western writer Jory Sherman said to a writing group that I was part of some years ago. He believed that there’s a great creative energy out in the cosmos that we all share. It was also his conviction that all types of creativity feed each other – such as writers immersing themselves in studying great works of visual art, or absorbing the creative beauty in a film or concert.
Hughes’s profession as a counselor is evident throughout the book in the form of advice for emotional and spiritual healing. He uses his life experiences as a springboard to sharing that advice. In the chapter Other-Esteem, he relates how destructive it was for him to attempt to change his life according to the judgements of other people. He offers this one simple, yet powerful, truth, “If God thinks enough of you to create you, then how could you possibly say to God, no, I think you’re wrong?”
Some chapters ramble a bit too much, but the reader must keep in mind that the author has brain cancer, and chemo brain, which makes it so hard to keep thoughts from scattering.
However, the entire book is written with an honesty about his life and how his experiences colored his profession and ultimately the desire to write this memoir/self-help book. The honesty, as well as the wisdom, makes up for some of the rambling and editing issues.
The chapter, Separated From God, is incredibly inspirational, addressing how we are influenced spiritually and emotionally by the judgements of others, especially those who say we are bound for eternal flames because of who we are or what we do or don’t do. Hughes believes that nothing can separate us from the love of God, no matter how we name our God. “God sees you, and you cannot be displaced from our Creator’s divine grace (that is)freely reaching out for you. Nothing can stop this. Don’t believe anyone that would tell you otherwise.”
God’s Contribution: The Evidence of Grace is a wonderful book written with humor in places that made me smile. I highly recommend this fun, easy-to-read book that is packed with inspiration and courageous testimony. And, oh, there’s the fun, short play with Morty and Velma that opens the book and ends it. Hughes may have a future as a comedy playwright.
R Hughes, Ph.D retired educator and mental health practitioner diagnosed with brain cancer in October of 2020, has moved beyond traditional practices. Stop telling good people that they are dying. The thought is that cancer patients will die before they die. His background highlights weekly contributions to Nuvo magazine in the late 90’s, an Horizon award in Oakland, California for a sports article on Pat Tillman, penning essential awareness of the homeless during the pandemic. Having taught human development for 22 years throughout New England as well the privilege of lecturing in 36 in 2023, Dr. Hughes insightfully addresses readers, patients, oncologists, caregivers, students and psychologists of the need to cease treating cancer in this decade as if it were still 1960 promoting unintentional fear. From Dallas to Salt Lake City attendees have said his words charged a new framework for living while living.