Soulprint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny

Soulprint is a great read.

Multnomah sends books to pastors to read and blog about and this is a quite a blessing since funds are often limited. Mark Batterson's latest book, Soulprint; Discovering Your Divine Destiny, is my most recent gift.

Mr. Batterson does an excellent job of presenting truth in a memorable fashion. His wordplay skills are excellent. Spinning thoughts and sentences that flow together is an art form that has approached masterful in Soulprint. "It's more than a realization. It's a revelation. It's more than self-confidence. It's holy confidence." is one of hundreds of examples spread throughout this work and this technique makes the book very enjoyable to read.

The inspiration for the book's message comes from one of the great Bible hero, David. Lessons are taken from David's early days up through his fall with Bathsheba. Running through the book is hope and a clear focus on the Lord's gracious redemption both in David's life and ours.

Soulprint the title, is even a word play on fingerprint. We each have a unique set of prints on our fingers and Mr. Batterson argues we also have a unique soul given as a gift from God. We are made with a God-ordained destiny waiting to be discovered and released.

Batterson challenges us to revisit our past and see the work of God there and how it shaped us for the future. We cannot of course change anything back there, but we can learn from it and see God's handiwork in it. We should reflect on the defining moments of our past and see how they make each one of us a unique expression of Christ.

There are many enjoyable personal examples used in the book and I won't list them all so as to ruin your journey though this delightful work. Buy it yourself and learn who you are in Christ.

Jeffrey A. Klick, Ph.D.

Mark Batterson has written an excellent book. From the opening pages, the reader is set up to experience insights into the way God has made them unlike anyone else. Mark says about our uniqueness, "It's a responsibility. Uniqueness is God's gift to you, and uniqueness is your gift to God." He goes on to tell us that we owe it to God and ourselves to be ourselves. This book shows us how taking responsibility for our uniqueness, allows us to enjoy the process of "becoming" who we were meant to be.

There are amazing insights plastered throughout these pages. These insights captured my imagination, which lead me to dialogue with God beyond what was written. Any book about God that leads you to God's presence is worth reading because that should be the books intention. I found much joy and freedom from discovering more about both God and myself in the process of reading this book.

I highly recommend this book for people wanting to go deeper in knowing God and knowing themselves. The author does a great job of paralleling our life to the life of King David in the Scriptures. Most importantly, as Mark says, "True self-discovery happens only in the presence of God." This book can do just that by taking readers beyond its pages and into God's presence. So Grab this book and enjoy the keys that unlock the understanding of how you are free to worship God like no one else and become the person you were always meant to be.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review as part of the Blogging for Books program.

Read and Excerpt for this book by copying and pasting the link below.
[...]

I expected one of two things with "Soulprint" by Mark Batterson. I thought it might be a book that explores what it means to be created in the image of God and how we need to each individually, based on our gifts and personalities, live out the attributes of God as we seek to reflect Him. I also thought the book might be a Christian self-help book--helping people gain self confidence, but perhaps not with any theological depth. I was pleasently surprised to realize that this book offers elements of both of these plus something more. Batterson goes beyond both of these structures to truly unpack methods of realizing who you are as a recreated person in light of God's actions through Jesus Christ. Significant for me was the discussion on integrity and being a person that stands up for the convictions in his or her heart. Too often we find ourselves compromising our convictions because we seek to please others, be accepted, or have a program overflowing with people. A person of inegrity says, "No matter what I am going to stand up for my beliefs and seek to disciple others." Batterson rightly states that for us to discover who we are in God we must follow God in all moments of our lives, never compromising the view of the Gospel for the success of the world. The book concludes by challenging each of us to discover how to uniquely fulfill the mission that Christ has laid within our hearts-the mission to make disciples within all nations. Each person has been created to answer this call and when we do, we make a difference in the world, leaving our mark upon others and within God's kingdom. I recieved this book as par tof Multohomah Publisher's Blogging for Books Program.

Simply put: another awesome book by Mark Batterson. Soulprint: discovering your divine destiny is written to help each individual discover the unique destiny only s/he can fulfill in God's plan. If this sounds too much like a pop psychology self-help book rather than meaningful Scriptural study from a pastor, fear not. Batterson's addresses the issue right up front saying, "Make no mistake, this is no self-help book. Self-help is nothing more than idolatry dressed up in a rented tuxedo... here's the good news: there is nothing God cannot do in you and through you if you simply yield your life to Him. All of it. All of you." (p. 1)

Stopping along different points in the life of David, Batterson helps the reader pause and explore various "moments" that God has used and is using to shape each person's unique soulprint. Not surprisingly, he appropriately interprets the text, and then provides excellent application. He is a vulnerable and effective story-teller and the illustrations he uses rich. The discussion questions at the end of the book also could make this a meaningful small group study.

Personally, this was a challenging read, even for a long-time follower of Christ. Pastor Mark always seems to connect with challenges/issues I am dealing with in my faith journey. As a teacher of high school seniors, beginning to talk with them about writing a personal mission statement, this would be a wonderful resource book to help them walk through what I am trying to talk through with them. Likewise, having taught Bible college students, this would be a great book as part of a spiritual formation class, reflecting on similar concepts. I would highly recommend this for these audiences specifically, though it is good Christian reading for all.

This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Press.

I enjoyed Soulprint. This whole book looks at the life of David in the context of what we can learn from his life. Soulprint showed me some helpful new things about God. One part of the book that particularly spoke to me was when Batterson was talking about our God-given vision can become an idol. We need to focus on becoming more like Christ. The glory of God is the ultimate goal, not the glory of whatever event or project we are working on. He also touched on the art of alter making. This really is a lost art in the Christian faith. When we learn spiritual lessons, it is a great idea to keep physical reminders o those lessons in a prominent place. For example, one of Batterson's "lifesymbols" (as he calls them) is a picture of the cow pasture in Minnesota where he felt called to ministry. That helps him remember God's calling on his life. Another thing that I liked about Soulprint was where Batterson says that God's will is always about who you are becoming, not the what and where. One last thing, I liked this quote out of the book: "It's that uniqueness that enables you to worship god unlike anyone who has ever lived. No one can worship God like you or for you. And by worship, I means so much more than singing a few songs on Sunday morning. The best form of worship is becoming the best version of who God has created you to be. Worship is more than a lifestyle. Worship is life" (146). Get this book!

I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Mark Batterson Website: [...]

Mark Batterson has become a staple diet of reading for my beginning of the year. I was glad to receive Soulprint as a review copy and immediately devoured it. Batterson uses the life of David to spotlight our own lives in Christ.

With each aspect of David's life that he examines, he transitions the focus on ourselves, asking us if we really know who we are?

While the book doesn't point anything new out about the life of David, Batterson's easy to read prose is encouraging, convicting, and inspiring.

I connect with his personal stories, and took time to reflect on his questions.

The biggest point I took from the book is discovering who God created me to be. How am I unique and how do I understand my life in view of my eternal significance. How comfortable am I with me?

Soulprint helped me discover the answers to some of these questions during my reading. Other questions were launched from the book but will take time to flesh answers from.

It's not a self help book, its a self discovery book using scripture. It's a book that points us to the truth of God and then using it to illuminate the truth about our life.

I didn't realize how shallow I was until the book asked the hard questions. Batterson talks about prophets in our lives that speak difficult truths into our lives, and Batterson was a prophet for me through this reading.

Another great book to my collection and I am already excited about reading his next book. I've read his previous books several times each and will definitely return to read Soulprint again.

Do yourself a favor and pick up the book!

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review".

Soulprint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny has a number of qualities I appreciate in a good spiritual book. Batterson uses Scripture, but then goes beyond what exactly is written in the Bible to create an even more true-to-life scenario to consider when looking at how God sees us, how others see us, and how we see ourselves. A variety of references and comparisons from different disciplines such as art, nonfiction books, psychological theories, and the author's own life experiences make the insights into David's life, his God-given uniqueness, and integrity that much easier to apply to our own lives.

Clearly Batterson is well-read, has a polished writing style, and the wisdom to know that there's always room for improvement and ways we can each become more Christ-like. A very admirable trait of this book is that the author has the courage and humility to show the ways in which he has struggled with some of the same pitfalls as David.

Instead of coming across as an expert who has it all figured out and has appeared to show the rest of us how it's done--I believe Christ already did that--Batterson illustrates the humanity, fragility, and vulnerability of the human spirit. Through concrete examples from his own life and ministry, he shows how and why we owe to the Lord to be true to the image we're made in--God's image.

The discussion questions in the last chapter are great for digging deeper to discover your "soulprint." There are many questions that would be wonderful to consider and pray about, perhaps even journal on. The proposed group activities seem like they would be ideal for intimate group discussions. Soulprint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny

I finally had a chance to read the book Soulprint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny by Mark Batterson, and from the beginning to the end, I devoured it. The book is terrific. At first, when Batterson started using the word "destiny" I had a negative reaction and recalled several new-age philosophies based on this word. As I continued reading I saw Batterson define a spiritual destiny based on our past. He used scripture to explain his soulprint theory, citing from the life of King David and his many trials mixed with blessings. In each segment of the book, the author focuses on David's soulprint, then applies the scripture to modern life. He compares David's soulprint to David's destiny, then challenges the reader to examine her own soulprint. I especially enjoyed the chapter on lifesymbols, as Batterson shared many of his personal symbols for inspiration.

Mark Batterson Quotes From Soulprint

* You were conceived by God long before you were conceived by your parents.
* God is crafting your character through the circumstances of your life.
* All of us start out as one-of-a-kind originals but too many of us end up as carbon copies of someone else.
* We sacrifice our soulprints on the alter of conformity.
* If you give God a chance, He will redeem your disappointments. Let God engineer.
* It's my footprints, where I've been and what I've done, that reveal my soulprint.

This is the first book I've read by author Mark Batterson, and I found the author to be sincere, positive, encouraging and inspiring. My only disappoint in the book was the way scripture verses were quoted without reference. I had to look in the end notes to see what verses were being referenced. As an avid bible study leader, I prefer the reference and translation beside the verse so I can memorize them or identify them as life verses to remember. The end of the book also includes a study guide for small groups, and I found the questions to be meaningful to the segments of there book. The book is not divided by chapters, it is divided by "scenes" identified as: Holy Confidence, Lifesymbols, The Crags of Wild Goats, Alter Ego, The Devil's Workshop and The White Stone. I recommend this book for small group study and discussion or for a Christian Book Club selection. As an individual reader, I found Soulprint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny by Mark Batterson to be educational and inspiring, and will keep this in my library of favorite books. I received a complimentary copy of the book from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review.

Batterson's "Soul Print" is an encouraging book aimed at helping us find our calling in life despite our challenges. As opposed to a formula for finding our spiritual gifts and a place in which to use them, the book is primarily a call to humility, integrity, and perseverance, using King David as the primary example. In that sense, the book gives us insight into the guy with a lot of character who wrote it. It's a refreshing change to the literature of large church pastors which tends to revolve around evangelism and marketing. This one is about character.

The book is divided into five chapters. The first is about patience and recognizing that during God's "divine delays," God is actually teaching us skills we wouldn't otherwise have, looking at David as a shepherd. The second is about choosing markers that identify our victories and God's work in our lives, drawn from the story of David and Goliath. The third is about integrity and respect, exploring David's relationship with Saul. The fourth is about humility, looking at David's dance in the buff. And the fifth is about moral integrity and holiness, drawn from David's tryst with Bathsheba.

Batterson concludes with a hopeful reference to the new name believers will be given in heaven, which "will make your entire life make sense. All the pain. All the joy. All the fears. All the hopes. All the confusion. All the dreams."

If we find fault with the book, it has to do with the literary style, which seems rushed and a little immature. Speculating about the nature of Saul's relieving himself in a cave when David cut off a corner of his robe doesn't exactly lend itself to exegetical insight. And overall, Batterson could use a touch of poetry. Most of it is outright moralistic storytelling, along the lines of fairly obvious sermon illustrations, and while it may fit the genre of the book, it doesn't make for great writing. But for a casual read, the stories are interesting, and the bottom line is a worthwhile message.

That said, it's nice to see a solid, large-church, evangelical investing in matters of character, and given that, I'd recommend the book. Here's the legalese: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. That said, I wanted to read it anyway and I'd recommend it regardless.

Regardless of what you may have been taught, all men and women are not created equal. Yes, we all have equal value, but we don't all have an identical purpose or destiny. Just as each of us has a unique set of fingerprints to identify who we are physically, God also designed us with an individual inner print to distinguish who --- and whose --- we are, spiritually. This is the basis for Pastor Mark Batterson's new book, SOULPRINT.

Pastor Mark takes us back to several critical moments in the life of David: defeating Goliath, choosing not to kill King Saul when he had the chance, dancing naked and unashamed before the Lord, and David's adultery with Bathsheba. He shows how each instance clearly defined who David was and how the worst circumstances produced the best character. He challenges us to embrace our setbacks because, almost without fail, it is those moments that result in the greatest growth.

As quoted in the book from Acts 13:33, "When David had served God's purpose in his generation, he fell asleep." This scripture says it all. Each one of us has a divine purpose to fulfill within our own generation. Our destiny is already in place; it's just up to us to unearth it. Batterson claims that this book serves as a sort of internal GPS. That it not only will help you determine who you are, but will also provide you with the freedom of discovering who you're not. And that is exactly what SOULPRINT achieves.

Although a relatively short book, a lot is unpacked within these pages. Divided into five sections, we first learn how to develop a holy confidence that trusts God to take control instead of trying to make everything happen on our own. The next section prompts us to think about the past and how our memories have shaped us into who we are today. The third section invites us to look into our hearts and examine our integrity. Batterson asks us to consider who we are living to please: God or man. Section four encourages us to be transparent and genuine and to laugh at ourselves along the way. Finally, in section five, we learn that our sin does not define who we are. It ends with the following quote by the author: "If you're still breathing, it means that God isn't finished with you yet. He is still chipping and chiseling. He is still remodeling you into His image. He is still setting the captive free and creating the unique masterpiece that is you."

It's easy to see why 70% of Pastor Mark's church (National Community Church in Washington, D.C.) is made up of members in their 20s. Using various illustrations, as well as plenty of examples from his own life, Batterson's narrative writing style makes this an engaging read. His spiritual insight, while profound, is presented in an easy-to-understand, straightforward manner with which we can all relate. Perhaps the most appealing factor is his undeniable passion for both God and people. His energy and enthusiasm shines through every page.

Included at the end of the book are several pages of discussion questions. This is where readers can revisit each section and reflect on how it pertains to their own lives. These questions can be used for individual study or as prompts for group discussion.

SOULPRINT is a book for the keepsake shelf. Be sure to have a highlighter handy, as you'll almost certainly want to refer back to it again and again. By meditating on the points made on these pages, you'll be well on your way to discovering your soulprint and identifying the unique purpose God created you to fulfill.

--- Reviewed by Lynda Schab

The last review I wrote I referenced the movie "Tommy Boy" with the famous line from Chris Farley, "Oh! That's going to leave a mark." Well this book talks about the marks life leaves on us and how they can lead us to our destiny's. I like the quote he begins the book with from C.S. Lewis, I mean how can you go wrong quoting Lewis? The last words of the quote are, "There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal." And that is the premise of the book that we are all unique in the way that we are shaped by how we live this life. The joys and the pains of life shape us and make us who we are and even why we are the way we are.
He does a nice job of using the life of David as the back drop of his book and the examples we have with David that show how his life was shaped even as he served his father as a shepherd boy. How he could draw on having in his past killed a lion and a bear defending his sheep and use that to give him the courage to face Goliath.... In his introduction to the book Mark does a real nice job connecting Michelangelo, and his sculpting of the statue of David. Michelangelo looked at the plain block of stone and said the figure of David was in there, he just had to remove the excess stone that was hiding it. Great image to help us see how God sees us as He removes the excess baggage of our lives so that the real you can be seen. His next image was one of the best I have ever run across as he described walking into the Gallery where the masterpiece "David" is enshrined. As you walk around there are many unfinished pieces on exhibit, with an arm sticking out here or a leg over there and you get the real sense of what an artist like Michelangelo meant when he said David was already in the stone, he just had to free him... These unfinished works gave the impression of s person trapped inside the stone and waiting for someone to come along and free them from their captivity. Then Mark asks the question, "Have you ever felt like a captive? You can't seem to break free from habitual sins that have held you back and held you down? A dream God conceived in your spirit years ago hasn't taken shape the way you wanted it to? You know where you want to be, what you want to do, and where you want to go, but you can't seem to get there. I have no idea where you're stuck or for how long you've been stuck. But I do know God wants to finish what He started." He ends that section with this thought, "At the end of the day, God isn't going to ask, "Why weren't you more like Billy Graham or Mother Teresa?" He won't even ask,"Why weren't you more like David?" God is going to ask, "Why weren't you more like you?"
The book begins...Helping us to see that life shapes us and makes us to be who we were created to be. What may seem like bad luck may instead have saved our lives or what seemed to be so heavy and hard at the time we were going through our struggle has now equipped us to minister to someone else or even to face the giant in front of us. If I could get this book into the hands of anyone it would be in the hands it would be into the hands of pastors and leaders and I would direct them to Scene 7 where Mark tackles the whole Bathsheba debacle. Recently I have witnessed so many gifted leaders falling and falling hard just like David, in an act of adultery, sexual misconduct.. Mark writes,"I am no longer surprised by sin." And none of us really are but when leaders fall right in front of us and we wonder what were they thinking? He says, `I am no longer surprised by sin. What does surprise me is the person with the rare courage to confess." I think he does a real nice job here reminding us the hiding stuff only makes it stronger but confessing begins the dying process. The sin begins to lose its' grip if we will confess our weakness and ask for help. Too many have dies horrific spiritual deaths by handling their stuff on their own, without ever confessing that they have a need... Then by the time they do confess it is a shipwreck, which God can re-build but the damage is deep and many destiny's unfulfilled. Leaders please read this chapter.
Then one more quick comment and it is on a statement he makes that seems not so important but it hit me hard, very hard. He talks about naming his kids and then on pg. 150 he talks about nicknames which seem pretty innocent until he says this: "Different nicknames reveal different dimensions of our relationships with them. (Friends, kids etc.) But most significant, nicknames reveal what we see in them." As parents and leaders it just struck me how a simple thing like a nick name could either promote a healthy self image or in the other side of the fence create a bad self image...We have to grow through both but I have to think having positive things spoken over you, especially at a young age has to have a great impact. I can remember growing up and the nick names my dad would use and I realized later that they all pointed to me being overweight...that is what he saw...or me not being so smart....trust me they left marks. Think about it...
There is much more in the book and as I finished it I realized I would recommend it to others because it brings hope to many who might not have hope and reminds us we are the clay and God is the potter and He is not done yet.
Waterbrook Multnomah press gave me this book to review..
Bill

You are a unique creation of God with the purpose of serving Him in the unique way that only you can. This one sentence sums up the entire book "Soulprint," the newest book from Mark Batterson. Doing what he does best, Batterson takes familiar portions of the Bible and gives them a fresh spin. Using five different aspects of the life of King David, Batterson shows the reader how through the high and low points he or she can live and fulfill his or her unique life calling; in short, how they can fully assume the identity of their soul print.

"Soulprint" feels very similar to his earlier book "In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day." Where "Soulprint" falls short for me is that while "In a Pit..." was the kind of book to pump you up and get you motivated to do some outrageous things for God, "Soulprint" felt too much like a self-help book for me. Based on what I had read earlier from Batterson, I did not enjoy this book as much as I could have. A reader who comes into this book with a similar mindset will have a very difficult time getting into this book much like I did. The reader who will get the most out of this book is the one who is working on trying to find his or her identity; the young Christian who is trying to grow in the faith.

I received my copy of this book free from the publisher, Multnomah Waterbrook Press, through their Blogging for Books program for review purposes. The opinions expressed in this review are my own, and I was not required to issue a positive review.

SOUL PRINT
discovering your divine destiny
By Mark Batterson

OVERVIEW: In Soulprint, Mark pours the insight and energy he's known for into helping you experience the joy of discovering who you are...and the freedom of discovering who you're not. The wonderful fact is that your uniqueness is God's gift to you, and it's also your gift to God. A self-discovery book that puts God at the center rather than self. Soulprint encourages you to recognize and explore the five defining moments in your life that will determine your destiny. Along the way, you'll find that you're not just turning the pages of a book. You're turning the pages of your remarkable, God-shaped, world-changing life.

AUTHOR: Mark Batterson serves as lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. NCC has been recognized by Outreach Magazine as one of the most innovative and influential churches in America. Mark is a daily blogger and the author of three best selling books.

MY REVIEW: The year is young, but this is the best book I have read this year. It may be one of the best books I have ever read. Soulprint is a book that everybody needs to read. Yes, needs to read. Few, if any of us realize our true value. Batterson makes it clear that God has given each of us an identity that makes us unlike anyone else. He calls this divine distinction our soulprint. He has a sincerity that comes across clearly in his communication. I felt challenged and stretched by this book in a way that I haven't been in a long time. This book will help you to realize that you have a divine destiny to fulfill. "Most of us live our entire lives as strangers to ourselves. We know more about others than we know about ourselves. Our true identities get buried beneath the mistakes we've made, the insecurities we've acquired, and the lies we've believed. We're held captive by others' expectations. We're uncomfortable in our own skin. And we spend far too much emotional, relational, and spiritual energy trying to be who we're not." In this splendid book, Mark Batterson encourages us by giving us the faith to believe "it's never too late to be who you might have been."

Get this book, read it and discover who you are. You owe it to yourself. When you have finished reading it, pass it on to someone else. I predict you may buy a few copies to give to those you care about.

Mark Batterson's new book is another home run! I was first introduced to Batterson when I read Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity. I loved it! It was one of the best books I read in 2010. So I wondered just how Batterson's new book would compare. Batterson has done it again. Soulprint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny is an excellent resource and challenges you to live your life more completely.

In Soul Print, Batterson sets put to help the reader understand their identity and destiny in Christ. In order to do this, he examines the life of David as an example. Batterson identifies several defining moments in David's life that helped him understand just who he was.

David rejected King's Saul's armor and instead used his sling to defeat Goliath.
David allowed God to use his skills with a sling and harp strategically.
David kept Goliath's armor after defeating him.
David refrained from harming King Saul when he found him in the cave.
David danced before the Ark of the Covenant as it was returned to Jerusalem.
David stayed home from war and entered a sinful relationship with Bathsheba.
David received God's promise to establish his descendants on the throne.

Some were good; some weren't. But these are some of the moments in David's life that made him who he was. These moments defined him.

Batterson uses each of these examples to ask the same question of the reader. Who are you? More importantly, whose are you?

You see, you can't understand your destiny until you comprehend your identity. But you can't grasp your identity until you grasp who God is, because he made you in his image.

Your soul print is unique. God has created no one else like you, and he created no one else to serve the same purpose as you. Understanding your soul print helps you live your life as it was meant to be lived... to the fullest.

I highly recommend that you read Mark Batterson's Soul Print. You won't regret it.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Multnomah Books as part of their Blogger Review Program [...]. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissionís 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising" [...].

I am generally leery of self-help books and Christian books in particular, because I don't want someone else's opinion or interpretation to affect my view of Scripture. That being said, this book falls into neither category.

You are unique. You worship God uniquely. God has a unique plan for your life; "a unique destiny to fulfill, and no one can take your place."

"Exactly what, you may be wondering, is a soulprint? Think of it this way: Your fingerprint uniquely identifies you and differentiates you from everyone else who has ever lived, but your fingerprint is only skin deep. You possess a uniqueness that is soul deep. I call it your soulprint. It's not just who you are, present tense. It's who you are destined to become, future tense. It's not just who others see when they look at you from the outside in. It's who God has destined you to become from the inside out. Not unlike your genetic code that programs your physical anatomy, your soulprint hardwires your true identity and true destiny. So while you live your life forward, God works backward. The Omniscient One always starts with the end in mind."

Using the life of David as a template, this book helps you identify defining moments and experiences in life that can help you determine your God-given destiny. This book is full of comments that are worth remembering, and thinking on. Among other topics, it delves into identity, integrity, embarrassing moments (and why we need them) moral honesty, and our desperate need for God.

"Your uniqueness reveals God's greatness." "The soulprint is the truest reflection of God's image. Locked within its vaults are your true identity and true destiny." These are just a few quotes that stick with me.

Written in plain language, this book is a contemplative read. The discussion questions at the end are geared simply to helping a person discover his or her true identity. Be prepared for tough questions which garner tougher answers.

If you like introspective reading, this book is for you. If you seek to learn more about yourself and more about God, this book is for you. If you are a lost traveller on the road of life, this book may well be able to help you find your compass. Five stars out of five. I highly recommend this book.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

One of three things happens to every book I read: It gets sold on half.com, shelved with other good books on the left side of my fireplace for later referencing or gifting, or shelved with my favorite books on the right side for infinite re-reading with marker and pen in hand. Mark Batterson, you have now joined the likes of Lucado, Swindoll, Yancey and Chambers on the esteemed right side of my fireplace.

The thesis of Soul Print is in its first paragraph: "There has never been and never will be anyone else like you. But that isn't a testament to you. It's a testament to the God who created you. You are unlike anyone who has ever lived. But that uniqueness isn't a virtue. It's a responsibility. Uniqueness is God's gift to you, and the uniqueness is your gift to God. You owe it to yourself to be yourself. But more important, you owe it to the One who designed you and destined you."

beginning a book with a succinct thesis sentence is no big thing, of course. But it is only the really good books that consistently stick to the thesis, the purpose, of the book. Batterson is focused and on target from start to finish. Every word, every illustration, every progression of thought in spot on. Plus, the book is a fount of quotable lines. Mark Batterson, writing is most definitely embedded your soul print.

True to his word, the book is not a self-help. It's more a biblically based self discovery. It's about discovering and following God's unique plan for you. Using David as an example, Batterson gives you good reason to identify your divinely destined soul print. I like that there are no patronizing exercises or reflective questions interspersed throughout the book. It is just straightforward lessons from God's Word and David's personal spiritual journey.

Only a true artist can appropriately inject humor into the treatment of a serious topic. And Batterson is such an artist. From questioning whether Saul was doing a number one or a number two when David snipped off the edge of his robe to phrases like "Kings don't disrobe and get jiggy with it," he is engaging while teaching. Mark Batterson, The next time I'm back home, I shall visit National Community Church and I hope to meet your soul printed self.

Mark Batterson of National Community Church recent work "SoulPrint: Discovering your Divine Destiny" is the kind of book that I almost anticipate finding in most Christian bookstores and Christian section of box stores or chain bookstores.
It is not entirely a bad thing, as it could definitely help the person whose identity is wrapped up in worldy things, concepts or identities self developed or assumed instead of the Image of Christ. SoulPrint covers a timely and critical topic.

I first note that I especially appreciate the differentiation made between genetic (physical make-up) and SoulPrint (God's ultimate purpose for our lives).

Claiming not to be a self-help book Batterson starts right out stating it is not, but it does tread the line and even allude to self-help in some occasions or with its verbiage. He guides the reader through

I also appreciated the topics which left to discerning the SoulPrint to determine if it is a God thing:

"just because something looks like or feels like a God thing doesn't necessarily mean it's a God thing... An opportunity isn't an opportunity if you have to compromise your integrity"

Overall, the book is helpful for a new believer or even a youth/student provided they are coached along with someone who can provide clarification with sound theology to completely understand the line between what God does in us, and through us versus what we can get from God, as well as biblical standards of manhood and womanhood among others. I say these things because the book appeared to be light on theological explanation as to why this is such as critical topic.

Soul Print can definitely be a good conversation starter with a mentor and copy of God's Word.

(SoulPrint was provided as a free copy in exchange for writing review by waterbrookmultnomah)

Pastor and Author Mark Batterson (In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day) challenges the reader to discover their divine destiny. In order to make this discovery, God must be at the center rather than self. With so many voices screaming out their thoughts on becoming a better you, how to find your best life now, and starting your new life today, Batterson's call brings a much needed to call to quit looking to our self and turn to God.

Everyone knows they have a unique fingerprint, and Batterson uses this truth to lay out an understanding of each person's unique 'soul print.' So, how do we find out how 'unique' we are? In his own words he states, "There has never been and never will be anyone else like you. But that isn't a testament to you. It's a testament to the God who created you... The fact that there never has been and never will be anyone like you simply means that no on can worship God like you or for you. (page 2)"

Following the life of David, from his darkest and deepest moments of sin to his repentance and transformation of becoming a man after God's own heart, Batterson hits home the truth that no matter where we have been or where we are now, God hasn't given up on us. Just like David, we have defining moments in our lives that give us our soul print. Complete with personal examples from his own life and a discussion guide at the end of the book to help with small group discussions, Soulprint will help you begin to discover your divine destiny, without all the 'self-help, look within yourself' stuff being peddled today. Excellent book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

On Sunday mornings we strive to blend in with the rest of the scrubbed faces in the chairs in the auditorium. We dress nice, but not too nice so we're not accused of being flashy. We put a smile on our face, not even hinting that there might be problems in our lives. We blend in, masking our individuality because we're afraid of what others will say if they discover the real you.

We're afraid because we don't know who we are ourselves.

Mark Batterson's new book Soulprint delves into the process of peeling back the layers of makeup that we've applied to make ourselves presentable to the world. Washing them away, Batterson encourages us to stand bare before God and to take our identity cues from the hands that formed us rather than the false messages we get from the world.

Using the victories and failures of King David as cairns around which to center his discussions, Mark encourages us to examine ourselves in light of how absolutely unique we are in God's creation. Just as the shepherd David was the only giant slayer on the battlefield that fateful day, God has created in each of us a singular personality with a purpose that only we can accomplish.

The examination of David's humility as he sheds worldly trappings to worship with abandon and zero concern for the opinions of those around him is the highlight of the book. To be so fully devoted to God that the world falls away in importance has always been my prayer, but vestiges of the fallen life remain. They remind me not to lift my hands too high, not to allow my foibles to be known, to keep the happy face required in church. I long to dance in worship.

Pastor Batterson has done a fine job with this volume. Men's groups will be especially well served by centering a study around this and the applicable scriptures that tell David's story. If only a small percentage of men can shed the masks they wear in our communities, the Church and world will never be the same.

As part of the Blogging for Books from Waterbrook/Multnomah I was lucky enough to receive Mark Batterson's new book Soul Print for review.

I have read all of Mark's other works and have never walked away upset that I spent time reading his stuff. This book is no different. Mark writes the way he preaches and teaches which is a very matter-of-fact type of communication. I enjoy this type of writing because it is more raw, real and untamed.

In this book Soul Print Mark tackles the idea of Identity and Purpose from the storyline of David. Mark opens with the Goliath scene and takes the reader on a personal journey through David's life, which also exposes their own life along the way. Mark takes David's lie frame by frame and shares where God is printing your (my) unique soul print within David's narrative.

Mark is real and honest as he authentically shares his heart and the junk he himself has dealt with in order for him to fully see the Soul Print in which God has placed on his life. I love his authentic approach to this topic and felt very relieved to read such honest discussion from his own life experience.

This book is very well written, very well thought out and impactful. I recommend this book to anyone because no matter where you are at in your Spiritual walk, I think there are some good nuggets you can grab out of this book.

One of the funny things about this book is that I was reading echoes of what I wrote about in my own book. This was not to say anything except that God ministered to me about how my writing is on track with what his Spirit is saying. We need to know our True Identity (or our Soul Print) and we need to be real with God, others and ourselves in order for us to come to the place of deep inner-healing that we desperately need. This book brings those issues to the table and I was pleased to see and hear someone else saying what I've been saying for years!

Mark Batterson investigates the life of David and teaches readers how to be the unique person God created them to be. No one is going to be just like you, and everyone is unique to God. He encourages readers to have a holy confidence in what God can do and not to have a confidence in your own self. Mark conveys that God must be the one where you get your identify from. Mark describes his own personal life symbols in his office to remind him of his past. He believes that you need to look at your past to remember where you have been. The past will help reveal who you are today. David's story is shown throughout the different chapters of the book to be an example of how God can take your own personal story and use it for his Kingdom.

Soul Print also has a discussion guide to help you absorb the knowledge of becoming the person God created you to be. Mark will guide you in the process by prompting you to answer the questions after each chapter.

I would recommend this book to anyone who doesn't like themselves. God has made you to be yourself. And we are all created in his image. I love how Mark utilized the story of David and portrayed it. Mark showed how David had to go through some disappointments but God still loved him. Even when you make a mistake God will never give up on us. I enjoyed that Mark demonstrated the whole story of David in Soul Print. He showed the good times and the bad times of the life of David. Soul Print will inspire you to become the whole person God made you to be and not to compare yourself to others. If you struggle with self image problems, this book will lead you to see that even though we are fallible human beings God still loves us. The past doesn't have to define us if you are in Christ you are forgiven.

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review".

Waterbrook Multnomah sent me this complimentary book to review for them.

When I saw this book was available for review, I jumped right on it. Mark Batterson's first book, In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day, was the catalyst for me in moving across the country to a journey unknown.

There never has been and never will be anyone like you. But that isn't a testament to you. It's a testament to the God who created you. The problem? Few people discover the God-given identity that makes them unlike anyone else. Mark Batterson calls this divine distinction our soulprint.

God would like to introduce you to yourself.

In Soulprint, Mark pours the contagious energy he's known for into helping you experience the joy of discovering who you are...and the freedom of discovering who you're not. The wonderful fact is that your uniqueness is God's gift to you, and it's also your gift to God.

A self-discovery book that puts God at the center rather than self, Soulprint encourages you to recognize and explore the five defining moments in your life that will determine your destiny. Along the way, you'll find that you're not just turning the pages of a book. You're turning the pages of your remarkable, God-shaped, world-changing life.

There were so many great nuggets in this book. I had read the beginning a good four times and found something different every time that spoke to my heart. This book meets you in whatever spiritual time you are in. For me, there was a lot of freedom that happened when reading the black print in this book. Here are some defining sentences that stuck out to me:

"The fact that there never has been and never will be anyone like you simply means that no one can worship God like you or for you. You were created to worship God in a way that no one else can. How? By living a life no one else can--your life. You have a unique destiny to fulfill, and no one can take your place."

How freeing is that? I don't have to worship like everyone else, because I'm not everyone else! I and all of us are created uniquely so it would seem that worshiping the God who created us uniquely would want us to worship him based on our individual uniqueness.

"One of the biggest mistakes we make is focusing all our energy on the next season of life instead of enjoying the season we're in."

This sentence hit me right between the eyes. I've been anticipating and ready for Ed to be done with school and for us to continue on our journey, but how much have I missed in anticipation? Thankfully I realized this awhile ago and have tried to make the most, learn the most, take in the most I possibly can while living in the adventure I'm in.

"When we try to be all things to all people, we're trying to be God. We've got a Messiah complex. And if we try to be everything to everybody, we'll end up being nothing to nobody. At the end of the day, I'd rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I'm not."

How many of us pretend who we are and don't show our true selves? I know I've done that. Many times, many years. I've learned one thing from this book: No one defines who I am except God. People and events may influence me, but they don't define me. God knows my definition, my destiny, my identity. And I'm glad for that because I can learn to be the me who God intended.

So all the above to say, I really liked this book and will be reading it again. Mark does a great job getting right to the point in an easy thought provoking way. I high recommend this book to anyone.

David is one of those biblical personages that even pre-believers seem to know about, and in his latest book, Soul Print discovering your divine destiny; Mark Batterson sends us on a journey to discover our destiny with David as the tour guide. But it's not just any journey; it's a journey that helps us discover who we might have been, who we might become, instead of just who we are. It's a journey that builds on the legacy that we were left with, and builds to the legacy that we will leave behind
I don't think there's a lot of new ideas in this book, but I might as well have been reading some of them for the first time, and I found myself thinking about how my life might have been different if I had read this book 35 or 40 years ago. If I had focused on becoming the right person, on enjoying the current season rather than focusing on the one to come. If I had recognized some of the disappointments to my plans as the divine appointments that God intended them to be.
This book is deceptively simple. You might spend a couple of hours reading it, enjoying the writing style, and promising to try some of the suggestions for making your skin a more comfortable place to be, or you might savor it for longer periods of time, delighting in the knowledge that God has a wonderful plan for you, and Batterson has given you a map with a big "X" marking the spot where you can start the search for that plan.
As I read I was given glimpse after glimpse of the me that God is still working on, not just the me that I might be content with based on the days that have already passed, but the me that God has planned for the days that are yet to come.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
[...]

Soulprint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny by Mark Batterson is the first book of his that I've read and it was a fantastic book. One thing I really enjoyed is his writing style; it keeps you interested and wanting to continue to read. Mark desires that through this book you will find out who you are. Now before you think this is some mediocre self-help book, this book is described as "a self-discovery book that puts God at the center rather than self." If you can read with an open heart and mind, I trust that God will lead you to discover things about yourself you may not have known before. Personally, this is a book I'm going to have to read again for sure. There is also a section of discussion questions at the end of the book to provide another resource as you look deeper into the purpose of this book. Mark opens the book with this statement,

"There has never been and never will be anyone else like you. But that isn't a testament to you. It's a testament to the God who created you."

This book really helps realign your focus that your identity is not really yours at all. We are who God made us to be. It's through who we are in Christ that we truly find ourselves. Throughout this book, Mark uses the life of David as an example. David began his life as a shepherd and eventually became a King. Now David wasn't perfect, but what David is remembered for is being a man after God's own heart. You definitely can't get that title because of anything we have done, it's all because of God's work in you. Who we are is truly a testament to what God is doing through us. Focus on Him and you will find who you are. A great reminder for all of us.

Special thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah and Blogging for Books for providing this complimentary book to read and review.

Mark Batterson's latest book, Soul Print: discovering your divine destiny, is a challenging read - not because it is difficult to read, but because of what he says and holding what he says in proper biblical tension. Batterson writes in a conversational a popular style which is very easy to read. Yet, the premises/doctrines/teachings of his book were challenging to me as I seek to understand my place in Christ. See the product information at[...]

Batterson's book is divided into seven sections, presenting seven theses. Each of these is supported by Scripture and illustrated by the history of David's life, Jesus' life, and something out of Batterson's life. The book ends with a thorough discussion guide, which would prove very useful for group discussion.

The seven theses or doctrines - in my words - are these:
1. God created you to be you.
2. God is working His Will in us, so we ought to trust Him and not our circumstances.
3. God gives us lifesymbols to remember His Faithfulness.
4. God cares more about our integrity regarding Him than anything else.
5. Our identity/security is in Christ Alone, so embarrassment for the sake of Christ should be encouraged.
6. God breaks us in order to heal us; we're defined by what Christ does in us.
7. To truly know ourselves, we must sit before the Lord.

Read Christocentrically, as it is intended, this book may be a good antidote to our modern narcissism, for our meaning, our purpose, and our joy can only truly be found in understanding our place in Christ. May God use this book to His Glory.

[This review appears on the store.com and my blog. I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.]

Soul Print invites you to examine defining moments in your life that have shaped your identity. By examining your life from a biblical perspective Mark Batterson provides helpful advice that will hopefully enable you to experience the joy of discovering who you are and the freedom of who you're not (p. 3).

Batterson introduces the idea of considering your dual destiny. You are not only the unique person you were created to be (Ephesians 2:10), but he also challenges you to be conformed to the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). Using the life of David as a backdrop Soul Print presents a number of principles to assist you to process the events of our life. I have enjoyed reading Mark Batterson's other books and Soul Print continues his practice of providing practical advice for everyday living in a solid biblical framework.

Batterson makes an excellent point that we must be who were created to be but perhaps he overstates his case as he writes, "And if we try to be everything to everybody, we'll end up being nothing to nobody." I see his point but the Apostle Paul says, "I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some" (1 Cor 9:22b).

Mark Batterson displays the heart of a pastor as he encourages the reader throughout the book. Here's an example, "David wasn't defined by his sin. And neither are you. Not if you are in Christ. You are no longer defined by what you've done wrong. You are defined by what Christ has done right. His righteousness is your identity. His righteousness is your destiny" (p. 140). I have already recommended Soul Print to a number of people and I believe you will be encouraged by reading this inspiring book. (I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review).

Mark Batterson has done it again. This time he has written a refreshingly authentic picture of what a Christian life could and should look like. Soul Print: Discovering Your Divine Destiny is a book about serving God in a vibrant and real way by being the person God intended you to be. I found his challenge to the superficiality of our day especially appealing. As usual for a Mark Batterson book there are lots of good quotes. Here are a few of my favorites:

"All of us start out a one-of-a-kind originals, but too many of us end up as carbon copies of someone else" (p. 13).

"Every past experience is preparation for some future opportunity. God doesn't just redeem our souls. He also redeems our experiences" (p. 22).

"Most of us wait to do something wrong until no one is watching, and we wait to do something right until someone is watching" (p. 72).

Quoting a popular saying..."If you is who you ain't, then you ain't who you is" (p. 102).

"Sinful self-deception may be the only unlimited capacity we possess. So I'm no longer surprised by sin. What does surprise me is the person with the rare courage to confess" (p. 121).

Batterson's basis for the book is the story of David. Good teacher that he is, he gives the reader a bird's eye view of David. Then he points to lessons and probes the biblical text to make his point that David serves as the model of one who found his "soul pattern" and lived by it. Batterson masterfully weaves principles from the biblical text with events in the life of David. He lays precept upon precept, skillfully and thoughtfully making his case for the "soul print" principle.

The book is not perfect. Like most preachers (myself included), Batterson has the tendency to overuse favorite sayings such as "Fulfill your destiny". He also used more of the story of David as allegorical that I was comfortable with. One instance is when he writes about David dancing and stripping his robes. (2 Samuel 6:20-22) Batterson makes the comment that we must symbolically strip our robes in order to unleash who we really are. While I believe that this to be true, it is doubtful that it was the original intent of the text.

These few weaknesses do not outweigh the incredible impact this book has had on me It is both a quick-read and a must-read. Put in on your A list.

I have to admit I became extremely skeptical of this book when I opened it and the first line read "There has never been and never will be anyone else like you." I thought to myself, "Here goes another feel good, shallow popular Christianity book." How wrong I was. The very next line tells us that its not a testament to us but rather it is a testament to God. Starting off on the wrong foot, I ended feeling like this was one of the most useful and wisdom packed books I have ever read. Frankly Mark Batterson should be rolling around in a wheel chair with all the life experiences and wisdom he was able to pour out on his reader. This book is a self help book, but it is not. It helps us to realize that we cannot help ourselves. There is no point in trying to fix what is broken with something that is broken. Batterson communicates in a clear and convincing way that the only way for us to break free from our struggles and sufferings is to admit that we cannot break free. It is to completely lose control and hand it over to the God that is in control of everything. He walks us through the story of David using it to show us that it is not our story that defines us but rather what we do with our story. Are we willing to learn and grow? Will we allow our failures and successes to bring us down or build us up? The only way for us to do that is to get a true reflection of who we are, and the only way to do that is to know God better. This is a very easy read that has been well written. Make sure that you have a highlighter ready because you are going to need one. You can download a sample chapter for free, simply use this link to get there.
[...]

5 out of 5 stars
"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"

Mark Batterson's style of writing is down-to-earth, easily understood and thought-provoking. If I'd had a highlighter while reading Soul Print, I would have probably highlighted 90% of the book. Snippets of truth in short, concise sentences permeate this book!

I first came across Mark's writing when a friend handed me a copy of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, which rocked the way I think about the opportunities that God puts in front of us. When I discovered I could get Soul Print, I was more than excited.

Soul Print doesn't fail to deliver! In this book, Mark leads us through the life of David and how he finds his identity (his "soul print") through God's view of him and not anyone else's. Through his life experiences, David finds that God's view of who he is will take him farther than David ever dared to imagine. So it is with us. Through real-life experiences interspersed with David's story, Soul Print leads us through a journey that (for me, anyway!) awakens the knowledge that "God wants you to be who he wants you to be more than you want to be who God wants you to be". (Yeah, I know. Take a second to absorb that one. Take a few minutes, even.)

This book had me hooked from page 1, and I'm looking forward to reading Mark's next book, Primal.

I received this copy for free through Waterbrook Multnomah's Blogging for Books program. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for the book. Thanks!

Our world is in an identity crisis. We are constantly looking to celebrities, children, relationships, looks, and many other things to base our identity on. In SoulPrint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny, Mark Batterson effectively presents the biblical antidote to this identity crisis. As believers, our true identities are grounded in our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Through SoulPrint, Batterson encourages his readers to personally evaluate the past, present, and future decisions that have been essential in identity construction. He discusses the process of sanctification, in which a believer becomes the person who God created them to be. This exploration is done primarily through a study of the life and decisions of David. Through the chapters, Batterson makes David come alive to the readers. Through the life journey of David, readers are taught the importance of having a holy confidence in God, making spiritual markers of God's faithfulness, reflecting in times of preparation and discouragement, being authentic, and avoiding times of temptation. Batterson ends the book by painting a picture of God giving believers a completely new identity in heaven.

This is a very encouraging and challenging read. Batterson encourages readers to become real about the things that have formed their identity and a passionate call to surrender their identity completely to Christ. Batterson's writing style and constant examples make SoulPrint a very compelling read.

"There has never been and never will be anyone else like you. But that isn't a testament to you. It's a testament to the God who created you."

So begins Mark Batterson's latest book, Soulprint (Discovering Your Divine Design). It's not a self-help book, he says, because "Self-help is nothing more than idolatry dressed up in a rented tuxedo." But it is a self-discovery book, in which Batterson (and King David, whose story it follows) helps the reader discover his or her unique identity and destiny, promising "it's never too late to be who you might have been."

Soulprint is filled with the sharp insights and memorable phrases that characterize a Mark Batterson book, springing from the most memorable scenes in the life of that most memorable story, the life of David, the shepherd-King of Israel. After the opening chapter, Batterson organizes the book around five memorable scenes from David's life: His battle with Goliath, his saving of Goliath's armor (as a "lifesymbol"), his encounter with King Saul at the En Gedi, his dancing before the ark of the covenant, and his sin (and repentance) in the incident with Bathsheba. The book concludes with a final chapter entitled, "The White Stone."

I love books about David, the man after God's own heart. And I love Mark Batterson's writing. So from my perspective, it doesn't get much better than reading Mark Batterson writing on David. Soulprint is a book well worth reading, and well worth heeding.

(This book was provided for review by the publisher, Multnomah Books)

I've decided to approach this review by sharing what SOUL PRINT meant to me. One of the reasons I write is to leave a legacy. According to the author, that is also why we live.

Those of you, who know me, know I believe God places the right people, in the right place, at the right time. Mark Batterson is one of those "right people."

Mark believes to truly discover yourself, you must place God at the center of your self-discovery rather than yourself. You must learn to embrace your past, good or bad, because all of your past experiences are a part of your `soul print'.

As Mark's words encouraged me to relive the defining moments of my life, I felt like I was putting the pieces of a puzzle together. It was amazing how perfectly they fit and how every piece was necessary in shaping my life. It was like it was all part of a Divine Plan.

You may think you know everything there is to know about yourself and your purpose here on this earth but, to be truly fulfilled, you must complete God's destiny for you.

You will never be able to worship God completely, until you become the best version of the you that God created you to be. Every morning I pray: "Thank you God for all of the days you have given me so far. Please bless this day as I offer it up to you."

Now I add another sentence to my prayer. "Please help me to discover and become the person you created me to be."

Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington DC

I received this book free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

"Soul Print" written by Mark Batterson is yet another Christian self-help book, though notably one that puts God firmly in the center rather than the self. In this aspect it is a book that I find could be most helpful for anyone seeking direction...anyone searching for the path that God intends for them to be on. It is so easy for us to become lost in the jumble of our daily lives that we forget entirely that we were created to be so much more. We were created in God's image to be creative and magnificent people...to do meaningful and fulfilling work for our creator. Why then do we spend the bulk of our lives looking for 'the perfect mate', working at jobs to buy yet another 'thing', struggling to just breathe in a world that seems to be moving at ever faster speeds? Is this hustle and bustle, go and do, glorifying to God?

Mark Batterson's book will have you asking yourself, "What was it that God called me to be?". Because the answer to that question you already know. You've probably just forgotten. This book is not a quick fix...it won't answer any of your big questions. Neither will it magically define your destiny. It will, however, guide you down a path of self discovery that is simply enlightening. Mr. Batterson writes in a clear and engaging tone that is at once friendly and informative. I found myself really enjoying this book and yes, it has helped me rediscover who God intended for me to be. Thank you Mark Batterson for this invaluable, wonderful book.

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"

Step aside, self-help books! Mark Batterson brings real help from the throne of heaven in Soulprint. He uncovers self-help as "nothing more than idolatry dressed up in a rented tuxedo" right from page one and reminds us that without God's intervention we are helpless to become the people He has designed us to be.

Using the life of David as the backdrop of each chapter's principle, Batterson leads us on a journey of self-discovery. He reveals to us how even our past is part of who God has designed us to be. When we are good stewards of our pasts, even our memories, God can redeem even the unpleasant parts and use them to make us more of who He created us to be! Nothing is out of the reach of God's loving, capable hands when we place all of ourselves in them!

Batterson discusses how God uses small victories in our lives to build a "holy confidence" in us. He shows us how important things become lifesymbols and what powerful tools integrity and willpower are.

Soulprint will stir you to see yourself differently in the mirror of God's Word. Mark Batterson's effective, easy style will inspire you to allow God to shape you into all He's called you to be!

I received this book free to review from Waterbrook Multnomah publishers. That in no way influenced my opinion or review of this book.

Some times we send a message to others that humanity is utterly worthless and useless. The Protestant movement had as one of its founding principles the idea that man is totally depraved, and our preaching throughout the centuries has been rife with phrases comparing humanity to bugs or worms.

But God started with an entirely different perspective of us. God originally called us "very good," because God made us, and God loved what God made. While I understand the aim of preaching like I mentioned above, one of the unfortunate side effects of such teaching is that we often end up with this understanding that we are of no use or good at all, even after meeting God.

Mark Batterson, in his book Soulprint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny, instead argues that we are in fact unique and that God wants us to use that uniqueness to step into the story God is writing. Others might see something entirely different- they might look at us and see "too young" or "not smart." But God instead sees the unique gifts and purpose that God wants us to embrace.

Batterson follows the life of David from the Old Testament. In the very beginning, we see that even Jesse, David's father, does not see much in David. But God does. And as the story unfolds, we see that David steps bravely into the role God was calling him to play. We know the results.

As I read the book, being a preacher, I could see that this was clearly an adaptation of a sermon series that Mark probably preached in the past. In old preacher lingo, "it preaches well." The book is a quick, engaging read, and would be perfect for small group discussion. Batterson calls us to recognize that our uniqueness is not a testament to us, but rather to the God who made us all.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the WaterBrook Multnomah Blogging For Books book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 <[..]> : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

In a market where self-help books promise to help you be a better you, this book stands apart! In Soulprint, author Mark Batterson wonderfully articulates the truth that God must be at the center of who we are meant to be. He uses imagery from art to describe the process of becoming the unique "you" that God designed you to be as allowing God to chisel away the roughcut stone from our life and reveal our true selves. People can go through their whole lives deriving their identity from what they do, becoming like others, living up to expectations, self-improvement, or past history. God designed each human in His image but unique to themselves. We will never rest in our unique identity until we stop trying to become someone we are not, and allow God to reveal who we are. Batterson beautifully brings this truth to light through five scenes from David's life.

This book was a delight to read. It brought to life the stories of King David and his writings in a way that made me closely identify with aspects of my own life. Many self-improvement books leave you with big "to-do" list of things that you soon run out of willpower to sustain. This book was a relief, describing many things we can let go of. Yes, there are practical suggestions of things to do on a self-discovery journey. These are helpful tools to help us treasure the memories of our past and redeem the circumstances of our life, past and present, to allow God to shape us into the masterpiece He has in mind. I found this book encouraging, uplifting, insightful, challenging, and releasing. I recommend it highly.
I received a copy of this book for free for review from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Learning to identify our defining moments helps us realize our unique Soulprint says Mark Batterson. Taking his clues from the life of David we walk through our lives as well, seeking to better understand how God created us uniquely and how we best serve God by being that unique creation.

Here in the USA we are so concerned with what we do we often forget who we are, and Batterson calls us to the Scriptures to see who we are is far more important than what we do.

Walking with Batterson through his life symbols helps his readers to walk through their lives as well. What we often think are small moments in life, may in reality be the big lessons God is teaching us and preparing us for. However, our memories are subjective and Batterson reminds us to look at our memories theiough the eyes of God's providence, for there we see God at work in our past.

Intgrity is the virtue which holds all the other virtues in place says Batterson. He also poins to David's humility as a key to his becoming what God intended for him, and is true for us as well.

"True self-discovery happens only in the presence of God." Batterson's constant reminder of whose we are resonates throughout the pages of this book. I encourage you to read and ponder this book as it infiltrates your thinking and your living.

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review."

"There has never been and never will be anyone else like you. But that isn't a testament to you. It's a testament to the God who created you. You are unlike anyone who has ever lived. But that uniqueness isn't a virtue. It's a responsibility. Uniqueness is God's gift to you, and uniqueness is your gift to God. You owe it to yourself to be yourself. But more important, you owe it to the One who designed you and destined you,"

This begins a journey of self discovery guided by Mark Batterson in his new book, Soul Print.

In Soul Print, Mark Batterson shares how we can learn more about ourselves and our purpose through the story of David. 'This journey of self discovery isn't about us though, but it is a path bringing us closer to who God is. I love how Mark explains that by learning more about about who God is, we get a clearer vision of who we are and God's purpose for our lives. This isn't another self-help book, but an celebration of our uniqueness and how everything we are points to God.

These days we are pressured to conform to what the world thinks we should be, but in this book Mark challenges us to boldly be who God created us to be.

Soul Print is a book that can be done as a study alone or with a group as a study guide is included at the back of the book. This book isn't just a good read, but is a life-changing journey into discovering your divine destiny...your Soul Print.

In Soul Print*, Mark explores the life of King David and looks at how David discovered who he was created to be and how we can do the same.

Mark opens the book saying, "there has never been and never will be anyone else like you. But that isn't a testament to you. It's a testament to God who created you... You owe it to yourself to be yourself. But more important, you owe it to the One who designed you and destined you." He goes on to say that we worship God when we live our life in the way God created us to live it.

From the outside, the book looks to have a "self-help" feel but in Mark Batterson's words, "Make no mistake, this is no self-help book. Self-help is nothing more than idolatry dressed up in a rented tuxedo. So let me be blunt: you aren't good enough or gifted enough to get where God wants you to go. Not without His help. But here's the good news: there is nothing God cannot do in you and through you if you simply yeild your life to Him. All of it. All of you."

I really enjoyed the `lifesymbols' part where Batterson encourages us to have 'lifesymbols' - visible reminders of our faith journey. Pictures, rocks, objects. Anything that is a positive reminder of how God has worked in our lives. He goes on to tell us that we have to 'disrobe' and be vulnerable and warns us that the simple fact of living a life that relies fully on God will make Satan mad and he will fight even harder for us. We can't do this alone, but the end rewards will be more than worth the struggle and pain. We are all unique and God has given each of us a unique destiny. Now we have to find it.

If you are looking for a good place to start exploring your journey painted by God then this is the place to start.

Check out more from Mark Batterson: [...]
Read his other amazing books.
Buy Soul Print
* I received this book for free for reviewing it. Even though I got it free it was a book I would have purchased for myself. I have read 2 of Mark Batterson's other books and even met him in person. I think his books are amazing!

"Uniqueness is God's gift to you, and uniqueness is your gift to God." Soul Print's first paragraph contains both this sentence and a challenge. It's a dare to be unlike anyone but you.
As someone who loves being considered "unique," a book exploring this subject piqued my interest.
Being unique, I discovered, isn't as simple as looking or acting different. Each one of us was created with a divine imprint- a soul print. Until we discover our soul print and allow God to introduce us to ourselves, we're incapable of fulfilling our divine destiny.
So what exactly is a soul print, and how do we uncover it? When we're used to living as strangers to ourselves, how do we go about getting acquainted with who God made us to be? Where do we find our identity?
Drawing from the biblical account of David and personal experience, Mark Batterson explains the soul print and how we identify our identity. Covering topics such as confidence, memories, our "alter ego," and others, he inspires readers to dig deep and eliminate false identities- the things we depend on to tell us who we are.
Reading Soul Print was both freeing and difficult. Freeing, because it so clearly showed that God doesn't want me to be anyone but me! Difficult, because discovering the identity God created for me requires self-examination and change.
But as the author writes on page 16, "The failure to give expression to our soul prints will result in our greatest regrets."
Soul Print inspires you to take on the challenge and rise above regrets. Go ahead and introduce yourself to this book- it could be what God uses to introduce you to yourself.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars!
I received this book for free from the published in exchange for my review.

"Soul Print" by Mark Batterson focuses on becoming the person God wants you to be and free yourself of the expectations of others.

Among the points covered include:

1. We cheat ourselves, others, and God when we fail to discover our God-called destiny.
2. God will use our skills for His glory if we let Him.
3. God's primary concern is the kind of person we are becoming instead of what we are doing or going.
4. Humility is the key to fulfilling our destiny.
5. God knows you better than you know yourself.
6. If you want to discover your destiny, spend time alone with God.
7. Eventually we will offend someone, just make sure it is not God!
8. God is ordering our footsteps and will use delays and disappointments to prepare us.
9. Put your confidence in God instead of yourself.
10. Be patient and wait for God to meet your legitimate need in His way and time.

A good read. Some thoughts may be new and profound while others may be heard already, although it does not hurt to be reminded periodically!

The book is around 180 pages and contains a study and question guide correlating to each chapter.

Read, enjoy, and be encouraged to be the person God wants you to be.

Highly recommended!

Author and Pastor Mark Batterson knocks another one out the park with "SoulPrint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny."

There never has been and never will be anyone quite like you. But that isn't a testament to you. It's a testament to the God who created you. Unfortunately, many of us go through most or all of our lives without discovering our unique God-given identity or "soulprint." In this book Mark takes on a journey with King David that helps us to reveal our own soulprints.

In a world where we are told what and how to be by television, magazines and movies every time we turn around, "Soulprint" encourages us to be unique, just as we were created. There's no denying that David was a unique individual. Just as God created him He has created each and every one of us as a unique person on a life mission that is as unique as we are. To lead a life that does not pursue this mission that has been designed especially for us is to waste a life that was important enough to the Creator to be given in the first place. Our acceptance or denial of this mission not only affects our own lives but it affects the lives of those God has put around us.

A legacy has been left for you to fulfill. Discovering and using your "soulprint" will help you to better understand yourself and to be more God-honoring and obedient in all that you do. I challenge you to read this book and walk away the same.

Soulprint was a truly enjoyable and refreshing book. It is a quick read primarily because the writing is so clear and interesting. Mark Batterson uses vignettes from the life of David to teach his readers the importance of being the men and women that God created us to be. From Soulprint we are challenged to find our value in what God is doing in our life. Our value is not found in what we do or who we are but in God who made us who we are.

Sprinkled throughout the book are words of wisdom...lots of wisdom. One that stuck out to me was that experiences can either define or refine us. It's our choice! That's great. It's succinct. It's clear. And, it's memorable. I was encouraged to read a book that made so much sense. There wasn't a ton of filler. Just good quality thinking and clear presentation.

I would recommend this book. It is great for anyone who questions what their purpose is in life. It would also be valuable for anyone who wonders if they have anything to contribute to this world. These are questions that many of us struggle with even if we don't express it to others. So, basically I would recommend it to everyone.

Note: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

I was given a copy of Soulprint by Mark Batterson for review. Being a religious person, I was very intrigued by his claim that it would help one discover their divine destiny. Through the life of King David, other well known figures, as well as his own life, Batterson gives examples of trials and triumphs, but he emphasizes that it is not until we submit our will to God's will that those trials turn into triumphs. We do not see the big picture, our Creator does. Batterson gives an example of a woman revealing her needlepoint. "She'd hold up the backside, which was just a jumble of colors and threads with no discernible pattern...'That's how we see our lives'...Then she'd turn the needlepoint over to reveal the finished side...'This is how God views your life, and someday we will have the privilege of seeing it from His point of view'" (pg. 65). God sees the end and works backwards, we tend to have very limited vision. This book helps us to see God's hand in the details of our lives and realize that we have the ability to be great; we just have to change our perspective.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

When Mark Batterson twittered that his latest book would be available for review, I jumped at the chance to read it. I have thoroughly enjoyed his previous books and Soulprint continues the tradition of books that engage you mind as well as your spirit in moving closer to the relationship that God desires to have with us. In Soulprint, Mark Batterson helps you on the voyage of discovering who you are in a way that you probably have never journeyed before. Instead of helping you see you, he focuses on seeing God and how God sees you. For only God knows us so completely, that He can know not only who we are now, but who we have the potential to become. Mark uses the life of David and associates that five stones that David chose to fight Goliath with five defining moments of David's life, the moments that changed the course of his life. And by doing this, Mark helps us identify defining moments in our own lives.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

'"God want you to get where God wants you to go more than you want to get where God wants you to go."
"If we stay humble, there is nothing God cannot do in us and though us."

And probably the line that best captures the essence of what the book spoke to me was this:

"Until you see yourself through His eyes, you'll never get a vision of who you can become."

Perspective is a word that has become major in my life this last year. And again, Mark brings this idea of the perspective of God into our opinion of ourselves.

At the end of the book, Mark has included discussion questions for each chapter, giving you the opportunity to think through the application of each chapter to your own life. The book can be not only a source of a good read, but a tool to continue to pursue the person that God sees you as being.
Disclosure:
"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review".

I just finished reading Mark Batterson's latest book Soul Print and I give it two thumbs up. Subtitled "discovering your divine destiny" Batterson unpacks the truth that there never has been and never will be anyone like you, but that isn't a testament to you, it's a testament to the God who created you.
Batterson opens up his book with a quote from C.S. Lewis "There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal" The first chapter is entitled Opening: Soul Print and he lays the foundation for the book. He starts to scratch the surface of what is to come by explaining that there is no one else like you, we are each uniquely made. He then digs into the story of an Old Testament hero, David. Through the book he draws parallels to our current life and to the life of King David.
Scene 1: Holy Confidence: Batterson looks at the experiences that we have in life, whether good or bad and how God puts those experiences in our life to grow us into the person He created us to be. Looking at David's life, Mark talks about how David took down Goliath and how God brought David to that point for that specific reason. David was great with a slingshot because he was a shepherd and he had taken on lions defending his sheep. These experiences gave David a Holy confidence that when he stepped up to Goliath, David knew he could handle the giant! Batterson then asks us, what experiences have we been through in the past that have shaped us for what we are dealing with today or might be facing in the future.
Scene 2: Lifesymbols: This chapter talks about how we can use life symbols as guide posts to remind us of how God has worked in our past. He explains how he specifically decorates his office with symbols that remind him of God's faithfulness. He poses the question "Why am I surrounding myself with meaningless things?" The art on our wall, the stuff on our desks, do they hold personal meaning?
Scene 3: The Crags of the Wild Goats: This chapter talks about how David cut off the corner of Saul's robe (1 Samuel 24:3-4). David had the chance to kill his enemy but he didn't take it because an opportunity isn't an opportunity if you have to compromise your integrity. Batterson reminds us that God is always concerned with who we are becoming. We fixate on what and when and where, but the primary issue is who you become in the process.
Scene 4: Alter Ego: This chapter unpacks how we set up identities or securities in things other than Christ. David isn't afraid of dancing in his undies as he is bringing the Ark of the Covenant back, David wants to talk the focus off of himself and show those around him that God is more important than his royal robe. The tough question is what are we hiding behind?
Scene 5: The Devil's Workshop: This chapter talks about how sin can creep in if we let our guard down. David had this issue when the his army went off to war and he found himself on the rooftop. Batterson challenges us to have accountability, have someone in our life who has permission to openly and honestly speak into your life and show us our "blind spots".
Closing: The White Stone: Batterson closes his book with reminding us that God has a name for each and everyone of us that no one knows except for him (Rev 2:17). He begins the book and ends the book the same, "There never has been and never will be anyone like you, but that isn't a testament to you. It's a testament to the God who created who. Your uniqueness isn't just a gift from God. It's your gift to God."
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, Mark Batterson asks a lot of tough questions and challenges us to dig deeper into self discovery and find out who God is calling us to become, we are each different and we each have our own soul print.

I picked up Soul Print excited to see how Batterson would follow up from his last book 'In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day'. The story that the author portrays with the life of David, is so encouraging. These days it is a struggle to find your true identity, because we look for it in numerous worldly things. We look for our identity in technology, in what others think and what we accomplish in life. However, Soulprint provides a biblical perspective that brings truth and encouragement to all. As Soulprint guides us through David's life it includes the numerous ups and downs as David truly became who God called him to be.
I found myself challenged through David's and the author's life as I started to look into my life, my soulprint. I found areas where I have looked to others for approval and not to the Lord. I found areas where I have not been bold in the ministry that I run, and am challenged to do something about it. I am encouraged by a 'Holy Confidence' that I'm looking to implement in my life and ministry. This book does an incredible job picking apart one's life as one identifies with this world. As I discover the brokeness in my life, I'm encouraged that it won't be forever. I am promised an eternity through seeking my true soulprint....seeking my divine destiny!

Mark Batterson's books seem to get shorter with each publication. That doesn't make them have less of an impact though.

Soul Print is Batterson's self-help book but this isn't like every other self-help trash. Batterson wants to help you understand who you are by revealing who God is.

By looking at the life of David, Batterson reveals how our memories and life situations are put in place so that God can shape us to who he wants us to know.

Containing 5 "scenes": Holy Confidence, Lifesymbols, The crags of the wild goats, Alter Ego, The Devil's Workshop and The White stone; you will be ushered into remembering your past as well as learning some funny anecdotes from the author.

Batterson touches on walking through confusing times when God seems to leave us alone as well as the times when we think we're doing what God is calling us to do.

This would make a great small group resource as there are great discussion questions at the end.

I don't think you can go wrong with a Mark Batterson book.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing

Been a huge fan of Mark Batterson and National Community Church for a good many years now - I remember reading his annual State of the Church document back in the early 90s. Watching this church from a distance became even more fun as some of the guys from my high school small group became adults and started serving at there. I've had a few opportunities to visit and see them from up close too - always inspired after those field trips.

His new book Soul Print releases today - here are a few notes from it.

+ Around the turn of the twentieth century, a pioneering psychologist named Alfred Adler proposed the counter intuitive theory of compensation. Adler believed that perceived disadvantages often prove to be disguised advantages because they force us to develop attitudes and abilities that would have otherwise gone undiscovered.

+ And the key to emotional endurance is experiencing high levels of disappointment that break us down so God can build us back up with a holy confidence. Anytime I feel stretched emotionally, I remind myself that God is expanding my emotional capacity to be used by Him in greater ways.

+ Oswald Chambers - one of Mark's favorite mantras, "Let God engineer."

+ We tend to think of stewardship in terms of time, talent and treasure; but we've also got to be good stewards of the minds God has given us. And that includes our imaginations and postimaginations.

+ The New Testament makes a distinction between two types of power. Dunamis is the ability to do things beyond your natural ability. Exousia is the ability to not do things you have the ability to do. And the Cross is the ultimate example of this second kind of power.

+ The words humor, humiliation, and humility are all etymologically related. In fact, humor is the derivative of humiliation.

+ The church ought to be a place where we can confess our deepest doubts, worst sins, and wildest dreams.

+ The more you have going for you, the more potential you have for identity issues.

+ Comfort impedes spiritual growth. Our attempts to create comfortable environments often produce immature disciples.

+ Self-discovery always leads in one of two directions: self-worship or worship of God.

+ The driving engine is to be giving two million dollars to missions annual by the year 2020 [speaking of NCC]

Disclosure: I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes.

Children are asked from an early age "what do you want to be when you grow up," a question that takes on even more meaning for those who are Christians, this question eventually becoming "how do I discover God's will for my life" instead. As Christians, we believe that God has a plan for each and every life and that plan is unique to that individual. This seemingly endless quandary is exactly what Mark Batterson, author of Soulprint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny discusses.

Using the life of David, who is undoubtedly one of the Bible's more memorable characters, Batterson outlines the thought that we are all uniquely created to be who we are, each with differing gifts and abilities, strengths, weaknesses and dreams. He helps readers to see that ultimately, our job is to be who we were created to be, not focusing on others.

I enjoyed this book for the most part but do not consider it to be one of his better works. It seemed to be quite self help, leaning more towards a preachy style, its interpretation sometimes bordering on eisegesis rather than a sound Biblical basis. That said, it is strong in Biblical content and the personal perspective is enlightening. Over all I would say it is an ok book and a good read but not great.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Blogging for Books [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

Mark Batterson does it again! Having never been disappointed by any of his books, Batteron's Soul Print, continues the anticipation of seeing how God is speaking through him and his gift of writing. Unlike a previous book, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Batterson's Soul Print¸ takes the well-known story of a shepherd turned warrior turned king, David, and delves into his life, relating his probable thoughts as he endured the ups and downs of life, and relates that life to the one in which we live daily.

Soul Print grabbed me from the cover (a finger print) and during the introduction, the topic of the book is explained- I was meant to be me; you were meant to be you. We were created uniquely, Batterson explains, so why try to be a copycat of someone else; why not take the life and seasons and experiences God has given me and embrace those rather than desire to be like someone else and obtain their gifts, talents, and experiences. Is that not our country though? We are never satisfied with who we are so we want more and more and want to be like everyone and anyone but ourselves and who God created us to be?

Soul Print encourages each of us to discover our God-given identity and use it! Have we ever felt like David, who is being dressed by Saul in the proper armor for a battle? David knew that was not him so he threw off the armor and was himself, taking into battle the weapon with which he was familiar, Batterson writes. Be who God created you to be; even if, like David, the situation appears to be more than you can handle!

I received this book from WaterBrook Publishing in exchange for a review. In no way was I obligated to write a positive review.

"There has never been and never will be anyone else like you." Mark Batterson in his new book, Soul Print, looks at this statement more in depth to see what this uniquely means to each of us from God. We were all created to worship and praise God in our own unique ways that He gifted us with. The problem is that we often do not seek out our own individual soul print, and try hard to copy someone else's style or something else that we see that we enjoy or that works, and we lose our own identities. The problem with copying and stealing other people's ideas and personalities is that we will never become who God truly created us to be. We all need to appreciate who we are and the gifts that we have, even when we don't see our abilities quite as gifts. The God of the universe created you. You to be you. Not anyone else. You are perfect to Him when you worship Him through your skills and abilities. "To see yourself as anything other than God's masterpiece is to devalue and distort your true identity. And it's in discovering your true identity that your true destiny is revealed. "

I just finished reading Mark Batterson's most recent book, "Soulprint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny" and I've got to say, it's his best book yet.

I'm a big fan of Batterson's books. I've found them to be more than informational experiences. For whatever reason, each of them have had a message that I needed to hear at the time I read them. They've been more of a "divine appointment" for me.

In Soulprint, Batterson takes the reader down the path of self-discovery. He accomplishes this by analyzing Biblical "scenes" in the life of David. But this is more than a self-help book or a "you-are-special-you're-the-only-one-like-you" book. Batterson deals with issues like: pain, disappointments, embarrassment, sin and integrity. Each of these, he says, influence your soul print, the part of you that is uniquely you. Identifying that soul print will then lead you to fulfilling the unique purposes God has for your life.

The book is an easy read. Not that the topic is simple or basic, but it's very accessible. Every reader will leave challenged and inspired by their time with it. Batterson excels at inspiration, but he balances that out with an equal does of practical instruction and direction. For instance, "Scene II: Lifesymbols" recounts how David took Goliath's armor after defeating him and puts it in his tent as a way of remembering the victory. Batterson explains that memories greatly shape our soul print and he challenges the reader to find "lifesymbols" of key moments in our lives. He explains that lifesymbols "are like cue cards that help us remember His script. They reveal who we're becoming by reminding us of where we've been and how we got here. (pg. 54)."

I highly recommend this book. It will challenge you to search out not just who you are, but the legacy that God has uniquely designed you to fulfill.

For disclosure's sake, my copy of Soulprint was provided free for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

This book entitled Soul Prints is written by Mark Batterson. This book implores you to take a look at your own life to find what you are truly destined to be; find your soul print. Mark does an excellent job explaining and describing how to find your unique soul print. He expresses the need of past experience, integrity, embarrassment, and acknowledgment of sins as helping you to define your unique skills and self discovery. He does this through following David as he goes through joyous times, times of battle, and difficult times all as part of God's divine plan for him.

He explains thoroughly throughout the book that each of our soul prints are as unique as our fingerprints and that God's plan for our life is not the same as his plan for anyone else. He expresses that each of us needs to strive to find ourselves and not be defined by others but to be defined solely by God. This book was excellent and I would highly recommend it to anyone. In my life, as I am sure it is in most lives, I tend to define myself by what others expect or what is socially acceptable. This book can help anyone from any walk of life to navigate your way back to the path that God intends you to be on. I received a free copy of this book for an honest review through Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers.

Soul Print: Discovering Your Divine Destiny by Mark Batterson

Bored with life as you know it? Ever felt like you were made for something more? Tracing the footsteps of David, Mark Batterson guides the reader on a journey to discover not only the reason we are here but most importantly the God who made us! Soul Print reminds us that when God redeems us He redeems our past, present and future.

Batterson writes in a manner that engages both the heart and mind. Through his use of story my heart remained engaged throughout this entire book. He connected with my mind through his use of metaphor and exploration of the Scriptures.

This is a must read for anyone attempting to make sense of their past in light of the future. "There has never been and never will be anyone like you. But that isn't a testament to you. It's a testament to the God who created you." As James reminds us in James 4:5, God jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us. It is our Soul Print.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers [..] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [..] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"Soul Print" by Mark Batterson is a book that encourages the reader to "discover [their] divine destiny." Jus as every individual has a unique, one-of-a-kind finger print, they also have a soul print that is unique and one-of-a-kind. Our job as individuals is to find out what it is.

God has created everyone special with a specific purpose in mind. No one else can be you. You are the only person who can live out your life the way that God intended it to be lived.

Using the life of David and a walk through the Psalms, I and II Samuel, and I and II Kings, Mark illustrates how every decision and action on David's part helped him discover his soul print. From killing a bear with his bear hands, to killing Goliath with a stone, to becoming the King of Israel - every moment along the way helped shape him into the mad that God intended him to be.

What I liked most about the layout of this book was that it was broken up into notonly chapters, but also little "sub-chapters" - this made it easy to bookmark where I left off in my reading.

One of my favorite portions of this book was in Scene IV, when Mark talks about how King David danced in the streets upon returning from a battle victory. Not only did he dance, but he disrobed himself in front of the people. I've only ever head this portion of Scripture preached in a negative context to discourage dancing. But Mark's interpretation of it was completely different; I was humbled and challenged by it. Mark states:

"The king of Israel is down to a linen loincloth. Then His Majesty starts dancing like a little child without a care in the world. No inhibitions. Pure joy. It is like all the pain David endured while hiding out in the wilderness -- all of the anger and grief and frustration -- gets translated into this one cathartic dance. It is like the holy adrenaline from every victory he had won on the battlefield gets channeled into a clenched fist raised in celebration to the Lord. His gestures are awkward, but it's an authentic awkward. No one is usre what to think. No one is sure what to do. ...
... I don't want to rain on your parade, but let me offer a warning. When you get excited about God, don't expect everybody to get excited about your excitement. Why? Your intensity confronts their passittivity. When you completely yield yourslef to God, it convicts the unconsecrated by disrupting their spiritual status quo. Some people will be inspired bu what God is doing in your life, but others will mask their conviction with criticism. After all, it's much easier to criticize others than it is to change ourselves."

And then my favorite part of the chapter:

"There is a powerful subplot in this scene, and it's one key to discovering your soulprint. The royal robes represent David's identity and security as the king of Israel. Like a priest's collar or an officer's uniform or a policeman's badge, the royal robes represent David's authority. Royal robes double as his status symbol.
Please don't miss or dismiss the significance of what avid does. David doesn'tfind his identity or security in his royalty. David finds his true identity and true security as a worshiper of God Almighty. Disrobing symbolizes his naked humility before God. Disrobing symbolizes his naked dependence upon God. David doesn't find his identity and security as king. He finds his identity and security in the King of kings.
Discovering your soulprint always involves disrobing. You have to be stripped of the things you find your identity in. You have to let go of the things you find your security in. And it will feel like you are losing yourself in the process. But it is only in losing yourself that you truly find yourself."

If you like reading about the life of David and you want to learn more about your uniqueness and the God-designed plan for your life, "Soul Print" by Mark Batterson is a book you'll enjoy! I highly recommend it.

A special thank you goes to Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers and Blogging for Books for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest, personal review of it.

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Soulprint is an interesting book that deals with discovering your identity in Christ. The tagline on the book's cover simply reads: "discovering your divine destiny". In the book, Mark sets the stage by relating the Christian life to your soulprint. It is more than a finger print. There are five chapters in the book that deal with developing your soulprint to be more like Christ.

Throughout the book, Mark uses unique examples to relate to concepts in the Christian life that have most likely been heard many times. He is very intelligent, and his intelligence is shown all throughout this book. It is clear that God was all over this writing project. He uses historical examples, Biblical examples, psychological examples, and medical/biological examples to create the illustrations for important concepts.

There is no doubt in my mind that this book deserves 5 stars out of 5. It is by far one of the best books that I have ever read. The best thing is that it is fairly short. At just under 160 pages, this book packs a lot of "punch". I highly recommend this book.

Souprint talks about becoming what we were made to be by God and not letting the world define us. I agree with this concept. It is easy to put up a facade (as he notes in the book) to placate those around us. Additionally, many of us feel too vulnerable revealing our true selves to others and choose a wall that keeps people at a distance. Batterson would argue that limits our ability to become what God intended.

Throughout the book, Mark uses the story of David to shine light on what God seeks from each of us. From choosing a stone over a sword to defeat a giant, to dancing al fresco in the streets when becoming king, to admitting his guilt with Bathsheba, we see how Daniel's choices brought him closer to or drove him away from what God intended him to be.

The author makes several good points that I enjoyed pondering. However, overall, I wasn't fully engaged when reading this book. It could be that the stories of David or Mark or others were so engaging that the lessons learned fell a little flat. When a book claims to help me discover my Divine Destiny, I want to walk away with answers. Maybe that is too much to ask. While authenticity is important, how does that help me to walk the walk God sent me here for? I think we all want to know, for sure, that we are walking in the right direction.

If you enjoy the stories of David and want to explore those deeper, I would add this book to your reading list. If you feel your life is inauthentic, then there are nuggets of wisdom throughout that can help you get back on track. If you want to discover your divine destiny, you might be better served on your knees.

*** I received this book free from Blogging for Books for my honest review.

You are uniquely created by God, in His image, yet created with your own qualities and special make-up that differentiate you from everyone else in the world. So am I. We all are.

Mark Batterson's latest book, SOULPRINT: Discovering Your Divine Destiny, unpacks that uniqueness and the "why" behind God's creating each of us in the fashion. Referencing the life of King David, Batterson's book aims to help readers understand the value of their own unique design and how this divine make-up is intended to be used for God's purposes. Using the comparison to the uniqueness of a fingerprint, our soulprint is just as unique...there's no other exactly like it.

Batterson's writing flows well and easy to read and follow. I think he makes some great points that we all need to understand and embrace, and I agree with him that our unique identity is a responsibility to use our lives for what God has purposed them. He presents a great look at the idea of destiny, noting that:

"You have a dual destiny. One destiny is universal: to be conformed to the image of Christ. To follow Christ is to become like Him...But our other destiny is unique to each of us: to be unlike anyone who ever lived." (pp. 12-13)

That said, there were a couple of points I disagreed with or did not think were very applicable to adding depth to the discussion, if you will. The book reads, at times, a little too much like a self-help manual, but not to the point where the message or the value therein is compromised. I would suggest that this is a great read for those newer to the Christian faith or for those struggling to find purpose or direction in life.

All in all, it's on the list of books I'd recommend to others. As I stated earlier, Batterson presents, in a well-written and easy to read style, a subject that we all need to fully understand if we're going ultimately honor God through our actions and lives. We are uniquely, one-of-a-kind creations, and God intended for us to use that glorify Him.

Read Chapter 1 of this book for free:[...]

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah as part of their Blogging for Books Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."