About the Book
Book: This Famine of the Human Dream
Author: Benjamin Mester
Genre: Christian Inspiration; Essays and Poems
Release date: May, 2015
An uplifting and thought provoking look at life from a poet’s perspective. The Famine of the Human Dream will challenge you to live with greater passion, to throw off those trifling ambitions that ever grope for our attention, and learn fight for things worth fighting for. The great theologian, CS Lewis, once said:
“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
The ultimate goal of life isn’t a search for happiness. The ultimate goal of life is learning how to fight for things worth fighting for. All of life is a battle. But the battle that defines each one of us isn’t primarily between right and wrong, as you would think. Rather, it’s something much more surprising. Find out what in the inspiring pages of The Famine of the Human Dream.
Click here to purchase your copy.
About the Author
Benjamin Mester is an author and poet, with a passion for seeing people break away from small and shallow living and to step into the full measure of what the Lord has prepared for them. The destiny prepared for each one of us is to live a life of love and deep gladness. Benjamin Mester was born and raised in sunny San Diego, but can often be found wandering the woods of northern Minnesota, pen and paper in hand. His lifetime goal is to one day build a house in the woods, expanding it over time into a retreat center for authors, artists and others bursting with creativity. God is the most creative being in the entire universe, and as children made in His image, Mester hopes to inspire His people to explore the wonderful gift of creativity placed in each one of us.More from Benjamin
The Famine of the Human dream was written as a response to something…a quote from a great theologian, CS Lewis.
It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.
When I read that, my heart began to burn. For though, as a younger man, I had often felt a passionate stirring to live my life to the full, though I didn’t quite know how and always felt myself slipping back into the mundane of mere survival. And so, I voraciously began to explore the many facets of life. I studied art, poetry, philosophy, beauty, and theology, prompted by Solomon’s declaration in the Proverbs, Whatever else you get, get understanding! I desperately wanted understanding of a very particular sort. I wanted to understand how to live my life to the full…this precious, brief slice of life we so often take for granted. I wanted true wisdom.
Contained within the pages of the Famine of the Human Dream are a poet’s reflections on life and the struggle to suck the marrow out of life, as Thoreau put it. This book is also an attempt to give the reader a passion for the study of poetry, which has dwindled much in modern society. The second portion of the book is a collection of my own poetry and poetry from other lovers of life that has touched me deeply. My biggest hope is that the reader will come away from this book with a renewed passion for life and an eager desire to dive deeper into poetry, beauty, and the heart of the Father.
I have read another book from this author and really enjoyed his writing. He has a way of writing that almost sings to your soul. He gives each word purpose and I was excited to read this one. Right away I was drawn to this statement from him , " Beautiful things pass by, and then they're gone forever. " It's like a brilliant butterfly that you see and lavish in its beauty. Before you know it, it has disappeared. Do we hold on to that memory or allow it to fade?
I know so well how it feels to say , " I want my life to matter." I want to be remembered as a loving and caring person who would give their last penny to someone in need. I have experienced in the last two months an over whelming loss of my brother. He became very ill and I promised him I would not put him in a hospital. I became his full time caregiver and wanted him to know how much he was loved. He told me he had always felt he didn't matter and never felt love. Oh how I cried that day as he told me those words. I saw beauty in him that he couldn't see and I wanted to be with him till his last breath. I don't regret one moment of my time with him and God reminded me how precious life is.
For me this book was timely and I needed to know that God does have a plan for my life. We do take things for granted until something smacks us in the face. A new baby is born and we see the beauty in that precious miracle. It gives us hope that life is important and God is always there to show us the beauty that is everywhere. I loved how the author talks about the first time he experienced true beauty. I know exactly what he is talking about every time I see my husband. He is a compassionate man who loves me unconditionally. I look in his eyes and see the beauty that God has given me. He is the only person I have ever felt unconditional love from and he sees in me the beauty I don't. What a wonderful gift I have been given.
The author illustrates his points with scriptures and beautiful poems. I am captured by the way he explains things with words that flow with hope and love. I never thought about the scriptures about strength, but my eyes were open to what they meant. God wants us to be strong and not give into the "captivity of the flesh like laziness, and comfort." We settle for less when there is so much more for us. The author does an amazing job of stating truths and backing them up with scripture. It is like a wake up call for everyone. Don't settle for what the world thinks is the best you can do; instead focus on achieving the beauty that God has for you. We need to desire Him more and worldly things less.
The second part of the book was just what I was waiting for. The author's poetry allows us to see into his heart and feel his emotions. He writes with such strength and it shows in every word he uses. I loved the poem, " The Famine of the Human Heart." I read it three times so I could soak up the words and understand the meaning with a pure heart. I won't forget that poem and will be rereading it many times over. I appreciate the author and how he can write words that help the hurting and give hope to those who struggle. I also enjoyed the poems he included at the end by other people.
I love the author's writings and always come away with new hope and words that stay with me as the days ahead come along. . I hope you read this book slowly and really grasp the heart of this author. I am blessed to have read his book.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
The author illustrates his points with scriptures and beautiful poems. I am captured by the way he explains things with words that flow with hope and love. I never thought about the scriptures about strength, but my eyes were open to what they meant. God wants us to be strong and not give into the "captivity of the flesh like laziness, and comfort." We settle for less when there is so much more for us. The author does an amazing job of stating truths and backing them up with scripture. It is like a wake up call for everyone. Don't settle for what the world thinks is the best you can do; instead focus on achieving the beauty that God has for you. We need to desire Him more and worldly things less.
The second part of the book was just what I was waiting for. The author's poetry allows us to see into his heart and feel his emotions. He writes with such strength and it shows in every word he uses. I loved the poem, " The Famine of the Human Heart." I read it three times so I could soak up the words and understand the meaning with a pure heart. I won't forget that poem and will be rereading it many times over. I appreciate the author and how he can write words that help the hurting and give hope to those who struggle. I also enjoyed the poems he included at the end by other people.
I love the author's writings and always come away with new hope and words that stay with me as the days ahead come along. . I hope you read this book slowly and really grasp the heart of this author. I am blessed to have read his book.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 1
Mary Hake, June 2
A Baker’s Perspective, June 3
Carpe Diem, June 5
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 6
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 7
Simple Harvest Reads, June 8 (Spotlight)
Texas Book-aholic, June 9
janicesbookreviews, June 10
A Reader’s Brain, June 11
Power of Words, June 12 (Spotlight)
Inklings and notions, June 13
Just the Write Escape, June 14
Giveaway
To celebrate his tour, Ben is giving away a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e515/the-famine-of-the-human-dream-celebration-tour-giveaway
Raised in Michigan, Author Elizabeth Wehman loves to incorporate cities in the state for her inspirational fiction. Famous Michigan flowers adorn the back covers of her books from peonies to lilacs and apple blossoms. Her first novel, “Under the Windowsill,” reflects the tranquility and hidden treasures of Mackinac Island for a much needed hideaway for Kenna, a young girl raised in Iowa. This coming-of-age story uses the growing pains of a quiet, country girl to reflect the dangers and unknowns of breaking away from family and security. From the frustrations of trying to make it alone, Kenna’s experience cements a permanent trust of the goodness of her past and a true hope for the future. Elizabeth’s second novel, reflects the tumultuous relationship between sisters in “Promise at Daybreak.” Two elderly sisters are forced together by illness which leads them to fulfill a pact they made at their mother’s grave. The story reflects the storms of dealing with dementia and the results of fulfilling a promise, despite its drawbacks. The setting for this novel is Elizabeth’s hometown, Durand complete with its historic depot and the thunderous noises of a train town. Both novel settings share historical and distinctive aspects of both Michigan cities. Elizabeth’s third novel, released the summer of 2017, and will be entitled, “Just a Train Ride.” All of her novels are clean reads, with a clear inspirational message for her readers. Elizabeth’s home is in Owosso. You can find more about Elizabeth at 
Sometimes love hurts—and sometimes it can heal in the most unexpected way.
Suzanne Woods Fisher
Batter:
Crumb Topping:
Bake 45-50 minutes.