Flecks of Gold on a Path of Stone by Craig D. Lounsbrough

Flecks of Gold on a Path of Stone by Craig D. Lounsbrough

Flecks of Gold on a Path of Stone by Craig D. Lounsbrough is a book with a subtitle which tells its purpose: Simple Truths for Profound Living. This is another devotional book designed for the reader’s self-improvement. The sections include “profound truths” in the following topics: time, relationships, growth, wisdom, and living. Each section is composed of more specific topic chapters related to the general topic. Each chapter starts with Bible verse and a witty quote from someone historical or famous.

Personally, I dislike a book that continues to teach “steps to living.” Not that I dislike the idea, but it seems to be that everyone tries to repeat the same “steps to living.” After The Purpose Driven Life, and other self-improvement books, the solutions all start looking the same. There seems to be nothing new and profound in these kinds of books. In general as I read this book, I didn’t find anything “profound.” However, there was one area that stuck out as unique.

In Chapter 11 entitled “Loneliness: Communication that Starves Relationships,” Lounsbrough has a good commentary on the use or (misuse) of social media that can starve relationships (83-85). He makes the proper observation that forms of digital communication such as Skype, Twitter, Facebook, and text messaging make people less connected. It is a form of isolated communication which promotes loneliness while making one feel like they are in community. Lounsbrough rightly states that relationships need intimacy. Social media can communicate, but in the end, it leaves everyone empty. Lounsbrough properly states:

“Sure, these modes of communication provide for the transmission of data. But they’re not sturdy enough or sufficiently deep enough, and they don’t possess the essence of the human touch adequately enough to connect with the heart and soul of another human being.”

For me, this was the only fleck of gold on a path of stone. However, for other readers, they may find many more flecks.

I have previously reviewed An Intimate Collision, also by Lounsbrough.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. 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.