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He Leadeth Me


Synopsis


NATIONAL BESTSELLER  A deeply personal true story of one man's spiritual odyssey and the unflagging faith which enabled him to survive the ordeal that wrenched his body and spirit to near collapse

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Captured by a Russian army during World War II and convicted of being a "Vatican spy," Jesuit Father Walter J. Ciszek spent twenty-three agonizing years in Soviet prisons and the labor camps of Siberia. Only through an utter reliance on God's will did he manage to endure the extreme hardship. He tells of the courage he found in prayer-a courage that eased the loneliness, the pain, the frustration, the anguish, the fears, the despair. For, as Ciszek relates, the solace of spiritual contemplation gave him an inner serenity upon which he was able to draw amidst the "arrogance of evil" that surrounded him. Ciszek learns to accept the inhuman work in the infamous Siberian salt mines as a labor pleasing to God. And through that experience, he was able to turn the adverse forces of circumstance into a source of positive value and a means of drawing closer to the compassionate and never-forsaking Divine Spirit.

He Leadeth Me is a book to inspire all Christians to greater faith and trust in God-even in their darkest hour. As the author asks, "What can ultimately trouble the soul that accepts every moment of every day as a gift from the hands of God and strives always to do his will?"

Walter J. Ciszek, Daniel L. Flaherty

Summary

Chapter 1: The Shepherd's Call

- Norman Vincent Peale introduces the book with the metaphor of God as a shepherd leading his flock.
- Example: A lost hiker calling for help as a metaphor for seeking God's guidance.

Chapter 2: The Rod and the Staff

- Peale discusses God's protection and comfort in times of trouble.
- Example: A cancer patient finding strength and solace in prayer.

Chapter 3: Green Pastures

- Peale highlights God's provision and blessings that nourish the soul.
- Example: A homeless person finding shelter and warmth in a church.

Chapter 4: Still Waters

- Peale explores the importance of peace and tranquility in God's presence.
- Example: A stressed mother finding calmness through meditation.

Chapter 5: Restored Soul

- Peale emphasizes God's ability to restore and heal broken spirits.
- Example: An individual struggling with addiction finding hope and healing through recovery programs.

Chapter 6: Table in the Presence

- Peale discusses the nourishment and satisfaction found in God's love and grace.
- Example: A family enjoying a meal together as an expression of God's presence.

Chapter 7: Shadow of the Valley

- Peale acknowledges life's inevitable challenges and suggests trusting God even through difficult times.
- Example: A bereaved spouse finding comfort in remembering the loved one's legacy.

Chapter 8: Fear Not

- Peale encourages readers to overcome their fears with the assurance of God's presence.
- Example: A student facing an exam with confidence gained from God's guidance.

Chapter 9: Goodness and Mercy

- Peale highlights the constant presence of God's goodness and mercy throughout life.
- Example: A woman witnessing acts of kindness after a natural disaster.

Chapter 10: House of the Lord

- Peale describes the significance of gathering with fellow believers for worship and communion.
- Example: A church congregation finding unity and strength in shared faith.