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Streams in the Desert: 366 Daily Devotional Readings

Description

For years, the beloved classic devotional Streams in the Desert has sustained and replenished God's weary desert travelers. Now, bursting forth like a sparkling clear river of wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration, this updated edition of Streams in the Desert promises to revive and refresh today's generation of faithful sojourners, providing daily Scripture passages from the popular New International Version and modern, easy-to-understand language that beautifully captures the timeless essence of the original devotional. Now in mass market size, Streams in the Desert comes with two different cover designs. One is ideal for giving to graduates. Both pack away easily for traveling, hiking, hospital visits, or any situation where convenience counts.

Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-08-20
Summary: "Devotional"

Such a daily inspiration for me. Very easy to use and very well-made book. Absolutely worth the price. The leather cover feels nice and increases the durability.

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Rating: 3 / 5
Date: 2010-08-05
Summary: "A Little Dry and Dated; Not as Nourishing as I'd Hoped"

I ordered "Streams in the Desert" because of the numerous positive reviews on Amazon. I'm constantly looking for new devotional books to see which ones seem to lead me and others closer to God. So I ordered "Streams in the Desert" with high expectations, especially since I knew it was a compilation of devotional materials from others.

However, I'm sorry to say that in comparison to many other devotionals I've used and looked at, I don't find it to be one of the more useful or edifying of devotional books. Don't get me wrong: I don't dislike it or think that it's useless. But there are many better ones out there.

Here's why I say this. First, I don't like devotionals that take only one verse of Scripture at a time to write about. The larger context of each Scripture verse is important in understanding what any individual verse says. By looking at only one verse, the odds of misunderstanding what the verse is actually saying is increased. Also, without the broader context, the devotional writer can take the verse in any direction he wants to and not lead us to what God is actually saying in the text.

Here are a few examples of the truncated verses that "Streams in the Desert" writes about, without reference to the larger portion of the Bible in which they are found:
"That night the Lord appeared to Isaac."
"A furious squall came up."
"Descend from the crest."
"We had hoped."
"And there came a lion."

Sometimes, 2 or 3 different devotional excerpts from 2 or 3 different readers are all cobbled together for a particular verse, without a feeling of consistency or continuity. Many of the images used and the style of writing are taken from the late 19th and early 20th century. In spite of this being the updated version edited by Jim Reimann, it has an old-fashioned feel that is not only difficult to get into but often seems too sweetly pious without being very practical. I don't feel this style reaches as many people today. The devotionals are very uneven, and some are much better than others.

In spite of my criticisms, I don't deny that "Streams in the Desert" has obviously benefited many readers and continues to do so. But I still believe there are many better devotional books out there.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-07-24
Summary: "Great purchase!"

We received the book within a week, and it was in great condition ~ as described by the seller.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-05-16
Summary: "One of my favorite devotionals"

Streams in the Desert is a classic devotional that never grows old. It moves the heart and inspires the reader to a closer walk with God. I highly recommend it. It is especially good for someone with a love of the poetic as it includes moving poetry by one of my favorite poets, Annie Johnson Flint, among many others.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2010-05-13
Summary: "Streams in the Desert"

This is a marvelous devotional that is especially helpful during trials and tribulations we may face. I like to give it to those who are going thru difficult times. It is very very reasonably priced.