Book Review: Hope Quotient

(Measure it, Raise it, You'll Never Be the Same)

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By Ray Johnston

Ray Johnson has extensively researched this topic, pouring seven years into this endeavor.One of the thoughts that stands out from this book and makes me stop and ponder is,

               “In the last twelve months, I’ve been amazed to discover that the secular  world’s expectation for what could be possible seems much higher than that  of people living in the Christian world.”

He realized the secular business community has started believing that things thought impossible are possible at the same time the Christian community has stopped believing in the impossible. Later on in this chapter, he gives his readers attitudes and actions to help us become people of hope.

A stepfather, a Christian leader, had concerns about his stepson. Mr. Johnston told this gentleman to be sure to ask the right question.

At one point in his life the author learned the right question was, “What can he become?” The Christian leader called a few weeks later and told Mr. Johnston that one question freed him and opened the door between him and his stepson.

Mr. Johnston tells his readers that asking this question in appropriate forms has altered his way of looking at events and circumstances and the way he does life and revamps how he approaches his Christian faith.

The author spells out the way we can utilize the concept of ‘becoming’ for ourselves and for children- our own and those we have influence over.

I enjoyed this book. I gained a lot of good information from it. I would recommend it to anyone in a counseling position-either clerical or secular. I also see how this could assist youth pastors in interacting with problematic young people. The information in this book tells us how to strengthen seven factors that, when taken together; enlarge out capacity to a stronger hope.

The author and the publisher have created an online assessment for the readers. This idea has merit except, as I understand it, the access information to a survey that is supposed to give the reader a score for his or her hope quotient-embedded under a scratch-off on the unprinted side of the dust jacket is only good for ONE use. I share the books I review-either with another individual or by donating them to our church library. I understand the concept of one time usage but I wish it were a different arrangement.

I received this book through Thomas Nelson Publishing via their BookLook Bloggers program. All they ask me to do is read it and give an unbiased review.