Title:
Out of the Depths
Author:
Kenneth E. Kovacs
Pages:
163
Year:
2016
Publisher:
Parson’s Porch Books
Kenneth
E. Kovacs, in Out of the Depths, a collection of sermons and essays,
interweaves theology and depth psychology with skill and grace. His writing
style is far from pretentious - or so erudite that the average reader would
yawn with boredom. He engages not only the head but the heart.
His personal
anecdotes are endearing and likely to resonate with those who’ve ever struggled
to discover their own gifts and calls. In his chapter, “God Gifted” (pages
62-66) Kenneth remembers that as a boy he disliked the term “gifted and
talented.” His friends were chosen for the program at school, which made him
feel like an outsider looking in.
Not being
‘chosen’ impacted his self-worth (and most likely influenced his vocation as
Calvinist minister) and caused him to view himself as inferior, inadequate, and
unworthy to be included in the special treatment and the enrichment classes. He
thought what he had to offer had little or no value.
Thus, the
seeds of envy were planted within him, which caused him to push himself all the
harder. “I’ll show them!” He desperately wanted to be counted worthy in his
teachers’ eyes, but in slaving away to appease the system’s demands, he hid his
innate gifts and God-given talents, and didn’t rediscover them again until
years later as an adult.
Today Kenneth
is using his writing gift and speaking talent to bless countless souls. He
pastors a Presbyterian Church in Maryland, has served congregations in Scotland
and led pilgrimages there and in Italy, Turkey, Greece, Switzerland, and
France.
#OutOfTheDepthsSpeakeasy
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.
