God Gifted

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.