While I knew to expect this to be more of a teaching book, I really wanted more of Zschech’s personal story throughout the book. I understand wanting and needing privacy, but I find that the personal story and struggle truly helps the readers to connect with the teachings of the author, and that was the one thing I felt like I was missing in this book.
That said, Zscech is as beautiful of a writer in her book as in her songs. Her heart for God shows in her writing and that heart and love for the Lord is contagious.

Darlene Zschech does a wonderful job of reminding us to worship God and give thanks even when we don't want to or feel like it. She brings the Bible to life and uplifts and encourages you by showing her and her husbands own vulnerabilities during difficult seasons in their lives. Such a wonderful book.

I gave this book 2.5 out of 5 stars. This book just didn’t do anything for me. I struggled with the writing style and format. Even at 25 percent of the way through the book I wasn’t able to define what I thought Zschech was trying to say or teach. It felt like she hopped around a lot without the solid thread of the theme pulling the book along.

I also found the amount of quoting problematic. I do enjoy and appreciate when authors use scripture to support their teaching and refer to other leaders of the faith and quote them; however, not to this extent. It feels like around 1/3 of her book is quotes (only 2/3 her own content, if that).

To be honest, I am also not the biggest fan of authors using different versions of the Bible for most of their quotes. If they are comparing the same verse in say two or three version, I don’t mind; but that isn’t what is done here. I especially disapprove of using a paraphrase as a reference. Not to mention the few places when no version is mentioned at all. I found all of this to be very distracting while reading.

I do think Zschech has something important to say here and was quite disappointed that it just seemed to get lost in everything else.

This book had some good reminders for me, especially after a hard year. The writing was a little flowery/formal for my taste. It turned me off from the book at the beginning.

(I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

I love the idea of the Golden Thread of God's love and mercy in our lives. It's always good to be reminded of this blessed truth. Thank you for that!

Having said that, though, the book was not what I expected. From the description, I expected more personal sharing in relation to her cancer as well as other life challenges. I have always loved Zschech's music and was looking forward to learning more about her. Sadly, for me, the personal sharing was often done in vague generalities.

There seemed to be a lot more preaching. But that could be due to her consistent use of the second person pronoun "you". There are also long passages of Scripture. Not that scripture isn't good. It's very good. But I would have liked to hear how those scriptures apply to her individual circumstances.

At one point, she tells the story of Elisha and the Shumanite woman in glorious detail. She paints a beautiful picture with her words- a retelling of the Bible story in Kings- that gives the reader a strong visual about what's happening in the story and why. I was wanting to see a clearer picture of the author's life and struggles and learn how specifically the big idea of the golden thread manifested itself in her life. I will say that the last third of the book seems more personal; there is more sharing and less preaching, more use of "I" and "we" and not as much "you".

This book is a partial autobiography of Christian worship leader and song writer Darlene Zschech, but it is so much more. The "Golden Thread" she keeps referring to is the work of God's spirit in our lives. His love, mercy, grace, etc. The author makes her points by giving us examples from her life, including her & her husband's move to pastor a church and her fight with cancer. While I have read books that are mechanically better written (it's not that bad, just seems not professionally organized) the subject is presented in a compelling manner and is well worth reading. I highly recommend it.

The Golden Thread was a good book. Very scripturally sound. Loved the way the author wove her story into scripture. The way she dealt with her life changes was also very good. Thanks for sharing this book

"The Golden Thread" is a lovely book. The title is perfect, the writing flawless, and the content encouraging.

I'm not certain that comparing books is helpful, but I'll give it a try. If you read Ann Voskamp's "One Thousand Gifts" and enjoyed it, then you'll definitely need to buy this book. Darlene Zschech is so, so much better. Her writing is smooth yet powerful, kind of like her singing.

This woman knows Scripture. As she paints scenes for the reader, she adds just the write Scripture to bring the story full circle. Darlene tells us of her life, draws her into the innermost feelings, and then tags just the right combination of Bible verses to the ending.

Again, if you thought "One Thousands Gifts" was good, you'll love this book. It is heartfelt, touching, and warm.

This book gives us honest advice for reaching our full potential. It is presented in easy to follow language that can be applied in pieces to different aspects of our lives. It’s a great inspirational read. I highly recommend it.

November 18, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
I should start by saying that I came to this book already a fan of Darlene Zscech’s music and her work in the book Extravagant Worship. I came to this book with high expectations, which might be unfair...and left me with mixed feelings for what is still a very good book.

Zscech has an amazing heart for worship, which overwhelms the first part of the book. She assumes we know lots of her personal history—which I didn’t, even though I am a fan—and that left me a little like an outsider at the beginning of the book. The first part of the book felt like a collection of wonderfully uplifting Internet memes that were great uplifting thoughts, but not really a connected story. Fortunately I moved past that, and the book became a much better story from there,

She touches on several relevant situations we may all face in life, and floods us with a wash of Scripture that applies and should encourage back to an attitude of worship the midst of it. Like all artistically-minded people she draws on paraphrases a lot, but she also draws on translations and I don’t think the paraphrases she quotes are out of line.

Yes, she does paint her life as unrealistically positive, but she does give us solid Scripture to use to help us be positive in the midst of our struggles. No, we can’t expect it to be easy to be positive in all situations, but the Scripture she references is very helpful as we try to keep a Christlike attitude in all situations.

Darlene’s writings are refreshing and inspiring. This book is a gift to the body of Christ and I can’t recommend it highly enough. She has paved the way for so many other female worshippers, and her insight and revelation is so beautifully shared in this book.

Honest and in-depth advice for reaching your full potential. This advice is presented in easy to follow language that can be broken up and applied in pieces at a time.

"Choose to worship-even when you just don't feel like it. That's the whole point."

Darlene Zchech was always my mom's favorite worship singer. Before I even knew what worship was, there was Shout to the Lord. So I was very excited to read this book.

Darlene doesn't say anything revolutionary in this book. All of her main points come straight from the Bible. But that's what made it so good. Reading it felt like listening to a sermon.

The only bad thing is that I had a digital version and it was not formatting properly which made reading a little difficult.

"The only safe and sure passage through any storm is to grab hold of His promises like an anchor and worship your heart out until you actually believe what you are declaring!"

Darlene walked through having cancer, yet she never gave up hope and leaned on the promises of God during her struggle. This book is filled with scripture and encouraging words to lean on our God through all of the storms that life may bring us. There is definitely a lot of comfort and wisdom to be gained from this book. I do wish that the author would have included more of her personal stories because I thought the book would be more of a memoir. I would still recommend the book to someone going through a hard time.