Rev. Senkbeil's book is entirely deserving of all the praise it has received, if not more. Although geared towards those in the pastoral office, as a lay person I found the book encouraging and even enchanting. Rev. Senkbeil unlocks the treasure chest of the Lutheran tradition and freely distributes its wealth of pastoral wisdom to the rest of Christendom. I was especially struck by how he applies and brings home the effective power of the word far better than I've ever heard it expressed before. The way he approaches his writing is in of itself pastoral and I found myself feeling like I just came out of a encouraging meeting with my own priest.

On a very different but not an altogether unimportant note: this book was possibly one of the most gorgeous books I've ever owned.