Four in the Garden: A Spiritual Allegory About Trust

by Rick Hocker

Overview

2015 READERS' FAVORITE AWARD WINNER.

"This book definitely inspired me to trust more fully in God." -Pastor Doug McCoy, Columbus, OH

"A must read for anyone on a spiritual journey." -Richard Rohr, OFM, Founder, Center for Action and Contemplation, Author of 30 books

This book challenges readers to trust in God in spite of our fears and misconceptions. With memorable characters and vivid imagery, this story offers a compelling, emotional, and thought-provoking allegory of one's relationship with God.

In this radical retelling of the Garden of Eden story, Creator makes only one human, named Cherished. Instead of creating a second human, Creator wants to be that trusted companion. But Cherished finds it difficult to relate to the invisible Creator.

With the help of three Teachers, Cherished journeys toward understanding and trusting in his loving Creator, even though Creator's actions don't comply with his expectations. Cherished grapples with disappointment, frustration, doubt and failure, and with external dangers such as tigers and malevolent beings. He endures numerous challenges, while trying to learn from them, not knowing that they are meant to prepare him for his greatest crisis of all. In its underlying theme, this story presents life as a means for transformation when we entrust our experiences to God.

To aid contemplation and spiritual growth, Four in the Garden is divided into short thematic chapters. Discussion questions are provided at the end of the book and at www.rickhocker.com. On the book's web site, www.rickhocker.com, download a free transcript of a speech by the author on the topic of trusting in God, the main theme of his book, Four in the Garden.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780991557714
Publisher:	Hocker Press
Publication date:	11/15/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	342
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Rick Hocker is a game programmer and artist. In 2004, he sustained a back injury that left him bed-ridden in excruciating pain for six months, followed by a long recovery. He faced the challenges of disability, loss of income, and mounting debt. After emerging from this dark time, he discovered that profound growth had occurred. Three years later, he had a dream that inspired him to write his award-winning book, "Four in the Garden." His goal was to help people have a close relationship with God and to share the insights he gained from the personal transformation that resulted from his back injury. Rick lives in Martinez, California.

Editorial Reviews

"This allegorical gem describes one's pilgrimage toward a meaningful connection with God. The author, Rick Hocker, distills one's relationship with God to its purest form where inward truthfulness and surrender lead to intimate communion. With vivid storytelling, Four in the Garden illustrates how both trust and love transform us, and how fear and ego obscure our True Self. A must read for anyone on a spiritual journey." --Richard Rohr, OFM, Founder, Center for Action and Contemplation, Author of 30 books

"Four in the Garden is a symbolic narrative bathed in spiritual meaning. It is a treasure chest overflowing with nuggets of truth. Four in the Garden is one book I will read again and again." --Cheryl E. Rodriguez for Readers' Favorite

"Not often does a writer appear on the literary scene with such an unforgettable story as Four in the Garden. A beautifully written, emotionally fulfilling read." --Sue Clark, Award winning writer of "Is Anybody Listening"

"Rick Hocker has written a unique spiritual fantasy of a transcendental ordeal. His description of the ecstatic mystical experience is unparalleled." --David Brin, Author of "An American Musician Visits Cremona"

"This is probably the best description of a personal relationship with a higher power that exists anywhere!" --Melinda Hills for Readers' Favorite

"Rick Hocker's Four in the Garden challenges the reader and offers guidance even when all seems lost. I enjoyed the fact that the book had a message of where true hope and direction comes from." --Cyrus Webb, media personality, literary advocate and award-winning author

"This is an interesting book from beginning to end, and it truly makes you think about a lot of different things. This book is an inspiration in many ways as well as being a solid, entertaining read." --Kathryn Bennett for Readers' Favorite

"Hocker creates an imaginary world in order to reveal the most important lessons of the soul. Four in the Garden is a thought provoking approach to understanding the path to enlightenment." --Judge, Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards

"The spiritual journey is very rewarding and helps readers delve into their inner selves. A very original story that is inspirational and uplifting with its unique plot." --Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

From the Publisher