Same Kind of Different As Me

I must confess, I wasn't really sure what to expect when I opened this book.  The back cover didn't offer much in terms of the actual content of the pages inside, and I honestly chose to review it for Thomas Nelson because none of the other books available for review at the time caught my eye.  I requested the book, and once it arrived, promptly put it on my coffee table for 'later reading' once I had finished more important books (none other than Bleak House and Harry Potter, of course).  I didn't actually start reading the book for a few weeks, but once I actually did start reading, I couldn't put it down!

Same Kind of Different of Me is the story of how the lives of a homeless man and of a well-to-do art dealer intertwined until they each became a vital part of the other's life.  Denver Moore had lived a tough life; he was born into poverty in the deep South in a time when sharecropping was still a part of everyday life.  For years, he worked the land, planting and harvesting cotton, but his family never seemed to make any profit once they had paid back the land owner for the seeds and tools they needed to work the land in the first place.  Eventually, Denver hopped a train when he was in his late twenties and ended up in Fort Worth Texas, living life on the streets.

Ron Hall grew up in a lower-middle class family, attended college, married the woman of his dreams, and began a lucrative career in high-end art dealing.  Ron's idea of charity was to attend black-tie events, where $1,000 plate dinners were donated to some non-profit or philanthropy.  He and his wife Debbie has been regular church attenders for years, but it wasn't until some friends invited them to a discussion group that they truly met the Lord.  Debbie threw herself into different types of mission work while Ron remained staunchly focused on his business.  Eventually Debbie convinced Ron to go with her to the Union Gospel Mission, a shelter for the homeless, on the wrong side of Fort Worth.  He reluctantly agreed to go, only to please his wife, and they began serving the Tuesday evening meal each week.

God began to work in the hearts and minds of not only the homeless at the Mission, but also in that of Ron and Debbie.  Through a series of events- perhaps divine interventions- Ron befriend the man named Denver, or rather they befriended each other, and developed a bond so close they now consider each other family.  Even though the men are polar opposites, God brought the two of them together to not only experience pain and grief, but to also bring the light of His glory to the rich and poor alike not only in the Fort Worth area, but all over the country and perhaps even the world.

Same Kind of Different As Me is the living story of what happens when we truly give up our life to what the Lord would have us to do and when we truly love people just as He commands us.  I highly recommend this book to everyone; it may change the way you think about others- and yourself.  There is also a follow up book, What Difference Do It Make? if you are interested in checking that out.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”