Made for Goodness: And Why This Makes All the Difference

This is a very thought provoking book as it reminds us of our need for compassion and the need to be open to the presence of God on this journey of life.

Desmond Tutu has a voice that needs to be listened to. His voice through this book, penetrates the heart of the reader because of his real life experiences and his walk with God. Together, the credibility of his words, come to life in our own lives. He has seen it all and done more than most of us could even imagine. He has spent time with paupers and kings, presidents and the desperate and he has spent more time in prayer than many. He knows God intimately and wants all of us to experience how God regards each of us. To see ourselves through God’s eyes, he tells us.Goodness makes all the difference and Desmond Tutu leads us t understand this in this book.I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know God better, and wants to know what God thinks of them.

This book is a joy and a love. For me, it is definitely a treasured gift from God, through a beautiful, articulate man and his daughter. I basked and bathed in the lovingkindness and blessing offered through, “Made For Goodness.” For those of us who feel that we can never be “good enough” or “perfect enough,” this book is a healing balm. I felt God’s love radiating through and behind and in between the words. The prayerful meditations that end each chapter are worth the whole book, but the spirit of Desmond Tutu and his daughter Mpho resonate such a refreshing feeling of authentic love and respect for our individual, human innate goodness, that I feel renewed with a sense of passion for spreading God’s Word of how inexpressively, immeasurably and unconditionally beloved we are. We are loved through and through by the Beloved, our Creator. This book is a Godsend.

An amazing book of human relations juxtapose on God’s unconditional love. It is an eye opener for all who will read.

Beautiful reassurance of God’s love for humanity in all its contradiction. Wonderful peaks into history gives hope for our times. Thank you for writing this encouraging book.

A recommended to anyone who wants to understand ourselves as human beings. At times we take it for granted that we are good and good hearted and we try to even divulge and be proud about ourselves’ goodness.As human beings, we are created out of the goodness of God. Now, I know that the none believers will stop reading because I mention God. Since we are created out of that goodness, we tend to take it for granted that our bodies are automatically temples of God without even having our hearts and souls reconciled to God. Now the none believers have already left or stopped reading altogether, I know.When you talk about God’s love for humanity it sounds to some like you are talking about some sort of alien life. They don’t get it. They get it when they see wars, suicide attacks and bombers blowing themselves into pieces, they get it when they read about maniacs raping girls and women, they get it when they see some people killing each other on our streets, they get it when they see wars. And their response is: “some people are so evil”.So easy to say, isn’t it? They don’t understand or even try to understand why they are so evil and why they are not good as ‘themselves’. No, “some people are so evil” and as if “we are so good” because we don’t blow ourselves into pieces so we aught to be good.Unless you understand the goodness of God, you will actually never understood the goodness that is before us and within us. That eternal gift of beauty that we are blessed with — which many if us think we understand but still unfortunately don’t.This book is a remarkable revelation to how good we can be towards one another and how we can not only develop beautiful, meaningful and loving relationships among ourselves but also nurture them and sustain them. A heart and a soul that is not fully reconciled and in union with God is still merely residing in the flesh that is ready to do evil at a mere stir of trials, storms, tribulations and temptations.Therefore, we are inherently good and we are created out of that goodness of God because our bodies are temples of God. Unfortunately,we are also inherently prone to be evil at the same time if our hearts and souls are not reconciled to God because we are not at peace nor in harmony inside ourselves.But since we are created out of that goodness of God, why don’t work hard to enhance it and nurture it so that it may spread like flowerbeds of Rose’s across the world? Why don’t we create peaceful dialogues and negotiations why we see a looming situation that can develop into a protracted conflict or war? Why do we weaponise instead of de-weaponise. Why do some of us fight with police officers when we actually know that they are out there to guarantee our safety? Why do some girls and women go out on the streets as if they want to be looked at as if they are sex objects? Why are some of us disrespectful, hateful or even behave in a purely racist manner towards other people when we know that it is wrong? Why do some of us are so inclined to break the law rather than fall established laws and good conduct in a society?Are we better than suicide bombers or those who erect walls of apartheid among ourselves? If you think you knew what it means to be good, read this book, it will teach you far more about what it actually means. You might agree or disagree but know that there’s a war that goes on in yourself and it is at conflict with your heart, mind and your souls.While your heart and soul seek peace and harmony, your flesh is always disturbed and disrupted by your mind because your mind is always in search of clues — good and evil, suggestions — good and evil , ideas — good and evil; therefore, it is always not good ideas that you get in your head. Evil ones too. Only God helps us to filter out the bad ideas and suggestions and keeps us on the track of good and righteous ideas. He does that by helping us to retain self-control, hold on to discipline, keep us loving one another, gives us a soul that is repentant, reconciling, trusting and righteous so that we may not utter or do things that might stir up conflicts.Human evil spreads through an uncontrolled mind and uncontrolled tongue and out of a flesh that is intoxicated. It becomes a contagious disease that spreads like an uncontrollable wild fire that burns everything in it’s way and leaves ashes in its wake. Everybody gets hurt or consumed. Read Exodus in the Holy Bible. Now image that the west created that contagious disease of racism, how are they going to extinguish that inferno when more and more people are going away from the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Christian church where church doctrines and good moral behaviours have been rejected and replaced with secularist principles that has no obligations to any moral authority but instead left to the an individual flesh?

Uplifting. Affirming. Personal stories from the Tutu family resound with love and humility. We ARE born for goodness and should daily give thanks for “original blessing,” and not be so obsessed with original sin.

Bishop Tutu and his daughter offer an inspiring – and inspired – look at how God really does work through flawed humanity and brings grace and hope. The book is full of powerful stories of danger, oppression, sadness, and hope, grace, and goodness. It would be a great book for a book club or theology study group to read.

I bought 13 Made for Goodness books by Desmond Tutu and his daughter.They all came together in perfect shape at a great price.This was a terrific way to do Christmas for my friends and extended family.

Bishop Tutu and his daughter write beautifully about the core message of the Christian faith. I am sharing this book switch friends and family.

As expected

Very illuminating. Life as it is.

Reading this inspiring book is like seeing a sunrise for the first time! Desmond Tutu, joined by his daughter Mpho, invite us to imagine a way of living that brings us fully alive; a way of being that says, “You matter” because your are loved by the Holy One for your existence. They invite us beyond the smallness of divisions and suspicion into the gladness of everyday life. Our own goodness has an impact way beyond anything we might imagine! Through it we remember that “I am because we are” – we are part of the oneness of the human family and Creation. No matter your religion or spirituality, this book invites a life of gladness in which love and compassion are not merely concepts, but part of our daily living. No wonder Tutu is the iconic spiritual voice of hope! The book is a keeper! This is spritual wisdom for being fully alive and engaged. Robert V. Taylor […]

For people unfamiliar with the struggle for liberation in South Africa this is a must read. Because some of the chapters contain sermon material of Desmond Tutu there tends to be some repetition of themes. The best part of every chapter is the concluding poem. These may well be Mpo’s contributions as the rest seems to be written in his voice. It is a delightful book by one of the most important leaders of non-violent liberation, peace and reconciliation in the world.

“Life is difficult.” The famous opening line of M. Scott Peck’s “The Road Less Traveled” yanked me into the reality of adulthood. I devoured the book, in part, because of Peck’s credibility and honesty.The first line of “Made for Goodness”, “Impimpi!”-Zulu or Xhosa for “informer”, is equally stark. Yet, the book is about joy. And love. The compelling quality of the book is the authenticity of the father/daughter authors. Beyond being authors, they serve in life’s most difficult roles: spouse, parent, child, sibling, clergy, activist, and world citizen. Archbishop Tutu and Rev. Tutu have not fabricated a truth about goodness and joy. They live it and embrace Ubuntu (Xhosa- tend and befriend) as a basic tenet”Made for Goodness” is a testament to the fact that we are good. In spite of the atrocities, oppression and horrifying injustice that they have witnessed, they present a compelling argument for the fact that, yes, we are good, goodness will prevail, that life is hard and life is joyful. Desmond and Mpho Tutu have given us a gift in this book. I am blessed for having read it.BackgroundI read the book as part of my preparation for a social event at which I was going to spend a day with the Tutu family. I did not intend to discuss Apartheid, human suffering or HIV/AIDS in South Africa. I read-up because I wanted to appreciate the moment, nay the miracle, of Desmond Tutu’s delivering the commencement address at his granddaughter’s graduation from one of the world’s finest boarding schools.20 years ago, the freedom and education enjoyed by the graduate, Ms. Tutu, was unthinkable in South Africa.

Very inspiring account of his life in Africa. every Christian should read this. Also every one else. Are you bigoted?

Obviously Desmund Tutu is an awesome man. He’s awesome because he’s lived through terrible times often when there seemed like little hope of change and yet he’s come out peaceful and wise. I often choose books to read whilst I’m commuting to work on the Red Jet ferry from Cowes – and this book was chosen for that person. I couldn’t but help starting the day joyful. Thoroughly recommended.

This is a powerful book by a gentle, good Christian man. Each chapter includes narrative, and a time of quiet prayer. The book emphasizes that God created us good–not that we are born in sin. I find it a refreshing corrective to much that is written about our faith.

The book arrived in good time, in good condition, and was all I expected. Thanks

I wish I could have been with him in South Africa. He is such an inspiration and such a wonderful man. Thank God he helped all those who were bad to the black South Africans. And thank God for all that his daugher does. Great, great book!

It was an amazing story of both Africa, theChristian church and what we can learn fromother religions. The book said the world wewant will dicatate our choices in life.

Needed to read it for a Faith Club meeting and I was really glad I did. He is an amazing person.

I love the spiritual aspect of each reading. It makes me stop and rest in the goodness of the love of God and faithfulness of God’s promise of love and peace possible as each person works for goodness in their lives.

This book should be read by everyone because it applies to all of us in how we interact with others.

This is one of the most inspiring and hope-filled books I have read, by a man (and his daughter) who has suffered more than most of us can imagine, yet remains unfailingly upbeat. I’m sure his faith in humanity must have been shaken many times, but his faith in a God of love who has created us for goodness never seems to have wavered. If you want to give yourself a treat, read this book.

This excellent book contains many stories about the importance of reconciliation and embracing the other while keeping in focus that God made every one of us for goodness. This means seeing the good in the worst of us.

This is a great book for discussion groups. Many issues are presented that offer excellent, yet sometimes difficult, topics for group discussion and thought. I got this book for a group and I am learning so much, most of all that I want the joy for life and love of others that Desmond Tutu has and this book offers insight into his and his daughters lives that make them who they are. Desmond Tutu has witnessed some of the worlds worst horrors and yet he truly believes that we are all basically good and that we are made for goodness. His discussion is compelling and this book inspires myself–who has not witnessed the level of human evil that he has—to be a better person. A must read for all,that we all may one-by-one improve the world.

This refreshing book is the perfect antidote to all of the mudslinging that went during this presidential election cycle. If more people would read this book, we’d have a society where people would respect rather than attack one another. Reading this book will reinforce your own self esteem as well as restore your faith in our communities. It gives us all reasons to hope that good can and will prevail.

Wonderful insight. Will read a second time

Excellent book! Shows how to operate at our true potential as made in God’s image.

Great book

Whether you are of a religious persuasion or not here is a remarkably insight into human nature from one who has witnessed more human suffering and inhumanity than most of us, yet has recognized that there is a inner goodness that can rise to the surface and heal the most severe emotional and spiritual wounds. I have often marvelled at how relatively few mass atrocities are committed by individuals on others even when there must be millions of emotionally disturbed, angry, unstable people in our society with severe grievances, often with access to weapons or the means of mass injury. The USA alone with 300 million population, all with the right to carry a gun, a good proportion who are angry and bitter, many of these may be emotionally disturbed or on drugs, many of these may have a grudge against their community or families but thankfully mass murders are still a rarity. This only makes sense if we recognize we are all “made for goodness”.

This book had a profound effect on me. Desmond Tutu sets and explains out the principles of Peace and Reconciliation in his unique way. A good book is always worth reading more than once.

An easy yet very thought provoking read written by two ‘heavyweights’ who experienced the challenging times that South Africa has gone through and its aftermath. It raises real questions about forgiveness and ways forward for reconciliation – a book to learn from for all.