Defiant Joy, by Kevin Belmonte is a rapid tour through some of the major works of GKC, with only brief biographical observations. Initially, I expected this to be a biography but settled for a reasoned development of GKC’s works. Reading this presentation reminded me of my failure to finish The Everlasting Man, a failure immediately remedied!
How I wish there had been an index so as to retrieve the ample display of apropos quotes!
Still, I recommend the book highly for a broad overview of an insightful individual, an unembarrassed, thoughtful Christian.
The Obligatory Disclaimer: I received this book free for review from Thomas Nelson Publishing, through their BookSneeze publication.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
A handy Resource For Disciplers
Randy Alcorn’s little book The Goodness of God is an ideal devotional resource addressing the age old question: “Why is there evil in the world?”
Randy focuses to reader’s attention on Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. Or, in other words, God, Man, Sin, and salvation.
Into this mix we are led to see God’s purposes. This is His creation; we are His creatures; and he is working out His sovereign plan. As fallen creatures we demand to know precisely WHY we have to experience, endure, and embrace this manifestation of evil. Curiosity drives us, making us unwilling to submit patiently under His hand and in the context of His plan.
This little booklet needs to be kept close at hand as a resource in managing our own dose of difficulty or horror and for sharing with others.
Especially helpful are the suggestions in chapter 11 entitled What We Can Do. In the chapter randy suggests four steps: 1) Look to God’s promises for comfort, 2) Anticipate God’s rewards, 3) Lighten the load through prayer and, finally 4) Share your life with others who suffer.
I highly recommend this little booklet along with the larger version If God Is Good
Randy focuses to reader’s attention on Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. Or, in other words, God, Man, Sin, and salvation.
Into this mix we are led to see God’s purposes. This is His creation; we are His creatures; and he is working out His sovereign plan. As fallen creatures we demand to know precisely WHY we have to experience, endure, and embrace this manifestation of evil. Curiosity drives us, making us unwilling to submit patiently under His hand and in the context of His plan.
This little booklet needs to be kept close at hand as a resource in managing our own dose of difficulty or horror and for sharing with others.
Especially helpful are the suggestions in chapter 11 entitled What We Can Do. In the chapter randy suggests four steps: 1) Look to God’s promises for comfort, 2) Anticipate God’s rewards, 3) Lighten the load through prayer and, finally 4) Share your life with others who suffer.
I highly recommend this little booklet along with the larger version If God Is Good
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
A Cautionary Read
I am always troubled when a sermon or book starts out using the example of the individual blessed with “immediate” contact with God. By immediate contact I mean said individual had some form of Theophany, a burning bush, an audible voice, an obvious angelic visitor, or whatever of that nature.
Though the lessons or examples drawn are true, they carry far more weight, I believe, than what I experience via a “mediated” encounter with God. By mediated encounter I mean encountering God via the written word.
Such was my mindset when reading Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick. (I would have enjoyed hearing the chapters preached!) The reading was engaging, at times some of the examples used to illustrate a pioint brought tears to my eyes and, at other times outbursts of joy! Sounds like Elevation Church is an exciting venue.
The book is full of pithy observations: “The Process is the Point”, “Pray and Push”, and others.
I was “put off” by the observation about using a qualifier in our prayer, such as “if it be thy will” . James 4:15? In the chapter Pray Like A Juggernaut, each example ends with the comment “…would you ….”. Qualifier? Give me a break!
The example of a “page 23 vision” and its qualifiers was encouraging, as was the inclusion of his Twelve Audacious Faith Confessions (might this serve as the next Twelve Step Program?).
I don’t see Peter or the Twelve exercising “audacious faith” in the early chapters of Acts, but obedient faith. Had they been audacious they may well have launched out of Jerusalem carrying the gospel to Judea and Samaria without waiting for the persecution? I don’t see Paul exercising audacious faith, but obedient faith in the face of trying and challenging experiences. Maybe it is a question of definition?
To me, ordinary men and women living in biblical obedience are “audacious”. Its expression is probably more of a function of basic temperament.
I would recommend the book as an enjoyable read of the unusual growth of a new church and its pastor.
Though the lessons or examples drawn are true, they carry far more weight, I believe, than what I experience via a “mediated” encounter with God. By mediated encounter I mean encountering God via the written word.
Such was my mindset when reading Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick. (I would have enjoyed hearing the chapters preached!) The reading was engaging, at times some of the examples used to illustrate a pioint brought tears to my eyes and, at other times outbursts of joy! Sounds like Elevation Church is an exciting venue.
The book is full of pithy observations: “The Process is the Point”, “Pray and Push”, and others.
I was “put off” by the observation about using a qualifier in our prayer, such as “if it be thy will” . James 4:15? In the chapter Pray Like A Juggernaut, each example ends with the comment “…would you ….”. Qualifier? Give me a break!
The example of a “page 23 vision” and its qualifiers was encouraging, as was the inclusion of his Twelve Audacious Faith Confessions (might this serve as the next Twelve Step Program?).
I don’t see Peter or the Twelve exercising “audacious faith” in the early chapters of Acts, but obedient faith. Had they been audacious they may well have launched out of Jerusalem carrying the gospel to Judea and Samaria without waiting for the persecution? I don’t see Paul exercising audacious faith, but obedient faith in the face of trying and challenging experiences. Maybe it is a question of definition?
To me, ordinary men and women living in biblical obedience are “audacious”. Its expression is probably more of a function of basic temperament.
I would recommend the book as an enjoyable read of the unusual growth of a new church and its pastor.
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