What do you do with Life's Disappointments

      I have read a lot of books in the last year trying to find how to deal with the struggles, disappointments and looking for answers to "Why God?".  Kay Arthur was a new writer to me and the title, "As Silver Refined" seemed to capture my attention.  And once I started reading it, I can say it cut to the heart and stripped away some old theology that I had carried around all my life.
    The Bible tells us how to live and gives us great insight into how to handle problems.  Not to take any thing away from the Word of God, but it is summed up by many as, "Trust God, He will provide", and in some extreme cases, "Name it and Claim it", or as I like to say, "Blab it and Grab it!"
    What is so often missing in a Christians devotion and teaching is the ability to accept the truth that God is allowing all the disappointments and trials in your life.  The job lose, the broken marriage, the sickness and even death of a loved one, God has allowed.
     No one likes to think of God as the one who allows the bad things to happen in our life, that God would have a hand in such terrible things.  To dismiss this idea is to question God's Sovereignty.  And that theology is causing many a Christian to throw in the towel and give up.
    The book is great, easy to read and well thought out.  I know "As Silver Refined" was a God anointed pick for my life.  There are so many great quotes, but the one that stands out to me the most is about disappointments.  To paraphrase, Disappointments are His Appointments.... replace the D with an H, and add a space between the s and the a and you get His Appointments.  In God's Sovereignty, he knew the choice you would make, knew the places you would be and made a way to help you through the trials.
“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.

Courageous: The Movie

     While my blog has been about books, this time I have to add the movie Courageous to my blog.  I was so moved by its message.  "Where are the men of God?"  What have the fathers, the husband, sold out for?  The movie takes a look at what it really means for the men of God to be courageous in the time when doing so is unpopular and costly.
     Perhaps the reason this movie hit home with me is because I failed in the ministry, my family and personal life.  I made the wrong choices and this movie, along with the leading of the Holy Spirit, opened my eyes to the source of my problems.
      I strongly encourage you to see this movie.  Take it to heart and let it change you.  You will not be disappointed.

For the King and the Kingdom!

Douglas

Desiring God left me still Desiring God with no answers

I have to say from the start "Desiring God" was a disappointment to me.  John Piper Revised Edition needs more revision.  I was lost in its path, like a movie that starts and the end and movies forward, then backward then to the middle.  While the book may not lack substance, it is, in my opinion, too hard to read and to follow for most people.  As the saying goes," you can't judge a book by it's cover," and in this case nor by it's title.

     While I try to find the good in all the books I have read, in this one John spends too much time defending or trying to explain his personal views than giving the readers information that will make them want to desire God.  Sorry to say, in my review, I have to say "Desiring God missed the mark!"

Burn The Ships!

Steven Curtis Chapman sings a song that I heard about the same time I began reading Andy Stanley's, "Enemies of the Heart."  I just confess, the book wasn't what I was expecting.  I was thinking it would deal with perhaps more of the addictions or worldly attributes we all sweep under the rug.

Enemies of the Heart takes the reader on a very pointed, some what person look at the 4 things that stand between you and true christian happiness.

I had a very difficult time accepting some of the things Stanley writes about, but that was because he was talking to me.  Rather than treat the symptoms, Stanley makes you look at the root cause of why you feel the way you do about such things as divorce, job loss, broken friendships.

While I can't say it was an easy or enjoyable read, I will say it was a much needed one.  I recommend anyone who is going through the rough times of life, read this book.

What if your Christianity was stripped bare?

I have long been a supportor of the fact that the churches and church leaders need to repent and get back to the Bible basics.  Just because it has the name of 'Christ' in the title doesn't mean that it is ordained of God.
     "Primal" explores the need for us to get back to the Bible and start loving people as Christ does.  It is time for churches and ministries to sit down and take a look at what they are doing and evaluate if it is God ordained or man proclaimed. 
    The Great Commission is still a requirement, and we are still required to be good stewards of what God has allowed us to have.  "Pimal" challenges us to look at every area of our life and ministry, and ask some tought questions.
    We need God ideas not Good ideas.  Until people are willing to put Christ first, the church and the ministry will never take  this generation back for Christ.  Reading "Primal" should restore the fire and the passion in you, if there is any hope for you.
    This is a must read for those who want to get it right in their life and in the church.
“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"

Time for the Churches to Get it Right!

I have been in the ministry for 35 years and have felt that Matt 25:35-40 has always been where the church missing the mark.  Many churches and pastors seem to be concerned more about their four and no more, or those inside their walls, to keep them entertained and the money rolling.  Churches have become Social "Bless Me" clubs.  Jesus used the above noted scriptures to address that:
    35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
   37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
   40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
It is time for the church to once again understand what true ministry is.  For those pastors and churches who have forgotten that it is not about the numbers who attend our well planned services, perfectly desinged well executed worship programs, and entertaining message, it's time you read not only the Bible, but "Radical Together" by David Platt.  I have read many books on ministry and church growth, but all fail to really bring home the point of what the mission, role, commission of the church is in a way that David does. 
I recommend you pray, read Matt chapters 24 and 25, and then read David's book.  Let it speak to your heart and let's get Radical Together!!!!
“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.

Hearing God Through a Gentle Thunder

     Max Lucado is one of my favorite authors.  He is to writing, as Thomas Kinkade is to painting.  Max, with his words, paints a picture that moves the soul and heart.  Hearing God through a gentle Thunder is based mostly on the book of John and deals in a Life in the day of the Lord. 
     Without giving away too much of the book, Max tries to guide the reader to the understanding that God will go to any lengths to reach you.  Even in some of the most adverse circumstances, God will use them to help you hear His voice through the storm.
     I strongly encourage any of you that are trying to hear Gods' voice, to pick up a copy of this book, read it, and allow God to speak to your heart.  He is in the storm and He is speaking to you, to guide you safely through to peace.