Review of God Never Gives Up on You - December 2023

 God Never Gives up on You

by Max Lucado

Reviewed by Pat Beaty

In his usual conversational tone, the author demonstrates the truth of the book's title by utilizing the story of Jacob and Esau in the Old Testament. "Like (Jacob), our spiritual walk follows a crooked path...our failures are great, but God's grace is greater." The reader will find much more of himself in this work. We are all flawed.

In this typical Lucado effort, you may find yourself. The language of the book is enjoyable. One of the author's usual inserts, aside from the main topic of this book, is a section on prayer. The reader may find this not only interesting but helpful. I recommend that you read this.

Happy reading, Pat

Review of Shepherds Abiding - October 2023

Review of 

Shepherds Abiding

(A Christmas Story)

By: Jan Karon

Review by: Pat Beaty

In this book, some of the characters speak with an Appalachian dialect and it makes it interesting to read.

It’s the story of a little town named Mitford - full of unique and interesting characters that sometimes remind one of people one knows.

There are several interactions between local characters and the author and one should find this fascinating. (Please note that the local Father, who might be called the protagonist, is not a relative but a Reverend.)

One caution I urge you to observe is please do not read the ending of this book first - the surprise and joy will be worth the wait.

Many of you who love to read are already familiar with the Mitford series. It is felt that you will enjoy this one as much or more.

Happy Reading!

Pat

For other reviews, go to patbeaty.blogspot.net

Review of Safe in the Shepherd’s Arms by Max Lucado

Safe in the Shepherd’s Arms

By Max Lucado

Book reviewed by 

Pat Beaty

When I picked up this book, it immediately took me back to when I first heard of the Lord as a child at a small church in Shawanee, Tennessee. We lived with my Grandma Lula and attended Shawanee Methodist Church. The church was an old wooden building that could hold 25 people and my daddy led the choir. 

There I was taught that the Lord is my shepherd and this book illustrates that as it points out the many times in the Bible, both in the old and new testaments, that God is mentioned as the shepherd and we as his sheep. Despite its small size, his book was remarkable and I strongly recommend that you read it. 

Happy Reading, Pat

For more reviews, go to patbeaty.blogspot.com

June 2023

Review of Too Busy Not to Pray (Slowing Down to Be with God) - February 2023

 Too Busy Not to Pray (Slowing Down to Be with God)

By Bill Hybels

Reviewed by PatBeaty

This book is talking entirely about prayer. However, this does not lessen the clear messages that the author wants us to receive. He appears to discuss almost every facet of prayer and discusses them in an open and understandable fashion. The reader will not only benefit from the author’s discussion of these facets but he will be able to use them in his own growth as a Christian. 

This book has impressed me a great deal and I readily urge you to read it. 

Happy Reading, Pat

For more reviews, go to patbeaty.blogspot.com

Review of Surprised by Suffering - December 2022

 Surprised by Suffering

By R.C. Sproul

Reviewed by: Pat Beaty

I was “surprised” at how much I enjoyed this beautifully written book. I shouldn’t have been because Rev. Sproul is a popular Christian author. The book contains the names of many recognized figures who suffered for the faith. This book covers a large area of study but “no one's teaching on the subject to life after death exceeds that of Jesus of Nazereth.”

Please do not avoid Appendix A: “Questions and Answers on Death and the AFterlife.” It is hoped that you will read this fascinating work. It is a wonderful endeavor.

Happy Reading, Pat

For more reviews, go to PatBeaty.blogspot.net.

Review of You Were Made for Love - October 2022

You Were Made for Love (Embracing the Life You Were Meant to Live) 

October 2022

review by: Pat Beaty

Don’t you just want to be loved? Did you know being loved is critical? Does anyone really love you? Don’t you want to know the answers to these questions? You must read this book!

“You and I were made for love. God created us with a deep need to be loved as well as a tremendous capacity to give love. We function best, live most happily, experience the greatest satisfaction when we know we are loved… why is it then, that so few of us ever do?”

This book does a great job answering this vital question as well as many others. The ones that were intriguing to me were: who is God? Why did he choose to make us? It’s not because he was lonely and needed us. And how can we relate with the God who is love?

This reviewer was impressed by how uplifting the work is. This book is very helpful as a reference resource on God’s transformational unconditional love and is highly recommended as a resource for every Christian. This book, besides being enjoyable, is felt to be a wonderful contribution to our Christian heritage.

Happy Reading! Pat 

Four more reviews go to Pat beaty.blogspot.com

Review of Traveling Light - June 2022

Traveling Light (Releasing the Burdens You Were Never Intended to Bear)

by Max Lucado

Review by Pat Beaty

This book is beautiful, and its beauty comes from the 23rd Psalm on which it is loosely based. Max Lucado masterfully takes each phrase of the beloved Psalm and uses it to help us understand why we don't have to carry so many burdens. We can travel light. The Shepherd watches over us (the Lord is our shepherd) and He provides for us (I shall not want) and so on.

One thing that stood out to this reader is the idea that we must be careful not to carry the baggage we don't need. Examples of this excess baggage are the burden of self-reliance, the burden of a lesser God, of weariness, worry, the grave, loneliness, shame, doubt, and homesickness (for heaven).

In summary, "The lesson is this: Meet today's problems with today's strength. Don't start tackling tomorrow's problems until tomorrow. You don't have tomorrow's strength yet. But you do have enough for today."

Happy Reading, Pat

For more reviews, go to patbeaty.blogspot.net.