Review of No Greater Love

No Greater Love

By Levi Benker and Candy Chand

Review by Pat Beaty

Christian, do you love widows and orphans? God does.  Read the Holy Bible and you will see. The man who wrote this book does too. He speaks briefly but wonderfully about widows; and this book speaks volumes about loving orphans.  But this isn’t all – not by any means.  This book is about God and his forever love for all of us, all of the time.

It tells us about a man whom God allowed to fail in what he felt was his life’s work before being called by our Lord to the career he was meant to follow.  This book is a true story that catalogs many of the moving encounters that one man and his family have with some of the most sweet and engaging children in the world: youngsters and newborns in Ethiopia.  In a secondary plot, the reader is witness to the author’s disappointment with, and then deep faith in, God.

You will have to have a heart of stone to keep from being touched by the author’s exhilaration when he finally understands that he does not have to do it on his own strength – that God is here to help and has been all the time.  You will not be able to overlook the way his compassion for the Ethiopian people, and especially the plight of the newborns that our Lord has given him to care for, is so beautifully expressed.

You cannot help but react to this book. It will not leave you in peace.  If you are anything like this reviewer, when you finish this work, you will sit quietly for a few minutes and think about what you have just read.  It is unlikely you will ever forget the journey you have taken with this author over the difficult trails of the African jungle to save the lives of a host of little folks that God has put here.

Do you remember the words of the song: “Jesus Loves the Little Children – All the Children of the World”? Read this challenging book of love and trust, and then answer my earlier question – do you love widows and orphans?

For more reviews by Pat Beaty, go to http://patbeaty.blogspot.com/

Review of No Greater Love

No Greater Love

By Levi Benker and Candy Chand

Review by Pat Beaty

Christian, do you love widows and orphans? God does.  Read the Holy Bible and you will see. The man who wrote this book does too. He speaks briefly but wonderfully about widows; and this book speaks volumes about loving orphans.  But this isn’t all – not by any means.  This book is about God and his forever love for all of us, all of the time.

It tells us about a man whom God allowed to fail in what he felt was his life’s work before being called by our Lord to the career he was meant to follow.  This book is a true story that catalogs many of the moving encounters that one man and his family have with some of the most sweet and engaging children in the world: youngsters and newborns in Ethiopia.  In a secondary plot, the reader is witness to the author’s disappointment with, and then deep faith in, God.

You will have to have a heart of stone to keep from being touched by the author’s exhilaration when he finally understands that he does not have to do it on his own strength – that God is here to help and has been all the time.  You will not be able to overlook the way his compassion for the Ethiopian people, and especially the plight of the newborns that our Lord has given him to care for, is so beautifully expressed.

You cannot help but react to this book. It will not leave you in peace.  If you are anything like this reviewer, when you finish this work, you will sit quietly for a few minutes and think about what you have just read.  It is unlikely you will ever forget the journey you have taken with this author over the difficult trails of the African jungle to save the lives of a host of little folks that God has put here.

Do you remember the words of the song: “Jesus Loves the Little Children – All the Children of the World”? Read this challenging book of love and trust, and then answer my earlier question – do you love widows and orphans?

For more reviews by Pat Beaty, go to http://patbeaty.blogspot.com/

Review of Directed Verdict

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Directed Verdict

By Randy Singer

Reviewed by Pat Beaty

This is a story of the persecuted church.  It is extremely well written by a storyteller who intends to bring his principal message to everyone via a fast moving and hard-hitting work of fiction.  The reader will be surprised at the skill and passion of this writer as he carefully weaves several plots into what I would call a timely, “educational” and remarkable work.

In the beginning of this far-reaching, intriguing story, the reader is introduced to most of the main characters, including a missionary couple and an attorney – who must be considered the hero.  During this section, and later, as the action continues, we come to know a variety of peoples both of admiral and questionable morals.

There is agony and suffering during a portion of Mr. Singer’s writing, but he does not cause distress to the reader for long as action and rapid movement carries the reader’s’ interest through a series of happenings which both entertain and gather the concern of Christians (and others, it would be hoped).  The events occur in the Middle East, America, and back and forth between the two areas, but this does not take one’s concentration away from the central theme – one of good and evil, one of love for others, and ingrained hatred for others.

Although I would call this a modern Christian murder mystery, the murderer is obvious.  However, there is a real “who-dunnit” that occurs as you wind your way through this exciting book.  Take this reviewers advice: if you are a reader who normally reads the end of the novel first, you would do well to abandon this habit this time.  This is a murder mystery, but not in the sense of Earl Stanley Gardner or Agatha Christie, and a legal thriller in the genre of John Grisham.

This novel has all the elements of a work you will enjoy and from which you will benefit: mystery, fascinating characters, intrigue, and a Christian premise.  The reader will enjoy this one immensely!

Review of Not a Fan

Not a Fan

(Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus)

by Kyle Idleman

Reviewed by Pat Beaty

As many of you know, I do not like to use adjectives like superb, colossal, marvelous, tremendous, etc, etc. often, if at all (and certainly not magnificent - that’s reserved for our Lord).  I may have to use one or two of those adjectives…maybe three, about this work. This book deserves a great deal of praise, and certainly intent reading, if not study, by everyone who professes to be a Christian.  But let me warn you: many or most of you will be convicted.  You will find you are not the Christians that Jesus wants you to be…or that you thought you were!

The point that the author wants to make abundantly clear throughout this work, by using allusions to true modern-day stories and the Bible is that: a large number of believers are fans, not followers of our Savior.

Do you what Creasters are? Or what DTR stands for? This author says, “When you heard the Gospel, someone talked at great length and passion about you making a decision, a decision to believe, but said little about the fact that this commitment would necessarily change the way you live. I call this selling Jesus.” He says further: “Following Him requires your whole heart.” And later, “you may say the right things and do the right things, but that’s not enough for Jesus.  He wants all of you.”

One of the most striking parts of this work is a section entitled, “Do I know Jesus and does he know me?”  Another is the entire chapter – “Anyone, An Open Invitation.”  The reader will be fascinated by some of the actual meanings of some of the biblical words that you often read (particularly the word follower or the word servant).

The author says, “a decision to follow Jesus is a decision to die to yourself.” And later he punctuates this with the fact that we must do this daily.  This gifted preacher/writer places small stories from Christians with whom he is familiar throughout the book – and each one ends with the blunt statement “Not a Fan”.  He refers continuously to figures and happenings in the Word of God. 

This work is very clearly written and the reader will enjoy it “tremendously” (adverb not an adjective).

By the way, Creasters are people who come to church only on Christmas and Easter.  DTR stands for Define the Relationship, something each of us should do with the Savior.

“I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”

More reviews can be found at: http://patbeaty.blogspot.com/

Review of "Soon"

Soon

(The Beginning of the End)

by Jerry Jenkins

Review by Pat Beaty

This book, the first in a series of three was written by the author of the immensely popular “Left Behind” series.  I’d be surprised if most of you haven’t read “Left Behind.” 

Christian, what would you do if the worship of God was forbidden by international law, and the penalty for breaking this law was imprisonment or death?  This is the premise of this fascinating work of fiction…and it is one that you will find difficult to put aside until you have read it in its entirety.  It is the story of the underground church, at a most critical time in the future.

The plot is filled with a number of characters whose activities, good or bad, will fill the reader with either concern for their safety or disdain for their evil intentions or activities.  In other words, while we are concerned for the ultimate salvation of all, this engrossing work often has the reader either cheering or booing its characters throughout.

The author delves into the personalities of his “actors” in this book; and he actually has several stories going at the same time, which peaks the readers’ interest throughout this work.  While not exciting in the sense of one scene after another of danger and breath-taking episodes, this book will forcefully remind the people of God of what lies ahead in God’s plan for creation.  This author’s effort will fill the reader with the same feeling of urgency and immediacy as his earlier works; and it is based faithfully on the Word of God.  This reviewer was filled with a desire for self-examination and trust in our Savior as he “studied” each chapter.  I believe you will react in a similar way.

I won’t tell you the ending; but believe me, it will send chills up and down your spine. Why is it entitled “Soon”?  I will leave that up to you to figure out.

Earlier reviews available at:

www.patbeaty.blogspot.com

July 21, 2012

Review of "A Praying Life"

A Praying Life

(Connecting with God in a Distracting World)

by Paul E. Miller

Reviewed by Pat Beaty

This book blew me away, or, in my antiquated vernacular, it knocked my socks off! In the author’s introduction, he tells us that this treatise was written, “for Christians, for those struggling to do life, who pray badly yet long to connect with their heavenly Father.”  He frames his efforts by relating his experiences in praying for his family; and this turns out, in my opinion, to be an excellent idea.  In his recounting the prayers for and by his family members, he emphasizes that “prayer is not the center of this book.  Getting to know a person, God, is the center.” He says that, even though we like to think we are independent, “dependency is the heartbeat of prayer.”

Early in this text, the author correctly remarks, “It is hard to pray.” He then refers to Matthew 18:3, “Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Shortly thereafter, Mr. Miller explains that we must pray just as directly and fearlessly and “mess-ily” as we can. He emphasizes that “the only way to come to God is by taking off any spiritual masks. The real you has to meet the real God.  He is a person.” “Learning to Play Again,” and “Learning to Babble Again” are the two small sections of this work that will surprise and delight the reader.

The author refers at times to what hinders prayer (and there are a lot of things).  He also explains many things that can help our praying life.  He lists a number of Paul’s prayers from the New Testament and points to the way this Apostle wants the church to pray as he mentions “continuous prayer” twelve times.

During a large portion of the last part of the book, the author explained at length cynicism and how one must “abide” in order to pray. He points out that praying is hard, and he explains at length how he uses 3 X 5 cards and a prayer journal to help him in his requests to the Lord.  He warns against over-spiritualizing our prayers and explains how Jesus Christ is “real” in his prayers.

This author explains his feelings about prayer by using the team story, as in: God is weaving a pattern in the story of this apostle or that Christian, and this reviewer finds this to be another excellent way to explain the points that the writer wants to make.

Finally, this work is more lengthy than many readers are used to, but rest assured it will be worth your time to read it from start to finish.

From the author, “Don’t be embarrassed how needy your heart is and how much it needs to cry out for grace. Just start praying.”

Fool-Proofing Your Life Review

Fool-Proofing Your Life

(Wisdom for Untangling Your Most Difficult Relationships)

by Jan Silvious

Reviewed by Pat Beaty

Fool-proofing is protecting something from fools.  Fool-proofing your life is protecting your life from fools.  The author of this book, a well-known counselor, noted speaker, and popular Christian radio personality from Chattanooga, is co-host with Kay Arthur on Precept Ministries national radio program, “Precept Life with Kay and Jan.”

In part one of the book, “Is there a fool in your life?” the writer begins by quoting from Proverbs 24:14 NASB, “Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; if you find it, then there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.”

From this point, Ms. Silvious describes for the reader, using stories from her case files, how many people want a decent relationship with a person, usually someone close, and that person refuses to take personal responsibility for their own actions.  It seems that the concerned person is virtually taken hostage by one whose “open rage, passive anger, oily manipulation, or sullen silence stubbornly refuses to release his or her grip.”  The author says her “passion is to offer you hope for a better way to life – a way that honors God and yet is free from the often tyrannical nature of the difficult person in your life.”

This writer uses many Biblical references and describes the fool as deceitful and completely self-serving who cannot be dealt with in an ordinary loving Christian way. There are ways to minimize his constant harmful effect on you, but he is not amenable to change. 

“To hug a fool is like hugging a fan, you will only be stirred up in the process.”  Ms. Silvious tells us that she is not as concerned for the fool (although we must love and forgive him.)  She is concerned about the relentless physical and emotional damage that one suffers, sometimes over a period of many years, as one tries to live with, apologize for, apologize to, and change this person who is utterly beyond hope.  She is absolutely certain, and uses the Bible to back her up, that this type of person is without hope (except perhaps by God.)

If you do not understand just what a fool is, or an ordinary person’s relationship to one, let me urge you to read this fascinating book.  I was impressed by how easy it was to understand the author’s meanings.  She writes to the reader as if she were talking to him face to face.  Perhaps one of the most interesting portions of the work is in the chapter, “New Strategies for Old Battles” – under the simple word “Detach”.

If you struggle with difficult relationships or know someone who does, take a look at this fascinating work by Jan Silvious.

For more book reviews by Pat Beaty, check out his blog at http://patbeaty.blogspot.com/

April 20, 2012

Review of Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World

Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World

(What on Earth Should We Do Now?)

by David Jeremiah

Reviewed by Pat Beaty

In his introduction to this revealing work, Dr. Jeremiah reminds us that, in his previous book, he summarized ten world events and related them to the prophetic Word of God.  The author lists in this present book a number of previous events and relates them to the time just before the time when Jesus is to return to Earth.  He defines the word catastrophe and says, “the full picture is one of overthrow, of everything turning over in sudden and violent change.”  The author indicates that jobs and homes can be lost, but he stresses that the love of Christ is forever.  He ends this portion of the book by stating: “In the power and love of almighty God we can live with confidence in an age of chaos.”

This excellent work is divided in ten challenges.  They are listed simply as: stay calm, stay compassionate, stay constructive, stay challenged, say connected, stay centered, stay confident, stay consistent, stay committed, and stay convinced.  As you can guess, some of these areas carry over to others, but the author explains each subject in a very readable, intriguing manner.  In other words there are numerous references to truth from the Bible and various illustrative stories from Christians and their lives in this present time.

“Stay Calm” is as comforting to the reader as its title suggests and asks that you “believe.”  “Stay Compassionate” is based on several Biblical principles and will cause the reader to think deeply. “Stay Constructive” will surprise you with its list of things we have torn down in today’s world and has an interesting section about Peter. (Please take note of the section that covers self-edification and building others up.)  “Stay Challenged” concentrates on Christian diligence, no matter what you face in life.  “Stay Connected” is one of this author’s favorite subjects, as it deals with togetherness, in the church and other areas.  “Stay Centered” deals with keeping our focus on Christ, no matter what.  “Stay Confident” accentuates our need for a “word from God” and, as you can guess, faith.  “Stay Consistent” urges good habits in our daily walk with God and emphasizes that we are citizens of heaven.  “Stay Committed” points toward faithfulness and staying firm in the Lord.  “Stay Convinced” discusses our soon returning Lord and how we must walk in Him and wait on Him.

In the summary chapter, the author asks, “What’s going to happen on the day you die?”  He urges the unsaved reader to accept God’s free gift of eternal life.

Among other notable sayings of the author is, “Sad times are good times for realizing God’s goodness.”  As it says in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Review of Tom Collins of Kenya

Tom Collins of Kenya

Son of Valour

By: Kenneth N. Phillips (Retold by Malcolm B. Collins)

Reviewed by Pat Beaty

This book is a telling, and retelling in some instances, of the life of one who has to have been one of the most loved and devoted missionaries to have ever brought the gospel to one of the wildest areas of Africa.  Mr. Collins’ parents had been missionaries in Kenya, and when Tom was saved, the Lord put in his mind to bring the Word to the tribes in a very remote part of the country:  the territory of East Pokot.

Tom Collins was sickly as a child and suffered from a number of conditions throughout his life.  He had cataracts in both eyes as a mere tot, having to have his eyes needled since this was the only treatment that early in the twentieth century.  He became ill with rheumatic fever at age ten, followed by heart complications and a nervous system disease called Chorea.

This wonderful follower of Christ devoted himself over the years to learning all he would need to be a competent missionary in an area of not only physical danger but of detriment to his physical disabilities.  However, Mr. Collins felt very strong in his faith and determined he would not be denied what he felt was his God-given life’s task. 

This worthy Christian was turned down by the AIC (African Inland Church) several times before he finally decided to go it alone.  He became a nomadic missionary.  Working in conjunction with the AIM (African Inland Mission), Tom was eventually able to gain their respect and receive their backing.

The determined child of God spent many years on safaris, not only to East Pokot, but also to other nearby African territories.  He had any number of bouts with his physical disabilities and other illnesses.  However, over the years, he brought the influence of Christ and the Word to a large number of Kenyans and gained influence and recognition in many theretofore-unreached regions of that great nation.

Tom Collins was advised often that, because of his declining health, he should step down from his strenuous work for others.  However, he was so devoted to Christ, he would not stop for any reason, even his own physical well being.  He died as an active missionary of God, on the job for his Savior, and will be remembered from now on by the believers in Christ in Kenya.

This was an excellent book that can serve as a primer for missionaries of all kinds.  It demonstrates how to survive and flourish as a Christian in the most adverse of circumstances.  Because he was British, the language was not as easy to follow as some of the books I have reviewed in the past, but it was still an engaging read and will be well worth your time.

Previous book reviews can be read at:  http://patbeaty.blogspot.com/

Review of Billy Graham's Nearing Home

Nearing Home (Life, Faith, and Finishing Well)

By:  Billy Graham

Reviewed by Pat Beaty

This is an absorbing book.  Written in a clear, easy to read and understandable manner, it reflects the thoughts of a Christian who is nearing his ninety-third birthday.  He wants to share his feelings and God-given wisdom with other believers, with whom he seems to feel a strong kinship – you and me.

            Reverend Graham pens this work at times with a humorous undertone.  “Old age is not for sissies,” he says.  But this does not detract from the serious issues he addresses, not only for those in the latter part of life, but younger “children of God” who need to be planning for this time of life.  He invites the reader to explore with him “not only the realities of life as we grow older but also the hope and fulfillment and even joy that can be ours once we learn to look at these years from God’s point of view and discover his strength to sustain us every day.”

            In the chapter, “Running for Home,” the evangelist recounts the dreams of his youth and tells of his feelings about growing old.  He quotes from the Bible and tells some of his numerous examples of men and women who were used by God in their old age.  In the section, “Nearing Home with Triumphant Expectations,” the author urges us to “pass on foundational truths of God’s Word so that younger generations will be as Joshua, filled with the spirit of wisdom.”

            In the part, “Don’t Retire from Life,” the writer points out our responsibility to others and he again points to his own life as well as others.  “The Impact of Hope” is perhaps my favorite chapter in this wonderful work.  In it are found numerous Biblical references and the author’s feelings on what our attitude should be during this time in life.  Reverend Graham also points to other experiences people have had and points out one of the Bible's central truths: “Every day – without exception – is a gift from God.”

            In “Consider the Golden Years,” the author discusses practical as well as personal matters, speaking to topics such as finances, wills, and the impact your leaving will have on adult children and others.

            The remainder of this enlightening book is filled with information the readers would do well to know and refers liberally to the Holy Bible.  You will enjoy “What is Heaven Like?”  He ends with a verse we all should know: “Behold, now is the accepted time; Behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

www.patbeaty.blogspot.com