Review of Dangerous Surrender by Kay Warren

Dangerous Surrender

By: Kay Warren

Reviewed by Pat Beaty

In the forward to this book, Rick Warren states that “surrender is not the best way to live; it is the only way”….and the author, his wife, begins this worthy effort with the bold statement that, “everything I know about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ begins and ends with surrender – saying yes to God.” Further on, she answers the reader’s question: “Why add the word dangerous to surrender?” declaring “Because we don’t surrender to a benevolent but impotent grandfather figure; we surrender to almighty God, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.”

In the very personal narrative of her life, the author describes her journey from “the kingdom of me” to giving her whole being to God and her eventual work in ministry.  She works with HIV/AIDS patients and the millions of orphans whose parents died from AIDS.

Ms. Warren refers to the life and events of various others, as well as to statements of known writers, in her attempt to make clear our primary needs: to deny ourselves and surrender to Him. She alludes frequently to verses from the Bible, and she makes her point with transparency and in a very conversational style of writing.

This work gives rise to much self-examination.  Finally, how I can fail to recommend to you such a wonderful Christian book.

For past reviews, go to patbeaty.blogspot.com. 

December 26, 2014

Review of "A Fall Together"

A Fall Together

By Jennifer O’Neill

Reviewed by Pat Beaty

This Christian novel is not about Christmas, but your reviewer would like to offer it up as a gift selection for your reading pleasure during the holidays.  It is replete with a variety of characters, including a dog and a cat you will love.

Despite the seriousness and sinfulness of the inter-related plots of this work, it is an absolutely delightful story.  The characterizations are masterful, as is the author’s ability to draw the reader into a keen interest in what is on the next page throughout the whole experience. 

Ms. O’Neill skillfully draws the reader into a feeling of sympathy (or even of empathy) with the main subjects in this dramatic tale; and she ends up providing hope for both them and a, by-then, excited and enthusiastic audience.  It always amazes me how Our Lord brings his own to himself and, parenthetically, how we poor sinners go to all lengths to postpone the Holy Spirit’s call. 

The events in this novel take place in the fictitious berg of Centennial, Tennessee, a few miles outside of Nashville, and the implications of this title are wide ranging.

“And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” – Revelation 7:10

Merry Christmas and Happy Reading!

November 18, 2014

http://patbeaty.blogspot.com

Review of Beautiful Outlaw

Beautiful Outlaw

(Experiencing the Playful Disruptive Extravagant Personality of Jesus)

by John Eldredge

Reviewed by Pat Beaty

Reader, let me urge you to beg, borrow, or steal a copy of this book.  No, wait…I cannot encourage you to commit a crime, much less a sin.  However, let me assure you: this book is impressive, and I would be remiss if I failed to emphasize how much pleasure, as well as self-examination, resulted from my reading it.  In fact, the Biblical word “meditation” comes to mind in this regard.

This well thought-out and warmly presented work can be summed up in one of the author’s initial pronouncements: “To have Jesus, really have him, is to have the greatest treasure in all the world.”  Then, however, he spends much of this treatise artfully expressing why we are being prevented, in many cases, from having an intimate relationship with our Lord because of what he calls “religious fog.”  If you really think about what this writer is telling us, you will come to virtually the same feeling. Eldredge also makes a plausible attempt to define the personality traits of our Savior and refers to various events that occur in His time on earth in this regard. 

It is not often, while reading Christian literature, that I laugh out loud, but I did with this author. It is felt that you will also find merriment in this delightful work by a New York Times best selling author. 

The man who authored this book believes that Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, is the most human human-being who ever lived.  I challenge you to read this book and see if you agree.

October 20, 2014

http://patbeaty.blogspot.com

Review of The Papa Prayer

The Papa Prayer

(The Prayer You Never Prayed)

By Larry Crabb

Reviewed by Pat Beaty

http://patbeaty.blogspot.com

Dr. Crabb states he offers this book to “restore prayer to its highest purpose.” With this goal in mind, he has written a book that is designed to answer two fundamental questions: Why must we pray? And how must we pray? In answer to your first question regarding the title of this work – no, this is not an exposition given to theauthor by his dad when he was a mere lad.  The author states he sharing with us “a way to relate to God that lets us hear Him speak.” It is a personal story, heart-warming in many aspects, that stems from his own difficulties with prayer, and the assistance God has given to him in this regard.  He states – “the Papa prayer is simply a way to come to God and learn to wait, to listen with a little less wax in our spiritual ears and, most of all, to be relentlessly real.”

The writer explains what each letter of the word PAPA represents in a most fascinating manner and these “steps” are, or seem to be, not only universal but also fundamental to our daily prayer life.  Although the reader may feel at first that he prays in a fashion similar to what Dr. Crabb is describing, as you read through this eloquent offering, you will discover much you have never even considered.

This is a worthwhile effort on the part of this gifted writer, and I recommend that you add it to your reading library.

September 22, 2014

Review of Randy Singer's The Advocate

The Advocate

By Randy Singer

Reviewed by: Pat Beaty

“It seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilis, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” Luke 1:3-4

This work is a Christian historical novel, and, if the word novel means new and different, this offering is aptly defined, for you will be astonished by the skill of the writer as he intertwines various disciples and others into the several plots in this memorable book..

The book deals candidly with crucifixion and other inhuman acts of punishment in the Roman Empire during the time of Christ.  The author, one of my favorite writers, does not pull his punches in his descriptions of those who suffered during this period in history.

Our hero, Theophilis, who would be called a lawyer today, is removed from his anonymous mentions in the Scriptures, and is given the unpleasant role of dealing with some of the most evil people of Christ’s time.  To his credit, and that of the Holy Spirit, he also comes to know Christ, and this is the beauty of what would otherwise have to be called a very unwholesome pattern of life.

Singer has obviously done his homework, as he introduces the reader to a great many aspects of daily life during this time period and describes the roles of his various characters in most understandable ways. 

Although our Savior is not given as prominent a place in the overall story, the reader can be certain to realize His presence throughout this well-conceived and well-written work.  The time in which the story is set begins with the crucifixion of Christ and continues through Paul and the early church.

Just a suggestion: if you will carefully read the “List of Characters” before you begin feasting on this most palatable creation, you will be helped a great deal throughout your reading.

As you read, you will be introduce to various areas of life during this eventful time in Roman history.  You are not introduced to these details in the Bible. To me, they give more meaning to my understanding of the New Testament.

For previous reviews, check out my blog at: http://patbeaty.blogspot.com.

August 19, 2014

Review of Generous Justice

Generous Justice

(How God’s Grace Makes Us Just)

by Timothy Keller

Reviewed by Pat Beaty

“And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8

This quote opens the first chapter of the book, and an equally beautiful verse begins every chapter of this well-researched and extremely thought-provoking work. Then it came to me: Isn’t justice mercy? Well, in a way.  Isn’t it love? Well…sort of.  Isn’t it sort of niceness or kindness?  This didn’t sound exactly right either. So, in a determined effort to understand what I was about to read, I went to my dependable Webster’s College Dictionary.  It is, “the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness.”

As you read this book, and I fervently hope you do, you will find out how justice is, in a real sense, most correctly defined as righteousness. The concept of justice originates in the teaching of the Holy Bible.  He quotes most liberally, not just from the Old Testament, but from the New Testament as well, in his effort to support his feelings about justice. An interesting portion of this offering discusses the often strong difference of opinion between those who believe the church should concentrate solely on the gospel and those who believe that Christ also wants the church to take an active role in helping the poor and disenfranchised.  Dr. Keller refers to Martin Luther King and Calvin in his efforts to explain his views.  He notes passages from various other writers of today in this regard as well. 

The reader will be interested in reading the chapter, “What Did Jesus Say about Justice,” as well as the author’s explanations of why and how we do justice. His thoughts on “Justice and Your Neighbor,” “Justice In the Public Square,” and “Peace, Beauty, and Justice” gave me much food for thought.  Finally, please don’t forget to read the writer’s introduction.  I promise that you will relish it.

June 17, 2014

Review of A Loving Life by Paul Miller

A Loving Life

In a World of Broken Relationships

By Paul E. Miller

Reviewed by Pat Beaty

First of all, I want to suggest that you read the book of Ruth again before you read Paul Miller’s book.  He uses that Biblical story as a framework for a discussion of real love, as opposed to “Disney” love. As an added benefit, his thoughts seem to clarify the events in the lives of Ruth, Naomi and others in the Biblical account.

The author states, “The book of Ruth is an ideal narrative for our post-Christian world, where breaking covenants, not enduring in love, is the new norm.”  And, how about his one – “The death of self offers ideal growing conditions for love.” The author intrigues his readers with a fascinating discussion of the characteristics of love as he deftly and gently guides us to an explanation of the subject of this book – Hesed love (commitment love).  He explains that “this type of love is at the heart of Christianity. It is Jesus’s love for us at the cross and it is to be our love for one another.”

This book is skillfully written, very moving, and a learning experience you will never be able to forget. I can promise that you will become immersed in every paragraph.  I can honestly say that, as I read a book as good as this one, I almost feel like I’m having a discourse with God.  Oh…one more suggestion:  you may want to keep this work on your “favorite books” shelf and enjoy reading it again at a later time.

Review of Escape the Coming Night

Escape the Coming Night

By David Jeremiah

Reviewed by Pat Beaty

This book is an attempt to explain the events and prophecies of the book of Revelation.  The author states “within the pages of the last book of the Bible are the hope and encouragement we need to lift us from the gray gloom of present events to the promise of a brilliant future.”

“The word revelation means the disclosure of that which was previously hidden or unknown.” In this book, the author shared many interesting pieces of information about the end times. For instance, in the Old Testament there are more than 300 references to the coming Messiah that were fulfilled in Jesus Christ.  He also answers the question of God doesn’t judge us immediately after death and instead lets all those millions of people pile up until the last minute.  He says that we don’t finish our work when we die.  Instead, it lives on after us.  Jesus will return for his church then to judge the world, and to rule the world.

“God gives us prophecy so we can learn how to live.” Revelation, the apocalypse, is the unveiling of Jesus Christ.  It is a book about him, many characters and numbers in the book of Revelation, as well as the probable reason for them.

He stresses the blessing everyone receives if he reads the book of Revelation and keeps the words of the prophecy in this book. “God has promised that we all can be overcomers, even the weakest of us, and overcomers receive rich rewards.”

A fascinating portion of this book was the story of John, his circumstances, and the thinking of those around him. The reader will find the sections about the church today and the churches mentioned in this book particularly interesting.  You will also read with interest about “the lukewarm church in the last days” and get “a look into the last church on earth” within the same chapter.  The writer refers often to other books in both the Old and New Testaments, and you will be surprised at how much you already knew about the last days if you have done much reading or study of this subject.  I know I was.

The writer states that the millennium is needed as a reward for the people of God, and you will want to read carefully his discussion of pre-millennialism, post-millennialism, and even a-millennialism. 

Finally, your reviewer enjoyed this work that was written so you and I could understand it – certainly not in textbook fashion, but intended for us to understand and mediate on. 

Review of Don't Just Stand There

Don’t Just Stand There, Pray Something

(The Incredible Power of Intercessory Prayer)

by Ronald Dunn

Reviewed by Pat Beaty

This book is rich in information and explanations and most of it is about how we should approach the discipline of prayer.  Early on, the author states, “Prayer was God’s idea.  He created it for people who are weakened by sin, fickle in their commitment, at times overwhelmed by doubt, often discouraged and bewildered, and nearly always fretting about life.”  He also describes the “secret weapon” of the Kingdom of God (prayer) in an amusing but very apt manner that will enhance your enthusiasm for the remaining conclusions in this offering.

Why do we pray? You will find this author’s answer is one that will satisfy your mind and touch your heart (at least this is the way that I was affected.)

Prayer is discussed in a simple, non-technical way and in a very readable way throughout this work. The author draws heavily and almost exclusively on the Holy Bible – both Old and New Testaments, but he accentuates his thoughts with numerous references to interpretations by other authors as well as experiences (some of them delightful) in his own life and those of his church and family members.  He takes time to explain the true meanings of various words and phrases in the Good Book and, in the process, makes this book a very readable and worthwhile effort.

Fro the minister or church member who is planning to begin an intercessory ministry, Appendix A and Appendix B will also be worth reading. 

I was impressed by the fact that this book attempts to give the who, what, where, when, how, ifs, and whatevers of prayer.  It will hold your interest throughout.

“And whatever you ask in my name, that will I do, that the father may be glorified in the son.” (John 14:13)

Previous book reviews located at http://patbeaty.blogspot.com.

March 18, 2014

Review of The Rest of Grace

The Rest of Grace

Entering into the Wonder of the Christian Life

By Wayne Barber

Reviewed by Pat Beaty

What a captivating title! It caught my interest immediately and I bet it has caught yours, even if you don’t normally read a lot.  The author of this work is a pastor/teacher at Woodland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga and this book is well worth your reading and study.

I can promise you that the message will not be difficult to grasp.  The author points to Matthew 11:28-30.  He says, “Here I had been trying to do the work myself, and Jesus was telling me to ‘rest’ in him.” And it seems to this reader that an additional meaning might be attributed to these words.  He goes on to chart the Christian life throughout this significant work.

One of Rev. Barber’s emphases in this writing is our need for Christ to fill us and direct our lives from within us.  He points out that, because our flesh is addicted to sin, we cannot break this addiction in our own power – only Christ in us can do this. One gets the clear feeling that he author is telling us that, once saved, we have a long road ahead – learning to be a child of God and a servant to our Lord.

In a very enlightening section of the chapter entitled, “Christ is my Life” the author explains “the Christ connection.” He tells about Philippians and concludes: “Where Paul was physically had nothing to do with is life because Christ was his life.” And this is what you and I must be able to say as we are transformed during our growth in our Savior. Believe me, you will receive both growth in Christ and joy as you read this offering.

In your reviewer’s opinion, Rev. Barber is telling us, as Christians, that we must allow Jesus to do the work within us and from within us.  This book is an excellent source for the new Christian, as well as us oldsters.  He sums up his effort at the very end of this treatise: “It is Christ living his life through you.  That is the Christ life.”

For previous reviews, you can view Pat’s blog at http://patbeaty.blogspot.com. 

Review of Gods at War

Gods at War

Defeating the Idols that Battle for Your Heart

By

Kyle Idleman

Reviewed by Pat Beaty

In this convicting book, and it is most assuredly that, the publisher didn’t forget to place an apostrophe between the “d” and the “s” in the title of this work.  It isn’t “God’s at War” and it is you and I, fellow Believer, who must step up to the battle line.  You will only have to read the introduction before loudly exclaiming, “whatchoo talkin’ ‘bout, Willis???  I’m a Christian – there is only one God in my life!”

I know we’re not complacent, but we do feel secure in our faith (at least I was until I considered this author’s unsettling conclusions.  You will not just be surprised – you will be startled at the things he brings to our attention.  “Idolatry is the number one issue in the Bible,” and this writer says, “that should raise caution signals for us.”  “Anything that becomes a substitute for God in our lives can become an idol.”

The author further states, “God loves you too much to share you.” You will be surprised at the number of things the author considers to be “gods” and at the detailed accounts of their pervasiveness in this writing. 

He lists many things that can be idols such as success, entertainment, and money.  He states that any activity that takes your time and that you concentrate time on, could be your god. Oh, by the way, the most aggressive and determined god, as you may have guessed depending on your level of humility, is the god named, very appropriately, ME.

Idleman does an excellent job in his explanations in this writing, just as he did in a previously reviewed work, “Not a Fan.” I strongly urge you to read this one. 

“You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:2-3

Previous reviews located at http://patbeaty.blogspot.com

January 21, 2014