Review of Blessed Child

Blessed Child

By Ted Dekker and Bill Bright as Reviewed by Pat Beaty

This is the story of a ten-year-old boy who, after a harrowing escape from a near-death episode in Ethiopia, winds up becoming a healer to a great many people.  This is a Christian novel with several fascinating plots, most of which pit good against evil.

The characterizations, you will find, are absolutely stunning and despite the large number of people mentioned, the real hero in this well-written offering is the “Holy Spirit.”  You will sense His presence throughout.  While the book is clearly fiction, the reader will quickly see himself involved in the fast-moving action virtually from page one; and you will will yourself into the ongoing events continuously.

The writers, both well-known in Christian literature, state0 that they wanted “to draw a grand portrait of our God across the canvas of our world, an offering for His pleasure, rather than one for the pleasure of man.”  And, in my opinion, they have done both.  This is one of the most moving stories, both physically and emotionally, that this reviewer has ever been privileged to read.  In fact, it is fashioned so intricately and beautifully from beginning to end that this thought came to my mind:  If the world at large more readily accepted Christian (inspirational) fiction, this one rendering would be a classic example of English literature.

Trust me, this work, which begins with a simple story line, will catch you off guard as you read through it.  Although the main characters are, or appear to be plain ordinary good-guys and bad-guys, this book contains excitement, action, fast-moving occurrences, and much more.  Your reviewer cannot recommend it more highly.  Please read this one!  (Yes, Gracie, it even contains romance.)  Happy Reading!

Pat

October 2015 Book Review

Review of God’s Unlikely Path to Success

God’s Unlikely Path to Success
(How He Uses Less-Than-Perfect People) By Tony Evans as Reviewed by Pat Beaty 


You will enjoy reading this book. The author uses a great deal of imagery and he strategically places interesting bits of Biblical information throughout the work that will pique your interest. At least it did mine. Rev. Evans states it is because of Moses and his rebound that he wrote this book for you.
The author does, however, give short biographies of not only Moses, but also Rahab, Jacob, Jonah, Esther, Peter, Samson, and Sarah in order to reinforce the premise of this book: “Never let your yesterday keep you from tomorrow—learn from yesterday; don’t just live in it.” These Biblical characters achieved success by “taking the leap of faith into the arms of grace.”
Pastor Evans uses a unique manner of writing, pointing to each character’s failing in his or her chapter title. He freely interweaves Biblical verses throughout. You will find his vernacular (common language) one that both you and he are very fluent in, as well as familiar with--the result being a very pleasant period of reading. 

I was surprised at this author’s attention to details in a book of this size, and you will find the scripture index at the end of the work a considerable help. 

P.S. May I also recommend a work of Christian fiction to you? “Scoop” by the very talented Rene Gutteridge. 

September 2015 Book Review

Review of The Power of Weakness

The Power of Weakness

(Embracing the True Source of Strength)

ByDan Schaeffer as Reviewed by Pat Beaty

Power is the antithesis of weakness!  The two are opposites, aren’t they?  It sounds correct to me…or at least it did until I read this book and did some serious thinking about what I had read.  The author opens his far-reaching illumination with a quote from Dwight Moody.  Part of that quote is:  “We are not weak enough.  It is not our strength that we want.  One drop of God’s strength is worth more than all the world.”

Pastor Schaeffer begins the main thrust of his (and God’s) revelation with the blunt statement that we tend to look at weakness and power in this way:  “weakness equals lack of power,” but “for the Christian the equation is this:  weakness does not equal lack of power.”  In fact, he feels that personal weakness is an opportunity to experience God’s power.  However, he is quick to explain that:  “Recognizing that we have weakness is not the same as embracing them for the purpose of seeing God’s power displayed through them.”  The writer follows this with a fascinating study of God’s use of his power in well-written chapters, documented by clear references to persons and events in the Scriptures.  Looking at I Corinthians 1:26-29, he says that “Paul is not just describing Corinthians here; he is describing those who have trusted God throughout the centuries.”

Finally, it is felt that you will be amazed at the number of clear references to the power of God the author has found and noted for the reader throughout this enlightening work.  You will find delight and, hopefully, encouragement from your reading of Rev. Schaeffer’s effort, and I happily recommend it for your personal perusal.

Note:  Another recommended reading is “Miracle At the Higher Ground Café,” a work of Christian fiction by Max Lucado.

Review of Dreams and Visions

Dreams and Visions

(Is Jesus Awakening the Muslim World)

By Tom Doyle as reviewed by Pat Beaty

Christian, what is your reaction to the almost daily news of large numbers of men, women, and children in the Middle East being persecuted?  My first feelings are anger and a thirst for revenge.  Is this what God has in mind?  Of course not.  Read this book and you will be amazed at what our Lord is doing.  “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me.”  Isaiah 65:1  The author of this soul-searching work also quotes from John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”

The author goes on to detail a number of other-worldly encounters by people with seemingly ordinary lives and others who are higher up in the socio-religious community.  “Islam has a visitor.  Jesus has arrived.”  The reader is the recipient not only to fantastic and almost incredible appearances of Christ himself in “Dreams and Visions,” but an education on the history of the Middle East as well.  You are schooled on the facets of the three major religions of the area—Christianity, Judaism, and Islam; and a Biblical test for dreams and visions is explained.

May I please urge you to not overlook Appendix I:  A brief history of visits from Jesus.  Finally, it is hoped that you, as children of the King, will change your outlook and enlarge the scope of your prayer life as a result of reading this wonderful book.

June 2015 Book Review

Review of Spiritual Depression

Spiritual Depression (It’s Causes and It’s Cure)

By D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones  as reviewed by Pat Beaty

Do not yield to temptation!  If you are anything like yours truly, you will read a few pages and exclaim: “This is not written in the English language!  And, I don’t even know what some of these words mean!”  Please trust me, it is English—just not the American English you are used to.  Don’t put the book aside, because you are in for a pleasant surprise.  This book is drawn from a series of Sunday morning sermons and, although the author freely admits it does not cover the subject completely, it is a fascinating, quite absorbing explanation of something that Christian may “catch” unknowingly, sometimes to wisdom ruination (my word).

The author explains the various tenants (beliefs) of the world and does a superb job of illustrating the Christian who has spiritual depression, alluding to various portions of the Holy Bible and certain Biblical figures, most notably Paul, in his efforts to make his points clear.  This is a lengthy diatribe unlike anything you have ever read but believe me, you will have gained from reading it.  By the way, our Pastor refers to it often in his sermons.

Review of Simplify by Bill Hybels

Simplify

(Ten Practices to Unclutter Your Soul)

by Bill Hybels

Reviewed by: Pat Beaty

The theme of this book is serious and so is his reason for writing it, “but” (and there’s one of our pastor’s favorite prepositions from the Bible again) you will find this written exercise a joy to read – and talk about easy to read! The reader will be in for a real treat.  At least, I certainly was.

Embellished with allusions to, explanations of, and different looks at some happenings in God’s Word, the writer launches an assault against burnout, stress, and dissatisfaction.  He is bent on removing clutter from your soul and moving you toward a simplified life.

You will find, as you read, that this work is meant as a learning experience.  However, it is much more than that.  Yes, the author expertly uses some of his own experiences and those he has counseled, but he also includes plain talk and common sense in his efforts to convince the reader that his conclusion is worthwhile.  His subject matter is broad in a sense, but he is careful in his attempt to keep the reader on-subject.

This writer gives us a realistic, if not sobering, essay on friends – don’t expect that many “friends” at your funeral – and gives a very fascinating life verse catalog at the end of this book.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention his humorous version of the visit of Jesus and his disciples to the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, his good friends.   

Take the time to read this one - you will enjoy this interesting book.

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

January 23, 2015