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.

Review of The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers - April 2022

 Gentle and Lowly

The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers

by Dane Ortlund

Reviewed by Pat Beaty

If you are a Christian, you will be surprised and delighted with what you find in this book. It is about the glory of the character of Christ. The author explains, "The heart drives all that we do. It is who we are." Can you imagine anyone running out of appropriate adjectives and descriptive phrases in his characterization of our savior? No, neither can I and the writer is quite accurate and biblical as he informs his readers of the beautiful acts and mannerisms of our beloved Son of God. 

The author also refers consistently tot he Holy Word, and he mentions the names and, often, the accomplishments of past Christian leaders as he defines our savior's heart.

There is so much in this writer's picture of Christ that the reader will be astonished, as was I, as he peruses this page. This I promise you.

Happy Reading, 

Pat

For more reviews, go to patbeaty.blogspot.com

Review of "Does Prayer Change Things?" by R.C. Sproul

Does Prayer Change Things?

A Booklet by R.C. Sproul

Reviewed by Pat Beaty

This booklet, although small, has six chapters and boy, are they impressive reading. From the Place of Prayer, the author's first chapter, to the Power of Prayer, the final chapter, this essay is dynamic to Christian readers. The booklet is chock-ful of examples of how prayer changes things. The reader will find this beautiful offering quite comprehensive and erudite and yet easy to understand. One reader tells me that her fondness for this work is derived from how the author goes phrase by phrase through the Lord's Prayer and applies it to our prayer life. It also helps her to understand how prayer is so intimately vital to her relationship with her God. 

The author recounts endless examples of how people prayed in the Bible and how they were positively and negatively answered. "Prayer, like everything in the Christian life, is for God's glory and for our benefit, in that order."

You will benefit from reading this booklet! Prayer changes things.

Happy Reading, Pat

Previous reviews can be read at patbeaty.blogspot.com

February 2022