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.