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

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