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

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