Review of What They Meant for Evil

What They Meant for Evil

By Rebecca Deng with Ginger Kolbaba

Reviewed by Pat Beaty

Have you heard of the lost boys of Sudan? This book was written by a lost girl of Sudan. It is an autobiography by a woman who spent most of her life in fear; but also in prayer. Many people and organizations have praised this author and her book, but my reaction to much of it was a memory of my parents’ and family’s love and kindness to me when I was a small child. The love they, and God, engendered in me is very much like her reaction to her experiences in her own family circle. However, hers became dramatically different as she began to grow up.

This treatise is her story of her own experiences of deep love and heartbreaking sorrow, as well as relentless personal trials that ended in bright hope and personal victory over evil and fear.  Readers will applaud her and wonder at all she endured, but it is evident that the real victor of this tale is God, who was present in every moment of her life.

You, the reader, will find yourself involved in every portion of her journey. You will be transplanted in your imagination to the small village where she grew up and into the frightening happenings in which she was involved. This author acknowledges that she is a Christian and that God has been with her continually throughout her eventful life.

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!

Pat 

For more reviews, go to patbeaty.blogspot.com 

Review of: God's Grace in Your Suffering

God's Grace in Your Suffering

by David Powlison

Reviewed by Pat Beaty

A pastor whom we all know and love lent this book to me, and I knew it was going to be good because he told me he had put his name in it and wanted it back! I'm uncertain if I have overused these adverbs in the past in my zeal to get you to read books that I endorse, but here goes: I most “wholeheartedly” and “enthusiastically” recommend this book to you. It is hoped that you will not only read it, but that you will place it on your shelf for later re-reading. It is indeed impressive.

This book shows that God is at work even when life is hard and that God's grace is always available to us. The author uses Scripture, stories and the words of the hymn “How Firm a Foundation” to remind us of God's presence and faithfulness. He “brings an experienced counselor's touch to exploring how God enters into our suffering, helping us see God working in our own particular struggles...”

This remarkable book is both well-written and well worth your time. My hope is that this book will gove you the joy it has given me.

Happy Reading!

Pat

For other reviews go to Patbeaty.blogspot.com.

August 22, 2020

Review of Betrayed by Stan Telchin

Reviewed by 

Pat Beaty

The story you read in this brief book of 139 pages is delightfully written, but it as a serious undertone. I will admit that I giggled and laughed at various places throughout my reading, but a good amount of this was due to the joy I felt at the real happiness of the happenings.

The plot concerns a Jewish father, mother and two daughters. The action of this very action packed book begins when one of the author's daughters arrives home on a break from college and announces she has come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah. The title of the book becomes clear when the father-author announces to himself, "I've been betrayed! And by one of my own children!" From this point on, the script takes on activity and movement almost on its own - or so it seems.

To his credit, the father begins to read and study Jewish and Christian history as well as Biblical accounts of Jesus, as he strives to discover the truth. The reader will enjoy his accounts of his own and his wife's background as well as his descriptive feelings and mental wanderings.  He is so tense and nervous at first that he isn't sure who to ask, what to think, or what to do! However, in his frantic search for answers, he reads the prophecies and finally comes to a decision.  In the meantime, Mrs. Telchin and their other daughter have come to a decision themselves. 

In my hope that you will read this well-written and thought provoking story, I am hesitant to tell you the ending. 

Just a hint: Be certain that you read "A Look at Some Prophecies" at the end of this work. You will find it fascinating.

Happy Reading, 

Pat

For other reviews, go to patbeaty.blogspot.com. 

Review of The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity by Matthew Kelly

The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity

By Matthew Kelly

Review by Pat Beaty

Comprised of 114 pages, this work is hardly the "biggest" one on any reader's shelves. However, our Lord is God of truth and beauty and both of these words continuously came to my mind as I read this riveting book. It is strongly felt that your reaction will be identical as you peruse the pages of this unusual work.

This author meets you, the reader, "where you live". In other words, not only does his conclusions on the subject of one's personal Christianity make sense, it also makes one aware of his own version of himself. For instance, he says, "the thing is, our deep yearning isn't for momentary pleasures; it is for lasting happiness in a changing world...we cannot control every situation."  He goes on to talk about "Holy Moments" which is the actual theme of this writing. It is not about he time you spend in the sanctuary of the church. It is the multiple times that occur to you or that you incur every single day. For instance, it is the little things we do for people, often strangers, every day that do not require a lot of effort on our part but which really assist the other person and further Christianity.

It is felt at this point, that we should point you toward the answer to the question you had when you first read the title above. It is: Holiness is Impossible. "Transforming people one at a time is at the heart of God's plan for the world."

Happy Reading, Pat

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.