Book Review: "STORM - Hearing Jesus for The Times We Live In"

As I do this review, I am reminded that I have not read any books by Jim Cymbala in over a decade - I guess I could say I forgot how good he really is as a Bible teacher.  He teaches a lot on prayer, and this book is no exception. In "Storm" you will learn a lot about prayer and a lot about revival.  He also points out how we have gotten away from the ways of the early church, and that much of what we call church today has no resemblance to the true Church. He discusses the many problems we have in the modern day churches, and how we need to get back to simple Bible believing and get away from all these "new things" that we think we need to do to have a successful church or to be a successful Christian. He also takes a break from teaching in 4 chapters spaced throughout the "Storm" to have some people share their testimony, I think they are included to show real life examples of prayer and the mighty power of God.  

I am very impressed with this short book (only 182 pages), and I am sure it will be a blessing to many.  Since reading this book, it has inspired me to listen to many of his sermons on line, especially one life-changing audio sermon, "My House Shall be Called a House of Prayer."  Also, this book has inspired my prayer life, which was definitely in need of something to spark it.  While I gave the book 4 stars (actually 4.5), as to its impact on my prayer life, it is beyond even 5 stars!  Read it, it's not deep, it's an easy read. Maybe it will be a life changer for you, or at least remind you how important prayer is in our lives, and that we serve an awesome God!

Note: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and the words expressed here are my own.

Bonus video:

Please spend 50 minutes to listen to this powerful message.
If you can't access it from here go to: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U79YOKje2zU

Review of "A Godward Heart" by John Piper - God-centered meditations

 "A Godward Heart" has many great and encouraging words.  Right from the beginning, Piper explains the reason for writing this book is that he believes that a life can be changed by short meditations (paragraphs) as much as by books.  I agree with him.  Sometimes our hearts are hungry, and yet we are short on time or are tired and won't make it through a long chapter, but this is do-able even if you are tired or short on time, as they are short (3 to 4 pages).  

I love the words of endorsement that Nancy Leigh DeMoss gives regarding this book, and I would like to quote here as it is spoken so perfectly.  She states: "A Godward Heart is a fresh invitation to seek the Lord, to sit at the feet of the savior, to savor Him as your greatest treasure, and to find deep satisfaction for your soul as you drink from His well that never runs dry."

Another thing I like in this book, as well as others by Piper, is his transparency.  I like real and Piper is real. 

If you are used to the many self-centered books among Christian material, this book may actually seem foreign to you, as it is not about you! This book is Christ-centered and ultimately about doing all we do for the pleasure of God, which by the way, will automatically bring the most pleasure to your Christian walk (as a side benefit not a goal).

I recommend using this book as a devotional for 50 days or just reading a short meditation when you have a couple minutes throughout your day.  I can't say all his meditations are equal, especially if you are new to Piper's writing style and themes.  Therefore, I think my being familiar with other writings by Piper made this book more enjoyable.  There were a few meditations I just didn't quite get where he was going with them or even why they were included, but I moved on to the next meditation.

As for rating this book, I would give it 3.5 stars (if allowed).  Otherwise, I gave it 4 stars, which was a little generous, but 3 stars would have been too low of a rating for this book.

Read it, enjoy it, and if you are new to Piper, let this be a primer.  Get his other books and you'll start seeing the knowledge and wisdom of this godly man.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 

"Are you weighed down and struggling in your walk" (Hebrews 12:1)

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." - Hebrews 12:1

Sin is a big issue that we must deal with and keep out of our lives, but today I want to talk about "weights."  I'm not referring to that extra weight (body fat) many are carrying on them.  I'm talking about a different weight subject.

In Hebrews 12:1, it states that we are to "...let us lay aside every weight..."  By definition "weights" are not sins (weight and sin are distinguished from each other in this passage.)  Hopefully, every one reading this knows they aren't suppose to sin.  But what about those things that aren't necessarily sin, but hinder us (weigh us down) in our walk with Jesus.  A weight is something which in itself to another may be harmless or even legitimate, but in our own case is a hindrance.  We all have to look into our hearts and ask ourselves will this be a hindrance in my Christian walk.

The Christian life is compared to a race.  The ultimate goal of the race (the Christian life) is to be able to say as Paul said, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." - II Tim.4:7. Paul also said, "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain." - I Cor. 9:24. God wants us to give our all in this race.  You can't expect to give your all if you have heavy weights in your life; they will slow you down spiritually!

Can you imagine a champion runner running with a 120-pound sack thrown on his back right before the race? Though he may be the best in the world, you would not expect to see any world records broken on that day.  Though he's the best, that 120-pound sack is going to slow him down. He would admit that even being over his optimum weight by the slightest amount could cost him a win in a race.   Well, my fellow Christian, that's exactly what weights in the Christian life will do to you; they will hinder you from being ALL that God intended you to be. Let me encourage you to get rid of those weights and run this race of the Christian life like the Spiritual Champion that God created you to be (Rom. 8:37 & II Cor. 2:14).

I even believe there are things that God may say to me in the future, "Hey Jim what about ____________ (fill in the blank)".  I could say, "Lord, you want that to go? Lord what's wrong with that?" The Lord would say, "Jim it's a weight,"  and there will go some more stuff in the life of Jim.   Poor Jim!  No, BLESSED Jim!  FREE Jim!  I want to be used of God to my full potential, I want you all to be used of God to your full potential. I want you all to be truly FREE in Jesus! 

So, in closing let's remember it's time to get rid of not just sins, but also those weights and be the person God has called you to be!

Heavenly Father,

We come before You and ask that You reveal to us by your Holy Spirit those things in our life that our weighing us down. We thank you for the liberty that will come forth as we get released from these weights, so that we will then walk as Champions in You!   In Jesus; Name AMEN!