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Book Review – Content to Be Good, Called to Be Godly
Posted by Guest Author in IMPACT Features
Content To Be Good, Called To Be Godly
Janet Denison, Carol Stream, Illinois; Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008.
Janet is a pastor’s wife and though she shares some of her experiences in that role, this book is not specifically designed for pastor’s wives. She began each chapter with a personal story which was relatable and teachable. However, she did not always tie the story back into the chapter. It is evident that she is a Sunday school teacher and writes much of her material. She made wonderful points in the lessons as well as having some fantastic phrases that should be held on to for future use. I loved the “Points To Ponder” moments she brought out in each chapter. I almost felt as if that were enough to grab the reader’s attention.
I had difficulty with the flow of each chapter which made it hard for the reader to decide if the book was a devotional, bible study, or a book to encourage women. The first part of each chapter was set up as a devotional – thus Points to Ponder – Great! The chapters then gave off the feel of a Sunday school lesson or Bible study. There were 3- 5 lessons in each chapter – all different, but trying to tie into the theme of the chapter. It at times seemed disconnected. If the book was used for Sunday school or small group study, then it would be difficult to get through one chapter per week or Sunday. Personally, I did not care for the format and would have preferred to see the chapters defined a little more clearly.
There were a few things I disagreed with concerning her perspective on Biblical issues – one being “Deserts Are for Discipline.” She believes that God puts us in the desert for a “time out.” I don’t believe that God places us in the desert, but I do believe because of circumstances and choices we often find ourselves in the desert. It is there that God can use those moments to teach us and bring us back to Him. It is a teachable time and a time for building character as well as becoming more knowledgeable of our great and mighty God. I love Jim Wilsons’s words – “Life is God’s great classroom; the wilderness is God’s great place of training.” With that said, she had some wonderful lessons and I do feel as if this book will minister to many women not only content to be good, but also called to be Godly.
Reviewer – Tina Samples / Book reviewed as a part of sbc IMPACT‘s ongoing agreement with Tyndale House Publishers.
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Tina,
I don’t believe that God places us in a desert either. I believe that we have a very loving God who prefers us not to have pain in our lives but because we are human and He loves us enough to give us free will, we also have the capability of making bad decisions. I believe that if I exercise the gift of free will and end up somewhere undesirable, it’s not necessarily God putting me in the desert simply because with free will comes personal responsibility. God sees what I’m doing and He allows it because He is an Almighty God who can turn my mistakes around to glorify Him. He may ultimately use them to break me and I may not like it, but I also know He will use them to lead me, teach me, love me, and heal me. Does this mean that I am being put in a “time out”? I don’t think so. Am I still being disciplined? Absolutely.
Thank you for sharing this review. I look forward to reading more from you.
Blessings,
Amy
Amy -
Thank you for your honesty and insight!
Amy,
That last comment was from Tina who doesn’t quite understand how to log-in all on her own…However, I thank you as well!
–Dave
Paul Harvey’s radio spots were entitled “The Rest of the Story” and made clear what was often unknown about a person’s life or story. As I read Tina’s comments about the book, I felt the need to write “the rest of the story.” The point of the chapter on discipline is to say that while most Christians feel that deserts are times of punishment in their lives, often those deserts exist for other reasons. The chapter reveals that deserts are for discipline (which is different than punishment), direction, and often deserts are for deliverance. That is the lesson of the whole chapter called “In the Desert But Not Deserted.” The reason I know the lesson of the chapter, is because I wrote it. And, as Paul Harvey would say, that is the “rest of the story.” Thank you Tina for reviewing my book – and for allowing me to give the rest of the story. Janet Denison
Searching the internet, one can find examples of torture; hot irons being placed on peoples abdomens, and worse, much, much worse. We can also buy magazines, showing pictures of women who have had acid throw on them for one reason or another, and pictures of ears, lips, and so on, being cut off by knives.
I would appreciate, for my own education, anyones thoughts on these examples as a means of sharing their opinions about a loving God, God not giving us more than we can handle, free choice, disipline, and so on.
Respectfully submitted, Daniel