Less Than Perfect - A Review

Less Than Perfect

by

Ann Spangler

A Review

Ann Spangler has written a series of 30 devotions looking at some of the broken people who are featured in the pages of Scripture. Though the stories are not fiction, the author has used some of the techniques used by the story-teller to bring the stories to life. The primary audience for these stories are for the adults trying to understand their own brokenness.

Each entry begins with a single verse of Scripture helping the reader understand that the individual is important to God’s story as revealed in Scripture. Then comes the story – not as found in Scripture, but as it might be told sitting around a fire at night with the family retelling the events that had defined their family for generation. Embellished, yes, but close enough to reality that the truth and lessons are not lost on those listening to the stories. Then comes a bit of historical background including references to the underlying scriptures – whether a single reference or a group of references which help the reader discover the story. Each entry ends with a set of questions to allow the reader to dig deeper into the stories application to life.

The stories are well written and held this readers attention. About 90% of the chosen stories come from the Old Testament (my only major concern with the book; thus, a 4-star review). The book could easily belong next to the bed for devotions or on the home coffee table as a conversation starter. Pastors may find it to be a starting point for creating a series of sermons.  

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are mine alone.  

The Art of Being Broken - A Review

The Art of Being Broken

by

Aaron Mark Reimer

A Review

“The Art of Being Broken” is a bit of a misnomer.  Since we are all broken, it takes no talent, no artistic ability, to be broken.  It comes with the territory as a part of the human race.  Our brokenness only becomes art when taken into the hands of God and reshaped and remolded into His image.  And that is what the author does in his 200-page guide to living with our brokenness - however that brokenness manifests itself in our individual lives.

I loved the book - it picked up themes of my own life.  Themes that I discovered and lived through 20 years ago (and in reality, I still do), but themes I had to understand if my own family was going to survive.  It was a joy to relive lessons that I learned as my wife and I rebuilt our marriage from the broken pieces we brought into it. Did we ever reach perfection?  No.  But we have learned to appreciate the broken pieces that have become the mosaic that is our marriage (chapter 12).  The book provides 14 views of the brokenness that defines a human’s existence and demonstrates how God takes that brokenness and uses it for his purposes.

Though written as a monograph, the book is better read as a devotional - not a chapter per day, but a section or two per day.  Reading it like a book, with chapters, one will not have the time needed for the lessons that it contains to enter the heart.  Taking the time to read a section or two each day, and meditating on those details, allows the reader’s heart, mind, and soul, to be touched by the author’s insight.

Though I was provided an electronic copy of the book, I could easily have used two paper copies - to be cut and pasted into my illustration file.  Even as I read, I found myself recommending the book as I borrowed illustrations included therein.  One of those, was the “mosaic” referenced above; the other is a test of what we worship - check out what we are sacrificing for and to. Not every sacrifice is worthy of worship, but at the very least it serves as a caution light that calls us to ask “what might I be worshipping with this sacrifice.” (Chapter 11)  Those are two examples (there are more) - the book is full of practical and theoretical examples that will serve to help any broken Christian (hey, that is all of us) grow in his or her faith.

The book should be required collateral reading for the college or seminary course in pastoral counseling. The book would be a wonderful tool for any believer walking alongside others. Whether working the youth or the adult, whether working with singles or families, whether working with newlyweds or the elderly, the book offers valuable insight into the broken souls we all bring to the cross. The Art of Being Broken” comes with a strong recommendation.

The preparation of a small group discussion guide would add additional value to the book - whether those questions were to be used by an individual or a small group. A website hosting an online discussion is available, though this may be too public for some people. However, the website might serve as a useful way to distribute a discussion guide.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the author for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.
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Further correspondence with the author indicates that he will make a study guide available prior to the official launch date in June. I will look forward to seeing it in the near future.

Losers Like Us - A Review

Losers Like Us

by

Daniel Hochhalter

A Review

I have long known that I am broken.  I would have never thought to call myself a “LOSER”; yet, like the apostles, I am.

I find some books fun to read.  I find some books helpful to read.  There are some books I think will be helpful to others.  But, every so often, I find a book that is life changing for me.  Losers Like Us is one of those books.

One of the first books that opened my eyes in this way was Charles Swindoll’s “The Grace Awakening”.  Losers Like Us does it again.  The author takes each of the apostles and describes why they had no business being chosen by Jesus as one of the twelve.  He could have chosen almost any individual from Biblical history, but because these twelve spent the most time living with and around Jesus, these twelve serve as perfect examples of who not to choose as a disciple.  There were the nobodies, the do nothings, the followers, the faithless.  Each, in their own way, were losers. Yet, Jesus chose them, not by default, but individually, to be leaders in the early church.  Similarly, there is no reason that God should allow me to serve Him, but he does.

That is the significance of this book, God can take individuals, regardless of how broken or lost they are, and remake them into His image.  Whether it be an unscrupulous tax collector, an unknown named James, or two apostles that we know nothing about other than they appear in lists of the twelve that spent three years with Jesus.  

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.