Friday, May 28, 2010

Plan B by Pete Wilson




I will begin this book review by apologizing to Thomas Nelson for being so slow in getting it posted. We've spent so much time in Dr. offices and hospitals, I forgot I had to get 'er done!

This book begins with some good truths, those that seasoned Christians may need to be reminded of at times and truths that new Christians need to hear.

Everyone at some point wakes up to discover that a part of their life is going to be nothing like it was planned. What happens when it seems that God's promises to you are not being accomplished? Perhaps you don't have the answer to the question - Why? Pete Wilson reminds us of the experiences of Bible characters and uses modern day stories from his experiences as a pastor to attempt to help people face those questions.

David had been anointed as the next king and had experienced his first success in killing Goliath. He then began working in the palace only to find King Saul jealous and bitter.
Joshua found himself the leader after Moses' death. He had to trust God enough to take the risk of stepping into a flooded river to cross to the land of promise. Good stories, with wonderful truths - yet I would recommend that if you read this book, you read it with your Bible open. At times Pete Wilson adds emotions to the Biblical characters that the Bible does not mention.

The book does show that having problems or tragic things happen does not mean that God is not with you or that He doesn't love you. Wilson says "so often instead of giving us what we think we deserve, instead of taking away our pain.....He (God) offers us the promise of His presence. But this is not a consolation prize. It's exactly the gift you need ..." I love that statement, yet later in the book, he refers to Christ's death on the cross as the "ultimate Plan B". Perhaps I read into it something that the author did not mean, but He fails to quickly and clearly say that the cross was truly God's Plan A and that perhaps circumstances in our lives, things that we look at as a Plan B are in reality God's original plan. I must admit that much later in the book he says that we must be willing to abandon our life plans to receive the life that God authored for us, but the point should have been made much quicker rather than calling the cross a Plan B. He also states that in Jesus' prayer in the garden before His death, Jesus was saying, "I don't like this.....I'm not even sure I can handle this." He is making a point concerning getting rid of idols in our lives and following Christ's example and attitude of not my will, but Thine, however, saying that Christ was wondering if He could handle the circumstances is unacceptable in my opinion. I would like to once again encourage you that if you read the book , please compare it to the ultimate book of Truth, God's Word, the Bible. That's good advice no matter your circumstances!

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Psalm 33


Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.

The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
He gathers the waters of the sea into jars ;
he puts the deep into storehouses.

Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all the people of the world revere him.

For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.
The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he chose for his inheritance.

From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind;
from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth-
he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.

No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.
A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.

But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.

We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.

May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.