"Therefore I Have Hope" (Cameron Cole)

TITLE: Therefore I Have Hope: 12 Truths That Comfort, Sustain, and Redeem in Tragedy
AUTHOR: Cameron Cole
PUBLISHER: Chicago, IL: Crossway Publishers, 2018, (208 pages).

What is the worst thing that could happen to any one of us? Maybe it's losing a job or flunking out of school. Perhaps it is foreclosure of our house or the loss of our precious car. Far more than any of these things, it is about losing a loved one. Tragedy has a profound impact on our emotions. It could render us unable to function normally or to even go about the most basic of routines. We become another person in every way. Tragedies can affect anyone. From the joy of seeing the conversation of their son to the trauma of seeing him die, emotions can wreak havoc to our soul. How do we sustain a narrative of hope amid such trying times? Author Cameron Cole highlights truth that many of us know but refuse to see. He writes as follows:

"How could a person survive if one did not know the gospel? How could one subsist if one did not accept the sovereignty of God? How would one function if one did not know the possibility of joy in suffering? How could one move forward without the hope of heaven? There are some truths that mean nothing to a person who is gasping for existential air."

"Sunshine and Storms" (Susan Lenzkes)

TITLE: Sunshine and Storms: Devotions to Encourage and Comfort
AUTHOR: Susan Lenzkes
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House Publishers, 2012, (224 pages).

Life is like the weather. There are times of sunshine and times of rain. There are also cloudy days as well as stormy days. It is a good metaphor for life at large. In this book, Susan Lenzkes, a speaker and Bible study leader shares how God leads her through personal storms and sunshine. Sixty devotions are offered, with half on the sunshine of life and the other half on the need to stand firm during the storms. Each devotion begins with a quotation to prepare readers for what is to come. Grounded in life on earth but pointed at hope in heaven, Lenzkes reflects on how everyday life with their ups and downs, is something to be lived through, appreciated, and encouraged. She wonders aloud how Jesus living in perfect glory is willing to come down to imperfect earth and to suffer with us, and died for us that we may be "a family of shining realists." Combining some of her best devotions written and published before, this book groups the devotions in two categories. The first is about life through "Shining Like the Sun." There are lots of optimism and realistic acceptance of life. One is heavenly minded and earthly grounded, surrounded by a profound sense of realism. There are thoughts about how to name a fear and to remove the masks that prevent us from facing the truth. There is a sensitively written reflection of pain and grief for victims over the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Kenzkes meanders with readers through wounds and hurts; joys and sorrows; hurts and loss. She has a sense of life not being perfect and yet at the same time offers a way of perfect hope. She understands what it means to deal with life's pressures, enduring broken and painful relationships, and many other facets of life. The thirty devotions in the first part show readers how and what it means to continue shining in hope by investing in the promises of God through the Word.

The second part of the book takes the journey deeper a few notches. Adversity can come at anytime. Even the lack of progress can bring about moments of despair. Hurts can be very personal and deeply painful. During those times, the best way is not to read a get-fixed-fast manual, but to lament through poems, songs, and prayers. That is exactly what Lenzkes has often done in the compilation of the devotional materials. There are chapters in which the brevity itself carries a deep echo of emotions that reverberate through the day and night. It helps one wonder at the earthly situation and ponder at the heavenly hope. Readers are encouraged to cry without shame, to lament without guilt, and to cling on the the Name of Jesus. It is this second part that Lenzkes shines as a comforting guide for the discouraged and heavy-ladened. I like the way she puts it: "There is no timetables on grief," as well as the way she shows us how questions may not be answered but still be lived. She shows us how to recover hope which is often the first word dropped from the bags of the discouraged.

Perceptively written with a gentle voice, Lenzkes is able to reach out to the needy heart and walks with the readers through words of encouragement and hope. Beginning with a frank assessment of life and concluding with the birth of Christ, "Sunshine and Storms" shows us that with God all things are possible. It reminds us again that in times of trouble, we need not helplessly look at the mountains of difficulties or the abysses of pain and grief. Instead, we look to the One who is able to move mountains, blow away dark clouds of gloom, sweep the abysses of darkness with the light of Jesus. For Jesus is the True and Living Light who has come and will come again. The Word declares it. The Son lives it. The Resurrection proves it.


Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.


conrade

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This book is provided to me courtesy of Discovery House Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"The God Who Walks Beside Us" (David Roper)

TITLE: The God Who Walks Beside Us
AUTHOR: David Roper
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House Publishers, 2012, (136 pages).

Suffering is not an option. In fact, for anyone desiring to follow God, suffering is part and parcel of that obedience. Using biblical examples of faith during times of doubt and disappointment, Roper shows us that for every struggle that tries to hem us down, there is an overcoming that will lift us up. For every occurrence of suffering and pain, there is a promise and assurance of comfort and companionship. It is exactly this. We sense the presence of God who walks beside us, not so much during our bubbly, jovial mood, but often during times of stress and distress.

Based on the character of Jacob, this book is formerly published as "Jacob: The Fools God Chooses." Roper studies the person of Jacob, whose name essentially means "he deceives."

The biblical Jacob went through many different kinds of struggles. First, he had to endure sibling rivalry.  At first looks, Jacob seemed to be one who was cunning to deceive his elder brother Esau to give up his birthright.  The incident turned Esau from a close brother to an enemy who hunted him down. Forced to flee, Jacob discovered the presence of God who continued to walk with him, and to manifest his presence. Secondly, Jacob also had trouble marrying Rachel.  Wanting to marry Rachel, he was forced to marry the elder Leah, and had to work many years just to gain Rachel's hand in marriage. Somehow, God made Jacob wait, and in the process tested Jacob's sincerity. Thirdly, Jacob had work trouble, and pocketed nothing even after 14 years of hard labour for his uncle Laban. Fourthly, Jacob thought that he could wrestle the Lord, only to be spared. After that experience, Jacob was a changed man. Fifth, Jacob was asked to go back to Esau and be reconciled. It was the willingness to obey that demonstrated the inner quality of the man of God.

These and many more are some of the powerful insights the author has of Jacob. Filled with quotes and notable writings from Reformers like Martin Luther, converts like John Newton, spiritual writers like Henri Nouwen, C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, and many more, Roper shows readers that suffering is not altogether a bad thing, especially if it is something that is done out of our obedience to God. In fact, with each suffering, with each trial, believers going through the hard times will get a special opportunity to experience God's grace and deliverance. Not only that, there are powerful spiritual lessons that can only be learned through the school of hard knocks.  Roper observes:

"God will use anything to get our attention. It may be, as it was with Jacob, a change affecting a relationship—a much-loved child turning away from us, a long-term marriage unraveling, an old friendship fading away. It may be some prize we attain that leaves us feeling dissatisfied and empty, or something we lose that leaves us brokenhearted. It may be a change we cannot avert or a circumstance we cannot change. But whatever comes our way, we can be sure God’s love is behind it, helping to pry our fingers loose from this decaying earth and drawing us toward Him and our eternal home. When our hearts respond to God’s call, however, we can be sure of opposition."

With God's call, there will be opposition as the believer obeys. Yet, the presence of hostility and trial guarantees something far more precious: God's presence. This is something that Jacob experiences over and over again. Toward the end of the book, Roper becomes even more reflective of our modern world and his own experiences. He encourages readers to learn to accept trials graciously, putting bitterness aside. Take small steps forward. Resent not. Complain little. Trust God. Above all, if believers can learn to look beyond the suffering, see the bigger picture of faith, wear the lens of hope at all times, and most importantly, to sense the presence of God, they will be most blessed. As I read this book, I am reminded too of Jesus' words about how blessed we will be when we are persecuted for righteousness sake, for the sake of the gospel, for the sake of Christ, for we will be comforted. Comforted with God's presence.

Today is Good Friday. This book is an apt reminder of Jesus, who did not get the benefit like us. God the Father turned his face away in his deepest hour of need. All for the love of us. It is because of this sacrifice, God raised Jesus from the dead, and we as believers, will get to experience always, the presence of God who walks with us, whether we know it or not.

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me free by Discovery House Publishers and NetGalley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.