Living-will

I have just read this book after being involved in a study of Henry Blackaby's "Experiencing God" study. In Blackaby's study, the student is challenged to wait upon a revelation from God concerning His will before acting. As I pondered this idea, it seemed to be contrary to the apostle Paul's attempting to enter certain areas for the purpose of spreading the gospel only to be stopped by the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6-10). In Paul's letters, he makes mention of multiple attempts to visit the church's he had established only to be prevented by Satan (1 Thessalonians 2:18). Paul seemed to be acting contrary to Blackaby's method and this disturbed me.

After reading Petty's book, everything fell into place. Paul was acting in accordance with the principles given in Petty's book. He was being guided by wisdom and providence (two things key to the Scriptural teaching regarding God's will) and not by direct revelations from God.

James Petty challenges much of what is written today regarding searching out God's will for your life. This book has addressed many of my questions about understanding God's guidance in my life. It has given me a deeper understanding about what the Bible teaches regarding God's will and how I should make decisions. The only problem I had with the book was Petty's remark that Satan can sometimes place thoughts in our minds. I cannot figure out how Petty draws this conclusion from Scripture and he does not explain why he believes this in the book. (This one issue should certainly not dissuade you from reading the book - it was simply a passing remark and is certainly not foundational to Petty's argument!)

Petty's approach is definitely different from other books I have read, but he does an excellent job of establishing his teaching on the foundation of the Scriptures and showing the problems with many modern approaches to seeking out God's will for your life. As Colossians 1:9-12 teaches, the key to understanding God's will is gaining wisdom and it would be wise to buy this book if you have been frustrated or confused by what you have read in other books.

I first read this book while a freshman in college. Now, seven years later, the book is "dog eared" and highlighted and still impacting my life and relationships. It has helped me to define my personal purpose in life and has prepared me for the times when it has been necessary to forgive others and myself. Every time I read it, it encourages me to become better than I am presently. I highly recommend finding this book!

If you find the Ten Commandments hard to read and to apply to our nation today, you will not after you read this book cover to cover. Rob Schenck will keep your mind occupied with learning as you read. I found myself not wanting to book this down at all. The only chapter that is hard to read is Chapter Nine. When Chapter Ten ends you will find yourself wanting to read more but there is no more. If every person read this book and applied it's principles we would not have problems with sin in our nation that we have today. I have had problems the last couple of months finishing reading a book but I did not this with this one. Even if you don't agree with all of Rev. Rob Schenck's principles it will certainly question your mind about your principles and morals and where you stand on them. All I can say is I throughly enjoyed reading his book and I think you will too and I am anticipating and waiting for his next book.

In this collection of letters written by Saint Francis de Sales, it's easy to see that people are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Saint Francis' gentle advice and counsel is as appropriate today as it was 300+ years ago. He clearly teaches his correspondents how to achieve holiness in whatever walk of life they find themselves in. Although a few of these letters are written to men and women in religious life, most are to ordinary laywomen (mostly) and laymen. Great spiritual reading!

The Biblical "Titus Woman" relationship between these 2 authors will be a revelation to women who are struggling with self-esteem at 40, anger at 40, sexuality at 40, mortality at 40, and other relevant issues. The Biblical wisdom and counsel of the older Titus woman will encourage every woman who is in that 40-something season of her life.

I just finished Lois Bristow's book on Bea Gorman. I couldn't put it down until I was done. I have been dealing with my mother's Alzheimer's for about three years and have partially read alot of books on the subject. This was the first that I read that was both facinating and helpful. At the same time it is written in very plain english that makes it quick and easy to tackle. There is so much on the market on the subject but the "Help For The Caregiver" section of this book gets to the point quickly. What most caregivers don't have is enough time. The first half of the book in a biography of an amazing women who any one of us would aspire to emulate. I'm taking a very difficult trip next week to move my mother into a personal care home. This book will be in my back pocket. If possible, I'd have Bea sit on my shoulder.

Highly recommend this book...one of best in my opinion. No cure all, but certainly provides some reasons for soul searching, thought provoking questions, and common survival characteristics.

Peg Rankin has brought the scriptures to life in her words to those who are hurting. Her book will bring your closer to the Lord, and help you to find that "peace that surpasses all understanding" that the Lord wants so much for us.

I bought this book before preparing my living will. Having watched my father languish as he died, and finally "pulling the plug" to preserve his dignity and comfort, I was determined to provide instructions to loved ones and doctors as to how I should be treated in such an eventuality. This book really helped. It goes through concerns about quality of life, burdensomeness to your family, intractable pain, loss of communication or hygiene abilities, and many other considerations. I had never realized how many conditions might make one opt for termination of medical care, leading to a dignified death, but there are many of them. This book lays them out, asks the reader to decide for him- or herself whether to continue living under such conditions, and instructs in how to write the final will. It also tells how to make provisions for death...do you want pain relievers which may hasten death but provide comfort? Do you want water to be supplied by nasogastric tube as you die so that you don't suffer from thirst? Once written, the book tells you how to use the document...give it to family, friends, doctors. A difficult topic, but a very good handling of the material.

I personally resisted reading this because it was so well received by mainstream christians during its heyday , but finally after coming to Israel I read it when I had nothing else left . I should have went without. The book is geared to first or second year adult believers, beyond that one should already be beyond this. However the book is really into pushing building churches and the many testimonies about it from the author, personally I have little use for such things.

The best part of the book is the glossary in the back which lists all the names and actions describing the L-RD , which is fun to look up each one, beyond that I would recommend not reading this book.

This book is a must read for anyone who wants to draw closer to God. If you actually DO the work as instructed and not just read the book, your relationship with God will be forever transformed. You cannot possibly walk away from doing the steps in this workbook and have the same relationship with our LORD as you began.

It really gets to the heart of the relationship that we are to have with GOD. If you really have a heart for God and seek after him, this book will bless you over and over again. By using examples from the Bible the authors show us how God wants to have a close personal relationship with ALL of his children. We see how God works with HIS children from the Old and the New Testament. God does not change, and this book shows that to us again and again. This book has changed my life and improved my marriage.

From a practical standpoint doing the "work" in this workbook is a challenge (as is our Christian walk). There is no magic formula and you get out of it exactly what you put into it, no more and no less. If you just read the book there really is little point in purchasing it, but if you DO the work, the blessings will flow like water. Mine do.

Are you at a crossroads in your faith journey? Do you feel like there has to be more to the relationship with God than you are experiencing but just don't know how to get there? Then this book can help you pick up from where you are and take your life on a journey with God that will not end until THIS life is over! I took this course with a group that had mixed results. Those of us that were "ripe" for the growth that come about as a result of an in-depth study used this bible study to teach us how to have a continuously growing relationship with God. Yes, there were a couple of things in the book that I didn't agree with, but I have never found a book that I agree with totally except the Bible. Because of this study, I have learned about God's healing love, and now are hungry every day to read and study my Bible, devotionals and other books. I pray and praise God constantly throughout my day. It is so sweet to go to sleep with a prayer on my lips and to wake with a praise song in my heart! I was truly a Type-A personality before this study, and have found such joy and peace in turning my life over to my Lord and Master. This book will not facilitate that, though, you have to be ready in your heart for it. I am allowing God to take my life and do with it as He will instead of wasting it on the ways of this world anymore. My husband and I are beginning a journey in prison ministries that we would have never gone on without this study or something similar to it. We don't know where the journey will take us, but look forward to the day that our God looks at us with love in His eyes, and calls us His "good and faithful servants". If you are ready for this kind of change in your life, this study is an excellent place to start. Have a wonderful journey. Grace and peace to you. Barbara