Believe and Hope in Our Faithful God
582548
This has been different than what I was expecting. I was initially thinking this was going to speak about the future promises of the believer. Instead it has been speaking more about the future promises but how they differ from those of the non-believer. How we can be assured over and over because of the promises that Christ has made to and for us. Still a good solid read.

Probably the best point of the book: Christian act and live in a manner according to God's promises that He has made known throughout the ages through His divine word. When I pray, I should pray expecting God to answer because I'm driving to do His will and He is totally committed to doing His own will. We as believers need to be more bold in prayers, evagelizing, studying, reading, discipling, fighting sin, etc. all because God has promised all of these to bear abiding fruit. Instead we show a lack of faith and trust in the God that we serve, by showing that He is not worthy of our trust by not living according to His promise.

"Even as first of all God made Adam, so must He make us over again, or else we can never bear His image, nor behold His glory"
" He (Paul) treated God as He should be treated, namely, with unquestioning confidence. An upright man likes to be trusted; it would grieve him if he saw that He was regarded with suspicion."
4101715
I read the book cover to cover in one sitting but then went back and did a couple of chapters a day and have now finished my second reading.  You will smile at the west Texas expressions from your younger days.  The book gives encouragement and faith in the love the Lord has for us and how through our discouragements and life's valleys we come back to him stronger spiritually and a more useful vessel.  This book is a must read for those who have been in the ministry and then have been scarred by divorce or faced the challenges of single parenthood with no recouces.  The author gave me personally hope and satisfaction that our prayers for those we love are truly answered and we come out of the trials of life stronger spiritually.  Marshall Pryor has emerged victorious and a blessing to readers.  Read his book and  be blessed.
4349286
A wonderful story teaching us about the love of God and how He is in contol of our lives when we trust Him.
3951236
This is a book of hope.  We live in a society where so many families are burden down with loved ones who struggle with addictions.  This book shows how God does not forsake you or your prayers it might take time but God is faithful if we just hold on.  This book reminds us of how God can take the addictions we have and remove them completely from our lives and how we then can take our past and use it to glorify him.
4694028
Great read for all I must say! Dolapo used her personal experience and test of faith and patience to bring to light the faithfulness of God. If you ever thought God is taking time to answer you, read this book and be blessed and encouraged!
4575224
Excellent collection of songs that illustrate the promises of our loving and just God. These are promises you can count on because of the One who promised.
4422964
Thsi book offers me hope and great desire to live consecrated life to the fullest. Thanks for writing the book and sharing so wonderfully this theology and spirituality.
1547651
I really loved this book!  John Eldredge covers a lot of ground here, and his words stir up a lot of wonderful HOPE for Christ followers. It reminds us of the restoration of all things... that Christ will rule as King, that evil will be overthrown and destroyed, that nothing we love will truly be lost. Our greatest memories and favorite moments here are only a faint preview of what awaits us. There will be great music and food and joy and love and a completely trustworthy, strong community where we are all both family and friends!  There will be no racism, hatred, terrorism, death, shadow of death, sorrow, sin, etc. We will be completely free from bondage to death and decay, forever young and vibrant and healthy and whole!  We will finally understand what God was doing in our darkest moments and see His plan throughout history. There will be so much to do and learn and explore and discover! This beautiful future is promised and it is coming for all who know Christ as Lord, yet most Christians spend very little time thinking about it...

Our kingdom hope is meant to be the "anchor for our souls, firm and secure." (Heb. 6:19-20) John talks about God being our first love -- that when we get that right, it rescues us from so much heartache and pain. (I can attest to that on both sides!)  Similarly, the coming Kingdom of Christ is meant to be our ultimate hope, and when we place our highest hope there, it rescues us from so much -- we will no longer feel devastated over the many things that fall short of our hopes and expectations here on earth. I wish I could convey how much this MATTERS.  Having this firm and secure hope in Christ helps to ground us through the ups and downs of earthly life, and this book awakens and strengthens that hope.  We will live forever and reign with Christ. No eye has seen and no ear has heard all that God has planned for us who love Him, but we can trust that we will not be bored or disappointed in it!!  So I would encourage you to buy and read this book, to let your heart go there, and to press into this hope!
2668612
This book gives us all hope & strength no matter what baggage we carry.
Trust in God, He will take care of us.
3882184
Don's book is a much-needed reminder in today's world. Don gives practical steps we can take to love God and live out the gospel in the everyday, including allowing us into his own story. I highly recommend this book and believe it will encourage you (and remind you!) of the incredible, unending love of God.
1292167
This book is a marvellous exposition of how much God desires us, that He will do everything possible to pursue us. Relentlessly. Beginning and ending with references to the classic poem, The Hound of Heaven, by Francis Thompson, Gire explains that the pursuit does not stop at the moment we become the children of God. The pursuit continues on and on. The author goes into some detail about the background of Francis Thompson, of how he as a drug-addict experiences grace. Even when tries to pursue the things of this world, God continues to faithfully pursue us, like how He leaves the other 99 sheep in the pen, in order to seek out one lost sheep. That one lost sheep is us.

Gire draws images of the Pursuer through Jeremiah 3:19-24, where the chosen one finally relents to recognize that the only One left for him is God. Jeremiah's and Anne Lamott's experience of being pursued by God resonates with Gire. It is the same with the popular children's storybook by Margaret Wise Brown, The Runaway Bunny.  He shares about the conversion experience of CS Lewis who eventually gives in reluctantly to become a believer, and subsequently from "believing in God to definitely believing in God."

The good news of God pursuing us gets even better as Gire shows us how the pursuit moves from "search and rescue" to "search and restore." The beauty of this pursuit is that it restores one to wholeness. It flips us from lost to being found. It creates in us a zest for life so much that we will want to share the good news with others. The pursued soon becomes so much a part of God's mission that one gladly pursues the Great Commission.

My Thoughts
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Story after story, Gire weaves in a beautiful image of God the pursuer, loving the pursued so much that the ones loved, will end up becoming part of the hound-force of heaven. One becomes whole. One gets excited about the kingdom of God. One sees the love of God that is beyond simply a microscopic view of personal salvation, to a macroscopic perspective of the world at large. What makes this book truly encouraging is the way Gire helps readers to recognize that all the good news, all the wonderful hounding by God, and all the benefits, promises, and gifts offered at not for someone out there, but for the person reading it.

Each chapter are filled with biblical images and teachings, supported by stories of characters both old and new. The discussion questions are extremely helpful for group discussions. Most of all, the book reminds us all over again that God is not done with us yet. He is still pursuing us to make us who He has intended us to be. And He is going to walk with us all the way.

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5

conrade
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".
4142191
In Christ, In Christ, In Christ!  To Him be the glory... Repent and believe...
1523430
This book will restore your hope in God, in His promises, and in the faith of David: "I would have despaired unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." This book is about symbolism, and how to read prophetic promises in the light of Christ, who gave His Spirit to believers. It is a breath of fresh air, to cleanse your imagination. Buy it, be refreshed, and see you still have a mission.
2790715
Wonderful account of what God can do with a life fully surrendered to Him.  Well written and full of demonstrations of God's faithfulness IF we put Him first!  Many answers to prayer, especially of the body of Christ around the world.  Paul and Joy were hand picked by our Father to write this book before the foundation of the world.  You will not want to put this book down.
3388997
A beautifully written book that inspires one to live a faithful life.  I am so thankful my Wednesday group us studying this.
2392880
I am encouraged to be faithful to my wife and my God by listening to this song! Thank you LORD for Andrew Peterson.
373384
Nobody can resist the love of God through Jesus Christ. The spiritual fight is real but it was already won on the cross by the death of Jesus.
God can take any bodies live and turn it around for His glory as demonstrated in this book. There is hope for all of us. Jesus is that hope because we can live forever through His love offer on the cross. Thank you Jesus!