Five Books for a Changed Life Pt. 4 and what a title!
From the get-go this enjoyable devotional volume exudes the attitude, energy and faith of the author, Christine Caine. She is Greek by ethnicity and Aussie by country of origin. And she draws on both to add color and authenticity to her writing. For example, after explaining that both the emu and the red kangaroo which are on the Australia coat of arms are created in such a way that they physically cannot move backwards, she writes…
The emu. The red kangaroo. And you. All created to move forward. Never backward. Let’s be who God created us to be so we can do all that He’s called us to do. (p. 9)
Now that our author has kick-started your day – pun intentional- let’s talk about the book’s organization. The book is compactly developed with one hundred numbered two-page sections. Each begins with a title and a Bible verse, then includes corresponding thoughts from the author, and ends with a relevant prayer.
A favorite
One of my very favorites was number twenty-one titled “As Sure as Seedtime and Harvest.”
The fully grown tree was always in the seed, but no one could see it until it was put in the right soil and then nurtured by the rain and the sun. In a similar fashion, the seeds in our hearts –the dreams and ideas and plans and purposes of God — grow as we …tend to the soil of our hearts, feeding them the Word of God and applying it in our lives, thus making our hearts good ground. Page 42
Her writing is pithy and frequently very quotable like this brilliant note from number 21.
Potential is the difference between what is actual and what is possible. It is the unexposed ability, the reserved strength, the unrealized success, the dormant gifts, the hidden talents waiting to be developed…It is where you can reach but have not yet aimed. Page 43
A section to help us overcome
Near the end of the book there are several devotionals on the general theme of patience and perseverance. For example, number 80 helps us understand that having faith for something does not rule out having to wait for it patiently.
There are experiences God wants us to go through that take time so He can prepare us for the future He’s designed for us. And all of it requires we walk in both faith and patience so we can inherit everything God has for us. Page 167
A particularly comforting note in this section was a reminder of God’s patience with us.
Paul wrote to Timothy and said that Jesus demonstrated extraordinary patience toward him. That’s the kind of patience Jesus demonstrates toward us as well, no matter what we’re going through. No matter how we might act out. No matter if we aren’t sure what to pray, how to pray, or when to pray. He is patient with every single one of us through it all. Page 201
Of the five books, this is likely the easiest to read, yet that does not prevent it from being deeply challenging to our spiritual walk. For example, most of us are sure that the more we adhere to our well-laid plans the farther ahead we will be. But sometimes, real progress is disturbingly counterintuitive as this excerpt points out.
When Jesus walked on this earth, he was willing to be frequently interrupted and inconvenienced. At times we must be prepared to step aside from our own plan to truly walk in God’s purpose. Miracles are waiting in the interruption. Page 49
Highly Recommend
I highly recommend this book. Whether you use it for a daily devotion or read a few devotionals at a time as I did, it will certainly enrich your life.
Five Excellent Books
This series of five book-review posts is all about five books I have recently completed that have been highly impactful. All of us are trying to scroll less and read more so this list and the accompanying reviews are intended to help you decide what volumes might be helpful to you.
- Maxwell, John C. The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth: Live Them and Reach Your Potential. Center Street, 2012.
- Weissenbacher, Alan. The Brain Change Program: 6 Steps to Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life. Broad Street, 2024.
- Groeschel, Craig. Divine Direction: 7 Decisions That Will Change Your Life. Zondervan, 2017.
- Caine, Christine. You Are Not Finished Yet: Discovering Your Purpose in the Midst of Life’s Interruptions. Thomas Nelson, 2023.
- Geisler, Norman L., and Frank Turek. I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist. Crossway, 2004.
