Customer Reviews

Big God: What Happens When We Trust Him

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I really loved reading this book. I usually want a little more depth than is generally found in many devotionals, and was kind of expecting this book to be a little more 'devotionally' oriented, but I was in for a surprise....while it is 'devotional' in the actual sense of the word, it's also very weighty in theological matters.

Big God addresses real issues with a scholarly grace, and yet does so without the rigidness of one of those academic journals theologians write to impress each other. The beautiful balance is that in addition to the heavy theology, it also communicates those truths in a down-to-earth and authentic way that I don't always see with scholarly books. And it has lots of Scripture... I'll bet the only book that has more scriptural references is the Bible!! I also love the way Britt references a wide array of theologians. I can sense his view of church unity in the way he pulls from many different ends of the orthodox Christian spectrum.

I also noticed that this book (while being mainly about the Hall of Faith) pulls in all of Britt's greatest themes in life: prayer, God's glory, mission, ecclesiology, the kingdom of God, his family, etc. If there are future books in Britt's roster, they will sure to be drawing from the rich themes in this one, just as many of John Piper's books trace back to 'Desiring God.'

What I like most is that it captured everything about the preaching pastor that Reality Carpinteria (his church) loves, and yet without exalting him to a pedestal. His true nature comes out of the writings, while Jesus Christ's preeminence shines all the more brightly.

As a college pastor, I am happy to recommend this book to my own people.

Britt Merrick is a like a second father to me. I've known him personally for 10 years. I sat through each of the sermons this book was based on. I wept when his daughter was diagnosed with cancer... and I was captivated, humbled, and encouraged to pursue God more as I read this book. Britt does an amazing job writing so clearly the lessons on faith. I know the man behind the book and am blessed to be his friend and can testify to the words that he shares in Big God. The life of faith is a crazy journey and Big God: What Happens When We Trust Him is a great look at the stepping stones we all need.

A young boy traveling by airplane was sitting beside a man who happened to be a seminary professor. The boy was reading a Sunday school assignment when the professor thought he would have some fun with the young boy. "Young man,"said the professor, "If you can tell me something God can do, I"ll give you a big, shiny apple." The boy thought for a moment and then replied, "Mister, if you can tell me something God can't do, I"ll give you a whole barrel of apples!" And herein Britt Merrick, gives the reader a lot more than a barrel of apples. In "Big God" Pastor Merrick gives you a powerful and uplifting look at the greatness of God.

The good Pastor brings the stories of the Old Testament saints featured in Hebrews chapter 11 to life as he expounds the wonder and power of God Almighty. This surf-riding minister tells the fascinating and potent stories within the lives of many renown believers from the Old Testament who were flawed but trusted God and He delivered them by His omnipotent hand.

Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
The author's exposition centers on the truth that the believer's success and spiritual growth are not due to our own power, merit, or effort, but our faith in the great God (even if our faith at times is a bit feeble). Thus its about the size of God and not the size of our faith.

139:1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether... 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. 7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! 9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea... 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works... 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

This volume will increase your confidence in God and help you take your eyes off yourself and your circumstances. Psacal said, "The greatest single distinguishing feature of the omnipotence of God is that our imagination gets lost when thinking about it."

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13).

This fresh volume makes a great gift for teens, mothers, fathers, non-believers, and ministers.
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Big God is a small piece of the big story our God has been telling throughout history. It's such a fresh look at the Bible and its stars in the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11), but no star outshines the One and Only, Jesus Christ.

There's such an intimate, stripped down look at our God and just how amazing He is. It's theologically profound, without any of the confusing vocab that leaves you reaching for a dictionary. It's an honest, real, and simple look at what a great God we have, who's so intimately involved with all of His creation, and why He deserves all the attention in our world. It's about real people, in real situations, and our more-than-real God, who's able and willing to lovingly walk through life with us.

Must read!!!

"Big God" is a wonderfully personal, beautifully written book with very practical illustrations of how we can live ours lives pursuing God in every way possible. I loved it and highly recommend it. "You gotta have faith," ...in God!

I picked up this book thinking it was going to be more of a personal testimony, but as I started reading, I was floored. This study through Hebrews chapter 11 was heavy and really challenged me in my daily walk. It helped me to see various scriptural perspectives about my faith (or lack thereof in many cases)and how much more a life of faith really encompassed. I found that I needed to digest one chapter at a time, because there was just so much to think about in each chapter.

Britt does a great job of steering us through Old & New Testament cross referencing allowing scripture to define itself, and as a result, helping me to see seek a greater life of faith. A must read for every believer.

Geno Quiroz
Teen Challenge Monterey Bay
Calvary Chapel Watsonville

This book is such a light, easy read. You can totally fit in a chapter in a day or so. Super encouraging & realistic. There are lots of references to scripture & a study guide included on the website for the book itself. Very good to remind yourself of your faith.

This book is wonderful My husband and I are enjoying what Britt has to say and it also helps point out different things in the Bible that we were not aware of a must read for everyone

I have not finished this book but I purchased 4 copies as Christmas gifts. Two of my college Grandsons attended a retreat in Dec. and heard the author speak. They were so impressed with the author as well as the book review that they asked for it. I am a church librarian and I bought a copy for the church library.

I love this book and I will return to it repeatedly I suggest.

In bringing alive the great faith stories from Hebrews 11 and applying a sequential order to them in terms of faith characteristics, Britt Merrick challenged me to re-think my life. Besides each of these people being very human in their failings, they all chose to believe God's promises whatever the cost to them individually. How does one give up their son like Abraham did with Isaac? The agony he must have experienced. As Tozer recounts in "Pursuit of God", Abraham probably had his own "Gethsemane-moment" on being asked to do this. But he could do it because he knew God to be faithful.

I particularly enjoyed the final 2 chapters on Rahab and David (and the rest).

Rahab was a prostitute who risked her life in sheltering Joshua's 2 spies. She didn't have to do it and the potential cost was life-threatening but again, she believed God was on the move and wanted her to participate. So she did! As Merrick says, "she had a faith that caused her to re-think her life."

Merrick emphasises that God is on a mission: to redeem mankind. Nothing and nobody is going to stop that. And He wants us to participate in the mission. But so many of us don't welcome His purposes because of "our desire for comfort and convenience is greater than our desire for God's mission." That's me.

Tremendously convicting, with great Biblical references and analogies from his own life, "BIG GOD" is a must read for everyone wanting to better understand faith and how mighty a God we serve.