Customer Reviews

Finishing Strong: Finding The Power to Go The Distance

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Farrar's title is an excellent encouragement for those who desire a strong finish to their lives.

Among the points Farrar covers include:

1. The qualification for ministry is proven character.
2. Be careful of relationships with other women.
3. God's success radically differs from the world's definition of success.
4. Do not let a busy lifestyle come between you and your relationship with God.
5. Uninterrupted success for a prolonged period of time can result in a dangerous form of pride.
6. Characteristics of people who think they are leaders but are not.
7. God will use our times of unemployment, obscurity, waiting, and loneliness to mold us into the people He wants us to be.
8. God can use the failures and disappointments of our lives to mold us into His likeness.

All in all, a good and recommended read!

Next to the Bible, "Finishing Strong" yeilds more insight and common sense on people (in particular men)than any book I have ever read. My wife and I treasure the time we spent reading and discussing this book. You'll not only learn a great deal about yourself, you will learn a considerable amount about the character of God. I highly recommend "Finishing Strong."

We read this book in our men's group for church. The other men in the group like this book. I did not like it as well. The best part of the book is the character studies. He looks at both the best known and the least known characters of the Bible and draws conclusions. Farrar does this well and it is challenging. Another good feature of the book is the discussion guide at the end. The questions are very good and facilitate good discussions.

The book has a good beginning. Farrar paints a grim picture, perhaps accurately, of how few men finish strong in the faith. This is a great wake-up call to faith. He uses anecdotal evidence and some statistics to prove his point. This brings me to one of the major flaws of the book. Logic is not his strong suit. For example, he lists from his research several things that these men did not do that stopped them from finishing strong. One of the points is that these men who did not finish strong were not in a small group. I can not agree or disagree with this. I agree small groups are important. However, his logic is flawed. These men did not do a lot of things. They probably did not walk on the moon. They probably did not swim the English channel. This inaction in these areas probably did not stop them from finishing strong. One can exhort men to meet in small groups from the evidence of scripture. One can also research men who did finish strong. One can may be able to assert after research that all these men were in small groups. This also does not prove the point, but it is better than what he wrote. Do not insult my intelligence by using questionable logic and spotty research.

His exegesis is questionable at times. In one case he takes a passage of scripture and proves his four points. The exegesis is stretched to prove the points, but at least he tries. Then he writes, well you have include this fifth point if you want to finish strong. He does not prove the point from scripture. It is a good point, but why use scripture at all if he is simply going to assert principles from his experience?

The other men in the group like his writing. I found it too folksy, too cute, and too repetitious. I have just one more disagreement with the book. He talks about vision, but his focus is on the family. The Church is not mentioned at all in this book. The Church is the pillar and support of the truth. The Church is the body of Christ. How he could leave this out as part of staying strong in the faith? This lack does not make sense scripturally or spiritually. He focuses on the family. This is good. However, the church is a family of families. Our ministry needs to be within its context. We need to finish strong within the body of Christ.

Warning ! This book may not help you, it certainly won't hurt you, but it definitely won't leave you the way it found you ! For anyone - -men in particular- -who want to walk with integrity, honor, and in faithful commitment to God and family, this book is for you. This is not a simple generic 'self-help' book. It is a comprehensive step-by-step checklist for men who want to be faithful. It will either act as a prescription checkup or a prediction 'checkout'. Farrar makes it very clear with numerous real examples from the past and present that there is no middle ground. If you want to win, a price has to be paid. "Finishing Strong" is not for wimps. It is for the real man who knows his own strengths, and, more importantly, his own weaknesses.

This book is a must read for all men, and also women to understand and guide their husbands, brothers, fathers etc. It is extremely enlightening, and I would and have recommended it to everybody I know both male and female. My husband has leant his copy of the book to many of his friends to read, and they have all returned with positive feedback. In an age where divorce rates are soaring and families are in dispair, this book is extremely essential. I will definately be exploring more books by Steve Farrar.

Steve's book is one of the most influential pieces of Christian writing I've ever read.

It is terrifying to think how easily men can "screw up" their own lives, and the lives of their families. And yet, God's word clearly points to ways in which such screw ups can be avoided.

This book has caused profound change in my outlook and behaviour and I have used it effectively with men's groups.

You will not be disappointed!

Steve's book is perfect for Men's Study Groups. Beginning with his typical attention-getting punch he shows you what must be done. Gentlemen: Start your engines!

This book has changed the way I look at and the way I carry myself day in and day out. The bible is still the authority on how a man should live, but Finishing Strong delivers the message in terms relative to today's christian man. It also can be understood by the non-christian also. I think that is the best feature behind this book is that whether or not you believe that God has outlined the way you should live, this book breaks it down to you in terms anyone can relate to and follow

I received this book as a gift on my 40th birthday, read it and enjoyed the dynamics of it so much that I purchased other copies to give to friends and relatives. I've always cherished a wholesome family life, and this book is like the icing on the cake. It has strengthen not only my Christian values, but my family and work ethics as well. It helps me to overcome many difficult trials in my life, with marriage and raising three sons. This book compliments Steve Farrar's other book, Point Man. Another excellent read! Spread the JOY!

My best friend recommended me this book, never thought it was going to be such a help to stablish guidelines for my life. Mr. Farrar does know what he's talking about. It even helped me to prepare some preaching for the congregation where I have my membership. One of the best books I've ever read.