Customer Reviews

Into the Deep: One Man's Story of How Tragedy Took His Family but Could Not Take His Faith (Focus on the Family Books)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When "Into the Deep" crossed my desk a few weeks ago, I glanced at it, but put it aside, as I was reading at least three other books at the time. But something prompted me to pick the book up over the weekend, and I read it straight through. A slim volume, it's a quick read that is both extremely painful and unrelentingly hopeful.

"Into the Deep" is the story of Robert Rogers, who lost his wife and all four of his children in a flash flood in Missouri in 2003.

The scenes where Rogers has to identify the bodies of his children and his wife are nothing short of heart-wrenching. Early on in the book, when Rogers describes how playing with his family was among his greatest joys, and how he would literally bless them every day, we get a glimpse of the fact that this is an extraordinary man.

But it is in Rogers' response to the sudden destruction of his family that we see God's incredible peace and grace truly revealed. Yes, Rogers had his agonizing times of questioning God, and hours of anguished tears. But he was not without hope, and he has come through the tragedy "shining like gold."

This is a book about a tragedy, and if such things touch you deeply, you'll want to keep the Kleenex handy. But as you agonize with Robert Rogers over the loss of his family, you will also rejoice over a faith that is able to sustain a person over the most catastrophic and horrifically painful times. There is great comfort in the fact that Rogers can still say, "God is still good, all the time."

This book has really impacted me in a big way. I have decided that I want to live the rest of my life with no regrets and to cherish every moment with my family. Yes, God is still good even when there is pain and sorrow, even when things don't make sense. We must make a conscientious effort to trust HIM for God's grace is sufficient for us.

After hearing Mr. Rogers speak at our church, I bought his book for my wife. I have reviewed the book and found it extremely compelling, in that it chronicles a man's struggle with faith in a loving God through incredible immense tragedy.

Mr. Rogers lost his entire family in one horrible stormy night while driving home from of all things, a wonderfully happy celebration - a wedding. This book tells the story of that tragedy and Mr. Roger's reaction to it. Rather than react with a raised fist and a "curse God and die" mentality, Mr. Rogers finds a solid faith in the very center of supreme tragedy.

This is a heartbreaking story, and yet conversely; it is an uplifting story. The loss experienced is overwhelming, incalcuable, yet; the faithfulness of Mr. Roger's to God in the midst of tragedy is also overwhelming. I was moved to sobbing tears by this story, but was also moved to tears by the expression of faith in the midst of horrific circumstances.

The Bible does not promise a life of luxury and problem-free living in return for faith in the Lord. Actually, the Bible states that we will have problems in this life and that we are to remain faithful to the Lord even in the midst of disaster. That is the central message of this book. I think it is a hard message for Christians, for tv evangelists (for years) have promised a prosperity-filled life for those that follow the Lord. The prosperity gospel is a false gospel. Did Jesus's disciples become rich and lead an easy life to heaven? Of course not, and likewise, neither should we expect anything different.

As a person of faith, you WILL experience difficult, perhaps even disasterous times (such as described in this book). Having the example of Robert Rogers and his reaction to having all that was important to him taken away in one single moment, is an object lesson for us all. Faith is what God requires of us in ALL circumstances, and this book clearly demonstrates a faith that brings Mr. Rogers through the storm all the way to the other side.

This is a remarkable story that all Christians and persons of faith need to consider, for life will not always go according to plan. When our lives fall apart, will our faith be strong enough to hold our lives together? This book shows one man's reaction to that question. Like Job, the ultimate message of this book is this: "Even though he slay me, yet will I praise him!".

Jim Koenig

I like true stories, even sad ones, but normally do not read personal stories written by a second person (the "with..." books) because I am not sure how much real personality of the author is coming in. Stan Finger is a good writer and this, for the most part, was well done. It was very sad and may be too much to take for those with small children. However, it does a good job of telling over and over until we believe it that God is a refuge from any storm and provides comfort from any sorrow. Actually I think we would have to experience it (God forbid) to really understand this the way Mr. Rogers finally did. I would give this book at least four stars except for the ending. I was all primed to hear a story of what happened once Rogers devoted himself to God and began a ministry. This part was drastically abbreviated, as though they had spent enough time, and wanted to bring it to a close. I guess that story, with his new wife Inga, is still unfolding and may become another book. A book well worth reading, packed full of appropriate Bible quotes, and just short of being as inspiring, as it could have been.

I bought this book after hearing an interview on Focus on the Family with Robert Rogers. I was drawn to his story after hearing about this man's faith. His voice had an undescribable peace that I've never heard before. His story is truely amazing and I was blessed to hear about the faithfullness of God in times of trouble. I also currently work with a lot of people who have recently experienced the death of a loved one and it was insightful for me to get a deeper understanding of their grief.

I highly recommend this book for anyone dealing with loss or trying to empathize better with those who have been touched by death.

This book is one that will fill you with sadness while filling you with hope. Rogers does an amazing job of showing God's strength when we have none. When all else is gone, God is not. When reading this you will find you must read the next page. Not because of the suspense, but because the story is captivating and will grip your heart.
Amazing Grace could easily be a secondary title!

As hard as this book was for me to read it ultimately sharpened my understanding of God. His ways are NOT our ways. There is no way to understand why certain things happen on this earth but He is still God and has His own plans for our lives. If people would just see Him and understand Him for who He really is we would be much more content in our lives and like Robert Rogers we could all get through life with more faith and peace.

Excellent Book and I recommend it to anyone who will take it seriously.

"Living a life of no regrets." How many times have we heard that as words to live by? Many of us find the true meaning of those words through the test of our faith. And there is no greater test of faith than losing someone you love. But how greatly is our faith tested if we lose our whole family? Spouse and children, gone from your life in an instant? How is a child of God to bear such overwhelming grief?

Robert Rogers is such a person. Rogers lost his wife and four children in a flash flood while driving home from a wedding. Within a week of the flood, Rogers was burying his entire family. Into the Deep is the incredible story of Rogers' journey from the heights of happiness to the depths of despair, and the new life Rogers bravely forged from the ashes.

Rogers worked as an electrical engineer and dealt in logic and reasoning in his daily life. Losing his family to an act outside of his control was more than he could bear. Rogers had to decide whether he should, or could, turn to his faith and place his trust in God.

No greater test of faith is imaginable, and Rogers demonstrates an unshakable belief in his trust in God. He was presented with a choice to either walk away from God or walk with God. Not only did Rogers walk the path of faith, he turned a devastating and dark life event into the foundation of his new path--that of ministering to those through speaking engagements, retelling the story of his family and the flood.

Into the Deep provides a moving account of Rogers' trials and how he rose above great challenge to become an evangelical speaker and spread the word through his ministry, "Mighty is the Word," based on a verse from Psalm 112. This became Rogers' anthem: to challenge others to become mighty children of God and as such, effectively impact God's Kingdom. And what better message to all of us of tested faith?

Armchair Interviews says: Powerful message of life after devastation.

A sad tale of a man with a large family who went to a wedding in Kansas. On the return trip they got caught in flash flood. The dad was able to escape before the van was taken by a killer wave and his whole family was lost.

Tells about his upbringing, meeting his wife and the story of their family. Goes on with the burial of the family members. Tuff read.

Great book and Mr Roberts is a very inspiring man to listen to. He came to my city a few weeks ago to tell his story before I bought the book and read the entire story.