With Joseph in the University of Adversity: The Mizraim Principles [Paperback]

Jerry L. Parks (Author)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jerry Parks (B.S., M.A., Ed.S, Eastern Kentucky University; Th.D, Trinity Theological Seminary) is chairman of Social Studies and teacher of ancient civilizations at Georgetown Middle School, in Georgetown, KY. He has earned numerous “Teacher of the Year” honors, and is a nationally certified NBPTS teacher. He is a frequent speaker at national educational conferences, and is currently a teacher of the Adult Bible Fellowship at Southland Christian Church in Lexington, KY.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (February 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595296513
• ISBN-13: 978-0595296514
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,342,170 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jerry Parks was born and lives in Lexington, KY. He currently teaches 7th grade social studies at the Georgetown Middle School. Jerry has taught for 27 years, and is a member of the The National Teachers Hall of Fame, and the USA-TODAY All-American Teacher Team. He is the author of 10 books, ranging from Christian studies on prayer, the Book of Revelation, and Joseph the Hebrew, to instructional guides for new teachers, and NBPTS certification for seasoned classroom pros. He also serves on the Advisory Council for Author House Publishers, and speaks at various national conferences across America. He is available for speaking engagements when his schedule allows.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most practical book on Christian living on the market!, August 4, 2004

By 

Mark Galloway (Kansas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: With Joseph in the University of Adversity: The Mizraim Principles (Paperback)

The following is an excerpt from a letter I wrote to the books author, Jerry Parks, after finishing the book, which I thankfully purchased after stumbling on to some positive reviews on Amazon:

[I just wanted to write you and thank you for your fine book on the life principles of Joseph. I stumbled on to it on Amazon and thought it sounded interesting, so I bought it. I read it once and my wife and I are now going through it together for a second time. The thing I like about it is that you kept it simple. It's very practical as a life manual using Joseph's life as an example. We read The Purpose Driven Life last year and thought it was good...but it left us wanting. I think the biggest difference for us, and why we like your book so much, is that Purpose seems to be very "me" focused. Ie: What is my place? What should I do? Who am I in Christ? There's nothing inherently wrong with that but I think new believers are the primary beneficiaries of it's narrow focus. Your book however, is full of deep truths on living a healthy, well-balanced, Christian life. Christianity is about service, and I believe you capture that by emphasizing how Joseph found his purpose, his place, his peace... in serving - God and others. We are so blessed in this society, and yet, as you articulate so well, we continually want more. Christians as a whole are not an exception. I was very blessed to read a book that wasn't just empty calories for the soul, but a good, filling, juicy steak!

One criticism I have is that there are a lot of textual errors in the book. I'm sure the computer didn't catch them in spell check. I would like to send you my copy with the textual errors highlighted so you can correct them for your next printing. I believe the book is awesome and don't want to see people distracted by the errors. I compare that to a child suddenly wailing at a critical time in a sermon. It doesn't necessarily diminish the entire value of the sermon, but it can distract from the individual point being made. Also, please let me know when you publish your new book on Romans. I bet it will be great!]

This is the first time I've ever felt compelled to write a review for Amazon, so obviously I think everyone reading it ought to take my advice and buy this inspired book. Better yet, buy three copies: One for you, one for your pastor, and one for someone who you believe God has called to a great purpose.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "A how-to manual for life that you won't put down!", March 17, 2004

By 

Francis , a teacher (the Midwest) - See all my reviews

This review is from: With Joseph in the University of Adversity: The Mizraim Principles (Paperback)

From the title, I expected this to be another commentary on the life of Joseph from the Genesis story. I couldn't imagine learning something I didn't already know from one of my favorite bible characters.

But I was surprised to find that while "With Joseph in the University of Adversity: the Mizraim Principles" does cover the story, it does so from a completely different approach which I had never seen before. It teaches the reader how to handle various adversities of life rather than dwelling on the adversities of Joseph. And best of all (at least for me), it does this in bite-sized portions which made it so easy to read I couldn't put it down!

As a parent, I especially liked the first chapter on how to avoid a dysfunctional family like Jacob's. The helpful reflections and power-points at the end of this, and all thirty-two chapters, are the BEST part of the book. So were the bulleted suggestions. It's practical, practical, practical!

Some of the principles are interesting, yet obvious, such as the results of jealousy, and reaping what you sow. Others, such as "Life in the Rearview Mirror" and "God Standing in the Shadows" were exceptional, with God teaching us (as He taught Joseph) that He sees our life as completed, and He'll get us through all things!

What I liked best of all was how each chapter is short, to the point, and gives a modern illustration much like Paul Harvey's 'Rest of the Story'.

Although the book is a bit expensive, it is solid meat and potatoes on learning the lessons from the experiences of life. I would recommend this book especially for parents who want to raise children effectively, or who want to give graduates a wonderful 'how to' manual for life. It would also be a great book on leadership skills for anyone in a leadership position. I had never considered all the leadership skills Joseph displayed!

Last of all, if you love the Joseph story, or teach this story to young people or adults, "With Joseph in the University of Adversity: the Mizraim Principles" may not be the only book you'll need, but it's one you'd better not be without! Parent Recommended!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless Wisdom for Modern Life, February 21, 2004

By 

Alfred D. Byrd (Lexington, KY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: With Joseph in the University of Adversity: The Mizraim Principles (Paperback)

"Thirty-two timeless principles" is an understatement of what With Joseph in the University of Adversity has to offer you. It is filled from beginning to end with ancient wisdom interpreted for the modern day.

This wisdom flows from Scripturally sound teaching of the life of Joseph, Jacob's gifted son who awoke jealousy in his brothers and was sold by them into a life of suffering that his faith in God turned into triumph. Dr. Parks tells Joseph's story in terms of his overcoming thirty-two trials that can, and often do, occur in the life of every one of us. Dr. Parks uses these trials as starting points for Scripturally based and practically tested lessons in overcoming these trials in our lives today.

The presentation of the principles is a marvel of organization. You can learn to deal with any of the trials by following it through the Scripture telling of Joseph's trial, through a lesson explaining what was going on behind the scenes in that Scripture, through a discussion of how that same trial can arise in our own lives, and through a set of clear and helpful recommendations on how to overcome that trial. The recommendations are followed by clear and helpful exercizes that will reinforce in your mind and your life what you have learned from the story of Joseph.

With Joseph in the University of Adversity is written in a warm, conversational style that will carry you along from page to page. The book is so written that you can gain equally well from reading it from end to end, or from looking up whatever need has arisen in your life just now. Besides being a home Bible study and self-help book, With Joseph in the University of Adversity is perfect for Sunday-school teachers needing a long-term set of lessons, and for pastors needing sound and useful sermons for their flocks. Even if you are not Scripturally oriented, you will find a wealth of practical lessons in living within the covers of this book.

Dr. Parks has put some fine finishing touches on his work. The "recipes" for living are both fun to read and enlightening. Above all, the original psalm with which he closes the book is a wonderfully moving retelling of Joseph's trials and of the faith with which he overcame them. I predict that you will read the psalm, as well as the book as a whole, over and over.