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With Joseph in the University of Adversity: The Mizraim Principles

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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.

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!

"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.

"...to be very up-front--I'm impressed! I outlined {for my book} nineteen priniciples that emerged from Jospeh's life...there are others in addition...which is obvious from your book. You are interested in principlizing--and do a good job at it!"

What a great Roadmap for Life! This book offers something for everyone! The author uses the life of Joseph to show how we should live our lives according to Scriptural principles. There are so many wonderful lessons! All the principles are shown through the life of Joseph in the Old Testament, and then the author explains them through other wonderful stories and lessons so that we can apply them to our own lives. This book is not just about adversity and getting through it. This book helps the reader AVOID adversity through living life more wisely.

A fresh new look at Joseph. There are so many great teaching points in the book that I would like to keep a copy on hand for my own use. An exciting and practicial book!

This book has something for everyone! In "With Joseph in the University of Adversity", we are shown how to live successfully in any situation. The author manages to teach the reader in an interesting and understandable format many lessons so necessary for daily life. I especially enjoyed the 'Prescriptions' for Prayer and 'How to Ruin a Child'.

This book does not exactly teach what Joseph learned as much as what we can learn from Joseph's experiences. It would be a GREAT book to give to a graduate, who is facing life for the first time.

The book teaches these lessons through the life of Joseph the Hebrew from Genesis. Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery in Egypt, then falsely accused and thrown into prison. From this dark situation, Joseph learned many lessons and eventually emerged as the Visier of Egypt, the second most powerful man in the ancient world. Joseph learns that God is always standing in the shadows, watching over His own, as He does for us all.

The Old Testament is so often seen as old, dusty, and not relevant to today's world. This book shows that although Joseph is an Old Testament hero, he is also faced with so many temptations similar to ours. He shows us how to live successfully.

Not just a study guide to the Old Testament, this book is a practical, easy-to-read guidebook that teaches practical and useful lessons for today. Organized into thirty-two chapters, each presents a timeless principle anyone can use. Each chapter and principle are based in an episode of Joseph's life, but then many illustrations and stories are told to help the reader apply these lessons to life in our modern world. This book teaches solid scriptural principles and doctrines without ever being dull or boring.

This book is NOT, however, just a book that teaches how to overcome adversity. Many of the lessons are ones anyone could use to face and conquer the challenges of everyday life. Chapters on effective parenting, money management, leadership, etc. provide lessons that will help anyone seeking to live a better life. This book can be used by individuals who would like to strengthen their daily walk, by people in the midst of adversity - who need to know how to overcome, by Bible studies and Sunday school classes wishing to take a fresh look at the Old Testament, and by students just beginning their lives.

The book is in an easy-to-read format, in sections that are just long enough, but manageable for a daily study session. There are sections at the end of each chapter which sum up the major points, helps the reader apply the lessons in his/her own life, and reflect on what was learned. This section is also useful in helping the reader keep a record of spiritual growth in an easy fashion.

I highly recommend this book for everyone! Readable, entertaining, applicable, and challenging - this book will certainly help anyone lead a better, more successful life.

I'm a veteran teacher--21 years. I'm enjoying your book on Joseph. I was a teaching leader in Bible Study Fellowship for 7 years. Your understanding of doctrine is refreshing in a post modern culture. Thanks for spending the time to write the book. I'm giving copies to my children for Christmas.

Right off the bat I want to agree with the Minister in Colorado who stated that this book was more satisfying than "Purpose Driven Life". I too was somewhat disappointed by that book, although I do like it on some things.

But now this book. First, this book is more about LIFE lessons from Joseph than about Joseph's life. The Joseph story is one of my favorites, and I've read Swindoll, Getz, Anderson and others on Joseph's life. But as good as those are, they are soup and potatoes compared to this one--it's real meat!

This book could only be improved by an additional workbook. While there are study guides and questions in each chapter, this book will take you a while to appreciate. Every chapter goes through Joseph's life and teaches some of God's DEEPER truths such as effective prayer, election and free will, God's principle of a good leader, etc. The whole book could be summarized in Romans 8:28. So could Joseph's life.

So, if you want theology as milk soup, "Purpose Driven Life" is pretty good as far as it goes. If you're ready for something a little deeper--and you enjoy the life of Joseph--this book is truly awesome.

Get two copies. Keep one, and give the other to a college graduate heading out into the world. If they follow Joseph's 'road map', they'll never go wrong.

Solid!

ALSO RECOMMENDED: "God, Help Me Pray!" by the same author--not as long (or as expensive), but you won't find a better short work on praying!!

I gave this book to a college graduate after ordering a copy for myself. When I first saw the title, I thought the book was just about the troubles Joseph had in Egypt. Though it is one of my favorite bible stories, I wasn't sure I wanted to read all about his troubles. Boy was I surprised.

The book is more about Joseph's lessons from life (and how we can use the principles) than his troubles. Because these lessons (or bible principles) are so relevant to us today, and contain nice illustrations, I thought it would make a great graduation gift.

I thought I knew the Joseph story pretty well till I read this book. Doing so made me appreciate how great Joseph really was.

Those who will get the most from the book:

1. Anyone wanting to REALLY get into the Joseph story.

2. Someone wanting 32 neatly divided and outstanding principles to live by. This is the best part!

3. Anyone who wants to teach the Joesph story. (You should not be without this book no matter what!)

4. Parents. Because the chapter 1 is almost an instruction manual itself on what NOT to do as a parent (Jacob).

5. Young people (college) who are graduating (IF they'll read it), because it truly is a handbook for life. Below college might be too young.

6. Anyone who is a leader of others. This is another chapter that's a book by itself. I gave a copy to my son's principle!

I must say that although I liked this book very much (my copy is falling apart), some chapters are deep, especially the discussion of election/free will. But the last chapter "Life in the rear-view mirror" will make you so glad you are a Christian, and the concluding 'Psalm of Joseph' is so realistic one might wish he really had written it.

ALSO RECOMMENDED: "God, Help Me Pray!" by the same author--not as long (or as expensive), but you won't find a better short work on praying!!