The Land Between: Finding God in Difficult Transitions [Hardcover]

Jeff Manion (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 25, 2010

In The Land Between, author Jeff Manion uses the biblical story of the Israelite's journey through Sinai desert as a metaphor for being in undesired, transitional space. After enduring generations of slavery in Egypt, the descendants of Jacob travel through the desert (the land between) toward their new home in Canaan. They crave the food of their former home in Egypt and despise their present environment. They are unable to go back and incapable of moving forward. The Land Between explores the way in which their reactions can provide insight and guidance on how to respond to God during our own seasons of difficult transition. The book provides fresh biblical insight for people traveling through undesired transitions (e.g. foreclosure, unemployment, parents in declining health, post-graduate uncertainty, business failure, etc.) who are looking for hope, guidance, and encouragement. While it is possible to move through transitions and learn little, they provide our greatest opportunity for spiritual growth. God desires to meet us in our chaos and emotional upheaval, and he intends for us to encounter his goodness and provision during these upsetting seasons.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Plant your feet on the soil of The Land Between and one thought comes to mind: 'This place will either kill my faith, or make it stronger.' Jeff Manion's insights into the biblical narrative will guide you through the land between on a path away from resentment and into gratitude and growth.' ---Dr. Mark Beeson, senior pastor, Granger Community Church -- Dr. Mark Beeson <br><br>

About the Author

Jeff Manion is Senior Teaching Pastor of Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he has served for more than 25 years. He and his wife, Chris, have three children. SPANISH BIO: Jeff Manion es pastor principal de ensenanza en la Iglesia Biblica Ada de Grand Rapids, Michigan, donde sirve desde hace mas de 25 anos. El y su esposa, Chris, tienen tres hijos.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (July 25, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310329981
• ISBN-13: 978-0310329985
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #112,018 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jeff Manion is Senior Teaching Pastor of Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he has served for more than 25 years. He and his wife, Chris, have three children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Transition times, July 17, 2010

By 

Joel Holtz (Vadnais Heights, MN) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Land Between: Finding God in Difficult Transitions (Hardcover)

The author states the point of the book early when he writes, "I firmly believe that the Land Between - that space where we feel lostor lonely or deeply hurt - is fertile ground for our spiritual transformation and for God's grace to be revealed in magnificent ways. But in addition to being the bearer of mercy, I also have the privilige of challenging God's people to holiness, and while the Land Between is prime real estate for faith transformation, it is also the space where we can grow resentful, bitter, and caustic if our responses are unguarded.

The wilderness where faith can thrive is the very desert where it can dry up and die if we are not watchful." (pg.19)

The example used throughout the book of the Land Between is that of the Israelites in the desert. Manion cites numerous scriptures and includes an excellent section on discipline, specifically disciplining children. He mentions how the background of the proverbs was an agrarian setting, and uses Proverbs 23:13 to make several excellent points.

Chapter 6, The Art of Crying Out, is maybe the best in the entire book.

The one problem with the book is that it tends to be repetitive.. "As we have seen," "Let me repeat," "To repeat," "Let's look again," "As we have already discussed."

Overall a good resource for anyone going through a hard transition in life.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The road map for hard times, September 2, 2010

By 

T. Woznek - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Land Between: Finding God in Difficult Transitions (Hardcover)

The sub-title of the book says it all: Finding God in difficult transitions. Jeff Manion is not dealing with a hard day. The Land Between deals with gut wrenching periods of time. This book ranks as a must read. If you are in traveling in the land between, you're crazy to ignore what Jeff is communicating. Strong words but true, and coming from a guy in such a transition.

'The last thing we want to hear is another book we should read when in difficult transitions. This is a book we should read. Why? 1) Israel made costly mistakes that can be avoided. 2) We need to remember that God is not merely with us, He is intimately at work in us. 3) It is not a lassie tale of hard times turned good. The Land Between lays out the road map for our hard journey. More than the insane details of our challenges, we must embrace God. The feeling I got after reading The Land Between was calm resolve. Not the emotion I expected.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hits home for many, August 9, 2010

By 

Brenda in Grand Rapids - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Land Between: Finding God in Difficult Transitions (Hardcover)

This is a book many of us have been waiting for for a long time. No matter what your current struggles, Manion weaves a path that connects with readers both in a modern context, and also through a Biblical connection back to the struggles of the Isrealites coming out of Egypt -- waiting for the promised land (arn't we all!).

Jeff Manion is a compelling speaker and pastor, and this book does justice to one of his popular sermon themes. I attend his church, Ada Bible, in Grand Rapids, MI. My husband and I look forward to his sermon's each week. This book is a treat for those who have connected with Jeff through his live or archived sermon's found on [...]. He is known for his ability to make the Bible relevent today, and this book is no exception. It's definately worth checking out. (In fair disclosure, I work for the publisher of this book, Zondervan).