In the Meantime: The Practice of Proactive Waiting [Paperback]

Rob Brendle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 13, 2005

You’re young? Check.
You’ve felt God’s tap on the shoulder, like he’s got something for you to do with your life? Right.
But you’re not exactly sure what it is, or how to get there? Exactly.
If that’s you, then here’s a great guide to help you find your way to whatever it is God has for you in life.
You may be surprised to learn that a very famous person in the Bible found himself in a similar place. David was just watching some sheep, but God made it clear he was destined to do something a bit more meaningful and important–David was going to be king. As a young man he had to learn how to “live into” his calling–become like a king before ever putting on the crown.
You probably won’t be joining the royal family any time soon. But you can still learn a lot about life–your life, your destiny–by taking a good look at David’s life.
David had a dream and caught a glimpse of his purpose. He just didn’t know how to realize it, how to live until he did, and how to wait for it proactively. Maybe that’s you, too. In this amusing, amazing, and very surprising guidebook, Rob Brendle can help you get there from here.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Brendle, associate pastor at an evangelical megachurch in Colorado Springs, Colo., aims his first book at 20- and 30-somethings who are in limbo: they may be called by God to be pastors, or gardeners, or parents, but they need more time to mature before taking the next step. Brendle's book is about living faithfully in the time between the call and its fulfillment. Too often, he says, we are tempted to "manhandle" God's plans for us or forget about our call because it seems to take too long to play out. Brendle urges us instead to follow the lead of the biblical David, who was anointed by Samuel, but then had to wait on the Lord until his calling was fulfilled. The life stage to which Brendle draws our attention is important, but the book is flawed. Many readers may not have experienced the same kind of clear call that Brendle presupposes and experienced himself in his career and marriage decisions. Brendle may also one day regret lines like "Okay, wow. That was heavy. I need to take a deep breath now because I'm fired up and the veins in my neck are bulging a bit." Perhaps he could have followed his own advice and let this book coalesce a little longer. (Dec.)
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Review

Praise for In the Meantime

"This timely and dynamic message has everything you need to transition successfully from one season to the next in your life. The book’s frank style will position, then equip and empower you. Rob Brendle is brilliant, fun, and witty. He is a man who has moved wisely within his years. Read In the Meantime...and reap."

--John and Lisa Bevere, speakers and authors of Drawing Near and Kissed the Girls and Made Them Cry 


“Finally, a guide to help us do what most of us do so poorly, wait!  Insightful, practical, and truly witty, Rob Brendle pens the heartfelt path from God's calling until God's fulfillment of His call.  Bravo!” 
–Douglas Weiss, Ph.D, Executive Director of Heart to Heart Counseling Center

“Rob Brendle’s book is an important contribution for young people who are confused about the pursuit of God’s will for their life, and also a great reminder for the not-so-young who need to continue on the journey with the Author who writes all of our stories for His grand plan. Rob has a gift for writing in a both humorous and down-to-earth style, and he clearly is one who is living his calling.”   
–Ed Young, Senior Pastor of Fellowship Church, Grapevine, Texas, author of YOU! The Journey to the Center of Your Worth

“A young pastor brimming with zeal and wise beyond his years, Rob Brendle conveys a fine combination of Christian insight and earthly good sense in this stimulating, enjoyable book.”
–Dinesh D'Souza, author of What’s So Great About America, Hoover Institution, Stanford University

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (December 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400070082
• ISBN-13: 978-1400070084
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.6 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #717,005 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gyrovague in the desert, February 2, 2006

By 

Carl Holmes "the gyrovague" (Somewhere out there) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Meantime: The Practice of Proactive Waiting (Paperback)

So, you have looked at your life and asked yourself "What is the big picture" or you are saying "I know the big picture so beam me up Scotty". But, nothing is happening. You are frustrated and ready to tear your hair out. Relax, you are in your prime time with God.

This book has the humor, and the guts, to show you how to discern God's heart for your life and how to relax and work into your calling with God.

Rob utilizes personal experience, biblical stories, and theology to weave an intricate story about his life, which by the way, probably looks a lot like your life to.

I suggest reading the book, then buying a dozen for your friends.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In the meantime..., December 20, 2005

By 

T. Sun (Monument, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Meantime: The Practice of Proactive Waiting (Paperback)

Rob Brendle, a unique blend of former tank commander and pastor, writes with characteristic humor, vulnerability and insight as he answers the question, "What do we do while we wait to fulfill God's calling in our lives?" First, he advises us what not to do, charging ahead of the Caller for example. He suggests that the process is the calling, "the walk of obedience through the seasons of life," and describes the process as submitting, training, serving, and losing our lives. Brendle includes a valuable discussion on the idea of preemptive holiness, fleeing temptation and resisting the devil, rather than fleeing the devil and resisting temptation, and our two sources of power, the Word of God and an intimate friendship with God. Spoken with the wisdom of someone who has gone before, this book is a recommended read for anyone wanting to know what to do in the meantime when God calls.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Start for a Talented Young Author, January 17, 2006

By 

M. Bartalo (Colorado Springs, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Meantime: The Practice of Proactive Waiting (Paperback)

This is the first book of hopefully many from this young Associate Pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Co. The writer blends the narrative of the life of King David with his personal life experiences, resulting in a guide on how to live out one's specific calling. Rob fills the book with his energy, wit, wisdom, and biblical insight, along with his personal relationship with his Lord and Creator.

While the book's main focus is how to live out God's personal and specific calling, the principles set forth are invaluable for those navigating the general calling of God. Regardless of the reader's life circumstances, the principles in this book will help them to live life well.

It is my sincere hope that this is the first of many writings from this gifted and talented young man, and look forward to the next book.