Customer Reviews

In the Meantime: The Practice of Proactive Waiting

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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.

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.

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.

Rob Brendle does excellent work in tackling a difficult life issue: "the art of waiting". Through humorous stories, his own personal life challenges, and solid exegesis, Rob sheds light on the freedom we have in Christ in waiting for God to move...in His timing. His writing style keeps you thoroughly engaged and it expresses his deep understanding of our post modern society. I found this book enlightening and encouraging.

Rob Brendle's definition and discussion of proactive waiting helps illuminate the misconception that waiting means inactivity. Utilizing well painted word pictures and quoting authors like Steven Covey or Jedi masters like Obi-Wan Kenobi, he describes proactive waiting in such a way that challenges the audience to truly absorb the moment, live life to the fullest, and train for the defining moment when life can move into a
"new season." It should be required reading for the twenty to thirtysomething crowd, especially those looking to make the leap of change (college, career, or otherwise), but haven't stepped onto the springboard yet. Listen to the Tank Commander turned Pastor, and be prepared to be entertained as you learn!

Do you know anyone who waits well? It's hard to find good role models in the fast food line let alone life. All of us have reason to believe there's something great hidden away in our innermost being. We can feel it when we have to do repetitive tasks, mundane chores or make decisions that seem to lead nowhere day after day. Rob Brendle encourages readers to take a close look at the life of King David. Suddenly called in one day from the field as a teenager to be anointed king then forced to continue to shepherd for several more years would have made most of us write aggressive rap music rather than worship psalms. King David knew how to cultivate a lifestyle in the secret place while waiting on the Lord. This is the key that you will place in the hands of readers when you give them this book.

Rob Brendle uses some imaginative and insightful stories to clearly demonstrate what we all feel when spoken to by God, how to deal with calling he gives us, and how to confidently and proactively wait for God's plan, God's journey for us, to unravel. Thank you Rob, but more so thank you God, for having inspired this man to put pen to paper in order to give us greater understanding of your love and plans for our lives.

Daniel and Dayna Webb, UK

While reading this book I had many "ok, that makes sense" moments. It was through the personal stories from Rob's life
(by the way Rob, loved the "Flag Boy" story) and the look at David's life that enhanced the context of this book.
I personally gained knowledge about the art of proactive waiting and how the "meantime" of my life can be a time of growth.
Rob's book is well written while his personality, humor and insight on the Word of God is seen throughout every paragraph. I encourage those who are in the "meantime" of their life to read this book and discover the reward of waiting on the Lord.

I will admit a certain bias up front, as Rob is my pastor and it's easy for me to hear his humor and talking style come through in his book. However, setting that bias aside, this is a book that is PRACTICAL. The "so-what" is clearly portrayed in every chapter in a personable, non-holier-than-thou way. I would say that this is a read-in-one-session, can't-put-it-down book, but I think that would be doing it a disservice. As interested as I was to see what else Rob was talking about, there were times I had to stop reading to digest and pray about what I'd just read. A book that leads you to examine yourself in a non-threatening, thought-provoking way is exceptional. "In the Meantime" meets that criteria.

On a secondary level, it's also a helpful guide for females who are lacking in their Star Wars-ese...

With exceptional maturity, grace and humor, Rob opens his heart to us and helps us all understand how to live life better. He is living an examined life...and encouraging the rest of us through his example to stay steady and live into God's purposes for our lives.

I know because he has been a dear friend since college. I have seen him walk through the seasons and situations he describes in this book. He is living what he preaches!

Our generation would be wise to heed his counsel and live life with the kind of passion he exudes in all he does.