Polishing God s Monuments is the true story of a young woman and her devoted husband who face it all (and then some) as a baffling, mind-boggling illness hijacks their youth and shatters their dreams. Polishing God s Monuments blends straightforward theology with the account of this young couple s afflictions. A sober reality in the life of faith is that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. God s people are buffeted in two ways: sometimes we suffer for the faith and other times we suffer with faith. Either way, our faith remains a work in progress. In the midst of troubles, our emotions can vacillate between hope and despair, submission and rebellion. Our understanding can alternate between moments of comprehension and times of total confusion. This book confronts these issues head-on and offers believers biblical perspective, practical direction, and sustaining hope.
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This book doesn't tiptoe around the topic of suffering, but hits head-on the hardest questions we have about the goodness of God and the problem of suffering. Juli's story will shake you as well as inspire you! --Joni Eareckson Tada
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must Read,
By
This review is from: Polishing God's Monuments: Pillars of Hope for Punishing Times (Paperback)
Polishing God's Monuments was an unexpected surprise. A book that arrived (as do so many others) without any fanfare, I quickly skimmed the four endorsements and paused only when I saw Bruce Ware's name and his claim that this title is "so gripping and moving and inspiring that one cannot put the book down." Based on my respect for Bruce Ware, on the enthusiasm of his endorsement and on the track record of the publisher, Shepherd Press, I decided I should at least give the book a try. Am I ever glad I did!
Polishing God's Monuments is the story of a young woman and her devoted husband who have faced a lifetime of mysterious, devastating illness. Written by Jim Andrews, the young woman's father, the book intersperses narrative with teaching, experience with theology. When she was young, just a senior at Wheaton Conservatory of Music, Juli Andrews contracted mononucleosis. Though mono is not usually a devastating or long-lasting illness, in Juli's case it set in motion a bizarre series of events that culminated in her being diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (now referred to as Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome) and eventually a horrifying accompanying disease known as Multiple Chemical Sensitivities. This is an affliction that causes some patients, and Juli among them, to become extremely sensitive to chemicals that do not bother most other people. Paul, Juli's husband, contracted mononucleosis and then CFS at around the same time as his new wife. The young family was devastated. Juli's condition left her in terrible condition, unable to care for herself and often unable to do even the simplest things. Her chemical sensitivities rendered her unable to handle even the fainest smell of perfume or the chemicals used in inks and fabrics. Eventually she even developed extreme sensitivity to light, to the chlorine in water and even to the presence of electricity, leaving her lying day after day in the cold and the dark. Her disease left her unable to live even a semblance of a normal life for year after year. But through it all her husband tended to her, cared for her, and searched far and wide for something, anything, that might alleviate her condition. This is the story Andrews tells in this book. A pastor for the last seventeen years and a seminary professor before that, the bulk of the narrative comes in the form of letters he wrote to his congregation to keep them updated on the drama of Juli's life. But woven between these touching letters is straightforward theology--biblical reflections on the nature of suffering, the character of God, and the important discipline of looking to what God has done in the past to remind us of His faithfulness in the present and the future. That discipline, which Andrews refers to as "Polishing God's Monuments," gives title to the book. Andrews writes about suffering from the perspective of one who has seen suffering in a close and personal way and one who has suffered by watching and participating in the afflictions of the ones he loves. He writes well and in a way that equally affects the heart and the mind. The following is drawn from the web site of Lake Bible Church where Andrews is pastor: "Though some think of Jim as a cerebral preacher, he is not your typical academic. True to his down-to-earth "country roots," he comes to the pulpit with a dead-on, look-you-in-the-eye, tell-it-like-it is prophetic style that never hesitates to go toe-to-toe with the conscience. As he himself describes his preaching philosophy, he strives in the pulpit "to herd biblical truth and the issues of life into violent collision at the intersections of the mind and heart." Jim models that old adage that sees the preacher's job as "comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable." He candidly explains that his ministry is not for "navel gazers, but for star gazers."" Those collisions between truth and life at the intersections of the mind and heart are evident throughout the book. He constantly shows how truth must prevail even when it seems impossible. And he writes the book in such a way that it must bring comfort to those who are suffering while at the same time afflicting the hearts and consciences of those who are far too comfortable. As long as the Lord tarries we will all suffer. Whether we suffer through disease or persecution or just the difficult situations that come with this life, suffering is inevitable and unavoidable. Though we do all we can to alleviate and avoid it, we know it is always lurking, always waiting to show it's ugly face. It does us good to be prepared and to arm ourselves in advance with good theology regarding sin, suffering and the sovereignty of God. Though our doctrine will always be perfected in the midst of the battle, it is nevertheless wise to be prepared. This book brought me face-to-face with the sovereignty of God not despite suffering, but in the very midst of heart-rending suffering, arming me for the suffering that I know must come. I learned from the faith of this family that God has allowed to suffer--I learned that God is faithful to His promises, that He is sovereign, that He is sufficient, and that He can bring joy through even the greatest pain. There are at least two potential dangers in writing a book in this format, alternating between narrative and theology. The first is that the story may so overshadow the teaching that the teaching gets lost in the narrative. Alternatively, the teaching can so overshadow the story that the narrative seems to be little more than a desperate attempt to lend credibility to what is taught. Andrews strikes a near-perfect balance between these, using the narrative to springboard useful, biblical discussion of serious issues. As I closed the cover on this book, 294 pages (yet only one day) after beginning, it struck me that this is undoubtedly one of the best books I've read so far this year. I skimmed back through my files to see how many other books I've read in 2007 and can see that it is at least sixty or seventy. So it's no small thing to realize that this is one of the best. I simply can't recommend Polishing God's Monuments too highly. I wholeheartedly agree with Bruce Ware who writes, "To enter into this theological reflection on suffering is to accept the challenge to grow deeply in Christ, and to cherish the sure and certain promise of the gospel." This book gripped my heart and helped me cherish the promises of the gospel like few books I've read recently. I commend it to you, trusting you will benefit from it as I have. Perhaps the greatest tribute I can render Polishing God's Monuments is this: I read almost 300 pages about suffering and pain, yet closed the book with tears of joy in my eyes, rejoicing at the greatness of our sovereign and gracious God.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
You can't call this a book - it is so much more,
By 2Peter1:3mommy "Teresa" (California) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Polishing God's Monuments: Pillars of Hope for Punishing Times (Paperback)
While at a conference to hear Tedd Tripp (Shepherding a Child's Heart) speak, I visited Mr. Tripp's book table. I was about to walk away when this book caught my eye. I asked my husband to buy it for me. I was intrigued by the title. I read this "work of the heart" in 3 days and I'll have to read it again because there is so much in it. It's not only a reminder of God's wisdom and power. It's the proof, the evidence of it in one family's life. It is written by a pastor who happens to be the dad of a very special daughter (and son-in-law). He also happens to be a wonderful teacher of God's truth. The book is interesting in that the chapters alternate from letters to his church regarding the health of his daughter and chapters which read like sermons--get your highlighter, Bible and tissue out! The insight into the scriptures and people of the bible in the "sermon" chapters are amazing and deep, yet still clear to most readers. All Christians would benefit from reading this "work of the heart". Get a copy for yourself and extras to share with others--especially those who have any type of affliction. (Most of us Christians do!)
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
HELP FOR THE HELPLESS,
By
This review is from: Polishing God's Monuments: Pillars of Hope for Punishing Times (Paperback)
This book gives answers and attitudes necessary to survive emotionally
and keep your faith intact during times of suffering and grief. Do any of us enjoy pain? Have your dreams for a fulfilling life turned into disappointment? This story is gripping in how a young couple face much suffering and disappointment with courage. The author indicates various ways we as humans will inevitably face suffering and how the Scripture, as well as our past experiences can enable us at that time.
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