Customer Reviews

The Tender Commandments : Reflections on the Father's Love

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I was given this book as a Christmas present from my mother--a devoted servant of God, to me--a devoted party girl and drinker. I rolled my eyes and tossed this book aside, thinking that I would never pick it up again. Little did I know what God had in store for me. I had just started a job where I had a lot of free time to read, so one day I brought this book along, for lack of other books around my apartment. The moment I began reading, I realized that this book was different. The author was writing in a way I could understand. Finally!! In the past I would get so confused by books about God that I just stopped trying to read about Him, and then little by little, stopped living my life for Him. But this book changed my life. I know it might sound dramatic, but it's true. God used this book to speak to me, to convict me, to bring me back to Him where I belonged. I consider this book to be the tool God used for my rebirth as a Christian. My life has not been the same since. I live it for God now, not for this world or anything in it. My soul was lost and I didn't even know it, but God did, and he decided to do something about it. In such a simple, yet powerful way, Ron Mehl describes the Ten Commandments as a love letter from God the Father to His children. He gives personal, heartfelt stories related to each commandment, and involves the readers in his own thoughts, joys, and struggles. He quotes Scripture that is

thought-provoking, and thought-changing. This book is an easy read that gives a refreshing and much-needed outlook to what the Ten Commandments really are about, and how very important they are to our daily lives. This is by far one of my favorite books, and without a doubt, my favorite author.

The "thou shalt nots" of the 10 commandments can feel a little like a stern God admonishing us, but Mehl's book really shows the tremendous love and care behind each commandment and shows the spiritual depth of those 10 spiritual guides and landmarks. He casts a new light on them, by explaining that they provide a fence of protection around God's beloved children.

His chapter on the 7th commandment - adultery - is alone worth the price of the book. He speaks frankly about how he counsels young couples who wish to marry. It is a powerful chapter with much depth.

Mehl's writing style is warm and personable. His practical wisdom and Christly humility speak through every word of this powerful little book.

I've spent 7 years working *daily* to live the 10 commandments, but this book - "The ten(der) commandments" gave me many new insights and profound revelations.

Ron Mehl has the ability to look at Bible text's in such a refreshing way. God wants the best for us, like we want the best for our children. The premise that the ten commandments were given out of love, not out of control, is so "tender". Ron gives great examples as he establishes this premise. A great book to give high school & college kids, as well as adults!

I can strongly agree with everything the previous reviewers have said about this beautiful and illuminating book. The concept that a loving Father gave us these commandments because he knows the trouble we can get into if we ignore them was a refreshing insight for me, and we have used it in a small group and in adult Sunday School.
Someone needs to point out, however, that the text seems to be merely suggested by each commandment. It only loosely addresses the commandment itself.

For instance, Chapter 3 is introduced by the Second Commandment. But rather than discuss the scriptural meaning of graven images, the chapter discusses, as its title "Pursing Empty Images" indicates, how Christians must live in such a way as to present a Christian image. That's good, but it's not what the Second Commandment is about.

One more: Chapter 5, which is introduced by the Fourth Commandment, does not discuss why observing the Sabbath is important, but dismisses it with "maybe the Lord want us to use this interval of rest (whether it's a day, two days, or a half day) to accomplish several things." It then proceeds to make a case for the need to slow down and take a break. Again, that's good but it does not discuss reasons why the Sabbath is the designated day, whether it is observed on Sunday (as most Christians accept) or on Saturday. Is there merit in designating a particular day, or do I just take a break from time to time? Is there merit in most Christians observing the same day so society can realize we have obligations on that day? Is there merit in having a designated day for Christians to get together for group worship, instruction, and fellowship? Is there merit in being reminded each week that God created the heavens and the earth? Is it OK for me to run my lawnmower on Sunday as long as I rest on some other day "or half day" occasionally? Is it OK to schedule kids softball games for Sunday morning?

These topics weren't discussed; just the importance of not working all the time.

Conservative leaders might hesitate to run the risk that readers will assume that this is what the Ten Commandments really mean, or at least want to point out the limitations of the book, as I am doing.

I know God wants the best for me. I'm reluctant to redefine the commandments to be more comfortable.

Believe it or not, this is a great book to read! The author takes a subject that many of us want to avoid and offers a very different perspective of why we should obey God's laws. He shows clearly how the Ten Commandments are intended for our protection and are, actually, one of the deepest expressions of God's love. It's a great book for personal reading or to use in a Bible Study. The ideas are reinforced with several references to Scripture and Ron Mehl's personal experiences are related in a very truthful, thoughtful and entertaining way.

I bought this book for my father and ended up borrowing it back for a trip. It offers an unusually tender look at the 10 commandments. Instead of the harsh laws that humanity tends to view them as, the 10 commandments, according to Mehl, are important guidelines from a loving, all-knowing Father. He gently explains the reasoning behind them from a father's perspective and interjects some of his own desperate love for his sons and the lessons he tried to teach them.

Mehl tries to broaden our perspective of the 10 commandments as not simply statements within themselves, but guidelines with much broader meanings. For example, Thou Shalt Not Steal does not only mean the obvious, but also not stealing time or joy from someone else. Keeping the Sabbath means taking some time to rest and be still, instead of running ourselves into the ground everyday. After all, Mehl explains, not even God worked all week!

This is a beautiful gift, I think, for anyone of any age that can use a little reminding about the true nature of God and where we fit in to His plans. It is restful, knowledgable, and sweet.

Ron Mehl's books have always touched my heart. I had borrowed this one from a friend. It was so profound, I ordered my own, from Amazon, for 1/3 the price my friend paid for a new one. It is just like new, though it is used.. It's one to read again & again! Just when I thought I knew what the commandments were and I was doing good - whamo! I found I had a long way to go. Incredible "growth book" with a life changing message!!!

I have used "the Tender Commandments" by Ron Mehl in adult classes several times and each time I find I like the work better and better.

The book is very well written and brings the reader to a deeper understanding of the 10 Commandments, not only as a list of things to avoid, but as a way of living a life of love and gratitude to Jesus our Lord and Savior.

Anyone wanting to understand not only what the 10 Commandments are, but also an idea of how they grow out of God's love for us, and how they apply to the modern world would do well to read Ron Mehl's "the Tender Commandments."

Thanks

Great audiobook - everyone should listen to or read this book. Will be listening to it again.