Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
51 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding!, December 2, 2007
I generally don't like books written by evangelical ministers' wives. Too often, they contain shrill attacks on women whom the authors perceive to be less godly than they are, as well as a fair amount of whining about the difficulty of living in the shadow of husbands with successful ministries. So, it was with a judgmental spirit that I picked up Kay Warren's book. I intended to spend just enough time with it to convince myself that it was another one of `those' books and then set it aside.
I did a double-take when I read the back cover endorsement from Gary Thomas, who describes Dangerous Surrender as `one of the richest reads I've experienced.' Having now finished the book, I'm in complete agreement with Mr. Thomas' assessment. You must read this book!
In Dangerous Surrender, Kay Warren explains how five years ago, she received a call from God to be active in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Interwoven with the inspiring story of her growing involvement in fighting the AIDS pandemic is a beautiful description of her spiritual journey. If it is narrative that captures your heart, you'll be blessed by Kay's story. If it is an author's ability to articulate the spiritual growth process that speaks to you, you'll be blessed by Kay's analysis of her journey. If you don't know God and are wondering what Christianity is all about, Kay will answer your questions. Regardless of who you are and where you are on your journey, there is something for you in this book!
It would take several pages to adequately describe how this book has challenged and encouraged me. Let me briefly mention three themes that especially resonated with me. First, Kay shows how a deepening personal relationship with God naturally leads to a growing love for other people. Intimacy with God is not an alternative to service. It is both/and, not either/or. Second, Kay is honest about the fact that at times, surrender to God is very difficult. But, as difficult as it can be to give up the kingdom of self, Kay also points out that `God wins us not by shouting, beating us up, or starving us into submission...We are loved into surrender.' Finally, Kay's story illustrates how God calls us to be in community with fellow believers. You won't approach the Lord's Supper in quite the same way after reading Kay's discussion of how we are to share in the fellowship of the sufferings of Jesus.
I highly recommend this book!
A final note: A couple of additional pluses to the book are that it contains a Readers' Group Discussion Guide, as well as links to free on-line supplements.
|
|
|
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Challenge - Brutally Honest, January 12, 2008
I heard an interview with Rick and Kay Warren on Speaking of Faith (http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/) and was impressed with Kay Warren. I admit that I have not been a big fan of Rick Warren and The Purpose Driven Life.
I played the interview for my wife and she too was impressed. We ran across the CD version of Dangerous Surrender while on a trip and bought it to give it a listen. WOW! My wife kept saying over and over - this is not what I expected. Kay is not like other famous pastor's wives!
She is a "new evangelical" which is really the real evangelicals who care about people not just the Republican party! She is an evangelical in the mode of General Booth of the Salvation Army, or Dwight Moody who ministered to the poor and immigrant communities of Chicago.
I highly recommend this book! Her passion and clear incarnational theology ( we make the invisible God visible) is wonderful.
Kay speaks of her own suffering - sexual abuse, depression, cancer, and the deep suffering one can have when caring about those who are suffering.
I will give this book away!
|
|
|
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kay Warren is Seriously Disturbed for Good Reason, January 24, 2008
Recently I had the opportunity to meet and interview Kay Warren at a local conference. I was thankful for the opportunity because there has been a lot of controversy around her husband Pastor Rick Warren and now also her because of her involvement with trying to educate the world about the HIV/AIDS problem in the world.
Not knowing what to expect I was very pleasantly surprised at the warmth and genuine personality Kay was. And during our conversation I learned of this new book. After I heard about the book I immediately went home and bought an audio version of the book and listened to the full book within 3 days. It was hard to pull myself away from the book, despite the serious nature, because all of the things Kay talked about that "seriously disturbed" her - have been things that have bothered me as well.
I loved the book because she simply tells the reader how it is. People ARE dying of AIDS all over the world.
Women are involved in the sex trade through no fault of their own. And babies (teens and under) are being used as sex slaves and the Church is sleeping and letting it happen.
Well, not any more because Kay's call to the church is to wake up, get involved and do something to rescue these people. This is the call of every Christian...to be there for the orphans, the widows, those enslaved in sin.
But that is only part of the reason I liked the book. The other reason is because Kay shares from her heart about her own journey and her personal struggles with depression, insecurity and the fame of her husband and living in his shadow. It's a real book, from a real genuine woman and I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
In fact, if you want to shake a few complacent Christians out of their comfort zone, please get the book and give it as a gift.
- I am Stacy Harp, President of Active Christian Media - www.activechristianmedia.com
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
by Lynne Hybels
by Richard Stearns
by Rick Warren
by John Eldredge
by Francis Chan
