Overcoming Overload (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Mary Farrar (Author) "If there is one term that describes the state of affairs in the lives of people today, it is overload..." (more)
Key Phrases: continual prayer, private prayer, Word of God, Old Testament, God's Word (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

People today are overloaded, overextended and exhausted, assert husband-and-wife team Steve (founder and chairman of Men's Leadership Ministries in Bryan/College Station, Tex.) and Mary (former staffer of Campus Crusade for Christ) Farrar. And while it's tempting to think we can have it all and do it all-and that we deserve it all-such beliefs are patently unrealistic. What we can have, the Farrars argue, is a rich and balanced life through faith: "God has provided for each of us an unlimited line of credit in His Word. The Bible is not unlike an ATM, accessible 24/7 for us to draw from its rich resources whenever we have need." The authors outline seven crucial needs that modern-day Christians often ignore-a sovereign, a Sabbath, a sanctuary, sustenance, supplication, simplicity and stewardship-and, in warm tones, weave in scripture and examples from modern life to show how meeting these needs will help readers stop feeling so overwhelmed. Although the authors tread familiar territory (the best-selling Ordering Your Private World, by Gordon MacDonald, comes to mind) and tend to criticize modern culture instead of offer solid solutions, Christians should find this a helpful, if slightly preachy, guide for finding breathing room in their busy lives.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

There is no more room in our lives. Yet every new day brings more commitments demanding to be squeezed in. Overcoming Overload helps frenzied men and women weed out wrong ideas about life and rediscover God's essential principles of balanced living, including:*You Need a Sovereign *You Need to Be out of Your Mind *You Need a Few Good Friends *You Need to Simplify* You Need to Celebrate the Goodness of God. This biblical way of life promises rest, satisfaction, and contentment amidst daily responsibilities. Leave the overwhelmed life and discover the abundant life!

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 250 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books (March 29, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159052084X
• ISBN-13: 978-1590520840
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,112,765 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars What happened to the topic from the title?, February 5, 2007

By	Chad Oberholtzer (Boalsburg, PA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Overcoming Overload Audiocassette (Audio Cassette)

I listened to the unabridged audiocassette version of "Overcoming Overload." The book began with a stirring case against the American suburban plague of overload. At that point, I was tracking with the Farrars and excited for the rest of the book.

However, after presenting such a compelling vision against overload, the authors essentially abandoned that topic and spent the remainder of the book avoiding practical solutions to the problem that they so clearly explicated. Instead, they decided to write a book on the classic spiritual disciplines, utilizing different terms than normal (sustenance rather than Bible study, supplication rather than prayer) to fit their S-word alliteration.

Ultimately, as books on spiritual disciplines go, this one is solid. Richard Foster's "Celebration of Discipline" is more comprehensive, and John Ortberg's "The Life You've Always Wanted" is more engaging. But "Overcoming Overload" is perfectly fine as the Farrars lay out their prescription for the vibrant Christian life.

My frustration is that this information was not what I wanted when I bought this book. Throughout the entire book, excluding the introduction, the specific references to overcoming overload are few and far between. I suppose that the authors intentionally avoided a "how-to" approach to overcoming overload, but I still felt misled about what I had purchased. It's as if they decided that the best solution to anyone burdened by overload is to be a faithful, committed Christian. Though that is true, it's a very generic response for what would equally apply to any problem that a person might experience. I wanted more specific reference to the titled topic.

Other minor quibbles involve some theological perspectives that were communicated rather dogmatically, without sufficient support. For instance, Farrar is apparently a relatively committed Calvinist, but describes his theological positions without any detail. Again, if I had known that this was a more theologically-driven work, this would have made sense.

At the end of the day, the Farrars have written a helpful book. If it were titled, "How to Live a Good Christian Life" or "Disciplines for A True Disciple," it would have made sense. But they appeared to select a very useful title, get distracted by something more interesting, and essentially abandon the initial premise. That was frustrating for me. If you have appropriate expectations, I would expect that you will appreciate it.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Biblical advice for an epidemic in the Body of Christ, February 27, 2004

By	Mark Youngkin (Pickerington, Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

Steve Farrar is known for his books targeted to men. Writing with his wife, Mary, he addresses both men and women who do too much in this book. This small volume contains Biblical advice for combating the drive to do too much, and to cope when life's circumstances cause almost unbearable pressure. Farrar is one of the best writers in the Christian market - he communicates a warmth and sense of humor that make the material more understandable. Highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars Much needed, October 13, 2008

By	J. Sutterfield - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Overcoming Overload: Seven Ways to Find Rest in Your Chaotic World (Paperback)

This book hits every American except a rare few who have learned more is not the end all to be all; the American dream lately is seen to be fragmenting due to greed, overspending etc. and this book gives rational insights how to stop it for your own family.