Restored! God's Salvage Plan for Broken Lives
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Distress Turned Restoration
Restored â GodâÂÂs Salvage Plan for Broken Lives by Dan Schaeffer was an encouraging book for me. This book is about restoration found in the book of Ruth in the Old Testament of the Bible through the characters of Ruth, Naomi, Boaz, and Obed.
God uses distress in our life to help us see the importance in it and that itâÂÂs a beginning to the restoration God has planned for our lives. After having two deaths in my family (my mother and a high school girl friend) plus the loss of my job two years ago, I feel that now I have some hope in my life. God does use the negative experiences in our lives and turns them into something positive. Even through distressing situations God is there with us.
This unbiased review was based on an electronic copy of the book provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.
February 24, 2012
Personal experience speaks to hearts
This book delves into the reasons that people are not living the potential that God intended. Restoration of the Soul is a desire of God. One may be a Christian but still holding onto attitudes of defeat.
September 21, 2011
Meaningful and Applicable
I appreciated it that in the introduction the author stated that this is not a feel good type book, not a "trouble makes us stronger" theme.
He states in the introduction that distress in life has value and purpose. We may not "feel" that any good thing can come from distress, but God has a plan and a purpose for us.
"Distress is unchangeable, immutable; and pain blurs perspective."
Naomi was a sad, lonely, bitter woman. Her husband and sons had all died and she was left with only grief. She had 2 daughter in-law's that both loved her, yet she was adamant in turning away from them, she encouraged them to go back to their families. Instead Ruth told Naomi she would not go back to her previous family and she would continue to make her home with Naomi.
"Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you." Ruth 1:16-17 ESV
"The process of becoming godly requires being fired in the furnace."
Naomi was being fired in the furnace. Ruth too had grief. But, it was Ruth that was the picture of godly character for Naomi. Ruth showed Naomi selflessness, trust and kindness. She loved Naomi extravagantly!
Her love for Naomi was a fragrant perfume.
I loved this book!
Several times during the course of reading it I paused to think back on my own life. The distresses that have happened over my 47 years.
The author breaks down several key elements that he believes Ruth modeled in character for Naomi.
He also wrote a chapter on Elimelech's bad decision, as well as a chapter on Boaz's character.
In each of these characters there are applications for us in our lives.
The author stated that we can turn away from the distress and towards an escape, or we can allow God to transform us in to the person He wants us to be.
God wants us to have authentic character! Not hide behind a word---Christian, but live that word in our lives.
My favorite question was at the end of the book,
"What are you rehearsing for? We are all being prepared for great moments in our lives. When that moment comes will your character reveal itself as authentic?"
This book is full of meaningful, thought provoking, heart stirring quotes.
Discussion questions are at the end of the book.
Thank you to Discovery House Publisher for my free copy for reading/review.
June 10, 2011
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