2019 Spring Reads Review
Bishop T. D. Jakes is one of the world’s most widely recognized pastors and a New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books. Named by Time magazine as “America’s Best Preacher,” his message of healing and restoration is unparalleled, transcending cultural and denominational barriers. Jakes is the founder and senior pastor of The Potter’s House, which has a congregation of more than 30,000. His weekly television outreach, The Potter’s House, and his daily television program, The Potter’s Touch, have become favorites throughout America, Africa, Australia, Europe, and the Caribbean. Jakes lives in Dallas, Texas, with his wife, Serita. Learn more about Bishop Jakes at T.D. Jakes Mnistries and The Potters House.
Bishop Jakes presents us with a book about transformation and self-discovery. The author hits us with some very pointed and difficult questions which require truthful answers. He tells some personally crushing stories from his own life; the painful experience of learning his young teenage daughter was pregnant, the agony of watching his mother succumb to Alzheimer’s, and the shock and helplessness he felt when his son had a heart attack. When experiencing these types of crushing blows we must face the sad and helpless sense of our new reality. It is only when we recognize that there is a transformation taking place, understanding that it is a process used by God, will we be able to trust Him to take us through it.
This book is well written and T.D. uses the analogy of the Master Vintner and the process required to turn grapes into choice wine in a uniquely descriptive way. We are taken through a journey which has the potential to help us understand and cope with the trials and tribulations that accompany the crushing situations that we face during our lifetimes. Rushing through the experience and forcing the process is not an option that will produce quality.
The underlying theme in this book as I understand it is that God causes the negative circumstances in our lives in order that He can use them as turning points of triumph for our good and His glory. While I absolutely believe that God will use our worst moments and take us through the fire, I do not agree that He causes the problems in our lives. The choices that we make and the lifestyles that we live cause us more problems than we would every take ownership for. God has set up both physical and spiritual laws which have penalties of noncompliance built into them. The adversary of course also plays into the mix of negative circumstances that come our way. Our loving Father would never intentionally cause us pain so that He could use it to make us better!
“Crushing” has very useful information in it but I found it to be a bit boring. In fairness to the author, however, he is dealing with a very difficult subject.
