Jan Winebrenner Reviews

Added November 30, 2005

The Grace of Catastrophe

When What You Know about God Is All You Have

Author: Jan Winebrenner
Publisher: Moody Publishers
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: March 2005
Genre: Nonfiction: Inspirational/Christian Living/Women's Studies
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $12.99
ISBN: 0802450415
Author Email/Website: www.intimatefaith.com/
Reviewer: Phillip Tomasso III

So many people are under the misconception that once you become a Christian the rest of your life is pure bliss, filled with beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Unfortunately, that mindset is not biblical. The Bible, in fact, pretty much promises that once you become a Christian persecution, tests and hard times are certain to follow. The reason is simple, Satan does not want you to follow that righteous path and will now be working double-time to prevent your efforts at maintaining a meaningful relationship with Jesus. Makes sense. What's this mean? Well, once you give you open your heart and invite Jesus in-expect catastrophe.

Jan Winebrenner has comprised a book of ten chapters that cover the gamut of pain and suffering. However, from each inspiring chapter heading, the reader will find valuable resources referenced from the Bible that clearly point out the brilliance of Faith, Hope and Love. Additionally, and personally, Winebrenner includes true-life vignettes that illustrate the purpose for each chapter.

At the end of each chapter are small group-like questions that can be discussed in a Bible small group setting, or used by the reader alone in order to quietly reflect on the chapter read, and the Bible versus contained within.

It might be that the entire meat of the book can be summed up in Chapter Six, "Our Safe Refuge." Here, and I quote the author, it is stated "It is love that found me when I was his enemy. It won't desert me now that I am his child," and "We can't embrace the full impact of God's ever presence, and find comfort and joy in it, unless we begin to believe, wholeheartedly, that God loves us with an everlasting, unconditional love."

Why are these quotes important? They focus in on the doubts that effect the heart of a Christian's walk with God. Doubt and insecurity slowly cut away at the foundation of any relationship. Without trust, where are you? This principal is true in a marriage, in a friendship-so why shouldn't it be true in your relationship with the Lord?

In Chapter Eight, "Between the Paws of the True Lion," Wienbrenner calls out another reality that hinders our relationship with God. In this chapter she talks about the fact that we are brought up to be independent. If we want to be a true follower of Christ we must give up that independence. God wants us to rely on Him, to be dependent on Him. Without that-here we go again-trust, we can't claim to have a sincere relationship. We can't.

Winebrenner's book is solemn at times, it is serious and gripping. She writes in a way that is simple, but without watering down truth. She writes in a way that impacts the reader with examples, without detracting from the biblical message at hand. Winebrenner's passion is evident from page to page. She wants to reach those hurting, those suffering, and be honest, who among us isn't hurting in some way, suffering in some way. Who among us does not know someone hurting, or suffering? The Grace of Catastrophe is filled with rich insight into what God wants from us, as well as what we can expect from God. What more can you ask of a book?

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