This exciting two book allegory, Master Potter and The Master Potter and the Mountain of Fire , addresses the current fascination with supernatural phenomena. The secular market is flooded with power encounters, New Age, occultism, angels, demons, witchcraft and sorcery. There is a renewed hunger to move in supernatural power, reflected in the wildly successful Harry Potter series . Master Potter tells the story of Beloved—wounded and left vulnerable by an abused childhood, she is rescued by Master Potter . Whisked away to his rustic home overlooking the quaint village of Comfort Cove, Beloved begins her painful journey of healing. The hardships she endures, the lessons she learns, and the invisible world she discovers will cause you to cheer for each triumphant step she takes and weep with each mistake she makes. Master Potter is a powerful Christian allegory for all ages with the potential to become a Christian classic along the lines of Hannah Hurnard’s Hinds’ Feet on High Places and John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress .
Forsaken is a broken clay vessel in Comfort Cove. This book is about the struggle for her soul as she is descarded on the Potter's Field. It is about her struggles for wholeness and restoration. Through many trials she develops intimacy; receives healing from her past pain and brokenness, and learns that Master Potter desires her even in her weakness. No one is too broken to be healed and used by God. A must read. A wonderful allegory as well as well written reality.
Wonderful allegory. Had the pleasure of hearing the author speak several times before she passed on. She wrote a prophetic word in the front of my book. I loved the way she talked about the Holy Spirit...she didn't use the article "the" when referring to him. Her death was a great loss to the Christian church, but some of her lives on in her books...
Have you ever thought how disappointed the Potter must feel when the clay refuses to yield to His design? Or His delight, as the vessel submits to the pressure of His hands as He shapes it. The Lord, speaking to Israel through the prophet Jeremiah asks, "O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel" (Jeremiah 18:6 KJV).
In her book Master Potter, award-winning professional potter, Jill Austin describes the love between the Potter and the clay as she weaves the story of Forsaken, a broken vessel living in nineteenth century Comfort Cove.
In the beginning , Forsaken is hiding in the dreaded Potter's field fighting the demons of her past. As she is contemplating suicide, Master Potter rescues and carries her to His quaint cottage. There He explains to become the vessel He designed her for, she must be crushed with unrelenting love to remove the brokenness and filth. She agrees and He places her in Abundant Life Falls where she becomes pliable once again and ready for the wheel.
As the story unfolds, Master Potter explains every process and the reason for the procedure. And through it all, He never forces Forsaken to do anything. He always gives her the choice to yield or rebel. With her broken spout newly formed, she begins a new life but soon forgets Who designed her and her purpose in life as she chooses a profession, a mate, and her friends. While she suffers the pitfalls of her mistakes, she is never without comfort from Master Potter. He is there to pick up the broken pieces each time she crashes in her pursuit of happiness.
Austen has done a wonderful job weaving truth within her text. I empathized with Forsaken as I recalled the times in my life I faced the same test. I watched--and understood as she made good and bad choices that shaped and even scarred her life. I cringed as she refused to forgive others and sought revenge. So emotionally drawn to this character, I wanted to scream because I knew for every mistake she made there would be a consequence.
Anyone who enjoys allegory will enjoy Master Potter.
Looking from the outside, living the Christian life can seem simple or complex, depending on the viewpoint. Jill Austin takes a familiar image and creates an allegory that will help readers to reach a deeper level in their walk with God.
Forsaken is a broken clay pitcher living in Comfort Cove. She has lived a rough life, first with an abusive alcoholic father, then as an 'entertainer' in a local establishment. After being accused of theft, she is tossed into Potter's Field, the garbage dump. The reader sees the battle between Satan and the Heavenly forces for her soul. On the edge of suicide, Forsaken cries out for help to Master Potter, a man she remembers hearing about from her grandmother. One victory for Heaven, but the battle has only just begun.
Master Potter takes Forsaken home and re-names her Beloved. She is then taken through many stages of learning how to trust, obey, and have faith even when she feels alone, tired, or bored. Readers will be able to pinpoint areas of their own faith that need to be stretched and grown, and will be able to see that God is always present, though not always visible.
Allegories such as Master Potter can help Christians to see their faith in a new and different light. The author has taken a simple concept of a potter and clay and translated it into the steps God goes through in molding believers. This fresh outlook will encourage, enlighten and bring strength. The second book in this two book series, Master Potter and the Mountain of Fire continues the story of Beloved's journey to spiritual maturity.
This book is pretty intense and pretty incredible. To be honest, the writing style isn't the greatest, but it's the content that really spoke to me. The author uses the metaphor of the potter and the clay (and much more) to describe the seasons of a Christian's life and their relationship with Jesus. While the analogy breaks down in parts, it's a really powerful illustration of what is happening in the spiritual world (how Satan tries to attack and derail us) and how God is teaching and refining us in order to fulfill our destinies. I've read this twice now, and God has revealed new things to me both times. This book is so meaty and there is so much to absorb. Be prepared to encounter some resistance and spiritual warfare while reading this -- I had to really push through is some parts, but I'm so glad I did.
There were times I "had to" set it aside and ponder what I read, it touched deep down into areas I thought I had overcome long ago, and I didn't necessarily enjoy going through it again, but it has been worth it. As I read I realize that I am being prepared for my next "firing". Scared witless is one way to describe what I am feeling on the upper level, but deeply anticipatory is what my heart of hearts, feels. Longing to go deeper into relationship with Jesus is the goal. Enjoy is not big enough to describe the experience of this book. Well worth the read!
Forsaken is a clay vessel who is sent out on her own. She meets the Master Potter who renames her Beloved. As the Master Potter remolds her he uses tests to strengthen her faith. Many times she fails but when she calls out to the Master Potter he saves her. This book provided such wonderful descriptions that provides the reader with great visualization. This is book one of a series so you don't know what happens to Beloved at the end. There are battles between angels, demons, death, and the devil as well in the book.
At first I didn't realize how much this book would impact my life. Just another book to read. However, this is masterfully written. Situations are ones either we or a loved one have experienced. I am ordering the hardback for the church library. Reading it will impact your life.
Wow! I usually devour a book in a few hours. This one I took three days! This is one that you want to savor the truths that are spoken, one that I will read again..and probably again. I was forsaken but now am Beloved!
The most beautiful book I have ever read! for women who have been hurt; abused; broken and rejected This journey gives you hope, shows you that you are always loved and never alone - Jesus is always with you. Thank you Jill Austin
This book opened my eyes on how loving and good Jesus is and through our trials we become stronger. It is written as an allegory and took me awhile to get use to. It showed the spiritual on-going battle between good and evil. I loved it and grew from reading it.
A wonderfully written allegory about the Master Potter. I laughed and cried throughout the story. The repetition of some things will make more sense as you move through the story.
I love the transformation that happened to the main character in this book. I feel this book is relatable, especially with the season I'm in. This book can be relatable for anyone
I had high hopes for "Master Potter" by Jill Austin, given its intriguing premise and positive reviews. Unfortunately, the book fell short of my expectations. While the concept of a spiritual journey and the allegorical elements were interesting, the execution left much to be desired.
Firstly, the pacing of the story was uneven. There were parts where the narrative dragged on, making it difficult to stay engaged. The characters, though well-intentioned, often felt one-dimensional and lacked the depth needed to connect with readers on a deeper level.
The writing style, although descriptive, sometimes bordered on overly dramatic and preachy. This made it hard to immerse myself fully in the story. Additionally, some of the dialogue felt unnatural and forced, detracting from the overall reading experience.
While I appreciate the book's spiritual messages and the author's effort to convey important lessons, the heavy-handed approach made it feel more like a sermon than a novel. For readers looking for a more subtle and nuanced exploration of faith and personal growth, this might not be the best choice.
In summary, "Master Potter" had potential but ultimately didn't deliver the compelling and immersive experience I was hoping for. It's a decent read for those who enjoy overtly spiritual allegories, but it didn't quite resonate with me.
I loved Master Potter. It was as if Jesus was speaking to me, calling me, and declaring His glorious love for me through these pages. This is a truly anointed book with the power to impact, transform, and bring revelation to all who have a willing heart to receive it. This is truly a journey - a journey of your heart and soul right alongside Beloved's (so don't expect it to be a quick read :). In almost every chapter there is something deep from the heart of God to be gained, relished, and ruminated on. Soak this up like a sponge, and you will love the changes His truth brings. New perspectives and revelations are released every time I read it. Truly Amazing.
I really had a hard time with Austin's allegory. The first 40-50 pages was pulling teeth for me, then parts got really good and others were a little dull. She bounced back from Beloved and others being a human to being clay vessels, which left me a little confused. I don't think this writing style is a strength for Austin, but overall it was an ok book and it did have carry some good biblical truths about facing hardships.
Words cannot truly detail the intensity this book walked me through. The storyline is powerful and personal. If you love God, if you are hungry to know Him more, if your desire is to walk with Him, or you wonder whether you can even keep going with Him, this book is worth the read. It will grip you and opens ones imagination and also ones heart to the experience and expectation of being a child and bride of our God.
Both of the Master Potter books touched my heart deeply with the way Jill Austin describes the journey through life as a Christian and how God molds and shapes us. This is all done through a parable like story that is hard to put down.
It is an amazing book that I think every Christian or nonChristain should read. I love to read it over and over. Good book that shows the Christian walk in an amazing light