What do you think?
Rate this book
Bold Man Of God #2
God Built (Joseph) - Forged By God...In The Bad And Good Of Life
God Built" explores the defining spiritual process that makes men "men of God.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
45 people are currently reading
384 people want to read
About the author
Steve Farrar
45 books54 followersSteve Farrar is the founder of Men’s Leadership Ministries. He holds a Master’s degree from Western Seminary, and an earned doctorate from Dallas Theological Seminary. Steve is the author of the best-selling book, Point Man: How a Man Can Lead His Family, God Built, Battle Ready, and True Courage. Steve Farrar resides in Texas with his family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 27, 2011
Very challenging book, a great read.
This book will challenge you to examine deeper your beliefs of God's providence in every area of your life and every other life. Something that many of us naturally want to reject sometimes but we need to come to the realization that God is truly in control, of everything.
This book uses scripture as its bases, which is obvious. I recommend this book for every Christian, especially those going through some tragic time in their life. I know we do not want to think that God is bringing and orchestrating something negative in our life, but in those times we need to submit that God is truly king, and that no matter what bad things happen in our life it is for His purpose.
This book will challenge you to examine deeper your beliefs of God's providence in every area of your life and every other life. Something that many of us naturally want to reject sometimes but we need to come to the realization that God is truly in control, of everything.
This book uses scripture as its bases, which is obvious. I recommend this book for every Christian, especially those going through some tragic time in their life. I know we do not want to think that God is bringing and orchestrating something negative in our life, but in those times we need to submit that God is truly king, and that no matter what bad things happen in our life it is for His purpose.
August 23, 2011
Great book about how in really tough times and when you feel no hope God is there and at work. It goes through the life of Joseph and how God's hand was always on him. It shows how even when we cant understand things God is in control and working for our good. I must read for men.
Read
July 5, 2022As a curious child who read a lot, I found it hard to stay focused in Sunday school for the mere fact that nobody wanted to explain things in the way they were supposed to. Delighted to have come across a book that brings simplicity and a humanistic perspective to the Christian faith. In this book, Steve leads us through the life of Joseph, a modest shepherd who overcame great obstacles to become a powerful leader. Through the light-hearted and mildly sarcastic account of Steve Farrar will learn about the method by which God works providentially, oddly, and slowly to produce refined humans. This for me has been a colourful (just like Joseph's colourful coat) discovery of personal growth through biblical references, gaining an understanding of typical annoyances and challenges, and equipping yourself for the trip ahead.
This book has been much impressionable as it is informative and refreshing bringing new meaning to life. It has revealed a new and deeper truth to me about the ethos of the Christian faith. The author tells the hard truth that a lot of people are not willing to face up to – hard truths that also make us realise just how grand God is. Any fresh truth revelations, in my opinion, cause us to feel this tension for a while before we become used to them. In actuality, God is in charge of EVERYTHING. "As Christians, we frequently assign everything good to God and everything terrible or evil to the devil," the author said. But nothing comes into being or takes place without at least having God's permission, which He then arranges for His beneficial purposes. Ouch! And at the same time, thank you. The main biblical story in which this book is based on Joseph's life and how it applies to a human setting where time and space are constraints on us as physical beings. These constraints often feel like they go on and on without any word or explanation from a Holy God. And yet, out of God's ability to see all and know all, things that appear evil and difficult and painful to us, can and do come around to a miraculous purpose for good.
The fact that there are no written guarantees that we will be able to fully comprehend God's intentions and deeds as His followers further makes this challenge more challenging. Our faith is strengthened and deepened by the times when we can "see," while it is also strengthened and strengthened by the fact that we cannot always fully understand God's intentions. It reminds me of Hebrews 11:1, which states, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for and conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11 covers these topics in their entirety.
My preconceived notions were stretched and warped by Steve's wisdom on such subjects. It demands an open mind and the will to explore novel ideas. But in essence, to become more like the Holy One, we must learn to be willing to let go of the law and allow our brains and hearts to expand. Open minds help us love ourselves, which in turn enables us to radiate and transmit this love to others, while also developing our faith to the point that we can believe in God even when things don't make sense. Open minds help us see our humanity and our shared humanity in this human predicament. Overall, this is a really good read that tells things just as they are without sugar coating or only revealing aspects of the Bible that favour us at a certain point in time.
This book has been much impressionable as it is informative and refreshing bringing new meaning to life. It has revealed a new and deeper truth to me about the ethos of the Christian faith. The author tells the hard truth that a lot of people are not willing to face up to – hard truths that also make us realise just how grand God is. Any fresh truth revelations, in my opinion, cause us to feel this tension for a while before we become used to them. In actuality, God is in charge of EVERYTHING. "As Christians, we frequently assign everything good to God and everything terrible or evil to the devil," the author said. But nothing comes into being or takes place without at least having God's permission, which He then arranges for His beneficial purposes. Ouch! And at the same time, thank you. The main biblical story in which this book is based on Joseph's life and how it applies to a human setting where time and space are constraints on us as physical beings. These constraints often feel like they go on and on without any word or explanation from a Holy God. And yet, out of God's ability to see all and know all, things that appear evil and difficult and painful to us, can and do come around to a miraculous purpose for good.
The fact that there are no written guarantees that we will be able to fully comprehend God's intentions and deeds as His followers further makes this challenge more challenging. Our faith is strengthened and deepened by the times when we can "see," while it is also strengthened and strengthened by the fact that we cannot always fully understand God's intentions. It reminds me of Hebrews 11:1, which states, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for and conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11 covers these topics in their entirety.
My preconceived notions were stretched and warped by Steve's wisdom on such subjects. It demands an open mind and the will to explore novel ideas. But in essence, to become more like the Holy One, we must learn to be willing to let go of the law and allow our brains and hearts to expand. Open minds help us love ourselves, which in turn enables us to radiate and transmit this love to others, while also developing our faith to the point that we can believe in God even when things don't make sense. Open minds help us see our humanity and our shared humanity in this human predicament. Overall, this is a really good read that tells things just as they are without sugar coating or only revealing aspects of the Bible that favour us at a certain point in time.
September 29, 2020
Useful but basic
This is a great book. It wont provide much for the reader who is maybe new in the faith. It WILL be helpful to the believer who could uses refresh on Joseph's story. For me, I needed the reminder of the 7 years blessed, and 7 Yeats tried. Its a great reminder to count your blessings. Tough times can and WILL come. Yet God has been kind enough to bless us first, you just need to ask yourself how much of the good in your life you've taken or are taking advantage of, trials will come, have you stored up your blessings to make it through?
This is a great book. It wont provide much for the reader who is maybe new in the faith. It WILL be helpful to the believer who could uses refresh on Joseph's story. For me, I needed the reminder of the 7 years blessed, and 7 Yeats tried. Its a great reminder to count your blessings. Tough times can and WILL come. Yet God has been kind enough to bless us first, you just need to ask yourself how much of the good in your life you've taken or are taking advantage of, trials will come, have you stored up your blessings to make it through?
June 29, 2022
A must read!!! Great author!!!
April 10, 2013
I am not sure if I enjoyed this book because Steve Farrar is a great writer, or because it addressed something that I have been wrestling with for quite some time now. I think it's both. This was indeed a timely and timeless read.
Steve Farrar takes the reader through the familiar story of Joseph and helps us to discover a not-so-familiar truth, that God is ALWAYS in control. He is in control of every single thing (positive and negative) that happens in my life. God is in control both over the good and the evil in the world. As hard to swallow as that pill may be, it has to be swallowed, for only then can we realize the healing and freedom that comes from knowing God is in control.
I enjoyed every page of this book. I could barely put it down. I have learnt not to walk in regret or resentment over my own failures or negative circumstances. By constantly reminding me about the providence of God, Farrar has encouraged me to walk in obedience, forgetting what is past and maintaining my faith stride.
Disappointments in life are really His appointments, and we must all learn to meet every obstacle with gratitude and praise. "God Built" was a great read. This is definitely not the last time I'll be reading this book. It has earned a treasured spot on my bookshelf.
Thank you LORD, for reminding me through these words that you are there, you care and you are in control.
Steve Farrar takes the reader through the familiar story of Joseph and helps us to discover a not-so-familiar truth, that God is ALWAYS in control. He is in control of every single thing (positive and negative) that happens in my life. God is in control both over the good and the evil in the world. As hard to swallow as that pill may be, it has to be swallowed, for only then can we realize the healing and freedom that comes from knowing God is in control.
I enjoyed every page of this book. I could barely put it down. I have learnt not to walk in regret or resentment over my own failures or negative circumstances. By constantly reminding me about the providence of God, Farrar has encouraged me to walk in obedience, forgetting what is past and maintaining my faith stride.
Disappointments in life are really His appointments, and we must all learn to meet every obstacle with gratitude and praise. "God Built" was a great read. This is definitely not the last time I'll be reading this book. It has earned a treasured spot on my bookshelf.
Thank you LORD, for reminding me through these words that you are there, you care and you are in control.
April 6, 2013
Steve Farrar is one of my favorite "men's authors" - I've always appreciated his writing style in that he shares hard truths in a consumable, well researched, challenging, yet personable engaging way.
This particular book caught me by surprise in that the entire theme is providence; God's providence (not his normal "men's book"). It's a doctrine that has been largely ignored in today's church. Farrar uses Joseph's life to illustrate the various aspects of providence and God's sovereignty, yet he wisely does so without invoking the Calvanist/Armenian debate. He tackles the concepts of evil, 9/11, pain and loss head-on but at the same with sensitivity. He is clear, through scripture in his thinking but not dogmatic and arrogant in his delivery (as so many are in these topics).
An interesting aside was that he (likely unintentionally) contrasts Francis Chan's concept of calling. Chan argues, for example, that if we say "we were called to live here or there" yet there is no perceptible impact to that neighborhood, city, job, etc. have we really been called? Farrar says that God orchestrates all the components of our lives and uses them for his glory according to His plan. I'd love to hear these two guys discuss/debate that concept.
Long story short, it's a good (easy - in the sense that it is accessible by all) read that reminds us that God is firmly in control.
This particular book caught me by surprise in that the entire theme is providence; God's providence (not his normal "men's book"). It's a doctrine that has been largely ignored in today's church. Farrar uses Joseph's life to illustrate the various aspects of providence and God's sovereignty, yet he wisely does so without invoking the Calvanist/Armenian debate. He tackles the concepts of evil, 9/11, pain and loss head-on but at the same with sensitivity. He is clear, through scripture in his thinking but not dogmatic and arrogant in his delivery (as so many are in these topics).
An interesting aside was that he (likely unintentionally) contrasts Francis Chan's concept of calling. Chan argues, for example, that if we say "we were called to live here or there" yet there is no perceptible impact to that neighborhood, city, job, etc. have we really been called? Farrar says that God orchestrates all the components of our lives and uses them for his glory according to His plan. I'd love to hear these two guys discuss/debate that concept.
Long story short, it's a good (easy - in the sense that it is accessible by all) read that reminds us that God is firmly in control.
April 1, 2015
Though the book began in a way that I felt uncomfortable with, kind of a smart-Alecky jokester way, it soon became enjoyable and ended being a book I could really recommend to anyone, but especially someone young in the Lord or one needing encouragement.
The book takes the Bible Joseph from the Old Testament and embellishes his life in the writers way of a modern kind of speech. He does take off from time to time to go on short examples of other Christians known famously throughout history that add to the main theme.
God does know what He is doing. God does care about you. God does move events when He is ready. God does move events when you are ready.
God is great! God is good! He wants you to know that, and use you to show that to others through your life.
There are a few real gems here. It isn't a great book destined for historic reference, but I am glad I got to listen to the audio version.
We all need encouragement from time to time.
The book takes the Bible Joseph from the Old Testament and embellishes his life in the writers way of a modern kind of speech. He does take off from time to time to go on short examples of other Christians known famously throughout history that add to the main theme.
God does know what He is doing. God does care about you. God does move events when He is ready. God does move events when you are ready.
God is great! God is good! He wants you to know that, and use you to show that to others through your life.
There are a few real gems here. It isn't a great book destined for historic reference, but I am glad I got to listen to the audio version.
We all need encouragement from time to time.
November 10, 2010
Steve Farrar uses the story of Joseph and all he went through to get home his point that God can take things that we view as bad and use them for His good. Farrar goes even one step further saying that all things that happen to us are ordained by God, including the things we view as bad or even evil. These things are for our own good in the long run. My men's Bible study group did this book and it brought up a lot of discussion. The questions at the end of each chapter are good for that. Just couldn't get on board with God ordaining evil leaders or doing evil things.
Read
August 3, 2011This book has some interesting stories in it as anecdote for his teachings. Unfortunately, the author has a tendency to repeat himself over and over. To some, this may appear as him enforcing his message, but it more closely resembles reading the same lesson 10 or 12 times with a different anecdote. In fact, anecdotes are used so often along with quotes from other authors that there is little of this book that is uniquely the author's. Overall, not a bad book if you are developing a study series, but I would still recommend condensing this book's content by a factor of 4 or 5.
July 13, 2013
This is the first book I've read by Steve Farrar that wasn't related to family or manhood. I've enjoyed the other books he has written and this one is no exception. This one talked about the providence of God and how God works in our lives, often in ways that we do not understand. Steve used the life of Joseph as the foundation of his teaching. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is going through a time where we don't understand what God is trying to do.
November 25, 2013
Joseph… Joseph… Joseph!
One of those difficult-to-drop-untill-you-get-to-last-page reads.
Every page drips with time-tasted truths. Truths that we are wont to ignore & forget, especially when faced with the cross-providence(s) of God.
Will read it over again & again until i'm able to commit all of its truth to me.
I strongly recommend this title to all going through one form of trial or the other… and to all who WILL go through one tomorrow.
One of those difficult-to-drop-untill-you-get-to-last-page reads.
Every page drips with time-tasted truths. Truths that we are wont to ignore & forget, especially when faced with the cross-providence(s) of God.
Will read it over again & again until i'm able to commit all of its truth to me.
I strongly recommend this title to all going through one form of trial or the other… and to all who WILL go through one tomorrow.
January 30, 2013
Good book on understanding how much God is in control of this world using the example of Joseph as a case in point. The author is very passionate about the fact God is in absolute control of both the good and the bad that happens in our lives. He does occasionally belabour the point which is a bit annoying. I do however enjoy all the examples that he uses to build his case.
March 31, 2013
Very well written. Popular Christian men's author Farrar describes how God uses trials to forge a man's character. I came across it free on Amazon Kindle -- glad I found it! I recommend it even if it costs a few dollars. Very uplifting -- targeted to men.
April 4, 2013
Really enjoyed this book, help put things in perspective. Recommend this for every Christian. I have re-read this several times over the past couple years.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2024
Very good book on Joseph - still relevant for men today... well worth a read.
December 30, 2014
Some good thoughts but could have been a lot shorter
August 12, 2015
This is a book I'll read several times. Very encouraging.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews