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What's Inside: Finding the Right One in Light of the Beatitudes
When the divorce rate of professing Christians mirrors that of an unbelieving world, something is terribly wrong. Often that “something” dates back to the selection process itself. Sadly many singles make the fatal error of looking on the outside rather than the heart.
Be Prepared to Discover:
• God’s role of the father through the selection process;
• How to apply our Lord’s eight beatitudes to discern the presence of a spiritual heartbeat;
• Four ways the single life can best advance the kingdom of God;
• How to be proactive in finding the right one.
• How to have full-assurance that you are the right one. .
What’s Inside is a must read for every Christian parent and single person seeking God’s will for a happy marriage.
Be Prepared to Discover:
• God’s role of the father through the selection process;
• How to apply our Lord’s eight beatitudes to discern the presence of a spiritual heartbeat;
• Four ways the single life can best advance the kingdom of God;
• How to be proactive in finding the right one.
• How to have full-assurance that you are the right one. .
What’s Inside is a must read for every Christian parent and single person seeking God’s will for a happy marriage.
- GenresFaith
227 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2015
3 people are currently reading
273 people want to read
About the author
Donald Thomas
9 books3 followersDonald Thomas served as a pastor-teacher for the past forty years. He received a Master’s Degree from Talbot Theological Seminary and a J.D. from John Marshall Law School. He practiced law in California and was a professor at the Simon Greenleaf School of Law. He and his wife Mary have seven grown children and twenty-three grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 20, 2018
This is an excellent book full of biblical advice and personal stories. It is particularly useful for singles as they look forward to finding "the right one."
November 9, 2018
Excellent book!
July 20, 2015
The Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:2-11, famously open the Lord Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and contain key characteristics found in the truly born again believer. In "What's Inside", Author Donald Thomas focuses on the premise that these Beatitude qualities can be invaluable, God-given guides in the decision-making process of any Christian man or woman seeking a Godly spouse. Thomas makes a strong biblical case that if you want a truly "blessed" marriage featuring a God-honoring, Christ-centered home and family life, you would do well to hold potential marriage partners up to the measuring stick of the Beatitudes.
"What's Inside" has exegetical and Theological depth and is yet winsome and wholly accessible to the average reader. The book has an easy flow with each Beatitude given its own full chapter. Pastor Thomas' writing is full of personal and relational anecdotes that make the reader feel they are enjoying a conversation with the author at the dinner table.
The life-giving Gospel is rightfully and necessarily woven throughout this book as the author seamlessly demonstrates how it permeates the Christian life and provides firm-footing and constancy in every aspect of the courtship process. In this Gospel-centered vein, Chapter 3 "Marry a Believer" provides a practical outline of the recognizable elements of a true Christian confession of faith (pg.31-32). Similarly, Chapter 6, "Marry the Sad" (Matthew 5:4) holds a particularly instructive discussion of the contrast between the God-given true repentance that not only leads to salvation but is also a hallmark of the daily lives of those being sanctified in the Spirit vs. the worldly sorrow, rationalization, and excusing of sin common in the lives of unbelievers.
A major theme in "What's Inside" is the importance of protective, prayerful, and loving parental involvement throughout a child's upbringing, courtship, and marriage decision. Specifically, Thomas uses scripture and context to underscore the paramount importance of the Father's role as a strong, wise, Christ-centered leader of his family. Thomas asserts that the Father, in loving biblical fashion, is to be instrumental in the guidance and protection of his children as he helps them to make God-honoring choices in courtship resulting in a strong, healthy Christian marriage. Often, Appendices are overlooked but be sure to take a look in this book as they offer further information and discussion on the church's current understanding of the paternal role in courtship within the interpretation and application of 1 Corinthians 7:36-38.
It's refreshing to note that while many today dismiss, compromise,and twist the Word in an attempt to be more 'modern' or palatable, Thomas maintains a resolute faithfulness to Scripture. With confident assurance, "What's inside" reiterates that God's Word is timeless, realistic, and practical in all matters pertaining to family, courtship, and marriage.
What's Inside is a wonderfully insightful and instructive resource. I would recommend it as a valuable read for Christian singles; their parents, grandparents, pastors, relatives, and friends. In addition, any member of the church family who influences teaches, and counsels youth would also most certainly benefit from this book's practical and easily relayed content as well.
In conclusion, I will add that this reading this book has a dual effect. Yes, it promises and delivers advice, insight, and biblical application for courtship and the marriage decision but in addition, the reader will find that they are held up to the Beatitude mirror as well; a convicting exercise and a good, healthy spiritual test of the faith.
"What's Inside" has exegetical and Theological depth and is yet winsome and wholly accessible to the average reader. The book has an easy flow with each Beatitude given its own full chapter. Pastor Thomas' writing is full of personal and relational anecdotes that make the reader feel they are enjoying a conversation with the author at the dinner table.
The life-giving Gospel is rightfully and necessarily woven throughout this book as the author seamlessly demonstrates how it permeates the Christian life and provides firm-footing and constancy in every aspect of the courtship process. In this Gospel-centered vein, Chapter 3 "Marry a Believer" provides a practical outline of the recognizable elements of a true Christian confession of faith (pg.31-32). Similarly, Chapter 6, "Marry the Sad" (Matthew 5:4) holds a particularly instructive discussion of the contrast between the God-given true repentance that not only leads to salvation but is also a hallmark of the daily lives of those being sanctified in the Spirit vs. the worldly sorrow, rationalization, and excusing of sin common in the lives of unbelievers.
A major theme in "What's Inside" is the importance of protective, prayerful, and loving parental involvement throughout a child's upbringing, courtship, and marriage decision. Specifically, Thomas uses scripture and context to underscore the paramount importance of the Father's role as a strong, wise, Christ-centered leader of his family. Thomas asserts that the Father, in loving biblical fashion, is to be instrumental in the guidance and protection of his children as he helps them to make God-honoring choices in courtship resulting in a strong, healthy Christian marriage. Often, Appendices are overlooked but be sure to take a look in this book as they offer further information and discussion on the church's current understanding of the paternal role in courtship within the interpretation and application of 1 Corinthians 7:36-38.
It's refreshing to note that while many today dismiss, compromise,and twist the Word in an attempt to be more 'modern' or palatable, Thomas maintains a resolute faithfulness to Scripture. With confident assurance, "What's inside" reiterates that God's Word is timeless, realistic, and practical in all matters pertaining to family, courtship, and marriage.
What's Inside is a wonderfully insightful and instructive resource. I would recommend it as a valuable read for Christian singles; their parents, grandparents, pastors, relatives, and friends. In addition, any member of the church family who influences teaches, and counsels youth would also most certainly benefit from this book's practical and easily relayed content as well.
In conclusion, I will add that this reading this book has a dual effect. Yes, it promises and delivers advice, insight, and biblical application for courtship and the marriage decision but in addition, the reader will find that they are held up to the Beatitude mirror as well; a convicting exercise and a good, healthy spiritual test of the faith.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews