God's Timing for Your Life: Seeing the Seasons of Your Life Through God's Eyes

by Dutch Sheets

Best selling author Dutch Sheets will inspire and encourage readers with this clear, revelatory study of God's appointed times and seasons. Going beyond the basic definitions of kairos and chronos, Dutch brings fresh insight to the subject, examining Scripture to show how kairos (strategic) times and chronos (general) times are not two separate and unrelated seasons in our lives but rather, are often simply different phases of the same process. Dutch looks at how God brought about His divine shift in the lives of men and women throughout the Bible, and the many ways in which God used these seasons of change to deepen His people's understanding of Him.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction

64 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 2001

About the author

Dutch Sheets is an internationally recognized author, gifted teacher, and conference speaker. He travels extensively, challenging believers for passionate prayer and societal reformation. Seeing America experience a sweeping revival and return to its Godly heritage is Dutch’s greatest passion. He is a messenger of hope for America, encouraging believers to contend for awakening. Dutch has written over 23 books, many of which have been translated into over 30 languages. His international bestseller, Intercessory Prayer, has sold over 1 million copies worldwide. Dutch has pastored, taught in several colleges and seminaries, and served on the board of directors of numerous organizations. He is fondly known to many as Papa Dutch. Treasuring time spent with their family and grandchildren. Dutch and Ceci, his wife of 40 plus years, enjoy quiet walks in the woods, reading, and playing a little golf. They make their home in beautiful South Carolina.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd read this very short book a number of years ago quite quickly. This time I took my time, almost as a devotional, and let myself really think about what I was reading. One thing that I particularly like about Dutch Sheets' writing is that he makes a point of explaining the Hebrew (and/or Greek) roots for key words as he goes along. This one is no different. There are three words for timing used throughout the book: chronos - or chronological time, kairos - or opportune time and pleroma - or fullness of time. He then goes on to explain that we need to recognize what "time" we're in and speaks to what we need to do with that "time" to gain the most benefit.

[Shaun Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This tiny little book provided a really easy and quick read! Weighing in at 60-odd pages, it is highly accessible and pitched at charismatic non-readers. I really enjoyed the many illustrations, though I doubted the veracity of some of them, which were probably more anecdotal.

I felt that some of the personal accounts could have been further elaborated, for example, I wondered what was the outcome of the rumours resulting in 40% of his congregation leaving on pages 30-1. I also felt that his excessive use of Greek undermined the utility of the book, because bible scholars with a working knowledge of Greek and Hebrew would often stick to explaining in english for the layperson to understand; it is often those who know little biblical languages that tend to cite word after word after word of Greek and Hebrew.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first book I've read by Dutch Sheets.

At first, I wasn't connecting with his writing. I recognize that authors and pastors have different voices. I think I was expecting more of an emotional and practical approach from this book, but I think it felt merely factual.

Dutch Sheets used some story illustrations (and he attempted humour in places).

There were a lot of word studies and what they mean in relation to His timing for our lives. I appreciated the word studies, but I think it's also what made this book feel 'dry,' if you will. It is absolutely important, and it is good to have context. Perhaps the length of this book hindered the potential for further exploration beyond the word studies, as this is a pretty slim book. I think I was just looking for more from this, or at least to connect with it more.

Overall, I did enjoy the book, and I would recommend it. I think it will be a great resource for future reference.

[Glenn Crouch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easy-to-read little book that takes a good look at how God's timing works. Each of the 5 chapters does end with some questions for further thought, so this lends itself easily to group study.

Whilst I am not a big fan of the way the Author often uses Scripture verses ignoring their context, nor do am I entirely comfortable with the way he uses Greek words (as he seems to assumes that their meaning is far more fixed than they are in any natural language), I really did enjoy his effective use of anecdotes :)

Overall I did find this small book to be encouraging, and it did give me a few things to think about :)

[C.A. Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listen to Dutch Sheets' "Give Him Fifteen," and he recently quoted a passage from here that made me aware of the book. There wasn't anything really brand new in the pages, but it was a good scriptural reminder.

[Mark Merris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short book, easy to read and follow. Encouraging to know that God has a way to transition us but humbling to know we can miss out if we are not prepared and walking in faith.

[Cedric Dukes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book to understand God’s timing in your life. There is a time of preparation prior to getting to your desired destination. He outlines those easy steps to help you to stay on track.

[Dharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

One I'll keep to read again and again. Such great insights!

[Kari G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy fast read. The first 3 chapters especially relevant to anyone who has gone through a big change recently and is in a stage where we feel 'stuck'. Helps knowing that this stage is really just God's preparation for the big things He has coming, and we will eventually exit the 'chronos' stage and enter into 'kairos' and then fullness.
Loved the Greek words used throughout.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight for anyone at a transition point in their life.

Great insight for anyone at a transition point in their life. God's wisdom is revealed through these pages. Thanks to Dutch for writing this book.

[David]

Another timely read for understanding the season you are in.

[Leepq · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the idea of chronos and kairos!