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Living a Mighty Faith: A Simple Heart and a Powerful Faith
A simple potato farmer with a mighty faith and a willing heart—God steps in and changes everything, just like He can do for you. Internationally bestselling author and ministry leader Angus Buchan is the author of Faith Like Potatoes and the founder of Mighty Men Conferences, which have drawn more than 500,000 attendees to Buchan’s Shalom Farm Ministry in South Africa, with additional Mighty Men Conferences drawing thousands more worldwide. Although Buchan speaks to thousands all over the world, he and his wife, Jill, are simple potato farmers who know what it means to allow God to do more through them than they could ever imagine. They founded Beth-Hatlaim, a ministry that aims to provide a permanent home for children who have been abandoned or orphaned, with no known relatives. Buchan travels and leads crusades similar to the likes of Billy Graham. This 365-day devotional will help you see what God can do in your life when you believe big and open your heart. Devotions focus on sharing your faith, serving others, and becoming a little more like Jesus each day.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published April 12, 2016
18 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Angus Buchan
64 books26 followersANGUS & JILL BUCHAN
Jill and I found Jesus as our personal Lord and Saviour on the 18th of February 1979, just two years after settling in Greytown, Kwa-Zulu Natal Midlands, South Africa. Originally from Zambia, we bought a piece of land on which we planned to farm crops and livestock. We had very little to start with but even as brand new Christians, we were content with our farm, which we later called SHALOM.
In 1980, the Lord gave us a vision - very simply and clearly, through His Word. We believed our responsibility to be the following:
The Great Commission - Mark 16:15
Caring for Orphans and Widows - James 1:27
Equipping Saints for the Work of Ministry - Matthew 28:20
Everything undertaken at Shalom embraces this threefold vision and Shalom has become home to a community of families and believers who live and work as a team.
Jill and I found Jesus as our personal Lord and Saviour on the 18th of February 1979, just two years after settling in Greytown, Kwa-Zulu Natal Midlands, South Africa. Originally from Zambia, we bought a piece of land on which we planned to farm crops and livestock. We had very little to start with but even as brand new Christians, we were content with our farm, which we later called SHALOM.
In 1980, the Lord gave us a vision - very simply and clearly, through His Word. We believed our responsibility to be the following:
The Great Commission - Mark 16:15
Caring for Orphans and Widows - James 1:27
Equipping Saints for the Work of Ministry - Matthew 28:20
Everything undertaken at Shalom embraces this threefold vision and Shalom has become home to a community of families and believers who live and work as a team.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 27, 2016
[Note: This book was provided free of charge by BookLook/Thomas Nelson Publisher in exchange for an honest review.]
While in some ways this book is a fairly ordinary devotional [1], organized around a one-page devotional for each day of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with the date, a title for the devotional, a single verse of the Bible, and a commentary that goes on for about 300 words or so that discusses history, personal experience, or some kind of fairly commonplace and superficial biblical commentary, and a short prayer for the reader, in other ways this book is full of surprises. The author is a farmer with a passion for mentoring young leaders, and happens to be of Scottish descent but one of the European farmers of Southern and Central Africa who has likely found their status beleaguered in the post-independence world of black Africa. Although I had never heard of his previous writing before, he apparently wrote a memoir called Faith Like Potatoes that was turned into a film of the same name and that has given him a certain status of minor celebrity within certain Christian circles. As is common among writers, the author shows himself to have a set of consistent concerns he returns to over and over again—the need for forgiveness in believers, the combination of the reality of unearned grace and unmerited pardon for believers who repent but the need for Christians to live in holiness and obedience to God, the need to overcome worry and anxiety, a devotion to love and encouragement in dealing with family, a concern for the missionary and evangelistic work belonging to all believers, and a stark preference for practical Christianity than theoretical and intellectual faith.
What is particularly surprising about this book, though, is that it is more than merely a fairly standard evangelical devotional, but it offers something that is striking if more than a little complex in nature. Part of the complexity of the author’s belief in practice can be understood by nothing that the author is the founder of Shalom Ministries and the Beth-Hatlaim home for orphaned children. The recognition of the Hebraic content of these names for his ministry is furthered by the author’s discussion of the Sabbath and his statement that he had attended the Feast of Tabernacles in Israel (61) and had a somewhat mystical experience when hearing the Torah read for the first time at a synagogue. Yet at the same time the author speaks of going to heaven when one does, celebrates Christmas happily, and speaks also about the tendency of believers to compartmentalize their faith by limiting it to Sunday churchgoing. As a result, despite the author’s claims to be hostile to doctrinal compromise, he appears to have one foot in the world of traditional antinomian evangelical Christianity and one foot in the world of Messianic Judaism, without conscious awareness of the fundamental division and incompatibility between those two houses.
The result is a book that is worthy of some admiration, and also some criticism. The author’s appeal to black and white matters and a simplicity of approach is likely to be more appealing than writing that is cerebral and intellectual, but the result is a set of sometimes repetitive and often disorganized reflections that do not take the time to show any kind of depth. The fact that the book is nearly 400 pages as it is suggests a desire on the part of the author not to make his book any longer, and that is certainly easy enough to understand, but stringing together related concerns into a sustained discussion would have made this a far deeper work. Although the author’s straightforward preaching may appeal to some, and may make this book a bestseller, especially as a gift to others who might read it leisurely over the course of a year, many would-be readers would also take a read of this book and long for something more than strident altar calls and frequently self-referential writing that appears often a bit too much like bragging and false modesty, but would wish for something approaching self-criticism and heartfelt personal reflection. Perhaps that is expecting too much, though, of a book like this.
[1] See, for example:
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While in some ways this book is a fairly ordinary devotional [1], organized around a one-page devotional for each day of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with the date, a title for the devotional, a single verse of the Bible, and a commentary that goes on for about 300 words or so that discusses history, personal experience, or some kind of fairly commonplace and superficial biblical commentary, and a short prayer for the reader, in other ways this book is full of surprises. The author is a farmer with a passion for mentoring young leaders, and happens to be of Scottish descent but one of the European farmers of Southern and Central Africa who has likely found their status beleaguered in the post-independence world of black Africa. Although I had never heard of his previous writing before, he apparently wrote a memoir called Faith Like Potatoes that was turned into a film of the same name and that has given him a certain status of minor celebrity within certain Christian circles. As is common among writers, the author shows himself to have a set of consistent concerns he returns to over and over again—the need for forgiveness in believers, the combination of the reality of unearned grace and unmerited pardon for believers who repent but the need for Christians to live in holiness and obedience to God, the need to overcome worry and anxiety, a devotion to love and encouragement in dealing with family, a concern for the missionary and evangelistic work belonging to all believers, and a stark preference for practical Christianity than theoretical and intellectual faith.
What is particularly surprising about this book, though, is that it is more than merely a fairly standard evangelical devotional, but it offers something that is striking if more than a little complex in nature. Part of the complexity of the author’s belief in practice can be understood by nothing that the author is the founder of Shalom Ministries and the Beth-Hatlaim home for orphaned children. The recognition of the Hebraic content of these names for his ministry is furthered by the author’s discussion of the Sabbath and his statement that he had attended the Feast of Tabernacles in Israel (61) and had a somewhat mystical experience when hearing the Torah read for the first time at a synagogue. Yet at the same time the author speaks of going to heaven when one does, celebrates Christmas happily, and speaks also about the tendency of believers to compartmentalize their faith by limiting it to Sunday churchgoing. As a result, despite the author’s claims to be hostile to doctrinal compromise, he appears to have one foot in the world of traditional antinomian evangelical Christianity and one foot in the world of Messianic Judaism, without conscious awareness of the fundamental division and incompatibility between those two houses.
The result is a book that is worthy of some admiration, and also some criticism. The author’s appeal to black and white matters and a simplicity of approach is likely to be more appealing than writing that is cerebral and intellectual, but the result is a set of sometimes repetitive and often disorganized reflections that do not take the time to show any kind of depth. The fact that the book is nearly 400 pages as it is suggests a desire on the part of the author not to make his book any longer, and that is certainly easy enough to understand, but stringing together related concerns into a sustained discussion would have made this a far deeper work. Although the author’s straightforward preaching may appeal to some, and may make this book a bestseller, especially as a gift to others who might read it leisurely over the course of a year, many would-be readers would also take a read of this book and long for something more than strident altar calls and frequently self-referential writing that appears often a bit too much like bragging and false modesty, but would wish for something approaching self-criticism and heartfelt personal reflection. Perhaps that is expecting too much, though, of a book like this.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
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May 9, 2023
As far as devotionals are concerned, this one was really good. However, while I don’t recall a single thing that I disagreed with him on, I still wish there was more depth. I know it’s a devotional and not the Bible so it is obviously going to be a lighter read, but I’m looking for the kind of devotional that packs a punch. This is why I gave it 4 stars.
Every day has a scripture that coincides with the devotion itself and at the end theres a short and sweet prayer. I liked how he incorporated men and women from centuries ago and talked about what they did for Christ and His kingdom on the earth, there were quite a few I had never heard about or didn’t know by name. I plan to keep this as a coffee table book but I doubt I would throw it into my daily time with the Lord again. I highly recommend this as a good and biblically sound devotional for kids and adults.
Every day has a scripture that coincides with the devotion itself and at the end theres a short and sweet prayer. I liked how he incorporated men and women from centuries ago and talked about what they did for Christ and His kingdom on the earth, there were quite a few I had never heard about or didn’t know by name. I plan to keep this as a coffee table book but I doubt I would throw it into my daily time with the Lord again. I highly recommend this as a good and biblically sound devotional for kids and adults.
April 9, 2016
About the Book:
Internationally bestselling author, evangelist, and ministry leader Angus Buchan helps believers discover what God can do through them in this 365-day devotional.
Internationally bestselling author and ministry leader Angus Buchan is the founder of Mighty Men Conferences, which have drawn more than 600,000 attendees to Buchan’s Shalom Farm Ministry in South Africa, with additional Mighty Men Conferences drawing thousands more worldwide.
Buchan has nearly 350,000 followers on Facebook, and his book Faith Like Potatoes was made into a DVD that was released in the US in 2009. His books and DVDs have sold more than 1 million copies.
Living a Mighty Faith is Angus Buchan’s new 365-day devotional. Each devotion focuses on the topics of telling people about Jesus, serving others, building strong families, and helping believers lead faithful, joy-filled lives.
Buchan’s simple, down-to-earth writing style makes this a perfect gift for any man or woman who wants a practical, heartfelt devotional.
My Review:
We have family devotions every night. I love a good devotional. Living A Mighty Faith gives me and my family some really good "bread" before heading off to bed each night. So Living a Mighty Faith has enough devotional entries for an entire year. each one is based on Scripture and is one page long. Complete with incite and encouragement and a sprinkling of inspiration each devotion is thorough and gets to the point quickly. It could definitely become an add on to a very thorough Bible study.
I liked the short concise lessons on each day. It gives you a lot of good things to think about and consider. I was happy to see that it tries to retrain my way of thinking to think how God sees us. Great DEVO!
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the author.
Internationally bestselling author, evangelist, and ministry leader Angus Buchan helps believers discover what God can do through them in this 365-day devotional.
Internationally bestselling author and ministry leader Angus Buchan is the founder of Mighty Men Conferences, which have drawn more than 600,000 attendees to Buchan’s Shalom Farm Ministry in South Africa, with additional Mighty Men Conferences drawing thousands more worldwide.
Buchan has nearly 350,000 followers on Facebook, and his book Faith Like Potatoes was made into a DVD that was released in the US in 2009. His books and DVDs have sold more than 1 million copies.
Living a Mighty Faith is Angus Buchan’s new 365-day devotional. Each devotion focuses on the topics of telling people about Jesus, serving others, building strong families, and helping believers lead faithful, joy-filled lives.
Buchan’s simple, down-to-earth writing style makes this a perfect gift for any man or woman who wants a practical, heartfelt devotional.
My Review:
We have family devotions every night. I love a good devotional. Living A Mighty Faith gives me and my family some really good "bread" before heading off to bed each night. So Living a Mighty Faith has enough devotional entries for an entire year. each one is based on Scripture and is one page long. Complete with incite and encouragement and a sprinkling of inspiration each devotion is thorough and gets to the point quickly. It could definitely become an add on to a very thorough Bible study.
I liked the short concise lessons on each day. It gives you a lot of good things to think about and consider. I was happy to see that it tries to retrain my way of thinking to think how God sees us. Great DEVO!
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the author.
December 19, 2017
Living a Mighty Faith: A Simple Heart and a Powerful Faith is a 365-day devotional by Angus Buchan, a speaker, potato farmer, and author of Faith Like Potatoes. Some of my favorite devotionals from the book were Fight Your Fear, Two Are Better Than One, and The Parable of the Lost Son. Each of the page-long devotions is brief enough to read and reflect on within a few minutes, but long enough to contain rich substance. Each devotion is also based on a particular verse and contains a heartfelt prayer.
Through the passages, Buchan dispenses advice, such as in his devotion based on Proverbs 10:12, when he says, “If you’re having a problem with your spouse, with your children, or with your parents, dig that hole, bury that offense, and walk away. Love unconditionally. The time we have on earth is too short to carry grudges.”
I think that reading this book would be an enjoyable way to start or end the day. The book contains a nice variety of topics, such as confronting hardship, having humility, and investing in heavenly things. I like how the book contains some blank lined pages at the end for note-keeping, and I’m glad that each devotion is labeled with a particular day (such as “November 3”).
*I received this book for review*
Through the passages, Buchan dispenses advice, such as in his devotion based on Proverbs 10:12, when he says, “If you’re having a problem with your spouse, with your children, or with your parents, dig that hole, bury that offense, and walk away. Love unconditionally. The time we have on earth is too short to carry grudges.”
I think that reading this book would be an enjoyable way to start or end the day. The book contains a nice variety of topics, such as confronting hardship, having humility, and investing in heavenly things. I like how the book contains some blank lined pages at the end for note-keeping, and I’m glad that each devotion is labeled with a particular day (such as “November 3”).
*I received this book for review*
April 29, 2016
I recevied a complimentary copy.
I enjoy a good devotional and this one covers the full year. It has all the basic topics and prayers included to make the book easy to follow and read in daily increments. Everything was easy to understand and I think that if you are strong in faith and would like to spend some time each day getting closer to God, this book will help.
I enjoy a good devotional and this one covers the full year. It has all the basic topics and prayers included to make the book easy to follow and read in daily increments. Everything was easy to understand and I think that if you are strong in faith and would like to spend some time each day getting closer to God, this book will help.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews