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The Stream: Refreshing Hearts and Minds, Renewing Freedom's Blessings

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The Stream provides the refreshing life-giving water that must begin to flow freely if we are to restore freedom and rebuild America before it’s too late. Robison’s focus for 2016 and beyond is the restoration of the Christian faith and the renewal of an America whose foundations have eroded. The Stream charts a clear path to personal revival and spiritual revolution in our culture, values, morals, and in government.

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 11, 2018

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About the author

James Robison

98 books19 followers
James Robison is an American televangelist and the founder and President of the Christian relief organization Life Outreach International.

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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
50 reviews5 followers
July 26, 2016
James Robison, along with his wife Betty, are Christian television hosts based in the Dallas area. Their program, Life Today, can be seen on a host of Christian radio networks. The ministry of Life Today is primarily targeted at helping those (especially children) living in abject poverty in Third World Nations across the globe.
Life Today feeds these children, as well as digs wells to provide steady supplies of water to the children.

This life giving ministry makes James and Betty Robison giant heroes of faith in my book.

James, additionally, is a great American patriot. For 40 years, or more, he has become one of America's greatest evangelical political commentators. He is an expert on our Founding Fathers and has a clear understanding of what intentions drove our founding fathers and Constitutional framers. His position is solid, without compromise and righteous.

"The Stream" is reflective of those Judeo-Christsian beliefs, and Robison does his usual good job in communicating his beliefs and opinions. What an appropriate release for an election season. I just pray that this book reach the masses during these final months of the 2016 campaign season.

This Ten part book is divided into 40 chapters. Early on, he addresses "Mobocracy in the Heartland", a commentary on racial tensions born out of Ferguson, as well as similar tensions in the time of Lincoln. Our nation is on a collision course to repeat history in the horrid condition of racial tension and unrest.

Part Two addresses the fact that a fourth spiritual awakening is our nation's only hope. We need what Robison calls a "Bottom-up, Inside-out Internal change". Furthermore, he maintains, we need to relearn the importance of gratitude and are in dire need of a return to wisdom.

According to James Robison, evil must be fought, laws must be just, and we need a smaller government that makes for larger citizens. He continues that not only do "black lives matter", but EVERY LIFE MATTERS.

America's only hope is "...the hope for freedom and the only true hope for the world. It is the transforming power of gospel truth demonstrated by changed lives and delivered by Spirit-filled believers. As His people called by his name come together in brokenness and humility, turning from all of our indifference and wicked ways, our Lord Almighty Creator will hear from heaven and will forgive us, cover us, and heal the people and our land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

I received a hard copy of this fine book as an advanced readers copy (ARC) from the publisher (Worthy Publishing) in exchange for an honest and timely review. And as a result, I commend this book to you. There are no other expectations between the publisher, author, and this reviewer. This review will be published on Goodreads.com, Amazon.com, and my blog, jonreviewsbooks1.wordpress.com.
Profile Image for Yonasan  Aryeh.
247 reviews3 followers
July 29, 2016
This book opens with a score of endorsements, which normally bodes quite well for the book in question. In this case, one must wonder if the author intentionally chose these individuals or if they were selected by the publisher, as some endorsements, such as Fox News and Ben Carson, really should not be found in any book that is a serious theological discussion. It does, however, help one realize that this is not so much a book of personal encouragement, as the cover and title would suggest, but rather a political entreaty in which the reader is led through the argument that America's moral base is failing and that spirituality needs to be restored in the American government. Many evangelicals will find this book works great with their worldview and add it to their queue. Robinson opens with discussing the healing America needs, then focusing on the spiritual awakening he presents in his thesis, and evaluates many evangelical issues with the current governmental system. He concludes that America needs to be great again, and that can only be accomplished via renewal and revival.

The author writes very clearly with a persuasive tone to argue for his approach, and many will be swayed by his ability to great a moving argument. He spins Scripture into the mix to argue his point home with evangelicals. However, his view is slanted and wrong. I am not getting into the politics of the issue, but specifically the view on wealth. Robinson argues that "prosperity teachers" have valid points with blessing children. As a covenantal Jew and a parent myself, I must correct this inaccuracy. The promises to Israel do not extend to the church (even progressive dispensationalists agree) and never will, and as a parent I do not "bless" my children with wealth, because that is bad parenting. Wealth does not build character or help a person. Money where needed does, but wealth does not. Health, family, and relationships are good, but wealth can be destructive. Robinson's early admission of arguing for Chrisitan prosperity is damning evidence against his theological base and ability to accurately interpret Scripture.

I cannot, in good faith or moral fiber, endorse this book. I didn't even read the whole thing, simply because I cannot trust a rich preacher to be accurate to the word of HaShem. While Robinson is correct about the change in America with increased violence, the argument to make America great again is unfounded, simply because it never was great in the first place - America is simply a modern nation with the same struggles as the rest of the world, and doomed to die not because of failure, but because that's how prophecy works: what is written will come to pass, and there is no "America" in Revelation.

Disclosure: I have received a reviewer copy and/or payment in exchange for an honest review of the product mentioned in this post.
Profile Image for Julie D..
585 reviews21 followers
July 26, 2016
This book is extremely easy to read and James Robison is able to clearly communicate his vision for our country based on Biblical foundations.

The one thing I love about James Robison is that he never shies away from speaking his mind when it comes to sharing what the Bible says. I also love that this man has good common sense and sees the value in all lives. He believes that through our faith, we can turn from the bad to the good through Jesus Christ. His points are clear and always come back to what the Bible teaches.

His vision isn't just for our country but for the world. This is a man who looks to changing not only America but the entire world through faith and giving. He has given clean water and shoes to so many around the world who don't have the most basic of needs. The book is broken down into sections and I found this really helpful as I read through his thoughts for bringing a revival back to our nation.

He emphasizes that evil must be fought in this world and our country, the needs for a smaller government and that we need to, as citizens, be larger in our participation. As he shares, we Christ believing, Bible believing people need to come together in humility and call on His name and He will hear us and bless us. This is clearly Biblical as we see God working in the lives who do this time after time in His Word.

This is an excellent book. It's truly life and mind changing and will propel you to do your part to make things better in your little part of the world. I highly recommend this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

*This book was provided to me for my honest review by Worthy Publishing
Profile Image for Michael.
1,312 reviews2 followers
January 27, 2022
The author discusses his view of current problems in America and solutions. He suggests getting back to biblical basics with a hands on approach. He suggests less government and more organizations that are hands on/personal delivering the care. Organizations such as the church, aid agencies and not the government just handing out money. An interesting but what can be a very controversial book. A very different approach from how things currently are going in America.
Profile Image for Brian Meadows.
125 reviews1 follower
December 22, 2019
This book by James Robison deals with living out our Christian faith in today's world to make an impact. It was written in 2016 and much has transpired between then and now. The situation is even more threatening of our freedoms in America as there is even more political polarization and opposition to those who voice and live out our faith. So the message in this book is even more urgent. We need to be strong in the power of the Lord to stand against the opposition and the church needs to pull together more, in spite of different doctrinal interpretations, showing our love for one another. It is not for the government to set the standards for morality and force citizens to comply. It is dangerous to expect that. It is for the church to address these issues of national concern. As Robison says, "Let's speak the truth lovingly to each other and continue to build on the absolute principles that have made our nation great and that must be restored."

The content is not difficult to read and understand and the truths presented are not new. It is, however, not so easy and comfortable to apply and live out. We need God to be present and active in our lives. Quoting, "Would you join me seeking to be one with the Father, perfected in unity so the world will know we are His disciples because of our love for Him, for one another, and for a world in darkness and pain?"
Profile Image for Karen.
560 reviews8 followers
August 4, 2025
An inspiring book with some interesting historical stories. Thoughts and ideas regarding our nation and how we might positively impact it.
413 reviews
October 16, 2021
While I appreciate the author's intentions and sentiments, I don't agree with Robison that the (rather cliche) answer to America's problems is smaller government (economically) with stricter social laws (aka modern-day Republicanism).

I tried to keep an open mind throughout the entire 270 pages, but I kept reading the same right-wing, white privileged, male stereotypical brand of American Christianity. To be fair, I'm pro-life too, and the arguments Robison uses in favor of the position are good. I don't disagree with many of his views, actually, but I was put off by the preachy tone.

I give the book two stars because I think Robison's heart is in the right place - America needs to turn back to God before it's too late; it's just that his nostalgic view of the Founding Fathers and the freedom of America is rather stomach-churning in light of our slave-holding, sexist, anti-poor-supporting past.

The chapter on "All Lives Matter" didn't seem to fit with the rest of the book except that it only further clarified Robison's bias. Also, he made a case, in the School Zone Parable chapter, that many people need laws because they won't naturally do what's right. But throughout the book, he argues that the church should take care of the poor and that the "welfare state" should cease to exist; this is contradictory and naive. If people won't naturally do something without a law, then they need to be mandated to support the poor, if his logic is consistent.

As Christians, we should know the heart is greedy, and most will not extend the help that is needed. I don't find the book balanced at all.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews

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