The Life God Blesses: Weathering The Storms Of Life That Threaten The Soul

by Gordon MacDonald

In The Life God Blesses, author and pastor Gordon MacDonald asks the question, are we prepared to weather the storms of life? In this book, MacDonald steers us toward the disciplines, convictions, silence, beauty, and spirit that feed and prepare the soul to recognize and recieve God's blessing. MacDonald reaches into the Bible and into the experiences of godly men and women of history to discover what can be done to lead a blessed life, then leads you through the steps that are necessary to develop a mature soul.

Genres: Christian Living, Christian, Personal Growth, Spirituality

230 pages, Paperback

First published September 20, 1994

About the author

Gordon MacDonald has been a pastor and author for over forty years. For many years he pastored Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massacusetts and continues to serve as Pastor Emertius. He has also provided leadership to influential ministries such as Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, which he served as President for three years, and World Relief, which he currently serves as Chairman. Gordon’s best-selling books include Ordering Your Private World, Mid-Course Correction and, most recently, A Resilient Life. He also writes and serves as Editor-at-Large for Christianity Today’s Leadership Journal. When not writing, leading or speaking at conferences, Gordon and his wife Gail can be found hiking the trails of New England.

Reviews

[Allan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the title a bit misleading. I think the sub-title should have been "how to live from below the water-line" or "how to live from the soul"! As with other Gordon MacDonald books there were one or two nuggets in here- some bits I skipped over but the parts that resonate from these types of books often depend on your own journey. I particularly found his chapter on "convictions" helpful, and the importance of living life intentionally rather than just responding to what's happening round about you. "Either I would bring my life and resources into a design that was honouring to God or I would find my life being lived by default- by the pressure and influences of those around me. And St Paul warned of this in his letter to the Romans: 'Don't let the world squeeze you into its mould!' " p256. I think what I struggled with in this book was the lack of an acknowledgement that even if you mess up, and find yourself completely overwhelmed by the circumstances around you, you can still call out and find God- it's not dependent on what you might have stored up in the days leading up to your "disruptive moment", although inevitably this helps!

[Rob O'Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gordon MacDonald has been one of my favorite devotional writers for nearly 20 years. I first read Ordering Your Private World when I entered college in 1997, and MacDonald has been on my reading lists here and there ever since.

This book has always been a whimsical treat because of its chapter on Caleb entitled "What Kind of Old Man Do You Want to Be?" My son is named Caleb because of this story, which intrigued my wife when I used this chapter to develop a sermon on Caleb when we were in college together.

My plan is to preach through this book this fall with my congregation. It may be a little dated, however it is geared well for an older congregation.

[Dennis Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone. Its a very simple book. The life of a Christian is one of God preparing a servant. MacDonald is a great help in this. What is "below the waterline" in every life is of great importance. Before you come to a storm, have this one under your belt. MacDonald is masterful.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is dog eared and underlined. One to read over and over.

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liken this book to the genre of wisdom literature. It is full of practical advice, ponderous reflection and a warm spirituality. The chapters, “What Kind of an Old Man do You Want to Be?” and “A Soul Shaped by Mission” were powerfully pushing me to a deeper contemplation of the man whom God has called me to be.

Throughout the book, there is a need for proper pacing so that the truths contained may trickle down “below the waterline”. MacDonald’s contemplative style captures evokes such a soul Isa posture and his musings became a rich addition to my morning abiding times.

[Florence Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book previously and am now rereading it more slowly. As I read, thinking a lot more about certain times in my younger years and the ‘disrupter’ incidences that happened along the way. Finding it’s very good to reflect and remember those times and the resulting changes that came. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to connect with their ‘below the water line’ in their lives.
Thank you, Gordon MacDonald, for writing and sharing such a deep and helpful, thought provoking book.

[Marlene Scholfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my biblical focus for the month of January. It was a tough read but there were some great little nuggets that were gleaned. I love his explanation of the first child born blessing that makes so much more sense now that I understand that. I also find the tribalism he talked about to go right along with the message Paul preached about being adopted but without having to change.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Led Zeppelin told us in the Rain Song that "upon us all, a little rain must fall." So how do we weather the storms that both Christians and non-Christians experience. The secret is revealed by Gordon MacDonald who tells the story and shares his experiences. The book is hard to put down.

[Anne M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

As another reviewer said, the title is misleading. This book is on Christianity and the Bible. There were several good points made about having a sound value system, but I wanted more on spirituality.

[Enyinna Alozie]

Recommended for people in the thickness of trials

[Sigbeku Funso · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need to read first before writing any thing please

[Cerrie Mendoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

So practical! It was a great book, filled with practical spiritual insights, emotional stories, and memorable quotes and biblically based. Great read.

[Carlos Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read

My favorite chapter was on soul talk. It explained the importance of it and the benefits. Which I am now looking forward to practicing

[Michael McClure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every now and then a book will come along that will be pivotal in a persons' life. This was one such book for me. The Life God Blesses shook my paradigm at a particularly difficult time in my life. It guided me to take care of, or at least be aware of, what's below the waterline of my life.