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A Gentle Thunder: Hearing God Through the Storm
God does what it takes to get our attention. How far do you want God to go to get yours?
Don't answer too quickly. What if God moved you to another land? (As He did Abraham.) What if He called you out of retirement? (Remember Moses?) How about the voice of an angel or the bowel of a fish (Gideon and Jonah.) God does what it takes to get our attention. That's the message of this the relentless pursuit of God.
Don't answer too quickly. What if God moved you to another land? (As He did Abraham.) What if He called you out of retirement? (Remember Moses?) How about the voice of an angel or the bowel of a fish (Gideon and Jonah.) God does what it takes to get our attention. That's the message of this the relentless pursuit of God.
227 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
421 people are currently reading
1697 people want to read
About the author
Max Lucado
1,202 books5,444 followersWith more than 150 million products in print and several NYT bestsellers, Max Lucado is America's bestselling inspirational author. He serves the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Denalyn, and their mischievous mutt, Andy. His most recent book published in August 2024 and is titled What Happens Next.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
July 23, 2013
Max Lucado has such a way with words. Once again, I have read a book by him that fed my spirit and encouraged me in my walk with Christ, just when I needed it.
He is graced with the ability to illustrate timely, yet timeless spiritual truths. His examples are highly relevant without being the slightest bit pedantic or dogmatic. One of the most penetrating such stories was about a cave full of people who were in the dark and cold, and they were miserable, but didn't know any other way. A stranger comes and makes a fire and invites the people to come to the fire. Only one woman does, and she does it despite her fears. She cares for her brethren, feels their pain of being in the dark, and yet, she doesn't want to go back there. The stranger has a solution. He gives her a torch and she can take the light to them. This hit home with me because it speaks of what Christ-followers can do in the world. Be light in a dark world.
Lucado speaks on grace, which is the central truth of Jesus Christ's message. That God's resources are unlimited, no matter what you are going through. His unconditional love for us, and how this can change our lives. How Christians struggle with things on an everyday basis when we should allow Jesus to carry our burdens and press into him, for he can support the weight of our weary hearts and minds, and the issues we struggle with in life. And how important the relationship with Jesus is for believers. He also speaks on how we relate to others and allow barriers to come up within the church and with people who don't share our beliefs,when they are artificial more than anything else.
He knows his Bible, he knows Christ, and he is fully convinced of the reality of God in Jesus Christ and his love for us, and that comes through, loud and clear. But his goal is not to press heavy doctrinal lessons on his readers. Instead, he goes right to the heart of what following Christ means in the every day, nitty gritty. I appreciate that very much.
This was the right book to read during a tough week, and Lucado helped me feel the love of my Savior just by reading his stories. He reminded me that I am not alone, but I am deeply loved by God, and he can get me through just about anything I deal with in this life.
Despite his simplicity and casual charm, I say he achieved something monumental here.
Definitely recommended.
He is graced with the ability to illustrate timely, yet timeless spiritual truths. His examples are highly relevant without being the slightest bit pedantic or dogmatic. One of the most penetrating such stories was about a cave full of people who were in the dark and cold, and they were miserable, but didn't know any other way. A stranger comes and makes a fire and invites the people to come to the fire. Only one woman does, and she does it despite her fears. She cares for her brethren, feels their pain of being in the dark, and yet, she doesn't want to go back there. The stranger has a solution. He gives her a torch and she can take the light to them. This hit home with me because it speaks of what Christ-followers can do in the world. Be light in a dark world.
Lucado speaks on grace, which is the central truth of Jesus Christ's message. That God's resources are unlimited, no matter what you are going through. His unconditional love for us, and how this can change our lives. How Christians struggle with things on an everyday basis when we should allow Jesus to carry our burdens and press into him, for he can support the weight of our weary hearts and minds, and the issues we struggle with in life. And how important the relationship with Jesus is for believers. He also speaks on how we relate to others and allow barriers to come up within the church and with people who don't share our beliefs,when they are artificial more than anything else.
He knows his Bible, he knows Christ, and he is fully convinced of the reality of God in Jesus Christ and his love for us, and that comes through, loud and clear. But his goal is not to press heavy doctrinal lessons on his readers. Instead, he goes right to the heart of what following Christ means in the every day, nitty gritty. I appreciate that very much.
This was the right book to read during a tough week, and Lucado helped me feel the love of my Savior just by reading his stories. He reminded me that I am not alone, but I am deeply loved by God, and he can get me through just about anything I deal with in this life.
Despite his simplicity and casual charm, I say he achieved something monumental here.
Definitely recommended.
April 26, 2023
"A Gentle Thunder" by Max Lucado is SUCH a great book!! Lucado uses scriptural references, literary illustrations, modern parables (like Bob who lived in a land where everyone wore coats), historical stories, and his own personal experiences in this text. This author makes the Holy Word come alive by retelling Biblical stories in a modern and fresh way. In Chapter 4: "Miracle at Midnight / The God of Perfect Timing," Lucado opens up his personal journal to share his first days as a missionary to Brazil and explains to the reader what to do when God is silent or when you can't see Him in the trials. Chapter 11: "A Different Kind of Hero/ The God who knows your Name" is such a heartfelt look on the importance of the sheep to its Shepherd... and the Shepherd to its sheep. Very touching! Chapter 19: "Your Place in God's Band/ At work or at odds?" is so impactful as Lucado shares the importance of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (and Judas!), using John 12:2 as the backdrop to his text. The back of my book has a Discussion Guide for each Chapter. This is truly an amazing book and I highly recommend!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2022
This was a walk-the-dog, clean-the-baseboards audiobook. His works put my mind on the goodness and blessings in my life. Lucado is always uplifting and inspiring. I love the stories he tells that illustrate his biblical points. They drive home the messages of God. I walk away enriched with an internal glow when I listen to his works.
June 21, 2015
This is the third time I am reading this book… And it will not be the last. I find I need all the reminders of living a gentle life.
September 18, 2020
I have been sick with covid and this was a good devotional kind of light read for a time when it has been hard to focus. Lucado is a story teller. Each chapter is its own little vignette.
August 1, 2024
Lovely Max Lucado
February 20, 2013
"Love is only love if chosen." - Max Lucado.
God will always make a way for us, for our every situation but He will always leave the choice to us. He loves us so much to push us to do what we do not want to do. His will always guide us in every circumstances but the choice will always be ours. And even though He knows that not all of us will choose Him, He still chose us and continues to choose us. Because that's how He loves us.
God will always make a way for us, for our every situation but He will always leave the choice to us. He loves us so much to push us to do what we do not want to do. His will always guide us in every circumstances but the choice will always be ours. And even though He knows that not all of us will choose Him, He still chose us and continues to choose us. Because that's how He loves us.
January 12, 2018
I Enjoy reading Max Lucado and the way he writes appeals to me and my spirit being.
#9 on p59 talks about birthdays and aging. Then he talks about death and funerals. I just had a friend who lost his father and one of the Scriptures I used was John 14:1-6. Max Lucado does the same. I got this Scripture from Pastor Terry Linscott @ Abundant Life Church, Radcliff, KY.
It nice to know we think similarly on the same topic.
#9 on p59 talks about birthdays and aging. Then he talks about death and funerals. I just had a friend who lost his father and one of the Scriptures I used was John 14:1-6. Max Lucado does the same. I got this Scripture from Pastor Terry Linscott @ Abundant Life Church, Radcliff, KY.
It nice to know we think similarly on the same topic.
March 15, 2013
read this several years ago; Max is so inspirational; this book is just a compilation of short stories for lack of better description; actually feels like excerpts from multiple sermons or talks; but is a wonderful read none the less
September 20, 2012
Another one of Max Lucado's great books. His illustrations are so clear to me. I love to use books like this as a devotional book.
January 17, 2016
I enjoyed the book like I do his others.
September 17, 2023
A Korean priest, Bongmo Shon, who is very well known among Korean Catholics, quoted 'A Gentle Thunder' in one of his books and I jotted down the title and the author as I once very strongly experienced Mattew 6:24 as a thunder. This is the first time I read Max Lucado's book.
I heard that this is the collection of the author's, the pastor's sermons. He uses a lot of interesting analogies such as 'A book shoud be a garden that fits in the hands; word-petals of color, stems of strength, roots of truth. Adam heard God speak in a garden; maybe the same will happen to you.' Each of us is writing our book which is a dangerous liberty.
* His Voice, Our Choice
A good pilot does what it takes to get his perssangers home. His job is to get you throught storm. You job is to do what he says. You are the passengers, and Jesus is the pilot.
According to John the apostle, Jesus never going where not invited, but once invited never stopping until he's finished, until a choice has been made. The honest questions. The thundering claims. The gentle touch. His goal is not to make you happy. His goal is to make you His. His goal is not to get you what you want, it is to get you what you need.
When we have a problem, what we have to do is to bring or state our problem to Jesus as Jesus' mother did at the wedding at Cana.
In the bible, people are busy discussing ine his earshot why a blind man born blind. It is easier to talke about a person than to help a person. It is easier to debate the homosexuality than to be a friend of a gayperson. We can say the same about devorce, and abortion, etc. Jesus doesn't label the born blinded person, but helps. When no one accepts you, Christ will.
I heard that this is the collection of the author's, the pastor's sermons. He uses a lot of interesting analogies such as 'A book shoud be a garden that fits in the hands; word-petals of color, stems of strength, roots of truth. Adam heard God speak in a garden; maybe the same will happen to you.' Each of us is writing our book which is a dangerous liberty.
* His Voice, Our Choice
A good pilot does what it takes to get his perssangers home. His job is to get you throught storm. You job is to do what he says. You are the passengers, and Jesus is the pilot.
According to John the apostle, Jesus never going where not invited, but once invited never stopping until he's finished, until a choice has been made. The honest questions. The thundering claims. The gentle touch. His goal is not to make you happy. His goal is to make you His. His goal is not to get you what you want, it is to get you what you need.
When we have a problem, what we have to do is to bring or state our problem to Jesus as Jesus' mother did at the wedding at Cana.
In the bible, people are busy discussing ine his earshot why a blind man born blind. It is easier to talke about a person than to help a person. It is easier to debate the homosexuality than to be a friend of a gayperson. We can say the same about devorce, and abortion, etc. Jesus doesn't label the born blinded person, but helps. When no one accepts you, Christ will.
June 30, 2020
A thoughtful book, written in short sections, about hearing God's voice and our choice as to whether or not to respond. Not intended to be read in one sitting, but more as a devotional book to ponder one or two sections at a time.
The writing is good, the style light-hearted with some deeper thoughts to ponder, and I enjoyed the anecdotes. The author is a good story-teller, and makes his points well. I don't agree with him on all his theology, but there wasn't anything much that was controversial in this book. Well, other than him implying that being forty years old is the start of old age!
I didn't learn anything new, but it's always good to have a different perspective, a reminder of ways in which God speaks to others both in the past and nowadays, and the lengths he will go to to get our attention.
Recommended if you like this kind of book.
Longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...
The writing is good, the style light-hearted with some deeper thoughts to ponder, and I enjoyed the anecdotes. The author is a good story-teller, and makes his points well. I don't agree with him on all his theology, but there wasn't anything much that was controversial in this book. Well, other than him implying that being forty years old is the start of old age!
I didn't learn anything new, but it's always good to have a different perspective, a reminder of ways in which God speaks to others both in the past and nowadays, and the lengths he will go to to get our attention.
Recommended if you like this kind of book.
Longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...
October 1, 2018
Max Lucado writes so well. The stories he tells to get a point across are simple and meaningful. He can get quite poetic using beautiful imagery and words that hit your heart.
And here's the but...I dislike publishing houses that refuse to capitalize the personal pronouns of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. It smacks of real disrespect to the Creator of the universe. I don't know that Max Lucas supports this, but even if he doesn't, his praise of our Lord gets diminished. Is it really that hard to capitalize?
And here's the but...I dislike publishing houses that refuse to capitalize the personal pronouns of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. It smacks of real disrespect to the Creator of the universe. I don't know that Max Lucas supports this, but even if he doesn't, his praise of our Lord gets diminished. Is it really that hard to capitalize?
May 6, 2020
I have read numerous Max Lucado books. They’re all inspiring. A Gentle Thunder is no different. It’s a book about the lengths God will go to bring us back to him. Lucado as I’ve always said blends religion scripture humor and everyday life into his books that makes them flow when reading and never dull. Thank you again Max. God Bless.
December 20, 2020
Lucado never disappoints
I have read a few of Max Lucado's and this one was excellent! But then that is what I have come to expect from the author!! He has become one of my favorites not only because his books are easy to read but mostly because they cause me to think and help me in my Christian walk!!
I have read a few of Max Lucado's and this one was excellent! But then that is what I have come to expect from the author!! He has become one of my favorites not only because his books are easy to read but mostly because they cause me to think and help me in my Christian walk!!
July 25, 2021
A great devotion book. I read it with a small bible study group, averaging 2 chapters per week. It helped us better reflect on discipleship, what God wants from us, and asks how we really see God.
I experienced many emotions and had many a-ha moments reading and answering the questions.
It was worth the time.
I experienced many emotions and had many a-ha moments reading and answering the questions.
It was worth the time.
October 30, 2022
This book stunned me. I was half way done with it when I realized I hadn’t gotten up since I started. This book has truths in the form of analogy that blew my mind. It’s rare to find a book like this that has beautiful pictures with creative meaning backed by biblical truths. In short, I’m stunned, amazed and more in love with my Heavenly Father because of this work.
February 19, 2023
A collection of short stories, makes an easy read. However I was a little lost in the process, as to what the main theme of the various stories was. While the overall title was about hearing God in the thunder, readers will need to focus well in getting the message.
Nevertheless I enjoyed reading it, getting some inspirations along the way.
Nevertheless I enjoyed reading it, getting some inspirations along the way.
January 21, 2018
Well worth the read. Max way of writing really stirs something within me. It's been a while since I've read one of his books. I love how comfortable he makes you feel and he makes everything easy to understand
August 15, 2019
This book was awesome. I laughed. I got misty-eyed. I felt the spirit. I felt close to God. Max has a way with words and stories. Whether you are religious,spiritual, or not something about this book is bound to touch your heart
March 2, 2023
I love the way his books explain the Bible, and how they also make you think things over in your mind until the message clicks. Thank you, Max, for helping so many of us grow in our faith and become stronger in our battle with the evil in this world.
June 16, 2017
Forgot how much I loved Max Lucado. This book really spoke to me.
November 2, 2017
I think everybody should read this book
February 2, 2018
A beautiful book....Explains some serious subject is a simple lucid manner......I highly recommend this book
February 8, 2018
The best book I have ever read, and that includes many others by Max Lucado. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is one I will read over and over again.
March 7, 2019
Inspiring read.
August 5, 2018
A gentle reminder for us all.
March 20, 2019
Great book. Easy read
Life is full of obstacles. This book draws you closer to God and reminds us how far God will go to have his children home safe
Life is full of obstacles. This book draws you closer to God and reminds us how far God will go to have his children home safe
May 26, 2019
A great read for guidance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews