Our Last Great Hope...

In reading Ronnie Floyd's latest book, " One Last Great Hope",

I was both glad to read it, as I have read a few other books he has penned ,and enjoyed reading them. But at the same time, in this latest book, it just didn't quite meet the flavor if you will, of his previous books.

I have met the Pastor on several occasions, while visiting friends of mine who attend his very large church in Arkansas. I have enjoyed during those times, drawing wisdom, biblical knowledge, as well as encouragement in my own walk with Christ. I very much appreciate his desire to bring others to Christ, in Northwest Arkansas, and the world, as he often says .
However, this book, I have to honestly say , was not just about finding the reasons to share Christ with the world, but it was seeming to bring the man, Ronnie Floyd , in more of the equation than I am comfortable in reading. Don't get me wrong, his heart is to serve the Lord, and minister hope to the nations. But there just seemed to be to much " me " in his writing this time, and that made it very difficult for me this time to want to complete reading the entire book. I did that, yes, but honestly, it was hard..

I do find it very convicting in what he shares, and it has drawn my own thoughts closer to what is the real deal for the church as a whole. Do we sit in the same pews, waiting on others to share the Gospel, or do we get moving ourselves, and live out what the Great Commission is really about?

While I don't necessarily believe I can fully endorse this book as a " great read" , I can say it will in some ways, challenge the reader , to look beyond their comfort zones of spirituality, and think for themselves what it means to " Be Jesus" to those whose only hope is to see others living faithfully, and honestly for the Lord. Sometimes, it is US who is Jesus to those who won't step inside the church door - whether because of personal shame, and experiences in life that Christians shy away form , or from experiences INSIDE the church where the only thing they might see, or hear is about money, or the " me, me, me's " that often times pastors project from the pulpit.

For a book to inspire, or to sit and read as you would any other reading , then this is good for that. But for a deeper read, using more scriptural references, then I would have to honestly say, it is not a great read for study.. It just seemed to me, to be , another man's views of what he feels the world of believers needs to hear..this is not a bad thing.. it is an important part of what readers need to hear from true , and strong believers in the Lord Jesus Christ..open transparency about the faith they have, and why it is lived out in the every day world in which they take part in.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Thomas Nelson Publishers sent me a free copy of this book as part of their bloggers book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."