Toward the end of Chapter 2 of The Power of a Whisper, Pastor Bill Hybels reflects on the New Testament account of the apostle Paul’s conversion, noting that Paul made the decision to listen to God’s whisper. Because Paul chose, through the Holy Spirit’s power, the path of obedience to God, he had a profound […]
In Chapter 2 (“Our Communicating God”) of The Power of a Whisper, Pastor Bill Hybels relates the story of Elijah as found in 1 Kings 19. Described as “zealous for God”, Elijah has reached rock-bottom in his ministry. The Israelites have forsaken God and murdered His prophets. Now only Elijah remains, and the Israelites are […]
Bill Hybels concludes Chapter 1 (“Samuel’s Ear”) of The Power of a Whisper by emphatically stating that he has learned, through his life-long walk with God, that even God’s tough assignments are precious entrustments. God does not call us into sacrificial roles without supplying us with his caring presence and affection. Such “whispers” can transform […]
As a teenager, Bill Hybels (The Power of a Whisper) began to second-guess his commitment to devote himself more fully to God. At that point in time, an older Christian man invited Bill to dinner. Not one to pass up a free meal, Bill accepted. During the meal, the man challenged Bill to do something […]
Phillip Yancy notes in Chapter 19 (“The Rest of the Body”) of Where is God When It Hurts? that the healthiest human body is one that feels the pain of its weakest parts. The author’s friend and colleague, Dr. Paul Brand, applies this concept to the body of Christ: “All of us rejoice at the […]
In Chapter 17 (“Hope”) of Where is God When It Hurts?, author Phillip Yancey discusses 6 aspects of hope while also contrasting hope with optimism. He begins the chapter by quoting Alexander Solzhenitsyn: “All the downtrodden can do is go on hoping. After every disappointment they must find fresh reason to hope.” The following concepts characterize […]
Norman Cousins (1915-1990), longtime editor of Saturday Review as well as an American political journalist, author and professor, once was hospitalized for a debilitating form of arthritis. Finding that the hospital environment seemed designed to immobilize both his body and his spirit, Mr. Cousins took steps to gain control over his destiny and restore his […]
In Chapter 11 of Where is God When It Hurts?, author Phillip Yancey cites Martin Luther King, Jr., who discusses taking up one’s cross as a follower of Christ: “Christianity has always insisted that the cross we bear precedes the crown we wear. To be a Christian one must take up his cross, with all […]
Author Phillip Yancey states in Chapter 8 (“Arms Too Short to Box with God”) of Where is God When It Hurts? that suffering involves 2 basic issues: (1) cause-why I am suffering and who is responsible; and (2) response. He adds that our natural human inclination is to seek to understand the cause of our pain before […]
Phillip Yancy observes in Chapter 7 of Where is God When It Hurts? that people who assume that human beings are completed creatures in need of a suitable home are puzzled or even outraged by the problem of suffering. In contrast, Professor John Hicks summarizes the Christian view in his book Philosophy of Religion: since […]
In Chapter 7 (“Why are We Here?”) of Where is God When It Hurts? author Phillip Yancey postulates that while, on the surface, the book of Job centers around the problem of suffering, underneath a different issue is at stake: the doctrine of human freedom. The author believes that Job endured undeserved suffering in order […]
Phillip Yancey begins Chapter 6 (“What is God Trying to Tell Us?”) of Where is God When It Hurts? with 3 observations regarding the relationship between pain, suffering, doubt and faith. He notes that: 1. Pain always is specific, never general. Pain may be specific to a particular illness or “an emotional cloud of sorrow […]