The Search For Significance

Rating:
Summary: Well-done book that helps with spiritual change.
Review: "The Search For Significance" is a book that I had wanted to read for some time. A couple of friends had recommended it to me, including one in a small group I attended who said it helped him with relational issues. Therefore, I was glad to see "Search For Significance" on the reading list for one of my seminary courses. When I finished it, I was not disappointed. I found it to be very well done and a solid aid to my walk with God in the area of proper self-concept.

As with "Victory Over The Darkness", I was really encouraged by the heavy Scriptural emphasis in "Search For Significance." This was especially important, given the author's theme concerning how our self-concept should be based on God's view of us. Such an assertion required the proper usage of key Biblical passages, and McGee took care to do just that. Indeed, the author actually stated his awareness that the Word of God is our final authority on our identity in Christ, regardless of the negative messages from the world, Satan, and even from within us.

The book's overall organization was also an important feature of "Search For Significance." McGee created a solid, simple outline that formed the foundation for the book. First, he lists the "Four False Beliefs" - Performance, Approval, Blame, and Shame - that cover the major negative self-concept pitfalls which people tend to embrace. He then goes on to identify "God's Answer" to each false belief - Justification, Reconciliation, Propitiation, and Regeneration - and provides the Scriptural basis for these answers. The outline is especially helpful because it provides a concise, at-a-glance reminder of the book's overall theme that makes it easier to comprehend and apply his teachings. From there, McGee goes on to devote two full chapters to each False Belief and its corresponding Answer.

After dealing with the Four False Beliefs and God's Answer to each of them, McGee devotes the last three chapters toward setting up a continuous plan to renew the heart and mind so that one can reinforce the lessons already learned. In chapter eleven he reminds us of our new identity in Christ, and that the Holy Spirit is the true agent of change in the Christian's life. He continues by identifying five pitfalls that "stem from a misunderstanding of Christ's love and forgiveness, and often prevent us from experiencing His presence and power." Of course, McGee provides a Biblical rebuttal for each of them. In the next chapter McGee illustrates the difference between guilt and conviction in a manner I found to be very well done. In fact, it is an excellent apologetic counter to the assertion that Christianity is motivated by guilt. In the final chapter, McGee makes it clear that renewing the mind is "more than repeating some words over and over." He once more stresses the fundamental role of the Holy Spirit. But he also states that our God-given emotions can be used to detect deception and assist in change. Once again, McGee provides a helpful outline that enables one to understand and apply the overall truth he conveys. He defines this phase of replacing false beliefs and replacing them with God's truth as "The Trip In." The three-stage Trip In begins at Bondage, where we are trapped in false beliefs. Obedience is the next stage, where we identify false beliefs and choose to "stand firm on what God has revealed to us." Finally, we experience Freedom when false beliefs are replaced with God's truth.

The "Search For Significance" was definitely worth reading. I found McGee's simple, well-organized format to be especially helpful in assimilating its Biblically based message about how my self-concept should be based on God's view of me. A continual, prayerful application of McGee's methods will provide fertile ground for the Holy Spirit to guide one on their own "Trip In" towards a walk based not on false beliefs, but on God's truth.

Rating:
Summary: Well-done book that helps with spiritual change.
Review: "The Search For Significance" is a book that I had wanted to read for some time. A couple of friends had recommended it to me, including one in a small group I attended who said it helped him with relational issues. Therefore, I was glad to see "Search For Significance" on the reading list for one of my seminary courses. When I finished it, I was not disappointed. I found it to be very well done and a solid aid to my walk with God in the area of proper self-concept.

As with "Victory Over The Darkness", I was really encouraged by the heavy Scriptural emphasis in "Search For Significance." This was especially important, given the author's theme concerning how our self-concept should be based on God's view of us. Such an assertion required the proper usage of key Biblical passages, and McGee took care to do just that. Indeed, the author actually stated his awareness that the Word of God is our final authority on our identity in Christ, regardless of the negative messages from the world, Satan, and even from within us.

The book's overall organization was also an important feature of "Search For Significance." McGee created a solid, simple outline that formed the foundation for the book. First, he lists the "Four False Beliefs" - Performance, Approval, Blame, and Shame - that cover the major negative self-concept pitfalls which people tend to embrace. He then goes on to identify "God's Answer" to each false belief - Justification, Reconciliation, Propitiation, and Regeneration - and provides the Scriptural basis for these answers. The outline is especially helpful because it provides a concise, at-a-glance reminder of the book's overall theme that makes it easier to comprehend and apply his teachings. From there, McGee goes on to devote two full chapters to each False Belief and its corresponding Answer.

After dealing with the Four False Beliefs and God's Answer to each of them, McGee devotes the last three chapters toward setting up a continuous plan to renew the heart and mind so that one can reinforce the lessons already learned. In chapter eleven he reminds us of our new identity in Christ, and that the Holy Spirit is the true agent of change in the Christian's life. He continues by identifying five pitfalls that "stem from a misunderstanding of Christ's love and forgiveness, and often prevent us from experiencing His presence and power." Of course, McGee provides a Biblical rebuttal for each of them. In the next chapter McGee illustrates the difference between guilt and conviction in a manner I found to be very well done. In fact, it is an excellent apologetic counter to the assertion that Christianity is motivated by guilt. In the final chapter, McGee makes it clear that renewing the mind is "more than repeating some words over and over." He once more stresses the fundamental role of the Holy Spirit. But he also states that our God-given emotions can be used to detect deception and assist in change. Once again, McGee provides a helpful outline that enables one to understand and apply the overall truth he conveys. He defines this phase of replacing false beliefs and replacing them with God's truth as "The Trip In." The three-stage Trip In begins at Bondage, where we are trapped in false beliefs. Obedience is the next stage, where we identify false beliefs and choose to "stand firm on what God has revealed to us." Finally, we experience Freedom when false beliefs are replaced with God's truth.

The "Search For Significance" was definitely worth reading. I found McGee's simple, well-organized format to be especially helpful in assimilating its Biblically based message about how my self-concept should be based on God's view of me. A continual, prayerful application of McGee's methods will provide fertile ground for the Holy Spirit to guide one on their own "Trip In" towards a walk based not on false beliefs, but on God's truth.

Rating:
Summary: This Book Changed My Life
Review: Best book since the Bible for reformation of your spirit. It applies each tenant of the Gospel to your psyche. It has freed me to be more like a child, who isnt self conscious and shamed or guilty. Because I know that God deeply and unconditionally loves me I am freed and relaxed in that spiritual/emotional environment, which allows me to be the unique indidual who God created. This is not easy, but if you really persue it, God will use the Gospel to transform your beliefs about yourself and about Him and His ability to forgive you and His ablility to love you. It took me over 2 years and working through this book twice with a group at church for this to really start to break down my shame and guilt and my disbelief in God's love and mercy. But once my beliefs were transforming, I started becoming truly emancipated. I am so thankful for this book and class.

Rating:
Summary: I'd Give it more stars if I could
Review: Billy Graham quotes, "this book should be read by every Christian." This book has personally changed my life and the way I value myself and the way I value others. This book deals with the false notion that Christians have to "earn their worth". It confronts many self worth issues and the workbook complements the text very well. This book had become manditory reading for many people who are seeking counselling and for those who wish to serve on ministry teams. I know very few who have read this book and their life has not been dramatically changed.

If you have any real questions as to how God sees you, or if the way you feel about yourself isn't what you'd like it to be, get this book. This book is practical, down to earth and applicable to life. The workbook really helps to apply the principles of this book to your life. It's really hard to read this book and not be changed for the better.

Rating:
Summary: Life changing is an understatement
Review: I read this book 10 years ago. I had been a Christian 6 years at that time, but its contents were earth-shattering in terms of waking me up to some of the basic truths of the application of Jesus Christ and His word in my life. It opened my eyes to lies I had believed that had literally tormented me for some years. It helped lay a very strong foundation of self-worth and of freedom, and as I now serve God on the mission field in Honduras, I still draw on the truths that were so powerfully imprinted on my soul through reading the book. Like Billy Graham, I believe every Christian should read this book.

Rating:
Summary: See Yourself As God Sees You!
Review: McGee has written an excellent book (contrary to what some reviewers say) about obtaining significance in life through Jesus Christ (what He did for us and Who He is) instead of through our fleshly effort and the fickle approval of others.

Among the points McGee covers in the book include:

1. The abundant life does not mean a problem-free life.
2. Our worth is based on what God says about us and what Jesus Christ did for us, not our performance or the opinions of others.
3. God wants to be the Lord of our lives and He is unwilling to share that Lordship with anyone or anything.
4. Express your hurt and anger to God first before going to other people (the Psalmnist often did this).
5. The worries of this world are the main culprit in hindering our spiritual growth.
6. Christ, not self-improvement, is to be the goal.
7. God is not obligated to bless us, but does what is best for His honor and our growth.
8. 5 ways to use God's affirmation as an offensive weapon for changing our lives.

Yes, despite the pain and pressure in our lives, we can and do have a hope in Jesus Christ!

Read the book and be encouraged to focus on Jesus instead of yourself or others, to get your self-worth and significance.

Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: Starts with a bang, ends with a whimper
Review: The begining provides a nice summary of reasons that interfere with a feeling of significants. But then it treats all reasons with pithy responses and neatly packaged cures.

The book turned me off as soon as it started recommended reading enclosed prayers to God as part of the healing process. A prayer that is read from a book is cold and offers nothing to either God, or the one who prays.

Week #1: Who get's discouraged?
Week #2: Hope: The answer for Discouragement
Week #3: Loss: Grieving Significant Losses
Week #4: Loss: The place I called home.
Week #5: When anger leaves me depressed.
Week #6: Controlling your anger
Week #7: Stress and the role of health
Week #8: Poor personal Choices
Week #9: hope for today.

That sounds like a great list of topics. Too bad the contents for each of those nine weeks didn't offer anything meaningful. After reading this in a group/class setting - I regret that I'll never get those nine weeks back.

Life gets complicated. Don't expect answers from a Readers Digest.

Rating:
Summary: God's Responses to Our Problems with Insignificance
Review: This book is actually a study in important biblical and theological truths. Rather than starting with the timeless truths however, McGee begins with the problems we experience because of our lack of those truths. He then works his way back to the theological principles that will set us free from the ills we face.

For example, he describes how many of us believe we must meet certain high standards in order to feel we are of worth. God's truth is that we have been made faultless in Christ, that we have been justified. In other words, in God's eyes we have met the perfect standard through our relationship with Jesus.

Another point McGee makes is that many of us feel shame, believing we are nothing but hopeless cases unable to change. God's truth is that we have been regenerated as new individuals. In other words, if anyone is in Christ the old passed away, and the new just keeps on coming!

After reading this book, I have an even greater appreciation for the new life I have as a believer. McGee presents a volume that sheds much light on who Christians are because of their relationship with Jesus. I recommend this title highly.

Rating:
Summary: A must if you struggle with clinical depression
Review: This was a very intriguing book. In it McGee states that the hear of most human problems is that we have forsaken the truth of God and have believed the lie of Satan. Satan's lie is this: Self worth = Performance + Other's Opinion. People experience four basic problems as a result of believing this lie: the performance trap, the approval addict, the blame game and shame. The author looks at the consequences of each behavior and gives God's answer. His underlying assumption is that biblical truth meets the most basic issue of our live- our goals, motives and sense of worth.

This book has a strong biblical foundation in that the author finds the solution to man's problems in the Word of God. I especially appreciate that he addresses the time element involved counseling. Problems develop over years and solutions to them may take years. His advice to pastors is to be patient when counseling those who are hurting- healing takes time. The essence of healing is to discover the false beliefs and assumptions that Satan has deceived us with and replace them with God's truth. In this he is very similar to Larry Crabb in that truth is the ultimate cure for wrong thinking. Wrong thinking is the cause of bad emotions. Chapter three, however, is pretty basic stuff. It is hoped that we do not have to go through the plan of salvation. Despite the slow start, the book improved towards the end.

Rating:
Summary: An intriguing book
Review: This was a very intriguing book. In it McGee states that the hear of most human problems is that we have forsaken the truth of God and have believed the lie of Satan. Satan's lie is this: Self worth = Performance + Other's Opinion. People experience four basic problems as a result of believing this lie: the performance trap, the approval addict, the blame game and shame. The author looks at the consequences of each behavior and gives God's answer. His underlying assumption is that biblical truth meets the most basic issue of our live- our goals, motives and sense of worth.

This book has a strong biblical foundation in that the author finds the solution to man's problems in the Word of God. I especially appreciate that he addresses the time element involved counseling. Problems develop over years and solutions to them may take years. His advice to pastors is to be patient when counseling those who are hurting- healing takes time. The essence of healing is to discover the false beliefs and assumptions that Satan has deceived us with and replace them with God's truth. In this he is very similar to Larry Crabb in that truth is the ultimate cure for wrong thinking. Wrong thinking is the cause of bad emotions. Chapter three, however, is pretty basic stuff. It is hoped that we do not have to go through the plan of salvation. Despite the slow start, the book improved towards the end.