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Summary: Another Great book for Francine Rivers
Review: The first book I read by Francine Rivers was Redeeming Love and
I rated this book as one of the best I have ever read. I then
proceeded to read all of her books and just purchased And The Shofar Blew. Wow!! I rate this one right up there with
Redeeming Love. A book that I will go back and reread later. Such lessons to apply to our own lives. Please read this book.
There is no way you will be disappointed.
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Summary: It Hit Home
Review: This book gives a very lifelike portrayal of what's happening in many large, and small(!), churches in the country today, by demonstrating what troubles may come when pastors shy away from preaching the whole Word of God, in season and out. I've seen this happen in my own church experience and I'm so pleased that Mrs. Rivers has written a novel that showcases this possibly devastating trend in "church growth" philosophy. God is the One who builds His church, not man, and He does it with His Spirit and His Word, not entertainment, philosophy and self-help.
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Read
Review: This book is about a minister who takes a dying church and builds it up. Unfortunately, Paul, the minister, gets overly ambitious and tries to follow in the footsteps of his father. As a result, he goes about building the church up in the wrong way, by watering down the Bible and catering to the congregation and what they want to hear, instead of what they should be hearing. He hurts many people along the way, such as Samuel, Stephen, his wife, his son, and his mother, until finally, everything comes crashing down around him.Francine Rivers does an excellent job of describing what can happen to a church and its people if the person leading is not following God. She goes into great detail describing the pain of Paul's family and friends as a result of his actions. I like how she gives the background of Paul's father and how his father has strongly influenced Paul's actions. There were a couple of flaws in this book, however, which is the reason I can't give the book 5 stars. First, where did Eunice grow up: Pennsylvania or Kentucky? I thought she mentioned that Eunice grew up in the hills of Kentucky, but then, later in the book, she mentioned that Eunice grew up in the hills of PA and that she even ran away there towards the end of the book. I know that Samuel and Abby lived in Kentucky, so maybe she got the 2 confused. Also, how did Paul's father die? There wasn't a lot of explanation there, other than he died traveling to do something that he loved. I think she mentioned an accident, but that didn't come out too clearly in the book. Like some of the reviewers here, I would have liked to have seen the book expanded another 100 pages to describe the reconciliation process between Paul and Eunice, and all the people he hurt. It seemed that it all happened too quick. It would have been interesting to see Paul and Eunice in marriage counseling, where Eunices gets right down to all the rage she's feeling, and also, for Paul to examine his relationship with his father and how it influenced his decisions. All in all, this book was well written. I would highly recommend this, especially to all preachers, church leadership, and their families.
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Summary: I am now a certified Francine Rivers fan!
Review: This book was a real page turner. I recognized from my own life the church and the characters described....and I couldn't put the book down until I learned how everything was resolved. I felt great emotion as I read this book, not the least of which was frustration at the arrogant insensitivity of the pastor/father/husband (Paul). Yes, the wife (Eunice) was a bit too perfect (as noted by other reviewers), but the story is so compelling that I was able to get past it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Based on other Amazon reviews and recommendations, I am now devouring the Mark of the Lion series. Wow! Amazing, heart-wrenching and inspiring fiction! I won't have time for anything until I have read everything Francine Rivers has written!
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Summary: This Book is Like a Lot of Minister out There
Review: This book was a very good book to read,Ive loved reading this,Its so real where preacher loose sight of Gods will in there
Life.They start worring about how many they can get to come and how much money they can get!Its really sad this book is so true the Way the world is changing,I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent read!
Review: This is my first book I have read by this author. I wasn't sure if it was going to be any good. It sounded interesting after reading the description on the back of the book (softcover). I took a risk and bought it. After reading the book, it was worth it and I loved every minute of it. You won't be able to stop once you start to read this book. So, make sure you have plenty of free time ahead of time.
It's not a romantic book. More like a contemporary fiction with truth from scriptures that could have happened to anybody in real life.
What I like about this book is that I feel for the characters who have love for the Lord and others who have same struggles against any temptations or sins like we do in our daily lives today. Also, the book helps remind me to keep my faith in the Lord and keep praying, giving me encouragement, and how to obey and follow the Lord the right way (God's way), not the the wrong way (Satan's way). I can tell the author shows her love to the readers of any kind (non-Christian or Christian) through her book. Love the Lord first and love others as second and forgive others.
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Summary: What an Incredible Journey - you yourself will go on!
Review: This story is about a pastor who starts out committed wholeheartedly to serving the Lord and then is caught up taking credit and loosing sight as to the purpose he was sent out on. As I read through I was amazed at the various parts of my own personal and professional journey where I may have taken credit for things I had done and not given all the glory and honor to the one who so rightfully deserved it - Our Lord! As a wife and mother I was married to my job and my family suffered a great deal. I laughed, cried and was amazed at how the story really grabbed me. At first I was concerned after reading a description of a Pastor and his wife. The story is done with incredible reality making you feel like you are there right along with the characters. I was held accountable personally and professionally as to my words, attitude and actions.
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Summary: Building a goldy ministry or building a personal legacy?
Review: What happens when a pastor builds a church in his own power and for his own glory, instead of keeping the focus on the leading of God? The results can be disastrous, both for the shepherd and for his flock...and Francine Rivers' And the Shofar Blew (Tyndale House) illustrates this vividly. Francine Rivers is one of my favorite authors, and this book reminded me just why that's so. It's been a while since I read one of Francine's books. Once I obtained a copy of this one, I plunged in headfirst and came up for air only when absolutely necessary. As a pastor's daughter married to a pastor's son, I can tell you firsthand that a pastor's life is a difficult one, and the same goes for his wife and children. If the pastor's focus on the Lord wavers--if his desire to build a ministry shifts to personal ambition and a need to create a monument to his own glory and legacy--everyone suffers. As the story begins, we see Centreville Christian Church literally dying...peopled with a handful of senior citizens who are weary or ill or both. The hero of the book, to my mind, is Samuel...the aging elder whose godly wisdom and steadfast devotion to the Lord and His Word form the anchor for all of the characters and action in the book. When the elderly pastor suffers a serious health crisis and has to retire, Samuel persuades his crusty fellow elders that the church should go on, but with a new pastor. Enter Paul Hudson. Young, bright, enthusiastic, and full of energy and ideas, Paul hits the ground running. But he carries his own heavy baggage in that he is the son of a famous pastor of a megachurch...a father who never had time for him and whose approval he can never quite earn. Early on, he begins to run roughshod over anyone who stands in the way of his ambition, ignoring and even resenting Samuel's wise and godly counsel. We sympathize with Paul's wife Eunice, who suffers mostly in silence as she watches her husband slowly turn into a copy of his dad. Some reviewers have critized Eunice's inaction and ultra-submissiveness, but I've seen many such pastors wives--lovely and godly women who are simply trying to please God despite their husband's increasing neglect and even cruelty. I don't believe this makes Eunice a less appealing character; as a reader, I found myself drawn to her and hurting for her. Eventually, though, even Eunice has to take a stand as matters come to a tragic head. The story is truly a cautionary tale about what happens when a pastor's zeal for the ministry becomes a quest for personal glory and validation. A subplot about Stephen Decker, a contractor who becomes caught up in Paul Hudson's ambition, is interesting, but was sometimes a bit distracting as I found myself more concerned with what was happening with Paul, Eunice, their son Timothy, and Paul's parents. Also, I would have to agree with the reviewers who were a bit skeptical of Paul's sudden change of heart. Damascus Road experiences do happen, but the turnaround can include massive struggles. I would have liked to have perhaps seen Rivers write a sequel in which she dealt with the aftermath of Paul's repentance. But those a minor criticisms. Overall, an excellent and absorbing read that packs a powerful message.
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Summary: Hits Most of the Major Problems in the American Church
Review: What I found most compelling about this book was that Ms. Rivers hit most of the issues the modern American evangelical church is facing. Does size matter? Does it really mean that God is blessing your ministry when things seem to go the way you want them to when you haven't even really sought His face through prayer? Why are new age practices being accepted into the evangelical church? Two books I would recommend are A Time of Departing by Ray Youngen and This Little Church Went to Market by Gary Gilley on those subjects. This book also prompted me to pray fervently for the leadership of my church and their families.
Rating:
Summary: Moving . . . yet practical
Review: What I loved the most about this book was that it deals with subject matter sensitive to our day and age. Have you ever found yourself reading a novel that paints a pretty picture, and tells a good story, but you just wonder "what does this have to do with me?" You won't be asking yourself that question when you read And the Shofar Blew. Shofar is real, moving, and applicable. It is the story of a minster and his wife, their church, his ambition, and a crumbling marriage. All may seem well on the surface: he is dutiful and hard working, she is faithful and supportive, but this couple is only going through the motions and both denying the truth.
I think Shofar would be an excellent book for any couple to read together, young or old, new or worn, it has a lesson to teach that everyone needs to hear. Reading Shofar will teach the reader the dangers of selfish ambition, how working for onesself, and not the Lord, can destroy. And a relationship must focus on both people, each one caring for the others' needs; it's not enough to do all the taking or all the giving. But most importantly, Shofar reminds us that when we feel alone, rejected, and abandoned, God is our best friend, guiding us by the hand all the way through. Shofar will hold you captive, and you won't be free until you've read the last page!
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