Rating: 
Summary: An important reminder about God
Review: Even though I have read better, I found this book to be a good and timely reminder of how we can relate to this God, who is far more of an INDIVIDUAL than simply a force. Even though I think A.W.Tozer, C.S.Lewis and G.K. Chesterton may have been a bit better in communicating this point, alas, they are not quite as attractive to the current-day mass market as Mark Buchanan's book is. This book should be in every Christian's to-be-read list.
Rating:
Summary: An important reminder about God
Review: Even though I have read better, I found this book to be a good and timely reminder of how we can relate to this God, who is far more of an INDIVIDUAL than simply a force. Even though I think A.W.Tozer, C.S.Lewis and G.K. Chesterton may have been a bit better in communicating this point, alas, they are not quite as attractive to the current-day mass market as Mark Buchanan's book is. This book should be in every Christian's to-be-read list.
Rating: 
Summary: Convicting, Comforting, Challenging, and Inspiring
Review: Ever feel like your stuck spiritually? Mark Buchanan did, and out of it poured this book about moving beyond our ideas of God and getting to know the real God of the Bible.
Many Christians get stuck in what he calls the Borderland, the land between salvation and sanctification. The first half of the book goes into detail about the life in Borderland and what keeps us there. Such things as pride, laziness, fear, doubt, self-reliance, and more are all looked at.
The second half explores ways we can get to know the God of the Bible, who isn't safe and who might ask much of us. But by getting to know Him, we move beyond the familiar into a rich spiritual life. Mark doesn't go for something out of the ordinary here. And there are no quick, sure answers. Instead, he goes looks at familiar disciplines of the Christian life. But he goes beyond the familiar and looks at why we do them and how they can affect our lives.
This book is wonderful. We get an honest look at the life of a Christian and the struggles involved. It's filled with examples from life and the Bible to help explain its points. And it's written in an easy to follow style. Yet it's filled with so much, it's often hard to digest. I'm already planning a reread there's so much here to chew on.
The first half might have been a little long. He had me convinced I needed the second part with the introduction. Still, if you want to grow in your relationship with God, this is the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: Get out of your spritual rut!
Review: I loved this book. Mr. Buchanan's writing style makes this book an easy read as well as very uplifting. I have read some other Christian books that read too much like a how-to instruction manual. This book, although, basicly a how-to, is different. Mr. Buchanan explains why we fall in a spritual rut. It will be almost like he is speaking directly about you! After he takes the time to explain our rut, he gives us sound advice to get back out of it. We have a tendency to place God in an area where he is safe for us. If we let God have power over our lives we might get scared to find out His plan. I read this book and opened myself up to God's direction. I didn't keep Him in the closet, only to get Him out when I needed Him, anymore. I listened to God because of this book. Glory to God. Listen to Him! If you need help, purchase this book!
Rating:
Summary: Get out of your spritual rut!
Review: I loved this book. Mr. Buchanan's writing style makes this book an easy read as well as very uplifting. I have read some other Christian books that read too much like a how-to instruction manual. This book, although, basicly a how-to, is different. Mr. Buchanan explains why we fall in a spritual rut. It will be almost like he is speaking directly about you! After he takes the time to explain our rut, he gives us sound advice to get back out of it. We have a tendency to place God in an area where he is safe for us. If we let God have power over our lives we might get scared to find out His plan. I read this book and opened myself up to God's direction. I didn't keep Him in the closet, only to get Him out when I needed Him, anymore. I listened to God because of this book. Glory to God. Listen to Him! If you need help, purchase this book!
Rating:
Summary: Neither safe nor sorry
Review: If you don't fear discomfort in your faith, this book reeks with the kind of spade-a-spade writing that works for you. You'll laugh at yourself, kick yourself, cajole yourself, and love God for all that He really is--which is a whole lot more than we typically read into Scripture. Just don't read it too fast. Let it slosh around inside you and coat every corner of your soul. After all, as Buchanan writes, Jesus "was never, not once, in a hurry."
Rating:
Summary: God doesn't fit in your box!
Review: Mark Buchanan did a wonderful job! This book is an uplifting food for thought well written and not dumbed down. He dares us to leave borderland, the place of a milque toast god created by sloth to keep us comfortable and unaccountable and to enter the Holy Wild where God is not safe but good. Read this! Come revel in reality!
Rating:
Summary: A CHRISTIAN CLASSIC
Review: Mark Buchanan is surely among the finest Christian writers of our day. His scriptural insights, lucid illustrations, and moving anecdotes ring true and speak profoundly to the modern Christian reader. Buchanan delves deeply into the realities of spiritual struggle and discouragement; of joy and discipline. I remember turning to a friend once and crying out, "How hard is this (Christianity) supposed to be?!" Buchanon answers that question, and others, with eloquence I have rarely seen matched. I'm on my second reading of the book and have bought twelve copies to give to friends. Of the two young pastors I have given copies to, both have passed additional copies along to others, and have raved about it. Read it!
Rating:
Summary: God doesn't fit in your box!
Review: There are things in Scripture that I have a hard time dealing with. It's not that I don't believe them, but I lean toward wanting to rewrite some things to make God fit in the box of my own making. For example, God hardening Pharoah's heart in Exodus, or the whole book of Job. In this book, "Your God is Too Safe" for the first time some of the things God did, or does,
is not candy-coated. Mr. Buchanan brought me to realize that I don't need to explain God's actions, I just got to accept it all, trust in Him, and remember "God is good."
Rating:
Summary: Get to know God for who He is
Review: This book truly opens your eyes as to where you are keeping your relationship with God. The author explores several avenues of questions you can ask yourself to understand your faith in a God who is good, but not safe. It's an amazing concept that I loved delving into.
| 
