Jim Cymbala

Seven different, people, seven different messed up lives, and one loving God. Anyone looking from the outside would say they have no chance of ever changing but thank goodness God doesn’t look on the outside! It might also appear that their situations were so dire and far gone that they had no hope. But with God all things are possible! To society these people would seem to be broken beyond repair but enter the Lord and His miraculous healing and love.
I have read inspirational stories show more about God redeeming people deep in, but I found this one to be a bit different. The people tell their own stories in a very detailed and personal way. I could feel their despair and misery through their words. I also felt their amazement and joy when they met the Lord and he changed their lives forever. Some of them were victims of the wrongs of others, and some put themselves where they were at by their own choices.
I was reminded of the quote by R. Zaccharias “ Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” The stories brought to light how a transgression will multiply into many as time goes on, and continues to grow worse until one surrenders to God’s intervention. I was blessed at reading the many different ways the Lord reached out and spoke to each person. It shows what a personal God He is. There is no cookie cutter pattern for God to touch a life. Thank goodness! They did not even know they needed Him, but He came to them and met them where they were at. No matter how far the individuals had fallen, when they accepted Christ the changes were permanent. How wonderful to read about their lives before Christ and after. I was amazed.
One the biggest ways this book spoke to me was that although my problems may not be of the same magnitude, He will do miraculous things for me too! His power is limitless in all areas! I knew this already but the book brought it home even closerThis book was so encouraging and hope filled! What testimonies of God’s love and power today!
I received this book from Chosen Books in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have stated are my own. show less

Jim Cymbala, who experienced Hurricane Sandy in 2012, likens it to the storm he expects will soon hit the evangelical church of North America. In Storm he gives advice to pastors and lay people about how to get ready so that the light of faith won’t be snuffed out like the city lights of Lower Manhattan were in Sandy’s wake.
“I believe followers of Jesus in America are on the cusp of something horrible. I, and many others, see the early warning signs all around” – Jim Cymbala, show more Storm, Kindle Location 148.

Three areas that cause him to be concerned about the American church are:
1] The church isn’t as big or popular as it thinks it is.
2] Personal transformation is rare.
3] Biblical literacy is declining.

To remedy this he addresses lacks and needs in a variety of areas:
- The failure of modern models of church planting and growth (he calls them “fads and trends”).

- The need for prayer, both personal and corporate intercessory prayer.
“... the deepest secrets of prayer are only learned by spending time with God” – K.L. 805.

“Think about the people we love and worry about but rarely pray for” – K.L. 2641.

- Godly, exemplary leadership.
“... the quality of spiritual leadership can only be measured by how it looks in the Lord’s sight” – K.L. 1096.

- The need for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our churches and ministries.

- A clear, Christ-centered gospel message.

- Clarity on the difference between the Old and New Testament Covenants.
“Old Testament passages are only properly used when they ultimately point us to Jesus and the New Covenant” – K.L. 3006.

- How to live in anticipation of Christ’s return.

Following chapters of teaching are first-person stories of people from his church whose lives illustrate the point he has just made.

The book’s ideas are logical and the points well supported with Scripture. Cymbala speaks from a wealth of pastoral experience which gives his voice and message credibility, passion, and urgency.

There is nothing new here, really, just a plea to get back to basics, made urgent because of how quickly events are changing the political and social landscape in America and the world. For those who have lost fervor or gotten bogged down in esoterical theology, this easy-to-read book will pull them back to the Bible essentials.

I received Storm as a gift from the publisher via BookLook Bloggers for the purpose of writing a review. show less

I’m a United Methodist pastor, one of those comfortable with charismatic Christianity (yes, not all charismatic Christianity). I read this book years ago and was rereading to use as an encouraging call to prayer for my current lay leadership. But it has a little bit too much theological baggage and questions raised to simply hand off. If you remember the book more fondly, part of my read is colored by my particular ministry context, as well as by a number of claims (available online) of show more spiritual and financial abuses within the Brooklyn Tabernacle world since this book was published. show less

Not a bad book and of course the subject matter is great. Great examples of how faith has moved God in the lives of people. Encouraging in how I can and should increase my faith. This isn't a blind faith, but often a reasoned faith. One that becomes evident through circumstances surrounding your lives. Jim relays examples from scripture and from his present day ministry to show us the strength and importance of faith.