Priscilla Shirer

I appreciate Priscilla Shirer's writing style. She manages to come across as warm, but not wise-crackin' faux-friend as seems to be the trend among Christian female authors. She's neither aloof and unapproachable teaching Yoda (as she who will not be named) or empty prosperity-gospel promises (another she, unnamed). This is an intelligent and straightforward scripturally-based perspective.

This isn't a 'Conversations with God' or 'Jesus Calling' kind of book and it's no substitute for having show more your own personal relationship with God. It gives insight and scriptural evidence into how to discern between direction from God and distraction. I'm paraphrasing her points, but a couple of points that stuck with me:

- God is focused on the today and right now, rather than past or future.
- God isn't a one and done. He wants you to 'hear' him, so repeats the same theme in multiple ways (scripture, preaching, Christian mentor/friend) to confirm.
- Sometimes, we think God's not answering, but it's because we're in constant dialogue without stopping to listen and reflect.

I think this book is written for Christians on the more mature side of the spectrum (in their faith, not necessarily in years) who already have a healthy foundational prayer life, but may need a refresher in intentional listening. If that feels like you - recommended. show less

This was the selection for our neighborhood Bible Study. It makes for an odd study, as it is a collection from 5 different authors, one little piece from earlier studies on five different OT people - Gideon, Nehemiah, Esther, Hosea, and Malachi. There is very little Bible study either in the accompanying DVD presentations or in the homework assignments in the study book - but it proved to be a good opportunity to consider the subject of faithfulness in general, and we ended up having a good show more lesson in reading the OT through NT lenses, that is, through Jesus' eyes - which is an important exercise, I think, for Christians, and from that perspective we had a lot of good discussion. Otherwise this book is nothing more than a sampling - almost an advertisement for - these writers' work and ideas. show less

The simple red cover, three-word title, and conversational style of God is Able belie the depth of the author’s message. In God is Able, Priscilla Shirer picks apart two powerful verses in Ephesians: Chapter 3 (20-21) Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
If you are a Believer, then chances are you know show more intellectually that God is able. But, like me, you may have difficulty actually applying this knowledge to your prayer life and overall outlook. Yes, God made the mountains and the oceans. But, there are wars, poverty and pain in this world, so why on Earth would God apply his ability to my problems. How dare I even ask? Shirer addresses this question and others as she takes apart these verses.
At first, I was taken aback by the conversational tone of the book. The way she addresses the reader directly feels almost too personal. But, I began to realize that the direct address was deliberate. It was meant to be personal. She didn’t write this book to the public in general, but to you and to me. Unnerving? Yes. Effective? Absolutely. Do I recommend this book? Definitely. It’s a quick, simple read, but with the kind of perception and depth that will make you want to read it again. This time with a highlighter handy.
Quotes:
“As long as the problem was somebody else’s, I could believe in God’s big-time ability with a big old sense of gusto” (p. 4).
“When was the last time you just told your stuff to shut up and go to sleep, and then gave your full attention-deliberately and intentionally-to the living Lord” (p. 46).
“To limit His work to the range of our mind’s capacity to plan and comprehend is to limit our own experience of the extravagant capacity of God’s miracle-working potential, which spans all the way to eternity and back” (p. 90).
“I’ll take His transcendence over my intelligence any day” (p. 91).
Ideas to consider:
How may you be keeping God in a box?
What might change in your prayer life and outlook if stopped focusing on your problems, turned 180 degrees, and focused on God instead?

In accordance with FTC guidelines, please note that I received a free copy for review from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. show less

This was okay but very, very repetitive and redundant. If you cut out all the redundancy, it would be only half as long and 5 chapters maximum. I bought the audio book and seriously if you have insomnia this will cure it. I found my mind drifting and then falling asleep. It doesn't help that the narrator sounds like an overly peppy, corny, college co-ed. I don't know if I disliked the book or the way it was narrated but I suspect it's a little bit of both.

I also felt it was a bit trite. show more Examples of life interruptions are no heat which is later restored, an unexpected pregnancy when you're married, have a nice job, loving husband, a failed college romance, a change in careers.... what if your life "interruption" is dementia, a philandering husband, domestic abuse, rape. Yes, she mentions breast cancer of a friend but only touches upon that in the last few paragraphs on the very last chapter and then is only lightly touched upon.

Trite, repetitive and out of touch. You get a sense that the author has lived an otherwise charmed life. Which is good for her but a tad bit unrelatable. show less