Empty Promises | Book Review
I was recently given the opportunity to read and review “Empty Promises” by Pete Wilson, as part of the blogger book review program from Booksneeze.com.
I was greatly challenged and also encouraged by this well-written book. Wilson uses this book to touch on life in a way that most anyone could relate – that sense of longing for more out of life, as he calls them “empty promises/pursuits” – empty because there is only ONE Promise that will ever satisfy. Wilson touches on many of the common “empty promises” that are so often chased after in life, from money, achievement, approval, beauty, power, dreams, and even religious lies that we fall prey to. Within each section, thought-provoking questions are asked, to help you truly test your heart and see what areas you may be following those empty promises instead of looking to God. These “empty promises” are idols, though we often fail to see them as such. And, as stated so well by Wilson, “Since idolatry is expecting something other than God to give you what only God can give, you end up having to depend on yourself and your own efforts to produce something only God can produce. In essence, you’re playing God, and that’s exhausting.” Wow! What an eye-opener…and oh, how true when you stop to think about it. But, Wilson doesn’t end this book by having you feel bad about those empty promises, those idols we often look to instead of God. He uses that to lead you to a challenge for more meaningful prayer, Bible reading, and meditation, to help you to become who He wants you to be.
After quoting Psalm 139, Wilson states, “Even with all of his foreknowledge of our weaknesses and mistakes we will make, God still chose us on purpose and brought us into a relationship with him. He has no problem with our shortcomings; he’s completely equipped to handle them.” I think this book is a great challenge/encouragement to any Christian – mom, dad, single adult, teacher, leader, etc. This is a book that will go into my “library” as one that I will need to return to on occasion to remind myself of the true vision of Promise that I need to be chasing after, God.
One last quote that I marked in this book – “You are more than your giftedness. You are more than what your home looks like or how your kids act. You are more than what you accomplished last week or last month – more than anything you could accomplish in your lifetime….You’re a living, breathing human beign God thought into existence. You matter to Him.”
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements
I was greatly challenged and also encouraged by this well-written book. Wilson uses this book to touch on life in a way that most anyone could relate – that sense of longing for more out of life, as he calls them “empty promises/pursuits” – empty because there is only ONE Promise that will ever satisfy. Wilson touches on many of the common “empty promises” that are so often chased after in life, from money, achievement, approval, beauty, power, dreams, and even religious lies that we fall prey to. Within each section, thought-provoking questions are asked, to help you truly test your heart and see what areas you may be following those empty promises instead of looking to God. These “empty promises” are idols, though we often fail to see them as such. And, as stated so well by Wilson, “Since idolatry is expecting something other than God to give you what only God can give, you end up having to depend on yourself and your own efforts to produce something only God can produce. In essence, you’re playing God, and that’s exhausting.” Wow! What an eye-opener…and oh, how true when you stop to think about it. But, Wilson doesn’t end this book by having you feel bad about those empty promises, those idols we often look to instead of God. He uses that to lead you to a challenge for more meaningful prayer, Bible reading, and meditation, to help you to become who He wants you to be.
After quoting Psalm 139, Wilson states, “Even with all of his foreknowledge of our weaknesses and mistakes we will make, God still chose us on purpose and brought us into a relationship with him. He has no problem with our shortcomings; he’s completely equipped to handle them.” I think this book is a great challenge/encouragement to any Christian – mom, dad, single adult, teacher, leader, etc. This is a book that will go into my “library” as one that I will need to return to on occasion to remind myself of the true vision of Promise that I need to be chasing after, God.
One last quote that I marked in this book – “You are more than your giftedness. You are more than what your home looks like or how your kids act. You are more than what you accomplished last week or last month – more than anything you could accomplish in your lifetime….You’re a living, breathing human beign God thought into existence. You matter to Him.”
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements
