Reviews ~ Thy Will Be Done

BOOK REVIEW by Jennifer Harrison, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC, September 2010 

Thy Will Be Done on Earth  by Robert Lloyd Russell

Thy Will Be Done on Earth is a refreshing book... an easy read, but the material is worth chewing on slowly.  Every part of the book relies on scripture, and is very diligent to refer readers to the source of its content...

While an excellent book for individual study, Thy Will Be Done on Earth would also make a nice book for a study group... It's staggering to think about what could be accomplished if church groups actively and collectively sought God's will.

Whether in a group, as a couple, or completely alone with God, Thy Will Be Done on Earth is an incredible tool as a gentle but firm-footed guide to pulling aside the shroud of mystery and walking in the freedom of God's will.

(See the complete review below the excerpts section.)

Thy Will Be Done On Earth: Understanding God's Will for You

Book Review: Christian Book Notes by Terry Delaney,

April 2010

"...as I read it, I found myself marking 'good' beside many sentences and paragraphs throughout the book. ... he does a fine job of explaining each component and not overwhelming the reader with information.

At the end of every chapter, there are 'Think and Grow' questions. These are written to take you further and deeper in your study of what was just read.  ...  Nonetheless, each chapter did drive home a point and each chapter was instrumental in the reader's understanding of how this all worked. ... I was fairly impressed with the ease of the read and the soundness ...

Given the shortness of the chapters and the in-depth study questions following each chapter, this book makes for an excellent group study in Sunday School or home groups." 

Thy Will Be Done On Earth: Understanding God's Will for You

Book Review, About.com, September 2009
"The author writes simply yet profoundly using two graphic models. ... While there are many written works on knowing the will of God and Christian decision making, this is by far the best I have found. I've been a Christian for many years and wish I had received this teaching as a young believer."  

(See the complete review below the excerpts section.)

Ever struggle with making a decision? Generally, when I hear someone mention desiring God's will, I think of high school graduates trying to decide on a college, singles looking for their perfect mate, or couples contemplating becoming parents--you know, the really big issues. But the truth is, everyday decisions/struggles also fall under the blanket of God's will. We serve an awesome God who cares just as much about our tiny moments as He does our major moments. It's overwhelming to recognize that the almighty Creator of the universe actively cares about which math curriculum best fits your child, and it's a relief to realize He isn't being cryptic with His answers

Thy Will Be Done on Earth is a refreshing book that tackles the topic of God's will; more specifically, it tackles the topic of understanding God's will for you. It is an easy read, but the material is worth chewing on slowly. Every part of the book relies on scripture, and is very diligent to refer readers to the source of its content. The book is divided into four sections. The first part is an enlightening look at the three aspects of God's will: God's sovereign will (His big-picture plans for all mankind,) God's general will (His desire for mankind as laid out in Scripture,) and God's specific will (God's specific desire for you.) These aspects are laid out as a foundation for the rest of the book to build upon. The author even shares them in a chart for easy reference.

After the foundation has been established, Part Two discusses the "general will," helping readers to understand the model God has lined out for us in Scripture and the importance of relationship and of obedience. Many of us are eager to discover God's specific plans for us without a willingness to acknowledge His sovereign will or his general will. These first two portions of the book gently guide readers to that acknowledgement and a deeper relationship with Christ. One of my favorite quotes from this portion sums it up well: "With Heaven in view you will not sacrifice the permanent on the altar of the immediate, and obedience will be the natural outcome."

Part Three enters the realm of discernment and illustrates how to make decisions that consistently fall in line with God's specific will for your life. Part Four reveals the beauty of a life lived for the glory of God, helping readers to accept the grace given for our previous decisions and to recognize the benefits of walking in God's will. Both sections establish a model for continuous growth in Christ.

While an excellent book for individual study, Thy Will Be Done on Earth would also make a nice book for a study group. Short chapters are followed by Think and Grow questions that send you directly to the Bible for answers. An appendix at the back of the book outlines a plan for creating either a 13-lesson or a 6-lesson group study. It's staggering to think about what could be accomplished if church groups actively and collectively sought God's will.

Whether in a group, as a couple, or completely alone with God, Thy Will Be Done on Earth is an incredible tool as a gentle but firm-footed guide to pulling aside the shroud of mystery and walking in the freedom of God's will.

by Robert Lloyd Russell

Russell, Robert Lloyd.

Thy Will Be Done on Earth: Understanding God's Will for You.

Xulon Press, 2008. 178 pp. $14.99.

Purchase at  Amazon for $11.69 or less.   

Introduction

Robert Lloyd Russell is a Bible teacher and seminar leader whose purpose in writing is to help Christians develop a living theology and dynamic discipleship. He has a Master of Christian Leadership Degree from Western Seminary. You can find out more about Robert at his website.  

Thy Will be Done is the first book in a series entitled Christian Concepts. There are at least two more written and I believe three more waiting for time to put pen to paper.

Summary

This book is divided into four parts (really three) and is a quick read. Part one lays a foundation from Scripture for what God's desire is. Part two looks at one of two graphic models that the author uses to show how we can discern God's will. The third part develops the second illustration showing how you can be confident that your decision-making will be in-line with God's will. The final part is one chapter that is four pages long detailing the benefits of doing your best to follow God's will for your life.  The ultimate conclusion is that in order to understand God's will for your life, you must be disciplined and willing to life a life dedicated to His service.

Review

I have to admit that at first, I didn't think this book was going to be good at all. However, as I read it, I found myself marking "good" beside many sentences and paragraphs throughout the book. While Russell's diagrams are very complicated to look at, he does a fine job of explaining each component and not overwhelming the reader with information. Each chapter is from two to 5 pages long not counting the end section.

At the end of every chapter, there are "Think and Grow" questions. These are written to take you further and deeper in your study of what was just read. Because of Russell's writing style, these questions are essential to gain a better understanding of what he is saying in his chapter.

There were a couple of chapters that I thought could be better explained or at the very least more written. Nonetheless, each chapter did drive home a point and each chapter was instrumental in the reader's understanding of how this all worked.

Also, and this is a pet-peeve of mine, he misuses some passages of Scripture. Most notably is when he is sharing the gospel and he quotes Rev. 3:20 or when he reads John 3:16-18 and then gives the "put your name here" line. Personally, I think that is a misuse of Scripture though it is not heretical.

Recommendation

I must say that while I was at first skeptical of this book because of 1) it's being published by Xulon and 2) the topic being discussed, I was fairly impressed with the ease of the read and the soundness (except for what I noted above) in the doctrine and theology being expressed. Given the shortness of the chapters and the in-depth study questions following each chapter, this book makes for an excellent group study in Sunday School or home groups. While there are many, many books on discerning God's will, Thy Will be Done is a worthwhile introduction to the subject.

Thy Will Be Done On Earth

by Robert Lloyd Russell

Non-Fiction Christian Book Review

About.com Rating (5-star)   

From Butch4HIM, Guest Reviewer, for About.com

There is a book which can truly help you know what God wants you to do!

The book I am so excited about is Thy Will Be Done On Earth: Understanding God's Will For You by Robert Lloyd Russell. It is the first of six books planned for his Christian Concepts Series, which are designed to provide traditional truths with contemporary perspectives.

Description

• Genre:  Christian Living
• Release Date:  September 2008
• Author:  Robert Lloyd Russell
• Publisher:  Xulon Press
• ISBN:  978-1-6064-7430-3
• Format:  Paperback/Hardcover, 192 Pages

Book Review - Thy Will Be Done On Earth by Robert Lloyd Russell

The author writes simply yet profoundly using two graphic models. The first is the "Christian Life Model," which develops key elements of what God wants from everyone of his children. The second half of the book is the "Christian Guidance Model," which shows how to determine God's highest desire for you. While there are many written works on knowing the will of God and Christian decision making, this is by far the best I have found. I've been a Christian for many years and wish I had received this teaching as a young believer.

The book contains short chapters with many additional resources. It can be a great fast read or a very slow and contemplative read. First, I read through it quickly and then later read it very carefully. Now I plan to re-read it about every year or so. Thy Will Be Done On Earth would also make a good group study. It's also great to use when traveling or at other periods when you have limited blocks of time for reading.

The only potential negative point I'd like to make about the book is that it causes the reader to think about profound concepts. The ideas are simple and presented in a straightforward manner, but if someone wants to casually pass their time reading without thinking, they may not appreciate this book.

I'd like to know who else has read this book and what you thought about it. Please let me know by selecting the "Write a Review" button below.