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Polishing God's Monuments: Pillars of Hope for Punishing Times
Polishing God s Monuments is the true story of a young woman and her devoted husband who face it all (and then some) as a baffling, mind-boggling illness hijacks their youth and shatters their dreams. Polishing God s Monuments blends straightforward theology with the account of this young couple s afflictions. A sober reality in the life of faith is that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. God s people are buffeted in two sometimes we suffer for the faith and other times we suffer with faith. Either way, our faith remains a work in progress. In the midst of troubles, our emotions can vacillate between hope and despair, submission and rebellion. Our understanding can alternate between moments of comprehension and times of total confusion. This book confronts these issues head-on and offers believers biblical perspective, practical direction, and sustaining hope.
286 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 2, 2019
I read this book several years ago and I can say that it challenged my thinking on suffering in a way no other book has. The writing is rich and so heartfelt that often I felt physical pain as I read of the crushing experience of a parent who watches their child suffer. At times I had to put it down and allow myself to regroup before I read on. Then I was challenged in a different way as I read of the daughters debilitating illness and her steadfast faithfulness in the face of such pain and seeming hopelessness. As someone who has a measure of suffering due to chronic pain myself, this book meant so much to me. The picture of polishing your Stones of Remberance is one I go back to often. Remembering God’s sovereign faithfulness is indeed a handhold that will take you through the darkest valley.
This is a book that throbs with both pain and peace as you learn to trust a faithful God even when there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. Highly recommend to those who suffer and those who suffer with them.
This is a book that throbs with both pain and peace as you learn to trust a faithful God even when there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. Highly recommend to those who suffer and those who suffer with them.
October 8, 2019
I really appreciated how he organized the book. First a bit of background as to how all the problems developed. Then in each part, a look at God, what faith is, the problems with false views of God, and finally the future hope we all have in Christ. Without the study of God, Juli and Paul's story would be inspirational, but would offer no hope for others. Truly the story isn't so much about Paul and Juli as it is about God. And that is as it should be.
Who should read this book? Those who are in the worst suffering imaginable. Those who are suffering with them, because they are helpless to relieve their suffering. Those who are further removed and don't really know what is going on, so they can understand better the residual effects on others. So that means that the only ones who can't be helped by this book are the ones who don't want what this book has to offer.
Who should read this book? Those who are in the worst suffering imaginable. Those who are suffering with them, because they are helpless to relieve their suffering. Those who are further removed and don't really know what is going on, so they can understand better the residual effects on others. So that means that the only ones who can't be helped by this book are the ones who don't want what this book has to offer.
January 2, 2017
The "disease" the author's daughter had/has isn't medically proven and is at times rather more mental than physical, but one cannot deny the growth God gave them through this ordeal. Every other chapter is incredible as the author describes all God has taught them. The other chapters are the strangeness of their daughter's "illness" which again seems more mental than physical, although the author would certainly deny this.
December 26, 2017
I found the young couple's health struggles to be very interesting, and their testimony throughout it encouraging. The alternating chapters of spiritual lessons were also good. For me, it did mean that it wasn't a good book to read in large chunks though, because while I could keep reading the testimony parts straight through, the spiritual instruction was too much if read in long sittings.
February 3, 2018
My wife and I just finished reading this book. My wife, who struggles with chronic pain was interested in the story and I more so interested in the answers that Pastor Jim conveyed throughout the book. Life is a mystery even to those whose hearts and lives are committed to Jesus Christ and have honest pain and questions.
September 23, 2009
It always scares me while I'm reading books like this.
Would my faith hold up under such dire circumstances? Is God going to force me to apply what I'm learning by throwing me into the furnace? What if God chooses to strip me of my idols in this extreme way?
Do I really trust in God for all things?
So far, a sobering, but encouraging, look at God's faithfulness to His children.
***
I am so thankful for this book. What an encouraging, soul-stirring treatment of the theology of suffering.
At first blush, this book reads more biographical than theological. But Pastor Jim doesn't just narrate the events of his daughter Juli's life. He narrates what God did through them. He shares the scriptures that helped Juli and her husband Paul to endure. He shares the scriptures that helped him to endure.
Despite the fact that I'm not suffering as intensely as Juli (perhaps because I'm not suffering as she is), I still come away from this book with a strengthened trust in Christ.
You see, the God of Jim Andrews and his daughter Juli is my God, too. I don't have to be afraid that God will "smite" me with this kind of suffering. If He wills it, He will also give me strength to endure. If He doesn't, then nothing of the sort can happen to me.
This book magnifies the doctrine of preservation of the saints, and exemplifies 1 Corinthians 10:13:
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
What a beautiful promise. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Would my faith hold up under such dire circumstances? Is God going to force me to apply what I'm learning by throwing me into the furnace? What if God chooses to strip me of my idols in this extreme way?
Do I really trust in God for all things?
So far, a sobering, but encouraging, look at God's faithfulness to His children.
***
I am so thankful for this book. What an encouraging, soul-stirring treatment of the theology of suffering.
At first blush, this book reads more biographical than theological. But Pastor Jim doesn't just narrate the events of his daughter Juli's life. He narrates what God did through them. He shares the scriptures that helped Juli and her husband Paul to endure. He shares the scriptures that helped him to endure.
Despite the fact that I'm not suffering as intensely as Juli (perhaps because I'm not suffering as she is), I still come away from this book with a strengthened trust in Christ.
You see, the God of Jim Andrews and his daughter Juli is my God, too. I don't have to be afraid that God will "smite" me with this kind of suffering. If He wills it, He will also give me strength to endure. If He doesn't, then nothing of the sort can happen to me.
This book magnifies the doctrine of preservation of the saints, and exemplifies 1 Corinthians 10:13:
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
What a beautiful promise. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
February 7, 2012
MY REVIEW:
It is with a book like this that I don't know how to sum up in a few short paragraphs the huge impact it made on my own heart. In these moments I just want to open my front door, stand on my porch, and yell for the whole world to hear: "You must read this book!"
Polishing God's Monuments is part testimony, part biography, and part teaching but completely encouraging and convicting for any believer. While it will grip the heart of anyone suffering through a trial, it specifically resonates to those who, day after day, plod along in the same trial or variations of the same kind of trial for months and years on end. While the idea of polishing God's monuments was not new to me - although the title was - the book was still refreshing with Jim's eloquent writing, personal experience, and sound Scriptural exegesis. I walked away with an energized faith in the sovereignty of God and His faithfulness to me despite my great lack of faithfulness to Him. I was also so encouraged and challenged in my own relationship with Christ by the example of Andrews and his family. Even their week moments and failures were a source of hope and balm to my soul.
I highly recommend this book to anyone - including older teenagers - and would also strongly suggest it for counseling homework. It is a great chapter-by-chapter read, but I suspect many, like myself, will find it to be so riveting that you are glued to you seat for great portions of time.
If you have only a small amount of time to read this is a book I would say needs to take position at the top of your pile!
GO GET IT AND READ IT! {said in my best front porch yelling voice}
It is with a book like this that I don't know how to sum up in a few short paragraphs the huge impact it made on my own heart. In these moments I just want to open my front door, stand on my porch, and yell for the whole world to hear: "You must read this book!"
Polishing God's Monuments is part testimony, part biography, and part teaching but completely encouraging and convicting for any believer. While it will grip the heart of anyone suffering through a trial, it specifically resonates to those who, day after day, plod along in the same trial or variations of the same kind of trial for months and years on end. While the idea of polishing God's monuments was not new to me - although the title was - the book was still refreshing with Jim's eloquent writing, personal experience, and sound Scriptural exegesis. I walked away with an energized faith in the sovereignty of God and His faithfulness to me despite my great lack of faithfulness to Him. I was also so encouraged and challenged in my own relationship with Christ by the example of Andrews and his family. Even their week moments and failures were a source of hope and balm to my soul.
I highly recommend this book to anyone - including older teenagers - and would also strongly suggest it for counseling homework. It is a great chapter-by-chapter read, but I suspect many, like myself, will find it to be so riveting that you are glued to you seat for great portions of time.
If you have only a small amount of time to read this is a book I would say needs to take position at the top of your pile!
GO GET IT AND READ IT! {said in my best front porch yelling voice}
August 2, 2012
In this book a pastor discusses the suffering experienced by his daughter and her husband. He alternates chapters between letters to his congregation explaining his daughter's circumstances and theological reflections on suffering. The title of the book refers to a practice advocated by Andrews which largely consists of remembering God's goodness and faithfulness in one's life.
The book was easy and enjoyable to read. I was expecting a 5-star book after the first 50 pages but ended up giving it 4. I can't pinpoint exactly what decreased in quality after my initial impression, but this is still a valuable book. If you read it, you'll be amazed at the suffering endured by this young woman and the way that God sustains her and her husband. And this narrative is what distinguishes this book from other works on suffering---the context gives credibility to the discourses. And the discourses on suffering are worthwhile. I recommend it.
The book was easy and enjoyable to read. I was expecting a 5-star book after the first 50 pages but ended up giving it 4. I can't pinpoint exactly what decreased in quality after my initial impression, but this is still a valuable book. If you read it, you'll be amazed at the suffering endured by this young woman and the way that God sustains her and her husband. And this narrative is what distinguishes this book from other works on suffering---the context gives credibility to the discourses. And the discourses on suffering are worthwhile. I recommend it.
June 16, 2009
Simply too profound a book to "summarize." I cried the whole time - tears falling both because of the pain of the human circumstance(s) that is recorded and joy because of the truth of God's sufficiency and sovereignty that is celebrated. This question of how we should understand and relate to God in times of suffering is one of the most piercing issues I face personally as well as pastorally - and I imagine it will be at the top of the list for many of you. This book is possibly the most satisfying answer I have ever read, and it is the kind of answer that only a sufferer can give. We will all face this issue, and as forerunners this is the kind of answer we must have ready - to speak to our own hearts and to speak to the hearts of others. This is a must, must, must read.
January 11, 2011
Amazing, excruciating testimony of a pastor's daughter's 20-year battle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and other illnesses. The writing is solid but not stellar, but then that's not really the point of the book. Edification and encouragement in a biblical view of affliction seem to be the goal.
This book is valuable as encouragement to persevere through trials but not on my "must-read" list of books I feel compelled to share with everyone I know. The devotion and unflagging support of Juli's husband and family are awesome, and I don't use that word lightly.
Most of the book is narrative with some sermonic chapters interspersed.
This book is valuable as encouragement to persevere through trials but not on my "must-read" list of books I feel compelled to share with everyone I know. The devotion and unflagging support of Juli's husband and family are awesome, and I don't use that word lightly.
Most of the book is narrative with some sermonic chapters interspersed.
August 27, 2016
I highly recommend this book. While I don't care for some of the author's terminology, the overall content is first rate. The author is a theologian and pastor, and the father and father-in-law of the young couple who are the subjects of this book. He alternates chapters of biographical detail in the form of emails to his church, describing the history of their baffling illnesses and their desperate search for relief, then provides chapters describing how God works in our lives and is glorified through illnesses and things we can't always understand.
It might help to have tissues handy when reading some sections of the book.
It might help to have tissues handy when reading some sections of the book.
May 27, 2014
Very touched already by the Godly wisdom, insight and perseverance this young couple exhibits in the midst of their incomprehensible circumstances. What a testimony to the grace of God and His strength in weakness! REAL weakness! I feel like a total whimp of a Christian for even thinking that the things I have gone through in my life are worthy of being considered real trials!! I can't wait to snatch more time tonight and finish the book. Riveting!
November 17, 2007
About half way through this excellent book on God's sovereignty and remembering His goodness in times when we are going through hardship and suffering. An interesting story with very practical application. I highly recommend this book!!!!
October 1, 2009
I loved this book. It had a lot of wisdom for people who have been through suffering. Remembering God's faithfulness is stressed in the book and it is such an important thing to remember. I would recommend this book.
January 28, 2008
Good advice for surviving hard times.
February 15, 2008
Awesome read, not a light read. What a magnificent God we have!
March 14, 2008
The best book on suffering I have ever read.
January 19, 2010
A great book by our pastor at Lake Bible Church. I appreciated the wisdom that God is a Great God, that will still lead us to trying times, times that we are polished according to his purpose.
November 9, 2015
Strong beginning, sustained middle, weak ending, but worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews