Monday, May 3, 2010

"Plan B" by Pete Wilson



If it hasn't already happened to you, it will happen.  You are going to feel like you're pouring your heart out to God and your prayers are bouncing right back and nothing is changing in your circumstance... You have been praying about a dream that feels like it's slipping;  you've been praying about an unmet expectation.  But nothing.  You pray, but you see no change in your circumstances.  You pray, but the thing you are dreading still happens.  You pray, but you still feel all alone.  And maybe not just alone.  You feel like you've been kicked in the stomach.  When the One you depend on to give you what you want doesn't do his job, you feel betrayed, let down, thoroughly disillusioned.
That's practically the definition of a Plan B circumstance...

Pete Wilson, Plan B Book, pg. 91

I recently received this book to review through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze program.  When I committed to reading "Plan B" and participating in the May 3rd blog tour, I had no idea what circumstances were to come.  As I type this today, many streets, homes, business, landmarks, etc. of Nashville, TN, are under water.  Flooded.  Devastated.  A "Plan B" at its best... or worst.

I've been following the author, Pete Wilson, via Twitter for several weeks now.  He is the founding pastor of Cross Point Church here in Nashville.  As soon as the flooding hit (and still continues), he was out helping his community with their Plan B.  I think it speaks volumes that he's living out what he has written in this book.  Instead of celebrating a new release, Pete Wilson is out helping his world around him, extending his hand to many with the painful reality of a tragic Plan B.

This book provides much needed encouragement for anyone going through shattered dreams or unmet expectations.  Drawing from real-life stories of his own, from others around him, and from the Bible, he gives readers advice on how to:
  • move past the feelings of crisis: panic, fear, paralysis, and overcontrol
  • see God in your circumstances, even when he doesn't seem to be there at all
  • make peace with doubt, which can actually be an expression of faith
  • find hope through the redemptive power of community
  • ask the right questions in order to find real, satisfying answers
  • explore the relationship between shattered dreams and true spiritual transformation

    Included at the end of "Plan B" are discussion/study questions for each chapter, making this book a great resource for small groups to read together.  What I appreciated the most from Plan B by Pete Wilson is that he points the reader to God.  Not a method or 12 step program.  But to the Creator who is always present and desires our heart, soul, mind and strength. 

    Watch the following video to hear from Pete Wilson:


    PlanB Promo from Cross Point Church on Vimeo.


    Be sure to visit the book's website at www.planbbook.com.


    This book was provided to me at no cost by Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Review Bloggers program. I was not required to provide a positive review, only an honest one. The viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.

    3 comments:

    Leslie Rivas said...

    Thanks Carmen... I will be recommending this book to our Women's Bible/Book study group. Sounds like a book each and every one of us could really benefit from.

    Beth Zimmerman said...

    Thanks for the recommendation! :)

    I wanted to leave you a message about having moved my blog since you have been one of my beloved followers. I moved it this past weekend and it is now at http://www.bethszimmerman.com/ I would love it if you would come visit ... and maybe even follow again. :)

    Thanks!

    stacey said...

    I just heard about this book for the first time tonight. It sounds SO good, I am going to get a copy this week!