God is More Than Enough, by Tony Evans

It's one of the most familiar passages in scripture.  Many Christians can quote it, and many who have never set foot in church recognize it immediately.  Psalm 23 is not only powerful scripture, it's a beautiful piece of poetry.  In his book God is More Than Enough, Pastor Tony Evans, of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, gives this beloved Psalm a new reading.

Even if you have memorized Psalm 23, it's probably been too long since you have taken time to read it and reflect on.  In what must have been a sermon series at Oak Cliff, Evans reminds us what profound truth there is in this passage.  Walking the reader through the Pslam, line by line, word by word, Evans points out the great truths and promises the Good Shephard makes to us.  He satisfies us in the midst of life's disappointments and our determination to be self-sufficient.  When we realize, sometimes belatedly, that we do need God, he restores us, forcing us to recognize our dependence on him.  In the valley of the shadows, often the shadows we create for ourselves, he offers guidance and protection.

As those who have read Evans's books or heard his sermons already know, his tone is deeply pastoral, and his content is solidly biblical.  God is More Than Enough will remind you, pastorally and biblically, that "Your God is bigger than your need."

Thanks to Waterbrook Multnomah and Edelwiess for the complimentary electronic review copy!

Kingdom Man, by Tony Evans

I think I'd like to go to Tony Evans's church.  To be honest, most men's ministry-type books turn me off, but in Kingdom Man, Evans's solid biblical exposition and challenging teaching make me want to sit at his feet so he can disciple me.  Evans, founder and pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, doesn't waste time with pop psychology or feel-good stories.  Nor is he concerned with equality or feminism.  He's a good, old-fashioned, preacher of the Bible who believes men should be the heads of their families, and step up to take leadership in their homes, churches, and communities.

In the heart of Kingdom Man, part 3, Evans looks at Psalm 128 as the blueprint for a kingdom man.  In his personal life, he "walks in [God's] ways.  In his family life, his wife is "like a fruitful vine within his house," his children "like olive plants around your table."  In church life, "the Lord bless you from Zion."  In the community, he will "see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life."

Hey Tony, want to disciple me?

Evans isn't shy about offering examples from his own life and ministry.  The cynic in me got a little tired of his tooting his own horn.  But my inner cynic was shut up by Evans's humility, as he attributes God's blessings in his life to God's power as well as to the foundation laid by his father, also a pastor and a kingdom man.  Evans's success in life and ministry is challenging and inspiring, but also a bit intimidating.

If there's a weakness to Kingdom Man, it's that: the intimidation factor.  Like many inspirational or self-help books, the author's success is difficult to translate into the readers' lives.  Here's a highly successful man, urging the reader to follow his example and find success in his own life.  I don't dispute the principles Evans lays down here, nor do I doubt that to the extent I apply those principles my life and my relationship with God will improve.  But I was left feeling like Evans is on a higher, unobtainable plane.  Perhaps if Evans would come over to Fort Worth to disciple me for a couple of years, I could get there, too.

Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for the complimentary review copy!
For more on the book and on Tony Evans, click here.