Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Book Review: RESTORED! God's Salvage Plan for Broken Lives by Dan Schaeffer


FTC disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links.

A while back I  read the book by Dan Schaeffer entitled “Restored! God's Salvage Plan for Broken Lives”.

When I saw it was using the Biblical book of Ruth to make his points, I was a bit skeptical as I had never heard Ruth taught in this way, but I enjoyed his insights and how he wove practical application into this book while providing examples from the Bible.

It is the rare person who hasn't had some major loss or hurt in life, so this is a book for everyone. Each one of us has reason to do as Naomi did and asked to be called Mara. (In the Hebrew this means bitter.) We can take a look at our lives, the broken pieces, the shattered dreams, and the disappointments and say “My life is a mess. Nothing will ever improve.” and eventually become bitter ourselves.



But what happens when we allow God to write the story of our lives? Is there ever a way He can take those things that haunt us and still feel like there's a knife going through our heart when we remember them – can those things ever work out so we see a purpose in them? Absolutely yes. (Although there may still be consequences of our sin or the sin of others, it is possible for God to redeem those things into something for His purpose.)

In this book, Schaeffer leads us through character strengths and weaknesses, bad decisions, desires that are changed and how Naomi is restored. When something is restored, it may not be exactly the way it was before, but is beautiful and of value. He gives an example of a table he found at a garage sale that was stained and in overall poor condition. Schaeffer took the time to sand the table, tighten up the hinges, and stain it until it's a beautiful piece he can proudly display. As was done with Naomi, that very same restoration can take place in us.

It may not be easy. We're broken people in search of a Holy God who takes us and uses His word, circumstances, and others to shape us into something of worth. My favorite passage in the book is on page 66:

“When we look for friendships, we usually search for people who are like us, but God doesn't. We want people who have the same kind of spiritual or emotional holes that we have in our lives but God wants to bring us godly examples who compliment us and help repair us.”

This reminds me of some of my friends. Some of them are as different from me as can be, sometimes annoy me to no end, but they push me along in areas that I otherwise wouldn't want to pursue.

You can purchase this book at Amazon or Christian Book.

You can read part of this book right here:




36 comments:

  1. I know someone who the book Called to Serve would inspire them

    mckenziesmom1(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. liked discovery publishers on fb
    '
    mckenziesmom1(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I would like to read some books especially
    Defining Moments—When Choices Matter Most

    rugerpuppies at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Follow on GFC

    rugerpuppies at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would like to read the Grief—Strength for the Soul.

    Thanks!
    Jenn
    learnquilling@gmail.com
    Hair Bow Making for Beginners

    ReplyDelete
  6. I liked Discovery House Publishers on FB!

    Thanks!
    Jenn
    learnquilling@gmail.com
    Hair Bow Making for Beginners

    ReplyDelete
  7. definining moments i follow on gfc mverno@roadrunner.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I would like to read Mighthy Acts of God with my students in Sunday School.
    jackieque@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  9. Defining Moments—When Choices Matter Most
    great selections!
    thanks for offering this giveaway

    kendraco22 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would love to read Praying with Confidence — Renewing Your Trust and Joy in God.

    choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Defining Moments would be great!
    benpip at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Who Has Your Heart by Emily Ryan
    reddrnot2@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am following on GFC- Ready or Not
    Hope I win!
    reddrnot2@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. The Mighty Acts of God book caught my eye! Thanks for hosting this giveaway :)

    Godsgalnj@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I liked Discovery House Publishers on Facebook as Jocelyn P. :)
    Godsgalnj@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I follow you on GFC as Joce :) Godsgalnj@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I tweeted about this :) http://twitter.com/#!/Godsgalnj/status/90805454552305664
    Godsgalnj@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Id love to have to read Prayer Strength for the Soul

    trustjesus7771 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I think that Jungle Pilot by Russell Hitt sounds like a good book too.

    ReplyDelete
  20. One thing that catches my eye is the book: God's Thrifty Extravagance- What the Bible Says about Money... seems apropiriate in these times!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I like Discovery House Publishers on Facebook

    ReplyDelete
  22. I like 'Defining Moments—When Choices Matter Most'

    ReplyDelete
  23. I also would like to read "Dear God It's Me and It's Urgent".



    Bshaw75015@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I would love to read The Chronicles of Narnia. I watched the movie and would now like to read the book.
    sklyn@mediacombb.net

    ReplyDelete
  25. I like Stand Up Big Band Praise
    janetmulford@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I would like to get the God Knows My Name children's book for my daughter
    amyleanne0819@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Power Up - Diamond Edition!

    theyyyguy@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I would like to read-Dear God its urgent
    willdebbie97 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. “Like” Discovery House Publishers on Facebok
    christal couturier
    willdebbie97 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. GFC follower (willdebbie)
    willdebbie97 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I like
    Dear God, It's Me and It's Urgent — Prayers for Every Season of a Woman's Life

    laurie1993@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  32. I like discovery house on FB

    laurie1993@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  33. tweeted
    http://twitter.com/FrugalWahms/status/93068742543679488

    laurie1993@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  34. I like Our Daily Bread Yearly Devotional Volume 2.

    msurosey@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I like them on FB (Sarah Smile).
    msurosey@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Tweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/mail4rosey/status/93161723011403777

    msurosey@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete