Mondays With My Old Pastor by Jose Luis Navajo, Book review

SOMETIMES, ALL WE NEED IS A REMINDER FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS WALKED BEFORE US

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

ISBN-13: 978-0849947254

Synopsis:

 A totally burned-out young preacher reignites his faith and gathers wisdom for life while spending successive Mondays with an eighty-three-year-old pastor.

 

"Deep inside in some uncertain part of my soul persisted this strange exhaustion that was difficult to explain and hard to endure," writes pastor and author Jose Luis Navajo. Thinking of quitting the ministry, Navajo doesn't know where to turn until he begins meeting with a seasoned man of the cloth-his "old pastor"-who, through successive Monday visits, offers a legacy of wisdom in the form of 15 unique principles. 

In lyrical prose, Navajo shares the personal anecdotes, fables, and deep spiritual insights offered by the old pastor and his wife. By turns funny, heartbreaking, and thought provoking, Mondays with My Old Pastor is a comfort to anyone who struggles in his or her walk with God. As readers follow Navajo's journey from desperation to rejuvenation, they will find themselves similarly transformed and inspired. This moving, beautifully written account is sure to reignite every soul's longing for renewal.

My thoughts:

Originally written in Spanish by Jose Luis Navajo and beautifully translated, 'Mondays with my old Pastor' is destined to become a favourite with most Christians, particularly Pastors and Lay Ministers or anyone whose faith struggles with burnout!

'Mondays with my old Pastor' is an exquisitely crafted recount of the weekly visits of this small church pastor with his mentor at a time when he needs someone to reignite the flame of his faith. 

As each Monday comes, the old Pastor - and his wife - brings comfort and wisdom to the younger man's wounded soul using fifteen unique principles.

As you read on you are treated to a variety of stories, sometime with humour, often thought provoking or even heartbreaking but with faith building experiences you will not soon forget. 

If I had to choose one adjective to describe this story it would be 'comforting'. With clear wisdom, the older Pastor reminds us that God loves us for whom we are, not for what we do.  

This book is hard to put down and I would imagine most of us will soon have our copy dogeared!

The introduction alone called 'A Cross in the Desert' will change the way readers pray forever!  An intuitive observation of the many treasures God has given each of us, this one, the gift of prayer time with Him, is the only way to describe it and should be experienced.

Each chapter is labelled: 'First Monday, Second Monday,...and begins with a short meaningful message. But it is the Old Pastor's deep perception on subjects such as weakness, disappointment, faith and being a servant of God (or Church executive as described in the Third Monday) which allows us to see ourselves in a different light and brings us acceptance and understanding! 

- Love Him...

- How can I love Him more?...

- By knowing Him better. 

 So simple!

'Wisdom is with aged men, 

And with length of days, understanding.' (Job 12:12)

5 Stars (because there is nothing higher ) and worth so much more!

About the Author:

'José Luis Navajo has completed studies at the Seminario Evangélico Español, the Asociación de Formación Teológica Evangélica and the Escuela Bíblica Salem. He is currently part of the pastoral team for the Iglesia Evangélica Salem in Madrid, Spain.
Pastoral ministry is his calling and vision; as an author of several books, his other vocation is literature.
Navajo leads conferences, contributes as a commentator for various radio programmes and is a columnist.'

(from Joining the Dots Dist.)

I received this book free from THOMAS NELSON/BOOKSNEEZE as part of their blogger review program.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.