Image: Living Beyond the Limits by Len Lantz (CC BY-NC-ND)
Synopsis: Len's Star Rating: 4 out of 10. A book containing inspirational stories on servanthood from a Christian perspective that mostly relate to the author’s charity, Samaritan’s Purse.
BY LEN LANTZ, MD, author of unJoy / 1.5.2022; No. 65
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Star Rating – 4 out of 10
Rating guide: 1 = horrible, 5 = average and 10 = wow
Author
Franklin Graham
About the author
Franklin Graham is an American evangelist, the son of the famous Christian evangelist Billy Graham, and the President and CEO of the Samaritan’s Purse (a Christian relief charity) and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
General description
Living Beyond the Limits is a book on the personal experiences of Franklin Graham. The author includes touching stories on the theme of Christian servanthood, mostly highlighting his work in the Christian charity Samaritan’s Purse. He addresses the courage, risks, and faith involved in helping people who are in the most desperate need of aid.
Unique and most important aspects
Living Beyond the Limits has some very touching and inspirational stories of faith, courage, and sacrifice. Franklin Graham shares the need for compassion and service in the Christian walk. He places a spotlight on the power of helping one person at a time to stimulate generous giving and volunteering. He shares his two “enemies of faith” (possessions and experience) that might not leave room for God’s miraculous provision. The author highlights the story of Mary Damron and the tremendous impact one highly dedicated and motivated person can make. Readers might be turned off by his descriptions of interactions with political leaders (or simply any mixing of religion and politics) as well as his narrow view of feminism.
Best quotes
“We developed a plan to take homes whose roofs had been destroyed and to put at least the shell back together. If we could put new roofs on the houses, the people could repair the walls and replace the windows and the furniture. With a roof, at the very least the people could keep dry and warm and preserve their strength to face the severe winter cold and the daunting task of starting their lives all over again.”
“To my Muslim friends, Westerners are seen as decadent, imperialistic, immoral drunkards. Many of their images of the typical Westerner come from television trash talk shows and movies that portray sex and violence. Because I’m fully aware of this perception, it was particularly meaningful to me when Mohammed wiped a tear from his eye and said, ‘You Christians, you’re the only ones who help us.’”
“In these dark situations, God wants to use you to shine the message of hope into people’s hearts – but for that message to be heard, it takes more than just words. You’ve got to get involved. Words without action are cheap. The early Christians knew this. The apostle John told them: ‘Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth’ (1 John 3:18).”
“The Bible tells us to visit those in prison. The Bible doesn’t say visit only the nonguilty. It says, visit those in prison, period.”
“Possibly the greatest lesson I learned from Bob Pierce was something he called God room. This was a phrase he coined that simply means recognizing a bigger need than what human limitations can meet.”
Who would enjoy this book?
Readers who are interested in learning about the author’s experiences with the Samaritan’s Purse charity and inspirational stories on Christian servanthood would likely enjoy Living Beyond the Limits.
Who would not enjoy this book?
Readers who are opposed to the author’s publicly expressed political beliefs and affiliations are unlikely to enjoy Living Beyond the Limits and instead would likely enjoy the book The Hole in Our Gospel (See Len’s Book Review).
Conclusion
Living Beyond the Limits is a book containing inspirational stories on servanthood from a Christian perspective that mostly relate to the author’s charity, Samaritan’s Purse.