With Joseph in the University of Adversity: The Mizraim Principles
Author: Jerry L. Parks
List Price: $18.95
Our Price: Click to see the latest and low price
ISBN: 0595296513
Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (09 February, 2004)
Sales Rank: 1,359,273
Average Customer Rating: 5 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Rating: 5 out of 5
"A how-to manual for life that you won't put down!"
From the title, I expected this to be another commentary on the life of Joseph from the Genesis story. I couldn't imagine learning something I didn't already know from one of my favorite bible characters.But I was surprised to find that while "With Joseph in the University of Adversity: the Mizraim Principles" does cover the story, it does so from a completely different approach which I had never seen before. It teaches the reader how to handle various adversities of life rather than dwelling on the adversities of Joseph. And best of all (at least for me), it does this in bite-sized portions which made it so easy to read I couldn't put it down!
As a parent, I especially liked the first chapter on how to avoid a dysfunctional family like Jacob's. The helpful reflections and power-points at the end of this, and all thirty-two chapters, are the BEST part of the book. So were the bulleted suggestions. It's practical, practical, practical!
Some of the principles are interesting, yet obvious, such as the results of jealousy, and reaping what you sow. Others, such as "Life in the Rearview Mirror" and "God Standing in the Shadows" were exceptional, with God teaching us (as He taught Joseph) that He sees our life as completed, and He'll get us through all things!
What I liked best of all was how each chapter is short, to the point, and gives a modern illustration much like Paul Harvey's 'Rest of the Story'.
Although the book is a bit expensive, it is solid meat and potatoes on learning the lessons from the experiences of life. I would recommend this book especially for parents who want to raise children effectively, or who want to give graduates a wonderful 'how to' manual for life. It would also be a great book on leadership skills for anyone in a leadership position. I had never considered all the leadership skills Joseph displayed!
Last of all, if you love the Joseph story, or teach this story to young people or adults, "With Joseph in the University of Adversity: the Mizraim Principles" may not be the only book you'll need, but it's one you'd better not be without! Parent Recommended!
Rating: 5 out of 5
"Compels the reader's full attention...really excellent!"
'...again, I can only repeat, the reader can't help but be hooked! The content is excellent, appealing strongly to the large readership engaged in self-improvement. The end-of-chapter sections are quite interactive and compel the reader's full attention...really excellent.' --Editorial Review, 9/24/03
Rating: 5 out of 5
Timeless Wisdom for Modern Life
"Thirty-two timeless principles" is an understatement of what With Joseph in the University of Adversity has to offer you. It is filled from beginning to end with ancient wisdom interpreted for the modern day.
This wisdom flows from Scripturally sound teaching of the life of Joseph, Jacob's gifted son who awoke jealousy in his brothers and was sold by them into a life of suffering that his faith in God turned into triumph. Dr. Parks tells Joseph's story in terms of his overcoming thirty-two trials that can, and often do, occur in the life of every one of us. Dr. Parks uses these trials as starting points for Scripturally based and practically tested lessons in overcoming these trials in our lives today.
The presentation of the principles is a marvel of organization. You can learn to deal with any of the trials by following it through the Scripture telling of Joseph's trial, through a lesson explaining what was going on behind the scenes in that Scripture, through a discussion of how that same trial can arise in our own lives, and through a set of clear and helpful recommendations on how to overcome that trial. The recommendations are followed by clear and helpful exercizes that will reinforce in your mind and your life what you have learned from the story of Joseph.
With Joseph in the University of Adversity is written in a warm, conversational style that will carry you along from page to page. The book is so written that you can gain equally well from reading it from end to end, or from looking up whatever need has arisen in your life just now. Besides being a home Bible study and self-help book, With Joseph in the University of Adversity is perfect for Sunday-school teachers needing a long-term set of lessons, and for pastors needing sound and useful sermons for their flocks. Even if you are not Scripturally oriented, you will find a wealth of practical lessons in living within the covers of this book.
Dr. Parks has put some fine finishing touches on his work. The "recipes" for living are both fun to read and enlightening. Above all, the original psalm with which he closes the book is a wonderfully moving retelling of Joseph's trials and of the faith with which he overcame them. I predict that you will read the psalm, as well as the book as a whole, over and over.
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