Broken Worlds

Rebuilding Your Broken World, by Gordon MacDonald is my latest book completed. MacDonald writes from the perspective of having been a well-known preacher whose world fell apart after marital infidelity. The danger of a book like this is that it could easily have become prurient and self-involved. MacDonald deserves kudos for focusing instead on the larger issue of what to do when our poor--sinful, evil--choices have caused our world to implode around us. He was able to let us know a little about what happened without parading his personal life before us.

Without covering the whole book, my favorite chapter was 15, where MacDonald shares principles for how to live once the "broken-world" person has been restored. I'll list them:

• Listen to the deep things: Be still, be silent! He adds, "How insignificant in God's eyes is the applause that comes with organizational leadership and public recognition. How relatively empty the overly busy life no matter how good the goals and objectives."
• Receive the Mercy: Live Like A Forgiven Person: "Don't be defensive; keep your fists unclenched. Serve every chance you get. Keep your new acquisitions to a minimum. Be quick to pray with others. Watch for addictions to busyness and excitement."
• Don't Dodge the Pain; Walk Right Through It
• Look for Those Who Need Grace and Aren't Getting It
• Join with Those Who Know How to Praise God
• Look for New Themes

There are some good nuggets in this book. It's probably a bit longer than it needs to be but if you've been through a "broken world" experience, if someone you love is in (or on the brink of) a broken world experience, or if you are flirting with making the kinds of decisions that could unravel your witness for Christ; then I would recommend this book.