Storm: Hearing Jesus for the Times We Live In Hardcover – October 7, 2014

I am 3 chapters in and- WOW. I don't read books by Christian authors or watch movies with Christian themes just because they're Christian. There are too many things and people labeled as 'Christian' these days that certainly are not. I have read a couple of Jim Cymbala's books though and have found them to be engaging and annointed by the Spirit. When I saw the title of this one I didn't bat an eye. Something told me- GET IT. I've had the book since they 7th and am only 3 chapters in because I keep having to reread certain parts as the truth of it is just that overwhelming. Granted, I am a new Christian (3 years old in this walk) so I may see things a bit different than those who have been living this life for awhile, but I believe truth is truth no matter what your experiences are and there is truth in every single sentence so far and I don't see that changing as I go along.So far the book seems to be about the lack of prayer in the Church and it's people and how THAT is what is bringing about the downfall of the church and Christianity. Not the government, the politicians, the laws being passed, the increased secularism, etc. But lack of quality time with Christ in the form of prayer. Whether it be corporate, individual, in homes, in churches, in your car on the way to work. This was hard for me to understand at first because I look at the world and think- of course it's the government, politicians, etc. But when you really look at it, it IS the lack of prayer. And it started a long time ago and has had a domino affect over the ages. I won't try to go more into that because, as I said, I am a fairly new Christian and Mr. Cymbala can and does explain it far better than I.I know the two things that shocked me the most was the real statistics of who really is Christian in this nation (it is NOT what you think percentage-wise) and that there are churches out there that do not have prayer, nor do they encourage it. I do not get that AT ALL. Jesus says in the Bible his house (church) will be a house of prayer. Yet there are churches with no prayer. That's just one thing that points to why all is circling the drain- other than the fact that the Bible said it would. Thankfully my church does include prayer in everything it does and we have prayer meeting outside of regular services.I highly encourage this book. Pastor Cymbala is hitting the nail on the head in this message and we all need to hear it.

This is an eye opening "tough" outlook at the Church. Pastor Cymbala has always operated in the Storm of neighborhoods of Brooklyn, NY. He has led many of his flock out of drug and alcohol addiction. Many have ended up doing time - - in the Choir. A Choir that has International recognition. God has used this Church to plant many more similar churches. My point is this, this book is worth reading as it was written buy a guy who has operated in the storm since the 70's.You will learn about the many pressures that are coming against the Church. You will find explanations of many Church problems as well as the deteriorating anti Christian secularist movements. You may also recognize your church in the descriptions of various attempts too attract and keep the pews full. Where is the Holy Sprit and prayer stand in your church? This book will make you think. It may help you become an agent of change in you home church.May God bless the Brooklyn Tabernacle Church and Jim Cymbala.

Yes, the storm is here, but it will get worse. It is not about politics, or our comforts, sitting in our comfy chairs, it's about seriously following the scriptures led by his Spirit. Cymbala hits the nail on the head, but unfortunately many pastors will turn their head, because of the fear of losing numbers which support their infa structure, the fear it may offend their congregation. Prayer is where we all need to begin, on our knees in repentance individually and as a community and then following the great commission. I have been to Jim's church, and I tell you, I have never felt the spirit in most churches I go to, that I experienced at Brooklyn Tabernacle, and the transformed lives. I am not saying his church is the end all, but it is rare to experience what I saw, heard and felt spiritually, and his church is planted on God's Word. I am not a charismatic believer, and I don't think his church is charismatic, it is just following God's word and walking in faith and allowing the Holy Spirit to move. Do our lives, and do our churches point to Him or to us?

This book is a wake-up call to churches that are trying gimmicks such as entertainment, business strategies or other "methods" of trying to pull people into the pews. We need to get back to basics - seek God and ask him to lead us by his Holy Spirit into the directions we should go and what we should do. As with his other books, this one includes inspirational stories of real-life members whose lives were transformed - not by a church light show or cool coffee bar - but by the power and love of our incredible God.

Using Superstorm Sandy as a backdrop for his introduction, Jim Cymbala quickly gets to the meat of the subject for this book. The Church is facing a serious storm. We only need to read the subtitle to know the real answer. We must hear Jesus. With that said, this is not a book with simplistic answers to deal with the storm bearing down on the Church. It is a well thought-out manuscript of where we are and what needs to be a priority for the Church. Pastor Cymbala shares several stories from the lives of people he knows to help communicate the age-old truths that he shares. This is a must-read for any pastor or church leader who is truly concerned about the Church in the twenty-first century. His message is not limited to certain churches or denominations but to the Church everywhere. However, it has to take root in the lives of individual men and women and be put into effect with the help of the Holy Spirit.