Baker James Cauthen: A Man for All Nations

Definitely recommmend this book to anyone who has or is suffering, especially if your faith is in crisis. My friend who lost a child recommended it and we both were challenged and informed by it. Well written.

I have read, and own, many books on the suffering and hardship that we experience at some point in our lives. I first started to read this as a local church pastor merely looking for another resource, but soon found myself captivated as a man living in what can sometimes be a very harsh and painful world. Mark writes well and very personally but never loses track of the big questions that must honestly be asked about the hard issues of suffering. He does a fine job of presenting a solidly Biblical framework for understanding what God is up to in our complex, and at times, terrifying world. I have read the book three times now, and am about due for another read. It may make you cry, or be angry, or be silent, but it will not leave you unchanged if you read it with an open heart and mind. My family member who is battling cancer read it and then gave a copy to his friend to read who is now a parapalegic due to a car accident. I simply cannot recommend it more highly.

It is not my intent to pit Christian book against Christian book, so please don't be offended by my review title.On the surface it is very easy to ask God to bless us. It is easy to be a joyful, loving believer when things are all well and good. But people, we are going to have good days and we are going to have bad ones as well. How do you handle, the bad, or turbulent or the desperate times. When it seems as if even God has turned from us, what do we do? Job 2:1 says" Shall we accept only good things from the hand of God?"When I got this book I thought why take on this subject? After reading it, I realized why Mark Tabb had to write this book. This is a message that needs to be told and this author doesn't pull any punches. Bad things are going to happen to everyone of us and our true dependence on God will be tested. Mark Tabb writes in the first chapter,"It is not a question of if our lives will be turned over by grief but when."Tabb also warns us toward the beginning of the book that he is not going to try to explain why bad things happen. I think that this was a wise choice. The way he explains issues of truth, acceptance and moving on are more important then any discussions we could have about why bad things happen. (I will say that Mr Tabb does make some profound statements about the why's and where's of bad things.)This book is also one of the most definitive character studies on Job that is out there. I gained a tremendous amount of respect for this Bible hero after reading this book. Tabb eloquently uses Job's faith, trust and character as examples that we should all strive for.If you are unfamiliar with Mark Tabb's books you are in for a real treat. He is incredibly gifted communicator. His writings are very intelligent yet they are quite easy to understand. His "real life" stories are at times touching, other times humorous and always thought provoking. Out of the Whirlwind is his best book to date.In closing, we know that this is definitely not the first book on this subject, but there is something unique about it. This book's readers are going to have a common thread... the desire to pass this book on to others. I have heard and read of quite a bit of this going on already. I personally have given this book to three people. That, my friends, is a benchmark, not for a good book, but for a great book.

Like Jeremiah who deals with suffering, Mr. Tabbs book is wonderful in helping us search for understanding through the pains of life. His advice and wisdom are encouraging and the questions that he asks througout the book are what everyone of us is asking on the inside but Tabb as the bolness to verbalize and wrestle with. This book stretched my soul and strengthened my relationship with God. I have read a lot of books on suffering and this is the best. It is honest, God honoring and helpful, in walking through the variety of trials that people face. Praise God for a real and great book on suffering. I will buy many to give to those who are wrestling through life. - Chris Trent

In reading Out of the Whirlwind, I've grown closer to God and gained a greater perspective for understanding the times when I went through times of suffering. This book isn't pop-theology, it springs out of the authors extensive Biblical research and personal experience. I've already passed a copy on to someone who is questioning "why God is allowing her to go through bad times," and plan on keep other copies handy to give to others. This book will benefit you whether you are struggling or not. It is for anyone who wants to draw nearer to God and gain a greater understanding of who He is.