Spirit Rising: Tapping into the Power of the Holy Spirit [Kindle Edition]

I truly thank God for allowing me to read this book at this time. I feel so recharged and blessed by it. Pastor Cymbala truly reminds us of the importance of the Holy Spirit controlling our lives. I love the testimonies, I was truly blown away by the stories they touched me deeply, some even made me cry. I encourage everyone to read this book it is truly a life changing book.

"Only the Holy Spirit can make the things of Christ real and alive to people," writes Jim Cymbala in his new book, Spirit Rising. As Francis Chan puts it in the Foreword, "This book is not about asking for the Holy Spirit's help. It is about asking Him to take over."

With the passion of an Old Testament prophet, Cymbala writes with a Biblical foundation and stories of life transformation. The power of the Holy Spirit is not a phenomenon of 2,000 years ago, but the potential transforming power of the Holy Spirit in one's life today. The book is divided into 3 parts:

1. God's Agent on Earth

In this first part, Cymbala looks at who the Holy Spirit is. He sees the Holy Spirit as being "underappreciated and underpreached in the twenty-first-century church." He seeks to give the Holy Spirit "His due".

I appreciate his emphasis on the work of the Spirit. The Bible is clear about the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in one's life. The activity of the Spirit is not limited to the stories of the Scriptures, but are seen in the transforming work He does through the Scriptures in changing lives.

2. When God's Spirit Moves

When God's Spirit moves the Word of God comes alive in the lives of people. Joy becomes a reality in life no matter the circumstances and Cymbala uses some dire circumstances in people's lives to show how joy still came through.

When God's Spirit moves there is power and there is love. As God's people gather in prayer and immerse themselves in the Word, they hear the Spirit speak and they see the Spirit move.

3. When We Surrender to the Holy Spirit

Remember this is book is not about getting the Holy Spirit's help in life, it is surrendering to the Holy Spirit's work. Such surrender empowers love at work in one's life. Such love drives Paul in his mission work and in ours. Such love empowers us to love the unlovable and overcome fear. We live not in our power, but with the Spirit's power rising in our lives.

Two strengths of the book is an emphasis on what God's Word says and stories of transformation in the lives of people. Roma's story in part 1, Evelyn and Diana in part 2, and Terry's and Annes story in part 3 are stories of incredible life change. Out of the most horrific situations, God has brought healing and hope through the work of the Spirt.

In the closing chapters Cymbala focuses on what I know him for, and that is a man of great prayer. One of the great quotes from the book for me is : "The Spirit helps us to do prayer ... He reveals our critical need of daily grace by contrasting God's strength with our human frailty." The result is: "The Spirit readjusts our priorities based on eternal values."

As he closes the book, Cymbala asks two great questions:

1. Who know how God can use you if you step out in faith and let the Holy Spirit take control?

2. Why have we settled for anemic Christian living and lifeless church routines when the living Spirit of God is available for the asking?

Spirit Rising challenges me to take that step of faith as the Holy Spirit is in control and to never settle for anemic Christian living.

I give Spirit Rising 4 out of 5 stars. I greatly appreciate what Jim Cymbala has to say, I simply wish there had been more examples of churches today where the Spirit is rising. Brooklyn Tabernacle Church is a great church, but it is not the only church where the Spirit is rising. As he lifted up the saints of yesteryear from Booth to Finney to Moody, I wish he had lifted up more today.

I received this book as a gift from Zondervan. I was not required to write a positive review. My thanks to Zondervan for such a generous gift and uplifting book to read.

Jim Cymbala, pastor of the successful Brooklyn Tabernacle, issues a call to revivify the actual working power of the Holy Spirit in the contemporary Christian church. Cymbala (aided by his co-writer Jennifer Schuchmann) intersperses personal reflections with the stories of people from his congregation who have been affected in tangible ways by the power of prayer and spiritual intervention. Cymbala argues for an understanding of the Holy Spirit that makes literal change in the world and empowers people to change their lives in real, tangible ways. He provides stories of miraculous rainstorms in Pakistan, exorcisms of poor and afflicted refugees, and above all the unshakable power of love. Cymbala contrasts the effervescent joy of the stories of the early church with the often cold and lifeless practices of the modern church, both "conservative" and "liberal." Ultimately, Cymbala invites Christians to reclaim the power of the Holy Spirit to provide both joy and fellowship to a fragmented and broken world.

I am often frustrated that theology devolves into looking for parts of the "other side's" argument that one doesn't agree with and then dismissing everything that person - or party - has to say. So I was pleasantly surprised at how life-giving and affirming Pastor Cymbala's book was despite some of my theological differences with him. I'm sure Pastor Cymbala would call me a "liberal." Being a PhD student who is writing a dissertation on the Holy Spirit, I found Cymbala's constant denigration of intellectuals and professors a bit frustrating - I got the point (ordinary people can be spiritual too) but didn't need the downgrading of my personal mission. However, despite this and my skepticism about some of his stories, I found his call for a communal life founded on joy and fellowship flowing from theology rather than marketing strategies or "doctrinal preaching" refreshing and personally rejuvenating. I also found the stories of people lifted up from racism and poverty heartening - Pastor Cymbala's church is obviously working against both in a tangible and productive way. What would happen if all churches - both liberal and conservative - moved away from condemning and theoretical inerrancy to focusing on the power of God's love and grace together? That is the call of the surprising Holy Spirit - a call to which I hope all Christians can respond.