Empty Promises by Pete Wilson

After reading Pete Wilson's first book, Plan B (review here), two years ago, I was excited to hear about his brand new book, Empty Promises: The Truth About You, Your Desires, and the Lies You're Believing. On the back cover Pete writes this, "We all long for more of something in our lives. In our endless pursuit to feel worth and acceptance we find ourselves sacrificing everything for the promise to be a little more beautiful, a little richer, a little more powerful and successful, a little more loved." Pete brings up a topic that is very real and relevant right now and that is dealing with idolatry. The truth is, it's been an issue for a very long time as the Israelites struggled with it when Moses was up on the mountain with God getting the 10 commandments. For the purpose of this book, Pete defines idolatry like this: "Idolatry is when I look to something that does not have God's power to give me what only God has the power and authority to give." We all have a longing and a yearning for something that God put into our DNA when he created us. We are a people that are created to worship. As Pete writes, "The question isn't 'Do we worship?' The question is 'Who (or what) do we worship?'" Pete presents and talks through various different idols we get caught up in. He is truly a pastor in that he wants to shepherd those that pick up this book. He is open and candid in his own struggles. I really appreciate that as it helps me to connect to what I'm reading. It causes me to open up and look into my own life. Towards the beginning of each chapter, Pete will have questions for us to ask ourselves to begin to explore whether these issues are a problem or not. I can say that I struggle more than I would have admitted prior to reading this book. I've read other books along the same lines as this one, but I feel that Pete does a great job helping us to not only understand these idols, but how to fight them and get out from underneath them. The last three chapters of this book are critical to our understanding of how to beat our idols. The biggest thing is that we've replaced God with other things and those other things will never satisfy in the way that only God can. We need to stay connected to the Truth. I finish with a quote from Pete Wilson,

"Simply identifying our idols and wanting to replace them probably won't lead to any kind of personal transformation. What we really need is a way to experience God daily so we can continually break through the self-deception and realize just how lifeless and empty our idols are."

We are who or what we worship, and worshiping anyone or anything other than God will leave us empty. We must be on guard regarding these empty promises that will never be carried out, are worthless, and meaningless. As it's written on the back of the cover, we must discover the joy and freedom that comes with seeking after God with your whole life. Learn how to replace, and not just relinquish, life's empty promises by turning your focus and worship toward Him. It is the only thing that will set you absolutely free from the endless pursuit of everything else.



Special thanks to Thomas Nelson and BookSneeze for providing this complimentary book to read and review. You can purchase the book here on amazon.com.

Plan B by Pete Wilson

Pete Wilson's new book "Plan B" is a fantastic book written by a guy who has a heart for the body of Christ and who has walked with lots of people as they go through their Plan Bs. Pete is a pastor and I know a lot of thought has gone into this book and a couple sermon series done on this topic, but I felt as if I was sitting under his teaching on a Sunday morning.

I also felt as if he was writing this book directly for me on many occasions. I haven't gone through a huge tragedy like some of the people he uses as examples in this book, however I feel as if my Plan A has not come about and I am now in a Plan B. I graduated from college 3 years ago expecting to find a full-time job as a worship pastor and being able to support my wife and I financially as we started our new life together. However, as I walked across the stage to receive my diploma, I had no job waiting, but my wife did and her full-time job would be providing for us financially. Now, three years later, I have had 3 part-time jobs. I praise God though that one of those is on staff part-time as a worship leader, so God has allowed me to do what I love.

I believe Pete has written a practical tool in these uncertain times where I'm sure many people are finding themselves in Plan Bs in one way or another. I love what he writes here,

"Time and time again in your life you're going to feel as if God isn't showing up. You're going to feel as if God isn't healing, He isn't restoring, He isn't releasing His mighty power. These moments are crucial moments in your relationship with Him. These moments are crucial because God is trying to get you to the place where you can't handle things on your own, where you are willing to surrender your plans in order to receive His. He's trying to mature your faith."

We have to come to a place where we are willing to trust God that He has a bigger plan for us and that plan may not be what we thought it would be. This book can help you get to that place, but you also need to be abiding in God and His word. I leave you with the chorus to Safe, a new song by Phil Wickham that I think has a great message to compliment this book,

You will be safe in His arms
You will be safe in His arms
'Cause the hands that hold the world are holding your heart
This is the promise He made
He will be with You always
When everything is falling apart
You will be safe in His arms

Special thanks to Thomas Nelson and BookSneeze for providing this complimentary book to read and review.