"Giving God the Helm" Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views

Giving God the Helm: Overcoming Storms of Adversity 

Mark Kuhne 

Overcoming For Life, LLC (2011) 

ISBN 9780615429038 

Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (5/11)

Kuhne likens life’s trials and tribulations to facing the turbulence of the open sea in a row boat. In his book “Giving God the Helm: Overcoming Storms of Adversity” Mark shares from his own life experiences to encourage the reader to make Jesus the Captain of their lives. He goes on to show the reader how; by turning over the helm of their life to Jesus, He will lead you into safer waters, in the midst of tumultuous life difficulties and adversities. 

Throughout his story Mark refers to “The Parable of the Pontoon Boat.” He candidly tells how blinded by circumstances and enticed by visions of ownership and pleasure, against his better judgment, he became the owner of a pontoon boat. What started out as a “free gift” became a costly lesson, revealing Mark’s vulnerability, his weakness, and his stubborn heart. 

Later, in a similar instance, with much more at stake, Mark discovers the hard way that he has not learned his lesson and once again finds himself accepting what he thought was a favor (or free gift) which turned out to be a nightmare, the worst storm of his life. 

Mark Kuhne’s writing is founded on proven Biblical principles, examples, and faith building lessons leading to spiritual growth and living victorious Christian lives. He uses the Old Testament story of the spirit of Jezebel to help the reader understand the forces of spiritual battles and the armor to fight these battles. He has a unique way of clearly articulating how to use the energy from your adversities to transform your life by applying your faith to help you proactively avoid the worst of storms to overcome anxiety, fear and depression. 

Throughout the book are bold highlighted tips, advice and inspiration, for example: “No matter how difficult the circumstances, the experience will prepare you for something greater if you determine to learn and accept the lessons from God, your Captain.” 

The selected scripture passages that offer promise and possibility are another source of inspiration. Other important features are the comprehensive selection of Bible affirmations and suggestion resources. 

Mark relates how, on occasion, he has found direction from the interpretations of dreams in the midst of a particular trial. This may raise a flag from some readers. However, I found Mark’s foundational theology to be solid.

After 25 years in banking, Mark Kuhne left his position as Community Bank President to pursue painting and writing full-time. He has included black and white replicas of many of his original paintings. These dramatically reinforce and impact a number of the Biblical examples included in the narrative. 

“Giving God the Helm: Overcoming Storms of Adversity” is a strong reminder of the power and possibilities available to the person willing to turn their life over to God as their Captain 

Do you know the purpose behind your storms of adversities?

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character, and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 5:1–5

In these verses in Romans, John MacArthur, editor of The MacArthur Study Bible, writes that “[having been justified] underscores that justification is a one-time legal declaration with continuing results, not an ongoing process” (p. 1700). Justification has been done by faith. MacArthur further clarifies that hope in the New Testament “contains no uncertainty; it speaks of something that is certain, but not yet realized.”

To overcome our tribulations, we must be willing to let God press and shape us. We must submit to our Father and let Him steer.  Giving God the helm is a must! 

  

Mark Kuhne’s book sets hungry believers—those willing to give God the helm—sailing on a sea alive with abundant possibilities that will transform your life.  You will learn to use the energy from your storms of adversity to overcome and approach your life and business in an entirely new way.  As he shares his story, your heart will change.  You too will pierce the veil of your sunglasses, find the keys to transformation, and break through resistance.  This book build’s your faith and gives you power to spiritually grow. Not only will you will discover the purpose behind your storms, with God as your Captain, you will learn to navigate the roughest of seas.

—Brian Klemmer , Klemmer & Associates, international consultant, speaker, and bestselling author, The Compassionate Samurai, If How To's were Enough, We'd all be Skinny, Rich and Happy and many others.

http://www.overcomingforlife.com/

God must control you for Him to give you His help...

You must give God the helm of your heart.  God must control you for Him to give you His help.

Practice these 8 things and God will help you:

1.     Get right with God: confess and repent of leaning towards sin and darkness. Pray in the spirit often.  Cover everything with the blood of Jesus. Meditate in the Word. Worship, sing, and praise.  Invite the Holy Spirit to show you tangible ways to demonstrate your faith.

2.     Set your mind on the Word.  Read, study and meditate on the Word!  Read other books that help you improve your walk and help you grow spiritually!  Try the Tree of Life, A Contemplative Prayer meditation DVD.  At $8.95 it provides great rewards with little risk: order at www.OvercomingForLife.com.

3.     Add action to your faith: pray to help and heal others.  Set your vision higher than the natural.

4.     Pursue spiritual gifts: lay your hands on your belly and pray, "Lord I ask that You stir up and manifest the gifts of the Spirit within me."

5.     Practice your faith.

6.     See and hear God’s voice: if you can’t, get help from your pastor.  Look for signs and wonders in daily life.

7.     Associate with the anointing. Go to where you know God is moving.  Receive impartation of power through association.  Get into the right church.  How do you know it is the right church? Are people growing spiritually?  Examine the fruit of the church and those who attend.  If it is not much more than a Sunday social club, prayfully consider checking out other churches. 

8.     Be motivated in love.  If all you care about is you, your family and no more, you are missing the point.  As Christians we are called to edify the body of Christ, His Kingdom!

The book Giving God the Helm, Overcoming Storms of Adversity now available in paperback at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=giving+god+the+helm

We Need God's Help

We Need God’s Help!

Faith + Works = Results (fruit) because it is the Lord who does the watering!

You sow, He waters, you reap a harvest.

Between seed time and harvest time is prayer, fasting, and worship time.

It’s OK to sow multiple fields if that is what the Lord tells you to do.

Lack of faith +/- intentions = no fruit or worse evil fruit

Prayer time also includes seeking the Lord in all we do, every day.  How do you improve your inner-communion with Christ?  Get to know him better by reading your Bible daily, spending time with Him, meditate on His Word, and more.

Kristin and I have created a DVD to help Christians learn and improve their godly meditation or inner-communion with Christ:

Tree of Life, A Contemplative Prayer (available at http://www.overcomingforlife.com/product-detail and also at Amazon.com).

I go into at least 12 specific things you can do to not only improve your spiritual growth in Christ, but also to overcome adversities in my newly released book Giving God the Helm, Overcoming Storms of Adversity (available in paperback at B&N, and ebook (Kindle, Nook and others) as well at http://www.overcomingforlife.com/product-detail.

Let's learn to grow up in Christ!

Be blessed,

Mark

Others May Not See or Understand Your Vision

Others may not see or understand your vision.

1 Kings 18:42-43 (NKJV): So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, and said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." So he went up and looked, and said, "There is nothing." And seven times he said, "Go again."

It was Elijah’s vision. The servant couldn’t see it and had to go look 7 times!

Your vision can change and get bigger.

1 Kings 18:44 (NKJV): Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, "There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!"

The vision started off as a small cloud and got bigger!

God’s vision for you is moving forward with or without you (God plans are so big that if you do not do your part to build the kingdom, He will find someone else).

Don’t turn back, keep your faith, be patient.

In Matthew 25:14-23, when called to do the work of the Lord, the Lord rewards faithfulness:

Matthew 25:21 (NKJV): ^…'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

Stay the course and don't quit!

God bless you, Mark

Giving God the Helm soon to also be an ebook!

Converting my book Giving God the Helm, Overcoming Storms of Adversity into an ebook format was harder than I thought it would be, but worth the effort.

Bookbaby.com changed a few things that also required that the images all be reformatted and submitted.  Hopefully my part of this process is finished and Giving God the Helm epub version for Barnes & Noble Nook, iPad, Amazon Kindle and others will also be released also on or about 2/25!

The printed proof of Giving God the Helm, Overcoming Storms of Adversity should be in my hands Monday or Tuesday for approval-finalization before going to print.

Tonight, Kristin and I are going on a date…out to dinner to celebrate!

http://www.overcomingforlife.com/product-detail

Others May Not See or Understand Your Vision

Others may not see or understand your vision...

1 Kings 18:42-43 (NKJV): So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, and said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." So he went up and looked, and said, "There is nothing." And seven times he said, "Go again."

It was Elijah’s vision. The servant couldn’t see it and had to go look 7 times!

Your vision can change and get bigger.

1 Kings 18:44 (NKJV): Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, "There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!"

The vision started off as a small cloud and got bigger!

God’s vision for you is moving forward with or without you (God plans are so big that if you do not do your part to build the kingdom, He will find someone else).

Don’t turn back, keep your faith, be patient.

In Matthew 25:14-23, when called to do the work of the Lord, the Lord rewards faithfulness.

Matthew 25:21 (NKJV): ^…'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

It isn't just a compliment, but a place to enter...His place, His presence!