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Astonished Beyond Measure: Surprising Responses to Jesus
How would you respond in the presence of someone who did something you had never seen done before, something you thought impossible, something that you never dreamed about? No doubt you would be awe-struck. You might gasp and say, "Wow!" Perhaps no words would come at all. It would probably be etched into your memory forever. However many times you might speak about what you saw, you would relive that moment and still be greatly amazed.
People who saw what Jesus did and heard him speak had similar reactions. They said such things as this: “We have never seen anything like this.” “We have never heard anyone speak like this.” There was no special halo around Jesus that caused such reactions. Jesus fully entered into humanity. Nothing marked him as being from another planet. He spoke, ate, slept, walked, and talked as a man. What was there about Jesus that caused people to be so surprised?
People who saw what Jesus did and heard him speak had similar reactions. They said such things as this: “We have never seen anything like this.” “We have never heard anyone speak like this.” There was no special halo around Jesus that caused such reactions. Jesus fully entered into humanity. Nothing marked him as being from another planet. He spoke, ate, slept, walked, and talked as a man. What was there about Jesus that caused people to be so surprised?
112 pages, Paperback
Published September 6, 2016
40 people are currently reading
665 people want to read
About the author
Blake Western
12 books69 followersGraduated from Oklahoma Baptist University with a BA degree in 1957. My major was history with a minor in speech. In 1960 I graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a BD degree. After pastoring churches in Oklahoma for 6 years I was appointed as a missionary to Japan by the International Mission Board, SBC. After completing formal language school, I moved to Hokkaido where I served until 1999.
Since retiring I have been taking short term mission trips to different countries in Africa, Asia, Brazil, and Cuba. I usually teach two classes in the Leadership Development Institutes, Lifestyle Evangelism and the Preeminence of Christ. In the First Baptist Church of Purcell I serve as the organist, sing in the choir, and sometimes play the piano.
Since retiring I have been taking short term mission trips to different countries in Africa, Asia, Brazil, and Cuba. I usually teach two classes in the Leadership Development Institutes, Lifestyle Evangelism and the Preeminence of Christ. In the First Baptist Church of Purcell I serve as the organist, sing in the choir, and sometimes play the piano.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 7, 2016
In Astonished Beyond Measure, Blake Western helps us view Christ with new eyes. The stories he shares are not new. We know them well, but he shows us fresh insights that help us to glory and stand in amazement of Christ. While reading this work, it reminded me of Psalm 105:1-2: “Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.” Blake, in an act of praise, retells Christ’s wonderful acts so that we can share the amazement of the original audience. It was said about the disciples after Christ walked on water, “And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled” (Mark 6:51). After Christ raised a twelve-year-old girl from death, the people responded this way, “And they were overcome with great amazement” (Mark 5:42).
It's a shame that we are not always amazed at Christ. Sadly, like the people from his hometown, his familiarity often dulls our senses to his glory (Lk 4:24). Blake seeks to sharpen those senses. He focuses on many amazing things Christ did and said: his authority over nature and demons, his healing ministry, his resurrection, his childhood, his compassion, his stunning answers to questions, and much more. Astonished Beyond Measure helps renew our awe of our Amazing Savior.
It's a shame that we are not always amazed at Christ. Sadly, like the people from his hometown, his familiarity often dulls our senses to his glory (Lk 4:24). Blake seeks to sharpen those senses. He focuses on many amazing things Christ did and said: his authority over nature and demons, his healing ministry, his resurrection, his childhood, his compassion, his stunning answers to questions, and much more. Astonished Beyond Measure helps renew our awe of our Amazing Savior.
November 2, 2016
I received this book free from Goodreads...
Insightful book on the awareness we should have to the amazing
Wonders of Jesus, His works, miracles and as a man. Great for new christians as well
As 'seasoned ' christians. To again be astonished at His wonders and omnipresence.
Easy read with a teaching heart the author has.
I feel it would be a great bible study group book especially for
New christians or those with questions about Jesus and who He is.
"Have we lost that sense of wonder today? The wonder of little
Children?". Indeed I think we have. Let's re-embrace it now!
Insightful book on the awareness we should have to the amazing
Wonders of Jesus, His works, miracles and as a man. Great for new christians as well
As 'seasoned ' christians. To again be astonished at His wonders and omnipresence.
Easy read with a teaching heart the author has.
I feel it would be a great bible study group book especially for
New christians or those with questions about Jesus and who He is.
"Have we lost that sense of wonder today? The wonder of little
Children?". Indeed I think we have. Let's re-embrace it now!
April 15, 2020
Good Read
A great reminder at how wonderful our Savior is. He always meets us in our time of need. I enjoyed Astonished Beyond Measure-it is an easy read filled with Scripture to reinforce your love for the Lord.
A great reminder at how wonderful our Savior is. He always meets us in our time of need. I enjoyed Astonished Beyond Measure-it is an easy read filled with Scripture to reinforce your love for the Lord.
March 7, 2017
An insightful book that reminds us of how awesome a God we serve is. With the miracles that Christ performed. Just as it was awe inspiring two thousand years ago, it would be the same today.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway and am under no obligation to review. All thoughts, opinions, and ratings are my own.
I am now passing this book along to a family member in the ministry.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway and am under no obligation to review. All thoughts, opinions, and ratings are my own.
I am now passing this book along to a family member in the ministry.
November 5, 2017
Astonished by the truth
This book calls attention all the things about Jesus that astonish us; his miracles, words, authority, answers, questions, control, humility, and knowledge of all things. The more we know Him, the more wonder will fill out soul. He is both Shepard and and king.
This book calls attention all the things about Jesus that astonish us; his miracles, words, authority, answers, questions, control, humility, and knowledge of all things. The more we know Him, the more wonder will fill out soul. He is both Shepard and and king.
May 2, 2019
A look at Jesus and how he amazed the people he met and still amazes the world.
April 18, 2020
Decent book. Read up.
January 9, 2017
Astonished Beyond Measure- Surprising Responses to Jesus by Blake Western is a book that looks into several aspects of Jesus' life and how his actions in the Bible can relate to people's lives today.
There are a lot of points dedicated to specific people in the Bible, many of which I'm not familiar with. I've not read as much of the Bible as others have and, subsequently, lack knowledge in these areas. It also has several references to things I don't know much of. I was born and raised in Australia, for example. Yet, Chapter 3 brings up the 5th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America. As a foreigner, I know little of this. Yet the author doesn't explain it much. There are references to people I've never heard of and makes references to their quotes and work, without proper explanation of what the author is talking about.
I found some of lessons to be intriguing. However, in the same way, some of them were kind of misleading and confusing. For example, on Page 84: the author suggests that, because Joseph was not Jesus' father, Jesus has no will to sin. "He was conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit without a human father. Therefore, the tendency of sin was not passed on to Him." Ummm... What? He was still birthed by Mary. She's a human. So why wouldn't the tendency to sin be passed through her...?
Overall, I think that the author has some interesting points, but it's intended for people who know more about the Bible events and people than I do. I think that many of the references need to be better explained and for some of the points to make better sense.
I won a copy of this book via a First Reads giveaway and these are just my honest thoughts on it.
There are a lot of points dedicated to specific people in the Bible, many of which I'm not familiar with. I've not read as much of the Bible as others have and, subsequently, lack knowledge in these areas. It also has several references to things I don't know much of. I was born and raised in Australia, for example. Yet, Chapter 3 brings up the 5th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America. As a foreigner, I know little of this. Yet the author doesn't explain it much. There are references to people I've never heard of and makes references to their quotes and work, without proper explanation of what the author is talking about.
I found some of lessons to be intriguing. However, in the same way, some of them were kind of misleading and confusing. For example, on Page 84: the author suggests that, because Joseph was not Jesus' father, Jesus has no will to sin. "He was conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit without a human father. Therefore, the tendency of sin was not passed on to Him." Ummm... What? He was still birthed by Mary. She's a human. So why wouldn't the tendency to sin be passed through her...?
Overall, I think that the author has some interesting points, but it's intended for people who know more about the Bible events and people than I do. I think that many of the references need to be better explained and for some of the points to make better sense.
I won a copy of this book via a First Reads giveaway and these are just my honest thoughts on it.
November 6, 2016
In a similar vein as Blake Western's first book, this short book covers a wide range of events in the life of Christ. This time the focus is on accounts in which people in the Bible were astonished beyond measure by Jesus' words and deeds. The text flows in a simple manner that is easy for a wide audience to understand (particularly for those where English is not their first language) and the book lacks an American-centric cultural context (which also broadens its appeal beyond US readership).
Each chapter reads like a sermon -- through frequent use of open-ended questions and brief mention of modern day anecdotes to guide the reader. The conclusion helped tie the various and sometimes disparate themes. Overall, just like the author's first book, this book is an important reminder of the central and primary role Jesus has in Christianity -- one that picking this book up again to read once again in several months time would help reinforce.
Each chapter reads like a sermon -- through frequent use of open-ended questions and brief mention of modern day anecdotes to guide the reader. The conclusion helped tie the various and sometimes disparate themes. Overall, just like the author's first book, this book is an important reminder of the central and primary role Jesus has in Christianity -- one that picking this book up again to read once again in several months time would help reinforce.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews