A crucial, readable opus concerning divine approval.

books:

	• The Sound of God's Applause: Living a Life That Glorifies the Father Les Hughes B&H Publishing Group, 1999 - 208 pages average customer review:based on 3 reviews view larger image
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A crucial, readable opus concerning divine approval.

Rarely does an author's first book strike so near to the heart of an issue. Dr. Hughes invites the reader, by means of the printed page, to share a casual conversation over a cup of coffee about the subject of approval. Through relevant examples, and with careful attention to the biblical witness, the author suggests that a life truly worth living is one lived seeking God's approbation, not that of other humans.Get this book, read it, underline it, re-read it, and then send a copy to a friend whose life has become mere existence.

Some good ideas, though the style might put you off

Overall, a good book, but it reads too much like it was spoken from the pulpit as a typical Baptist sermon. The heart is right behind it, I have no doubts, and the ideas were good, but I'm not sure if I come away but a better understanding of what "the sound of God's applause" is...though the idea below helped. This is not a self-help book for those looking for ways to stop looking for the affirmation of others before looking for the affirmation of God, though it will be helpful in that search.

One of the best ideas from this book is a quote from D. A. Carson: "To be `blessed' means, fundamentally, to be approved, to find approval . . . Since this is God's universe there can be no higher `blessing' than to be approved by God. We must ask ourselves whose blessing we diligently seek. If God's blessing means more to us than the approval of loved ones no matter how cherished, or of colleagues no matter how influential, then the beatitudes will speak to us very personally and deeply." What a great idea! This makes my reading of the Beatitudes deeper.

At the end of the chapter on the Results of Pleasing the Father, I feel that Hughes defines our function here on earth a little too narrowly. Based on Rick Warren's comments that there are only two things that we can do here on earth that we can't do in heaven: sin and evangelize; Hughes goes from there to just make the generic statement that "while we are on earth, our purpose is to glorify our heavenly Father" (149). In his explanation he's too generic for my tastes and doesn't leave enough room for other ways to glorify the father while still here on earth.

Quote:
"If our service is only for people, we have to depend on people for our reward. Often a reward will not come at all. Even when people do reward and applaud you, the favor of people is nothing compared to God's blessing. Human approval is temporary; God's approval is eternal." cf. Eph 6:7-8.

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A timely book on the human need for approval

The Sound of God's Applause deals with one of the most basic of human needs: approval. Through insightful examples and biblical analysis, Dr. Hughes examines our need for approval and leads the reader to search for approval from God rather than others. The writing style makes it seem like a conversation between the author and the reader. You will find yourself underlining passages and perhaps wanting to shout out, as a lady in one of the anecdotes does, "Fix it, Preacher." When you finish the book, you may feel that the author has helped you to fix it. Highly recommended.

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