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****Please note, I received this book as a free Goodreads Giveaway****

Anyone who is religious SHOULD NOT read this review lest they be offended by it in some way.

I feel bad, but I only made it through about 14 pages of this book before I put it down. It's my fault for not paying closer attention when reading the blurb for the book. I thought that this was more along the lines of a self help book when I first read the blurb to enter the giveaway.

Then when I actually received the book, I read further and saw that it's more religious (deeply so) and I was unnerved at the prospect of reading it. I wanted to give it a shot, because I won the book after all so I might as well, but I just couldn't do it.

I am not a religious person. I would say that I'm more spiritual if anything, and overall without really labeling myself too much, I'd rather just say I was open minded. I have been to church maybe once or twice, and I've always felt uncomfortable being there.

In college, I was involved for a while with a group that was very much into proseltyzation. I thought they were just a nice group of people to hang out with at first, and then once we did start hanging out, I noticed that all conversations centered on God and Church. It bugged me but they were nice so I wanted to be friendly and at the time I had some questions. Then they started pressuring me about going to church with them, and doing bible study.

I did the bible study, but one particular lesson stopped me from hanging out with them after this... I have no idea the section or the passage in particular but it was something to do with a person having a disability because they were being punished for their sins.

When the passage was read, everyone in the group turned to look at me and the leader of the group asked me how I felt about fulfilling the punishment for my sins. (I have Cerebral Palsy.)

I didn't know what to say and stammered something, when I should have just walked out. It felt like they were judging me right there, doubly so, because they knew more of the bible and the implications of the passages than I did.

This book demonstrates some of the same ideals they held like certain elements of modern life being evil, and to be avoided.

Plus I felt like I needed to have a bible right in front of me to help decipher all the passages that were referenced.

I suppose I thought that this would be somewhat lighter, with a few passages sprinkled in for reference maybe, rather than having a passage stated every few lines.

I will not rate this out of fairness for not having actually read it. Definitely a reminder to myself to pay closer attention to the giveaway blurbs.

And to anyone who read this review and was offended, I won't apologize because I did put a disclaimer at the top and you chose to read ahead.

In As Silver Refined: Learning to Embrace Life's Disappointments, Kay Arthur is instructional, compassionate, and encouraging to those who are going through some kind of crushing disappointment. The book includes the text, to page 286, and then a study guide with thirteen lessons that correspond to the text.

As you read Kay Arthur's books you can really feel that she has a heart for God and for teaching others the truths she has found in the Word of God. Her faith is uplifting and offers some real encouragement to those going through life's disappointments. She always makes it clear that God loves his people no matter what and He wants us to come running to Him or stay close to Him when trials hit. He will not forsake us.

Instead of focusing on our disappointments, we need to look at them as His appointments, and opportunities for our refinement. God would not allow it in our lives if He did not have plans to use it for the good according to His plan and purpose for our lives. This book will help Christians who are facing disappointments and trials of all kinds and sizes to keep the focus where it belongs, on Christ.
Very Highly Recommended; http://shetreadssoftly.blogspot.com/

Disclosure: I received my copy through a Goodreads giveaway. ( )

This book by Kay Arthur takes as its theme the refining of silver and relates that refining to the refining that God does in and through us when we have trials, tribulations, and troubles. It is well done with a wealth of stories to back up her theme. Enjoyed it.

J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'" and "To Whom It May Concern" ( )

Two years ago, I would have loved this bible study. Kay Arthur always lovingly shows you biblical promises that help in whatever situation she’s writing about and she does that here also. But my belief has changed since then.

Kay makes some wonderful points. And gives appropriate verses to look up to help with depression and/or disappointment.

(Zech 13:9 [TS98])
“And I shall bring the third into fire, and refine them as silver is refined, and try them as gold is tried. They shall call on My Name, and I shall answer them. I shall say, ‘This is My people,’ while they say, ‘יהוה is my Elohim.’ ”

‘יהוה is Hebrew – the Name of YaHUaH. His name is important!

(Lam 3:55-57 [TS98])
I called on Your Name, O יהוה, from the lowest pit.
You have heard my voice, Do not hide Your ear from my groaning, From my outcry!
You drew near on the day I called on You; You said, “Do not fear!”

P71 – Kay quotes Psalm 119 vs 75, 67, and 71. She gets out of these passages that “it is good that we are afflicted” without bringing up the point that they were afflicted as a consequence of not following His instructions. The entirety of Psalm 119 has to do with following His precepts, His instructions, His law.

(Ps 119:75 [TS98])
I know, O יהוה, That Your right-rulings are righteous, And in trustworthiness You have afflicted me.
(Ps 119:67 [TS98])
Before I was afflicted I myself was going astray, But now I have guarded Your word.
(Ps 119:71 [TS98])
It was good for me that I was afflicted, That I might learn Your laws.

Recognize YaHUaH is sovereign. Kay says to study Genesis - chapters 37, 39 through 50 – the life of (Yosef) Joseph. (see, they managed to transliterate his name just fine) I agree with this – if anyone should have been depressed and angry, it would be Joseph. He had every right to be, didn’t he? And yet, how did he react? We should study his life and his reactions.

But as you can see, I have problems with the errors in this book concerning the Name. This is very easy to find out. I have to wonder why bible teachers intersperse their books with Hebrew words but yet somehow, they never cover the fact that the Creator’s Name has been left out of every translation except “The Scriptures” and” The Besorah” editions. He does give us his name – YaHUaH. It is not “God”, it is not “LORD”. These are pagan names. And every other pagan deity name has been “translated” correctly over to the English.
How can you study Scriptural Hebrew and not find this out and not want to share it with everyone!

We are to say His Name.
(Exod 20:7 [TS98]) The Third Commandment
“You do not bring the Name of יהוה your Elohim to naught, for יהוה does not leave the one unpunished who brings His Name to naught.”

Study His Word for yourself – Don’t just believe what you are told in a book, in a bible study, or a pulpit.
Get a Strong’s Concordance.
Get a Hebrew Dictionary and a copy of the Scriptures in Hebrew.
Download TheWord.com – take a look at the difference between KJV, NIV, TS98 (The Scriptures).
Check out YouTube channels: MessengeroftheName and FossilizedCustom ( )