Hidden in Plain Sight: The Secret of More

by Mark Buchanan

Book Overview

Even for the religious, life is full of questions: What is faith? Can my life be more satisfying? How can I deepen my walk with Christ? What does it mean to be happy? These bubble and boil underneath... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 084990174X
• ISBN13: 9780849901744
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: W Publishing Group
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

As functional as it is enjoyable

As a thinking Christ-follower, I struggle with the delicate balance between faith and works. I understand and appreciate God's grace, but He must be impressed by my efforts at piety...mustn't He? With his usual deftness, Mark Buchanan presents a flowing exegesis of 2 Peter 1:1-9 that actually gives me hope in my aforementioned struggle. Buchanan is my favorite Christian author. He is a gifted wordsmith with a winsome delivery, yet his work presents a functional practicality and I reference it often. "Hidden in Plain Sight" is different than anything Buchanan has done before and he seems to be maturing as a writer. I especially enjoyed "The Petrine Diaries," behind-the-scenes glimpses into Peter's soul which added insight and context to his exhortation. When I finished the last page, I found myself looking forward to Mark Buchanan's next offering. I am certain it will be another cherished gift to the church.

Amen and amen.

The writer Diane Ackerman once wrote that for too many people, "Life is something that happens to them while they wait for death." In HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT, Mark Buchanan explores seven ancient virtues that are found in the writings of the apostle Peter. In doing so, Buchanan invites us to pay attention to our lives, to really live, not just exist. The life we've always wanted, Buchanan reminds us, is already here. It's not later, like after the kids are grown, or we've gone to counseling, or gotten a degree. It's now. We have everything we need. And there are seven virtues that, according to the Apostle Peter, if we add to our lives will make us more fruitful and productive. But first we have to search out these virtues and apply them. What are the virtues? We need knowledge, the key to efficiency and productivity, and for it to be detoxified by goodness, which renders knowledge beneficial and not impressive. Add self-control; learn to pray. Persevere. Become Godly (Godliness, he notes, is "beautiful when it is authentic, and revolting when it's pretense.") Be kind. Love each other. Virtue's "groundwork" is faith, he writes. Its lifeblood is the Spirit. As in his previous books, such as THE REST OF GOD and THINGS UNSEEN, Buchanan crafts lovely prose and careful word choices to get his message across. "...the Spirit is a wind. I'm learning to run with his gentle pummeling on my back, keeping me from growing weary. Some days, I spread my arms like wings and catch that wind beneath them, and for moments I fly. I fly." Buchanan's vulnerability, often poignant personal stories, careful incorporation of scripture, illustrations and quotes from such diverse writers as Annie Dillard, G.K. Chesterton, and Pat Conroy enrich and illuminate his message. Every page is a challenge if we take it to heart. And we can't be proud of these virtues; rather, each virtue must come with an underlying humility. In one interesting passage of the book, Buchanan wrestles with a concept that I've always struggled with. When we know that whenever we make a decision, the fallout of it might have negative consequences, how do we move forward? For example, we send care packages with toothbrushes in them to impoverished children in Africa, and the local toothbrush vendor loses his business. Or the church decides to invest in new choir robes, and the local food pantry can't feed 30 families because they are short on funds. It can make you crazy! Buchanan's advice, riffing on Martin Luther's "sin boldly," is helpful: "Don't anguish over every little thing. Do what needs doing and leave the outcome to God." Something different: Buchanan integrates "The Petrine Diaries," 11 entries drawn from the life of Peter plus three short fictional stories that are tagged onto each section of the book, which he includes to "stir up your imagination." Although his nonfiction is stronger than his fiction, these short stories help flesh out the person of Peter on which the book revolves.

Hidden In Plain Sight

Mark Buchanan is a unique writer. He writes in a style that is "out of the box" thinking. He keeps me off balance in a good way. As a result I find myself actively engaged with the message he is seeking to convey.

He makes the hard look easy

Mark Buchanan is my favorite author for a solid reason. He tackles tough subjects ... here taking on the whole subject of godliness (not real trendy), yet he always captures my imagination and propels me toward more lofty goals with his vivid writing. His real life examples are gripping. I can relate to this writer. And I end up better as a human and closer to God for the journey. After "Holy Wild," "Your God is Too Safe" and "The Rest of God" I wondered if he might lose steam. No way. I can't wait for the next book.

Keeping looking for the good life

It is always so helpful when an author points his finger at a passage of Scripture that has probably gone unnoticed by most of us, but is a treasure that has been waiting all along. Buchanan accomplishes that in his explication of a detailed statement on living in the good in 2 Peter. Inside is a list of virtues based on authentic faith--so they are not merely good intentions, but real virtues. The book is a pleasure to read, moving between vivid storytelling and principle.