The Ten-Der Commandments: Reflections on the Father's Love

by Ron Mehl

Book Overview

The Ten Commandments are often portrayed as ominous warnings -- cold, harsh words from an all-powerful and vengeful God. This paperback release of the popular hardback The Tender Commandments recasts... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1576733041
• ISBN13: 9781576733042
• Release Date: July 1998
• Publisher: Multnomah Books
• Length: 259 Pages
• Weight: 1.12 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Tender and insightful look at the Big Ten

I bought this book for my father and ended up borrowing it back for a trip. It offers an unusually tender look at the 10 commandments. Instead of the harsh laws that humanity tends to view them as, the 10 commandments, according to Mehl, are important guidelines from a loving, all-knowing Father. He gently explains the reasoning behind them from a father's perspective and interjects some of his own desperate love for his sons and the lessons he tried to teach them. Mehl tries to broaden our perspective of the 10 commandments as not simply statements within themselves, but guidelines with much broader meanings. For example, Thou Shalt Not Steal does not only mean the obvious, but also not stealing time or joy from someone else. Keeping the Sabbath means taking some time to rest and be still, instead of running ourselves into the ground everyday. After all, Mehl explains, not even God worked all week!This is a beautiful gift, I think, for anyone of any age that can use a little reminding about the true nature of God and where we fit in to His plans. It is restful, knowledgable, and sweet.

A wonderful book - easy to read and understand! I loved it!

The "thou shalt nots" of the 10 commandments can feel a little like a stern God admonishing us, but Mehl's book really shows the tremendous love and care behind each commandment and shows the spiritual depth of those 10 spiritual guides and landmarks. He casts a new light on them, by explaining that they provide a fence of protection around God's beloved children. His chapter on the 7th commandment - adultery - is alone worth the price of the book. He speaks frankly about how he counsels young couples who wish to marry. It is a powerful chapter with much depth. Mehl's writing style is warm and personable. His practical wisdom and Christly humility speak through every word of this powerful little book. I've spent 7 years working *daily* to live the 10 commandments, but this book - "The ten(der) commandments" gave me many new insights and profound revelations.

A different perspective...

Believe it or not, this is a great book to read! The author takes a subject that many of us want to avoid and offers a very different perspective of why we should obey God's laws. He shows clearly how the Ten Commandments are intended for our protection and are, actually, one of the deepest expressions of God's love. It's a great book for personal reading or to use in a Bible Study. The ideas are reinforced with several references to Scripture and Ron Mehl's personal experiences are related in a very truthful, thoughtful and entertaining way.

Finally! An author I can understand

I was given this book as a Christmas present from my mother--a devoted servant of God, to me--a devoted party girl and drinker. I rolled my eyes and tossed this book aside, thinking that I would never pick it up again. Little did I know what God had in store for me. I had just started a job where I had a lot of free time to read, so one day I brought this book along, for lack of other books around my apartment. The moment I began reading, I realized that this book was different. The author was writing in a way I could understand. Finally!! In the past I would get so confused by books about God that I just stopped trying to read about Him, and then little by little, stopped living my life for Him. But this book changed my life. I know it might sound dramatic, but it's true. God used this book to speak to me, to convict me, to bring me back to Him where I belonged. I consider this book to be the tool God used for my rebirth as a Christian. My life has not been the same since. I live it for God now, not for this world or anything in it. My soul was lost and I didn't even know it, but God did, and he decided to do something about it. In such a simple, yet powerful way, Ron Mehl describes the Ten Commandments as a love letter from God the Father to His children. He gives personal, heartfelt stories related to each commandment, and involves the readers in his own thoughts, joys, and struggles. He quotes Scripture that is thought-provoking, and thought-changing. This book is an easy read that gives a refreshing and much-needed outlook to what the Ten Commandments really are about, and how very important they are to our daily lives. This is by far one of my favorite books, and without a doubt, my favorite author.

A different take on the ten commandments

Ron Mehl has the ability to look at Bible text's in such a refreshing way. God wants the best for us, like we want the best for our children. The premise that the ten commandments were given out of love, not out of control, is so "tender". Ron gives great examples as he establishes this premise. A great book to give high school & college kids, as well as adults!