You think I'm exaggerating when I tell you to run and buy Jose Luis Navajo's Mondays With My Old Pastor, but I assure you I have never more thoughtfully made such a statement. My friend, Ryan Hayden, gave me the book telling me it had such an impact on him. I looked forward to reading it, but never dreamed it would so move me. It is certainly one of the top 2 or 3 ministry books I now possess.

Don't let its laid-back format fool you. It wraps you up in a story to deliver its gold, but it is more than a story as it touches all the places we need as Christ's servants. Particularly if the strain of that service weighs on you.

It apparently has a few things working against it on the surface, yet those things vanish with every turn of the page. First, it is written by an unknown Spanish- speaking pastor. The translation is so good, however, that you never think of it. Plus it can help abolish the ridiculous thinking that the Lord can't use others in another culture on the same level as us. Second, you may not know this pastor, but you will want to walk his steps and feel every throb of his heart. Third, the old pastor he learns from is unknown too. But you will have the most incredible vision of what an entry into Heaven this old man must have had. He could join Paul and Spurgeon and make quite a team. He was of their ilk.

In the book Mr. Navajo is sinking under the weight of ministry and decides to look up his old pastor for counsel. As the book goes along we learn the old pastor is dying, but he is energized to share with this protege of his. He goes every Monday for a meeting with the old pastor and the pastor speaks from accumulated wisdom, extraordinary stories, and power from a dynamic walk with God. The chapters are the discussion on each Monday.

Every chapter is a field of diamonds scattered all over the ground. If you can't be helped by this book, take off your work boots and leave the gospel field—there's no help left for you. But if you want to see—I mean really see—read with your senses fully engaged. You will find yourself craving the fellowship of your Lord! You will want to stay in the field, with your head now on straight and your heart running at full capacity.

The book boils down to 15 key principles. The list is amazing as is the journey to get to them. There are so many lessons, so many corrections and reproofs, and so much hope. I'm not going to mention even one of the principles in this review as I wouldn't want to rob you of the journey. There are a thousand greats quotes in the book as well, but I will let you do you own digging too.

Thank you Mr. Navajo for taking us on your journey by writing it down for us. Thank you old pastor for your sage counsel—we will never forget it!

"Mondays With My Old Pastor" by Jose Luis Navajo is Navajo's story of finding rejuvenation for ministry through visits with his old pastor. Navajo was burned out on ministry, tired and discouraged. He was questioning even whether he was truly called to pastor a church. At this point, his wife gently suggested that he contact his old pastor. Navajo did just that, and he began meeting with his old pastor (whose name we are never given). His old pastor was a man who pastored the same church for 55 years and was married to his wife for 60 years, until his death. He was a man of tremendous wisdom who passed it on to Navajo, and Navajo blessed readers with the wisdom of his old pastor in this book.

Granted, the book is aimed more at pastors or other leaders in the church, but the principles in this book transcend to apply to the lives of every believer. The old pastor gives us fifteen principles to live by. The wisdom contained in this book is overflowing. I loved the messages that were shared. There are too many wonderful quotes to count in this book! One of my favorites has to do with putting emphasis on preaching the Bible: "Why are there so few churches where they preach the whole Bible message? Why do so many prefer to tell stories? There may be more attractive messages, but none more powerful. Many topics may be entertaining, but they don't save. Other issues might astonish, but only the cross can transform us" (p. 105).

This is truly a wonderful book that all believers should read. The wisdom contained in this book comes from years of experience and is an absolute treasure trove. We should all be so lucky to glean wisdom from those older and more experienced than us as we journey through life and our own Christian walk!

(I've received this complimentary book from Thomas Nelson Publishing House through the Book Sneeze program in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)

Mondays with My Old Pastor — José Luis Navajo

About the Book:

A totally burned-out young preacher reignites his faith and gathers wisdom for life while spending successive Mondays with an eighty-three-year-old pastor.

"Deep inside in some uncertain part of my soul persisted this strange exhaustion that was difficult to explain and hard to endure," writes pastor and author José Luis Navajo. Thinking of quitting the ministry, Navajo doesn't know where to turn until he begins meeting with a seasoned man of the cloth–his "old pastor"–who, through successive Monday visits, offers a legacy of wisdom in the form of 15 unique principles.

In lyrical prose, Navajo shares the personal anecdotes, fables, and deep spiritual insights offered by the old pastor and his wife. By turns funny, heartbreaking, and thought provoking, Mondays with My Old Pastor is a comfort to anyone who struggles in his or her walk with God. As readers follow Navajo's journey from desperation to rejuvenation, they will find themselves similarly transformed and inspired. This moving, beautifully written account is sure to reignite every soul's longing for renewal.

My Review:

Reminiscent of 'Tuesdays with Morrie', this book is a treasury of simple truths and wisdom. Watching Navajo glean some of his old pastor's wisdom and insight, not only inspires, but serves as a reminder that we all have 'an old pastor' to learn from. Some come in the form of a parent, grandparent or other relatives, while others may be a friend, neighbour or teacher. It's up to us to spend time with them and glean from their vast and priceless experiences. Like Navajo was blessed with renewal and purpose in his calling, these pearls of wisdom can serve as stepping stones on our own spiritual journey.

I appreciated how this book is a beautiful blend of parables, scripture and the old pastor's years of experiences, contrasted by the discouragements, fear of failure and exhaustion of the young pastor. And that I got to sit in on many visits with Navajo and his old pastor. Thus, watching the young pastor's problems fade away as he's empowered by passion and inspiration passed on to him by his old pastor, feeling prepared like never before to serve God and his church. I love the cover of this book!

In exchange for an honest review, Booksneeze.com provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.

When I saw the cover of this book it tugged at my heart. When I read the description I just had to learn more. I knew this was a book I must review. To say I loved this book is not sufficient. I think this will be regarded as a timeless treasure.

Jose' finds himself weary. He asks the question we have all pondered at least once in our lives, "Perhaps I should dedicate myself to something else?" I treasured the wisdom penned across these pages. The love and passion that was brought to life between these two pastors is almost holy. Through these pages we see the Lord's presence and we see Him moving ever so graciously as Jose' finds that peace he has been seeking.

How wonderful these Monday afternoons must have been not only for Jose', but for his pastor. Jose' shares their intimate moments of conversation. This is pure friendship. We get a fascinating glimpse into the lives of Jose' and his pastor. We get to meet their wives too, who are also filled with great wisdom.

I love how God brought Jose' to this place and how Jose' brought us here, by simply sharing this wondrous message. This is one of those treasures I will return to over and over again for wisdom and inspiration. As the title shares, "Sometimes all we need is a reminder from someone who has walked before us".

This book was a gift from Thomas Nelson for it's review.

Mondays with My Old Pastor is about Jose Navajo, a pastor, who was burned-out from years of serving in the ministry. On the verge of giving up he began meeting with his old pastor every Monday. This book chronicles twelve of their Monday meetings along with an unexpected meeting. Through stories and personal experiences this old pastor shares his wisdom gained from years of spending time with the Lord. This is truly a heartwarming story that will make you laugh, as well as, shed some tears.

I absolutely loved this book and learned so much by reading it. I know this book will be one that I reference often. The life lessons were simple yet powerful. Jose wrote the book in such a way that you felt like you were sitting right there with him and his old pastor. I believe Jose was truly blessed by having this man in his life. This book illustrates how much one life can impact the life of another. Although people in ministry may be drawn to this book I believe that people who are not in ministry can also apply these principles to their lives.

*I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."