If You Want a Harvest, You Have to be Willing to Cultivate the Soil
Dr. T. Darnell Saunders
Jones Harvest Publishing (2007)
ISBN 9781600022708
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (2/09)
Dr. T. Darnell Saunders has captured the essence of spiritual growth and fruitfulness in his book “If You Want a Harvest, You Have to be Willing to Cultivate the Soil.” The book is written in layman’s terms and is easy to understand.
Dr. Saunders develops a parallel of the nine stages of growth of an apple tree and the growth of fruitfulness and prosperity in the Christian life. Saunders maintains that the secret of enjoying prosperity is in realizing that it is not in the things we have but in the way we live. Evidence of this is found when we become fruitful and are ready to bear fruit for others to enjoy.
Dr. Saunders uses the illustration of a car-wash freshener in Indiana to the sweet savor of the offerings of Exodus and Leviticus, when God instituted the theology of holiness, purity, and sacrifice in the worship experience.
I enjoyed the illustrations that were made in triplets, like the tug of war we often experience between our body, soul, and mind, when we could be experiencing the benefits of oneness in our spirit.
In another illustrative trio, Dr. Saunders shared the three steps to moving into the banquet of blessing of the Lord. In yet another triplet, lessons are drawn from three distinctions of the characteristics of the will of God. These were gleaned from seeing answers to a child’s prayer. These characteristics are: We can know God’s will, the will of God can be proven, and it is possible to do God’s will.
Unique stories of individuals are used that show circumstances that represent thousands of Christians, for example, Christians who have not reached a mind of expectancy in their worship. There are others who lack a basic understanding of God’s love, grace and mercy. Saunders goes on to reveal the threefold principle of waiting in expectancy.
I also appreciated the openness with which Dr. Saunders shared lessons he learned from his own life. He talked about how he responded to times of disappointment and near devastation. The Lord took him through a period of spiritual re-education and rehabilitation as he studied and claimed the promises of the Word. He summarizes these lessons as “the treasure map of the hidden treasures of faith.”
Scriptural principles from the life of Jacob and words from Solomon reinforce the contemporary illustrations and stories of the narrative. Biblically sound and filled with scriptural promises, this book can be used as a study guide or for devotional reading. It is filled with rich nuggets of truth for reflection, contemplation, and spiritual application.
Dr. Saunders has a distinctive writing style that clearly communicates the message of cultivating a servant’s heart, faith, and prosperity. I found freshness in his writing that encouraged me to revisit the Gospel message and the reality of redemption provided through the gift of God’s son our savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Saunders’s writing resonates with encouragement, comfort, and confidence. His stories have a simplicity and authenticity that invite the reader to interact as they discover the free spirit of worship and praise.
“If You Want a Harvest, You Have to be Willing to Cultivate the Soil” by Dr. T. Darnell Saunders is a book for every Christian today. This is a book pastors and counselors can confidently pass along to anyone of their constituents who are seeking words of encouragement, needing spiritual support or reassurance.
