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A Fragile Stone: The Emotional Life of Simon Peter
Winner of a Chicago Book Clinic 2004 Design Award! A Fragile Stone explores the dynamic life of the apostle Peter, revisiting well-known passages and revealing unexpected insights. Author Michael Card sketches out Peter's life, showing how the impetuous fisherman of the Gospels was transformed into the pivotal leader of the early church. "The ultimate reason for getting to know Peter," Card explains, "is so together we might better know Jesus. For the story of Peter is the story of Jesus. Perhaps, if you and I do our best, the same will be said of us someday." Peter's life serves as a model for Christian discipleship, offering hope that we likewise can be changed as Jesus calls us to follow him.
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First published January 1, 2003
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About the author
Michael Card
110 books96 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Michael Card (born April 11, 1957) is an American Christian singer-songwriter, musician, author, and radio host from Franklin, Tennessee. He is best known for his contributions in contemporary Christian music, which couple folk-style melodies and instrumentation with lyrics that stem from intensive study of the Bible. Since his debut in 1981, he has sold more than 4 million albums and has written 19 No. 1 singles.He has also authored several books, including Gold Medallion Book Award winner A Sacred Sorrow.
http://www.michaelcard.com/#/about-mi...
Michael Card (born April 11, 1957) is an American Christian singer-songwriter, musician, author, and radio host from Franklin, Tennessee. He is best known for his contributions in contemporary Christian music, which couple folk-style melodies and instrumentation with lyrics that stem from intensive study of the Bible. Since his debut in 1981, he has sold more than 4 million albums and has written 19 No. 1 singles.He has also authored several books, including Gold Medallion Book Award winner A Sacred Sorrow.
http://www.michaelcard.com/#/about-mi...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 19, 2017
Peter is my hero. I love his impulsiveness, his strength, his weakness, his leadership, his humanity. I find learning about him endlessly enlightening.
This isn't one of the better books about him, but it's by no means bad. Card emphasizes his dual strength and weakness, as the title would suggest, and spends a lot of time comparing Peter's life to things we might face. It's a valid approach, although not my favorite. I preferred "To Whom Shall We Go?: Lessons from the Apostle Peter" for example. But for people who want a little more relaxed approach, this isn't bad. And I can never read too much about Peter.
This isn't one of the better books about him, but it's by no means bad. Card emphasizes his dual strength and weakness, as the title would suggest, and spends a lot of time comparing Peter's life to things we might face. It's a valid approach, although not my favorite. I preferred "To Whom Shall We Go?: Lessons from the Apostle Peter" for example. But for people who want a little more relaxed approach, this isn't bad. And I can never read too much about Peter.
December 30, 2012
Absolutely *LOVED* this book! Not so deep as other books I've read, but definitely heart warming. An excellent book on the life of Peter - from denial to complete service to the Lord. :) A great read, recommend to everyone!
My sweet sister found this book and it fit so perfectly for a challenge in memorizing the book of 1 Peter on Meditations of His Love devotional blog. This was PERFECT!
"A Fragile Stone speaks to wobbly disciples who never seem to get it all together and to naive leaders who think they have." (p.9 - forward by Brennan Manning, author of "A Glimpse of Jesus")
"The Rock indeed (Peter) was... certainly there was something solid in him, but it was Jesus' doing. And yes, he was like you and me and again he was not. He stumbled, to be sure, lost his temper, and said no to Jesus just as you and I do. But at the same time, he was completely unique by virtue of the call that had been placed on his life." (p. 13)
This book is a nice easy read, written by award-winning musician and performing artist Michael Card - this is the first book I've read by him and I just love his writing style! {I like some of his music, too, in fact!}. You will not find any hard-headed doctrinal or theological debates, only a new perspective at the man who was Jesus closest friend here on this earth. As Mr. Card wrote in his book, "The ultimate reason for getting to know Peter is so together we might better know Jesus. For the story of Peter is the story of Jesus. Perhaps if you and I do our best, the same will be said of us someday." (p. 23)
I loved getting this fresh perspective of the life of Peter, a sort of "thought and feeling" behind what is written about him in the Bible so we can understand his character more and by getting to know him, understand our Lord even more. :) "A Fragile Stone" is an excellent read and I'd recommend it to all! And this book is great for all ages and for both men and women - so read it and pass it on! {I did!}
More Quotes I loved:
"The true test of discipleship is following Jesus not when the crowd is along for the ride but following him when no one else sees any sense in following him at all." (.67)
"If you are the sort of person who usually reads books like this, you would no doubt confess that Jesus is your friend. If that is true, then my question is, "How does He define you?" (p.66) My prayer is that He would define me in all things and all area's. I want other's to see Christ in me.
And my favorite part, from the story of Peter walking on water: "The lesson is that Peter needed to sink in order to take the next step of faith in Jesus. Because walking on the water does not ultimately increase our faith, only sinking does!" (p.53)
My sweet sister found this book and it fit so perfectly for a challenge in memorizing the book of 1 Peter on Meditations of His Love devotional blog. This was PERFECT!
"A Fragile Stone speaks to wobbly disciples who never seem to get it all together and to naive leaders who think they have." (p.9 - forward by Brennan Manning, author of "A Glimpse of Jesus")
"The Rock indeed (Peter) was... certainly there was something solid in him, but it was Jesus' doing. And yes, he was like you and me and again he was not. He stumbled, to be sure, lost his temper, and said no to Jesus just as you and I do. But at the same time, he was completely unique by virtue of the call that had been placed on his life." (p. 13)
This book is a nice easy read, written by award-winning musician and performing artist Michael Card - this is the first book I've read by him and I just love his writing style! {I like some of his music, too, in fact!}. You will not find any hard-headed doctrinal or theological debates, only a new perspective at the man who was Jesus closest friend here on this earth. As Mr. Card wrote in his book, "The ultimate reason for getting to know Peter is so together we might better know Jesus. For the story of Peter is the story of Jesus. Perhaps if you and I do our best, the same will be said of us someday." (p. 23)
I loved getting this fresh perspective of the life of Peter, a sort of "thought and feeling" behind what is written about him in the Bible so we can understand his character more and by getting to know him, understand our Lord even more. :) "A Fragile Stone" is an excellent read and I'd recommend it to all! And this book is great for all ages and for both men and women - so read it and pass it on! {I did!}
More Quotes I loved:
"The true test of discipleship is following Jesus not when the crowd is along for the ride but following him when no one else sees any sense in following him at all." (.67)
"If you are the sort of person who usually reads books like this, you would no doubt confess that Jesus is your friend. If that is true, then my question is, "How does He define you?" (p.66) My prayer is that He would define me in all things and all area's. I want other's to see Christ in me.
And my favorite part, from the story of Peter walking on water: "The lesson is that Peter needed to sink in order to take the next step of faith in Jesus. Because walking on the water does not ultimately increase our faith, only sinking does!" (p.53)
July 22, 2017
Michael Card takes his celebrated skills as a Troubadour and produces an excellent work on the life of Peter. There is a deft mixing of exegetical insights into a devotional flare that makes the book both accessible and inspiring.
I purchased this book due to my previous enjoyment of Card's work on the Gospel of John. I was not disappointed. Peter is analyzed, as the subtitle indicates, through the prism of his personal response to Jesus. His passion as revealed in Scripture is carefully analyzed for both is refreshing transparency and its transformative power. The reader is offered a careful rendering of the sacred text that upholds both the humanity of Peter and the authority of Christ to take him from fishing to apostolic work.
Recently, I've been more attracted to the character studies of biblical personalities. It helps me to better grasp the narrative through the lens of human personality. This work is a fine example of that genre and I highly recommend it to those desiring to deepen their love of God's Word.
I purchased this book due to my previous enjoyment of Card's work on the Gospel of John. I was not disappointed. Peter is analyzed, as the subtitle indicates, through the prism of his personal response to Jesus. His passion as revealed in Scripture is carefully analyzed for both is refreshing transparency and its transformative power. The reader is offered a careful rendering of the sacred text that upholds both the humanity of Peter and the authority of Christ to take him from fishing to apostolic work.
Recently, I've been more attracted to the character studies of biblical personalities. It helps me to better grasp the narrative through the lens of human personality. This work is a fine example of that genre and I highly recommend it to those desiring to deepen their love of God's Word.
August 30, 2022
I began reading this book for a sermon series that never ended up being preached. I was only about a chapter in when I discovered it was no longer necessary for me to read the book… But I didn’t want to stop. I had plenty of other books that I actually needed to read for my job, but this is one of those books that is just good for your soul.
The author, Michael Card, weaves helpful exegetical insights and practical application together so smoothly with a poetically pleasant style.
Somehow, this book walks the line between being an informative study resource and an emotionally- moving devotional tool. It helped me relate to Peter and love Jesus on a deeper level.
The author, Michael Card, weaves helpful exegetical insights and practical application together so smoothly with a poetically pleasant style.
Somehow, this book walks the line between being an informative study resource and an emotionally- moving devotional tool. It helped me relate to Peter and love Jesus on a deeper level.
September 30, 2019
A simple and beautiful look at the emotional life and spiritual journey of Simon Peter. I’m always grateful for the way Michael Card writes: he has a way for remembering reality. The scripture he presents is never flat. He dives into scenes, the settings, the people who had real lives and complex emotions. As he paints in the details around the encounters we have of Simon Peter—whether by reminding us of the context, the timeline, the interactions between Peter and Jesus that have recently taken place—Card takes what could be a stick figure abs makes it a portrait.
Reading Michael Card always makes me want to read the Bible with more heart-connection and any one passage of Scripture with greater connectedness to the whole of it. I’ve always connected with Simon Peter as I’ve read the NT. A Fragile Stone has made me more more greatly appreciate this connection.
Reading Michael Card always makes me want to read the Bible with more heart-connection and any one passage of Scripture with greater connectedness to the whole of it. I’ve always connected with Simon Peter as I’ve read the NT. A Fragile Stone has made me more more greatly appreciate this connection.
August 3, 2021
A wonderful picture of what could easily have been the inner life of Peter, one that we don't usually think about. He comes to life in this book with a view of how Jesus prepared the man who would lead the first century church.
November 21, 2024
Michael Card has been a voice and presence in my life since I was old enough to remember anything. His songs from "Close Your Eyes So You Can See" are still grafted into my memory. I grew up listening to his music, and his songs have a timeless element. Oddly enough, I don't think I've ever read his written works, which I know he has a lot of.
I listened to the audiobook of "A Fragile Stone" which is read by Michael Card. It's an overview and exploration of the emotional life of the Apostle Peter. This book strikes a beautiful balance between recognizing the significance of Peter, how he truly was the forerunner and leader of the apostles and "the rock" on which Jesus built the church, while not necessarily elevating him (or more like reducing him) to an office of the pope.
The only criticism I would have of this book is there were a couple of historical/cultural context elements that I might contest. But otherwise, this book was incredibly well-researched and profound.
I found this book to ultimately be absolutely beautiful, an encouraging balm for the passionate Christian who feels unworthy of the call of the Gospel, and a firey exhortation for the lackluster Christian who is too deep in their own comfort and spiritual complacency. Would recommend every Christian read this book! And I can see this being a book I come back to in the future.
I listened to the audiobook of "A Fragile Stone" which is read by Michael Card. It's an overview and exploration of the emotional life of the Apostle Peter. This book strikes a beautiful balance between recognizing the significance of Peter, how he truly was the forerunner and leader of the apostles and "the rock" on which Jesus built the church, while not necessarily elevating him (or more like reducing him) to an office of the pope.
The only criticism I would have of this book is there were a couple of historical/cultural context elements that I might contest. But otherwise, this book was incredibly well-researched and profound.
I found this book to ultimately be absolutely beautiful, an encouraging balm for the passionate Christian who feels unworthy of the call of the Gospel, and a firey exhortation for the lackluster Christian who is too deep in their own comfort and spiritual complacency. Would recommend every Christian read this book! And I can see this being a book I come back to in the future.
February 11, 2023
Bra-vo. There are so many emotional details in the person of Simon Peter that are expounded upon in this book that are entirely relatable for any reader. Understanding such a dynamic man’s mindset and experience with Jesus gave me introspective look at the volatility our relationship with Jesus can be; not because of Jesus (He is, after all the same yesterday, today, and forever) but because we are all volatile at points in our life. This book is fantastic. Period.
October 8, 2011
This book humanizes Simon Peter in a way I've never considered before - the ups and downs of trust and love and denial and forgiveness. Seeing him in this light - as a fallible human being whom God trusted enough to entrust sheep-feeding to - reminds me of the love and generosity of our Savior and His desire to use us - even in our fallibility and brokenness - to accomplish great things for His kingdom.
Well based in Scripture, this book does conjecture a little, but posits possibilities rather than a thesis. I enjoyed Card's style and treatment of the person of Simon Peter and would recommend this book.
Well based in Scripture, this book does conjecture a little, but posits possibilities rather than a thesis. I enjoyed Card's style and treatment of the person of Simon Peter and would recommend this book.
January 5, 2017
Michael Card gives us an inside look at the oft-overlooked Simon Peter. It's rare to read a book about Peter particularly from a Protestant perspective. Card focuses on Peter's emotional life. Card does a good job of getting readers to use their imagination to understand what Peter went through at key points. His insights on Holy Week are particularly profound.
However, in using imagination, Card manages not to cross the line into undue speculation but rather to draw out some very probable and obvious conclusions from the text. As always, Card offers keen insights that draws readers closer to God and focuses our attention on areas we too often ignore.
However, in using imagination, Card manages not to cross the line into undue speculation but rather to draw out some very probable and obvious conclusions from the text. As always, Card offers keen insights that draws readers closer to God and focuses our attention on areas we too often ignore.
January 4, 2013
Michael Card writes books like he writes songs--lyrical, beautiful prose. I didn't want this book to end. He examines Peter's life from his initial call, his first confession, his miracle walk, his babbling in the face of deity on the Mount of Transfiguration, to his ultimate betrayal and forgiveness. On each page you will discover Peter anew, and be reminded that "he is us." I taught this for an adult Sunday school class and I couldn't decide which sections to read because they are all so insightfully and beautifully written.
January 21, 2022
Tiring of the overload of Pauline studies, I wanted to pick up something different and inspired by Card's volume on mentoring/discipleship (The Walk), I decided to pick this one up. One of a relatively few studies on Peter, this is an excellent volume tracing Peter's emotional growth from impetuous fisherman to wise leader of the early church. Card spells out the application: Peter is your 'everyman,' chosen from an average profession with clear character flaws, he nonetheless develops into what Jesus saw in him right from the start. Too often we fall prey to what I call finished form fallacy; we tend to see Biblical characters in their (nearly) finished from at the peak of their maturity and ministry calling. We forget their inauspicious beginnings, character flaws and mistakes, in short their development years. Card presents a refreshing look at the humanity of Peter, warts and all. The lesson is clear: if Jesus can transform Peter, he can transform you and I. There is hope after all.
March 27, 2023
A Fragile Stone is a truly beautiful little book and would have been quicker for me to finish it had I not lost it. Michael Card does an excellent job ministering and painting this beautiful picture of one of Jesus’s closest disciples and gives him a relatable form. My complaints are few and far between and they are only within preferences of language used at times (for example, there was one part where I felt like Card missed the mark on one of the stories told in John and how he read it in terms of Simon-Peter’s life).
Overall, great read, would be a perfect book for on the beach. :)
Overall, great read, would be a perfect book for on the beach. :)
July 26, 2019
This is a beautiful, sequential story of the life of Simon Peter. Michael Card uses his powerful imagination to fill in gaps based on his knowledge of the culture of the day and using ancient sources. I loved the journey of getting to know Peter and his relationship with Jesus. Characters like Peter help me to understand the nature of our God, His compassion and grace. I would highly recommend this book for pilgrims on the journey.
March 12, 2018
Beautifully written about a beautiful man
This book will be read over and over by me. I am fussy about style and correctness of language. This gets an A plus plus. I wanted to know Peter. Now I do.
This book will be read over and over by me. I am fussy about style and correctness of language. This gets an A plus plus. I wanted to know Peter. Now I do.
March 25, 2021
My knowledge of the author, Michael Card, is as a songwriter in the 70s ... over the years he has expanded his expertise in the genre of books. He is as down-to-earth writer as he is a singer ... liked learning about the Apostle Simon Peter from his perspective!
July 9, 2021
A beautiful journey into the life and heart of Peter. This work has been carefully researched and artfully written by Michael Card. It is well worth the time. I read it in a discipleship relationship with a friend, taking two or three chapters each month, and we both enjoyed the the experience.
November 25, 2022
Amazing insight into Peter. We all identify with Peter, but little has been written about him. We tend to emphasize Paul. Card does an excellent work countering that trend. Great attention to historical and biblical thought.
January 3, 2020
I seem to make a strong connection with anything that Michael Card has written. This is about Simon Peter and his simplicity and his passion and how he applies it to following Jesus, the Christ.
April 6, 2020
Not good at all. Disappointing for what I would have expected from Michael Card. The scholarship seems weak. The author’s focus seems to land on too many trivial details.
April 20, 2020
GREAT read on the life of Peter, as seen in through Scripture. I will quote this book!
April 22, 2021
Excellent, insightful study of Peter. Wow.
June 25, 2021
Love Peter. "And he went out and wept bitterly," gets me every time.
February 13, 2023
Really enjoyed this book on Simon Peter. Learned a lot about him and even more about Jesus. I’ll recommend this book to others and reread myself one day.
April 13, 2023
This book helped me think about Simon Peter as an actual person, realizing he had emotions, frustrations and doubts as well. It was an easy read, and very enjoyable!
February 28, 2023
Great (but very short) book on the life of Peter. I enjoyed reading it and somewhere in my head it feels like a complement to Johnny Cash's book on Paul.
February 10, 2012
This is a gem of a book. I finished it in only 3 days because I couldn't stop reading, I loved it!
Card uncovers personal perspectives about Peter and about Jesus. Some highlights (among MANY) that struck me:
WHEN Peter tried to walk on water:
"The lesson is that Peter needed to sink in order to take that next step of faith in Jesus. Because walking on the water does not ultimately increase our faith, only sinking does! Those who ask for miracles and receive them soon forget. But those who suffer for Christ's sake never forget."
"And what often goes unappreciated is that Peter's short walk was indeed a triumph of faith. It was his first miracle!"
ON GOOD FRIDAY:
"Jesus and his disciples were celebrating their Passover on Thursday when everyone else in Jerusalem was making preparations on Friday. This means that the Jews of Jerusalem were preparing and slaughtering their Passover lambs at precisely the same moment the following day, when Jesus, the Lamb of God, was dying on the cross."
ON PETER'S DENIAL:
After he denies Jesus the third time, Luke records that Jesus turned to him and looked at Peter across the courtyard.
"It was this look, I believe, that broke Peter's heart.
The understanding gaze of Jesus could not have been one of disdain or condemnation. That was not Jesus' way. I believe the only look that could have broken Simon Peter was of love and forgiveness. Which is just what we would expect from our Savior."
There's also a segment that tears at your heart when Jesus, resurrected, asks Peter three times to take care of his Sheep, neutralizing Peter's three denials. It has never before struck me with the force of Jesus' kindness and forgiveness as Card reveals it.
This book is less than 200 paperback-like pages that go by quickly. It is overflowing with insight and wonderful personal moments. Peter, the leader of the Apostles, may have faltered in his faith, but never in his love for Jesus.
You will come away with a newfound respect for Peter and especially for the Friend he followed to the end.
Card uncovers personal perspectives about Peter and about Jesus. Some highlights (among MANY) that struck me:
WHEN Peter tried to walk on water:
"The lesson is that Peter needed to sink in order to take that next step of faith in Jesus. Because walking on the water does not ultimately increase our faith, only sinking does! Those who ask for miracles and receive them soon forget. But those who suffer for Christ's sake never forget."
"And what often goes unappreciated is that Peter's short walk was indeed a triumph of faith. It was his first miracle!"
ON GOOD FRIDAY:
"Jesus and his disciples were celebrating their Passover on Thursday when everyone else in Jerusalem was making preparations on Friday. This means that the Jews of Jerusalem were preparing and slaughtering their Passover lambs at precisely the same moment the following day, when Jesus, the Lamb of God, was dying on the cross."
ON PETER'S DENIAL:
After he denies Jesus the third time, Luke records that Jesus turned to him and looked at Peter across the courtyard.
"It was this look, I believe, that broke Peter's heart.
The understanding gaze of Jesus could not have been one of disdain or condemnation. That was not Jesus' way. I believe the only look that could have broken Simon Peter was of love and forgiveness. Which is just what we would expect from our Savior."
There's also a segment that tears at your heart when Jesus, resurrected, asks Peter three times to take care of his Sheep, neutralizing Peter's three denials. It has never before struck me with the force of Jesus' kindness and forgiveness as Card reveals it.
This book is less than 200 paperback-like pages that go by quickly. It is overflowing with insight and wonderful personal moments. Peter, the leader of the Apostles, may have faltered in his faith, but never in his love for Jesus.
You will come away with a newfound respect for Peter and especially for the Friend he followed to the end.
March 16, 2014
I simply ADORED this book. I started falling in love with Peter when I was re-reading the Gospels this past summer. I realized how much I have in common with him, and that no matter how many times he screwed up, Jesus still loved him. At that point, I decided I wanted to learn everything there was to know about him.
This is the first (and only) book I've ever read specifically about Simon Peter, but it was exactly what I was looking for. I told a couple of people that Peter is my favorite person in the Bible, and the responses I got were, "Why? Because he's a hothead?" and "Why? He's a bumbling idiot." Prevailing opinion about Peter seems to be less than favorable, which is kind of ironic. I think he most accurately represents anyone who is... you know... human.
Michael Card presents Peter's relationship to Jesus just beautifully. It's not just about worship. It is about friendship. A real friendship, with expectations, disappointments, joy, sorrow, the whole nine yards.
I think everyone should read this book. It tears away all of the sterile images of Peter and Jesus and replaces them with people. Real people you can relate to.
This is the first (and only) book I've ever read specifically about Simon Peter, but it was exactly what I was looking for. I told a couple of people that Peter is my favorite person in the Bible, and the responses I got were, "Why? Because he's a hothead?" and "Why? He's a bumbling idiot." Prevailing opinion about Peter seems to be less than favorable, which is kind of ironic. I think he most accurately represents anyone who is... you know... human.
Michael Card presents Peter's relationship to Jesus just beautifully. It's not just about worship. It is about friendship. A real friendship, with expectations, disappointments, joy, sorrow, the whole nine yards.
I think everyone should read this book. It tears away all of the sterile images of Peter and Jesus and replaces them with people. Real people you can relate to.
June 9, 2015
Slight but easily-read study of the life of Peter, who in Card's hands becomes the most passionately-colored Disciple and Apostle. No deep theology, just an interesting portrait. One interesting insight is that Jesus renamed Simon "the Rock" (Peter), then never called him that. As Card says, "the Rock" isn't a name, it is at best a title, as in Simon the Rock, Simon Peter, then Card draws the parallel to Jesus the Christ, Jesus Christ!
Card makes a compelling case for Peter as Jesus' best friend. He points to the epistles' reference to the resurrected Jesus appearing first to Peter, a meeting not recorded in the Gospels, as evidence of Jesus going first to Peter to forgive him for the betrayal and strengthen him for the events to come.
Card makes a compelling case for Peter as Jesus' best friend. He points to the epistles' reference to the resurrected Jesus appearing first to Peter, a meeting not recorded in the Gospels, as evidence of Jesus going first to Peter to forgive him for the betrayal and strengthen him for the events to come.
August 7, 2016
This was a very interesting and well-written book, overall. It might have been because it was 2 in the morning by the time I got to this point, but I felt that Part 2 lacked some of the appeal of Part 1. I felt that the book became less about Peter himself and more about the events of his life. However, it was still a good book, and very easy to read. I sat down with it at 11 and was finished by 2:30. It was enjoyable and intriguing. I would recommend it to anyone interested in Simon Peter (I don't think that community is very large, but, nevertheless). Good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews