River Dwellers by Rob Reimer

Every Christian can live in the fullness of the Spirit, dwelling in the River of Life (John 7:37-38). If we Christians want to have a culture changing impact on the world today, being a River Dweller is essential. This book is an excellent study and encouragement to that end.

Reimer explores what it means to be baptized in the Spirit. He writes about the evidence of that baptism and the elements of receiving it. He shows how we become more sensitive to hearing God speak, the norm for people living in the fullness of the Spirit. He covers six ways God speaks to us, giving examples of each and how to handle what is received. He helps us, in general, understand how to live in the River, dwelling in His presence. He writes of cultivating that experience by using the spiritual disciplines, developing a spiritual desire and increased sensitivity to the Spirit. He also covers the kinds of actions that take us out of the River and the Spirit's presence and shows us how to notice the warning signs and walk in the light.

This is an excellent study on living the Spirit filled life. Reimer does a very good job of explaining it all to us. He writes from his own experience of being raised in a CMA church and later being introduced to the Spirit filled life. (He is currently the pastor of a CMA church.) This book is based on practice, not just theory. His section on quenching the Spirit is really convicting. His teaching on battling disappointments is encouraging.

I really like his illustration of the River. Just like a river rafting trip, there will be some fast exciting times and some slow restful times. There may be times when there is a bend in the river and we can't see what is coming. Reimer has found that staying in the River, all of its parts have shaped him and brought him to where God wants him to be today.

If you want to be sensitive to the Spirit's presence and leading, this book will help you on that journey. If you want to be a River Dweller, the information and encouragement in this book is for you. The reflection questions at the end of each chapter are great too. I highly recommend this book.

Rev. Dr. Rob Reimer is the Founding and Lead Pastor of South Shore Community Church, a church of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Brockton, Massachusetts. He is also a Field Pastor for the CMA Field in Senegal, where he speaks and ministers to missionaries on a regular basis. He also equips Christian leaders as Global Leadership Associate. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Alliance Theological Seminary in Nyack, NY. He has a Doctorate in Preaching from Gordon-Conwell theological Seminar. He and his family lives in Bridgewater, MA. You can find out more at www.DrRobReimer.com.

Carpenter's Son Publishing, 176 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Book Club Network for the purpose of an independent and honest review.