Grandpa's Gift

How Old Wisdom Can Inspire New Life

By: Dan LaRock, C. Maxwell Brown

Narrated by: Dan LaRock, J. Wesley Brown

Length: 4 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Grandpa’s Gift is a story born from a grandson’s walk through the world in search of something more. Attaining the comforts of business success, a very happy marriage, family life, and general enjoyment of the world left Dan with a yearning for something else to find. Following the rediscovery of a book containing messages from his grandfather from more than 60 years ago, he began to realize that the elusive “something more” is the wisdom he found in its pages and stories. It’s a wisdom as old as time itself, yet often hard to find for all of us. That discovery became a gift for Dan from his grandfather, and it could very well be a gift for you.

©2022 Dan LaRock (P)2022 Dan LaRock

Critic reviews

“This collection of messages is so full of wisdom, encouragement, and spiritual insight for today’s world...” (Justin Brierley, author, broadcaster and speaker and host of the Unbelievable? and Ask NT Wright Anything podcasts)

“This is a book to be savored, not rushed. In it you’ll find a wisdom available for us all, at all times. It’s amazing what faith can do, and this book may just help us all take it even more seriously.” (Peter Kerridge, President & Chief Executive Officer, Premier Christian Communications & Premier Insight Author, Entrepreneur & Pastor)

“This book touched my heart. To learn about Dan’s intentional steps, made clearer by his grandfather’s lessons from long ago, gradually leading him toward a strong faith was a real gift to me and i believe it will be to so many others! I’m excited to be a partner with rock ranch in the ministry of hope & healing for all.” (Lynn Moore, Founder & CEO, Acres for Life - Therapy & Wellness Center)

Some gems in here but a bit heavy handed.

First, the audiobook doesn't have a foreword by Pastor Adam Weber so that is misleading. I doubt I missed anything though. I don't want to be critical, but when I finished the book I looked up the church the author, Dan LaRock, attends and saw that the lead pastor is skinny jeans-wearing Adam Weber. I get it: that's sort of the cliche in evangelical non-denominational churches these days. Still, it made sense of how LaRock approached some of his grandpa's sermons in the book. Now, to the book itself.

The book consists of 15 messages delivered by the authors grandfather, C. Maxwell Brown, in the 1960s. The 15 messages are divided into 5 groups of 3 each - with the 5 groups loosely focused on the same topic by Dan LaRock. After each set of 3 messages, LaRock offers his own thoughts and insights on the 3 messages and then moves on to the next group. Brown had been a pastor for over 3 decades at that point, in the Dakotas and, when these messages were given, in Berkeley, California. The messages touch on things like recognizing God in our daily lives, to the truth of the Resurrection, to the racial strife in the 1960s.

It is some of these latter sermons that I found the most troubling. Brown's messages sound oddly out of place in 2023 because they could easily be construed as coming from the mouth of some pastor who cares more about "social justice" than the gospel. But I recognize that they are from a different time. However, LaRock, in his summary, seems oblivious to this. He even mentions drug dealing criminal George Floyd as some sort of martyr in his recap. I was appalled that anyone still believes that George Floyd is anything other than a criminal. LaRock perpetuating the George Floyd myth made me discount everything else he had to say.

In summary, I think there are some good messages here by C. Maxwell Brown. Perhaps a bit less gospel than I would prefer, but some good messages on the whole. LaRock's handling of them, however, leaves a lot to be desired. Don't misunderstand: the entire book is not "social justice" - in fact, it is really only touched on in perhaps one of the 5 sections. But LaRock's preachy summaries can be a bit distracting.

It is a good book but not a great one. The messages are good but not earth shatteringly so. I was searching for a book to give my Mom for Christmas but, alas, this is not it.

Old wisdom inspiring new life

Elite book from Dan and his grandfather!!! Would recommend this book to anyone. A lot of wisdom being resurfaced from over 60 years ago. Definitely helped me grow in my faith and walk with Jesus!