These are difficult days in our world's history. 1.75 billion people are desperately poor, natural disasters are gouging entire nations, and economic uncertainty still reigns across the globe. But you and I have been given an opportunity to make a big difference. What if we did? What if we rocked the world with hope? Infiltrated all corners with God's love and life? We are created by a great God to do great works. He invites us to outlive our lives, not just in heaven, but here on earth. Let's live our lives in such a way that the world will be glad we did.
Welcome to the world of Acts and the "sudden" Spirit of God,..
Outlive Your Life is actually my introduction to the famed Christian writer Max Lucado. A gentle, yet solid approach based on the book of Acts, Outlive Your Life focuses on our individual importance and ability to make a difference throughout this world in the name of Christ.
God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called.
A tad satirical, Lucado creates parables of parables morphing them into other scenarios perhaps more relative to the modern-day reader. Such is the case with the biblical story of Sapphira and Ananias drinking coffee and conducting their historical scheme in a regular church setting. Ambivalently, I can see where any avenue of reaching a reader to instill the Word of God is critical, while at the same time I felt a bit unsettled. Altering, therefore simplifying a particular sacred account that was spoken through the Holy Spirit does not sit well with me, but that is my side of the fence. If it reaches the reader: all the power to him.
The particular stories of a severely struggling couple and a farmer both in Ethiopia are extremely touching, as well as Lucado's own personal 'Damascus Road' experience. In the twelfth chapter the author shares a heartbreaking, yet beautiful account of his friend stationed in Nagasaki during World War II. The latter is something I know will remain with me for a very long time.
There is always a story behind the door,..
I am immediately sold on the consistent humor throughout Lucado's writing: an element alone that will cause me to perhaps pick up another of his fine works in the future. Few people have the natural talent for this so vividly in their writings (e.g., Andy Andrews), while others simply do not. Another element that strikes me right away is the similarity of Lucado and Ray Bradbury in their descriptive narrative methods.
■ Max Lucado:
Press your ears against the pages, and hear God press into the corners and crevices of the world...Listen to the doors opening and walls collapsing...And walls. The ancient prejudice between Jew and Samaritan - down! The thick and spiked division between Jew and Gentile - crash!..Acts announces, "God is afoot!" Is he still? we wonder. (4, 5)
■ Ray Bradbury:
Then: mad dogs in yards,..all waited for some immense thunderclap of the long departed storm to shout: Begin! And, finally, many long years later, it did. ("From the Dust Returned", 10)
A quaint little read with small chapters that could very easily be utilized as a periodic devotional. Each chapter opens and closes with a biblical verse and is also followed by a beautiful prayer relating to the prior segment. A Discussion and Action Guide conclude the book with a Q & A for the soul as well as ideal ways to implement more retrospection and ministry.
Lucado successfully allows the reader to be more consciously aware of one's Christian roots. Outlive Your Life causes you to pay more attention to the world around us and act upon our Christian duties of helping others while spreading the Word of God.
A quaint little read with small chapters that could very easily be utilized as a periodic devotional. Each chapter opens and closes with a biblical verse and is also followed by a beautiful prayer relating to the prior segment. A Discussion and Action Guide conclude the book with a Q & A for the soul as well as ideal ways to implement more retrospection and ministry.
Lucado successfully allows the reader to be more consciously aware of one's Christian roots. Outlive Your Life causes you to pay more attention to the world around us and act upon our Christian duties of helping others while spreading the Word of God.
The book of Acts, unlike other New Testament books,
has no conclusion.
That's because the work has not been finished.
*One hundred percent of the author's royalties from Outlive Your Life products will benefit children and families through World Vision and other ministries of faith-based compassion. Visit the author's website to follow World Vision's use of the funds.
Max Lucado is a minster who writes and a writer who preaches. He and his wife, Denalyn, serve the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. They have three grown daughters, Jenna, Andrea, and Sara; one son-in-law, Brett; and one sweet but lazy golden retriever, Molly.
Be sure to check out the author's website:
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Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/upwordsministry
Outlive Your Life:
http://www.maxlucado.com/outliveyourlife/
Preview and Purchase at
Outlive Your Life:
http://www.maxlucado.com/outliveyourlife/
Preview and Purchase at
This book was provided free for review by BookSneeze (Thomas Nelson Publishers)
