Monday, January 17, 2011

book review: out live your life

Out Live Your Life
Max Lucado
Thomas Nelson, 2010

In his latest book, Outlive Your Life, best-selling author Max Lucado reminds us that God has always used normal, everyday people to change the world. The disciples were ordinary people, working regular jobs, living normal lives. But they answered the call to follow Jesus and ultimately changed the world. God is still looking for regular folks-soccer moms, blue-collar workers, students-anyone who is willing to answer God's call to make an extraordinary difference.
As a side note: Lucado is taking his own message to heart;
100% of the author's royalties from Outlive Your Life products are going to benefit children and families through World Vision.
I have never been a real big fan of Max Lucado, some of his work has sounded a little simplistic to me, although his children's book You Are Special is wonderful!


In Out Live Your Life, Lucado approaches the topic of "You were made to make a difference." He does this by taking a look at several of the stories in the opening chapters of the book of Acts.
 
Lucado challenges North American sheltered life. He talks about our systems of keeping the world out. Lucado points out that true hospitality is about opening your home to others. The bottom line is that all the stuff that we think we care about really does not matter. We should instead focus our attention on the things that will “outlive our life.”

Out Live Your Life is very easy to read. Lucado does what it does in most of his books - he tells interesting stories that reinforce his point of each chapter. While the book keeps you captivated and reading, it leaves you with a sense of there is more to be said. This is where the back section of the book comes in. I can see using the discussion questions and action items as a starting point for a good group study.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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