Out Live Your Life

I just recently read this book by Max Lucado. It is only my second book to read by him but I am of course very familiar with his name and impact. I can say that this book was convicting, inspiring, heart felt and practical. The main purpose of this book I think is found on page 68 "Works done in God's name long outlive our earthly lives". Each chapter guides you on how to make a difference in this world now and have a lasting impact for Christ after we are gone. I enjoyed the short chapters as it kept me on task and allowed me to read small bits at a time without getting lost or off track. It also offered a scripture verse and prayer at the end of each chapter which I found useful in summarizing the key points. The prayer will also serve as a great reference to help me as I strive to make the changes I know God wants me to make. There was also a great balance of biblical examples(Moses,Paul and Stephen) as well as personal stories from Max and others.

Some of my favorite parts of the book are as follows:
Chapter 6 OPEN YOUR DOOR: OPEN YOUR HEART- Call us a fast society, an efficient society, but don't call us a personal society. Our society is set up for isolation. We wear ear buds when we exercise. We communicate via e-mail and text messages. We enter and exit our houses with gates and garage-door openers. Our mantra: "I leave you alone. You leave me alone."

How I long for the days of front porches and kids running in and out of yards as the parents gather and discuss the events of the day. I love the convenience of technology but I need to make sure I don't let people become inconvenient.

Chapter 13 DON'T WRITE OFF ANYONE- God used Paul to touch the world. But first he used Ananias to touch Paul. Has god given you a similar assignment? Has God given you a Saul?

This gave me hope for those I know that do not know the love of Christ or have turned away from him. I am encouraged that God may choose to place someone on my heart that I need to reach out to when no one else will. I can only hope that I am willing to listen and respond to God's prompting on this.

Chapter 15 PRAY FIRST; PRAY MOST- Grant me the grace to treat everyone I meet as someone for whom Jesus died and rose again. Let there be no unwholesome or unholy distinctions in my eyes and no unworthy favoritism in my actions. Rather, make me into a vessel through whom Jesus shines.
I love that, a vessel through whom Jesus shines. What a great mental image of what I should be striving for and can achieve through the power of the Holy Spirit.

We are privileged to be able to serve along with our Lord and this book is just the tool to help us show that to others.

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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”