Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Thomas Nelson Publishers (2010), Edition: International ed., 192 pages
Original publication date
2010-09-14
Description
Lucado uses the first 12 chapters of the biblical book of Acts as a springboard, describing how God uses Galilean fishermen-- and each of us-- to change the world. Provides discussion questions for group or personal use, as well as ideas for action.
ISBN
084994824X / 9780849948244
User reviews
LibraryThing member deusvitae
In a world full of injustice, poverty, oppression, and malaise, it is easy to become hardened, cynical, and disengaged. The believer in Christ, however, is called to something greater-- to reflect Jesus to all men, especially those who are in distress.
This is the theme of Max Lucado's newest book,
Outlive Your Life uses the events of Acts 1-12 as a paradigm for discussing what God expects from believers today. Each chapter begins with a Scripture and ends with a Scripture and a suggested prayer. Chapters feature matters like the ordinary nature of God's servants, the need to get out of our shells, to put the greater (spiritual) good ahead of lesser (physical) ones, to work with fellow Christians, to be hospitable, to assist others in need, to stand up in the face of persecution, to do good, to be a source of strength for the dispossessed, to remain humble before God, to remove prejudices in life, to resist arrogance, to pray continually, and, based on Matthew 25, remember that when you help people in distress you help Jesus. The book ends with a discussion and action guide designed to promote further discussion and action.
Lucado is a very vivid author. He seamlessly takes you from the first century to the twenty-first century with his illustrations and examples (although I wished that he would keep the first century as the first century and the twenty-first as the twenty-first and not blend the images as he does occasionally!). He writes in a familiar and understandable way.
On the whole, the book is theologically sound and has a message that must be proclaimed. It is good to see that some elements of concern for the dispossessed and the need to practice authentic Christianity is being proclaimed by more voices within greater Christendom; the sooner Christendom sheds the sanctimonious, interested-only-in-sexual-mores "Moral Majority" image, the better. Nevertheless, there are a few challenges: Lucado's embrace of ecumenism, occasional looseness in handling the Biblical narrative, and the dizzying leapfrogging from Bible translation to Bible translation.
Yet this should not diminish from the overall excellence of Outlive Your Life. It is a necessary call in the midst of a time and place more devoted to materialism and consumerism than authentic New Testament Christianity and its emphasis on clearing prejudice, assisting the downtrodden and dispossessed, and reliance on God and not self. May many come to a better understanding of these truths!
*-- book received as part of an early review program.
This is the theme of Max Lucado's newest book,
Show More
Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make a Difference. Among my fellow members of churches of Christ, the name "Max Lucado" often evokes images of "apostate" and "change agent." Once part of the churches of Christ, Lucado has certainly accommodated his own views, along with those of his congregation, to be acceptable to Evangelicalism as a greater whole. This is truly lamentable considering Lucado's great skill at communicating to others.Outlive Your Life uses the events of Acts 1-12 as a paradigm for discussing what God expects from believers today. Each chapter begins with a Scripture and ends with a Scripture and a suggested prayer. Chapters feature matters like the ordinary nature of God's servants, the need to get out of our shells, to put the greater (spiritual) good ahead of lesser (physical) ones, to work with fellow Christians, to be hospitable, to assist others in need, to stand up in the face of persecution, to do good, to be a source of strength for the dispossessed, to remain humble before God, to remove prejudices in life, to resist arrogance, to pray continually, and, based on Matthew 25, remember that when you help people in distress you help Jesus. The book ends with a discussion and action guide designed to promote further discussion and action.
Lucado is a very vivid author. He seamlessly takes you from the first century to the twenty-first century with his illustrations and examples (although I wished that he would keep the first century as the first century and the twenty-first as the twenty-first and not blend the images as he does occasionally!). He writes in a familiar and understandable way.
On the whole, the book is theologically sound and has a message that must be proclaimed. It is good to see that some elements of concern for the dispossessed and the need to practice authentic Christianity is being proclaimed by more voices within greater Christendom; the sooner Christendom sheds the sanctimonious, interested-only-in-sexual-mores "Moral Majority" image, the better. Nevertheless, there are a few challenges: Lucado's embrace of ecumenism, occasional looseness in handling the Biblical narrative, and the dizzying leapfrogging from Bible translation to Bible translation.
Yet this should not diminish from the overall excellence of Outlive Your Life. It is a necessary call in the midst of a time and place more devoted to materialism and consumerism than authentic New Testament Christianity and its emphasis on clearing prejudice, assisting the downtrodden and dispossessed, and reliance on God and not self. May many come to a better understanding of these truths!
*-- book received as part of an early review program.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Justjenniferreading
This book was provided for review by BookSneeze.com
In Outlive Your Life Max Lucado once again has an inspirational message for us all. He wonders what might the world be like if each person gave what they could to make someone else's life better. He understands that we all don't have the same
I loved the message in this book. When we see the poor starving children on TV we wish there were something real that we could do. We wish we could send them tons of money to help out, but in reality most of us don't have tons of money. But we can do something. Even something as little as inviting someone over for dinner is helping someone who may be eating alone. It just takes a little effort and the compassion to not turn a blind eye.
The main idea of the book is that we are all God's people and by helping others we are doing God's work. There are many versus that Lucado uses to show how helping those less fortunate (or the Gentiles as the Bible refers to them) is doing God's work. Jesus was not turning a blind eye to these people, and if we are to do God's work neither should we.
As always the writing was great. The chapters were fairly short and the book was a quick read. I loved how each chapter had a verse that it focuses on, and what I took to be, a prayer for us to let God help us help others. This really was an inspiring book. And as usual Lucado shows us how easy it can be to really help others.
In Outlive Your Life Max Lucado once again has an inspirational message for us all. He wonders what might the world be like if each person gave what they could to make someone else's life better. He understands that we all don't have the same
Show More
ability (money, time, etc.) to give, but we all have something. It is these little things that he thinks might make the big difference.I loved the message in this book. When we see the poor starving children on TV we wish there were something real that we could do. We wish we could send them tons of money to help out, but in reality most of us don't have tons of money. But we can do something. Even something as little as inviting someone over for dinner is helping someone who may be eating alone. It just takes a little effort and the compassion to not turn a blind eye.
The main idea of the book is that we are all God's people and by helping others we are doing God's work. There are many versus that Lucado uses to show how helping those less fortunate (or the Gentiles as the Bible refers to them) is doing God's work. Jesus was not turning a blind eye to these people, and if we are to do God's work neither should we.
As always the writing was great. The chapters were fairly short and the book was a quick read. I loved how each chapter had a verse that it focuses on, and what I took to be, a prayer for us to let God help us help others. This really was an inspiring book. And as usual Lucado shows us how easy it can be to really help others.
Show Less
LibraryThing member BookJunkieMom09
Outlive Your Life: You Were Made To Make a Difference by Max Lucado
Throughout this entire book, Outlive Your Life, Max teaches us through examples that happened not only in his own life, but of others he has spoken to and interview; and examples in the Bible, how to live as a disciple and how to
He teaches us not to make a theater production of our faith (page 93). He tells us to ask ourselves these questions: If no one knew of the good I do, would I still do it? (page 93). If your planning on doing a good deed, are you doing it to get brownie points? To be seen doing a nice thing? Are you expecting recognition? If so, that's not an honest good deed.
At times, even though I fully enjoyed the book and learned a lot from reading it, I found myself bored at times. I felt as though Max Lucado was too wordy and/or gave one too many examples to get his point across and found myself thinking, get to the point already! Or, OK, I got the picture, move on.
But that did only happen a few times in the book and I'm glad for it. The rest of the time, I couldn't wait to get back to this read. Lucado really pulled me in and intrigued me. I couldn't wait to get back to this book and see what Max Lucado would say about being a disciple, a servant, a blessing to others without expecting recognition or even a thank you, a helper.
I also enjoyed how the book was set up. The entire book teaches one specific lesson: You were made to make a difference. Then the book is broken down into chapters to break the main lesson into parts so you get a step by step on how to be a disciple, a helper, God's servant. Max Lucado makes it easy with his book to really understand how to be a good disciple of Christ, how to be a servant, a blessing to any and all you see. No matter the color of their skin, their origin, their religion, what language they speak. He breaks it down so you know how to apply it to your life. But he also warns you that their will be prosecution from people and how to prepare for that.
The fact that he always used scriptures to back up what he was saying and where to find them was great and helpful so you could look it up yourself. And he uses all sorts of biblical translations like, NLT, CEV, KJV and more.
All in all, this book was and is very inspiring to do good without credit being the first thought; to make sure to do good without a big show or without expecting a big show or any show at all. But just because. I would definitely recommend this read.
I received my copy of this book for review from BookSneeze.com
Throughout this entire book, Outlive Your Life, Max teaches us through examples that happened not only in his own life, but of others he has spoken to and interview; and examples in the Bible, how to live as a disciple and how to
Show More
challenge ourselves outside of our comfort zone. He teaches us not to make a theater production of our faith (page 93). He tells us to ask ourselves these questions: If no one knew of the good I do, would I still do it? (page 93). If your planning on doing a good deed, are you doing it to get brownie points? To be seen doing a nice thing? Are you expecting recognition? If so, that's not an honest good deed.
At times, even though I fully enjoyed the book and learned a lot from reading it, I found myself bored at times. I felt as though Max Lucado was too wordy and/or gave one too many examples to get his point across and found myself thinking, get to the point already! Or, OK, I got the picture, move on.
But that did only happen a few times in the book and I'm glad for it. The rest of the time, I couldn't wait to get back to this read. Lucado really pulled me in and intrigued me. I couldn't wait to get back to this book and see what Max Lucado would say about being a disciple, a servant, a blessing to others without expecting recognition or even a thank you, a helper.
I also enjoyed how the book was set up. The entire book teaches one specific lesson: You were made to make a difference. Then the book is broken down into chapters to break the main lesson into parts so you get a step by step on how to be a disciple, a helper, God's servant. Max Lucado makes it easy with his book to really understand how to be a good disciple of Christ, how to be a servant, a blessing to any and all you see. No matter the color of their skin, their origin, their religion, what language they speak. He breaks it down so you know how to apply it to your life. But he also warns you that their will be prosecution from people and how to prepare for that.
The fact that he always used scriptures to back up what he was saying and where to find them was great and helpful so you could look it up yourself. And he uses all sorts of biblical translations like, NLT, CEV, KJV and more.
All in all, this book was and is very inspiring to do good without credit being the first thought; to make sure to do good without a big show or without expecting a big show or any show at all. But just because. I would definitely recommend this read.
I received my copy of this book for review from BookSneeze.com
Show Less
LibraryThing member skstiles612
Through the use of stories and life lessons, Max Lucado asks us to take a good look around and ask, "What can I do? What legacy will I leave behind?" These are lessons we want our children to learn, yet we as adults need to ask the same questions of ourself. The stories and lessons teach us that we
Show More
need to look around and make a difference. We should not think of this as a job just for missionaries. God uses the ordinary person, child or adult to make a difference.. This is not a book you just read through quickly. This is a book you must read, digest and then put into action. Show Less
LibraryThing member Polilla-Lynn
I am not sure what I expected – but this book wasn’t it.
Perhaps I thought Max Lucado would be offering something personal to me, telling me how to come out of blah living, rise up out of the occasional doldrums, and get a new and exciting perspective on life. Instead he creatively reminded me
Max challenged me to look beyond my supposed needs to consider once again the needs of others and what more I can do to help make another’s life a little more bearable. I have often thought that if we each were to make a positive difference in one other person’s life – what an impact and growing influence it would have on our world. Max gives many simple examples of how to do that, never straying far from the word of God.
So, even though this book wasn’t what I expected, it is more, and what I needed to read. Max Lucado’s writing style doesn’t disappoint. This book will take you beyond your own narrow space in the world and open to you a panoramic view that will broaden your horizons. If you really pay attention, put time and thought into each chapter’s study questions in the back, and seek God’s direction for where your focus should be – you can out live your life. In so doing you will find excitement through making a real difference in this world, one person at a time, in Jesus’ name.
Perhaps I thought Max Lucado would be offering something personal to me, telling me how to come out of blah living, rise up out of the occasional doldrums, and get a new and exciting perspective on life. Instead he creatively reminded me
Show More
of how good I have it in this part of the world, and how so many are lacking in the comfort things that this world offers. He reminded me of my comfortable Christianity, and of the spiritually depraved, and of those who hunger to know God, and of those who dare to know Him in places where Jesus is not welcome.Max challenged me to look beyond my supposed needs to consider once again the needs of others and what more I can do to help make another’s life a little more bearable. I have often thought that if we each were to make a positive difference in one other person’s life – what an impact and growing influence it would have on our world. Max gives many simple examples of how to do that, never straying far from the word of God.
So, even though this book wasn’t what I expected, it is more, and what I needed to read. Max Lucado’s writing style doesn’t disappoint. This book will take you beyond your own narrow space in the world and open to you a panoramic view that will broaden your horizons. If you really pay attention, put time and thought into each chapter’s study questions in the back, and seek God’s direction for where your focus should be – you can out live your life. In so doing you will find excitement through making a real difference in this world, one person at a time, in Jesus’ name.
Show Less
LibraryThing member mandypandajoe
First book I've read by the author, but I felt like it got off topic or maybe I just didn't get it. I had a hard time relating the stories to the title.
LibraryThing member debs4jc
Lucado's premise is that as Christians, we can do things in the service of God that enable us to outlive our life. As an opening illustration, he tells the story of a visitor to an isolated island community who is surprised to see it thriving when every nearby community is doing poorly. The
Show More
islanders credit a religious figure as the reason they are doing so well. The visitor demands to meet this man--but is baffled when he is taken to thriving fisheries, a beautiful chapel, etc. The villager explain that the man is dead and no longer with them...but he lives on in the things he taught them and the good works he left behind. Such inspiration fills this entire book, and with Lucado's wonderful gift for storytelling it is an easy listen. Show Less
LibraryThing member debs4jc
In typical Max Lucado fashion, the author exhorts his reader to "outlive their life" by doing things that will make a difference in the lives of others. The book begins with a parable about a man who visits an island that is thriving while the other islands around it are failing. He asks the native
I listened to the audio version, which is narrated by Lucado, and he does a wonderful job. His voice is warm and he has wonderful inflections, emphasizing his points well. A great book to listen to on the way to and from the office!
Show More
the secret to their success and they all mention a Father so and so. He asks them to take him to meet this Father and they take him to various things the Father helped them build or show him things he helped them to learn. It turns out the Father is gone but the things the people learned from him and the things he helped them to build were still there "outliving" his life. This gives you an idea of the kind of stories and encouragements you will get in this book. Lucado's writing is lyrical and moving as always, and this is wonder book to read in short snatches as a daily devotional, pick-me-up, or encouragement. Highly recommended for Christians wanting a boost to their spiritual life and practices. I listened to the audio version, which is narrated by Lucado, and he does a wonderful job. His voice is warm and he has wonderful inflections, emphasizing his points well. A great book to listen to on the way to and from the office!
Show Less
LibraryThing member Avolyn
This book is a great introduction to what is at the heart of Christian faith and that is being the good news for others who are less fortunate than ourselves. Even though this book has many good attributes and I found myself highlighting plenty of text, it still seemed to only skim the surface. It
So if you are new to this idea of what the bible says about giving to others then you will surely enjoy this book. If you have read some I would recommend a more comprehensive book such as 'The Hole in our Gospel' because this may prove to be more of a beginners guide to you.
Show More
is a great book and one that many Christians need to read but having already read 'The Hole in our Gospel' and other books about being the blessing to the rest of the world and caring for others as Jesus intended us to, I felt like I didn't gain much from it. So if you are new to this idea of what the bible says about giving to others then you will surely enjoy this book. If you have read some I would recommend a more comprehensive book such as 'The Hole in our Gospel' because this may prove to be more of a beginners guide to you.
Show Less
LibraryThing member FHC
following hard on the heels of Andy Andrews' bestseller, *The Butterfly Effect*, we find reinforcement in Max Lucado's newest, *Outlive Your Life*. evidence discovered immediately in the subtitle *You Were Made to Make a Difference*.
with the current baby boomer population arriving at a point in
what are we leaving for our legacy? is it all about us? or have we a responsibility to our neighbour - whether next door or next country? Lucado brings it home to the reader. our own individual world is too small. we are called to God's world as participant not bystander. to mission not comfort. to life that is legacy.
an incarnational life that serves the weak with welcome. extends hospitality beyond our doors. and when we do? we'll have served Christ Himself.
with the current baby boomer population arriving at a point in
Show More
life where they've begun to question their own legacy, this book will be sure to capture attention. it will also challenge on those very concerns. what are we leaving for our legacy? is it all about us? or have we a responsibility to our neighbour - whether next door or next country? Lucado brings it home to the reader. our own individual world is too small. we are called to God's world as participant not bystander. to mission not comfort. to life that is legacy.
an incarnational life that serves the weak with welcome. extends hospitality beyond our doors. and when we do? we'll have served Christ Himself.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Erika.D
Faith without works is dead. This book provides guidance and examples of living out your faith. Very motivational and inspiring with practical tips and resources.