Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

Often we find we are not putting our faith into action.  That what we do seems temporal or lacks potential eternal significance.  Max Lucado addresses such thoughts and concerns in Outlive your life.  After reading Fearless, I felt this would be a good second Max Lucado book to read.  Lucado remains extremely readable.  The words flow well and the stories can be heart-wrenching/warming.  In this Book, Lucado takes the first 12 chapters of Acts and uses them to speak on the need for us, as followers of Christ, to engage the world and make a difference.

In this book, Lucado strikes his pastoral tones and each chapter comes out like a sermon…a good sermon.  Max pulls at your emotions while grounding you in the text of scripture, albeit at a high level.  I found myself emotionally moved to further take on our call to live according to the ways that were reflected in our savior and the early disciples.  Mr. Lucado writes at a high level.  His writings are grounded in sound theology, but theology is not what you will get in this book.  This book focuses on application which is consistent with the author’s style.  The book was enjoyable and moving.  

One hundred percent of the author royalties from Outlive Your Life products will benefit children and families through World Vision and other ministries of faith-based compassion.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://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.”

Fearless by Max Lucado

Fear of Insignificance? Upsetting God? Financial Upheaval? Losing Your Job? Death? In Max Lucado’s book Fearless, the author looks to word pictures, analogies and most importantly, scripture, to address these and many other common fears. Fear constrains us from what God wants us to be. It limits our service, worship, witness and joy.

This was the first Max Lucado book I had ever read, I wasn’t disappointed. I found the author easy to read and his writing style has a familiar tone. His pastoral nature comes through in his word pictures and analogies as well as references to both the old and new testaments make reading this book very was not the least bit intimidating, which reflects the tone you would expect when someone tells us not to be afraid. While reading this book, I felt like I was sitting in a room with Max, while he was providing encouragement and conviction where needed. I found Fearless very appropriate and timely, not only from a national or international perspective, but from a personal one. The book reads like a series of sermons, which brings additional value to the book since I can reference it when needed during times of anxiety. With each topic, Max makes a compelling case, to consider scripture and our God when anxiousness and fear constrain us. And in the end, he helps us realize that the only healthy fear is in God and His limitless power.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://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.”