Outlive Your Life: a review

You know, sometimes you feel like someone has been eavesdropping on your conversations. Reading your journals.
Knowing your inner-most thoughts.

After reading only the first few sentences of his new book Outlive Your Life, I am fully convinced that Max Lucado has been spying on me.

In his latest book, he outlines the practical and Biblically sound answer to the question so many of us are asking: "how can I possibly make a difference?"

Honestly, this is a hard book to put down. I'm a fast reader anyway, but the first time I picked it up I read 5 chapters without even noticing. I devoured every word and scrambled to the next page because Max has hit on one of my most primal cries -- how can I live a God-honoring life that truly matters?

Besides hitting every point solidly and without any hesitation, Lucado continues to write in a voice that is conversational. You can imagine sharing these words over coffee, after a football game, or driving down the road. His gift is his ability to reach people where they are and help us all to understand the simple truths he writes about. Plainly put...I "get it" when Max Lucado writes it. Sometimes it's a new and radical idea...other times, like this one, it's something I've had in my heart for sometime that resonated with every word I read.

I loved that the Scriptural basis for all of this was Acts. In drawing parallels between the disciples and ourselves (because we are to be disciples too!), Lucado brings it home.

I have enjoyed every Max Lucado book I've ever read, and without hesitation I can say that this one is by far my favorite. He's hit a home run with this one, and I think it should be on the required reading for everyone who claims the name of Christ!

now for the disclaimer bit:



I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of review from Thomas Nelson publishers and their blogger resource Booksneeze. I was required to write an honest review, and was not required to be positive. The gushing was all.me. :) I was required to give a disclaimer by some sort of law which I would copy and paste into my blog at this point, but I can't find it and I'm sure you get the idea anyway. :)

book review: the voice of psalms

The Voice of Psalms is a daily reading Bible written in literary style. In essence, I saw it as a paraphrase with a bit more attention to staying true to Biblical text. It took me several months after receiving the book to put up this review -- on one hand because of circumstances going on in my life, and on the other so that I could give the Voice of Psalms several reads in order to be a bit more objective and give it an accurate review.

The Voice translation was a bit distracting for me, honestly. In order to stay true to the original (an effort that I applaud and appreciate), the words they have added to enrich the literary and poetic aspects of the Psalms are italicized. It took me several chapters to get used to that, and while I understand the reason for italicizing I can't say I especially enjoyed it. I'm guessing since this is the book of Psalms, it probably isn't so heavily italicized in other books.

There are also devotionals and commentaries every couple of pages. They are great tools, although aesthetically I normally prefer to have devos at the beginning or end of the book -- I don't mind flipping pages if my text isn't interrupted!

As far as other qualities of the Bible, this particular edition is a paperback, so it was easy to toss in a bag when I flew to Delaware and equally easy to cart to babysitting jobs. The print is friendly, fresh and crisp, and I did enjoy the overall styling of the book.

My recommendation is to check this edition out. In no way would I use it to replace my regular edition of the Bible, but it does make a nice addition to the collection--pull it out when you just need a beautiful read. :)

Disclosure of Material Connection:

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com (click the button above) 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.”

Free Books!

I can't believe I've never noticed this before...but I hadn't!

I read 3 great reviews: here, here and here
And I thought
"I want to review a Max Lucado book TOO!"

So, I clicked on a button just like this one:


and waited patiently to hear whether I had been accepted to review for Thomas Nelson Publishers.
(they are, after all, less than a mile from my house. Support the locals and all)

I didn't have to be TOO patient, for just a few minutes later I got an email stating that I had been accepted.

I should receive my first book soon...
But before that, I'll be reading Max Lucado's book as a PDF format. Stay tuned for the review!