Friday, October 8, 2010

Book Review: Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

Max Lucado's newest book, Outlive Your Life, draws principles from the first 12 chapters of Acts to inspire Christians today to make themselves available to God for a legacy that will outlast any single lifespan to impact generations and communities.  With readable prose and well-chosen illustrations, this book informs readers of global poverty statistics and needs, inspires us to action, and ignites the imagination with the wide variety of change agents he describes.

This is a quick read, with the stories, illustrations, and short chapters generating a "just one more page" effect.  I enjoyed the book and was encouraged by how creative our God is and how varied His people and their modes of service.

That said, maximum benefit from this book may come from interaction and response, not simply reading. The final 23 pages comprise a discussion guide with solid questions to spark conversation and specific application ideas.  It would be an ideal book for a small group, couple, or friends seeking a more outward-focused, missional lifestyle.

As the book says, "No one can do everything, but everyone can do something."  May those who read it find their "something" and take the first obedient step.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their 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.”