Rating: 
Summary: A Counter-culture Way of Living!
Review: I have read a number of Lucado's books and I always come away impressed. This is definitely my favorite! This book challenges us to live opposite of the way the world has groomed us to live. That is, modeling the life of Christ by living not for "me", but realizing that I exist to live for God. It is something I have heard all of my life, but Lucado has a way of putting it that is crystal clear.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Concept - Poorly Presented
Review: In a world that is focused on "what's in it for me," we need a strong reminder that the world revolves around the "Son", not around me. This book, however, does not accomplish this, in my estimation. It left me feeling sad, and wondering if the only reason that God created me was to have a puppet standing by to slavishly bow down. I believe that we owe God all honor and praise, but as His children, not as worms. After reading this book, I felt more closely related to the worms than to the Father. This stands in stark contrast to the Max Lucado books that I have read in the past. Previously I have felt inspired and motivated. This time I felt discouraged and hopeless. I recommend skipping this book in favor of other Lucado books.
Rating: 
Summary: A compact book featuring Lucado's warm, conversational style
Review: In his trademark warm, conversational style, Lucado invites readers to shift from a self-centered universe to one where God is the focus. He believes we have bought into a pattern of self-centeredness --- our lives revolve around what we convince ourselves will make us happy. We want to express ourselves. We act out of self-preservation. We are big self-promoters. "No wonder our homes are so noisy, businesses so stress-filled, government so cutthroat, and harmony so rare," he writes.Couldn't we use a change? Change, even good change, is difficult for most of us. To take ourselves out of the spotlight is no easy task, Lucado believes. "We've been demanding our way and stamping our feet since infancy." However, to serve "self" creates chaos, he says, using the example of an orchestra in which each artist clamors for self-expression. "Who enjoys contributing to a cacophony? You don't. We don't. We were not made to live this way," Lucado writes. Arguing that "what Copernicus did for the earth, God does for our souls," Lucado writes of how God points to the Son --- his Son --- and says, "Behold the center of it all." Then he asks the reader, "could a Copernican shift be in order?" We should use the moon for our model, "let her do what she was made to do, and a clod of dirt becomes a source of inspiration...the moon reflects the greater light." Life is full of change, and with it comes fear, insecurity, sorrow and stress. "Cemeteries interrupt the finest families. Retirement finds the best employees. Age withers the strongest bodies." How do we focus on God in the midst of it? God's ways will never alter, Lucado reminds us. He alone is unchangeable and unshakeable, and we can focus on Him with confidence. Lucado alerts us to a deadly question we torment ourselves with: "What are people thinking of you?" Vulnerably, he shares his own battle with pride. "We applause-aholics have done it all: dropped names, sung loudly, dressed up to look classy, dressed down to look cool, quoted authors we've never read, spouted Greek we've never studied." He reminds us --- and himself --- that we are only messengers of the message. It's not about us. He also warns against legalism, which he says is "joyless, because legalism is endless....There is always another class to attend, person to teach, mouth to feed." When we believe we can earn our way to heaven, we discount God, and in the process, end up in a mess ourselves. Then he reminds us of grace, something Lucado has done in almost every book he's written. "Grace offers rest. Legalism never does....Can you earn this salvation? No. Don't dishonor God by trying." He touches on our need for keeping spiritually and physically fit, as well as reminding us of the place of sex as "a celebration of permanence, a tender moment in which the body continues what the mind and the soul have already begun." Even though it's not about us, we are charged with keeping our body in good order so God can use it. Lucado devotes a chapter to exploring the self-centered belief that "my struggles are about Him" and realigning ourselves with the knowledge that pain and problems have a purpose --- the glory of God. His words clearly state his belief that God is in control but sometimes allows illness or death as a way to showcase his glory, which will resonate with some readers and be a point of disagreement for others. Grounded in scripture, salted with wry humor, liberally seasoned with grace and sprinkled with interesting anecdotes and illustrations, this compact book has the feel of a comfortable chat with a wise older brother or favorite uncle. Those who feel the book is too short will find the beautifully designed interior pages and a study guide that round out the text compensation for the brevity. --- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby
Rating:
Summary: Living a Life of Purpose
Review: Max Lucado is the master of inspirational writing. I love the tricky title "It's Not About Me". After all these years - most of us thought it was! The editorial reviews are so well done, I can do little to improve them. This is a small engrossing book that explores why we are here on earth in the first place - it is to reflect the glory of God. For anyone who has never read a Max Lucado book, and there are several, I recommend this one first. I have read two others and plan to read them all. They are not "preachy" nor difficult to understand. They are written by a humble Christian pastor who never fails to give credit to his wife and children for their support and encouragement. This book touches a chord in all of us as we often forget our Creator and how much He loves us. Once you are rescued from a life of self-promotion, self-preservation and self-centeredness, and realize you are here to reflect God's glory, your life becomes changed. This book makes a wonderful gift and it deserves a place in your library where you can reread it often.
Rating:
Summary: Living a Life of Purpose
Review: Max Lucado is the master of inspirational writing. I love the tricky title "It's Not About Me". After all these years - most of us thought it was! The editorial reviews are so well done, I can do little to improve them. This is a small engrossing book that explores why we are here on earth in the first place - it is to reflect the glory of God. For anyone who has never read a Max Lucado book, and there are several, I recommend this one first. I have read two others and plan to read them all. They are not "preachy" nor difficult to understand. They are written by a humble Christian pastor who never fails to give credit to his wife and children for their support and encouragement. This book touches a chord in all of us as we often forget our Creator and how much He loves us. Once you are rescued from a life of self-promotion, self-preservation and self-centeredness, and realize you are here to reflect God's glory, your life becomes changed. This book makes a wonderful gift and it deserves a place in your library where you can reread it often.
Rating:
Summary: Living a Life of Purpose
Review: Max Lucado is the master of inspirational writing. I love the tricky title "It's Not About Me". After all these years - most of us thought it was! The editorial reviews are so well done, I can do little to improve them. This is a small engrossing book that explores why we are here on earth in the first place - it is to reflect the glory of God. For anyone who has never read a Max Lucado book, and there are several, I recommend this one first. I have read two others and plan to read them all. They are not "preachy" nor difficult to understand. They are written by a humble Christian pastor who never fails to give credit to his wife and children for their support and encouragement. This book touches a chord in all of us as we often forget our Creator and how much He loves us. Once you are rescued from a life of self-promotion, self-preservation and self-centeredness, and realize you are here to reflect God's glory, your life becomes changed. This book makes a wonderful gift and it deserves a place in your library where you can reread it often.
Rating:
Summary: Penetrating Principles in the Max Lucado Style!
Review: Max Lucado is well-known for his ability to write devotional material that is extremely powerful, yet is easy to read and simple to comprehend. It's Not About Me is sure to be a Lucado classic and is a must read for every Christian who faces emotional wounds, frustration, discouragment, or even minor set backs. The reader will move quickly through the chapters and can easily gain perspective on their relationship to God and the spiritual struggles taking place in the heavenlies. This book will be useful for both experienced Christians and new Christians as it directs the reader toward Scripture and doesn't attempt to replace or redirect any emphasis on the Holy Bible.
Rating:
Summary: Penetrating Principles in the Max Lucado Style!
Review: Max Lucado is well-known for his ability to write devotional material that is extremely powerful, yet is easy to read and simple to comprehend. It's Not About Me is sure to be a Lucado classic and is a must read for every Christian who faces emotional wounds, frustration, discouragment, or even minor set backs. The reader will move quickly through the chapters and can easily gain perspective on their relationship to God and the spiritual struggles taking place in the heavenlies. This book will be useful for both experienced Christians and new Christians as it directs the reader toward Scripture and doesn't attempt to replace or redirect any emphasis on the Holy Bible.
Rating:
Summary: Buy It!... Read it...
Review: This is a fabulous book. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone. It's short, to the point, and humbling. The statements and principles are so straight forward and true, yet we constantly miss them. If you are reading this review then buy the book and read it you will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Buy It!... Read it...
Review: This is a fabulous book. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone. It's short, to the point, and humbling. The statements and principles are so straight forward and true, yet we constantly miss them. If you are reading this review then buy the book and read it you will not be disappointed.
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