Rating: 
Summary: Great as a gift
Review: I heard or read a story recently about someone who had given a very long speech. Someone asked the speaker why he didn't shorten it. He replied "I didn't have the time to prepare a shorter speech." Sometimes the most nourishment is packed in the smallest container and that is how it is with this book by C. J. Mahaney. Yes, there are much bigger books you can get on the cross of Christ but this one hits the nail on the head better than much bigger books. Being short and to the point, the book gives you a good understanding of the centrality of the cross, but also how to live the cross-life daily. Mahaney shows how the cross defeats the legalism, condemnation and subjectivism that drags Christians down. One of the best points he makes is to remind us that there are many good and excellent things in the Christian life that we can be involved in or interestd in, yet these things can distract us from focusing on the cross. We should never take our eyes off the cross. He paints a picture of the cross that is so beautiful you can't help having your eyes turned toward the one who died on the cross for His people. This is one to be read and re-read.
Rating:
Summary: Small Book - Big Harry Audacious Message
Review: I heard or read a story recently about someone who had given a very long speech. Someone asked the speaker why he didn't shorten it. He replied "I didn't have the time to prepare a shorter speech." Sometimes the most nourishment is packed in the smallest container and that is how it is with this book by C. J. Mahaney. Yes, there are much bigger books you can get on the cross of Christ but this one hits the nail on the head better than much bigger books. Being short and to the point, the book gives you a good understanding of the centrality of the cross, but also how to live the cross-life daily. Mahaney shows how the cross defeats the legalism, condemnation and subjectivism that drags Christians down. One of the best points he makes is to remind us that there are many good and excellent things in the Christian life that we can be involved in or interestd in, yet these things can distract us from focusing on the cross. We should never take our eyes off the cross. He paints a picture of the cross that is so beautiful you can't help having your eyes turned toward the one who died on the cross for His people. This is one to be read and re-read.
Rating:
Summary: Great! Top 5 books I've read
Review: I'll start out by telling you what this book isn't. This book isn't an academic treatise on the cross. It isn't meant to thoroughly dissect the doctrines of sanctification and justification and their relation to the cross. It wasn't intended to exegetically prove anything. What is was designed to do was to RADICALLY CHANGE YOUR LIFE GETTING YOUR MIND FOCUSSED ON THE CROSS and what Christ accomplished there. I know that the book achieved its goal because it has had a profound effect on me. There are very few books which so vividly stand out in my mind as tools that God has used to mold me into the image of His Son. So often as we progress in the Christian life, we think that we must "move on" to the "deeper" things of the faith. We begin to prioritize Bible study, then prayer, and maybe fasting. We begin to serve in the church, and we develop doctrinal bases for doing all this. Then maybe we begin to develop systematic theologies that define the way that we live encorporating everything from creationism to eschatology. Then finally as "mature" Christians having spent tons of time thinking about the difficult and mind-stretching things of faith, we wonder where all of our growth is. We aren't really much more useful than we were when we began, and we might long for the joy that was ours when we first repented and saw God's glory, grace, and grandeur. What CJ points out is that so often we so distracted by important, but not central, points of the faith. WE FORGET THE CROSS. CJ Mahaney spends about 100 very small, very easy-to-read pages painting the picture (See Galatians 3:1) of Christ on the Cross and the consequences of that scene in the lives of God's elect. This book walks us through the completeness and finality of justification, onto the continuing work of sanctification, and on into how all of these should effect our everyday lives. This book stands in my lives in the ranks of Desiring God (John Piper) and The Enemy Within (Kris Lundgaard) as one of the three books that have most impacted me (aside from the Bible). It isn't a book that is going to impress your friends by making them think that you're really smart, but through the Spirit's work in your heart, it will daily bring you to knees in repentence and to your feet in rejoicing. Thanks CJ.
Rating:
Summary: Great! Top 5 books I've read
Review: I'll start out by telling you what this book isn't. This book isn't an academic treatise on the cross. It isn't meant to thoroughly dissect the doctrines of sanctification and justification and their relation to the cross. It wasn't intended to exegetically prove anything. What is was designed to do was to RADICALLY CHANGE YOUR LIFE GETTING YOUR MIND FOCUSSED ON THE CROSS and what Christ accomplished there. I know that the book achieved its goal because it has had a profound effect on me. There are very few books which so vividly stand out in my mind as tools that God has used to mold me into the image of His Son. So often as we progress in the Christian life, we think that we must "move on" to the "deeper" things of the faith. We begin to prioritize Bible study, then prayer, and maybe fasting. We begin to serve in the church, and we develop doctrinal bases for doing all this. Then maybe we begin to develop systematic theologies that define the way that we live encorporating everything from creationism to eschatology. Then finally as "mature" Christians having spent tons of time thinking about the difficult and mind-stretching things of faith, we wonder where all of our growth is. We aren't really much more useful than we were when we began, and we might long for the joy that was ours when we first repented and saw God's glory, grace, and grandeur. What CJ points out is that so often we so distracted by important, but not central, points of the faith. WE FORGET THE CROSS. CJ Mahaney spends about 100 very small, very easy-to-read pages painting the picture (See Galatians 3:1) of Christ on the Cross and the consequences of that scene in the lives of God's elect. This book walks us through the completeness and finality of justification, onto the continuing work of sanctification, and on into how all of these should effect our everyday lives. This book stands in my lives in the ranks of Desiring God (John Piper) and The Enemy Within (Kris Lundgaard) as one of the three books that have most impacted me (aside from the Bible). It isn't a book that is going to impress your friends by making them think that you're really smart, but through the Spirit's work in your heart, it will daily bring you to knees in repentence and to your feet in rejoicing. Thanks CJ.
Rating:
Summary: The Hokey Pokey isn't what it's all about...
Review: The Gospel: it's not just for breakfast anymore. I used to think that the message of the Cross was something that we gave to unbelievers, then we moved on to more mature things. However, I thought that, ironically enough, when I was immature. Since then, I've learned of the sanctifying, purifying, humbling truth of the Gospel in a believer's life from the moment of regeneration throughout eternity. We will never stop praising God for the Cross of Jesus Christ! Why do you think that Christ exhibited the scars in his *glorified* body? Because those scars are glorious reminders of the incredible love of God shown us in Jesus. That's what this book is about-- the Gospel. If you know anything about CJ Mahaney, his life and ministry, you know that he's all about "keeping the main thing the main thing." And the main thing is The Cross. We can never move on from the marvelous place of grace that is Calvary. I love this book. My wife and I went through it together, and we've obtained several more copies through the generosity of Sovereign Grace Ministries at their conferences. I want to come back to this little, powerful book again and again. Very deep, and very practical.
Rating:
Summary: Worth reading again and again
Review: There is one chapter in this book in particular that is worth reading on a daily basis. In this chapter, CJ gives practical, and most importantly, Biblical suggestions for living a cross centered life every day. He has included several scriptures and a couple of hymns intended to keep you focused daily on the gospel. This book has been a great help in my walk with Christ and it is written in CJ's down-to-earth style that actually makes it enjoyable to read more than once.
Rating:
Summary: Great as a gift
Review: This book really says it all in such a small little space. Mahaney provides plenty of Bible quotes which back up everything he says. If you have a friend who belongs to a church (or cult) which denies the grace and justification that Jesus has already given us, this would be a nice little "gift" to share with them. Mahoney discusses the symptoms associated with living a life of legalism. He discusses the feelings of guilt, condemnation, and the "spinning plate" syndrome that plagues those who try to earn their way into heaven. I don't see how anyone could read this and not give some serious thought and meditation to what the cross truly means. Get a copy for yourself, one for a friend, and one for the next missionary that knocks on your door!
Rating: 
Summary: Good
Review: This is a good little book that emphasizes the centrality of the cross in the life of the Christian, aiming to rescue believers from the dangers of legalism and the performance trap, remove from believers the burdens of guilt, shame, and condemnation, and release believers from the tendency to base faith of feelings rather than the finished work of Christ. A helpful chapter called "The Cross Centered Day" lists several practical ways to keep one's focus constantly on the Cross. There is also a helpful, but simple, discussion of the differences between justification and sanctification. While this is not a comprehensive book, it is worth reading, especially for those new in the faith. This would be a good book for pastors to pass on to their people.
Rating:
Summary: Buy this book!
Review: This little book packs more life-changing truth between its covers than whole shelves full of Christian "best-sellers" I have read. I was hooked on the first page, and it just kept getting better! I have the advantage of being a member of CJ Mahaney's church, and my whole family has benefited from his Cross-centered, Gospel-saturated ministry. As I read through "The Cross-Centered Life" in one (short) sitting this morning, I met one old friend after another: each one a powerful insight that has transformed my life, my family, and our entire church. There was the "plate spinner" from the old Ed Sullivan show, who showed us such a perfect picture of the legalistic life. There was Jerry Bridges' exhortation to "preach the Gospel to yourself every day." There was CJ's wonderful list of ways to make the Cross the center of every single day. If you have ever met CJ Mahaney, you already know that you have to read this book. If you haven't met him in person, you will feel like you know him through "The Cross-Centered Life." His writing is clear and personal. When he talks about sin, he talks about HIS sin; when he talks about salvation, he talks about the wonderful grace of God upon HIS life. By the time you finish the book, you can practically hear his voice urging you on to keep the Gospel at the center of your life. Get this book for the people you love, and give them a priceless gift this Christmas: good news for EVERY day of the Christian life. Get it for yourself, and hear CJ's call to center your life on the Cross: the one thing that NEVER changes and ALWAYS satisfies.
Rating:
Summary: Buy this book!
Review: This little book packs more life-changing truth between its covers than whole shelves full of Christian "best-sellers" I have read. I was hooked on the first page, and it just kept getting better! I have the advantage of being a member of CJ Mahaney's church, and my whole family has benefited from his Cross-centered, Gospel-saturated ministry. As I read through "The Cross-Centered Life" in one (short) sitting this morning, I met one old friend after another: each one a powerful insight that has transformed my life, my family, and our entire church. There was the "plate spinner" from the old Ed Sullivan show, who showed us such a perfect picture of the legalistic life. There was Jerry Bridges' exhortation to "preach the Gospel to yourself every day." There was CJ's wonderful list of ways to make the Cross the center of every single day. If you have ever met CJ Mahaney, you already know that you have to read this book. If you haven't met him in person, you will feel like you know him through "The Cross-Centered Life." His writing is clear and personal. When he talks about sin, he talks about HIS sin; when he talks about salvation, he talks about the wonderful grace of God upon HIS life. By the time you finish the book, you can practically hear his voice urging you on to keep the Gospel at the center of your life. Get this book for the people you love, and give them a priceless gift this Christmas: good news for EVERY day of the Christian life. Get it for yourself, and hear CJ's call to center your life on the Cross: the one thing that NEVER changes and ALWAYS satisfies.
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