Review of “Out Live Your Life” by Max Lucado

Sarah — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 00:25:16 +0000

None of us can help everyone. But all of us can help someone. And when we help them, we serve Jesus.
Max Lucado, page 172

It is hard to turn on the t.v. and not see evidence of of the depravity in our world. Max Lucado’s newest book Out Live Your Life encourages his reader, you and me, to move from the couch to an active participant meeting in the world’s needs.

Out Live Your Life is an inviting, gripping read that tells Biblical and modern day stories about how individuals reach out and make a difference in the world. One story talks about a taxi driver in London who read an article about microfinance which “provides small loans to poor people so they can increase their income and decrease their vulnerability to unforeseen circumstances” (p. 47-48). These loans are provided to individuals in third world countries to start or increase their businesses. This taxi driver provided a loan of fifty-five dollars through an organization to a Brazilian grocery owner. This small loan by our standards allowed this businessman to increase in business, pay back the loan and build a real home for his family. This small sacrifice re-wrote the story of this man and his family.

The book is full of stories like this and draws you in. I found myself not wanting to put the book down, and wondering what I can do to make a difference. Some books or articles like this can leave the reader guilty and unsure of where to move forward. Out Live Your Life is not such a book. Many of the examples that Lucado uses are simple ones that even you and I could do. Whether it’s working with an organization like Hope International to finance a new business, or even mowing our neighbors yard each of us are capable, even called, to make a difference in the world.

This book will encourage anyone to make a difference where they are. I also plan to use a couple chapters as supplemental reading in my Intro to Leadership course in the spring.

I would whole-heartedly recommend purchasing this book for your own reading and for sharing with others. 100% of the author’s royalties from Live Your Life go to World Vision. If you feel like you want to make a difference check out these organizations: Hope International, Compassion International, Mocha Club, World Vision, and the Mentoring Project.

I was given this book for free in return for writing a review. I’m not required to like it, just write about it!

“Fearless” By Max Lucado

Sarah — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:00:00 +0000

It goes without saying that we have all found ourselves paralyzed by fear at one time or another. Whether it was based on real life circumstance or paranoia that a fear might come, we can all sympathize with the grip fear has on our lives. I just finished reading Max Lucado’s newest book, “Fearless”, which focuses on many typical areas of fear that often paralyze us. In each chapter Lucado offers witty over-exgagerated examples of each of these specific fears and supplements them with a Biblical example when believers are encouraged to trust God’s hand and provision.

I could not help but think as I read “Fearless” of times in my life when I needed to hear that message. Lucado’s writing style is easy to follow and makes “Fearless” difficult to put down. While I found myself underlining or marking something in every chapter, the final ones were most memorable. In the last chapters Lucado address the fact that things will get worse before they get better. In a world where we are faced with a new “crisis” every time we turn on the news, it is so important to remember that chaos is a part of God’s plan. Lucado reminds readers that God provides reassurance that there will be wars, rumors of wars, sorrow and happiness– but that He remains faithful in it all. It seems to come naturally to freak out when these things come to be, but Lucado paraphrases Jesus in Matthew 24:6 saying “Don’t freak out when bad stuff happens” (pg. 153). Bad things have, are, and will continue to occur, but as believers we should hold strongly to the knowledge that our Lord is control of it all.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I know that I will continue to refer to it when in facing fear. Lucado wrote, “Feed your fears, and your faith will starve. Feed your faith, and your fears will.” (pg. 74). Reading this book is one way to feed your faith, not your fears.

If you wish to purchase this book, you can buy it here on Amazon:

Life on the Quarter» max lucado

Review of “Out Live Your Life” by Max Lucado

“Fearless” By Max Lucado