2 weeks ago, I received a new book by Max Lucado entitled"Out Live Your Life". This is the first Max Lucado book that I have read but it won't be the last. In this book Mr. Lucado points out time and time again that the Lord created us to make a difference in this world. And that through the Lord and with his guidance & strength we can be used and Out Live Our Lives. He uses 21 real life stories to bring this point home. These stories range from people who were impacted from their visits to other countries to people who recognize needs in their own communities. There are touching stories that make you feel good and stories that will keep you awake at night praying for all the people involved.
The story that shocked and impacted my "knowledge" of the cruelty and depravity of some other cultures was in Chapter 3. The story that gripped my heart was about the sex trade traffic in Cambodia. These women witnessed the selling of young girls into forced prostitution. They came back from their trip and JoAnne wrote an article about their experience. This article sent shockwaves through her readers and some began to send her checks to help these children. The women started a ministry named "World Hope International" and began rescuing girls from this perversion. In 3 years more than 400 children were rescued, ranging in ages 2-15. When I read the age 2, my heart was shattered for these babies. They were used in horrible ways by people in Satans stronghold. At the age of 2,3,4 etc. these little ones should be playing dolls and teaparties and dress up. I spent many hours praying for these children, both the rescued and the ones still waiting to be rescued.
Not all of the stories in the book, griped my heart like that one did. But, they all made an impact on me. In the United States, we live a sheltered life. We don't realize what really goes on in other parts of the world. Even watching stories on tv doesn't impact us like it should. But when you sit down and read, you have time to ponder and reflect.
What difference do we make in our lives and our world. Is there a mission the Lord has placed in front of us that needs our participation. Have you asked the Lord how he wants to use you and your talents to further his kingdom? How can you "Out Live Your Life"? What will folks remember you for? The Lord can use any of us in big and little ways. It doesn't have to be a big ministry with lots of pomp and circumstance. Seek the Lord and do his Will. While reading this book the Bible verse that kept running through my head was Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". The Lord will give us the strength for the job he sets before us.
On page 7 of the book Mr. Lucado states "We are created by a great God to do great works. He invites us to outlive our lives, not just in heaven but here on earth. Here's a salute to a long life: goodness that outlasts the final breath. May you live in such a way that your death is just the beginning of your life."
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
Disclaimer: I received this complimentary book through Book Sneeze and Thomas Nelson Publishers to read and review.
The story that shocked and impacted my "knowledge" of the cruelty and depravity of some other cultures was in Chapter 3. The story that gripped my heart was about the sex trade traffic in Cambodia. These women witnessed the selling of young girls into forced prostitution. They came back from their trip and JoAnne wrote an article about their experience. This article sent shockwaves through her readers and some began to send her checks to help these children. The women started a ministry named "World Hope International" and began rescuing girls from this perversion. In 3 years more than 400 children were rescued, ranging in ages 2-15. When I read the age 2, my heart was shattered for these babies. They were used in horrible ways by people in Satans stronghold. At the age of 2,3,4 etc. these little ones should be playing dolls and teaparties and dress up. I spent many hours praying for these children, both the rescued and the ones still waiting to be rescued.
Not all of the stories in the book, griped my heart like that one did. But, they all made an impact on me. In the United States, we live a sheltered life. We don't realize what really goes on in other parts of the world. Even watching stories on tv doesn't impact us like it should. But when you sit down and read, you have time to ponder and reflect.
What difference do we make in our lives and our world. Is there a mission the Lord has placed in front of us that needs our participation. Have you asked the Lord how he wants to use you and your talents to further his kingdom? How can you "Out Live Your Life"? What will folks remember you for? The Lord can use any of us in big and little ways. It doesn't have to be a big ministry with lots of pomp and circumstance. Seek the Lord and do his Will. While reading this book the Bible verse that kept running through my head was Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". The Lord will give us the strength for the job he sets before us.
On page 7 of the book Mr. Lucado states "We are created by a great God to do great works. He invites us to outlive our lives, not just in heaven but here on earth. Here's a salute to a long life: goodness that outlasts the final breath. May you live in such a way that your death is just the beginning of your life."
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
Disclaimer: I received this complimentary book through Book Sneeze and Thomas Nelson Publishers to read and review.
I believe that there are times people have an opportunity to lead a ministry knowingly. But other times we have influences on persons that we may never realize. Both ways, it's simply a matter of living each moment of our lives by faith, following the Lord's leadership.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review! Very interesting. ~Liz
Oh, my heart is already hurting today and now this.
ReplyDeleteOut Live Your Lives. I love that. A statement to savor and ponder.
Thanks.