Thursday, April 29, 2010

360° Life - Book Review

My first book review for WaterBrook Multnomah is 360° Life, written by the late Billy Joe Daugherty. When I saw that this book was available for review, I jumped on it. The author's name was familiar but I couldn't place who he was. From the back of the book - "360° Life explores how ordinary people, regardless of their challenges, can experience life-altering change through simple faith."

I was slightly confused about why this book was subtitled "Ten Ways You Can Live More Richly, Deeply, Fully." There were 13 chapters and I felt the "ten ways" weren't practical ideas but rather thoughts to ponder.

Unfortunately, I struggled through the first few chapters. The book's intended audience is definitely those new to the Christian faith or who are interested in exploring Christianity. As I was baptized at 11 years of age, I felt like the book couldn't offer much to me personally.

Last weekend, I almost had a panic attack at the thought of not being "good enough" for God. It's not that I don't believe God loves me, because I know He does. I struggle with having always believed (until just recently) that perfection is required when Christ returns for His people, that if we are not perfect at Christ's second coming, we won't be admitted into heaven.

Thankfully I picked up this book and read the chapter titled "What God Thinks of You." The author made a list of a few texts:

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you..." (Jeremiah 1:5a).

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11).

"... being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6).

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).

"For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness..." (Isaiah 61:10b).

And several other texts. This chapter and these Scripture verses pulled me out of an anxiety attack and reminded me how much God really does love me. That alone made this book a worthwhile read for me personally.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

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