These are difficult days in our world’s history. 1.75 billion people are desperately poor, natural disasters are gouging entire nations, and economic uncertainty still reigns across the globe. But you and I have been given an opportunity to make a big difference. What if we did? What if we rocked the world with hope? Infiltrated all corners with God’s love and life? 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. Let’s live our lives in such a way that the world will be glad we did. – Max Lucado
What if we did make a difference? What if we as moms started right where we are? What if we made a commitment to our God first, and then to our families to leave a lasting legacy of faith and hope. What would THAT life look like?
This is the book that is sitting on my bedside table:
For the next three Wednesdays I’m going to be sharing what God is teaching me as I read through this book, by Max Lucado. I love that he is a master story teller, because story has a way of getting our attention like nothing else will. Care to join me? Oh, and how about winning your own copy from Thomas Nelson right here? Just leave me a comment and tell me what you are thinking. Easy. Now go ahead, and Outlive Your Life, I dare you!
Wow! I’ve been wanting to get this book myself! I’ve been super curious about it!!!
I wrote about legacy this morning too! As I opened my Bible, and asked the Lord what He wanted me to write about, I noticed the very worn pages of my Bible. I don’t want to have any sort of self-glorifying pride in how “used” my Bible looks – but I am preparing my Bible to be a legacy for my children. I write in it, pray in it, highlight, date verses, etc – for me and also for them! I want them to see the relationship that I had with the Lord – long after I’m gone. I want them to almost see the tear stains in my Bible. See that I met with the Lord often… in my Bible.
so…. those were my thoughts this morning…
Have a great Wednesday Stacey! I always enjoy coming to 29 Lincoln Ave!
Penny – I love this idea. I heard about a similar idea, where you buy a Bible and spend a year in it. Then give it to your husband to do the same. Then you give it your son or daughter as a Bible to use during their teen years!
Thanks for stopping by today!
I have checked out the book online and love to hear how you like it. I love Max Lucado’s books!
So far I love it Sherry. He really has a great way of telling a story so it grips your heart!
I’m with you! I recently read this book, and it was LIFE-CHANGING! I posted about it on my blog (http://melscoffeebreak.blogspot.com) if you have time to read it 🙂
I look forward to going through the book (again) with you!
Blessings!
Melanie
Going now to check it out Melanie!
I have wanted to read this book! Love, love, love the idea.
I have really enjoyed Max’s books. I have recently read Cure for the Common Life and In Grip of Grace. I have obtained both from our church library. They do not yet have the new book. I would love to win a copy, read it and then donate it to the Mount Pleasant Community Church Library in Mount Pleasant Michigan. Blessings!
Winner chosen tomorrow – Thursday by Random.Org!
I had come to enter to win the book for our upcoming Bible study, but…if I were to win, please give it to Sarah for her church library. Then it can be enjoyed and loved by many!
You are precious Heather! If you win, that is exactly what we will do!
and that’s why you’re my bestie!! love you friend!
I absolutely love the challenging, charging title of this book! It sounds fantabulous!
This book looks great, Stacey! If I don’t win it, I’ll see if I can check it out from the library 🙂 Love you and miss you! Just recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, so it’s been a very interesting few weeks. Would appreciate your prayers! Love you!
If you win, I’m driving it to your house to give you a big hug! Miss you and I’m praying for you!
At this point in my life I have been considering what my legacy will be. How will others remember me? Will my life have had any kind of lasting impact? How do I make sure that it does?
I’m looking forward to what you share as you read this book by Max Lucado.
I’m thinking I would really like to read this book 🙂
Anything by Max Lucado is worth the read. But this one is on my list to read as soon as possible. Maybe I’ll get lucky and win my own copy so I don’t have to wait for the local library to get their copy. Looking forward to receiving more of your post.
I’ve been hearing a lot about this idea of “outliving yourself” and “paying it forward”. I think they are the same concept, aren’t they? Anyway, I would love to learn more from Max Lucado’s book, so I will try to follow you on Wednesdays. I guess I’ll just have to get the book!
Blessings,
Janis
Yes it is kind of like that. But the emphasis is on leaving a legacy behind and starting right where you are to touch the world for Christ!
how did I miss this?
I would loooove to read this book and I’ve never won ANYTHING!!!!!
Oh Cyndi! Good luck!
I love his chidren’s books, but have never read any of the books that he has written for adults. This looks really good!
I’m wondering how my life and family would be different if I started Out Living my life NOW. would my kids, ages 9 & 6, start seeing life differently? Would they have a greater understanding of life? Would I be happier and less stressed? Would we as a family realize how lucky we are and that God is in control?
I just heard about this book on the radio today. It sounds awesome!
I heard a Family Life Today program on my way home from bible study and I agree that a legacy is an important thing–we never know how one hour, one moment will impact years to come!
I grew up on his books but kind of drifted away as I got older. I’m in college now and stumbled across this website. I think God sent me here for a reason.
We actually studied out of Max Lucado’s book in our adult bible study before and it was the first time I actually got to know his writings. He touches people in so many ways. I would love the opportunity to win his new book.
If I don’t win it I will buy it!
I have this book on my review schedule for next month to be posted on http://thedaddydisciple.blogspot.com. Heard nothing but praises of this book. Would love to get a copy of this in my hands.
I absolutly adore Max’s books.
They are all so meaningful & unique. They are not like your typical “cookie-cutter sunday school lesson” books. You learn something new and beautiful with each new book.
God is using him to get a message across to these generations.
He is where he need’s to be.
He is also the reason (along with a few others) that I aspire to be a christian author myself someday.
I had never seen this book, I will have to grab a copy next time I’m out.
God bless!
Right now I’m thinking how it’s kismet because my wonderful husband’s name is Thomas Nelson also. I’m thinking about how we have been struggling to find our way back to the flock, to show our kids the right path. To rejoice with our Shepard. I’m also thinking that I truly hope that the person who needs these words the most get them, because that is what is truly important. ♥
I have read the first chapter of this book (sample pdf), and I long to read the whole book. It’s a great book, one for such a time as this. Truly, we are all made to make a difference.
Let’s consider the sun that faithfully rises every morning, against thick dark clouds, to give light to our world. Every living thing comes alive once again because the sun gives it light. Men can work, plants can produce their food for the light which the sun gives, and a whole lot of things happen which we may even take for granted. But should there ever be a day when the sun refuses to shine and instead there’s utter darkness, the entire world would be uncomfortable and unproductive for sure.
And we Christians are like that. We are the light of this world. Holding back our lights from shining is like the sun not performing its duty for a day. We may not know this but we deprive countless others from fulfilling their purposes and living as well. We knock the world out of cosmic balance. We have to live, we have to shine. We do sincerely and desperately have to impact our world and outlive our lives. I believe that’s what this Max Lucado’s book teaches in a much broader sense, and I’d love to win this “gift” copy and have it shipped to me all the way in Accra, Ghana. Lol.
Only what’s done for Christ will last. I want my life to advance the cause of Christ long after I am gone. Makes me reevaluate my daily walk with God and what I am doing for Him.
Would like to win Outlive Your Life. Been wanting to read it so that would be great! Have been doing several studies this year and this is one I’d really like to do next. Wonder what people would say aboutme right now at my funeral. Would they say I was a Christian because of how I lived my life, or not?
Love Max’s writing. Have not read this one yet but am really excited to check it out!
God has been speaking to me about making change and I am praying that He will revel this change to me. i have read Max’s books and loved all of them. Would love to have this book.
Thanks
To make a difference requires you to BE different. To celebrate your God given uniqueness and identity. Many fear the world’s rejection, abandonment and isolation if they do not conform and sadly will make little difference. Jesus came to set us free from that fear by showing us a better way to live and releasing us into His full plans and purposes for our lives. Those who are willing to pay the price and have the courage to follow Him like the twelve disciples I guarantee WILL make a very real and long-lasting difference in this world.
Bless you.
It’s too early for me but I can’t sleep , stress from work on a job that half the time I don’t even like. I heard abt this book and think it’s what I need to kick start a change in me
I’ve been asking around the bookshops here in Singapore whether they have this book, but they have not brought it in yet. I regretted not buying one when I was in the USA last month. So here I am having a go at this free one. Max Lucado’s books always uplifted me when I’m down and helped me find strength in God’s word. Just want to thank him for being faithful with his gift of encouragement and writing. 🙂
To continually grow in any aspect of life, you have challenges. I’m not necessarily talking about the negative challenges we face sometimes. Especially in our spiritual walk we need to be challenged to grow. That’s one thing I feel Max is always trying to accomplish with each of his projects. I do not have “Outlive Your Life” yet and I know it will change many lives. Leaving a legacy is one of the best gifts you can leave behind. Have a great day!
Looks like a great book. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve been really wanting to read this book since I first heard about it, then I lost my father very suddenly 3 weeks ago…now this message seems even more important to me.
Norma – I am so sorry for your great loss. I pray you will feel the arms of Jesus wrapped around you today and may His grace remind you of how much you are loved.
I can’t wait to get my hands on this book. An amazing book to help us as Christians understand God’s purpose for our lives and change hearts and change the world.
Reading about this book is a respite from all the bad news on tv, and the good news with false promises of material prosperity heard in many churches today. What a blessing to read that the there is hope , always hope , brought to our lives by God. My family and I are looking forward to this book!
I love Max Lucado’s books and saw this one and have been wanting to get it. The part that caught my attention was the subtitle “You Were Made To Make A Difference.”
Before getting married I had been an active volunteer missionary with an international organization. Now, I am a full-time mother of three young toddlers and studying online. Lately, I have been struggling with the nagging feeling of finding lack of value in what I do and who I am; as a full-time wife, mom and student. I would love to read this book and be impacted by it so that I can share what I learn from it with other young moms like me, because I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way… hopefully! 😛
Oh Kristine I struggle with this every day! I think this book will really encourage you that God uses the ordinary person to do extraordinary things! Let’s read together!
I’m not certain what I’m supposed to say here, but I’m excited about reading this book. After receiving God’s amazing blessings in my life, especially in my marriage, I have been thinking about how I now need to focus outside my own life to help others know how great our God really is. Thanks for the opportunity to possibly win a copy.
Comments for this giveaway are now closed! Thank you!
Would love to have another great Lucado book to read and pass on to our small/group reading club.
It would be great to get a chance to read this book. If I won it, I would definitely share it with my team as well. We are cross-cultural workers in South Asia.
Oooh, I’d LOVE to win!! Sounds like a GREAT book! I love Max Lucado’s writing!