Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Book Review: Your Legacy by Dr. James Dobson

About the Author:
Dr. James Dobson is the founder and president of Family Talk, a nonprofit organization that produces his radio program heard daily on 1,200 stations nationwide. He is the author of more than fifty books dedicated to the preservation of the family. He has been active in governmental affairs and has advised three U.S. presidents on family matters. Dr. Dobson is married to Shirley and they have two grown children, Danae and Ryan, and two grandchildren. The Dobsons reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

My Review:
Your Legacy is partly Dr. James Dobson's autobiography and partly parenting book. Dr. Dobson shows us readers how leaving a spiritual legacy of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is monumental. It is our greatest gift we can ever give to our children, grandchildren, and generations to come. If we want our loved ones to spend eternity with us in Heaven, this must be our priority. We must take the job of providing our children spiritual training seriously. We have to fight against the ungodly influences of this world that bombard our children day and night. Dr. Dobson encourages parents to not get discouraged but to trust God, rely on Him & His faithfulness (through all the generations), and follow His principles. We must live out our faith and our Gospel-centered lives authentically right before our children's eyes. Keep praying for your children's and future generations' spiritual welfare and equipping your children to be able to stand firm in the faith.

I really enjoyed reading about Dr. Dobson's beautiful family legacy (starting from his great-grandfather, George McCluskey) and how it has already impacted five generations. They all have been faithfully following Jesus and serving Him. Dr. Dobson also offers strategies for the spiritual training of children, helpful information and encouragement for parents of prodigals, ways to reach out to unsaved parents, principles for building a love relationship with your children (including the importance of words and time spent with your children), and testimonies from parents who have been successful in passing their spiritual legacy. In Chapter Twelve, Dr. James Dobson shares his suggestions on the spiritual training of children in a format of questions and answers. The book includes 16 pages of photographs of his family members from five generations. At the end of the book, you will find Strategies to Build Your Legacy and Stories to Build Your Legacy (both written by Robert and Bobbie Wolgemuth). These practical ideas are very useful. I highly recommend this inspiring and encouraging book! 
May all who come behind us find us faithful!

"We can't make their decisions for them, but through prayer and careful guidance, we can influence their choices. The way we handle that responsibility has awesome implications for the future. If our children reach maturity and die without accepting the good news of the gospel, their parents will never see them again in the life to come...Now is the time to introduce your children to Jesus Christ. That training should begin early and continue for as long as you have moral authority over them." (p. 69)
"A close-knit family is what keeps boys and girls grounded when the world is enticing them to break loose. In this day, you dare not to become disconnected during the time when everything is on the line. If you do the job effectively, it will be easier to introduce your children to Jesus Christ. Remember this: If they know you care, you'll be more effective in teaching them what you believe!" (p. 126)
"The last word: Give your children and loved ones a simple but profound message as you prepare to step into the next world, 'Be There!' If you accomplish that purpose, it will be your greatest legacy." (p. 180)

~ I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.


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