Review: Max on Life by Max Lucado

Product Details
Format: Jacketed Hardcover
Trim Size: 6.40 x 9.40 x 1.30
Page Count: 256
Retail Price: $24.99
ISBN: 9780849948121

Book Description
We have questions. Child-like inquiries. And deep, heavy ones.

In more than twenty-five years of writing and ministry, Max Lucado has been the receiving line for thousands of such questions. The questions come in letters, e-mails, even on Dunkin Donuts napkins. In Max on Life, he offers thoughtful answers to more than 150 of the most pressing questions on topics ranging from hope to hurt, from home to the hereafter.

Max writes about the role of prayer, the purpose of pain, and the reason for our ultimate hope. He responds to the day-to-day questions—parenting quandaries, financial challenges, difficult relationships—as well as to the profound: Is God really listening?

A special addendum includes Max’s advice on writing and publishing.

Including topical and scriptural indexes and filled with classic Lucado encouragement and insight, Max on Life will quickly become a favorite resource for pastors and ministry leaders as well as new and mature believers.

MY THOUGHTS AND REVIEW:
Max on Life is a Q & A book: Max Lucado's answers and insights to important questions in life. Being a pastor and a well-known writer, Mr. Lucado has received all sorts of questions from all sorts of people. He includes 172 questions in this book. Some of the questions seem to be redundant. Some are excellent questions, especially for new believers. The questions and answers are divided into seven sections: Hope, Hurt, Help, Him/Her, Home, Have/Have-Nots, and Hereafter. The book covers various topics from faith, heaven, hell, prayer to parenting, relationship, money, fear, and more.

I didn't really learn anything new from this book and I don't agree with all of Mr. Lucado's answers. For example, on Page 19, Mr. Lucado said, "He (Jesus) paid the price for sin by becoming a sinner." Jesus paid the price for sin by becoming the sinless sacrifice for sinners. He is God; He can never be a sinner! Anyway, I still enjoyed reading this book. Max Lucado is so good with words that the content and style hold my attention. He often uses analogies to help readers think. I also love his sense of humor. I appreciate that Mr. Lucado bases his answers on the Scriptures and presents them with grace and gentleness. He gives Biblically sound advice. This book is easy to read. Each question and answer is usually only a page long. Concise and Christ-centered!

"When grace moves in, guilt moves out. God has forgiven us. There is no reason to hold on to guilt." Max Lucado (p.2)

~ I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are my own.

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Start Marriage Right

I love weddings. Such joyous celebrations of love and commitment! On the contrary, I hate divorces. Such ugly, painful, messy, & unwise decisions! My parents are divorced. My husband's parents are divorced. His aunts, brother, and sister are divorced. Marriage is designed by God and is meant for a lifetime. I am thankful that the Lord has brought my husband and me together and has kept us together for almost 20 years so far. He has truly blessed us and our marriage. A Christ-centered, God-honoring marriage is the best and is powerful for furthering God's kingdom but it takes hard work because satan is right there to attack it. I am excited to share with you a wonderful free website that provides valuable resources for couples to strengthen their marriage: http://www.startmarriageright.com/ . The website's goal is to equip, guide, and prepare people for successful, lifelong marriages and to decrease/prevent failed marriages. It's especially useful for singles, dating and engaged couples, and newlyweds but I think even oldieweds will benefit from it, too. I enjoyed reading the articles which offer Biblically sound, practical advice. Here are a few examples: 5 Essential Traits for a Strong and Lasting Marriage, Complementing, Not Conflicting, in Marriage, Why Sharing Hopes and Hurts Strengthen the Home. I also like the feature that people can submit their own question(s) by using the form on the website.

The website includes:

• Interesting articles about various issues all couples face as they enter into marriage
• Q & A with Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The 5 Love Languages.
• Insightful interviews with relationship experts
• Blog
• Fun and insightful videos
• Links to practical resources from marriage counseling experts
• and more!

Check out http://www.startmarriageright.com/ and spread the word. Please let your pastors and/or your church's marriage/family ministry leaders know about this website. Let us all help new couples start their marriage right! 

Website: http://www.startmarriageright.com/
Blog: http://www.startmarriageright.com/category/blog/
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/StartMarriageRight
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/startmarriage

Book Review and Giveaway: 10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget

Note: This giveaway is now closed.
10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget was written by the 20 different writers of Wise Bread (a community of bloggers that gives readers advice on how to manage and spend their money). I would like to thank Linsey Knerl (one of the authors) who kindly gave me this book to review and generously reserve a copy for my giveaway (she will directly send the book to the winner).


As a Christian, I desire to use my time, talents, and treasure (God's money) wisely. Therefore, living simply and frugally (yet joyfully) is the way to go for me and my family. This book is a great reference for anyone who strives for a frugal living. It includes tips, ideas, and advice on the following topics: food & drink, travel, health & beauty, fun & entertainment, shopping & bargain hunting, green living, education & self-improvement, financial planning & budgeting, credit cards & debt, investing your money, housing & home improvement, and career & money-making ideas. In addition, at the end of the book you will find the list of "142 Resources that will Save You Cash."

I cannot endorse everything in this book because I have not read everything yet. I skipped some sections that don't apply to my life, my family, or my personal interests at this time. I also do not approve some things mentioned in the book such as a white lie suggested in the regifting section (lying is sin and not acceptable to me) and one of 7 beauty secrets that cost almost nothing is have safe _ _ _ (you know what) which insinuates practicing this activity outside marriage and promiscuity (both are totally unBiblical). Overall, this book is a valuable resource that will help you make wise decisions (you need to use your discernment to glean from the book and only choose what's good, wise, and applicable), make your tight budget stretch, and become more creatively frugal :). I especially enjoyed reading the sections written by Linsey Knerl. She has lots of excellent practical ideas and she is a homeschool mom like me (I'm glad she included "10 Ways to Homeschool for Less" in this book).

Giveaway: You have a chance to win a copy of this cool book. To enter, please leave a comment here sharing your best tip/advice that has saved you either the most time or the most money. If you post about this giveaway on your blog or Facebook, you will receive an extra entry for each (please remember to leave a separate comment with a link to your post). The deadline is August 30th at midnight (Pacific time). I will choose the winner randomly and announce it the next day.