Carpools and car crashes, job switches and joint custody, moves and motionlessness. Is there a cohesive storyline to the chaos, confusion, and clutter of your daily life? According to well-loved author Max Lucado, the answer is a resounding yes! So what is the text of your life? With his unequaled warmth and honesty, Lucado plumbs the depths of your storyline and comes up smiling. “Your story indwells God’s,” writes Lucado. “This is the great promise of the Bible and the hope of this book … Above and around us God directs a grander saga, written by his hand, orchestrated by his will, unveiled according to his calendar. And you are a part of it …” Join Max for an unforgettable journey woven with New Testament stories and contemporary examples of God’s beautiful story-making skills. The beginning of the narrative is legendary, the middle unfolds with surprises still in store, and the ending of your final earthly chapter ushers in a reunion that almost defies description. It’s time to see what your life looks like when God’s story becomes your story.
With more than 150 million products in print and several NYT bestsellers, Max Lucado is America's bestselling inspirational author. He serves the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Denalyn, and their mischievous mutt, Andy. His most recent book published in August 2024 and is titled What Happens Next.
I usually don't write a review and just rate them but I felt compel to do so even for a short review. I honestly LOVE the book and it made me cry! Yes, it did.. I received this book today - youth edition - as I was one of the people who won this goodreads giveaway (:D) and I also finished it today! hehe. I just can't stop reading! I read it for barely five hours. The book made me emotional... I'm going through hard times right now. I'm failing my classes, my mom is mad at me, I always lie these days, I'm truly not happy, I'm at loss. Basically, I hate myself... After reading this book, I finally realized what is missing in my life... My faith in God... Around last year, I turn myself away from Him and I just didn't care anymore. There's even a point in my life that I hated God himself... This book made me realize things that I should have realize a lot sooner, reminiscence the good times and the lessons I learned back when I was still in my home country, and it also made me remember who I really am and my relationship with God. Thank you so much! I'm so happy reading this book. I didn't waste time and energy and I actually got something from it... :) It's not yet too late for me!
Got this one on an Kindle "special of the day" and read it the next day. Very uplifting, but also made me think about how often my story is focused on me rather than on God.
I enjoy reading Max Lucado because he has a way of turning things around and applying them to everyday life that makes parts of the Bible seem applicable in this crazy world we live in today. His books cause me to reflect and see the layers to the meanings and purpose of God's Written Word.
His books are a ministry unto themselves, and I am sure he has led many to find Christ just as he has cemented and confirmed other Christians beliefs by showing and teaching of God's Unlimited Grace. I especially love how the end of the book is set up to use for book clubs, or a church based ministry Bible Study.
Lucado reminds us God has a story for us and to let Him work through us. Stories and analogies with a Biblical lesson you expect from Lucado. Good narrator.
I am so much of a fiction reader that I often scoff at non fiction and skip it. Reading books like this remind me that there is so much out there to benefit from. I was in sixth or seventh grade when I first experienced something from Max Lucado, but since then when I have seen his name on a book, I knew it would be worth while. And even more recently I have started adding his children books to my shelves for my girls. They are some of my toddler AppleBlossom's favorites.
Christian Fiction can open doors and suggestions to topics and make you want to delve further into scriptures mentioned, but it is in the blunt and to the point - down to earth - non fiction writings like this when as a reader one can truly challenge themselves and really delve further. I enjoyed this book and it makes me do a lot of necessary thinking.
My only qualm is that although several different scripture translations are used, The Message Bible is used a lot, and I have issues with paraphrase Bibles as I feel like they lose so much in the translation. Yet at the same time, maybe this is a seed to be dropped for some that will help them in their journey along the way. After all that's what matters.
*Thanks to Zondervan for providing a copy for review through Into it Interactive.*
I couldn’t put this down! This book made me feel happy & hopeful reading it. It would be a great read for a non-Christian wanting to understand salvation/Jesus/the gospel. His description of the end times & when Jesus will return was so powerful & brought tears to my eyes!! I pray anyone who is reading this review has accepted Jesus into their hearts as their savior because whether you do or not he will be coming back & he loves you so much & wants you to be with him forever! Use your free will wisely ❤️😭
I'm coming to the conclusion that I'm just not that big of a fan of Max Lucado. I don't dislike his books, but they just strike me as very average books that are at best a mix of good and bad illustrations and maybe a little bit of skewed approach. So while I may not dislike his books, I can't really say that I like his books that much either. They're easy and accessible, but I either disagree with his approach or find the books a bit too fluffy and not really very insightful and challenging.
I think my biggest frustration with this book is that his approach focuses quite a bit about Heaven or what God does for us. I've always thought that Christianity for the sake of Heaven is a poor Christianity. Is God worth following if we didn't get a reward? Is it the idea of this reward (or avoidance of any kind of punishment) our main or only motivation to follow God? This has bothered me quite a bit for much of my life of faith and still does.
Due to this focus Lucado is just mainly focused on the spiritual and rather disdainful of the physical, even calling the idea of us building lives on earth akin to if the Prodigal Son made the pig sty into a house (complete with treating a pig like a wife). It is stuff like this that just turns me off from a good portion of what Lucado says, even if I do agree with the general point of most of his chapters.
All this might not have been so dull if I felt that Lucado presented some really great stories or interesting points to mull over, but I didn't feel like he really did. It all felt redundant and that I had heard things presented better elsewhere.
This book just really didn't do much for me. It was okay. It's not awful, but there is a lot better out there. Lucado is an easy read and will get you thinking about God. I just couldn't quite find myself enjoying his approach on many of the issues and found it to be more trite than I would have liked in many places.
I listened to this book today, as I worked, shopped, and waited at the doctors office. The authors are ministers. One said he wrote it on a flight. I didn't recognize some of the Bibles he quoted. One he used was MSG, so it kept bringing to mind the seasoning MSG. I do know the method of quotes of scripture using the chapters from the Bible.
He did a nice job of telling about the life of Christ, and related Gods plan through scriptures, and through every day stories. He brought the scriptures into every day life.
I have truly enjoyed this book and would recommend it anyone that loves the name of Jesus Christ. It has filled my heart with so much to look forward to his second coming. No more pains, tears, fears or weariness of this old world and body. We will have a new body and will live with God and Jesus forever and ever. A must read for all Christians.
Full review coming soon on the site, but I was disappointed in this book. I think it could be great for people who are new to faith, but seems trite and shallow for people who have been living faithful lives for a long time.
Max Lucado is so encouraging as he helps the reader see this life through the lens of eternity. Lucado has such an amazing way with words. “God’s Story” is both easy to read and hard to put down.
The writer does well in using everyday experiences to link into the main themes of the book. I found the last few chapters more interesting and helpful. A good book but overall felt 3 stars was about right
Max Lucado in his new book, "God's Story, Your Story" published by Zondervan teaches us when His story becomes yours. I have read that Max Lucado is called America's Pastor and after reading this book it is even more true.
From the inside jacket: Carpools and car crashes, job switches and joint custody, moves and motionlessness. Is there a cohesive storyline to the chaos, confusion, and clutter of your daily life? According to well-loved author Max Lucado, the answer is a resounding yes! So what is the text of your life? With his unequaled warmth and honesty, Lucado plumbs the depths of your storyline and comes up smiling. 'Your story indwells God's,' writes Lucado. 'This is the great promise of the Bible and the hope of this book ... Above and around us God directs a grander saga, written by his hand, orchestrated by his will, unveiled according to his calendar. And you are a part of it ...' Join Max for an unforgettable journey woven with New Testament stories and contemporary examples of God's beautiful story-making skills. The beginning of the narrative is legendary, the middle unfolds with surprises still in store, and the ending of your final earthly chapter ushers in a reunion that almost defies description. It's time to see what your life looks like when God's story becomes your story.
Ever wonder where you come from? No, I mean the family tree. It was a big day for me when I went to Ellis Island and saw both my grandfather's names on the memorial that showed they has passed through here on the way from Italy to New York. That kind of knowledge gives stability, gives us a place in history, gives us a future. That is the exact same thing that God wants us to have regarding Him and His story. Max Lucado shows us how the Bible and Jesus give us our place in Him the same way that memorial did for me. "God's Story, Your Story" gives us our roots in God, gives us our place in history and then provides us our future. Pretty neat, huh? This is a great read presenting us with the stories that most of us know very well however in a different manner than we are used to. I recommend this book highly and feel that everyone should read it. Thanks Max we need what you have provided us within the pages of this book.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Zondervan and TheDeMossGroup. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
When I open my heart to God He will rewrite the story of my life. Everyone wants to know where they came from and that is why God gave us His story – the Bible. The key message to the entire Bible is found in John 3:16 – God loved and He gave to the world, He loved and gave to us, His Son so that we could experience Him. He gave us a way out the sinful life if we choose to make His story ours.
Jesus was born into our everyday world so that we would be able to relate to Him. The Bible is His story but Satan wants to keep us from reading it. The devil is a divider and he divided humanity from God with the temptation in Eden. But God in His love planned a way to bridge this divide – His Son Jesus Christ.
When we face times of trial and testing by Satan we are being strengthened and purified for our life with God. Satan attacks our weaknesses so we must take them before God for strengthening. He has given us His Word - the Bible to strengthen and protect us in our battle against Satan.
Everyone longs for home, but our home is not earthly it is heavenly and our life is our journey home to our Father. But often times we try to change the route that God has given us to get there. We sin and try to make up for it by creating a “work system”. The cross and forgiveness are the way, but instead we take the detour of work over God and His story of redemption. Jesus took our sins on Himself so we have no need to look for detours of works, we just need to believe and accept what God has given us – redemption, forgiveness, and His righteousness.
What the world views as our final chapter – death is but the introduction to our life when we’ve made God’s story our story! Jesus’ victory over death is our victory and our path to everlasting life.
When we believe God shares His power with us, but there are times when we don’t draw on His Spirit. When we are drawing on His Spirit we are filled with the Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23. We must wait for the Spirit’s leading when we go blindly on our own way we run into blocked paths and closed doors. God is telling us, “No!” and when He says no it is for our good protecting us from something we can’t see or so that we may do something greater.
Through every difficulty or challenge we face God is working it to our betterment. We must remember that when we reach our home - Heaven sin will be no more, pain and sickness will be a forgotten memory as we are made new!
Book includes a discussion guide which will help the reader to delve deeper into the topic discussed in God’s Story Your Story.
Advanced Reader Copy provided in Digital Format by the publisher for reviewing purposes.
Each of us is living out our own story. For most of us, the characters have been revealed, the theme is pretty evident, and the setting, while it may change from time to time, is established. The plot, however, can leave us bewildered and wondering if there is a reason for the chaos and confusion that surround us. Who would write such a story? What kind of writer would leave their main characters in such turmoil, facing one trial after another and dealing with insurmountable odds? A good one!
We all know what makes up a good story. Good versus evil. Danger around every turn. Tragedy and triumph. Scenes that leave us wiping our tears or perched on the edge of our seats. These traits merge together to form the perfect story -- that is, until we find ourselves as the main characters. But never fear, for the Author of our story knows exactly how everything will work out in the end. He has the story planned out, and it's not over until He writes, "The End".
I've never picked up a Max Lucado book that I didn't like, and this one was certainly no exception. From page one until the final chapter, I was enthralled by the web of hope and encouragement Lucado weaves. He equates our lives to a story and God as its author. Each page demonstrates God's love and grace in helping us to live out our stories even when we don't understand the twists and turns. Through the Scripture, and with his unrivaled wit, Lucado reminds us that God is in control. He is not writing out our story; it's already written. He knows the outcome and every trial we may face along the journey. He knows and understands each character, and He has placed each one in the proper setting. With every word, I was encouraged that not only does God know what I'm going through, but He also cares.
If I had to pick out one negative in the book it would be the way that Lucado blurs the rapture and the second coming of the Lord into one event instead of two distinct events. I prefer a clearer distinction between the two, but the important fact was made quite clear: Jesus is coming back, and those who are saved will rise up to meet Him in the air, and that is only the beginning of our eternal lives with Him.
If you're looking for the perfect gift for a loved one, offer them this item of hope, encouragement and comfort. It's a must-read for Christians at any stage in their Christian walk.
This book is a great, easy to read devotional for someone who is looking to learn what it means to commit your life to Christ.
Like all his books, Lucado included many great real world illustrations of his key points. Many of these are personal stories, which make you feel like you are just sitting with him, talking about what it means to be a Christian.
I received the youth edition as a first reads book, and while I haven't read the regular edition of the book, I did note the differences from the other Lucado books I have read. This included many short testimonies from other teenagers, and some really practical advice to teens in this generation. I thought one of the best touches to this book was that at the end of every chapter, there were a number of recommendations for how to take the wisdom of the chapter and act on it in the real world, including post this verse as a facebook status, or ask your friends what they think about this, or find a movie where a character did this.
Personally, I did find it an encouraging book, and there were many stories that were still very applicable to me as a long time believer, but I do think over all it is more suited for people who are very new to the faith and are still just learning what being a Christian means, or even for people who are trying to decide what to believe.
I was completely engrossed in this book from start to finish. This is Max Lucado's best book to date. I appreciated each and every story that was shared in the book, and I found myself near tears many times.
I think the thing that struck me the most is that the emphasis of the book is that God is there in every single circumstance, and He is guiding you through the hard times. All of us go through struggles. Some of us live a life fraught with struggles. Does that mean that God is not in control? Absolutely not!
There was a time I did not like Max Lucado. I used to feel that he did not dig deeply into the wisdom of the Scriptures. I am happy to report that is not longer the case! In recent years, Lucado has delved so deeply into the Word of God, and he always brings encouragement even in the midst of utter chaos. Everything happens for a reason, and everyone is here for a purpose.
This is an easy read written in Lucado's fantastically readable style. You will find true encouragement as you surrender your will to the Lord of the universe!
This book was provided to me free of charge in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated in any way, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
It has been about a decade since I have read a book by Max Lucado. (Max, I'm sorry.) It wasn't for any dislike I had for his books. In fact, quite the opposite. I had probably spent the previous decade reading every book he published.
I guess I just needed a break. But the title alone intrigued me enough to lure me back. I'm glad it did.
Jumping into a book by Max Lucado is like putting on your comfy pants on a rainy day. Being the lyrical wordsmith he is, his writing just warms you instantly.
This particular book is about our story being more than just a one-chapter tale. We are not destined to fail. Yes, the subject matter may be familiar, in a day when we're constantly prodded to be more than we are. The difference with Lucado is that you can read without feeling lost in technical jargon, made-up schemes or quick-fix ideas.
More than mere pop-phsychology, this book offers a genuine look into how we are called to be part of the greatest story ever told. Let it be a good reminder if you've heard it before, but don't let the truth pass you by.
The tone of this narration is smug. The narration on audiobook confirms this smug tone. There are bits and pieces of material that are valuable, but I had to tease through the fear-based content and smirky quips to uncover those pearls.
There were a few anecdotes that made me pause, because I felt that the interpretations Lucado concluded frankly missed the mark. In one, the author tried to convey that we should continue to strive to find beauty in the journey; a common theme I could easily resonate with. But he uses a story about children at the zoo who stop to look at a bug when there were exotic animals all around. For me, the author was the adult who was blinded by the big exotic facets of the world, who failed to understand the brilliant teachings of these children. It was the children who could see the beauty, wonder, an amazement of a mere doodlebug, undeterred by the clanging gongs of the lions and giraffes directly adjacent to them.
This was just one example among many, where the author gave little room for the reader to pray, wonder, and insert her story in the unique way it might fit in with God’s story. For this reason, I was marginally engaged in this book.
I love stories. I love reading them, watching them, listening to them. There’s nothing better than reading a spellbinding novel with a satisfying ending or listening to stories that take you back in time and up your family tree. Every life is a story in progress and those who have surrendered the author’s pen to God are guaranteed a happy ending. But like all good stories, there’s a lot of conflict and struggle between the beginning and end. During these times it’s easy to develop tunnel vision and lose sight of the overarching narrative. And here’s the other thing we need to remember: We are only minor characters in this grand saga. To illustrate, if the story of the universe were The Hunger Games, I would not be Finnick or Prim or Cinna, and I certainly wouldn’t be Katniss, Peeta or Gale. You and I would be more like District 5 citizen number 487 and 488.
This is book is amazing in how it really sinks deep into your thoughts. Max Lucado is a great author who knows exactly how to get inside your heart. His analogies to life are so easy to follow and have such a great effect on me. Especially the one with the Zoo, that one really hit me because I remember when I went to the Zoo one time when I was young and thought that the birds were more interesting than the Lions or Gorillas. Its funny how people experience the same things.
Another thing that I loved about this book is the connection you build. I'm really thankful that my pastor gave me this book because it makes me think about my surroundings and how I can relate everything to God. Its a great simple read that allows more insight into my actions and has me searching for more. I would like if it was more complex with deeper meanings and writings because I felt like the book was too easy of a read.
Every Christian in the world needs to read this book. Max is already my very favorite Christian author, but this book is one of the most beautiful snapshots of God's promise for His people I've ever read. Max uses examples from the Bible, from history and from his own life experience to show that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him" (Romans 8:28). No matter what -- coincidences, accidents, physical or mental impairments, disasters -- nothing in life is meaningless, and all of it points us in the direction God wants us to go. Max points out that no person is on this earth by accident and that each of us has a unique and personally developed task, that no one else can do, to bring glory to God and peace to His people. What an amazing God we have, and I thank Him for beautiful people like Max Lucado to bring Him home to us.
In this book Max Lucado explores the Atonement of Jesus Christ (how he suffered and died to take upon himself our sins so that we can be made worthy return to live with Him.) He uses a number of simple illustrations and anecdotes to help people grasp principles of doctrine which could be difficult for some.
His easy going manner is punctuated with a multitude of scripture citations from various translations of the Bible.
Please keep in mind that in his discussion sometimes he is a bit more familiar and down to earth in his description of religious figures than some may be comfortable with. It made me crease my brow, which did disrupt from the narrative that was being woven, but otherwise served a useful point.
I would suggest this book for Christians that are seeking out how to apply the sacrifice of Jesus in their lives but find it hard to relate to.
ARC Copy received through the goodreads giveaway program.
I am a big fan of Max Lucado's books and I enjoyed this one a lot! In this book, Lucado walks through the story of Christ, starting with his birth, moving through his life, ministry and death, and ending with the start of the church and the first missionaries, and shows how Christ's story can parallel with our own. I particularly appreciated the chapter on Paul's missions and how God sometimes closes doors. I would strongly recommend this book for anyone who is looking for how scripture can teach relevant lessons today and I think it would make a great bible study companion. Highly recommended!
Esta es la segunda vez que leo a Max Lucado y siempre lo voy a recomendar. Lucado escribe de una manera muy personal y amorosa, y muchas veces uno necesita leer cosas así. Este libro es esencial para recordar que hay una historia más grande de la que podemos ver, que las lágrimas, y en realidad todo, tienen un trasfondo eterno. Tengo la tendencia a perderme mucho en las circunstancias y en lo inmediato, por lo que este libro fue de mucho ánimo y bendición a mi vida. Me ayudó a centrarme, a recordarme presente y agradecida con lo que ahora sí tengo, y esperanzada de mirar hacia arriba, más allá de lo evidente, más seguro que lo actual.