I Am Second: Real Stories. Changing Lives.

by Doug Bender, Dave Sterrett

Countless stories. One incredible ending.

A major league baseball player. a Tennessee pastor. A reality TV star. a single mom. A multi-platinum rocker. What do these people have in common? They ve all hit bottom. And none of them stayed there.

Famous or unfamiliar, these are the stories of real people who reached the end of their strength, the end of their control, and found the most surprising truths. It taught them not to rely on self or substance but to lean on the only completely reliable source of love, hope, and freedom: the God who created them. Shocking in their honesty, inspiring in their courage, these testimonies are critical reminders that no one is too far from God to find him.

Join these and thousands more who have discovered the lifechanging power in putting God first and proclaiming, I am Second.

Rock stars and Jesus : Brian "Head" Welch --
I saw the sign : Daniel Montenegro --
Resist the devil : Josh Hamilton --
Biggest winner : Michelle Aguilar --
Porn again pastor : Nate Larkin --
Life on the streets : Karen Green --
That kid in the corner : Michael W. Smith --
My other father : Shannon Culpepper --
The affair : Jeff and Cheryly Scruggs --
Through pain or love : Vitor Belfort --
Driven by hate : Ken Hutcherson --
Crazy beautiful thing : Whispering Danny --
Skateboard love : Brian Sumner --
Faith and war : Chris Plenkenpol --
If tomorrow never comes : Tamara Jolee --
Death and football : Bradie James --
Surfing with sharks : Bethany Hamilton --
Riding with a mask : Laura Klock --
Gridiron battles : Sam Bradfod --
Booze and batteries : Norm Miller

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christianity, Christian Living, Religion, Faith, Inspirational

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Tung · Rating 5 out of 5]

I try not to let my faith influence my reviews because book reviews aren’t the appropriate venue for proselytizing. But when you’re reviewing books about your faith, it’s impossible to do. I Am Second is the book form of a larger movement aimed at getting people to put God first in their life. Their website has a collection of videos of mostly-famous individuals sharing their testimonies about how and (more importantly) why they became Christians. This book shares these same testimonies, but the written form of these testimonies provides more context and is not simply a transcription of the video clips. The book does a great job of sharing testimonies of different people with different struggles all redeemed by God – from the former lead guitarist of Korn discussing how he didn’t find fulfillment in fame/fortune/drugs, to MMA fighter Vitor Belfort discussing how he struggled with pain and happiness, to a couple who overcame divorce through their faith, to a soldier discussing faith and war, to a former prostitute discussing how faith got her off the streets, and more. And while there are only 20 testimonies in the book, there are QR codes that link you to videos of a host of other testimonies. These real people and their real problems all send the same message: that there is a real God who delights in redeeming people who put Him first in their lives. I Am Second presents flawed believers, warts and all. The media likes to sensationalize accounts of professed Christians doing bad things (e.g. Josh Hamilton, who also has a testimony in this book) as if to proclaim the message that Christianity is full of sinners. Well, that is in fact the Gospel message. I highly recommend this book for all Christians; it affirms what you already know is true. If you’re not a Christian, but you’re struggling with big issues, this book shares stories of struggle and the inspiring accounts of people overcoming big issues; I’d recommend this book to you as well. I usually reserve five star ratings for books with exceptional prose telling incredible stories. This book doesn’t have exceptional prose, but the stories are beyond incredible, and because they resonate with my faith, this book is among my favorite books ever.

[Colleen Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading about other people's journeys to get where they are at. This book took multiple peoples stories and helped us to see that without God the empty spaces will stay empty. It was a reminder to me that God wants a relationship with me. He wants me to always put him first. There is no obstacles I can't overcome without him. This book is a beautiful collection of stories about how people put God first.

[Melisa Shafer · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the base concept is admirable, and all the famous tragedies are passably interesting in a gossipy way, reading them was kind of boring. At least it was a fast read, and good for my 13 year old to pick out a few morality lessons.

[Becky Bea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspirational testimonies.

[Andy Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am Second

This was a great anthology full of different people’s testimonials. Several of the people are ones that I knew about, such as Head from Korn and the Soul Surfer. The rest were stories that were new to me. I found it very uplifting.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't familiar with the I Am Second movement before reading this book, but now I will definitely check out some of the videos. The book is a really quick read with most of the stories only a few pages long. There were some celebrities and familiar faces, but mostly just "normal" people who have struggled with things millions of people struggle with - addiction, infidelity, overeating, suicidal thoughts, etc. But, all these people at their lowest point reached out to God and felt Him respond and that was what allowed them to turn their lives around. This is one of those books that I would have probably never read if it wasn't for a book club, but it's definitely worth reading.

[Harold Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Countless stories. One incredible ending.

A major league baseball player. a Tennessee pastor. A reality TV star. a single mom. A multi-platinum rocker. What do these people have in common? They’ve all hit bottom. And none of them stayed there.

Famous or unfamiliar, these are the stories of real people who reached the end of their strength, the end of their control, and found the most surprising truths. It taught them not to rely on self or substance but to lean on the only completely reliable source of love, hope, and freedom: the God who created them. Shocking in their honesty, inspiring in their courage, these testimonies are critical reminders that no one is too far from God to find him.

Join these and thousands more who have discovered the life changing power in putting God first and proclaiming, “I am Second.” (From the Thomas Nelson Publishers Website)

My thoughts about the book - In their book I Am Second Doug Bender and Dave Sterrett shares the real true to life stories of a number of different people from a variety of backgrounds who all now have one thing in common – transformed lives by the grace of God. What a testimony this book is to the saving power and life transforming grace of God when God meets a man or woman right where they are, saves them, fully accepts them by his grace and begins his sanctifying work in their lives.

In I Am Second authors Bender and Sterrett shine the light on the lives of over 20 different people and reveal them to us with all of their stark reality; from normal every day people to the famous, from the grim to the glamorous and a whole lot of life lived in between. There are 20 main people whose stories are shared and then at the end of each of their stories you will find more people who share their story at the website, www.iamsecond.com. The first person written about in the book is Brian “Head” Welch, known worldwide for being the former lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Korn. Living a life of sex, drugs and rock and roll God brought him to the end of himself and he found the Savior, deliverance and faith in “the rock that doesn’t roll.” Though the earth may tremble and the mountains may shake, God and his Son Jesus Christ are immovable and unchanging in all of their ways and this is evidenced in the amazing and radical transformation of Brian’s life.

Others whose stories are shared include Danny Montenegro, just an average sort of guy from Texas with a pretty amazing testimony of how he became “second” when Christ, who is first, found him and saved him. The Christian rapper Lecrae is shown in the book and featured on the website. Michelle Aguilar, winner of the popular TV show, “The Biggest Loser;” losing 110 pounds in the end became the biggest winner because through her struggles with her weight and with life Christ reached out to her offering her his free gift of salvation and she accepted it and today is a testimony to women worldwide what changes faith in Christ can bring to a person’s life. Then there’s the “Porn Again Pastor” Nate Larkin, or Michael W. Smith, “That Kid on the Corner;” Ken Hutcherson who was “Driven by Hate,” “Skateboard Love” and the testimony of Brian Sumner, Bradie James sharing about “Death and Football,” and Norm Miller and his story “Booze and Batteries.”

I can relate to the book and the stories of many of the people in it because of my own experiences with sex, drugs and rock and roll as well as my living as “first” – and I mean totally selfishly first – as a practicing homosexual for over 40 years. But just as the other people featured in the book and on the website Christ saved me, gave me a new and transformed heart and life, and today I am happily living my life as much as is humanly possible as “second” with Christ being first.

And it is in the final pages of their book authors Bender and Sterrett reveal who really is “first.” His name is God. And then they reveal the eternally important truth as to how we can join the people mentioned in the book or on the website and become happily “second.”

Whoever and whatever you are. Wherever you may live. Whatever your sin, (addictions, pleasures, vices, habits, ect.); reading this book and applying what it shares can forever change your life. That’s right I stated whoever and whatever. Listen, if God can save me he can save anyone and I do mean anyone. So there is no sin so great and terrible that the grace of God can not cover it, that the blood of Christ can not wash it way, and the Holy Spirit and Word of God can not Sanctify or transform the person from it.

Buy the book and read it. Choose to become second and make Christ first in your life. You will never regret it if you do.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher for my review. 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."

[Michał Kasztura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really God read ;)

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Am Second contains an extraordinary collection of short stories from famous celebrities to everyday people. Everyone has a unique message of their struggles and hopes to share with the world. Throughout the book readers get to read stories from Michael W. Smith, Bethany Hamilton, Sam Bradford, John Hamilton, Brian “Head” Welch, Karen Green, Michelle Aguilar, Vitor Belfort, Brian Sumner, and many others. They all come from different backgrounds and careers. The book reveals details about how they all traveled down the path to destruction. But at their lowest point of their lives they came to know God and his healing and redeeming power. The stories ranged from drug use, living in poverty, partying to hard, affairs, pornography, prostitution, drinking, divorce, loneliness, and bad parent relationships. Readers will be able to associate with each story in this book.


The book also contained a QR code where readers can scan the code and watch videos featuring stories from the I Am Second website. The book has a neat sticker to remind yourself that you are second.

I would recommend this encouraging book to teenagers and adults who are feeling and believing the lie that they are alone in their daily struggles. When we come to the place of desperation and need a helping hand, God is always there to reach out to us. I enjoyed reading about these countless stories it gave me great hope that God can always turn any situation around and work it out for my greater good. No one is alone in their hurts and disappointments and we all fall into temptations. Surrendering to God brought tremendous joy into their lives. The book was a huge inspiration about the importance of becoming second and making God first. He is the only one who can help us change and become everything we were created to be. Anyone will be able to connect with the stories shared in this book. They cover many different struggles and I realized that God loves each one of us completely and he is willing to assist and comfort us. If you’re looking for a book for inspiration that God is still working in people’s lives then get this book! It will change your perceptive about if people can really change because with God they truly can! Never lose Faith in God and his power!

“I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program.”

[Brett Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the book called I am Second. The author’s purpose in this book was to show people that even though if they have a big addiction or something that you are doing wrong over and over again that you can overcome it. In the book there are many examples of people having drug addictions and they overcome them when they put themselves second and start accepting god in their life. One example is when Josh Hamilton a famous baseball player who plays for the Texas Rangers, got addicted to drugs. He got addicted while he was playing baseball and after he got drug tested and caught he got suspended from the MLB for awhile. After he got suspended he realized how much he missed baseball and wanted to get off of the drugs and go back to the MLB. He eventually turned his life over to god and got off of the drugs.
I think that the authors theme was to tell people to just not stop trying. All of the people in this book could have just given up on trying changing their life around but instead they kept battling through their struggles and accomplished them. Every person in this book had very hard struggles to overcome. None of them gave up and just sat around and did the same thing that they were addicted to. They asked god for help and wanted him to be first in their life and they beat their addiction.
I think that the author’s style of writing this book was description. It was description because it had and explanation for everybody’s story, the story told the readers that where all of the events took place, it also told the readers where the event was, for example it said Josh Hamilton had all of this happen to him when he was in Florida, and when I was reading this book I felt like I was there with them when all of it happened to them. I think this was an effective way to write the book, because I felt like I was there and to me that make the book better and easier to read.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I liked how it was very detailed and it was very interesting and exciting. I didn’t want to stop reading this book when I started. There was nothing that I disliked about this book. I like everything about this book and how it was written. If I could change one thing about this book it would be that I would put more stories about people so it would make the book longer. I haven’t read a book that is similar to this book before.

[Starr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had never heard of the I Am Second Movement. Yes, I mean movement. This is so much more than just a book, but I didn’t know that until after I read it and browsed the webpage. But in a way, I am glad that it’s a movement. Sometimes you read an intensely good read about life and you wonder who’s really living like this? But I Am Second is the stories of people who have chosen to live a life where they are not in control. They have chosen to give up what wasn’t working in their lives, the secrets and addictions that they hid behind in exchange for extreme faith. I say extreme faith, because there are complacent Christians and there are Christians who do “just enough”. Those who follow in the path of being second are not complacent and they are not doing “just enough”.
The collection of stories was powerful and filled with people who I knew or heard of and people that I had no clue about. On the website, when watching the videos, I found that there were even more people who had chosen the path of the second. They didn’t gloss over their “before” lives so it made a huge impact when they talked about their lives “after”. At the end of reading this book, a Bible verse came to mind, “His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” ( Matthew 25:21). I think these are the words that those who choose to be second will hear.

Recommendation: If you are interested in learning about how the Christian faith can change your life, regardless of where you are, you will definitely enjoy this book. If you are interested in going deeper in your own Christian walk, you will definitely enjoy this book.


A copy of this book was given to me, free, in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Shannon Ryan]

The book I am reading is called I Am Second by Doug Bender and Dave Sterrett. This book is full of testimonies and stories from lots of different people. They all connect in the way that they all found Jesus. Jesus was their healer and the one who made their chaotic life better. Each person finds who to put first and who to put second.

In the first chapter, Brian “Head” Welch spoke on how he found Jesus. He talked about all the noise and chaos in his life. He was a rock star and had everything he had ever wanted, but once he was a single parents living his life full of drugs, he knew something had to change. He was addicted to meth and couldn’t break away from it. His daughter started singing the songs he wrote. The songs about sex. He needed to get off meth and he needed to be a better dad. A friend in his band showed him a verse that jumped out to him. And later took him to church. In a final prayer at home, Welch called out to Jesus to come to him. He said he felt that heaven had invaded earth.

"But Brian knows Jesus does not offer to take away the noise; what he offers is rest as the city roars and as the night shrieks of trouble. He offers comfort in the middle of the craziness. He offers love, purpose, and meaning. He offers what no one else can. He offers rest."

In the next chapter, Daniel Montenegro talks about how Welch’s story changed his life. His life was spinning out of control. He was addicted to heroin and drove down the highway high and drunk. He looked up to see a sign with Welch’s face and below a big ‘I AM SECOND’ written. Welch was part of his favorite band so he went online and looked up his story. Later Daniel went to church and found Jesus. He went on a big mission trip later and told people all over the world about his heavenly father that he loved.

[Stephanie Ziegler]

I Am Second is not only a powerful book but a powerful understanding of faith. The courageous people in this book shared their story in hopes they can pass the understanding and feeling of peace of putting God first in your life. These people share with us secrets and you can feel the raw emotions in each story. “I Am Second is the revolutionary change in your life that starts when you put your trust in Jesus alone for your eternal life. It continues as you decide each day to put Jesus above all else. Life is a battle that is not meant to be fought alone.”

The way this book was written…I have never read a book written that way, but it worked perfectly. The way I felt was that the authors were siting in a room, possibly interviewing the people, though no questions from them appeared in the book. The people told their story and the authors stuck to the stories word for word, but the authors also wrote the demeanor of the people while they told their story. Each chapter, each story is written in the people’s point of view and the author’s point of view.

As a person who believes in God but is trying to find her place with him, this book is a motivator. I look at the bible and want to read it, but scared to undertake 1.) the challenge of reading it (the language) and 2.) the emotion that it may cause with me. This book is a page turner. Stories from celebrities, from prominent people in a community, from your every day person shows the reader that no matter what your demon(s), you are not alone and here are examples of how people turned to God and made Him first in their lives.

If you don’t believe me, check it out for yourself!

Until next time, take life one page at a time!

[Maddyjayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am second-real stories. Changing lives

I decided to read this book because my sister and mum had read it and they both thought it was really good and a good testimony. I also really enjoying listing/reading about other people's life and what they have gone thought and how they came thought it.

This book fits under the category: a book based on a true story. I really enjoyed this category as it was so inert eating finding out about other people's struggles and their life story and how God has been a great impact on their life.

My favorite quote from this book would be: "I don't think of Jesus as a religion. It's a relationship. He calls us to love him and to love others before ourselves....when we put God first and others before ourselves, life is just a lot more exciting." This is my favorite quote as I means so much to me as I am a Christian and I still find it hard to put others in font of myself. To me personally I really can't explain the love of God as it is amazing and indescribable. He loves everyone more than you could ever imagine.

Something new that I learnt from this book would be that God is amazing and he can do all things. He has a plan for everyone and he will be by your side the whole way. 'He will never leave you or forsake you' I think it is amazing how I can put 100% trust in God and he will bring me through all the troubles that I might face.

A character in this book that was interesting to me would be Bethany Hamilton. As she is a famous surfer and has been in a shark at teach and has made a full recovery with the Lord by her side. She is my role model and I look up to her. Her testimony is amazing and I have learnt a lot hat helps me thought my own personal troubles.

[Jodi Janz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doug Bender and Dave Sterrett have compiled stories from famous people and everyday, ordinary people who have all met God in a deep and difficult place in their life and chosen to place Him FIRST in their lives. If God is FIRST then, by definition ... I Am Second.

This book is an easy read but not a light read. The words will dramatically change your views, your perspective and possibly your life. Each chapter is a different person and a different story all concluding to the same ending. God is a powerful God and He longs to be intimately involved in our lives. These folks are living proof of that.

Reviewing this book has been a challenge because every person who reads it will get a different nugget from it. However I think I can honestly say you will definitely get something out of it. It would also make a great gift. An excellent coffee table conversation starter. And a powerful witness.

The story with the most impact for me was actually the foreword explaining the rival quarterbacks (Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford) and the impact their story had on the people of Dallas Texas. Check it out. Another favourite one was Jeff and Cheryl Scruggs, a story of love lost and re-won through the power of a loving God who works in His timing and in His way, if we are obedient.

"Sometimes what gets lost in the whole debate is that God is a personal God and these are the stories of people who have personally interacted with Him and their lives have been radically altered because of that." Doug Bender, co-author

At the conclusion of every chapter is a QR code that you can scan and be taken right to the corresponding video. A very interactive experience!

[Alanna Love · Rating 2 out of 5]

One white chair
underneath
one overhanging lamp
illuminating
the one endlessness of the darkness.

And one by one people come out of the shadows,
take the seat,
and tell their story.

Stay at home moms and prostitutes.
Musicians and politicians.
Celebrities and “nobodies.”
Athletes and intellectuals.
High school students and senior citizens.
Victims and victimizers.

Everyone from all walks of life gets a voice and though each story may be different there’s one thing that binds them all together - The belief that,
“I
am
second.”


A collection of short films that led to a movement that is now connecting churches and touching people everywhere, I Am Second is based on the simple concept of telling the story of how Jesus changed your life. And when you think about it, what could be more powerful than that?

This book is a by-product of this project, a collection of the stories of everyday people like you and me and it is another resounding proof of the power of God impacting this well represented cross section of our society, because no one is excepted from this chance for soul transformation.
They’re stories about the power of God in you and in me.
Stories about how when we are willing to step down to second place in your own life
Stories of how liberating and empowering it is to let Him be
First.


I Am Second: Real Stories. Changing Lives
By Doug Bender and Dave Sterrett
This is a complementary book I received via BookSneeze. For links, cover images, and more, check out booksneeze dot com.

[Lisa Kearns · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received my copy of I Am Second free from the Amazon Vine program, in exchange for writing a review of the product.

I love to read inspirational stories of people who got tangled up in life (drugs, infidelity, crime, gangs) and finally surrendered when they realized that Jesus is the only way to be happy in this life and saved for eternity. It took a lot of courage for some of these people (like the adulterer) to admit his sins and allow everyone to know.

I am Second has a wonderful premise - interview actors, musicians, athletes and regular people who fought against being saved until they crashed, lost everything and had no where else to turn. That's exactly the time Jesus will be waiting, willing to forgive and raise you up. There is no need to fight life by yourself. It was sobering to read that celebrities who have fame, money and adoration from their fans are just as lost as the rest of us before we submit and let God be First.

The author of this book photographs the subjects sitting in a plain white chair wearing black clothing and doesn't photoshop the "life" out of their faces. The pain and suffering in their stories match their photos and makes them believable. I also love the phrase "I am second" because that is the only way to truly live a Christian life.

I found the writing style to be a little simplistic, as if it were written for teen or young adult audiences. But I did enjoy the book and read a chapter every night before bed. This would also be a good book for a teen Sunday school class.

[Tim Baumgartner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always SO encouraged by testimonies. That's what this book is--20 testimonies of people's wrecked lives before they learn to fully trust and obey the Lord Jesus Christ. They cover people who are famous and not famous, but there are lots of ways people can see parts of their own story in these particular stories (which I find VERY encouraging).

SOAPBOX ALERT: Another thing to consider when hearing testimonies, is we have a tendency to yearn to hear 'crazy' stories of how we 'come to Jesus.' This is not how it should be. There are some people who don't do all the 'crazy stuff' others do who still need Jesus. However, as I've heard, they often question and wonder if they even have a testimony if they haven't done all the 'crazy stuff.' Our society has created a hierarchy of sins and make things out to be big sins (murder, rape, etc.) vs. little sins (selfishness, pride, etc.). This is not the biblical view. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). All means all. I just wanted to clarify that we all need Jesus and that we all have our own testimonies. Some are different than others, but the fact remains: we ALL NEED Jesus.

Check out www.iamsecond.com to see additional testimonies beyond the ones in this book. A final note: at the end of each testimony in this book, there is a QR code. This is not only for the person's story you just read, but it also lists a few others who had similar stories.

[Ben Zajdel]

I Am Second is a collection of stories from people who have learned to put God first and themselves second. If you're familiar with the website's video shorts, then this book won't break any new ground. But if you're looking for a gift for someone who may not be inclined to surf the interweb, then this is the book for you.

The most popular people from the I Am Second videos are here, including Josh Hamilton, Brian "Head" Welch, Bradie James, Bethany Hamilton, and Sam Bradford. There are some resources in the back of the book, such as a short section on how to begin a relationship with God. There is also a complimentary sticker with the I Am Second logo.

The stories are well-written, which is always a concern with books like these. As mentioned before, the stories are pretty much the same as those online, so there's not much new ground to tread here. However, if you're interested in having I Am Second in an easy to give away format and having something physical to hold, this book could be for you.

[Pathway Midland · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I Am Second" by Bender and Sterret is a book that stems from the I Am Second movement which is: "I am Second is a movement meant to inspire people of all kinds to live for God and for others. Actors. Athletes. Musicians. Business leaders. Drug addicts. Your next-door neighbor. People like you. The authentic stories on iamsecond.com provide insight into dealing with typical struggles of everyday living. These are stories that give hope to the lonely and the hurting, help from destructive lifestyles, and inspiration to the unfulfilled. You’ll discover people who’ve tried to go it alone and have failed. Find the hope, peace, and fulfillment they found. Be Second" (taken from iamsecond.com). The book did a great job of conveying the stories of those who were putting themselves first, how they found God and then how they became second. It is a quick read at the anecdotes are only a maximum of about 7 pages. I found it to be very encouraging, real and genuine. Christians, young and old, could get a lot out of this book!

-Katherine

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Period. End of story, beginning of another better, more beautiful story if you will. When you put God first, you will begin to see Him moving in ways you never dreamed. As you will read in this book -- time and time again, God first, us second -- your life will NEVER be the same. When you see life through His eyes, everything takes on a whole new life.

I really enjoyed every person's story, all a common theme, but so uniquely different. I love how God can take what we have made a mess of and make it into something so beyond our wildest dreams.

What I really loved about this book is after each person's story, there are additional stories you can go online and hear. I have seen a few of the stories already at student impact at our church. So I was excited to see more of the variety in the book and online too!

Make sure you spread the word, so we all can make Him FIRST and us SECOND.

[Kerry Nietz · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I Am Second" contains concrete illustrations of how God can and will change people's lives. There are stories from all kinds of people, from every walk of life--athletes, businessmen, actors, soldiers, you name it. No matter who you are, you will find someone here whose life you identify with.

I especially like the few instances where you get to see how one changed life effects and changes another life in a later story. (The first two stories are an example of this.) The book also has links and scannable QR codes to the "I Am Second" website where you can view the video of the story you just read, or videos of other stories like it.

This book is a great encouragement for the Christian who might be feeling a little cold in his walk, or someone who feels hesitant to share his faith with others. It is also a great book to give to those who are searching. Easy to read, and hard to argue with. I recommend it!

[Gail Welborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am “Second,” real stories, changing lives, by Dave Sterrett and Doug Bender, Thomas Nelson, 2012, 240 Pages, ISBN-13: 978-1400203734, $19.99

I Am Second, a collection of twenty stories about radical change from the www.Iamsecond website, adds context to stories now in book form, previously only seen as video-clip testimonials. Discover stories of individuals, some famous, some not so famous and their life-changing encounters with Jesus Christ.

Encounters that prompted people to understand why God should come first, how the experience changed them and what happened when they realized God had a plan and a purpose just for them. Many narratives are from prominent personalities, such as lead guitarist, Brian “Head” Welch, from rock band Korn, famous Texas Rangers baseball player, Josh Hamilton or MMA fighter, Vitor Belfort, and some are from people just like you and I.

Everyone’s story is different yet each shares…Full Review: http://tinyurl.com/6wv3wtl

[Rod Horncastle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very nice collection of Testimonies. (I enjoyed the dangerous ones that weren't so nice.)

An enjoyable read for any new Christians or those about to dig deeper into their beliefs. But this book stops there! The problem is most Christians church goers seem to stop there - right where they started years earlier.

Here's what I suggest:
Read this book. It is inspiring after all.
Then read your Bible. Don't be a religious celebrity with no theology. Or worse yet: BAD THEOLOGY!
Learn who the God of the Bible is. From Genesis (YES - the book with the Big flood and two very real people named Adam & Eve...and a talking snake, no room for evolution here) all the way to Revelation (the Book where Jesus takes his people to Heaven - and the rest go to HELL. Sorry, I didn't write the book - GOD DID, get over it!)

And after you've read I AM SECOND: remind yourself and your children NOT to dress like Brian "Head?" Welch. Seriously Brian...

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book around Thanksgiving, hoping that "famous people" and the short essay concept would appeal to my teenage boys. It did not; nor did I read much of the book myself. It stayed on my coffee table, untouched, until a girl in our church youth group mentioned that she wanted to read it. I offered to loan it to her, but also decided I should read it myself, beforehand.

The book is excellent, in my opinion. Realistic testimonies with access to more (if interested) online. The book ends with an explanation of Jesus, scripture, and how to put God first in your life while making yourself second. I have been a Christian most of my life, and active in church for many, many years. Even so, the stories in this book convicted me, challenged me and encouraged me.

[Candace Lazzaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book full of Christian testimonies of the famous and semi-famous and the not so famous. I'm glad they started the book with Brian "Head" Welch's testimony because 1. He looks absolutely like the last person in the world who would be a Christian and 2. He has a great testimony! I enjoyed this book because I could identify with most of the testimonies in one way or another and because it's a great remember that God can use us even if we aren't the most holy person in the world. I am taking the "I am Second" challenge and crying through the testimonies. Some hit home very strongly; all are reminders that even a Brian Welch can overcome the pull of the world and love Jesus with a passion and be a "missionary" in his own field.

[Cora · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the idea behind this book and found it interesting to read about different people. Each chapter/story is about one person telling his/her story. Most stories seemed to follow the same pattern and there was not that much of a variety between the stories. I was glad that the stories were short because it made them easier to read, especially when some were not that exciting. It definitely wasn't a book that I didn't want to put down - which in some ways made it nice because it was easy to leave it and go back to it later or to just read for a short period of time. This book wasn't that great but wasn't bad either - it was okay. I really like the idea/message behind it more than I liked the actual book.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. Listened to it on my way to and from work. Even my daughter caught a couple of the chapters and really liked it as well. I was really expecting a tear jerker though - those real-life come to Jesus moments tend to do that to me. Love hearing testimonies, but this one didn't really get to me all that much. Perhaps it was because I was focusing on the traffic in front of me instead of really listening to the stories. Some of them did get to me though - perhaps because those ones hit a little closer to home than I realized. Overall, good "read". This was my first audio though, so will have to see if I like this way or not. Perhaps I'll try with a normal "novel" next.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What did I think? This book made me think...and try to figure out myself more...and be very very glad I have not gone done some of the roads others have had to travel. I've had my own mistakes and my own road to a personal relationship with Jesus. Not always smooth (my fault...not his)...but I'm traveling it with him. I gave it the highest rating because I got so much out of it. The writing is good. The one lesser comment is that there are not enough women stories that I identify with. Still got a lot out of it. Had already done some viewing of "I am Second" videos...did some more after this book. This movement and how it helps me in my relationship with Christ is the best.

[Claudette Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I AM SECOND

I don't know how anyone who is a Christian, can give this book anything other than a 5 star rating. To read how people who are part of the Jet Set crowd, are totally human, sinners, and lost like me, until Jesus came into their lives, and made them His children.
As I read this book, I realized that EVERYONE has to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. To those out there who have never had that, this book is helpful in many ways.
It is well worth the effort to read it. I have so many verses highlighted, it almost the whole book. Lol.
Please read this book. I hope you get as much out of it as I did.