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Landmarks: Turning Points on Your Journey Toward God
The well-worn rut that most of us live in is safe, comfortable . . . some would call it dead. By contrast, coming alive requires a willingness to journey into the unknown. Following Jesus is just such a path -- one that takes us deep into His death and then lifts us up into His resurrection.
There are some risks involved, and there are no point A to point B maps. But there are landmarks, places we must pass along the way if we are to keep following Christ into real life. Landmarks describes these breakthrough places of the heart and mind in the general order in which they tend to show up. Long-time teacher and first-time author Bill Delvaux shares his landmark story and takes read- ers through nine different spiritual markers that must be encountered in order to live the full life that Jesus has planned for us.Some of the landmarks include letting go of idols, overcoming scars, walking away from sexual sin, grasping your identity, fighting your battle, bonding with Christ, and choosing God first.So, if you feel stuck out there on the highway of humanity and need some tried and true spiritual direction, look for Landmarks .
If you want to keep stuffing your unmet desires, and keep ignoring your ongoing anxieties, and keep settling for your unsatisfying connection to God and those around you, then be sure you don’t read this book. But if you want to find a balm for your unhealed wounds, insight into your unhealthy obsessions, and courage to pursue your unfulfilled dreams, then take a sit and read. Nancy Guthrie, author of Holding on to Hope, The One Year Book of Hope, Hoping for Something Better and the Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament Bible Study series Over the years, I have encountered countless men, young and old, whose lives intersected at some point with Bill Delvaux. The common denominator is that each one of them can trace back to that intersection, and talk about a shift that took place. That shift involved something he said, or some kind of experience with Bill where they were stirred, invited into something bigger and changed in some way.You are about to experience that intersection. Prepare to be invited, stirred and disrupted in the best of ways. David Thomas, therapist and author of Wild The Art of Nurturing Boys I’ve known Bill as a great teacher with a passion for truth, God’s word, and authentic faith at the school my children attend. What I never really knew before reading his book was the rich story that’s shaped him and his heart to make him the man that he is and is becoming. It is a rare gift when someone opens the book of themselves to share their deepest stories as Bill has done and I believe those who read his story will be grateful as I am. Steven Curtis Chapman, Grammy and Dove Award-winning singer and songwriter Bill Delvaux fiercely taps into the heart of every person’s struggle to write their own story. The experiences he so honestly and vulnerably shares from his own story are as penetrating as they are inspiring and redeeming. Jake Speck, theatre producer and actor in the Broadway hit Jersey Boys and the TV series Nashville What a gift Landmarks is! With his first book, Bill Delvaux has given us the beauty of God’s redemptive story; the fruit of his own well-stewarded pain; and a path for each of us to follow into a journey of grace, healing, and freedom. I cannot wait to see how God is going to use this book in the lives of countless men—to help them find their place in God’s story. Scotty Smith, founding pastor, Christ Community Church and author of Every Day 365 Days to a Gospel Centered Faith, Objects of His Affection, The Reign of Grace and Restoring Broken Things Bill Delvaux has incredible insight into the journey we need to take. I recommend this book as one that is filled with wisdom and profound encouragement. Read it with an open heart and an expectation that God will use it mightily to transform you. Carter Crenshaw, senior pastor of West End Community Church I commend Bill Delvaux’s new work, Landmarks to you. I have the privilege of serving as pastor to the church where Bill and Heidi are members, and have witnessed first-hand the impact of this book’s concepts on hundreds of people. Take this book up, read it, and share it with others. You’ll be glad that you did. Scott Sauls, Senior Pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church, Nashville TN To me, Bill is something of an evangelical the rare male who is genuinely willing to be transparent and authentic in light of the gospel and its invitation to be transformed. I sat in Bill’s classes many times over the years as he developed the themes in this book through teaching and relating his own story. I gained plenty and am glad to know that many more will have the same opportunity. Ashley Cleveland, Grammy and Dove Award Winning Recording Artist
There are some risks involved, and there are no point A to point B maps. But there are landmarks, places we must pass along the way if we are to keep following Christ into real life. Landmarks describes these breakthrough places of the heart and mind in the general order in which they tend to show up. Long-time teacher and first-time author Bill Delvaux shares his landmark story and takes read- ers through nine different spiritual markers that must be encountered in order to live the full life that Jesus has planned for us.Some of the landmarks include letting go of idols, overcoming scars, walking away from sexual sin, grasping your identity, fighting your battle, bonding with Christ, and choosing God first.So, if you feel stuck out there on the highway of humanity and need some tried and true spiritual direction, look for Landmarks .
If you want to keep stuffing your unmet desires, and keep ignoring your ongoing anxieties, and keep settling for your unsatisfying connection to God and those around you, then be sure you don’t read this book. But if you want to find a balm for your unhealed wounds, insight into your unhealthy obsessions, and courage to pursue your unfulfilled dreams, then take a sit and read. Nancy Guthrie, author of Holding on to Hope, The One Year Book of Hope, Hoping for Something Better and the Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament Bible Study series Over the years, I have encountered countless men, young and old, whose lives intersected at some point with Bill Delvaux. The common denominator is that each one of them can trace back to that intersection, and talk about a shift that took place. That shift involved something he said, or some kind of experience with Bill where they were stirred, invited into something bigger and changed in some way.You are about to experience that intersection. Prepare to be invited, stirred and disrupted in the best of ways. David Thomas, therapist and author of Wild The Art of Nurturing Boys I’ve known Bill as a great teacher with a passion for truth, God’s word, and authentic faith at the school my children attend. What I never really knew before reading his book was the rich story that’s shaped him and his heart to make him the man that he is and is becoming. It is a rare gift when someone opens the book of themselves to share their deepest stories as Bill has done and I believe those who read his story will be grateful as I am. Steven Curtis Chapman, Grammy and Dove Award-winning singer and songwriter Bill Delvaux fiercely taps into the heart of every person’s struggle to write their own story. The experiences he so honestly and vulnerably shares from his own story are as penetrating as they are inspiring and redeeming. Jake Speck, theatre producer and actor in the Broadway hit Jersey Boys and the TV series Nashville What a gift Landmarks is! With his first book, Bill Delvaux has given us the beauty of God’s redemptive story; the fruit of his own well-stewarded pain; and a path for each of us to follow into a journey of grace, healing, and freedom. I cannot wait to see how God is going to use this book in the lives of countless men—to help them find their place in God’s story. Scotty Smith, founding pastor, Christ Community Church and author of Every Day 365 Days to a Gospel Centered Faith, Objects of His Affection, The Reign of Grace and Restoring Broken Things Bill Delvaux has incredible insight into the journey we need to take. I recommend this book as one that is filled with wisdom and profound encouragement. Read it with an open heart and an expectation that God will use it mightily to transform you. Carter Crenshaw, senior pastor of West End Community Church I commend Bill Delvaux’s new work, Landmarks to you. I have the privilege of serving as pastor to the church where Bill and Heidi are members, and have witnessed first-hand the impact of this book’s concepts on hundreds of people. Take this book up, read it, and share it with others. You’ll be glad that you did. Scott Sauls, Senior Pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church, Nashville TN To me, Bill is something of an evangelical the rare male who is genuinely willing to be transparent and authentic in light of the gospel and its invitation to be transformed. I sat in Bill’s classes many times over the years as he developed the themes in this book through teaching and relating his own story. I gained plenty and am glad to know that many more will have the same opportunity. Ashley Cleveland, Grammy and Dove Award Winning Recording Artist
- GenresChristian Living
208 pages, Paperback
First published February 14, 2013
About the author
Bill Delvaux
6 books8 followersFor the last 20 years Bill has been a high school Bible teacher and running coach. Before that he worked in pastoral ministry as an ordained minister.
With the start of Landmark Journey Ministries in 2012, Bill began working with men. His goal is to help men find their guide in Christ, own their identity in Him, and discover their quest in life.
With the start of Landmark Journey Ministries in 2012, Bill began working with men. His goal is to help men find their guide in Christ, own their identity in Him, and discover their quest in life.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 26, 2013
There are certain "landmarks" in our lives, that are turning points....game changers that make an impact in our lives...and as I was reading, "Landmarks", it had me thinking of, really, the old cliche of driving.
Stop and think about it.
When we are driving, both familiar and unfamiliar roads, we usually depend on something familiar to help us get that sense of assurance, we are heading down the right way and if we don't, its hard not to get that inner sense of panic that we are lost, late and just really no clue of where we are going.
The topics that the author covers, are familiar terrains that we all deal with at some points of our lives and with them, we use to build the building blocks of our faith and understanding of the world around us and our relationship with God. It is along these same lines that the book, uses, to address topics such as idols that keep our focus away from God and His word, wounds that may have us not only hurting but often use as a way to try and run from God and in another chapter, "Bonds" and a focus on the connections that we make in our life.
The book is an easy read at 187 pages and the print is easy on the eyes.
Written with a mix of personal experiences, scripture and even cultural references that help bring "Landmarks" encouragement to finding points in our lives, that we can find redirection toward God, I appreciate with ease, how Bill shares topics that many will find topical and often more of pointing in the right direction of where to start, rather than more an in depth, lay it all out there guide.
I really felt like the book lived up to what it shared on the back of the book, "If you feel stuck out there on the highway of humanity and need tried and true spiritual direction, look for Landmarks".
This is something that I feel we all need in our lives at some point or another; Not a let's break it all down and go piece by piece of what we need to do, but in something like the book, "Landmark", that makes it an easy Saturday read, and sprinkled with a, let's take a look at this direction,Christian based encouragement that we all need at some point in our lives.
In one part of the book, Bill Delvaux wrote, "We try to circumvent the process, pasting the idea on top of our wounds as another avoidance mechanism. But it doesn't work."
Isn't that true in a lot of ways...maybe our faith feels a little flat....we have things weighing down on us or just trying to make it to the next day....As a reader, I really felt this book just worked out as a reminder, a consistant reminder, where to refocus and if we are needed a clue in our journey....here's a direction to take us where we need to go.
Life is complex.
Life can be confusing, but it really helps to have some familiar landmarks in our life to help us show the way and I really enjoy the easy read, that after finishing this book, felt like a much needed pep talk of looking at things from a different perspective.
There are many moments in the book that felt very raw, that the author, through simple, straight talk, shared parts of his own story, and really just reminded the reader of how human we can be and how God can show us the needed directions if we just trusted Him. In other areas, Bill is straight with the challenge of....there is more to life than we have give to it.
He doesn't write with a, he has all the answers, but rather...Bill Delvaux shows in his writing, these are the steps he took, with each landmark he encounter and like other travelers, share his travel weary experiences for the next traveler, to read, to contemplate and to build on, in their own journey, making this a book well worth reading.
Stop and think about it.
When we are driving, both familiar and unfamiliar roads, we usually depend on something familiar to help us get that sense of assurance, we are heading down the right way and if we don't, its hard not to get that inner sense of panic that we are lost, late and just really no clue of where we are going.
The topics that the author covers, are familiar terrains that we all deal with at some points of our lives and with them, we use to build the building blocks of our faith and understanding of the world around us and our relationship with God. It is along these same lines that the book, uses, to address topics such as idols that keep our focus away from God and His word, wounds that may have us not only hurting but often use as a way to try and run from God and in another chapter, "Bonds" and a focus on the connections that we make in our life.
The book is an easy read at 187 pages and the print is easy on the eyes.
Written with a mix of personal experiences, scripture and even cultural references that help bring "Landmarks" encouragement to finding points in our lives, that we can find redirection toward God, I appreciate with ease, how Bill shares topics that many will find topical and often more of pointing in the right direction of where to start, rather than more an in depth, lay it all out there guide.
I really felt like the book lived up to what it shared on the back of the book, "If you feel stuck out there on the highway of humanity and need tried and true spiritual direction, look for Landmarks".
This is something that I feel we all need in our lives at some point or another; Not a let's break it all down and go piece by piece of what we need to do, but in something like the book, "Landmark", that makes it an easy Saturday read, and sprinkled with a, let's take a look at this direction,Christian based encouragement that we all need at some point in our lives.
In one part of the book, Bill Delvaux wrote, "We try to circumvent the process, pasting the idea on top of our wounds as another avoidance mechanism. But it doesn't work."
Isn't that true in a lot of ways...maybe our faith feels a little flat....we have things weighing down on us or just trying to make it to the next day....As a reader, I really felt this book just worked out as a reminder, a consistant reminder, where to refocus and if we are needed a clue in our journey....here's a direction to take us where we need to go.
Life is complex.
Life can be confusing, but it really helps to have some familiar landmarks in our life to help us show the way and I really enjoy the easy read, that after finishing this book, felt like a much needed pep talk of looking at things from a different perspective.
There are many moments in the book that felt very raw, that the author, through simple, straight talk, shared parts of his own story, and really just reminded the reader of how human we can be and how God can show us the needed directions if we just trusted Him. In other areas, Bill is straight with the challenge of....there is more to life than we have give to it.
He doesn't write with a, he has all the answers, but rather...Bill Delvaux shows in his writing, these are the steps he took, with each landmark he encounter and like other travelers, share his travel weary experiences for the next traveler, to read, to contemplate and to build on, in their own journey, making this a book well worth reading.
August 29, 2013
In Landmarks, a journey is begun, a story told, and a challenge issued. Bill Delvaux tells the tale of his spiritual travels from darkness to light with 9 markers on the road. This book is a simple yet deep and inspires with practical steps. This manual taught and convicted me.If you go about reading this with a teachable heart, you will not walk away the same person.
July 15, 2017
This is one of those books that has life changing implications for me. I think it will for you too. The path laid out in this book is exactly the road in on and so many others have been on. Read this book, and give one to a friend.
March 23, 2014
Story Of A Man's Journey
In this book, Bill Delvaux shares the story of his journey to come into a deeper relationship with Christ and some of the key landmarks along the way. Some of the key landmarks include idols, wounds, sex, identity, battle, etc. I love his description of his initial view of the Bible as a story where his life was disconnected from this story. A real shift took place when he saw that he was part of the same story. Instead of us being committed to being the author of our story, it is a much better story when we submit to being a part of God’s story.
The rest of the book is really a character check about how we can become the best person that God has designed us to be. Delvaux walks through the danger of having idols that we expect to fill the place of the things that God should provide. There is a good chapter on making sure that our identity is built on the appropriate things….not past hurtful events or harsh words that may have been spoken in our childhood.
Delvaux combines key landmarks on life’s journey, his personal anecdotes of his key landmarks and many references to popular literature and movies to illustrate his points. Although this book has received many favorable reviews, I found it difficult to keep my attention engaged to the end of the book.
I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my fair and unbiased review.
In this book, Bill Delvaux shares the story of his journey to come into a deeper relationship with Christ and some of the key landmarks along the way. Some of the key landmarks include idols, wounds, sex, identity, battle, etc. I love his description of his initial view of the Bible as a story where his life was disconnected from this story. A real shift took place when he saw that he was part of the same story. Instead of us being committed to being the author of our story, it is a much better story when we submit to being a part of God’s story.
The rest of the book is really a character check about how we can become the best person that God has designed us to be. Delvaux walks through the danger of having idols that we expect to fill the place of the things that God should provide. There is a good chapter on making sure that our identity is built on the appropriate things….not past hurtful events or harsh words that may have been spoken in our childhood.
Delvaux combines key landmarks on life’s journey, his personal anecdotes of his key landmarks and many references to popular literature and movies to illustrate his points. Although this book has received many favorable reviews, I found it difficult to keep my attention engaged to the end of the book.
I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my fair and unbiased review.
November 21, 2013
I need to make some disclaimers to start it:
First I received this book as a free giveaway from Goodreads
Second I am not a Christian, but like to read spiritual books and often glean information from them that I use in my life.
So there are a few beliefs that you have to have to get the full benefit from this book.
You have to be a conservative Christian who believes in the literal translation of the Bible.
The author speaks of homosexuality as a sexual sin that must be over come. So if you are more liberal in your beliefs that might turn you away from this book.
The author also speaks of the devil as being a real being that attempts to control your thoughts.
I think that the concept of the landmarks through your life to understand your conservative beliefs is a good one.
I would not recommend this book to someone who was really questioning their beliefs but I would recommend this book to a conservative Christian who was having a hard time and needed to be reminded why they believe what they believe.
First I received this book as a free giveaway from Goodreads
Second I am not a Christian, but like to read spiritual books and often glean information from them that I use in my life.
So there are a few beliefs that you have to have to get the full benefit from this book.
You have to be a conservative Christian who believes in the literal translation of the Bible.
The author speaks of homosexuality as a sexual sin that must be over come. So if you are more liberal in your beliefs that might turn you away from this book.
The author also speaks of the devil as being a real being that attempts to control your thoughts.
I think that the concept of the landmarks through your life to understand your conservative beliefs is a good one.
I would not recommend this book to someone who was really questioning their beliefs but I would recommend this book to a conservative Christian who was having a hard time and needed to be reminded why they believe what they believe.
April 27, 2014
Bill Delvaux has written a great book that enables us to see our lives a little more clearly. Many of us know how confusing and chaotic life can be, but we fail to see where we are at in the story of the world. Delvaux investigates nine "landmarks" that we all must go through in order to take up God's call.
However, far from being some practical self-help tool, the landmarks are more like situations we all face in our lives. As an example, one landmark is "Idols." The landmark is not a tool for idolatry but rather a life marker, or turning point, that we will eventually have to face. Bill helpfully steers us in the right direction to understand these moments biblically as adds several real life stories to help illustrate his point.
With that said, I do feel it was a little too short because the practical side of the book is somewhat limited. Of course, I'm the type of person who benefits from more instruction, like a how-to manual, so it may just be me.
In any case, I do recommend this book!
However, far from being some practical self-help tool, the landmarks are more like situations we all face in our lives. As an example, one landmark is "Idols." The landmark is not a tool for idolatry but rather a life marker, or turning point, that we will eventually have to face. Bill helpfully steers us in the right direction to understand these moments biblically as adds several real life stories to help illustrate his point.
With that said, I do feel it was a little too short because the practical side of the book is somewhat limited. Of course, I'm the type of person who benefits from more instruction, like a how-to manual, so it may just be me.
In any case, I do recommend this book!
November 5, 2013
I won this book through GoodReads first read program.
Delvaux sets out 9 landmarks that a Christian must face to follow Christ. These landmarks are: Your story, idols, wounds, sex, your identity, your battle, bonds, your mate and your quest. Each of these was interesting but I think everyone is different and thus each of us have different landmarks we pass. I don't believe they are all the same.
Also Delvaux doesn't tie the landmarks together at all. They are just spelled out for us. He does tie the first landmark of discovering your part in God's story to the final one which is going on a quest but the others are haphazzardly sprinkled with no explanation of why their order is important.
I am happy that Mr. Delvaux's story followed this path but others certainly have a different path with different landmarks they encounter.
Delvaux sets out 9 landmarks that a Christian must face to follow Christ. These landmarks are: Your story, idols, wounds, sex, your identity, your battle, bonds, your mate and your quest. Each of these was interesting but I think everyone is different and thus each of us have different landmarks we pass. I don't believe they are all the same.
Also Delvaux doesn't tie the landmarks together at all. They are just spelled out for us. He does tie the first landmark of discovering your part in God's story to the final one which is going on a quest but the others are haphazzardly sprinkled with no explanation of why their order is important.
I am happy that Mr. Delvaux's story followed this path but others certainly have a different path with different landmarks they encounter.
July 3, 2016
The author came to a point in his life that he defined as a landmark. He shares this and other landmark stories and the lessons he learned from them. His hope is that all Christians will make the right choices and trust in the right one when coming to these same landmarks.
The book was very entertaining as far as keeping my interest. While I couldn't relate to several of the nine landmarks, I did enjoy the stories and personal experiences that make up most of this book. It appeared to be more of a memoir of the author's experiences that he added life lessons to. This will appeal to the reader that doesn't enjoy the drier theological books and would prefer something in story form.
I received this book free of charge from Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.
The book was very entertaining as far as keeping my interest. While I couldn't relate to several of the nine landmarks, I did enjoy the stories and personal experiences that make up most of this book. It appeared to be more of a memoir of the author's experiences that he added life lessons to. This will appeal to the reader that doesn't enjoy the drier theological books and would prefer something in story form.
I received this book free of charge from Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.
July 2, 2014
Landmarks was a thoughtful book that helps to illuminate our life's path. This book shows how walking with God is the only way to live. I like how all the landmarks are seem to fall into place ans seem to be connected.
The forgiveness landmark was especially powerful for me. We all need to offer forgiveness and receive forgiveness to truly be free. I like how Delvaux showed that forgiveness leads us closer to God. Truly life changing.
We are all on a journey and God will lead us if we listen. I think this book does a good job showing us that.
I received this book as part of Goodreads early reader program.
The forgiveness landmark was especially powerful for me. We all need to offer forgiveness and receive forgiveness to truly be free. I like how Delvaux showed that forgiveness leads us closer to God. Truly life changing.
We are all on a journey and God will lead us if we listen. I think this book does a good job showing us that.
I received this book as part of Goodreads early reader program.
August 5, 2016
We all use landmarks to chart a journey and keep ourselves on the right path. In Landmarks: Turning Points on Your Journey Toward God Bill Delvaux uses this universal concept to chart the greatest journey of all, the search to find one's place in God's story. Along the way Bill shares some of his own experiences, doubts, and challenges, always keeping the focus on that section's landmark. At first the course he charts seems to lead away, but this is a path of relinquishing and surrendering burdens as well as one of growing into God's light.
I received this book for free through the Goodreads first reads program.
I received this book for free through the Goodreads first reads program.
May 5, 2015
This was one of those accidental finds from the library. I loved the book cover and it's title.I think other reviewswould call this a men's books, but I think anyone can and wil benefit from this read. This would be a book, if it were mine, I would have highlighted. Bill Delvaux's simple yet honest writing style completely appeals to me as a no nonsense type. The author challenges the reader at each "landmark" of their lives, challenges the reader to accept and move through each of the landmarks, nine in all. I would recommend this book.
April 12, 2013
Delvaux explores the landmarks a person experiences in life--things we experience along the way that help us navigate through the messy and often frustrating circumstances, things that give us something to focus on and achieve. None are particularly surprising, but on the other hand, having them all laid out should help someone who is struggling to find their way gain some focus. Reminds me somewhat of Donald Miller's Storyline with a different twist.
October 8, 2013
Life is explained by various points he calls landmarks. I think book is for men as I was unable to identify with many of his landmarks. Bonding and going on a quest were a couple I particularly did not identify with. This may be a good book for men who want to understand the journey they are on but I do not think women will benefit from it. See my full review at http://bit.ly/GFKjZa.
February 1, 2014
This is a great book that helps you think about the story of your own life and how God is working in you to draw you nearer to Himself and mold you into the image of His Son. Delvaux is extremely honest and vulnerable which draws the reader in to think more honestly, and with more vulnerability, about his or her own life. I am really thankful to have read this book.
February 24, 2014
I found this book very inspirational and it made me think of certain "turning points" in my life. I think this would be a great read for a couple or a family. This isn't a book just for a man it is a book for anyone that is taking a turning point toward God.
June 19, 2015
This was a "how-to" book on a journey towards faith and peace with God and your life. Easy reading and easy to understand.
November 10, 2013
Good reminders that we see and interpret things through our own lens and seek the affirmation of man when we should be seeking God's purpose for our lives
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews