Jesus Was a Country Boy: Life Lessons on Faith, Fishing, and Forgiveness

by Clay Walker

A country music superstar talks about Jesus and the simple, faith-based lessons that he learned from his father.

WHO DO YOU SAY I AM? —Matthew 16:15

CLAY WALKER’s hit single “Jesus Was a Country Boy” resonated with people fed up with slick preachers driving luxury cars and church sanctuaries as big as football fields. That’s not what Jesus was all about. Like the country boy next door, Jesus modeled a grassroots faith. He was born in a barn and fished for his dinner. He hung out with lowlifes and sinners. He came not for the rich and powerful, but for the good old boys and country gals.

Drawing from his own humble beginnings, Clay explores the ways Jesus spoke to good old-fashioned country Jesus knew where he came from and he knew where he was going. He knew how to treat people, but he wasn’t afraid of a fight. He knew how to have a good time, and he loved to surprise people. And, like any good country boy, he knew about heartbreak. Ultimately, Jesus came to love and show that knowing His father is as free and easy as a summer breeze on a front-porch swing. If you want to find God, then it’s time to lose religion and meet a country boy from Bethlehem.

***

“The pastor was perfect, polished, and painful. His three-piece suit fit him like a glove, and I recognize now that it had probably been hand-tailored by some Italian designer. He spoke in a strong, congenial voice that reminded me of a politician making a stump speech. I’m sure he was a good man and probably knew more about theology than I ever will, but he didn’t seem acquainted with the God I knew. The God who peeks out from the horizon through the golden eyes of the sun. The God who smiles when I go fishing with my daddy and catch a bigger catfish than he does. The God who asks us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, even if that neighbor is dressed in jeans instead of a suit…. Real faith—the kind that’s connected to the love of God as our heavenly Father—starts with what’s inside. And inside, I’m as country as it gets.”

Genres: Christian

256 pages, Hardcover

First published April 2, 2013

Reviews

[Larisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Casually written where personality shines through. Positive, motivating, and heart-warming. Sweet tribute to his daddy. Clay is a genuine country boy and full of heart.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so well-written, down-to-earth, and filled with a Country Boy's wisdom. I'll probably re-read it just to soak up more of it. Not too many books mirror my own beliefs and way of living my faith, but this one does. I have m.s. I try to be a follower of Christ. And, I grew up in the country. I even had the privilege of growing up with a father who sounds like Mr. Walker's dad. My father himself grew up on a Kansas farm, plowing fields behind a horse and eventually serving in the Army Air Corps in WWII. He didn't go to church much, but he had a way of loving and living that is what God's Word asks us to do. I learned a lot from him and from Jesus, and it sounds like Mr. Walker learned from his earthly father and Heavenly one as well. I can relate to the book and agree with its author -- Jesus is a country boy. Mr. Walker has a no-nonsense, gentle approach to explaining where the Church is stepping outside the common sense and down-home love that Jesus wants to come from His kids. He does so while also giving the reader some good stories to chew on as well as some autobiography. Thank you, Mr. Walker, for writing this book and for creating "Band Against MS," raising money for research and education. Keep running the good race, enjoying people and nature's beauty along the way!

[Landon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so well written, down to earth and filled with a country boy's wisdom that I"ll probably read read it just to soak up more of it. Not many Books mirror my own Beliefs and way of living my faith, but this one Does. I highly Recommend This Book. 🐤

[Michelle Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesus was a Country Boy is a book that can be used as a Bible study, devotional, or to introduce someone to Christ. Clay Walker does a fantastic job of showing the reader Jesus as an average Joe. He is not some great politician, scholar, high up ranking religious guy or a king. Jesus was approachable, went to the people where they lived and loved unconditionally.
“You don’t have to get your life together, have perfect kids, live in the right neighborhood, and belong to a certain denomination. You can come just as you are, the way you are.”- Clay Walker from Jesus was a Country Boy.
This book really spoke to me. I have been a church going Christian most of my life. I live life for Christ and know that Jesus is walking right beside me and sometimes carries me through life. But, even us Christians need reminded sometimes of how Christ lived and lessons the Bible gives.
Clay puts his talents of a great song writer to use in sharing his love for Jesus on these pages. It is a magnificent and beautiful view of who Jesus was and is. I highly recommend it for you and your loved ones.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://TMWoodsBooks.com/blog . Also follow me on Twitter @TMWoodsBook, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/TMWoodsBooks .

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a fan of Clay Walker's music, I felt compelled to give this book a try. While he does not narrate the audio book, he man who does (sorry, can't remember his name), sounds like him (or what I envision Clay Walker sounds like when he speaks). This is not a fire and brimstone preaching or heavy theology speaking book, thanks goodness! This is a simple, relaxed, conversation of a man's opinion on how his faith has sustained him and how "Jesus Was a Country Boy". I really liked the simplistic way he quoted scripture throughout the book. I will keep this audio and probably re-listen to it once in a while when I need to remember why we are here.

[Lloyd Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clay was very open with his faith and thoughts on the life of Jesus.

[T.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth reading.

[Paige Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really, really good. Clint is the exactly my kind of guy: country to the core, Jesus loving, hard working, and focused way more on actually LIVING out a relationship with God than on just KNOWING all the right information about God. He’s says that He is the least qualified to write a book like this but I would argue that is what makes him most qualified. His faith is genuine, his writing is open and honest, and his message is very refreshing.

Favorite Quote: “Sometimes I wonder if we take only the parts of God’s instruction that’re convenient or make sense or seem logical to obey and throw out the rest. And I’m not saying that we should try to handle snakes or take dangerous risks; I’m just thinking that a lot of what doesn’t seem clear to us is crystal from God’s point of view. I suspect there are many times when he wants to bless us, but we get in the way of receiving his gifts because we’re not willing to be obedient in the small things.”

[Harriett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much. I also learned from it. Wish I could get soooo many people enjoying it also!💜

[IrenesBookReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is not ashamed to tell you what he thinks about life and religion which he does by using stories from his life. I gave this book 4/5 stars. Although I do not think the author meant to come across a certain way, as I read the book I really felt like he was on a soap box talking down about everyone else. Some of the stories were funny and some were heartwarming but overall it was just another book by a famous person trying to seem like a “normal’ person. I felt like this book could have been a letter to his fans about his thoughts on things. I do think anyone who is interested in the author as a person not just an entertainer will enjoy this book. I thought the message of who the author thought the Lord was got lost in his sarcasm. Overall I enjoyed the book but would not read it again!

I would like to thank the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.

[Tamra LeValley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A feel good book on how to live the Godly life. It has some good down home flavor to it within the story of his Clay's life.

For a Christian it does not give you anything that the Bible has not already made mention nor does it enlighten you but it does give you a sense of pleasure to read what God has done in Clay's life.

At times it is hard to put myself in his place because he is rich and has such a life that I can never hope to have but his love for Jesus makes up for it.

Goodreads Giveaway Book

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw the title, it caught my eye. I didn't know who Clive Walker was, so until I began reading it, I didn't know he was a country singer. The book was a simple examination of Christ's life and the expectations Christ and God have for us here on earth. Clive brings in well known Biblical verses and passages and reflects on their meanings for us in our every day life. His message, though simply put, was quite poignant. It made me reflect upon the actions I take in my every day life. I couldn't put the book down and read in in the course of 2 days.

[Steve · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very hypocritical, ego-serving, misguided book. Clay's theme of living one's life while extolling the values of a 'Country Boy' -a man is only as good as his word, never making empty promises, if you say you're going to do something, you do it, staying true to your roots and committed to your vows, never saying what people want to hear just to get what you want, etc.... all gets blown out the window when late in the book Clay reveals (in one tiny paragraph) that he quit his first marriage and so did his role model and fellow 'virtuous' 'Country boy' father. This book is a lie.

[Frederick Lucies · Rating 3 out of 5]

While rhere is nothing very profound in this book, it was really very touching to read a sincere account of one man's beliefs, written by a man raised in poverty out in the country in Texas. If you are looking for scholarship, you won't find it here. However, if you are looking for heart, you will find plenty of it here.

[Sherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read. Clay Walker uses country life to equate how Jesus lived here on earth doing his ministry.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good