...is less.

by Chris Jesse

What if there was an alternative to Modern Christianity’s impossible choice? What if you could choose something other than compromising your Christian values or isolating yourself within a rules-based worship environment? What if intimacy with the Lord was no longer a calculated struggle, but a joyful rest?

This small book breaks the back of this no-win trap by proposing the radical concept of being less. It identifies what is important, but as significant, it exposes the worthlessness of many things that we embrace as essential. It gives you a means of rebuilding your heart in a form that escapes the carnage of the world and the legalism of rules based Christianity. It is a message about your heart, God’s heart, and that place where they meet.

This book is not about selling your house, changing your church, or cleaning up your language. It is about your heart, and how it has defined your wellbeing. Here is a Scripturally sound, two-hour read that will hit your reset button, and show you a path to the rest and joy that is the promise of Christ Jesus.

Genres: Religion

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Won this in a first reads giveaway. I was hoping for something different in this book, like practical advice or an interesting discussion. Instead it was a lot of vague platitudes that I did not find helpful. The author also makes a habit of talking down to his readers, telling them how they should be feeling or thinking about what he is saying. I prefer to have my own reactions, not be told what they should be.

This book is full of contradictions. The whole focus of the book is that God loves us, and that should be the focus of our existance. But every other sentance talks about how worthless, corrupted and sinful people are. If human beings are so corrupt, why did God create us that way? Why create something worthless? I don't believe human beings are inherently worthless. To suggest they are implies that God either messed up or just wanted pets. That is not how I imagine God.

In the chapter on sin, Jesse suggests that it is easy to be considered successful. It doesn't take a lot to be successful, because God loves us. But in that same chapter, it seems that everything is a sin and pulls us away from God. So either we are close to God inherently, or we are inherently sinful and pulling away from God. How can both be true? Why would a loving God make it so easy to disconnect with him, where nearly everything is a sin, and we can sin without even being aware of it. This paints a picture of a God who cares more about rules and minutia than us.

This book also sets up the notion that everything we do and everything that happens to us is ordained. If that is so, how can we sin? And why would a loving God let horrific things happen to chilfren that are loved?

Everything in this book says God doesn't love us: that everything offends him and causes him to pull away. This is strange, considering the who premise of this book is that God loves us no matter what. In one sentance Jesse claims we don't have to earn God's love and in the next, claims God will stop loving us if we sneeze wrong.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway. I was initially attracted to it because of the questions posed at the beginning of the description: "What if there was an alternative to Modern Christianity’s impossible choice? What if you could choose something other than compromising your Christian values or isolating yourself within a rules-based worship environment? What if intimacy with the Lord was no longer a calculated struggle, but a joyful rest?" Since I am a Christian practicing my faith as part of a main line protestant church, which I sometime have issues with, I was intrigued.

This book did not disappoint. In the first chapter, it starts with premise that each of us is God's beloved, supported by the author's reasoning and various Bible passages. In each successive chapter, different things people tend to get caught up with in life are examined. Some of these are: embracing the present, success, health and mortality, and intelligence. Each chapter takes its topic and explains why it "is less" than our relationship as God's beloved should be when we get distracted by, or identify to strongly with, these other things. Again, the author offers an analysis of the premise that he posits and then backs it up with Bible verses.

The book is marketed as a survival guide for believing Christians. I think it is definitely that, but would also serve as a great introduction to seekers trying to understand what Christianity is about and what it should really look like.

As I was reading this book, I underlined, bracketed, and commented on many of its of passages. Quite a lot of them challenged me. I made many notes in the margins - an indication that this book really engaged me and made me think about where I am in my faith journey.

I think that any Christian who reads this could benefit from it. The writer writes with humility and great insight.

[Barbara Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book free from the Goodreads first reads program.

I remember a song from church that says “turn your eyes upon Jesus, look him full in the face” and I think that is what Chris Jesse is trying to tell us. Keep your eyes on God and don't look to the left or the right. Anytime we are looking elsewhere we are losing our focus on God, which is less.

I enjoyed Chapter 3 which discussed what I call a 'snapshot in time'. We have all done something that we are not proud of, something that eats at us, and now I know that what I was on that particular day many years ago is not representative of my whole life, that God loves more no matter what I did, and will always love me. Now I can lay that brick down.

Each chapter takes on a particular topic and explains why focusing on something besides God "is less" than what God wants for us.

What I really liked best were the 'flowing' bible verses at the end of each chapter.

I would like to see one more chapter that goes into deeper depth about how God loves me no matter what, and nothing can ever separate me from the love of God.

Romans 8:38-39: For I am convinced that neither death not life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I'm giving this book 5 stars because it made me think, re-read chapters, and examine myself in the light of God's Word.

[Edith Russo · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am not a religious person, I am still searching. A lot of concepts hit me the wrong way. My husband, who is very open to spiritual thinking was not offended by the concepts. I think I might be reading it wrong, but it seems to say that you don't need to worry about your health, or, this or that. It is already taken care of. what happens, happens.

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book free from the good reads first reads program. I really enjoyed this book it talks about our relationship with God and how to make it stronger. We are God's children and he is our beloved father. This book is a must read for any Christian it has very important lessons that any Christian can learn.

[Jennifer johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a no nonsense kind of book. It tries to help with furthering your relationship with Christ, but I disagreed with a lot of the concepts in the book.

[Sherri Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though the premise is 5 star and vital to all. The book misses its mark with me from the time he states God took his wife. God doesn't take people he receives them and that is a big difference.

[G. L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed it got me thinking will read it again an again... do not agree with every thing but that is okay we agree on the important things that I need reminded of now an then