Brimming with personal stories and insights for life, reading "Mocha with Max" is like sitting down for a delicious cup of coffee with a special friend. This warm collection of inspirational thoughts from the writings of Max Lucado advise us to open our hearts to the joy and laughter in life. Designed with unique full-color imagery, "Mocha with Max" assures us that even on the days that bring pain and tears, anxiety and stress, God's love can fill our world with hope.
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.
After church service I decided to to browse the bookstore shelves. I found this cute little book, by Max Lucado. 'Mocha with Max' book cover really appealed with me. The coffee cup on the cover really appealed to this coffee fan. I also love small books that you can carry with you and break out while waiting in a line. The stories are short and enjoyable. Many caused me to chuckle out loud. This is one of those books that when you need a 'pick me up' you'll reach for.
I have quite a few daily Bible reading and teaching podcasts in my rotation, but when it comes to the written word, I don’t tend to turn to Christian content nearly as often as I should, and that includes actual Bible reading. In looking for a way to start making that more of a habit, I found an old copy of “Mocha With Max” that had been on my shelves for a while, as it was eye-catching, but not really attention grabbing at the time.
Describing itself as offering “friendly thoughts and simple truths from the writings of Max Lucado”, it seemed to be exactly what I was looking for. Indeed, that’s how it is set out, with the book consisting of a combination of Bible verses, snippets from other Max Lucado books and plenty of full page images and illustrations, most sticking with the coffee theme suggested in the title.
Lucado writes in a life affirming way and much of the snippets here remind me a little of Joyce Meyer’s teaching style, where there are nods to the Bible, but not all of the advice is strictly and directly related to God, but He is there in the background. Admittedly, the pages of Bible quotes do make clearer that this is a Christian book than much of Meyer’s teaching sometimes does.
However, whilst the writings are like sitting down and having a coffee with a friend and benefitting from their wisdom, unlike that situation, you are unable to direct the advice as you require it. Whilst this book is split into vague sections, finding anything specific is difficult. There is good advice here, but it can be a little hit and miss as to whether it is the advice you need at any given moment, especially as some of the chapter headings are a little vague.
However, if you’re unable to find what you need, this is not a book that you can read through to find what you’re after, either. Due to the nature of the book, with snippets of writing, you can’t make any traction into the book as there is no flow to the writing. This is a book where you need to read bits and pieces here and there and not rely on it for immediate assistance and if you can deal with it on this basis, you can find some help and positivity here on an occasional basis.
I am not a very religious person though I am open minded and find some religious text interesting. This book didn't disappoint. It was enjoyable to read and well written - great mixture of Bible verses and personal stories. I chose to read a chapter each day and savored each page. There are some really insightful portions about worrying / anxiety and also overall faith that I appreciated. This one will be staying on my bookshelf.
If I was able to I would give this 8 stars! I received this book as a Christmas present and I just loved it! Would read every morning before going to work while drinking my coffee and it’s so uplifting and had some great real life scenarios and scripture to fit those scenarios. I really enjoy Max Lucados books.
Read this book in less than an hour and it’s great. A good collection of thoughts from Max Lucado that could easily be referenced for sermon illustrations, teaching, or when just needing encouragement.
A standard coffee table like book with very inspiring words. I thought it had some very good insight, and quite a number of funny stories. It is a good read to kill some time and connect with God.
Unas de las cosas que me gustaron de este libro, es que se tiene que leer de una forma mas calmada y despacia. Tambien me gusto porque el autor tiene mucha razon en varias de las cosas que dice sobre Dios, y la vida, y nosotros los humanos. Las anecdotas que cuenta harmonizan con las Escrituras y dan un ejemplo al que podemos relacionar nuestras propias experiencias.
Me parece que cada vez que leia este libro, cada capitulo se relacionaba con algo que me estaba sucediendo (o algo que ponderaba) en ese momento. Este sera un libro al que regresare a leer.
This is truly what it is.. coffee table book. Light read but very insightful in regards to christian faith. Also, a little bit of introduction to Max Lucado's book as it was filled with his own book excerpts as well as some other's I have yet to read.
Short snippits from Lucado's works. Used as a morning reading to get thoughts on-track or something of the sort. Good book to give as a gift if you're into that sort of thing.