Down to Earth

by Mike Slaughter, Rachel Billups

A virgin birth. God’s son…a helpless baby. Fleeing certain death. Nothing about the Christmas story is ordinary. Mike Slaughter says it’s enough to confound the mind and make the heart contrite. In his book, Down to Earth, Slaughter presents a four-week Advent study that opens up God’s Christmas surprise to us and examines how it changed everything. A DVD, Leader Guide, Youth Study, Children’s Leader Guide, and a seasonal devotional are available as part of the Down to Earth study.

144 pages, Paperback

Published July 28, 2016

About the author

Mike Slaughter is the lead pastor at Ginghamsburg Church in Tipp City, Ohio. Under his leadership, Ginghamsburg became known as an early innovator of small group ministry and a leader in global mission efforts. A frequently sought-after speaker, he is the author of many books, including Dare to Dream, Hijacked, Change the World, Christmas Is Not Your Birthday, and Upside Living in a Downside Economy.

Reviews

[Cynthia Hilston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rethink Advent

Some of you are familiar with Mike Slaughter's Christmas is Not Your Birthday. This book is along those lines, but really makes you re-evaluate your priorities during the Advent season. Think more about giving and helping others with no expectation of anything in return. Walk the road of humility and say "yes" to following the way of Jesus.

[Jason Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book for the Advent season, pastors Mike Slaughter and Rachel Billups explore what it means for love, joy, peace, and hope to come down to Earth. The book accompanies a four-week Advent study that opens up Christmas to examine how one helpless baby changed everything.

What makes this a great read during Advent this year, is how relevant it is to current events. While it was written before we had two primary presidential candidates or even an election, reading it post-election is food for the soul. Slaughter and Billups acknowledge that we put too much attention on the wrong things. They write, “Or in arguing about things such as red cups, sexual identity issues, who we voted for, and where refugees should go, are we allowing these issues to create dividing lines between us?”

All this does is provide a “devilish distraction.”

Read more at http://jasoncstanley.com/book-review-...

[Mary Ellin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another book I read for a Bible study, during Advent. Mike Slaughter’s books are short, easy reads, and they pose thoughtful questions that have helped me grow in the faith. I recommend him and his books.

[Dee Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

We must unwrap the greatest gift ever given by our down-to-earth God, accept it for ourselves, and then extend it through Christ to others.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Down to Earth

The Hopes & Fears of All the Years Are Met in Thee Tonight



by Mike Slaughter; Rachel Billups

Abingdon Press

Christian, Religion & Spirituality

Pub Date 06 Sep 2016

I am voluntarily reviewing a copy of Down to Earth through the publisher and Netgalley:

This book gives us Michael Slaughter and Rachel Billups thoughts on the Advent. They remind us that the Advent is a Spiritual time. We are reminded too that Jesus is not seeking more than a religious type of relationship, but something different.

The Author points out too that Jesus is bigger than our problems, complaints or whining.

The Authors encourage us to put ourselves second not only to God, but those around us during the time of Advent.

We are reminded too that our mind controls our attitudes, actions and behaviors, that our thoughts become our actions, so we need to be careful.

The importance of humbling ourselves before the Lord is also stressed.

I give Down to Earth five out of five stars.

Happy Reading.