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If I Could Do It All Over Again: Christian Leaders Share the Most Important Lessons of Their Lives
Let the Lessons of the Past
Pave the Way to a Better Future
We've all thought about it at some point: What if I could go back in time and do it all over again? If there were a way, we each have decisions we would change, regrets we would erase, and mistakes we would undo.
If I Could Do It All Over Again explores the concept of a "do-over" through insightful interviews with more than two dozen respected Christian leaders, including Tim Keller, Anne Graham Lotz, Michael W. Smith, Joni Eareckson Tada, and Ravi Zacharias.
Like an intimate conversation over a cup of coffee, these leaders transparently share stories of their struggles, triumphs, and failures through the lens of God's grace and redemption.
While none of us will get a do-over, you can find biblical encouragement through the stories of others. In this candid and contemplative book, author Jon Gauger asks the hard questions and reveals answers sure to leave you filled with hope, courage, and freedom.
162 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2016
About the author
Jon Gauger
63 books16 followersJON GAUGER hosts several nationally syndicated programs for Moody Radio and is an award-winning narrator of more than 45 audio books. As a journalist and speaker, he has traveled to 35 countries. From Billy Graham to Chuck Norris, Jon is never more at home than when hosting an interview. An ordained minister, Jon is an avid photographer and videographer. He is married to Diana, and they have two children and several grandchildren. He enjoys camping (trailers, not tents), reading, travel, and great Mexican food. His weekly blog, The Thursday Thought, is available at jongauger.com.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 23, 2017
I loved it! One of my favorite chapters was "A Principle I'm Desperate to Pass On" as it spoke to my new-parent heart. I highly recommend it!
October 11, 2018
As I approach 60, I find myself looking for spiritual insight to help me to continue to live life to the fullest. I had high hopes for this book, but found myself profoundly disappointed. I was looking for reflections and serious thought. Instead this book is a series of sound bites collected by the author and then put into various categories. In addition, there were several authors whose far right fundamentalist ideology I find offensive. There were brief moments, but as a person who interviews people, famous and not, I found this to be nothing more than snippets of conversation.
November 26, 2017
Definitely nuggets of wisdom in this collection - it really made me think about life from a perspective of age and experience that is helpful to me now. What will I regret/not regret having done? It was fascinating to see how many different Christian leaders gave similar reflections on the questions. It ended with a great charge - We can be collectors of wisdom, but if we don’t apply that wisdom, it is useless (James 1:22).
November 16, 2017
A great read, especially chapter 10! :)
August 23, 2020
I enjoyed the end of the book more than the beginning.. not a fan of the format, but the content was compelling, challenging and caused me to evaluate elements in my own walk with the Lord.
June 8, 2025
Collection of snippets. Quick to read.
September 5, 2016
A gift
This book is inspirational, and I say that in spite of sounding cheesy. I say that because it's the truth. This book is a gift, we all need the reassurance, sometimes, that we aren't alone. That others have faced similar struggles, harbour the same regrets and fall down just as we do. Even the preachers, pastors and religious leaders among us: we're human, not angels. We make mistakes, and it is high time we accept that- forgive ourselves and, move on. This book will help you do that.
As an individual who doesn't follow the Christian faith, I still found this book useful. Even as a firm Muslim, I'm unafraid of delving into other scriptures and other religious books: there's a lot we can learn from all kinds of scripture. A lot of good lessons: and, that is what this book is. It's a compilation of lessons from the Bible, the Gospel and other Christian texts. All, in the word of humans ( from first-hand experience), though certain quotes pop up here and there.
As Jon Gauger, the author of this book, acknowledges: we all have 'the certain belief that if we somehow could get that second opportunity, we would definitely do better.' If looking back, dreaming of a do-over, and obsessively thinking of the different 'might-have-beens' is not regret, I don't know is. I recall asking my younger sister, 'what is regret?' To which, she answered: "it's thinking of a better comeback, or story, long after its moment has passed. And then, hating yourself for having been so slow".
Since then, her definition has been shaped by grander, more costly, experiences. Regret is an overwhelming emotion, and if you dwell too long in those moments you regret- you will never be content, those feelings can consume you. So why not trust God to guide you, and move you forward? Why not allow yourself to make mistakes?
We hear from wise individuals including, but not limited to, Kay Arthur, Dee Brestin, Jill Briscoe, Stuart Briscoe, Steve Brown, Michael Card, Gary Chapman. We hear of their regrets, all that stuff they'd change if they were granted a do-over. What they would do more of, less of, life lessons they could never forget, the essential lessons they would pass on to their children and plenty more.
This was a thoughtful book, and I'm pleased to have read it. Many regrets were akin to my own, and the scripture selection was beautifully appropriate. For example, as quoted from Matthew 6:34- and used in this book-"Do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.'
This book presents the universal truth, that we allow ourselves to think such damaging thoughts. Thoughts which could potentially affect our faith in God. Just as John Greenleaf Whittier writes, in his story of Maud Muller, as is quoted in this book 'Of all sad words / Of tongue or pen, / The saddest are these: "It might have been." Why do we insistently allow ourselves to think such thoughts? Let's change the pattern, and move forward- for once, without looking back for the sole purpose of criticising and discouraging ourselves.
I received this book through NetGalley.
This book is inspirational, and I say that in spite of sounding cheesy. I say that because it's the truth. This book is a gift, we all need the reassurance, sometimes, that we aren't alone. That others have faced similar struggles, harbour the same regrets and fall down just as we do. Even the preachers, pastors and religious leaders among us: we're human, not angels. We make mistakes, and it is high time we accept that- forgive ourselves and, move on. This book will help you do that.
As an individual who doesn't follow the Christian faith, I still found this book useful. Even as a firm Muslim, I'm unafraid of delving into other scriptures and other religious books: there's a lot we can learn from all kinds of scripture. A lot of good lessons: and, that is what this book is. It's a compilation of lessons from the Bible, the Gospel and other Christian texts. All, in the word of humans ( from first-hand experience), though certain quotes pop up here and there.
As Jon Gauger, the author of this book, acknowledges: we all have 'the certain belief that if we somehow could get that second opportunity, we would definitely do better.' If looking back, dreaming of a do-over, and obsessively thinking of the different 'might-have-beens' is not regret, I don't know is. I recall asking my younger sister, 'what is regret?' To which, she answered: "it's thinking of a better comeback, or story, long after its moment has passed. And then, hating yourself for having been so slow".
Since then, her definition has been shaped by grander, more costly, experiences. Regret is an overwhelming emotion, and if you dwell too long in those moments you regret- you will never be content, those feelings can consume you. So why not trust God to guide you, and move you forward? Why not allow yourself to make mistakes?
We hear from wise individuals including, but not limited to, Kay Arthur, Dee Brestin, Jill Briscoe, Stuart Briscoe, Steve Brown, Michael Card, Gary Chapman. We hear of their regrets, all that stuff they'd change if they were granted a do-over. What they would do more of, less of, life lessons they could never forget, the essential lessons they would pass on to their children and plenty more.
This was a thoughtful book, and I'm pleased to have read it. Many regrets were akin to my own, and the scripture selection was beautifully appropriate. For example, as quoted from Matthew 6:34- and used in this book-"Do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.'
This book presents the universal truth, that we allow ourselves to think such damaging thoughts. Thoughts which could potentially affect our faith in God. Just as John Greenleaf Whittier writes, in his story of Maud Muller, as is quoted in this book 'Of all sad words / Of tongue or pen, / The saddest are these: "It might have been." Why do we insistently allow ourselves to think such thoughts? Let's change the pattern, and move forward- for once, without looking back for the sole purpose of criticising and discouraging ourselves.
I received this book through NetGalley.
November 10, 2020
Inspirational!
I think this book made such an impact on me because those sharing their wisdom are people I am familiar with and respect.I am inspired to finally let go of regrets and to think more about heaven and what it will be like. I highly recommend this book . It would make a great gift too.
I think this book made such an impact on me because those sharing their wisdom are people I am familiar with and respect.I am inspired to finally let go of regrets and to think more about heaven and what it will be like. I highly recommend this book . It would make a great gift too.
December 3, 2016
I loved this book. I found it so heartwarming and encouraging, because I could see how God's grace worked in the lives of some authors I admire, and it made me reassess my priorities.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews