The host of the nationally syndicated radio program "Lifetime Guarantee" takes readers on a journey exploring the critical junctures of their lives in Christ. Offering biblical insight and real-life examples, Bill Gillham helps readers develop a vibrant relationship with the Savior.
Upon graduating from Poteau, Oklahoma High School I joined the navy. History states that the atomic bomb caused the Japanese to surrender, but mom always claimed they’d heard I was coming. After the war I followed Anabel Hoyle to college which was a shrewd move for two reasons. I married her and the tuition was paid by the G. I. Bill (your tax dollars at work). Then came in random selection: grad school, four sons, a public school teacher/administrator/university professor career, all in Oklahoma.
The Holy Spirit targeted my heart in 1957 while watching the first nationally televised Billy Graham Crusade. I responded to Brother Billy’s invitation to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved." My experience was not accompanied by bells and whistles, so it was five years before God gave me assurance of my salvation through reading 1 John 5:11-13. Meanwhile I zealously "worked for God" according to the tradition of my elders. But, God wanted to teach me that although I meant well, this was not His plan. I was not to live my life for Christ, but to trust Christ in me to express His life through me, by faith. God accomplished this by allowing me to have a major career failure.
I'd received my doctorate from Oklahoma State University in 1969 to become a psychology professor at Southeastern OSU. Hoowee! Here comes DOCTOR Gillham! I thought I was such a hot dog that McDonald’s didn’t have enough mustard to cover me. But, God quickly let Satan take the wind out of my sails by making my lecture notes "turn to Chinese" in front of my class. "Help!" I sent up a 911 prayer, but got Gods voice mail "I’ve gone to Mars today please leave a message and." It was horrible. And it kept happening! My self-esteem was down the toilet. But, God was at work. These failures caused me to abandon trusting in myself. The burden was transferred to Jesus (Ps. 55:22)! I learned that Christ lives in me to face life for me (Jn. 15:5)! Whew! What a relief! When a campus organization later selected me as "Professor of the Year," I received it as a tribute to Jesus, not to me.
That’s what our ministry is about. Trusting Christ to express His overcoming life through you is normal Christianity, but sad to say, its not the normal Christians experience.
This book is incredible. It challenges your traditional views. How many things do you believe just because your parents/church/friends believe them? This book challenges these views, and blasts them away with scripture. If you read it with a Bible, prayer, and a mind open to truth, then this book will be incredible. If, however, you come at this with all your traditions stuck in the front of your mind, and not Christ- this book will grate your nerves with every new page.
This book is helpful in understanding how to live the Christian life. The author has a folksy but winning way and uses verbal and graphical illustrations that make sense to me. The reason I did not give it 5 stars is because there are a handful of political references that are dated. (The book was published in 1998 so a different time.) Those references seem out-of-place and an unnecessary distraction from what the author is trying to express. If you can get past that, the book is well worth reading.
Bill and Annabelle Gillham are both home with the Lord now. They left behind a wealth of excellent resources for the body of Christ. I highly recommend their ministry "Lifetime Guarantee". Like the ministry they left behind, this book will enrich your relationship with Christ.