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Reflect: Becoming Yourself by Mirroring the Greatest Person in History
What's the most important thing in the universe to you? What, more than anything else, permeates your thought life, pulls your heart strings, and propels your actions? Don't fool yourself. That supreme something-whatever it may be for you-is shaping the person you are becoming, for better or for worse, turning you into someone radiant and full of life, or making you a dim and weightless ghost of yourself. But what if we worshipped Jesus? Not the imaginary Jesus invented by televangelism, consumerism, fundamentalism, mysticism, or some political ism, but the actual Jesus we meet in the New Testament? How can he, unlike any other object of worship, enlarge our intellects, our emotions, our actions, our relationships, our imaginations, our whole selves? Drawing from science, literature, art, theology, history, music, philosophy, pop culture, and more, Thaddeus J. Williams paints a fresh and inspiring vision of how we become most truly ourselves by mirroring the Greatest Person in History.
- GenresTheology
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
22 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 8, 2018
Um livro bem interessante. Thaddeus investiga diversas facetas do que está envolvido na santificação, no ficar mais parecido com Cristo. Lidando com a complexidade do que é a imagem de Deus, nos desafia a crescer em similaridade a ele em nossa razão, emoção, criatividade...
August 13, 2018
Livro singular e belamente escrito. Com certeza um dos melhores sobre o tema, a imitação de Cristo.
June 15, 2018
Beautifully written book that points us to Christ in every chapter. This book is rich in references and quotes to key Christians and even some non-Christian thinkers. Every quote and concept is directed to the overall theme: We should be Christ-like.
This is not a shallow WWJD bracelet approach. The book focuses on the overpowering characteristics of Jesus.
The first chapter is about the "profound thinking of Jesus." We have read the Bible stories so much that we are prone to overlook the fact that Jesus possessed a first-class intellect. He use logic, reasoning powers, and all manner of deep and communicable thinking to confound his enemies and teach his followers.
Subsequent chapters deal with Jesus' just sentiments and love.
I will say more later, as I get to the chapters on mirroring Jesus' saving grace.
Right now, I am reading this book during my morning reads. It is a perfect blend of intellectual challenge, spiritual conviction, and literary delight.
Thaddeus J. Williams is a writer to keep your eyes on. He is too young to be as smart as he is.
This is not a shallow WWJD bracelet approach. The book focuses on the overpowering characteristics of Jesus.
The first chapter is about the "profound thinking of Jesus." We have read the Bible stories so much that we are prone to overlook the fact that Jesus possessed a first-class intellect. He use logic, reasoning powers, and all manner of deep and communicable thinking to confound his enemies and teach his followers.
Subsequent chapters deal with Jesus' just sentiments and love.
I will say more later, as I get to the chapters on mirroring Jesus' saving grace.
Right now, I am reading this book during my morning reads. It is a perfect blend of intellectual challenge, spiritual conviction, and literary delight.
Thaddeus J. Williams is a writer to keep your eyes on. He is too young to be as smart as he is.
January 28, 2019
This book does a fabulous job of showing me how I need to learn to live better by looking at how Jesus lived his life. Williams had great insight and practical advice. He shows the reader through Scripture how Jesus thought and acted, and thus how we should think and act. Only through the transforming work of God will I be able to implement any reflecting Jesus, but now I have more tools and motivation to get there!
September 1, 2018
Muito Bom!
September 25, 2018
Livro excelente. Não conhecia Thaddeus J. Williams! Tornou-se um autor daqueles que você tem que ler.
O livro é uma jornada no acrônimo:
R - AZÃO;
E - MOCIONE-SE;
F - ICAR ÀS AVESSAS;
L - OVE (amar);
E - LEVAR;
C - RIAR;
T - RANSFORME.
A cada letra deste acrônimo, um deleite!!!
Com certeza na minha lista pessoal de melhores do ano!
Tolle, lege!!
O livro é uma jornada no acrônimo:
R - AZÃO;
E - MOCIONE-SE;
F - ICAR ÀS AVESSAS;
L - OVE (amar);
E - LEVAR;
C - RIAR;
T - RANSFORME.
A cada letra deste acrônimo, um deleite!!!
Com certeza na minha lista pessoal de melhores do ano!
Tolle, lege!!
August 16, 2020
This is a stimulating, fascinating, and well-written book. If I had to describe it, I would say it is both a book to help the Christian grow more Christlike (sanctification) and more fully human by looking at Jesus and His attributes and character, but it is also apologetic, as I think it could lovingly challenge a non-Christian to look at Jesus, and it shows how the Christian can explain Jesus and how He meets our deepest needs and longings. It is richly illustrated with quotes from both thoughtful Christians and thoughtful non-Christians. The author doesn't seem to take himself too seriously (a plus in my book!), but takes the Lord Jesus very seriously. I might add that it also is a book that shows how genuine Christian faith (not the pseudo-substitutes that often get mistaken for the real thing) enriches and enables our enjoyment of all parts of human experience - thinking, emotions, actions, graciousness, the arts, and more! I can't think of another book quite like this, but I hope that this author will continue to write more books of this quality and with his stimulating way of communicating old truths with powerful newness yet still with consistent faithfulness!
February 6, 2019
4.5—Really great points to (re)consider. His first chapter is a great example of clear thinking; that is the foundation for his major argument, and it’s a refreshing argument. I will definitely return to this book, or at least parts of it. It is a more popular-theology writing style—so that, for example, some of his analogies were cartoonish—but the content is not. I’d recommend it.
May 30, 2025
Wow! This was SO good! This book is a creative and well-written resource that beautifully points to Jesus in every chapter and on every page. This is absolutely one of my favorite Christian books I’ve read in years.
February 21, 2019
Sensacional! Esse é um daqueles livros que você se entristece quando termina. Com uma sagacidade peculiar e escrita cativante, Thaddeus Williams nos revela facetas incríveis do nosso Salvador!
March 8, 2019
Muito bom, faz a gente pensar de uma maneira que exalte a Jesus nas seis áreas que ele propõe.. cada cristão deveria ler esse livro. Muito bom!
November 29, 2019
Best book I've ever read in my life.
January 28, 2024
Great book! Loved his REFLECT acronym and how he walked through it.
February 2, 2019
Excelente livro! Um livro com perspectivas pouco exploradas na busca por crescer à semelhança de Cristo.
April 24, 2017
How would I describe this book? Is it theology, spiritual-formation, Christian living? Yes, yes and yes. I once read that the fruit of the Spirit is singular in Galatians 5:22 because they are not fruits but fruit; one fruit with multiple facets. To have one is to have them all. REFLECT, Becoming Yourself by Mirroring the Greatest Person in History by Thaddeus J. Williams is very helpful towards that end. Integrating the characteristics of Christ in an authentic way to bring Him glory, the author shows, is God’s design for our lives and God’s means to bring it about.
Each chapter; Reason, Emote (passion), Flip (holiness), Love, Elevate (grace), Create, Transform could stand on their own. The author provides many notes and challenged my thinking and preconceptions in an engaging and stimulating manner. Like a good friend speaking to my doubts and intimidations he leads me to the place where I can see for myself. There is much food for thought in each progressive chapter.
There are many quotes that I could give but my favorite came from the last chapter Transform, “Jesus is not a sum; he is a fully integrated Person. Every one of his attributes can be used as an adjective or adverb to describe any other attribute.” The author also kindly provides a REFLECT log you can copy from his book or download from his webpage. It is a suggested tool that he has used for 10 years and it is sort of a check list or inventory to help you to reflect on the status of your journey.
If purchase this book I would recommend buying two. You will get part way through and think of others you would love to share this journey with. If you lead a small study or prayer group this would make an excellent addition to your times together.
I love to meditate on scripture; this book would, in my mind, fall under Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God”
I am very grateful to The Weaver Book Company for providing me a copy of the book for an unbiased review. I am hopeful for the books success and looking forward to a study guide. I will be using this in my small group.
Each chapter; Reason, Emote (passion), Flip (holiness), Love, Elevate (grace), Create, Transform could stand on their own. The author provides many notes and challenged my thinking and preconceptions in an engaging and stimulating manner. Like a good friend speaking to my doubts and intimidations he leads me to the place where I can see for myself. There is much food for thought in each progressive chapter.
There are many quotes that I could give but my favorite came from the last chapter Transform, “Jesus is not a sum; he is a fully integrated Person. Every one of his attributes can be used as an adjective or adverb to describe any other attribute.” The author also kindly provides a REFLECT log you can copy from his book or download from his webpage. It is a suggested tool that he has used for 10 years and it is sort of a check list or inventory to help you to reflect on the status of your journey.
If purchase this book I would recommend buying two. You will get part way through and think of others you would love to share this journey with. If you lead a small study or prayer group this would make an excellent addition to your times together.
I love to meditate on scripture; this book would, in my mind, fall under Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God”
I am very grateful to The Weaver Book Company for providing me a copy of the book for an unbiased review. I am hopeful for the books success and looking forward to a study guide. I will be using this in my small group.
Read
September 23, 2017In an acronym of the book’s title, Williams illustrates how readers can “reflect” the work of Jesus by learning how to Reason, Emote, Flip, Love, Elevate, Create, and Transform. Each chapter focuses on one of these attributes, digging deeper into how Jesus displayed them. Williams cites many historical figures who “reflected” Jesus, using both inspirational quotations and scripture passages to provide a guide for readers to become more like Him.
REFLECT explains what it means to worship in everyday life by displaying attributes of Christ. Being Christ-like isn’t just a key to Heaven; it is a choice which makes life on Earth more meaningful.
Williams has an approachable, conversational tone which speaks to the reader as a fellow seeker of Christ. While the writing is aimed at adults, REFLECT could easily be read by anyone 15 or above. The information Williams presents can be valuable to both new and seasoned Christians. REFLECT doesn’t simply tell the reader what to do; it highlights what Jesus did and applies it to modern life.
http://www.meganalms.com/book-blog
REFLECT explains what it means to worship in everyday life by displaying attributes of Christ. Being Christ-like isn’t just a key to Heaven; it is a choice which makes life on Earth more meaningful.
Williams has an approachable, conversational tone which speaks to the reader as a fellow seeker of Christ. While the writing is aimed at adults, REFLECT could easily be read by anyone 15 or above. The information Williams presents can be valuable to both new and seasoned Christians. REFLECT doesn’t simply tell the reader what to do; it highlights what Jesus did and applies it to modern life.
http://www.meganalms.com/book-blog
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews