Staying in the Boat: And Other Things I Wish I'd Known

by Jeff Lucas

'Life itself, with all of its ups and downs, is the classroom. Our everyday is the academy. Wisdom takes time to develop - a lifetime. What matters is that we learn from our wrong turns and mistakes, and continue to grow. I wish I'd known that maturity takes a while.' From his many years in Christian leadership, Jeff has learnt a fair few lessons - from the profound to the painful, from the embarrassing to the hilarious. Hindsight can teach us a lot, but Jeff hopes that you will benefit from some of the things he wishes he'd known a little earlier on in his journey - such as the fact that we're all broken; heroes often go uncelebrated and sometimes, our adventure requires us to faithfully stay put.

Genres: Christian

128 pages, Paperback

Published March 19, 2018

About the author

Jeff Lucas is a Christian author, speaker, life coach, and broadcaster. He holds a pastoral teaching position at Timberline Church in Fort Collins, Colorado. He provides life coaching through Paterson Center. He is a columnist for Premier Christian magazine and for Sorted Magazine he has published 32 books, and he broadcasts a weekly radio show, Lucas on Life. He writes a column of daily bible reading notes, "Lucas on Life Every Day".

Reviews

[M R B Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A useful collection

I was brought up as a christian. I do not feel a need to regularly worship Christ. I find God, maker of heaven and earth, i.e. the universe, in everything, both tangible and intangible. These essays and thoughts run true for everyone, no matter their beliefs, I believe. I have read the kindle edition. A hard copy to keep close and dip in and out of would be useful.

[Sarah Rowlands · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gems from Lucas

The usual blend of wry humour and reflectiveness I’ve come to expect from Jeff. Refreshing, honest, and a spirit-lifter. Highly recommend.

[Jason Arbuckle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 12 - Jeff Lucas - Staying in the Boat

Of all the books I have read over the last 4 months this is the one I would recommend to everyone. 146 pages - 31 chapters, all starting with ‘I wish I’d known...’

Loved it and am going to share just one chapter ‘I wish I’d known...that sometimes, we Christians need do nothing.’ (Pg 96)

“What is Jesus doing right now? One biblical picture has Him sitting down, at the right hand of the Father.

So today, if you are busy for God, thank you for your tireless faithfulness. Sincerely. And if you’re, frazzled, worn out and weary, take five minutes to just be with that seated Jesus...and join him.

Go on. Take the weight off. Sit down.”

That special ‘Me’ time is so important for us and so important that won’t feel guilty doing it.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

A disjointed collection of personal reflections with an overdose of self deprecation and pointing out the numerous ways other people have 'got things wrong' in their own faith. The title heavily insinuates this book to be a reflection back to John Ortberg's 'If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat,' which is probably just to garner interest and purchases, as there really isn't any robust thought around Ortberg's ideas or book. Some questionable theology and many "chapters" (some as short as 1 page front and back) were more personal opinion than biblical truth, with an attempt to end with a witty closing sentence before moving on to the next unrelated chapter.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book encouraging, thought-provoking and very readable. Filled with a mixture of personal anecdotes, Scripture references and gentle teaching, Jeff Lucas explains around thirty different things he really wishes he'd known forty years earlier when he was a new believer.

Each section is just a few pages long, and includes both fairly obvious things as well as some more surprising or possibly controversial ones. The title (and one of the chapters) is a clear nod to John Ortberg's classic book with a similar name - as is explained in the relevant chapter.

Very highly recommended to all believers, new or not-so-new.

Longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...

[Mike Eccles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the luxury of an undisturbed afternoon to sit and read a proper book (not digital) today. This relatively slim volume, divided into many short bite sized pieces of Christian experience, wisdom, guidance and humour was just what I needed. It was especially right for me to read and learn because of some difficult things going on around me in church. I had many “aha” moments giving me real insights for thought. An excellent piece of writing that will lead me to other books by the same author.

[Adrian]

A good easy read, as are most of Jeff's books. This one is full of good common sense things. I like the fact that he challenges that majority view that says, this is the majority opinion and therefore must be right and if you don't agree the thought police will catch you and wow betided you then.
I also like the fact that he used some old stories, why do I like that fact. Well because I get into trouble for using old stories, I think that just because they are old does not make them irrelevant or powerful in the re telling. Its a good helpful read.

[Calum Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book of Christian advice, based on things Jeff Lucas had wished he’d known years ago. Most of the advice was excellent. Lucas writes with honesty, humour and openness that never feels like ‘perfectly polished sainthood’, which I really appreciated and enjoyed.

At the same time, the book is very much based on scripture in backing his points.

A great book and recommend

[Sara Eames · Rating 5 out of 5]

With his usual wit and humour, Jeff Lucas takes us on a journey through some of the things he wished he'd known as a young Christian. Important truths are explored as we go through the different stories and ideas. Highly recommended.

[Catherine Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book by its title and I am so glad I was.Jeff Lucas as always is honest about everyday life and our struggles and offers a refreshing and honest take on our journeys.