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Discovering the Good Life
We're all searching for "the good life." Too often, however, we encounter discouragement, failure, broken relationships, guilt, and dashed dreams, all of which leave us yearning for more. In this book, Tim Savage presents a renewed vision of life by examining the fullest life ever the life of Jesus Christ. Savage invites us to tap into that life―and experience the riches of the joy, satisfaction, and purpose offered to us in Christ.
176 pages, Paperback
Published March 31, 2019
21 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Timothy B. Savage
5 books10 followersTim Savage (PhD, University of Cambridge; ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary) is a pastor, author, international conference speaker, and founding council member of the Gospel Coalition. He has served in churches in Arizona, Great Britain, and Texas. He is married to Lesli and they have two adult sons, Matthew and Jonathan. Tim is the author of No Ordinary Marriage.
His father is William C. Savage.
His father is William C. Savage.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 21, 2019
No longer is life about grasping after people, places and things. Rather, it is about blessing people, enhancing places, and giving away things. Life is not about getting. Life is about giving.
The core of a well-lived Christ centered life is about sacrifice. What does that look like? And what must we do to discover that on our own. Before I dig into this text, I want to share my own experience this past couple of weeks that I discovered that relates to discovering the Good life in Christ. I experienced something that I knew in my head but have not experienced for awhile and was reminded of in a new way. I invested in a fitbit. It measures your steps and helps you control physical health which also helps your emotional well being. You are suggested to keep track of your water intake and calories. I have never been a water drinker. At most 3 glasses a day and at least one. So needles to say, I was desiring coke and sugary drinks instead of pure h20. However, I took the challenge and have now in the past weeks have exceeded the recommended amount and have learned that I desire water. It took taking away the bad things that was taking from my health and replacing it with the good thing before I would desire what was good. I have since examined my life and this book has helped in what I need to take out and replace with what is good. Anything that keeps me from the word of God on a daily basis must be eliminated. I cannot desire the things of God unless I am actively seeking and immersing myself into his word and prayer. That is the beginning of living the good life. Now let me introduce you more to what this book is about and how it can help you see and experience God in a worshipful way.
The text starts with the beginning. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil which Adam and Eve failed to live out. This study of the tree is important for us to understand as it amplifies how we seek to be God and defy his sovereignty. Eve was deceived and Adam was passive. Each sinned against the Lord. I am always learning new insight with the Fall of Adam and Eve. Something about the goodness of God and how easily we fall.
The text goes into another type tree that Christians are familiar with and that is the Shoot from the Stump of Jesse which refers to the Kingdom of David. The rise of David, the fall of David and the restoration of David. This again is a study of how God brings his people up and how we get comfortable and fail. But it is our failing that God's glory is revealed. It is never about how we succeed or even how we fail but how God remains faithful.
The third tree is the Tree of Life with its 12 kinds of Fruit. This of course is centered on the work of Christ and how Christ changes us and our desires.
A text that gives you reason to think, reexamine, make the changes and worship the God that loves you! Highly recommend.
A Special Thank you to Crossway and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
The core of a well-lived Christ centered life is about sacrifice. What does that look like? And what must we do to discover that on our own. Before I dig into this text, I want to share my own experience this past couple of weeks that I discovered that relates to discovering the Good life in Christ. I experienced something that I knew in my head but have not experienced for awhile and was reminded of in a new way. I invested in a fitbit. It measures your steps and helps you control physical health which also helps your emotional well being. You are suggested to keep track of your water intake and calories. I have never been a water drinker. At most 3 glasses a day and at least one. So needles to say, I was desiring coke and sugary drinks instead of pure h20. However, I took the challenge and have now in the past weeks have exceeded the recommended amount and have learned that I desire water. It took taking away the bad things that was taking from my health and replacing it with the good thing before I would desire what was good. I have since examined my life and this book has helped in what I need to take out and replace with what is good. Anything that keeps me from the word of God on a daily basis must be eliminated. I cannot desire the things of God unless I am actively seeking and immersing myself into his word and prayer. That is the beginning of living the good life. Now let me introduce you more to what this book is about and how it can help you see and experience God in a worshipful way.
The text starts with the beginning. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil which Adam and Eve failed to live out. This study of the tree is important for us to understand as it amplifies how we seek to be God and defy his sovereignty. Eve was deceived and Adam was passive. Each sinned against the Lord. I am always learning new insight with the Fall of Adam and Eve. Something about the goodness of God and how easily we fall.
The text goes into another type tree that Christians are familiar with and that is the Shoot from the Stump of Jesse which refers to the Kingdom of David. The rise of David, the fall of David and the restoration of David. This again is a study of how God brings his people up and how we get comfortable and fail. But it is our failing that God's glory is revealed. It is never about how we succeed or even how we fail but how God remains faithful.
The third tree is the Tree of Life with its 12 kinds of Fruit. This of course is centered on the work of Christ and how Christ changes us and our desires.
A text that gives you reason to think, reexamine, make the changes and worship the God that loves you! Highly recommend.
A Special Thank you to Crossway and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
April 20, 2019
Tim Savage is a very good writer. He does a very good job of writing in a style that is accessible , but there is no lack of depth in what he has to say. I like the way he uses the examples of three trees and his use of Scripture throughout to support his ideas, as well as defining his terms. Most of all he is inspiring his readers to give themselves to the Lord, assuring us that the good life is available through Him and nowhere else.
I received a free copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for my honest review.
I received a free copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for my honest review.
April 24, 2019
The title of this book immediately intrigued me, Discovering the The Good Life and the surprising place that discovery is found. A unique study of three distinct trees in the Bible is used to explain the history of humanity and the struggle to find lasting joy and satisfaction in life. Through the storyline of the three trees I was able to see in a new light the great love God has for all people and the way he has pursued me. "We are so burdened by life's disappointments that we are distracted from the promises of Jesus". These words described my heart but thankfully this book gave me a renewed view of what a life indwelled by Jesus Christ looks like and how fulfilling that life is meant to be. Many brilliant references to literature, scripture, poetry, song lyrics and current writings, all leading the reader to the one we may not know our hearts long for. Highly recommend .
April 24, 2019
The idea of God and Christianity can sometimes seem cold and stale. In this book, Tim Savage quickly dispels any such notion as he writes about three trees that reveal the transformational, unquantifiable and sometimes even whimsical love of God that is ours now!
Tim Savage illuminates the most liberating truths of the Christian faith both insightfully and creatively. Both Christians and non-Christians can understand this book and learn about why being a Christian is so good!
Tim Savage illuminates the most liberating truths of the Christian faith both insightfully and creatively. Both Christians and non-Christians can understand this book and learn about why being a Christian is so good!
April 24, 2019
How can we experience the good life? Read this book and find out! Savage clearly and systematically explains from a biblical perspective how we can know the surprising riches available in Jesus Christ and only in Him. Using numerous stories, illustrations, quotes, lyrics and more, he clarifies his points. He grabbed my attention with his statement that life is a verb. Intrigued? Read this book and learn what he means. Highly recommend!
April 22, 2019
This book will become a classic. Savage explores timeless truths with freshness and beautiful, even poetic, language. His love and passion for the things of God are palpable, and this book is a reminder that the Christian life offers a "new way to be human." It is a book to read, to savor, and to read again.
April 23, 2019
Have you ever wondered what is so good about life? Have you longed for fullness of life only to grapple with disappointment? As we all nod affirmatively, Tim Savage invites us to consider one of the most profound promises ever made: the guarantee by Christ of abundance of life in the present (John 10:10). Using biblical teaching and personal examples, Savage demonstrates how life in Christ is not just good, but immeasurably good, how fullness of life is not just attainable, but available right now.
Tracing God's loving plan from Genesis to Revelation, Savage distills the wonder of biblical revelation to 150 instructive pages. The book is at once impressively deep and thoroughly readable, thoughtfully expansive and helpfully practical. Ultimately, it is a book that revitalizes our view of life and explodes our often tepid comprehension of what it means to be in Christ. We are left with a glimpse of the Christian life which, as the final page is turned, overwhelms us with thanksgiving and inspires us to radiate this newness of life to the world round us.
Discovering the Good Life also bridges an important, but widely overlooked gap in popular Christian writing. Believers are often expected to be well acquainted with fullness of life, yet when fullness proves elusive, as it often does, they are enjoined to focus on and to root out the sin that curtails abundant life. While the directive is not unhelpful, what is perhaps more useful is to gain a positive understanding of abundant life itself. Discovering the Good Life takes a step back and considers the big picture. Whether a person has been a Christian for 50 years or is contemplating life's big questions for the very first time, readers of this book will be awestruck by the "surprising riches available in Christ".
In short, this is a life-transforming book for Christians and non-Christians alike.
Tracing God's loving plan from Genesis to Revelation, Savage distills the wonder of biblical revelation to 150 instructive pages. The book is at once impressively deep and thoroughly readable, thoughtfully expansive and helpfully practical. Ultimately, it is a book that revitalizes our view of life and explodes our often tepid comprehension of what it means to be in Christ. We are left with a glimpse of the Christian life which, as the final page is turned, overwhelms us with thanksgiving and inspires us to radiate this newness of life to the world round us.
Discovering the Good Life also bridges an important, but widely overlooked gap in popular Christian writing. Believers are often expected to be well acquainted with fullness of life, yet when fullness proves elusive, as it often does, they are enjoined to focus on and to root out the sin that curtails abundant life. While the directive is not unhelpful, what is perhaps more useful is to gain a positive understanding of abundant life itself. Discovering the Good Life takes a step back and considers the big picture. Whether a person has been a Christian for 50 years or is contemplating life's big questions for the very first time, readers of this book will be awestruck by the "surprising riches available in Christ".
In short, this is a life-transforming book for Christians and non-Christians alike.
May 9, 2019
"The Good Life" is a pathway to abundance and written with unbridled optimism. It is especially timely given the doom and gloom of the 21st Century, allowing readers to savor God's love through these pages.
April 29, 2019
When my soul yearns for more, when dreams are dashed and relationships disappoint, when I wonder whether I will ever find what I’m looking for, I have arrived at a very good place. At least, that’s what this refreshing book, Discovering the Good Life, tells me. Boldly it guides me to the answer of all answers – ultimately, it leads to Christ! Read this book, read it all the way to the end, don’t miss the practical counsel of the final pages, and be moved, as I was, by the
fullness of life in Jesus Christ
.
May 8, 2019
In his book, Discovering the Good Life, Dr. Tim Savage asserts that each person must inevitably come to realise that his hard-won achievements and objectives are not a lasting means to fulfilment. Even the most powerful, wealthy and influential people have opened up in moments of clarity to state that they have not yet found what they are looking for. In mankind's understandable search for the good life, Dr. Savage demonstrates that the appropriate question is not, “What am I missing?”, but instead, “Who am I missing?” A life of true satisfaction and flourishing is possible, but only through Jesus, the Author of life.
Tim Savage has given us a gift in this book. I found it thoroughly enjoyable from cover to cover. He invites us into his life and shares with us personal stories of heartache and joy, mapping out for us a blueprint for The Good Life.
Tim Savage has given us a gift in this book. I found it thoroughly enjoyable from cover to cover. He invites us into his life and shares with us personal stories of heartache and joy, mapping out for us a blueprint for The Good Life.
June 3, 2019
In "Discovering the Good Life," Tim Savage relays Biblical content in a way that is relatable to his readers of all ages. His use of lyrical quotes, other literature, and his own stories provides more context to his writing. Savage talks about why we may feel unfulfilled in our daily lives. He uses three trees of the Bible to remind us of the fulfillment we have in the promises of God. His list of notes for each chapter is helpful for further research and readings. I have recommended this book to Christians and non-Christians, and will continue to do so.
February 18, 2019
First sentence from the prologue: This is a book about life... When God created life, he meant it to be fulfilling. How do we find fullness of life in a world full of trouble? No one ever radiated more life than Jesus Christ. It is the burden of my heart, in the pages that follow, to uncover his perspective of life.
First sentence from chapter one: What is so good about life? Our hearts long for a winning answer.
Tim Savage sets out to answer the question WHAT IS THE GOOD LIFE? or to phrase it slightly differently WHAT MAKES LIFE GOOD? His answer is simple and obvious--to some--but perhaps not to others. Jesus is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. There is no good life apart from Christ Jesus--that is Savage's premise.
How he sets about sharing this good news about the good life is unique. He arranges the gospel as the story of three trees: the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, a shoot from the stump of Jesse, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit. (The second tree is NOT the cross but the person of Jesus Christ.)
A chapter is spent on each "tree" and he takes care to join all three together into a strong, compelling narrative. The last chapter is spent on the healing powers of the fruit of the tree of life. In this chapter he goes through many of Paul's lists. There was so much to unpack in this chapter--I feel like I could read it a few more times and still be picking up more insights.
But the book isn't just a unique or clever gospel presentation. The book is about how people answer some of life's biggest questions. What is the meaning of life? Is life good? Is life worth living? Why am I here? Why am I so unhappy? Why am I never satisfied? Why does life feel so empty and worthless? Savage points the way to HOPE and JOY. Again the answer is JESUS.
The imagery and phrasing of some of Savage's text was a bit new and perplexing to me at times. But overall I think this is a good read. I particularly enjoyed the later chapters of this one which really focus on how to live life well.
First sentence from chapter one: What is so good about life? Our hearts long for a winning answer.
Tim Savage sets out to answer the question WHAT IS THE GOOD LIFE? or to phrase it slightly differently WHAT MAKES LIFE GOOD? His answer is simple and obvious--to some--but perhaps not to others. Jesus is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. There is no good life apart from Christ Jesus--that is Savage's premise.
How he sets about sharing this good news about the good life is unique. He arranges the gospel as the story of three trees: the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, a shoot from the stump of Jesse, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit. (The second tree is NOT the cross but the person of Jesus Christ.)
A chapter is spent on each "tree" and he takes care to join all three together into a strong, compelling narrative. The last chapter is spent on the healing powers of the fruit of the tree of life. In this chapter he goes through many of Paul's lists. There was so much to unpack in this chapter--I feel like I could read it a few more times and still be picking up more insights.
But the book isn't just a unique or clever gospel presentation. The book is about how people answer some of life's biggest questions. What is the meaning of life? Is life good? Is life worth living? Why am I here? Why am I so unhappy? Why am I never satisfied? Why does life feel so empty and worthless? Savage points the way to HOPE and JOY. Again the answer is JESUS.
The imagery and phrasing of some of Savage's text was a bit new and perplexing to me at times. But overall I think this is a good read. I particularly enjoyed the later chapters of this one which really focus on how to live life well.
January 22, 2019
All people seek happiness. Blaise Pascal reminds us, “All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end … This is the motive of every action of every man, even of those who hang themselves.” Yet most people stumble in the dark and content themselves with living a mediocre life. But there is a better way.
The better way is the theme of Tim Savage’s book, Discovering the Good Life: The Surprising Riches Available in Christ. Savage explores what Jesus refers to as the “abundant life” (John 10:10). The pursuit of the good life is revealed in the tale of three trees. These trees are the focus of the book.
The three trees include:
Readers will become familiar with each tree which begins with the fall in the Garden of Eden and proceeds to the prophecy of Christ’s coming and conquest and culminates with Christ making all things new.
Discovering the Good Life is a practical book, one that will serve believers well. It is a good introduction to the Christian life and alerts readers to the promises of God, which must be believed, embraced, and trusted. Ultimately, the good life is found in a personal relationship with God, through his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. My hope is that many will discover this good life for the first time as a result of Savage’s fine efforts.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
The better way is the theme of Tim Savage’s book, Discovering the Good Life: The Surprising Riches Available in Christ. Savage explores what Jesus refers to as the “abundant life” (John 10:10). The pursuit of the good life is revealed in the tale of three trees. These trees are the focus of the book.
The three trees include:
The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil
A Shoot from the Stump of Jesse
The Tree of Life with Its Twelve Kinds of Fruit
Readers will become familiar with each tree which begins with the fall in the Garden of Eden and proceeds to the prophecy of Christ’s coming and conquest and culminates with Christ making all things new.
Discovering the Good Life is a practical book, one that will serve believers well. It is a good introduction to the Christian life and alerts readers to the promises of God, which must be believed, embraced, and trusted. Ultimately, the good life is found in a personal relationship with God, through his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. My hope is that many will discover this good life for the first time as a result of Savage’s fine efforts.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
June 16, 2019
"Discovering the Good Life" looks at three important trees mentioned in the Bible: the Tree of Good and Evil (in the Garden of Eden), Jesus and the Cross, and the Tree of Life (as referred to in Revelations). The author explained the significance to us of these three trees. He included relevant Bible verses that helped explain the purpose of these these trees and the results of our choices in how we react to these events. He ended by explaining how a good understanding of these things (resulting in "plugging in" to Jesus) leads to an overflowing love and abundant life. The author stayed focused on the topic (so no funny story filler), but it was easy to understand and follow his points. Overall, I'd highly recommend this insightful, Christ-focused book.
I received an ARC review copy of this book from the publisher through Amazon Vine.
I received an ARC review copy of this book from the publisher through Amazon Vine.
September 24, 2019
“Where has my joy gone??”
I’m married to a church pastor and have three small children, and there are many days where in my tired, weary or anxious state I wonder whether this is all there is in the Christian life. I often come away from conversations where I’ve been trying to encourage others in their faith, feeling “if only I could articulate what it means to experience the fullness of Christ's love in the Christian life.”
In this book, Tim walks through the whole Bible story using the structure of the ‘Three trees’, showing how Jesus’ death and life heal us and restore us to what God meant us to be.
“Discovering the good life” articulates perfectly that fullness of life is found in knowing the deep sufficiency of God’s love and grace through the Lord Jesus, and that this fulness IS achievable for every Christian, regardless of circumstances, even through the most difficult suffering. I laughed and cried through this book and wish all my family and friends could read it and be encouraged. Everyone needs Christ, and knowing Him personally can lead to true contentment in life.
I’m married to a church pastor and have three small children, and there are many days where in my tired, weary or anxious state I wonder whether this is all there is in the Christian life. I often come away from conversations where I’ve been trying to encourage others in their faith, feeling “if only I could articulate what it means to experience the fullness of Christ's love in the Christian life.”
In this book, Tim walks through the whole Bible story using the structure of the ‘Three trees’, showing how Jesus’ death and life heal us and restore us to what God meant us to be.
“Discovering the good life” articulates perfectly that fullness of life is found in knowing the deep sufficiency of God’s love and grace through the Lord Jesus, and that this fulness IS achievable for every Christian, regardless of circumstances, even through the most difficult suffering. I laughed and cried through this book and wish all my family and friends could read it and be encouraged. Everyone needs Christ, and knowing Him personally can lead to true contentment in life.
June 13, 2019
Discovering the Good Life: The Surprising Riches Available in Christ is a unique stroll through the garden of what it looks like to be “in” Jesus today! Unlike most works I have read on the spiritual life, this work is not a sterile textbook. Tim Savage writes with poetic ease, yet he also carries a spiritual punch! I could not put it down and wholeheartedly recommend this refreshing work to all who desire to know the riches of being “IN CHRIST!”
Pastor Bernie A. Cueto, PhD
Campus Pastor and Associate Professor
Palm Beach Atlantic University
Teaching Pastor of Family Church
Pastor Bernie A. Cueto, PhD
Campus Pastor and Associate Professor
Palm Beach Atlantic University
Teaching Pastor of Family Church
September 16, 2019
Tim Savage brings a thorough and well-studied look at what it means to fully live life as a believe in Jesus Christ. His use of historical and theological quotes, metaphors, and word pictures to bring to life his Biblical points.
With so many books written on the beginning of the Christian life - salvation and justification - and so many others written on specific parts of the Christian life - i.e. marriage, work, family, sin, suffering, and worship - this book brings a unique, wholistic view of living life in Christ, every day. I appreciate Tim's thorough look at life from the very beginning through to the very end of scripture, from Genesis, through the Gospels, and on through Revelation. This is a fantastic survey of what it means to live life fully in Christ and I recommend it for any believer, at any point in their walk with Jesus. You will be encouraged and enlivened in your pursuit of a deeper relationship with your Savior.
This is not a hard read and overall, a pretty short book. But don't be fooled: it is packed with great content including quotes, Bible references, as well as some extremely quotable phrases from Tim himself.
"Drop things and pick up people."
"Truly to live is fully to give."
With so many books written on the beginning of the Christian life - salvation and justification - and so many others written on specific parts of the Christian life - i.e. marriage, work, family, sin, suffering, and worship - this book brings a unique, wholistic view of living life in Christ, every day. I appreciate Tim's thorough look at life from the very beginning through to the very end of scripture, from Genesis, through the Gospels, and on through Revelation. This is a fantastic survey of what it means to live life fully in Christ and I recommend it for any believer, at any point in their walk with Jesus. You will be encouraged and enlivened in your pursuit of a deeper relationship with your Savior.
This is not a hard read and overall, a pretty short book. But don't be fooled: it is packed with great content including quotes, Bible references, as well as some extremely quotable phrases from Tim himself.
"Drop things and pick up people."
"Truly to live is fully to give."
June 15, 2021
An interesting take on the gospel, with a particular focus on ‘the good life’. I really appreciated Savage’s treatment of the real life found in Jesus, versus what the world thinks of as ‘life’.
November 29, 2024
Great book with particularly powerful anecdotes. The stories of his parents’ love nearly had me in tears.
November 4, 2019
Highly Recommended! Wonderful reminder of God’s love for us! A great connection between the three trees in the Bible, starting at the Garden in Genesis.
July 8, 2019
In this well-crafted book, Tim Savage encourages the new Christian or those seeking a deeper walk with the Lord to discover the riches found in Christ. Drawing on 3 Biblical trees, he first shows the generosity and goodness of God through his description of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. In this section, he answers questions that often plague reluctant believers such as: Why does sin exact a penalty of death? Why does God allow evil? Why does Christianity seem so narrow minded? He moves on to address the Stump of Jesse, which shows us the lavish love of God and the life offered through Christ’s death. Finally, he discusses the Tree of Life representing resurrected life in Heaven, but also now for the Christian whose life is in Christ. He ends the book by sharing what “life is” and “is not” by showing us how to put off the old self and its practices and how to put on our new identity in Christ and walk in the fullness of it. Savage does an excellent job of tying Scripture to his examples, as well as presenting a wealth of rich literary references to further communicate his points.
March 3, 2019
Tim Savage explores the notion of the 'good life' using the analogy of the three key trees in the Bible. It's unusual and perhaps a little bit cumbersome, however, the book leads us to a very satisfactory assessment of how to discover the good life.
Savage does an excellent job weaving Scripture and supporting quotes throughout his wanderings through the Biblical gardens and introduces the reader to some new sources. Thomas Traherne was somebody new to me. He was a poet and each chapter begins with a short verse or two from the man. By all accounts both CS Lewis and AW Tozer were big fans of the man.
It's a relatively straightforward book to read and as I mentioned builds well to outlining how we can satisfy the yearnings of our hearts for the 'good life.'
I will happily recommend this book especially to those who enjoy discovering new and old voices of The Way who can guide us with their words and experiences to better seek after Jesus Christ who makes Himself freely available to us.
I received an early readers copy of the manuscript from Crossway via NetGalley with no expectation of a positive review.
Savage does an excellent job weaving Scripture and supporting quotes throughout his wanderings through the Biblical gardens and introduces the reader to some new sources. Thomas Traherne was somebody new to me. He was a poet and each chapter begins with a short verse or two from the man. By all accounts both CS Lewis and AW Tozer were big fans of the man.
It's a relatively straightforward book to read and as I mentioned builds well to outlining how we can satisfy the yearnings of our hearts for the 'good life.'
I will happily recommend this book especially to those who enjoy discovering new and old voices of The Way who can guide us with their words and experiences to better seek after Jesus Christ who makes Himself freely available to us.
I received an early readers copy of the manuscript from Crossway via NetGalley with no expectation of a positive review.
June 22, 2019
The method and manner in which this book was written makes it easily understandable and comprehensible but most importantly, applicable to my life and anyone who may be seeking greater joy and fulfillment relationally.
Tim Savage thoroughly supports his assertions with abounding references.
“Discovering The Good Life” is an insightful read that helps one see old and new testament scriptures as meaningful truths to our everyday lives.
Tim Savage thoroughly supports his assertions with abounding references.
“Discovering The Good Life” is an insightful read that helps one see old and new testament scriptures as meaningful truths to our everyday lives.
May 12, 2019
"Here is an invitation you can’t resist. Let’s venture into the forest together and discover, perhaps for the very first time, just how good life can be.” —Tim Savage
In, Discovering the Good Life, Tim Savage comes right out of the gate with his purpose for writing the book. He wants to answer the question, “How do we find fullness of life in a world full of trouble?”
If we’re honest, we all want fullness of life. We all want to experience joy, peace, and satisfaction. The author puts his finger on this yearning when he says, “To be able to celebrate life without reservation and without regret—that is our greatest desire.”
But is that really possible? In a world full of pain and brokenness, can anyone really find true happiness? In this book, Savage answers that question with a definitive yes. And he is quick to point out that the answer does not come in a principle, it comes in a person. Namely, the Lord Jesus Christ.
To support this answer, Savage takes his readers on a riveting journey through the meta-narrative of Scripture. In poetic fashion, he weaves the Bible’s story into a tale of three trees:
-The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil
-A Shoot from the Stump of Jesse
-The Tree of Life with Its Twelve Kinds of Fruit
These three trees unfold a narrative that gets consistently better over time, and Savage uses them to both explain our problem and point to our solution. In the process, he makes this fairly bold claim, “The three trees—these three only and these three together—restore hope to humanity.”
You might be thinking, “how can trees restore hope to humanity?” And that’s why you need to read the book.
Savage is a wonderful writer and I’m confident you’ll find this book both engaging and refreshing. Every time I had to put it down, I found myself looking forward to picking it back up again. And with only 176 pages, I was finished in just a few days.
My biggest takeaway from the book was his treatment of life as a verb instead of a noun. He puts it this way, “We define our lives in terms of people, places, and things—in terms of meeting people, visiting places, and accumulating things. We pursue life by pursuing nouns.”
This was convicting for me. In a culture built on consumerism, it is hard not to fall into this mindset. But life is so much more than nouns! Life is a verb, and “. . .it is only by giving ourselves away that we begin to truly live.”
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I would have enjoyed a little more practical application at the end, but I thought Savage did an excellent job showing that “discovering the good life" really is possible.
Jesus came to bring abundant life. And He laid down His life to make this possible. Are you experiencing this life today? Do you have the joy, peace, and satisfaction that only Jesus can offer?
If not, I want to encourage you to read this tale of three trees. With the author as your guide, go on this journey, and discover “the surprising riches available in Christ."
"What is so good about life? In Christ, it could not be better." —Tim Savage
Crossway has provided a complimentary copy of this book through the Blog Review Program.
In, Discovering the Good Life, Tim Savage comes right out of the gate with his purpose for writing the book. He wants to answer the question, “How do we find fullness of life in a world full of trouble?”
If we’re honest, we all want fullness of life. We all want to experience joy, peace, and satisfaction. The author puts his finger on this yearning when he says, “To be able to celebrate life without reservation and without regret—that is our greatest desire.”
But is that really possible? In a world full of pain and brokenness, can anyone really find true happiness? In this book, Savage answers that question with a definitive yes. And he is quick to point out that the answer does not come in a principle, it comes in a person. Namely, the Lord Jesus Christ.
To support this answer, Savage takes his readers on a riveting journey through the meta-narrative of Scripture. In poetic fashion, he weaves the Bible’s story into a tale of three trees:
-The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil
-A Shoot from the Stump of Jesse
-The Tree of Life with Its Twelve Kinds of Fruit
These three trees unfold a narrative that gets consistently better over time, and Savage uses them to both explain our problem and point to our solution. In the process, he makes this fairly bold claim, “The three trees—these three only and these three together—restore hope to humanity.”
You might be thinking, “how can trees restore hope to humanity?” And that’s why you need to read the book.
Savage is a wonderful writer and I’m confident you’ll find this book both engaging and refreshing. Every time I had to put it down, I found myself looking forward to picking it back up again. And with only 176 pages, I was finished in just a few days.
My biggest takeaway from the book was his treatment of life as a verb instead of a noun. He puts it this way, “We define our lives in terms of people, places, and things—in terms of meeting people, visiting places, and accumulating things. We pursue life by pursuing nouns.”
This was convicting for me. In a culture built on consumerism, it is hard not to fall into this mindset. But life is so much more than nouns! Life is a verb, and “. . .it is only by giving ourselves away that we begin to truly live.”
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I would have enjoyed a little more practical application at the end, but I thought Savage did an excellent job showing that “discovering the good life" really is possible.
Jesus came to bring abundant life. And He laid down His life to make this possible. Are you experiencing this life today? Do you have the joy, peace, and satisfaction that only Jesus can offer?
If not, I want to encourage you to read this tale of three trees. With the author as your guide, go on this journey, and discover “the surprising riches available in Christ."
"What is so good about life? In Christ, it could not be better." —Tim Savage
Crossway has provided a complimentary copy of this book through the Blog Review Program.
January 4, 2025
This was a great little book that truthfully was about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a great reminder, replete with ample examples and anecdotes that helped to illustrate important Biblical truths.
The primary encouragement from this book was the reminder that the "good life" is only found in the tree of life, and this does not mean the absence of suffering, but a sheer delight in God Himself in any circumstance.
My only two critiques were: 1. I wish the chapters were a little more clearly unified and defined. I liked everything he was saying, but it was just hard to tell how it all fit together or where it was going next. 2. A little more clear explanation of the future would be good (eternal perspective). This was my only concern about the title, that the topic may be a bit narrowly focused on THIS life rather than the life to come. He does touch in this in the book, but a little more clarity would be good.
The primary encouragement from this book was the reminder that the "good life" is only found in the tree of life, and this does not mean the absence of suffering, but a sheer delight in God Himself in any circumstance.
My only two critiques were: 1. I wish the chapters were a little more clearly unified and defined. I liked everything he was saying, but it was just hard to tell how it all fit together or where it was going next. 2. A little more clear explanation of the future would be good (eternal perspective). This was my only concern about the title, that the topic may be a bit narrowly focused on THIS life rather than the life to come. He does touch in this in the book, but a little more clarity would be good.
February 14, 2023
A profoundly beautiful portrait of the abundant life freely available through Jesus Christ. Dr. Savage blends Biblical exegesis, theological truths, and deeply personal anecdotes to tell the story of God’s love for us as manifested in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. He uses the symbols of three trees in the Bible: the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in Eden, a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and the Tree of Life in Revelation. Savage challenges his reader to consider life as a verb and not just a collection of nouns. A wise admonition indeed. For those of us who have been privileged to hear Dr. Savage’s preaching, his voice and distinctive vocabulary are clearly discernable on these pages.
September 21, 2020
Through examination of three distinct trees presented throughout the storyline of the Bible, Tim Savage explores what each may represent progressing from the fallen condition of humanity, to the promise and hope of being made new, to the regeneration and revitalization of our heartbeat to experience true life through the indwelling of the Spirit and the very Love that is Jesus. This book allowed me to realign my sights on the present reality that Christ is currently seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for the saints; my identity is rooted in that present reality, and that frees me to live a truly flourishing life clinging to the promises of eternal hope by the power of the Spirit, through the finished work of the Son, to the glory of the Father.
January 26, 2020
Enjoyable, important ideas, left something to be desired though.
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