Never Settle: Choices, Chain Reactions, and the Way Out of Lukewarminess

by Greg Holder

While we don't consciously choose a less-than-life, it happens. Little by little, we start putting down roots in a land of less less than satisfying, less than interesting, less than helpful, and certainly less than hopeful. Before we know it our faith is lukewarm, apathetic, bland. Consider this an invitation to a different way of thinking, of seeing the world, of living in the world. But here's your It will be a little unsettling. When we've settled into the safe and mediocre, pulling away from the status quo is inherently unsettling.
  
For those who want to know that their life has significance, that their choices matter, and that they can start a chain reaction in our world this missional book is for you. Never Settle is a tangible reminder that every choice in your day is crackling with God's redemptive power - you, yes you, are called to be a part of what God is doing in the world.   
Don't settle for a lukewarm Christian life. Never Choices, Chain Reactions, and the Way Out of Lukewarminess explores a familiar passage in Revelation 3 where Jesus is warning the church in Laodicea. What offends Jesus so much? When those who call themselves Christian decide to play it safe and compromise - when we settle for lukewarminess.

Greg Holder, from The Genius of One , Advent Conspiracy , and The Voice Bible, reminds us of the call to never settle by sharing the way out of lukewarminess, helping us see how our everyday decisions, habits, and relationships have incredible potential for world-changing, redemptive impact. Winsome, challenging, and practical, Holder offers a fresh vision for the to be soothingly hot and thirst-quenchingly cold. To boldly follow Jesus into the world dripping with Christian compassion.

The way out of lukewarminess starts now. The first step to take will be to break camp, pull up stakes, and refuse to settle any longer. Let's go.

Genres: Christian, Christian Non Fiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2020

About the author

Greg Holder is author of Never Settle, The Genius of One, co-creator of Advent Conspiracy and a contributing writer for The Voice Bible. He serves as lead pastor at The Crossing, reaching nearly 10,000 people in person and online, calling people from an unlikely mix of spiritual backgrounds to consider what it means to follow Jesus in today’s world.

@gregholder_

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is your life lukewarm? In Never Settle, Greg Holder gives us practical ways to live a life of active, refreshing, and flaming faith.

Honesty and Hope

The book begins with a look at lukewarmness and why this type of Christian is disgusting to Jesus. Holder believes that honesty and hope are two keys to living like Christ. As a disclaimer, ironically, Holder quotes Ravi Zacharias twice, but this does not take away from Holder’s earnestness.

Holder writes knowingly with winks of sarcasm and wit. But he is not cynical. He calls us to self-awareness with a firm vision of a glorious God. He also helps us see how the Holy Spirit is working in our daily lives, doing supernatural work in the seemingly ordinary.

Chain-Reactions

This is a book full of inspiration – but it’s not an inspirational book in the negative sense of the word. Holder calls us to fuller faith, and he gets his conviction from the Word of God. He calls us to action, much like the characters in the Bible. They were conversing with others, obeying God’s commands, and causing chain-reactions.

Holder beckons us to an abundant life in Christ. He wants us to thrive. He calls us to enter the kingdom with childlike wide-eyed wonder. With personal stories, pastoral wisdom, and Biblical conviction – our apathy is absolved. Our faith is strengthened. And our hearts can be set ablaze as we see how we were meant to be. Were not our hearts burning within us?

I received a media copy of Never Settle and this is my honest review.

[Reign · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will I settle for wandering around life with complacent faith? Or will I navigate life with passion and purpose? I have a choice! So do you.

We live in an imperfect world with imperfect people. How are we supposed to live for Christ in the middle of all this mess? How can anything we do even make a difference? How can I figure out what God wants me to do with my life?

Pastor Greg Holder is an engaging story teller who reminds us how often we settle for less than what God wants for us. Never Settle helps us to explore the ways we tend to live out of sync with God's Will. This is an excellent book for self-reflection and an outstanding opportunity for small group fellowship.

Here are a few of the concepts this book will help you to explore:
Does your self-image align with how God sees you?
Do you treat other human beings as image bearers of God?
What (other than God) has the greatest influence on your worldview?
How do the traps of pride, negativity and fragility distract us from God's best for us?
What can we do to build bridges, forge unity and restore shalom?
...And so much more.

Pastor Greg's stories help the reader relate to God's Word in a personal and memorable way. Never Settle is an easy read and it will prompt lively discussions. Read it and be blessed

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't get past the first few pages. This book feels like a preacher preaching to me.