Maximum Life: All for the Glory of God

by Julian Hardyman

'Maybe you've heard that Christianity is a life-denying, vein-burstingly, eye-bogglingly boring way of life that could suck the marrow from a gnat and the joy from a lark. Don't believe it.'
(From the foreword by Mark Greene)
Jesus came to bring life in all its fullness and yet often Christians behave as if he is only really interested in the so-called 'spiritual' bits, like church, Bible study and evangelism. Everything else - work, leisure, culture and so on - are relegated to second place.

But God did not intend us to live with this artificial separation. In this book Julian Hardyman reclaims all of life for God's glory and helps us discover where that sports skill, passion for politics or flair with fashion might fit into God's plans for an abundant life.

Previously published as Glory Days, this second edition has been updated throughout and contains two brand new chapters on glorifying God during dark days and the environment.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christianity

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2006

About the author

Julian Hardyman is Senior Pastor of Eden Baptist Church in Cambridge. His enthusiasms include walking in the Cambridgeshire Fens, listening to opera and eating strong cheese. In his daydreams he beats his contemporaries at squash, serves as a local councillor and services his own car. But these are only dreams. He is married to Debbie and they have three children; Robin, Fiona and Kitty.

Reviews

[Eilidh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of very helpful reminders of truth. I didn't find it as helpful or readable as his book on prayer. It may have been because it felt like it was written to a particular group of people, likely student age. We had some good discussions in our book group from it as a lot of topics were covered.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

God loves the smell of roses!!

Loved how Hardyman addresses how to enjoy life and God’s good gifts, glorifying God in any job (including the arts!!) plus facing depression as a Christian, all without sounding patronising :)

[Tom Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about living each and every aspect of one’s life for the glory of God. Though quite surface level, Julian provides many useful references, is thorough in his reasoning and is particularly clear on encouraging Christians to live a balanced life: passionate about evangelism and church but also passionate about work, family and leisure.

[Emily Crutchley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A life giving read!

[Imogen · Rating 4 out of 5]

First read this in 2011 when I was a Fresher at university, and re-read it over the last few days because our ladies' book group at church will be discussing it on Monday and I promised to lend it to a friend.

Really worth a read, especially if you're a Christian and working in a secular job.

The first time I read it, I was struck by how, as an English Literature undergraduate, Hardyman validated my ambition to study this subject rather than, say, theology (read the book for more information!).

This time round, the chapters about glorifying God at work, loving God with all your mind, enjoying God's gifts and what to do if you have depression, have challenged me (so definitely worth holding onto for years).

This book is great because the content in the chapters themselves are not too long and definitely manageable. The downside to the book is that it has a mini Bible study at the end of each chapter as well as all the footnotes of the chapter, which I think should be separated from the main body of the text and placed at the very end of the book. This would make the format look less cluttered. Otherwise, a worthwhile read.

[Ethan Coffey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as part of other books looking at different ways of appreciating life as a christian e.g. Dan Strange Plugged In. Most interesting in talking about the great commission, and the second great commission to fill rule and conquer the earth, and to make disciples of all nations. Provides a positive and accessible coverage of these themes as part of Gods commands for how to live in the world.