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A Passionate Life
Believers yearn for a faith with the power to transform every aspect of their lives, their relationships, and their communities, but getting there sometimes seems far from simple. Authors Breen and Kallestad offer a dynamic new approach to cultivating A Passionate Life using eight simple LifeShapes. True transformation is finally within reach!
236 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2005
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94 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 24, 2013
A Passionate Life breaks down the Christian life into doable pieces.
A key premise of A Passionate Life is that we remember longer what we see than what we hear. Hence the use of the eight shapes that are used to explain and commit to memory eight facets of discipleship.
* circle of repentance and faith
* semi-circle of rest and work
* triangle of relationships
* square of priorities
* pentagon of ministry
* hexagon of prayer
* heptagon of life
* an octagon of peace
The Passionate Life gives us the tools to once again ignite the zeal of our first love.
Divided into twenty-five chapters covering subjects like: Is that All There Is?, Change is Good?, Faith is a Four Letter Word, From Learners to Leaders, We’re Alive!; the book lays out easy to use tools to help us draw closer to Jesus while also reaching out to others.
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren has helped folks figure out exactly what it is God has put them on this earth for. A Passionate Life helps up live that purpose with passion.
I’m not sure how this book will relate to others, but for me it was a welcome addition to my life.
If you’re wondering if there is something more to your spiritual life, if you’ve fallen away and keep looking back to the life that once was, if you are a new Christian and want an easy to use method to serve, or maybe you don’t know the Lord at all, and wonder what all this Christian stuff is about – get a copy of A Passionate Life. Anyone who has gone through the Purpose Driven Life should get a copy of A Passionate Life. Your spiritual life will be forever changed if you use the tools supplied.
Of course this book is highly recommended. I love the shape applications and the way I can instantly apply them to my life.
A key premise of A Passionate Life is that we remember longer what we see than what we hear. Hence the use of the eight shapes that are used to explain and commit to memory eight facets of discipleship.
* circle of repentance and faith
* semi-circle of rest and work
* triangle of relationships
* square of priorities
* pentagon of ministry
* hexagon of prayer
* heptagon of life
* an octagon of peace
The Passionate Life gives us the tools to once again ignite the zeal of our first love.
Divided into twenty-five chapters covering subjects like: Is that All There Is?, Change is Good?, Faith is a Four Letter Word, From Learners to Leaders, We’re Alive!; the book lays out easy to use tools to help us draw closer to Jesus while also reaching out to others.
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren has helped folks figure out exactly what it is God has put them on this earth for. A Passionate Life helps up live that purpose with passion.
I’m not sure how this book will relate to others, but for me it was a welcome addition to my life.
If you’re wondering if there is something more to your spiritual life, if you’ve fallen away and keep looking back to the life that once was, if you are a new Christian and want an easy to use method to serve, or maybe you don’t know the Lord at all, and wonder what all this Christian stuff is about – get a copy of A Passionate Life. Anyone who has gone through the Purpose Driven Life should get a copy of A Passionate Life. Your spiritual life will be forever changed if you use the tools supplied.
Of course this book is highly recommended. I love the shape applications and the way I can instantly apply them to my life.
January 26, 2011
This book is someewhat gimicky but there are great tips for praying and an interesting way at looking at the Lord's Prayer.
January 22, 2011
A guide to lead a passionate life!!
November 25, 2024
Another book off of the library free shelf and it was an okay read. The author stated that faith takes risk. He mentioned that we can spend time with God while doing the little things in our lives and making it a habit.
He mentioned a girl who at first loved her job and then she didn't. He criticized her for wanting to leave. I don't feel he should have judged her for this........some jobs are good until they aren't. Some jobs end up being a bait and switch situation. I've been there so I struggled with his advice to stay and work through things with her coworkers. Sometimes, a person needs to leave and it is for the best.
I liked how the Lord's Prayer was broken down and explained. The first part talks about the Father's character (Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be they name). Next, they kingdom come, they will be done reflects on God's kingdom. Give us this day our daily bread helps us to focus on the Father's provisions. Here he wants us to focus on just today and not our whole life. The next part, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us helps us to think about God's forgiveness. Lead us not into temptation helps us to think about how God guides us, Deliver us from evil looks at God's protection provided to us. I like how it was broken into parts that way to think of in this manner.
He mentioned a girl who at first loved her job and then she didn't. He criticized her for wanting to leave. I don't feel he should have judged her for this........some jobs are good until they aren't. Some jobs end up being a bait and switch situation. I've been there so I struggled with his advice to stay and work through things with her coworkers. Sometimes, a person needs to leave and it is for the best.
I liked how the Lord's Prayer was broken down and explained. The first part talks about the Father's character (Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be they name). Next, they kingdom come, they will be done reflects on God's kingdom. Give us this day our daily bread helps us to focus on the Father's provisions. Here he wants us to focus on just today and not our whole life. The next part, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us helps us to think about God's forgiveness. Lead us not into temptation helps us to think about how God guides us, Deliver us from evil looks at God's protection provided to us. I like how it was broken into parts that way to think of in this manner.
September 3, 2016
Easy read; clear illustrations; practical truth easily applied
Breen describes eight important "Life-shapes" for the passionate, fulfilled growing Christian life:
Circle of faith (Choosing to learn from life)
Observe (1 clock)
Reflect (3 o'clock)
Discuss (5 o'clock)
Plan (7 o'clock)
Account (9 o'clock)
Act (11 o'clock)
Semi-circle of work and rest (Living in rhythm with Life)
(pendulum swinging back and forth)
Rest=abiding swings to pruning
Work=Fruitfulness swings to growing pruning abiding
Triangle of relationships (Balancing the relationships of Life)
Up to God at the peak
Out to others
In to self
Square (Defining the priorities of Life)
(moving from leading to learning)
Stage 1 Disciples are confident and incompetent-leaders are direct and set an example
Stage 2 Disciples are enthusiastic and incompent-leaders become coaches
Stage 3 Disciples have growing confidence--leaders are open to discussion
Stage 4 Learners are confident and competent-leaders give low direction, low examples
(Breen himself even says in the book that this square is similar to the "I do, you watch"
"I do, you help"
"You do, I help"
"You do, I watch" process
Pentagon (Knowing your role in life)
(giftings of believers)
Apostle
Prophet
Evangelist
Pastor
Teacher
Hexagon (Praying as a way of life)
(based on Lord's prayer-how to pray)
The Father's character
The Father's kingdom
The Father's Provision
The Father's Forgiveness
The Father's Guidance
The father's protection
Heptagon (Practicing the principles of a Vital life)
(qualities of a living being)
Movement
Respiration
Sensitivity
Growth
Reproduction
Excretion
Nutrition
Octagon (Living life with a mission)
Presence Evangelism (divine appointments)
Passing relationship (infrequent)
Permanent relationships
Proclamation
Preparation (planting a seed0
Power (miracles)
Perception (following an opportunity)
Peace is one side of the shape-describes seeking a person of peace who is open and will receive the gospel
Some quotes:
When you're struggling against the tide, it's important to know which way is up. We live in a time of seismic changes in our culture--changes that have left us disoriented in our spiritual journey even as we fight against the tide. p 24
Until the 1990's, family shows dominated television programming. "Family Ties" and "The Cosby Show," while not as traditional as "Leave it to Beaver" or "Father Knows Best," still had Mom and Dad working together to provide a safe harbor for their children.
Since the early 90's, those shows have been replaced with others that reflect real life. "Friends" was the number one show of the 1990s. "Seinfeld" depicted a group of very different people held together not by blood, but by loyalty. Changes in our culture have changed how we define community--yet, community is still what we are all hungry to find. If we no longer have a traditional family to which we can "belong," where can we belong? p. 29
It's as though the human heart was created for passion and enthusiasm, yet as we face life's challenges we can suffer a sequence of losses and disappointments that kill our passion. Missed opportunities, broken relationships, the stresses and strains of life that cause us hurt take their toll.
Eventually we try to protect ourselves and our passion is gradually restrained, starved, and weakened. We begin to feel less alive as a result. This is a dangerous position to be in because a hungry heart is a persistent predator looking to devour anything that will give temporary respite to the ache within. Our hearts become more vulnerable to the quick fix and can be drawn into a season of darkness and depression. We don't have to go there--and if we find ourselves there, we don't have to stay there. p. 41
Change doesn't happen in private. The repentance process that began internally becomes external through faith You may be afraid to share with someone else because you think your thoughts or feelings are too private. This will only keep you from growing and changing. Al the mistakes the heroes in the Bible made are public record for all time. Just think how Peter must feel about having people read and discuss how he denied Jesus three times!
Sharing your inner thoughts and outward failings with another person may be hard at first. Ultimately it is necessary for growth. The Circle [of faith] will not turn if one spoke is broken or missing. We cannot skip accountability and still say we are disciples of Christ. It is that simple.
Once you have a plan and an accountable relationship , the natural next step is action. Faith comes to the surface and produces action. Faith cannot be contained. Thoughts and intents that we hold within and do not act on are not faith, no matter what we might like to think. "My faith is personal" is a favorite. But that's a self-contradicting statement. Faith is always acted out, never kept bottled up. p. 55
People leave churches all the time because they don't feel connected. They may be serving on half a dozen committees or ministry teams, but they don't have the In relationships that go beyond the boundaries of the work the committee does together. Churches sometimes do very well within the Up dimension--worshiping God together--and the Out dimension--serving the community around them, but not so well with the In dimension. People feel this lack of balance and move on in search of intimacy. The community of God should be the place they found it. pg. 101-102
Breen describes eight important "Life-shapes" for the passionate, fulfilled growing Christian life:
Circle of faith (Choosing to learn from life)
Observe (1 clock)
Reflect (3 o'clock)
Discuss (5 o'clock)
Plan (7 o'clock)
Account (9 o'clock)
Act (11 o'clock)
Semi-circle of work and rest (Living in rhythm with Life)
(pendulum swinging back and forth)
Rest=abiding swings to pruning
Work=Fruitfulness swings to growing pruning abiding
Triangle of relationships (Balancing the relationships of Life)
Up to God at the peak
Out to others
In to self
Square (Defining the priorities of Life)
(moving from leading to learning)
Stage 1 Disciples are confident and incompetent-leaders are direct and set an example
Stage 2 Disciples are enthusiastic and incompent-leaders become coaches
Stage 3 Disciples have growing confidence--leaders are open to discussion
Stage 4 Learners are confident and competent-leaders give low direction, low examples
(Breen himself even says in the book that this square is similar to the "I do, you watch"
"I do, you help"
"You do, I help"
"You do, I watch" process
Pentagon (Knowing your role in life)
(giftings of believers)
Apostle
Prophet
Evangelist
Pastor
Teacher
Hexagon (Praying as a way of life)
(based on Lord's prayer-how to pray)
The Father's character
The Father's kingdom
The Father's Provision
The Father's Forgiveness
The Father's Guidance
The father's protection
Heptagon (Practicing the principles of a Vital life)
(qualities of a living being)
Movement
Respiration
Sensitivity
Growth
Reproduction
Excretion
Nutrition
Octagon (Living life with a mission)
Presence Evangelism (divine appointments)
Passing relationship (infrequent)
Permanent relationships
Proclamation
Preparation (planting a seed0
Power (miracles)
Perception (following an opportunity)
Peace is one side of the shape-describes seeking a person of peace who is open and will receive the gospel
Some quotes:
When you're struggling against the tide, it's important to know which way is up. We live in a time of seismic changes in our culture--changes that have left us disoriented in our spiritual journey even as we fight against the tide. p 24
Until the 1990's, family shows dominated television programming. "Family Ties" and "The Cosby Show," while not as traditional as "Leave it to Beaver" or "Father Knows Best," still had Mom and Dad working together to provide a safe harbor for their children.
Since the early 90's, those shows have been replaced with others that reflect real life. "Friends" was the number one show of the 1990s. "Seinfeld" depicted a group of very different people held together not by blood, but by loyalty. Changes in our culture have changed how we define community--yet, community is still what we are all hungry to find. If we no longer have a traditional family to which we can "belong," where can we belong? p. 29
It's as though the human heart was created for passion and enthusiasm, yet as we face life's challenges we can suffer a sequence of losses and disappointments that kill our passion. Missed opportunities, broken relationships, the stresses and strains of life that cause us hurt take their toll.
Eventually we try to protect ourselves and our passion is gradually restrained, starved, and weakened. We begin to feel less alive as a result. This is a dangerous position to be in because a hungry heart is a persistent predator looking to devour anything that will give temporary respite to the ache within. Our hearts become more vulnerable to the quick fix and can be drawn into a season of darkness and depression. We don't have to go there--and if we find ourselves there, we don't have to stay there. p. 41
Change doesn't happen in private. The repentance process that began internally becomes external through faith You may be afraid to share with someone else because you think your thoughts or feelings are too private. This will only keep you from growing and changing. Al the mistakes the heroes in the Bible made are public record for all time. Just think how Peter must feel about having people read and discuss how he denied Jesus three times!
Sharing your inner thoughts and outward failings with another person may be hard at first. Ultimately it is necessary for growth. The Circle [of faith] will not turn if one spoke is broken or missing. We cannot skip accountability and still say we are disciples of Christ. It is that simple.
Once you have a plan and an accountable relationship , the natural next step is action. Faith comes to the surface and produces action. Faith cannot be contained. Thoughts and intents that we hold within and do not act on are not faith, no matter what we might like to think. "My faith is personal" is a favorite. But that's a self-contradicting statement. Faith is always acted out, never kept bottled up. p. 55
People leave churches all the time because they don't feel connected. They may be serving on half a dozen committees or ministry teams, but they don't have the In relationships that go beyond the boundaries of the work the committee does together. Churches sometimes do very well within the Up dimension--worshiping God together--and the Out dimension--serving the community around them, but not so well with the In dimension. People feel this lack of balance and move on in search of intimacy. The community of God should be the place they found it. pg. 101-102
May 10, 2021
Some simple, straightforward principles of discipleship - though I don't agree with their understanding of Ephesians 4. Some good memory devices and practical application in how to make multiplying disciples. I don't think they put enough emphasis on studying the Word.
February 29, 2024
A quick guide to practical points of the Christian life. The lessons are reproducible and easy to remember. I've caught myself drawing shapes to teach random bystanders a valuable lesson about what it means to be a Christian.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
July 4, 2017
some good philosophies
March 21, 2019
I'm not into shapes but the content was great. I was really happy to see how much Bible the author used to make their point(s).
September 27, 2019
A great book .... It shows a way of life
July 4, 2014
Very practical and helpful. The shapes are simple - I will never look at a stop sign the same way again - and really do help the concepts stick. A great framework for discipleship. I look forward to reading the rest of his books to fill in the blanks.
March 13, 2014
Helpful. A simple pattern for discipleship.
November 19, 2008
I enjoyed the definition of talents in this book and using your gifts to help others.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews