Review: Imagine Your Life Without Fear!

Fearless: Imagine Your Life
Without Fear
By Max Lucado
Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 9780849921391
240 Pages


There are many feelings that we use to express our thoughts about our daily lives--anger, depressed, perplexed, frustrated. But once I read Fearless by Max Lucado, I realized that most of those feelings are really components of an all-encompassing fear that many times engulfs us. Lucado is not talking about the instinctual fear that arises when immediate danger is near; rather it is that fear that we choose, yes, choose to feel—as opposed to faith. Is it possible to be Fearless?

Through one reference after another, Lucado points out that God speaks directly to us: “Be Not Afraid.” Jesus faced fear for His life, dying on the cross. But He faced it knowingly and willingly, giving over His will even as He admitted to His fear. And, in the end, that is all that God expects from us! To face our fear, standing on His promises!

Do I matter? The Village of Stiltsville is an interesting parable to highlight our fear of not “being” somebody. In many ways, our culture has led to this fear, in my opinion. Many are separated from a family, living on their own, wondering if there is anybody who ever thinks about them. One of my favorite hymns, “His Eye is On The Sparrow,” always sustained me through this fear, which I think we all feel at some time or other.

Or do you fear not being able to be “good enough” to be a child of God, especially possible for older Christians who lived with condemnation of the Old Testament.

The desire for a good job, an excellent salary, a large home, and the resources to do anything we want often results in a fear of failure when a job is eliminated, or a disability prevents continuation of work. Worry is another form of fear!

Or is your greatest fear the safety of your children? Safety from terrorists? Of natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, etc.?

Are you afraid to die?

Max Lucado, in Fearless, meets each of us exactly where we are. Through Biblical references, personal stories, and specific references to the word of God and His promises, he allows each of us to pause, evaluate, and realize that we have a real fear of this or that.

But he doesn’t stop there! Nor does Jesus! Fearless reminds us that Jesus is right there with us in our fear! And he will show us how to walk fearlessly into the future. This book came to me just when I needed it. My guess is that you will perhaps see yourself in some of the examples I’ve mentioned in this short review, like Max Lucado admits he did. Like I did!

Fearless is a must-read for you and your family and loved ones. Don’t Delay!

G. A. Bixler

Review: Jesus Is My Best Friend - Read Lucado's His Name Is Jesus!

"My prayer is that as you read this book Jesus will emerge...to become the touchable face of a best friend..." (Preface)

Looking for the perfect gift for your Christian family or friends? Then please consider Max Lucado's latest book, His Name is Jesus! This truly is one of the most beautiful books I've seen, both inside and out. The book has a cover that is the same as the front and back--a true coffee-table book that you will want to keep out and read and enjoy over and over. The pictures, special artistic touches and page presentation forces readers to stop at each page turn to rejoice in the beauty.

Lucado's latest book brings together his writings on Christ's birth, his mission, death, resurrection, and his legacy. Many of our favorite Biblical stories about Jesus are included; however, it is Lucado's complementary words that reveal much time spent thinking about, pondering, and discovering what He wanted us to know about His life. I found it spiritually enlightening, inspirational, and memorable!

Many of us will stop and wonder what we would have done were we living at that time. For instance, Lucado points out that it wasn't enough for the shepherds or the Magi to see the symbols of His coming, the angels singing in such splendor. Would we have been so amazed that we ran to our friends to talk about those angels appearing and thrill at that, or would we, too, have immediately gone to find Him?

And have we stopped to think about Mary changing the diaper of Jesus, burping him, helping him to learn to walk? Lucado highlights that we must remember him as human, as he intended to be--he wanted to be here in the "mire and muck" of our world so that He would relate to us and share our loneliness, our disappointments, our hunger, as well as our joys.

Have you ever wondered what would have happened if Jesus had decided to continue on as a carpenter and decide not to die on the cross? We all know He didn't deserve to die there! Jesus could have had a family, become a leader in His community. He could have had a wonderful successful life! Yes, He had doubts about fulfilling His role and Lucado's words will ensure that each reader reconsiders what options He had--and what options we would have had if...God had not sent His Son!

"Jesus... The man. The bronzed Galilean who spoke with such thunderous authority and loved with such childlike humility." (p. 31)

As a woman, one of the most memorable stories highlighted is about the woman with a bleeding disease. Due to Jewish law, her life was overtaken by menstrual dysfunction--she could not touch her husband or family, she could not cook, wash dishes, or even sweep the floor. She had nobody to help her, until she went to Jesus. Because Jesus touched the untouchables, he healed them and raised the dead--and he wiped the tears of those who cried.

Would we have been willing to stoop and wash the feet of our friends as Jesus did His disciples? Could we have become humble enough to allow him? There is much to be considered and reconsidered about our favorite stories. Max Lucado in His Name is Jesus provides an opportunity to renew your spiritual connection to Our Lord. Yes, this must be a "must read."

G. A. Bixler