Before Amen by Max Lucado

In Before Amen, bestselling author Max Lucado introduces readers to the power of a simple prayer:

Father, You are good. I need help. They need help. Thank you. In Jesus' name, amen.

As Jesus gave a model prayer to his disciples, so Lucado is giving a prayer that can be used quickly when time is short or used as the basis for a longer prayer. Each phrase has a correlating chapter to expound on the Biblical background of the thought, the appropriate application of the idea, and the spiritual blessings and possibilities that prayer can bring.

Lucado's emphasis in Before Amen is on making prayer approachable and simple for anyone. One of my favorite quotes was: “We Speak. He listens. He speaks. We listen. This is prayer in its purest form.” (pg.11) Throughout the book, I felt like Lucado reiterated the approachability of both God and prayer as well as advocated prayer as a means of experiencing deeper intimacy with God.

Before Amen is mainly targeted to Christians who desire to pray, but struggle with consistency or insecurity relating to prayer. Christians who already have a strong prayer life will likely find it minimally helpful as it is simplistic. However, I think that everyone could find encouragement in this book as Lucado often reminds the reader of Biblical truths and promises. For me, reading the chapter about God as Father was a refreshing reminder of God's love and care for each of us.

Don't forget to enter the Before Amen giveaway!

And visit the blog tour hosted by Litfuse Publicity to read more opinions on Before Amen by Max Lucado.




Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an Advance Reader Copy of Before Amen from the publisher via Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Pre-order Max Lucado’s BEFORE AMEN and receive a FREE book. And, Enter to WIN an iPad!

Prayer is simply a heartfelt conversation between God and his child. In Before Amen, best-selling author Max Lucado joins readers on a journey to the very heart of biblical prayer, offering hope for doubts, and confidence even for prayer wimps. Let the conversation begin.

I got my review copy of Before Amen by Max Lucado in the mail on Saturday and I've already started reading it. Look for my review to come soon.

Be sure to enter the Before Amen iPad Mini giveaway. AND if you pre-order a copy of Before Amen by 9/29, you'll receive a FREE ebook copy of Max’s best-selling Second Chances: More Stories of Grace.

One grand prize winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini
• Before Amen by Max Lucado

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 29th. Winner will be announced September 30th on the Litfuse blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit the Litfuse blog on the 30th to see if you won! (Or better yet, subscribe to their blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox!)

Max on Life by Max Lucado

Whether we admit it or not, we all have questions. There are situations that we don't understand and questions we lack definitive answers for. Those gray areas can be challenging to consider. What if we never find the answers we are searching for? Or worse... What if we can't live with the answers that we find? It takes courage to face the hard issues of life and kind wisdom from a friend can help us along the way. In Max On Life, Pastor Max Lucado responds with wisdom to all kinds of questions, including the hard ones. Lucado uses Scripture and poignant illustrations to guide the reader into a deeper understanding and fuller peace about who God is and how to relate to him. Lucado doesn't have answers for every situation in life, but he does point the reader to the One who holds all of the answers.

Max on Life is the fourth book I've read by Max Lucado and I always have the same impression when I read his books. Lucado's tone of writing is like have a conversation with a close friend. He is gentle with the reader, but firm about his beliefs. Overall, I feel that the doctrines/beliefs in Max on Life line up with the Bible. There were a few things here and there that I wasn't quite convinced about. I appreciated that almost every question and answer entry had Scripture in it. I find the use of Scripture highly important to the credibility of any devotional book. I used Max on Life to supplement my daily Bible readings. Most of the 172 entries are one page or less. Some are two. Each is short, yet powerful. The flexibility of the book lends itself to convenience. One can use it to supplement Bible reading, to fill a few moments of the day, or to read before going to bed.

The most wonderful thing about Max on Life is that I believe that someone could read this book and get saved. The book's layout is perfect. It starts off with some basic questions about God and Christianity, progresses into the message of salvation, and then addresses issues of the Christian life.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from BookSneeze as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

In Outlive Your Life, Max Lucado takes readers on a journey though the book of Acts. The early church lived out their lives in tangible ways that impacted other Christians as well as non-believers. Why should Christians today be any different? Do you want to do something that has a lasting affect? Can anything be done to improve the condition of third-world countries? Should we care about changing our own society? If you want to make a difference in the lives of others, then you are invited to outlive your life!

Every time I opened this book, it was like sitting down with an old friend and having a nice, comfortable chat. This is the fourth book I've read by Max Lucado and, like the others, I was challenged, uplifted and educated. The facts mentioned in the book about poverty and hunger were very sobering. Yet, at the same time, the author always provided a probable solution to challenge and encourage. The author used real-life examples and there was a study guide in the back of the book that provided questions for contemplation as well as ideas for putting faith into action. Because the chapters were not overly long and the author's use of language was enjoyable, I found that this book integrated very easily with my personal devotional time.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has a desire to make a difference in the lives of others.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from BookSneeze as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

One Hand, Two Hands

One Hand, Two Hands by Max Lucado is the story of a young girl who explores all the different things one can do with hands. The young girl is joined by her animal friends who mimic what she does as well as provide her with ways to use her hands. From writing a letter to grandma to picking up socks to clapping, so many things can be done with these wonderful hands that each person has been equipped with.

One Hand, Two Hands will be enjoyed by any child who loves stories and animals. The illustrations by Gaby Hansen are well done, colorful and fun looking. The story teaches a good moral about using our hands to help others as well as acknowledges just how miraculous hands really are. Towards the end of the book, the narration also points the reader towards God and concludes with a request for God to use these hands again. I would recommend this for ages 8 and under. Even toddlers who cannot read will enjoy the illustrations.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Booksneeze.com as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Tallest of Smalls by Max Lucado

In, The Tallest of Smalls, Ollie, a resident “too-small” of Stiltsville, is not considered a popular person. In fact, he never even wears matching socks! All the popular people have a pair of stilts to make the tall and inherently, better. As is custom, every day the entire population of “too-smalls” gather at 6:00 to see who will be awarded a pair of stilts. Surprisingly, Ollie is granted a brand new pair of stilts. At first he is thrilled, but then birds try to perch on him and he loses his balance. Once he falls, his stilts are taken away, but in the saddest moment, he discovers a truth from the only one who can give him hope.

I loved this children’s book. The illustrations were colorful, vibrant, and engaging. The story is the perfect length for a bedtime story. It teaches a truth that both children and adults need to learn and provides a beautiful moral lesson. I would recommend this book to anyone with small children who wants to communicate spiritual truths to their child in a simple, yet accurate manner. Also, I have not read Fearless by Max Lucado, but it is related to that book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from BookSneeze.com as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."